Manchester City’s attempt to overcome Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday became more difficult yesterday when Cristiano Ronaldo returned to training for the Spanish giants.
Ronaldo, 31, has missed his side’s past three games having started every league and European tie before then, and is undergoing stem-cell treatment in a bid to ensure that he can play some part in the return leg.
The forward, who has scored 47 times this season, declared that he would have played in the 0-0 draw on Tuesday at the Etihad Stadium “if it were a final” and has uploaded photographs to his social media pages documenting his recovery.
He will train today and tomorrow before a final decision is taken on Wednesday, however it is understood any participation at the Bernabeu is more likely to come from the bench.
Karim Benzema, the forward, was forced off at half-time in the first leg against City with a hamstring injury and is a major doubt to feature in midweek. The Frenchman has excelled under Zinédine Zidane, scoring 11 times in 16 games since Rafael Benítez was replaced on January 4 and his consistency has been a key factor in their resurgence in the La Liga title race.
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Barcelona have had a ten-point lead eroded in recent weeks and in the duo’s absence Gareth Bale was Real’s hero for the second week in succession. Despite missing a number of gilt-edged chances, it was the Welshman who struck his 19th goal of the campaign ten minutes from time to seal a narrow win.
“He’s had problems but he can do everything Ronaldo can do and play many games,” Zidane said of Bale when asked if the only thing preventing comparisons between the two were the Portuguese’s superior fitness record. “When you see an important player like Bale score such an important goal then it bodes well for Wednesday. I’m happy for him.”
With one point separating Real from joint leaders Atletico Madrid and Barcelona before Saturday’s games, Bale’s strike in the early kick-off temporarily sent Madrid top. However both responded, and with two games remaining the most-exciting Spanish title race in years is going down to the wire.
Antoine Griezmann’s thunderous effort sealed a 1-0 victory for Atletico over neighbours Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona beat Real Betis 2-0 win thanks to goals from Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suárez to go back to the top.