Madrid, Aug 9 (IANS) Real Madrid chief coach Rafael Benitez has explained that Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo was not suffering any kind of serious injury.
The striker missed out in the Audi Cup in Germany in midweek and has not travelled for Sunday’s friendly game in Norway, prompting worries that his back problem was more serious than at first thought, Xinhua reported on Sunday.
Speaking ahead of that game in Oslo, which will be played just two weeks before the kick off of the La Liga season, Benitez assured those present in his press conference that Ronaldo’s problems were not that bad.
“Cristiano had a problem the other day and he has been working with the medical team. He should be ok next week and I don’t think he’ll have any problems playing the opening game against Sporting (Gijon),” said the Real chief coach, who was happy with pre-season preparations despite injuries to French forward Karim Benzema and Portuguese defender Pepe.
“Two players have suffered injuries, while the rest have only felt twinges or discomfort… It’s positive how the squad is shaping up physically,” explained Benitez
Finally as Real close in on the kick off to the new season at home to recently promoted Sporting, the former Liverpool, Valencia, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Napoli coach was looking forward to what lay ahead.
“The pre-season has been very positive. The team looks good, but we still have margin to improve. I think we give the impression of being a solid team and I am feeling optimistic,” the Spaniard concluded.