Speaking after a 7-1 win over Celta vigo, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane praised Cristiano Ronaldo while playing down the criticism levelled against the team by the fans at Santiago Bernabeu.
While Pepe gave Real Madrid the lead in the first half, Ronaldo scored three goals in quick succession to put the Galacticos in charge of the proceedings. Jese Rodriguez too found himself on the score-sheet after adding Madrid’s 6th goal of the evening. Introduced midway into the second half, Gareth Bale went on to add to Celta Vigo’s misery with a goal of his own.
Criticism from the fans is necessary to improve
As reported by ESPN, Zidane chose to focus on Ronaldo’s exploits on the pitch while playing down the issue regarding the whistles being directed towards the players.
“I will stick with his performance.”
“It’s part of football that the fans whistle sometimes, not just [at] Cristiano. It is like that. These are demanding fans who know the game well and always want more from their players. That is good to improve, to do more, and we always need to do more.
“Then, you all know Cristiano — he is capable of putting in four. Few can do that. He is unique.”
Fans make their sentiments clear to the club hierarchy
The home supporters took up arms against Real Madrid as they targeted president Florentino Perez and the players following a disappointing loss in the Madrid derby last week. A banner asking for his resignation was displayed at Santiago Bernabeu, which was promptly removed by the club authorities. The message read: “Listen to the stadium and resign, Florentino.”
The fans also directed their ire towards the players as a section of them turned their back towards the pitch for the first three minutes of the game. They also unfurled a banner that quoted Alfredo di Stefano while seemingly questioning the players’ dedication towards the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to react to such criticism as he cupped his ears in a gesture directed towards the fans after scoring his first goal against Celta Vigo. However, all seemed forgotten as the Portuguese scored his fourth goal of the evening as he became the fastest player to score 350 goals for a single club.
