Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has heaped to the defense of Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo after Sunday's 2-0 win over Levante. The Liga BBVA giants secured all three points and kept pressure on leaders Barcelona as a brace from Gareth Bale guided Los Blancos to victory.
It wasn't, however, the most fruitful of showings from Cristiano. Despite having a hand in both goals, the three-time Ballon d'Or winner failed to make the score sheet, and appeared frustrated when Gareth Bale opened the scoring.
Nonetheless, the club's Italian manager believes the former Manchester United winger was “alive in the game”. Speaking in a post-match press conference, the Merengues boss said:
"I think the first half was good, we played well, with good intensity and quality. We had control of the game.
"In the second half we were more relaxed.
"I think Cristiano's alive because the first goal came from a shot which the defender saved and then Bale scored the second in the same way. Cristiano didn't score but was alive in the game."
Ronaldo was "alive in the game", says Ancelotti, despite failing to score
Ancelotti also praised world-record signing Gareth Bale, who after enduring tough times with the fans recently, scored his first goal for the club since January 24.
"I saw a more motivated Bale, with more desire, and the whole team had more concentration. Everyone did well in the first half.
"We now have to do it for the whole game on Sunday [against Barcelona]."
With El Clasico fast approaching, Ancelotti hinted with a joke that captain Iker Casillas would be reinstated between the sticks despite being dropped in favor of Keylor Navas on Sunday.
"I have a clear XI for Camp Nou, I don't think there'll be any surprises. I've a doubt over the goalkeeper!"
