Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane on Wednesday said that defenses across Europe should beware of Cristiano Ronaldo, as he is only just getting started.
The Portuguese star returned to action after a month by scoring twice in a 3-0 win over APOEL and could have scored on three further occasions before he doubled Real’s lead from the penalty spot in the second half, while he was later denied a hat-trick by an offside flag.
“If he had been in better shape, he’d have scored four goals,” Zidane told reporters. “He is the best in the world, he is always there when we want him, he always scores goals. We know what Cristiano offers.”
Photo: AFP
Ronaldo was hit with a five-game domestic ban — with the fifth game he will miss to be played at the weekend — for pushing a referee in their Copa del Rey game against Barcelona on Aug. 13.
“He’s a vital player for us and I hope he stays on this run even though we won’t have him on Sunday,” Zidane said.
“I hope that’s the last game this season where he won’t be able to play for us,” he said.
Real badly missed Ronaldo in draws against Valencia and Levante UD, with Bale looking unsuited to the center forward role and Karim Benzema being forced off injured early in the latter game, leaving the inexperienced Borja Mayoral as the team’s only fit natural striker at the time.
“We have definitely lacked some sharpness up front recently, but we can’t always win every game by loads of goals as football is becoming more equal and every opponent is strong, but we all know that Cristiano always has goals in him and is fundamental to us,” Ronaldo’s teammate Sergio Ramos said. “His quality is unquestionable and whenever he is around Madrid are always going to benefit from his presence.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and