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Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has come out in defence of manager Carlo Ancelotti and Los Blancos superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale after huge criticism was directed at them after Real’s humiliating 4-3 Champions League loss to Schalke at the Santiago Bernabeu this week. Perez has said that all three had his unconditional support no matter what happens in the last months of the season.
Real’s loss to Schalke was followed by jeers and whistles by home fans and a huge media uproar over Real’s poor recent showings.
Cristiano Ronaldo just won his third Ballon d’Or: Perez
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored twice during the match, was not spared from the attacks and questions have being raised on the Portuguese star’s current form. Perez defended Ronaldo saying, “I am not getting into questioning Cristiano Ronaldo. There are people who do not love us in the media. I will not repeat his CV, he just picked up his third Ballon d'Or.
“Everyone has had a drop [in form], due to circumstances, he is working to recover, as always does, and to win the Ballon d'Or again.”
This is not Ronaldo’s first tryst with trouble this season as the 30-year-old has been subject to criticism earlier this year for celebrating his birthday shortly after a 4-0 derby loss to Atletico Madrid.
On the matter, Perez said, “If player like Ronaldo invites friends to his 30th birthday, that's his business. I've not talked to him about it.”
Perez defends Gareth Bale signing
Welsh winger Gareth Bale has probably been the most criticised of the Real Madrid players and the Bernabeu faithful have questioned the winger’s hefty price tag. Bale arrived at Madrid last season from Tottenham after Real paid a record-breaking transfer fee to land their man.
Perez defended his decision to sign Bale saying, “I signed, we signed, Gareth Bale after a big drama. It was first said he had hernia injury, then that he was not a proper footballer, then that the system had to be changed.
“That has been what has damaged him, trying to change the coach's wishes. Gareth Bale is one of best players in the world. The most important teams fight and continue to fight for his services.
“We should not forget that in his first year at Real Madrid, what he was capable to do in the two finals we played -- [score in] the Champions League and Copa del Rey.”
'Carlo Ancelotti will remain Real Madrid’s coach’
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti too has been on the receiving end from the fans and media and rumours of him being sacked before the end of the season has been doing its rounds. Perez came to his manager’s defence and stated, “To clear up statements that have nothing to do with reality, and have created a poor atmosphere around (the) club for players.
“Our greatness is in our self-criticism and self-demanding nature, but to take advantage of our low moment in form, to attack coach and the players is disproportionate.
“I want to show our club has full confidence in our coach and our players. Whatever happens in coming weeks, Carlo Ancelotti will remain Madrid coach. And all players have the support and affection of the club, board and president.
“We have best coach and players for Madrid. They have won respect of all football fans, and especially all Madridistas. We feel very proud of all of them.
“We had never won four trophies in one calendar year, so this coach and players form part of the history of this club. We will keep battling for the Champions League and La Liga, and remain united despite all from outside.”
Fans need to be patient: Perez
Perez also asked for some patience by the fans and was confident of the club’s success.
He said, “We ask all our socios and fans to support our coach, and be proud of them, for all they have done, and all they will do. They need our support, as that is our strength, and always has been.
“My first feeling after Schalke game was to be happy to be in quarters. That is difficult to do. We saw last night others [referring to Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea] did not make it.
“To hit rock bottom would be to go to the Segunda. It's all relative. We are second in La Liga, and into the Champions League quarterfinals, which we have seen is not easy, not everyone has done it.
“We cannot always win these trophies, but we are the club with most La Liga titles and most European Cups. So responsible and intelligent self-criticism is accepted, but not that which does us damage."
