Carlo Ancelotti announced that Cristiano Ronaldo returned when Madrid's "Real" started the Champions League quarter-final first match with a 2-0 victory against Gelsenkirchen's "Schalke". In recent weeks, C.Ronaldo had been criticized for not scoring since January 18.
However, he silenced his critics in Germany, when he directed the ball into the goal defended by 19-year-old Timon Wellenreuther. This was Cristiano Ronaldo's 58th goal in 58 matches in the Champions League with "Real". The 30-year-old Portuguese national team forward equaled Lionel Messi and Raul in the ranking of the most productive players in European tournaments. Cristiano Ronaldo, like the mentioned players, has scored 76 goals.
"Ronaldo is back. He scored and made an assist. He played superbly", Ancelotti rejoiced.
Last year, Ancelotti, who helped Real win their tenth elite European tournament trophy, was pleased with his team's performance against the well-organized "Schalke" team.
"It's not easy to play such a match after our difficulties in Spain, but the players showed the right attitude. We played well. The game may not have been brilliant, as "Schalke" tried to hit us with counterattacks. But when we got the 1-0 lead, we started to control the match", said Ancelotti.
His players also played against "Schalke" in the quarterfinals last year. Real beat the Germans 9-2 with a combined result.
"He lives to score and that was a very important goal. Amazing reaction in such an important stage", Ronaldo praised Ancelotti.
The return match at the "Santiago Bernabeu" stadium will take place on March 10.
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