Real Madrid may own a three-goal advantage heading into the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Borussia Dortmund but that lead hasn't eased the fear of Cristiano Ronaldo potentially missing the upcoming showdown with continued knee trouble. The 2013 Ballon d'Or Award winner was rested for Real Madrid's recent 4-0 thumping of La Liga rival Real Sociedad and made the trip to Germany for Madrid's Tuesday second leg but after limping off the pitch in a recent practice session, it appears that CR7's availability for the upcoming game is in serious doubt.
“Ronaldo has had some treatment and trained at low intensity," Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti said. "If he is at 100 percent he will play, if not he will not. All the games that Ronaldo played, he played as he was okay. We have never taken risks with him or any other player. Cristiano and I think the same -- he should always play when he is fit, but when he does not feel right he cannot play. He is a very good professional, knows his body very well. When he does not feel right he says it, without any problem, as happened for the game against Real Sociedad.”
With 14 goals in 8 UCL contests this season, Ronaldo has certainly been a major reason for the continued success of the Spanish giants. While it remains to be seen if he'll be able to go Tuesday at Signal Iduna Park, the 29-year-old forward is expected to recover in order to help Los Blancos battle for the top spot in the competitive Spanish Primera Division. Through 32 league matches, Madrid finds themselves three points back of table-leading Atletico Madrid and while winning the league is surely important, Carlo Ancelotti remains fixated on the upcoming Champions League match, a match he'll enter with the same game plan regardless of Ronaldo's availability.
“We will not change the system, we need to play the same," he said. "They have 90 minutes to score four goals. We have 90 minutes to score one. The earlier we score the easier for us. The idea we will try to put out on the pitch is the same as always. We will play our way -- attacking, as we have a lot of potential in attack. We will look to attack and defend together.”
The second leg contest between Real Madrid and BVB will take place on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:45pm, ET.
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