Levante Coach Juan Ignacio Martinez argues that Cristiano Ronaldo's silence about David Navarro's elbow proves it was accidental.
The Portuguese winger had to be substituted after a collision with Navarro during Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over the Granotes last Sunday. Since then there has been a media frenzy with Navarro's past involvement in controversial incidents dredged up and Martinez's side labelled a dirty team.
“It was an accidental action, and to go through the history of Navarro's sporting career bothered me,” 'JIM' stated at a Press conference. “There's no need to remind him, he has already paid for it.
“If Cristiano has not said anything that is because he also believes it was accidental.”
Though he admitted this had been an bizarre week with so much Press attention focused on the little club from Valencia, Martinez stressed that his men would not go into Sunday's game against Deportivo La Coruna distracted.
“It was an atypical week but the group came in handy and we have focused on the match against Deportivo. We beat them in the Copa del Rey last season but you could see they were a Primera Division team in disguise. Our players are recovered and this will be a very difficult match.”
Obafemi Martins has returned late from a friendly with Nigeria in Miami, but should play at Riazor.
“Martins has trained alone this afternoon. He is an important player for us and we need him to be available.”
The strategist ended with words on the situation of disaffected Greek striker Theofanis Gekas, who wants to play more.
“We have met with him, the President, the sporting director and me. He has a small problem and must recover.”
