Tiago Mendes has said the fitness problems of Cristiano Ronaldo must have been serious to force the Real Madrid forward out of international duty.
Ronaldo didn’t join up with Portugal for the recent international break in an effort to regain full fitness for Madrid, with the derby against Atletico Madrid to come on Saturday.
Tiago, speaking on Al Primer Toque ahead of the match, said that from afar he believes Ronaldo must have been seriously struggling, but that the two week break will have helped a great deal.
“Cristiano it seems has physical problems. To not go with Portugal, it must have been something serious,” Marca reports the midfielder as speculating.
“But these two weeks will have given him new life.”
Tiago added however that Madrid will miss Xabi Alonso, who is a more permanent absence – having joined Bayern Munich before the transfer window closed.
He also said that Atletico’s recent success gives them a better chance of winning at Santiago Bernabeu, but stops short of making Atleti favourites.
“Madrid are lost without him, he gave the team balance,” Tiago contended.
“Winning the Copa del Rey at home was a turning point. We’re closer to them now.
“We’re closer but they are still favourites. We have a 30-35% chance of winning, but we have more confidence.
“It’s a challenge to win at the Bernabeu, without thinking of the Champions League final or the Supercopa. We’re looking forward to it a lot.”
Tiago also said that while Atletico go into this season as champions, their aim is not to retain the title but to finish best of the rest – behind Madrid and Barcelona.
“It’s amazing that we won the League against Madrid and Barca. I can’t think that could happen again,” he revealed.
“Since I arrived here I said we have to take the place of Valencia, being third every year, first of the other League.”
