- Title: Zidane amazed by Ronaldo'sgoalscoring feats
- Date: 21st February 2017
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (FEBRUARY 21, 2017) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** REAL MADRID PLAYERS DIVIDED IN TWO GROUPS PASSING THE BALL FORWARD KARIM BENZEMA AND STRIKER CRISTIANO RONALDO CENTRE BACK SERGIO RAMOS DURING SESSION REAL MADRID COACH ZINEDINE ZIDANE TALKING TO STAFF MEMBER LEFT BACK MARCELO SHOWING DISCOMFORT AND CHASING THE BALL MIDFIELDER ISCO AL
- Embargoed: 7th March 2017 14:05
- Keywords: Zidane Real Madrid Ronaldo
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA00164GRSCF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Real Madrid will be looking to extend their lead at the top of La Liga when they play one of their two games in hand away to Valencia on Wednesday (February 22).
The Valencia match was originally scheduled for December but was moved due to Real's involvement in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan, which they won. With Barcelona just one point behind Real, a win against Valencia, currently 15th in La Liga, will put Real four points clear with a rearranged match against Celta Vigo still to be played as well.
Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is expected to return from injury after missing Saturday's (February 18) 2-0 home win against Espanyol with a hip injury.
Karim Benzema, Luka Modric and Keylor Navas, all rested against Espanyol as part of seven changes made by Zidane to the side that beat Napoli in the Champions League last week, are all set to start at the Mestalla stadium.
Gareth Bale could start too after impressing on his return from an ankle injury. The Welsh forward came off the bench and outpaced Espanyol's defence before scoring Real's second.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be expected to be in his usual place on the left side of attack, but even Zidane himself was surprised in the news conference about his player's goalscoring feats for Real from that position where he has tallied almost 400 goals in all competitions.
"He played his whole career in that position, hence his position is there," said Zidane. "Of course, he is going to score playing in that position. He can play in other position because he is an outstanding player but his preferred position and from where he has scored 280 goals or more... 300? 400! Oh my god, (he scored) playing in that position." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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