Teammates right behind Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has received the backing of his Real Madrid teammates – including Gareth Bale – amid his mini goal drought.The Portuguese superstar failed to score in Sunday’s 2-1 home win over Athletic Bilbao that sent Real Madrid to the top of La Liga.

It is the first time in his seven-year stint in the Spanish capital that Ronaldo, now 31, has failed to score in four straight games at the Bernabeu.

He is not a machine. He is a human being.

Alvaro Morata

Jeers were heard from some sections of the Real support towards their star player, but Ronaldo’s teammates were quick to leap to his defence.

Alvaro Morata was the match winner against Bilbao and he says too much is expected of Ronaldo due to his past achievements.

“When you’re used to scoring almost 70 goals a season, it’s almost like an addiction for goals,” said the Spaniard.

“For us he is the most important player in the team and I hope that he scores lots of goals, but he is not a machine. He is a human being, even if he comes from another planet and is different, he also has the right to miss”.

Real Madrid are one point clear of Sevilla at the top of La Liga after nine games, with Barcelona a point further adrift alongside Villarreal.

Zinedine Zidane’s team are 13/8 to win the title this season and Bale insists Ronaldo will be happy to be on top of the pile, despite his own tally of four goals in eight games in all competitions so far.

“Cristiano works hard to keep scoring goals, but the important thing is the team and I’m sure he’s happy to be top,” said the Welshman.

Ronaldo is 5/1 to be leading goalscorer in La Liga this season, while Barcelona forward Luis Suarez is available at 11/10.

Source: bet365.com