Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo insists that the side’s recent poor run is not due to his absence.
The Portuguese international has missed the last five games due to an ankle injury and without him Real have lost on three occasions and won only once.
Pressure on coach Manuel Pellegrini also increased on Tuesday as Real were humiliated 4-0 by Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey.
But the former Manchester United star is adamant that Real are not a one-man side, saying: “We’re not going through a great moment but neither am I the saviour.
“A team is influenced by many and not only one player. I’m eager to play and help my team-mates. I’m convinced that things are going to improve.
“Disasters like the one in Alcorcon have always happened in football, there’s no need to go overboard. It’s gone, we lost. No-one is happy, no-one expected it, the team didn’t play well, but the world doesn’t end because Madrid lost 4-0.
“We have to lift ourselves and learn from the defeat. The changing room was very sad after the loss, but little by little the atmosphere is improving.”
When asked about Pellegrini, Ronaldo told Marca: “I’m happy and when you are happy there is no need to change or talk of others. We have to talk about those who are here, not those who could come.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has appealed for calm in the wake of the shock loss to Alcorcon, insisting that new coach Pellegrini and his side need time.
“There has to be calm and patience, even though the defeat in Alcorcon was humiliating. The history of Real Madrid is more than one game, which shouldn’t be exaggerated or create unrest,” said Perez.
“Of course it’s not nice for a president to see his team like that (against Alcorcon), but we are Real Madrid. The same as knowing how to win, we have to know how to lose and recognise that yesterday Alcorcon were better than Real Madrid.
“We need to congratulate the opposing players and try to turn the tie around.”
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