According to the Mirror, Carlo Ancelotti says Cristiano Ronaldo is fully focused on beating Liverpool on Tuesday night, rather than writing his name in to the record books.
The Portuguese star, who scored a wonderful opener in Los Blancos’ 3-0 win at Anfield two weeks ago, needs one goal to equal Raul’s tally of 71 goals in Europe’s premier club competition.
With a lot of talk focused on Ronaldo equalling the record, Carlo Ancelotti is not concerned about talks of the achievement, he is just concentrating on beating Brendan Rodger’s side.
“Cristiano is working hard for himself and the side, just like other players,” said Ancelotti, who led Real to a 10th European Cup success in May.
“He [Ronaldo] is not thinking about Raul’s record, he is thinking about the team.
“He could beat it tomorrow but it won’t be his last Champions League appearance. He is focused on playing for the team.”
Gareth Bale could also make a comeback from injury for the Spanish giants.
The £85 million ace has missed the club’s last four games- not figuring since the 5th of October-with a hip problem.
Both Isco and James Rodriguez have impressed in his absence but the returning Welshman looks set for at least a place on the bench.
“The question is whether to deploy a player who is coming back from injury from the start,” added Ancelotti.
“I will decide tomorrow.”
Ancelotti also defended compatriot Balotelli for being in the news for all the wrong reasons, the player caused a public outcry after swapping shirts with defender Pepe at half-time.
“Balotelli is spoken of a lot, maybe too much,” he said. “He has quality and is at a side where they’re not playing well having lost [Luis] Suarez, who scored a lot.
“They need another solution but I don’t think all of Liverpool’s problems are Balotelli.
“He needs to do his work for the side, that’s all that can be asked of him – and I don’t have problem with shirt-changing.”
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