Champions League: Zidane Hails Ronaldo, Guardiola Happy With Man City’s “Great Start”

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has rained praises on Cristiano Ronaldo, after the forward grabbed a brace on his return from suspension for pushing a referee.

Real humiliated Apoel 3-0, courtesy of a brace from Ronaldo with Sergio Ramos firing home an overhead kick to complete the win.

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The European and Spanish champions have drawn their last two La Liga games in his absence and Madrid boss has admitted the Portuguese importance to the squad.

“He is the best in the world. We know he will always score goals,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.
“With a bit more luck today he could have scored four. Cristiano has so many goals in him and we feel it.

“Hopefully he stays in form. You can’t question the levels he reaches every year,” added Ramos.

Madrid’s next European assignment is a trip to face Peter Bosz’s Dortmund, while APOEL will host Tottenham in Nicosia.

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Meanwhile, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is pleased with the bright start his team have made to the UEFA Champions League campaign, but adds that there is a lot of hard work ahead.

Manchester City failed to win a game away from home last season in the competition under Guardiola but have started their campaign with a 4-0 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

“It’s so important to win the first game and though nothing is achieved yet, it’s a great start for us,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference.

“Last season we weren’t able to win any games away in the Champions League and we spoke about that among the squad.

“If we want to be able to move forward, you must be able to win games away in this competition – home matches as well, of course – but we made a very good performance.

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“It helps to score in the first few minutes, but we continued to keep attacking and going forward while defending really well, too.”

Guardiola also praised John Stones who bagged a first career brace for Manchester City.

“John played well and while he scored two great goals, he did very well defensively, winning duels and doing what he had to do,” Guardiola added.

“That’s what John needs to do to keep progressing over the next few years.

“We’ve made a huge effort to move forwards and brought in five players during the summer – as have all the top clubs in Europe – PSG, Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona – and it’s important for us to see if we can go away from home with the same mentality we have at the Etihad.

“The same high press, attacking philosophy and not conceding on the counter-attack, so I’m very pleased tonight.”

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