MADRID, March 23 (Reuters) - Real Madrid coach
Carlos Queiroz believes his side will end talk of a crisis at the club with a
convincing win over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions League
quarter-final on Wednesday.
Real have come under fire from the Spanish media
after following up last week's shock 3-2 extra-time defeat by Real Zaragoza in
the King's Cup final with a 4-2 loss at Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
"We know that every time we lose a game we have
to deal with talk of a crisis because it is so unusual for us to be defeated,"
Queiroz told a news conference on Tuesday.
"We may have lost three points and a final over
the past week, but we haven't lost the virtues or strength of character that
makes Real Madrid.
"Our personal and professional pride has been
hurt but the best way to cure that is to win the match and play good football.
With our two defeats last week was a black one but I'm sure we are about to
start a white one."
Queiroz said that despite his confidence he was
not underestimating Monaco, who have also lost momentum in recent games.
"We are fully aware that we are going to play a
great team," he said. "They have had some fantastic results this season, they've
got some quality players and are very well organised in defence, but we have
faith in our own strength too."
The former Manchester United assistant added
that his team had been given a major boost by news that leading scorer Ronaldo
has received the all-clear from club doctors to play in Wednesday's game at the
Bernabeu after recovering from a thigh injury.
"We are confident that he will be able to play
the full 90 minutes and that he will have a good game," Queiroz said.
Ronaldo told reporters he was impatient to
return to action after missing his side's last four matches.
"My injury is completely cured," he said. "I'd
be delighted if the boss decided to play me from the start. I really suffer when
I'm out injured and hope I don't miss any more games. I'm hoping I'll be back to
my best." |