Monday, 7th December 2009

After Real Madrid’s 4-2 win over Xerez at the weekend, attention was focused not on the performance, but on newcomers Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema. The Portuguese winger was sent off in the last few minutes of the match for two yellow cards, and was earlier seen not celebrating Benzema’s goal when the Frenchman thumped home his missed penalty. The 21-year-old striker however, has played down the possibility of any rift in the dressing room

Speaking to Sport, Benzema said, “In the dressing room he told us he was sorry. What happened is something that can happen to anyone. Surely he was disappointed at missing the penalty, but after that I was glad to have scored. He is a great professional and he wants to get the team winning. “

Ronaldo will miss Real Madrid’s tricky visit to high-flying Valencia at the weekend, a problem manager Manuel Pellegrini could do without. Los Che are currently sitting just three points behind Real, 3rd in La Liga, and haven’t lost in their last ten games.

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