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Sat Dec 07, 2019 4:31 pm
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Real Madrids slump in form is down to Cristiano Ronaldos ongoing fitness issues, according to former head coach Fabio Capello. Giannis Antetokounmpo Jersey . Zinedine Zidanes side have not won a game since equalling Barcelonas 16-game La Liga winning streak record with victory over Espanyol in September. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. Instead, Real have been held to four frustrating draws against Villarreal, Las Palmas, Borussia Dortmund and Eibar - a feat last achieved in Capellos second managerial spell at the Bernabeu in 2006. Ronaldo has been nursing the knee injury he sustained in the Euro 2016 final, restricting him to just six appearances for Los Blancos so far this season.And Capello feels Real are crying out for their talisman to return to the first-team fold fully fit.Speaking on Spanish radio station Onda Cero, the former England manager said: The problem for Real Madrid now is Cristiano Ronaldo. Cristiano Ronaldo is Real Madrids best player but he is not well physically. Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello Because he is not well physically and is their best player.Ronaldos three-goal return so far this season is evidence of battle for fitness - at the same stage last term he had hit the net on 10 occasions.In light of his current form, Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Ronaldos diminishing influence could see his role at the Bernabeu alter under Zidane. Morata: Something amiss at Real Alvaro Morata concerned as Real Madrid go four games without win Against Las Palmas we saw something unique, he said, speaking in his column after that game. Its the first time Ronaldo has been replaced at Real Madrid for tactical reasons. Its never happened before.Only Zidane could do that, because nobody else is brave enough to do so, but Ronaldo is not in good form.Ronaldo should only be upset at himself. Hes peaked physically, and now I think Zidane is responding to that. Cristiano Ronaldo was far from impressed after being substituted for Real Madrid at Las Palmas. The La Liga leaders conceded a late equaliser as Barcelona Rotation is the name of the game for the top three teams in La Liga, it appears Ronaldo is going to be a part of that.Real, who currently sit second in the Primera Division behind city rivals Atletico Madrid on goal difference, will be hoping Ronaldo can fire them back to winning ways at Real Betis on October 15.Watch Real Betis v Real Madrid live from 7.30pm on October 15, Sky Sports 5 HD You can watch Englands tour of Bangladesh, plus Premier League football and the Japan Grand Prix on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy three months at half price! Also See: Morata: Something amiss at Real Real pressure on Zidane? Isco: Only myself to blame Bale milestone but Real held Milwaukee Bucks Pro Shop .S. - Nova Scotias Mary Fay guaranteed at least one more match and a shot at the Canadian junior curling championships final on home ice. Robin Lopez Jersey . James scored 25 points against his former team, leading the energized Heat to a 114-107 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Dwyane Wade added 24 points and Chris Bosh had 22 for the Heat, idle since a 90-84 loss Tuesday at Indiana. https://www.cheapbucksonline.com/776t-joe-alexander-jersey-bucks.html .com) - In the absence of Dwight Howard, Donatas Motiejunas had a career night to keep the Houston Rockets winning streak alive.OTTAWA -- There was no denying Jason Spezzas relief Friday night. The Ottawa Senators captain was instrumental to his team scoring four unanswered goals to beat the Boston Bruins 4-2. With the victory, the Senators put an end to the Bruins 11-game winning streak in Ottawa. Its been so long since the Senators beat the Bruins at home that only Spezza, Chris Neil and Chris Phillips remain on the roster from their last victory. The win was that much more rewarding considering the Senators were coming off a 5-0 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers Tuesday night. "We feel like thats a gritty win for us getting down a couple goals against a team we hold to a high standard," said Spezza. "Its a big emotional win for us for sure." Jared Cowen, who has had his share of struggles this season, scored the winning goal. "Its a good step for him, not just from scoring, but I thought he had a real solid game against a real difficult team and difficult opponents," said Senators coach Paul MacLean. "I thought both he and Eric Gryba were very competitive and very physical in the match-ups that they had against difficult opponents." Spezza, Bobby Ryan and Neil also scored for the Senators (8-7-4). Craig Anderson was solid stopping 30 shots. Loui Eriksson and Brad Marchand scored for the Bruins (12-6-1), as Rask faced 31 shots. After a rough start, things turned around for the Senators with a solid third period effort that was spearheaded by its captain. Spezza tied the game 2-2 early in the third, scoring from the side of the net off a pass from Karlsson at the point. It was Spezzas first goal in five games. "Its been a few games for me and it was an important game," said Spezza. "We were using this game as a bit of a measuring stick and it was a big goal." Rask said he felt the Bruins started off strong but had a few lapses throughout. "Its one of those days when youre not on top of your game you dont even know hes there and I didnt know (Spezza) was there," Rask said. "I stretched myself there, but I couldnt get my pad on it and its a goal." The goal seemed to energize the Senators and the 19,538 on hand. Anderson then made a great save on Carl Soderberg. Soderberg had a second chance and kept shoving at the puck until it crossed the line, but upon review it was clear the whistle had blown. "It was a good rebound game for everybody," saidd Anderson. Lucius Allen Jersey. "Weve got something we can build off of now." The Senators took their first lead of the game at 5:42 on Cowens third of the season as he beat Rask through the legs. Ryans goal at the halfway mark of the period sealed the victory as he picked Reilly Smiths pocket and then beat Rask through the legs to give Ottawa a 4-2 lead. The only downside of the period was seeing Ryan leave the game with just over three minutes remaining after taking an elbow to the head by Dennis Seidenberg. There was no penalty on the play. MacLean said he was given no explanation by the officials and, in his opinion, believes the play is worthy of being reviewed. "All the ones that you see around the league in the first 20 games, it certainly seems that one could be reviewed as well," the Senators coach said. Ryan will be re-evaluated Saturday as MacLean had no further updates on the wingers status following the game. Seidenberg felt for Ryan and said there was no intent to injure him. "The puck is loose, Im going for the puck and Im turning into the puck and I think hes reaching," said Seidenberg. "I would never go after a guys head and I hope hes fine so thats all I can say." The second period left much to be desired, as neither team seemed overly interested in taking control of the game. Ottawa had a terrible start to the period, giving up two goals and being outshot 13-6. Eriksson opened the scoring at the six-minute mark as he tipped Matt Bartkowskis shot. Just over three minutes later the Bruins made it 2-0 as Marchand made his way between Zack Smith and Colin Greening and beat Anderson with a great wrist shot. The Senators salvaged the period in the final minute as Neil scored his third of the season and beat Rask to the top left corner to make it 2-1. "Any time you score late in the period, its a big momentum swing for you if you can take advantage of it," said MacLean. "I felt we were getting stronger and better as the game went along." The Senators wrap-up their five-game homestand Sunday afternoon against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Notes: Defencemen Patrick Wiercioch and Joe Corvo were healthy scratches for the Senators. Right-winger Erik Condra missed his sixth straight game with a leg injury a The Bruins were without defenceman Adam McQuaid who has a lower body injury and right-winger Jordan Caron was a healthy scratch. ' ' ' |
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