UCL: Ronaldo trains but Anceloti doubts his fitness
he will not risk playing Cristiano Ronaldo
against Bayern Munich in the first leg of
their Champions League semi-final tie if
the forward has not fully recovered from
injury.
The prolific Portuguese star has not played
any competitive football since Madrid's
3-0 quarter-final first-leg win over
Borussia Dortmund on April 2, coming off
in the 80th minute of that match with an
injury to his left knee.
The forward had to miss the return leg in
Dortmund and last week's Copa del Rey
final win due to a subsequent hamstring
problem, but returned to full training on
Monday.
Last year Barcelona fielded Lionel Messi
against Bayern in a Champions League
semi-final when the Argentinian had not
fully recovered from a hamstring problem,
but Ancelotti vowed not to take any
chances with Ronaldo, who is the top
scorer in this season's competition with 14
goals in nine matches.
"Cristiano trained normally today, he's
trained well in the last few days and
tomorrow he's going to have more tests
and then we'll make our decision,"
Ancelotti told a press conference.
"If everyone is everyone is certain he can
play without any problems at all, then of
course he will play. I am confident he will
play, but we're going to make the decision
tomorrow."
The Italian coach hinted he might opt
against starting Ronaldo at the Bernabeu,
with next week's return game at the Allianz
Arena in mind.
He added: "If there's any risk of a relapse
he won't play. We have to remember that
this tie is not going to be decided
tomorrow. We may be able to gain an
advantage from the home leg, but the
really decisive game is next Tuesday in
Munich."
Midfielder Xabi Alonso added: "Cristiano
will play if he's 100 percent fit, that is a
decision he, the medical staff and the
coach will take.
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