Tuesday 25 October 2016 15:41, UK
Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says he is confused over why some fans have turned on Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 31-year-old striker, on the shortlist for the 2016 Ballon d'Or for the world's best player with team-mate Gareth Bale, has not scored in four games at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, a first in his Real career since joining in 2009.
He was jeered during Sunday's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao, even though the result returned Zidane's side to the table summit.
Zidane said: "I don't understand the jeers but at the same time, I was also jeered and it can happen.
"The public demands a lot from the players and the Bernabeu is special. Cristiano knows that and is not concerned by it."
Bale and other team-mates have leapt to Ronaldo's defence, arguing that he excels in other aspects of the game.
Zidane believes it won't be long before the Portuguese forward rediscovers his goalscoring touch.
"Of course I prefer if he scores two of three goals per game," Zidane added. "But I'm not worried because I know it will happen.
"He is not making his chances now but he will, soon he will do so and with calmness."
Zidane insisted that if Ronaldo, Bale and Karim Benzema are fit, they would always play.
Despite some critics arguing Ronaldo should be dropped, Zidane said: "I have three stars and they are going to be very important for the team.
"The others may play less but there are still as important to me. There are always going to be some that have less minutes than others. This is logical. For me, they are all important."
Real play at Cultural Leonesa in the first leg of their last-32 King's Cup tie on Wednesday.
