Zinedine Zidane defends Cristiano Ronaldo after forward shushed Real Madrid fans
Wednesday 19 April 2017 06:15, UK
Zinedine Zidane insists Cristiano Ronaldo will not be reproached for shushing Real Madrid fans after scoring against Bayern Munich.
Ronaldo became the first player in history to reach 100 Champions League goals when he scored a hat-trick in Real's 4-2 win over Bayern Munich in their quarter-final second-leg, ensuring a 6-3 aggregate victory.
Zidane came out in defence of Ronaldo though after sections of the Bernabeu crowd were heard whistling at the forward during the game.
Ronaldo appeared to respond by gesturing for the fans to be quiet as he celebrated his goals, but Zidane insists the Portuguese will not face retribution from the club's supporters when Real face Barcelona in this Sunday's El Clasico, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
"In the key moments Ronaldo is always there," said Zidane after the game. "He scored three goals.
"And the fans will always appreciate him for all he has done here."
"Cristiano answers on the pitch, and he scored three goals, five in two games, what else can I say," Zidane added.
"Maybe they will not whistle Ronaldo any more. That can happen here sometimes, and he knows that. But he is relaxed about this.
"Fans know the tension and effort on the pitch, they will not reproach him for that."
Ronaldo's second goal, which crucially put Real Madrid ahead just before half time in extra time, appeared to be offside, while Arturo Vidal was also shown a controversial second yellow card for a challenge on Marco Asensio.
The incidents led to Bayern boss Carlo Ancelotti calling for video replays after the game, but Zidane was adamant the overall result was fair.
"They have told me their second goal was also offside," said Zidane. "It goes both ways, that is football.
"More than the second yellow, or the offside goals, the six goals we scored over the two games we deserved to go through in the tie."