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Feb 24 '19
MADRID -- Two consecutive draws and a little rant by Cristiano Ronaldo have put Real Madrid on the verge of an early crisis. Jim Thome Jersey .Real Madrid got off to a good start this season but setbacks against Villarreal and Las Palmas in the Spanish league, combined with Ronaldos angry reaction after being substituted on Saturday, have created an air of turmoil.The Spanish powerhouse still holds the league lead, but its advantage over Barcelona was cut to one point after the recent lackluster performances. Madrid also struggled against Sporting Lisbon in its Champions League opener, when it needed two late goals to salvage a 2-1 win at home.The biggest problem facing coach Zinedine Zidane may be Ronaldo, who was visibly upset after being replaced in the 72nd minute in the 2-2 draw at Las Palmas. The Portuguese forward did not look at Zidane as they quickly shook hands after the substitution. Zidane was the one who moved toward Ronaldo and extended his hand.Ronaldo had walked briskly toward the sideline after seeing he was being replaced by youngster Lucas Vazquez, sputtering words to himself and not hiding his disappointment. He continued talking, apparently in Portuguese, on his way to the bench, where he watched the rest of the game.After the match, Zidane tried to downplay Ronaldos attitude, saying he didnt think the player was angry at being replaced. The coach said he took his star forward out to rest him ahead of the teams Champions League match at Borussia Dortmund.Weve got a game on Tuesday and I thought that it was the right time to bring him off, Zidane said. Thats all there is to it. He always wants to play and be out there on the pitch, but Ive also got to think about the player and he needed to rest and think about Tuesday.Madrid was winning 2-1 when Ronaldo was replaced, and Las Palmas equalized near the end to keep Madrid winless for the second straight match.Were relaxed, Zidane said. We are working hard and focused on what were doing. We have to realize that you cant always win, but were on the right track.Ronaldo did not play well but set up the teams second goal on Saturday, scored by Karim Benzema, just minutes before being taken off the field.The forward has been supportive of Zidane since the former player took over the squad last season, always praising his way of coaching. There had never been any signs of discontent from Ronaldo before Saturdays incident. Ronaldo was crucial for Zidanes team as it won the Champions League title last season.Ronaldo did not talk to the media after the match.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/tales-azzoni ;Francisco Lindor Jersey . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. Josh Tomlin Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http:///...rantley-Kids-Jersey/ . The deal is pending a physical, assistant general manager Bobby Evans said. Traded from Seattle to Baltimore on Aug. 30, Morse also can play first base and right field to give manager Bruce Bochy some flexibility in writing his lineup. Thursday, Ryen Russillo and Danny Kanell welcome ESPN NFL Insider Joe Banner (1:15 p.m. ET), SEC Networks Jordan Rodgers (2:15) and SEC Networks Booger McFarland (3:00).Todays main topics:? Saints-Panthers preview? College football storylinesText us at 73776 (msg&data ratess may apply) or tweet us at twitter. Jason Kipnis Jersey. com/RussilloShow -- well be with you from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. ET on ESPN Radio and ESPNRadio.com. ' ' '
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