Real Madrid striker Ronaldo wants Benfica in the semifinals of the Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo has quipped that he would like a return to Portugal for the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, hoping thar Real Madrid are drawn with Benfica. The Portuguese striker also noted that last night’s result was a good result, especially given that most consider this to be a poor season for Real Madrid.
Speaking to the gathered press after the game, Ronaldo was his usual loquacious self, saying “I'd like Benfica - a Portuguese team.” For that scenario to occur, Ronaldo will be hoping that former foe Pep Guardiola falters with Bayern Munich having already taken a 1-0 lead against Benfica.
Apart from those two sides, Real Madrid can draw any of Manchester City, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid. When Ronaldo was asked about a possible showdown with Barcelona or La Liga, he replied “It's complicated. Atlético defend better, it's hard to score against them. Right now Barça are one of the best sides in Europe. It's difficult to choose one or the other. Both of them are difficult teams.”
Barcelona and Atletico take on each other tonight at the Vicente Calderon, with Atletico having a crucial away goal with the tie delicately poised at 2-1.
Ronaldo reflects on magical night at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid’s foremost striker was in tremendous form last night, scoring all of Real Madrid’s three goals to go level with Leo Messi for the most Champions League hat-tricks scored in a season (5).
Before the game, Ronaldo had called for the fans to make it a magical night, saying “There's always a lot of vibrancy on Champions League nights. The players feel differently too and that's why it was a perfect night for us. I said it would a magical one and that's just what happened. And the fans, as they say in Spain were de puta madre (f*cking brilliant) - they helped us and gave us the strength to win a complicated game.”
Ronaldo also spoke about the result in the context of the season, saying “All in all, for a poor season, it's not so bad… I'm very happy. This is what we have been working hard for. God helps those who work hard, and now we are one step away; everything is possible. And just look at Man City, which many people didn't expect. Football is full of surprises and anything can happen. I'm happy because we are one step away from going all the way to the final.”