Real count cost of Shakhtar win

“It was a hard game“, Benitez said.

So prolific has Ronaldo been in recent times that he has scored 40 goals in just 36 matches in 2015 so far, the hat-trick on Wednesday night was his fourth in 6 games for Real Madrid. “We know how important he is for the team”. We were consistent in defence and did a good job.

Following Tuesday’s recreation Real Madrid coach, Rafael Benitez admitted he was fearful and that the membership must wait earlier than they found the complete extent of the injury.

Ronaldo scored a hattrick, making him the highest goalscorer in the league. Los Blancos will be happy with their impressive start to the season, winning 3 of their last 4 games and racking up 4 clean sheets in the process.

“But this is not my goal”.

“I am very interested in the contribution he makes in terms of effort and balance and if he is more effective in front of goal that is better for everyone”.

The France striker, who missed two other easy chances, cracked the ball into the empty net for his 43rd Champions League goal. So I hope my goals will help the team to win.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck a hat trick against Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.

The Real manager said: “Bale has had a spasm in his calf”.

But now Real Madrid face a much tougher opponent in the rugged and risky Shakhtar Donetsk. “In the first half we struggled for rhythm, and three players getting injured is bad news for us”. From that point onwards, this was a very one-sided spectacle.

Benitez came in for criticism during pre-season when he refused to say the reigning Ballon d’Or holder was now the best player in the world just weeks after he took over at the Bernabeu. “I thank my teammates for the confidence they have given me”, said Ronaldo.

Both sentences uttered by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, the first two years ago and the second last week, only serving to confirm the shifting sensation around Ronaldo’s future at Real Madrid. “It’s not something that I’m anxious about and I’m certain that they’ll come soon”.