Real sweating on Ronaldo fitness

Posted Wednesday, March 16, 2011 by Supersport.com

Cristiano Ronaldo is still a doubt for Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Olympique Lyon on Wednesday, coach Jose Mourinho said.

The joint La Liga top scorer has missed Real's last two matches with a leg muscle strain and Mourinho said he would decide after training on the eve of the match whether to pick him for the last-16 second leg game at the Bernabeu.

Lyon, who have not lost to the nine-times European champions in seven meetings and knocked them out at the same stage last season, fought back to draw 1-1 in the first leg in France, although Real will be firm favourites to advance having won all their home games this term.

"I need to consult the medical department for a final opinion and to hear how the player himself feels, his final feelings in training," Mourinho said at a news conference at Real's vast training facility outside Madrid.

"I am not going to wait until tomorrow," the former Inter Milan, Chelsea and Porto boss added.

"I don't like deciding the day of the match. I like to have everything clear in my head the day before. If he is fine he'll obviously play but we have to wait a bit longer to see."

All the signs are that Ronaldo, who became the world's most expensive player when he joined Real from Manchester United in 2009, will be fit for Wednesday's game.

The former World Player of the Year trained at the same pace as his team mates on Tuesday, the club said in a statement on their website.

"He gave the best possible demonstration that there is no way in the world he wants to miss the match against the French side," the statement said.

ELUSIVE TENTH

Real hired Mourinho at the end of last season after he led Inter to an unprecedented treble of Italian league and cup and Champions League.

A 10th European crown has remained out of reach since their last title in 2002 and they have failed to progress to the quarterfinals of the continent's elite competition the past six seasons.

They limped out of last year's edition when Lyon snatched a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu to progress 2-1 on aggregate.

Mourinho said Real should keep a sense of perspective about winning their 10th title.

"You have to remain calm," he said. "We have to fight hard to make it this year of course but if not then next.

"It's not a serious problem. A serious problem is what is happening in Japan, not getting to the Champions League final."