Real Madrid vs Liverpool preview - Ronaldo focused on team - Ancelotti

Posted Tuesday, November 04, 2014 by PA

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists Cristiano Ronaldo is fully focused on the team's requirements and not writing his name into the Champions League history books.

The Portugal international is one goal away from equalling the great Raul's tally of 71 in Europe's elite competition.

If Tuesday's opponents Liverpool display any of the defensive vulnerability they have shown this season, there is every chance the 29-year-old - who scored at Anfield in the meeting a fortnight ago - could surpass that feat at the Bernabeu.

Even the return of fellow forward Gareth Bale after a five-match injury absence is unlikely to take any of the spotlight away from Ronaldo, but Ancelotti is not concerned by talk of landmark moments.

"Cristiano is working hard for himself and the side, just like other players," said the coach of the defending champions.

"I don't think he's thinking about the record, he has time - it's not his last game. He is focused on playing for the team."

Bale's comeback gives Liverpool, who were comfortably beaten by three first-half goals at Anfield, an even greater headache.

"Gareth Bale is ready to play and is back from injury. I don't know if he will play from the off or on the bench," Ancelotti added.

While Real have no problems up front - they won 4-0 against Granada at the weekend to take their tally to 37 in 10 matches in the Primera Division - the Reds have been woefully lacking in the injury-enforced absence of last season's second-highest scorer Daniel Sturridge.

Having lost to Newcastle, scraped past Swansea and been held to a goalless draw at home to Hull in the last week, the last place you would want to take your team is Madrid.

But Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers stressed there would be no conceding this game - even though the reality remains that the Reds' Group B future will be decided by the final two matches against Basle and Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets.

"We are certainly not coming here as a team expected to lose and then look at the other games as games to qualify," the Northern Irishman said.

"For us, we see it as an opportunity. We still very much have qualification in our hands.

"It is a wonderful arena - one of the iconic football grounds in the world - and, when you come up against the best opponents, that is the challenge and what makes you perform to your best.

"They are probably the best team in the world at the moment and we really look forward to big games.

"We see them as an opportunity rather than a threat to what we are doing.

"Our defence have come under quite a bit of criticism. It is nowhere near as bad as people make out.

"What has been the frustration defensively has been the mistakes and sloppy goals we have given away.

"There haven't been too many times when the team has been outdone.

"When you have an attacking philosophy you are going to be susceptible in your defensive side because you are not sat with nine players behind the ball.

"You are looking to control and dominate the game, but we have to eradicate the errors.

"The key, even though we know it is tough, is to make sure we are compact and disciplined in our game.

"I think we showed in the previous game, although the score was 3-0, we can still have moments when we can hurt Real Madrid and that will be the idea (on Tuesday).

"There is absolutely no question we have the courage. This is a team and a group of players who have been so brave to take on the challenge I have asked them to."