Ronaldo didn’t want to stay – Isco not crying about Cristiano absence

Real Madrid midfielder Isco says he is not concerned by the absence of Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Spanish international is determined to help the club turn around their indifferent form while also defending under pressure manager Julen Lopetegui.

Real Madrid have struggled to fill the void left by Ronaldo after the 33-year-old left for Juventus in the summer for a fee in the region of £99m, according to BBC Sport.

It has been a loss that Los Blancos have been unable to compensate for in the opening two months of the season and the Champions League holders currently sit seventh – their lowest position after nine games in 17 years.

Despite this Isco remained defiant when speaking to the media about the impact of losing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“We can’t be crying for someone who didn’t want to be here,” he told the press (via Marca).

Lopetegui under pressure

Real Madrid were a whisker away from breaking the club record for minutes without a goal in their 2-1 defeat to Levante at the weekend before a second-half strike from Marcelo spared their blushes.

The poor start has seen head coach Julen Lopetegui come under pressure from sections of the press, a fact that Isco believes is crazy.

“The press do not have the power to get rid of a Madrid coach. We believe fully in what this team can achieve, and the coach has full confidence of the players. After that, many things can happen, but I am convinced we can have a very good season,” he said.

“I think it would be crazy, you have to let him work. He has only been here for two months. If you get rid of the coach, you have to get rid of all of us. It is us that haven’t been scoring goals or playing well. It belongs to all of us, not just the coach.”

Isco returned from a bout of appendicitis to play and hour of the defeat against Levante and will be hoping to start in their Champions League match against Plzen this evening.

Madrid won their opening group stage game against Roma 3-0 and will be looking to continue their good start in the competition at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.

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