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Ronaldo jeers make no sense, says Ancelotti

Cristiano Ronaldo was whistled by the crowd during Real Madrid's victory © Getty Images

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Carlo Ancelotti said he could not understand the Real Madrid supporters' criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo during Saturday's 5-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

Despite scoring the goal that had Madrid ahead at the break, Ronaldo was subjected to whistles from the Bernabeu in apparent frustration at his refusal to play the ball to his teammates. Gareth Bale, too, faced jeers before scoring two second-half goals, as did Karim Benzema.

"I have always said that sometimes I understand whistles because they can be deserved," Ancelotti told the media in quotes reported on Madrid's official website. "Right now, no - the players are putting in a lot of effort. We need the help of everyone. Whistling Cristiano isn't comprehensible."

Diego Lopez - who remains first-choice goalkeeper ahead of Iker Casillas in La Liga - also came in for abuse, but Ancelotti said: "Diego Lopez is focused on his profession and I don't think critics hurt him."

After two successive defeats in La Liga, Saturday's victory keeps Real in touch with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona at the top of the table after their respective victories over Athletic Bilbao and Espanyol.

"Naturally this win is important," Ancelotti said. "Today we reacted well following two losses. We played a great game, with a good attitude on the pitch. This serves to prepare well for the next game. In the last two games we made errors at the back. Today we didn't and we used the counter-attack well. The back four were good."

He said it was "normal" that his team might have been affected by the news of their rivals' results but insisted: "We just have to think in ourselves and be positive."

Ancelotti is convinced that the home supporters will adopt a more supportive approach when Borussia Dortmund visit Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek.

"On Wednesday, we'll have a great atmosphere at the Bernabeu because everyone is dreaming of the Decima [10th European Cup] and they know we can win if everyone gets behind the team," he said. "Together we can achieve the dream."

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