‘They are more of a team without Cristiano’: Dani Alves insists Real Madrid are more dangerous without Ronaldo as they gear up for start of Champions League title defence
- Dani Alves believes Real Madrid are more dangerous without Cristiano Ronaldo
- The Paris Saint-Germain defender insists they will work more as a unit now
- Sergio Ramos and Co have been gearing up for Wednesday’s clash with Roma
- Real trained ahead of the opening game of Champions League title defence
Paris Saint-Germain right back Dani Alves has insisted that Real Madrid are a much stronger unit since Cristiano Ronaldo’s £100million departure to Juventus.
Julen Lopetegui’s side have been gearing up for their Champions League tie with Roma on Wednesday night, the first game of their European title defence.
With Ronaldo, Real managed to win three successive Champions League titles cementing the side as one of the greatest of all time but Alves believes that it will be more difficult to play them without Ronaldo as their main focal point.
Marcelo (L), Luka Modric (centre left) and Karim Benzema (centre right) have a laugh in training
Dani Alves (left) believes Real Madrid are more dangerous without Cristiano Ronaldo (right)
Sergio Ramos (right) playfully taunts Nacho Fernandez (left) during Tuesday’s training session
When asked if losing Ronaldo would hurt Los Blancos, Alves told Marca: ‘I think that, contrary to what everybody else says, Madrid are more of a team without Cristiano, and now it’s a little more difficult than it was before – at least because of how I see football and my concept of this game.’
‘Though it’s obvious that him leaving is a brutal loss, Madrid are Madrid.’
And it’s not just the Brazilian who feels this way.
Gareth Bale told Sportsmail’s Ian Herbert that Real have been working more as a team following Ronaldo’s big-money move.
‘Obviously it’s going to be a little different from having such a big player there,’ Bale said. ‘It’s maybe a bit more relaxed, yes. I suppose there is more of a team, more working as one unit rather than one player.’
Gareth Bale and Co have been gearing up for Wednesday’s Champions League tie with Roma
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois practices his catching as Real prepare for Roma’s European visit
Julen Lopetegui’s men were in high spirits during the training session on Tuesday morning
While Real’s La Liga campaign hit it’s first snag at the weekend, the Spanish giants are usually prolific when it comes to European ties.
Bale, Karim Benzema and Sergio Ramos all took part in the club’s training session on Tuesday ahead of their clash with Roma at the Bernabeu.
Luka Modric and Thibaut Courtois were also involved as Lopetegui oversaw the session in the sunshine.
Ramos was in a playful mood in training while Benzema and Bale share a joke and a laugh
The Real Madrid squad trained ahead of their Champions League clash with Roma
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