Solari defends Real over Ronaldo’s comment ahead of clash with CSKA

Real Madrid’s squad remain humble after three consecutive Champions League triumphs, says head coach Santiago Solari.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who ended a record-breaking spell at the Santiago Bernabeu following the 3-1 Champions League final win over Liverpool, spoke favourably of the spirit between his new Juventus team-mates this week and said the club felt like “more of a family”.

Solari is charged with replicating predecessor Zinedine Zidane’s success in Europe’s top competition after replacing Julen Lopetegui on a permanent basis last month.

Madrid are already through to the knockout stages as group winners this time around, with a final round-robin game to come against CSKA Moscow today.

“Humility is a great virtue and the Real Madrid squad is great and humble,” Solari told his pre-match news conference.

“Cristiano is living history of Real Madrid and his feelings are his own.

“Madrid is great in all the values of the sport.

“We work very hard “ the technical staff, the physios and the players. All of us.”

Speaking alongside his boss, Madrid defender Alvaro Odriozola added: “I have respect for Cristiano who is a legend here in Madrid, but it is already a past.