MADRID - Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Cristiano Ronaldo's three-week break at the start of the season to ease knee and hamstring injuries is the reason for the Portuguese's sensational form.
Ronaldo scored four goals in a 5-1 thrashing of Elche on Tuesday night to register his 25th hat-trick for the club and his second in four days after also scoring three in Real's 8-2 humiliation of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.
The Portuguese captain now has 12 goals in just eight appearances this season.
However, he missed his country's embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to Albania this month, as well as Madrid's 4-2 loss to Real Sociedad to rest after a gruelling schedule as Los Blancos won their 10th European Cup in May before he travelled to the World Cup.
"It is clear that has helped because he needed a period of time to work with the seriousness and professionalism he has," said Ancelotti. "At the moment he is physically in very good shape, he is very motivated and he is scoring a lot."
Ronaldo's night at the Bernadene on Tuesday had not gotten off to the best start as he gave away a penalty as he tried to clear inside the area and Edu Albacar fired Elche into a shock lead from the penalty spot.
"Although I complained to the referee, it was a penalty. I have to admit it," said Ronaldo.
Madrid were only behind for five minutes, though, as Gareth Bale headed home his fourth goal of the campaign before Ronaldo put the hosts in front with a penalty of his own. Ronaldo doubled his tally with a towering header to make it 3-1 and added two more goals in the final 10 minutes.
Celta de Vigo beat Deportivo de La Coruna 2-1 in another match on Tuesday night. - AFP
Ronaldo rested and rampant
MADRID - Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti believes Cristiano Ronaldo's three-week break at the start of the season to ease knee and hamstring injuries is the reason for the Portuguese's sensational form.
Ronaldo scored four goals in a 5-1 thrashing of Elche on Tuesday night to register his 25th hat-trick for the club and his second in four days after also scoring three in Real's 8-2 humiliation of Deportivo la Coruna on Saturday.
The Portuguese captain now has 12 goals in just eight appearances this season.
However, he missed his country's embarrassing 1-0 home defeat to Albania this month, as well as Madrid's 4-2 loss to Real Sociedad to rest after a gruelling schedule as Los Blancos won their 10th European Cup in May before he travelled to the World Cup.
"It is clear that has helped because he needed a period of time to work with the seriousness and professionalism he has," said Ancelotti. "At the moment he is physically in very good shape, he is very motivated and he is scoring a lot."
Ronaldo's night at the Bernadene on Tuesday had not gotten off to the best start as he gave away a penalty as he tried to clear inside the area and Edu Albacar fired Elche into a shock lead from the penalty spot.
"Although I complained to the referee, it was a penalty. I have to admit it," said Ronaldo.
Madrid were only behind for five minutes, though, as Gareth Bale headed home his fourth goal of the campaign before Ronaldo put the hosts in front with a penalty of his own. Ronaldo doubled his tally with a towering header to make it 3-1 and added two more goals in the final 10 minutes.
Celta de Vigo beat Deportivo de La Coruna 2-1 in another match on Tuesday night. - AFP
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