Ronaldo strikes twice as Real close on Atletico

Monday, 28 April 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

REUTERS: Real Madrid’s rampant Cristiano Ronaldo looked to be back at his best as he scored at the start of each half to set up a 4-0 victory over lowly Osasuna and put the pressure back on La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid on Saturday. Sergio Ramos and Daniel Carvajal also netted for Real who are second on 82 points, three behind Atletico before their trip to Valencia on Sunday with both teams having played 34 games.

Barcelona, mourning the death of former coach Tito Vilanova on Friday, are now in third place with 81 points from 34 matches and travel to Villarreal on Sunday. Real did not risk Gareth Bale or Karim Benzema against Osasuna ahead of their Champions league semi-final second leg at Bayern Munich on Tuesday in which they hold a 1-0 advantage. But there was no holding Ronaldo, who only returned from injury in Wednesday’s first leg against Bayern at the Bernabeu having been out since early April, as he cut in from the left wing and fired into the corner of the net after six minutes. The prolific Portuguese forward then cracked home a fine long-range drive after 52 minutes before being substituted leaving Ramos and Carvajal to wrap up the win with headers. “Cristiano is fine and he played with more assuredness and confidence than on Wednesday. It all went well for him and us,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference. “We were able to rest some players and it was a good game even though there was no great intensity.” The Italian added that Bale and Benzema will be fine to face Bayern, saying: “Benzema is improving and won’t have any problems for Tuesday. He will train normally tomorrow. “Bale had a cold that has left him very weak and we have preferred that he trains on his own but he will also be ready to play,” he said.

Bayern crush Bremen 5-2 to send Real warning

REUTERS: Veteran striker Claudio Pizarro scored twice in an explosive second half to help Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich crush Werder Bremen 5-2 on Saturday and send a warning to their Champions League opponents Real Madrid. The 34-year-old Peru international, usually second choice behind Mario Mandzukic, has recently been called on to help the Bavarians out of trouble. He did just that when he tapped in twice with the instinct of a world-class centre forward to turn the game around after Bayern trailed 2-1 at halftime. The win will give the Bavarians a major confidence boost ahead of their semi-final second leg against visiting Real after losing the first leg 1-0 in Madrid this week. Bayern, looking for a consecutive treble of titles this season, improved markedly after the break, scoring three goals in eight minutes.