Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has said Cristiano Ronaldo is fit to start Saturday's home game against Espanyol, dismissing reports that he has been suffering from a knee problem.
Ronaldo was a substitute for Wednesday's 2-0 Copa del Rey defeat at Atletico Madrid, with Ancelotti saying that was because he was "tired."
Subsequent newspaper speculation suggested a knee problem was the real reason, leading to fears that his tendonosis problem had returned.
But Ancelotti told his pre-game news conference: "Cristiano plays as normal. Cristiano's knees are fine. He has no type of problem."
The coach said defender Sergio Ramos would be rested, explaining: "He had an injury at the World Club Cup, and it could be dangerous. So he rests tomorrow and returns for the Copa [return leg against Atletico]. For the rest, the team will be the same."
He denied his players had suffered at Atletico, and in last week's 2-1 La Liga loss at Valencia, from the effort put into their record 22-game winning streak before Christmas.
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"We have had a fantastic run of wins, and afterwards we had the break, when we returned with two very difficult games," he said.
"We have not yet reached the rhythm we had at the end of last year. We have data which says there is no physical problem. But maybe to win games we need to push a little more -- we just need more intensity.
Ancelotti, asked about an interview given by Iker Casillas on local radio in which the goalkeeper said his current boss was better than predecessor Jose Mourinho and claimed Madrid did not need to try and sign Lionel Messi, said with a smile: "I am fully in agreement [on Mourinho]. That is perfect. Everyone has their opinions, and I appreciate what he has said.
"Messi is a fantastic player, but each club has their fantastic players. Messi would have a place in every team at the world."
He added that the return to full fitness of Sami Khedira, and Luka Modric's ongoing recovery from injury meant there would be no need to pursue Real's previous interest in Brazilian midfielder Lucas Silva.
And he confirmed that no decision had been taken over 16-year-old Norwegian Martin Odegaard, who has been training with Madrid this week.