Football
Dermot Corrigan, Madrid correspondent 9y

Cristiano Ronaldo's poor form for Real Madrid needs investigating - Capello

Former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has said that Cristiano Ronaldo's dip in form has been "very important" in Los Blancos' below-par start to the year and it should be fully investigated.

Ronaldo was in amazing form throughout the autumn months as Madrid scored 30 goals in 20 games to romp through the Champions League group stages and sailed clear at the top of La Liga -- setting a new European club record of 22 consecutive wins in all competitions.

However, in his 10 appearances since the start of December's Club World Cup, the Portugal international has scored just four times, while also missing two more games through suspension after being sent off at Cordoba for kicking an opponent.

Ronaldo has talked himself about playing with pain due to a persistent knee problem, although current Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti regularly insists there is no serious injury and said ahead of Wednesday's Champions League last-16 first leg at Schalke that his galactico forward just needed to score once for the goals to start flowing again.

Capello told Al Primer Toque radio show that Ronaldo's dip had of course affected Madrid's results, and while he was sure the player would soon be back to his best, the medical staff should ensure there were no serious fitness issues involved.

"It is very important that he is not at his usual level," Capello said. "At the end of last year Madrid began the game already 1-0 ahead, because they had Cristiano. But he is an extraordinary player and we will return to 100 percent very soon.

"There should be a talk with the doctors to know how each player is, including looking at their blood tests."

A spate of other injuries has also been an issue for Madrid, who have lost three times already in 2015, amid absences of key players including Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Luka Modric and James Rodriguez. Karim Benzema is also a doubt after missing training.

Capello said that Pepe's return against Schalke after six games out with a rib injury was a positive for Madrid, as the Raphael Varane-Nacho Fernandez partnership which started the 4-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid recently had been problematic.

"When you have a defence which helps you and gives you security, you do not make so many mistakes," he said. "Madrid at the moment are not so fresh, but when their centre-backs return, they will get many other things back.

"When Varane plays with Ramos or Pepe, he is another player, he has more confidence. When the biggest games come, Madrid need their players with most personality and quality."

Meanwhile, Barcelona have been flying since the winter break, setting their own club record of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, with their South American front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in fine form.

Capello said he had been especially impressed with how Neymar was performing recently, while Suarez's missing of chances recently was unlikely to continue long-term.

"I thought I was not going to see Neymar at this level," he said. "He is extraordinary. Suarez is a goalscorer, worker, he has missed some or the keeper has made some saves, but Barca have three forwards who could take on the three which Madrid have."

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