Real Madrid fans need to put their criticism of star Cristiano Ronaldo into the proper perspective, said central defender Pepe ahead of the Champions League clash on Tuesday against Roma.
The Portuguese international said that it is important to remember what the club's prolific striker is doing for the squad and added that he would be delighted to be playing like his compatriot on a bad day. Ronaldo responded to whistles with a four-goal haul in Saturday's 7-1 La Liga win at home to Celta Vigo.
The forward heads La Liga's "Pichichi" and European Golden Boot races for this season with 27 goals. He also has 252 goals in just 228 La Liga games and overtook Athletic Bilbao legend Telmo Zarra to go second in the Spanish league's all-time goal-scoring charts this past weekend, although he remains some distance behind Lionel Messi's 304.
Pepe encouraged fans at the Bernabeu to contain their jeers and whistles on Tuesday for the second leg of the Champions League round-of-16 clash, which sees Real Madrid leading, 2-0.
"He is on track for the Pichichi, he has scored a lot of goals and people continue to criticise him," Pepe said during Monday's pre-match conference. "I would like to be in his situation. I think we need to focus on our game and play together, because when the fans and the players are united we are that much stronger."
Pepe also said he sees a great future for Zinedine Zidane as coach.
"He was a mythical player with the club and at a world-class level. Now we have to let him be himself and work because he is going to be one of the best coaches in the world and will win many titles, there is no doubt in my mind," he said. "He has given us many things. First we are working as a team. Second, we don't waste energy on things that aren't related to football because he has been a player and he knows how players think and what they want on the field. And then, the union of the group. In our last match you could see how he is united with the fans."
Pepe said the club have discussed strategy for facing Roma.
"I did not play in the first leg but I watched it on TV. Their players are very good, they do very well in Europe and in Italy. They move quickly together and they will be doing everything to stop our attack. But we are coming out to defend Madrid and give it our all," he said. "The best way to face this match is with humility with a team approach and the desire to win the match. We will try to do that to be the winners."
He added that he is aware that he will be trying his best to get playing time: "I am doing well, but I think the most important thing is to work hard and the coach will choose whomever he feels is the best for each match, keeping in mind our opponents," he said.
"I don't ever consider myself a starter. I work to help the team, we have four central defenders who are very good and all can start. [Raphael] Varane and [Sergio] Ramos have played more this year because they have earned it. I work hard but it is up to the coach to decide. I just try to do my best."
Asked whether winning Champions League would save the Real Madrid season, which has seen the club fall to third place in La Liga with 60 points, 12 behind leaders Barcelona and four behind Atletico Madrid.
"Both club and players know that they have much to learn from this season. We are not going to drive ourselves crazy saying that we are going to win Champions. We want to win it but we know that there are other teams who have the same capacity. It will be difficult to win so we must give it our all. We are united and we will fight to win Champions League."