Real Madrid have been given a boost ahead of their Champions League semi-final first-leg clash against Bayern Munich as Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to training.
Los Blancos’ talisman has been struggling with a knee injury that forced him to miss the club’s victorious Copa del Rey final performance against Barcelona on Wednesday, with Gareth Bale scoring a fine solo goal to secure their first piece of silverware this season.
Ronaldo was thought to be struggling to make this week’s date with the holders but has come through training on Sunday to offer hope he could take the field on Wednesday night.
Real are seen as the favourites to establish a first-leg lead, priced at 2.44 with home advantage, while Bayern are on offer at 2.80 to come away from the Bernabeu with a win, with the draw on offer at 3.30.
Carlo Ancelotti will now be hoping that Ronaldo shows no ill effects over the next few days so he can include him in the starting XI in what is his side’s biggest test so far in their quest for ‘La Decima’, for which they are second favourites at 3.40.
The possible return of Ronaldo would also apparently be welcome in Bavaria as Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge would like to see him playing on Wednesday, despite the obvious dangers he poses to his side.
“When Real Madrid play Bayern Munich, then the whole world will be watching. I always want the best players to be on the pitch,” he told TZ.
There is more good news on the injury front for Real as attacking full-back Marcelo was also back training with the team following a recent hamstring injury.
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