Russia football coach Fabio Capello yesterday joked that he had hoped Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo had picked up a serious injury and would be unavailable for today's World Cup qualifier between the two Group F favourites
Ronaldo sprained his shoulder in Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Sunday after scoring both of Real’s goals but was cleared to join up with the Portugal squad.
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“When he picked up a knock in his last match in the Spanish league, of course I hoped it would be serious,” he said.
“It would be much easier for us in defence then,” he added.
As for strategies to cope with Ronaldo, Capello said he recognised the risk of the forward outwitting his Russian defence.
“We’re going to try to play to the best of our ability in order to neutralise his strengths.”