Real Madrid's season went from bad to worse at the weekend after they lost the Madrid derby to Atletico in the Bernabeu.
Antoine Griezmann scored the game's only goal to win 1-0. Real now lie in third place in La Liga, 12 points behind leaders Barcelona and four points behind second-place Atletico.
Cristiano Ronaldo openly criticised some of his teammates after the defeat before backtracking on his comments. "I don’t want to disrespect anyone, but when the best players aren’t available it’s harder to win. I like to play with Karim, with Bale, with Marcelo. I’m not saying the others like Lucas Vazquez, Jesé and Mateo Kovacic are not good players. They are very good players, but it’s not the same."
Picture by: Francisco Seco / AP/Press Association Images
The Portuguese star later claimed that his comments were misinterpreted and he meant that injured players like Benzema and Bale were hurting the team's progression as they were not playing. Off the Ball spoke to Ben Lyttleton about Ronaldo's comments and his future at the club.
"When Bale and Benzema are not there, (Ronaldo's) right. Real Madrid are not as good whey they haven't got those front three working together. Bale is the closest Real Madrid have to Ronaldo... When Bale's not there, they are a different side."
Lyttelton added that it's an "open secret" that Ronaldo wants to leave the club but his wage demands and transfer fee in a Financial Fair Play era may mean he stays at the club.
Real Madrid are back in La Liga action on Wednesday night when they face Levante.
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