Rafa Benitez has said he and Cristiano Ronaldo are “adapting to each other” after reports claiming the Real Madrid forward was not happy with the coach.
Benitez took over at Madrid this summer after Carlo Ancelotti was sacked in May, though the former Liverpool and Chelsea coach has come under criticism for his tactics in the 4-0 Clasico home defeat to Barcelona and for Madrid being thrown out of the Copa del Rey due to fielding the ineligible Denis Cheryshev against Cadiz.
Reports in the Spanish media have repeatedly suggested that Ronaldo is unhappy with Benitez’s style, and the forward — who has been criticised despite scoring 21 goals in 20 games this season — told ESPN FC earlier this week that he misses Ancelotti and would love to work with the Italian again.
However, Benitez says his understanding with Ronaldo is developing and remains confident of building a strong bond with the Portugal captain, who scored four against Malmo in midweek.