Cristiano Ronaldo still confident even after Valencia draw

Cristiano Ronaldo quickly switched his focus forward to Thursday after Real Madrid were held by Valencia.

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was quick to switch his attention to Thursday’s Spanish Supercopa first-leg showdown with arch-rivals Barcelona after seeing his side held to a disappointing home draw in their opening Primera Division match.

Madrid, who ended Barca’s three-year reign as Spanish champions last season, would have been eager to get their defence off to a winning start and they looked on course to do that after taking a 10th-minute lead against Valencia through Gonzalo Higuain.

However, Valencia, who finished third last term behind Madrid and Barca, hit back just before half-time through Jonas to salvage a 1-1 draw from their trip to the Bernabeu.

Ronaldo admitted it was not the ideal start to their campaign, but was keen to look forwards – with a mouthwatering encounter against Barca next on the agenda.

The Portugal international said on his club’s website: “We played well and created opportunities. We played well in the first half, and better in the second, but it was not to be.

“We had chances to score one or two more goals and get the win. This is the first match and it’s not the best result, but we must continue.

“Now we are only thinking about the match against Barcelona. We have a Supercopa match we have to win. We will give our all to win the game there and then win here to lift the cup.”

One Madrid player who seems certain to miss the first leg at the Nou Camp is defender Pepe, who spent the night in hospital after suffering a clash of heads with his goalkeeper Iker Casillas which led to him being substituted at half-time against Valencia.

According to a Madrid medical statement, Pepe, having undergone a CAT scan, “has remained stable with good level of awareness” and will undergo further tests.

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