Former Real Madrid manager Vanderlei Luxemburgo believes the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus is responsible for the club’s current woes.
The Los Blancos are winless in their last three La Liga fixtures and are currently occupying the fourth spot in the table. Julen Lopetegui’s men have also failed to find the back of the net for four matches running now.
Luxemburgo – who coached Real in 2005 – feels Ronaldo’s shock move to Juventus is responsible for Madrid’s current struggles.
“It does change. Cristiano makes all the difference,” the Brazilian told Omnisport.
“I’ve worked for Real Madrid and I know that such a special player worries opponents – big opponents,” he continued.
“Real Madrid don’t have a player now that makes the opponent feel they are dead. You know, that feeling of ‘I have to face Cristiano Ronaldo’.
“Madrid don’t have such a reference in the current squad.”
Luxemburgo coached Real for one season in 2005.
New manager Julen Lopetegui has come under fire for Real’s poor start to the season with speculation about his future at the club. Luxemburgo, however, does not believe that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will make a hasty decision.
“The pressure is always intense there. We are talking about the biggest club in the world,” he stated.
“If the results aren’t coming, the pressure will always be huge, but Florentino Perez is a clever and successful man, and I believe that he knew this would be a difficult season for them.
“It would never be easy to replicate the previous titles. He knew it. So, I believe that he’s calm now, waiting the right time for doing more investments in the squad to make Madrid champion again.”