Zidane regrets failure to rest Ronaldo

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted that he regrets not resting Cristiano Ronaldomore frequently. 

The Portugal star limped off in the closing stages of Wednesday's 3-0 win over Villarreal, and while the French boss says he is "relaxed" over the fitness of his ace, he has hinted that this is a worry that could have been avoided.

"Sometimes I regret not taking off Cristiano earlier [in games] so he doesn’t go through this," Zidane said. "A player like Cristiano, sometimes he should rest, not finish a game, or sit it out. But he always wants to be out on the pitch.

"Sometimes, for me, today when I see him coming off pitch, it's difficult. There are important games to come, we'll see when he's back."

The coach does not believe there is any gravity to Ronaldo's injury problem, though.

"Cristiano felt something at the end. He went off because he wanted to know what it was. It looks like more of a scare than anything else," he continued.

"We will have to see tomorrow, but I'm relaxed now. We are concerned, but after seeing him in the dressing room I am less worried.

"He is relaxed. It doesn't look like anything serious. We will see tomorrow exactly what he has.

There was better news on Gareth Bale, who missed the Villarreal game with a back problem.

"I hope that tomorrow he is going to train with us, and that he will be there for Saturday's game [at Rayo Vallecano]," Zidane said.

Gareth Bale (L) celebrates a goal with Cristiano Ronaldo during the Spanish league football match. File Photo: AFP