SOCCER

Ronaldo needs time to adjust

The Spanish are impatient with Ronaldo’s slow start

NAFP

"Cristiano Ronaldo needs a little time to adapt to his new team's style. Every player on the squad is working hard to be fit and play well," he said in comments published Tuesday on the Real Madrid website.

Spain's media expressed disappointment Tuesday in Ronaldo, who joined Real from Manchester United last month for a record 135 million dollars, over his failure to score during the match.

Top-selling El Pais said the 24-year-old has "struggled to find his place" possibly "because he tries too much to please the public with his technical feats".

Sports daily AS said Ronaldo put in a "discreet" performance and "did not score despite having numerous chances".

The comments contrast to the words of praise heaped on French striker Karim Benzema who joined Real from Lyon for 35 million euros last month and who scored twice during the club's friendly match at home against Rosenborg.

El Pais said the match "was only a preview of Benzema's enormous possibilities". Real called Benzema "the best player of the match" in a review of players' performances during the match posted on its website on Tuesday and said Ronaldo "constantly showed the quality of his footwork".

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