Ancelotti hails Record-breaker Ronaldo

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti heaped praise on Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward set a Champions League record in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen.

Ronaldo became the first player to score nine goals in the group stage of the competition with the second as Real eased to victory in Denmark.

The Portugal international missed the opportunity to make it 10 when he had a penalty saved by Copenhagen goalkeeper, Johan Wiland, but Ronaldo, a popular figure with fans who bet on football, had already written his name into Champions League folklore.

Ronaldo has eclipsed the efforts of HernanCrespo, ZlatanIbrahimovic, FilippoInzaghi and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who all managed eight group-stage goals, and Ancelotti considers him to be the perfect player.

“I think that Inzaghi will not be happy because he has lost this record. He has gone ahead of a very strong player,” Ancelotti said.

“Inzaghi was very strong in the area and Ibrahimovic is powerful and has a fantastic ability to score and assist.

“Cristiano Ronaldo is a complete forward who can score goals in every way possible. He’s a bit angry about the penalty, but he scored an important goal and played very well.”

The former AC Milan and Chelsea boss was pleased with the way his side rounded off a near-perfect first phase of the tournament. Real won five of their six matches, only dropping points in a 2-2 draw away at Juventus.

“I’m happy because we had a good group stage and scored lots of goals,” Ancelotti added. “(Luka) Modric is doing well and Xabi Alonso gives us balance defensively and in attack. All of the players did well, had a good attitude and controlled the play.”

Football betting fans will now turn their attentions towards Monday’s last-16 draw, which could pit Real against Manchester City, who displayed their credentials with a come-from-behind victory over holders Bayern Munich.