Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric has stated that the club’s failure to replace Ronaldo’s goals is costing them a lot.
Real Madrid is currently chasing a fourth consecutive UCL title and would be going into a game against Ajax on the back of three consecutive home defeats – they suffered two against Barcelona last week.
“Given what he did for us and this club, we miss Cristiano,” said Modric.
Before making a £99m move to Juventus, Ronaldo was top scorer, or joint top scorer, in the past six Champions League seasons. He scored a club record 450 goals in nine years.
Real Madrid however failed to sign a top player to replace him. Only three of their players have scored more than five goals this season – Karim Benzema (20), out-of-favour Gareth Bale (13) and centre-back Sergio Ramos (11).
“The club wanted the other players to make up for what Ronaldo did, divided between the strikers and that is not easy,” Modric said.
“Cristiano scored 50 goals and you can’t find someone today who scores that many. Some of us have to take a step forward and, while not scoring 50, what we need is two or three players who score 15, 20, or 10 goals and we don’t have that.
“That is our biggest problem this year. For example against Barca in the cup we had many chances and when you don’t take advantage your opponent punishes you.”
