Guardiola: Real Madrid will lose 50 or 60 goals without ‘irreplaceable’ Ronaldo

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Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola believes that Cristiano Ronaldo is irreplaceable and while Real Madrid are still a top level team, they have lost 50 or 60 goals a season after the Portuguese forward left for Juventus.

The former Barcelona coach gave this thoughts ahead of the Clasico in an interview with Univision Deportes.

“With or without Cristiano, Real Madrid are a top team, but they have lost a lot, 50 or 60 goals,” he said.

“He’s an incredible player, not only for his goals but also assists in important moments, he is irreplaceable.”

Guardiola also assessed Madrid’s start to the season, which sees them sit seventh in LaLiga Santander as it stands.

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“Madrid started well, now they have had a setback, but they will continue to be up there,” he continued.

“Spanish football has been lucky enough to have enjoyed two incredible players [Ronaldo and Lionel Messi] for a decade which helped it grow.”

Finally the City boss remained diplomatic when asked who he deemed to be the favourites for Sunday’s pivotal battle.

“As is usually the case in the majority of Clasicos, there are no clear favourites,” he explained.

“Whatever happens, Barcelona are playing at home and that always carries weight.”

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