Coach makes excuses for Real Madrid superstar Ronaldo after latest penalty miss

Portugal coach Fernando Santos has insisted that Cristiano Ronaldo will come good at Euro 2016 despite his recent misfortune in front of goal.

The Real Madrid superstar drew a blank against Bulgaria in an international friendly on Friday, in a game in which he also missed a penalty.

Portugal went on to lose the game 1-0, a disappointing result and a blow to morale ahead of their campaign at the European Championships in France this summer.

However, coach Santos is unconcerned by his forward’s sub-par showing, and has insisted that Ronaldo will deliver on the big stage.

“Cristiano didn’t score as he’s saving his goals for the Euro 2016 tournament in France,” the manager told the media earlier this weekend [quotes as per AS].

Despite the manager’s optimism, Ronaldo’s failing only serves to highlight the fact that Portugal in general are lacking in front of goal.

As noted by AS [as above], they have only scored 16 goals since Santos took over as coach in September 2014, and the manager will surely be hoping that his team can rediscover their scoring boots in a friendly against Belgium at home on Tuesday.

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