Those words were not convincing, but when you can call upon a player who has scored more than 400 goals for the club at a rate of just over one per game, the situation is much less dramatic than it would be otherwise.
Ronaldo returned on Wednesday and, naturally, he was back among the goals. The Portuguese, who still has to serve one match of his domestic ban and will therefore miss the tough trip to Real Sociedad on Sunday night, netted the opener at the back post as he slotted home from a Bale pass in an otherwise forgettable first half.