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Ronaldo not Real's 'saviour'

Madrid - Insisting he is not the club's "savior," Cristiano Ronaldo said on Thursday that Real Madrid will keep improving despite a humiliating loss to a third-division club in the first leg of the fourth round of the Copa del Rey.

Madrid has won only one of five games since Ronaldo injured his right ankle. On Tuesday, the team lost its third match without the Portugal winger at Alcorcon in the Copa del Rey.

Ronaldo will miss another two games because of the injury but he said his teammates have learned from Tuesday's loss, which he called a "disaster."

"I'm a little anxious to get back to playing because that's what I like most - playing and helping the team. We're not going through a great moment but I'm also not the savior," Ronaldo said on Thursday.

"We lost, nobody's happy but we have to raise our heads. The world is not going to end because of that.

"We have to learn our lesson and in the next matches and make sure we don't underestimate any teams. We're conscious that we need to play better."

Expectations are high after Madrid went on an offseason spending spree on players like Ronaldo and Kaka. Ronaldo refused to be drawn into the topic of coach Manuel Pellegrini, who could be fired if Madrid fails to beat Getafe on Saturday.

"I'm happy and when you're happy you don't need to change or speak about others," Ronaldo said. "We need to talk about those that are already here, not those who could come."

The former Manchester United forward said Madrid's latest run of poor form would not affect the club's chances of matching Barcelona's treble from last season, even if Madrid has to overcome a four-goal deficit in the return leg of the Copa del Rey.

"Disasters always happen in football but we have to learn from our mistakes," Ronaldo said. "The team will improve. The team will fight to win every competition."

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