UNDER-FIRE Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo may not be enjoying his best period of form but he is still “working like an animal” for the team, coach Jose Mourinho said ahead of their King’s Cup showdown with Barcelona.

    Ronaldo has been whistled by home supporters at Real’s Bernabeu Stadium since a poor performance in last month’s La Liga ‘Clasico’ against archrival Barca.

    The former Manchester United player reacted by refusing to celebrate his goal in a 5-1 win over Granada and makes his first home appearance since then in the quarterfinal first leg.

    At a news conference Tuesday, Mourinho said Ronaldo’s performance in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Real Mallorca had been his best of the campaign despite the fact that he had not added to his 21 league goals.

    “He worked like an animal and did exactly what the team needed,” Mourinho said.

    “He doesn’t need to score or be man of the match every time. I told him nobody can touch him after the way he worked in the second half.

    “When the team wins everyone is responsible and when they lose everyone is responsible for that too. Simple.”

    Mourinho has managed only one victory over Barca in eight attempts since taking the Real job at the end of the 2009-10 season.(SD-Agencies)