Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane cannot understand jeers directed at Cristiano Ronaldo but he is sure the star will emerge from the wrath of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd.
Ronaldo has only two goals in six La Liga appearances this season and the 31-year-old was whistled by sections of the home support when he took 11 shots without converting any successfully during Sunday's 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao.
And while former midfield maestro Zidane was critical of fans booing Ronaldo, he can call upon parallel experiences and tipped the 2016 Ballon d'Or nominee to emerge from the situation stronger.
"I don't understand the whistles aimed at Cristiano. They also whistled me," Zidane told a pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey tie against third-tier minnows Cultural Leonesa.
"The Santiago Bernabeu is a special place and fans demand a lot. Cristiano is used to it. The important thing is to keep working.
"Maybe Cristiano is not taking his chances now but at least he is getting them. He will end up scoring lots of goals. I am not worried about him not scoring goals."
Long-term thigh injury victim Fabio Coentrao is back in the Madrid squad for a match where Zidane will understandably shuffle his pack.
"Coentrao will be in the squad list, he is an important player for us," the trainer said of the Portugal full-back who is yet to feature this season having missed his country's march to Euro 2016 glory.
"We are excited about the Copa del Rey tournament. We will do everything we can to win the Copa del Rey.
"There will be 16 players in the squad list tomorrow. There will be rotations. Many players will be rested and will not make the squad list."
Zidane confirmed back-up goalkeeper Kiko Casilla will return to his XI against Leonesa after deputising for absent number one Keylor Navas during the opening weeks of the season.
