Physical trainer Lozano: "Zidane and Ronaldo are improving very quickly"
As had already happened yesterday, Ronaldo and Zidane exercised separately under the supervision of physical trainer Santiago Lozano. Both are progressing optimally according to the trainer himself. The combined jogging and weight lifting work on the field and in the gym respectively is improving the strengthening and restablishment processes of the injured muscles and joints of these two phenomenal footballers.
The playmaker is recovering from his right ankle sprain and as he has been doing all week long, he is combining gym work with field work The Brazilian star is improving quite fast from his mild fibrilar tear of his right leg hamstring. The Club's physical trainer Santiago Lozano confirmed it to Realmadrid.com stating, “Both players are meeting the forecasted deadlines. The work we are performing consists in adapting the recovery process to each individual injury.”
Zidane, who still has some “slight pain on the ankle and on the knee,” is following a “work plan that foresees a full recovery by Santander's game,” given that he is suspended for the Pamplona match anyway.
As the physical trainer confirms, Zidane continues progressing favourably, proof of which is the outstanding pace he sets during the exercises. Says Lozano, “Next Monday or Tuesday he could begin training with the rest of the squad.” But for now, Zidane will continue grinding his was through his recovery without the ball.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo is improving from his hamstring tear and is increasing his workload, but only “very slowly,” asserts Lozano. Although both players' exercises might be similar from time to time, Lozano specifies, “They are different approaches, and each player must set his pace and evolution.”
Yesterday, both players did continuous sprinting and endurance drills, followed by sprint series –at different paces. Today, Zidane has focused more on the endurance side combining continuous jogging on the field with gym work. The striker, who worked side by side with Lozano, has performed running drills, including the perimeter of the training field, diagonal sprinting, sideline running, etc., increasing the pace progressively.
This generic workout helps strengthen the battered muscles and joints of both Real Madrid stars; running and lifting weights at the gym are the foundation of both their recoveries. Lozano prompts, “Now we are doing running exercises and gym work, ligting weights. We alternate both these exercises and, slowly but surely –with the help of the medico-physiotherapeutic treatment- both players are improving satisfactorily.”
