Carlo Ancelotti has denied rumors of a rift between Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

Bale's performance in Real Madrid's 3-0 win over Espanyol was praised, but Ancelotti admitted he probably should have passed to Ronaldo rather than shooting at one point. Some supporters at the Bernabeu whistled Bale for the play.

"Bale played a very good game," Ancelotti said. "He had intensity in his play, he scored, and he was involved in the first goal. In that moment fans asked for a pass to Cristiano, which he did not do, as all forwards in front of goal try to score.

"Bale is a fundamental player for us, like Cristiano. So the fans demand more than others. That is normal, and fair, to me."

Pushed by reporters as to whether Ronaldo was angry at being denied what would have been his first goal from open play in five games, Ancelotti moved to play down what has become an issue.

"Altruism is very important in a team, if there are some selfish moments, we will sort it out, of course," he said. "But we do not have to make a controversy about these things. It is a moment in football, which can often happen.

"The relationship between players is very good; not just Cristiano and Gareth, the team has shown for a long time we are all working in the same direction. I am not going to talk about this anymore."