Cristiano Ronaldo
- Thread starter ciderman9000000
- Start date
- Status
SAF on Mourinho and Ronaldo
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/10/jose-mourinho-alex-ferguson-friendship
The Ronaldo segment:
"...when [Florentino] Peréz first became president. In that spell he had Figo, Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raúl. But I don't think any of those players were as good as [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I really don't. Zidane was a fantastic player, Figo was a fantastic player, but not as good as Ronaldo. So I think he is still living up to the reputation that Real Madrid can produce the top players."
As Ronaldo prepares to face his former club for the first time as a Real player, Ferguson is proud, not fearful, of the improvement the player has shown since he left United in 2009. "He's beaten all the records there," he says. "He's beaten Di Stefano, Puskas, Hugo Sánchez, all their records. He is indelibly printed in their history now. Ronaldo is pivotal to everything they do. I knew he would improve tremendously as he was still young when he left us. It was obvious he was going to be the top player in the world, there was no doubt about that."
The world record £80m transfer fee will be no consolation should Ronaldo interfere with United's Champions League ambitions for another year. "We should have asked for £150m," Ferguson says. "We probably would have got it."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2013/feb/10/jose-mourinho-alex-ferguson-friendship
The Ronaldo segment:
"...when [Florentino] Peréz first became president. In that spell he had Figo, Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raúl. But I don't think any of those players were as good as [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I really don't. Zidane was a fantastic player, Figo was a fantastic player, but not as good as Ronaldo. So I think he is still living up to the reputation that Real Madrid can produce the top players."
As Ronaldo prepares to face his former club for the first time as a Real player, Ferguson is proud, not fearful, of the improvement the player has shown since he left United in 2009. "He's beaten all the records there," he says. "He's beaten Di Stefano, Puskas, Hugo Sánchez, all their records. He is indelibly printed in their history now. Ronaldo is pivotal to everything they do. I knew he would improve tremendously as he was still young when he left us. It was obvious he was going to be the top player in the world, there was no doubt about that."
The world record £80m transfer fee will be no consolation should Ronaldo interfere with United's Champions League ambitions for another year. "We should have asked for £150m," Ferguson says. "We probably would have got it."
I still think the Galaticos class assembled more than a decade ago was better and stronger than the one assembled three years ago.
Well, yes and no, either way I don't agree with that (quite popular, I might add) assertion that "stats have ruined the game", but that's a different discussion.
Obviously he's the most lethal man on the pitch (although RVP is probably not that far off in terms of finishing ability) and if you give him space "one shot can indeed be enough", but such a blanket statement says nothing about the likelihood of it actually happening. My point is that he's usually quite a wasteful shooter and that if he can be frustrated enough throughout the game he might resort to his "shoot from every position/angle" policy which more often than not doesn't result in goals. And if it does, then prepare for some more mainstream media bashing of De Gea for getting beaten by a wannabe Gareth Bale with half the power, pace and bravery (probably).
Of course all of this hinges on the Utd defense not getting caught on the counter, because then I'd say Cristiano's chances of scoring might double or even triple.
Agreed, they were superior footballers individually... however these are more cohesive as a unit, (contrary to popular belief in England) fairly hard to break down and faaaar more ruthless and efficient than the Galacticos were IMO.
I still don't really get you. I wasn't necessarily condoning it, just saying it's an option.
I think Rafael will be his spritely self whether he means it or not anyway. Hope he at least avoids any early cards.
Can't bloody wait til Wed.
He's a Real Madrid fan and I'm going to hazard a guess that he doesn't want to see Ronaldo get injured
He's a Real Madrid fan and I'm going to hazard a guess that he doesn't want to see Ronaldo get injured
Basically, yes.
Only 3 days left, can't bloody wait. I hope both teams make this game one to remember, doubt it will live up to the hype though.
How many Utd fans will be screaming for a card if Rafael hacks him down?
Personally I'll pretend not to have seen it and hope the ref does likewise
Then, after a dozen slow motion replays including one angle where you really can't tell what's happening, I'll tell my Real Madrid supporting mate, "Nah, he went down easy," before laughing maniacally.
I don't know, I can't see how this wont be a fantastic game. Would have preferred it to be later in the competition but this will have to do. Two of the best attacking teams in the world, both with their weaknesses defensively this season, both possessing some of the best players in the world. I just don't see how this can be anything but a great game.
On a side note, if Ronaldo scores, who thinks he'll celebrate? I feel like its inevitable that he will score at least 1, I don't think he'll celebrate though.
Dunno, it's just because my expectations are through the roof for this one. Ronaldo won't celebrate if he scores, I'm 100% sure of that.
Ronaldo won't celebrate a goal because he won't get to score one against us.... Seriously though, I don't think he'll celebrate; he didn't after he scored against Sporting in the CL and he has a lot of respect for us and what we did for him at United.
He didn't mention Brazil Ronaldo
He's already got a better record there than Brazil Ronaldo.
True, but as a defender I'd shit myself more going up against him.
one of his good points, if hes playing for you, is that even if he gets clattered he doesnt give a shit. he carries on fighting.
I wonder how we are going to deal with him. I get the feeling Phil Jones might be called upon at least for the away leg.
"Ronaldo is a bully. He bullies the weakest defender. He does it all the time. He did it to Manchester City against Maicon. He will play on the left wing. If he can't get on the ball he will play centre-forward, midfield, right wing."
Nev has been saying this about Ronaldo. I guess that we will be expecting him to play on the right wing then.
Nev has been saying this about Ronaldo. I guess that we will be expecting him to play on the right wing then.
You never know with Mourinho, he may do what Nev say's just for the face value of Mourinho being Mourinho, but strange comment from Nev IMO
The Ronaldo saga accompanying the tie is getting somewhat frustrating. All of my Madrid supporting mates have been rabbiting on how we should be grateful for the fact he graced Old Trafford and that we should treat him like a king down here, singing Viva Ronaldo all night long.
Completely ignoring the fact it's us who basically made him and are the most important reason why they can adore his skills now.
Completely ignoring the fact it's us who basically made him and are the most important reason why they can adore his skills now.
Oh please, it's not like Cantona is returning. Great player and all, did us a lot of good, but was also a bit of a cnut. Will be good to see him on the OT pitch again. I'm sure the supporters will belt out a song or two, but in the end hope and rest of the their squad do feck all and leave OT as the losing side.
All I know is that I'll be shitting it every time he's on the ball over the two games.
This. From my experience (in real) they are the most arrogant bunch of twats, their fans so I shouldn't be greatly surprised I assume.
Kid Cunto is right, however.
Personally I'll pretend not to have seen it and hope the ref does likewise
Then, after a dozen slow motion replays including one angle where you really can't tell what's happening, I'll tell my Real Madrid supporting mate, "Nah, he went down easy," before laughing maniacally.
Totally this. That question shouldn't even be asked.
I hope the United players are more focussed and less starry eyed than the guys on here or you guys will be going out!
He doesnt play for us any more so I hope he plays shit and Madrid get fecking tanked. GGMU!
Yeah for sure, the guy's a fecking tank. Too bad his reputation of being a diver pursues him.
That's daft from Neville. He's right, but it's a daft observation.
Look at attacking player with a free role and none of them will target the hardest opponent. You look for the weakest link and expose it to create opportunity.
How is he daft and right at the same time?
I expect Old Trafford will be rocking with Viva Ronaldo at every game after this tie is over - rival fans will really enjoying sticking that to us after he inevitably damages us in those games.
It's like saying Ronaldo goes into each game looking for a way to get the ball into the back of the net. It's punditry on a Shearer scale. I'm a big fan of Neville but that's hardly insightful, it even comes across as bitchy.
He's an attacker that gets given a free role, of course he is going to target the weakest.
That side went four years without a trophy though. Nothing. Zidane's club career largely fizzled out.
I've got a feeling that Sir Alex has a good idea how to stop Ronaldo, despite what's been said. Obviously you can never really stop such a quality player, but we'll have more chance than most. Bear in mind that when he played for us there were some teams that managed to neutralise him, and we had to figure out ways around that. Perhaps it's a case of reverse-engineering tactics?
As good as Ronaldo is now, his last season in England was tough at times and he didn't always play well - excluding penalties he "only" scored in 9 league games that season, often due to effective opposition tactics. They were either learning how to play against him, or he wasn't 100% fit and focused. Given how he's played at Madrid despite being "sad" I'd say the former is more likely to be true. Hopefully since moving to Spain he's forgotten how to overcome some of these defensive difficulties...
However, just like us 08-09, we need to be aware that the Ronaldo-focus can open up the game for his team-mates. Madrid have plenty of pace as we did, and they can find goals even in the unlikely event we manage shut down Ronaldo.
As good as Ronaldo is now, his last season in England was tough at times and he didn't always play well - excluding penalties he "only" scored in 9 league games that season, often due to effective opposition tactics. They were either learning how to play against him, or he wasn't 100% fit and focused. Given how he's played at Madrid despite being "sad" I'd say the former is more likely to be true. Hopefully since moving to Spain he's forgotten how to overcome some of these defensive difficulties...
However, just like us 08-09, we need to be aware that the Ronaldo-focus can open up the game for his team-mates. Madrid have plenty of pace as we did, and they can find goals even in the unlikely event we manage shut down Ronaldo.
This is an away game, right? A 1-1 draw would suit us quite nicely.
Use Jones to mark Ronaldo and ensure that one of the wide mids is usually nearby to complete the strip. Easier said than done, of course, and we'll always be at risk of having the likes of Ozil punish us, but I'd rather mark Ronaldo out of the game and get beaten by Ozil than play honest defense and get beaten repeatedly by Ronaldo. What we cannot afford to do is to lose this game 4-0 because we didn't do the job on Ronaldo. Since we're not looking to beat Real 0-4 ourselves, the plan going into the game is pretty straightforward. Complete the job at OT. Then sign up Ronnie over the summer.
Use Jones to mark Ronaldo and ensure that one of the wide mids is usually nearby to complete the strip. Easier said than done, of course, and we'll always be at risk of having the likes of Ozil punish us, but I'd rather mark Ronaldo out of the game and get beaten by Ozil than play honest defense and get beaten repeatedly by Ronaldo. What we cannot afford to do is to lose this game 4-0 because we didn't do the job on Ronaldo. Since we're not looking to beat Real 0-4 ourselves, the plan going into the game is pretty straightforward. Complete the job at OT. Then sign up Ronnie over the summer.
Is that you Noodles? - From F365 Mailbox
Butterflies
I can't tell if I'm nervous or excited. I think the closest feeling I have ever had is that first time you see your ex-girlfiend in the flesh after you have split up (usually before you have had the chance to get over her). She walks through the door and your stomach does somersaults, and your mind conjours up all sorts of stupidly excruciating ways for you to embarrass yourself.
There's not a lot you can do - you just have to move on, but to paraphrase what I said to her: "Please Cristiano, remember the love we shared, and try not to f*ck the whole team while I'm watching, will you?"
Chris (Noodles), Manc
Butterflies
I can't tell if I'm nervous or excited. I think the closest feeling I have ever had is that first time you see your ex-girlfiend in the flesh after you have split up (usually before you have had the chance to get over her). She walks through the door and your stomach does somersaults, and your mind conjours up all sorts of stupidly excruciating ways for you to embarrass yourself.
There's not a lot you can do - you just have to move on, but to paraphrase what I said to her: "Please Cristiano, remember the love we shared, and try not to f*ck the whole team while I'm watching, will you?"
Chris (Noodles), Manc
wait until Cal? see's this
Noodles posts gloomy yet funny posts all the time, I thought it was one such post.
- Status