Are Real Madrid better without Cristiano?
I came upon this interesting article and would like to know what you guys think!
Are Real Madrid better without Cristiano Ronaldo?
by: Jack Coory
After the first forty-five minutes had elapsed at the Sardinero, it wasn't the 2-0 score line that impressed the most.
Apart from the goals, they completely dominated possession 65% to 35% and smashed the woodwork on two occasions. They had laid siege to Toño's net, camping themselves in the hosts' third.
This was supposed to be a tricky tie, away to a Racing Santander side that hadn't lost in six matches. It was supposed to be even trickier without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.
If anything, it seemed easier.
Ronaldo was missing from the starting eleven for the first time all season. In his absence, José Mourinho lined up with a 4-4-2 that saw Karim Benzema partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front. Esteban Granero was also chosen to play in the centre of midfield alongside Xabi Alonso.
This was a marked difference from Mourinho's customary 4-2-3-1. Alonso is normally partnered with the more defensive Sami Khedira or Lassana Diarra while Ronaldo often plays on the left to cut inside on his right foot with Marcelo overlapping. Tactically they are dynamic and abrasive, battering their teams into submission with a mixture of power, pace and darn right bloody-mindedness.
In Cantabria, however, they demonstrated a fluidity that is rarely associated with a Mourinho team. We witnessed impressive off-the-ball movement and little one touch passes and the Racing defence was repeatedly carved open.
At the post-match conference, Esteban Granero fielded questions about his team's dominance, stating: “With Ronaldo we would have played even better.”
But is this true?
The following day, Cuatro and Marca were posting surveys asking that exact same question. Are Real Madrid better without Cristiano Ronaldo?
This suggestion sounds absurd at first glance. Ronaldo is a goal machine. 27 goals in 27 appearances. He has made 7 assists as well, not a damning number by any means.
But there are two statistics that stand out, and not in a good way. Ronaldo has lost more balls than any other player in the league (apart from Fernando Llorente). He is also no where to be found in the top 20 of successful passers.
This suggests what many a terrace groan tells you several times a match: Ronaldo hardly ever passes. He takes on defenders and then almost inevitably looks for the shot. Indeed, he has taken a total of 195 shots this season, by far the most in the league.
In the sumptuous five pass move that saw Real open the scoring against Racing, Mesut Özil starts it off by exchanging a slick one-two with Benzema.
It’s hard to imagine, however, that if Ronaldo had been involved, he would have done the same thing.
Indeed, because Ronaldo misses so few games, there aren’t many opportunities to gauge the performances of the team without him. Any discussion on the matter is also unavoidably fraught with pointless hypothesizing.
But it can’t be denied that Ronaldo is a selfish player. He rarely passes to move the play along like Özil or Granero did on Sunday evening. His passes are instinctive, either to set-up a teammate for a goal-scoring opportunity or get himself out of trouble. He plays for himself.
But does this mean that Real Madrid are better without him? My answer would be a resounding and definitive “no”.
Despite his flaws, Ronaldo is both a showman and a match-winner. Out of his 27 goals, 8 have been fundamental in leading his team to victory. His egoism and vanity are just part of the theatrics that make him so entertaining.
Let’s not jump to conclusions based on one good performance without him. Ronaldo remains Real Madrid’s star man and will take centre stage once again when he returns to fitness.
[source]
I apologize if these gifs are repetitive to those who frequent o_ozil.
Goal #1
Goal #2-- Credit to Di Maria for not intercepting the pass to Benz.
-------------------------
My thoughts:
My first impression after the Racing match was that the team played better and more fluid without Cristiano. However, after much thought, I find it difficult to judge the validity of this claim basing on one match alone. Racing is a considerably weak team, and despite being an away match, Real Madrid was expected to win. Their defense was weak, and their offense was lacking for the most part. If Cristiano had been on the field that day, the scoreline probably wouldn't be much different in my opinion. The notable difference however was the style of play the CRless team performed. There was much more fluidity with the passing, and more Barcelona-like. It felt like a team was playing together and not just certain individuals taking on the defense alone play after play. Di Maria was playing better, the whole team seemed to play better. It was almost like a weight had been lifted and the players were enjoying football more (most evidently in Mesut Özil).When Cristiano plays the team seems to feel the need to pass him the ball whenever possible even when better options existed. But last Sunday, I don't feel that any particular player had significantly more touches of the ball than others, it was balanced. Mesut Özil seemed to have taken on a starring role rather than a supporting role. I really thought he looked like he really enjoyed football that day. (but of course I may be biased) In my view, I love the team that played against Racing and I think that it is a style of play that Mou can use to build on. If Cristiano can adapt to this type of play, then I think Real Madrid will have a better chance against Barcelona. Anyways, this is just my view.
Are Real Madrid better without Cristiano Ronaldo?
by: Jack Coory
After the first forty-five minutes had elapsed at the Sardinero, it wasn't the 2-0 score line that impressed the most.
Apart from the goals, they completely dominated possession 65% to 35% and smashed the woodwork on two occasions. They had laid siege to Toño's net, camping themselves in the hosts' third.
This was supposed to be a tricky tie, away to a Racing Santander side that hadn't lost in six matches. It was supposed to be even trickier without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo.
If anything, it seemed easier.
Ronaldo was missing from the starting eleven for the first time all season. In his absence, José Mourinho lined up with a 4-4-2 that saw Karim Benzema partner Emmanuel Adebayor up front. Esteban Granero was also chosen to play in the centre of midfield alongside Xabi Alonso.
This was a marked difference from Mourinho's customary 4-2-3-1. Alonso is normally partnered with the more defensive Sami Khedira or Lassana Diarra while Ronaldo often plays on the left to cut inside on his right foot with Marcelo overlapping. Tactically they are dynamic and abrasive, battering their teams into submission with a mixture of power, pace and darn right bloody-mindedness.
In Cantabria, however, they demonstrated a fluidity that is rarely associated with a Mourinho team. We witnessed impressive off-the-ball movement and little one touch passes and the Racing defence was repeatedly carved open.
At the post-match conference, Esteban Granero fielded questions about his team's dominance, stating: “With Ronaldo we would have played even better.”
But is this true?
The following day, Cuatro and Marca were posting surveys asking that exact same question. Are Real Madrid better without Cristiano Ronaldo?
This suggestion sounds absurd at first glance. Ronaldo is a goal machine. 27 goals in 27 appearances. He has made 7 assists as well, not a damning number by any means.
But there are two statistics that stand out, and not in a good way. Ronaldo has lost more balls than any other player in the league (apart from Fernando Llorente). He is also no where to be found in the top 20 of successful passers.
This suggests what many a terrace groan tells you several times a match: Ronaldo hardly ever passes. He takes on defenders and then almost inevitably looks for the shot. Indeed, he has taken a total of 195 shots this season, by far the most in the league.
In the sumptuous five pass move that saw Real open the scoring against Racing, Mesut Özil starts it off by exchanging a slick one-two with Benzema.
It’s hard to imagine, however, that if Ronaldo had been involved, he would have done the same thing.
Indeed, because Ronaldo misses so few games, there aren’t many opportunities to gauge the performances of the team without him. Any discussion on the matter is also unavoidably fraught with pointless hypothesizing.
But it can’t be denied that Ronaldo is a selfish player. He rarely passes to move the play along like Özil or Granero did on Sunday evening. His passes are instinctive, either to set-up a teammate for a goal-scoring opportunity or get himself out of trouble. He plays for himself.
But does this mean that Real Madrid are better without him? My answer would be a resounding and definitive “no”.
Despite his flaws, Ronaldo is both a showman and a match-winner. Out of his 27 goals, 8 have been fundamental in leading his team to victory. His egoism and vanity are just part of the theatrics that make him so entertaining.
Let’s not jump to conclusions based on one good performance without him. Ronaldo remains Real Madrid’s star man and will take centre stage once again when he returns to fitness.
[source]
I apologize if these gifs are repetitive to those who frequent o_ozil.
Goal #1
Goal #2-- Credit to Di Maria for not intercepting the pass to Benz.
-------------------------
My thoughts:
My first impression after the Racing match was that the team played better and more fluid without Cristiano. However, after much thought, I find it difficult to judge the validity of this claim basing on one match alone. Racing is a considerably weak team, and despite being an away match, Real Madrid was expected to win. Their defense was weak, and their offense was lacking for the most part. If Cristiano had been on the field that day, the scoreline probably wouldn't be much different in my opinion. The notable difference however was the style of play the CRless team performed. There was much more fluidity with the passing, and more Barcelona-like. It felt like a team was playing together and not just certain individuals taking on the defense alone play after play. Di Maria was playing better, the whole team seemed to play better. It was almost like a weight had been lifted and the players were enjoying football more (most evidently in Mesut Özil).When Cristiano plays the team seems to feel the need to pass him the ball whenever possible even when better options existed. But last Sunday, I don't feel that any particular player had significantly more touches of the ball than others, it was balanced. Mesut Özil seemed to have taken on a starring role rather than a supporting role. I really thought he looked like he really enjoyed football that day. (but of course I may be biased) In my view, I love the team that played against Racing and I think that it is a style of play that Mou can use to build on. If Cristiano can adapt to this type of play, then I think Real Madrid will have a better chance against Barcelona. Anyways, this is just my view.