He is a great GOALSCORER but NOT a great FOOTBALLER. And goals win games, so all he needs is to score...one problem, Atletico get all up in that booty and don't make it easy for anyone, especially Madrid to score.
My criticisms of Cristiano have been very simple. He is a guy, for all the ridiculous praise he gets, who does not actually score when it matters. Because you can score fifty g's a season or five g's in one match, but if you don't score a winning goal or equalizer in an important match, then what really is the point?
I think that the "best" footballers should be held to the very highest level of critique. People only expected the best from Jordan, Ali, Ronaldo and Federer. If you're considered the best..show us why. And tonight is where Madrid NEED Cristiano to show up. And to be clear, if Cristiano scores the opening goal and does nothing while Atletico win 3-1, then in my eyes he would have failed. Because it's not just about scoring, it's WHEN you score and about showing up during the times when your team needs you the most.
Based on how Atletico play, they don't give away space. They are physical and aggressive and give one hundred for ninety minutes. That means Cristiano can't rely on counters or using his speed, he needs to take note from Robben and Messi and try to CREATE his own goals. Moreso now than before without the extra passing excellence that Modric would have brought.
Real Madrid ARE winning this match, but I will be watching to see just exactly how they get it done. If Cristiano scores the winner with the game tied, then let's talk and give him his props. If we see the floppage he brought to the fore when Atletico ransacked Madrid earlier this season.....I will call him out on it. Because fair is fair.
HH
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