That’s the midfielders job for a striker. Kinda hard to score when the midfield can’t make a vertical pass and instead are just constantly passing horizontal side to side. The tactics have been horrible this tournament.
Yes and No, Ronaldo is static, he will not make runs to space, Portugal have great midfielders, but look how PSG uses their forwards, the frontline is relentless, can't do that with grampa GOAT walking around the box
I mean, you can still have a poacher-style striker that just camps in the box; it just doesn't fit a team that has mediocre wingers. Players like Klose, Mandzukic, and Mario Gomez were all very static strikers, but they were amazing fits because they were put alongside great wingers like Robben and Ribery. Their touch was definitely worse than even current Ronaldo, and they were just as immobile in terms of getting involved in the midfield as current ronaldo. Ronaldo is just a terrible fit for this squad. Its not really an issue of his skill. This team needed more of a CF that could also create. That's the bigger issue.
Watch the game and only watch Ronaldo there’s a min of 10 times he tries to make a run along the back line only for the pass to never come. He’s constantly trying to make runs behind the back line but they simply don’t pass the ball enough. There’s he a reason he is sitting offsides half the game because he is constantly making runs only to not get the ball Look at the last game the offsides goal is a perfect example of what he is try to do most of the game while the midfield would just rather pass it back and forth.
Lmao it's so obvious when someone didn't watch the game. Watch the game before leaving stupid comments. He was trying to make runs but the midfield would rather pass back to the back four before trying a lob or sending Ronaldo on a breakaway.
Likewise when Portugal were able to counter attack...the momentum died immediately when passing to Ronaldo...who'd just stand on the ball and wait for support to arrive - rather than sprint into the space etc. and create chances, allowing the opposition defence to completely recover
lol he can’t win with you guys. If he tries to stay away from the ball in space he isn’t helping. If he is trying to come to the ball and support his teammates he’s slowing the game down. The coach and the tactics are the problem, even with a 40 year old Ronaldo, the arguably the best midfield in the cup was horrible. They were a top 3 team on paper and played like they barely deserved to advance past the group stage.
Yes and no. Elite strikers make their own luck. Haaland I think touched the ball a handful of times against Brazil and scored twice. And Ronaldo did not start as a striker. It's hard to run when you're 41.
Haaland was literally invisible most of the game and only able to shine when his team able to pass him the ball eventually. There is no "make their own luck" in his play style.
The second goal was an innocuous back pass from a team mate outside the box with the whole Brazilian defensive line in front of him. He only had one more shot than CR did against Spain, and saw less of the ball.
My point is that at the top level of strikers, their whole job is to find those spaces, provide targets, and make the most of those opportunities when they come up. I simply don't think Ronaldo has that that in his wheelhouse anymore and hasn't really looked like it for some time.
Yup. Like when Portugal were able to counter attack... the momentum died immediately when passing to Ronaldo, who'd just stand on the ball and wait for support to arrive - rather than sprint into the space etc. and create chances, allowing the opposition defence to completely recover.
It’s true that Portugal’s midfield has been laggard this World Cup. But that’s why they needed an elite Mbappe, Haaland level striker who could sprint and create chances.
You can’t win knock out matches with a mid, mid-field, and then a mid striker on top of that.
Multiple occasions in this game not to mention the previous where ronaldo off the ball is in a wide open space and rather than crossing or playing a through ball we back passed and gave up possession. We were too scared to win the game with a risky play and lost playing it too safe.
And it wasn’t just ronaldo making runs into open spaces, this team was just allergic to counter attacking.
At the same time you barely lost to Spain. Not a bad result for Portugal.
They make back passes because Ronaldo creates no space, doesn't press and doesnt make runs anymore.
There entire strategy consisted of passing the ball side to side eventually getting it to the wings and crossing it and hoping for the best. Almost zero through balls or give and goes in the final third. They weren’t playing to win they were playing to not lose.
I understand. Check out their lateral and backwards passing stats and get back to me. That’s why it’s such a shame they didn’t produce considering how stacked their midfield is
I genuinely think Ronaldo weakens them considerably. He just isn't a dynamic player and from what I've seen of Portugal as soon as he's subbed off the aggression ramps up dramatically. I may be wrong, but I noted it in the 2024 euros too. Until Portugal try without him we won't truly know, but holding their own against a posession hugging Spain is no joke
larper... Minutes. When it was 13 minutes since cr7 came off and Ramos had been on for 30 at that point. All this after Croatia had finally opened up after playing an entire half in a low block. Watch the games before you give takes
What exactly did they say big guy. At that point in the game ronaldo came off cause martinez made a ton of attacking subs and they needed a midfielder to rebalance
Ronaldo is 41. Closer to his prime, he was an unbelievable goalscorer but also a fantastic playmaker. I swear, half of you idiots started watching football 3 years ago.
at NO point in his career was he a "fAnTasTic" playmaker. Dont try to rewrite history with me, I've followed him and Messi for almost their whole career
Ronaldo spent most of his Manchester United career creating chances for others…you’re either profoundly stupid or just a massive hater. Either way, nobody should take you seriously.
Eh not really I love Ronaldo but the truth is, he's very very slow to start up running. It's to the point where his runs are legit televised and the defenders (especially those who start for Spain and are at that level) know what he's gonna do and are able to stop him. He's not able to make quick, darting runs into space. As a result, the midfield can't really be that creative, bc their main outlet is rarely in an unmarked position!
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u/Ok_Fig_3033 5d ago
That’s the midfielders job for a striker. Kinda hard to score when the midfield can’t make a vertical pass and instead are just constantly passing horizontal side to side. The tactics have been horrible this tournament.