It is with mixed feelings that I took the news of Brazilian Ronaldo's end to his career. I wish he could play on a few more years, trying to get some of his old game back, and mesmerize fans with his dazzling runs and goals. I suppose that would be really too much asking for a 34-year old who admitted his body just couldn't match his mental desire to stay in the game. Just seeing a snapshot of him now is enough to see that he is right. End of a truly great Phenomenon.
For, at his best, Ronaldo was in my opinion, the best of the best of all strikers. His technique, dribbling, and explosive runs have never been matched by any other forward, and his finishing was there with the best. It is with those images of him taking on defender after defender at full-speed towards goal that I remember most, while statistic-aware fans might think more in terms of World Player of the Year accolades and World Cup goal-scoring records; the speed of Thierry Henry, the power of Drobga, the finishing of Van Nistelrooy, and the finesse of Van Basten all incorporated into one. That was O Phenomeno.
Showing posts with label Van Nistelrooy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Van Nistelrooy. Show all posts
Monday, February 14, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
Week-end football preview
What a busy week-end of European football we have coming up.
In the Premier League, Man Utd won't lose at home to Birmingham. The Red Devils were unlucky not to bag 3 points on their visit to the Midlands club a few weeks back due to a controversial last-minute equalizer from the hosts. The difference in class is obvious and Rooney won't get a better chance to start scoring again. Man Utd as draw-no-bet is safely recommended. Arsenal host Wigan, and the Gunners seem to have hit form again, and should be taking 3 points from this encounter. Wigan is a hard team to predict, so a draw-no-bet is the safe option here again. I also like Blackpool's chances as it hosts Sunderland. There is no doubt that both these teams are overachieving from initial expectations this year. But this has been a particularly terrible week for Bruce's team as they lost Darren Bent through the transfer window, and also Danny Wellbeck through injury. Those are massive losses and this also means that Bruce will only have one recognized striker in Gyan to start with. Blackpool is very dangerous at home, and I think they will win this, and if Sunderland can hold the fort well, they can hope for a draw. So a draw-no-bet on Blackpool is recommended. If you wish, you can lay Sunderland as well.
In La Liga, Barcelona host Santander. No surprises expected here, and Barcelona will win. They are recommended without any reservation. Real Madrid host Mallorca who are seeing a dip in form lately. Ronaldo and his teammates won't lose this for sure, and although they most certainly will win, a draw-no-bet is the safest way to go. Mourinho's annoyance with upper management is obvious this week, but that shouldn't affect the team itself. As I write this, it looks that Van Nistelrooy might be back in Madrid. This would be a massive plus for them if that happened, although it remains to be seen what Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy make of their reunion on and off the pitch. Not the best of friends off the pitch and not the best chemistry on it during their Manchester days, if you see what I mean.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern host Kaiserlautern in a game that Van Gaal's men should win on paper. Robben and Klose are making their awaited comebacks from injury, which will make the team go from strength to strength in the upcoming weeks. They won't win the league this year, but they will still need to rack up points to secure a Champions League spot. A draw-no-bet on the hosts is recommended.
Win: Barcelona
Draw-no-bet: Man Utd, Arsenal, Blackpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
In the Premier League, Man Utd won't lose at home to Birmingham. The Red Devils were unlucky not to bag 3 points on their visit to the Midlands club a few weeks back due to a controversial last-minute equalizer from the hosts. The difference in class is obvious and Rooney won't get a better chance to start scoring again. Man Utd as draw-no-bet is safely recommended. Arsenal host Wigan, and the Gunners seem to have hit form again, and should be taking 3 points from this encounter. Wigan is a hard team to predict, so a draw-no-bet is the safe option here again. I also like Blackpool's chances as it hosts Sunderland. There is no doubt that both these teams are overachieving from initial expectations this year. But this has been a particularly terrible week for Bruce's team as they lost Darren Bent through the transfer window, and also Danny Wellbeck through injury. Those are massive losses and this also means that Bruce will only have one recognized striker in Gyan to start with. Blackpool is very dangerous at home, and I think they will win this, and if Sunderland can hold the fort well, they can hope for a draw. So a draw-no-bet on Blackpool is recommended. If you wish, you can lay Sunderland as well.
In La Liga, Barcelona host Santander. No surprises expected here, and Barcelona will win. They are recommended without any reservation. Real Madrid host Mallorca who are seeing a dip in form lately. Ronaldo and his teammates won't lose this for sure, and although they most certainly will win, a draw-no-bet is the safest way to go. Mourinho's annoyance with upper management is obvious this week, but that shouldn't affect the team itself. As I write this, it looks that Van Nistelrooy might be back in Madrid. This would be a massive plus for them if that happened, although it remains to be seen what Ronaldo and Van Nistelrooy make of their reunion on and off the pitch. Not the best of friends off the pitch and not the best chemistry on it during their Manchester days, if you see what I mean.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern host Kaiserlautern in a game that Van Gaal's men should win on paper. Robben and Klose are making their awaited comebacks from injury, which will make the team go from strength to strength in the upcoming weeks. They won't win the league this year, but they will still need to rack up points to secure a Champions League spot. A draw-no-bet on the hosts is recommended.
Win: Barcelona
Draw-no-bet: Man Utd, Arsenal, Blackpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich
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