Rabu, 28 September 2022

Cristiano Ronaldo's dressing room behaviour shows nothing has changed at Man Utd

Cristiano Ronaldo's attitude has been criticised since his return to Manchester United, but the Portuguese superstar has tried to be a positive influence behind the scenes

Cristiano Ronaldo has tried to be a positive influence behind the scenes at Manchester United (

Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)

Even though Cristiano Ronaldo has hardly featured for Manchester United this term, the Portuguese superstar has still been the talk of Old Trafford.

The 37-year-old started the season on the bench after missing the club's pre-season tour under new boss Erik ten Hag and the former Juventus man is still on the periphery after failing to make the most of the opportunities he has been handed by the Dutchman.

Ronaldo's struggles have handed Marcus Rashford a surprise Old Trafford reprieve. The United academy graduate was out of form last year and was linked with a summer exit after falling out of favour under Ten Hag's predecessor, Ralf Rangnick. But he has been reinvigorated playing in his favoured central role, chalking up three goals and two assists in just six games.

Read More Read More

Although Rashford's resurgence is likely to limit Ronaldo's first-team opportunities, it has been claimed that the veteran has emerged as the Englishman's "biggest cheerleader".

And even though that stance has reportedly left Rashford 'surprised', Ronaldo's selfless approach is another example of how the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has tried his utmost to be a positive influence in the United dressing room since his return to the club last summer.

A number of Manchester United stars have spoken out on how positive Ronaldo has been behind the scenes at the club - even though it was rumoured that the forward had divided the Red Devils' dressing room.

United slumped to their worst-ever finish in the Premier League era under Rangnick last term just months after Ronaldo's return.

Join the debate! Do you think Ronaldo should be starting for Man Utd? Let us know here.

Ronaldo has hardly featured for United in the Premier League this term (

Image:

Getty Images)

But fresh reports of Ronaldo's attitude in training should put those rumours to bed once and for all.

Speaking earlier this month, United full-back Brandon Williams insisted suggestions that Ronaldo has been a disruptive influence since returning to the club last summer were nonsense.

He told The Sportsman: "I wasn't there when he first came back, but since I've come back, he's been a massive influence. He always talks to me," he said. "He makes sure that he doesn't leave anybody out. He just talks to everybody.

"He's not 'I'm the superstar here, I'm not going to talk to anyone.' He gives me advice. He talks to me. He has a joke with me. It's just normal stuff. When you have a colleague that's a footballer because at the end of the day, he's a colleague of mine."

Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More  OnepieceVostfrf vk.com @twflix24-shinultraman2022-hd-1080p @twflix24-one-piece-red-tw https://twitter.com/i/events/1574017916168593409 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301 redirect 301

Jumat, 23 September 2022

Man City backed to complete 'wonderful' Toni Kroos signing after report - pundit

 

Frank McAvennie has claimed Toni Kroos would be a welcome addition at Man City next year.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said Kroos would offer “more” for star striker Erling Haaland.

According to Spanish outlet El Nacional (6 September), City are interested in signing Kroos, 32.

The Cityzens are said to be interested in a move for the midfielder in the January window.

Kroos’ contract with Real Madrid expires at the end of June 2023.

Guardiola has previously worked with the former Germany international at Bayern Munich.

When asked if Kroos would be a welcome addition at the Etihad, Hutton told Football Insider: “He’s getting on now.

“Could he play? Yeah. He’s a great player on his day. I don’t get why he wouldn’t want to stay at Real Madrid.

“Against Celtic he was cruising for the last half hour but for the first hour he wasn’t too happy with all the youngsters running past him. In the final half hour him and [Luka] Modric came into their own.

“His passing is tremendous and him signing would just be more for Haaland because [Kevin] De Bruyne can find him all day long now.

“I think Pep just likes him. He’s a wonderful player and it’ll just be giving him a boost before he ends his career.“

Kroos has made five appearances for Real Madrid across all competitions this season.

The German is yet to provide an attacking return.

In other news, an expert has shared new Kalvin Phillips concern amid ‘huge’ Man City development.

List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022 List Link 2022

Selasa, 20 September 2022

Laurent Blanc dan Golden Goal Pertama dan Satu-satunya di Piala Dunia 1998

Laurent Blanc menjadi salah satu pilar yang mampu mengantarkan Prancis menjadi kampiun Piala Dunia 1998. Selain mampu meraih torehan emas tersebut, Blanc menjadi bahan pembicaraan publik tatkala saat Les Blues menghadapi Paraguay di babak 16 besar.

Sebelumnya, Prancis tergabung di grup relatif mudah, yakni Zinedine Zidane ditempatkan di Grup C. Les Blues tergabung bersama Denmark, Arab Saudi, dan Afrika Selatan. Di Grup C, skuat asuhan Aime Jacquet dengan mudah kalahkan lawan-lawannya dan menjadi juara grup dengan catatan tanpa kekalahan.

Kemudian, Prancis lolos ke babak 16 besar dengan status juara Grup C dan bertemu Paraguay sebagai runner-up Grup D. Pertandingan putaran 16 berjalan tidak seperti fase grup. Dengan memakai sistem gugur, semua tim berjuang keras untuk tidak kalah agar terus bertahan di Piala Dunia 1998.

Pada babak 16 besar, Paraguay pun berusaha melawan tuan rumah dengan memaksakan skor tanpa gol sampai seluruh waktu normal. Dalam keadaan imbang 0-0, dua negara melanjutkan pertarungan ke babak tambahan (extra time). Dan di sini lah, nama Laurent Blanc menjadi bahan pembicaraan publik.

Golden Goal Pertama

Untuk kali pertama sepanjang sejarah Piala Dunia, FIFA menerapkan aturan gol emas (golden goal) untuk bola yang masuk ke gawang pada extra time dan jadi penentu hasil akhir. Jika gol emas tercipta, pertandingan otomotis selesai tanpa menunggu sisa waktu yang tersedia. Tim yang mencetak gol pun berhak jadi pemenang dan maju ke putaran selanjutnya.

Pada menit 114, Laurent Blanc melakukan overlaping hingga kotak penalti Paraguay dan membuat penonton bertanya-tanya apa yang dilakukan bek itu. Hasilnya, dia mampu memecah kebuntuan dan mencetak gol.

Eks bek Manchester United itu menjadi pemain pertama yang mencetak gol emas dan menjadi buah bibir publik . Dengan lahirnya gol Blanc tersebut, maka pertandingan antara Prancis dan Paraguay pun langsung berakhir. Tuan rumah melaju ke babak perempat final yang kemudian menjadi titik penting dalam perjalanan Les Blues meraih gelar.

Komentar Blanc

Usai laga melawan Paraguay, Laurent Blanc berkomentar terkait dengan kejadian golnya maupun perasaanya menjadi pemain penentu kelolosan negaranya ke babak selanjutnya.

"Saya melihat ada celah di pertahanan mereka (Paraguay),” kata Blanc yang maju hingga kotak penalti Paraguay. "Ada saatnya ketika Anda harus mencoba dan mengambil tanggung jawab," lanjutnya.

"Itu mungkin satu-satunya pertandingan dalam kompetisi yang tidak bisa kami kendalikan. Kelegaan yang kami rasakan saat mendapatkan gol hanya bisa diimbangi dengan perjuangan yang kami alami selama pertandingan," tandasnya.

Kecupan di Kepala Barthez

Ada ritual unik Laurent Blanc setiap kali Prancis sebelum memulai laga di Piala Dunia 1998. Blanc selalu mencium kepala kompatriotnya Fabien Barthez, jelang memulai pertandingan.

Bahkan, ritual tersebut tak hanya terjadi di timnas Prancis tetapi juga merembet di klub mereka bela, Manchester United. Ritual ini juga mereka lakukan saat keduanya sama-sama berada di Setan Merah jelang mulainya pertandingan.

Dua Pemain AC Milan Beri Dukungan untuk Theo Hernandez

Theo Hernandez mencatatkan namanya di papan skor pada laga semifinal Piala Dunia 2022. Bek kiri milik AC Milan itu memecah kebuntuan saat la...