“We stand together,” Ronaldo wrote on Twitter and Instagram at the weekend after his team’s 4-2 win at Leeds United. “A very important Premier League win before we put our focus on the Champions League and head to Madrid,” added Ronaldo, who failed to score with local rivals.
Last week, the British press reported a power struggle between Ronaldo and team captain Harry Maguire. The Portuguese is contesting the captain’s armband from the England international, it was said. “That’s absolute nonsense,” commented Ralf Rangnick at the weekend. Maguire also denied corresponding reports on social networks. The team is “closed and focused,” said the defense chief. Rangnick at least conceded that the captain’s question was open for next season.
“He needs to score more goals”
The fact is that the quality of attack has gone down since Ronaldo’s return. Not only from United as a whole is less of a goal threat, but also from Ronaldo himself. This was shown by an analysis by the magazine “The Athletic”. The Portuguese’s last goal against Brighton was his first after 587 minutes, his longest goal drought since 2009.
“He has to score more goals, that’s obvious,” Rangnick recently demanded. “We’re creating chances, but haven’t scored enough goals.” However, “it’s not just Ronaldo’s problem,” stressed the coach. After all, “CR7” is the team’s top scorer with 15 goals, nine in the Premier League and six in the premier league.
It is difficult to assess the relationship between the German coach and his Portuguese superstar. When the striker was substituted early during the 3-1 win at Brentford in January, it was at least visible to all viewers how angry he was at Rangnick’s decision. “Why me?!” grumbled the Portuguese, whose 37-year-old self-image is always playing. So far he was allowed to do that under Rangnick.
Ronaldo was once feared at Atletico. In the dress of city rival Real, he scored 25 goals against the “Colchoneros”, including in the CL final victory in 2014 and in the penalty shoot-out of the CL triumph two years later. On the other hand, home strength is Atleticos, who have won nine unbeaten games in 14 Champions League knockout games at home since 1997.
Benfica with Lazaro against Ajax
In the second Wednesday duel (9 p.m.) Benfica Lisbon and Ajax Amsterdam meet – and thus two former champions. ÖFB team player Valentino Lazaro should, as always, be called up as a right-back in the back four under neo-coach Nelson Verissimo. Coach Erik ten Hag’s Ajax is a tough nut to crack on the road to the second quarter-final after 2019.
In the group stage, they celebrated six wins in six games against Besiktas, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica’s city rivals Sporting. Striker Sebastien Haller is the current top scorer in the premier class with ten goals.
