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| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 22:49 |
CL: Ronaldo’s Real Madrid crash out to Lyon; Nani helps United past MilanWednesday round-up: Cristiano Ronaldo’s first Champions League campaign with Real Madrid is over after the Spanish giants were knocked out by Lyon at the Santiago Bernabeu. Meanwhile, it was a better evening for Nani, who played his part as Manchester United’s hammered Milan 4-0 at Old Trafford.
Real hosted Lyon in the Spanish capital attempting to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg at the Stade Gerland. There was extra motivation for the hosts to avoid departing the competition at the last-16 stage for the sixth season in succession, with this year’s final being held at the Bernabeu in May. Ronaldo got his side off to the perfect start with just five minutes played. Guti’s long pass found the Portuguese on the inside left of the penalty area, and Ronaldo slid the ball through the legs of Lyon goalkeeper Hugo Lloris from a tight angle to level the tie at 1-1 on aggregate. However, Real were left to count the cost of missing several good chances in the first 45 minutes. Gonzalo Higuain came closest on two occasions, first hitting the post after rounding Lloris, before being denied by the French ‘keeper later in the half. The missed opportunities would come back to haunt Real, with Lyon emerging from the break a much better side. The Ligue 1 team got their reward when the ball broke to Miralem Pjanic inside the area and the teenage Bosnian fired past Casillas to give Lyon the all-important away goal. Needing two goals to advance, Real tried to exert some pressure in the closing stages, but it was Lyon who should have added further goals. Lisandro Lopez and Cesar Delgado both failed to even find the target when presented with clear opportunities as Lyon carved Real open on the counter attack, but the failure to find a winner on the night did little to dampen the celebrations at the final whistle as Les Gones secured a famous victory. United coast throughIt was a routine night for Nani and Manchester United, who entertained Milan at Old Trafford having won 3-2 at the San Siro in the first leg. Nani kept his place in the side from the first meeting, but was switched to the left flank as Antonio Valencia started on the right, with Wayne Rooney returning to spearhead the attack through the middle.Rooney put United ahead on 13 minutes when he headed in Gary Neville’s cross, and the same player put the tie to rest in the first minute of the second half, this time with Nani the provider. The former Sporting winger seized on a loose ball and raced away from Thiago Silva, before picking Rooney out with an exquisite pass with the outside of his boot for the England striker to net his fourth goal of the tie. Ji-Sung Park fired in the third just short of the hour and Darren Fletcher met substitute Rafael’s cross at the back post to head a fourth three minutes from time, as the Red Devils made easy work of the Rossoneri to book their place in the last eight. By Sean Gillen Keep up to date with all the latest news on Portuguese football with the new PortuGOAL Twitter! |
This happened at least 2 times and I would complain too. The problem is, and I think you have bought into it like many other people, the press embellishes every single thing Ronaldo does. If he so much as throws his hands up in the air in disgust, the headlines ring out "Ronaldo whines and cries and hates his team". It's all crap. He just really wants to win and it's frustrating for him because he seriously could've possibly put the game away for them on Wednesday night.
I have to say that if I were playing in a game of that magnitude and my teammates were selfish and cost us the game, I would be pretty pissed about that too. Wouldn't you?
I do agree hes been fantastic this season.
Real lost this game twice...in the first half they lost because Higuain is selfish. And in the second half they lost because Pellegrini was tactically outclassed. Madrid had no control over the game, Lyon came close twice and he still does not make any changes. Bring on Diarra and take Guti off to had some muscle to your midfield and get the ball back. But nope, he just waits till they score and it is game over. Then his final substitutions were poor but it was already too late by then anyway.
I'd normally would agree with you his petulance just makes things worse, but yesterday on a, at least, couple of occasions he was right. Higuain should have passed him the ball and the same goes for Van der Vaat but kudos to Lyon who came a different team from half-time.
Anybody see his tantrums during the game. Ferguson ws able to control him and often lambasted him from the sideline. Unfortunately Pelligrini doesn't have the same capabilities as Ronaldo could probably go to the President and get him fired. The tactical changes at half time turned the game completely in Lyon's favour. Lyon are on a roll. Wouldn't like to be the next team to get them. This Champions League is the best we've seen in years..Lots of quality.
Although Ronaldo is by far one of the best two players in the world his maturity and onfield acting is getting a little bit too much. He is talented enough to run rings around many players but needs a strong manager behind him to trully make him one of the greats that will always be remembered. He still has lots of time and someone like Mourinho could make him into the best player ever. Personally Im not a fan but watching him as a player when he is in full flow is great to see. Kaka was a huge letdown tonight. Seems that he's half the player that left Milan. Madrid also rely to much on Ronaldo. When things arent going Ronaldo's way they seem to be unable to come up with other ideas.
I hate that he has to crash out so early because of his dumb teammates. He had some really great touches and a nice goal today.
I am happy for Nani for making a assist and I want to see him keep playing well and become a consistent starter with Man Utd. Keep it up Nani!
Great pass by nani, it was like a Quaresma trivela