United flies, paint for Rangnick: The historically harmless Cristiano Ronaldo

United flies, paint for Rangnick
The historically harmless Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi and Paris St. Germain are already out of the premier class, now Manchester United and Cristiano Ronaldo are following. The Portuguese superstar is less dangerous against Atlético Madrid than he has been in eleven years. What’s next for CR7?

The era of the two football legends Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo is coming to an end. Or is it possibly already over quietly and secretly? Well, there is definitely reliable evidence for this claim. Because once again the crown of European club football will be fought out without the icons of the game. While Messi has known for a week that he is now out of action with Paris St. Germain in the Champions League, the news was delivered to Ronaldo late on Tuesday evening. With Manchester United he failed in the round of 16 at Atlético Madrid. The Spaniards won the second leg 1-0 (1-1 in the first leg).

Defeats against the Rojiblancos are particularly bitter for the 37-year-old Portuguese. Because of his extremely successful past at Real. And because of the bitter rivalry between the two capital clubs. But this duel is also about personal matters. Between Ronaldo and Atlético’s bully coach Diego Simeone. The extroverted alphas fought a bizarre cojones cheer duel three years ago. Final result of the individual dispute: draw. The strength, however, was Ronaldo, who reached the next round with his team, then Juventus Turin.

Well, shortly before the beginning of spring, no new escapades are known – apart from Simeone’s refusal to shake hands with United’s coach Ralf Rangnick (Simeone had already denied Jürgen Klopp the handshake in the preliminary round). On the other hand, it is known that Atlético will leave the field as the winner this time. Renan Lodi (41st) sealed the end of the fifth place in the Premier League with his counterattack, which gambled away its last chance at a title. United, who struggled with the notoriously disciplined defenders of the Spanish champions, had failed early on in both domestic cup competitions. Ronaldo, who always has high hopes (regardless of which team) – after his gala in the league at the weekend against Tottenham Hotspur with three historic goals anyway – remained pale. Extremely pale. Ronaldo didn’t even shoot at goal.

Dissatisfied on all levels

As the statistics portal Opta researched, it was only the third “zero” in a Champions League game for Ronaldo. As weak as now in the “Theater der (Editor’s note: burst) He was last in “dreams” in 2011, back then in the semifinals against FC Barcelona at the Camp Nou. But he had already spent a game for Manchester in which he was not dangerous. That was, now be careful, in 2003 against Panathinaikos. His most striking scene against Atlético he had when he complained loudly and with gestures about an alleged foul before the guests scored.An expression of his dissatisfaction on all levels.

A lot has been reported about them in the last few weeks. It should also – or mainly – be related to coach Ralf Rangnick. The Portuguese world footballer is said to have been dissatisfied with the commitment of the German coach as interim coach and preferred a permanent solution for the post. And then there is also the sporting relationship with the coach. The Portuguese is said to be disappointed with his many substitutions. At the end of January there was even a dispute. When asked last Friday if the superstar is still happy at United, Rangnick replied: “Well, I don’t know – I didn’t ask him if he was happy at Manchester and at this club.”

Here’s the thing: That sentence from Rangnick was followed by Ronaldo’s gala against Tottenham. After his outstanding performance, he is the greatest, at least according to FIFA statistics. With 807 goals, Ronaldo surpassed Josef Bican’s previous record for the most goals in football history. Bican is said to have scored 805 goals. The forward, who had played for both the Austrian and Czech national teams, retired in 1955.

“… find the right coach”

“It was a response to his critics,” BBC expert Alan Shearer said of the ongoing debate. “But there were a lot of days this season when it didn’t click,” the Guardian replied. That makes Ronaldo a problem for United. Despite the two-year contract, it is unclear whether the Portuguese will play there next season. For the “Daily Mail” it is already clear: “Anyone who doubts that United will miss him has definitely not seen this game.”

Things are different with Coach Rangnick. He is also constantly criticized. At times there were even reports that large sections of the team were said to be against him. After the Champions League exit, he has to listen to sharp words again. “The very first thing this club needs to do to even come close to winning the league again is find a proper coach to work for this side,” said club legend Paul Scholes on broadcaster BT Sport. There is some talent in that squad, said Scholes, who won 11 league titles and two Champions Leagues in the club’s golden age under Sir Alex Ferguson. Scholes, on the other hand, praised Simeone. With him, United would have made it through.

Rangnick, however, quarreled about some “strange decisions by the referee”. Although these were not decisive, the game was constantly interrupted in the second half. Someone was always lying on the floor. Rangnick also described the four minutes of stoppage time as a “joke”. His time in Manchester will end. Does that also apply to Ronaldo? Well, one thing seems clear: neither the Portuguese nor his eternal duelist Lionel Messi will (can) win the “Ballon d’Or” this year. Another indication that an era is passing. Or has already ended.

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