PORTO • An unstoppable force will meet an immovable object when Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal clash with Virgil van Dijk's Netherlands for the inaugural Nations League title today.
While there is a rare international trophy at stake, just as fascinating will be the head-to-head battle between two of the finest players in the world - even if this is being played down on the Dutch side.
"We're not just playing against Cristiano Ronaldo," defender van Dijk said after Thursday's 3-1 extra-time semi-final win over England.
"We're playing against an amazing Portugal."
His coach Ronald Koeman agreed and said possession would be the best form of defence against Ronaldo at Porto's Dragao Stadium.
He said: "We know that, sometimes, it's impossible to defend well against Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The best thing we can do is to keep the ball because when we have the ball, he can do nothing in attack."
Van Dijk, who won the Champions League with Liverpool on June 1, was his usual impressive solid self against England, aware of where he needed to be before anyone else. He would arrive, unhurried, and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane were duly dispossessed.
Statisticians Opta said no player has dribbled past van Dijk in his last 64 club games before the Nations League. Strong and quick, good in the air and relaxed on the ball, he is the complete defender.
"He deserves the Ballon d'Or," Koeman added.
Van Dijk himself played this down, citing Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as favourite.
But it is not Messi but his great attacking rival, Ronaldo, that van Dijk will meet today.
Should Portugal retain their 4-4-2 formation from their 3-1 win over Switzerland, there is the mouthwatering prospect of the two matching up for 90 minutes.
Ronaldo, now 34, may not be quite as dominant as before but a magnificent hat-trick, his 53rd, against Switzerland took his side through to the final.
"A football genius" was coach Fernando Santos' view of his talisman while "little Messi" Bernardo Silva said: "We're used to this kind of thing, he's been doing it for ages. It isn't a surprise to anyone now."
The Portuguese media went to town with his return following a post-World Cup break, with the Correio da Manha newspaper declaring "The Return of the King" on its front page.
Captaining Portugal to a trophy at home would be another high point in Ronaldo's incredible career and would vanquish any lingering scars from the Euro 2004 final loss to Greece in Lisbon.
"It's the preparation, my work ethic. I still feel good despite being 34," Ronaldo told uefa.com. "The most important thing is your head, to feel motivated and happy, and to follow my path as a player, because I think I still have a lot to give."
DPA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Leicester axe Puel, target Rodgers as successor Wilfried Zaha scoring the second goal for Crystal Palace who beat Leicester 4-1 on Saturday. The Foxes dismissed manager Claude Puel after the club
Claude Puel sacked by Leicester as club target Brendan
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview that he wants Lionel Messi to remain linked to the club forever. who was always at Santos. We want Messi to
'We want Messi to always be at Barca' - Bartomeu
Football: Ambitious Hougang United show title promise, but face tough start in Tampines Rovers. Hougang United at a training session ahead of their season opener against Tampines Rovers.
Ambitious Hougang show title promise - theworldnews.net
Here are 10 tips for creating a youth ministry from scratch with Sticky Faith principles in mind: Gather a team and listen closely. In the Launch Kit we suggest that leaders start implementing Sticky Faith by assembling a team (any group with a stake in young people should be represented) and beginning a listening campaign.
3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don't Leave the Church
Pochettino wants Tottenham to be 'brave and aggressive' against Juve Published: 14:53 EST, 1 Skip navigation Spurs are back at this stage of the Champions League for the first time since
Pochettino wants Spurs and Levy to be 'brave' going forward
Football: Furious Sarri slams Chelsea players as 'difficult to motivate' Alexandre Lacazette (right, partly hidden) scoring Arsenal's first goal against Chelsea on Saturday.
Furious Sarri Slams Chelsea Players As "Difficult To Motivate
BERLIN (AP) — Bayern Munich knows all too well how tough an opponent Juergen Klopp can be. due to its early FA Cup exit. The team spent four days at a training camp in Marbella, Spain.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa's sportsmanlike decision to allow Aston Villa to score unopposed in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds has been hailed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. Marcelo Bielsa Wenger said that the incident was more remarkable given that promotion to the Premier League was at stake for the Championship club.
CORRECTED-Soccer-Wenger hails Leeds' Bielsa for sportsmanship
Pep Guardiola is confident his achievements at Manchester City will not be tarnished by UEFA's investigation into alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches and trusted the club to resolve the matter, the Spanish manager said on Friday.
Guardiola trusts Man City to resolve FFP allegations
NBA Finals 2019: Warriors may have just begun greatest comeback of their reign, yet it feels completely empty The loss of Durant cast a shadow over what was an impressive comeback win
Cornerback Covering Tips - Be A Great Cornerback
Ikhsan gets off mark in Norway, Football News & Top Stories
Apr 18, 2019 · The Champions League final this year will be the eighth in a row without Pep Guardiola, which perhaps should not feel as extraordinary as it does. This is, after all, knockout competition; odd
Guardiola: De Bruyne nearing Man City return
0 comments:
Post a Comment