Figo And Ronaldo

[United Forever]

Ronaldo

This kid is going to make a.cole face turn BLUE...AGAIN!!!

Serioulsy though how do you all think you all defense are going to hold up against Figo and C.Ronaldo?

[ALBU]

I see this being a relatively high-scoring game. For England, as long as they can penetrate the defence and get shots on net (even long ones) Ricardo will have a difficult time. He's only really faced one-shot, which let in and most fans of Portugal are quite weary of his abilities. For Portugal, their attack has improved every game and now that Gomes will be starting the threat is even greater. He is more suited to the style of Figo and Ronaldo; a tall, fast striker with impecable precision.

ALBU

[United Forever]

Thank you for you comments ALBU and you predict who you think wil win ,the score and the scorers?

[ALBU]

The question at hand, for me, is whether Rooney et al can penetrate the Portugal's defence - only one-goal allowed in three-games. If this is possible, I don't see Ricardo being much of a challenge; he's coming-off a horrible season with Sporting and is dreadful on crosses.

In terms of scorers, I'm a huge fan of Gomes and Ronaldo will of course be looking to impress. I don't see Figo netting one (unless it's from a freekick), nonetheless he is the heart of the team and as long as runs as he did against Spain he'll create opportunities. I actually sense that either Maniche or Costinha may figure in the scoring...my prediction, 3-2 Portugal.

ALBU

[its called football]

Englands defence is a lot harder than those Portugal have faced so far really, the Spanish are good but not quite at the level of Neville, Terry. Campbell, Cole, who (despite Rio's absence) I reckon still give England the edge over any other defence in the world. We need to take more care about free kicks round the edge of the box, and deal with them better, but otherwise I can't see the Portugese ripping us apart. I reckon 2-2 with England winning in Golden Goal as Vassel tears up an exhausted Portugese defence. But it will be very closely fought, amd the number of England fans will give it a Derby atmosphere. Should be a cracker, can't wait. And before the endless 200 comparisons start, we have a new squad.

[usscouse]

Ronaldo

This kid is going to make a.cole face turn BLUE...AGAIN!!!

Serioulsy though how do you all think you all defense are going to hold up against Figo and C.Ronaldo?
Funny, you put a post up like that and say "Seriously" with a lame attempt at trolling.

Figo is one of the best with a mediocre team but they do have luck and a home pitch. They'll be tough.

Ronaldo, he'll be OK the day he finds out you don't have to do stepovers every time you get the ball. If he took the stick out of his arse and learnt to run and cross properly he'd be fairly good.

"You all defense" will do just fine.

[ALBU]

To clarify, I also have the feeling its going to be 2-2 going into extra time; however, for some obvious reasons I predicting Portugal to take it.

ALBU

[thegaffer7]

i feel that figo and ronaldo are vital if portugal want to beat england...watching the past matches, ive noticed that at times figo, who starts on the right, and ronaldo on the left, often switch sides during the match, in saying that, both of them will have a go at gary n. and ashley cole, both who are top class defenders..i feel that cole will have a tough time if scholes, or whoever is playing on the left side of midfield doesnt track back to get on whichever winger is on the side..both figo and ronaldo are dangerous with the ball at their feet, but if we can shut them and if we dont concede any free kicks around the 18, we will have a chance of winning this game..my prediction 2-0 to england..GO ON YOU LADS!!!

[LEPE]

Funny, you put a post up like that and say "Seriously" with a lame attempt at trolling.

Figo is one of the best with a mediocre team but they do have luck and a home pitch. They'll be tough.

Ronaldo, he'll be OK the day he finds out you don't have to do stepovers every time you get the ball. If he took the stick out of his arse and learnt to run and cross properly he'd be fairly good.

"You all defense" will do just fine.
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Liverpool who?? lol

My naive and ovbioulsly novice friend, in understanding soccer, the whole point of a lot of step-overs, in fool speed is to desorientate the defenders, who, once they made the commitment to one side,Ronaldo will go by him , as you should've seen!!

Although not successfull all the time, the percentaje is quite high and it seems to help his teams a lot, both the club and NT!! And he just..started!!! Just wait!!

[LEPE]

i feel that figo and ronaldo are vital if portugal want to beat england...watching the past matches, ive noticed that at times figo, who starts on the right, and ronaldo on the left, often switch sides during the match, in saying that, both of them will have a go at gary n. and ashley cole, both who are top class defenders..i feel that cole will have a tough time if scholes, or whoever is playing on the left side of midfield doesnt track back to get on whichever winger is on the side..both figo and ronaldo are dangerous with the ball at their feet, but if we can shut them and if we dont concede any free kicks around the 18, we will have a chance of winning this game..my prediction 2-0 to england..GO ON YOU LADS!!!
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Great commentary, exept the ..score!! lol

Will see!!

[sendorange]

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Great commentary, exept the ..score!! lol

Will see!!
The only thing England are worried about is that they only have 2 days rest after a tough physical battle from the Croatians. That's the only area that is a problem for England, the tiredness and the injuries.

When it comes to football the Portugese have been disappointing so far. Lost convincingly to Greece, struggled to break down 10 men Russia and only Spain's negative tactics and missed easy chances saw them through. Ronaldo is exciting to watch, but he does not have the consistent end product yet and the England players know his tricks.

England have been getting stronger in this tournament with each game and have clearly better passing fluency and movement going forward than Portugal. The attack and the goals have come from all angles for England, midfielders interchanging and the two forwards moving all over the opposition back line. It's no surprise they're the tournament's top scorers so far with 8 goals.

For Portugal it's mostly spreading the ball out to these two wingers, a few stepovers and then an aimless cross to nobody. There's no interchanging other than Figo and Ronaldo swapping wings, which is largely ineffective for whoever is out on the left. It's no surprise they only had 4 goals in the group stage, which for a hyped host nation is disappointing.

Saying that with Portugese home advantage as well as the tight schedule of the game for England with only 2 days rest, this should be a close and interesting match.

[Prenn]

Just been on the Portugal forum, seems like most there are underestimating England and overestimating Figo and Ronaldo.

I hope hte Portugese team does the same.

[RuffRyder]

Ronaldo

This kid is going to make a.cole face turn BLUE...AGAIN!!!

Serioulsy though how do you all think you all defense are going to hold up against Figo and C.Ronaldo?
If Portugal were smart they would play Ronaldo on the left and make Neville's face turn blue, Cole would be able to handle Figo though.

[Dark Savante]

Just been on the Portugal forum, seems like most there are underestimating England and overestimating Figo and Ronaldo.

I hope hte Portugese team does the same.

I don't think they are. Do you really think G Neville and Cole are the measure of Ronaldo and Figo?

The good thing is that Portugal aren't good at cross conversion.

[Dark Savante]

If Portugal were smart they would play Ronaldo on the left and make Neville's face turn blue, Cole would be able to handle Figo though.
It's Deco playing balls to feet outside England's box that should be the concern not the wide situation.

[sendorange]

I don't think they are. Do you really think G Neville and Cole are the measure of Ronaldo and Figo?
Of course they are, Gary Neville is one of the most experienced defenders around and has been faultless this tournament. Ashley Cole has been much imrproved and has a lot of talent. These two and the defence dealt comfortably with Henry, Pires and Zidane in open play, and Portugal certainly don't have anyone in the class of those three.

Figo is a tired old man who looks past his best and is trying to do too much. Ronaldo is the queen of stepovers but has limited end product and his contributions this tournament are greatly overrated. He may look ok taking on 10 men Russians or a weak and inexperienced defender like Raul Bravo, but against a well organised and prepared defence he will not have it so easy.

England are the better team so far, results and the play in the group stages reflect this. Portugal struggled to get through an easier group. the only major opponents to England are tiredness, injuries and Portugal having home advantage.

[Dark Savante]

Of course they are, Gary Neville is one of the most experienced defenders around and has been faultless this tournament. Ashley Cole has been much imrproved and has a lot of talent. These two and the defence dealt comfortably with Henry, Pires and Zidane in open play, and Portugal certainly don't have anyone in the class of those three.

Henry=choker
Zidane= no pace
Pires=containable

England's performance didn't surprise in the slightest against France. The Portuguese threat is absolutely polaric. They play wide rather than on the inside like France does(or tried to do) remove Zidane and that team looks ordinary (based on performance)

Ronaldo has already roasted A Cole in the EPL and FA cup and Gary NEville admis t being 'skinned' by him in training! You're clearly not giving him his due. For whatever reason. Figo is the more containable of the 2 for sure and he's the one both WB's fare 50/50 with.


Figo is a tired old man who looks past his best and is trying to do too much. Ronaldo is the queen of stepovers but has limited end product and his contributions this tournament are greatly overrated. He may look ok taking on 10 men Russians or a weak and inexperienced defender like Raul Bravo, but against a well organised and prepared defence he will not have it so easy.

So you don't rate Puyol? Who both wide men had a great time against...
The issue is not about the WB's getting beaten, it's about cutting out the crosses as long as England do that they will be fine with whatever Ronaldo and Figo do.


England are the better team so far, results and the play in the group stages reflect this. Portugal struggled to get through an easier group. the only major opponents to England are tiredness, injuries and Portugal having home advantage.

The centre is where the game will be won or lost. Concentration will be a bigger issue then tiredness. Shut down Deco and Portugal will not play, let him free and he'll open up the field.

[sendorange]

Ronaldo has already roasted A Cole in the EPL and FA cup and Gary NEville admis t being 'skinned' by him in training! You're clearly not giving him his due.
Destroyed Ashley Cole?? I'm no A*senal fan by any means but I saw those games and Ronaldo did no such thing. He did his usual stepovers and at the beginning of one of the matches Cole lost his footing a couple of times, but at no point did Ronaldo score or create anything which lead to winning the games. The FA Cup winning goal in particular came from a great throughball by, surpise surprise, Gary Neville which found it's way through eventually to Paul Scholes to finish.

You don't get goals from stepovers. Football is a competitive event and not a circus, when Ronaldo is scoring game winning goals and not consolations, and setting up game winning goals on a regular basis rather than endlessly overhitting crosses, then I'll consider him a world beater. Until then he's a potential, but not a definite. I'm sure he'll impress in the game on Thursday, but anyone expecting him to dominate or 'destroy' anybody is more likely to be disappointed.

[Dark Savante]

Destroyed Ashley Cole?? I'm no A*senal fan by any means but I saw those games and Ronaldo did no such thing. He did his usual stepovers and at the beginning of one of the matches Cole lost his footing a couple of times, but at no point did Ronaldo score or create anything which lead to winning the games. The FA Cup winning goal in particular came from a great throughball by, surpise surprise, Gary Neville which found it's way through eventually to Paul Scholes to finish.

You don't get goals from stepovers. Football is a competitive event and not a circus, when Ronaldo is scoring game winning goals and not consolations, and setting up game winning goals on a regular basis rather than endlessly overhitting crosses, then I'll consider him a world beater. Until then he's a potential, but not a definite. I'm sure he'll impress in the game on Thursday, but anyone expecting him to dominate or 'destroy' anybody is more likely to be disappointed.
Well, you sit that side. I'll sit this side and we will see on Thursday. Ronaldo will skin whichever man he is up against, but the balls he plays across the box will come to nothing because of there being a single striker in the box of a mediocre pedigree.

And with regards to Cole vs. Ronaldo this season: you were joking.. right? :confused:

[sendorange]

Well, you sit that side. I'll sit this side and we will see on Thursday. Ronaldo will skin whichever man he is up against, but the balls he plays across the box will come to nothing because of there being a single striker in the box of a mediocre pedigree.

And with regards to Cole vs. Ronaldo this season: you were joking.. right? :confused:
I will tell you that making Ronaldo to be out to be some kind of superstar only let down by the quality of his team mates is inaccurate. A lot of his balls will be poor, and the few good balls he puts in will be so delayed that no-one will be able to get onto them.

He is very talented, I'm not doubting that, but anyone making him out to be a world beater is thinking more about what he might become, not what he currently is.