Yesterday was the first time I've seen Ronoldinho

[Cornnolio]

And I was disapointed. He made some nice passes but he also made some really bad ones too and most of his corners and free kicks were ugly. He wasn't the dominating presence I expected. For those who have seen him play many times, how off of his game was he?

[fscat]

And I was disapointed. He made some nice passes but he also made some really bad ones too and most of his corners and free kicks were ugly. He wasn't the dominating presence I expected. For those who have seen him play many times, how off of his game was he?

He was really off his game. That is not the real Ronaldinho.

[King-James]

He was really off his game. That is not the real Ronaldinho.

I second that. I was very suprised at how he played. Considering his incredibly high standards, he was very poor. Probably the worst game I've seen him play in a big match.

[fscat]

I second that. I was very suprised at how he played. Considering his incredibly high standards, he was very poor. Probably the worst game I've seen him play in a big match.

In the same regard, I'm suprised on how Thierry Henry played also. He had some nice first touches and some good runs (especially the one when he burned Puyol then Marquez), but his finishing was terrible, and ultimately he is a striker, and he's supposed to finish. Overall, the Ronaldinho vs Henry match wasn't what it was supposed to be.

[XaviandXabi]

yea let Ronnie have a break, he was great for every CL game except this one, but in his defence, he did play in the middle where he usually doesnt and Arsenal had about 5 players in the middle for the majority of the game, not much Ronnie can do except one touch passes and through balls which he did in the first half, remember, the he had a say in a lot fo the key moments of the game

saying he wasnt much of a factor in this game is pretty much ignore the entire game and just concentrating on the goals scored

[BlackDiamond]

And I was disapointed. He made some nice passes but he also made some really bad ones too and most of his corners and free kicks were ugly. He wasn't the dominating presence I expected. For those who have seen him play many times, how off of his game was he?

Dude, don´t worry. World Cup is coming. :D
As for yesteday, even in a bad day, Ronaldinho managed to do several good plays and passes, but he was well marked (sometimes 3 men on him).

[aloisius]

He did play the pass that basically decided the game. Other than that he wasn’t him self. Poor free kicks and once he completely miss kicked a ball.

[Cornnolio]

Thanks for the replies...I've really gotten into soccer recently and took a half day off work just to watch this game. I guess he was just off. How much did Messi's absence affect Ronoldinho? I really wanted to see Messi in action too after witnessing him dominate in the U-20 World Cup.

[Spion Kopite]

Steven Gerrard. Now THERE is a player who knows how to play in a final. His record is great. Considering he is a midfielder he has scored in a Champions League final, a UEFA Cup final, an F.A Cup final and a League Cup final.

Always the man for the big occassion. Balls of steel.

[Excape Goat]

Thanks for the replies...I've really gotten into soccer recently and took a half day off work just to watch this game. I guess he was just off. How much did Messi's absence affect Ronoldinho? I really wanted to see Messi in action too after witnessing him dominate in the U-20 World Cup.

It probably did not affect much. Messi did not start many games this season due to injuries and other players starting ahead of him at the beginning of the season. Ronaldinho played well without him before,

[ELADO]

Thanks for the replies...I've really gotten into soccer recently and took a half day off work just to watch this game. I guess he was just off. How much did Messi's absence affect Ronoldinho? I really wanted to see Messi in action too after witnessing him dominate in the U-20 World Cup.
not much! with or without messi, dinho is the man! he played great in most games this year without messi!

[celito]

He played good in the first half. The first pass to Eto'o for the red card. The beautifull play where he spotted Giuly running behind Cole that almost made to his foot (Cole had to do a full stretch slide to cut it), the patience to find Eto'o in front of Campbell when Eto'o turned him inside out, when he blew past Ljunberg on the right wing, the way he fought off th Arsenal tacklers in the midfield. Even Arsenal fans mentioned everytime he had the ball he presented the defense with dangerous passes.

He had miscues in the 2nd half, but also had a nice play where he dribbled past Eboue on the left wing (something very hard to do).

Overall not his finest game. But it was only a bad game only by his high standards. To his credit, they played him as a striker for most of the game as opposed to his usual position on the left.

[pittsy1]

I believe Ronaldinho didnt play good in that game. But he is very special, vastly talented :P