Cristiano Ronaldo misses two-minute gap in Al Nassr . draw
Cristiano Ronaldo missed two big chances just minutes apart for Al Nassr against Al Fateh.
Ronaldo scored a brace in his first game in Saudi Arabia as he captained the Riyadh XI in an entertaining friendly against Paris Saint-Germain.
But then he drew the next two games, missed a header in the 3-1 Arab Super Cup loss to Al Ittihad and was blamed for the loss by coach Rudi Garcia.
Then he was super wasteful in front of goal in the first half of his last outing.
Anderson Talisca hit the post and when it hit Ronaldo, while most of the goal was empty because the keeper was on the field, he shot the ball into the net. The 37-year-old was frustrated by the miss, but just before half-time he was fouled with another miss.
The ball was returned to him inside the box and it seemed like the perfect time for Ronaldo to open an account.
However, his left-footed shot went over the crossbar before being cleared by the opposing defender after returning to play.
The miss came after Talisca equalized to cancel Cristian Tello's opener 12 minutes later, but the hosts regained the lead in the second half when Sofiane Bendebka scored.
But in the 93rd minute, Ronaldo finally scored his first goal for Al Nassr - converting it into a penalty in a chaotic final that saw Talisca sent off. Ronaldo faced chants from Lionel Messi as he left as Al Ittihad fans dragged him as he made his way down the tunnel.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has a lucrative 175m-a-year contract until 2025 and it is said the club hope he will end his career in Riyadh.
However, Garcia hopes Ronaldo will return to European football before retiring.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a positive addition because he helps disperse defenders, said Garcia.
"He's one of the best players in the world. He will not end his career at Al Nassr, he will return to Europe.
CONTINUE READING-MORE NEWS
Enzo Fernandez has Jorginho-sized boots to fill but new No 5 makes Chelseas midfield tick on debut
Despite all the ridicule over the World Cup winner's 107m price tag, his first game against Fulham offers hope that Chelsea have found a solution to a problematic position.
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 03:
Enzo Fernandez of Chelsea FC controls the ball under pressure from Andreas Pereira of Fulham FC during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Fulham FC at Stamford Bridge on February 3, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Fernandez made his debut after arriving for 107m (Image:
Getty)
Chelsea 0-0 Fulham
STAMFORD BRIDGE - When you arrive at Stamford Bridge as the most expensive player in English football history, as Enzo Fernandez did on his last day, you can expect to be in the center even if Chelsea spent another disappointing night against Fulham.
In the number 5 shirt of Jorginho, whom he replaced, Fernandez approached his work with grace but also sophistication. It may take a while to justify a price tag (107m) bordering on the absurd, but Fernandez is the only midfielder to please Graham Potter's 4-3-3 formation.
Amid the initial excitement surrounding his arc, he was almost overshadowed by the unexpected arrival of Hakim Ziyech, whose move to PSG collapsed in the 11th hour. However, it is clear that Fernandez is a player who delivers what Chelsea sorely lacks:
control. His early touches struggled against Fulham's possession and put Reece James in danger. For all the money Todd Boehly has spent, it's hard to overstate the amount of speed and creativity that will be offered on the right flank when James is fit.
As Potter has often discovered, this freedom can only be granted when the middle of the park is not overcrowded. Some would worry about Fernandez's ability to deal with fitness, but he doesn't mind competing in the air - and even got into fights with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Willian. Fulham were well organized and impressive as expected, although they were appalled when Andreas Pereira survived a VAR check after a foul on Marc Cucurella.
Havertz hit the post and David Fofana had clear view of goal as Leno was saved, only to be saved by Tim Ream's final save. Most of Chelsea's moves, however, were designed by the newcomer in the midfield two passing passes created chances and they were wasted by explosive Kai Havertz and long-ranger Ziyech.
Then there was Fernandez's cut from 25 yards - it should have been an introduction.
A boisterous reception greeted the World Cup champion, with at least a few Argentine shirts spotted in the crowd. No wonder they fell in love with him.
Potter also deserves credit for successfully putting him to bed. The Chelsea manager has been relatively open about the disconnect between his plans and those of a seemingly drunken Football Manager boss who hired a project manager and attacked him with new players worth more than 300m in a month.
It was like being given a very expensive custom-made jigsaw puzzle, except each piece had a corner cut off. Mykhailo Mudryk is not in good form. Fernandez has no experience in any European league let alone England's top league.
It was a stark contrast to Saul Niguez's disastrous debut here 17 months ago, which lasted just 45 minutes before he was sent off.
Admittedly, Fernandez's influence was somewhat diminished by the sense of turbulence in midfield around him, with Conor Gallagher floundering.
Indeed, central midfield has been a problematic position for.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0