27 April 2011’s Clasico in the Champions League produces another Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi battle, as the Real Madrid vs Barcelona semifinal clash sees both players facing each other.
Cristiano Ronaldo was previously taunted by Barcelona fans for his inability to score against them. The Portuguese winger indeed had to break his goalless curse on 16 April 2011 at the Santiago Bernabeu through a penalty, which helped Real Madrid avoid a defeat against their archrivals for the first time since 2008.
Ironically, Ronaldo’s first chance to register a goal against the Catalans in his career came in the 2008 Champions League semifinals, when the then-Manchester United No.7 ace was given an early penalty at the Camp Nou to give the Red Devils a magnificent advantage in the first leg. Shockingly, Ronaldo’s shot from the spot went well over the bar, but the Nike superstar is surely not ready to repeat such a mistake in the upcoming Real Madrid vs Barcelona match.
Ronaldo snatched a huge boost of moral last Wednesday on April 20 by scoring Madrid’s winning goal against Barca at the Mestalla Stadium to lift the Copa del Rey trophy. It was the attacker’s second goal against Pep Guardiola, and it was undeniably of great significance. Being aware that he could turn into a regular goalscorer in imminent Clasicos, Ronaldo doesn’t have much to fear prior to his great challenge in the 2011 UEFA Champions League semifinals.
Prudence is still a quality he would want to adopt as a protective shield against Barcelona, especially since there is one man on the opposition who could dramatically change things at the Bernabeu to turn the favour on the visitors’ side: Lionel Messi.
Messi is presently the Champions League 2011’s top scorer with 9 goals, and as the holder of the FIFA Ballon d’Or title, the expectations on his shoulders are nothing less than weighty. He was literally in a slightly disappointing form against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final; therefore, fans would love to see him perform with the majestic touches that have seen him rise to the top in recent times in world football.
Messi was also on target in the recent Clasico in La Liga, pushing Barcelona closer to the league title. Now, another glorious step could be made in another prestigious competition, and this would be regarded as an extremely vital move, in view of the fact that Barca’s treble dream has already been shattered this season. A huge consolation could be earned at European level for the Azulgranas; but then again, surpassing Real Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals—or better yet, in the ongoing stage—would not be the final demand of hungry devotees.
A crunch Champions League final would eventually been waiting at the Wembley Stadium… Regardless, in the meantime, there is much work that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have to do as the main players of their teams. Assuming responsibilities is the biggest instruction at this stage, but will any of them succeed? This is what many are looking forward to seeing…
Ironically, Ronaldo’s first chance to register a goal against the Catalans in his career came in the 2008 Champions League semifinals, when the then-Manchester United No.7 ace was given an early penalty at the Camp Nou to give the Red Devils a magnificent advantage in the first leg. Shockingly, Ronaldo’s shot from the spot went well over the bar, but the Nike superstar is surely not ready to repeat such a mistake in the upcoming Real Madrid vs Barcelona match.
Ronaldo snatched a huge boost of moral last Wednesday on April 20 by scoring Madrid’s winning goal against Barca at the Mestalla Stadium to lift the Copa del Rey trophy. It was the attacker’s second goal against Pep Guardiola, and it was undeniably of great significance. Being aware that he could turn into a regular goalscorer in imminent Clasicos, Ronaldo doesn’t have much to fear prior to his great challenge in the 2011 UEFA Champions League semifinals.
Prudence is still a quality he would want to adopt as a protective shield against Barcelona, especially since there is one man on the opposition who could dramatically change things at the Bernabeu to turn the favour on the visitors’ side: Lionel Messi.
Messi is presently the Champions League 2011’s top scorer with 9 goals, and as the holder of the FIFA Ballon d’Or title, the expectations on his shoulders are nothing less than weighty. He was literally in a slightly disappointing form against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final; therefore, fans would love to see him perform with the majestic touches that have seen him rise to the top in recent times in world football.
Messi was also on target in the recent Clasico in La Liga, pushing Barcelona closer to the league title. Now, another glorious step could be made in another prestigious competition, and this would be regarded as an extremely vital move, in view of the fact that Barca’s treble dream has already been shattered this season. A huge consolation could be earned at European level for the Azulgranas; but then again, surpassing Real Madrid in the first leg of the semifinals—or better yet, in the ongoing stage—would not be the final demand of hungry devotees.
A crunch Champions League final would eventually been waiting at the Wembley Stadium… Regardless, in the meantime, there is much work that both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi have to do as the main players of their teams. Assuming responsibilities is the biggest instruction at this stage, but will any of them succeed? This is what many are looking forward to seeing…
