Cristiano Ronaldo may need to find his scoring boots tonight so as to avoid an upset against the Bosnians in the UEFA Euro 2012 playoffs.
The spotlight will shine brightly on Cristiano Ronaldo since Portugal vs Bosnia-Herzegovina is a do-or-die mission. The 26-year-old attracted a multitude of critics last Friday when he made the middle finger gesture to defend himself against hostile Bosnian fans.
Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by “Messi, Messi” chants at the airport and during training with the rest of the Portuguese national team. However, this didn’t seem to distract his focus.
Ronaldo reacted with the rude gesture only after he got targeted with laser lights by spectators in the Bosnian crowd. Laser attacks also happened during the match as Ronaldo prepared himself to take a free-kick at some point in the game.
“Everyone is speaking badly of me, but why don't people criticize the lasers that were being aimed into my eyes?” Cristiano Ronaldo asked during the post-match interview.
“They behaved in that way and so I reacted in my own way...”
The superstar’s level of maturity is once again a hot topic in forums on the net while the issue of protection to players is also discussed. The big question, however, is related to Cristiano Ronaldo mental power ahead of Tuesday night’s crucial second leg playoff match against Bosnia Herzegovina.
The home crowd will definitely get behind the entire team of Portugal, but will Bosnian supporters succeed in putting Ronaldo’s mind off the game?
The Portuguese captain produced a lively performance last Friday and the poor state of the ground was certainly to blame for his inaccurate finish in front of goal. According to Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no room for worry despite the fact that a goalless is all that his team could manage in Bosnia.
“We now have a second chance at home in front of our fans, with a good pitch and all the conditions to ensure we win,” Ronaldo said in the build up to tonight’s clash as The Telegraph reported.
However, Paulo Bento's men might not have it that easy. Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko is carrying a strong belief as he told the press:
“Maybe the Portuguese think we will be easier opponents on a better surface but we won’t. The fact is that we are also looking forward to playing on a quality pitch.”
Portugal are forced to win tonight in order to qualify for the finals of Euro 2012. A score draw or a defeat will confirm Cristiano Ronaldo’s exclusion from the big tournament in summer next year. How would such an unfortunate fate react on the momentum of CR7, even in club football?
For sure, disqualification would come as big horror for all Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo fans around the world. Anti-Ronaldo fans will make the situation even harder to bear…
Cristiano Ronaldo was greeted by “Messi, Messi” chants at the airport and during training with the rest of the Portuguese national team. However, this didn’t seem to distract his focus.
Ronaldo reacted with the rude gesture only after he got targeted with laser lights by spectators in the Bosnian crowd. Laser attacks also happened during the match as Ronaldo prepared himself to take a free-kick at some point in the game.
“Everyone is speaking badly of me, but why don't people criticize the lasers that were being aimed into my eyes?” Cristiano Ronaldo asked during the post-match interview.
“They behaved in that way and so I reacted in my own way...”
The superstar’s level of maturity is once again a hot topic in forums on the net while the issue of protection to players is also discussed. The big question, however, is related to Cristiano Ronaldo mental power ahead of Tuesday night’s crucial second leg playoff match against Bosnia Herzegovina.
The home crowd will definitely get behind the entire team of Portugal, but will Bosnian supporters succeed in putting Ronaldo’s mind off the game?
The Portuguese captain produced a lively performance last Friday and the poor state of the ground was certainly to blame for his inaccurate finish in front of goal. According to Cristiano Ronaldo, there’s no room for worry despite the fact that a goalless is all that his team could manage in Bosnia.
“We now have a second chance at home in front of our fans, with a good pitch and all the conditions to ensure we win,” Ronaldo said in the build up to tonight’s clash as The Telegraph reported.
However, Paulo Bento's men might not have it that easy. Manchester City forward Edin Dzeko is carrying a strong belief as he told the press:
“Maybe the Portuguese think we will be easier opponents on a better surface but we won’t. The fact is that we are also looking forward to playing on a quality pitch.”
Portugal are forced to win tonight in order to qualify for the finals of Euro 2012. A score draw or a defeat will confirm Cristiano Ronaldo’s exclusion from the big tournament in summer next year. How would such an unfortunate fate react on the momentum of CR7, even in club football?
For sure, disqualification would come as big horror for all Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo fans around the world. Anti-Ronaldo fans will make the situation even harder to bear…
