PORTO • An unstoppable force will meet an immovable object when Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal clash with Virgil van Dijk's Netherlands for the inaugural Nations League title today.
While there is a rare international trophy at stake, just as fascinating will be the head-to-head battle between two of the finest players in the world - even if this is being played down on the Dutch side.
"We're not just playing against Cristiano Ronaldo," defender van Dijk said after Thursday's 3-1 extra-time semi-final win over England.
"We're playing against an amazing Portugal."
His coach Ronald Koeman agreed and said possession would be the best form of defence against Ronaldo at Porto's Dragao Stadium.
He said: "We know that, sometimes, it's impossible to defend well against Cristiano Ronaldo.
"The best thing we can do is to keep the ball because when we have the ball, he can do nothing in attack."
Van Dijk, who won the Champions League with Liverpool on June 1, was his usual impressive solid self against England, aware of where he needed to be before anyone else. He would arrive, unhurried, and the likes of Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jadon Sancho and Harry Kane were duly dispossessed.
Statisticians Opta said no player has dribbled past van Dijk in his last 64 club games before the Nations League. Strong and quick, good in the air and relaxed on the ball, he is the complete defender.
"He deserves the Ballon d'Or," Koeman added.
Van Dijk himself played this down, citing Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi as favourite.
But it is not Messi but his great attacking rival, Ronaldo, that van Dijk will meet today.
Should Portugal retain their 4-4-2 formation from their 3-1 win over Switzerland, there is the mouthwatering prospect of the two matching up for 90 minutes.
Ronaldo, now 34, may not be quite as dominant as before but a magnificent hat-trick, his 53rd, against Switzerland took his side through to the final.
"A football genius" was coach Fernando Santos' view of his talisman while "little Messi" Bernardo Silva said: "We're used to this kind of thing, he's been doing it for ages. It isn't a surprise to anyone now."
The Portuguese media went to town with his return following a post-World Cup break, with the Correio da Manha newspaper declaring "The Return of the King" on its front page.
Captaining Portugal to a trophy at home would be another high point in Ronaldo's incredible career and would vanquish any lingering scars from the Euro 2004 final loss to Greece in Lisbon.
"It's the preparation, my work ethic. I still feel good despite being 34," Ronaldo told uefa.com. "The most important thing is your head, to feel motivated and happy, and to follow my path as a player, because I think I still have a lot to give."
DPA, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has told ESPN FC in an exclusive interview that he wants Lionel Messi to remain linked to the club forever. who was always at Santos. We want Messi to
'We want Messi to always be at Barca' - Bartomeu
Toni Kroos Winner Rescues Real Madrid, Atletico Lose More Ground Real Madrid shrugged off the absence of the injured Cristiano Ronaldo to extend their perfect start to the season with a 2-1 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday thanks to Toni Kroos's late winner.
Villarreal's late show stuns frustrated champions Madrid
Ikhsan Fandi is the brother of Irfan Fandi (BG Pathum United). Ikhsan Fandi is the son of Fandi Ahmad (Manager Garena Young Lions). Transfer history.
Ikhsan Fandi scores first competitive goal for Norwegian club
ANTONIO CONTE has been appointed as the new Inter Milan boss. The former Chelsea manager replaces Luciano Spalletti after he was axed on Thursday despite delivering Champions League football with
Antonio Conte - Wikipedia
TURIN (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead Juventus' old guard as they look to finish the job on Tuesday (April 16) against Ajax's impressive young guns in a quarter-final clash between two sides desperate to end years of Champions League heartbreak.
Juve's old guard bidding to finish off Ajax kids - Daily Nation
France midfielder Paul Pogba believes England's Raheem Sterling is sometimes treated differently by the British media because he is black and does not get the recognition he deserves for his
Man City's Sterling treated differently by British media
Jun 02, 2019 · 'This is only the start', says Jürgen Klopp after Liverpool's Champions League triumph - video Triumphant Liverpool come home to a sea of red after Champions League win.
'Only the start' - Klopp predicts more good times ahead for
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/06/01/only-the-start-klopp-predicts-more-good-times-ahead-for-liverpool/
'Only the start' - Klopp predicts more good times ahead for Liverpool AFP June 1, 2019 AFP No Comments Madrid (AFP) - A first trophy in seven years for Liverpool, and a first win in seven finals for Jurgen Klopp.
'This is only the start', says Jürgen Klopp after Liverpool's
BAKU (AFP) - Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante is a doubt for Wednesday's (May 29) Europa League final against Arsenal because of a knee injury, with coach Maurizio Sarri rating the French star's
Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League final
Blessed Girl T-Shirts. Blessed Girl T-Shirts are all about fun, faith and most importantly the love of Jesus! It's a blast to wear Blessed Girl shirts because the designs and message show what's in your heart.
Names that mean 'sun', Name Meanings, Meaning of Names
Chelsea face a partial closure of Stamford Bridge However, UEFA will decide on Friday whether to open its own disciplinary case. The European football's governing body's regulations state that
The punishments Chelsea could face after UEFA charge for
Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory 'icing on the cake' to a fine season
Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory
virginiabus.info/sports/football-valencia-chairman-murthy-says-kings-cup-victory-icing-on-the-cake-to-a-fine-season/
For Valencia chairman Anil Murthy, it was the "icing on the cake" in a remarkable season that also saw them finish fourth in LaLiga to remain in the Champions League, and make the final four of the Europa League, where they were knocked out by Arsenal. They also remained unbeaten against Barcelona.
Newspapers | Media | Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/news/magnitude-8-0-hits-northern-peru-usgs/
LIMA (AFP, REUTERS) - An earthquake with a magnitude of 8.0 stuck northern Peru, the United States Geological Survey reported on Sunday (May 26). The epicentre of the quake was 75km south-south-east of Lagunas at a depth of about 110km, it added.
Barcelona News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer
Qatar head coach Felix Sanchez has admitted that his team's semifinal against hosts United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday will be the most difficult match yet in the AFC Asian Cup 2019.
Japan leave Asian Cup final dressing room 'spotless' with
Apr 29, 2019 · Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk and compatriot Vivianne Miedema pulled off an unprecedented double at the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) awards Sunday, becoming the first winners of both
Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema win PFA player of the
Gunner and Murphy made their in-ring return, losing to Samoa Joe in a handicap match. After Jarrett's feud with Samoa Joe ended, Gunner and Murphy became regular members of the Immortal stable and were less involved with Jarrett.
Arsenal.com - Homepage
Jan 17, 2019 · AL AIN, United Arab Emirates (AP) Qatar finished the group stage of the Asian Cup with a third straight win, beating three-time champion Saudi Arabia 2-0 on Thursday in a highly charged game amid
World Cup 2018: Russia vs Saudi Arabia, result, video
0 comments:
Post a Comment