The night it all went right for Rafa and
Ronaldo
Dec 9, 2015 01:20:00 Editorial
COMMENT: The pair's relationship has had its ups and downs
since Benitez took over at Real Madrid, but Tuesday's
thrashing of Malmo showed there is hope it could yet work out
After the storm, some calm for Real Madrid . With the defeat to
Barcelona still fresh in the memory and the controversial Copa
del Rey elimination even more so, these have been difficult
days for Rafa Benitez . But thanks to a wonderful win over
Malmo, and to Cristiano Ronaldo, the under-fire coach will
sleep easily on Tuesday.
Rafa rotated as he looked ahead to Sunday's tricky trip to
Villarreal, with Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Keylor Navas all
rested. But in the starting line-up were Cristiano, James
Rodriguez, Isco and Karim Benzema - still a formidable attack
against a Malmo team that conceded five at home to Paris
Saint-Germain.
The game started as it had against Getafe on Saturday: with
whistles for Benitez and an early goal for Karim Benzema. And
then the France forward scored a second, as he did in the last
match. How Madrid have missed the striker at his brilliant best
as he has struggled with injury and off-pitch problems in recent
weeks.
Cristiano could sense his opportunity too, with the Swedish side
very much there for the taking. The Portuguese failed to make
contact with an overhead, blasted over the bar from close
range and appealed for a penalty as well. But he was not to be
denied and ended his free-kick drought by smashing home a
right-footed drive that the Malmo goalkeeper should have
saved.
Criticised by the press and also by some supporters for failing
to hammer home their advantage after strong first halves
against Shakhtar Donetsk and Getafe, dropping the rhythm in
the second periods of those games, Madrid maintained their
intensity in this one and Cristiano scored three more within the
first 15 minutes to become the top scorer ever in the group
stages of a single edition of the Champions League: 11 goals
and another new record.
Benzema completed his hat-trick later on and Mateo Kovacic
also netted to give Benitez the second 8-0 of his Champions
League career, having beaten Besiktas by the same scoreline
during his time as Liverpool coach.
Things were going so well in this one that Benitez even allowed
himself the luxury of sending on Denis Cheryshev, whose
presence in the starting line-up against Cadiz last Wednesday
ended up costing Madrid their place in the Copa del Rey
because the Russian winger should have been suspended. With
Madrid eight goals to the good, however, there was only
applause for the 24-year-old - and relief for Rafa.
FULL STORY | Ronaldo scores four as Madrid thrash Malmo
The return of Benzema in his best version is great news for the
Madrid coach. Five goals in two games for the France forward -
who has now netted 46 in the Champions League - show he is
well and truly back. Cristiano will be pleased with that, along
with the rest of the team. As is said so often here in Madrid,
Karim makes the others better.
Ronaldo too. In the summer there was much talk about the lack
of rapport between Cristiano and his coach and even though
the relationship is far from perfect, it seems to have improved
since the clumsy remarks made by Benitez earlier in the
season, when he claimed the Portuguese was not necessarily
the finest footballer he had coached, nor the best player in the
world.
Rafa rectified after that and now praises the Portuguese
whenever he is asked about the three-time Ballon d'Or winner.
And it's better that way. The two men both appear more
relaxed after this emphatic win - and also happier.
Benitez said of Ronaldo after the Malmo match: "He is
fundamental, a stimulus for all of us." And Cristiano backed his
coach in the mixed zone later on as he said: "He's doing a good
job, he's adapting well and we have to give him time. We have
won five games in a row and we are getting better."
Indeed, those victories have helped Benitez after the Clasico
fallout and Ronaldo's goals - in a morale-boosting 8-0 success
- lifted the mood even more for his coach on Tuesday night.
So long may that continue for Madrid. Because Rafa needs
Cristiano and Ronaldo requires the help of his coach as well.
After the storm came calm and Tuesday was a perfect night for
both men as the relationship shows signs that it may work out
after all. Onwards and upwards.
Ronaldo
Dec 9, 2015 01:20:00 Editorial
COMMENT: The pair's relationship has had its ups and downs
since Benitez took over at Real Madrid, but Tuesday's
thrashing of Malmo showed there is hope it could yet work out
After the storm, some calm for Real Madrid . With the defeat to
Barcelona still fresh in the memory and the controversial Copa
del Rey elimination even more so, these have been difficult
days for Rafa Benitez . But thanks to a wonderful win over
Malmo, and to Cristiano Ronaldo, the under-fire coach will
sleep easily on Tuesday.
Rafa rotated as he looked ahead to Sunday's tricky trip to
Villarreal, with Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Keylor Navas all
rested. But in the starting line-up were Cristiano, James
Rodriguez, Isco and Karim Benzema - still a formidable attack
against a Malmo team that conceded five at home to Paris
Saint-Germain.
The game started as it had against Getafe on Saturday: with
whistles for Benitez and an early goal for Karim Benzema. And
then the France forward scored a second, as he did in the last
match. How Madrid have missed the striker at his brilliant best
as he has struggled with injury and off-pitch problems in recent
weeks.
Cristiano could sense his opportunity too, with the Swedish side
very much there for the taking. The Portuguese failed to make
contact with an overhead, blasted over the bar from close
range and appealed for a penalty as well. But he was not to be
denied and ended his free-kick drought by smashing home a
right-footed drive that the Malmo goalkeeper should have
saved.
Criticised by the press and also by some supporters for failing
to hammer home their advantage after strong first halves
against Shakhtar Donetsk and Getafe, dropping the rhythm in
the second periods of those games, Madrid maintained their
intensity in this one and Cristiano scored three more within the
first 15 minutes to become the top scorer ever in the group
stages of a single edition of the Champions League: 11 goals
and another new record.
Benzema completed his hat-trick later on and Mateo Kovacic
also netted to give Benitez the second 8-0 of his Champions
League career, having beaten Besiktas by the same scoreline
during his time as Liverpool coach.
Things were going so well in this one that Benitez even allowed
himself the luxury of sending on Denis Cheryshev, whose
presence in the starting line-up against Cadiz last Wednesday
ended up costing Madrid their place in the Copa del Rey
because the Russian winger should have been suspended. With
Madrid eight goals to the good, however, there was only
applause for the 24-year-old - and relief for Rafa.
FULL STORY | Ronaldo scores four as Madrid thrash Malmo
The return of Benzema in his best version is great news for the
Madrid coach. Five goals in two games for the France forward -
who has now netted 46 in the Champions League - show he is
well and truly back. Cristiano will be pleased with that, along
with the rest of the team. As is said so often here in Madrid,
Karim makes the others better.
Ronaldo too. In the summer there was much talk about the lack
of rapport between Cristiano and his coach and even though
the relationship is far from perfect, it seems to have improved
since the clumsy remarks made by Benitez earlier in the
season, when he claimed the Portuguese was not necessarily
the finest footballer he had coached, nor the best player in the
world.
Rafa rectified after that and now praises the Portuguese
whenever he is asked about the three-time Ballon d'Or winner.
And it's better that way. The two men both appear more
relaxed after this emphatic win - and also happier.
Benitez said of Ronaldo after the Malmo match: "He is
fundamental, a stimulus for all of us." And Cristiano backed his
coach in the mixed zone later on as he said: "He's doing a good
job, he's adapting well and we have to give him time. We have
won five games in a row and we are getting better."
Indeed, those victories have helped Benitez after the Clasico
fallout and Ronaldo's goals - in a morale-boosting 8-0 success
- lifted the mood even more for his coach on Tuesday night.
So long may that continue for Madrid. Because Rafa needs
Cristiano and Ronaldo requires the help of his coach as well.
After the storm came calm and Tuesday was a perfect night for
both men as the relationship shows signs that it may work out
after all. Onwards and upwards.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
we love comments. please tick the notify me box to receive updates on this topic