Ronaldo-led Real trims gap with Barca
Source: Agencies |
February 8, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CRISTIANO Ronaldo struck twice to fire Real Madrid to a 4-1 home win over Real Sociedad on Sunday which trimmed Barcelona's lead at the top of La Liga to seven points.
Earlier, Sevilla was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Andalusian rival Malaga.
A resurgent Kaka and new loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor added a goal either side of Ronaldo's 23rd and 24th of the campaign as Real bounced back from last weekend's shock defeat at Osasuna to stay in touch with the champion.
Ronaldo continued his personal duel with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and joined him at the top of the La Liga scoring charts. The Portuguese forward has 34 goals in 35 matches in all competitions to Messi's astounding 40 in 33.
Real's Director General Jorge Valdano said Ronaldo was the true heir of Alfredo Di Stefano, not Messi.
World Player of the Year Messi was compared to Real great Di Stefano by Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores on Saturday after the Argentina forward netted his fourth hat-trick of the season in a 3-0 win over Atletico.
But Valdano, a former Real and Argentina forward, said the Portuguese was the Di Stefano of the 21st century.
"It is not Messi, it is Cristiano Ronaldo, who what is more wears the same shirt," Valdano said. "He is a very important player who is set to make history at this club," he added.
"We wouldn't swap Cristiano for anyone, although one must recognize that both he and Messi are two very high-quality players whom it is a privilege to have in La Liga."
Barca has 61 points from 22 matches, with Real, which has won all 11 home games, on 54 and Villarreal nine adrift in third after losing its unbeaten home record in a 0-1 defeat by local rival Levante on Saturday.
Fourth-placed Valencia closed to within a point of Villarreal when Aritz Aduriz and Tino Costa scored in a 2-0 home win over promoted Hercules.
With Ronaldo, Kaka and Mesut Ozil providing attacking flair and pace and new loan signing Adebayor leading the line, Real thrilled its fans at the Bernabeu with some entertaining play.
Kaka continued his return from a knee injury when he controlled the ball on the edge of the area in the eighth minute and stroked it low past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Ronaldo had not scored in four matches and ended that barren run with a powerful left-foot strike in the 21st minute. Shortly before halftime he leaped above the Sociedad defense to send a header flying high past Bravo.
Earlier, Sevilla was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Andalusian rival Malaga.
A resurgent Kaka and new loan signing Emmanuel Adebayor added a goal either side of Ronaldo's 23rd and 24th of the campaign as Real bounced back from last weekend's shock defeat at Osasuna to stay in touch with the champion.
Ronaldo continued his personal duel with Barcelona's Lionel Messi and joined him at the top of the La Liga scoring charts. The Portuguese forward has 34 goals in 35 matches in all competitions to Messi's astounding 40 in 33.
Real's Director General Jorge Valdano said Ronaldo was the true heir of Alfredo Di Stefano, not Messi.
World Player of the Year Messi was compared to Real great Di Stefano by Atletico Madrid coach Quique Sanchez Flores on Saturday after the Argentina forward netted his fourth hat-trick of the season in a 3-0 win over Atletico.
But Valdano, a former Real and Argentina forward, said the Portuguese was the Di Stefano of the 21st century.
"It is not Messi, it is Cristiano Ronaldo, who what is more wears the same shirt," Valdano said. "He is a very important player who is set to make history at this club," he added.
"We wouldn't swap Cristiano for anyone, although one must recognize that both he and Messi are two very high-quality players whom it is a privilege to have in La Liga."
Barca has 61 points from 22 matches, with Real, which has won all 11 home games, on 54 and Villarreal nine adrift in third after losing its unbeaten home record in a 0-1 defeat by local rival Levante on Saturday.
Fourth-placed Valencia closed to within a point of Villarreal when Aritz Aduriz and Tino Costa scored in a 2-0 home win over promoted Hercules.
With Ronaldo, Kaka and Mesut Ozil providing attacking flair and pace and new loan signing Adebayor leading the line, Real thrilled its fans at the Bernabeu with some entertaining play.
Kaka continued his return from a knee injury when he controlled the ball on the edge of the area in the eighth minute and stroked it low past goalkeeper Claudio Bravo.
Ronaldo had not scored in four matches and ended that barren run with a powerful left-foot strike in the 21st minute. Shortly before halftime he leaped above the Sociedad defense to send a header flying high past Bravo.
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