Trying to stop Cristiano Ronaldo is just as difficult as containing basketball legend Michael Jordan, according to Elche manager Fran Escriba.
After being given an uncomfortably close-up look at Ronaldo’s talents on Tuesday night, when the Portuguese star scored four goals in Real Madrid’s 5-1 victory over his side at the Bernabeu, Escriba was left shaking his head at the question of how his team could have better prepared for the game.
“It is like when Michael Jordan was playing in the NBA and scoring 50 points every night,” he shrugged. “Ronaldo is an extraordinary player with tremendous scoring ability.”
Ronaldo has now claimed a commanding position at the top of the La Liga scoring charts, registering a remarkable seven goals in his last two games to take his season tally to nine – five more than any other player. And his goalscoring exploits earned warm praise from his coach Carlo Ancelotti, who was keen to draw attention to an often overlooked aspect of his game.
While Ronaldo is generally lauded for the power and accuracy of his shots and his physical attributes, Ancelotti believes one of the biggest keys to his success is something more subtle.
“Cristiano has a unique gift for movement,” said the Italian boss.
“The movements he makes are very quick and that’s why they come as a surprise. He is always in just the right position because of that. He doesn’t like playing with his back to goal, he wants to look for spaces on the wing to be facing goal.”
Rather than his old position on the left wing, Ancelotti has created a new free role for Ronaldo this season, nominally lining up as one of two attackers in a fluid 4-4-2 formation. But the Madrid coach tried to play down the significance of his team’s tactical strategy, adding: “It isn’t a question of the system – it’s down to the work that everyone puts in.
“The team is in a much better physical shape now and we played well, with greater balance, control and consistency.”
Ronaldo himself also claimed to be unconcerned with his specific role on the pitch. He said: “These are the coach’s decisions and we respect them. He has rotated and wanted me to play up front, but the main thing is winning and staying in the race to be at the top.”
By netting in his 13th successive home La Liga game, Ronaldo is now Madrid’s third highest league goalscorer – behind Raul and Alfredo Di Stefano – on 187, and fourth in all competitions with 264.
Although he spoke with modesty about his form, claiming the achievements of individual players are secondary to the success of the team, Ronaldo did admit that he is approaching full fitness after a long period of frustrating knee injuries.
He added: “I’m feeling good, with no pains. I’m getting better but am lacking a bit of rhythm and can still improve physically.”
