Misfiring Ronaldo searching for spark
Reuters - Wednesday 13 June 2012, 19:54
Portugal heeded Luis Figo's call
to create more chances for Cristiano Ronaldo but the world's
most expensive player misfired again on Wednesday as unheralded
Silvestre Valera stole the limelight that he usually basks in.
After Ronaldo had missed two great chances and spurned two
other decent openings, substitute Varela struck an 87th minute
winner to seal a 3-2 success over Denmark and get his side's
Euro 2012 campaign back on track after their opening loss to
Germany.
In the white of Real Madrid Ronaldo can seemingly do no
wrong, scoring 60 goals in all competitions last season and
generally giving the impression that he is unplayable.
But his form appears to have deserted him in Portugal's two
Group B games to date in Ukraine.
Usually mentioned in tandem with Argentine Lionel Messi as
the best in the world, the winger is still looking for the spark
that Portugal need from him if they are to progress from what is
arguably the toughest group in the competition.
Portugal's most capped player Figo said the team must
improve their supply lines to Ronaldo but he has now taken 10
shots at Euro 2012 without getting his name on the score sheet.
Only Russia's Alexander Kerzhakov has been more profligate in
front of goal.
Leading 2-1 against the Danes in Lviv, Ronaldo had two
gilt-edged chances to put the game out of reach.
He spurned both of them, first shooting straight at Stephan
Andersen and then side-footing wide in a one-on-one situation
from which he has scored dozens of goals in his career.
Instead, Nicklas Bendtner scored his second to level for
Denmark, only for Valera, who has won just a handful of caps and
plys his trade for Porto, to smash home the winner at the second
attempt.
At the final whistle, Ronaldo looked more relieved than
overjoyed.
His crossing was not much better than his shooting,
embarrassingly ballooning one second-half effort out of play
when he had found a sliver of space against Jacobsen.
More worryingly for Paolo Bento was Ronaldo's abdication of
his defensive responsibilities - time and again Jacobsen raided
up the flank, the Danish right back leaving the quicker forward
trailing in his wake.
When Ronaldo finally did get his name noted by the referee
it was not for a spectacular goal; instead he got himself an
unnecessary yellow card in injury time for a petulant tackle.
Another yellow in the final group game against Netherlands
on Sunday and he will be suspended for one match.
Goal-scorer Pepe was conciliatory about his captain after the
game, telling reporters that Ronaldo "is one of the best
players in the world, a very good captain and a very good
leader. I'm sure he will score soon."
Valera, destined to play second fiddle behind Ronaldo and
Nani in the national side, at least played his part.