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
Latest FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE | The Straits Times
Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarterfinals for the second successive season as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday. Chris Hughton's side
Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals - World Soccer Talk
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/02/16/brighton-edge-into-fa-cup-quarter-finals/
London (AFP) - Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second successive season as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday. Chris Hughton's side have been sucked into relegation danger in the Premier League after six games without a win.
Brighton Edge Into FA Cup Quarter-Final - Channels Television
Captain Hugo Lloris admitted he was worried about Tottenham's domestic form — and it had to change fast — after his Champions League quarter-finalists surrendered to strugglers Southampton. And with no "joker" left to play in the race for the top four, last summer's World Cup winning skipper challenged his two-faced team to win every
Fred warns Manchester United team-mates ahead of Spurs clash
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines. the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Chelsea at Craven Cottage in London on March 3, 2019. Jorginho fired Chelsea to
Jorginho fires Chelsea as recalled Kepa shines against Fulham
Lionel Messi nets the 31st La Liga hat-trick of his career By Agency Report On Dec 17, 2018 Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Levante in a 5-0 win, and with Luis Suarez also on the score sheet, those two have now netted more goals between them this season than the entire Real Madrid team.
Champions League 2018: Messi Nets a Hat-Trick, Mbappe's Slip
Pochettino 'happy' there's less focus on Spurs, Football News
A spark plug that is too short will cause your engine to buck. The spark won't ignite your fuel correctly and can cause poor gas mileage, plus prompt your check engine lights. E3 Spark Plugs provides online catalogs to make sure you've got the right spark plug for automotive, power sports and lawn & garden equipment engines.
Everton 1 - 0 Arsenal: Finished | 2019-04-07 | Premier League
Football: Pochettino's positivity propels pursuit of progress LONDON • In his biography, Brave New World, Mauricio Pochettino explains his belief in a concept called "energia universal" - the idea that people, places and things are charged with a hidden energy, positive or negative.
Football: Pochettino blames lack of focus for Spurs defeat
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-pochettino-blames-lack-of-focus-for-spurs-defeat-against-wolves/
Football: Pochettino blames lack of focus for Spurs defeat against Wolves Posted on 12/29/2018 LONDON (AFP) - Mauricio Pochettino said Tottenham played with their hearts rather than their heads as they blew a chance to put pressure on Premier League leaders Liverpool with a shock 3-1 home defeat to Wolves on Saturday (Dec 29).
Football: Pochettino pledges to stay with Spurs | All My
allmysportsnews.com/soccer/football-pochettino-pledges-to-stay-with-spurs/
Football: Pochettino reaffirms Spurs commitment amid Real interest ; Football: No need to buy to be jolly, insists Spurs manager Pochettino ; Football: Pochettino's positivity propels pursuit of progress ; Football: Pochettino blames lack of focus for Spurs defeat against Wolves
Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham side look to take bull by
Hazard has been instrumental in Chelsea's unbeaten start under Maurizio Sarri, scoring eight goals in all competitions. — Reuters pic. LONDON, Oct 8 — Chelsea's Eden Hazard has cast fresh doubt over his future despite a blistering start to the season by admitting he is still tempted by the childhood dream of a move to Real Madrid.
Chelsea news: Hazard reunion ruled out by Thorgan as Eden
Unai Emery insists Mesut Ozil still has a future at Arsenal despite leaving the midfielder out of the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat to Tottenham. Ozil watched from the stands as Arsenal lost 2
Mesut Ozil: Arsenal manager Unai Emery says midfielder has a
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Reports to the President For the Year Ended June 30, 1993 The Corporation 1992-93 Honorary Chairman:David
Lessons for Europe From the 2008 Icelandic Bank Collapse
Martial and Lingard both limped off during the 2-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday and are set to miss the FA Cup fifth round tie with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday and the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford six days later. Editor's Picks. ESPN FC 100: The top players and managers in men
Manchester United's Martial, Lingard to miss Chelsea
Mohamed Salah scored a brilliant solo goal as Liverpool came from behind to beat Southampton at St Mary's and return to the top of the Premier League. Liverpool were in danger of dropping vital
Liverpool beat Southampton 3-1 to return to top of Premier
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch champions league semi final draw live stream
watch champions league live streaming manchester united
watch champions league live streaming zee5
watch coppa america live streaming xbox
watch premier league games live stream
watch soccer saturday live stream
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch sky sports premier league online free streaming live
watch arsenal southampton premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming eng
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch soccer live streaming qatar vs philippines
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch live soccer game today
watch soccer online free streaming live batman
www.watch premier league live stream.com
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch uefa champions league draw live streaming
watch champions league live streaming match
watch coppa america live streaming gratis
watch champions league live streaming pakistan
watch live soccer streaming on android
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch soccer online free streaming live without registration
watch soccer live streaming xbox
watch champions league live streaming vf
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming online free
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch soccer live streaming xfinity
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming totalsportek
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch usa soccer live stream online
how to watch champions league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming mexico
watch live soccer online free streaming now
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming direct
watch english premier league live streaming free
watch soccer online free streaming live english
watch champions league live streaming putlockers
watch coppa america live streaming now
watch soccer online free live streaming hd
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch live soccer stream android
watch soccer live streaming kenya
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch english premier league live streaming
how to watch uefa champions league live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch coppa america live streaming kenya
watch coppa america live streaming zip
watch champions league live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming india
watch premier league matches live streaming
super soccer tv live streaming piala dunia
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch live streaming soccer online espn3
watch premier league live streaming vf
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch champions league live streaming jamaica
watch indian premier league live stream online
watch the champions league live stream
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch uefa champions league live streaming sportek
watch coppa america live streaming bola
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch soccer online free streaming live south africa
best site to watch live soccer streaming
watch soccer online free streaming live liverpool
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch soccer online free streaming live uk
watch soccer online free streaming live app
watch premier league live streaming jamaica
watch premier league net live manchester united stream channel
free watch soccer live streaming
watch premier league live in stream
watch champions league live streaming now tv
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch live premier league football streaming online for free
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch premier league live streaming xbox one
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch champions league draw live streaming free
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch coppa america live streaming quality
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming xfinity
watch soccer live live football streaming cr7
watch premier league live streaming juventus
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch soccer live streaming juventus
watch soccer online free streaming live dracula
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch coppa america live streaming yify
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch premier league live streaming live free
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming twitch
watch coppa america live streaming canada
watch coppa america live streaming world
tv soccer live stream sky
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch soccer online free streaming live manchester united
watch premier league net live stream channel
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming qatar
watch soccer online free streaming live in english
watch premier league live streaming live
watch champions league live streaming ptv sports
watch coppa america live streaming without cable
watch coppa america live streaming vf
watch soccer aid live stream
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online india
watch soccer live streaming mobile
super soccer tv live streaming napoli vs juventus
watch champions league draw live streaming
watch tamil nadu premier league live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch champions league live streaming malaysia
soccer tv live football streaming portugal
watch soccer online free streaming live no registration
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming cricfree
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch soccer live stream app
watch live soccer game barcelona vs real madrid
#PartyTime #afcnews #coyg #kroenkeout #Fcb #pagani #beatifulgame #livestreams #adidasslipon #meunier #league2 #fut #Liverpool #realmadrid #panini #uefanationsleague #juventus #manunited #footballdubai #trollfootball #oasisofficial #liverpoolcity #gunners #crossfit #barcelona #soccer #footballschedule #jadwalbolahariini #liverpoolfans #sunderlandafc #soccermemes #linkstreaming #433skills #freekicks #serieatim #transfernews #nutmeg #mensnightout #valcea #ignoranza #premierleague #commento #gym #Vip45 #soccer #realmadridcf #firmino #comics #streamingbolaid #oudmehta #bayervshoffenheim #vandijk #americanfootball #cappucino #conference #coutinho #roadtrip #ballondor #frasirap #neymar #salah #MSport #footballmemes #mane #kopisusu #rockstar #girlsniteout #leomessi #Sunday #arsenalnews #football #ronaldo #livesports #coffeebreak #boxing #24x7 #winner #arsenalfantv #tokyo #championship #petercrouch #oasisengland #ucl
No comments:
Post a Comment