Stopping Cristiano Ronaldo is much easier said than done. After all, even at the age of 38, CR7 has racked up 53 goals and is the leading goalscorer in the calendar year. With 19 goals in 17 league matches, the soccer icon is almost single-handedly powering Al Nassr’s title charge. Hence, the equation to stop Al Nassr is to halt Ronaldo, and Al Taawoun’s boss does seem to have a plan in mind. Will his plan to ‘stop‘ the Portuguese star prove effective?
Al Taawoun sits 4th on the SPL table and 9 points behind Luis Castro’s side. Hence, the match will have a crucial role in both sides’ title aspirations and a slip-up could prove to be costly.
Péricles Chamusca’s plan to negate Ronaldo’s threat
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As per reports, the Brazilian tactician has big plans for the midfield duo of Flavio and Aschraf El Mahdioui. These are the players tasked with the towering challenge of reducing CR7’s influence in front of the goal. Considering the profile and playing style of both, this seems like a well-thought-out plan.
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Al Taawoun’s coach Péricles Chamusca has given midfield duo Flavio & Aschraf El Mahdioui instructions on how to stop Cristiano Ronaldo. pic.twitter.com/MqEJWOKvci
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) December 29, 2023
Brazilian midfielder Flavio has joined the club on loan from Trabzonspor but has quickly emerged as a vital part of Luis Castro’s plans. With just 1 goal this campaign, he is not a difference-maker in front of the goal. However, he is instrumental in breaking up play and has made 32 fouls without getting sent off. This highlights his defensive intelligence.
Aschraf El Mahdioui, the Dutch defensive midfielder, perfectly complements Flavio. He is comparatively less aggressive but is more comfortable on the ball. He relies more on his positioning and excels in playing long balls.
Time will tell if Chamusca’s plans pay off. However, regardless of the match outcome, Ronaldo is poised to end the year on a high.
Cristiano Ronaldo set to win coveted prize for incredible 2023
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The Portuguese icon currently has 53 goals in the calendar year. Behind him are Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane with 52 each. However, the duo will not be playing anymore this year, which confirms Ronaldo as the winner of the IFFHS World’s Best Goalscorer Award. An incredible achievement considering that he scored just 16 goals in the entirety of 2022!
Read More: Al Nassr Star Called ‘Best Foreign Player’ Over Cristiano Ronaldo By Saudi League Rival
Despite not being the same player he once was, Al Nassr star has always managed to adapt his game depending on the situation. This is the reason why coaches and opposition players have struggled to keep him quiet despite trying every single trick in the book for nearly 20 years. As his final game of 2023 is about to kick off, Ronaldo will be determined to add to his already impressive tally.
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Will Al Nassr emerge victorious over Al Taawoun? Tell us what you think in the comments below.
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