Stopping Cristiano Ronaldo is no easy task. At 38, CR7 has already scored 53 goals and is the leading goalscorer this year. His incredible form, with 19 goals in 17 league matches, has put Al Nassr at the top of the title race. Stopping Ronaldo seems to be the key to stopping Al Nassr, and Al Taawoun’s boss has a plan. Will his plan to ‘stop’ the Portuguese star work?
Al Taawoun is currently 4th on the SPL table and 9 points behind Luis Castro’s side. Both teams have title aspirations, and a misstep in this match could prove costly.
Péricles Chamusca’s plan to nullify Ronaldo’s threat
Reports indicate that Brazilian coach Péricles Chamusca has big ideas for midfield duo Flavio and Aschraf El Mahdioui. These players are tasked with the formidable challenge of reducing CR7’s influence in front of the goal. Given their profiles and playing style, this plan seems well thought-out.
🚨 Sports 🚨
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.
Get instantly notified of the hottest Soccer stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
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
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!
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.
