The seven keys to Cristiano Ronaldo's plan - 7M sport

The seven keys to Cristiano Ronaldo's plan



Posted Friday, April 14, 2017 by Marca.com

The seven keys to Cristiano Ronaldo's plan

Hard work throughout the entire season has Cristiano Ronaldo in perfect shape at an important point of the campaign, with his relationship with Zinedine Zidane aiding the process and coinciding nicely with Real Madrid's knock-out Champions League tie with Bayern Munich and El Clasico. His plan and approach to this season, which has been in full effect since his return from injury, but it has various aspects to study.

Minutes played

Since Cristiano started this season, in the third match day due to an injury picked up in the final of Euro 2016, it was always his intention to be careful with his efforts and the amount of games that he plays in. This term he has missed 11 games, six due to being rested, racking up 3292 minutes. If he plays every minute between now and the end of the campaign, it would be his third season with less minutes since touching down in Madrid.

A plan with Zidane

The harmony between Cristiano and Zidane has been key for carrying out the task at hand. The coach and forward understand each other and want the best for the team. Therefore, this year we have seen Ronaldo outside of match day squads and also on the bench, as he was against Real Betis. The fear has always remained the same, they don't want to overuse the Portugal international, as they want him at 100% to try and win all of the trophies available to them.

Preparing for the future

"I have prepared to feel good in the last month and a half," Cristiano explained after his side's win at Allianz Arena. Minutes after reaping the fruits of his labour, he was very quickly to remember the success of his past work. He isn't only thinking of himself, he knows that Zidane has used these measures for the rest of the squad too, and he is happy that his teammates are also in top shape coming into the end of the campaign. "We know that April is a complicated month, a decisive one, and I see a good team. The boss has done well with rotations and we are prepared for the final stretch."

Playing centrally

His new role at times on the pitch is helping him work less. Cristiano is also getting on, and must therefore must change his style and position too. Without actually being named as an orthodox number nine, each game he is playing more like one. With both of his goals against Bayern, he illustrated this nicely. Two shots from inside the very heart of the area, where he arrived as a poacher and not as a creator. He contributed just the finish, rather than cutting in from the flank.

More interplay, less explosive

His age and maturity helps him to read the game much better. He participates more in games, he has more liberty to move during attacks and he understands football differently in comparison to his early years in Madrid. His explosive power is no longer his greatest strength, nor his focus. It is rare to see him beating several players on the run, instead he gets his head up and finds passes to make to combine with others. A change of mentality that has also saved his legs slightly for the remainder of the season.

"Cristiano is intelligent and he accepts it"

Despite some gestures made during substitutions, which come naturally with a player such as Cristiano who wants to play every game, there are no problems between Zidane and his forward, who understands that him being taken off is for the good of the team. "It is important that the player understands what it is we are doing. They are intelligent players and they accept it, because it is best for the team," Zidane explained. Cristiano has been brought off on five occasions.

No obsession for individual awards

In other seasons it was normal to see Cristiano battling to be top goalscorer as though it was a World Cup final. His obsessions were perhaps a little over the top. This campaign, he has relaxed and has accepted rests and rotation. He's able to keep lifting titles with Real Madrid, and could win his third Champions League with the club and his second league trophy, with both having huge reliance on his personal work which allows him to keep putting in top performances.



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