Portugal face Spain tonight in the first Euro 2012 semi-final, and with so many top class players on display, it will hopefully be a game to remember. Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo will be right at home playing against the likes of Xavi and Iniesta, and according to Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson, the former Manchester United winger is the best player of the tournament so far.
In an interview with the BBC today, Lawro tipped Portugal to beat Vincente Del Bosque's 'negative' Spain team, and heaped praised on Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid for £80m (€93m) in 2009. He enthused:
"He [Ronaldo] has been the best player of the tournament. He was sensational in the last couple of games. He's absolutely brilliant, and he's making a massive statement at this tournament".
As much as I hate to admit it, Ronaldo's performances for Portugal deserve praise, but, for me, Andrea Pirlo is the clear star of the tournament so far. The Italian has been immense in every game for Italy, whereas Ronaldo only really came alive in the final group game and the quarter final. Portugal and Italy definitely have similarities:
* Both teams are good but not great (compared to teams of the past)
* Both teams have one World Class player pulling the strings and driving them forward.
* Take Ronaldo and Pirlo out of the equation, and in all probability, neither Italy nor Portugal would be in the semi-finals.
I have a feeling that Ronaldo will again be the difference against Spain. Given the constant negative comparisons to Lionel Messi, the Portuguese will be desperate to prove that he is a genuine world class player, and that desire could push him to new heights.
Who is the player of the tournament so far?
Jaimie Kanwar
In an interview with the BBC today, Lawro tipped Portugal to beat Vincente Del Bosque's 'negative' Spain team, and heaped praised on Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid for £80m (€93m) in 2009. He enthused:
"He [Ronaldo] has been the best player of the tournament. He was sensational in the last couple of games. He's absolutely brilliant, and he's making a massive statement at this tournament".
As much as I hate to admit it, Ronaldo's performances for Portugal deserve praise, but, for me, Andrea Pirlo is the clear star of the tournament so far. The Italian has been immense in every game for Italy, whereas Ronaldo only really came alive in the final group game and the quarter final. Portugal and Italy definitely have similarities:
* Both teams are good but not great (compared to teams of the past)
* Both teams have one World Class player pulling the strings and driving them forward.
* Take Ronaldo and Pirlo out of the equation, and in all probability, neither Italy nor Portugal would be in the semi-finals.
I have a feeling that Ronaldo will again be the difference against Spain. Given the constant negative comparisons to Lionel Messi, the Portuguese will be desperate to prove that he is a genuine world class player, and that desire could push him to new heights.
Who is the player of the tournament so far?
Jaimie Kanwar
Pirlo has by far been the best player of the tournament
ReplyDeletegerrard has the most assists
ReplyDeletespain dont have star players but have good players which compliment each other whill allows them to play more as a team rather than u nit of players
ReplyDeleteKeith Andrews
ReplyDeleteWhy is Gerrard not on the list? He's 2nd best after Pirlo.
ReplyDeleteMark Lawrenson really annoys me, such an idiot. He thinks he's really funny and clever but clearly isn't and he always disrespects his co-commentator..He tries to be Alan Hansen but he's more like Mr. Bean except not funny what-so-ever.
ReplyDeleteGomez!!!
ReplyDeletePortugal has been playing poorly but somehow have managed to win...if they get in gear then I can see them beating spain. No doubt Bento must have asked Mourinho's lol.
ReplyDeleteThe prob with Portugal is that they have not had a world class striker since Eusebio, they produce good players all around but not strikers, thus they have to rely on their star midfielder. And please, drop Veloso, he is so infective.
We'll have to agree to disagree :-) Pirlo made him look like an amateur in the quarter-final, a game in which Gerrard had no impact whatsoever. And it's not as if England - or Gerrard - dominated any of the group games.
ReplyDeleteif gerrard was on the list many would vote because of bias and screw the results you Muppet
ReplyDeleteAgreed. But then again, Hodgson's old fashioned application of the 4-4-2 was bound to kill the central midfielders against more accomplished continental teams.
ReplyDeletePirlo has been the best player in the tournament that's a given for me.
ReplyDeleteMark Lawrenson is a muppet and 1 of the worst commentators, makes you fall asleep or makes you want to smash the TV with some of the crap he says.
Gerrard should have been on the list for his assists alone, but even as a LFC fan id still vote for Pirlo...
oh and i think Mario Madzukic the Croatia striker and Yarmolenko the Ukrainian player are ones to watch out for after the tournament.
ReplyDeletejaimie, with all due respect, you really annoy me with your headlines. you're articles are okay and naturally polarise opinion but your headline of "93m euro star is euro 2012 "best player" " is just stupid. I mean, we all know it's Cristiano Ronaldo, so why don't you just say "Lawro: Cristiano Ronaldo is best player at Euro 2012. Agree?". please stop treating us like we're ignorant. thanks
ReplyDeletePirlo did not control the game in each as he did against England! His effect on the game was only great because of the tactics we employed. His influence on the group games was far less than the England one although he still has played well.
ReplyDeleteFor me Iniesta has been the best player in each match he's played so cant look past him for player of the tournament.
Just because he runs a game against a team sitting on the edge of their box doesnt mean hes been the best player. How comes he didnt control the game against Spain or Croatia then? He wasnt even as effective in thier game against Ireland!
ReplyDeleteWHAT IS IT WITH YOU JAMIE?? how can compare them , gerrard was playing deep constanly not his usual game , if he was further forward he could of done more damge..he had to stick to woy's negative tactics..
ReplyDeleteRonaldo did nothing in the first two games. The last 2 games he has been good, but don't forget they were playing against a Czech side who let in 4 vs Russia. Consistently over ALL the games, Iniesta has been superb, as has Ramos, Pirlo, Cassano, Pepe, Schweinsteiger(sp?, Khedira and Hummels.
ReplyDeleteKhedira and Ozil performances have not been anywhere near as good as Gerrard's..... FACT!
ReplyDeleteglen whelan takes the honours there, im afraid. world class.
ReplyDeleteThe best player is stewart downing of course...
ReplyDeletei think rooney was at his utmost best in the first two games, ingerlun played. his contribution in both games was just outstanding. i defy anybody to tell me any different, the only drawback was the the 3rd game and the quarter final. if he had played anywhere near as good as the opening two, ingerlun may well have been home even earlier.
ReplyDeleteso the likes of xavi ineista and ramos are not stars or even rising player jordi alba ?
ReplyDeletepirlo played well against england but did he assist anyone or score a goal(excluding penalty) someone else could easily have taken a penalty and scored
ReplyDeleteHe has been very good but you must take in to account that what Pirlo does is not scoring goals if others are not in the mood to convert chances while Ronaldo is capable of creating chance for himself, for others too, and score some goals.
ReplyDeleteKhedira has been great but Modric has been my pick. There is a clip on Youtube of his performance against Spain, just amazing. Spain's players rarely pressed him when he had the ball for fear of looking foolish, the ultimate respect from the world's best team.
ReplyDelete93m star? come on, we all know it's ronaldo...
ReplyDeletejaimie change your headlines, they're just there to catch our attention and not tell us news. Don't be like The Sun, be like The Guardian
ReplyDeletemoron
ReplyDeleteactually such a k n o b
ReplyDeleteHummels easily ...!!! Every Spaniard has passed the ball to death before actually chancing making a pass that might actually result in a goal...Pirlo had one stand out game where he was given acres of space and more time than any player of his ability should ever be given. And Ronaldo was absolutely atrocious for the first two games....probably one of the worst players of the tournament so how that has turned around to him being now the best I don't know. Kind of reminds me of how one game for Zidane won him player of the World Cup back in 2006 robbing Fabio Cannavarro blind.
ReplyDeleteIniesta for me with Ozil second. I guess with the way Pirlo is charged with the bulk of orchestrating of the Italy side he tends to 'stand out' more, than someone like Iniesta in a Spanish team. If Ozil keeps on improving in the next one or two games, he could take it as he symbolises the German attacking movement in their side. His movement in the hole is just brilliant. Even if that included Gerrard, he wouldn't be in my top 3, not even close, for player of tournament so far.
ReplyDeletePIRLO WITHOUT A DOUBT
ReplyDeleteI'd also go for Khedira, but we all know that defensive midfielders never really get the credit they deserve
ReplyDeleteRonaldo should be their world class striker (with the freedom to drift like Henry).
ReplyDeleteThey've got other quality wide forwards that can fill in, but every 60 minutes that Postiga gets before inevitably getting subbed off is just a waste of time
Pirlo. Lawro is a muppet.
ReplyDeleteRonaldo was poo tonight and he bottled the shoot out.
ReplyDeleteHe should have taken an early one, take some pressure off the poorer players.
my player of the tournament is jordi alba, never heard of him until this comp and he's been brilliant for his age, gonna be a top player for da future!
ReplyDeletePirlo had an outstanding season for Juve. Marchisio, on the other hand, has been terribly disappointing in this comp. Done virtually nothing. Wouldn't it be great if someone beat Spain? They just smother every team they play. Unfortunately, I'm sure they'll smother either Germany or Italy too.
ReplyDeleteHis overall play, free-kick ability, passing short and long - awesome player, Italy are built around him and rightly so.
ReplyDeleteAnd his past it at 34
Ozil is easily the best player in the tournament. Vs Greece he only messed up on 2 passes or something the whole game, and it was in the attacking third of the pitch. He is the gap between the striker and midfield and he has been immense. Movement and speed is great too. Pirlo is over-hyped because they knocked out a over-hyped defensive minded cave-man team that can't pass more than 3 first touch passes. Don't get me wrong, Pirlo oozes with class on the ball, his delivery I would say is even better than Gerrard's, and his vision, ball retention and composure at 34 is class, but vs better opposition I don't see him having the same impact.
ReplyDeletePirlo was outstanding against England but hasn't imposed himself in all of the games in that fashion. Still one of the leaders though, since there hasn't really been someone who has dragged their team through in this tournament.
ReplyDeleteRonaldo was marvellous against the Dutch but a lot of that owed to their suicidal high line. Average elsewhere (obviously got a key goal against the Czechs).
Xavi hasn't been fit. Fabregas hasn't played/done enough to qualify (relatively speaking). Gerrard deserves a place more than Fabregas, not that he'd get my vote. Iniesta has been Spain's best, though Jordi Alba has impressed- he's had something like 4th most passes in the tournament from left back.
Khedira has been seriously underrated. Has done a bit of everything. Attack and defense. Ozil has been the most consistently good and therefore wins my vote.
If Gomez gets a goal tomorrow, regardless of performance (barring something mad) I think he'll be the best in the tournament.
Pirlo set up the goal against Spain so what is your point?
ReplyDeleteHe runs the show for Italy.
Had Balotelli scored one on one this wouldn't be an issue.
ReplyDeleteNuno Gomes was always effective ahead of very accomplished MFs but you're right there.
ReplyDeleteDeco, Figo, Paulo Sousa, Rui Costa were all MFs.
Against better opposition (Spain group stages) he supplied the killer pass to Di Natale.
ReplyDeletePirlo's steel balls when taking a penalty being a goal down should put him up there IMHO.
ReplyDeletehmmmm....my oppinion
ReplyDeleteEng - Joe Hart (least a confident GK in recent generation)
Czech - Gebre Selassie
Italy - Pirlo (really stable on performance)
Spain - Ramos (in def n atk oso covered...perfect timing on foul opponent/break momentum)
Portugal - Portugal Fabio Coentrao (almost covered d whole left path)
Germany - Manuel Neuer (solid) / Philllip Lahm (damn solid)
my vote may not just on scoring but overall....
why can't take any criticism? It's as if a tabloid newspaper is being run around here with those headlines.
ReplyDeletetool
ReplyDeleteRonaldo's assist in the tournament = 0
ReplyDelete