author: Nick Szczepanik
source: The Times
date: 22 May 2009
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com
Champions League finals can often be settled by relative unknowns - put your hands up if you had heard of Juliano Belletti before his late goal beat Arsenal - but many neutrals are hoping that next Wednesday's match between Barcelona and Manchester United comes down to a battle of skills between the two teams' great entertainers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Which one is more likely to make the difference? Well, according to statistics it looks as though Messi may just have the edge.
According to the table above (click to enlarge), in a similar number of appearances and minutes on the field, Messi is ahead of Ronaldo not only in goals scored (31 to 22) but also in goals created (16 to 8) and even chances carved out (97 to 74).
The Argentina midfield player has not had as many shots on goal, but seems to be more clinical in his finishing, converting 29% of shots compared to to Ronaldo’s 14%. 26 of Messi's goals have been scored from inside the penalty area, compared to 14 for the Portugal winger. So although both have identical shooting accuracy, it is hardly surprising that Messi scores more if he is shooting from closer range.
Of course, if you are looking for the long-range spectacular, Ronaldo is your man, as anyone who saw the explosive shot from 30 yards away to FC Porto will remember. And ask goalkeepers such as David James of England about Ronaldo's potency from direct free-kicks. Furthermore, he is more of a danger when the ball is in the air, with three headed goals to Messi's one.
But one especially revealing fact is that Messi does not appear to need the adulation of a home crowd or the familiarity of his home ground. He has scored 61% of his goals away from the Nou Camp compared to Ronaldo’s 23% away from Old Trafford - and that could make all the difference at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
read the full and original article here
Read more:
Barcelona cannot deal with Manchester United
Barcelona vs Manchester United through the years
Man United training focuses on defensive tactics
source: The Times
date: 22 May 2009
editing: fcbtransfers.blogspot.com
Champions League finals can often be settled by relative unknowns - put your hands up if you had heard of Juliano Belletti before his late goal beat Arsenal - but many neutrals are hoping that next Wednesday's match between Barcelona and Manchester United comes down to a battle of skills between the two teams' great entertainers, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Which one is more likely to make the difference? Well, according to statistics it looks as though Messi may just have the edge.
According to the table above (click to enlarge), in a similar number of appearances and minutes on the field, Messi is ahead of Ronaldo not only in goals scored (31 to 22) but also in goals created (16 to 8) and even chances carved out (97 to 74).
The Argentina midfield player has not had as many shots on goal, but seems to be more clinical in his finishing, converting 29% of shots compared to to Ronaldo’s 14%. 26 of Messi's goals have been scored from inside the penalty area, compared to 14 for the Portugal winger. So although both have identical shooting accuracy, it is hardly surprising that Messi scores more if he is shooting from closer range.
Of course, if you are looking for the long-range spectacular, Ronaldo is your man, as anyone who saw the explosive shot from 30 yards away to FC Porto will remember. And ask goalkeepers such as David James of England about Ronaldo's potency from direct free-kicks. Furthermore, he is more of a danger when the ball is in the air, with three headed goals to Messi's one.
But one especially revealing fact is that Messi does not appear to need the adulation of a home crowd or the familiarity of his home ground. He has scored 61% of his goals away from the Nou Camp compared to Ronaldo’s 23% away from Old Trafford - and that could make all the difference at Rome's Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday.
read the full and original article here
Read more:
Barcelona cannot deal with Manchester United
Barcelona vs Manchester United through the years
Man United training focuses on defensive tactics
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