The phrase “Necessity is the mother of invention” only holds true for that tiny segment of people in the world past, present and future who are indeed a rare breed endowed by heaven with the talent and ability to invent, create and innovate. It’s surely not every Tom, Dick and Harry who’s vested with that rare ability to do so. And, so it appears, not even a Ronaldo.
Cristiano Ronaldo made an attempt to emulate his rival and “drop deep like Lionel Messi” for Juventus against AC Milan but the ploy resulted in a disastrous Moby Dick belly-flop with Milan taking the lead instead.
In the earlier stages of the match, when pegged back to a 2-2 deadlock, Ronaldo decided to try and get a grip of the game and changed his tactics and tried to do a Messi number with disastrous results. The Serie A leaders suffered a shock 4-2 defeat last night instead.
nfortnately, his first pass hit the back of a teammate’s heel and his second attempt was quickly snuffed out as Milan broke on the counter attack.
Within seconds of Ronaldo’s attempted play-it-like-Messi tactical maneuver, Milan’s Rafael Leao had put his side 3-2 ahead and left the five-time Ballon d’Or winner wondering what had gone amiss.
Ronaldo’s attempt at being a playmaker quickly invited comparison with the role longtime rival Messi employs so well at Barcelona, where the Argentine regularly drops into midfield to get on the ball more and work his magic, something fans think Ronaldo was eager to try.
Ronaldo did manage to score in the defeat, but the outstanding goal of the night came from teammate Adrien Rabiot.
The midfielder won the ball in his own half, shrugged off an opposition player before skipping past another. He then made a lightning raid through Milan’s backline before unleashing a stinging left-footed strike past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the net.
It was the Frenchman’s first goal for Juve and it’s certainly not a bad way to open one’s account.
Despite Maurizio Sarri’s side leading for much of the game, a sensational five minute spell saw Milan go 3-2 up.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s penalty start ed the comeback before Franck Kessie and Leo both netted within a minute of each other.
Ante Rebic added a fourth ten minutes from time to seal victory for Stefano Pioli’s side.
The defeat is Juventus’ fourth of the season in Serie A as they look for a ninth consecutive league title.
Well, if you certainly can’t do it like Messi, better stick to your own game the next time around. At least it’s more prudent and definitely a darned lot safer!