Key in keeper’s hands
Ronaldo has goals in sight
CRISTIANO Ronaldo has no plan to slow after spearheading a 4-1 victory over Juventus that made Real Madrid the first team to retain the UEFA Champions League.
Ronaldo’s double in yesterday’s final in Cardiff, as well as to goals by Casemiro and Marco Asensio, earned him a fourth Champions League win and gave Madrid their third in four years and 12th in total.
Ronaldo has now scored 600 career goals for club and country, including 105 in the Champions League, and has finished competition top scorer for the last five seasons.
“I think people don’t have words to criticise, because the numbers don’t lie,” he said.
“I’m very happy. It was an amazing season again. We won trophies. It’s one of the best moments in my career. I have the opportunity to say that every year. But it’s true.
“Now I have two or three days off to rest and after we have a (World Cup) qualifying game for Portugal and we have the Confederations Cup.” SOCCEROOS No.1 gloveman Mat Ryan is the key to fortifying coach Ange Postecoglou’s 3-4-3 formation – if the boss uses the tactic against Saudi Arabia on Thursday night.
Postecoglou, who used the formation during the Socceroos’ two World Cup qualifiers in March when Australia gained four points, last week hinted that he in Adelaide would stick to the 3-4-3 which requires extreme discipline from the three stoppers, wing backs and the goalkeeper.
“We were introduced to that (3-4-3) system in the last camp (in March),” Ryan said.
“Thursday will be another opportunity. I imagine we’re going to be sticking with that if that’s what the coaching staff believe is the best system.”