Evolution of Cristiano Ronaldo

Through the years Ronaldo has been renovated into Rw to Lw to Ls now a striker. There is a classical myth about him as a poacher, however, doesn't perpetrate in any other way for his team. That's why I have tried to look at what is this Ronaldo is?

Creating space 

Defenders of the opposition are quite aware of the location of Ronaldo. He uses something quite frequently and tries to lure defense workers away from their location to create space in which others can rush.

In this first example, by simply dropping in between the lines and occupying the defender on the last line, he drags out the centre back and creates a gap behind him for Bruno to run into.

In an analogous situation, except this time he goes a little further. Greenwood runs a 1-2 with Ronaldo, and whenever he receives in these places, opposing defenders rush to pressurize him, creating space in behind him again - this time the final pass isn't completed.

Ronaldo comprehends that if Sancho runs down the wing, he will draw extra defenders. He drops into space to let Bruno progress centrally, then receives and plays Bruno through for a long-distance chance.

This is a lovely example. In the first shot, he sees Sancho fleeing from behind. A sudden change of direction across the defender's face forces him to follow, drawing him out and opening up acres of room for Sancho. Bruno, on the other hand, executed the pass poorly.

Ronaldo manages to divert the attention of two defenders by making little alterations to his posture. Sancho is now free in the back post area, and Bruno's pass this time gets him in box space.

Off-Ball Movements 

Ronaldo is almost always on the lookout for numerical and positional advantages. He does pick and choose when he moves and when he rests, but his movements are clearly planned out.

A few subtle steps towards the ball - to draw out the defender & create space in behind to attack, as well as communicate with Bruno the run is coming. Doesn´t quite come off in the end, but good timing & change of speed. 

Ronaldo does so well to force opposition defenders to switch their marking responsibilities. Making blindside runs & runs across the face. In this situation he does both, drifting in between the 2 DEF towards the back post, & changing direction towards the front post. 

The first goal. Extreme killer instinct inside the box. Attacking the 2nd ball BEFORE the shot is even struck, the keeper looks to have possession & both NEW defenders give up on the play, all the while Ronaldo sneaks in behind & opens the scoring.

Linking Play 

I wasn't sure what to anticipate from Ronaldo, but I assumed he'd try to stretch the defense and occupy defenders. In several circumstances, he performed an excellent job of dropping in, receiving, and assisting in the movement to the final third.

Here is dropped in quite deep into the MF, with Bruno advanced ahead of him. A line-breaking pass from Matic and pass over to Bruno allows United to progress into the final third. 

Great awareness here, Ronaldo sees Sancho start to make a run in behind towards goal. To help with forward passing options, Ronaldo drops in, receives, and plays the ball out wide to Shaw who finds himself in the space vacated by Sancho. 

Rotations

Ronaldo popped up in pretty much every position across the front 4. A fluid system allowing him to rotate with Sancho, Bruno and Greenwood. Some decent understanding among them already in the first match.

Good timing & initiative from Ronaldo, rotating down the left with Sancho to start the match.

Ronaldo is well known to be a leader on the pitch. Often the captain, he is not only vocal - but in this match already began taking lots of responsibility to direct traffic & keep the ball ticking over.

Not only aware of his own surroundings, but Ronaldo was also often seen giving instructions - and his teammates were happy to oblige. Here, a point to Pogba who ends up receiving the pass, while Ronaldo pushes higher up the pitch.

Perhaps a bit hard to see in this first image, but Ronaldo is waving Matic on to attack the space ahead of the block. Matic carries forward, drawing out a defender & slipping the pass into Bruno between the lines. 

Similarly, Ronaldo gives some pointers, Sancho appears, and Shaw finds himself in space after following Ronaldo's instructions.

United struggled to create & take advantage of the overloads on the wings. Here Ronaldo pushes Sancho forwards, drops in to receive, & United progress forward creating a 3v2 down the left-wing. 

Shaw looking like he is about to dribble into an underload situation here, Ronaldo simply points back to Pogba for support, & Shaw recycles possession to the centre of the pitch. 

It could be a 40/50 pages thesis if I wrote his involvement throughout the match.

He might not be the same 2007/08 Ronaldo, however, his evolution as a no 9 is really astonishing.