Ashley Cole used to undertake an aggressive strategy on Cristiano Ronaldo that might restrict the Portuguese’s area on the pitch and time on the ball.
The previous Arsenal and Chelsea star was considered the world’s finest left-back at his peak. Even Ronaldo held respect and named him because the hardest defender he has ever confronted all through his personal profession in 2018.
The ahead confronted Cole 14 instances with Manchester United and the Portuguese nationwide staff. He scored simply three objectives in these video games and ended up on the dropping facet eight instances (W3 D3).
“The hardest defender I’ve confronted? Ashley Cole. He did not offer you a second to breathe. He was a troublesome, fast participant.”
– Cristiano Ronaldo pic.twitter.com/tcbpZ195yk
— Soccer Tweet (@Football__Tweet) October 28, 2016
However whereas Cole impressed an incredible deal throughout his memorable battles with Ronaldo, he held a substantial amount of respect for the star and his proper foot – which he charges as the perfect he’s ever seen.
“I used to be going to say David Beckham right here, as a result of I believe he might put a ball on a sixpence, however I believe I’ll go for Ronaldo,” the previous left-back informed Objective.
“Ronaldo might go inside and outside. Additionally, the standard of his proper foot, the standard of his capturing from each angle and totally different ranges, the standard of his free-kicks with the bend he might get on the ball, he was incredible.
“He was one you simply couldn’t give any area to. So, it was about being on the entrance foot, being aggressive and making an attempt to get out to him and never let him get his head up and begin doing the stepovers.
“It was about understanding that ‘I can’t let balls go in behind me.’ I needed to enable them go to his toes, however get out fast to him and cease him at supply.”
Cole additionally carried out very effectively towards Lionel Messi throughout his Champions League video games towards Barcelona for Chelsea.