Czech Republic midfielder Tomas Rosicky stated his opinion that Cristiano Ronaldo does not contribute enough defensively for Portugal.
Ronaldo scored two crucial goals as Paulo Bento’s side dumped the Netherlands out at the group stage but so far every goal his team have conceded this tournament has originated from an attack down the Seleccao’s left, the wing on which the 27-year-old plays.
And as the two nations will meet in the Euro 2012 quarter-finals on Tuesday night, the Arsenal midfielder declared that as Ronaldo is not the best player in the world, he should help out his team-mates at the back.
“He’s a good attacker, but he doesn’t want to defend,” Rosicky said, according to The Sun.
“Sometimes you can be so good you can afford not to help the defence and just score goals. But is he the best player in the world? I don’t know if he is worthy.
“People say Portugal are the favourites but how do you recognise a big team. Especially out here, all the teams are strong and only small details will decide who wins.
“There are not five big teams then the rest of us. This will be one of our most difficult matches in the Euros but we feel we have a chance to go through even against Portugal.”
However, Czech coach Michal Bilek has admitted his team will need to be wary of the Real Madrid forward and will adjust their tactics accordingly.
“Ronaldo is an excellent player and we will adjust our tactics to reflect that, be more defensive,” he said.
“Ronaldo can score 40 or 50 goals a season. To defend against him takes exceptional effort. We must not give him any space or it is impossible to stop him.
“We don’t have stars, beyond perhaps Petr Cech and Rosicky, if we defeat Portugal it will be down to the team. Russia punished us for opening up too much. We strengthened the defence and that was the key.”
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