After each matchday in La Liga and Serie A (as well as in the UEFA Champions League), Sportsnet will look at how Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo did, and compare their performances, while keeping a running tally over the course of the season.
CRISTIANO RONALDO
The Portuguese star was blanked once again, and is still looking for his first goal in Serie A after three games with Juventus. But there’s no reason to panic – Juve is doing just fine, as they have opened the season with a trio of wins, including Saturday’s 2-1 road victory in Parma. It’s also important to note that Ronaldo didn’t score in Real Madrid’s opening three La Liga matches last season.
The goals are not coming, though it’s not for a lack of trying. For a third straight time, Ronaldo played a full 90 minutes for the Bianconeri, and he was actively involved in the attack. With Juve lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, Ronaldo was slotted on the left side of the front three, and ended up recording a game-high eight shots against Parma, although only one was on target. He also came close to scoring when he sent a glancing header off a corner kick just wide of the post.
“There are different difficulties a striker has to deal with in Serie A, but he had a good game overall. I am happy with what he’s doing and the break for international duty will help all of us to be sharper,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
LIONEL MESSI
Like Juventus, Barcelona also played a newly-promoted side this weekend, welcoming Huesca to the Camp Nou. Lionel Messi was in no mood for charity after being kept off the score sheet in Barca’s slim 1-0 road win over Real Valladolid.
Normal service resumed from the Argentine on Sunday – he scored twice and helped set up two other goals, as Barca romped to an 8-2 win over the La Liga newcomers.
The highlight of the match came in the 16th minute when Messi, facing four defenders on the edge of the box, wrong-footed off them with a clever faint before firing a low drive off the far post and into the net.
https://twitter.com/Cataloniacs/status/1036297324153192448
He also raced onto a great ball from Philippe Coutinho to score a second in the 61st minute, and capped off a man-of-the-match performance by assisting on goals from Ivan Rakitic and Jordi Alba.
In a display of great unselfishness, Messi could have had a hat-trick when Barca won a late penalty. Instead, he let teammate Luis Suarez take it, and the Uruguayan concerted for his second goal of the match.
SEASONS STATS
Lionel Messi in La Liga
Top line stats: 4 goals, 2 assists, 3 games played
Total minutes: 270
Total shots: 16
Shots on target: 8
Pass success rate: 82.8%
WhoScored.com rating: 8.98 (ranked #1 in La Liga)
Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie A
Top line stats: 0 goals, 1 assist, 3 games played
Total minutes: 270
Total shots: 23
Shots on target: 9
Pass success rate: 87.5%
WhoScored.com rating: 7.68 (ranked #10 in Serie A)
MATCHDAY 3: MESSI OR RONALDO?
This one’s no contest. Though Ronaldo worked hard in Juventus’ road win, Messi put on a masterclass effort before the home fans. Easily the Argentine’s best outing of his three league appearances this season.
Advantage: Messi.
Season series to date: Messi leads 2-1.
NEXT UP
Both teams are off next week due to the international break. Barcelona travels to the Basque Country to visit Real Sociedad on Sept. 15. Juventus returns to action on Sept. 16 when they host Sassuolo.
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