After each matchday in La Liga and Serie A, 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
Would Cristiano Ronaldo suffer from a European hangover after receiving a red card in Juventus’ midweek win over Valencia in the UEFA Champions League? Not at all.
Ronaldo showed no ill effects of being sent off in Spain, scoring one goal and setting up another in Juve’s 2-0 road win over newly promoted Frosinone on Sunday in Serie A.
Juventus struggled to break down Frosinone, and the game seemed destined to end in a 0-0 draw. But in 81st minute, the hosts couldn’t clear their lines and the ball took a series of bounces before fortuitously landing at the feet of Ronaldo. The Portuguese didn’t hit his shot cleanly – he shanked it with his ankle – but it managed to beat goalkeeper Marco Sportiello at the near post. It was his third goal in Serie A.
Nine minutes later, Ronaldo started the counter attack that eventually lead to Federico Bernardeschi’s goal that sealed the win for Juve. Although not credited with an assist, Ronaldo played a big part in setting yup the goal with his blistering run that caught Frosinone’s defenders flat-footed.
In total, Ronaldo took 10 shots in the game, five on target, and he could have scored earlier in the game if not for a goal-line clearance by Frosinone defender Marco Capuano and Sportiello making a pair of smart saves.
LIONEL MESSI
It was a record-setting day for Lionel Messi on Sunday. The Argentine ace surpassed former Barcelona teammate Dani Alves (of Brazil) to set the record for most appearances by a non-Spanish player in La Liga, with 432.
Unfortunately, Barca had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Girona at the Camp Nou after being reduced to 10 men – Clement Lenglet was sent off for the hosts just before half time.
Messi, though, had a solid outing for Barca, scoring the opening goal of the game in 19th minute when he stabbed home a shot from inside the box off a lovely setup from teammate Arturo Vidal.
He came close to opening his account earlier in the contest when he dribbled past three Girona defenders before hitting a low shot that goalkeeper Yassine Bounou did well to tip wide. It was a spectacular run by Messi, and deserving of a goal.
Messi also hit the crossbar with a free kick later in the match. In total, he registered six shots, four of which were on target.
SEASONS STATS
Lionel Messi in La Liga
Top line stats: 5 goals, 2 assists, 5 games played
Total minutes: 450
Total shots: 24
Shots on target: 12
Pass success rate: 83%
WhoScored.com rating: 8.79 (ranked #1 in La Liga)
Cristiano Ronaldo in Serie A
Top line stats: 3 goals, 1 assist, 5 games played
Total minutes: 450
Total shots: 42
Shots on target: 17
Pass success rate: 85.5%
WhoScored.com rating: 7.92 (ranked #1 in Serie A)
MATCHDAY 5: MESSI OR RONALDO?
Both players scored and were heavily involved in the attack for their sides. Both players could have had multiple goals, if not for solid saves for the goalkeepers they were facing, or hitting the woodwork. While it was a milestone day for Messi, Ronaldo also showed plenty of character by bouncing back after the red card incident. It’s close, but the slight edge goes to Ronaldo.
Advantage: Ronaldo.
Season series to date: Ronaldo leads 3-2.
NEXT UP
Juventus hosts Bologna on Wednesday and then bitter rivals Napoli on Saturday in a battle of the top two teams in the Serie A table. Barcelona plays away to Leganes on Wednesday and then hosts Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
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