Ronaldo's influence on big games continues to wane

Ronaldo's influence on big games continues to wane

Cristiano Ronaldo was not as his best against Valencia. He had hardly any shots - one whistled just over the bar in the second half - and created little danger. 

He was unable to drive Real Madrid forward as expected and couldn’t kick them on as they struggled to break down Gary Neville’s side. 

However, he did try to win a penalty. On this occasion, though, as he went down between Jaume Domenech and Aymen Abdennour, he was not given a spot kick.

Sanchez Martinez said no and play continued, with Mateo Kovacic almost immediately sent off for his late lunch on Joao Cancelo. 

Ronaldo has 25 goals this season so far in all competitions, but he has only scored goals against the ‘lesser’ sides. 

The statistics don’t lie. As the Twitter account @pedritonumeros has previously pointed out, all his goals have come against sides Madrid were expected to beat in games which they normally win. 

So far, his tally is made up of goals against:

Six against Malmo

Five against Espanyol

Five against Shakhtar Donetsk

Two against Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad

One against Levante, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas, Eibar, Getafe

Six of his goals have come from the penalty spot, while he has failed to find the net now against Athletic Club, Atletico Madrid, PSG (twice), Sevilla, Barcelona, Villarreal or Valencia.