Ronaldo’s lack of pressing isn’t a problem – Giuseppe Rossi

Carlo Garganese

• 15 Dec 2021 13:34 CST
• 4 min read

Giuseppe Rossi has rubbished claims that Cristiano Ronaldo’s lack of pressing is a problem for Man Utd.

A common discussion point around the 36-year-old this season has been his perceived lack of workrate and defensive coverage off the ball.

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A report in the Daily Mail in October revealed that Ronaldo pressured an opponent less than any other forward in the EPL and was also one of the worst pressers in the Champions League, covering less ground than Wolfsburg goalkeeper Koen Casteels.

Man Utd manager Ralf Rangnick has hit back at this narrative, openly praising Ronaldo for his pressing during his first week as interim coach.

And former Man Utd starlet – and current SPAL attacker – Giuseppe Rossi has also defended Ronaldo.

What did Rossi say about Ronaldo?

“A striker has to score goals. That’s what he does and will always do,” Rossi told The Italian Football Podcast in an interview that will air on Thursday.

“Does there have to be some sacrifice up front as a forward? Yes there does. But when you are playing for a big team like Man Utd, Barcelona, Real Madrid, these teams are expected to attack and have their foot on the pedal.

“Maybe that’s something more than just Ronaldo pressing. And when I think of Man Utd I think they should always be dictating the games. That hasn’t always happened recently, and I don’t think that is just a Ronaldo problem.

“When you have a player who is still capable of scoring 20, 30, 40 goals a season, I don’t think he can be a problem.”

Ronaldo has scored an impressive 13 goals in 18 appearances for Man Utd this season.

Rossi spent three years with Ronaldo between 2004 and 2007 during the Portuguese star’s first spell at Man Utd.

The former Italy international, who scored seven goals for his country, also recalled his memories of playing with Ronaldo and what he learned from him.

“Playing with him, seeing his work rate and his work ethic, how he stayed back after training working on what he wanted to work on, this showed how bad he wanted it,” Rossi added.

“That is something that not just me but everyone else took with them from playing with him.

“Yes he had great skills and ball tricks and in the game he was great, but it was what he did outside the pitch that was most impressive.”

Rossi, 34, joined SPAL in November with the aim of taking the club into Serie A. His previous clubs include the likes of Villarreal, Fiorentina, Parma and Genoa.