Why does Cristiano Ronaldo love games against Atlético Madrid?

Manchester United take on Atlético Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday night and the English team’s biggest star Cristiano Ronaldo will try to break his traditional rival again.

The LM semi-final drew an interesting duel

When the Champions League eighth-final draw took place in December and the teams Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United were drawn for the duel, the confrontation between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo was on the minds of all football fans. However, the joy of the fans was premature due to an error in the system and the draw was repeated.

But there is no need to be sad at all, because as it is the case with duels between big clubs, everyone has a story. Even though the two clubs have only met twice in their long history, in the 1991 Cup Winners’ Cup, Diego Simeone’s charges must be shuddering at the thought of facing old friend Cristiano Ronaldo.

Wednesday night’s duel at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium will once again write another chapter in the 13-year history of the clash between the Madrid club and the Portuguese sharpshooter. Although Ronaldo hasn’t exactly been shining in scoring form lately, he is the biggest threat to the Spanish club.

Ronaldo the scourge of Atlético

Ronaldo made 31 appearances against Atlético during his time at Real Madrid and Juventus, scoring 25 goals including four hat-tricks and nine assists. In the Champions League in particular, it was Ronaldo who often ended Atlético’s hopes in the millionaire competition.

The rivalry is perhaps best summed up by the Champions League quarter-final between Juventus and Atlético three years ago. In the first leg in Madrid, Atlético beat the Portuguese’s Juventus 2-0 and the Italian big club’s new star signing came up empty. Madrid fans booed their old rival throughout the match. But Ronaldo responded by putting five fingers up to the camera to remind them how many Champions League titles he has won.

He told reporters after the match, according to Goal, that he is confident the Old Lady will turn the result around in the rematch. As pompous as his answer sounded, things happened in the rematch. Cristiano put in one of his incredible performances to send his Juventus side into the quarter-finals with another hat-trick. After scoring his third goal, Ronaldo even mimicked Diego Simeone’s celebration from their first game together, making a mockery of the Argentine coach.

So the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is set for a hostile reception on Wednesday night. Ronaldo may not be the same player who ran rampant in La Liga for nine years, but Simeone knows not to write off the 37-year-old.

Although a wave of criticism has descended on the cannonballer of late, let’s not forget that if it wasn’t for his six goals in the Champions League regular season, Manchester United might not even be in the eighth round. Let’s hope we see the best of his footballing prowess again on Wednesday.

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