CRISTIANO RONALDO had better beware.
His acts of petulance this season have gone largely unpunished.
But you can bet your life Inter Milan will be doing everything in their power tomorrow to make sure he snaps and jeopardises Manchester United’s Champions League future.
Referees in European competition are notoriously unforgiving and a dive and a kick at an opponent as he did on Saturday will undoubtedly lead to a red card in the San Siro.
This season Ronaldo has been an irritated figure.
Whether that is a result of his failed move to the Bernabeu or his failure to reach the high standards of last season is unclear.
One thing is for sure, opponents have found a way of closing him down and riling him. His response has often been devastating in the form of goals, and let us not forget Saturday’s stunning winner was his 16th this season.
But the extra unwanted attention, which he will get against Inter, has provoked some unfortunate responses. This season he has kicked out at Scott Brown of Celtic, Andy Wilkinson of Stoke and Tottenham’s Michael Dawson.
All of which he escaped sanction for.
He has also clashed down the tunnel with Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Pogatetz and was sent off against City. Now the kick out at David Dunn which just warranted a cautionary word from referee Howard Webb.
That came in the 56th minute having earlier been booked for diving.
Alex Ferguson, understandably, defended the player. He said: “Because it was Ronaldo you’re making a meal of it and he has to live with that examination. If he’d been sent off it would have been ridiculous.”
Harsh yes but certainly possible and something Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce felt should have happened. He said: “Go and ask Howard, he’s right there.”
There was further reason for Allardyce to be angry when his side were denied a second-half penalty after Rafael pulled at Morten Gamst Pedersen as he went through.
Allardyce said: “The young lad’s arms go up immediately after he’s tugged him, I think that body language says an awful lot if you understand what body language is.”
But Fergie said: “He booked Ronaldo for diving but what did Pedersen do, that was an absolute dive. It’s either a penalty or a yellow card. But it was nowhere near a penalty. He has felt his hand on his shoulder and dives.”
The decision levelled up Webb’s earlier howler when he cancelled a Jonny Evans headed goal from a corner for no apparent reason.United won but Blackburn gave them real problems.
After Wayne Rooney had struck, Roque Santa Cruz finally broke their defences for the first time in the League since Arsenal did back in November, ending a run of 14 games without conceding. Then on the hour came Ronaldo’s stunning free-kick winner — but United had to defend for their lives.
Ferguson said: “This was a great lesson today, it shows what this league is like. Blackburn came here fighting for their lives like all the teams in that bottom 11. That’s the way it is going to be.
“This game was a good reminder we have to focus on every game.”
Food for thought as the players board their plane to Milan today.
Jose Mourinho has studied United to the last detail ever since the draw was made and you can be sure Ferguson has done likewise. The best team in Italy v the European champions.
Ferguson v Mourinho.
What joy.
Allardyce will have FA Cup matters at Coventry to consider on the night but you can bet he will have Sky Plussed the encounter in Italy.
Allardyce said: “I think you play totally different in Champions League football compared to Premier League football and United are so well versed in that. They are so experienced in that tactical duel, they will have a masterplan.
“Jose will tell you he’s got a better masterplan but Alex will have one he probably doesn’t talk about as much!
“They’ve the best defensive record in the Premier League and that defensive record is what will stand them in good stead in Milan.”
That is if they can get a back four on the pitch, with the injury to Evans their latest problem.
So on to the San Siro where the world’s best team and the world’s best player aim to show exactly why they have such lofty titles.
One can only hope Ronaldo allows himself a full 90 minutes to do so.
