Ricardo: stopping Ronaldo is 'easy'

May 18 2008

COCKY Chelsea star Ricardo Carvalho insists stopping Man United dangerman Cristiano Ronaldo in the Champions League Final will be "easy".

The Old Trafford wing wizard has banged in an incredible 41 goals this season and is now considered by many to be the world's best player.

But Portuguese defender Carvalho is convinced his side know how to nullify the threat posed by his countryman and that they can freeze him out of the game in Moscow on Wednesday night.

He said: "Ronaldo has been fantastic in the Premier League this season.

"So it is vital we try not to give him too much space.

"It can be difficult to stop him but if you focus and work with your team-mates it will be easy."

A Ronaldo goal helped United pip Chelsea to the title last Sunday with Sir Alex Ferguson's side beating Wigan while the Blues could only draw with Bolton.

But Carvalho doesn't believe the title triumph will give United a psychological advantage in Moscow.

The 29-year-old, who lifted the Champions League trophy with Porto in 2004, said: "Sunday was disappointing but now we have to look forward to the final.

"It doesn't matter who won the title, this is the Champions League. We will arrive in Moscow confident we can win.

"To miss out on the league was difficult for us and now we we are even more determined to deliver the Champions League for the fans.

"Playing United is going to be tough but over the last few years we have shown we can beat them.

"We played excellent football at Stamford Bridge in the league when we won 2-1 recently and we beat them in the FA Cup Final last season."