If you have a player in your team who can deliver you a goal from a dead ball situation, you always have the edge over the opposition. These players can change the outcome of a game through a single kick. With the Euro 12 coming up, most teams would be evaluating their best dead ball specialists. Here is a look at the top five dead ball specialists of Euro 12.
Ronaldo is a well known expert with dead balls.
5. Franck Ribery
Although he plays rock-paper-scissors with his team mates to decide who takes the free kick, this guy is really good when it comes to placing the ball in the back of the net. Ribery’s free kick abilities are less noticed but the fact that he has a really strong right foot makes him very dangerous. His speed and strength are already well known.
Gerrard could find himself leading England in Euro 12. Although there are some really good free kick takers in the England squad, Gerrard will surely be the first choice. He has a real good technique combined with lethal speed which makes him decisive during free kicks. He is also very good in taking corners and that makes him very useful.
Gerrard’s free kick compilation
England find themselves in the group of death without Wayne Rooney for the first two games and it could be Gerrard’s set pieces that could make the difference.
3. Oleksandr Aliyev
Born in Russia, Aliyev represents hosts Ukraine in Euro 12. Although he is very unheard off, he is considered as one of the best free kick takers in Europe. He has proven himself time and again by scoring from any range.
Joe Hart will have a tough time stopping this man in the group stages. Take a look at the video which showcases his skills.
2. Andrea Pirlo
Pirlo has just inspired Juventus to their first league title in almost ten years. Pirlo might not be a scoring machine but he is very deadly when it comes to dead-ball situations. He has scored a total of 9 goals for Italy and out of them five have been from dead balls. This shows the amount of expertise and experience he has in placing the ball behind the keeper from a dead ball.
Italy might not have great hopes at Euro this time but Pirlo’s free kicks might just change that.
Who else than Ronaldo can convert free kicks for fun? His trade mark stance before taking the kick followed by heavy breathing almost, always means a goal. A totally powerful short range free kick combined with a swerving long range kick makes him lethal in all situations. Ronaldo will be a very important player for Portugal not only because of his free kicks but because of his overall abilities.
If Portugal want to progress from a group containing Netherlands, Denmark and Germany, they have to depend on Ronaldo’s wonder kicks.
Honorable Mentions : Seb Larsson, Xavi, Lucas Podalski, Robin van Persie
where the hell is frank lampard dude.