Falcao is expected to take the No 9 shirt once belonging to Andy Cole. Sir Alex Ferguson always used to laugh when critics said that Cole only scores goals and asked why he should bring him to United. Cole s link play was average but he more than played his part because he was a predator born to score. Falcao is similar hunting goals as if addicted to the adrenalin rush of scoring but he can also collect the ball withstand a buffeting from centre halves and bring team mates into play.
After one phenomenal performance for Monaco against Lyon last season Falcao s coach Claudio Ranieri eulogised the forward s willingness to work hard for the team closing defenders down as well as holding the ball up.
Such praise also flowed after Falcao had struck one of the goals of the season.
This is the real beauty of Falcao. Goals. Just ask his victims. Ask Anthony Lopes the keeper for Lyon that day. Falcao controlled a through ball with his right instep took another touch to move the ball towards the area and then gave Lopes the eyes in dressing room parlance glancing to his left.
As Lopes advanced Falcao calmly dinked the ball over him.
Falcao is unlikely to get the space he was afforded in France where he struck 13 times in 22 games. His record of 70 goals in 91 performances for Atl tico in Spain suggests that he can deal with better defences. He knows the way to goal.
Ask David Luiz. Falcao scored a breathtaking first half hat trick for Atl tico against Chelsea in the 2012 Uefa Super Cup final in Monaco. Luiz is hardly the greatest defender but he is reasonably quick and Falcao still outstripped him. For his first Falcao sped away from the Brazilian and chipped Petr Cech. That goal arrived down the inside left channel.
Falcao moves all over but with only one destination in his satnav goal. His second against Chelsea came when he advanced in from the right beat Luiz turned inside Ashley Cole and gracefully curled the ball left footed high past Cech.
Falcao then switched back to the left of the box this time eluding Ramires for pace and placing a low shot past Cech. The Colombian raced away holding up three fingers to celebrate the hat trick. The goals were all left footed but one of the joys of Falcao is that he is genuinely two footed.
Goalkeepers cannot set themselves properly when Falcao approaches moving the ball from one foot to the other. Defenders cannot show him on to his weaker foot. He does not have one. Ask Carles Puyol. Barcelona s then captain would seethe with frustration during certain games against Atl tico when Falcao pounced.
In 2012 Falcao embarrassed Sergio Busquets for pace then swept past Puyol before sending an emphatic shot past V ctor Vald s. Puyol was similarly furious when Falcao nipped ahead of him to reach a flicked on corner scoring with a right footed volley. Any lapse of concentration can be fatal when El Tigre is lurking.
Ask Pe anha the Maritimo goalkeeper. At Est dio do Drag o in 2010 Fredy Guar n chipped the ball over from the right and Falcao standing 15 yards from goal jumped up high connecting with a right footed bicycle kick and directing it down past the diving Pe anha. It was an unbelievable finish assisted by poor marking but testament to Falcao s athleticism. Guar n s delivery was even slightly behind Falcao yet he still adjusted his body to reach the ball. If Antonio Valencia skews his crosses Falcao should still turn them to his profit.
Ask Millonarios supporters. Fans of the Colombian club were stunned by a special from their compatriot in 2012. Controlling the ball on his chest the Atl tico forward leapt into the air and then deliberately lifted the ball over the keeper with his right foot. Atl tico s suited coach Diego Simeone just smiled and clapped. He could have been applauding the timing of Falcao s run as well as the exquisite technique and sheer audacity of the finish. Falcao was watching the last defender moving into space staying onside stealthily ruthlessly.
Ask Am rica de Cali followers. Falcao scored another gem against fellow Colombians in 2012. When Diego flighted in a corner from the right Falcao was airborne again meeting the ball with a scissors kick nominated for Fifa s Ferenc Puskas goal of the year (won by Miroslav Stoch). After the commentator finished a lengthy golazo to Falcao s moment of majesty he added Senor e senores un Colombiano grande .
Simeone in jeans this time strolled by the side of the pitch again basking in Falcao s virtuosity that will now be relished by United fans.
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