--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We know it's impossible sometimes to have…" description: "\"We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending against Cristiano Ronaldo but we want to keep the ball, with good possession, as then he can d..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png" --- # We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending… ![“We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending against Cristiano Ronaldo but we want to keep the ball, with good possession, as then he can do nothing in attack.” quote by Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png) > “We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending against Cristiano Ronaldo but we want to keep the ball, with good possession, as then he can do nothing in attack.” [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Defending against top attackers requires possession control to limit their offensive options. **In simple terms:** Keep ball to limit dangerous opponents. Key Takeaway Prioritize possession against elite attackers. Themes tactics defense possession football Mood analytical strategic Type sports coaching When to use this quote - match preparation - training drills - game strategy Key Concepts pressing space management team cohesion Questions to Reflect On - What balance between possession and risk is optimal? - How to adapt when ball is lost? A Different Perspective Possession may not always be feasible against high‑press teams. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nothing/) ## Related quotes > [I became good at defending myself, but as far as I was concerned, that was a transient skill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jock-sturges/i-became-good-at-defending-myself-but-as-far-as-i-was-concerned-that/) [Jock Sturges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jock-sturges/) > [I felt really proud when Simeone said I am destined to reach the level of Messi and Ronaldo. I always want to give my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-griezmann/i-felt-really-proud-when-simeone-said-i-am-destined-to-reach-the/) [Antoine Griezmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-griezmann/) > [A lot is made of the pink ball. But it is the same really. A good ball is a good ball, regardless of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-anderson/a-lot-is-made-of-the-pink-ball-but-it-is-the-same-really-a-good-ball/) [James Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-anderson/) > [You can deal with a little pain. It's just about making sure you can throw the ball good enough to go out there and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-flacco/you-can-deal-with-a-little-pain-it-s-just-about-making-sure-you-can/) [Joe Flacco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-flacco/) > [I am a defender, but I can play the ball. I have a good technique.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toby-alderweireld/i-am-a-defender-but-i-can-play-the-ball-i-have-a-good-technique/) [Toby Alderweireld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toby-alderweireld/) > [If we concede three, and I am marvellous on the ball, it is no good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-maguire/if-we-concede-three-and-i-am-marvellous-on-the-ball-it-is-no-good/) [Harry Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-maguire/) > [There is one thing that will never change in football. The centre forward is only as good as the people that are giving him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-merson/there-is-one-thing-that-will-never-change-in-football-the-centre/) [Paul Merson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-merson/) > [Any situation in the game when you have the ball you can see there are good opportunities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adama-traore/any-situation-in-the-game-when-you-have-the-ball-you-can-see-there/) [Adama Traore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adama-traore/) > [I always look to perform with the bat and the ball and do good for my team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-stokes/i-always-look-to-perform-with-the-bat-and-the-ball-and-do-good-for-my/) [Ben Stokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-stokes/) > [Watching the ball is always a good starting point.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-strauss/watching-the-ball-is-always-a-good-starting-point/) [Andrew Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-strauss/) > [Almost any game with any ball is a good game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/almost-any-game-with-any-ball-is-a-good-game/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm glad we were able to win this last one. I saw some good things tonight, ... It's just preseason, but we ran the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-parcells/i-m-glad-we-were-able-to-win-this-last-one-i-saw-some-good-things/) [Bill Parcells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-parcells/) > [I think it's more fun, where everybody gets to touch the ball. That's always a good feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jrue-holiday/i-think-it-s-more-fun-where-everybody-gets-to-touch-the-ball-that-s/) [Jrue Holiday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jrue-holiday/) > [Do I want the ball more? No, I'm good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-valanciunas/do-i-want-the-ball-more-no-i-m-good/) [Jonas Valanciunas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-valanciunas/) > [I think Lonzo Ball will be good because he has a great foundation of how he plays the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephon-marbury/i-think-lonzo-ball-will-be-good-because-he-has-a-great-foundation-of/) [Stephon Marbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephon-marbury/) ## More by Ronald Koeman > [Coaching Netherlands remains one of my ambitions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/coaching-netherlands-remains-one-of-my-ambitions/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [I want a quiet life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-want-a-quiet-life/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [Messi is the greatest, but he has always been surrounded by other great players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/messi-is-the-greatest-but-he-has-always-been-surrounded-by-other/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [I'm always a big advocate for adapting to your new team, your new country and your new team-mates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-m-always-a-big-advocate-for-adapting-to-your-new-team-your-new/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [If someone states that Ajax played a negative game then maybe we are smarter than Manchester City.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/if-someone-states-that-ajax-played-a-negative-game-then-maybe-we-are/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [I hate players who always play the ball back to the goalkeeper.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-hate-players-who-always-play-the-ball-back-to-the-goalkeeper/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [I accept that everyone is entitled to his opinion and as a coach, I don't run away from criticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-accept-that-everyone-is-entitled-to-his-opinion-and-as-a-coach-i/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [His potential is greater and higher than Everton as a final destination. If Romelu was to play at Everton until the end of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/his-potential-is-greater-and-higher-than-everton-as-a-final/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [When I spoke to Everton, the plan, the project, the history of the club was interesting. If I didn't see ambition in Everton I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/when-i-spoke-to-everton-the-plan-the-project-the-history-of-the-club/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [It is always difficult when there is a lack of confidence and a lack of belief but it can be good for me to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/it-is-always-difficult-when-there-is-a-lack-of-confidence-and-a-lack/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [Full compliments to everybody in Southampton because the support of the fans was amazing and the spirit and the belief of the players, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/full-compliments-to-everybody-in-southampton-because-the-support-of/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [When you build the house, you don't start with the roof.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/when-you-build-the-house-you-don-t-start-with-the-roof/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [Some players need pressure to get the best out of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/some-players-need-pressure-to-get-the-best-out-of-themselves/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [We all like being part of the Premier League. There is a lot of attention and we enjoy that but football is always the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/we-all-like-being-part-of-the-premier-league-there-is-a-lot-of/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) [Explore all 101 Ronald Koeman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) ## More Defending quotes > [“Assault!" he croaked. "The battery might yet follow." The warning- entirely unnecessary from Patience's perspective- came from Vane. One look at his face, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-laurens/assault-he-croaked-the-battery-might-yet-follow-the-warning-entirely/) [Stephanie Laurens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-laurens/) > [We believe in defending everyone's lives. We believe in defending everyone's property.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/javier-milei/we-believe-in-defending-everyone-s-lives-we-believe-in-defending/) [Javier Milei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/javier-milei/) > [“Skeptics are always marked by their total lack of skepticism towards whatever position they are defending.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-madison/skeptics-are-always-marked-by-their-total-lack-of-skepticism-towards/) Steve Madison > [My uncle, my dad always made sure I had guard skills. But as far as defending everybody, that wasn't really my mindset until my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/draymond-green/my-uncle-my-dad-always-made-sure-i-had-guard-skills-but-as-far-as/) [Draymond Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/draymond-green/) > [“Defending unpopular positions is what lawyers do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-clement/defending-unpopular-positions-is-what-lawyers-do/) Paul Clement > [Sometimes I think they should set up an asylum for people like that... a whole slew of paparazzi defending their positions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-i-think-they-should-set-up-an-asylum-for-people-like-that-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Some people say there is a beauty about defending. Beauty is nice, but the most important thing is success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marouane-fellaini/some-people-say-there-is-a-beauty-about-defending-beauty-is-nice-but/) [Marouane Fellaini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marouane-fellaini/) > [Sometimes when you're defending people, you have to admit there was something that's not quite right, and that preserves some credibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-t-conway-iii/sometimes-when-you-re-defending-people-you-have-to-admit-there-was/) [George T. Conway III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-t-conway-iii/) > [“No system was worth defending if it didn’t bend for its people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bella-forrest/no-system-was-worth-defending-if-it-didn-t-bend-for-its-people/) [Bella Forrest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bella-forrest/) > [Passionately defending one's principles is crucial. Representing your district is fundamental. But refusing to entertain the common ground - with no other cost but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-quigley/passionately-defending-one-s-principles-is-crucial-representing-your/) [Mike Quigley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-quigley/) > [“Defending your point of view while knowing that you are wrong is just like a person whose wisdom is being obstructed by his arrogance”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waqas-haider/defending-your-point-of-view-while-knowing-that-you-are-wrong-is-just/) Waqas Haider > [I don't think San Francisco needs defending. I never meet anyone who doesn't love the place, Americans or others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-lessing/i-don-t-think-san-francisco-needs-defending-i-never-meet-anyone-who/) [Doris Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-lessing/) > [My second year in Rome was very good. Back then, a striker was a striker. Strikers scored goals; they didn't defend. Today this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sven-goran-eriksson/my-second-year-in-rome-was-very-good-back-then-a-striker-was-a/) [Sven-Goran Eriksson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sven-goran-eriksson/) > [I went from beating John Cena in my first match to winning the Intercontinental title to defending it at WrestleMania.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-owens/i-went-from-beating-john-cena-in-my-first-match-to-winning-the/) [Kevin Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-owens/) > [The truth is far from you, so you know you got to lie. Then you're all the time defending what you can never justify.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/the-truth-is-far-from-you-so-you-know-you-got-to-lie-then-you-re-all/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) Browse all 213 Defending quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending against Cristiano Ronaldo but we want to keep the ball, with good possession, as then he can do nothing in attack.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ronald Koeman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-have-good-defending-against/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Defending" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-have-good-defending-against/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6f/ronald-koeman-5376_defending_we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-hav_2498571.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We know it's impossible sometimes to have good defending against Cristiano Ronaldo but we want to keep the…” — Ronald Koeman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ronald Koeman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We know it's impossible sometimes to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-have-good-defending-against/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/we-know-it-s-impossible-sometimes-to-have-good-defending-against/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```