Was Marco Branca a better finisher than Ravanelli?

[Redlips]

I would love to have seen Marco Branca in the premier league.

For me I would have taken Marco Branca over Rav

 

[theredrooster]

I would love to have seen Marco Branca in the premier league.

For me I would have taken Marco Branca over Rav

He was more of a team player for starters and I don't remember him being as one footed as Rav either.

 

[asredastheycome]

No not for me Rav was an awkward so and so but great player. Branca who I loved was probably not of quite the same standard but one hell of a player.

 

[Benjiboy]

Best out & out finisher i have seen , ...........& he was crocked too apparently!!!!, did not miss many either

 

[goalscrounger]

Yes definitely. Two footed and more pace too.

 

[S7DiscoDown]

Branca was a class finisher. I say that from the very little we saw of him

JFH was an amazing striker of the ball. To think we got him at the end of his career.

 

[TeessideCleveland]

I would love to have seen Marco Branca in the premier league.

For me I would have taken Marco Branca over Rav

I saw his only Premier League appearance - 66th minute sub away to Spurs early 98/99 (13/9/98). We won 3-0

 

[coluka]

Loved Branca in his short time, he was a very clever signing at the right time, but Rav despite his shenanigans and off field antics would be my choice.

 

[festa5]

Yep Rav for me too. Never got to see Branca play in the prem but if you compare their careers and stats overall then Rav is the better player and goalscorer.

Not seen enough of Branca to really get a fair impression of his finishing. He was obviously good, but then so was Rav. I'd actually say Alun Armstrong looked a better finisher in that run in, but not as good a player.

 

[Subbuteo_171]

I wouldn’t touch Ravanelli with a barge pole, poor attitude, not a team player and would rather score and the team lose than not score and the team win.

Branca all day long for me.

 

[Alzi]

Hard to say really with Branca not playing in the PL. Ravanelli certainly had the more decorated career.

It's interesting that Branca was a bit of a journeyman and never stuck around anywhere too long (I know injuries caused that here). Hell of a player for us in our run in though.

 

[junos_boots]

Quiz question for you regarding Ravanelli's time at the Boro. Why is the date 17th November 1996 significant?

 

[Subbuteo_171]

Last away goal scored in the league?

 

[junos_boots]

Last away goal scored in the league?

Wasn't as surprising as I thought then

 

[Subbuteo_171]

Wasn't as surprising as I thought then

Knew his record was dreadful! Didn’t know exact date and knew he scored away v Derby in the QF.

Think he gave up about then.

 

[junos_boots]

Knew his record was dreadful! Didn’t know exact date and knew he scored away v Derby in the QF.

Think he gave up about then.

He obviously liked the Baseball Ground - pity they had moved to Pride Park before they signed him

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

You can pick bits out but Rav scored at Wembley, Hillsborough, the Baseball Ground, Edgeley Park and Old Trafford in the cups.

He got just under 250 goals in his career. Branca scored just over 100. Ravanelli got 22 caps for an Italy team that had Zola, Vieri, Del Piero, Casiraghi, Chiesa et al all vying for a place. Branca never won a single senior cap.

Branca was class for us but it was in the second division. Ravanelli was clearly a better striker, IMO.

 

[Muttley]

Rav but Boksic was betterer than both.

 

[Alzi]

Rav but Boksic was betterer than both.

When he didn't have the sniffles.

 

[laughingboroboy]

I was slightly too young to really appreciate and see how technically good Rav & Branca were - I just knew they great and always scored.

However the best two finishes I have seen and appreciated at boro are Boksic & Viduka - both were effortlessly class