Soccer: Weary Ronaldo to get a break from Juventus soon, coach says
Cristiano Ronaldo is helping Juventus break records, but it could be taking a toll on the Portugal star.
Ronaldo has started all but one of Juve’s 23 games this season, having missed only the first Champions League match against Young Boys through suspension following his first red card in the competition.
The 33-year-old forward has scored 12 goals since leaving Real Madrid in the off-season, despite being the subject of a rape allegation in the United States.
Kathryn Mayorga filed a civil lawsuit in Nevada in September claiming Ronaldo raped her in his Las Vegas hotel room in 2009. Police reopened an investigation into the allegation at her request. The Juve player has denied any wrongdoing.
Ronaldo’s form in front of goal has dipped in recent games, failing to score in open play in four matches, although he did convert a penalty in the Turin derby on Dec. 15.
He went close on several occasions in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Roma and was denied by goalkeeper Robin Olsen. Ronaldo also produced some trademark fancy footwork to set up a goal for Douglas Costa that was ruled out following a video review.
However, the Portugal great looked tired at times and Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri has said he will give the five-time world player of the year a rest by sitting out one of the upcoming matches before the winter break, against Atalanta or Sampdoria.
Juve can afford to sideline him after the victory over Roma clinched the unofficial winter title with two matches to go before the halfway point of the season is reached.
Allegri’s side, seemingly unstoppable as it seeks an eighth successive Serie A title, has an eight-point lead over secondplaced Napoli and a 16-point advantage over Inter Milan in third.
Juve has won 16 of 17 league matches, dropping points only in a surprise draw against Genoa.
The club’s haul of 49 points has broken its own Italian record and set a record for the top five leagues in Europe.