Ronaldo off as tears flow
CRISTIANO RONALDO could miss his Champions League return to Manchester United after being sent off on his debut in the competition for Juventus last night at the Mestalla Stadium. The 33-year-old was dismissed during the first half in Valencia, following what appeared to be merely a soft
off-the-ball clash with Jeison Murillo and had to be led away from the field in tears. Barring a successful appeal, Ronaldo now faces an expected two-match ban for violent conduct, which would rule him out of the home game against Young Boys and the trip to Old Trafford on October 23. A three-game suspension would also keep him out of the return against United in Turin on November 7. UEFA will determine the length of the ban. Ronaldo flicked his boot at Murillo as they tangled entering the penalty area in the 29th minute and the defender fell to the ground. The Portugal forward then appeared to pull Murillo’s hair in an attempt to lift him off the ground and the Valencia players immediately protested to the fifth official behind the goal. Referee Felix Brych consulted with his colleague before producing the red card for Ronaldo, who reacted by collapsing to the turf in disbelief and had to be consoled by staff as he made his way down the tunnel. The home crowd had jeered Ronaldo’s every touch on what was his first game back in Spain following his summer move from Real Madrid to the Italian champions. But his team-mates silenced the masses inside a partisan Mestalla as they emerged with a 2-0 victory thanks to Miralem Pjanic penalties either side of half-time. Ronaldo had never been sent off in 153 previous Champions League games and he will be hoping his new club appeal against the decision, potentially freeing him for the reunion with United, who he left in 2009, and his former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.