Pirlo’s Old Lady stutter in Ronaldo’s absence

MILAN: Juventus again showed their reliance on Cristiano Ronaldo as, with the superstar attacker absent, they drew 1-1 at promoted Benevento on Saturday, while Serie A title rivals Inter Milan beat high-flying Sassuolo 3-0 to move second.

The champions’ fifth draw in nine league matches leaves Andrea Pirlo’s side fifth, three points behind leaders AC Milan, who faced Fiorentina late yesterday.

Ronaldo did not play after scoring in Juventus’s 2-1 victory over Ferencvaros on Tuesday which sealed their berth in the Champions League last 16.

“Every team is addicted to Ronaldo, even at Real Madrid he scored a lot,” said Pirlo, describing the Portuguese star as “a catalyst.”

“He is an important player and it’s normal that he makes you win games, but even without Ronaldo we have to be good at winning games.”

Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala started up front in Ronaldo’s absence, which Pirlo put down to “tiredness.”

“(Ronaldo) had a little problem and he wanted to play anyway in the Champions League.

“He had played many games with the national team, it is normal for him to get tired and rest.”

Morata opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Benevento drew level through Gaetano Letizia just before half-time.

“When we lack players of experience and personality, we struggle,” added Pirlo, also without injured defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.

In Emilia-Romagna, Antonio Conte’s Inter bounced back from the 2-0 loss to Real Madrid by inflicting this season’s first defeat on Sassuolo.

Inter move second ahead of Sassuolo, with both teams on 18 points after nine games, two points behind AC Milan and one ahead of Conte’s old team Juve.

“It’s not easy, especially at Inter, because many people can’t wait to criticise, to throw mud at us,” said Conte.

“But we are united and such situations should provide us with more strength.”

Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring in the fourth minute. Sassuolo’s Vlad Chiriches turned a powerful Arturo Vidal centre into his own net in the 14th minute before Roberto Gagliardini added a third (60th).

Inter play Borussia Moenchengladbach in tomorrow’s Champions League match.

In Bergamo, Atalanta crashed 2-0 to Hellas Verona days after their Champions League win by the same scoreline at Liverpool.