Ronaldo’s dramatic debut ends with goalkeeper in hospital
Daniella Matar Associated Press
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Serie A debut was marked not by a goal but by accidentally putting the opposing team’s goalkeeper in hospital.
With the score locked at 2-2 late on in Juventus’ match at Chievo Verona, Ronaldo collided with Stefano Sorrentino in a chaotic penalty area.
Sorrentino was knocked out cold briefly and there were an anxious few minutes as he received immediate treatment before being substituted.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper was immediately taken to the hospital and released on Sunday morning with a fractured nose, bruising to his left shoulder and whiplash.
Sorrentino was able to joke about the incident, posting a photo on Twitter with the caption: “Thanks for your messages of support, affection and esteem. We are a fantastic group and yesterday we almost achieved the feat: while CR7 got me in full!”
He also later revealed on the social media site that Ronaldo had been in touch: “I received a message of support and wishing me a speedy recovery from Cristiano Ronaldo. Thanks legend!”
Sorrentino pulled off several fine saves to deny Ronaldo and his Juventus teammates - although Chievo went on to lose the match 3-2 following Federico Bernardeschi’s stoppage-time winner.
“Before coming onto the pitch I told myself I would have to try to stop him in every way possible,” Sorrentino said on Italian television. “I did that in the real sense of the word.”
During the commotion Juventus was awarded a goal using goal-line technology, then it was disallowed a few minutes later on video review.
Paulo Dybala and Giorgio Chiellini celebrated when the goal was given, causing widespread outrage as Sorrentino was still receiving urgent treatment.
“Paulo wrote to me, apologising because he hadn’t realised the seriousness of the situation and he was celebrating for a goal that I didn’t even know I had conceded,” Sorrentino said.
ZAJC ATTACK
One of the potential stars of this season emerged on Sunday as Miha Zajc had a stellar performance in Empoli’s 2-0 win over Cagliari.
Zajc was at the heart of every Empoli move and set up both goals for Rade Krunic and Ciccio Caputo.
The 24-year-old Zajc has already played in Serie A as he was signed from Olimpija Ljubljana in January 2017, in Empoli’s last season in the top flight.
Zajc made only five Serie A appearances but was instrumental in last season’s promotion campaign which ended with Empoli going up as champion.