Cristiano Ronaldo still scoreless after three matches in Serie A

Cristiano Ronaldo is still scoreless after three matches with Juventus. Juventus, however, is doing just fine. Mario Mandzukic scored one and set up another with a backheel pass as the Bianconeri won at promoted Parma 2-1 on Saturday to remain perfect.

With Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa in attendance at Parma’s Ennio Tardini Stadium, the closest Ronaldo came to scoring was with a header off a corner that went just wide midway through the first half.

Ronaldo was also visibly upset when Mandzukic prevented the Portugal captain from connecting on a volley early on by getting there first - prompting an apology from Mandzukic.

“I’m happy with what he’s doing and the international break will help him get in better condition - because the league really starts after the break,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said.

“Italian football presents different problems. It takes time,” said Allegri. “He’s not getting the rub of the green at the moment either - the ball is not bouncing right for him or he’s shooting just off target, the coach added.

He has had 23 shots without scoring, eight more than any other player who has yet to score in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

The 33-year-old, who has been rested from the latest Portugal squad, scored 450 goals in 438 games for Real.

Ronaldo left Real Madrid in the offseason in a Serie A-record €112 million transfer, but he is still figuring out how to score in a league known for its defensive qualities. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner also didn’t score in Real Madrid’s opening three Spanish league matches last season - although he did score in other competitions for Madrid during that spell.

Ronaldo’s next chance to break his drought won’t come until after the international break, when Juventus hosts Sassuolo on Sept. 16.