Ronaldo scores as Juventus held in Verona
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 19th goal this campaign, but champion Juventus had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona in Serie A on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
The draw gives leader Inter Milan the chance to pull 10 points clear of Juventus when it plays mid-table Genoa at the San Siro on Sunday (Monday in Manila).
Juventus is third and three points adrift of secondplaced AC Milan, which travels to Roma, two points behind the champions in fourth, on Sunday (Monday in Manila).
“We managed to take the lead, which was the hardest part. It’s a pity not being able to hold it,” said Juve coach Andrea Pirlo.
Pirlo’s side paid for their many absences and a redesigned defense with Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini out injured and Danilo suspended. Also missing were Juan Cuadrado, Arthur and Paulo Dybala to injury with Alvaro Morata recovering from a viral infection.
Goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and the post saved Juventus just minutes into the game at the Stadio Bentegodi
following a Davide Faraoni header.
Ronaldo broke through four minutes after the break, connecting with a perfect lay-off from Federico Chiesa to fire in. Aaron Ramsey missed a chance for a second before the hour mark after a Dejan Kulusevski pullback, which the Verona defense closed down.
Antonin Barak headed in an equalizer with quarter of an hour to go and the hosts were denied a late winner with Szczesny deflecting a Darko Lazovic effort onto the crossbar.