Ronaldo hits straps again
– Fresh from upstaging Manchester United at Old Trafford in midweek, Juventus resume their quest for an eighth consecutive Serie A title at strugglers Empoli today.
Cristiano Ronaldo (above) may not have scored against his former employers but he played a pivotal role in Paulo Dybala’s winner as Juventus opened up a fivepoint lead over United at the top of their Champions League Group H.
Ronaldo did score in last week’s 1-1 stalemate against Genoa for the 33-year-old Portuguese’s 400th career goal in Europe’s top five leagues, making him the first player to reach that tally.
Against today’s hosts, who are in relegation territory with defeats in five of their nine matches, Juve are aiming to regain the winning thread after Genoa ended their eight-game blemish free run in the Italian championship.
“We were a little careless against Genoa,” said Giorgio Chiellini, who, with fellow central defender Leonardo Bonucci, helped Juve to their third Champions League clean sheet.
The duo are a formidable force, with United boss Jose Mourinho noting: “Mr. Bonucci, Mr. Chiellini, they could go to Harvard to give some classes about how to be a central defender.”
Coach Massimiliano Allegri is likely to rotate his squad after Manchester but he will still be unable to call on Sami Khedira, Emre Can and Mario Mandzukic.
Juve and Roma, who swept CSKA Moscow aside 3-0, were the two Italian winners in the Champions League this week – Napoli were held 2-2 at Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan lost 2-0 at Barcelona.
Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti was heading for a successful return to his former club until Angel di Maria grabbed an injury-time equaliser at the Parc des Princes.
Juve’s closest rivals, points adrift, host Roma.
Inter are in third following their last gasp 1-0 win over AC Milan but they were unable to follow that positive performance in Barcelona.
AC Milan, who suffered a home Europa League loss to Real Betis on Thursday, welcome Sampdoria to the San Siro. – AFP four
They could go to Harvard to give some classes about how to be a central defender. Jose Mourinho