TEARS OF RONALDO
CRISTIANO RONALDO could miss his Champions League return to Manchester United after being sent off on his debut in the competition for Juventus. The 33-year-old was dismissed during the first half of last night’s Group H opener here in Valencia following an off-the-ball clash with Jeison Murillo and had to be led away from the field in tears. Barring a successful appeal, Ronaldo now faces an expected two-match ban for violent conduct, which would rule
him out of the home game against Swiss outfit Young Boys and the trip to Old Trafford on October 23. A three-game suspension would also keep him out of the return against United in Turin on November 7. UEFA will determine the length of the ban. Ronaldo flicked his boot at Murillo as they tangled while the Portugal forward entered the penalty area in the 29th minute. After the Colombian defender fell to the floor, Ronaldo gestured for his opponent to get up. Then he put his hand on the Valencia star’s head and appeared to tug his hair in an attempt to lift him off the ground. Valencia’s players immediately protested to the fifth official behind the goal. German referee Felix Brych consulted with his colleague before producing the red card for Ronaldo, who reacted by protesting his innocence and collapsing to the turf in disbelief. Clearly distraught, he had to be consoled by staff as he made his way down the tunnel in tears, still shaking his head. The home crowd had jeered Ronaldo’s every touch on what was his first game back in Spain following his summer move from Real Madrid to the Italian champions. But his team-mates silenced the masses inside a partisan Mestalla as they emerged with a 2-0 victory thanks to Miralem Pjanic penalties either side of half-time. Ronaldo had never been sent off in 153 previous Champions League games and he will be hoping that his new club appeal against the decision, potentially freeing him for the reunion with United and his former boss at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho.