UNSTOPPABLE RONALDO
Portuguese chases more records in Juventus clash against Udinese
Cristiano Ronaldo is eyeing more records as Juventus head for Udinese on Thursday with a ninth consecutive Serie A title within their grasp.
Ronaldo, 35, scored a double on Monday against Lazio to bring his tally to 51 Serie A goals since arriving in Turin in July 2018.
He not only became the first player to achieve a half century of goals in Italy, Spain and England, but was also the fastest, doing so in 61 league games.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 21 goals in his first season in Italy in 2019, but thanks to his brace against Lazio he brought his tally to 30 this term, with four games remaining.
Another goal would see him match former Italy World Cup winner Felice Borel, the last player to score 31 goals for Juventus in the 1933/1934 season.
For Ronaldo the title of top scorer —“Capocannoniere ”— is up for grabs, as he is level on 30 with Lazio’s Ciro Immobile.
He could even overtake Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, top scorer in Europe with 34 goals in the Bundesliga
Cristiano is unpredictable and determined... Not only physically, but, above all, mentally. He is a champion with his feet, but also with his head
this season.
There is also the record of Argentine teammate Gonzalo Higuain, Serie A top scorer under Sarri at Napoli in the 2015/2016 season with 36 goals.
“Cristiano is unpredictable,” Sarri said. “If he puts his mind to something, he’s very determined.
“Not only physically, but, above all, mentally. He is a champion with his feet, but also with his head.”
Juventus can seal the title with a win over 16th-placed Udinese, but it depends on Inter Milan, who are eight points behind the champions, losing to Fiorentina on Wednesday.
Otherwise they could win their 36th Scudetto on Sunday, at home against Sampdoria, giving Sarri, 61, his first league title.
It would allow them to start preparing for the Champions League, and overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit against French club Lyon in the last 16 next months.
“Juventus are still the best side in the league,” Inter boss Antonio Conte, who coached the Turin side to the first three titles in their current run of league triumphs, said.
Inter Milan, who have not won the title since their historic 2010 treble under Jose Mourinho, are assured of a Champions League place next season.
Against Franck Ribery’s Fiorentina, the 12th-placed Tuscany side, they were held 1-1 earlier this season.
Lazio, in fourth, play at Cagliari after their league hopes were dashed at Juventus on Monday.
They, too, are also poised to return to the Champions League after 13 years. —