Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus, who are chasing an eighth consecutive Italian league title, have now won their opening five league games for the third time in five seasons. Ronaldo was the hero, days after being sent off on his Champions League debut for the Turin club, breaking the deadlock from close range in the 81st minute to take his Serie A tally to three goals in five games. The well-drilled hosts, who have picked up just one point this season and are still waiting to score their first goal, provided a surprisingly stern test for the champions but their challenge ended in stoppage time when Federico Bernardeschi finished off a counter attack to put the result beyond doubt. “We expected it to be like this,” Allegri told reporters. “Frosinone had conceded five to Sampdoria and we played down to 10 men for 70 minutes against Valencia (in the Champions League) on Wednesday. “We just needed to have patience and after many shots, crosses and passes, we … [Read more...] about Juventus maintain perfect start but Roma lose at Bologna
Juventus
Ronaldo sent off but 10-man Juventus ease past Valencia
Ronaldo was left in tears after being dismissed on his Champions League debut for Juve. - AFP PhotoViet Nam News VALENCIA, Spain — Juventus believe they can win the Champions League with Cristiano Ronaldo, but they had to start by beating Valencia without him after he was controversially sent off on his debut in the competition for the Italian champions on Wednesday. A tearful Ronaldo left the pitch in disbelief in the 29th minute, having aimed a petulant, but seemingly harmless, kick at Valencia defender Jeison Murillo. The Portuguese player then made contact with Murillo’s head while urging him to get up. Ronaldo dropped to the floor like the tournament was lost after German official Felix Brych brandished the red card but Juve showed more composure, Miralem Pjanic scoring twice from the penalty spot to clinch a comfortable 2-0 win. Valencia were even awarded a third spot-kick of the match deep into injury-time but Daniel Parejo missed. It remains to … [Read more...] about Ronaldo sent off but 10-man Juventus ease past Valencia
Ronaldo sees red as Juventus beat Valencia
Ronaldo sees red as Juventus beat ValenciaThe Saigon Times Daily Juventus' Cristiano Ronaldo reacts after he is sent off while Valencia coach Marcelino Garcia looks on at Mestalla, Valencia, Spain September 19, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Cristiano Ronaldo’s Champions League debut for Juventus lasted only 29 minutes as he was red-carded but the Italians began their Group H campaign impressively with a 2-0 victory at Valencia on Wednesday. Penalties either side of halftime by Miralem Pjanic sealed the points for the visitors as Valencia’s return to European competition after a two-year absence fell flat. The night was meant to be all about Ronaldo’s first Champions League appearance for the club he has tormented so often down the years for Real Madrid. His first real impression, however, was not what anyone in the Mestalla could have imagined though as he was sent off for the first time in the Champions League in his 154th appearance. … [Read more...] about Ronaldo sees red as Juventus beat Valencia
Ronaldo gets off the mark for Juventus
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goals for Juventus. — AFP PhotoViet Nam News MILAN — Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first competitive goal for Italian champions Juventus and then added a second in Sunday’s fourth Serie A game of the season, against Sassuolo in Turin. The 33-year-old tapped in on the line after a goalmouth scramble on 50 minutes, and added a second 15 minutes later to give the reigning seven-time champions a 2-0 lead. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner was the star signing of the summer transfer period, arriving amid great pomp and ceremony following a 100 million euro ($117 million) deal from Real Madrid. Coach Massimiliano Allegri had said before the match he was not concerned that Ronaldo has failed to find the net despite 23 shots at goal in the team’s three wins out of three so far this season. "I don’t expect Ronaldo to do more or less than what he did in the first three games," said Allegri. "I … [Read more...] about Ronaldo gets off the mark for Juventus
Ronaldo set for Old Trafford return with Juventus in Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a return to Old Trafford in the Champions League with Juventus. (AFP/MARCO BERTORELLO) Ronaldo, who was not in Monaco despite being nominated for an individual award, spent six years at United, winning the Champions League in 2008, before moving to Real Madrid in 2009. He will come up against his compatriot Jose Mourinho, under whom he played during his time at Real, while United midfielder Paul Pogba can also look forward to facing his old team. While those sides will be favourites to progress to the last 16 from Group H, they will have to be wary of Valencia, with the Spaniards returning to the group stage for the first time in three years. Swiss champions Young Boys, group-stage debutants, look to be the makeweights in the section. "It's a manageable group, but it all depends on us. Our destiny is in our own hands," said Juve CEO Giuseppe Marotta. KLOPP FACES TUCHEL Thursday's draw ceremony at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum, a stone's throw from the … [Read more...] about Ronaldo set for Old Trafford return with Juventus in Champions League