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DPA
Rome
The literary pun “Ronaldo furioso” held sway Monday in Italian media to describe the embittered exit of Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo for match-winner Paulo Dybala in a 1-0 defeat of AC Milan.
The late Sunday replacement came after 55 disappointing minutes and was the second straight substitution for the Portugal star, who had also given way to Dybala on Wednesday when a last-gasp 2-1 win at Lokomotiv Moscow took the Bianconeri to the knock-out stage of the Champions League.
Although not comparable to that of the hero in the 16th century poem “Orlando furioso,” the striker’s anger was evident in the cursory handshake with the Argentinan substitute and from the muttered, unintelligible words toward the bench on his way to the changing rooms.
He reportedly left the Allianz Stadium before the game’s end, leaving team and Turin fans to celebrate remaining top of Serie A, one point clear of Inter Milan.
Coach Maurizio Sarri complained, as he often did in recent weeks, about losing possession and technical mistakes from the Bianconeri, who remain unbeaten in domestic and continental action, but had to fend questions about Ronaldo’s reaction and how he will handle the star’s disappointment.
“(Ronaldo) should be thanked because he made himself available despite not being in optimal conditions,” Sarri said.
“In the last month he has had this discomfort in his knee and this is ‘a little problem’ for him.”
Ronaldo tweeted a brief reaction to the match on Monday, saying in Italian: “Difficult game, important victory!”
Coach Sarri, who took over Juve after last season’s Europa League triumph at Chelsea, added he was not surprised at Ronaldo’s irritation and said that the footballer will have to discuss his early departure from the stadium with his team-mates.
“When you replace a player who is trying to give his best there are five minutes of fury, I think it is normal,” he said.
“For a coach it is even good to see it.”
Star coach Fabio Capello, who steered both Juve and Milan and is now a commentator for Sky TV, was not as gentle with Ronaldo.
“He has not dribbled past an opponent for the past three years, he is not in good form,” Capello said of the 34-year-old, suggesting that Ronaldo will have to work harder on his form.
Capello also complimented Sarri for a courageous change that made him win the game.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Ronaldo, now in his second season at Juve, has been replaced before the hour only 10 times in his more than 800 games with clubs.
He is now to join the Portugal national team he captains in two last crucial Euro 2020 qualifiers against Lithuania and Luxembourg. The European champions, who close their campaign on November 17, sit one point above Serbia in Group B.
Ronaldo has netted seven goals in the last four qualifiers, far better than the five
from 10 Serie A games with Juve, who hope to have the striker in top form when they visit tough Atalanta on
October 23.
Rome
The literary pun “Ronaldo furioso” held sway Monday in Italian media to describe the embittered exit of Juventus ace Cristiano Ronaldo for match-winner Paulo Dybala in a 1-0 defeat of AC Milan.
The late Sunday replacement came after 55 disappointing minutes and was the second straight substitution for the Portugal star, who had also given way to Dybala on Wednesday when a last-gasp 2-1 win at Lokomotiv Moscow took the Bianconeri to the knock-out stage of the Champions League.
Although not comparable to that of the hero in the 16th century poem “Orlando furioso,” the striker’s anger was evident in the cursory handshake with the Argentinan substitute and from the muttered, unintelligible words toward the bench on his way to the changing rooms.
He reportedly left the Allianz Stadium before the game’s end, leaving team and Turin fans to celebrate remaining top of Serie A, one point clear of Inter Milan.
Coach Maurizio Sarri complained, as he often did in recent weeks, about losing possession and technical mistakes from the Bianconeri, who remain unbeaten in domestic and continental action, but had to fend questions about Ronaldo’s reaction and how he will handle the star’s disappointment.
“(Ronaldo) should be thanked because he made himself available despite not being in optimal conditions,” Sarri said.
“In the last month he has had this discomfort in his knee and this is ‘a little problem’ for him.”
Ronaldo tweeted a brief reaction to the match on Monday, saying in Italian: “Difficult game, important victory!”
Coach Sarri, who took over Juve after last season’s Europa League triumph at Chelsea, added he was not surprised at Ronaldo’s irritation and said that the footballer will have to discuss his early departure from the stadium with his team-mates.
“When you replace a player who is trying to give his best there are five minutes of fury, I think it is normal,” he said.
“For a coach it is even good to see it.”
Star coach Fabio Capello, who steered both Juve and Milan and is now a commentator for Sky TV, was not as gentle with Ronaldo.
“He has not dribbled past an opponent for the past three years, he is not in good form,” Capello said of the 34-year-old, suggesting that Ronaldo will have to work harder on his form.
Capello also complimented Sarri for a courageous change that made him win the game.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Ronaldo, now in his second season at Juve, has been replaced before the hour only 10 times in his more than 800 games with clubs.
He is now to join the Portugal national team he captains in two last crucial Euro 2020 qualifiers against Lithuania and Luxembourg. The European champions, who close their campaign on November 17, sit one point above Serbia in Group B.
Ronaldo has netted seven goals in the last four qualifiers, far better than the five
from 10 Serie A games with Juve, who hope to have the striker in top form when they visit tough Atalanta on
October 23.
