Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo warned he was ‘back’ and ready for Tuesday’s Champions League meeting with old rivals Atletico Madrid in Turin.
Coach Maurizio Sarri said the 34-year-old Portugal international’s fitness still had to be assessed before the Group D clash as he battles a knee problem.
But the 34-year-old showed his eagerness to play by posting a photo on Twitter with the caption: “I’m back,” followed by an emoji of a flexed bicep.
Ronaldo has a long history with the Spanish side going back to his nine years with city rivals Real Madrid.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner scored 22 goals against Atletico for Real, including in the 2014 Champions League final triumph. He also hit the winning spot-kick as they were defeated in the final again two years later.
In last season’s Champions League, the Spanish were 2-0 winners in the first leg of their last 16 tie, but a Ronaldo hat-trick in Turin in March denied them a quarter-final berth.
“I have five Champions Leagues, these guys zero,” Ronaldo had declared after the defeat in Madrid, holding up five fingers to the home fans throughout the game.
This season Ronaldo has scored just once in the Champions League and was furious after being substituted by coach Maurizio Sarri in their last game against Lokomotiv Moscow, also being hauled off before the hour in the following game against AC Milan.
In characteristic defiant style he hit back with four goals to qualify holders Portugal for Euro 2020.
But he was rested for Saturday’s Serie A game against Atalanta which Juventus won 2-1 thanks to a Gonzalo Higuain double to stay top of the Italian league.
“Cristiano trained with his teammates yesterday (Sunday),” Sarri told a press conference at the Juventus Stadium.
“It seems that his condition is improving but we still have to evaluate between today and tomorrow.
“The positive thing he was able to play throughout the training session with his teammates.”
– ‘Always suffered’ –
Atletico coach Diego Simeone knows what to expect from a player who holds the record of Champions League goals with 127.
“Ronaldo is a champion, we have always suffered a lot against him. He is number one, but I don’t think it’s Ronaldo against Atletico because Juve is a great team.
“I have no doubt, Juventus will be the protagonist again this year.”
Atletico midfielder Koke added: “We consider the team as a whole, not just Ronaldo.
from World Soccer Talk https://ift.tt/2XJeXdp
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