Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes
AMSTERDAM • Cristiano Ronaldo's return to fitness could be vital to Juventus' bid to end their 23-year wait for a Champions League trophy as they head to Ajax today with uncertainty over whether the most expensive player in the club's history will play.
The €100 million (S$152.5 million) summer signing from Real Madrid has not played in a month for the Serie A leaders since he scored a second-leg hat-trick to dump Atletico Madrid out in the round of 16.
He was rested in the subsequent 2-0 league defeat at Genoa and then picked up a thigh injury on international duty two weeks ago.
But Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that the Portugal captain will be raring to go ahead of the first leg of the quarter-final, the clubs' first meeting in 16 years.
He said: "He (Ronaldo) always feels ready. We are confident of having him at Ajax on Wednesday.
"In matches of this kind, he gets really excited and enthusiastic. Having him gives us a great advantage."
His confidence also stems from the 34-year-old's return to full-time training on Monday and he boarded the team plane that flew to the Netherlands yesterday.
Teammate Joao Cancelo also told Sky Italia that Ronaldo had "committed himself to do everything possible" to be there and help the team.
The Portugal defender, who confirmed he had shrugged off a calf issue, added: "Cristiano's training, he's a serious professional.
"I really think he'll be called up. We'll see if he plays from the first minute or come on later. The coach will decide. I am fit and ready to play, I will play in Amsterdam."
Ronaldo himself has given no updates on his injury, apart from a short video posted on his social media accounts, looking relaxed while spending time off with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and son.
If the record scorer (124) in the competition can take to the field, it will be a psychological boost for Juventus, who have gone on record saying that they moved for him last July with the sole purpose of ending their barren run in Europe.
Allegri does, however, have other attacking options in Argentina forward Paulo Dybala, Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic and Italy forward Federico Bernardeschi.
He also has a trump card in Moise Kean, one of the more exciting players to burst onto the Italian football scene in years. The 19-year-old has taken his chance in Ronaldo's absence with five goals in as many league games for Juventus, who are just one point away from sealing an eighth straight Italian title.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AJAX V JUVENTUS
Singtel TV Ch112 & StarHub Ch213, tomorrow, 2.55am
Cristiano Ronaldo responds as Virgil van Dijk emerges as favourite for Ballon d'Or. Cristiano Ronaldo came up against Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as Portugal beat Holland in the UEFA
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid Juve's
"I've got five Champions Leagues, you have none," was Cristiano Ronaldo's icy response as he rushed through Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano mixed zone Wednesday night, after the former Real Madrid star's return to his old city had gone disastrously for both him and his new team, Juventus.
Mullin steps down at St. John's; Hurley next? | EURO-NEWS
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's UCL hopes. either side of the break, which seemed to have dealt a big blow to Atletico's chances. Just one goal in six European
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
global.espn.com/football/blog/the-match/60/post/3779021/atletico-spoil-cristiano-ronaldos-return-to-madrid-juves-ucl-hopes
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid saw his Juventus side fall 2-0 to old foes Atletico. Getty. The biggest Ronaldo flashpoint came late in the opening period, when he rolled around dramatically on the turf after being kicked in an ankle by marker Juanfran.
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
AMSTERDAM • Cristiano Ronaldo's return to health might be important to Juventus' bid to finish their 23-year anticipate a Champions League trophy as they head to Ajax as we speak with uncertainty over whether or not the most costly participant within the membership's historical past will play.
Cristiano Ronaldo responds as Virgil van Dijk emerges as
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's UCL hopes-Following Atletico Madrid's opener, ESPN FC's Craig Burley and Alejandro Moreno saw a Juventus side that appeared 'flustered and rattled.'
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
However the player himself has earmarked the final La Liga clash of the season against Villarreal for his return to action. Marca report Ronaldo wants to get a proper run out before the Champions League final, so will ask to play away against 'the Yellow Submarine' on May 20 - which takes place on the Sunday before the European showdown the
Champions League king Ronaldo delivers for Juve
Previous article Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes - The Straits Times Next article U.S. judge defers ruling on PG&E $350 million bonus plan EURO-NEWS
Cristiano Ronaldo: Injured Real Madrid star has return date
The hat-trick is a big-time return on Juventus's investment in Ronaldo with qualification for the last eight reportedly worth 105mn euros ($118mn). Ronaldo said he also hopes to play a role
Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes
Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo training yesterday in Turin before the flight to Amsterdam for the Champions League quarter-final first leg at
Ronaldo return looms massive over Juve's European hopes
AMSTERDAM • Cristiano Ronaldo's return to fitness could be vital to Juventus' bid to end their 23-year wait for a Champions League trophy as they head to Ajax today with uncertainty over whether the most expensive player in the club's history will play.
The €100 million (S$152.5 million) summer signing from Real Madrid has not played in a month for the Serie A leaders since he scored a second-leg hat-trick to dump Atletico Madrid out in the round of 16.
He was rested in the subsequent 2-0 league defeat at Genoa and then picked up a thigh injury on international duty two weeks ago.
But Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri believes that the Portugal captain will be raring to go ahead of the first leg of the quarter-final, the clubs' first meeting in 16 years.
He said: "He (Ronaldo) always feels ready. We are confident of having him at Ajax on Wednesday.
"In matches of this kind, he gets really excited and enthusiastic. Having him gives us a great advantage."
His confidence also stems from the 34-year-old's return to full-time training on Monday and he boarded the team plane that flew to the Netherlands yesterday.
Teammate Joao Cancelo also told Sky Italia that Ronaldo had "committed himself to do everything possible" to be there and help the team.
The Portugal defender, who confirmed he had shrugged off a calf issue, added: "Cristiano's training, he's a serious professional.
"I really think he'll be called up. We'll see if he plays from the first minute or come on later. The coach will decide. I am fit and ready to play, I will play in Amsterdam."
Ronaldo himself has given no updates on his injury, apart from a short video posted on his social media accounts, looking relaxed while spending time off with his partner Georgina Rodriguez and son.
If the record scorer (124) in the competition can take to the field, it will be a psychological boost for Juventus, who have gone on record saying that they moved for him last July with the sole purpose of ending their barren run in Europe.
Allegri does, however, have other attacking options in Argentina forward Paulo Dybala, Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic and Italy forward Federico Bernardeschi.
He also has a trump card in Moise Kean, one of the more exciting players to burst onto the Italian football scene in years. The 19-year-old has taken his chance in Ronaldo's absence with five goals in as many league games for Juventus, who are just one point away from sealing an eighth straight Italian title.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
AJAX V JUVENTUS
Singtel TV Ch112 & StarHub Ch213, tomorrow, 2.55am
Cristiano Ronaldo responds as Virgil van Dijk emerges as favourite for Ballon d'Or. Cristiano Ronaldo came up against Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk as Portugal beat Holland in the UEFA
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid Juve's
"I've got five Champions Leagues, you have none," was Cristiano Ronaldo's icy response as he rushed through Atletico Madrid's Wanda Metropolitano mixed zone Wednesday night, after the former Real Madrid star's return to his old city had gone disastrously for both him and his new team, Juventus.
Mullin steps down at St. John's; Hurley next? | EURO-NEWS
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's UCL hopes. either side of the break, which seemed to have dealt a big blow to Atletico's chances. Just one goal in six European
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
global.espn.com/football/blog/the-match/60/post/3779021/atletico-spoil-cristiano-ronaldos-return-to-madrid-juves-ucl-hopes
Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid saw his Juventus side fall 2-0 to old foes Atletico. Getty. The biggest Ronaldo flashpoint came late in the opening period, when he rolled around dramatically on the turf after being kicked in an ankle by marker Juanfran.
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
AMSTERDAM • Cristiano Ronaldo's return to health might be important to Juventus' bid to finish their 23-year anticipate a Champions League trophy as they head to Ajax as we speak with uncertainty over whether or not the most costly participant within the membership's historical past will play.
Cristiano Ronaldo responds as Virgil van Dijk emerges as
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's UCL hopes-Following Atletico Madrid's opener, ESPN FC's Craig Burley and Alejandro Moreno saw a Juventus side that appeared 'flustered and rattled.'
Atletico spoil Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Madrid, Juve's
However the player himself has earmarked the final La Liga clash of the season against Villarreal for his return to action. Marca report Ronaldo wants to get a proper run out before the Champions League final, so will ask to play away against 'the Yellow Submarine' on May 20 - which takes place on the Sunday before the European showdown the
Champions League king Ronaldo delivers for Juve
Previous article Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes - The Straits Times Next article U.S. judge defers ruling on PG&E $350 million bonus plan EURO-NEWS
Cristiano Ronaldo: Injured Real Madrid star has return date
The hat-trick is a big-time return on Juventus's investment in Ronaldo with qualification for the last eight reportedly worth 105mn euros ($118mn). Ronaldo said he also hopes to play a role
Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes
Ronaldo return looms large over Juve's European hopes Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo training yesterday in Turin before the flight to Amsterdam for the Champions League quarter-final first leg at
Ronaldo return looms massive over Juve's European hopes
