x

Ronaldo set for return on Juventus bench against Spezia

Cristiano Ronaldo has returned a second negative coronavirus test but will not start Sunday’s game against Spezia, Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said on the eve of the match.

“The negative result of the second swab has also arrived, so today Cristiano Ronaldo will be called up to the team,” said Pirlo.

“He is fine and has been training individually this morning. I don’t think he will start from the beginning, we will see how it goes tomorrow.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has missed four games for Juventus including the midweek Champions League defeat against Barcelona.

But the 35-year-old will travel with the team to Cesena on the Adriatic coast, where Ligurian club Spezia are playing their home games as their Stadio Picco is modernised for their first season in the top flight.

Juventus are fifth in Serie A having drawn three games of five including 1-1 against promoted Crotone, and are four points behind leaders AC Milan.

“Tomorrow is a game we must win,” said Pirlo of 14th-placed Spezia, who have five points from as many games.

“It will be difficult, as it was in Crotone, Spezia are a newly promoted side who are doing well.

“I know their coach (Vincenzo Italiano) well, we were on the same coaching course together,” continued Pirlo who got his coaching diploma just before the start of the season.

“I’m not surprised about the pressure, I’ve always been in the spotlight and I’m used to having responsibilities.”

Ronaldo has been named alongside fellow strikers Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata.

Defender Leonardo Bonucci is expected to play after a slight thigh problem, but Giorgio Chiellini will not.

“He is better, but not yet available,” added Pirlo of the veteran captain.

(AFP)

Hot this week

Nigeria @65: Northern CAN Urges Hope, Calls on Leaders to Strengthen Nation-Building

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN),...

Sixty-Five Cheers to a Great Nation in Need of True Reflections

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on behalf of...

Wike Condoles With Arise News Over Death Of News Anchor, Vows Killers Will Be Apprehended

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has...

20 Die, Several Missing in Kogi Boat Accident

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja At least 20 people have died...

Anambra Community to Bury Traditional Ruler October 9

The Oko community in Orumba North Local Government Area...

Security: Wike Lights Up Abuja Districts, Flags – Off integrated Solar Lighting Project

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, on...

Gov Sule Flags Off Bursary Disbursement, Reiterates Commitment to Education

By Abel Leonard, Lafia Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State...

North-Central APC Forum Urges Tinubu, NASS to Reject Calls for State Police

By Israel Adamu, Jos The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC)...

Africa’s infrastructure deficit takes spotlight at pre-G20 event

..Two-day side event in Johannesburg seeks to mobilize global...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img