CRISTIANO RONALDO is fighting to be fit to face old rivals Atletico Madrid tomorrow.
The Juventus star, 34, missed Saturday’s comeback win over Atalanta as Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala rescued the Old Lady.
Cristiano Ronaldo is desperate to be fit for Juventus’ game with Atletico Madrid as he tries to shake off a knee injuryCredit: EPA
Following an alleged spat with Maurizio Sarri – which they both denied – over his substitutions against Lokomotiv Moscow and Milan, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was left out of the matchday squad at the weekend.
Ronaldo has been struggling with a knee injury lately but got through both matches for Portugal during the recent international break, netting four goals to take his tally to 99.
He did, however, admit that he was still not 100 per cent, so the niggling problem – together with the feud with Sarri – meant he was not involved at Atalanta.
Tuttosport believe Ronaldo has been in training and wants to be involved in Turin tomorrow night after a turbulent few weeks.
And Sarri will also be desperate his star man is fully rested and recovered to take on Atletico.
The Juve boss said: “I hope Ronaldo will be back for the Champions League on Tuesday.
“He has this little problem that is above all affecting him in training, as he’s struggling to train consistently.
“A lot depends on how he feels, the fatigue and the need he has at any moment to rest.”
Ronaldo boasts an impressive record against Atleti.
In 34 appearances against Diego Simeone’s side, he has bagged a stunning 25 goals.
Of course, most of those came during his time at city-rivals Real Madrid, including in the Champions League final victory in 2014.
But he ensured he would be continually despised at the Wanda Metropolitano even after leaving Real for Juventus with his fourth hat-trick against Los Rojiblancos.
Down 2-0 from the first leg, Ronaldo’s treble fired his side into the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
And the aggro continued when Cristiano mocked Simeone by replicating the Argentine’s ‘cojones’ celebrating from the first leg.
The ex-Manchester United man could not find the net in the first group-stage meeting between Juventus and Atletico as the Spaniards fought back from 2-0 to salvage a draw.
So he will be determined to get back to his goalscoring ways and add to the 17 goals he has already scored this season.
Ronaldo bagged his 25th goal against Atletico when he completed his hat-trick in last season’s Champions League last 16Credit: EPA
Tuttosport reckon Ronaldo is back in full training and is ready to be involved in the big group-stage clash in TurinCredit: Tuttosport
Cristiano Ronaldo ‘leaves Juventus Stadium early’ as he was ‘annoyed’ at being subbed off for match-winner, Paulo Dybala
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
