CRISTIANO RONALDO looked stony-faced as his manager Maurizio Sarri chatted to him during a Juventus training session.
The striker is hoping to start for the Italian giants in their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid tomorrow.
Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t appear to be fully focused as his boss Maurizio Sarri chatted awayCredit: AFP
The Juventus boss seemed to be giving his striker some instructions during the training sessionCredit: Reuters
Following an alleged spat 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.
Gonzalo Higuain scored twice with Paulo Dybala, the man who replaced Ronaldo against Lokomotiv, also scoring in a 3-1 win against Atalanta.
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.
Maurizio Sarri has denied there is any tension between him and his star strikerCredit: AFP
Cristiano Ronaldo is in a race to be fit to play for Juventus against Atletico MadridCredit: AFP
RACE TO BE FIT
But speaking at a press conference today, Sarri was positive his star man could be fit to face Atletico.
The former Chelsea chief said: “Yesterday he did the training sessions with his team-mates. He seems to be growing [stronger].
“We will evaluate it between today and tomorrow to see if we have solved it, but the fact that yesterday he did all the training with his team-mates is very positive.
“I think and hope there will be no repercussions.”
Ronaldo even tweeted out that he was “back” as he shared photos of him training.
SARRI DISPELS PROBLEMS
And, as reported by Goal, Sarri rejected any rumours that there are tensions between him and CR7.
He added: “My relationship with Cristiano is good.
“If a player who has won so much is angry about being substituted it means he still has a lot of motivation and this is something positive.
“It is 25 years I have seen players get angry over substitutions.”
Ronaldo, who has been linked with a sensational move back to Manchester United, 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.
Five reasons why Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer back to Man Utd could be on – including Ferguson and Juventus troubles
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
