CRISTIANO RONALDO and Paulo Dybala were caught slamming their midfield during their shock Champions League defeat to Lyon.
Under pressure Maurizio Sarri is facing an uphill battle in the second-leg after watching his side crash to a 1-0 loss.
Ronaldo and Dybala were locked in conversation during half-time
The gaffer is under serious scrutiny to perform well in Europe as they bid to end their 24-year wait to lift the famous trophy.
And it appears that pressure is filtering down to the squad following footage doing the rounds online.
While waiting for the second half to begin, five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo can be seen locked in conversation with fellow star player Dybala.
Ronaldo initiates it by saying: “We are left alone out there, the midfielders are giving us no support.”
The Argentine then responded: “Nobody is getting the ball.”
Ronaldo, 35, then added: “I know, not even the second balls, nothing.”
Sarri risked damaging morale among the squad after the contest by attacking his players publically.
He said: “I don’t know why I cannot get the players to understand the importance of moving the ball quickly.
“This is fundamental, we’ll keep working on it and sooner or later this concept will get into their heads.
“I continued to tell them, and there were many who were doing it, moving the ball too slowly and therefore getting into the wrong positions.”
Reports in Italy claim that Sarri’s outspoken approach could come back to haunt him as they eye a return for former boss Max Allegri.
They sit second in the league, two points behind Lazio but have played a game less.
It was suggested a bad result against Inter Milan may force the board to make a change but the game was called off over coronavirus fears.
Ronaldo’s side are facing an uphill battle to knock out LyonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
