Juventus’ Giorgio Chiellini feels team mate Cristiano Ronaldo helps the side to go beyond their limits and motivates everyone to better on and off the pitch.
Cristiano Ronaldo had his struggles against Serie A newcomers Frosinone, but Juventus’ new superstar couldn’t be denied in a dramatic victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo will not be given a rest by Juventus ahead of their top-of-the-table Serie A game against Napoli on Saturday, coach Massimiliano Allegri said.
Ronaldo scored his third goal in five league games on Sunday when he broke the deadlock in a 2-0 win over Frosinone.
He has played the full 90 minutes in all of Juve’s games this season, apart from their Champions League win at Valencia in which he was sent off after half an hour, but Allegri said he is not in need of a break and will start against Bologna on Wednesday.
“It’s still only the start of the season, he’s not going to be available in the Champions League and he’s in good shape anyway,” Allegri said at a news conference on Tuesday. “He needs to be playing and scoring goals and that is why he will play tomorrow.”
Paulo Dybala, who has partnered Ronaldo in Juve’s past two Serie A games, will also play.
“I think he had a decent game at Frosinone,” Allegri said. “He didn’t score, but he had a few shots. He needs to be playing because that’s how you get into a rhythm and into form.”
Allegri also said goalkeeper Mattia Perin will make his debut as Wojciech Szczesny rests, and Rodrigo Bentancur and Andrea Barzagli could also start as Allegri rotates his side ahead of Napoli’s visit on Saturday and the subsequent clash with Young Boys in the Champions League.
“As for the rest, Blaise Matuidi will come back in and I need to pick one between Miralem Pjanic and Emre Can,” Allegri said. “[Giorgio] Chiellini will sit it out and there is a doubt over Alex Sandro, so if I rest him, [Joao] Cancelo will move over to the right — that is, unless I play with [Federico] Bernardeschi.”
Juve have won all six of their competitive fixtures this season and are already three points clear of Napoli at the top of Serie A.
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