DBasia.news – Cristiano Ronaldo surprisingly only played as a substitute when Juventus played their inaugural Serie A 2021-2022. This condition makes his future raises a question mark.
Juventus started the new season less smoothly when they traveled to Udinese headquarters in Friuli, Sunday (22/8) night WIB. The Bianconeri only brought home one point after a 2-2 draw.
This is the second official debut of Massimiliano Allegri’s Juventus. The coach immediately gave a surprise in the composition of the starting line-up.
Allegri prefers the duo of Alvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala as the spearhead in a 4-4-2 formation. He was willing to back up Ronaldo, who was Juventus’ top scorer last season.
According to news circulating, the decision to reserve Ronaldo was at the request of the player himself. But slanted news related to the future of the 36-year-old player also surfaced.
What is clear is that Allegri’s gambling bore fruit in the first half. Juventus were able to steal two goals through the actions of Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado.
Allegri then brought on Ronaldo in the 59th minute and pulled Morata off. At that time the position was 1-2 for Juventus after Roberto Pereyra reduced the position through a penalty.
Udinese were then able to equalize seven minutes before normal time ended. Wojchiech Szczesny’s blunder could be exploited by Gerard Deulofeu.
Ronaldo had scored Juventus’ winning goal through a header in injury time. But the referee annulled it after checking VAR.
Allegri explanation
Juventus’ failure to get full points in the first week is certainly unfortunate. However, the spotlight related to the substitution of Ronaldo is more interesting.
Allegri considered this decision purely tactical reasons. He said he had no problem with that.
“Ronaldo feels fine. I spoke to him before the game, told him he would start from the bench,” Allegri said after the game.
“He made himself available and did well on the pitch. He also scored, but it was disallowed.”
Ronaldo’s future is indeed one of the highlights in the transfer market this summer. The former Real Madrid player reportedly wants to leave after two consecutive seasons of being eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League.
But Ronaldo’s desire does not seem to be easily realized. Pavel Nedved as vice president of the club has confirmed Juventus’ intention to keep him.
“We have decided together with Ronaldo. It’s normal, Ronaldo will 100% stay here,” Nedved told DAZN.