Italian Media’s Analysis of Ronaldo Debut With Juventus

DBasia.news – The most awaited debut in Europe football has answered. Cristiano Ronaldo had his first Serie A match with Juventus by visiting Marc’Antonio Bentegodi, home of Chievo Verona. Bianconeri won 3-2 against Chievo.

Out of expectation, Chievo gave a tight counter-attack toward the 7 times Serie A winner and the position was ahead 2-1 by the goal from Mariusz Stepinski and penalty kick of Emanuele Giaccherini, who returned fast the goal of Sami Khedira. Juve shocked and returned the situation by two additional goals and an own goal from Matteo Bani and Federico Bernardeschi.

Ronaldo didn’t score any goal. He wasn’t lazy and not creating the chance. He did many kicks to Chievo’s net and 4 of them on point. However, Stefano Sorrentino, whose nose cracked after the hit with Ronaldo, did great savings to eliminate Ronaldo’s goal debut.

Ronaldo’s movement was getting better when Massimiliano Allegri placed him as the left-wing striker, his best position, and put Mario Mandzukic as the central striker in the second round. From that match, Ronaldo learned one important fact: the difference between La Liga and Serie A.

Ronaldo must be realized the strategy and tight defensive in Italian clubs would make it difficult for him to score many goals like in the LaLiga. Though the fact, Ronaldo is still Ronaldo: world megastar who won 5 Ballon d’Or and 5 Champions League title.

“We started out rather intimidated by Juventus and by Cristiano Ronaldo, but as time went on we settled and created our opportunities,” Chievo coach Lorenzo D’Anna said. Sure, Ronaldo still has plenty of time to start his goal machine in Serie A.

It’s also important to remember, Ronaldo just trained at least for 7 days with Juventus, and he performed full-time with Chievo in his 33. Ronaldo’s arrival got various responses from the Italian media with different headlines:

1. La Gazzetta dello Sport

“A goalless debut for Ronaldo and Bernardeschi decisive in the 93rd minute. Cristiano, welcome to Italy. Enthusiastic fans, games that are never simple, with refereeing decisions that are controversial and send shivers down the spine.”

Ronaldo also mentioned as the superior player, though didn’t contribute enough for Juventus’ victory.

2. La Repubblica

Giving 6,5/10, La Repubblica stated their analysis.

“Played well starting out on the left and drifting towards the middle. Similar to what Dybala does, but on the other wing. Juventus will play with a 4-2-4 because Douglas Costa and Cuadrado are further forward in attack. Ronaldo played well but Bernardeschi was decisive.”

3. Corriere dello Sport

Rather than highlighting Ronaldo, they admitted the match wasn’t all about Ronaldo. “Until that point, the game had been dominated by the figure of Cristiano Ronaldo. The big star of the afternoon in Verona.”

4. La Stampa

Besides highlighting Juve’s 2 goals loss in highlight in the Serie A opening match since 1998, La Stampa also gave a warm welcome to Ronaldo.

“But that is the least of it for a Juve side that has yet to find the necessary balance with Ronaldo on the pitch. The Portuguese did everything he could to leave his mark, but he quickly discovered that Serie A is not the same as LaLiga.”