Juventus Swallows a Defeat When Not Strengthened by Cristiano Ronaldo

DBasia.news –  Without the Portuguese superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus swallowed a 1-2 defeat to SPAL at Stadio Paolo Mazza, on Week 32 of Serie A, Saturday (13/4) evening WIB.

Being ahead of Moise Kean’s goal in the 30th minute, SPAL turned 2-1 ahead with goals from Kevin Bonifazl (49 ‘) and Sergio Floccari (74’). It became Kean’s sixth goal in the last six games for Juventus and the Italian national team.

Kean made a total of eight appearances in Serie A and scored six goals. Playing for 304 minutes, Kean scored every 50.6 minutes, released 13 kicks and his 2.16 shot scored.

But Kean’s goal sharpness was tarnished by the second defeat Juventus felt this season in Serie A. The defeat delayed the La Vecchia Signora Scudetto.

However, Juventus can still break the record as the fastest team to win the Serie A title, if Napoli fail to beat Chievo Verona (14/4) at 23.00 WIB. Leaving six more matches – a record of five matches – Juve can embrace the eighth Scudetto in a row.

Only two defeats suffered so far by Massimiliano Allegri’s landing team. But, the defeat of Genoa (0-2) and SPAL, uniquely, occurred when Allegri had the intention to rest Ronaldo, the top scorer who has scored 19 goals in Serie A.

The 34-year-old was rested after a fight against Ajax Amsterdam in the Champions League quarter-final first leg – Ronaldo scored one goal in a 1-1 draw in Amsterdam. Allegri also prepared him to be fit against Ajax in the second leg, Wednesday (17/4) WIB.

However, Juventus wouldn’t have suffered the defeat if Ronaldo was sidelined with injury or card accumulation – not because he was rested. The proof, Juve still won victory against Empoli (1-0), Cagliari (2-0), and AC Milan (2-1) without Ronaldo.

Allegri slightly regretted the defeat of SPAL, but was not too worried qw Juve are currently focused on Ajax at Juventus Stadium.

“On the second goal, we made a few mistakes, but we played a great first round and (showed) a good reaction. All the players performed well, we regretted this defeat, but we got results from this lack of experience,” Allegri said on Juve’s official website.

“Making a record is very difficult, you have to spend energy and there is European competition to think about. If we play all the core players, it will be easier to win, but there is a goal to be achieved on Tuesday. We have won 27 wins, three draws and two losses and that is an impressive record, “he stressed.