Ronaldo double sinks Sassuolo

Ronaldo’s struggles in front of goal early in the season have been well documented this season, and Max Allegri opted to go with what is probably his most potent attack to help the record signing find the back of the net. Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic started alongside the Portuguese star.

However, in the first half, try as they might, they struggled to break down a very stubborn Sassuolo defence. Ronaldo was limited to a few headers from difficult positions, as well as a free kick which he will not want to see the replays of.

Indeed, it was Mandzukic who went closest, seeing an effort blocked from close range as the ‘Bianconeri’ struggled to get any penetration at all. Andrea Pirlo was the guest of honour in the stands, the midfielder won Serie A four times with Juve, but he can’t have been impressed with what he saw in the first half.

Luckily for him and everyone else in the stadium, Ronaldo came out in the second half a man on a mission. While he is known for his spectacular efforts, he won’t have cared how he broke his duck in Italy, and that is lucky because it came in some fortuitous circumstances.

A corner from the right was dealt with in comical fashion by the Sassuolo defence, heading the ball against the post and taking goalkeeper Consigli out of the equation.  It deflected along the goal line, and Ronaldo was there to stab the ball home. Neither he nor any of the Juventus fans will care about the nature of the goal, it is a weight lifted off his shoulders. The Allianz Arena exploded and the former Real Madrid man was off to the corner flag in jubilant celebration.

And if any questions remained over his goalscoring ability, he put them to bed minutes later. A swift counter attack was finished by Ronaldo, who placed a left-footed finish into the far corner to double the lead.

From this point, it seemed a question of how many more the seven-time champions would add, but some gilt-edged chances were missed. Ronaldo in particular had two sitters for a hat-trick that went begging.

It looked like it could cost them when Babacar brought Sassuolo back into the game in added time. But with only two minutes left the defence held firm and the points were staying in Turin, bar last one drama.

Douglas Costa had been booked following the visitors’ goal, and was sent off on the final whistle as VAR elected to upgrade the punishment. Confusion surrounding the decision quickly dissipated as the fans celebrated an almost perfect afternoon.

Ronaldo is off the mark, and teams in Serie A, as well as Valencia midweek in the Champions League, should look on with fear.

 

16 September 2018