Cristiano Ronaldo did not kick off the game between Bologna and Juventus on Sunday evening. The attacker does belong to the match selection, but has been kept out of the starting eleven for ‘technical reasons’. It is a striking decision as Juventus fights for qualification for the Champions League group stage on the final day of play.
Ronaldo was four times on the bench at the start of a match at Juventus in three seasons. Technical director Fabio Paratici implies just before kick-off in an interview with Sky Italia that Ronaldo’s fatigue is the basis for Andrea Pirlo’s decision. The trainer has chosen a vanguard with Álvaro Morata and Paulo Dybala.
“Ronaldo is feeling good. We played five games in fifteen days and Wednesday’s game was exhausting”, Paratici refers to the won Coppa Italia final against Atalanta (1-2), in which Ronaldo participated for ninety minutes. “They have made this decision together with the coach. If necessary, he can come on the field as a substitute in the second half.”
Juventus is leading Bologna 0-2 at the time of writing, thanks to a goal from Federico Chiesa in the sixth minute and a goal from Morata after half an hour. Pirlo’s team must win and must also hope that AC Milan or Napoli will miss points, so that Juventus ends in the top four and qualifies for the Champions League.
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