Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri gives fitness update on Cristiano Ronaldo and says their relationship is ‘good’

Juventus remain unbeaten in Serie A this season

Karl Matchett
Monday 25 November 2019 18:05 GMT
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Maurizio Sarri wants to help Cristiano Ronaldo break more records at Juventus

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Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri has played down talk of any arguments between himself and key forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portuguese attacker reacted angrily after being substituted on a couple of occasions recently, but Sarri says there are no issues between the pair.

That follows on from Cristiano himself saying the same only last week, with both keen on emphasising the togetherness in the squad.

And speaking in his press conference ahead of Juve’s Champions League match with Atletico Madrid, Sarri said any irritation on the No. 7’s part about being replaced in-game was actually a positive.

“My relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo is good,” Sarri said.

“If a player who has won so much is angry about being substituted it means he still has a lot of motivation, and this is something positive.”

With Ronaldo having missed the weekend Serie A win over Atalanta due to a knee complaint, Sarri says it remains to be seen whether he features against a side he so often tormented while with city rivals Real.

“Yesterday, Cristiano trained with his team-mates. It seems that his condition is improving but we still have to evaluate between today and tomorrow.”

Gonzalo Higuain and Paulo Dybala started up front for Juventus on Saturday in Ronaldo’s absence, with both players getting on the scoresheet in the comeback win.

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