Cristiano Ronaldo raises the volume at Juventus just as the Champions League comes back into view

The 33-year-old finally got off the mark for his new club against Sassuolo and is ready for another assault on Europe's elite club competition

There was a strange atmosphere at Juventus Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Supporters who made their way through the gates and up the hill were clearly excited to be able to witness their team back in action, the two-week international break interrupting a Serie A season that had barely gotten underway. The Bianconeri had played just three games before it and only one of those came at home, meaning the visit of Sassuolo was only the second time these fans had been able to see their new-look side in action.

They cheered every name as the lineups were read out and sang the club anthem with gusto, but as the clock struck 3pm and the referee got the game underway, silence descended upon the ground. Why? Because the Ultras had decided not to sing or wave their flags, for once taking a chance to sit quietly in their seats rather than stand, jump around and enjoy 90 minutes in their usual inimitable fashion.

Wearing plain white shirts, their “elegant protest” was against the massive rise in ticket prices they have endured this term, the club increasing most by around 35 per cent, and fuelling fears that the stadium is becoming more and more like a theatre.

Of course, Bianconeri supporters have been given a new leading man this summer, but Cristiano Ronaldo had been struggling with his lines, failing to score in his first three competitive outings since leaving Real Madrid. Despite his team-mates attempting to force-feed him the ball, he was largely a non-factor in a tepid first half against Sassuolo too, but a complete change in the stands during half time seemed to inspire him.

After 45 minutes, the Ultras ended their boycott, ditching the formal attire and once again getting behind the team. It clearly worked too as a Juve side that had been dour and insipid suddenly sprang to life, creating chances for Mario Mandzukic and Sami Khedira within minutes of the restart.

But, inevitably, it was Ronaldo who opened the scoring, capitalising on a terrible mix up in the Sassuolo defence to stab home one of the easiest goals of his career from two yards out. He didn’t care, wheeling away in a mixture of delight and relief, launching into his trademark celebration as if he had slammed the ball in from the halfway line.

Cristiano Ronaldo in action against Sassuolo (Reuters)

It seemed to free up the entire team, who played much better after that goal. It was no surprise that 15 minutes later Ronaldo doubled their advantage, slotting past goalkeeper Andrea Consigli following a swift counter-attack by the home side and delighting Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri.

"He came very close in his first three games," Allegri told reporters at his post-match press conference. "I think he rushed a couple of chances today, it looked like he was absolutely desperate to score. Football has a way of evening things out and that was the story of the first goal, with the ball bouncing off the post and sitting up for him. The second goal was brilliant though, I’m happy for him.”

The Italian press enjoyed it too, the three main sports papers putting his face on the front cover of their Monday editions. La Gazzetta dello Sport labelled him “CR2” after his brace and believe Ronaldo has “Juve Flying,” while the headline on Turin-based publication Tuttosport simply read “Here I Am!”

The man himself was equally pleased, admitting to Sky Italia that he “wanted to score, but the most important thing is to perform well and win matches”. They did just that once again, winning their first four consecutive Serie A games and now have the club’s record signing rounding into form just as European competition prepares to get underway.

Drawn in the same Champions League group as Manchester United and Swiss side Young Boys, Juve’s campaign begins with a trip to Valencia on Wednesday night and their No.7 is looking forward to being back in Spain to chase a trophy he has won in each of the last three seasons. ”It’s the competition I love the most," Ronaldo added on Sunday. "I hope we get a bit of luck. We don’t have an easy group, but I can’t wait.”

Nor can those same supporters, desperate to end a 22-year wait for glory in Uefa’s elite competition and looking forward to trips to the Mestalla and Old Trafford with Ronaldo now back among the goals. Who knows, it might even be enough to get them singing for a whole match.