Fabio Capello criticises Cristiano Ronaldo and defends Maurizio Sarri’s decision to substitute him

Ronaldo reacted angrily after being substituted during Juventus’ win over AC Milan

Harry Latham-Coyle
Monday 11 November 2019 12:45 GMT
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(Reuters)

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Fabio Capello has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and said Maurizio Sarri was right to take the Portuguese forward off.

Ronaldo reacted angrily to Sarri's decision to substitute him 55 minutes into Juventus' game against AC Milan, leaving the stadium before full-time.

And Capello has supported Sarri's choice to take off Ronaldo, saying that he had not dribbled past anyone "in the last three years".

"[Cristiano] is a great champion, nobody argues with that, but he hasn't dribbled past anyone in the last three years," Capello told Sky Sport Italia.

"At the moment he isn't at his best and it is normal to replace him. Sarri doesn't need to be brave or show his personality to make that change.

"It's not nice that he didn't sit on the bench [after being taken off] and argued with Sarri.

"One has to be a champion even when he is replaced, not only when things are going well. He must respect his team-mates."

Ronaldo was also replaced during Juventus' Champions League game against Lokomotiv Moscow, on both occasions replaced by Paulo Dybala with the game level.

Yesterday Dybala scored an excellent goal to edge out Milan and ensure Juventus go into the international break top of Serie A.

The 1-0 victory took the Turin-based side back ahead of Inter Milan at the top of the table.

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