Juventus – Porto. Italians dropped out. What’s next for Ronaldo and Pirlo? UEFA Champions League

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Juventus was losing 1: 2 after the first clash. But he had in his midst a man who was capable of things – at first glance – impossible. Cristiano Ronaldo has proven many times that he is able to change the fate of the most important matches on his own. And with the current team, he has done it before. In March 2019, Atletico defeated Juve 2-0 in the first match of the 1/16 final of the LM. The Portuguese did miracles in return. He scored a hattrick and sent his team on.

This time there were no such great events. The 36-year-old Portuguese was initially invisible. He was a bit tired, and so were his teammates. In the end, he managed to break, scored an assist with the equalizer. And it all started! Porto’s red card, 91st-minute unrecognized goal, two extra-time hits. But in the end, the Italians sensationally dropped out with the Portuguese who played the ten, who had something to celebrate after the final whistle. Quite different moods prevailed in Turin.

Juventus has to prepare for a few harsh days. The Italian media will express their dissatisfaction. Such a big club simply does not fit to drop out of the most important club competitions in March. In addition, playing for so long in an advantage. The Old Lady’s problems, however, may not yet begin. And criticism of the media will be the least of the problems.

First, there has been a lot of talk lately about Ronaldo being able to say goodbye to Juventus. He earns too much for the current pandemic times: 30 million euros per season. And the defeat in the Champions League deprived Juve of a huge injection of money. In the current situation, the Italians will certainly not get back the EUR 100 million for which they bought the CR7. They will have to console themselves with some part of that amount. Apart from that, there is also the sports aspect. Ronaldo might not swallow such a bitter pill. No national championship, not even reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League. In addition, CR7 missed a goal in the LM knockout stage for the first time since 2006. The Portuguese may just be fed up and will end his three-year adventure with Juventus. Especially since he only has one year left to the end of his contract.

Second, Andrea Pirlo is sitting in an even hotter chair. The 41-year-old coach of the Old Lady leads the team for the first season. And it may not even survive to its end. Juventus did win the Italian Super Cup, it is in the Italian Cup final, but let’s be honest – it’s just an appetizer. The club officials will have no mercy for him. And it’s hard to believe in a wonderful variation of Juventus. They lose 10 points to the leader in Serie A Inter. Now they have dropped out of the Champions League. It is possible that Pirlo will say goodbye to the club in March.

At first glance, the club is losing two legendary football figures. On the other hand, maybe it’s time for a new opening? Ronaldo’s departure from Juventus does not have to cause a crater at the club. Other, younger players are waiting for his place. For example Federico Chiesa, the scorer of all Juventus goals in the 1/8 finals of this year’s Champions League.

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