Sarri: 'Ronaldo left to cool off'
By Football Italia staff
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo will miss tomorrow’s match against Atalanta. “Certain players need to be left to cool off.”
Ronaldos fitness has come under the spotlight after Sarri alleged he was nursing a knee injury, yet he scored for Portugal during the international break and denied there was anything wrong with him.
The pair have since come back in contact and the former Napoli boss made it clear he had no reason to sit down with his No 7.
“There’s no need to clarify anything with Ronaldo. Certain players need to be left to cool off,” he said at a Press conference.
On the other hand, the 60-year-old did concede the forward had returned from international duty with the same issue that saw him controversially subbed off against Milan.
“The problem is that on Tuesday, he told us that he was still not feeling well.
“Our objective is to have him back for the Champions League. I’m 99 percent sure he won’t make it tomorrow.”
Sarri also announced Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi would be fit for the trip to Bergamo but cast doubt over Adrien Rabiot and Juan Cuadrado.
“There are some players with a few issues.
Alex Sandro’s problem is less serious than we initially feared, whilst [Adrien] Rabiot has a problem with his adductor.
“
[Juan] Cuadrado is struggling with pain in his back, but [Miralem] Pjanic will be available.
“[Blaise] Matuidi is in some pain, but his character will get him through it. He will be available.”
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Sarri: 'Atalanta are painful!'
By Football Italia staff
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri says he is in agreement with Pep Guardiola’s assessment, that facing Atalanta is like a trip to the dentist.
Atalanta held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the Champions League earlier in November,
and captain Alejandro Gomez claimed to have been told by Guardiola that he did not enjoy the game.
“To call Atalanta ‘annoying’ is an understatement,” Sarri said before Juve’s match in Bergamo tomorrow.
“The best description was given by Guardiola, that facing them is like going to the dentist.
“They are a technically good side, as well as being aggressive.”
Despite the Bianconeri sitting top of Serie A, critics claim ‘Sarriball’ has yet to truly descend on Turin...
“Growth is always the defined by moments, not by a constant line,” the 60-year-old argued.
“We want to play a certain type of football, but we can’t go against the nature of the players.
“It takes the right compromise. I’ve always done defensive work, for me it’s not news to have the best defence in the League.
“Changing the mentality for a single opponent is impossible.”