Cristian Ronaldo has been left out of the Juventus squad that would face Atalanta this Saturday in a Seria A league clash.
According to Juventus manager, Maurizio Sarri, Ronaldo was dropped to enable him to focus on next Tuesday’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
“There’s no need to clarify anything with Ronaldo. Certain players need to be left to cool off,” Sarri said.
“The problem is that, on Tuesday, he told us that he was still not feeling good. Our objective is to have him back for the Champions League. I’m 99 percent sure he won’t make it tomorrow.”
Sarri has claimed Ronaldo was carrying a niggling knee injury before the international break, something the player had repeatedly denied.
It appears the pair’s bust-up prior to the break, which saw the Juventus boss substituting Ronaldo twice in a week is yet to settle.
Ronaldo returned to Turin last Tuesday after helping Portugal qualify for the 2020 European championship.
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He apologised for his conduct even though he stated no player likes to be susbstituted.