Substitution ‘palava’: Ronaldo angry with Juve coach Pirlo

Cristiano Ronaldo was left fuming after Juventus manager, Andrea Pirlo, subbed him off while chasing a hat-trick against Inter Milan.

But the Italian boss hit back by roaring: “There’s no contract clause that says he can’t be taken off.”

The Portuguese superstar, 35, scored twice in Juventus’ 2-1 Coppa Italia semi-final first-leg win at the San Siro, sparking wild celebrations from son, Cristiano Jr.

But boss Pirlo hauled Ronaldo off with 15 minutes to play and the forward desperately chasing a third goal.

The ex-Real Madrid ace was clearly unhappy and could be seen raging as he trudged off the pitch, replaced by Alvaro Morata.

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With a furrowed brow, Ronaldo shook his head and clenched his jaw as he headed to the bench.

Ronaldo – set to be offered a new contract taking him to the age of 38 – took a jacket from one of the coaching staff, before aiming some words towards Pirlo.

But Pirlo has suggested he was well within his rights to take off his star man.

The Juventus boss said: “There is no contract clause that says he can’t be subbed off.

“He knows he is a fundamental player for us but to get his breath back, he must always be at the top.

“He proved it with his performances after some criticism. He couldn’t have done better than that.

“I said [to him] that he had to rest, we have an important match on Saturday.

“He has played many consecutive games, every now and then a little rest is good for him.”

Juventus currently sit fourth in Serie A and take on high-flying Roma on Saturday.

Roma sit one point and one place above Juve – although Pirlo and Co have a game in hand.

Juventus then host Inter Milan in the second-leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday.