Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo denies the positive test result for the Portugal international ahead of an important clash with Barcelona.
Cristiano Ronaldo might still be available for the Champions League clash against Barcelona. As everyone awaits the reunion of Lionel Messi and the Juventus star, the game will take place next week.
Initially, Ronaldo tested positive while on international representation for Portugal. Consequently, he has not played two games after that.
However, in the absence of the five-time Ballon d’Or man, Juventus drew 1-1 vs new side Crotone. Also, Andrea Pirlo’s men beat Dynamo Kyiv 2-0 in the Champions League opener.
Sadness further increased, as some reports from Spain indicated that Ronaldo would miss Wednesday’s battle.
He might play.
Nevertheless, Pirlo mentioned that Juve is still waiting for the latest round of tests. Subsequently, the Portugal international might feature on the biggest stage if he returns negative 24 hours before the game.
“As far as Cristiano Ronaldo is concerned, there has been no news. We await the results of the swabs,” Pirlo told reporters on Saturday.
“We did them this morning. He underwent the test at his home and if there is new news it will be communicated.”
Moreover, Paulo Dybala is set to make his first Serie A appearance vs Hellas Verona this weekend.
Furthermore, Pirlo revealed that the Argentine did not show signs of happiness after exclusion from Crotone last week.
“Dybala will play,” Pirlo said. “He just needed to train. He didn’t have much time to work with us and on a couple of occasions there was no way to bring him on because we had some red cards.
“In Kiev on Tuesday he was back on the pitch. Now he is recovered and well, it is right that he plays from the beginning.”
Additionally, Dybala will collaborate with new signing Alvaro Morata in the final third. The Spanish international evidently netted two goals for Juventus against Kyiv.
“Was I expecting Morata to play like this? This is why we bought him. We already knew that he was a great player and with his characteristics, he can link up well with Dybala.”
In addition, Pirlo said that defenders Alex Sandro and Matthijs de Ligt are in good rehabilitation. It will be interesting to see if Ronaldo will meet his old rival in the European competition.
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