Ronaldo out ahead of Juve’s crucial match against Atalanta

With only three points away from the fifth-placed Napoli, Juventus still have not secured a Champions League spot, the only goal which is left for the Old Lady this season, apart from the Coppa Italia Final and the crucial match for Andrea Pirlo’s men is coming up on Sunday: a game against in-form Atalanta, who are just a point behind Juve.

What is more worrying for the Italian tactician is that Cristiano Ronaldo will not be fit for this game and with Federico Bernardeschi out with Covid-19, Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata are the only forwards available for Pirlo for Sunday.

“We have an important absentee. Cristiano will not be taking part in the game due to a problem with his flexor. It would be too risky for us to bring him to Bergamo. We hope he can recover for Wednesday. Cristiano’s issue arose after the last game. He wasn’t able to ‘push’ the way he wanted to in training this week and we prefer not to risk it. The internationals didn't help, he's been playing a lot lately. Dybala will start” Pirlo said.

No Ronaldo – No problem! That’s the main message from Gian Piero Gasperini’s press conference. Atalanta coach has injury-free squad for the Juve match, but he sees Dybala as more dangerous than Ronaldo.

“I trained Paulo Dybala at Palermo, so I knew even then he was destined for greatness. You can discuss many things, but don’t doubt Dybala’s talent. He has this way of shooting, he always gets it on target. I’d have preferred it if he’d been out“ said Gasperini, who will face another match against his former club soon, but this time in Coppa Italia Final.

And while Juventus and Atalanta will battle for the third spot, Napoli has a tough task of surpassing both clubs for the Champions League spot. Neapolitans are playing with the league leaders Inter on Sunday, and Antonio Conte’s men are currently on an 11-game winning streak. But, the head coach is still been criticized for playing too defensive.

"I realized that it’s all about me, that’s the basic problem. I don’t mind that, as long as they don’t touch Inter. There are still many points up for grabs and we’ll go to Napoli for the victory. We cannot start calculating or holding back, because my experience tells me that is counter-productive. Napoli have one of the best squads in Serie A and I put them among the favourites for the Scudetto at the start of the season“ said Conte.

Milan has the easiest game of all five teams at the top of the Serie A, at least on paper. The Rossoneri are hosting a mediocre Genoa team, and that is why coach Stefano Pioli is warning his players, especially after Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t be able to play. The Swede is suspended, while Mario Mandžukic is back, but not fit for 90 minutes, so Rafael Leao will start.

"I remain convinced Leao is improving and puts much more desire into the game than last season. We have a big objective to achieve and I saw the team with the right level of worry, the kind when you know that it’s a big test you must prepare for. Genoa are a side with a lot of quality and who did well under Davide Ballardini. Genoa are a physical outfit and will be difficult to beat” said Pioli.

SERIE A - ROUND 31

Saturday

Crotone - Udinese 1-2 (0-1)

/Simy 68 - De Paul 41, 74/

Sampdoria - Verona 3-1(0-1)

/Jankto 46, Gabbiadini 73(p), Thorsby 82 - Lazovic 13/

Sassuolo - Fiorentina 3-1 (0-1)

/Berardi 59(p), 62(p), Lopez 75 - Bonaventura 31/

Cagliari - Parma 4-3 (1-2)

/Pavoleti 31, Marin 66, Pereiro 90+1, Cerry 90+4 - Pezzela 24, Kucka 31, Man 59/

Sunday

13.30 Milan - Genoa

16.00 Atalanta - Juventus

16.00 Bologna - Spezia

16.00 Lazio - Benevento

19.00 Torino - Roma

21.45 Napoli - Inter