Leonardo Bonucci has told Cristiano Ronaldo he will "suffer some blows" if the two meet on the international stage.
Italy and Portugal are both having to secure their place at next winter's World Cup via the play-offs but are poised to meet in a winner takes all clash.
Bonucci and Ronaldo were teammates for three years at Juventus before the latter left in the summer.
The Old Lady are now in the midst of a transitional phase with Ronaldo's exit leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many.
Manchester United's No 7 is set to come up against several of his former teammates with Bonucci making it clear what he should expect.
He told Rai Sport: "I heard Cristiano Ronaldo and we joked about the possible Portugal vs Italy match, we'll see what happens on the pitch, Cristiano knows he will suffer some blows."
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"We have to concentrate on what we will do on the pitch, then in March we will meet again and I am convinced that we will play two great matches."
Ronaldo helped Juventus win Serie A in his first two years before they were dethroned in his final year.
He also failed in his ultimate goal which was to deliver the Champions League as the Italian side now feel the affects financially of having the Portuguese star on their payroll.
Ronaldo, known for his individual brilliance, has been accused by his former teammates of superseding the team as a collective.
Bouncci told Sky Italia in October that Juventus were more of a team minus the 36-year-old.
"It's absolutely true," he said.
"In the recent past we had lost this characteristic from Juve, we were playing with a great champion like CR7 and we wanted to put him in a position to always do well, thinking he could solve all the matches.
"This year we are rediscovering that right humility that it serves to regain victory."
That sentiment has been echoed by Gianluigi Buffon, who claims Juventus lost their DNA when Ronaldo was present.
He said: "I worked with Ronaldo for two years and we did well together, but I think Juventus lost that DNA of being a team.
"We reached the Champions League final in 2017 because we were a side full of experience, but above all we were a single unit and there was this competition for places within the group that was very strong. We lost that with Ronaldo."
