Udinese vs Juventus: Cristiano Ronaldo scores on return to line-up
Cristiano Ronaldo scored Juventus' second goal in a 2-0 win at Udinese to extend the Bianconeri's perfect start in Serie A on Saturday.
Shortly before the break, Ronaldo blasted a powerful shot from 10 yards past Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet.
Immediately after scoring, Ronaldo signaled for his teammates to give him some space so he could go celebrate in front of a TV camera, leaping into the air with an emphatic double fist pump.
The goal was met by a mix of applause and boos inside Dacia Arena. Relive the drama below.
Cristiano Ronaldo returns to action for Juve after missing out in midweek through suspension, as Juventus take on struggling Udinese in Serie A. Follow all the latest from this game as well as Alaves vs Real Madrid and other European updates. Full team news coming right up...
Former West Ham and Watford midfielder Valon Behrami snaps into a tackle. The Swiss international is looking as lively as ever at the heart of this Udinese side,
More pressure from Juventus. A free-kick is sent deep into the Udinese box and headed away for a corner. Mandzukic is then adjudged to have fouled Behrami and the home side clear.
There's that famous Ronaldo leap. The former Real Madrid man gets up high to meet Cancelo's cross but heads over the bar. It would have been some goal if he'd managed to direct it on target.
Udinese aren't happy here. Ronaldo takes on Behrami but stops in his tracks as the midfielder drags him back. The resulting free-kick is flicked on by Ronaldo but Matuidi is unable to make anything of it.
The match will be shown live on Eleven Sports 2, with coverage starting from 4:50pm. Eleven Sports subscribers can also watch the game via the online video player or the Eleven Sports app.
Highlights will be shown at 10pm on Eleven Sports 1 and at 11:30pm on Eleven Sports 2.
It’s a big game for…
Leonardo Bonucci: The centre-back did manage to get on the score sheet against Napoli but he had a much more torrid time in his own area. The 31-year-old made a critical error that led to Dries Mertens’ opener and looked shaky for the remainder of the match. An altercation with Allan may have made a bad day worse, and while Udinese may not pose the biggest threat the Italian will need to sharpen up his game to avoid handing the opposition any chances.
Leonardo Bonucci celebrates after scoring against Napoli (Getty)
Remember when…
Paul Pogba has been spoken about lately for mostly the wrong reasons so far this season, but he made the Juventus faithful purr at his ability during his time in Turin. This double from the Frenchman in January 2013 ended up in a 4-0 rout, but they were goals worthy of settling most football ties.
Player to watch…
Paulo Dybala: The Argentine has played second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo for much of the season but he was in flying form against Young Boys in midweek. The 24-year-old has stated this week that his relationship with the Portuguese is a work in progress, but he will be close to being the finished article if he delivers similar performances to the one against the Swiss outfit.
Paolo Dybala celebrates after scoring against Young Boys (Getty)
Past three-meetings…
Juventus 2 (Dybala x2) Udinese 0, Serie A, March 2018
Udinese 2 (Perica, Danilo) Juventus 6 (Samir og, Khedira x3, Rugani, Pjanic), Serie A, October 2017
Udinese 1 (Zapata) Juventus 1 (Bonucci), Serie A, March 2017
Odds…
Udinese to win: 8/1
Juventus to win: 7/20
Draw: 18/5
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
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