Rome (AFP)
Defending Italian champions Juventus returned to Serie A victory over Spezia (3-0) at home on Tuesday and remain in contact with AC Milan (2nd) and Inter (1st) in the title race.
Pushed back to 10 points from the lead after their draw (1-1) on the lawn of Hellas Verona on Saturday, Juventus (3rd with 49 points) can still dream of a tenth consecutive scudetto, after their victory against the promoted , Spezia (16th, with 25 points).
By scoring the 767th goal of his career, the 20th this season in Serie A, Ronaldo has equaled the goalscoring record of Brazilian legend Pelé, top scorer in history.
Andrea Pirlo's men were jostled by an uninhibited Ligurian formation, which took the game to its own in the first period.
With a high pressing, which prevented the Turin construction, the men of Vincenzo Italiano long held the shock, before cracking in the second half.
Drafts in attack, the Bianconeri finally made the difference on the hour mark thanks to the return of the Spanish striker Alvaro Morata, sidelined because of a virus that made him unconscious in particular against Porto in the League champions.
The former Madrid player opened the scoring on his first ball in the 64th minute, picking up at the near post a good cross from Federico Bernardeschi, who had also just come into play.
The Italian international was once again decisive, serving Federico Chiesa perfectly on the penalty spot after a good overflow to his left side.
The former Fiorentina prodigy doubled the lead in two stages, beating Provedel right after the latter repelled his first cross strike.
After stumbling over the post in the first half, Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the victory for the Old Lady in the 89th minute, with a cross strike with his left foot.
Saturday, Juventus receives Lazio (7th) to try to follow up on this dynamic, after the meeting of Laziale against Torino could not be played because of numerous contaminations with Covid-19 in the Turin workforce.
© 2021 AFP