Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri expressed his satisfaction with the performance of Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo in the away leg of the Italian Cup semi-final in football, despite his wasting a penalty against Milan on Friday.
In the first match of the league title holder in the last eight years, after stopping for about three months due to the outbreak of the new Corona virus, Juventus tied its stadium empty "Allianz" with its guest Milan negatively, so he qualified for the final to score a goal away from home (1-1) .
"He's not used to perhaps wasting penalty kicks," Sari said of Ronaldo, who missed a penalty in the 15th minute, which bounced off the post. "The shot on the post was going to lead anywhere, but he wasn't lucky."
Ronaldo, 35, was just the second kick missed by Juventus out of 16, since joining the "old lady" two seasons ago from Real Madrid.
Sari talked about changing the position of the best player in the world five times, "I asked Ronaldo to play a more central role. He was happy with his performance, and he played a game he needed at this time."
"I do not think that playing a few meters away from what is normal may make a big difference for a player with such strength," the former Chelsea boss continued.
Juventus defense tycoon Leonardo Bonucci defended his Portuguese teammate, "Even the great are wasting. Cristiano Ham is always ours. The pressure is increasing on the opponent's defenders. He was not lucky and Donnaroma (Milan keeper) did a good job."
Juventus will meet with the winner between Napoli and Inter (1-0 back), next Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.