SPAL 1 – 2 JUVENTUS [SERIE A] HIGHLIGHTS 2019/20

0 KIKI minaj Sunday, February 23, 2020

Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 1,000th career appearance with a goal as Juventus beat rock-bottom SPAL 2-1 to move four points clear at the top of Serie A.

The Portugal superstar, rested for the 2-0 win over Brescia last time out, scored in an 11th consecutive Italian top-flight game, matching a feat previously achieved by Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella.

Maurzio Sarri’s side, who were far from convincing, added a second through Aaron Ramsey before Andrea Petagna’s penalty offered SPAL late, but ultimately fruitless, hope.

The reigning champions will now watch on with interest when title rivals Lazio and Inter both play on Sunday.

SPAL started brightly as Petagna tested Wojciech Szczesny inside the opening three minutes.

However, Ronaldo, who scored in the reverse fixture back in September, had a goal ruled out for offside at the other end, while the unmarked Juan Cuadrado blasted high and wide with an ugly first-time effort.

Juve began to build pressure and SPAL had to put their bodies on the line to thwart Cuadrado, with Etrit Berisha smothering the Colombian’s deflected shot.

Szczesny had a brief scare when Gabriel Strefezza’s low strike threatened to nutmeg him, but the Pole recovered just in time.

After Paulo Dybala had struck the post with a curler, Ronaldo celebrated his milestone outing – his 1,000th for club and country – with a measured 39th-minute finish at the end of a move instigated by Ramsey, with Cuadrado providing the assist.

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