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SERIE A: Ronaldo Ends Juve Goal Drought, Fires Brace against Sassuolo
Ronaldo, goalless in his first three games since his move from Real Madrid, tapped in shortly after half-time.
The 33-year-old then finished off a rapid counter-attack by shooting into the bottom corner after 65 minutes.
Ronaldo had been on the pitch for 320 minutes in Serie A this season before scoring his first goal since his remarkable summer move.
The wait ended with his 28th attempt of the league season but he had looked increasingly frustrated in the first half at his failure to find the net.
Ronaldo’s first effort of the match in the sixth minute was blocked. He then failed to direct a header on goal and in the 27th minute struck an ambitious free-kick wide from 35 yards.
But his first goal in Juve colours could hardly have been simpler after Sassuolo failed to deal with a corner. Gianmarco Ferrari headed the ball on to his own post and it rebounded to Ronaldo unmarked inside the six-yard box for the forward to tap home.
His second was more typical as he showed excellent pace to keep up his side’s counter-attack and coolly finished low past the goalkeeper.
The crowd celebrated Ronaldo’s first goals for the club wildly, while the forward’s girlfriend and son were also in the stands to witness the moment.
“I was a little bit anxious as expectations were high,” said Ronaldo. “I really wanted to score, so I’m happy.
“Of course, there was attention after my arrival in Turin, but life is like that.
“I’m happy. I’m working well and my team-mates help me to adapt to this championship.”
Sassuolo pulled one back in added time via Khouma Babacar and Douglas Costa was sent off but the hosts held on.
Juve’s Brazilian winger was dismissed after a video assistant referee intervention for spitting at Federico di Francesco, having aimed a headbutt at the same player and appeared to try to elbow him.
Ronaldo could have completed a hat-trick late on but missed two easy chances from inside the penalty area.
The win is Juventus’ fourth from four games this season.
The game ended remarkably with substitute Costa twice to the fore, before and after Sassuolo’s goal.
First the Brazilian made a dangerous lunging tackle on Di Francesco in the build-up to the goal.
As Di Francesco got to his feet Costa appeared to throw an elbow into the face of the Italian and then aimed a headbutt at the player in front of the referee.
Costa was initially shown a yellow card but, when moments later replays showed him spitting into the face of Di Francesco, he was dismissed via VAR.
Afterwards, Costa described his reaction as “ugly” and apologised to his team-mates and the club’s fans on Instagram.
“I make it clear that this isolated attitude does not correspond to what I have always shown in my career,” he wrote.
Juve Manager Massimiliano Allegri said Costa would be fined for the incident.
“Even if he was fouled, these episodes must not happen,” Allegri said.
“It’s only right that he is fined, and he certainly will be. I was surprised by his reaction. We have suffered a goal, a red card and a suspension which will be long.”
RESULTS
SERIE A
Juve 2-1 Sassuolo
Roma 2-2 Chievo
Genoa 1-0 Bologna
Udinese 1-1 Torino
Empoli 0-1 Lazio
PREMIERSHIP
Wolves 1-0 Burnley
Everton 1-3 West Ham
