Juventus Star Cristiano Ronaldo Defended By Man United’s Bruno Fernandes After Champions League Exit

Cristiano Ronaldo is certainly one of soccer’s all-time greats and can’t be blamed for Juventus’ early Champions League exit, in line with worldwide team-mate Bruno Fernandes. (More Football News)

Juve had been eradicated from Europe’s elite membership competitors by Porto on the last-16 stage on Tuesday, crashing out 4-4 on away objectives after further time on the Allianz Stadium.

Sergio Oliveira scored the decisive purpose late on from a free-kick that went straight by way of the Juve wall, with Ronaldo sheepishly turning his again on the hassle.

Former Bianconeri boss Fabio Capello singled out Ronaldo on the again of the two-legged defeat, wherein the five-time Ballon d’Or winner failed to seek out the again of the web.

Ex-president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli went as far to recommend Juve ought to by no means have spent €100million to signal the ahead in 2018, in the meantime, however Fernandes has defended his compatriot.

“Cristiano is likely one of the greats in soccer historical past. His mentality evokes those that observe this sport,” Fernandes instructed La Gazzetta dello Sport. “He has gained rather a lot, however nobody can win alone. 

“I perceive that his presence at Juve had created huge expectations for the Champions League, however when a crew lose, the entire squad lose, not one single participant.

“I am not shocked [by the result]. Porto have a profitable mentality. They play aggressive soccer and I anticipated them to create issues for Juventus.”

Whereas Ronaldo and Juve are enduring a troublesome marketing campaign, Fernandes goes from energy to energy at Manchester United.

The previous Sporting CP star has scored 16 objectives and assisted 10 extra within the Premier League this marketing campaign, which is the very best direct purpose involvement of any midfielder in Europe’s prime 5 leagues.

Fernandes spent 5 years in Italian soccer with Novara, Udinese and Sampdoria, although it was not till becoming a member of Sporting in 2017 that his profession really took off.

“I needed to full my bodily progress,” Fernandes mentioned of his time in Italy. “I used to be shifting from one nation to a different.

“I did not absolutely set up myself as a result of the position of the attacking midfielder is not straightforward in [Italian] soccer.”

Fernandes cited the instance of Juve attacker Paulo Dybala, who has usually struggled for consistency, earlier than explaining the variations between Italian and English soccer.

“The story of Dybala appears enlightening to me,” he mentioned. “Everybody expects one thing particular from him, however we’re at all times strict in the direction of him.

“Udinese was, additionally for the years spent with the Friuli, a very powerful stage, however the change of coach did not assist me.

“It was too unhealthy, as a result of I had discovered an actual trainer in Francesco Guidolin. If I had spent extra time with him, it might need been totally different.

“Anyway, I can solely thank Italy for what it has given me. I used to be completely satisfied, I lived an expertise of progress, I measured myself with a rustic the place the soccer is of the very best degree.”

He added: “There’s a variety of depth within the Premier League. The tempo is excessive.

“The smaller sides have high quality and so they make you undergo. In Italy, the techniques are like a college of sport.”

Fernandes is anticipated to begin United’s Europa League last-16 first leg with Milan at Previous Trafford on Thursday in a battle between two traditionally profitable European heavyweights.

Milan haven’t competed within the Champions League since 2013-14, whereas United have solely made it to the quarter-finals of the competitors as soon as because the similar season.

Nevertheless, each groups are second of their home leagues and are among the many favourites to go all the best way within the Europa League.

“In some respects, [United] and Milan are the identical,” he mentioned. “Two golf equipment with a prestigious previous, with 10 Champions League trophies within the cupboard, each have gone by way of a section of transition, however are returning to the highest.

“In the beginning of the season, nobody thought that Milan may combat for the Scudetto. We’re in March and they’re second. 

“They play effectively, have fascinating younger gamers and the added worth of [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic’s energy.”

Thursday’s sport will mark the eleventh time Milan and United have met in European competitors, with all 10 earlier encounters coming within the European Cup or Champions League.

United have been eradicated from 4 of their 5 knockout ties with Milan, with no facet knocking out the Crimson Devils extra usually in European competitors – Actual Madrid having additionally managed it 4 instances.