Cristiano Ronaldo was seen defying gravity to perform an extraordinary header against Sampdoria in yesterday’s Serie A draw at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris. The Old Lady now move to the top rung of the table with forty-two points in seventeen matches, three more than rivals Inter Milan.
Amidst all talks about Paul Dybala’s brilliance in the 19th minute and Mario Sarri breaking all Italian records by reaching his 100th victory as a manager in 169 games, the best moment of the match arrived just before half time. It was like Ronaldo compensating for the deadlock in El Classico where his former club (Real Madrid) took over arch-rivals Barcelona.
After securing an early lead, Juventus again fell back to Caprari’s 35th-minute goal and the scores were tied. Just ten minutes later the Portuguese national decided to go full attack on the opponent and found an opportunity in left-back Alex Sandro’s cross to the back post. The ball had crossed the goalkeeper and any ordinary strike wouldn’t do the job but Ronaldo is said to have remained suspended for about two and a half feet from the ground for approximately one and a half seconds, to stretch his neck and somehow manage contact with the ball only to celebrate a lead.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner made a huge statement by scoring in his fifth consecutive game. His leap above Sampdoria defender Nicola Murru without any support showed how fit this 34-year-old striker is. This was Ronaldo’s 12th goal for the Italian outfit this season and his 40th overall (for Juventus). His fans couldn’t stop spamming social media for what they had witnessed was inhuman.
While talking to the Sky Sports Itlalia post-match Cristiano Ronaldo said, “I am very happy with the result. It has been a very difficult match against a Sampdoria team who played well. We managed to do even better and deservedly got this victory. The team played with a great attitude. The goal was great, especially because it was decisive for winning the three points. I did not know I was up [in the air] so long.”
The Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri couldn’t stop appreciating the Juventus No.7’s brilliance. The Italian manager called that jump as NBA style. He said, “I am very satisfied with the performance of the boys. When [Juventus] scored goals like this, we just have to admire them as two master-pieces. Ronaldo scored in NBA style – he was up there for an hour and a half.”
Several pundits and analysts took on Twitter to congratulate and acknowledge this superhuman feat Cristiano Ronaldo had performed. Juventus look like a happy club now. Both their star strikers (Ronaldo and Dybala) are performing well. They will be taking on Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
“A final always starts at 50-50. Lazio have an excellent team, but I am convinced that Juve can win the match,” as the forward addressed their next match. However, things did not work out for them, as the champions of Italy were beaten. Despite that, there were a lot of positives to take from the game for Ronaldo and co.
