Ronaldo set for Serie A debut amid sombre backdrop in Italy

The emotional impact of the Genoa bridge tragedy has led to the postponement of Sampdoria vs Fiorentina and Genoa vs AC Milan.

Published : Aug 17, 2018 08:37 IST , Milan

Much is expected of Ronaldo's presence in the Italian league this season.
Much is expected of Ronaldo's presence in the Italian league this season.
lightbox-info

Much is expected of Ronaldo's presence in the Italian league this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo will make his much-anticipated Serie A debut for Juventus, opening its campaign for an eighth straight Italian league title on Saturday against a sombre backdrop of a country in mourning following the Genoa bridge disaster.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner was the star signing of the summer season arriving amid great pomp and ceremony following a €100 million ($117 million) deal from Real Madrid. But it could be a low-key start for the 33-year-old Portuguese superstar against minnow Chievo in Verona's Stadio Bentegodi on Saturday on a day of national mourning for the victims of the Morandi bridge tradegy in the north-western port city.

The emotional impact of the disaster has led to the postponement of Serie A games involving local teams Sampdoria and Genoa who had been due to open their campaigns against Fiorentina and AC Milan. But all other games will go ahead starting on Saturday with last season's top two teams Juventus and Napoli in action.

A minute's silence will be held before each match with the players taking to the pitch wearing black armbands.

RELATED | Two Serie A matches postponed after Genoa bridge collapse

Much is expected of Ronaldo's presence in the Italian league this season after the low of Italy missing out on qualifying for the World Cup in Russia.

“He's going to raise the level of the championship. Everyone can benefit. With Ronaldo all eyes will be on us and Serie A can regain ground. His purchase will result in the arrival of other big names to Serie A,” said Italian football legend Dino Zoff.

Midfielder Sami Khedira said he was eager to play alongside Ronaldo again, and forget his own dire World Cup campaign where Germany crashed out in the group stage.

“I can't wait to start the new season, and it's also fantastic to be able to play with Ronaldo again after the time we shared together at Real Madrid. Despite the excitement for the new season though, this was one of the most difficult summers of my career. After a good season at Juventus in which I scored nine goals, I played my two worst games at the World Cup and it was awful,” Khedira said on Instagram.

As Ronaldo takes centre stage at his new team the surprise could be in defence with Andrea Barzagli and new signing Joao Cancelo vying for the role of right-back. World Cup winner Blaise Matuidi has just returned to action, and coach Massimiliano Allegri could play new midfield signing Emre Can and Khedira alongside Miralem Pjanic and Juan Cuadrado.

Ancelotti's Serie A return

Napoli turns back to its quest for a first title since the days of Argentine star Diego Maradona in 1987 and 1990 after pushing Juventus to the line last season.

After claiming a record 91 points for a league runner-up, Maurizio Sarri exited the club for Chelsea with Italian Carlo Ancelotti making his return to Serie A for the first time in nearly a decade.

The much-travelled Italian arrives in Naples boasting three Champions League trophies from his spells with AC Milan and Real Madrid, and a Premier League title from his two-year stint at Chelsea.

Eusebio di Francesco's Roma, third last season, travels to Torino with Inter Milan, who also qualified for the Champions League, visiting Sassuolo on Sunday.

Bologna and SPAL, who both survived at the death last season going head to head in a bid to start the season on a positive note.

Among the newcomers, Parma return to the top flight only three years after being declared bankrupt, hosting Udinese in its first game. Also returning to Serie A is Empoli, a team from Florence, which starts at home against Cagliari, and Frosinone, from south of Rome, which travels to Atalanta on Monday.

 

 

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment