Cristiano Ronaldo could miss out on participating in the Champions League for the very first time in 19 years’ career.
Since the Portuguese superstar played for his first club, Sporting, in 2002 has he been featured in the Europa League, then the UEFA Cup, but for now, It seems to be a very real possibility.
Juventus’ 3-0 home defeat to AC Milan on Sunday dropped Andrea Pirlo’s side in the fifth position in Serie A, one point outside the Champions League positions, and now relying on teams above it to dump points in the final three games of the season.
Only 3 points discrete Juventus in fifth and Atalanta in second.
Ronaldo and Co. need to win all three of their spare games and assume that one of Napoli, AC Milan, or Atalanta drop points along the way.
Pirlo has been extensively probed for Juventus’ form this season, which involved a clash exclusion to Porto in the Champions League round of 16 and a failure to win Serie A for the very first time in 10 seasons.
This is the 41-year-old’s first job in administration following a legendary career as a player, but many suspected the decision to support him from Juventus’ U23 side after just nine days following the deposition of Maurizio Sarri as head coach of the first team.
“I noticed the team in good spirits this week, we had trained with the right company and we were convinced we could play a great match,” he said correspondents after the game. “However, it was not similar to that, after a few episodes we become separated and many things did not work.
“I knew we were going to run into trouble, but now we all have to get out of this in collaboration. There must ever be dignity in wearing this shirt and certain acts must not be there. I had a complex plan in mind, I tried to work according to particular principles, at times we had to accommodate, but I am indoctrinated that I have an excellent team at my end.
“If something went awry, I take liability for it.”
The season isn’t over entirely, however, with the Coppa Italia final still to play against Atalanta on 19 May.
Ronaldo’s current agreement runs until the end of next season, but there have been addresses the 36-year-old is intent to return to Sporting. However, Juventus managing director Fabio Paratici requested earlier this year that the club would be “holding on to him,” despite its efforts on the pitch.
