Serie A: Ronaldo set for Juventus bench role against Spezia

It is no longer news that Cristiano Ronaldo has returned a second negative coronavirus test, however, the Portuguese star will not start today’s game against Spezia, Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said on the eve of the match.

“The negative result of the second swab has also arrived, so today Cristiano Ronaldo will be called up to the team,” said Pirlo.

“He is fine and has been training individually this morning. I don’t think he will start from the beginning, we will see how it goes tomorrow.”

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has missed four games for Juventus including the midweek Champions League defeat against Barcelona.

But the 35-year-old will travel with the team to Cesena on the Adriatic coast, where Ligurian club Spezia are playing their home games as their Stadio Picco is modernised for their first season in the top flight.

𝘖𝘶𝘳 20-𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘲𝘶𝘢𝘥 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 #𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘻𝘪𝘢𝘑𝘶𝘷𝘦!#FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/FEd7YC4C9q

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 31, 2020

Juventus are fifth in Serie A, having drawn three games of five including 1-1 against promoted Crotone, and are four points behind leaders AC Milan.

“Tomorrow is a game we must win,” said Pirlo of 14th-placed Spezia, who have five points from as many games.

“It will be difficult, as it was in Crotone, Spezia are a newly promoted side who are doing well.

“I know their coach (Vincenzo Italiano) well, we were on the same coaching course together,” continued Pirlo, who got his coaching diploma just before the start of the season.

“I’m not surprised about the pressure, I’ve always been in the spotlight and I’m used to having responsibilities.”

@Pirlo_official: "@Cristiano is fine, he wants to get back to working with his teammates and be with the squad."#SpeziaJuve #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/4lcDmGpice

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 31, 2020