Cristiano Ronaldo Has Suffered Ankle Injury Following Collision With Lazio Midfielder Luis Alberto, Confirms Coach Andrea Pirlo After 1–1 Draw

Cristiano Ronaldo has suffered an ankle injury after taking a knock during the Juventus vs Lazio match in Serie A 2020-21on Sunday, club coach Andrea Pirlo has confirmed. Ronaldo opened the scoring for Juventus in the 15th minute but had to be replaced in the 76th minute with Paulo Dybala taking his place. Felipe Caicedo then came off the bench to score the equaliser for Lazio deep into stoppage time to earn the draw for Lazio and pull back Juventus in the Serie A race. Cristiano Ronaldo Goal Video: CR7 Scores Sixth Goal in Serie A 2020-21, Nets Opener in the 15th Minute Against Lazio (Watch Video).

Ronaldo hobbled off the pitch late in the second half and was replaced by Dybala. The Portuguese was hurt after colliding with Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto at the Stadio Olimpico. He was then replaced as Juventus failed to find the second goal insurance and Lazio escaped with a draw. Cristiano Ronaldo Surpasses Robert Lewandowski & Ciro Immobile to Become Top Goal Scorer Across Top Five Leagues in Europe, Achieves Feat During Lazio vs Juventus, Serie A 2020.

"Ronaldo is a key player not only for us but for all the teams he has played for. Unfortunately, he had an ankle problem and was forced to leave the field,” Juve coach Pirlo later told DAZN as quoted by Goal. The Juventus manager, however, stopped short from revealing the severity of the injury.

Ronaldo scored in his second straight Serie A game and put Juventus ahead as early as the 15th minute. He had scored a brace on his return to action after recovering from COVID-19 against Spezia and added to his tally with another against Lazio. But Juventus failed to hold on to the slender lead and were held to a draw after conceding later in the game.

"We had a good match, they had never shot us on goal, there were no signs, but we have to take care of every little detail," the former Juventus and Italy midfielder said. "We didn't manage the ball in the last 10 seconds. We are satisfied with the game, unfortunately not with the result. The head comes, first of all, today all the boys have given their best, shown that they can play these matches. If you go on to the pitch with a negative attitude, you have bad performances.”

Juventus next host Cagliari in Serie A but they could be at least six points behind by then with AC Milan already three ahead before their home match against Verona. Milan have 16 points from 6 matches while Juventus have played a game more for 13 points.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 08, 2020 10:04 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).