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Allegri & Ronaldo: "A very important match"

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Allegri & Ronaldo: "A very important match"
Allegri & Ronaldo: "A very important match"
Allegri & Ronaldo: "A very important match"

EMOTIONAL RETURN FOR RONALDO

Tuesday's game at Old Trafford will be no ordinary game for Cristiano Ronaldo. It was at Manchester United that the Portuguese star developed into one of the world's best players, enjoying considerable success along the way, so he was understandably excited about returning to his former stomping ground in the Champions League.

NOT A MATCH LIKE ANY OTHER

“It's a hugely emotional thing for me to come back," he told the gathered media at a news conference ahead of the game. "When the draw was made I thought about how much I enjoyed my time here, all the trophies I won and the love everyone showed me, especially Sir Alex Ferguson. I'd like to express my best wishes to him.”The Portuguese also spoke in glowing terms of his time at Juventus so far.“My first few months in Turin have been wonderful. My team-mates and the whole atmosphere around the club are fantastic. I'm delighted to be at Juventus. I'm still adjusting to Italian football but my team-mates and all the staff have all helped me a lot. “I know I am an example both on and off the pitch. I'm lucky to play at a fantastic club and I have a wonderful family. I'm happy.”

WE HAVE OUR STRENGTHS, WE ARE JUVENTUS

“My first few months in Turin have been wonderful. My team-mates and the whole atmosphere around the club are fantastic. I'm delighted to be at Juventus. I'm still adjusting to Italian football but my team-mates and all the staff have all helped me a lot. “I know I am an example both on and off the pitch. I'm lucky to play at a fantastic club and I have a wonderful family. I'm happy.”

Ronaldo was then asked if the Champions League starts tomorrow for him.“No, it started two games ago and it doesn't matter if I didn't play or if I was sent off. We have six points, we're in a great position and I'm happy to be back. If we can win tomorrow, we'll be virtually assured of our place in the next round and if we play the way we're capable of and the way the boss wants us to, we can do it. “We must show our opponents the respect they deserve, though. Man United are a great team with an experienced coach and they're playing at home. It will be tough but we have our weapons and we're Juve.”

ALLEGRI HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANT MONTH AHEAD

Massimiliano Allegri sees Tuesday's meeting with Manchester United as the perfect opportunity to set Juve up for a big month ahead.“We haven't got this month off to the best of starts but tomorrow's game is like a crossroads for us. If we win, we'll have one foot in the knockout stage. It's going to be very tricky though, so we must be on our game technically."

PHYSICALITY

“It will be a physical match and we must be highly focused. We'll need to keep hold of the ball and use it well if we want to limit one of our opponents' biggest threats, which are high balls. Man United are a tough outfit with a very experienced coach. “We must be in the game at all times, for the whole 100 minutes. We have to remember not only our own match against Genoa but also the match between United and Chelsea, who equalised deep into stoppage time.”

YOUTH

“There will be lots of talented youngsters out there tomorrow, for both teams. It will be a big test for them – a top-level game in a fabulous stadium.”

TACTICS

“It's a shame we don't have [Mario] Mandzukic available but it doesn't seem to be a serious problem. In any case, I'd already thought about going with different attributes up front. We'll probably play with four at the back because we want to match them man for man in midfield.”

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