Ronaldo as Bundesliga nightmare

Cristiano Ronaldo is the spectre of the Bundesliga. The five-time world footballer has an impressive record against German teams in Europe.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s reputation as a spectre for German Bundesliga clubs is more than justified: The Portuguese superstar from Juventus Turin has already scored 26 goals in 24 games against German clubs. A fantastic but frightening result for Bayer Leverkusen before the Champions League guest appearance at the Alte Dame on Tuesday. (Champions League: Juventus Turin – Bayer 04 Leverkusen, from 9 pm in the LIVETICKER)

Ronaldo, who was last pinched in the groin, proved on Saturday that his goal-sniffer is still intact. In a 2-0 win over SPAL Ferrara, the 34-year-old was head-to-head in the 78th minute after an exemplary cross from Paulo Dybala to the final standings.

Juve with “glorious three”?

The Corriere dello Sport believes that coach Maurizio Sarri will trust the “glorious three”, CR7 and the Argentinians Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain, against the factory club in the offensive. “Sarri will need three points against Bayer Leverkusen to qualify for the round of sixteen,” the newspaper wrote.

Tuttosport also expects Sarri to be a clear player with a very offensive stance against Bayer: “Few clubs in the world can rely on a trio of strikers in the Champions League who have scored over 1000 goals in their careers.

Ronaldo is the goal king

Of course, Ronaldo is the absolute king of goals, who alone was 126 times successful in the top league, his rival Lionel Messi scored 112 times in the Champions League. He scored five times in his 7-1 win against Bayer in 2012.

Nevertheless, Juve has great respect for the Rhinelanders. Sarri announced that he would analyse his opponents in detail after his last good appearances in the Bundesliga. “They have done well in the championship so far,” said the Juve coach. Parallel to the victory of Ronaldo and Co. on Saturday, Bayer won FC Augsburg 3:0.

“We are completely focused on the Champions League. Leverkusen is a strong opponent, in the premier class, all opponents are tough,” said the Argentinian Dybala. Team-mate Juan Cuadrado added: “Leverkusen is a tough opponent. So we have to play with the utmost concentration.”

Juve had played 2-2 at Atletico Madrid for the first time and had given up a 2-0 lead in the last 21 minutes. That’s why it’s important to catch up against Bayer in a threesome – preferably with a Ronaldo goal or two.