Ronaldo Fit To Face Ajax In CL Clash

By Joshua Walters

Cristiano Ronaldo has handed Juventus a huge injury boost for Wednesday’s clash at Ajax as the player has been declared fit and up for a start in the Champions League quarter-final tie.

Cristiano Ronaldo trained with his Juventus team-mates on the eve of their quarter-final first leg at Johan Cruijff Arena.

The Portuguese football icon, bought by Juventus from Real Madrid the last summer to help the club charge for the Champions League, has not featured for the club since his hat-trick inspired a stunning second-leg comeback against Atletico Madrid in the previous round.

Ronaldo, 34, picked up a hamstring strain while on international duty with Portugal at the end of last month, and anxiety was gaining grounds in the Juventus faithfuls over the availability of the player for the all-important tie.

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has allayed the fears on Tuesday with the confirmation that Ronaldo has not just trained with his team-mates but is also strong enough to start against the side that eliminated defending champions Real Madrid from this season’s campaign.

"Ronaldo? He trained well with the team, he is available and tomorrow he will be the holder unless something happens.”

"Ajax? We must do the conference seriously, otherwise, I fall asleep. Ajax are a strong team, they eliminated Real Madrid and played on a par with Bayern Munich. It is always Juve-Ajax: there were two finals, one won and one not. Tomorrow is the first of the two games to progress the semifinals. We need to play a clear game, with great technique. It will be difficult to finish 0-0.

"Tomorrow will be a different game from the ones against Atletico: Ajax play differently. In Madrid, we left the game, after the ball hit the crossbar we thought the danger had escaped. The return leg was a great game but it won't happen again. We have to create the base to pass the round. In 20 home games, this team only lost to Real, it will be an aggressive match, physical performance is needed.

"I did not ask the players for anything, we prepared for the match knowing and working on their strengths. The team is aggressive and we will be too. It will be an open game, with spaces. We will be good to go.

"Rugani? Daniele is one of the best centre-backs in Italy and one of the best in Europe because in Italy we still have the best. We see that in Europe there are few as prepared as the Italians."