Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 20 goals for Juventus this season © AFP/File / Miguel MEDINA
MILAN, Italy, Feb 14 – Cristiano Ronaldo is set for a rare start on the bench as Juventus host struggling Frosinone on Friday looking to pull 14 points clear in Serie A with an eye towards next week’s Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid.
Portuguese star Ronaldo brought his tally to 20 goals for Juventus in all competitions last weekend in a 3-0 win over Sassuolo.
But the 34-year-old will start on the bench for just the second time this season before the former Real Madrid player returns to the Spanish capital next week.
Paulo Dybala returns to the starting line-up, forming an attacking trident alongside Mario Mandzukic and Federico Bernardeschi.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri’s defensive problems have been eased with trio Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini back training.
Juventus captain Chiellini is expected to return on Friday.
Second-placed Napoli dropped points last weekend with a goalless draw against Fiorentina and face a potentially tricky test at home against Torino.
Walter Mazzarri’s Torino are four points off the Europa League places.
Napoli will be without midfielder Marek Hamsik for the first time since the former skipper having sealed his move to Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang.
Lorenzo Insigne takes on the captain’s role and insisted motivation remained high despite Juventus’ charge towards an eighth consecutive league title.
“Juventus haven’t sapped our motivation, we knew it would be hard to keep up with them,” said Insigne.
“We know they’re a great team, but we’re no worse than them.
“The championship is still long. We left some points on the road that we deserved, but we certainly do not give up.”
– Inter in turmoil –
Meanwhile, third-placed Inter Milan, nine points behind Napoli, are in turmoil as they host Sampdoria days after stripping star forward Mauro Icardi of the captain’s armband.
Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi has been stripped of the captain’s armband © AFP/File / Filippo MONTEFORTE
Icardi’s contractual situation, with his current deal expiring in 2021, has become an increasingly divisive issue between club bosses and the player’s wife Wanda Nara, who is also his agent.
The Argentina forward hit back by refusing to travel for their Europa League round of 32 first-leg game at Rapid Vienna on Thursday and is uncertain to play against his former club Sampdoria, who are ninth, on Sunday.
“It was a difficult and painful decision because we know his worth,” said Inter coach Luciano Spalletti.
“It was done exclusively for the good of Inter. There are some things concerning the player that had to be sorted.”
The uncertainty over Icardi, who scored 29 Serie A goals last season, could prove problematic as Spalletti tries to secure Champions League football next season.
Inter are just four points ahead of city rivals AC Milan who travel to Atalanta.
Atalanta, Roma and Lazio are all one point behind AC Milan.
The clash in Bergamo will be one for fourth place, the final Champions League berth, which Roma will also be targeting at home against Bologna, and Lazio at Genoa.
Roma claimed a 2-1 Champions League last 16, first-leg win over Porto on Tuesday with teenage star Nicolo Zaniolo scoring both goals.
Fixtures
Friday
Juventus v Frosinone (10:30pm)
Saturday
Cagliari v Parma (8pm), Atalanta v AC Milan (10:30pm)
Sunday
SPAL v Fiorentina (2:30pm), Empoli v Sassuolo, Genoa v Lazio, Udinese v Chievo (all 6pm), Inter Milan v Sampdoria (8pm), Napoli v Torino (10:30pm)
Monday
Roma v Bologna (10:30pm)
