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Cristiano Ronaldo set for return on Juventus bench against Spezia after testing negative for Coronavirus

Published on October 31, 2020

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Cristiano Ronaldo has returned a second negative coronavirus test but will not start Sunday ’s game against Spezia , Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo said on the eve of the match.
“ The negative result of the second swab has also arrived, so today Cristiano Ronaldo will be called up to the team , ” said Pirlo .
“ He is fine and has been training individually this morning . I don ’t think he will start from the beginning, we will see how it goes tomorrow. ”

The five -time Ballon d ’ Or winner has missed four games for Juventus including the midweek Champions League defeat against Barcelona.
But the 35 -year – old will travel with the team to Cesena on the Adriatic coast , where Ligurian club Spezia are playing their home games as their Stadio Picco is modernised for their first season in the top flight .
Juventus are fifth in Serie A having drawn three games of five including 1 -1 against promoted Crotone, and are four points behind leaders AC Milan .
“ Tomorrow is a game we must win ,” said Pirlo of 14 th -placed Spezia , who have five points from as many games .
“ It will be difficult , as it was in Crotone, Spezia are a newly promoted side who are doing well .
“ I know their coach ( Vincenzo Italiano ) well , we were on the same coaching course together , ” continued Pirlo who got his coaching diploma just before the start of the season.
“ I’ m not surprised about the pressure , I’ ve always been in the spotlight and I’ m used to having responsibilities .”
Ronaldo has been named alongside fellow strikers Paulo Dybala and Alvaro Morata.
Defender Leonardo Bonucci is expected to play after a slight thigh problem , but Giorgio Chiellini will not.
“ He is better , but not yet available ,” added Pirlo of the veteran captain .
( AFP )