Cristiano Ronaldo shines again as Juventus now 'ready to face important moment of season'


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Brief scores:

Juventus 3

Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'

Frosinone 0

Cristiano Ronaldo set up Paulo Dybala to score early and added one himself with defender Leonardo Bonucci also on target as Juventus surged 14 points clear in Serie A on Friday with a 3-0 win over lowly Frosinone.

Manager Massimiliano Allegri was taking no chances, even against a side sitting second bottom of the table, ahead of next week's Uefa Champions League last-16, first-leg tie at Atletico Madrid.

Dybala returned to the front line alongside Ronaldo and Mario Mandzukic with key defenders Bonnucci and Giorgio Chiellini both back from injury.

"The team is growing in terms of fitness, it's a decisive moment for the season," Allegri said.

Juventus are building towards next week's game in Madrid and a top-of-the table clash against Napoli in the San Paolo Stadium on March 3.

"We struggled a bit after the winter break but now we are ready to face this important moment of the season both in the championship and the Champions League," Allegri added.

Juventus remain unbeaten this season but the reigning seven-time league champions had been held 3-3 by Parma two weeks ago.

Bonucci returned after three weeks out with an ankle injury along with captain Chiellini who limped off during their shock Coppa Italia exit on January 30.

Ronaldo set up Dybala to rifle in with his left foot after just six minutes in Turin as the Argentina forward, who has been overshadowed since the arrival of the former Real Madrid player, scored his first league goal since November 3.

Ten minutes later Bonucci broke through after a desperate goalmouth scramble.

Frosinone goalkeeper Marco Sportiello denied Mandzukic's diving header with Bonucci in place to turn the rebound into goal.

Ronaldo slotted in his 19th Serie A goal and 21st in all competitions on 62 minutes with Rodrigo Bentancur crossing for Mandzukic who provided the assist for the Portuguese striker.

Ronaldo was then replaced by Federico Bernardeschi with the tie against Atletico in mind, with Sportiello denying Juventus a fourth goal keeping out a powerful Bernardeschi free kick.

"I'm happy for Paulo, he scored a good goal and that's what strikers live for," Allegri said. "The game against Atletico Madrid will be very different. It's crucial that we get a goal there, otherwise qualification would be rather difficult to achieve.

"But this team is growing, we are even better than the first weeks [of the season]."

AC Milan, in fourth, travel to Atalanta, one place below in fifth, on Saturday in a battle for Champions League football next season.

Napoli host Torino on Sunday, with Inter Milan, in third, hosting ninth-placed Sampdoria.

Roma play relegation threatened Bologna on Monday after winning their Champions League last-16, first-leg tie against Porto 2-1.

About Proto21

Date started: May 2018
Founder: Pir Arkam
Based: Dubai
Sector: Additive manufacturing (aka, 3D printing)
Staff: 18
Funding: Invested, supported and partnered by Joseph Group

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

UK-EU trade at a glance

EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years

Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products

Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries

Smoother border management with use of e-gates

Cutting red tape on import and export of food

Brief scores:

Juventus 3

Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'

Frosinone 0