Atalanta will try to keep Cristiano Ronaldo quiet tonight with painful memories fresh from the match at Old Trafford.
The Italian side did fairly well up against Ronaldo for 82 minutes before he popped up with a thunderous header to score the winner.
Ronaldo’s goal was a reminder that he is a game changer at Champions League level who Manchester United are happy to have.
Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini reserved special praise for Ronaldo at his pre-game press conference.
Gasperini told TMW: “From the technical point of view he is an extraordinary player, but I think I am saying a banality, he is recognised by everyone. What he is doing at Manchester, just think of Sunday’s goal but also of all the others.”
Ronaldo has scored seven goals in nine games for Manchester United since his arrival.
Sorry to see him go
Gasperini admitted he felt it was a shame Ronaldo left Juventus in the summer.
He said: “He has brought value to our championship. Personally I was sorry that he would return to England, because I always hope that the best players will arrive in Italy, even if perhaps it would have cost us a few more goals against.”
Ronaldo spent three years in Italy with Juventus and won the title twice.
Now despite appointing experienced boss Massimiliano Allegri, Juventus are worse without Ronaldo, despite fan hope they might improve without him. They currently sit ninth in the Serie A table, 16 points behind the league leaders.
Ronaldo will be particularly motivated upon his return to Italy, to show the nation what they are missing. He is aiming to score in a fourth consecutive group game for Manchester United.
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