Cristiano Ronaldo genius makes difference for grateful Juventus in Valencia talking points

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  • Cristiano Ronaldo produced a moment of second-half genius to tee up Mario Mandzukic and hand Juventus a 1-0 win against now-eliminated Valencia, sending the Italians through to the Champions League’s knockouts.

    The defeated 2016/17 finalists were frustrated by dogged opponents, prior to an exceptional 59th-minute piece of skill that gave Mandzukic the simplest of back-post tap-ins.

    Victory sent Juve through as Group H-winners, with a game to spare. This result helped cause crushing late disappointment for defeated Los Che, as Marouane Fellaini’s superb 91st-minute effort earned Manchester United a tense 1-0 win against Young Boys that dumped them out.

    Here are the talking points:

    CLOGGING IT UP

    To emerge undiminished from Allianz Stadium, you either have to ride your luck – like United – or box smart.

    Valencia took the second option. Only a moment of genius from Ronaldo could derail their plan.

    Head coach Marcelino made a tweak to his usual 4-4-2 formation, deploying Geoffrey Kondogbia, Francis Coquelin and Daniel Parejo largely in a midfield three. The helped kill centre-back Leonardo Bonucci’s passing lines, plus limited the space for forwards Paulo Dybala and Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Juve pumped in plenty of shots against a deep-lying opponents (19 to Valencia’s six), but struggled to produce major chances. Frustrating matches like this were why the Portugal superstar was drafted in by the perennial Serie A-champions at exorbitant expense last summer from Real Madrid.

    Ex-Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista was utterly bamboozled just before the hour mark by an instant flick, step-over and rapid turn of pace that bought a yard inside the penalty box. A low cross was lazer beamed onto Mandzukic’s foot and a 92nd home victory in the Champions League was theirs.

    This was also Ronaldo’s sixth assist in 17 run-outs in black and white.

    Another exquisite cutback to the former Croatia striker almost produced a killer second on 80 minutes, only for Mandzukic’s half volley on the stretch to fall straight into goalkeeper Neto’s grateful grasp.

    Still, Ronaldo’s brilliance secured top spot in their pool and an injection of belief after the 2-1 reversal to United that still defies belief.

    NOT A HOT ROD

    Rodrigo is a figure who has come to symbolise the malaise at the Mestalla in 2018/19.

    The forward was hooked at the break for ex-France international Kevin Gameiro, even though his side required – an unlikely – victory to significantly boost hopes of progression.

    In his time on the pitch, Rodrigo contributed; no shots, no key passes, one aerial won, one dribble and 16 touches. No wonder he didn’t come out for the second period – or that 11th-placed Valencia have drawn eight of their 13 La Liga fixtures this term.

    From a career-best return of 19 goals in 44 games in 2017/18, it is now 17 matches ago – on August 20 in a 1-1 draw with stingy Atletico Madrid, of all teams – that he last netted at club level.

    The promise of his pair of assists in the weekend’s 3-0 win against Rayo Vallecano went unrealised.

    JOAO’S WOW FACTOR

    Valencia didn’t need any telling about the brilliance of Joao Cancelo.

    The – recalled – Portugal right-back was sold for €40.4 million by them in the summer after an exceptional campaign on loan at Inter Milan. They must still wish they could have held onto him.

    Cancelo kept a lid on the roaming attacking triumvirate of Santi Mina, Rodrigo and countryman Goncalo Guedes to such an extent that the first two were substituted. An 85th-minute block on replacement Gameiro when a loose ball broke to him in the area exemplified his alertness.

    When it came to making a half-time intervention as Juve struggled to create space on the wings against a condensed Valencia, it was Brazil left-back Alex Sandro who was hooked for Juan Cuadrado. Cancelo drifted to the other side, showing his admirable versatility.

    In all, Cancelo led the way for Juve with dribbles (four) and crosses (six). In defence, his three tackles was the joint-fourth most.

    More than one brilliant Portuguese has been landed by the Old Lady.

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