Cristiano Ronaldo sent off in Champions League match against Valencia
CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s Champions League debut for Juventus ended in tears after the goal-scoring champ was sent off for an innocuous incident.
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CRISTIANO Ronaldo’s first Champions League appearance for Juventus lasted only 29 minutes as the competition’s record scorer was sent off as his side opened their Group H campaign with a 2-0 win at Valencia.
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Penalties either side of halftime by Miralem Pjanic sealed the points for the visitors as Valencia’s return to European competition after a two-year absence went flat.
The night was overshadowed by Ronaldo’s straight red card for a seemingly innocuous incident with Valencia defender Jeison Murillo.
After Colombian Murillo went down inside the area, the Portugal forward gestured for his opponent to get up, then put his hand on the Valencia defender’s head and appeared to tug his hair. Referee Felix Brych showed Ronaldo a straight red card after discussing with his assistant behind the goal.
Ronaldo looked baffled and kept professing his innocence and was clearly distraught as he left the pitch in tears, still shaking his head.
It was his first red card in 154 Champions League games, and the decision means he could miss a return to Old Trafford when Juventus plays Manchester United next month.
He was consoled by Juventus manager Max Allegri and made his way straight down the tunnel for an early shower.
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand said on BT Sport: “I think he’s got room to appeal - it’s a one-game ban, not a three-game ban.
“Cristiano can be temperamental, he could bite at things some times in the dressing room.”
But his ex-Red Devils team-mate Paul Scholes disagreed, saying: “You can’t do that.”
Scholes added: “It’s a tough one to appeal. It looks like he has a couple of nibbles, a kick there, raises his left elbow.”
Two penalties from Miralem Pjanic saw 10-man Juventus take all three points against Valencia in their opening Group H clash.
Originally published as Cristiano Ronaldo sent off in Champions League match against Valencia
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