‘Thank God we have Ronaldo,’ says Allegri as Juventus prepare for Ajax clash

Juventus can count on fit-again superstar Cristiano Ronaldo but captain Giorgio Chiellini and forward Mario Mandzukic will miss the crunch Champions League quarter-final, second leg clash against Ajax in Turin, coach Massimiliano Allegri confirmed on Monday.

Ronaldo, 34, will spearhead the Italian champions’ attack against the young Dutch outfit alongside Federico Bernardeschi on Tuesday, with Allegri still to decide on a third striker to replace Croatian Mandzukic.

Portuguese star Ronaldo came back from injury to score a crucial away goal in last week’s 1-1 draw in Amsterdam, having bagged an incredible hat-trick to rescue their campaign in the last 16 against Atletico Madrid.

“Thank God he’s playing for us and not the opponents,” Allegri told a press conference in Turin as he outlined his selection headaches on the eve of the game.

“Mandzukic was not called up because he had a knee problem. We need to have players in good shape,” said Allegri.

“I still need to decide who starts in attack, it could be Dybala or Kean or neither of them. If one of them plays, then one of Mattia de Sciglio and (Joao) Cancelo will be left out.

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