Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini reveals what he told Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo after a draw between the two teams
Speaking after the game (h/t The Metro), Atalanta boss Gian Piero Gasperini revealed that he jokingly told Manchester United ace Cristiano Ronaldo ‘go to hell’ after the game.
The two teams had two spectacular games in the Champions League group stage this season, but the Italian club could never pick up the victory, thanks to Ronaldo. The Portuguese star completed the come-back at Old Trafford by hitting a magnificent header and he notched things up a level at the Stadium of Bergamo on Tuesday night.
The Red Devils were trailing after just 12 minutes and needed an equalizer. A brilliant set of passes between Mason Greenwood and Bruno Fernandes put the 36-year-old through on goal to score before half-time.
However, Atalanta took the lead in the second half again but as he has so often this season, United’s No 7 equalized in added time with a supreme volley. Gasperini could not believe his side were undone again and revealed what he told the former Juventus man after the game.
‘Ronaldo? What can I say, it’s incredible, crazy, he never pulls out. Some even managed to say he was a problem, imagine Ronaldo as a problem! He never gets it off target – half the time he scores, half the time it is saved. And for some it was a problem. In the end I said to him, “You know what we say in Italy, go to hell.’
Gasperini also reserved special praise for the Portuguese international’s majestic volley.
‘Cristiano is just incredible…He keeps his eye on the ball and his technique on that volley is incredible.’
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The centre-forward’s double on the night was crucial as it ensured that the Old Trafford outfit remain top of the group, with the Serie A club now having to win both their games in hand to reserve a place in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.
In fact, Ronaldo maintained his scoring record in the competition by finding the net for the fourth consecutive time this season. He will now be hoping to add to his Premier League tally when he faces arch-rivals Man City on the weekend.
