CR Heaven: Why Ronaldo’s Juventus switch has been the perfect fit

Can he lead Juve to another Serie A title?

There’s no doubting Cristiano Ronaldo has cemented his position as one of the game’s all-time greats. But a few eyebrows were still raised when Juventus shelled out £105m for a 33-year-old.

However, the doubters have been swiftly silenced. While Juve haven’t always been performing imperiously as a team, the Portuguese ace has proved vital in virtually every result they’ve picked up this term.

We look at why it’s going so right for Ronaldo in Serie A…

The assist king

There were plenty of questions about how CR7 would manage in a league where robustly organised sides were more the norm than free-flowing attacking teams.

The question can largely be answered by Ronaldo’s assist stats. He chalked up five assists in La Liga in 2017-18, and six the previous season. He’s already managed a half-dozen in Serie A, and we’re only half way through January.

Playing primarily on the wing, he’s built a superb understanding with Mario Mandzukic. Four of the Croatian’s nine goals this term have been teed up by Ronaldo.

Key strikes at key times

Juve are nine points clear at the Serie A summit, and unbeaten so far. But it’s largely been down to their marquee summer signing.

Ronaldo’s goals have consistently got the Old Lady out of jail. A late equaliser at Atalanta on Boxing Day helped keep their unbeaten streak alive.

But it’s Empoli who were stung worst by the Juve ace. He clawed back a 1-0 half-time defecit against a spirited Azzurri side, with a brace after the break.