When Cristiano Ronaldo last went up against David de Gea, the Portuguese striker put three past the Spanish keeper in a virtuoso performance during the 2018 World Cup this summer. The Ronaldo vs de Gea matchup went in the opposite direction on Tuesday, with the latter making some impressive saves to deny the former.
Juventus blanked Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in Group H action of the Champions League. Ronaldo set up the game’s lone goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net against the Red Devils as he had twice before while with Real Madrid.
Not that Ronaldo didn’t try his damnedest.
The Portuguese star had a number of opportunities as Juventus racked up 60 percent possession with 14 shots to six for Jose Mourinho’s side. Two of Juve’s five shots on target came from Ronaldo himself, with de Gea coming up big both times.
Cristiano Ronaldo's game stats against Manchester United:
90 Minutes
2 Shots (2 On target)
1 Key pass
35 Passes
91% PA%
0/2 Accurate crosses
1 Tackle
1 Aerial won
48 Touches pic.twitter.com/lumz7Z2eXm— Forza Juventus (@ForzaJuve2017) October 23, 2018
In the first half, Ronaldo blasted a free kick that stung the palms of de Gea.
¡De Gea se convierte en una pared! @ManUtd 0-1 @juventusfc
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 23, 2018
The save on Blaise Matuidi on the rebound may have been even more impressive.
In the second half, Juan Cuadrado set up a powerful strike from Ronaldo that de Gea was able to parry over the bar.
¡Que paradón! La jugada fue perfecta, era un GOLAZO de @cristiano, pero De Gea le dice que NOOO @ManUtd 0-1 @juventusfc pic.twitter.com/HR85HS39FW
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 23, 2018
In one last moment in the Ronaldo vs de Gea battle, Rodrigo Bentancur nearly played Ronaldo in in the 73rd minute only for de Gea to jump off his line and snare the ball before the Madeira man could reach it.
On the other end, Paul Pogba had Manchester United’s best chance of the match with a curling effort after an ill-advised pass by Ronaldo. Pogba’s shot struck the post, bounced off goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and ricocheted out of bounds.
¡¡De milagro no entró!! Ya Pogba estaba gritando el GOL @ManUtd 0-1 @juventusfc
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 23, 2018
In the end, Ronaldo didn’t get the goal, but he got the win, putting Juventus in commanding position in Group H with nine points, five ahead of second-place Manchester United.
FINAL ¡¡Victoria para la Juve!!@ManUtd 0-1 @juventusfc
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) October 23, 2018
But hey, at least it wasn’t all about Jose Mourinho.
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