CRISTIANO RONALDO ADDED to his highlight reel with a leap out of the NBA playbook and a stunning header that helped Juventus sink Sampdoria.
Maurizio Sarri’s side were 2-1 winners at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa last night, with Ronaldo grabbing what proved to be the winner just before half-time.
He produced a phenomenally athletic jump — described as like the leap of an NBA player by Sampdoria boss Claudio Ranieri — to meet a left-wing cross from Alex Sandro and power a back-post header past Emil Audero.
Source: Serie A/YouTube
It was a second stunning goal from the visitors in the first half, after Paulo Dybala volleyed in another Alex Sandro cross.
Gianluca Caprari briefly brought Sampdoria level, but his night ended in a late red card for two bookable offences while Juventus closed out victory.
Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia: “I’m very happy with the result. It’s been a very difficult match against a Sampdoria team who played well. We managed to do even better and deservedly got this victory.
Ronaldo and Juventus now turn their focus to taking on Lazio in the Supercoppa Italiana on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
“A final always starts at 50-50,” Ronaldo said. “Lazio have an excellent team, but I’m convinced that Juve can win the match.”
Ranieri’s Sampdoria side lack firepower and sit 16th in a table that is topped by Juventus.