KEY POINTS

  • Juventus started Serie A defense with 3-0 win
  • They defeated Sampdoria Sunday
  • It was Andrea Pirlo's first appearance as Juventus boss

Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo has said Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested for less important games in the 2020-21 season.

Pirlo had a brilliant start to his tenure as Juventus’ manager as The Old Lady kickstarted their Serie A defense with a 3-0 victory over Sampdoria on Sunday. The match was played at the Allianz Stadium and was Pirlo’s first competitive appearance as Juventus’ in charge.

Juventus’ new signing Dejan Kulusevski scored on his debut in the 13th minute before Leonardo Bonucci and Ronaldo added to the scoreline to hand Juventus a 3-0 victory. With that goal, Ronaldo now has scored in the 19th consecutive season. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has certainly carried his fine form from the previous campaign to the current one.

In the 2019-20 campaign, 35-year-old Ronaldo was by far the best player in the Italian side’s camp as he top-scored with 37 goals ahead of Paulo Dybala (17), Gonzalo Higuaín (11), and Matthijs de Ligt (4). The difference in these numbers speaks volumes about Ronaldo and, undoubtedly, he would play a pivotal role in Pirlo’s plans for the upcoming months.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score 50 goals in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League.
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has become the first player to score 50 goals in Serie A, La Liga and the Premier League. AFP / Marco BERTORELLO

In a post-match chat with Sky Sports Italia, Pirlo suggested he has planned to conserve the energy of his best player this season.

"We are thinking about [how to use Ronaldo] and talked it over. He’s not tired yet, as we just started, but when we come up to less important games, we’ll try to give him a rest. He’s a very intelligent guy who knows his body very well, so he is aware of when it’s time to rest or to step it up. When he will play depends on him," added Pirlo in the same Sky Sports Italia interview.

After a memorable start to his managerial career at Juventus, Pirlo took to social media to thank everyone.

Even Juventus star Ronaldo took to social media to express delight about their great start to the 2020-21 campaign.

"It's always good to start the season with a win! Well done team. #finoallafine #forzajuve," he wrote.

Juventus' next Serie A match is against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Sept. 27.

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