Apart from Inter’s last minute win over Milan in the local derby over the weekend, all the Italian press can talk about on Monday is Juventus’ clash with Manchester United in the Champions League.
As well as an important game in Champions League’s Group H, the occasion will mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s return to Old Trafford, where he will face one of his former managers: José Mourinho.
Both teams are readying for the fixture following a draw, as Man United shared the spoils with Chelsea at the weekend, while Juventus were unable to find a way to beat Genoa.
However, the personal storylines surrounding the game is what attracts the most attention, especially in Gazzetta dello Sport, as the Italian newspaper look at the relationship between Mourinho and Ronaldo, who, despite having the same agent, don’t particularly get on.
It all stems from their time at Real Madrid, when the Portuguese superstar criticised his manager’s tactics against Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals, claiming them too defensive, winning him a spot on the bench for the next game.
Prior to the return leg, the two got into a spat, during which Mourinho confronted his star, telling him he ‘only played for himself’ and didn’t ‘respect his teammates’.
On top of that, the now Manchester United manager also allegedly asked Cristiano Ronaldo: “Do you believe you are superior to Di Maria?”
As time went on, Gazzetta state the forward ‘joined the Mou mutineers list’, and the two haven’t quite patched things up since.
All in all, it sets up a rather exciting game on Tuesday, as Ronaldo will want the respect of the Manchester United crowd, one he dazzled during his time in the Premier League, but might have a point to prove when it comes to their latest manager.
