ROME: Cristiano Ronaldo told his teammates he wanted some space so he could celebrate his goal in the 2-0 defeat of Udinese by himself in front of a TV camera.

Ronaldo’s powerful, angled goal, his fourth of the season, was met by applause and boos in the Serie A game. Rodrigo Bentancur had headed Juve in front after 33 minutes.

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said: “Ronaldo had a good game. He’s been training serenely and tonight he scored an extraordinary goal.”

Last week Ronaldo was accused of rape, an accusation the Portugal international has denied. He was not available for questions after the match, and Allegri would not speculate what has been going through Ronaldo’s mind away from the pitch.

Allegri said: “Off the pitch, I don’t know because I don’t live with him at home. I see him on the pitch and he’s serene. He trains, he plays and he scores goals that’s the most important thing.”

Ronaldo has also been left out of Portugal’s squad for upcoming international matches. His mother, Maria Dolores Aveiro, sent her son a message on Instagram, saying: “Good luck son and for your team because together we are stronger.”

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