Cristiano Ronaldo is SELFISH and struggling to adapt to Andrea Pirlo’s ideas, claims Antonio Cassano

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Cristiano Ronaldo is SELFISH and struggling to adapt to Andrea Pirlo’s ideas, claims Antonio Cassano… and former Italy forward believes ‘the situation is getting worse’ following Juventus’ defeat by Porto in Champions League last-16 first leg

  • Juventus extended their winless run in all competitions to three games in Porto
  • Cristiano Ronaldo berated the referee after being denied a penalty in the 2-1 loss 
  • But Antonio Cassano has slammed the 36-year-old for being too self-involved 
  • He also believes the Portuguese is struggling to adapt to Andrea Pirlo’s plans

By Kishan Vaghela For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Antonio Cassano believes Cristiano Ronaldo is ‘selfish’ and is having difficulties adapting to Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo’s style of play.

The Serie A champions – who currently sit fourth in the Italian league table – suffered their latest blow with a 2-1 reverse at the hands of Porto in the first leg of their Champions League tie on Wednesday.

Ronaldo, 36, was seen berating the referee at full-time after being denied a last-gasp penalty at the Estadio do Dragao, but the defeat saw Juventus extend their winless run across all competitions to three matches.

Andrea Pirlo's side have gone without a win in each of their last three games in all competitions

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) is selfish and struggling to adapt to the plans of Juventus boss Andrea Pirlo (right), according to Antonio Cassano

Ronaldo was seen remonstrating with the referee in Porto after being denied a penalty

Ronaldo was seen remonstrating with the referee in Porto after being denied a penalty

And speaking after the game to Bobo TV, former Italy forward Cassano slammed the Portugal international for his individualism and believes the situation under Pirlo is deteriorating.  

‘I have always said, considering that he’s a phenomenon and has scored a billion goals, that it could be difficult with Andrea Pirlo’s idea of football,’ Cassano said.

‘He scores a goal per game, it’s true, but struggles with the ideas of Andrea. He has always been a bit selfish, he doesn’t care about others scoring goals, he’s the kind of player who lives to score.

But Cassano believes the Portuguese does not into Pirlo's ideas and is having issues adapting

But Cassano believes the Portuguese does not into Pirlo’s ideas and is having issues adapting

‘He doesn’t live for the play, the great match, he lives for the goal and at this moment, the situation is getting worse.

‘Years go by for everyone and he is having difficulties. Juventus are trying to change their ideas and play a different type of football, due to the qualities of Ronaldo.’

Former England boss Fabio Capello meanwhile criticised the whole team’s ‘unacceptable’ levels of concentration in Portugal.

Rodrigo Bentancur’s misplaced backpass to goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny allowed Mehdi Taremi to open the scoring in the second minute.

Fabio Capello also slammed Juventus 'unacceptable' levels of concentration against Porto

Fabio Capello also slammed Juventus ‘unacceptable’ levels of concentration against Porto

Then in the opening minute of the second half, not one of the eight Juventus players inside their own box was able to stop Moussa Marega doubling the hosts’ lead before Federico Chiesa halved the deficit with eight minutes remaining.

‘Entering the pitch without concentration is unacceptable, there was too much superficiality,’ Capello told Sky Sport Italia.

‘Bentancur made a huge mistake in the first half and in the second half, eight defenders were not alert against three Porto players. This can’t happen.’