AMSTERDAM (AFP) – Cristiano Ronaldo marked his return from injury with a precious away goal as Juventus drew 1-1 with an excellent Ajax in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final in Amsterdam on Wednesday.
Ronaldo subdued the 50,000 home fans in the Johan Cruyff Arena when he headed Juventus in front on the stroke of half-time to take his record goal tally in the competition to 125.
However, Brazilian winger David Neres conjured a stunning equaliser almost immediately after half-time to give Ajax a draw that was the very least they deserved.
Despite that, it is Juventus – for whom substitute Douglas Costa struck a post late on – who hold the upper hand heading into next Tuesday’s return in Turin, with the winners of this tie facing Manchester City or Tottenham Hotspur in the last four.
‘‘Ronaldo showed that he is on a different level. His timing and movement is different to everyone else’s, there’s nothing you can do about it,’’ said coach Massimiliano Allegri.
‘‘Ajax have great quality. We suffered after their goal but we defended well and finished the game better.’’
