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All this money, for what?
With Real Madrid defeated and the best player of the competition among his troops, Juventus had a golden opportunity in the Champions League this year.
But in the end, their European dream was cruel by Ajax on their own ground, leaving the quest for their season unfinished.
It's no secret that the Italian giants have spent $ 176 million on Cristiano Ronaldo, 33, hoping to add the most coveted prize in European football to their collection. A wardrobe that presents the last seven titles of the A series and four Italian Coppa trotting.
And now, their wait to end a 24-year drought continues.
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SEMIS DES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: WHO IS IN WHEN?
Ajax stun Juve out of the league
1:15
Even the best player in the history of the competition in terms of trophies and goals may not spend as much as Ronaldo. More seriously, for the first time since 1981-1982, Juventus was eliminated by a team outside the first five leagues.
Ajax had already eliminated the back-to-back holders of Real Madrid, and Juve was arguably the easiest opponent of the remaining seven players, yet they had fallen in the face of the Dutch formation.
Nobody could guess who would be on the trophy. Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool and Juve are the favorites to qualify for the last four and to duel from there.
But instead, the fairy tale of Ajax continued, and it's back to the drawing board of Mbadimiliano Allegri. The boss of Juve was quick to secure his future after the release.
"I have already spoken to the president, I will stay at Juve next season and we are already planning the next campaign," Allegri said.
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DUTCH FAIRYTALE: RONALDO'S JUVE FAVORED FROM THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN AN INCREDIBLE BOILOVER
Furious Juve fan destroys television
0:44
European football is a ruthless affair and the Italian tactician would no doubt have seen other leaders fall on their sword after similar failures. We think in particular of PSG's Unai Emery, who also failed in his progress after spending to dominate specifically this competition.
But where does that leave Ronaldo?
Many postulated that the Portuguese superstar would remain alone in the pantheon of footballers of all time, the greatest defender of all time if he won the title with a third team. Obviously, that did not succeed. However, his legacy can hardly be considered damaged, especially when he scored in both legs of this lost tie as well as in the hat trick that led Juve to the eighth finals.
This exit is not his fault.
"Ronaldo gave us a lot during the season and especially in the Champions League," said Allegri.
"Ajax is a great team, I can not say much to my players tonight.
"Ajax has several good players and plays well in football, it's not an outsider. How they can be after scoring five goals against Real Madrid [in the previous round]?
"I would not say it's our worst elimination. Juventus always has the same goal: to win everything.
"Sometimes you can reach the final, sometimes you can not."
Although this is his competitor, this exit would have hurt Ronaldo – who will not appear in the semifinals for the first time in nine years.
Add a master clbad by his great rival, Lionel Messi, to Manchester United, and you will find that there was an angry Portuguese striker on his way home.
In the end, Juventus must be wondering what it could have been another season and develop a plan even more infallible than signing the best player in the Champions League.
And Ronaldo can only continue to do what he does. Score goals on the big stage.
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