UEFA Champions League news: "Ronaldo had a good match" – Allegri backs Juventus star after losing to first leg

Juventus head coach Mbadimiliano Allegri defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the defeat of the striker in a 2-0 defeat against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The late goals of Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin have allowed Atletico to earn a deserved victory in the first leg of the final match of the Champions League against the last 16 of Wanda Metropolitano.

Ronaldo had only one shot squared – on Juve's three – and Godin's goal was deflected in the 83rd minute.

But Allegri backed the 34-year-old's performance and said the shock would be beneficial for the return leg in Turin on 12 March.

"Ronaldo played a good game," he said at a press conference.

"He is confident with this kind of matches." It was not bad at all.

"We missed all the second half as a team and this match will be useful in the waiting for the second leg."

Ronaldo also failed to cover himself with grace after the match, taunting Atletico's faithful despite the fact that he was beaten.

Walking into the mixed zone after the match, he barked: "I've got five champions leagues, you [Atletico] do not have any. "

Aged 34, he won the highest European competition with Manchester United in 2008 before doubling it four times with Los Blancos.

During the match, Ronaldo also took the time to hold five fingers against the support of Los Colchoneros, highlighting his superiority in the competition of leading clubs in Europe.

The Juve has 13 points ahead in the Serie A and will look to turn around with Atletico on March 12, while the return match will take place in Turin.

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The Italian giants have not won any of the last five Champions League qualifiers in which they lost the first match.

But Allegri has called for his side to keep the faith and think to change things next month on his own ground.

The club will be back in action on Sunday with a championship clash against Bologna.