Last updated: 20 December 2020 9:00:33 am
Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo gets his second goal at his side. (AP image)
Cristiano Ronaldo responded to recent criticism with two goals to help Juventus win at Parma 4-0 in Serie A on Saturday.
Dejan Kulusevski scored the Juve opener against his former club as the nine-time defensive champion moved a stage with Inter Milan, a point behind the AC Milan manager.
Both sides Milan play on Sunday, when the Rossoneri travel to Sassuolo and Inter host Spezia.
Juventus have pulled half of their 12 Serie A matches. In the final midweek against Atalanta, Ronaldo had an unusual sub-par performance and a penalty was saved.
Kulusevski was started against his former club. The 20-year-old midfielder spent his last season on loan at Parma, completing a permanent move from Atalanta to Juventus.
Kulusevski was quicker to respond to a low cross from Alex Sandro from the left, knocking him into the far corner in the 23rd minute.
Juventus doubled their lead just three minutes later when Álvaro Morata crossed in a cross from the right and Ronaldo jumped high to enter.
Ronaldo spent his second three minutes into the second half with a square shot past Luigi Sepe after being taken out by Aaron Ramsey.
Morata scored fourth when he entered the Federico Bernardeschi cross.
MORE MONTHS
Crotone’s recent positive results were halted at Sampdoria in a 3-1 loss.
Crotone picked up four of his six points from the last two games, but goals from Mikkel Damsgaard and Jakub Jankto gave Sampdoria a 2-0 start.
Simy pulled one goal for Crotone from the penalty spot on a half-time stroke but substitute Fabio Quagliarella restored Samp’s two-goal lead in the second half, five minutes after coming off the bench.
Crotone slipped five points from safety after Fiorentina pulled against Hellas Verona 1-1. Both teams completed penalties early in the first half.