Cristiano Ronaldo ensured that Juventus remain in the running for the Scudetto as they defeated Crotone 3-0 at home on Monday.
The first-half headers from Ronaldo set the platform for an easy win, which sees Juve close to within eight points of leaders Inter with a game in hand.
After recent losses against Porto and Napoli, it was also a victory that eased the pressure on head coach Andrea Pirlo.
Here’s how the Portuguese did it.
Juventus 3-0 Crotone: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
📷 Cristiano Ronaldo: Match Snapshot
⚽ ⏱️ 38’ Alex Sandro has the ball 25 yards out and spots Ronaldo making a run into space in the box. The cross is delivered onto the attackers head, and he completes the job by heading back across the goalkeeper into the net.
⚽ ⏱️ 45+1’ Ronaldo sends a stinging shot goalwards from 25 yards that the goalkeeper parries to the right. Aaron Ramsey gathers the ball and sends a cross into the box that is met by a charging Ronaldo, who executes a textbook downward header to add a second.
Ronaldo chased a hat-trick in the second half but his best effort was kicked clear by visiting goalkeeper Alex Cordaz.
〽️ Ronaldo: Rating Week-on-Week
✔️ IMPROVEMENT
By Ronaldo’s high standards, the start of 2021 has been little to write home about. This, however, was him back towards his best as he scored a 8.8 FC Rating. It is his highest score since securing a 9.5 FC Rating on 3rd January against Udinese.
🗝️ Key Stats
Fernandes match stats
| Statistic | Value | Notes |
| FC Rating | 8.8 | Man of the Match |
| Mins Played | 90 | |
| Goals | 2 | |
| Shots | 11 | Rank =#1 |
| On Target | 4 | Rank =#1 |
| Touches in the box | 10 | Rank =#1 |
Cristiano Ronaldo: What Next?
Verona are up next for Juventus and Ronaldo, and in their position in Serie A, that is a must-win encounter. Spezia, Lazio and Porto follow in a critical run of home matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Player Statistics, Career Stats and Position
Juventus 3-0 Crotone: Player Ratings, Match Stats, Player Stats
Cristiano Ronaldo 
Juventus 
Crotone 
