Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini laughed off claims Cristiano Ronaldo has been culpable for Manchester United's inconsistent form and offered the Portuguese star praise after his last-gasp equaliser.
Ronaldo volleyed home a 91st-minute equaliser to deny Atalanta three points in their dramatic 2-2 draw in the Champions League on Tuesday.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner levelled the game twice late in each half, after Josip Ilicic's 12th-minute opener and Duvan Zapata's 56th-minute strike.
During United's lean run of form, there had been some criticism of Ronaldo for his defensive work, but he has now scored in every group game in this season's Champions League.
Ronaldo, 36, became the oldest player to score two or more goals in a game for United in European competition, having also matched Ruud van Nistelrooy's 2003 feat of scoring in four consecutive Champions League appearances.
"Some even managed to say he was a problem, imagine Ronaldo as a problem," Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia after the game. "He rarely gets it off target, half the time he scores, half the time it is saved."
The result leaves United top of Group F on head-to-head from Villarreal, with both sides on seven points, while Atalanta are third on five points approaching the final two matchdays.
Gasperini admitted deep regret at Ronaldo's opportunistic equaliser but continued to praise the United veteran, who has five goals in the Champions League group stage, along with four in the Premier League this season.
"The regret is one thousand. We believed in it," Gasperini said during his post-game news conference. "We believed in it because their thrust seemed a bit exhausted too.
"We had good spaces, we controlled the race well and was very close. But this is the Champions League. We faced an extraordinary player with incredible ballistic ability, he fired a shot on a bounced ball several times. This determined the result.
"We have to accept it anyway we still have some chances for qualification. It still depends on us. We played two games that have given a lot to us, to Atalanta and Bergamo."
FA ‘strongly condemns’ actions of man who wore shirt referencing Hillsborough
The Football Association has condemned the actions of a fan at Wembley who wore a jersey referencing the Hillsborough disaster.
The Metropolitan Police Events Twitter account retweeted a picture on Saturday of a man wearing a Manchester United shirt that had the number 97 on the back and the words “Not Enough”.
Wembley was hosting the FA Cup final where Manchester City beat their rivals Manchester United.
Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and taken into custody.
On Sunday, the FA said in a statement: “The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.
“We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator.
“Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.
“We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators.”
Sharing a tweet which featured a photo of the man wearing the jersey, the Met’s events Twitter account said on Saturday: “We are aware of this and have worked proactively with officials at @wembleystadium to identify the individual.
“He has been arrested on suspicion of a public order offence and taken into custody.”
Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.
They were unlawfully killed amid a number of police errors, an inquest jury ruled in 2016.
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde signs one-year contract extension
Chelsea defender Maren Mjelde has signed a one-year contract extension that ties her to the Women’s Super League champions until the end of next season.
The Norway international joined the club from Avaldsnes in her home country in 2016 and has helped Emma Hayes’ side to five WSL titles in that time.
She scored a memorable last-ditch penalty with the final kick of extra-time to rescue Chelsea from elimination in their Champions League quarter-final against Lyon in April.
The 33-year-old told the club website: “I feel really happy, Chelsea is my club and it has been for six-and-a-half years.
“I’m happy to stay here, it’s been my home for a long time and I’m really excited for next season.”
Chelsea Women general manager Paul Green added: “We’re delighted that Maren has committed to the club for another season.
“She is one of our leaders both on and off the pitch. Her experience and quality within the group is really important.
“She’s been a big part of our success over the years and we’re looking forward to seeing her again next season.”
Chelsea wrapped up their fourth-consecutive Super League title with a 3-0 victory against Reading in May, completing the double, having already lifted the FA Cup by beating Manchester United at Wembley.
Karim Benzema calls time on glittering 14-year Real Madrid career
Real Madrid’s most decorated player Karim Benzema is to leave the club after 14 years.
France striker Benzema, 35, won 25 trophies during his time in Madrid and scored 353 goals in 647 appearances to become Real’s second all-time top scorer after Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Real Madrid and our captain Karim Benzema have agreed to end his brilliant and unforgettable period as a player for our club,” read a club statement from the Spanish giants.
“Real Madrid would like to show its gratitude and affection to a player who is already one of our greatest legends.
“Karim Benzema’s career at Real Madrid has been a shining example of conduct and professionalism, and he has represented the values of our club. Karim Benzema has earned the right to decide his future.
“Madridistas and all the fans around the world have enjoyed his magical and unique football, which has made him one of the great icons of our club and one of the great legends of world football.
“Real Madrid is and will always be his home, and we wish him and all his family the best in this new stage of his life.”
Benzema, the current Ballon d’Or and UEFA Player of the Year, joined Real from Lyon in July 2009 for a reported transfer fee of 35 million euros.
He is fifth on the list of players with the most Real appearances and his trophy haul in Spain includes five Champions Leagues, five Club World Cups, four European Super Cups, four LaLiga titles, three Copas del Rey and four Spanish Super Cups.
Benzema has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.
Real have confirmed they will hold “an institutional act of tribute and farewell” to Benzema in the Spanish capital on Tuesday in the presence of club president Florentino Perez.
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