Football news - Cristiano Ronaldo hopes Gonzalo Higuain avoids severe punishment after red card rage

ByThe Editorial Team

Updated 12/11/2018 at 10:51 GMT

Cristiano Ronaldo has rushed to the defence of Gonzalo Higuain after the AC Milan striker had a day to forget against his former club on Sunday.

Higuain missed a penalty and was sent off as Ronaldo sealed a 2-0 win for Juventus over Milan at the San Siro in the Serie A clash.

Milan were awarded a penalty when VAR deemed the ball had struck Medhi Benatia's hand inside the box but the Argentine forward's spot-kick was saved by Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny shortly before half-time.

Higuain never recovered from his miss and compounded a miserable night when he was dismissed for arguing with referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni in the 83rd minute.

Premier League

Kulusevski says Postecoglou 'makes you brave' - 'Different from any coach I've had'

12/03/2024 at 20:03

Gonzalo Higuain, AC Milan

Image credit: Getty Images

The 30-year-old was incensed at picking up a caution and was duly shown a second yellow card to spark a fit of rage, and Ronaldo was on hand to pacify the situation, despite Higuain pushing the Portuguese away.

Following the match, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo was asked in an interview with Sky Sport Italia about the incident, and he said: "I told him to calm down, as he risked an even heavier ban.

"He didn’t do much, he was irritable at losing the game, that’s understandable and I hope he is not punished too severely."

Juventus broke the deadlock after just eight minutes as Mario Mandzukic rose to meet Alex Sandro's cross to plant a trademark header into the net.

But Higuain, having overcome a back injury to be passed fit, was then denied by Szczesny from 12 yards, before emotions got the better of him in his desperate attempts to exact revenge on his former employers.

Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso conceded the striker "needs to learn to control himself" after leaving the pitch in tears on Sunday night, but Higuain insisted afterwards that he did not insult anyone during his apparent meltdown.

Higuain sees his penalty saved at the San Siro

Image credit: Getty Images

He told Milan TV: "It seemed an unfair foul, I was fouled as far as I'm concerned. I was cautioned but I did not insult anyone.

"I apologised to the club, the fans, the coach and my companions because these episodes must be avoided. We are human, we feel emotions, the game was not going the right way and it was one of those days."

Juventus are six points clear at the top of Serie A after winning 11 and drawing one of their 12 league games so far this season while Milan are fifth - 13 points adrift.

Transfers

Man City's Savio deal faces Premier League 'fair value' scrutiny - Paper Round

06/02/2024 at 22:17

Football

Ronaldo to miss Messi showdown in Riyadh with calf injury

31/01/2024 at 21:24

Transfers

Man Utd duo wanted by Al-Nassr, Benzema wants 'temporary' transfer – Paper Round

24/01/2024 at 08:39