This was Operation Cristiano Ronaldo in all its glory. Without the Champions League trophy since 1996, Juventus turned to the man who has caused them so much heartache.

Only when the dark nights have been and gone and this tournament reaches its late stages, will we find out whether Pep Guardiola has what it takes to resolve the frailties at the back of his team.

Mourinho approached Nedved in 2009 after completing his first season at the San Siro that saw him win the Serie A and Supercoppa Italiana.

CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: Andrea Agnelli has lucked out by birth into control of Juventus. And from this position of enormous good fortune, he wants to destroy the greatest club competition in the world.

Maurizio Sarri could take charge of his first Juventus game this weekend against former club Napoli. Sarri had been expected to miss his new side's first two games of the season due to illness.

The Italian league leaders are involved in a delicate situation amid claim and counter-claim over the true condition of the 34-year-old star's right knee. It has left Juventus 'anxious' about the situation.

The Manchester United midfielder has been keen to leave the Red Devils since last summer. Juventus, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have all shown interest in him in the past.

The pair played together at Juventus in the 2015-16 season, winning the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia before Pogba returned to Manchester United in 2016.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner may make his 1000th professional appearance against the Serie A strugglers. Ronaldo has played 835 games in club football and 164 times internationally.

The Champions League is a must, rather than a want, for Juventus these days. It's an itch that they cannot scratch, an addiction they cannot kick and Maurizio Sarri knows it is top of his brief to go and deliver it.

Lyon secured an impressive Champions League last-16 first-leg victory at home to Juventus thanks to Lucas Tousart's first-half goal, with the visitors failing to have a shot on target.

Maurizio Sarri launched into a bizarre outburst at the expense of his Juventus side, following their abject 1-0 defeat to Lyon in the Champions League last 16 first-leg. No punches were pulled.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: Juventus produced their worst performance of the season as they lost 1-0 to Lyon. But their struggles in France are indicative of deeper problems with Sarri and the squad.

The Turin giants' duo were caught on camera at half-time, and could be overheard bemoaning a lack of support during another underwhelming display.

Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala were caught on camera moaning about the paucity of the Juventus midfield and they certainly have a point. Maurizio Sarri has struggled to get a tune out of his players all season.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: Juventus president Andrea Agnelli (inset) has retained a close relationship with club legend Zinedine Zidane (right) and is hopeful of luring him back to Turin.

Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo could be seen pretending to high five the absent fans as he made his way off the team bus ahead of the match at Allianz Stadium in Turin.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: It hasn't been easy for Aaron Ramsey since he swapped Arsenal for Juventus but the midfielder finally appears to have understood the mechanisms of Serie A.

Tottenham were dumped out of the Champions League by Leipzig and qualification through the league is looking unlikely. The Italian giants hope that will be a factor in luring Kane to Turin.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid superstar's deal is currently set to expire in June 2022, and Juventus hope to convince Ronaldo to commit his future to Turin.

Cristiano Ronaldo has been slammed for breaking the Juventus quarantine and heading home to 'take pictures in the pool' during the coronavirus outbreak.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: Juventus is grateful to their players for the eight consecutive league titles but they will remember who chose to leave, abandoning Italy in the process.

The experienced defender has been forced to settle for reduced game time this campaign after the arrival of Ferland Mendy from Lyon, and has long since been linked with a potential switch to Turin.

Ronaldo's enormous £500,000-a-week wages - his contract is worth over £27m per year - could prove too much for Juventus to sustain even when revenue streams return.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with the exit door at Old Trafford, with his agent fuelling the fire of his impending move away, and it is thought he could be eyeing up a return to the Serie A giants.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest paid footballer in Serie A, earning £27.5million per season. He could leave Juventus if he demands the lost wages back rather than sign a contract extension.

Cristiano Ronaldo had initially agreed to swap shirts with former Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino before his penalty was saved during a 3-0 win in Turin last year.

Italian Football Federation are hoping to restart the Serie A season in mid May, and with that in mind Juventus have allowed Adrien Rabiot to return to France for the remainder of the lockdown period.

Cristiano Ronaldo is urging people to keep busy during the coronavirus lockdown by inviting football fans to take part in a core strength challenge. The Juventus star took part in Nike's Living Room Cup initiative.

ALVISE CAGNAZZO IN ITALY: Despite a difficult adaptation on the pitch in Italy, De Ligt has insisted he and girlfriend Annekee Molenaar are happy in Turin and have no desire to leave the club.

Cristiano Ronaldo is making the most of his time in lockdown and wore a £2,000 pyjama set while relaxing with his family.

Despite rumours of a return to Real Madrid, Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus live a marriage destined to last at least until 2024. Here are five fundamental reasons that will push Ronaldo to stay.

Ronaldo has been integral to Juve's Serie A charge this term as they were standing top of the table one point ahead of Lazio before the coronaviurs pandemic halted sport across the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo is currently self-isolating with his family in Madeira but with a plan to return to Turin next weekend, Juventus are trying to find ways around extended quarantine for players.

The midfielder joined the Portuguese legend at the Serie A side following his free transfer from Arsenal last summer. And Ramsey received a warm welcome from Ronaldo at his first training session

Juve allowed their overseas stars to leave the country amid the coronavirus outbreak, prompting Ronaldo to return home to his Madeira homeland for the last few weeks.

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo is set for another two weeks of lockdown when he returns to Italy. Juventus have recalled their foreign players who left Italy during the lockdown.

Cristiano Ronaldo's return to Juventus training from Madeira has been delayed until Monday afternoon due to travel restrictions in Spain.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left frustrated after plans to return to Juventus were delayed by restrictions on his private jet flying out from his Madeira home. But he before he then relaxed with a beverage.

Alvaro Morata is ready to lead Spain's attack at Euro 2016 if called upon after declaring himself fully fit on Thursday. He missed the 1-0 home defeat by Georgia on Tuesday with a thigh injury.

David Beckham suggested on Wednesday that his new MLS franchise Inter Miami could have a chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi in the years to come.

Juventus are reportedly ready to pull out all the stops in order to bring Paul Pogba back to Serie A and a whole host of stars are being lined up to tempt Manchester United to part with their prized asset.

Recent reports in Italy have suggested that the Argentine striker will want to stay in his homeland and force through a move to former club River Plate to be closer to his loved ones.

Arthur has been linked with a series of top European clubs, including the likes of Tottenham and Inter Milan, with Barcelona seemingly ready to cash in on one of their young talents.

Paul Pogba has struggled to settle at United since his £89million return from Juventus in 2016 and has been been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain as well as a Juve return.

The Argentine star has impressed Maurizio Sarri this season - scoring 13 goals in 34 games and providing 12 assists - and is once again becoming a key player for the current Serie A leaders.

Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic has agreed to a summer transfer to Barcelona. The La Liga champions have been tracking the Bosnian and plan to offer Arthur Melo to Juve in a swap deal.

Ronaldo has been integral to Juve's Serie A charge this term as they were standing top of the table one point ahead of Lazio before the coronaviurs pandemic halted sport across the world.

Paul Pogba has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford when the transfer window next opens, with former club Juventus and LaLiga giants Real Madrid heavily interested in signing him.

The Portuguese attacker signed a four-year deal with the Serie A side and despite links with a move away, Tuttosport have assured that Ronaldo ensured that he will see out his contract in Turin.