Juventus rest Cristiano Ronaldo for final game of Serie A season against Roma


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Cristiano Ronaldo will be rested for Juventus' final match of the Serie A season against Roma on Saturday, ahead of the Italians' Champions League last-16 second leg against Lyon next week.

Ronaldo, 35, was left out of the squad for the game in Turin, with fellow forward Paulo Dybala also absent with a thigh injury.

Juventus have already wrapped up their ninth straight league title and are now looking towards their home game against Lyon on Friday when Maurizio Sarri's side need to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

Nothing is left to play for against Roma who are already assured of a fifth-place finish and the Europa League group stage next term.

Ronaldo, however, will miss out on winning a first 'Capocannoniere' award for top scorer in the Italian top flight.

The Portuguese forward has scored 31 league goals this campaign with Lazio's Ciro Immobile now assured of the top-scorer's award with 35.

Immobile needs just one more goal against Napoli on Saturday to equal the scoring record of 36 goals for a single campaign achieved by Gonzalo Higuain, playing for Napoli, in the 2015-16 season.

After their 2-0 defeat at Cagliari on Wednesday, Sarri said he would consider fielding his Under-23 team for the Serie A season finale.

Ahead of the Roma game, Sarri had already suggested that might give the five-time Ballon d'Or winner a break.

“We'll assess [who will play], depending on who needs to rest and who is fit to play.

“Between tomorrow [Saturday] and next Friday there will be a big difference in terms of mentality. We'll need to be good at recovering all energies possible.

“Tomorrow, whoever is fit will play and we'll try to make it a day of celebration. I can see two light-hearted teams tomorrow evening, with clear heads: a beautiful game can come out of it.

“Let's see how Cristiano feels, he's one of the players that played the most in the entire season. With regards to Aaron Ramsey, he might be back with the team today and there are good possibilities that he plays in the Champions League.

“[Paulo] Dybala is with the medical staff, everything is proceeding well, but I don't know when he'll be back with the group.”

Wales midfielder Ramsey is included in the squad to face Roma but, as well as Argentine striker Dybala, Mattia De Sciglio, Matthijs de Ligt, Sami Khedira and Douglas Costa will also be missing the game, while Miralem Pjanic is suspended.

Juve's form – two wins in their last seven games – is a concern with the Euro clash against Lyon looming.

After the defeat to Cagliari, Sarri said it was his team's defensive deficiencies that were his biggest worry.

"The 40 goals conceded [this season] may be a concern, but tonight's game is not," said Sarri.

"We had nine injured and we came from a championship win 68 hours ago, so it was an atypical game that should be taken for what it is.”

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If you go...

Etihad Airways flies from Abu Dhabi to Kuala Lumpur, from about Dh3,600. Air Asia currently flies from Kuala Lumpur to Terengganu, with Berjaya Hotels & Resorts planning to launch direct chartered flights to Redang Island in the near future. Rooms at The Taaras Beach and Spa Resort start from 680RM (Dh597).

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Defence review at a glance

• Increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 but given “turbulent times it may be necessary to go faster”

• Prioritise a shift towards working with AI and autonomous systems

• Invest in the resilience of military space systems.

• Number of active reserves should be increased by 20%

• More F-35 fighter jets required in the next decade

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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham v Ajax, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE).

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

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Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

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THE BIO

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Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

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Favourite book: Science and geology

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