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Ronaldo, Bonucci apologize for 'worst' Juventus of season
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Leonardo Bonucci (L) of Juventus shows his dejection after his side's 3-0 loss to Fiorentina in a Serie A game in Turin, Italy, December 22, 2020. /CFP

Leonardo Bonucci (L) of Juventus shows his dejection after his side's 3-0 loss to Fiorentina in a Serie A game in Turin, Italy, December 22, 2020. /CFP

Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammate Leonardo Bonucci on Wednesday apologized to Juventus fans for the "worst" performance of the season as the Italian champions' fell to their first Serie A defeat this term against lowly Fiorentina.

Juventus suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat to the 15-placed Tuscany side who ended an eight-game winless run.

"The worst Juventus of this first part of the season. I apologize to the fans in my name, first of all. There is nothing to add," defender Bonucci wrote on Instagram.

Ronaldo blasted "a far from acceptable result" as the Portuguese star failed to add to his Serie A-leading tally of 12 league goals so far.

"Yesterday, with a poor performance and a far from acceptable result we closed our scheduled games for 2020, a special year in many ways," said the five-time Ballon d'Or winner on Instagram.

"Empty stadiums, COVID protocols, postponed games, long stoppages and a very tight calendar.

"But this is no excuse for anything. We know that we have to give more of ourselves, in order to play better and to win in a more consistent way.

"We are Juventus! And we simply cannot accept anything less than excellence on the pitch!

"I hope this short stoppage may help us to come back stronger and more united than ever, because the season is still far from over and in the end we believe that we will, once again, celebrate with our fans.

"Believe in us, trust our team as much as we trust you, and we will deliver! Fino Alla Fine!"

Juventus' Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts with disappointment after his header is disallowed for offside during the Serie A game against Fiorentina in Turin, Italy, December 22, 2020. /CFP

Juventus' Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo reacts with disappointment after his header is disallowed for offside during the Serie A game against Fiorentina in Turin, Italy, December 22, 2020. /CFP

The defeat came hours after the nine-time reigning Serie A champions learned they must play the game against Napoli which was canceled on October 4 after the southerners decided not to travel to Turin because of coronavirus cases.

Napoli won their appeal to the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) after being handed a 3-0 defeat and a one-point deduction.

As a result Juventus, who had started the day with 27 points, finished it with 24.

Juventus are fourth in Serie A, equal on points with Napoli and Roma, and seven points adrift of AC Milan.

Andrea Pirlo's Juventus have won just six of their 13 league games this season, with six draws and one defeat.

They next play at home against Udinese on January 3.

Source(s): AFP

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