Juventus coach Andrea Pirlo says he treats Cristiano Ronaldo the same as any player.
Ronaldo struck both goals in Saturday’s defeat of Cagliari.
Pirlo said, “I behave with him as I do with the others.
“I always try to be available, we are simple and serious people and we get along.
“I treat him in the same way I treat [Gianluca] Frabotta and [Manolo] Portanova who come from the U-23, that’s how I am, that’s what I used to do as a footballer.”
Earlier in the season Pirlo admitted he’ll have to manage Cristiano Ronaldo wisely this season as the 35-year-old enters the twilight years of his glittering career.
The former Italian international reckons their success this season will be heavily reliant on Ronaldo’s fitness.
“We are thinking about it and we have talked about it together,” Pirlo told Sky Sport Italia.
“He is not tired at the moment because we have just started the season. But when we come up to less important games, we’ll try to give him a rest.
“He’s a very intelligent lad who knows his body very well, so he is aware of when it’s time to rest or step it up. When he will play depends on him.”
Former Milan and Juventus midfielder Pirlo had no senior coaching experience before he was surprisingly chosen to replace Maurizio Sarri in August, and only got his coaching badge last week.
Juventus are chasing a tenth successive Serie A title.
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