ATALANTA boss Gian Piero Gasperini has declared he wishes Cristiano Ronaldo leaves him alone after he rescued Manchester United once again in the Champions League.
The 36-year-old, who has scored five European Cup goals from his four outings this season, banged in a double against the Serie A outfit on Tuesday night.
His dramatic volley in second half stoppage time earned the Red Devils a vital point in Group F to leave them top with two games to play.
Ronaldo broke Atalanta fans’ hearts two weeks ago when he again got on the score sheet at the death as United came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
And speaking after the draw at the Gewiss Stadium, Gasperini lauded the Portugal international, who has come under criticism in recent weeks.
But he failed to divulge what he exactly said as he joked it wasn’t suitable for television.
Quoted by AS, he remarked: “I heard [some] say that Ronaldo was a problem, imagine!
“He rarely misses the target, nine out of ten shots he hits the target.
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“Half of the time he shoots it is a goal, the other half are saved by the goalkeeper.
“I said something to him in Italian, but I have to censor it here on television.
“I can’t say it here. Basically, I told him ‘come on, go for a walk’. Let me be left alone.”
Ronaldo, who has fired in six goals against Atalanta in his career, has admitted that United were lucky to come away with a point.
He said: “It was a difficult game. I know when we play in Bergamo it is always difficult, but we believe until the end and I am so happy.
“We never give up, we believe until the end, it is a good result for us.
“The beginning was tough, we knew Atalanta would do a lot of pressure, they have a fantastic coach.
“When I played at Juventus they were always difficult to play against. We were a little bit lucky in the end but that is football.
“We have to still improve, we have different players, different system, we have to adapt with each other, but it will take time. We have time to improve and be better.”
