Ronaldo: I Was Surprised Juventus Protested A Correct Penalty Decision

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo has claimed that referee Michael Oliver was correct to have awarded his team a late penalty against Juventus in their Champions League quarter-final second leg clash at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Zinedine Zidane’s men saw their 3-0 first leg advantage cancelled out as Juventus repaid their three goals deficit almost forcing the game into extra time.

However, the English referee awarded Real a penalty after Lucas Vazquez was brought down in stoppage time by Medhi Benatia, a penalty which many regarded as controversial.

Juventus goalkeeper Giannluigi Buffon was then sent off for remonstrating with the English referee, which led to protests from his teammates.

Ronaldo then  stepped up and duly slotted the penalty past substitute goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with his team moving into the semi-finals 4-3 on aggregate.

“I don’t understand the protest by Juventus,” Ronaldo told reporters after the game.

“Lucas was pushed from behind and if the penalty was given, it’s a goal.

“We suffered and this will help us to learn. The game should serve as a lesson. Nothing is handed to you in football, you have to fight until the end.

“Real Madrid could have scored more goals today, but Juventus and Buffon were great.”

Real Madrid  join Liverpool, Roma and Bayern Munich in the last-four draw, which takes place in Nyon on Friday.