Cristiano Ronaldo is sure to break his scoring duck on Sunday against Sassuolo, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri insisted as he backed the Portuguese star to win the FIFA world player of the year award.
Ronaldo skipped Portugal's Nations League win over Italy to focus on his new club after failing to score in their opening three Serie A games.
"Cristiano worked well and I think on Sunday he will score and break the ice," Allegri told a press conference ahead of Sunday's game against second-placed Sassuolo.
"I don't expect Ronaldo to do more or less than what he did in the first three games, everyone was waiting for Ronaldo and he set up (Mario) Mandzukic.
"I believe Sunday could be his day."
And Allegri insisted the five-time Ballon d'Or winner should lift the FIFA world player award for a sixth time after his performance for Real Madrid last season.
Ronaldo has been shortlisted alongside Croatian World Cup star Luka Modric — who beat the Portuguese to the UEFA player of the year prize — and Egyptian Mohamed Salah.
"With no offence to Luka Modric, I'd give the Ballon d'Or to Ronaldo for what he did last season. I think he deserves it," said Allegri.
Ronaldo scored 44 goals for Real Madrid last season including 15 in the Champions League on the way to a third straight title.
The Juventus boss insisted there was room for Argentine forward Paulo Dybala, the club's top scorer last season, despite the arrival of Ronaldo.
"When you have this much talent in the squad, someone has to sit out," he said.
"Paulo's quality is not up for debate, but I have to pick 11 players plus another three to come off the bench.
"Paulo has to prove he deserves his place in the starting line-up.
"I'm very happy with the way he came off the bench in Parma for the last 15 minutes, as he already had a completely different approach."
Parma beat Inter
MILAN: Just three years after going bankrupt, Parma returned to winning ways in Serie A with a surprise 1-0 win over Inter Milan at San Siro on Saturday.
And it was a player on loan from Inter, Federico Dimarco, who scored a spectacular long-range goal to hand Parma its first win in the top flight after a fairytale rise through the divisions.
It was also Parma's first win at Inter since 1999.
For Inter, it was a disappointing way to warm up for its return to the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri host Tottenham on Tuesday in their first match in Europe's elite club competition since the 2011-12 season.