Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri knows it is only a matter of time before Cristiano Ronaldo breaks his Serie A duck and has high hopes it will be in their top-of-the-table clash against Sassuolo.

The Portugal international has drawn a blank in his three matches since his summer move from Real Madrid but the 33-year-old’s proven goalscoring record means Allegri has no doubts the breakthrough will come.

“Cristiano has been training well. I think tomorrow could be his day,” he told a press conference.

“I believe that Cristiano deserves to win the FIFA World Player award, even if Luka Modric has had a phenomenal year as well.”

With European football beginning next week Allegri has told his players it is time for them to step up a level, despite opening their season with three successive wins to sit top of Serie A.

“This is where the season starts in earnest,” he added.

“The first objectives are to qualify from our Champions League group and lead the way in the league in order to be fighting on all fronts come March.”