ICYMI: Chiellieni tips Ronaldo to guide Juventus to Champions League glory

The Portuguese superstar moved to the Turin in the summer after a glittering spell with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

The veteran Juventus defender, Giorgio Chiellini expressed his delight on being on the same side with Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Italian defender looked very happy that he is on the same side as the Portuguese talisman finally after being rivals for years. Chiellini claimed that Ronaldo has time and again broken his dreams in the past.

The five-time Balon d'Or winner joined Juventus last summer from Real Madrid. All along his Real Madrid days, he was a thorn in the flesh for the Bianconeri and often came up with inspiring performances against the Italian giants.

Ronaldo has scored some of the stunning goals and broken some of the records against Juventus and it was like a routine for him to crush the Bianconeri's European aspirations.

However, now he is at Turin for another chapter in his illustrious career and he is running after trophies for the Old Lady with defenders like Giorgio Chiellini by his side. The veteran defender believes that Ronaldo has a certain aura which forces his teammates to work harder just by looking at him.

The veteran defender told BBC Sport: "Cristiano scored many, many, many times against us and he broke my dreams many times - in Cardiff, in Madrid, in Turin.

"Before, the Champions League was a dream. Now it is a target because Cristiano is the best player in the world and we need him to make the last step.

"It's the personality of Cristiano. He has fantastic skills in the field but out of the field, his attitude - how he works, how he prepares for the match, how he lives every day of his life - can help us. The team has changed.

Chiellini expressed his feelings that Juventus are one of the favourites to lift the Champions League and more so because of the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo who boasts an exceptional record in the competition. He also feels that there will be tough competition from others aswell.

"I think that we are one of the four or five teams who are favourites - Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich. But also PSG and Atletico can reach the victory and we are so far away from the key matches still."

Chiellini admitted that despite being a senior member at Turin he stills learns a lot from Ronaldo and the Portuguese acts as an inspiration for everyone around.

"I was curious to see some particular attitude far from the field.

"His work in the gym, and his concentration is something I try to take. He's helped me because I would like every day to improve myself,", the veteran defender continued.

Chiellini admitted that he was shocked that the Juventus board could strike a deal with the Portuguese talisman and could lure him from Real Madrid where he enjoyed a great time in his career.

"I didn't believe it at the beginning. But after some days of rumours, I talked with [president] Andrea [Agnelli] and I was surprised. I think that for many fans and also the players it was not so normal."

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Chiellini also expressed that as the whole team is working very hard on the overall improvement of themselves, and as he is surrounded by world-class players he believes that he is slowly approaching the twilight of his career.

The Italian also spoke about his future: "I don't know how long I will play.

"I live day by day and I think only about the next match. I'm very happy, I enjoy to train and play in this team and I'm proud of our team. At this age, we can't think too far ahead.

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"But I've prepared for the end of my career."

Chiellini is en route to his eighth Serie A title on the bounce with the Bianconeri and is also looking to secure his long incomplete triumph of the Champions League.