Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the forward's subdued display in a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

Late goals from Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin gave Atletico a deserved win in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie at the Wanda Metropolitano.

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Ronaldo had just one shot on target – of Juve's three – and Godin's goal deflected in off him in the 83rd minute.

But Allegri backed the 34-year-old's performance and said the clash would be beneficial heading into the second leg in Turin on March 12.

"Ronaldo played a good game," he told a news conference.

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"He is confident with these kinds of matches. He was not bad at all.

"We missed all the second half as a team. And this match will be useful looking forward to the second leg."