Rome, Jan 6 (EFE).- Cristiano Ronaldo started 2020 on the right foot, posting his 56th career hat trick for club and country to lead Juventus over Cagliari 4-0 Monday and give the Bianconeri sole possession of first place in Serie A.

While scoring three goals in a match is nothing new for the Portuguese superstar, the triple against Cagliari was his first in Serie A since joining Juve from Real Madrid in 2018.

Ronaldo has 13 league goals as the season approaches the mid-point.

With 45 points from 18 matches, Juventus are 3 ahead of second-place Inter Milan, in action later Monday against Napoli. Cagliari, with 29 points, occupy the sixth spot in the league table.

After ending 2019 on a down note with a loss to Lazio in the Italian Super Cup, the Bianconeri were held scoreless by Cagliari until the 49th minute, when Ronaldo extended his Serie A goal streak to five matches.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner converted from the penalty spot in the 67th minute and completed the triple in the 82nd with an assist from Douglas Costa.

Late substitute Gonzalo Higuain scored between Ronaldo's second and third goals.

At the San Siro, meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic received a warm reception on his return to AC Milan, yet the 38-year-old Swede was denied in his only chance on goal and the hosts could manage no better than a 0-0 draw with 17-place Sampdoria.

The Rossoneri, with just 22 points from 18 matches, are 12th in Serie A.

Atalanta, who closed out 2019 with a 5-0 drubbing of AC Milan, began the new year in similar fashion, romping 5-0 over Parma. The Bergamo club led 3-0 at the break on goals from Papu Gomez, Remo Freuler and Robin Gosens. Josep Ilcic added a brace in the second half.

The victory boosts Atalanta to 34 points, enough for fifth place. Parma are seventh with 25 points.

Bologna and Fiorentina drew 1-1 in the Apennine derby. Fiorentina took the lead in the 27th minute with Marco Benassi's goal, only to concede to Riccardo Orsolini in stoppage time.

Winless since Oct. 30, Fiorentina sit 15th in Serie A. Bologna are in 10th place.

In Lecce, Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul delivered a magnificent goal with two minutes left in regulation to give visiting Udinese a 1-0 win.

Udinese improved to 21 points and are 13th, four places above Lecce, who have 15 points. EFE am/dr

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