logo
Juve beat Udinese to boost UCL qualification hopes

Juve beat Udinese to boost UCL qualification hopes

Express Tribune19-05-2025
Juventus consolidated their hold on fourth spot in Serie A with a 2-0 win at home to Udinese on Sunday, keeping the hosts on track to secure Champions League football for next season.
The home side had the better of the first half but were unable to find an opener, with Randal Kolo Muani having a chipped effort saved and a Nicolas Gonzalez shot from distance was pushed onto the post by Udinese keeper Maduka Okoye.
Gonzalez put Juventus in front in the 61st minute, collecting a pass in the box from Kenan Yildiz and rifling his shot into the top corner, and Yildiz was the provider for Dusan Vlahovic to secure the win two minutes from time.
Igor Tudor's side go to relegation battlers Venezia on the final day of the season.
Juventus moved to 67 points, one ahead of AS Roma who beat AC Milan 3-1, with Lazio a point further behind after they held Inter Milan to a 2-2 draw.
Roma took the lead at the Stadio Olimpico from a corner kick in the third minute with Gianluca Mancini heading home and Milan were down to 10 men midway through the opening half when Santiago Gimenez was punished for an elbow on Mancini.
The hosts failed to make the most of their numerical advantae and Milan levelled six minutes from the break, with Joao Felix guiding his effort into the net after Mile Svilar had saved from Alex Jimenez.
Roma were back in front in the 58th minute, Leandro Paredes scoring direct from a free kick, the ball beating keeper Mike Maignan at his near post and Bryan Cristante netted from outside the area three minutes from time to wrap up the win.
Claudio Ranieri was emotional before the game, his last in charge of Roma at the Olimpico as the home crowd paid tribute to him with a choreographed display, and takes his side to Torino on the last day, hoping to overtake Juventus in the table.
That loss leaves Milan ninth in the table on 60 points and out of the hunt for a European place, which looks likely to spell the end of manager Sergio Conceicao's time in charge when the season ends.
Bologna, fresh from their Coppa Italia success, are out of the Champions League race after their 3-2 loss at Fiorentina left them eighth in the standings on 62 points.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Benjamin Sesko decides: Slovenian closing in on €75m-move to Manchester United, snubbing Newcastle in the process
Benjamin Sesko decides: Slovenian closing in on €75m-move to Manchester United, snubbing Newcastle in the process

Express Tribune

timea day ago

  • Express Tribune

Benjamin Sesko decides: Slovenian closing in on €75m-move to Manchester United, snubbing Newcastle in the process

Manchester United are on the verge of securing a deal for Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, edging ahead of Newcastle United in the race to sign the 22-year-old from RB Leipzig. The Red Devils and Newcastle have both made bids for Sesko, with Newcastle initially offering €75 million plus €5 million in add-ons, before raising their offer to €80 million. Manchester United responded within 24 hours with a proposal of €75 million plus €10 million. Despite Newcastle's increased bid, Sesko has expressed a strong desire to join Manchester United, a preference that has shifted the balance in United's favour, as reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein. 🚨 Manchester United closing in on deal to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig. #RBLeipzig accepted €82.5m + €2.5m bid from Newcastle United but 22yo striker wants #MUFC. No club-to-club agreement yet but talks advancing towards conclusion @TheAthleticFC — David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 6, 2025 Although no final agreement has been made between the clubs yet, talks are progressing to meet Leipzig's expectations for the transfer. Sesko's decision to opt for United is significant, even though Newcastle have offered a higher fee and the attraction of Champions League football. The forward had an impressive season in 2024-2025, scoring 21 goals across all competitions for Leipzig. Since joining from RB Salzburg in 2023, Sesko has netted 39 goals and provided eight assists in 87 appearances. Sesko is recognised for his physicality and goal-scoring ability. Standing at 6ft 5in, the striker has drawn comparisons to Erling Haaland due to his speed, powerful finishing, and aggression. While not yet at Haaland's level, his potential is undeniable. However, signing a player of Sesko's calibre brings its own challenges. His physical attributes could make him well-suited to the Premier League, but whether he can handle the intense scrutiny at a club like Manchester United remains to be seen. Sesko's preference for Manchester United was also reported by veteran transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. United's interest in Sesko comes as part of an ongoing search for attacking reinforcements. This summer, the club has also added forwards Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Earlier in the summer, the club looked into the possibility of signing Liam Delap, but the striker opted for a move to Chelsea. United's offensive overhaul continues as they look to build a squad capable of competing on multiple fronts in the upcoming season.

Son Heung-min to leave Tottenham
Son Heung-min to leave Tottenham

Express Tribune

time4 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Son Heung-min to leave Tottenham

Tottenham Hotspur's captain Son Heung-min during the team practice earlier this year. PHOTO: REUTERS Tottenham captain Son Heung-min said on Saturday that he will leave the club this summer after a decade in north London. The 33-year-old attacker joined the Premier League side from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and went on to play more than 450 times for Spurs. In May he lifted the Europa League trophy but he had a poor season overall by his high standards and struggled with a series of leg injuries. "Before we start the press conference I wanted to say I have decided to leave the club this summer," the South Korean told reporters in Seoul, where Tottenham are on a pre-season tour. "Respectfully the club is helping me with this decision." Son, who has scored 173 goals for Spurs, did not say where he intends to go next and cut an emotional figure. He has been linked with a move to the MLS in the United States. "It was the most difficult decision I have made in my career. Such amazing memories. It was so hard to make the decision," Son said, flanked by new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank. "I need a new environment to push myself. I need a little bit of change — 10 years is a long time. I came to north London as a kid, 23 years old, such a young age. "I leave this club as a grown man, a very proud man." Speaking in Korean, Son said that winning a European trophy — Tottenham's first European crown in 41 years — played "a big part" in his thinking. "Winning a title in Europe felt like I had achieved everything I possibly could," he said. "I spent a lot of time reflecting on whether I wanted to experience football in a different environment, and I had those conversations with myself over and over again." Frank, who joined Spurs from Brentford in June, paid tribute to the South Korean skipper. "For me, personally, I would have loved to have worked with this fantastic person and player," said the Dane, who took over from the sacked Ange Postecoglou. "He is a true Spurs legend in every aspect, one of the greatest players to play in the Premier League." Spurs will face Newcastle United on Sunday in Seoul, and Son is guaranteed a rapturous reception in front of his home fans. Spurs have had a fairly quiet summer in the transfer market so far, with attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus from West Ham their only major acquisition. Morgan Gibbs-White had looked set to follow from Nottingham Forest but a £60 million move broke down.

Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports
Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports

Express Tribune

time5 days ago

  • Express Tribune

Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Isak: reports

Sweden striker Alexander Isak has three years left on his Newcastle contract but wants to leave the club. PHOTO: AFP Newcastle have rejected Liverpool's opening bid to sign unsettled Sweden striker Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday. Isak has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week after reportedly telling Newcastle he wants to leave St James' Park. The 25-year-old has been linked with Liverpool since the end of last season and the Premier League champions are now believed to have formalised their interest with an offer of around £110 million ($159 million) plus potential add-ons. But Newcastle, who reportedly value Isak at £150 million, remain keen to hold onto their prize asset and have rebuffed Liverpool's initial bid. Isak, who joined Newcastle in a £60 million move from Real Sociedad in 2022, scored 23 Premier League goals last season to help Newcastle qualify for the Champions League. He has three years left on his Newcastle contract, but did not travel to Asia for the Magpies' ongoing pre-season tour, with the club saying he had a minor thigh injury. On Thursday, Real Sociedad confirmed he was at their Zubieta facility with his own trainers. It was reported on Friday that Newcastle had told Isak he could agree a new deal containing a get-out clause for next year, but he responded by insisting he wants to move now. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already bolstered his attacking options by signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz during the current transfer window. But the Reds are keen to make their forward line even more formidable by adding Isak as they look to win back to back English titles for the first time since the 1980s. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe struck a defiant note earlier this week when he said: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. "We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. "My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control." Liverpool have spent over £250 million so far in the summer window, with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Wirtz and Ekitike at Anfield.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store