logo
Juve's top-four dream hits the snooze button in Parma loss

Juve's top-four dream hits the snooze button in Parma loss

JUVENTUS stumbled to a 1–0 defeat at Parma on Wednesday, failing to impress with a sleepy performance as they slipped out of the top four with the season now edging towards its conclusion.
Juve sit fifth on 59 points, one behind Bologna who occupy the final Champions League spot, with five rounds remaining. Parma, meanwhile, took a significant step away from the relegation zone and have 31 points — six clear of 18th-placed Venezia.
The first half was a dull affair, with both sides appearing to have already clocked off for an early end-of-season break, drifting through the motions and barely creating any real chances until the final minutes.
Mateo Pellegrino lit up the home crowd right before the break, soaring through the air in first-half stoppage time to meet a looping cross and head the ball with pinpoint precision into the net for the only goal of the match.
"We lacked a bit of everything. We pushed a lot in the second half, but we were not dangerous enough," Igor Tudor, who was appointed in March, told DAZN after his first loss as Juve coach.
"We lacked determination and desire. Too many times, we were just happy to participate. We must grow, be wicked and have the desire to win and fight."
Juve's Dusan Vlahovic was substituted during the break, with Italian media reporting that the striker suffered a thigh injury, with Francisco Conceicao replacing the Serbian.
The second half unfolded in the same lifeless fashion as the first, with Juve applying some late pressure, but Parma keeper Zion Suzuki proved a steady last line of defence, denying Juve any chance of an equaliser.
Juve will next host bottom club Monza on Sunday.
The Serie A clash between Genoa and Lazio was briefly halted in the first half after several smoke bombs were thrown onto the pitch, one of which struck Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas.
However, the Greek shot-stopper was cleared to continue and played the rest of the match, helping Lazio to a 2–0 win with goals from Valentin Castellanos and Boulaye Dia. — REUTERS

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Soccer-Tottenham appoint Brentford's Frank as manager
Soccer-Tottenham appoint Brentford's Frank as manager

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Soccer-Tottenham appoint Brentford's Frank as manager

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Brentford - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - September 21, 2024, Brentford manager Thomas Frank applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay/File Photo LONDON (Reuters) -Tottenham Hotspur named Thomas Frank as their fifth full-time manager in six years on Thursday with the Premier League club confirming they had hired the former Brentford boss on a three-year contract to replace the sacked Ange Postecoglou. The 51-year-old Dane, who has been in charge of Brentford since 2018 and established them in the top flight, will take charge of a club that will take part in next year's Champions League after they won the Europa League last month in Bilbao. "In Thomas we are appointing one of the most progressive and innovative head coaches within the game," a club statement said. "He has a proven track record in player and squad development and we look forward to him leading the team as we prepare for the season ahead." Australian Postecoglou's achievement in delivering Spurs' first trophy for 17 years was overshadowed by a woeful Premier League season which saw them finish 17th with 22 defeats, their worst campaign since the club were relegated in 1977. Frank began his coaching career with Denmark's under-age sides before taking charge at Brondby in 2013, leaving in March 2016 and in December that year joined Brentford as assistant to Dean Smith in the Championship (second tier). In October 2018, after the dismissal of Smith, Frank was appointed Bees manager. "From the moment he replaced Dean Smith, he understood what we were trying to build and his wisdom, coaching ability and emotional intelligence have helped transform the club," Brentford Director of Football Phil Giles said. "We will never forget Thomas, but now it is time to thank him and take the next steps in our journey with a new leader who we believe can be just as successful and influential." Frank has been impressive during his time at Brentford -- creating a high-scoring side who have punched above their weight since reaching the Premier League in 2021 via the playoffs. In their four Premier League seasons under Frank, Brentford have finished 13th, 9th, 16th and 10th and last term only four teams scored more than their 66 goals. A keen user of player data, Frank and his backroom staff have proved especially adept at unearthing gems and selling those players on for huge profits, such as forwards Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney and Said Benrahma plus goalkeeper David Raya Despite the outgoings, Brentford have managed to remain competitive in the top flight under Frank and last season were in the mix for European qualification. Forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa scored 39 Premier League goals between them last season and both could well be Tottenham targets during the close season. Frank has gained a reputation for his attention to detail and it is no surprise that his Brentford side scored inside 40 seconds in three successive league games last season. "We have a kick-off strategy and we tweak it from game-to-game. And as a mindset and philosophy, we like to get straight on the front foot and be positive," Frank said at the time. He now faces a completely different challenge at Tottenham and a fast start to his reign will be important to win over fans who felt Postecoglou should have been rewarded for winning a trophy by being given another season at the helm. Brentford assistant first-team coach Justin Cochrane, head of athletic performance Chris Haslam and first-team analyst Joe Newton are also joining Frank at Spurs, along with Andreas Georgson from Manchester United. (Reporting by Martyn Herman; additional reporting by Trevor Stynes; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Soccer-De Bruyne joins Italian champions Napoli after Man City exit
Soccer-De Bruyne joins Italian champions Napoli after Man City exit

The Star

time6 hours ago

  • The Star

Soccer-De Bruyne joins Italian champions Napoli after Man City exit

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - May 25, 2025 Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates after playing his last Premier League match for Manchester City Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo (Reuters) -Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne has joined Serie A champions Napoli as a free agent on Thursday, following the end of his glittering 10-year spell at Manchester City. De Bruyne lifted 19 trophies at City since his 2015 move from German side VfL Wolfsburg — a haul that includes six Premier League titles and one Champions League crown. He has also been named the Premier League Player of the Season twice. Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, the 33-year-old's contract at City expired at the end of the recently-concluded season. "Kevin is proud to be one of us!," Napoli posted on social media platform X. The Belgium captain featured in 40 matches in all competitions for City last campaign, scoring six goals and providing eight assists and helping them qualify for next season's Champions League, after being sidelined by a thigh injury in September. Injuries had limited his appearances in the last two seasons. De Bruyne made 422 appearances in all competitions for City, netting 108 times and registering 177 assists. He has the second-most assists in Premier League history with 119, behind Ryan Giggs (162). Napoli won their second Serie A title in three years after a tight race with Inter Milan. (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru;Editing by Christian Radnedge)

Real Madrid ‘only' team I'd have left Liverpool for: Alexander-Arnold
Real Madrid ‘only' team I'd have left Liverpool for: Alexander-Arnold

The Sun

time7 hours ago

  • The Sun

Real Madrid ‘only' team I'd have left Liverpool for: Alexander-Arnold

NEW Real Madrid signing Trent Alexander-Arnold said he joined the 'only' team he would have considered leaving Liverpool for, at his presentation on Thursday. Reds fans jeered Alexander-Arnold after the academy graduate revealed he would leave this summer, but eventually gave him a warm farewell on the last day of the Premier League season. 'It was never a question of where, it was whether to go or not to go,' the 26-year-old defender told a news conference. 'I always knew... if I was to ever leave Liverpool, it would only be to go to Real Madrid, that would be the only club for me... 'I'm not going to say it was easy because I'd been there so long, been a part of it, but eventually, you have to make a decision. 'In my mind, I've made the right one and it's one that I'm very excited about.' The right-back said the record 15-time European Cup winners' history had to be 'respected' and he wanted to add to it. 'A big reason why I joined is to be a part of that amazing history that club's got,' he said. 'Be a part of the success going forward, joining an exciting, young team with a lot of potential.' Alexander-Arnold, who moved for a fee even though his contract was expiring this summer, to speed up his arrival ahead of the Club World Cup, signed a deal until 2031. He joins former Liverpool midfielder and new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso's project after winning a second Premier League title with Arne Slot's Reds. Alonso won the Champions League with Liverpool as a player in 2005 during a remarkable final against AC Milan as the English side fought back from three goals down to triumph in Turkey. 'I grew up a Liverpool fan, being able to see (that game in) Istanbul with the manager now, doing amazing things there, part of an incredible final,' said Alexander-Arnold. 'We've spoken a little bit... I told him that he was a big idol of mine growing up.' England international Alexander-Arnold's quality on the ball and his passing range is reminiscent of Alonso's. 'It probably impacted my game a lot growing up, seeing him pass a ball, I explained this to him as well,' continued the defender. 'Watching him pass a ball, seeing it influenced me to be able to go and train harder and have a great kind of hunger to be able to do that and set standards.' - 'I'll be a sponge' - Alexander-Arnold said he would try to learn a lot from Alonso and was willing to play wherever the coach saw fit, be it in defence or midfield. 'It's not just me who's new here, he's a new manager, he's got to get his ideas across to the whole team,' he said. 'He's shown how amazing he is managerial-wise and as a player, so his knowledge of football is there in abundance and I'm excited, I'll be a sponge around him.' He could make his Madrid debut against Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami in their Club World Cup opener. Alexander-Arnold will wear the number 12 shirt at Madrid, with 'Trent' on the back rather than his surname. 'I've always found when I travel to Europe, the whole name situation confuses a lot of people,' he explained. 'I just thought let's make it simple, let's make it easy. Trent on the back, be known as Trent.' Madrid, who also signed centre-back Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth, failed to win a major trophy this season under Alonso's predecessor Carlo Ancelotti, but are looking to triumph in the United States this summer. 'We go straight to America for the Club World Cup and our ambition there is to go and win that trophy as well,' said the defender. 'I'm looking to have a great start.' Earlier Alexander-Arnold surprised as he gave a short speech in Spanish at his presentation. 'Signing for a club like Real Madrid does not happen every day. It's a dream come true,' he said. 'I'm conscious that playing for Real Madrid is a big responsibility, but I'm ready to give everything.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store