Weah scores for Juventus in Turin derby win and Leao nets 2 in AC Milan draw at Cagliari

Weah scores for Juventus in Turin derby win and Leao nets 2 in AC Milan draw at Cagliari
Juventus’ Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Torino at Allianz Stadium in Turin Saturday. (AP)
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Updated 10 November 2024
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Weah scores for Juventus in Turin derby win and Leao nets 2 in AC Milan draw at Cagliari

Weah scores for Juventus in Turin derby win and Leao nets 2 in AC Milan draw at Cagliari
  • Weah’s father, former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, was watching from the stands
  • Parma came back from a goal down for a 2-1 win at last-placed Venezia with goals from Emanuele Valeri and Ange-Yoan Bonny

ROME: Timothy Weah’s first-half goal for Juventus in a 2-0 derby win over Torino on Saturday marked the US international’s third goal in four Serie A matches.

Weah, who also scored recently against Inter Milan and Parma, was in the right spot to redirect in a rebound of a shot from Andrea Cambiaso.

Weah’s father, former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, was watching from the stands. Timothy Weah had another potential goal waved off for a handball.

Kenan Yildiz sealed it for Juventus with a crouching header late in the second half.

Juventus moved up to third, level on points with second-placed Inter Milan, who host league leaders Napoli on Sunday.

Leao scores 2 in AC Milan draw

Rafael Leao took advantage of his spot in AC Milan’s lineup after surprisingly being benched lately, scoring twice and helping to set up a third in a 3-3 draw at Cagliari.

Still, Milan struggled at relegation-threatened Cagliari just four days after a win at Real Madrid in the Champions League.

The pre-game attention was on 16-year-old Francesco Camarda getting the nod at center forward following an injury to Alvaro Morata, but it was Leao who made the biggest impact.

Nadir Zortea put Cagliari ahead in the second minute before Leao struck back with a brace before halftime.

First, Leao scored with a lob following an excellent setup from Tijjani Reijnders. Then the Portugal winger took a throughball from Youssouf Fofana and dribbled around the goalkeeper for his second.

Gabriele Zappa equalized for Cagliari shortly after the break and Milan went ahead again with a goal from Tammy Abraham, who had just come on for Camarda.

On a play that began with Leao inside Milan’s half, Abraham redirected in a rebound following a shot from Christian Pulisic.

Zappa then completed a brace, too, with a spectacular volley.

Milan remained seventh.

Parma win matchup of promoted clubs

Parma came back from a goal down for a 2-1 win at last-placed Venezia with goals from Emanuele Valeri and Ange-Yoan Bonny. Hans Nicolussi Caviglia put Venezia ahead five minutes into the matchup of promoted clubs.

Parma hadn’t won since beating Milan in August.

Lecce fire Gotti

Relegation-threatened Lecce fired Luca Gotti following a 1-1 draw with Empoli on Friday. The southern club did not immediately name a new coach.

It’s the second coaching change in Serie A after Daniele De Rossi was replaced by Ivan Juric at Roma.
 


Mbappe secures Real Madrid derby draw against Atletico

Mbappe secures Real Madrid derby draw against Atletico
Updated 6 min 49 sec ago
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Mbappe secures Real Madrid derby draw against Atletico

Mbappe secures Real Madrid derby draw against Atletico
  • Real Madrid lead second-place Atletico by a single point, with Barcelona, third, given the chance to cut the gap on the top two when they face Sevilla on Sunday

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe secured Real Madrid a 1-1 draw against rivals Atletico Madrid which kept Los Blancos top of La Liga on Saturday.
Julian Alvarez dinked home a controversial first half penalty for Atletico but Mbappe was in the right place at the right time to bundle home early in the second half on his first appearance in the tense derby clash.
Real Madrid lead second-place Atletico by a single point, with Barcelona, third, given the chance to cut the gap on the top two when they face Sevilla on Sunday.
“We have to continue on this path, we’re there in the fight and we will continue there until the end,” Alvarez told Movistar.
“I can’t say I wasn’t a bit nervous (with the penalty), but I was sure, I knew what I would do, and it was a great goal for the team.”
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted to deploy his four key attacking players in Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo Goes, in lieu of a more conservative approach.
The star names got stuck in, not always a given in a defensive sense, and the first half was a hard-fought, intense battle with few clear openings for either side.
Vinicius dragged a shot wide midway through the first half when he found a rare sight of goal for the hosts.
Atletico were upset when Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos was only booked for an ugly challenge on Pablo Barrios, but it was the hosts who were left raging when referee Cesar Soto Grado pointed to the penalty spot.
Aurelien Tchouameni, covering at center-back for Madrid with Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao out among others, clumsily trod on Samuel Lino’s foot in the box.
After a VAR review Soto Grado awarded a controversial penalty to Madrid’s frustration, with the incident happening after the ball had run past the duo.
Los Blancos attacked Spanish refereeing earlier in the week after they were upset by a decision in a shock defeat last weekend, bringing heavy scrutiny on the officials ahead of the derby.
Alvarez took the penalty, the first given against Madrid in La Liga this season, and cheekily executed a Panenka down the middle.
“Corruption in the federation,” chanted Real Madrid fans in response, buying into their club’s stance.
Madrid pulled level early in the second half when Rodrygo broke loose on the right of the box and crossed for Bellingham.
The England international’s shot was blocked but Mbappe was on hand to turn home the rebound and score on his first Madrid derby appearance.
Bellingham twice came close to putting Madrid ahead, nodding against the crossbar from Vinicius’ cross and then heading straight at Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak from a similar position, kicking the post in frustration.
Madrid played with far more fluidity in the second half and pegged Atletico back, forcing coach Diego Simeone into some defensive-minded changes, including withdrawing his son Giuliano who had a quiet game on the right wing.
Oblak made a smart save to deny Vinicius after the Brazilian winger burst through the gap between two Atletico defenders and pulled the trigger from a tight angle.
The Slovenian goalkeeper also managed to keep out a dangerous free-kick from Rodrygo which was intended as a cross but almost flew in at the far post.
Oblak made a brave low stop from Mbappe in the 90th minute after Fede Valverde sent the French forward in behind the defense, and the two sides were left with a point apiece.


Al-Hilal held at Damac to stay second

Al-Hilal held at Damac to stay second
Updated 08 February 2025
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Al-Hilal held at Damac to stay second

Al-Hilal held at Damac to stay second
  • It was an exciting game but in the end, the champions had to settle for a point
  • The Riyadh giants had their chances and hit the woodwork early in the game

RIYADH: Al-Hilal drew 2-2 at Damac on Saturday to stay in second place in the Saudi Pro League, two points behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
It was an exciting game but in the end, the champions had to settle for a point after their Jeddah rivals won 2-1 at Al-Taawoun on Thursday thanks to a last-minute winner from Karim Benzema.
The Riyadh giants had their chances and hit the woodwork early in the game. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic thought he had opened the scoring on the half hour, nodding home at the far post after a fine sweeping cross from Malcom. The Serbian was, however, caught offside.
No matter, as just two minutes later, the visitors were ahead. Ruben Neves swung over a cross from the right and there was Marcos Leonardo, on red-hot scoring form, to send a diving header into the net.


It was a beautiful goal. Al-Hilal had more chances to extend their lead but were left to regret their wastefulness as five minutes after the restart, Damac were back on level terms.
Georges-Kevin N’Koudou intercepted Kalidou Koulibaly’s clearance and the ball bounced into the path of Habib Diallo and the Senegalese striker made no mistake in stroking the ball home.
It was a shock for Al-Hilal but then they were given a penalty just before the hour as Kaio Cesar was brought down in the area. Up stepped Neves but his shot was well saved by Florin Nita.
Neves was kicking himself with 17 minutes remaining as Damac took the lead thanks to a second goal from Diallo who swept home a first-time shot after good work from Francois Kamano.
Four minutes later and Hilal drew level. The ball dropped nicely for the Milinkovic-Savic at the edge of the area and then the midfielder fired a low shot into the net.
Al-Hilal continued to push forward but could not get the all-important winning goal and had to settle for a point. Al-Ittihad will be happy but there is, however, still a long way to go.
Earlier, Ettifaq won 2-0 at Al-Okhdood to go ninth in the table.


Leverkusen lose ground on Bayern with Wolfsburg stalemate

Leverkusen lose ground on Bayern with Wolfsburg stalemate
Updated 08 February 2025
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Leverkusen lose ground on Bayern with Wolfsburg stalemate

Leverkusen lose ground on Bayern with Wolfsburg stalemate
  • Without their star trio, Leverkusen lacked fluency
  • Wirtz and Frimpong came on after 60 minutes but the visitors had few chances despite dominating possession

WOLFSBURG, Germany: Bayer Leverkusen dropped eight points behind league leaders Bayern Munich after a scoreless draw at Wolfsburg on Saturday, setting up a potentially season-defining duel between the top two next weekend.
Bayern’s 3-0 win over Werder Bremen on Friday, their seventh straight league win, increased the pressure on Xabi Alonso’s defending champions, who host the leaders next Saturday.
Alonso named a weakened starting lineup with Florian Wirtz, Patrik Schick and Jeremie Frimpong all left on the bench after playing 120 minutes in Tuesday’s extra-time German Cup win over Cologne.
Without their star trio, Leverkusen lacked fluency. Nordi Mukiele had a golden chance to put Leverkusen in front after 22 minutes, but headed over the bar while unmarked from point-blank range.
Wirtz and Frimpong came on after 60 minutes but the visitors had few chances despite dominating possession.
Wirtz went down in the box with 13 minutes remaining after some light contact prompting a VAR check, but the referee waved it away.
The 21-year-old had a chance to snatch his side the win in stoppage time, but blasted just wide.
Leverkusen have dropped four points in their past three league games, leaving their bid to defend their debut title on a knife-edge.
Conceding the eight-point gap to the league leaders was “much bigger than it should be,” Leverkusen captain Lukas Hradecky said “this weekend hasn’t made it easier for us to achieve our dream.
“With the way Bayern are at the moment, we can’t have anything but a home win,” Hradecky said of Bayern’s visit next week.
His manager struck a different tone, saying he was “not overly worried” about the widening gap.
“We’ll have a bit of a break and start preparing on Tuesday. We’re playing Bayern at home — top game, top atmosphere — we’re still focused on us, and what we can achieve.”
In Saturday’s late game, Eintracht Frankfurt drew 1-1 away at Borussia Moenchengladbach, continuing their struggles since the loss of Omar Marmoush to Manchester City in January.
Hugo Ekitike’s 31st-minute goal — his fifth in his past five games — canceled out a 26th-minute Tim Kleindienst header.
Frankfurt have won just two of six since Marmoush’s last game, but they still sit third, four points clear of fourth-placed Stuttgart.
Stuttgart won 2-1 at Borussia Dortmund to go fourth, spoiling Niko Kovac’s debut in the home dugout.
Stuttgart’s Deniz Undav and Dortmund’s Karim Adeyemi had chances in the opening half before center-back Waldemar Anton, who left Stuttgart for the Westfalenstadion in the summer, put the visitors in front in the 50th minute.
Stuttgart’s Jeff Chabot put the visitors two goals up on the 61st-minute mark, knocking in a superb volley for his first Bundesliga goal.
Julian Brandt scored late but it was not enough, as Stuttgart beat Dortmund for a fifth straight time.
Kovac, named coach this week after Nuri Sahin was fired in January, has his work cut out for him, with Dortmund mired in 11th spot.
“The boys gave it their all — we shouldn’t have left the field as losers,” said Kovac.
Freiburg climbed to sixth with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Heidenheim, with a first-half header from Vincenzo Grifo the difference.
Italy winger Grifo, known for his set-piece prowess, headed in a Ritsu Doan cross to keep his side on track for a third European qualification in four seasons.
Union Berlin chalked up a statement victory in their battle to avoid the drop, winning 4-0 at struggling Hoffenheim.
Union, who were in the Champions League last season but started Saturday’s game in 14th, won thanks to a brace from Benedict Hollerbach and goals from Marin Ljubicic and Andrej Ilic.
The win took Union 10 points clear of Heidenheim, who sit in the relegation playoff spot.
Also on Saturday, Mainz and Augsburg played out a scoreless draw.


Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear

Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear
Updated 08 February 2025
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Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear

Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear
  • Kane was key in winning Bayern’s first penalty and breaking down Bremen’s stubborn resistance
  • Leroy Sane tapped in a Konrad Laimer cross from close range for Bayern’s second in the 82nd minute

MUNICH: Harry Kane scored two penalties as Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-0 on Friday to go nine points clear of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
There were few chances in the first half but Kane signalled his intent 30 seconds after the break, rattling the crossbar with a shot from outside the box.
Kane was key in winning Bayern’s first penalty and breaking down Bremen’s stubborn resistance.
The England captain tussled with defender Anthony Young and headed a chipped cross against the Bremen man’s arm, which was slightly extended.
The England captain stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Michael Zetterer the wrong way.
Leroy Sane tapped in a Konrad Laimer cross from close range for Bayern’s second in the 82nd minute.
In stoppage time, Young was again deemed guilty of a foul in the box, this time on Jamal Musiala.
Kane stepped up and converted, bringing his penalty streak to 29 in a row for club and country.
The former Spurs striker now has 21 goals in 19 league games for Bayern this season, including nine penalties.
Defending champions Leverkusen travel to Wolfsburg on Saturday and can cut Bayern’s lead back to six points with a win.
Bayern play away at Leverkusen next week in a match bookended by a two-legged Champions League knockout tie against Celtic.
Bremen fought hard but were undermanned, on and off the field.
Coach Ole Werner along with defenders Niklas Stark and Marco Friedl were all missing due to red cards in the 1-0 home win against in-form Mainz last time out, while attackers Leonardo Bittencourt and Romano Schmid were sidelined with muscle strains.
Despite the loss, Bremen sit eighth, one point behind the European placings, as they bid for a return to continental competition for the first time since 2010-11.


Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again
Updated 07 February 2025
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Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again

Duran, Ronaldo star as Al-Nassr win again
  • Duran scores twice, Ronaldo adds third
  • Al-Nassr back in third place in table after victory

RIYADH: Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran were on target on Friday as Al-Nassr beat Al-Fayha 3-0 to go back into third place in the Saudi Pro League.
Duran, who signed from Aston Villa from the English Premier League at the end of the January transfer window, put the Yellows ahead midway through the first half. The Colombian, who picked up possession just outside the area, turned inside and then shot home into the bottom corner to score his first goal in his first SPL game.


It was a great start but the Yellows had to wait until the 72nd minute to extend their lead. Duran got his, and the team’s, second as he lifted the ball over the goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box.
It sealed the win for the hosts, but there was still time for another goal, and two minutes later it was 3-0. Nawaf Boushal ran down the right and then pulled the ball back into the area for Ronaldo to sweep home from just inside the box. It was the 16th league goal of the season for the Portuguese star, who stays on top of the scoring rankings. It also secured another win for Al-Nassr, their fourth in succession.
“It was a good match and we played well against a solid opponent who did not make it easy for us,” said Al-Nassr’s coach Stefano Pioli. “We were patient and, at the end, we got what we wanted.”
The win means that Al-Nassr are in third place, five points behind Al-Hilal in second and eight behind leaders Al-Ittihad.
Earlier, Al-Ahli beat Al-Fateh 2-0 with both goals coming from England striker Ivan Toney from the penalty spot.