TORINO FRUSTRATES JUVENTUS IN SERIE A, ANOTHER 0-0 STALEMATE
Torino and Juventus play out a goalless draw thanks to heroic saves from both goalkeepers. Find out how Paleari denied McKennie's bullet header and the key moments in Luciano Spalletti's latest result.
Coach Luciano Spalletti of Juventus FC - Photo Credit: Getty Images
In the Derby della Mole, local rivals Torino held Luciano Spalletti's Juventus to another dismal draw, this time due to decisive play from both goalkeepers.
Under new coach Luciano Spalletti, the Bianconeri had a mixed start. They defeated Cremonese 2-1 on the road in Serie A, but Sporting CP held them to a 1-1 Champions League stalemate in the middle of the week. While Dusan Vlahovic and Khephren Thuram bounced back from knocks, Gleison Bremer, Lloyd Kelly, Juan Cabal, and Arek Milik remained injured. Last week, Toro overcame a 2-0 deficit to hold Pisa 2-2. They had won five straight games, including an unexpected victory over Napoli. The only players still missing were Perr Schuurs and Zanos Savva, while Leonardo Colucci replaced coach Marco Baroni, who was suspended.
Since a 2-1 loss to Juventus in April 2015, Toro has not defeated their rivals, and the last time they defeated Juventus on the road was in April 1995.
Guillermo Maripan charged down a low drive after Francisco Conceicao cut inside two players, and Weston McKennie fell after Dusan Vlahovic passed him through and missed the shot.
When Conceicao drew back from the by-line for what would have been a six-yard Vlahovic tap-in, Maripan made another crucial save, and Alberto Paleari was on the lookout for Khephren Thuram.
Alberto Paleari stooped to fingertip a Francisco Conceicao angled drive just beyond the far post, but Michele Di Gregorio had to block a Cyril Ngonge pass at Giovanni Simeone's feet.
Simeone beat Di Gregorio one-on-one after straying offside on the Cesare Casadei assist, but he only had the ball in the net seconds after the restart.
A last-ditch sliding challenge by Ardian Ismajli in the penalty area had stopped Thuram's attempt to thread through for Kenan Yildiz.
Simeone's header flew straight at Di Gregorio shortly after, and substitute Che Adams was unable to direct a header on target at the back post following a deflected Simeone effort.
In the second half, Torino increased their pressure when Adams cut inside Koopmeiners, and Di Gregorio brilliantly pushed his strong low drive over the bar with one hand.
As Yildiz threaded through for Jonathan David, Paleari also hurried off his line to reduce the angle. He then produced an incredible save on the McKennie bullet header from Edon Zhegrova's cross.
From the edge of the box, Kristjan Asllani shot inches over the bar, while Yildiz's shot was deflected off course, and David was unable to bundle it over the line in the next corner.
In stoppages, Lois Openda's curler was deflected wide off Marcus Pedersen, but the officials failed to notice it.
MANCHESTER UNITED ACE TIPPED BY SCOTT MCTOMINAY FOR NAPOLI MOVE
Scott McTominay urges Napoli boss Antonio Conte to sign Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United. The Scottish midfielder, thriving in Serie A, believes his former teammate would be a perfect fit for the Italian champions.
McTominay says Man Utd's Kobbie Mainoo ‘fits straight in’ Napoli - Photo Credit: Getty Images
Antonio Conte, the manager of Napoli, has been asked by Scott McTominay to follow up on reports of interest in Kobbie Mainoo next month. Rasmus Hojlund and Romelu Lukaku are also making an impression for the reigning Serie A champions, and McTominay is one of several former Manchester United exiles who are currently thriving in Naples. Since joining the Italian team last summer, the Scottish midfielder has been crucial.
Since departing United, McTominay has prospered.
The 28-year-old's crucial contribution to Napoli's championship victory under Conte last season earned him the title of Serie A MVP. Other former Manchester United players have drawn attention to Conte's team, and McTominay has adapted to Italian football like a duck to water.
Lukaku, who played for United for two years, was also a vital member of the Partenopei last season, helping Napoli defeat Inter with 14 goals and 10 assists. Since the Dane returned to Serie A on a season-long loan, Hojlund has had the opportunity to thrive in Italy, but the Belgian has not yet played for Napoli this season.
And as Conte's team tries to win the title again, McTominay thinks Napoli should make a move for Kobbie Mainoo in the New Year. This season, Mainoo has only played 138 minutes in the league, and his only start occurred during the EFL Cup loss to Grimsby in August.
"He would fit right in." Mainoo, who was injured and missed United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham on Saturday, had planned to transfer away from Old Trafford in the summer to get regular playing time during a World Cup year. The 20-year-old has not played for England since joining as a substitute against Ireland in the UEFA Nations League last September, but United rejected the player's request to leave earlier this year due to the club's inability to acquire a midfield player, even though there were rumours that they were interested in Carlos Baleba.
With players like Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, and Baleba on the club's radar, United is anticipated to add a new midfield player in January. Mainoo would probably go to make room for a new player in the middle of the park. Additionally, a source close to McTominay has instructed Conte to sign Mainoo in the upcoming year, according to SunSport.
"Scott told Conte to grab Kobbie after seeing him. He has informed him all about his greatness as a player and his strengths. Whether on loan or a permanent basis, he believes he would be a fantastic addition to the team because he knows everything about him from his time at United.
"Having been in the academy since he was a young lad, Bobbie has been raised properly at United. He would contribute immediately and help Napoli.
Over the summer, Napoli acquired a central midfield player from the Premier League when Kevin De Bruyne left Manchester City for Italy. Despite having an instant influence on Conte's team, the seasoned Belgian is not expected to play again this season.
The reason for this is that following his penalty kick in Napoli's 3-1 victory over championship rivals Inter last month, De Bruyne sustained a thigh injury. Since joining Napoli in the summer, the 34-year-old has scored four goals in the league.
Given that Mainoo is already a known target for the Serie A powerhouses, De Bruyne's injury is probably going to compel Napoli to enter the market in January.
On Sunday afternoon, Napoli will play Bologna at the Renato Dall'Ara in an attempt to retake the top spot in Serie A. On Saturday night, AC Milan blew a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Parma, dropping Conte's team to second place in Italy's top division.
In another extremely close Serie A title race, Roma hosts Udinese and Inter hosts Lazio at San Siro on Sunday. Before the year's last international break, the top four are, in fact, only one point apart.
ANTOINE GRIEZMANN’S DOUBLE INSPIRES COMEBACK AS ATLETICO DEFEAT LEVANTE 3-1
Atlético Madrid legend Antoine Griezmann came off the bench to score two quick goals (202 & 203) in a 3-1 win over Levante. See how the super-sub's vintage scoring form put Diego Simeone's side back in the title race!
Antoine Griezmann of Atletico de Madrid scored a brace during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Atletico de Madrid and Levante - Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images
Atletico Madrid defeated Levante 3-1 in the Spanish League on Saturday thanks to two goals from Antoine Griezmann, who displayed his classic scoring form.
In the 61st minute, Atletico's all-time top scorer entered the game and took just a few seconds to score the game-winning goal. With ten minutes left, he added another to complete the victory.
Griezmann, who is 34 years old and plays a smaller part for Diego Simeone's team but still contributes with his playmaking and goals, scored goals Nos. 202 and 203 at Atletico.
Griezmann's 174th club goal in January 2024 made him Atletico's best scorer. This season, he has scored five goals, including in a historic 5-2 thumping of Real Madrid.
Adrián de la Fuente's own goal in the 12th minute gave Atletico the lead over Levante, and Manu Sánchez's header in the 21st minute tied the score for the visitors.
When Simeone sent Griezmann on, he made an immediate impression. He was in a position to scramble in a rebound to seal the victory after first racing forward to drive in a low cross from Marcos Lorrente.
He stated, "We all have to be ready to go because the teams that go far have a good reserve." "All players want to play, so I would like to play more, but I accept it and try my best to support my teammates."
With the victory, Atletico moved even with Barcelona on the standings, five points behind leader Real Madrid.