Sports

Kean strikes twice as Juve sweeps Udinese aside

March 09, 2019
Juventus players celebrate after beating Udinese in a Serie A match at Allianz Stadium in Turin Friday. — Reuters
Juventus players celebrate after beating Udinese in a Serie A match at Allianz Stadium in Turin Friday. — Reuters

TURIN — Juventus teenager Moise Kean scored twice on his first Serie A start of the season in a 4-1 home win over Udinese as the runaway leaders moved 19 points clear Friday.

Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri rested several players ahead of next week’s Champions League last 16, return leg against visiting Atletico Madrid, which his side trails 2-0, including Mario Mandzukic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala.

However, the Turin side had little trouble seeing off Udinese as it scored four goals for the first time this term and stretched its unbeaten league campaign to 27 matches.

Kean opened the scoring after 11 minutes when he stabbed in Alex Sandro’s cross from close range and doubled the lead five minutes before the break by prodding home at the near post.

At 19 years and eight days, the Italy international became the youngest player to score at least two goals in a Serie A game since 18-year-old Giuseppe Galderisi in February 1982.

Midway through the second half, Kean raced on to a long ball and was brought down inside the box by substitute Nicholas Opoku, and Emre Can sent the penalty into the corner.

Blaise Matuidi completed the rout in the 71st minute with a stooping header that bounced off the ground into the top corner, before Udinese substitute Kevin Lasagna got a consolation with a fine angled finish five minutes from time.

Juve has 75 points, having won 24 of its 27 matches this season and drawn the other three, while Udinese is 15th on 25 points ahead of the rest of the Serie A weekend program.

Second-placed Napoli visits mid-table Sassuolo Sunday.

Every game is a final: Willian

Willian admits every game is a “final” for Chelsea as it aims to boost its bid for a top four finish against Wolves Sunday.

Maurizio Sarri’s side has 10 Premier League matches left to overhaul fourth placed Manchester United, which is currently two points ahead of the sixth placed Blues.

Chelsea has a game in hand on United and fifth placed Arsenal and could also qualify for the Champions League by winning the Europa League.

It is on course for the Europa League quarterfinals after a superb free-kick from Willian inspired a 3-0 win in their last 16 first leg against Dynamo Kiev Thursday.

But sterner tests lie in wait in Europe, while the top four race is so tight that any slip-up could be decisive.

As Brazil winger Willian acknowledges, Chelsea has no margin for error when Wolves arrive at Stamford Bridge.

“Now is the moment we have to win every game,” Willian said.

“Every game is a final for us now and we have to go well in every game.

“We know our targets, we know what we want. We want to reach the top four, to stay there, and play Champions League next season.”

Chelsea failed to qualify for the Champions League last season under Sarri’s predecessor Antonio Conte following a fifth-placed finish which led to the Italian’s sacking.

Sarri remains in danger of suffering the same fate after a troubled debut season including a humiliating 6-0 loss at Manchester City and an equally dismal 4-0 thrashing at Bournemouth. — Agencies


March 09, 2019
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