Tag: Serie A

Weah sidelined with hamstring injury after opening-night Juventus goal

It’s one step forward, one step back for the USMNT winger

Juventus winger Tim Weah is set for a spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury suffered in Monday’s season-opening win against Como.

Weah was injured near the end of the first half, and moved gingerly around the field as a substitute warmed up on the sideline.

But the U.S. men’s national team winger wasn’t done for the night. In first-half stoppage time, Weah managed to find his way into the box and thump home a left-footed strike for his first career Serie A goal.

Minutes later, the halftime whistle blew and the 24-year-old’s night was over.

On Tuesday, Juventus released a medical update on Weah and midfielder Khephren Thuram, saying both players would miss at least 10 days with hamstring injuries.

“Following muscular problems suffered during last night’s match, Khephren Thuram and Timothy Weah underwent diagnostic tests this morning at the J|Medical, which revealed for the former a low-grade hamstring injury in his left thigh and for the latter a low-grade hamstring injury in his right thigh,” the club said.

“New examinations are scheduled for both players in approximately 10 days’ time.”

The injury is a blow for Weah, who has been moved to his more natural winger position under new manager Thiago Motta.

Weah played wingback under Max Allegri last term, as his debut campaign with the Bianconeri saw him lose his starting role by midseason.

After Juve won 3-0, Motta marveled at how a clearly hobbled Weah still managed to find himself in the right place and executed his shot to perfection.

“That was the great instinct of the player!” the coach said with a laugh to DAZN.

“He wasn’t in good shape, he almost walked into the box, because he sensed that was the position to be in. We’ll evaluate him tomorrow and hope it is nothing serious.”

The injury also appears likely to keep Weah off the USMNT roster for September matches against Canada on September 7, and New Zealand three days later.

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USMNT winger Weah scores, comes off injured in Juventus opener

It was a case of good news, bad news for the New York native

Tim Weah scored his first Serie A goal on Monday, netting in the first game of his second campaign at Juventus.

It wasn’t all good news for the U.S. men’s national team winger, though, as he was forced off with an injury that he actually suffered minutes before scoring his goal.

Under new head coach Thiago Motta, Weah has been moved to his more natural winger position after spending last season as a wingback under Max Allegri.

Weah’s first season with Juve was underwhelming, as he would lose his starting role by midseason. The USMNT attacker appears to have new life in 2024-25, which he demonstrated by playing a part in both of Juve’s first-half goals against Como.

First, Weah’s long switch found Samuel Mbangula, who cut in and arrowed an inch-perfect strike inside the far post to give Juve a 23rd-minute lead.

Later in the half, Weah appeared to suffer an injury after a clash near the touchline. As the 24-year-old moved gingerly around the field, he still managed to open his Serie A account in first-half stoppage time.

Kenan Yıldız beat his defender on the left flank and cut back an inviting ball near the penalty spot, which Weah hammered off the underside of the crossbar and out. The referee’s watch buzzed, however, as the ball clearly crossed the line.

As Weah walked off the field to end the first half, he indicated to trainers that he would be unable to play any further part in the game at Allianz Stadium.

Nicolò Savona came on at the break to replace the New York native, who will now hope his early momentum won’t be curtailed by injury.

After the game, which Juventus won 3-0, Motta was asked if he told a hobbling Weah to get into the penalty box near the end of the half.

“That was the great instinct of the player!” the coach said with a laugh to DAZN.

“He wasn’t in good shape, he almost walked into the box, because he sensed that was the position to be in. We’ll evaluate him tomorrow and hope it is nothing serious.”

Watch Weah’s goal vs. Como

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Juventus boss Motta says he may have a use for McKennie after all

History appears to be repeating itself for the USMNT midfielder

Weston McKennie has once again gone from outcast to in the mix at Juventus.

Just two weeks after Juve head coach Thiago Motta told McKennie his services were no longer required, the situation has changed for the U.S. men’s national team midfielder.

At a press conference ahead of Juve’s season opener against Como on Monday, Motta declared that he may, in fact, have a use for the midfielder this season after all.

“McKennie is a useful and functional player for our needs,” the coach said on Sunday. “Tomorrow we have 19 players to face the match and I can only put 11 on the pitch and make five substitutions. We are fine, we trained with the right intensity and we are ready.”

Motta’s words were a major departure from earlier this month, when he said that every player left out for a friendly against Brest — including McKennie — was not in his plans.

“We have been very clear with them,” Motta said on August 4. “They are talented, but must find other options where they will get more playing time. For [Federico] Chiesa and the others, the decision has been made.”

But after several media reports last week that McKennie had returned to the fold, Motta has confirmed that the 25-year-old is back in his plans.

McKennie’s contract is currently set to expire at the end of the season, with talks over an extension so far proving unsuccessful.

The USMNT star’s situation is reminiscent to what he faced last summer, when he returned from a loan at Leeds only to find himself an outcast.

“I didn’t have my locker, I didn’t have a room in the hotel, I didn’t have a parking space,” McKennie said in an interview with The Athletic.

“I couldn’t even get my shirt number (14), even though nobody else had taken the number. I was like, ‘OK you guys want to treat me like this? I’m just going to show you on the field.’”

McKennie responded last year by becoming a vital part of the team, starting nearly every game while tallying a career-high 10 assists.

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Musah sparks stunning AC Milan comeback vs. Torino with assist

Pulisic overcame an injury to suit up for Milan, but Musah ended up making the bigger impact in a dramatic late comeback

Yunus Musah played a major role as AC Milan escaped a potentially troubling start to the 2024-25 Serie A season.

The U.S. men’s national team midfielder came off the bench to notch an assist in stoppage time as the Rossoneri recovered from a two-goal deficit after 88 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw with Torino.

Saturday’s clash was a debut for new manager Paulo Fonseca, but it looked destined to be an opener to forget for Milan. Malick Thiaw’s 30th-minute own goal seemed to suck the air out of the San Siro, and — moments after a Milan penalty was overturned by VAR — Duvan Zapata made it 2-0 to the visitors.

Fonseca turned to his bench, first giving Spain striker Álvaro Morata his competitive debut before bringing Musah on for his USMNT teammate Christian Pulisic.

Largely setting up at right back, Musah played a major role as Milan conjured up a stunning late escape. Opta credited him with playing a part in a whopping seven shot attempts after entering the match in the 73rd minute.

First, the 21-year-old’s long-range effort eventually became Morata’s first Milan goal. Musah struck with power, only for a Torino defender to provide a block. The rebound fell to Tijjani Reijnders, who fizzed a ball in for the veteran striker to calmly guide home in the 89th minute.

Musah was a bigger factor in the equalizer. Receiving the ball in space on the right, the USMNT midfielder swung in an inch-perfect cross for Noah Okafor, who didn’t have to break stride to volley past Torino’s Vanja Milinković-Savić.

Pulisic, meanwhile, started as Milan’s No. 10 on the day, a possibility Fonseca discussed coming into the season.

While Saturday wasn’t the USMNT star’s best day at the office — his last action of the match was a shot over the bar from point-blank range — it will come as a relief nonetheless. Pulisic was an injury doubt heading into the match, with his status unclear until Milan released its starting lineup on the day.

Watch Musah’s dramatic late assist

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Tessmann ‘out of our project’ at Venezia, says sporting director

The Serie A club appears fed up with the USMNT midfielder

Tanner Tessmann looks like he’ll need to find a new club as soon as possible.

After multiple failed transfers this summer, Venezia sporting director Filippo Antonelli has declared that the American midfielder is no longer part of the club’s project.

Tessmann was one of Venezia’s top performers last season, helping the club secure promotion to Serie A. But rather than staying put as the club moves to the Italian top flight, the 22-year-old has instead been looking for a way out.

The ex-FC Dallas midfielder has been close to joining both Inter and Fiorentina, but the transfers have each collapsed at the final hurdle. Reportedly, the exorbitant demands of Tessmamn’s agents has been at least partially to blame for both transfers falling through.

As Venezia gets ready for its first Serie A game on Sunday against Lazio, Antonelli told Il Gazzettino that the club isn’t able to count on a player who so clearly wants to leave.

“Tessmann is out of our project at Venezia,” Antonelli said.

“It has been a difficult week, try to understand me here. I am above all sorry for the player, as he put himself into this situation. At this moment, he is off the list of players at the disposal of coach Eusebio Di Francesco, but that is his decision and does not depend on us.

“He continues to train with the rest of the squad, but his mind at this moment is just not there. Our approach to Serie A has not changed, we prefer to have players who are strongly motivated to play with the Venezia jersey and fully committed to our project, otherwise it’s better to get someone else.”

The transfer window will be open for another two weeks, with La Stampa reporting this week that Torino, coached by former Venezia manager Paolo Vanoli, could be a possible destination.

If Tessmann isn’t able to find a new home by the end of August, Antonelli wouldn’t rule out the possibility of his reintegration into the team. But he made it clear that the Olympian’s attitude would have to change.

“We’ll see, anything is possible,” he said. “If the transfer window closes and Venezia is the only remaining option, then we’d have to evaluate what to do, but he would need to roll his sleeves up and get back with a completely different attitude.”

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Pulisic returns to full training ahead of AC Milan season opener

The USMNT star is on course to start on Saturday against Torino

AC Milan got some good news on Thursday, as Christian Pulisic returned to full training ahead of the team’s season opener against against Torino on Saturday.

Pulisic was sidelined for Milan’s final preseason friendly due to an ankle knock, as the American was held out of his team’s 3-1 win over Monza on Tuesday.

After the 25-year-old trained separately from his teammates on Wednesday, MilanNews.it reported that he was back in full training the following day, putting him on course to start Saturday’s Serie A opener at San Siro.

Pulisic is likely to start against Torino, but there is still a question over where he will line up. The U.S. national team star was primarily used as a right winger last season, but new coach Paulo Fonseca has indicated his willingness to play Pulisic as the No. 10.

The Pennsylvania native lined up as the No. 10 in preseason, and could be set to reprise that role more often in the upcoming season.

Wherever he plays, Milan will hope that Pulisic can replicate, or improve on a career-best campaign in 2023-24 that saw him tally 15 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.

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Real Madrid vs. Atalanta: How to watch UEFA Super Cup, TV channel, live stream

The European season officially kicks off on Wednesday in Poland

The European season kicks off on Wednesday when Champions League winner Real Madrid faces Europa League winner Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup.

Madrid won its 15th Champions League last season by defeating Dortmund in the final, while Atalanta stunned previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final behind Ademola Lookman’s hat trick.

After also winning La Liga last term, the Blancos are looking for even more silverware in 2024-25 with Carlo Ancelotti returning as head coach.

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The biggest news of the offseason for Madrid was the club’s signing of French star Kylian Mbappé, who looks set to debut in the Super Cup after skipping the club’s preseason tour of the United States.

Should Madrid defeat Atalanta, it would win the UEFA Super Cup for a record sixth time. The club is currently tied for most titles ever alongside Barcelona and AC Milan.

Atalanta has strengthened in the offseason by signing Charles De Ketelaere on a permanent basis and also adding Italy striker Mateo Retegui from Genoa.

But the club will have to deal without injured pair Giorgio Scalvini and Gianluca Scamacca as well as Teun Koopmeiners, who is looking to force through a move to Juventus.

Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.

Real Madrid vs. Atalanta (UEFA Super Cup)

  • When: Wednesday, August 14
  • Where: PGE Narodowy (Warsaw, Poland)
  • Time: 3 p.m. ET
  • Channel/streaming: Paramount+ (WATCH LIVE), CBS Sports Network, Univision, TUDN, ViX

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Pulisic to miss AC Milan’s final preseason friendly with ankle knock

The USMNT star will hope to be ready for Saturday’s Serie A opener

Christian Pulisic will be sidelined for AC Milan’s final preseason friendly with an ankle knock, per multiple reports.

Milan will face Monza on Tuesday for the Silvio Berlusconi Trophy, just days before the Rossoneri kick off the regular season with a league match against Torino on Saturday.

Gazzetta dello Sport and Calciomercato both reported that Pulisic will be held out against Monza, but should be recovered in time for Saturday’s match at San Siro.

Pulisic played in all three of Milan’s matches on its recently completed U.S. tour, coming off the bench against Man City and Real Madrid before starting and scoring a goal against Barcelona.

The 25-year-old will be looking to replicate, or even surpass his outstanding debut season with Milan. Pulisic scored a career-high 15 goals in all competitions last term, adding 11 assists.

Pulisic played mostly as a right winger last season, but new Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has used him in a more central role this preseason.

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Weah: I’ll be a ‘different player’ under Juventus coach Motta

The USMNT star is hoping a new coach and new position will turn his fortunes around

Tim Weah is hoping that a new season, a new coach and a new position can make all the difference for him at Juventus.

Weah move to Juve last summer from Lille, and was expected to lock down the team’s starting wingback spot under then-coach Max Allegri.

Instead, the U.S. international endured an up-and-down campaign that saw him mostly relegated to a substitute role by the second half of the season.

Though there were rumors Juve was looking to move on from the 24-year-old after just one season, he has instead been given an injection of new life by incoming head coach Thiago Motta.

Weah has been moved up to the wide attacking role he’s played for much of his club career, and continues to play with the U.S. men’s national team.

He’s also been used as a starter for most of the club’s preseason, indicating the USMNT winger is well positioned for a regular role under Motta in the upcoming season.

Weah spoke to his club’s website after its 2-0 preseason defeat to Atlético Madrid on Sunday, indicating he wasn’t concerned about a lack of preseason wins as he eyes a personal turnaround in 2024-25.

“I saw positive things today, especially in the first half. We have to continue to work like this in training, because the next game will be a league match and it will be more important. We are not worried about the loss, since it was a preseason friendly,” Weah said.

“I am totally focused on the field and on helping the team. We have to continue like this, all together. We have a new coach, a new system of play, we’re more focused on attack, and I think I will also be a different player, it’s what we work on together every day. We have very good rapport.”

Juventus will kick off the 2024-25 season next Monday with a league match against newly promoted Como.

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Venezia FC saved from bankruptcy — by Drake?

The Italian side had an unlikely savior during a financial crisis last season

Venezia FC needed a financial hero last season, and it found one in highly unlikely fashion.

The club was riding high in Serie B as it chased promotion, but heavy spending during its 2021-22 campaign in Serie A had put the club on the brink of financial disaster.

Enter Drake. Yes, that Drake.

Drake’s chief brand officer Matte Babel told GQ Italy about a conversation with Venezia co-owner Brad Katsuyama last season.

“I got a call from Brad,” Babel said. “He laid out the problem to me in a simple way: Venezia has to raise €10 million in a couple of weeks, and then at least €30 million in a few months, or the club will go bankrupt.

“Venice is an incredible city and Venezia has always been a special club. I spoke to Drake, then Brad and I discussed the details of how we could help. Within two weeks we had a deal, raised the money needed to pay the salaries and avoid bankruptcy.”

Venezia is now looking to establish itself as a regular in Serie A as it first aims for survival in the upcoming season.

The club should at least look good on the pitch in 2024-25, as it’s signed a kit manufacturing deal with NOCTA, Drake’s apparel line through Nike.

“Matte was my first call when I knew the club needed help,” said Katsuyama. “Drake’s value to any football club is undeniable, given his scale as a global superstar and the reach of his brand. This intersection of culture and sport is exactly where we want to be, and the chance to collaborate with a brand like NOCTA, who is moving along the same lines, is incredibly valuable.”
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