Juventus' Sami Khedira to Undergo Surgery on Knee Injury; No Timeline for Return
Dec 3, 2019
MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 6: Sami Khedira of Juventus during the Italian Serie A match between Internazionale v Juventus at the San Siro on October 6, 2019 in Milan Italy (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira will undergo surgery on Wednesday to fix a persistent problem with his left knee.
Per the club's official website, the German midfielder has struggled with the issue for some time, and a surgery to clean out his knee is planned in Augsburg.
Khedira joined the Italian champions from Real Madrid in 2015 and has proved to be a useful player for the Bianconeri in that time.
While he may no longer be a dynamic box-to-box presence in midfield, manager Maurizio Sarri has been able to depend on the German throughout his tenure. Khedira is experienced at the highest level and diligent in his play.
Lokomotiv Moscow's Polish midfielder Maciej Rybus and Juventus' German midfielder Sami Khedira vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League group D football match between FC Lokomotiv Moscow and Juventus at Moscow's RZD Arena stadium on November 6, 2
What he may now lack in dynamism he's made up for in astute utilisation of the ball and a growing composure. Khedira may not be a guaranteed starter for the Bianconeri, but his absence robs the manager of a consistent option, especially when it comes to important matches.
Sarri can at least comfort himself with the fact that he has depth in central-midfield positions.
Miralem Pjanic is a gifted playmaker, albeit not stylistically similar to Khedira. The manager has the likes of Blaise Matuidi, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot, Emre Can and Rodrigo Bentancur available who can carry out similar jobs to Khedira, meaning Juventus should be capable of getting by without him.
Can got the start in the 2-2 draw against Sassuolo, but he disappointed and was substituted after 54 minutes. Per the Bianconeri report, Rabiot returned to full training on Tuesday, and he'll likely get the nod against Lazio on Saturday.
Matthijs de Ligt Says Juventus 'Want to Win Everything,' Talks Inter Milan Form
Dec 3, 2019
PARIS, FRANCE - DECEMBER 02: Matthijs de Ligt is awarded with the Kopa Trophy during the Ballon D'Or Ceremony at Theatre Du Chatelet on December 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Matthijs de Ligt has said Juventus are aiming to win every competition they are involved in this season.
The Old Lady are eight-time defending champions in Serie A but look to have a serious challenger this season in the shape of Antonio Conte's Inter Milan, who sit top of the table:
Juve failed to win the Coppa Italia last term for the first time since 2013-14, and they were again unsuccessful in breaking their duck in the UEFA Champions League, which stretches back to 1996 when they beat Ajax to claim their second title.
Juve have confirmed their spot in the knockout rounds of the 2019-20 Champions League, and speaking after collecting the prestigious Kopa Trophy on Monday in Paris, De Ligt said Juve do not distinguish between competitions when it comes to ambition:
"Inter will be a difficult challenge because they are a great team with great players. But the season is long and for us it is all about winning. In the league or in the cup? I don't make distinctions, it's all important. We want to win everything. At Juve there are world-class defenders who will help me grow and become even stronger."
De Ligt, 20, signed for Juventus from Ajax in July after captaining the Dutch side to a domestic double and the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2018-19.
He endured a mixed start to life in Turin but has recently started to live up to his incredible potential, particularly impressing in Juve's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid last week:
Last 10 minutes... Protecting a 1-0 lead... Opposition through on goal...
The Netherlands international was unable to prevent the Old Lady dropping two points on Sunday in their 2-2 draw against Sassuolo, though.
Inter's subsequent 2-1 victory over SPAL put them back at the top of the Serie A table, and the Nerazzurri look like being genuine title contenders this term for the first time since 2010-11.
Juve will aim to get back to the top of Serie A before the Christmas break, but they have some difficult fixtures on the horizon, including Saturday's visit to Lazio.
Cristiano Ronaldo's Sister Hits out at Virgil van Dijk for Ballon d'Or Joke
Dec 3, 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo's sister, Katia Aveiro, wrote a lengthy post on Instagram calling out Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk after he made a joke about the Juventus star during Monday's Ballon d'Or awards.
Per The Independent's Samuel Lovett, after being asked about Ronaldo's absence from the ceremony in Paris, Van Dijk—who finished ahead of the Portuguese forward and behind winner Lionel Messi in the running—joked: "Why? Was he a candidate?"
Sports broadcaster Juliet Bawuah shared Aveiro's angry response on social media:
Per Lovett, she hit out at Van Dijk's failure to win the Premier League title, which Ronaldo won three times with Manchester United:
"Cristiano Ronaldo was a tri-champion in the country where you have been playing for years and you still haven't got your hand on the trophy.
"Cristiano Ronaldo was even the best player and best scorer in the country where you play Virgil. By the way, he was even younger than you."
She also sought to remind Van Dijk of the 2018 UEFA Champions League final, in which Ronaldo's Real Madrid beat the Dutchman's Liverpool. It was the fifth time Ronaldo has won the competition.
Likewise, Aveiro wrote about the UEFA Nations League final in June, in which Ronaldo and Portugal "crushed" the Netherlands to become the inaugural winners.
"Now Virgil will win titles from those who really count and then we'll talk," she added. "When you have a handful of them, the really important ones, you might be able to sit at the table with Cristiano."
Van Dijk played down the joke he made in a response to Piers Morgan on Twitter, after the broadcaster similarly reacted disapprovingly:
Hi Piers, If you don’t jump on the social media bandwagon and would listen to the whole interview then you would know I made a joke, and only got respect for those 2 😀
It is not the first time Ronaldo's family have responded angrily after his failure to win an individual award.
Aveiro hit out when Luka Modric was named UEFA's Player of the Year last year, while his other sister, Elma Aveiro, did the same when Modric beat him to the 2018 Ballon d'Or:
Why did Cristiano Ronaldo not win the Ballon d'Or?
Last month, Ronaldo's mother, Dolores Aveiro, said her son would have more honours if not for the "football mafia."
This year, the Ballon d'Or always looked to be between Messi and Van Dijk, as it proved.
The 34-year-old did not go empty-handed on Monday, though, as he was crowned Serie A's Player of the Year after helping Juventus win the title.
Ronaldo will be 35 in February. While he's still got time left at the top level, it seems unlikely at this point he'll win another Ballon d'Or unless he can guide Juve to the UEFA Champions League title next year.
Fabio Paratici Says Cristiano Ronaldo Will Be a Juventus Player Next Season
Dec 3, 2019
Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo reacts during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Sassuolo on December 1, 2019, at the Juventus Allianz stadium in Turin. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Juventus chief football officer Fabio Paratici has made assurances Cristiano Ronaldo will still be at the club next season because he "wants to win another Ballon d'Or with us."
Ronaldo finished third in the 2019 Ballon d'Or standings on Monday as Lionel Messi won the award for the sixth time:
The Portuguese superstar opted to skip the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris, instead attending the Gran Gala awards in Milan to receive his Serie A Most Valuable Player gong for last term:
"I smile because there are other problems. He wanted this award [Serie A MVP] because he is an ambitious person, and he wants to show he is also the best here. In our opinion, he deserves the Ballon d’Or.
"He will be at Juventus next season, without a doubt. He wants to win another Ballon d’Or with us, and we support him."
Ronaldo, 34, has yet to find his best form for Juventus this term under new manager Maurizio Sarri.
He has netted only six goals in 11 Serie A appearances in 2019-20—three of which have been penalties—and just one in five appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
It is not as though the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man's remarkable scoring feats have deserted him, though.
For Portugal, Ronaldo continues to astonish with the volume of his return in front of goal.
In the eight games Fernando Santos' side have played since June, Ronaldo has scored 14 goals to edge himself closer to another historic landmark:
Fitness has been a problem for Ronaldo this season. He has twice been substituted by Sarri and missed out entirely on November's 3-1 win at Atalanta.
In Sunday's 2-2 draw with Sassuolo, though, Ronaldo scored his first club goal since October, and Juve will hope he can find the net again in Saturday's visit to Lazio.
Jorge Mendes, Giorgio Chiellini Back Cristiano Ronaldo After Ballon d'Or Loss
Dec 3, 2019
TURIN, ITALY - DECEMBER 01: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus and US Sassuolo at Allianz Stadium on December 1, 2019 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Chris Ricco/Getty Images)
Jorge Mendes has said Cristiano Ronaldo remains the "best player in history" despite Lionel Messi picking up his sixth Ballon d'Or award on Monday.
The Barcelona superstar won the prestigious trophy again at a ceremony in Paris to move one clear of Ronaldo in the all-time winners list:
Lionel Messi officially wins his SIXTH Ballon d'Or 🐐
The Juventus star finished third in the voting behind Messi and Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk.
But Ronaldo's agent Mendes, speaking after the forward collectedhis Serie A player of the year award at the Gran Gala in Milan, believes his client is still a cut above the rest, per MailOnline's Nathan Salt:
"Cristiano is the best player in history, and you know it."
Ronaldo was never likely to win the 2019 award.
He played a key role in Juve winning Serie A again in 2018-19, but his league return of 21 goals was his worst in a season since his final campaign at Manchester United.
Messi, meanwhile, netted 36 goals and provided 13 assists in 34 appearances as Barca won La Liga, and Van Dijk was vital to Liverpool's UEFA Champions League win.
Juve centre-back Giorgio Chiellini, though, believes Ronaldo should already have six Ballons d'Or because he should have won it for a third successive year in 2018, when it instead went to Luka Modric, per Sky Sport Italia (h/t Salt):
"Ronaldo was really robbed of the Ballon d'Or last season, when Real Madrid decided to make sure he couldn't win it, and that was really weird. This season, it was more balanced. With all due respect, Modric even in his best season of his career didn't deserve it. That was a signal from Real Madrid, as they wanted to stop Ronaldo winning it.
"He won the Champions League, but by that logic, Van Dijk should've won it this year, or last year [Antoine] Griezmann, [Paul] Pogba or [Kylian] Mbappe for doing extraordinary things at the World Cup. Modric made no sense."
Ronaldo, 34, has had a mixed season so far in 2019-20.
For Portugal, he has been sensational, scoring 11 goals in the six UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers they have played since September:
Cristiano Ronaldo scored more goals in 2019 for Portugal than in any other year!
For Juve, though, he has not looked entirely comfortable under new manager Maurizio Sarri, and he has also been struggling for fitness.
Ronaldo's return of six goals in 11 Serie A appearances in 2019-20 would be decent for most forwards, but by his incredible standards, it is relatively underwhelming.
Report: Cristiano Ronaldo Skips Ballon d'Or Gala amid Buzz of Lionel Messi's Win
Dec 2, 2019
Cristiano Ronaldo will reportedly not attend the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday because he is set to finish outside the podium positions.
According to Sport Mediaset (h/t Football Italia), Ronaldo will instead appear at the Gran Gala ceremony in Milan while Lionel Messi wins his sixth Ballon d'Or ahead of second-placed Virgil van Dijk and third-placed Mohamed Salah.
If Messi does win, he will move one clear of Ronaldo at the head of the all-time winners list.
At the moment, the Barcelona and Juventus stars are the only two players in history to win the prestigious gong five times.
Their 10-year monopoly was broken last year when Luka Modric won the award:
But reports ahead of the ceremony indicate he will be a Ballon d'Or winner again for the first time since 2015.
At the Gran Gala, Ronaldo, 34, will receive his award for the best Serie A player of 2018-19, his debut campaign with Juve in which he netted 21 goals in 31 appearances and claimed a first Italian league title.
By contrast, in helping Barcelona win La Liga again in 2018-19, Messi scored 36 goals in 34 appearances.
Maurizio Sarri Says Cristiano Ronaldo's Next Step Is 'To Recover the Brilliance'
Dec 2, 2019
Juventus' Italian coach Maurizio Sarri (R) looks on as Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo runs past during the UEFA Champions League Group D football match Juventus Turin vs Atletico Madrid on November 26, 2019 at the Juventus Allianz stadium in Turin. (Photo by Marco Bertorello / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri is expecting Cristiano Ronaldo to regain his former brilliance as he continues his return to fitness following a knee injury.
Ronaldo scored from the penalty spot in Sunday's disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Sassuolo, a result that allowed Inter Milan to go one point clear of the Bianconeri at the summit of Serie A.
Sarri told DAZN (h/t of Peter Hanson Goal) after the game that Ronaldo is getting back to his best: "The feeling is that he has regained strength. He is doing better in the final [moments]. The next step will be to recover the brilliance."
However, the 34-year-old failed to inspire in what was a lacklustre performance by his own standards. Leonardo Bonucci opened the scoring after 20 minutes, but Jeremie Boga equalised two minutes later before Francesco Caputo put Sassuolo in front at the start of the second half. Ronaldo's 68th-minute penalty saw the points shared in Turin, though:
Ronaldo also drew unwanted attention for accidentally blocking team-mate Paulo Dybala's potential winner with the score tied at 2-2 late on.
The veteran has scored seven times and recorded two assists in 16 appearances across all competitions this season, but only four of those goals have come from open play (three penalties).
It's been six weeks since the five-time Ballon d'Or winner scored a goal that didn't come from the 12-yard spot (in a 2-1 win over Bologna on October 19). At his current pace, the former Real Madrid ace won't even match last season's tally of 28 goals in all competitions.
Sportswriter Carlo Garganese remarked upon Ronaldo's decline in form and Juve's recent struggles:
Juventus 2-2 Sassuolo: That result‘s been coming for well over a month for Juve, who‘ve been average to poor performance-wise for the previous seven games. Juve totally dependent on Dybala right now. Ronaldo is well off the pace despite his first goal since October #JuveSassuolo
It hasn't helped the Italian giants that central defender Matthijs de Ligt has been out of form, too. The Netherlands international gave the ball away for Sassuolo's second goal and has been guilty of similar lapses in recent months.
It wasn't long ago the Bianconeri were considered by many to be the defensive standard in Europe, yet they've kept only seven clean sheets in 18 games since De Ligt arrived and Sarri took over in the summer.
Ronaldo's record at this stage of the season is worse than during his maiden Juventus campaign. He scored 10 goals and recorded five assists in his first 14 Serie A games last term and failed to miss a league game until Week 27—he's already been absent on three occasions in 2019-20.
Sarri said he still hoped Ronaldo would contend for the Ballon d'Or on Monday evening, while he also wished Dybala and De Ligt good fortune in the vote:
Maurizio Sarri thinks Cristiano Ronaldo will win the Ballon d'Or on Monday 🥇
Juventus face a difficult test when they travel to Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, when Ronaldo will hope to remind the world what he's capable of and fire his side back to the top of the standings.
Cristiano Ronaldo Scores, but Sassuolo Hold Juventus to 2-2 Draw in Serie A
Dec 1, 2019
Sassuolo's Italian midfielder Francesco Magnanelli (R) fights for the ball with Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Sassuolo on December 1, 2019, at the Juventus Allianz stadium in Turin. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP) (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Leonardo Bonucci opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a rare long-range effort, but Jeremie Boga tied things up just two minutes later. Francesco Caputo gave the visitors the lead early in the second half before Ronaldo kept his team's unbeaten run going with a penalty goal.
The Bianconeri had won their last six in all competitions.
Juventus manager Maurizio Sarri made a few changes to his side, starting Emre Can, Gianluigi Buffon and Gonzalo Higuain over Blaise Matuidi, Wojciech Szczesny and Paulo Dybala.
Sassuolo made the brighter start, however, pushing forward with numbers and taking control of the ball. It didn't lead to any immediate chances, although Buffon had to be alert to keep out a free-kick from Giorgos Kyriakopoulos.
Boga fired a shot over the bar after 18 minutes, and almost immediately after, the Bianconeri took the lead on the other end of the pitch. It was centre-back Bonucci, of all people, who found himself closer to goal than usual and decided to let fly from outside the box:
Their advantage didn't last long, however. Just two minutes after Bonucci opened the scoring, he failed to track his man, and without any help defence from Can, Boga was wide-open to dink a finish over Buffon.
ESPN's Janusz Michallik was loving the action:
Juve vs Sassuolo 1-1 so far. What a game. Great goal from Boga. @RossDyerTV and I did not see it coming.
Juventus increased the pressure after the equaliser, but Sassuolo's defence was barely troubled. Higuain fired a shot over the bar, and Rodrigo Bentancur had an effort blocked. Ronaldo was virtually invisible for the bulk of the half.
Improvements were needed, but things only got worse early in the second half. Juan Cuadrado created trouble for Matthijs de Ligt, and his clearance went straight at Caputo, who beat Buffon far too easily with a rather tame strike.
Per sports writer Karl Matchett, it was an all-round disaster at the back for the defending champions:
Juve an all-round shambles at the back there but that might be Buffon's worst (most basic) error in his entire career to gift Sassuolo the lead
Ronaldo finally showed himself shortly after, but his free-kick was saved brilliantly by the 18-year-old Stefano Turati, who was making his Serie A debut. The teenager followed that up with another excellent save, denying Higuain.
Ronaldo finally beat the debutant after 60 minutes, rounding him before netting, but the offside flag went up when he was already celebrating.
The former Real Madrid man did get his goal after 68 minutes, converting a penalty after former Juventus prospect Filippo Romagna took out Dybala inside the box. Marco Messina of Italian Football TV praised La Joya for winning the spot-kick:
The Bianconeri pushed for a winner, but Dybala could not beat Turati from a promising position. Miralem Pjanic also went close, blasting a free-kick narrowly over the bar.
Sarri made a last gamble, introducing Aaron Ramsey in favour of Higuain, and the Welshman nearly beat Turati shortly before the final whistle. The last chance of the match fell to Ronaldo, who fired narrowly wide.
What's Next?
Juventus visit Lazio Roma on Saturday. Sassuolo host Perugia in Wednesday's Coppa Italia action.
Juventus' Leonardo Bonucci Wants to Avoid Tottenham, Jose Mourinho in UCL
Nov 29, 2019
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: head coach Jose Mourinho of Tottenham Hotspur prior to the UEFA Champions League group B match between Tottenham Hotspur and Olympiacos FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 26, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by TF-Images/Getty Images)
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has identified Jose Mourinho's Tottenham Hotspur side as the team he wants to avoid in the knockout phase of the UEFA Champions League.
Juve will finish top of Group D while Spurs take second place in Group B, so the two teams could face each other in the round of 16.
Bonucci told Sport Mediaset (h/t Football Italia): "If I need to pick a team to avoid, I would say Tottenham. Mourinho may give them something extra in certain games. A lot can change between now and the last 16, but with this change Tottenham are back on track, with all respect to [Mauricio] Pochettino."
The Bianconeri, who reached the Champions League final in 2015 and 2017, have been one of the competition's stronger performers in the group stage this season:
Since drawing with Atletico Madrid in their opening fixture, they've picked up four consecutive wins, cementing top spot with Tuesday's 1-0 victory against the Spanish side.
"It may have seemed easy, but it never is," Bonucci added. "We have had a good run and achieved our first goal."
Pochettino guided Spurs to the Champions League final last season, in which they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
The manager was replaced by Jose Mourinho last week after a poor start to the campaign.
Spurs beat West Ham United 3-2 in Mourinho's first game in charge, and they came from behind to beat Olympiacos 4-2 on Tuesday.
Youssef El-Arabi and Ruben Semedo put the Greek side 2-0 up inside 20 minutes. Dele Alli pulled one back on the stroke of half-time, and second-half goals from Harry Kane either side of a Serge Aurier strike gave Spurs the win (U.S., UK only respectively):
Mourinho opted to substitute Eric Dier for Christian Eriksen after just 28 minutes, which football coach and former player David Preece thought was a shrewd move:
Whether Mourinho got his initial team selection wrong or not, bringing Eriksen in for Dier was what was needed. Some managers may have thought better of it and waited until half time. Good in-game management, that.
Spurs may not be the best team in the competition, but they have enough talent in their side to beat anyone on their day, so they're a threat in the knockout phase.
Bonucci's fear of Mourinho is understandable, too. The 56-year-old has won the Champions League twice—albeit he last did so in 2010—as well as the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Europa League, so he's got plenty of experience in guiding teams to European glory.
Juventus 'Not Interested' in Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, Says Fabio Paratici
Nov 27, 2019
MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 23: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona during the La Liga Santander match between Leganes v FC Barcelona at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque on November 23, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Juventus director Fabio Paratici has once again ruled out a January transfer of Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic, saying the Bianconeri are not interested in the Croat.
Per Goal's Moises Llorens and Sam Marsden, Paratici was asked about the persistent links, and he said the current Juventus team does not need reinforcements: "We have a great team and are not looking for reinforcement right now. We are strong in every position. Rakitic is a great player, but we are not interested."
It's not the first time he's ruled out such a move:
Per Goal, Barcelona are open to selling Rakitic in January for the right fee. Marca (h/t Football Espana's Collin Millar) also reported as such, stating an agreement has already been reached between the player and the club, and Atletico Madrid are willing to pay their €40 million asking price.
Movistar+ (h/t Millar) added Inter Milan and Manchester United to the list of possible suitors, while sporting director Monchi hinted Sevilla would be interested in an interview with Canal Sur Radio (h/t Millar).
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 5: Ivan Rakitic of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Barcelona v Slavia Prague at the Camp Nou on November 5, 2019 in Barcelona Spain (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Juventus signed two central midfielders during the summer in Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey. Neither has become a regular starter, with Miralem Pjanic, Blaise Matuidi and Sami Khedira seeing the bulk of the playing time.
Rodrigo Bentancur has seen an increase in minutes since Maurizio Sarri became manager, and Emre Can provides further depth.
The latter has not been happy with his role, per Kicker (h/t Liverpool Echo):
🗣️ "I'm not playing games from the start, so I'm not happy."
There are only so many minutes to go around, however, and the central-midfield position is arguably the most crowded of all in Turin. Adding yet another player in January would make little sense, which is why a Rakitic transfer seems unlikely.
Barcelona also don't seem to have much of a need for Rakitic. After starting 29 La Liga matches last season, the Croat has begun just one in the 2019-20 campaign. He has no starts in the UEFA Champions League.
Summer arrival Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Arthur make up the preferred trio in midfield, while Arturo Vidal has also passed Rakitic in the pecking order. Carles Alena and Riqui Puig provide further depth.
