European wrap: Troy Parrott on mark again for Excelsior, Juventus go top

09.12.2023 - 00:17 rte.ie

Republic of Ireland international striker Troy Parrott scored a fifth goal of the season in what was his fifth league start for Excelsior Rotterdam.The Spurs loanee opened the scoring against FC Twente in the 10th minute but finished on the losing side as the hosts fought back to win 4-2.Twente are third in the Dutch top flight while Excelsior are 11th.In Italy, Juventus delivered an efficient performance as they moved back to provisional top spot in Serie A on Friday, securing a 1-0 home win against a wasteful Napoli thanks to a header from Federico Gatti.Six minutes into the second half, Juve broke the deadlock when Gatti collected an Andrea Cambiaso cross at the back post, outjumping his marker to head it into the back of the net.Napoli had numerous opportunities but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a huge chance, while Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made several saves to thwart the visitors' clear scoring chances.Juve top the standings with 36 points, one ahead of Inter Milan who host lowly Udinese on Saturday."We did well in the first half, moving the ball side to side, then in difficult moments the team becomes a block of granite," Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri told DAZN."I have a group of players who work hard.

We need to slow things down, not always try to make it one-touch football. We should control the ball better in some moments of the match."Asked about Juve's stated hopes of a top-four finish, Allegri said: "We can even say in the dressing room that we have the ambition to win the Scudetto but you need to get results.

There's no point talking about what might be, we need to focus on what is."For the champions, the match highlighted their struggling form, marking three consecutive defeats across all

Juventus soccer Napoli Sport on Massimiliano Allegri Inter Milan Wojciech Szczesny Andrea Cambiaso Federico Gatti Troy Parrott Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Netherlands Italy Ireland

Pakistan cricket team star Abdullah Shafique was once again criticised heavily after he dropped a sitter at first slip to provide a lifeline to Mitchell Marsh on Day 3 of the second Test match against Australia in Melbourne. It was a straightforward chance but he ended up closing his hands too soon and the ball bounced out much to the disappointment of Pakistan. Shafique had earlier dropped a catch from David Warner in the first innings and former Australia slip fielder Mark Waugh was not impressed.“Like a crocodile jaw trying to take a catch. Get him out of there,” Waugh said on commentary.

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence wants to build on away draw against Forest Green Rovers with two home games over Christmas period

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence admitted there’s no shame in picking up a point away from home.

Vlahovic nets winner as Juventus beat Frosinone 2-1

MILAN :Second-half substitute Dusan Vlahovic scored a late winner to give Juventus a 2-1 win over Frosinone in Serie A on Saturday, reducing Inter Milan's lead at the top of the table to a single point.

Jovic salvages point for ailing Milan at Salernitana

MILAN: Luka Jovic saved a point for AC Milan at Salernitana with his last-gasp leveller in Friday's (Dec 22) 2-2 draw at Serie A's bottom club.

European wrap: Inter Milan head Serie A's Christmas list

Serie A leaders Inter Milan earned their fourth straight league win after beating Lecce 2-0 at San Siro, ensuring they would remain four points clear of Juventus until after Christmas.

Serie A: Dusan Vlahovic Fires Juventus One Point Behind Leaders Inter Milan

Dusan Vlahovic shot Juventus to within one point of Serie A leaders Inter Milan with the decisive strike in Saturday's 2-1 win at Frosinone, as Lewis Ferguson kept high-flying Bologna in the Champions League positions. Serbia forward Vlahovic headed home the winner with nine minutes remaining at the Stadio Benito Stirpe after Jaime Baez had equalised for the hosts following Kenan Yildiz's opener early in his first Juve start. Massimiliano Allegri's side now await the result of Inter's home clash with Lecce, which Inter have to face without injured star striker Lautaro Martinez and Italy left-back Federico Dimarco.