14 Sports Sunday, August 29, 2021 ‘Life goes on’ for Juventus despite losing superstar Ronaldo Turin side targets Moise Kean, as replacements

MILAN: Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure further than the quarter-finals since quicker than any other player in the club’s to Manchester United undoubtedly leaves Ronaldo arrived and in the past two sea- history — topping the league’s scoring Juventus a weaker proposition on the sons were dumped out by Lyon and Porto charts last season — but he is unlikely to field but his departure is unlikely to cause in the last 16. In his time there Juve also remain in the affections of Juve fans like too many tears in Turin as an expensive somewhat lost their way domestically, last he has at Real Madrid and United, where experiment comes to an early end. season finishing 13 points behind league he had his greatest successes. Coach Massimiliano Allegri almost winners under novice coach Over the past two seasons at Inter shrugged his shoulders on Friday when he Andrea Pirlo and only qualifying for the became a huge fan told the world the five-time Ballon d’Or Champions League on the final day of the favorite not just for his play but for the winner wanted to leave after three sea- campaign because Napoli failed to beat way he integrated in Italy, quickly learn- sons in Italy, simply saying that “life goes Verona at home. Ronaldo was left out of ing the language and settling into life in on” with the air of someone who had the 4-1 win at Bologna which enabled Milan. By contrast Ronaldo never truly made his peace with the separation. connected with Juve supporters, It came in great contrast to the fan- rarely speaking to media, struggling to fare that greeted the most expensive learn Italian and failing in Juve’s mis- transfer in the history of Italian football Dybala leads sion to win the Champions League. in the summer of 2018, the shock sign- For Juve there is also the conven- ing of one of the game’s greatest ever the attack... ience of removing Ronaldo’s reported players pitched as the missing link net salary of 31 million euros ($36.6 between domestic dominance and for now million) from the books as the club, European glory. like many others, deals with the dam- UDINE: Juventus’ Italian coach Massimiliano Allegri gives his instructions during the Juve are Italy’s biggest-supported age wrought by the coronavirus pan- Italian football match between Udinese and Juventus at the Dacia Arena club, but although they have won by demic. On Wednesday Juve’s board of Stadium in Udine, on August 22, 2021. — AFP far the most Serie A titles they lag directors approved a capital increase behind the Milan giants in continental of 400 million euros to steady the success. Last crowned European champi- Juve to jump into fourth place and despite club’s finances against the impact of ing the reduction on the pandemic. And in almost too big for the club, even consid- ons in 1996, The ‘Old Lady’ reached official denials of a definitive breakdown COVID-19. June they estimated the running cost of ering the troublesome way Icardi left Champions League finals in 2015 and between club and player he has been In February Juventus said they had COVID to the club at 320 million euros. Inter for Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. 2017, and once Ronaldo arrived hopes in subject to heavy speculation all summer. made losses of 113.7 million euros in the Juve’s reported top targets to replace Allegri meanwhile made it clear who he Turin were that they could go one better second half of 2020, more than double Ronaldo — Moise Kean and Mauro thinks should lead his attack, handing the with the competition’s all-time highest Financial troubles the loss recorded in the same period of Icardi — are undoubtedly downgrades captain’s armband to Paulo Dybala for scorer in their attack. He won two Serie A titles and one the previous year. Revenues dropped by but are capable forwards with experience Juve’s opening round 2-2 draw at Udinese However they have failed to get any Italian Cup and reached 100 Juve goals 20 percent in that period with Juve blam- in Italy who are in no danger of feeling as he left Ronaldo on the bench. — AFP

News in brief Correa makes Inter dream come PSG magic trio to play? true with winning brace at Verona

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe, coveted by Real MILAN: Joaquin Correa hailed a had been here for years.” Madrid, should be in the Paris Saint-Germain dream Inter Milan debut on Friday Defeat was harsh for Verona who squad at Reims, along with Lionel Messi, who after he scored twice to help the had deservedly taken the lead through could make his debut, and , coach Serie A champions come from behind Ivan Ilic in the 15th minute and gave said yesterday. “We have and win 3-1 at Hellas Verona. Correa Inter a battle throughout the match, not yet announced the squad,” the coach told his completed his move to Inter from but they are pointless after their two press conference ahead of today evening’s Lazio on Thursday and came off the opening fixtures. Inzaghi, who match, adding that all the ‘magic trio’ bench to snatch the points for Simone replaced title-winning coach Antonio “will certainly be among those named, we will Inzaghi’s side, who have begun their Conte this summer, has his new team see if they can play from the start of the match.” title defence with two wins from as singing from his hymn sheet with the Pochettino said Mbappe had not told him he many games. players signed to replace departed wanted to leave PSG for Real Madrid. — AFP The Argentina forward struck stars Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Inter’s second goal seven minutes Hakimi all slotting straight into place. from the end, leaping high to power After Edin Dzeko and Hakan VERONA: Inter Milan’s Argentinian forward Joaquin Correa is congratulated by Dortmund down Hoffenheim home ’s cross and Calhanoglu shone last week against teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Italian Serie A football complete a second-half comeback Genoa, it was Correa’s turn to match between Hellas Verona and Inter Milan at the Marcantonio Bentegodi BERLIN: Borussia Dortmund’s goal-scoring after Lautaro Martinez had levelled snatch the headlines with his match- stadium in Verona on Friday. — AFP “machine” Erling Braut Haaland scored the win- shortly after the break with a header winning brace. Martinez had a ner in added time on Friday to snatch a dramatic of his own. He added the cherry to the chance to put Inter ahead in the 13th 3-2 win at home to Hoffenheim in the cake in stoppage time when he gath- minute of his season debut, but his Correa saves Inter netting his 50th Inter goal, Martinez Bundesliga. Hoffenheim equalized twice as goals ered the ball and fired home the third close-range snap shot was well Inter dominated possession but somehow lashed wide seven minutes by Dortmund teenagers Giovanni Reyna and with a precision finish. saved by Lorenzo Montipo. looked bereft of ideas as the well- later following another long throw and a Jude Bellingham were cancelled out by “I dreamed about coming here as a Just two minutes later Verona took drilled hosts initially kept a lid on Dzeko Dzeko flick on, the Argentine’s left foot Christoph Baumgartner, then Munas Dabbur kid, I’ve put the Inter jersey on for the the lead through Ilic, who was quick to and playmaker Calhanoglu. However failing to find the target from just yards who levelled in the 90th minute. However, first time and thankfully we won thanks read that keeper Samir Handanovic Inter were level straight after the break out. Inter slowly started to squeeze Haaland made sure of the three points for to my goals,” a joyous Correa told Sky was about to pass to Marcelo Brozovic with Dzeko pressure from an Ivan Verona into their own half but beyond a Dortmund when he smashed his sixth goal this Sport Italia. “I want to thank my team- and nipped the ball away from the Perisic long throw leading to the ball well-saved Alessandro Bastoni drive season into the net in the 91st minute. — AFP mates, coach and the club who showed Croatia midfielder before dinking dropping kindly for Martinez, who nod- Verona kept restricting their opponents their faith in me and made me feel like I home a classy finish. ded home from close range. Fresh from to very little. — AFP

Valencia move to top getting them over audio and video monitors. Confident Osaka “Definitely it feels better to see the person,” Osaka MADRID: Valencia eased past Alaves 3-0 on said. “It’s really off-putting just to be seated in front Friday to take top spot in La Liga as coach Jose sees no more of a screen. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why I Bordalas celebrated victory over his former feel, like, a lot of nerves. But it feels much better to club. Denmark international Daniel Wass be talking to a human.” opened the scoring at the Mestalla after only Slam pullouts Osaka, who lit the cauldron in the opening cere- three minutes with Carlos Soler making it 2-0 in monies of the Tokyo Olympics, has played only once first-half stoppage time. Portugal’s Goncalo NEW YORK: Defending US Open champion since then, losing in her second match last week at Guedes added the third on the hour. Mallorca Naomi Osaka has ruled out any future repeats of Cincinnati. “I know I haven’t played that many also have seven points from three games and are her abrupt withdrawal from the French Open, saying matches. I know that I haven’t even gotten to a second before the rest of the weekend’s matches Friday she would have handled the controversy dif- quarterfinal,” Osaka said. “Actually I feel pretty after a 1-0 win over Espanyol. — AFP ferently if given the chance. QUEENS: Japan’s Naomi Osaka speaks during a inter- happy with how I’m playing. I feel pretty confident The four-time Grand Slam winner, seeking her view ahead of the 2021 US Open Tennis tournament with where I am right now. I’m not declaring that I’ll third New York title, dropped out at Roland Garros at the Billie Jean King Natinal Tennis Center in do amazing here. I’m the one-match-at-a-time per- after skipping post-match interviews with Kuwaiti triathlon athlete ranks 10th Queens, New York on Friday. — AFP son. Hopefully it will work out in the end.” reporters, saying it caused her mental health dis- Top-ranked Ashleigh Barty has found consisten- VIENNA: Kuwaiti triathlon athlete Abdullah tress. When she was fined and warned future similar cy in the basics and captured five titles this year, Hamada has ranked 10th in the finals of the violations could bring greater punishments, Osaka also the type of person that’s very in the moment, like giving the Australian star a major confidence boost international “Triathlons 2021-2022” tourna- withdrew from the tournament and skipped whatever I feel I’ll say it or do it. I don’t necessarily heading into the US Open. The 25-year-old from ment that kicked off on Friday in the city of Wimbledon as well, her actions raising global think that’s a bad thing. “I think there’s a lot of things Brisbane skipped most of last year due to Covid-19 Samorin, Slovakia. Hamada said yesterday that awareness of the mental challenges facing world- I learned to do better. Of course, I don’t feel the same and hasn’t been home since early in the year, but he reached this rank in the age category 30- class athletes. situation will happen again. I’d say maybe think it captured titles in Melbourne, Stuttgart, Miami and 39 among 403 competing athletes. He added Speaking in a room of reporters on Friday with through a bit more in the way that I didn’t know how her second Grand Slam crown at Wimbledon. Add that the tournament kicked off with the ath- more tuned in virtually, the 23-year-old Japanese star big a deal it would become.” in last week’s final major US Open tuneup trophy at letes competing in swimming for 750 meters in said she would do things differently if put in the same Osaka, seeded third in the final Grand Slam event Cincinnati and it’s easy to see what the top seed has the Danube River and proceeded on bicycling situation again. “I feel like there’s a lot of things I did of the year that begins tomorrow, said she was hap- her sights set on a third major crown when the New for 20 kilometers ending with a running round wrong in that moment,” Osaka said Friday. “But I’m pier to have people asking questions rather than York hardcourt showdown starts. — AFP for five kilometers. — KUNA

greatest achievement. “I know how big of an oppor- to do well and fight for a Slam,” Djokovic said. “At Kuwaiti riders qualify Djokovic feels tunity is in front of me here in New York, where his- the same time, regardless of Roger’s and Rafa’s torically I’ve played really well over the years. It’s absence, you still have tremendous quality tennis VIENNA: Three Kuwaiti equestrian champions probably the most entertaining tennis court that we players that are probably right now on hot streak, on Friday qualified for Neustadt International spark chasing have. Crowd will be back on stadium. I can’t wait. like Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, those are the three Equestrian Tournament’s hurdles competitions in Honestly I’m very motivated to play my best tennis.” top contenders I see for the title. the finals. Kuwaiti rider Ahmad Al-Ansari said Slam sweep Djokovic called the 2021 Slam sweep possibility a “I’ve been in this situation numerous times in my after qualifying for the two-star competition “guiding star” as he chases a fourth US Open crown life. There’s a slight difference in terms of what’s at that he faced hard competition from horse riders NEW YORK: Top-ranked Novak Djokovic says after 2011, 2015 and 2018. “I’m hugely inspired and stake and the feeling towards that, but I don’t give it of various countries in several rounds through- winning the US Open to finish a calendar-year motivated by that, no doubt,” Djokovic said. “But at too big a significance on a daily basis because I’m out two weeks, where he scored the required Grand Slam would be the greatest feat of his career. the same time I know how to balance things out men- trying to be in the present moment.” number of points to qualify for the 130-cm hur- The 34-year-old Serbian has won 20 Grand Slam tally, with lots of expectations obviously around.” Winning Olympic gold has helped ignite a Grand dles competition. Fellow rider Shaker Al- singles titles, matching Rafael Nadal and Roger Nadal and Federer will not play in New York due Slam fire in Zverev as he chases a US Open title Kahdemi said he had taken part in the past com- Federer for the men’s all-time record entering the to injuries, leaving Djokovic to feel the spotlight after coming within two points of capturing it last petitions with two horses. Fawaz Al-Rashed said New York hardcourt fortnight that begins tomor- without his “Big Three” rivals but with three young year. The German fourth seed, coming off a title last he had taken part in three rounds, where he row. Not since Rod Laver in 1969 has any man rising star rivals in Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos week at Cincinnati in an event where he hadn’t won qualified for the finals. Kuwait is the sole Arab swept the four major singles titles in one year. Tsitsipas and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev. a prior match, burns for his first Grand Slam title state partaking in the tournament. — KUNA “It’s an easy question. Yes, it would be,” Djokovic “I feel it. I know there’s a lot of people who are after falling to Dominic Thiem in last year’s champi- said when asked if the calendar Slam would be his going to be watching my matches and expecting me onship match on the New York hardcourts. — AFP