Category: football

Categories
football Slides Sports News

JAMES MADDISON IMPRESSES AS LEICESTER EASE PAST NEWCASTLE

James Maddison maintained his red-hot form as Leicester routed Newcastle 4-0.

The midfielder grabbed a goal and two assists and has now netted four times in his last six games.

Youri Tielemans’ double, including a first-half penalty, marked his 100th Premier League appearance while Patson Daka also netted following a brilliant Maddison pass.

The Foxes climbed to eighth and it was also their first league clean sheet since the opening day as they overcame the early loss of Jonny Evans and recovered from Thursday’s elimination from the Europa League.

The Magpies remain second bottom, three points adrift of safety, and now face daunting games against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United.

They would have hoped for last week’s 1-0 win over Burnley to be the catalyst for survival but the game turned on a controversial penalty decision when Maddison was felled by Jamaal Lascelles to allow Tielemans to open the scoring.

Up until then Newcastle were comfortable, with Jamie Vardy again named as a substitute by Brendan Rodgers having played the full game as the Foxes lost in Napoli on Thursday.

That defeat dropped them into the Europa Conference League, with Rodgers without seven players due to coronavirus or illness.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Ayoze Perez, and Ademola Lookman were already missing and the hosts’ worries worsened when Jonny Evans was forced off with a hamstring injury inside the first six minutes.

Without a senior defender on the bench Boubakary Soumare replaced him and the reshuffle saw Wilfred Ndidi become a makeshift centre-back.

Newcastle looked to take advantage and Callum Wilson’s effort deflected wide before Fabian Schar’s shot was blocked.

Leicester gradually began to see more of the ball and Maddison’s free-kick whistled over, while Martin Dubravka turned away Ndidi’s header.

Yet the Foxes were laboured in front of an unusually subdued King Power Stadium, peppered with rare empty seats.

They desperately needed a lift, with Newcastle looking comfortable, if limited, and got it six minutes before the break.

Lascelles was tempted to dangle a leg towards Maddison, who appeared to already be going down, and referee Peter Bankes awarded the penalty which Tielemans dispatched high past Dubravka.

The Magpies had reason to feel aggrieved but they needed to be bolder going forward, especially considering Leicester’s patched-up backline, to salvage anything.

Victory would have moved them level on points with Watford in 17th but Eddie Howe’s side were too tentative. Joelinton’s tame shot was gathered by Kasper Schmeichel eight minutes after the break and, soon after, Newcastle’s problems grew.

It took until the 57th minute for Leicester to really find their groove but they carved the Magpies open and a neat passing move ended with a sublime flick from Maddison to slip in Harvey Barnes.

He unselfishly squared for Daka to tap in for 2-0 and score his seventh goal in just eight starts this season.

It knocked the stuffing out of Newcastle and, while Joe Willock shot over and Allan Saint-Maximin fired at Schmeichel, there was no way back – despite Leicester’s attempts to gift them a goal with 12 minutes left.

Timothy Castagne’s overhit backpass forced Schmeichel to race back to his line and produce a sliding clearance to stop a calamitous own goal.

But Tielemans wrapped up the points with nine minutes to go when he fired in from close range, following another Maddison assist.

England international Maddison then got the goal he deserved four minutes later when he swapped passes with Daka and drilled beyond Dubravka.

Categories
football Sports News

NICK POPE STARS AS BURNLEY KEEPS WESTHAM AT BAY IN GOALLESS DRAW

West Ham’s Champions League ambitions suffered a setback as they were held to a goalless draw by struggling Burnley.

David Moyes’ side have recently beaten Chelsea and Liverpool while giving Manchester City a run for their money to sit in the top four on merit, but they found struggling Burnley a more difficult proposition than expected in a tight encounter at Turf Moor.

Nick Pope, who has missed out on the last two England squads, will hope to have impressed the watching Gareth Southgate as he made good saves to deny Issa Diop, and Said Benrahma in either half, but the Burnley goalkeeper was only rarely tested on a frustrating day for the Hammers.

The draw means that, though Moyes’ men stay fourth, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all within three points – with Tottenham having two games in hand.

It was a better afternoon for Dyche, whose side still only have one victory all season and remain in the bottom three but once again showed how difficult they can be to actually beat – a platform they must now build on to once again dig themselves out of trouble.

Though Burnley applied some early pressure – with Chris Wood heading over from Dwight McNeil’s corner – they were soon forced back into a familiar defensive posture.

Having made 11 changes for the midweek defeat to Dynamo Zagreb, Moyes restored his regulars but included Arthur Masuaka, whose surprise late goal brought victory over Chelsea last week, and the left-back sent a volleyed effort just wide after Benrahma had seen a curling effort blocked.

Pope then made a fine save to keep out Diop’s header from close range, and then again to deny Vladimir Coufal, although this time the flag was up.

The goalkeeper’s reward for his efforts was then to get a boot in the face from Michail Antonio, leaving him in a heap on the floor with a bloodied mouth.

Burnley fans were fearing the worst when Craig Dawson tumbled in front of McNeil with eight minutes left, but though VAR took a close look if anything it looked like a foul the other way, and play continued.

Burnley threatened at the start of the second half as an early ball found Jay Rodriguez, whose close-range effort was charged down by Dawson.

But the balance of play soon shifted the other way as Declan Rice, quiet in the first half, began to impose himself, creating chances with a series of charging runs and incisive passes.

First he beat three challenges to break into the box, and though he was halted by Mee, the ball came out to Benrahma whose effort was turned behind.

One low cross was then cut out before another span up for Benrahma to bring a strong save from Pope.

When the England midfielder raced forward again just before the hour, Pope did well to hook his cross over the bar as it headed towards Antonio at the far post.

Rice went closest himself with seven minutes remaining when his shot from just outside the area bounced off the top of the crossbar.

As frustrations built, Burnley almost snatched it with a swift counterattack. Josh Brownhill played in McNeil who slipped the ball forward for Matej Vydra, but the substitute went to ground as he tried to roll Rice, referee Graham Scott immediately signalling there was no foul.

Seconds later, Rodriguez was the merest touch away from turning Charlie Taylor’s low ball into the net.

Defeat would have been under served on West Ham, but they will need better than this to hold off the chasing pack.

Categories
football Slides Sports News

Mbappe hits milestone as leaders soar

Kylian Mbappe joined a ton-up club with a first-half double against his former team as Paris Saint-Germain extended their lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a 2-0 victory over Monaco.

PSG were held to consecutive draws by Nice and Lens in their previous two league games, and they almost fell behind at the Parc des Princes on Sunday when Sofiane Diop struck the woodwork in the opening stages.

However, the hosts were soon in control when Mbappe rolled in a penalty before adding a second in the first half – the 22-year-old forward reaching 100 goals for PSG in the French top flight. He is the youngest player to hit that landmark for any French top-flight team since at least 1950-51, Opta said.

Rennes slipped up with a 2-1 loss to Nice earlier, meaning Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG side moved 13 points clear of second spot, which is now occupied by Marseille after their 2-0 win at Strasbourg.

Diop was denied by the left post after just two minutes, before a VAR review resulted in a 12th-minute penalty at the other end for an apparent trip by Djibril Sidibe on Angel Di Maria.

Mbappe duly converted into the bottom-left corner from the spot, before a wayward Youssouf Fofana pass allowed PSG’s France striker to double his account in the 45th minute.

Lionel Messi intercepted before driving forward and unleashing Mbappe, who curled with pinpoint accuracy into the bottom-right corner to reach his century of goals with PSG.

Messi whipped narrowly over the bar with a free-kick after the interval and then dragged just wide minutes later, while Monaco rarely looked like troubling Gianluigi Donnarumma in an otherwise uneventful second half as PSG cantered to victory.

Pochettino’s side, despite previously disappointing with draws in successive league games, are unbeaten in their last nine French top-flight outings.

PSG had won just four of their 19 home games against Monaco in Ligue 1 this century, but this time they managed to overcome Niko Kovac’s in-form side. Monaco had been in great shape, with a 3-1 win over Angers and a 4-0 drubbing of Metz ahead of this game.

Mbappe will take all the plaudits for yet another brilliant attacking display, but attacking partner Messi’s role should not go under the radar.

The former Barcelona man has now been involved in goals in consecutive games for the first time in his PSG career, having scored twice against Club Brugge in the Champions League, and he provided a joint team-high two chances – including an assist – in a delightful display.

Sidibe opened the door for the hosts when he carelessly stood on Di Maria’s foot to offer PSG the early penalty.

Alongside earning a caution, Sidibe has now conceded nine spot-kicks since his top-flight debut in 2012-13, and no current player has given away more in that period.

PSG visit fifth-tier outfit SC Feignies in the Coupe de France next Sunday, while Monaco travel to Red Star on the same day. Mauricio Pochettino’s side return to league action away at Lorient on 22 December, when Kovac’s team host Rennes.

Categories
football Slides Sports News

Late Avila strike denies Blaugrana

Chimy Avila’s late strike salvaged a 2-2 draw for Osasuna after teenagers Ez Abde and Nico Gonzalez scored their first Barcelona goals in an entertaining LaLiga clash.

Barca crashed out of the Champions League with a 3-0 defeat at Bayern Munich on Wednesday, but they looked set to respond with a battling victory at Estadio El Sadar.

Nico put Xavi’s side in front on Sunday, only for David Garcia to equalise a couple of minutes later.

Ez Abde appeared to have won it with a strike early in the second half, but Avila struck in the 86th minute to rescue the home side.

Nico opened his account for the Catalan giants in the 12th minute, when he controlled a sublime pass from fellow teenager Gavi in an instant after timing his run to perfection and finished clinically with his right foot.

Barcelona’s joy was short-lived, as captain Garcia rose unmarked to meet Jon Moncayol’s whipped free-kick from the right with a powerful header into the bottom-right corner from 12 yards out.

Ez Abde was the Blaugrana’s biggest threat on the left and he was involved in a slick move that might have ended in a second Barca goal if Luuk de Jong had been more precise with his pass.

Barca were back in front four minutes into the second half, Ez Abde firing home from close range to round off a counter-attack after Ousmane Dembele’s cross skimmed off Osasuna defender Unai García’s head and fell nicely for the 19-year-old.

Osasuna were furious that the goal was allowed to stand after Gavi’s clearance at the start of the break struck Sergio Busquets on the arm in the Barcelona box, but the skipper could not get out of the way.

Barca came under late pressure and were punished for failing to deal with a corner, with Avila drilling in from just outside the area with the aid of a deflection off Samuel Umtiti.


What does it mean? Short-term pain, but future looks bright for Barca

That is no wins in three games for depleted Barca in all competitions, but the performance of their gifted youngsters should give head coach Xavi great heart.

Jordi Alba and Memphis Depay were added to the injury list following the loss to Bayern and options are limited for Xavi early in his reign.

Barca remain eighth in the table, but the future looks bright with so many talented young players stepping up in what has been a tough season so far.

Moroccan Ez Abde caused Osasuna all sorts of problems with his trickery and pace on the left flank and was richly rewarded with his first goal for Barca.

He played with a swagger and clearly has a very bright future ahead of him.

Luuk de Jong was handed a first start under Xavi, but he failed to make an impact on returning to the starting line-up.

The striker’s work-rate could not be questioned but he did not look a threat, failing to register a solitary shot.

Barca take on Elche at Camp Nou next Saturday, while Osasuna face Deportivo La Coruna in the Copa del Rey on Thursday.

Categories
football Sports News

Kimmich hits out at critics as Bayern star confirms he will accept vaccine

Joshua Kimmich expressed regret at not jumping at the chance to be vaccinated against COVID-19 – but took a swipe at those who criticised his hesitancy.

The Bayern Munich and Germany midfielder has confirmed he is now ready to take a vaccine after months of delaying his decision, and after experiencing unpleasant effects of having the virus himself.

The 26-year-old caused a major stir in October when he explained he was not willing to receive his first dose due to what he perceived as a lack of research into possible long-term effects.

“Generally, it was just difficult for me to deal with my fears and concerns, which is why I was undecided for so long,” Kimmich said, speaking to German broadcaster ZDF.

“Maybe I had to go through what I have now gone through first. Of course, looking back, I would like to make the vaccination decision earlier, but at the time it wasn’t possible for me.”

Kimmich has not featured for Bayern since November 6 after twice being forced to isolate due to being a close contact of someone who tested positive for coronavirus.

He was then infected with COVID-19 and was this week ruled out until 2022 due to an issue with his lungs. He told ZDF that to return to full training now would create the risk of that problem extending to his heart and “longer consequences”.

Kimmich has been dismayed by some reaction to his reluctance to be jabbed, saying: “I have to say personally that some of the limits have been exceeded.

“I also had the feeling that there was one or another who tried to make a name for themselves through this situation. It wasn’t always just objective criticism.

“We always talk about respect, tolerance, openness – and these are precisely the values ​​that I particularly missed in my discussion.”

Kimmich has played 18 times for Bayern across all competitions this campaign.

Bayern, who are playing their home games behind closed doors due to coronavirus restrictions imposed in Bavaria, sit six points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after beating Mainz 2-1 on Saturday.

Categories
football Slides Sports News

Ronaldo penalty gives Red Devils win

Cristiano Ronaldo’s controversial penalty gave Ralf Rangnick a second successive Premier League win as Manchester United claimed an unconvincing 1-0 victory at Norwich.

United laboured for long periods at a sodden Carrow Road but were given a chance to break an unexpectedly long deadlock when Max Aarons was adjudged to have pulled down Ronaldo.

The Portugal forward stepped up to convert the spot-kick 15 minutes from time, his emphatic finish proving the difference despite a spirited effort from the league’s bottom club.

United are fifth, level on points with fourth-placed West Ham but with an inferior goal difference, while Norwich remain three points adrift of safety.

Alex Telles saw a free-kick deflected onto the crossbar, but United struggled to break down the division’s leakiest defence in the first half and were frustrated by Tim Krul in the Norwich goal.

Ronaldo was thwarted by a diving save from the Dutchman while Harry Maguire saw a header tipped over in the closing stages of the first 45 minutes.

Norwich provided more of an attacking threat in the second half and only a flying save from David de Gea prevented Teemu Pukki from firing the opener into the top-left corner.

But they were left aghast when Darren England pointed to the spot despite Ronaldo appearing to go down easily under contact from Aarons.

There was no doubt about Ronaldo’s effort from 12 yards, which he lashed into the bottom-left corner – two stunning saves from De Gea to deny Ozan Kabak and the kind of United defending that was often lacking during Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s tenure ensuring it was enough for all three points.

United were far from convincing and Norwich could consider themselves unlucky not to get a share of the spoils.

While there is clearly a lot of work still to be done, United have two league wins under Rangnick without conceding a goal, albeit against Crystal Palace and Norwich. Ernest Mangnall in 1903 was the only other United manager to keep a clean sheet in his first two league matches.

That is legitimate progress for a team who were porous towards the end of Solskjaer’s reign.

With his penalty, Ronaldo became only the third United player to score for three different managers in the same season, having done so for Solskjaer, Michael Carrick and now Rangnick this term. James Hanson and Joe Spence both did so in the 1926-27 campaign.

He could have had a second late on but somehow scooped an effort over the bar from point-blank range.

De Gea kept his 200th career clean sheet and the fact United needed him to produce five saves to seal the points was indicative of the struggle this game was for Rangnick’s men.

Categories
football Slides Sports News

Jorginho penalty earns Blues dramatic win

Chelsea had to rely on a stoppage-time penalty from Jorginho to finally overcome Leeds in a dramatic 3-2 victory in the Premier League on Saturday.

Goals from Mason Mount and two penalties from the Italian cancelled out Raphinha’s opener and Joe Gelhardt’s late strike in a topsy turvy affair at Stamford Bridge.

Having lost top spot in the Premier League last week after losing 3-2 at West Ham, before also losing first place in their Champions League group following a 3-3 draw at Zenit, another setback was the last thing Thomas Tuchel’s men needed.

The Blues almost had that setback as they threw away a lead for the third time in a week when substitute Gelhardt struck in the 83rd minute, but a foolish challenge by Mateusz Klich on Antonio Rudiger gave Jorginho the chance to win it in the 94th minute from the spot, and he made no mistake.

2 – Antonio Rüdiger is only the second Chelsea player to win two penalties in a single Premier League match, after Yuri Zhirkov against Aston Villa in March 2010. Cunning.

The hosts started brightly, determined to make amends for a sloppy week prior, but it was the visitors who took the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the 26th minute after Marcos Alonso brought down Dan James in the box.

Raphinha stepped up to outfox Mendy and put Leeds ahead with a penalty that would have made Jorginho proud had it not been against his team.

Alonso atoned for his indiscretion four minutes before half-time as he won the ball from Stuart Dallas and whipped a low cross into the near post, where Mount was waiting to equalise.

Just before the hour mark, Jorginho had a chance to replicate Raphinha after a VAR check deemed the Leeds goalscorer to have fouled Rudiger in the penalty area, and the Italian sent Illan Meslier the wrong way with a trademark effort from the spot.

Gelhardt thought he had snatched a point for his team when he turned home a Tyler Roberts cross with seven minutes to go, but Jorginho’s second spot-kick of the day late on won it for the Blues.

What does it mean? Blues back to winning ways

After a defeat last week and the blow of drawing late in the Champions League in midweek, Chelsea looked particularly relieved to eventually find the win here, especially after title rivals Manchester City’s victory against Wolves earlier in the day.

Tuchel will still not be pleased at how sloppy his team were when ahead, but Chelsea looked impressive when hunting the lead, managing five attempts at goal in the five minutes between Mount’s strike and the half-time whistle.

Chelsea have now won their last five home league games against Leeds – the first time they have ever managed such a run against their historic rivals.

Mount impressive again

Mount has been in excellent form of late, both scoring and assisting a goal in three of his previous four Premier League starts before today.

He only managed a goal on this occasion but could easily have had an assist as well, such was his creativity, providing five crosses in another all-action display, the most of any Blues player.

Mount also has the most league goals (10) and assists (six) of any Chelsea player under Tuchel.

More London blues for Leeds

It was an unlucky afternoon at Stamford Bridge for Marcelo Bielsa’s men, who had their chances and were within minutes of what would have been a well-earned draw.

The Whites have now won just two of their last 33 away matches in London in all competitions (D7 L24) and have lost three of their last four games when scoring first in the capital: also against Chelsea last December and against Tottenham in November (winning 2-1 in the other vs Fulham).

What’s next?

There’s more Premier League action on the horizon as Chelsea host Everton on Thursday while Leeds travel to Manchester City on Tuesday.

Categories
football Slides Sports News

Mo Salah consigns Gerrard to Anfield defeat

Mohamed Salah scored his 21st goal of the season as Liverpool beat Aston Villa 1-0 on the day Steven Gerrard returned to Anfield.

Villa boss Gerrard was given a great reception by fans who worshipped him during an outstanding playing career that saw the former captain establish himself as a Liverpool legend.

Gerrard was unable to prevent Liverpool from extending their winning run to seven matches, Salah tucking home a 67th-minute penalty after he was brought down by Tyrone Mings.

Jurgen Klopp’s in-form side dominated Villa, although Danny Ings may have been unfortunate not to be awarded a late penalty, and second-placed Liverpool remain a point behind Premier League leaders Manchester City.

15 – Mohamed Salah has scored each of his last 15 Premier League penalties, just the second player to score as many consecutively in the competition, after Matthew Le Tissier (23 in a row between January 1994 and April 2000). Guarantee.

Sadio Mane thought he had been pulled back by Matty Cash in the penalty area early on, and Emiliano Martinez showed sharp reactions to keep out Andy Robertson’s header as the Reds applied pressure from the start.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s dipping long-range drive was just over the crossbar before the dangerous Robertson went down under a challenge from Marvelous Nakamba, but both referee Stuart Attwell and the VAR again saw nothing untoward.

The agile Martinez stuck out his left hand to superbly deny Salah at his near post after the prolific forward had cut in from the right, with Villa standing firm to weather the storm in the rain.

Martinez palmed the unmarked Virgil van Dijk’s powerful header into the Kop and Diogo Jota replaced Oxlade-Chamberlain 12 minutes into the second half.

There was huge relief for the majority of a packed crowd when Salah made the breakthrough midway through the second half, firing into the bottom-right corner after Mings upended the Egypt international with a clumsy challenge.

Alisson might have been lucky not to concede a penalty when Ings went down late on after a mix-up between the Liverpool goalkeeper and Joel Matip, as Villa were unable to force a late equaliser.


What does it mean? Relentless Reds march on

Salah was Liverpool’s match-winner yet again as he earned and converted the decisive penalty to end battling Villa’s resistance.

The Merseyside club have only conceded twice in seven matches and stay just behind City, who beat Wolves 1-0 earlier in the day, while third-placed Chelsea needed a last-gasp Jorginho penalty to see off Leeds United 3-2.

This was a second defeat of his Villa tenure for Gerrard, who made 710 appearances for Liverpool, and they did not pose a threat until late in the game.

Spot-on Salah

Salah has now found the back of the net with his last 15 penalties in the Premier League. Only Southampton great Matthew Le Tissier (23 in a row between January 1994 and April 2000) has scored many consecutive spot-kicks in the competition.

Former Chelsea and Roma man Salah had six goal attempts here, hitting the target with two.

Robertson was a standout performer for the Reds and gave a Cash a tough afternoon. The Scotland left-back provided three key passes and made the most passes by a Liverpool player in the Villa half with 50. He also came close to an opening goal in the first half.

Categories
football Slides Sports News

Juventus momentum halted in surprise draw

Juventus’ winning run was halted with a 1-1 draw away at lowly Venezia in Saturday’s Serie A contest as they failed to truly make up ground on the Champions League places.

Massimiliano Allegri’s men had won three games in a row without conceding in all competitions ahead of their trip to Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, but they were unable to hold onto the first-half lead given to them by Alvaro Morata.

Juve, who lost Paulo Dybala to injury inside 12 minutes, were pegged back by a long-range strike from former Torino midfielder Mattia Aramu 10 minutes into the second half.

The visitors were unable to hit back against a Venezia side that had lost their last three games and conceded 10 goals in the process, meaning they are six points behind fourth-placed Atalanta, who face Hellas Verona on Sunday.


Dybala’s replacement Kaio Jorge flicked over from close range and Morata’s drive forced a good save out of Sergio Romero before the Spain international managed to find a way through with 32 minutes played.

Luca Pellegrini sent a low cross in from the left and Morata got in front of his marker to flick the ball past Romero, the goal allowed to stand following a VAR check for a possible handball from Federico Bernardeschi in the build-up.

Juan Cuadrado wasted a good chance when firing across the face of goal shortly before the interval and Juve were made to pay as, following a spell of Venezia pressure, Aramu curled in a low first-time shot from range.

Allegri’s side failed to create much in way of response, with their one shot on target in the second half summing up their struggles as the contest finished all square.

What does it mean? Rare Venezia point against Juve

Juve confirmed their place in the last 16 of the Champions League as group winners this week, but the Bianconeri may well have to go all the way if they are to compete in next year’s competition.

With this disappointing draw – just the third time the Old Lady have failed to beat Venezia in their last 18 league meetings – Allegri’s charges may well find themselves nine points off Serie A’s top four come the end of the weekend.

As for Venezia, who ended with an expected goals (xG) return of 0.52 compared to their opponents’ 2.13, they move six points clear of the relegation zone after snapping a three-game losing run.

Venezia inspired by ex-Torino man

Aramu, who spent 15 years on the books of Juve’s city rivals Torino, has now had a hand in seven Serie A goals since Venezia earned promotion back to the top flight – five goals of his own and two assists.

The attacking midfielder had four shots in total, which only Juve substitute Jorge could match, with a team-high two of those on target.

Bianconeri devoid of ideas

Juve looked on course for a fourth straight win when Morata opened the scoring with his 30th Serie A goal, with 20 of those now coming in away matches.

But after being pegged back by Aramu’s impressive strike, they could not find any sort of rhythm in the absence of the injured Dybala and could have no complaints about the final outcome.

Categories
football Sports News

Vlahovic speculation set aside after Fiorentina forward closes on Ronaldo record

Dusan Vlahovic’s remarkable goalscoring feats continued on Saturday – and so too did discussion about his Fiorentina future.

Vlahovic netted twice in a 4-0 Serie A win over Salernitana to at least temporarily move Fiorentina up to fifth.

The team the Viola leapfrogged – Juventus, in action later on Saturday – have been hotly tipped to make a January move for the forward, who is quickly closing on a mark set by former Bianconeri man Cristiano Ronaldo.

Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo scored 33 Serie A goals in 2020, the most of any player in a single calendar year in the past 60 seasons.

After this brace, Vlahovic has 32 in 2021 with two league games remaining, passing ex-Fiorentina forward Luca Toni’s 31 in 2005.

Juve are not the only team said to have been attracted by this sensational form, but vice-chairman Pavel Nedved – speaking ahead of the game against Venezia – was reluctant to discuss Vlahovic at this stage.

“We have to think about making our current players perform and trusting these players,” Nedved told DAZN. “They are strong players.

“We have a lot of young people and if they improve we can do well. Some work in January is not impossible but now let’s think about our players.”

Similarly, in his news conference, Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Italiano did not want to consider fears Vlahovic could leave.

“Right now I’m not afraid of anything except doing well in the last three games,” he said. “The goal is to do great things, even though I’ve never mentioned the word Europe. We want to keep this position.

“In the hug he gave me, Vlahovic reminded me that we managed to score goals in a situation we practised in training.”

Italiano preferred to reflect on Fiorentina’s improvement in front of goal, having now won five consecutive home games while scoring three or more goals for the first time since 1960.

That run has led to 21 goals in eight home games – Fiorentina’s best such start since 1960-61 (22 in eight) – with Vlahovic contributing to more than half of them, scoring 10 and assisting two.

Home and away, the 21-year-old has 15 goals through the first 17 games of the season, making him the youngest player to achieve that feat since both Jose Altafini and Antonio Valentin Angelillo in 1958-59.

Alberto Gilardino in 2008 was the last Fiorentina player to score in five straight, as Vlahovic has done.

“There was a moment in the season when we weren’t able to reach our forwards well,” Italiano said. “Now we can supply them. Having a striker with 15 goals is a huge satisfaction for us.”