Conte: Serie A champions and leaders Juventus are used to having the world against them and this season is no exception, coach Antonio Conte said yesterday. “Either you are for Juventus or you are against Juventus, it’s always been like that and it’s like that now,” Conte said. “It’s us against everyone.” Conte was reacting to comments made by Roma coach Rudi Garcia, who said his side felt victimised after forward Mattia Destro was suspended for three games on video evidence.
Torino: Torino’s last-gasp win over Genoa yesterday was too much for their goalkeeping coach Beppe Zinetti who got so carried away that he ruptured his Achilles tendon as he celebrated the winning goal. Torino said that Zinetti, 55, would undergo surgery and will not be able to work for the rest of the season. “There was a hint of sadness lingering in the Torino dressing-room despite the extraordinary victory over Genoa,” the club said.
Dempsey: Clint Dempsey struck twice as the Seattle Sounders inflicted a first defeat on FC Dallas in the Western Conference. US international Dempsey struck the winner five minutes from the end. The Sounders had to battle back from 2-1 down as Dempsey’s 22nd-minute free-kick was sandwiched by David Texeira’s opener and a Garbini Michel penalty. Stephen Keel’s own goal on 75 minutes levelled matters before Dempsey grabbed his late winner.
Ajax: Ajax must wait another fortnight for a chance to be crowned Dutch champions despite beating Den Haag at home yesterday after closest rivals Feyenoord stayed in contention with a 2-0 victory at PSV. Ajax could have claimed the title in the last two weekends but have been thwarted by their rivals, who won for the first time in a decade at PSV to keep alive their slim hopes. Ajax’s 3-2 win put them on 69 points and left them needing one more victory from their last two matches.
Oblak: Benfica goalkeeper Jan Oblak lost consciousness and was taken to hospital after a clash of heads in the 2-0 win at Arouca yesterday. The Slovenian goalkeeper’s injury took the gloss off Benfica’s 10th successive league win, which left them three points away from wrapping up the title race. Oblak clashed with Arouca striker Roberto in the 65th minute and received treatment on the pitch before being led to the dressing room.