A swift rush of blood to the head doomed Juventus in the dying moments of their 1-0 loss to José Mourinho’s Roma on Sunday. With the seconds ticking away and a goal imperative as Juventus clung to the hope of Champions League qualification, head coach Massimiliano Allegri turned to his bench and brought on 23-year-old Moise Kean as the final hope for salvation.
It took all of 24 matches but Cremonese finally won a Serie A game on Tuesday, and the most remarkable thing is that they recorded it over Roma after also shocking José Mourinho's team in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals at the beginning of the month.
No club in Europe's big five leagues had remained winless this long, but Cremonese — based in the Lombardy region of northern Italy — actually moved into 19th-place with all three points (12 overall) while dropping hapless Sampdoria (11 points) to dead last.
Al Cremonese le costó, pero finalmente lo consiguió. Con Johan Vásquez como titular, I Grigiorossi vencieron 2-1 a la AS Roma de Jose Mourinho y lograron su primera victoria de la temporada 2022-23 de la Serie A.
Cierto, no suena a gran cosa, pero considerando que se jugaba la jornada 24 del torneo, uno entiende y hasta empatiza con la emoción que se vivió en los festejos del equipo una vez que el juez central pitó el final del partido.
A rumor is going around the Twitter-sphere and internet that U.S. Soccer has AS Roma manager José Mourinho on its wish list for who will be the next USMNT head coach.
Jose Mourinho is reportedly being targeted by U.S. Soccer to become the next USMNT head coach. pic.twitter.com/9AQ1f0HaX3
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) January 21, 2023
Con Hirving Lozano de titular y dándole uno que otro dolor de cabeza a José Mourinho, el Napoli venció a la AS Roma por 1-0 en el Stadio Olímpico. El triunfo puso al equipo del sur italiano al tope de la Serie A y aumentó a 11 su número de victorias consecutivas, contando liga local y Champions League.
El gol del Napoli vino en los pies del nigeriano Víctor Osimhen, quien a los 80 minutos se sacó de encima a Chris Smalling y batió con remate cruzado a Rui Patricio.
VICTOR JAMES OSIMHEN!
José Mourinho llenó de elogios a Andrés Guardado. Sí, al capitán de la selección mexicana que muchos quieren ver jubilado.
En la previa del duelo que enfrentará a la AS Roma con el Real Betis en la Europa League, el técnico analizó a su rival frente a los micrófonos de Fox Sports y no dudó en enumerar las buenas cualidades que caracterizan al Principito.
Mou alabó la experiencia de Guardado, así como ha ido modificando su juego para aportar con su talento al gran presente que viven los verdiblancos.
The San Siro, Italy’s modern Colosseum, was the stage for a battle between two of Serie A’s finest. Roma traveled north to face Inter Milan on Saturday, and after a thoroughly impressive beginning to the season for new signing Paulo Dybala, The Eternal City appears to have a new Caesar.
WHAT A HIT FROM PAULO DYBALA! pic.twitter.com/nRNuTRHHYz
Walking out, pointing skyward, Paulo Dybala’s return to the Allianz was clearly emotional. A cathedral that was home to many of his best moments in the black and white of Juventus was the host of his third match for rivals Roma. After a lap showing love for his old fans, and extra time greeting his former teammates, Dybala and Roma left Turin with a 1-1 draw.
Serie A returned last week and goals came standard along with a healthy dose of drama. Inter scraped past newly promoted Lecce thanks to a 95th-minute goal by Denzel Dumfries, Dušan Vlahović and Ante Rebić both scored twice, and Napoli thrashed Verona 5-2 to go top of the league from the off.
This week, expect more of the same as most big-name clubs take on lesser-known opposition with a few exceptions, all on Paramount+.
This weekend, Serie A kicks off following a transfer window that changed the dynamic of the entire league. Former favorites have failed to impress while good investments have helped others emerge as contenders.
A relatively unassuming first weekend of games gives way to a title fight that has the potential to include as many as five clubs. Relegation will be a trap door that many will need to be aware of, including some relatively big teams.