ROME: Igor Tudor’s firing at Juventus produced an immediate result.
The Bianconeri beat visiting Udinese 3-1 in Serie A on Wednesday to end an eight-match winless streak that had stretched back to mid-September.
Defender Federico Gatti headed in the winner for Juventus after Dusan Vlahovic opened the scoring by earning and converting a penalty.
Kenan Yildiz sealed it by also earning and converting a penalty in stoppage time.
Tudor was fired on Monday following three consecutive losses.
Interim coach Massimo Brambilla directed the team against Udinese, with former Napoli and Italy coach Luciano Spalletti expected to be named the club’s new manager on Thursday.
“Spalletti is a great coach, with experience and a modern style of football,” Juventus adviser Giorgio Chiellini said before kickoff, before adding: “We have to wait, because there is no signature yet.”
The victory lifted Juventus into sixth place, six points behind Italian league leaders Napoli and Roma.
Roma moved level with Napoli with a 2-1 victory over Parma.
Later, Inter Milan were hosting winless Fiorentina.
Nicolò Zaniolo scored a temporary equalizer for Udinese.
Roma rising to Gasperini’s standards
At the Stadio Olimpico, Gian Piero Gasperini’s squad finally showed an offensive spark that had been lacking under the attack-minded coach.
Center back Mario Hermoso scored his first goal with Roma by redirecting in a corner by the back post with a header.
Then center forward Artem Dovbyk doubled the advantage by turning in a rebound.
Alessandro Circati scored for Parma four minutes from time.
Roma also had a potential goal from Matias Soule wiped out following a VAR review, Leon Bailey wasted an open look at the goal when he missed wide from close range, and Paulo Dybala had an acrobatic header stopped with a fingertip save.
Also, big-spending Como beat Hellas Verona 3-1 to move up to fourth.
Tasos Douvikas, Stefan Posch and Mërgim Vojvoda scored for Como, which is coached by Cesc Fabregas.
Juventus respond to Tudor’s firing by ending 8-match winless streak, Roma rejoin Napoli on top
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Juventus respond to Tudor’s firing by ending 8-match winless streak, Roma rejoin Napoli on top
- Kenan Yildiz sealed it by also earning and converting a penalty in stoppage time
- Interim coach Massimo Brambilla directed the team against Udinese
Saudi rising star Malik Basahel targets statement win at PFL MENA Finals
AL-KHOBAR: Saudi flyweight prospect Malik Basahel faces a pivotal test in his young professional career when he takes on Egypt’s Mahmoud Atef at the PFL MENA Finals: All or Nothing later on Friday at the Dhahran Expo in Al-Khobar.
Building on strong performances across the PFL and IMMAF circuits, Basahel sees the bout as a natural next step in a progression he has been planning for years. Confident but composed, he views the contest as another opportunity to underline what his record already suggests.
“I feel good. Obviously, it’s my sixth time fighting for the PFL. It’s my third pro fight this year,” Basahel said.
“For me, it’s just another fight, another opportunity to showcase what I’ve learned in the gym, to show my skills, and to get that win. I’m just focused on my next fight. I’ve got a good feeling about it.”
That calm approach is rooted in experience. From a decorated amateur career to an unbeaten start as a professional, Basahel has shown an ability to perform under pressure, with each outing reflecting steady development.
His run in the PFL has already exposed him to a variety of opponents and styles, providing valuable cage time.
Standing opposite him, Atef brings a 5-3 record and a reputation for pushing the pace. Basahel is ready for the challenge.
“He brings the fight, so I can bring the fight as well,” Basahel said. “I’m locked in on this one, and whatever happens after, happens.”
While acknowledging the higher stakes that come with competing on the PFL platform, the Saudi is clear about what keeps him grounded.
“The level of competition is higher than the regional shows, and obviously the media and everything around it plays a part,” he said. “But at the end of the day, it’s only a cage, the same rules, the same fight. I just try to put the work in, show what I can do, and have some fun with it. I always try to learn, always try to improve. I just know I’m going to get this win.”
For Basahel, the matchup with Atef represents a chance to reinforce his status as one of the region’s most promising flyweights and to deliver the statement performance he believes will carry him toward the upper tiers of the sport.
