Andrea Pirlo will consider no longer placing Cristiano Ronaldo in defensive walls after Juventus conceded from another free-kick in their win against Parma.

Ronaldo covered his face and failed to jump as Gaston Brugman lifted a superb 25-yarder over the five-man Juve wall and past a stationary Gianluigi Buffon.

The home side recovered from that setback thanks to a couple of Alex Sandro goals either side of half-time and a header from fellow defender Matthijs de Ligt.

However, Pirlo was not overly pleased with his side s display and hinted Ronaldo criticised for turning his back on Sergio Oliveira s extra-time free-kick that saw Porto knock Juve out of the Champions League last 16 will no longer form part of the wall.

Unfortunately, these things happen, b…

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Facing what is a must-win showdown on Monday night, Bosnia Herzegovina will travel to Reykjavik when they meet Iceland.

Iceland

Starting with the hosts, while Iceland might have gained plenty if plaudits last year during their Nations League flurry, it is no secret that Age Hareide’s men are in the midst of a major qualifying nightmare. Although the Blues might have claimed a stellar 7-0 romp away at Group J whipping boys Liechtenstein back on March 26th, that result was nothing more than a minor boost. Last seen marking their return to qualifying duties over the weekend with another worrying performance as they were hit with a routine 3-1 drumming at the hands of Luxembourg, the one-time Denmark boss certainly finds some real pressu…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is enthused by the signing of Argentina international forward Julian Alvarez from River Plate, describing the transfer as a really, really good deal .

The Premier League leaders announced the signing of Alvarez on Monday, when the forward turned 22, in a deal worth a reported £14million ($18.8m).

Alvarez has signed a five-and-a-half-year deal but will stay with River on a loan that will last until at least July and could be extended.

He had been linked with a number of Europe s biggest clubs after scoring 24 goals in 46 games for River in all competitions during an impressive 2021.

That form saw him earn his first senior Argentina cap in June and he has gone on to feature a further five times for his national side.

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Tributes have poured in after former Spain coach Luis Aragones passed away on Saturday.

Aragones, who led Spain to glory at UEFA Euro 2008, died aged 75 at Madrid s Clinica Cemtro in the early hours of Saturday morning, local time.

As a player, Aragones won three La Liga titles with Atletico Madrid, and also led the capital club to one Spanish title and three Copa del Rey crowns as a coach.

The world of football has been quick to pay respect to Aragones follwing a career that spanned 52 years.

Among the first to pay tribute were members of Aragones Euro 2008 winning side.

Fernando Torres: RIP Luis Aragones. Thank you gaffer. I can’t say enough how much you did for me.

Andres Iniesta: Thank you for everything you taught us, for everything you gave u…

Dusan Vlahovic struck twice as Juventus beat Lazio 3-1 at the Allianz Stadium to briefly climb top of Serie A.

The Serbia striker and Federico Chiesa gave Juve a 2-0 interval lead and after Luis Alberto had pulled one back for the visitors, Vlahovic produced another emphatic finish.

Massimiliano Allegri’s side, without the suspended Paul Pogba following his recent positive drugs test, have leapfrogged Inter and AC Milan into top spot ahead of their derby clash at 5pm.

FT | | Saturday afternoon’s success secured

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen)

Juve went straight on the offensive and Filip Kostic’s angled drive was palmed away by Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel before Vlahovic slammed home Manuel Locatelli’s superb cross at the near post in…

Leeds United look set to complete the loan signing of Dexter Blackstock from Championship rivals Nottingham Forest, .

The striker, who moved to the City Ground permanently from Queens Park Rangers in July 2009 having impressed in a loan spell towards the end of the 08/09 campaign, has fallen out of favour under Billy Davies this season.

The 27 year old has played just 70 minutes of league football for the Reds, and hasn’t scored since the 4-2 victory over Leeds on Boxing Day.

Brighton and Hove Albion have also been linked with the Antigua and Barbados international, but it is Brain McDermott’s men who are leading the race to secure his services.

Leeds moved up to ninth place following their emphatic 4-0 win over Birmingham City on Sunday afternoo…

Celtic had Gustaf Lagerbielke and Odin Thiago Holm sent off within five minutes of each other as they opened their Champions League campaign with a 2-0 defeat by Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Calvin Stengs gave Feyenoord the lead in first-half stoppage-time when his 30-yard free-kick evaded a poor attempt at a defensive wall.

Joe Hart saved a penalty after Lagerbielke received a second yellow card and substitute Holm soon got a straight red card in the 68th minute.

Defeat in Rotterdam. | |

— Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC)

Alireza Jahanbakhsh got the home side’s second goal.

Centre-back Lagerbielke was one of two summer signings in the Celtic starting line-up with Nat Phillips ruled out by an ankle injury. The other, winger Luis Palma, …

Barcelona linked to Ochoa

Spanish giants Barcelona have been offered a chance to sign Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa from Ajaccio, .

The Catalans have already recruited Marc-Andre ter Stegen as a replacement for Victor Valdes, but they plan to sign another shot-stopper as Jose Manuel Pinto is also set to quit Camp Nou.

And while Real Sociedad star Claudio Bravo is the number one player on club s hit-list, El Mundo Deportivo understands that Ajaccio keeper Guillermo Ochoa is also in the mix.

The Mexican has plenty of experience at the highest level having spent last three seasons in French Ligue 1, while earning 57 Mexico caps.

Ochoa will be available on a free transfer since his contract at Ajaccio is due to expire, while the fact he is a rea…

Christophe Galtier believes Kylian Mbappe s return to Paris Saint-Germain training just three days after a World Cup final defeat is a strong signal.

Mbappe scored a hat-trick in Sunday s final at Lusail Stadium, twice converting from the spot while also firing home a superb volley as the game ended 3-3 after extra time.

It was Mbappe s team-mate Lionel Messi who ultimately lifted the trophy, though, after Argentina won the penalty shoot-out 4-2.

While Messi returned to Argentina to celebrate, Mbappe was back in PSG training on Wednesday as he attempts to overcome his Qatar heartbreak.

The forward will turn his attention back to the remainder of the season, with PSG holding a five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and facing a huge Champions League meetin…

Two of Italy s most successful clubs go toe-to-toe at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday as Juventus welcome fierce rivals Inter to Turin.

Six-time defending Serie A champions Juve have enjoyed unparalleled success in recent times, while Inter have found themselves trailing in the Bianconeri s wake.

This season Inter are rejuvenated under Luciano Spalletti, though, and travel to Turin as league leaders after a 5-0 thrashing of Chievo.

They will hope to strengthen their claim to be Scudetto contenders with victory over Juve, who sit third, two points adrift heading into this weekend s Derby d Italia.

Here, with the help of Opta data, we look at the historical stats behind a hotly-contested rivalry.

DOMINANT JUVE

Saturday will be th…