Inter began this season billed as the team most likely to deny Juve another Scudetto, but things already look gloomy
Cristiano Ronaldo’s first Serie A goal arrived right on schedule. Granted, it might not have felt that way to the Juventus supporters who had been waiting impatiently for this moment since July. But by opening his account in their fourth league game, with his 28th shot of the season, he was emulating precisely the start he made with Real Madrid in 2017-18.
Nobody can truly have believed his ‘drought’ would go on forever, yet the relief at its ending was evident even in Ronaldo’s performance. His first goal was a tap-in: described by Tuttosport as “pushed into an empty net from 30cm out”. Yet it felt like no accident that the Portuguese’s second should arrive 15 minutes later, drilled into the bottom corner with a confidence that had hitherto been lacking.
Continue reading...
Mauricio Pochettino pointed the finger at his players after Tottenham's loss at Watford, but the FC crew agree he should be pointing at himself.
It has been six-and-a-half months since Harry Winks last started a match and 10 months since he last played at his top level with full fitness before November's ankle injury against Crystal Palace.
That is a long time in football, and players who miss lengthy stretches can sometimes be left behind. Teammates or rivals can seize their opportunities to impress. Sides can evolve without them.
Yet Winks has not lost any of his importance during his absence, for club or for country. Both squads...