Football Mag

Matthijs de Ligt insists his €75 million (£68m/$84m) move to Juventus was driven by personal ambition, with Cristiano Ronaldo having no influence on his decision to head for Italy. After seeing his future become the subject of much speculation over recent months, the Netherlands international has finally brought a long-running saga to a close. The reigning Serie A champions have won the race for his signature, with a highly-rated 19-year-old opting to take on a new challenge in Turin after heading for the exits at Ajax. It had been suggested that a chat with Portuguese superstar Ronaldo after the UEFA Nations League final in June helped to sway De Ligt’s thinking, but he insists that is not the case. “After the Nations League final I was already sure that I wanted to join Juventus, but it was still a big compliment to have Cristiano ask me to join here but it didn't make the difference,” De Ligt told reporters at his first press conference as a Juve player. “I came her...

Lorenzo Insigne's penalty cannoned agonisingly back off the post as Napoli lost 2-1 to runaway leaders Juventus in a Serie A thriller that saw both teams finish with 10 men. Miralem Pjanic converted the 28th-minute free-kick after Napoli's young goalkeeper Alex Meret was sent off for a professional foul on Cristiano Ronaldo and Emre Can made it 2-0 before half-time. Despite operating with reduced numbers, Napoli hit the post through Piotr Zielinski between the Juve goals and Pjanic's second yellow card for deliberate handball gave them hope – as did Jose Callejon's 61st-minute goal. Insigne provided a superb assist but could not complete the comeback after Alex Sandro fell foul of a VAR review for handball having blocked Fabian Ruiz's goalbound shot. Napoli's relentless pressure then dropped off and Massimiliano Allegri's undefeated Juve now boast a mammoth 16-point lead over Carlo Ancelotti's men at the summit.

Juventus have been left sweating on the fitness of star man Cristiano Ronaldo, with the Portuguese set to undergo tests on an ankle injury. The former Real Madrid man picked up a knock to his left ankle during the Bianconeri's 1-0 win over Bologna on Sunday. But concerns have grown since then, with Ronaldo unable to participate in full training with the rest of the Juve squad on Wednesday, and will now be further examined by the Serie A champions' medical team. Fellow forward Douglas Costa also trained separately on Wednesday, with a club statement reading: "Both Douglas Costa and Cristiano Ronaldo trained seperately from the group. "For CR7, check-ups have been scheduled for today and tomorrow following a knock to his left ankle during the game against Bologna." The injury could not come at a worse time for Massimiliano Allegri's side as they enter a crucial period in their season.

Karim Benzema would be forgiven for lamenting the loss of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, but the striker admits he is happy to be be playing his "real football" as he takes charge of leading the club's attack. “Before there was a guy who scored more than 50 goals per season and my role was to provide assists,” the striker said. “I played to help Cristiano, we formed a good partnership. I was always looking for him with the intention of helping him to score even more goals." “Now though, I'm the leader of the attack. It's up to me to make the difference. I'm very happy because now I can play my real football.” Benzema enjoyed 10 fruitful years alongside one of football's all-time greats, forming an unspoken link with the Portuguese attacker that would help propel the Spanish capital club to two La Liga crowns and four Champions League titles.

Paulo Dybala came on from the bench to score the winner as a lacklustre Juventus overcame Serie A strugglers Bologna 1-0 on Sunday. Despite putting in a below-par performance for much of the encounter, Juve took the lead when Dybala – whose long-term future in Turin is rumoured to be in doubt – slotted home from close range eight minutes after coming on. Dybala's effort came against the run of play, with Juve sparred by wasteful finishing and a superb block from Alex Sandro, who prevented Ibrahima Mbaye from putting Bologna ahead. However, Juve's strength in depth proved the difference as they became the first side in Serie A history to win at least 22 of their first 25 games of a season, with the result also a timely boost for boss Massimiliano Allegri after the Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid in midweek.