14/01/2026

SPORTS WEDNESDAY | JAN 14, 2026

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Juve move up to fourth in Serie A

SHORTS Man Utd must pull together: Dalot

JUVENTUS kept hold of fourth spot in Serie A yester day after cruising to a 5-0 win over Cremonese and continuing their revival under Luciano Spalletti. Three ahead at half-time through Gleison Bremer, Jonathan David and Kenan Yildiz, a Filippo Terracciano own goal and strike from Weston McKennie made sure of a comprehensive fifth win in six league matches for Juve. Juve are level on 39 points with champions Napoli and Roma, and just four behind league leaders Inter following a dominant display in Turin. However Inter, Napoli and second-placed AC Milan all have a game in hand due their participation in the Italian Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. After the final whistle, Spalletti said Juventus are still “not at the level’ of Inter and Napoli and he’s “not interested” in a longer-term contract. “I just want to note that in my view, neither of the two penalties today should’ve been awarded,” added

tously deflected Fabio Miretti’s volley past Emil Audero. That was quickly followed up by a brilliant counter-attack finished off by Canada striker David. And Davide Nicola’s team’s hopes were extin guished shortly after they had a penalty, for a Manuel Locatelli challenge on Dennis Johnsen, revoked fol lowing a VAR check midway through the first half. That decision sparked a furious reaction from Nicola who was promptly sent off for dissent, and within minutes Federico Baschirotto conceded a pen alty for handball, even though the ball was deflected onto his arm from his own foot. Yildiz hit the post from the spot but lashed home from a fortunate rebound, and from that point on the result was never in doubt. McKennie made sure of Juve’s biggest margin of victory under Spalletti by forcing Terracciano’s own goal shortly after half-time and then slotting home the fifth in the 64th minute. – AFP/Agencies

Spalletti, agreeing with the entire Sky Sport Italia panel of pundits. “When you take on this work, there can always be surprises, good and bad ones, as the pitch does the talking,” Spalletti added. “We were in control, we had a good game and were set out well, we had the right hunger against an opponent that knows what it’s doing. “Davide Nicola knows the top flight very well and what his squad has to do, so they are well-organised and ready to battle. “With a bit of good luck, we managed to get the result on track early, but then also had some bad luck with that penalty off the upright. “I think all things considered we were in charge, although there were still a few wobbles that are hard to get rid of.” Promoted Cremonese already had a mountain to climb after just a quarter of an hour as Bremer fortui Alonso get the X

DIOGO DALOT says Manchester United’s players must pull together and put their FA Cup heartache behind them. The Red Devils are set to end the campaign with more managers than cup matches having fallen at the first hurdle in both domestic competitions for the first time since 1981/82. August’s Carabao Cup humiliation at Grimsby was the nadir of Ruben Amorim’s reign and interim boss Darren Fletcher oversaw United’s deflating 2-1 exit to Brighton in the FA Cup third round on Sunday. It meant the Old Trafford club’s trophy dreams ended just 11 days into 2026 and heightened the spotlight on both ownership and leadership. “Not just the leaders but all the group – you have to find ways to overcome this,” the fullback told MUTV . “To find energy between each other, to come to training, be professional, try to give your best during the week to prepare a big game. We know this type of game can change momen tum, can give the crowd a bit more energy to get us through. But, to be honest, credit to (the supporters), because even though (against Brighton) in the difficult period they are always pushing us forward.” Paris FC knock out PSG in French Cup PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN academy product Jonathan Ikone came back to haunt his old club yesterday as he scored the only goal in Paris FC’s 1-0 win over their city rivals to reach the last 16 of the French Cup. Substitute Ikone stabbed home in the final 20 minutes to surprise the dominant record 16-time winners and current champions at the Parc des Princes. PSG lost their first home game in the competition since 2022 and suffered their first last-32 defeat since 2014. “We’re really happy, we managed to defend well,” Ikone told France Televisions . “I’m really happy with my goal, just a joy, and I hope it’s not my last goal,” he added. ATLETICO MADRID manager Diego Simeone has issued an apology for his sideline antics during his team’s Spanish Super Cup semifinal defeat by Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia, say ing he was sorry for taunting Vinicius Jr. but refusing to ask for forgiveness. The fiery Argentine was caught on camera repeatedly provoking the Brazilian winger throughout the match, reportedly telling him “Florentino will kick you out – remember what I’m telling you,” in reference to speculation about Vinicius’ future and contract discus sions as his current deal approaches expiry. “I would like to apologise to Florentino and Vinicius for the inci dent they witnessed,”Simeone told a press conference yesterday. “It was wrong of me to put myself in that position, and I accept that it was wrong. The team that wins deserves to go through; they deserved to go through.” Simeone was pressed on whether his behaviour had crossed a line. “I apologise, but I do not ask for forgiveness. I have nothing more to add,” he said. Simeone sorry for taunting Vinicius

Macclesfield draw Brentford after FA Cup heroics NEW Chelsea manager Liam Rosenior was handed a trip back to his old club Hull City in the FA Cup fourth round draw yesterday while non-league giant-slayers Macclesfield will welcome top-flight Brentford. Sixth-tier Macclesfield, coached by Wayne Rooney’s younger brother John, delivered the biggest upset in FA Cup history when they stunned holders Crystal Palace 2–1 at their Moss Rose ground on Saturday. They will have to produce another huge upset against Brentford, punching above their weight in fifth in the Premier League standings. “We said before that we would have liked to get Liverpool, Chelsea, or Arsenal but another Premier League side is incredible,” said Rooney after the draw at Liverpool’s Anfield ground. Rosenior played in the FA Cup final for Hull City against winners Arsenal in 2014 and also managed the club from 2022 to 2024. He kicked off his tenure as Chelsea boss last Saturday with a 5-1 FA Cup third round win at Championship (second tier) side Charlton Athletic. Premier League leaders Arsenal, the record 14-times winners of the FA Cup, will host League One (third tier) Wigan Athletic who won in 2013. Aston Villa, who beat Tottenham Hotspur in the third round, will be at home to Newcastle United in an all Premier League clash. Liverpool will also face Premier League opponents in Brighton & Hove Albion, who beat Manchester United 2-1 on Monday. Manchester City will have fourth-tier opponents in either Salford City, in what would be a mismatched local game, or Swindon Town. The matches will be played around the weekend of Feb 14 and 15. – Reuters ENGLISH FA CUP 4TH ROUND DRAW Liverpool vs Brighton, Stoke City vs Fulham, Oxford United vs Sunderland, Southampton vs Leicester City, Wrexham vs Ipswich Town, Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic, Hull City vs Chelsea, Burton Albion vs West Ham Utd, Burnley vs Mansfield Town, Norwich City vs West Brom, Port Vale vs Bristol City, Grimsby Town vs Wolves, Aston Villa vs Newcastle, Man City vs Salford City/Swindon Town, Macclesfield vs Brentford, Birmingham City vs Leeds United.

Coach leaves Real by mutual consent, replaced by Arbeloa

R EAL MADRID said yester day coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. After losing the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona on Sunday the club decided to part ways with the Basque coach, in charge for less than eight months, and immediately appointed for mer Madrid player Arbeloa who was coaching the reserve side. “Real Madrid announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as first team coach to an end,” said Los Blancos in a statement. In a separate statement Madrid then announced Arbeloa would take Alonso’s place, without speci fying the length of the 42-year-old’s contract. “Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s academy since 2020,” said Los Blancos . Arbeloa’s first match at the helm is a Copa del Rey last-16 visit to face second-tier Albacete tomorrow (4am Malaysian time). The Spaniard played 238 times for Madrid between 2009-2016, winning two Champions League titles and La Liga once, among other silverware. Arbeloa also lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010, as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, playing alongside Alonso for club and country.

ing approach to the team.

Alonso joined in June, replacing veteran Carlo Ancelotti, but Madrid struggled to find consis tency under the Basque coach and are second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona. Los Blancos were outplayed in a 3-2 defeat in Saudi Arabia on Sunday by Hansi Flick’s side, the 44-year-old’s last at the helm. “It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you,” French superstar Kylian Mbappe wrote on Instagram . “I will remember you as a man ager who had clear ideas, and knows many things about football. Best of luck for (your) next chapter.” Alonso was close to the sack towards the end of 2025 but a run of five consecutive wins kept him in his position, until the Super Cup defeat. Alonso had signed a three-sea son deal at the Bernabeu after leav ing German side Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he won the Bundesliga in 2024. Real Madrid were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in July in the Club World Cup semifinals, which was an early setback for the coach. A 5-2 drubbing by Atletico Madrid in September was another blow for Alonso, although it was the team’s only league defeat until December. Despite a Clasico win over Barcelona in October, it appeared president Florentino Perez had not fully warmed to Alonso, who had intended to bring a modern coach

While Ancelotti, who led Madrid to three Champions League wins across two spells in charge, was hailed for his man management, Alonso was appointed for his tactical nous. Early on during his time in charge Alonso said the “rock’n’roll” was about to begin, but it never came, with few entertaining attack ing displays, despite the superb output of Mbappe, La Liga’s top scorer. Madrid struggled through a run of poor form amid an injury crisis, losing at home against Celta Vigo, and away at Liverpool in Europe, as well as drawing several domestic games. In that period many of the tacti cal ideas Alonso had tried to imple ment, including high pressing, faded away, amid reports some star players had fallen out with him. Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes dropped out of form, going several months without finding the net. Spanish media also said Alonso would be ousted if they failed to beat Manchester City in the Champions League in December. Madrid lost against Pep Guardiola’s side but the perform ance enough of an improvement that Alonso was given more time to try and save his job. However, the defeat by Barca in Jeddah was the final straw for Madrid, who agreed a deal with Alonso for him to depart. – AFP