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Two Juventus stars were on the receiving end of some empathic praise from their manager, Igor Tudor.
The Bianconeri marched toward the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup after winning their second contest at the expense of Wydad CA.
The Moroccan giants showed great desire and determination, but they were no match for Kenan Yildiz and his teammates from a technical standpoint.
Igor Tudor pleased with Juventus win over Wydad
The Serie A representatives thus registered a 4-1 win that ensured their qualification for the Round of 16 with one match to spare.
Nevertheless, Tudor reveals that the heat was an impeding factor for his players, especially due to the early kickoff. Still, he lauded his men for maintaining their composure even when they had a healthy lead.
“It was a slightly different match, also because of the time of day which lowered the pace of the game,” said the 46-year-old in his post-match interview as published by the official Juventus website.
“The opponents had prepared well, but starting with an early goal helped us. In football, however, nothing is taken for granted, and I stay alert even with a two- or three-goal lead. The boys did well, two good wins in a row.
“Tonight they will enjoy a free dinner, they have earned it. Now, attention turns to Manchester City, a great test awaits us.”
(Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Tudor lauds Yildiz & Locatelli
Tudor also heaped praise Yildiz, describing him as a rare talent, while also applauding Manuel Locatelli who allowed Dusan Vlahovic to take the spot-kick late in the match.
“Kenan has huge potential, he has rare qualities: he can make the difference up front with the dynamism of a midfielder. He’s a special talent, but it’s his mentality that will take him far.
“[Dusan] Vlahovic approached today with the right attitude, and he played for the group. And [Manuel] Locatelli’s gesture of letting him take the penalty was a true leader’s gesture.”
This suggests that Locatelli is now the designated spot-kick taker. The captain famously converted the penalty kick that secured Juve’s Champions League qualification on the final day of the season.More must-reads:
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Tottenham Hotspur star's LAFC transfer raises eyebrows for the right reasons
There aren't many athletes like Son Heung-min, the Korean attacker who's set to join Los Angeles FC for a blockbuster transfer fee of $20M-$26M, per GIVEMESPORT. During his 10-year run with Tottenham Hotspur — a stretch in which he broke Premier League scoring records and led the team to its first championship trophy in 17 years — Son played a major role for the Spurs off the field, too. The 33-year-old attacker hosted massive Korean banquets for Spurs staff, often catered by himself and his mother. He became godfather to teammate Ben Davies' child. Son also became renowned for treating people with respect, regardless of their station, and proved that you can be a world-class athlete without losing your principles. Son wasn't interested in leaving the Spurs for another Premier League club. He wasn't keen on signing elsewhere in Europe despite receiving serious interest from dozens of top clubs. Instead, he zeroed in on a wild, unexpected career shift to Major League Soccer. His transfer will be one of the biggest in the 31-year history of MLS. There are two types of players who join MLS on mega-deals like this: young, hyped talent from European and South American leagues (Atlanta's Emmanuel Latte Lath or Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey) and past-their-prime legends (Miami's Lionel Messi or the New York Red Bulls' Emil Forsberg). Son doesn't fit either of those categories. At 33, he's neither a moldable prospect nor an inflexible veteran. He's a world-class athlete in his prime, one who would be just as stellar at world powers Barcelona or Bayern Munich as he will with LAFC. This is the first time in a long time that MLS has successfully courted a player of Son's caliber and fitness level. One could argue that Toronto FC pulled it off when it signed Italian attacker Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi in 2022, but both players floundered in MLS. (Toronto released each this summer.) Son, with his indefatigable spirit and endless desire to please, is unlikely to make the mistakes in MLS that Insigne and Bernardeschi did. He's a willing ambassador and team player. In other words, he Messi with a little more gas in the tank. He's also a fascinating addition for LAFC. American soccer succeeds through multicultural exchange and owes much of its growth — on and off the field — to diasporas around the country. Son is one of South Korea's most famous and beloved celebrities, and Los Angeles features one of the world's largest Korean communities. His arrival in the L.A. will introduce American soccer fans to the Korea diaspora and should bring a wave of interest and positivity. According to GIVEMESPORT, Son's LAFC deal is expected to be finalized in early August. That would give Son a chance to improve LAFC's fortunes. The team (10-6-6), once known for its stability and unshakable nature, is sixth in the Western Conference with 12 games left to play in the regular season. LAFC will return to MLS action Saturday against the Chicago Fire.
Kolby Aipa, Surf Royalty, Tragically Dies in E-Bike Accident
On Saturday night, surf royalty heir Kolby Aipa was involved in a tragic accident in Huntington Beach, CA. The 20-year-old grandson of iconic and innovative Hawaiian surfboard shaper, Ben Aipa, was put on life support; on Tuesday, he passed away. According to reports, Aipa was towing behind a car of friends on his e-bike when the accident happened. He was struck by the same vehicle that was towing him. Since the news of his untimely passing, an outpouring of mourning from the surf community – from Hawaii to Huntington Beach – has been flooding in. “This is the hardest post we will ever make,” began the tribute from the official Aipa Surf Company account. “We are completely heartbroken. We wanted to thank all the visitors, supporters, food deliveries, donations, flowers, cards, countless stories and photos his friends have shared with us, Drs and nurses that have taken care of our sweet boy. The HB community and everyone around the world have touched our hearts in an unimaginable way. Thank you for loving our boy.” Following in his strong surfing lineage, Kolby was an up-and-coming surfer himself. He was sponsored by the clothing brand AVVA, Dakine, Cobian footwear, and others. He was a member of the Huntington Beach Board Riders club. The Aipa Surf Co. post announcing his passing continued, speaking to Kolby as a human: “Kolby always had a way with touching the lives of whoever he met. His acts of kindness and caring was his gift of Aloha to friends and strangers alike. To everyone that reads this... pass his Aloha on. So, how Kolby treated you, treat others in that same way...In this you are continuing his legacy of Aloha. And you too can be like Kolby.” A memorial paddle-out for Kolby is being planned; stay tuned for more information. Rest in peace, Kolby Aipa. To donate to the GoFundMe, see here.
Yankees quickly pull plug on key trade-deadline acquisition
After a disastrous start to his time in the Bronx, the New York Yankees have seen enough of reliever Jake Bird. Acquired in a trade-deadline deal with the Colorado Rockies, Bird was sent to Triple-A after giving up a game-winning three-run home run against the Texas Rangers on Monday night. The long ball continued what has been a head-shaking start for the 29-year-old right-hander with the Yankees, as he has given up seven runs (six earned) and four hits in just 2.0 innings worked over three games. His recent outings extend what has been a downward spiral for Bird. While with the Rockies, Bird allowed runs in 10 of his last 17 games before being traded, equaling a 13.20 ERA during that stretch. Before that, Bird was one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, posting a 1.41 ERA through his first 28 outings of the season. Bird's collapse in the Bronx goes along with the overall struggles of the Yankees bullpen. Devin Williams, another trade that was supposed to be an answer in the late innings for New York, served up the game-tying homer on Monday night in Texas. Over his last seven appearances, he has a 7.71 ERA, and a potential change at closer could be in the air after manager Aaron Boone's comments after Monday's loss. The Yankees made deals at the deadline to boost the bullpen, bringing in Bird from Colorado, David Bednar from Pittsburgh and Camilo Doval from San Francisco. However, those moves have mostly hurt the Yankees, who also saw leads evaporate in a three-game road sweep at the hands of the Miami Marlins. While it's still too early to say the Rockies won the trade by acquiring two prospects for Bird, the early results for the Yankees certainly point in that direction. If Bird isn't able to regain the confidence that was such a big part of his demeanor while in Colorado, the trade will be a decision that New York could regret for the rest of the season and beyond.
Steelers defender announces season-ending ACL injury
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be without a key defensive lineman for the entire season. Via an Instagram post on Tuesday, veteran Dean Lowry revealed he suffered an ACL injury during practice last week. "During a training camp practice last week I sustained an ACL injury that will likely end my season," Lowry wrote. "Hard to comprehend the thoughts and emotions I have felt since then." Lowry said he was "heartbroken" that he wouldn't be able to play with his Steelers teammates in 2025. Lowry, 31, signed with the Steelers in 2024. He played in 12 games for Pittsburgh and started one, recording five tackles and one sack. Lowry was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He's appeared in 132 games and started in 85, recording 271 tackles, 16.5 sacks, 18 passes defensed and one forced fumble. The injury is frustrating for Lowry, who was entering his 10th season. He was set to rejoin his former Packers teammate, Aaron Rodgers, on a special season in 2025, but instead will have to rehab his injury.
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