Raphinha scores hat-trick in 100th appearance for Barca
Brazilian winger Raphinha celebrated his 100th appearance for FC Barcelona with a hat-trick goal against Bayern Munich in the Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
Beaten 2017 UEFA Champions League finalists Juventus on Wednesday announced that manager Massimiliano Allegri has extended his contract, confirming his stay in Turin till at least 2020, in the process.
A statement on the club website read: “Today's agreement extends a working relationship that has seen the Bianconeri consolidate their position as Italy's top team and also evolve into one of European football's major forces.”
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Under Allegri, the Bianconeri have won three Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia trophies and one Italian Super Cup and have contested two Champions League finals (2015 and 2017).
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Inheriting a side that were already dominating the domestic scene under his predecessor Antonio Conte, Allegri transformed them from being Italian giants to genuine European heavyweights.
They won the double in 2016 and were close to completing an incredible Treble, only to see their hopes dashed by a Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid. Juventus created history in Italian football, however, by becoming the first team in history to win six consecutive league titles. Even if one considers half of those were won under current Chelsea manager Antonio Conte, Allegri’s fine work with the Bianconeri is undeniable.
Two Champions League finals in three years and fifth place in the UEFA ranking indicate clear progress and while ultimate glory eluded them, there is no denying that the 49-year-old has firmly established himself as one of the most sought-after managers in world football.
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