26 January 2015
Week 11 of #TalentTrack – supporters’ weekly guide to those Bianconeri players out on loan or co-ownership deals – begins by putting Frederik Sorensen under the spotlight.
The Danish Under-21 international, who is currently enjoying a year-long loan spell with Hellas Verona, displayed his defensive qualities during yesterday’s 1-0 Serie A triumph over Atalanta at the Bentegodi.
Following Javier Saviola’s goal on 53 minutes, the Gialloblu were somewhat clinging on to their lead in the closing stages but Sorensen put in a good shift along his fellow Hellas rearguard to fight off Atalanta’s attacking advances.
Heading over to Belgium’s Jupiler League now, Mbaye Diagne was on the scoresheet twice as his Westerlo outfit came from behind to win 3-1 away at ninth-placed Zulte Waregem on Saturday evening.
Things looked bleak at the interval after Alessandro Cordaro’s strike had given the hosts the lead but the tide soon turned when Ghislain Gimbert was given his marching orders just shy of the hour mark. Determined to galvanise his side, Diagne bagged two goals in as many second-half minutes before Nils Schouterden ensured all three points in injury time.
The result sees Westerlo close the gap on Saturday’s opponents, who were without Bianconeri-owned James Troisi due to his Asian Cup involvement with Australia, to only a point.
Saturday also saw another young Juventus talent catch the eye of his employers as Fausto Rossi inspired Cordoba to cause Champions League holders Real Madrid plenty of problems in La Liga despite ultimately succumbing 2-1.
The diminutive midfielder was bright throughout as his side took an early lead through Nabil Ghilas’ penalty after 180 seconds before Karim Benzema equalised for the visitors midway through the first half.
Rossi went desperately close to putting Cordoba back ahead during the second period before Cristiano Ronaldo and Fede Cartabia were sent off as the game looked like it was petering out to a draw. But Gareth Bale’s spot-kick with a minute to go ultimately broke the midtable club’s hearts as Los Blancos registered their 16th league victory of the season.
Rounding off this week’s #TalentTrack edition is a look at the latest Bianconeri who have left for pastures new in this January transfer window.
After Juventus bought out the remaining 50 per cent of Laurentiu Branescu’s rights from Serie B side Lanciano, the 21-year-old Romanian shotstopper has joined Hungarian outfit Szombathelyi Haladás on a permanent transfer.
Sticking with Lanciano, the Abruzzo-based team have bolstered their ranks with the signing of young striker Elio De Silvestro who is looking to reignite his career after an unproductive spell on loan at Carpi this season.
