Thiago Motta's first game in charge of Juventus ended in defeat as an unfamiliar Bianconeri side was thrashed 3-0 by 2. Bundesliga outfit Nurnberg on Friday.

The likes of Timothy Weah, Nicolo Fagioli and Dusan Vlahovic were limited to substitute roles as Motta selected a young side at Max-Morlock-Stadion, with the latter hitting the post with a second-half penalty at 1-0.

Caspar Jander had earlier given Nurnberg a 19th-minute lead, and they put some gloss on the scoreline with two late strikes after Vlahovic's missed spot-kick.

Substitutes Dustin Forkel and Tim Janisch both converted from inside the penalty area in the final four minutes as Motta's reign began in disappointing fashion.

The Bianconeri are next in action versus Brest on Saturday, with a further friendly against Atletico Madrid in the diary before they begin their Serie A campaign at Como on August 19.

Data Debrief: Juve's second string miss their chance

It's fair to say few of the youngsters selected by Motta made a big impression, with the Bianconeri only managing two shots to Nurnberg's seven before they rang the changes at half-time.

No Juventus starter created a chance in Bavaria, and things did not get much better when Motta made his changes, with Vlahovic in particular enduring a disappointing outing. 

He only had 18 touches, one of them coming when he struck the woodwork from 12 yards.  

Enzo Maresca accepted Chelsea are likely to concede goals through playing out from the back after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Wrexham in his first match in charge.

Chelsea took on the League One side – who are owned by Hollywood actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds – at the Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, fighting back from 2-1 down to claim a draw.

Christopher Nkunku put Chelsea ahead after 35 minutes, but two defensive errors from the Blues were punished in the second half as Luke Bolton and Jack Marriott netted for Wrexham.

Bolton turned home after Lesley Ugochukwu failed to cut out Seb Revan's cross, before Josh Acheampong's error led to Marriott giving Wrexham the lead with a low drive.

Ugochukwu levelled eight minutes from time as Chelsea avoided an upset, and Maresca refused to criticise his team for playing out from the back in a post-match interview.

"It is one of the risks that you have trying to build from behind," he said. "You are going to concede in different ways, so you need to decide in which way you need to concede a goal.

"Sometimes teams that try to build from the back concede goals, but I think you are going to score more than you concede.

"For sure, we did many things we can improve, but we started just two weeks ago. Tonight was important to start seeing the identity of the team and the identity is there."

Arsenal needed penalties to overcome Bournemouth following a 1-1 draw in the first match of their pre-season tour of the United States.

Fabio Vieira's volley put Mikel Arteta's unfamiliar XI ahead after 18 minutes at Dignity Health Sports Park, the Portuguese powering Reiss Nelson's cross into the far corner.

Karl Hein denied Dominic Solanke one-on-one but Bournemouth would level 17 minutes from time, Antoine Semenyo's shot deflecting off Omar Rekik to wrong-foot the young Arsenal goalkeeper.

Both teams had agreed to a shoot-out should the game finish all square, and it was Ryan Christie's miss that proved decisive as Arsenal stayed perfect from 12 yards.

Martin Odegaard, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jorginho, Gabriel Jesus and Jakub Kiwior all converted from the spot for the Gunners, who are next in action against Manchester United at the SoFi Stadium on Saturday.

Data Debrief: Wasteful Cherries beaten

Facing a young Arsenal XI, Bournemouth could perhaps have made more of their chances as they finished with 1.33 expected goals (xG) to their opponents' 0.51.

Solanke, who scored 19 Premier League goals last season, failed to score – or even hit the target – from a game-high four shots totalling 0.54 xG. 

Borussia Dortmund fell to a chastening 4-0 defeat versus Thai side BG Pathum United in their second friendly match under new head coach Nuri Sahin.

Sahin took the reins after Edin Terzic resigned in the wake of BVB's Champions League final loss to Real Madrid last month.

His first game at the helm saw Dortmund draw 1-1 with third-tier German side Erzgebirge Aue on Wednesday, before they set off on a pre-season tour of Asia.

On Sunday, they faced BG Pathum United – who finished fourth in the Thai League 1 last term – in Thanyaburi, with a team featuring the likes of Karim Adeyemi, Youssoufa Moukoko, Julian Brandt and Niklas Sule being trounced 4-0.

Speaking after the loss, former midfielder Sahin told reporters: "Of course it's a heavy defeat, but I know how to classify it. Nevertheless, we can't lose 4-0. 

"If you do the basics wrong in terms of your defence, then it can happen, even against a Thai team. I know the boys are tired, but that can't be an excuse at this level. 

"In terms of the defence, I didn't like that at all today. We have to talk about it. The basics have nothing to do with having heavy legs. The basics have to be right."

Yves Bissouma and Dane Scarlett were on target as Tottenham continued their pre-season preparations with a 2-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Ange Postecoglou's side made it two wins in the space of a week, following their resounding 5-1 rout of Hearts on Wednesday.

QPR carried the greater attacking threat during the first half. Rayan Kolli's rasping 25-yard effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Brandon Austin, while Michael Frey was denied by the offside flag.

However, Spurs broke through four minutes before the break. Bissouma played a neat one-two with Dejan Kulusevski and glided away from a couple of challenges, before rounding Paul Nardi and scoring.

Son Heung-min and Timo Werner went close to doubling the lead before half-time, while Nardi denied Mikey Moore and James Maddison in the second half.

However, Tottenham did put the game to bed with three minutes remaining as Scarlett, moments after coming on as a substitute, turned home Moore's cross at the far post.

Erik ten Hag said he has drawn a line under his public spat with Jadon Sancho ahead of the winger making his first Manchester United appearance since last August.

Sancho was named in United's starting lineup for Saturday's pre-season friendly against Rangers at Murrayfield, having spent the last 11 months in the wilderness.

Sancho spent the second half of 2023-24 on loan at Borussia Dortmund, having been frozen out by Ten Hag in the aftermath of a defeat to Arsenal last September.

The Dutchman questioned Sancho's efforts in training in a post-match interview, causing the winger to claim he had been made into a "scapegoat".

While Ten Hag had previously demanded a public apology from Sancho, he now says the incident is behind him as United prepare for his second campaign at the helm.

"We spoke well. Everyone can make a mistake. We draw a line and move on," Ten Hag told AD Sportwereld.

"This club needs good players and one thing is certain: Jadon is a very good player. I hope it will click and he will contribute to our success."

Erik ten Hag slammed Manchester United as "by far not good enough" after their shock friendly defeat to Rosenborg on Monday.

The Red Devils suffered a late 1-0 loss at Lerkendal Stadion after Noah Holm's 93rd-minute winner.

An underwhelming performance in their first pre-season game was in stark contrast to their last outing before that, a 2-1 victory over rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Rosenborg were denied by the woodwork on four separate occasions while attempting 22 shots to United's meagre five.

Ten Hag started the likes of Casemiro, Jonny Evans, Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Mason Mount, leaving the United boss somewhat furious with their efforts in Trondheim.

"The result is not secondary. We play pre-season but at Manchester United, there's a standard," said Ten Hag to MUTV after the game.

"You win games. Definitely, you don't lose games. If you can't win, don't lose the game as we did at the end, the last second of the game.

"The performance is more important. The performance was below standard."

Radek Vitek, United's 20-year-old goalkeeper, was forced into seven saves in a one-sided pre-season meeting as the only Red Devils player to impress.

"Let's say he got the opportunity from the team to make some very good saves because our performance as a team is by far not good enough," Ten Hag responded when asked about Vitek's showing.

"I have seen this is not the standard for top football. Top football, you have to achieve much higher standards. It starts with any individual, make sure you are fit.

"I know we can't be match fit in this moment, therefore, you need these games. I know we are playing an opponent who are in their league, they have a much higher fitness level.

"But still we are Man Utd and players and teams from Man Utd must perform better."

Ten Hag's only credit from the game was placed on the youngsters who came on at half-time in wholesale changes.

"They always listen, they try to transfer. We didn't succeed today," the Dutchman said of his younger players.

"But the attitude, they want to transfer the coaching play model, they are always willing to do it. But it is clear today we didn't transfer it to the pitch."

Newcastle United overcame Tottenham on penalties following a 1-1 draw in Wednesday's controversial friendly in Melbourne, just three days after the end of the Premier League season.

A crowd of 78,419 packed into Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch two of the Premier League's top seven face off in a post-season game which had been criticised on player welfare grounds. 

James Maddison celebrated being named in England's preliminary Euro 2024 squad by firing home Spurs' opener after 32 minutes, before his Three Lions team-mate Kieran Tripper was substituted after just 36 minutes.

Alexander Isak levelled from close range on the stroke of half-time, and the game went straight to spot-kicks after neither team was able to force a second-half winner. 

Bryan Gil was denied by Mark Gillespie from Tottenham's first kick, with the nine subsequent attempts all successful as the Magpies triumphed 5-4.

After the game, Newcastle boss Howe moved to allay fears over Trippier's condition, saying his withdrawal was planned.

"We spoke with Kieran and thought the best thing to do was for him to start the game," Howe said.

"He's still in the early stages of recovery from his calf problem, we didn't want to take risks with him so half an hour was the aim. No injury there."  

Ange Postecoglou, meanwhile, immediately turned his attentions towards the transfer window after failing to oversee a win in his native Australia.

"Last year, it certainly benefited us having a couple in early and having all the whole squad for pre-season," he said. 

"Everyone wants to do business early, everyone is keen to bring players in but the reality of it is it usually takes a little bit of time.

"But the good thing for us is we know what we need to do, we've had the plan in place for quite a while and it's just about now going through that process." 

Ange Postecoglou believes his Tottenham players will enjoy the experience of facing Newcastle United in Melbourne, despite the post-season trip attracting fierce criticism from some quarters.

Spurs face Newcastle at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday, just three days after they rounded off their Premier League season with a 3-0 win at Sheffield United.

The trip has been strongly criticised on player welfare grounds, with former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer describing it as "madness". 

Last year, a report from global players' union Fifpro warned fixture congestion was at "dangerous" levels and said more must be done to protect players.

Despite the negativity surrounding the fixture, Postecoglou believes his players will relish walking out at Australia's most iconic sporting venue.

"I said to the lads, 'I know it's a long way but I think you'll enjoy playing at the G'," Postecoglou said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"It's not easy because we played Sheffield on Sunday afternoon and we basically got straight on the plane to come out here.

"So we all lost Monday from our lives, but we're here now and hopefully when the boys walk out tomorrow night and there's 80,000 people at the 'G', the rest of it is irrelevant, and I'm sure they are looking forward to it."

Sunday's win at Bramall Lane ensured Tottenham finished fifth in the Premier League table, securing Europa League qualification for next season.

Postecoglou does not think fixture congestion will hamper them in 2024-25, saying the absence of European football set Spurs back in their first campaign under him.

"That's the reward for finishing strong this year so I think we're looking forward to that," he said.

"It's another challenge for us and we'll be ready for it. I think not having European football this year cost us a bit in terms of our development.

"This club deserves to be in Europe and hopefully we can make an impact next year."

Donny van de Beek celebrated a “big moment” after the Manchester United midfielder returned from a long-term knee injury to score the winner in a 1-0 pre-season victory over Lyon at Murrayfield.

The Netherlands international had not played since suffering a knee problem in United’s win at Bournemouth on January 3.

He has struggled to establish himself since arriving at Old Trafford from Ajax, where he played under United boss Erik ten Hag, in the summer of 2020 and has been linked with a move away from the Red Devils this summer.

“It was great. My first game after six months. I don’t have to tell you after such an injury, such a mentally difficult period for me and my family, to be back on the pitch was great and it is nice if you score a goal,” Van de Beek told MUTV.

“It is amazing because I have been looking forward to this moment for months. I know it is just a friendly game but for me it is a big moment.”

United started brightly with three big chances inside five minutes, with Antony denied by Anthony Lopes before Amad Diallo dragged a shot wide and had another parried away by the Lyon goalkeeper.

Van de Beek was one of 11 changes made at half-time and his goal came just four minutes later as he latched on to youngster Dan Gore’s chipped cross from the right to volley first time into the top corner.

Jonny Evans played the second half for United having returned to the club on a short-term deal.

The 35-year-old academy graduate, who won three Premier League titles and the Champions League at Old Trafford before leaving in 2015, will join the squad on their pre-season tour of the USA.

“He came to train with us, to work on his fitness and not all the players are in – internationals are out, still having their break – so I thought it was a good idea to help each other out,” Ten Hag said. “Jonny can work on his fitness and he can help us out.

“The level, we know he is a really experienced player but also a very good person, a big personality and I think he has big authority as well. He will help the young players especially. It is a benefit for both sides.”

After the match, Ten Hag added: “You can see he is a fine character, he is a leader. He understands football. He really contributed to the good performance of the team in the second half.”

Wrexham will play Chelsea in a pre-season friendly on July 19 as part of their United States tour.

The National League leaders, who are owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, will lock horns with the Premier League side at the University of North Carolina's Kenan Stadium.

It is the latest coup for Wrexham, who recently announced they will also play Manchester United in San Diego on July 25.

Chelsea were already scheduled to be in the US for the Premier League Summer Series, playing Brighton and Hove Albion on July 22 in Philadelphia, Newcastle United on July 26 in Atlanta and Fulham on July 30 near Washington D.C.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson told the club's official website: "Our tour of the United States will be an exciting part of the summer's build-up to the new season and something we will all be looking forward to in July.

"To have the opportunity to play a team of Chelsea's calibre at the Kenan Stadium, North Carolina, will be a terrific test for our players and form an important part of our preparations for the 2023-24 season.

"We're looking forward to meeting some of the fans who have supported us so passionately from afar this season at a renowned athletics stadium."

Wrexham are four points clear of second-placed Notts County with two games remaining in the National League and will secure promotion to League Two with victory over Boreham Wood on Saturday.

Sebastien Haller made his first appearance for Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, less than six months after starting treatment for testicular cancer.

The Ivory Coast striker arrived from Ajax in July but was almost immediately sidelined after the discovery of a malignant tumour during pre-season testing in July.

Haller underwent two surgeries and chemotherapy, and was present as Dortmund returned to training for the first time after the World Cup last week at a camp in Marbella, Spain.

In the 74th minute of Dortmund's 5-1 friendly win against fellow German side Fortuna Dusseldorf, Haller replaced Youssoufa Moukoko to make his first appearance for the club, sharing a hug with head coach Edin Terzic before entering the pitch.

Terzic's side took an early lead when Felix Passlack finished from a neat throughball by Marco Reus, though Dusseldorf equalised almost immediately via a Dawid Kownacki penalty.

Jude Bellingham dribbled into the box to set up Karim Adeyemi for a simple second for Dortmund just after the half-hour mark, but they had to wait until after Haller's arrival to add further goals.

Nico Schlotterbeck swept home a Julian Brandt cross from the left with nine minutes to go, before Donyell Malen raced onto Thomas Meunier's ball over the top to make it four, and the Dutchman added a fifth just before full-time with a finish into the far-right corner following a delightful jinking run from the left.

Dortmund resume their Bundesliga campaign at home to Augsburg on January 22, having finished the first part of the season before the World Cup in sixth place, nine points behind leaders Bayern Munich.

Kylian Mbappe's 15-year-old brother Ethan made his first senior appearance for Paris Saint-Germain in a friendly against Paris FC on Friday.

Ethan Mbappe replaced midfielder Fabian Ruiz as Christophe Galtier rang the changes at half-time, after Nordi Mukiele had given PSG a 1-0 lead at the Camp des Loges training centre.

The Ligue 1 champions went on to claim a 2-1 victory, with the teenager featuring alongside senior players including Sergio Ramos, Marco Verratti and Renato Sanches.

Ethan Mbappe joined PSG from AS Bondy in 2017 before signing a new three-year contract with the club in June 2021.

The midfielder, who was called up to France's under-16 squad last year, took to Instagram after the game, writing: "Very excited for my debut in the pros."

With Kylian Mbappe looking to cap another fine World Cup campaign by leading France to a second successive triumph at the tournament on Sunday, it could be a particularly memorable week in the Mbappe household.

Georginio Wijnaldum has joined Roma's squad for a training camp in Portugal after missing the World Cup with a broken leg.

Wijnaldum joined Roma on a season-long loan in August after spending a single campaign with Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

The Netherlands international played just 11 minutes for the Giallorossi before breaking his right leg in training later that month, causing him to miss the Oranje's trip to Qatar – which ended with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Argentina in the last eight.

However, Wijnaldum will hope to play a significant role in the second half of the season after being seen out on the pitch at Roma's Trigoria training ground on Thursday.

Wijnaldum then joined Jose Mourinho's squad in travelling to Portugal for a training camp and three friendly matches – against Cadiz, Casa Pia and RKC Waalwijk.

Roma sit seventh in Serie A, three points adrift of a top-four place, ahead of the league's resumption on January 4.

Chelsea forward Armando Broja is expected to miss the rest of the season after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during a friendly against Aston Villa on Sunday.

Broja, who spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Southampton, has made 18 appearances for Chelsea this term, scoring his first Blues goal in October's Premier League win over Wolves.

The Albania international was chosen to lead the line against Villa in Abu Dhabi, with Graham Potter looking to get his squad up to full speed ahead of the Premier League's resumption later this month.

However, Broja was carried from the field after going down clutching his left knee, having fallen awkwardly when appearing to catch his studs in the turf.

A Blues statement read: "Having sustained a knee injury during the first half of Sunday’s friendly against Aston Villa, Armando underwent further assessment following the club’s return to England.

"Scan results from those assessments have unfortunately confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture and that surgery will be required.

"Following the operation, Armando will work closely with the club’s medical department during his rehabilitation and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign."

A youthful Chelsea side fell to a 1-0 defeat against Unai Emery's men, with John McGinn sweeping home the only goal of the game after seven minutes.

Chelsea will resume their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth on December 27 at Stamford Bridge, having dropped to eighth in the table following a poor run ahead of the World Cup.