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Thiago Motta's audition did not end as well as it started after Bologna let slip a three-goal lead against Juventus without their Nigeria-eligible striker.
Thiago Motta's audition for the Juventus job didn't go to plan as Bologna squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 against the Bianconeri without the services of red-hot Super Eagles-eligible striker Joshua Zirkzee.
The 22-year-old Dutch forward, who has 11 Serie A goals this season, missed out through injury as Bologna missed the chance to seal third place after their remarkable Champions League qualification on Monday night.
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04:57 - 17.05.2024
EURO 2024: Netherlands boss gives 11-goal Nigeria-eligible star reason to make up mind on Super Eagles with omission
Former Barcelona manager Koeman has named his Netherlands EURO 2024 squad without an in-form striker eligible for Nigeria's Super Eagles.
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10:37 - 07.04.2024
Manchester United eye Bologna Boss Thiago Motta as Potential Ten Hag Replacement
The 41-year-old former midfielder, known for his stints at Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Paris Saint-Germain, has impressed with his work at Bologna.
Motta’s Bologna miss Super Eagles-eligible striker
In Zirkzee's absence, young defender Riccardo Calafiori stepped into the spotlight with two strikes in either half in between a Santiago Casro header to put Bologna 3-0 up after 53 minutes.
But the hosts were made to pay for not having their talismanic striker as Juventus mounted a staggering late comeback.
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Federico Chiesa started the fightback before substitutes Arkadiusz Milik and Kenan Yildiz completed an incredible turnaround with two goals in the space of a minute to rescue a point for the visitors.
The result leaves a sour taste for Motta, who had been linked with taking over the Juventus hot seat in the summer after Massimiliano Allegri's sacking.
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While the Bologna boss gave a glimpse of his attacking philosophy, the capitulation without Zirkzee leading the line will be a major concern as they aim to seal a historic top-three finish.
For the 22-year-old hitman, who remains eligible for Nigeria through his father despite being overlooked by the Netherlands for EURO 2024, his absence was keenly felt.
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His blistering form in 2023 has made him a prime target for Super Eagles recruitment ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Bologna's late implosion only underlined his importance.
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