Cristian Volpato offered a glimpse into the future of the Socceroos with a brilliant goal in Italy’s Serie A on Saturday as Sassuolo lost 4-2 to Bologna.
Volpato, 20, wasn’t part of Australia’s Asian Cup campaign which ended on Friday night with an extra-time 2-1 loss to South Korea, preferring to focus on his club career for now.
The Sydney-born midfielder earned his maiden league start of the season and made the most of it, collecting the ball on the right side of the box before cutting inside and curling home an excellent strike on his left foot.
Volpato’s goal was his first of the 2023-24 season, having previously scored in each of the past two campaigns at former club AS Roma.
The Italy youth international has made 11 Serie A appearances this season for Sassuolo, entirely off the bench until Saturday, while he’s also played three times in the Coppa Italia.
In Italy’s Serie B, Alessandro Circati put in a full shfit as promotion-chasing Parma beat Venezia 2-1 to retain their four-point lead at the summit.
Elsewhere, Tyrese Francois didn’t play in Fulham’s 2-2 Premier League draw at Burnley, having been loaned to Danish club Vejle for the rest of the season.
Retired Socceroo Massimo Luongo started and played 81 minutes as promotion hopefuls Ipswich Town went down 3-2 at Preston North End in England’s Championship.
Tyrese Francois has joined Vejle Boldklub on loan until the end of the season.
Wishing you all the best, @tyrese_francois. 🤝
— Fulham Football Club (@FulhamFC) February 1, 2024
On Sunday, Tom Glover was beaten at his near post late costing Middlesbrough three points in their 1-1 derby draw with Sunderland in England’s Championship.
Glover, who put in a full shift, earned a 5/10 rating from the Teesside Live who wrote: “The Australian actually looked assured for 89 minutes of that game, making a couple of good saves and collecting a couple of crosses commandingly. Alas, there’s no hiding from the fact he should comfortably save the equaliser that has cost Boro two points ultimately.”
Sam Silvera was back in action after the Asian Cup, coming on as a 77th minute substitute for Boro.
Mat Ryan was also back on the bench for AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie as they lost 1-0 at home to Feyenoord on Sunday. AZ have slipped to fourth after a winless run.
Garang Kuol was an 80th minute substitute for FC Volendam in their 4-2 loss away to FC Utrecht on Sunday leaving them second last.
Ryan Edwards was unused as Amorebieta went down 1-0 to Racing Santander in Spain’s Segunda Division on Sunday.
On Saturday in League One, Ash Maynard-Brewer (Charlton), Nicholas Bilokapic (Huddersfield) and Jack Iredale (Bolton) all played full games while Callum Elder (Derby County) was a 72nd minute sub.
In the Scottish Premiership, Nectarios Triantis debuted for Hibernian in a 3-0 home loss to St Mirren. Triantis joined Hibs on loan for the remainder of the season from English Championship club Sunderland on deadline day.
Calem Nieuwenhof played a full game as Hearts won 3-2 at Dundee, Ryan McGowan put in a full shift as St Johnstone beat Ross County 1-0 and Tete Yengi was unused for Livingston in their 3-0 defeat at Rangers after his January move from Ipswich Town.
A debut for Nectar as Cadden, Mayenda and Le Fondre all make the bench! 🥬
Delivered by @UpacGroup 📦 pic.twitter.com/v6pEzqkG6r
— Hibernian Football Club (@HibernianFC) February 3, 2024
