Versatile Gonzalez Happy to Play Out of Position at Juventus

Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
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Versatile Gonzalez Happy to Play Out of Position at Juventus

Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo
Soccer Football - Serie A - Juventus v Napoli - Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy - September 21, 2024 Juventus' Nicolas Gonzalez reacts REUTERS/Massimo Pinca/File Photo

Nicolas Gonzalez is happy to play out of position for Juventus, the Argentina international said after scoring his second goal within a week in Sunday's 2-1 win at Monza, following a two-month absence due to muscular problems.

Coach Thiago Motta's strategy of playing Gonzalez, usually a winger, behind striker Dusan Vlahovic in the first half paid off as Juventus struck twice before the break to clinch their first win in five Serie A matches.

"To help the team, I can also play as goalkeeper ... I also let the coach know that," Gonzalez told DAZN after netting the winner, Reuters reported.

Motta praised the versatility of Gonzalez and Juve's other goalscorer Weston McKennie, saying it was a pleasure for a coach to work with players with the right attitude.

Juventus, sixth in the table, host fifth-placed Fiorentina next Sunday.



Struggling Valencia Fires Coach Rubén Baraja

Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024.  EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING
Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024. EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING
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Struggling Valencia Fires Coach Rubén Baraja

Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024.  EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING
Alaves head coach Eduardo Coudet (R) and Valencia head coach Ruben Baraja hug prior to the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Valencia CF and Deportivo Alaves, in Valencia, Spain, 22 December 2024. EPA/KAI FÖRSTERLING

Valencia fired coach Rubén Baraja on Monday after another setback in La Liga left the club stuck in the relegation zone and sparked renewed protests against Singaporean owner Peter Lim.
Valencia said it “decided to bring to an end Baraja’s time as first team coach” following a 2-2 home draw against Alaves on Sunday.
Valencia needed a stoppage-time equalizer to salvage the result that left the club second to last in the standings.
The home draw prompted more criticism from fans who have long complained about the administration of Lim, whom they accuse of using the club only as a business endeavor.
Baraja, a former Valencia player, took over the club in 2023. His replacement was not immediately announced, The Associated Press reported.
“The club would like to publicly thank Baraja for the passion, dedication and commitment that he has shown from the first to the last day of his tenure,” Valencia said in a statement. “The results have required a decision that has been very difficult to make.”
Valencia's next league match was against Real Madrid at home on Jan. 3 in a game postponed from October because of the deadly floods that hit Valencia.
Valencia is winless in its last four matches.