Italian press savours Koopmeiners brothers’ meeting as Juventus overcome AZ
Teun and Peer Koopmeiners faced each other in Alkmaar, where a late offside decision denied AZ an equaliser against Juventus.
The meeting between brothers Teun and Peer Koopmeiners attracted considerable attention in Italy as Juventus defeated AZ in Alkmaar. Teun was among the visitors’ scorers alongside Kolo Muani, prompting Tuttosport and Calciomercato to celebrate the pair’s decisive contributions.
The family angle also featured prominently in the Italian coverage. La Gazzetta dello Sport referred to the brothers’ grandfather, Jan Koopmeiners, who had hoped to see the match finish level. That outcome remained possible until the closing stages as AZ pushed Juventus increasingly hard.
According to the Italian newspaper, AZ became more threatening after Smit and Clasie came off the bench, bringing greater order to their play. The hosts then appeared to find an equaliser in stoppage time, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside. Juventus defender Juan Cabal was criticised for his involvement in the late scare.
Italian outlets also focused on an apparent touchline confrontation between Cabal and Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti. Corriere dello Sport and other Italian lip-readers believed the frustrated manager threatened the defender near the end of the game. The heated episode added another talking point to a night otherwise framed in Italy around Juventus’ win and the unusual sight of the Koopmeiners brothers lining up against one another.
Reported first by
- Italië geniet van Koopmeiners-clash: sorry aan opa Jan en dreigement van Spalletti— VI Nederlands Elftal
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