Massimiliano Allegri has no regrets after choosing Juventus over Real Madrid despite the Bianconeri's 15-point penalty in Serie A.

Juve were penalised on Friday after an investigation into past transfer dealings, which the club are expected to appeal, before sharing the spoils in a 3-3 thriller with Atalanta two days later.

The stalemate saw the Bianconeri – who were third before the points deduction – move up to ninth, though they trail fourth-placed Roma by 14 points as they bid for an unlikely Champions League qualification.

Allegri vowed to stay at Juve after the punishment and reiterated his commitment on Sunday as he suggested he made the right choice in rejecting Madrid, who he had agreed a contract with in July 2021 before an approach from the Bianconeri.

"I never regret my choices, when they are made at that moment they are right," the Juve coach told Sky Sport Italia. 

"I am very happy to be at Juventus, in life there are always difficulties that help you grow, I am happy to be part of this club and I have no regrets. 

"When I make choices I am convinced of them, of course, I don't have a crystal ball. We are making young people develop and there are the foundations for a good future."

Juve appointed Francesco Calvo as their new chief football officer in the wake of the points deduction, after former president Andrea Agnelli and the rest of his board resigned in November.

Calvo will report to new chief executive officer Maurizio Scanavino following the latter's appointment earlier this week, though Allegri does not want to be distracted by the off-field ongoings in Turin.

"We have to think only of football and not get distracted by what's happening outside," Allegri said when asked about Calvo. 

"It was important to get a result and we hope to win again on Sunday [at home to Monza]. It's not easy to find yourself tenth in the standings, but everything is still open. 

"The team scored 38 points, it's Napoli who are flying at a difficult level to reach. We have a group that has pride and responsibility, we are Juve and we must bring the most glorious team in Italy to the top. 

"We need a little madness and recklessness, perhaps hoping that the others will start to lose. It's all still to play for."

Angel Di Maria insists Juventus' points deduction will not impact his future in Turin as he urged the Bianconeri to fight for an "extraordinary" Champions League qualification.

Danilo's 65th-minute strike salvaged a draw in a 3-3 thriller with Atalanta on Sunday, just two days after Juve were deducted 15 points following an investigation into their past transfer dealings.

Juve are reportedly expected to appeal the punishment but Massimiliano Allegri's side face an uphill battle to finish in Serie A's top four, trailing fourth-placed Roma by 14 points.

Di Maria hopes Allegri's men, who were third before Friday's decision, can chase down Italy's top four and a place in the Champions League next season as he outlined his commitment to the Bianconeri.

"It's hard to be 20 points off the top out of the blue, but if we keep working with this mentality we can do something extraordinary," Di Maria, who signed on a one-year contract in July, told DAZN.

"Nothing is impossible here. We have always seen Juve ahead and win. The important thing is to keep working to reach fourth place.

"This moment has no impact [on my future]. My decision, I take it with my family who are happy here. The club is one of the biggest in Italy and Europe."

Di Maria scored from the penalty spot against Atalanta before assisting Danilo's equaliser, but the Argentina international acknowledged Juve must learn from their mistakes when they host Monza on January 29.

He added: "I think we played a great game. We made some mistakes and we need to improve."

Orlando Magic wing Jonathan Isaac’s long-awaited return to the NBA is nearing an end after a lengthy rehab process.

Isaac will reportedly play Monday against the visiting Boston Celtics, his first game since he tore his left ACL on August 2, 2020.

That game was played at Walt Disney World as part of the bubble the league created to keep players safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He played in just two games in the bubble after initially injuring his knee in January 2020, and it will be 904 days between NBA games for the 25-year-old, who ended up missing all of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons.

Isaac, who had been practicing with the Magic since early December, recently played in three games for Orlando’s G League affiliate, averaging 15.8 points and 6.7 rebounds while playing more than 17 minutes a game for the Lakeland Magic.

In his last G League game on Wednesday he played 22 minutes, and he is expected to be on a minutes limit with the Magic as he works toward regaining his form and fitness.

Selected sixth overall by Orlando in the 2017 draft, Isaac appeared in 32 games in his last NBA season in 2019-20, and averaged 11.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots.

He will join a Magic team that’s 17-29 and in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, 4.5 games behind the Chicago Bulls for the last spot in the Play-In Tournament.

Erik ten Hag saw Manchester United's defeat to Arsenal as evidence they must "change our mentality" in order to compete "on the top level".

United conceded a late goal for the second time this week, with Michael Olise's equaliser for Crystal Palace followed by an Eddie Nketiah winner at Emirates Stadium.

Nketiah's 90th-minute strike gave Arsenal a 3-2 victory they more than merited, far outperforming United in terms of shots (25-6) and expected goals (2.9-0.3).

United manager Ten Hag still felt the visitors could and should have come away with a point, however.

He relayed the message he had given to his players, telling his United stars they were not yet ready to win major titles.

"Maybe in the next couple of hours, I will realise we are in a good position, realise we are in a good development, good process," Ten Hag said. "But at this moment, I'm annoyed.

"I also told the players: 'If you want to win trophies, titles, we have to change our mentality.'

"It's not possible in a top game you are making three such big mistakes that you concede goals.

"Especially the last goal, you have to feel the game. At that point, a point was the maximum, so you have to take the point. You can't give such a goal away, like we did, at the top level. Then you can't win trophies.

"I think with coaching we can change that. We have already seen the mentality has changed over the last couple of months.

"But we also have to notice today that we still have a way to go to be on the top level."

Those late goals have hugely frustrated Ten Hag, who added: "Players have to realise the game is finished when the ref whistles three times.

"Until that point, you have to do everything right, 100 per cent focus, do the sacrificing, the suffering, follow the rules and the principles."

The manager did not take the opportunity to highlight Casemiro's absence through suspension as key to the result at Arsenal.

"It's obvious that he's a very good player for us, an important player, but I don't want to talk about players who are not available," Ten Hag explained.

Xavi thanked goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen for coming to Barcelona's rescue as they scrambled a 1-0 win over Getafe.

The German shot-stopper made a string of crunch interventions that meant Pedri's first-half strike was enough to bring three points on Sunday.

Barcelona stretched their league run at Camp Nou to nine games without defeat, but coach Xavi accepted the LaLiga leaders were well short of their best.

"We haven't known how to attack well, and in general we have been quite untidy," Xavi said. "We lacked aggressiveness and the knowledge of how to attack spaces better. We have won without playing well.

"There are times when you are untidy and things don't turn out as you expect, but even so the team believe, defend well, and all the players are generous in their collective work.

"We haven't been too sharp in attack, but we managed to keep a clean sheet again, so without having played well we got the three points."

For that, Xavi said Ter Stegen deserved rich plaudits, with the 30-year-old making three outright saves and commanding his penalty area expertly.

"We are seeing the best Ter Stegen that has been seen in a long time," Xavi said.

"In one-against-ones he has been spectacular. He is a leader for the squad, he is being decisive, and it is important that the goalkeeper also saves points."

Xavi is not overly concerned by his team's so-so performance, and he was thankful they found a way to win while playing beneath their usual level, even if Ter Stegen had to dig them out of trouble.

"I think that in 70 or 80 per cent of games we have been good, so I think that in general we are closer to a good Barca than to an untidy Barca," Xavi said.

"We will surely find ourselves with more games like today's, but there we must be more practical.

"Of course you want to play better, but the opponent also play and make it difficult for you, as happened today."

Mikel Arteta did not quite envisage Eddie Nketiah could perform to the level he has done for Arsenal this season but backed a player with "a real Arsenal heart and spirit".

Nketiah is now Arsenal's leading scorer this season with nine goals in all competitions, having netted twice in Sunday's 3-2 defeat of Manchester United.

He has four in the Premier League despite only starting five matches – averaging a goal every 147 minutes – after beginning the season as back-up to Gabriel Jesus, who was then injured at the World Cup.

Arteta had faith in Nketiah to step up but acknowledged there was little prior evidence of the "incredible" standard to which the striker is now playing.

"What Eddie's doing is incredible," Arteta said. "We cannot say we saw that [coming] – we were hoping that he could do that, because of the way he is, because of his mentality, because of his qualities and how those qualities fit within the team.

"Losing Gabby was a big blow, and it is a big blow today, but Eddie's responding – and the team – in an exceptional way."

Asked just what he had seen in Nketiah, Arteta replied: "The qualities that he has, how much he wants it, how much belief he has in himself to become Arsenal's number nine, his desire, his background.

"We are with him every single day. He's a special kid, so loved by everybody at the football club.

"He's got a real Arsenal heart and spirit within him, and that's special. You cannot put that into numbers, but he is really, really good."

Nketiah had six shots against United and it looked as though he might have passed up the opportunity to earn a dramatic victory when he was denied by David de Gea six minutes before his last-gasp winner.

But Arteta explained Nketiah's mindset: "The next time he's going to try again.

"He's going to miss chances, and he's going to miss more chances, for sure, but I guarantee you that the next one he's going to try to do it again. He's not going to hide."

With Nketiah keeping Arsenal on track at the top of the table, they have earned a club-record 50 points in a first half of the season Arteta described as "extraordinary".

But the Arsenal manager is not yet content with their progress, believing they remain some way behind defending champions Manchester City, who are five points off the pace.

"I know my team so well," Arteta said. "I know where we are, I know why we are here, I know where we want to be. We are still far from that.

"And I know the level of the other teams – especially one that has won everything in the last five or six years. We are not there yet."

Goals for Karim Benzema and Toni Kroos saw Real Madrid battle their way to a 2-0 win against Athletic Bilbao in a lively LaLiga encounter on Sunday.

Veteran France international Benzema hooked back a loose ball with a sensational volley to beat Unai Simon in the 24th minute at San Mames Stadium.

Kroos then swept home a breakaway finish in the 90th minute to wrap up the points for Carlo Ancelotti's men and keep the pressure on league leaders Barcelona.

But Ernesto Valverde's side will be left to mull whether they should have taken a point from the encounter after pushing hard for a draw before Kroos' goal ended those hopes.

Juventus responded to their Serie A points deduction with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Atalanta as Danilo's inventive goal proved Ademola Lookman's brace in vain.

Juve were deducted 15 points on Friday after an investigation into past transfer dealings, which the club are expected to appeal, but battled to share the spoils at Allianz Stadium.

Arkadiusz Milik sent the Bianconeri into the break leading after Angel Di Maria cancelled out Lookman's opener, but Joakim Maehle restored parity immediately into the second half.

Lookman edged Atalanta ahead once more, but Danilo powered a smart free-kick routine home to move Juve – who were third before the punishment – into ninth.

A Wojciech Szczesny error handed Atalanta an early lead as Lookman's right-footed drive squirmed through the goalkeeper's grasp, before Manuel Locatelli fired just over in response.

Juve were soon level after the VAR intervened for an Ederson Silva foul on Nicolo Fagioli, with Di Maria subsequently converting from the penalty spot into the bottom-right corner.

Fagioli was pivotal again as his right-wing cross found Milik, who angled a right-footed finish into the bottom-right corner, though Juve's advantage was short-lived after the interval.

Lookman rolled in Maehle to prod past Szczesny before the Nigeria winger headed Jeremie Boga's left-wing cross into the far corner seven minutes later.

Danilo arrowed a 20-yard strike under the Atalanta wall and into the bottom-left corner to equalise after Di Maria's back-heel free-kick routine, though neither side could find a late winner in a frenetic contest.

Barcelona head coach Xavi apologised on Sunday after facing a wave of criticism for his comments after the arrest of Dani Alves on sexual assault allegations.

Xavi, a former team-mate and coach of Alves, said in a press conference on Saturday he was "in a state of shock" after hearing the news.

Brazilian right-back Alves was arrested in Barcelona on Friday after it was alleged he assaulted a woman in a nightclub bathroom.

The 39-year-old, who has been refused bail, denied committing the offence when he spoke to Spanish broadcaster Antena 3 in early January.

Xavi also said on Saturday that "justice will dictate" the situation, but he faced flak, particularly on social media, for focusing on Alves, rather than expressing concern for the alleged victim.

He looked to clear that up following Barcelona's 1-0 win against Getafe on Sunday, saying: "What I said was misinterpreted, or I was not as forceful as I should have been, but it is important that I explain myself.

"It is a difficult and delicate subject. Yesterday I ignored the victim, but I want to make it clear that any act of gender-based violence or rape must be condemned, whether Dani or anyone else does it.

"I feel bad that Dani could have done it, but on this issue you have to be very strong. Yesterday I was not very lucky with my words and I apologise. I know that my voice is very important, because I represent a club like Barca. I am truly sorry, it has not been a pleasant day for me."

Damar Hamlin met with his Buffalo Bills team-mates ahead of their AFC Divisional playoff clash with the Cincinnati Bengals, three weeks on from his cardiac arrest.

The safety collapsed during the first quarter of the pair's Week 17 clash on January 2, and was hospitalised in serious condition after receiving treatment on the field.

But the 2021 draft pick has continued to show a remarkable improvement since, with coach Sean McDermott revealing earlier this week that he had been attending the team's training facility.

Now, Hamlin has gone one step further after missing last week's opening playoff win against the Miami Dolphins in making the trip to Highmark Stadium for the Bills' crunch clash.

Video footage posted on social media showed him in attendance alongside members of his family, ahead of kick-off in the Sunday encounter.

In Hamlin's absence, Buffalo won a taut opening playoff encounter with Miami last week, running out 34-31 victors at Orchard Park.

Josh Allen threw for three touchdowns in all, with the hosts holding their nerve to keep their visitors at bay in the final quarter.

The winner of the Bills-Bengals match will meet the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game next weekend.

Erik ten Hag has warned Manchester United they must cut out the clangers after going down 3-2 to Premier League leaders Arsenal.

Each of Arsenal's goals followed defensive errors as United failed to clear their defensive lines, with the final hapless attempt to play out from the back gifting the Gunners the possession that led to Eddie Nketiah's 90th-minute winner.

Fourth-placed United are 11 points behind Arsenal after Sunday's result, with hopes of a title challenge in tatters.

It was always unlikely United would be pushing for the trophy, but two last-gasp sucker-punches in London in the space of five days have dealt their hopes a major setback.

United conceded a stoppage-time goal at Crystal Palace on Wednesday that meant they only took a 1-1 draw, while this loss at Emirates Stadium compounds that disappointment.

"I think two games head to head, really close, it's hard to accept that in the end you lose in the final stage of the game," Ten Hag said.

"It can't happen, and we have to accept that, we have to learn the lessons. All the three goals, we could and we had to avoid them. Normally we are better in such situations."

Manager Ten Hag told Sky Sports he did not feel Arsenal's late pressure made it inevitable they would find a third goal.

"I don't think so. We are good in such situations, and it's tough, that's quite clear," Ten Hag said. "We have to defend much better in that situation. We're making wrong decisions and not one player but many more players, and then you concede a goal, and what I said was to avoid the same as the first two goals."

United hit the front through Marcus Rashford and then got level with a header from Lisandro Martinez, after Nketiah and Bukayo Saka nudged the Gunners into the lead.

Nketiah's second, a close-range prod, was Arsenal's reward for pushing hard for a winner as United lost a grip on the game.

"We started the game very well and scored the goal and were leading, and then made mistakes that were unacceptable," Ten Hag added. "We have to learn the lessons and move on.

"We will face the players with this because it can't happen. Good players don't make such mistakes."

Asked if the result might serve as a reality check, Ten Hag said: "It can be. Today we have to accept we are unsatisfied with this defending performance because we can do better.

"We went up 1-0 and the game is starting very well. Then you have to take benefit from that situation, and it can't happen that we concede a goal like we did.

"This is one game. Last week we did very well and kept the opponent away from our own box. If we were in the box we defended much better. Normally we don't concede goals from corners, and today there were two."

When it was mentioned that United have made progress this season, Ten Hag said he could see that, but it came as no consolation.

"We realise that as well," he said. "I just said the same words in the dressing room but also said if you want to win you can't make the mistakes I just mentioned."

Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed he was laughed at by his Arsenal team-mates when he said the club could challenge for the Premier League title.

The Gunners furthered their grip on the top-flight summit with a dramatic 3-2 win over Manchester United on Sunday thanks to Eddie Nketiah's late winner.

The result moves Mikel Arteta's men five points clear of Zinchenko's former club and champions Manchester City, with Arsenal possessing a game in hand as well.

Reflecting on another crucial three-point haul, the Ukraine international talked of encouraging his team-mates to enjoy the moment, after initially doubting their credentials.

"I said to the lads before the game, 'When everyone is going to retire, we're going regret that we didn’t enjoy enough'," he told Premier League TV.

"Everyone realises we have a lot of games ahead of us and we just go step by step. The mentality and spirit is right. That's the key.

"Of course, there is a lot of space to improve but we are [heading] the right way When I arrived, the quality I saw, I realised that we have everything to achieve the big things.

"I started to speak in the dressing room [that] we needed to think about the title. Some of them were laughing, but no-one is laughing now."

Zinchenko will get the chance to face off with old side City once again this coming week when the pair meet in the fourth round of the FA Cup, before Arsenal kick off February against under-fire Everton.