Mark Hughes believes he got the response he was looking for as Bradford inflicted Crewe’s first defeat of the season.
Jamie Walker swept in Kevin McDonald’s cross in the 43rd minute to earn the well-deserved 1-0 victory at the University of Bradford Stadium.
Boss Hughes had demanded a response after last week’s 3-0 loss at Morecambe and dropped captain Richie Smallwood to the bench.
Walker returned from an ankle injury and scored his first goal since the play-offs in May as the Bantams claimed their second home victory of the campaign.
Hughes said: “Jamie doesn’t say much and does his talking on the pitch. Training-wise, he was excellent so that was the message he was sending that he was ready to go if needed.
“He was a little bit sore coming off the pitch, but he got his goal and had an impact once again.
“We asked for a reaction and that’s what we got. I thought we were quite comfortable for the most part.
“They had a little bit of possession in the first half, but that’s how they play and you expect that.
“They’ve had a good start so they had a bit of confidence coming into the game.
“I don’t think we were anxious at any point. You’ve just got to keep your shape, get people in the right positions and they’re not able to pass the ball through you.
“They had a couple of opportunities, but we had chances ourselves and deserved the goal. Then second half, I thought we saw out the game quite comfortably.”
Bradford’s goal came against the run of play as Crewe had controlled the first half.
The home side were much better in the second half and Crewe goalkeeper Harvey Davies spread himself to deny Alex Pattison’s burst into the penalty area.
Harry Lewis saved from Joel Tabiner in the nine minutes of stoppage time as the visitors applied late pressure.
Manager Lee Bell said: “I thought we dominated first half and to go in 1-0 down was harsh on the team. We dominated 75 per cent of the game, but it’s about what happens in both boxes.
“The goal came when we were fully on top and probably playing as well as we have done this season.
“That moment cost us the game. If it was 0-0, they’d have sat even further back and gone into their shell a little bit and we’d dominate the ball even more.
“I thought the players gave absolutely everything. That’s what I’m asking of them.
“But you’ve got to score when you come to Bradford and play like that.
“We’ll have to take it on the chin, but overall the performance was pleasing. We’ve got to work on the final third now.
“I think the result was unjust, but you’ve got to make goal-scoring opportunities and we didn’t make enough clear-cut ones.”
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Serie A side Genoa confirm sacking of head coach Gilardino
Serie A side Genoa have confirmed the departure of their head coach Alberto Gilardino, with Patrick Vieira reportedly on his way in.
Gilardino, a World Cup winner with Italy in 2006, leaves the club with them sitting just one point above the relegation size with 10 points from 12 matches this season.
A former striker who played for clubs including Genoa, Parma, AC Milan and Fiorentina, Gilardino took charge of Genoa in 2022 and helped them earn promotion to the top division before a 11th-place finish during the 2023-24 season.
"The club thanks Gilardino for the goals achieved together over the years and wishes him the best for his career," Genoa said in a statement.
The 42-year-old saw his side salvage a late 1-1 draw against Cesc Fabregas' Como in their last match before the international break.
Genoa were also knocked out of the Coppa Italia in the second round following a defeat to Sampdoria on penalties in September.
Arsenal legend Vieira is set to replace him, according to multiple reports.
The former France midfielder has been out of work since leaving Strasbourg by mutual consent in July.
Doncic backs Mbappe to turn fortunes around at Real Madrid
NBA superstar Luka Doncic has backed Kylian Mbappe to "figure it out" after his underwhelming start to life at Real Madrid.
Mbappe has scored eight goals in 16 games for Madrid in all competitions since joining as a free agent following the expiration of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.
He has gone four matches without a goal – a run that includes losses to Barcelona and Milan – and has been left out of France's latest squad.
However, Dallas Mavericks guard Doncic – a Real Madrid supporter due to his previous ties with the sports club – can see Mbappe turning things around.
"Obviously [their season] could be better," Doncic told Managing Madrid after the Mavericks' win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.
"But when you get a guy like Mbappe, it takes some time to get used to it. We'll figure it out."
Mbappe has scored six goals in 11 LaLiga appearances for Madrid but has underperformed his season's expected goals (xG) total by 2.04.
The forward is averaging a goal every 166 minutes in all competitions this term, compared to one every 88 minutes for PSG in his last of seven seasons in Paris.
Madrid thrashed Osasuna 4-0 last time out in the league to return to winning ways but still trail leaders Barcelona by six points.
Asked about his connections with Madrid, former Los Blancos basketball player Doncic said: "I follow Real Madrid every time.
"I grew up there. They taught me everything, so it's a part of my life. You can call it a secondary home.
"I learned a lot of stuff there and, especially, they gave me a way to be here right now [in Dallas]. I always appreciate that 100%."
Madrid return to action after the international break with a trip to Leganes on Sunday.
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