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Juventus coach plays down talk on his future after Atletico defeat
Rome, March 2 (IANS) Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri on Saturday denied that his job was at risk after the recent 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
Allegri said his team was far from finished in the tournament. The Turin side has won the domestic Serie A league title in the last seven seasons, reports Efe.
“After Madrid, they counted us out as dead before we have even been eliminated. People were saying I would go away for a number of reasons, which are not true,” Allegri said at a press conference on the eve of Sunday’s Serie A match against Napoli.
“I will meet with the president and we will talk like every year and decide what to do next year,” he said.
On the road, Juventus conceded two late goals by Uruguay defenders Jose Gimenez and Diego Godin, but Allegri said his team, led by Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, was able to turn things around.
He called on fans to support the team and turn the page of the away defeat that drew him criticism.
The arrival of Ronaldo during the summer transfer raised fans’ hopes of a third Champions League title and the first since 1996, although the team reached the final five times since its second triumph, including the 2014/15 and 2016/17 championship matches under Allegri.
“Now we have to be focused on the remaining games, a championship that needs to be won and on the game on March 12, where everyone will be needed. What is needed is a stadium that will push the team for 95 minutes,” he said.
The first of the two remaining Serie A matches before hosting Atletico will be on the road against second-placed Napoli, who is 13 points adrift of Allegri’s team.
Allegri said this match would be decisive in his team’s hunt for the eighth title in a row and record extending 35th title.
“We will play for two thirds of the Scudetto, because in the case of a positive result, it will help our possibility (to win the league) a lot. It will be a great game because they want to beat us and demonstrate that they are better. It’s been a week or more that they have prepared for this game,” he said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.