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NEW YORK — Phil Mickelson, making his first US PGA Tour start since turning 50, fired a seven-under-par 63 on Friday to seize the lead in the Travellers Championship in Connecticut.

The five-time major winner was the star of a marquee group that also featured World No.1 Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau, shaking off an early bogey to card eight birdies and build a 13-under par total of 127.

He was one stroke in front of overnight leader Mackenzie Hughes of Canada and morning pacesetter Will Gordon.

Mickelson finished in style, nearly holing his approach shot at 18 and tapping in for a closing birdie.

It marks the first time in a career includes 44 PGA Tour titles that Mickelson has opened a tournament with two rounds of 64 or better.

“I’ve hit some good wedges, but more important than that I’ve given myself fair chances because I’ve hit a lot of fairways,” Mickelson said. “I felt like I was playing aggressive because of that.

“I also made some good putts today,” added Mickelson, whose birdies included three in a row at 13, 14 and 15 where he drained putts of six feet, 32 feet and seven feet.

“I made some tough six-footers that really kept the round going,” he said. “The birdies at 13 and 15 were not easy, there was a lot of break.”

Hughes, who torched TPC River Highlands for a 10-under 60 on Thursday, battled to a 68 for 128.

One-under through nine holes after three birdies and two bogeys, he made just one birdie on the back nine.

Gordon, making his eighth tour start on a sponsor’s exemption, made the most of his chance with an eight-under-par 62.

The 23-year-old American had nine birdies against a lone bogey in his first tour start since the Puerto Rico Open as the tour took a three-month hiatus starting in March because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I hit a little bit better today and the putter has been working really nice,” said Gordon, whose best PGA Tour result is a share of 10th in last year’s RSM Classic. “Just trying to stay out of my own way and stay in the moment. I’ve been really free and letting them go in.”

Gordon started on the back nine and birdied six of his first eight holes, the first of them on a 45-foot putt at the 10th.

He rolled in a 25-footer at the eighth for his final birdie of the day.

McIlroy had four birdies and two bogeys in a two-under-par 68 and headlined a group on nine-under 131 that also included Americans Xander Schauffele, Brendan Steele and Brendon Todd and Australian Marc Leishman.

Steele earned his share of fourth place with a sparkling 62. Todd and Leishman both signed for 65s while Schauffele carded a 68.

Morikawa misses cut

American Collin Morikawa, who made his first 22 consecutive cuts as a professional, missed the mark, ending the second-longest such streak in the last 30 years three shy of matching Tiger Woods with 25.

Morikawa opened with a 72 and only managed a 71 on Friday.

“It was bound to happen at some point,” he said. “Now I guess we’re going to stop talking about it.”

The tournament is the third since the PGA Tour resumed play, and saw another player test positive for COVID-19 on Friday after two caddies and a player tested positive on the eve of the tournament.

Denny McCarthy tested positive after feeling especially sore and tired after the first round. He went into quarantine while one first-round playing partner, Bud Cauley, withdrew as a precaution and another playing partner, Matt Wallace of England, opted to carry on.

AMMAN — As Formula One returns after a four-month break, we believe we must return with added purpose and determination to tackle the major issues that we as a sport, but also society, are facing. Those issues are important to the longer-term future of our sport, but equally have a major impact on the communities we race in and countries around the world, according to a statement from organisers.

Last November we launched our sustainability strategy to make our sport net zero carbon by 2030, improve diversity and inclusion in Formula One and to support communities. Recent events have reinforced the importance of those issues and the need for us take action to make our sport better, improve opportunity and to have a positive impact on the world we live in.

In recent months, the whole world has come together as one collective community in the fight against COVID-19 and it has brought out the best in human nature. In recent weeks people from all walks of life have united in their condemnation of racism and inequality, something that has no place in our modern world. We believe that as the first international sport to return we can make a difference and use our voice to address these vital issues. As a member of the global FIA motor sport family, we acknowledge its Fundamental Principles Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination.

That is why today, ahead of our season start, Formula One announces our new #WeRaceAsOne initiative, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week. This initiative will be the platform for the priorities set out above and is aimed at tackling the biggest issues facing our sport and global communities. It will not be a one-week or one-year theme that disappears as issues disappear from headlines, it will underpin the Formula One strategy to make a tangible difference in our sport and society.

Recognising the two major issues dominating society’s consciousness at this time, COVID-19, and inequality we will use our opening race to thank people around the world for the incredible strength and fortitude they have shown against a global pandemic. Everyone from key workers through to families and individuals that have endured lockdown to tackle the virus deserve our thanks and gratitude. Equally we want to use our restart to show that we as a sporting community stand united against racism and are doing more to address inequality and diversity in Formula 1.

Therefore, ahead of our first race in Austria on 3-5 July and with the support of the teams and our partners, Formula One will be saying thank you to key workers and individuals around the world by displaying rainbows on the Formula One cars and around the race circuit with the hashtag #WeRaceAsOne. The rainbow has been chosen as it has become a symbol used internationally in the recent crisis to bring communities together. We believe this important gesture will encourage our fans to join us in saying thank you. The rainbow initiative will continue throughout the season.

During the race weekend in Austria we will take a stand against racism. This will include visual displays of support in the fight against racism. In addition to the visual display of support we will also announce later this week clear pledges to increase diversity and opportunity in our sport. This will include setting up a Formula One Task Force that will listen to people from across the paddock, including the drivers, as well as externals and make conclusions on the actions required to improve the diversity and opportunity in Formula One at all levels. Further details of the Task Force will be set out in the coming weeks and the visual displays of support at the first race will be seen for the first time during the race weekend.

Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO of Formula One, said: “Our first race in Austria at the start of July is a big moment for our sport after nearly four months of no racing. While it is an important moment for the Formula One community it is also a time to recognise the issues that are bigger than any one sport or country. The #WeRaceAsOne initiative we have launched today, in support of the #PurposeDriven Movement launched by the FIA last week, is our way of saying thank you to the bravery and unity everyone around the world has shown during this unprecedented time. It will also be a platform for Formula One to come together and achieve results against the most important issues facing us as a sport and the world.”

“That is why at our first race in Austria Formula One will stand united to say loud and clear that racism must end. We will show our full support in fighting inequality throughout the weekend and accelerate our own efforts to make Formula One more diverse and inclusive. As a global sport we must represent the diversity and social concerns of our fans, but we also need to listen more and understand what needs to be done and get on with delivering,” he added.

Jean Todt, president of the FIA, said: The “New Deal” I propose for motor sport in the context of COVID-19 pandemic means laying the foundations for the recovery and a sustainable future for Formula One and other disciplines. It includes new rules to reduce costs as well as initiatives to increase the popularity and accessibility of motor sport. Importantly, it shall also harness the positive contribution motor sport brings to society, covering all sectors from health, safety, economy, environment, education, inclusion and diversity. This is the intention of the #PurposeDriven Movement we launched last Thursday, and I am very pleased to welcome the #WeRaceAsOne initiative as part of this collective effort.”

“With Formula One,we have already been committed for many years to helping to protect the environment with, for example, hybrid engines and the signing of the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework. The FIA is guided by the Fundamental Principles of its Statutes, including the fight against any form of discrimination and notably on account of skin colour, gender, religion, ethnic or social origin. We must promote diversity in motor sport,” he concluded.

MADRID — Barcelona limped to a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday that sends them back to the top of La Liga, for 24 hours at least, three points ahead of Real Madrid.

Only a goal from substitute Ivan Rakitic in the 71st minute prevented Barca from another stalemate after a draw at Sevilla on Friday had allowed Real to go top on head-to-head.

Madrid will return to the summit if they beat struggling Real Mallorca on Wednesday but Barcelona’s victory at least puts the pressure back on Zinedine Zidane’s side, whose upward momentum is yet to be reflected by the table.

This Barca performance though was hardly a statement of intent, devoid of chances, lacking zip and tinged with frustration rather than the free-flowing football Quique Setien was appointed to bring in.

“We knew it was going to be complicated,” Setien said. “Also because of the situation there is some anxiety because there’s less and less margin for error.

“Sometimes we didn’t play with that composure and that showed in the first half when were more inaccurate than usual. We gave some belief and confidence to Athletic.”

Lionel Messi looked particularly wearied by his team’s display. The Argentinian was creator-in-chief again but the dependence on him was high and he remains one away from the 700th goal of his career.

Rakitic is likely to be among a handful of players allowed to leave this summer. He has not been a regular this season and this was his first Barca goal since the Clasico in March last year.

“It’s a difficult period but we have to stick together,” said Rakitic. “It was an important goal, it was a tough game, it was hard for us to open the game up.”

Arthur Melo started, despite reports he could be close to joining Juventus, and struggled.

Sergio Busquets picked up a yellow card and will be suspended against Celta Vigo on Saturday but that should be a simpler assignment than the ones that come after against in-form Atletico Madrid and Villarreal.

Athletic Bilbao stay 10th after suffering their first defeat since La Liga returned.

Frustrated Messi

They created the better chances in the first half. Inaki Williams, playing his 150th game in a row, darted in behind and Yeray Alvarez should have scored when free at the back post, but missed from four yards.

Messi cut a frustrated figure as he tried to create a spark but his efforts from distance, including one chip easily collected, hinted at desperation too.

In the second half, Messi’s lifted pass found Antoine Griezmann clear in the area but Unai Simon was quick to close the space and Griezmann failed to react. 

Griezmann’s disappointing night came to an end when he was replaced by Ansu Fati, who headed over with his first touch. Riqui Puig also came on and it was the 20-year-old’s pass that started the attack for the goal.

Messi crossed to the back post and Arturo Vidal’s header should have been cleared by Mikel Balenziaga. Instead, he gave it back to Messi, whose reverse pass was taken on by Rakitic, who bundled through and finished.

Raul Garcia had an open net late on after Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen both evaded a cross but he failed to connect. Fati struck the post with a rebound in injury-time.

Earlier, Atletico Madrid continued their surge towards Champions League qualification by winning 1-0 at Levante to climb to third, thanks to an early own goal by Bruno Gonzalez.

Since matches restarted in Spain two weeks ago, Atletico have taken 10 points from a possible 12 and are now six points clear of fifth, as their top-four rivals have crumbled around them. 

One of them is Getafe, who continued their post-suspension slump as they were held to a 1-1 draw against struggling Real Valladolid.

Getafe are fifth but without a win in the four games since La Liga resumed.

Valladolid are 15th, seven points clear of the relegation zone. Levante stay 11th.

MILAN — Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala scored early as Juventus put their Italian Cup final woes behind them with a 2-0 win over Bologna on Monday to move four points clear of Lazio on top of the Serie A table.

Portuguese star Ronaldo had missed a penalty in the Italian Cup semifinal against AC Milan, and drew a blank in the final which Juventus lost 4-2 on penalties to Napoli.

But the 35-year-old made no mistake in Juventus’s first league game since beating Inter Milan 2-0 in Turin on March 8.

He converted a spot-kick earned by Matthijs de Ligt after 23 minutes for his 26th goal for the Turin giants in all competitions this season.

Dybala curled in the second on 36 minutes off a Federico Bernardeschi back-heel flick as Juventus, chasing a ninth consecutive Scudetto, opened up a four-point lead on second-placed Lazio.

“We need confidence and this victory will help us,” said Dybala.

“It’s not easy to be brilliant right now, we hadn’t been playing for a long time.

“If we had won the [Italian Cup] final everyone would have complimented us, because on a tactical level we have had a great game, even if we were not brilliant, but we conceded little.

“Today we played a great game, even if after 2-0 we gave up a bit.”

Lazio travel north to fourth-placed Atalanta in Bergamo on Wednesday, looking to keep their bid for a first Serie A title in two decades on track.

Inter Milan, in third, are nine points adrift of Juventus, and next host Sassuolo.

‘Important victory’

AC Milan shrugged off the absence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to sweep past Lecce 4-1 and keep their bid for European football next season alive as 10-man Fiorentina were held 1-1 by basement club Brescia.

Swedish star Ibrahimovic has yet to return from a calf injury but Milan put their exit in the Italian Cup semifinal behind them at relegation-threatened Lecce.

“It’s an important victory,” said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. 

“Roma [in fifth] are far away at the moment but we have to try to make as many points as possible.

“Ibra is a fundamental player for us, without him we had to find other solutions.”

In Lecce, Samuel Castillejo opened the scoring after 26 minutes for the visitors, connecting with a Hakan Calhanoglu cross from the right to slot in his first goal this season.

Marco Mancosu pulled Lecce level from the penalty spot after 54 minutes, sparking an immediate Milan fightback with two goals in three minutes.

Lecce keeper Gabriel denied Calhanoglu with Giacomo Bonaventura on hand to finish off with Ante Rebic racing through the Lecce defence for a third — and his seventh goal this season.

Rafael Leao got his head to an Andrea Conti cross with Calhanoglu again involved in the build-up after 72 minutes.

Milan move up to seventh equal on points with Napoli, who occupy the final Europa League berth before they play this week.

In Florence, Franck Ribery returned after nearly seven months out following an ankle injury but his side settled for a third consecutive stalemate against Brescia.

Alfredo Donnarumma put Brescia ahead after 17 minutes from the penalty spot but Fiorentina captain German Pezzella responded with a diving header after half an hour.

Fiorentina had two goals disallowed and played the final 20 minutes a man down when Martin Caceres was sent off for a second yellow card.

The Tuscany club are 13th with Brescia ending their three-match losing streak.

MADRID — Real Madrid knocked Barcelona off the top of La Liga by beating Real Sociedad 2-1 on Sunday as Sergio Ramos rolled in another penalty before being forced off due to injury.

Karim Benzema continued his excellent form by adding a second at Anoeta and while Mikel Merino gave Real Sociedad hope with seven minutes left, Madrid held on to go above Barca on head-to-head.

Real Sociedad were contenders for the top four before the three-month suspension but a draw and two defeats since the restart leaves them sixth, five points adrift.

Ramos scored his 20th consecutive spot-kick in the 50th minute to become La Liga’s highest ever scoring defender on 68 goals, overtaking Ronald Koeman on the all-time list.

“He’s the best defender in the world,” said Zinedine Zidane. “What he has been doing and achieving for so many years is incredible.”

But Ramos limped off 10 minutes later with what looked like a knee injury, which will be a huge concern for Madrid if the problem proves serious. He was seen sitting with an ice-pack on his left knee in the stands.

“Right now it hurts a lot but that’s just the bang I think,” said Zidane afterwards. “That’s the good news but we’ll see.”

Madrid also benefitted from two tight decisions after Adnan Januzaj drove in an equaliser for Real Sociedad, only to have it ruled out before Benzema doubled the lead and was adjudged not to have controlled with his arm.

Both calls were close and the fact they fell for Madrid will not have gone unnoticed in Barcelona.

“From what we’ve seen it will be very difficult for Real Madrid to drop points,” said Barca defender Gerard Pique on Friday.

It was Barca’s failure to score at Sevilla that presented the opportunity to Madrid, whose victory in one of their toughest fixtures left has shifted the title race back in their favour.

Their defence, which boasts the club’s best record at this stage in 32 years, has been key.

Casemiro suspended

Casemiro is suspended after picking up a yellow card although Real Mallorca at home on Wednesday is the kind of fixture Madrid should be able to negotiate, even without Ramos and their only defensive midfielder.

Zinedine Zidane will at least hope to have Eden Hazard fresh again after the Belgian was named on the bench.

Gareth Bale was also among the substitutes not to be brought on.

His replacement Vinicius Junior caused Andoni Gorosabel problems with his pace and it was the Brazilian who won the penalty, after nipping inside the defender before his right foot was caught by Diego Llorente.

Ramos made no mistake but seemed to take a bang on his knee shortly after and despite limping on for several minutes, was eventually replaced by Eder Militao.

His removal coincided with a surge from Real Sociedad, who thought they had equalised when Januzaj drove into the corner only for Merino to be ruled offside, seen to be close enough to Courtois to be interfering with the goalkeeper’s line of sight.

Real Sociedad’s sense of frustration was compounded when Benzema made it two.

Referee Javier Estrada again consulted VAR but this time allowed the goal to stand, believing Benzema to have controlled with his shoulder before firing in.

Merino set up a nervy finish with a thundering shot in off the crossbar but Madrid held on for an important win.

Guedes scores 

brilliant solo goal

Earlier, Goncalo Guedes scored a mesmerising solo goal as Valencia stayed in touch with the Champions League qualification places by beating Osasuna 2-0. 

Guedes picked the ball up in his own half and surged past four Osasuna players before completing his stunning run with a driven shot into the top corner. 

Rodrigo Moreno made it two at Mestalla as Valencia reduced the gap behind fourth-placed Sevilla to six points. 

Osasuna drop to 12th and their next opponents will be Alaves, who suffered a crushing 6-0 defeat away at fellow strugglers Celta Vigo. 

Alaves were reduced to 10 men after 27 minutes when Martin Aguirregabiria was sent off and Celta capitalised.

MADRID — Atletico Madrid boosted their Champions League push on Saturday with a 1-0 win over Valladolid which moved them into third place in La Liga.

A goal from substitute Vitolo with nine minutes remaining gave Diego Simeone’s side the three points.

They now have 52 points and a four-point edge over Getafe in their Champions League pursuit after winning for the first time behind closed doors at their Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.

Vitolo had come on as a substitute after 73 minutes for Marcos Llorente and grabbed the winner with a header from a corner after Valladolid keeper Juan Antonio Caro had failed to clear.

Getafe’s hopes of finishing in La Liga’s top four took another knock as their disappointing return from the three-month coronavirus suspension continued with a 1-1 draw at home to Eibar. 

Peter Etebo’s smart finish put Getafe in front at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez before Eibar’s Charles equalised from close range on the stroke of half-time.

Eibar might even have snatched victory, only to have a late goal from Pedro Bigas ruled out for offside.

Getafe have now taken just two points from three games since the restart.

“It’s clear we needed to win to give us a boost,” said Getafe’s Jaime Mata. 

“It would have kickstarted us after the break but we have to keep fighting until we get that win. People say our ambitions are too high but we are going to keep fighting.” 

Getafe are punching above their weight towards the top of the table, having enjoyed a remarkable four years under coach Jose Bordalas. 

They were only promoted to the top tier in 2017 and missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day last year, edged out by Valencia. 

But their challenge may not extend so far this term given this draw followed a stalemate at home to struggling Espanyol and defeat by Granada. 

It contributes to a more prolonged dip in form that has included only two wins in nine. 

Eibar are without a victory themselves in five matches but this was a valuable point that gives them something to build on in their battle to avoid relegation. They sit 16th, three points above the bottom three. 

With their coach Jose Luis Mendilibar serving a touchline ban, Eibar fell behind after half an hour when Marc Cucurella’s deep cross was volleyed back in by Angel Rodriguez and Etebo steered the ball first time into the corner. 

But Eibar responded and when Getafe’s defence failed to push out together after a botched Eibar free-kick, Bigas was left free to nod across to Charles, who had a simple finish. 

Neither team really deserved to win it in the second half but Eibar thought they had when Pape Diop’s cross grazed the top of Bigas’ head and bounced in. But Bigas had strayed just offside and Eibar had to settle for a point. 

Earlier, Espanyol were beaten 3-1 at home by Levante, a blow to their morale after they resumed with an impressive win over Alaves and hard-fought draw against Getafe. 

Espanyol stay bottom, three points adrift of safety. 

Athletic Bilbao climbed to ninth after Inigo Martinez’s flicked finish was enough to beat Real Betis 1-0. 

Betis’ Sergio Canales missed an 85th-minute penalty in the defeat, which leaves coach Rubi on the brink of the sack. 

MADRID — Gerard Pique said La Liga’s title race is Real Madrid’s to lose after Barcelona were held to a goalless draw against Sevilla on Friday.

Barca’s first slip-up since returning from the three-month hiatus hands Madrid the chance to regain top spot this weekend.

After their emphatic 3-0 win over Valencia on Thursday, Zinedine Zidane’s side will move level on points with the Catalans if they beat Real Sociedad on Sunday and above them due to their superior record head-to-head. 

“Seeing what we’ve done in the last two rounds, it’s going to be very difficult to win this league,” said a despondent Pique afterwards. 

“From what I’ve seen, it’s very hard to see Real Madrid dropping points.” 

Sevilla, in third, and Valencia, in eighth, always looked capable of shifting the dynamic at the top of the table, with Madrid capitalising to climb back to the summit for the first time since they beat Barcelona on March 1.

Asked about Pique’s analysis, Barcelona coach Quique Setien said: “I think it comes from frustration. I am optimistic. I think it will be tough for anyone to take maximum points.”

A valuable point for Sevilla, meanwhile, gives them a five-point cushion over Getafe in fifth, albeit having played a game more.

Barca could have few complaints at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. 

They never really troubled Sevilla for any prolonged period and the closest Lionel Messi came to scoring the 700th goal of his career were a pair of free-kicks tipped over. 

The sight of goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen jogging up for a late corner demonstrated how big a blow they considered dropping points to be. 

Yet, Real Sociedad are still in the hunt for Champions League qualification and will offer Madrid no guarantees on Sunday while games against Getafe, Athletic Bilbao and Villarreal mean there are still plenty of hurdles for Zidane’s team to overcome. 

Barcelona though would appear to have the tougher run-in, with Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Villarreal and local rivals Espanyol coming up.

Messi was well-contained by Sevilla and it could be the Argentinian was feeling the effects of a third consecutive 90 minutes in nine days. 

Setien chose not to rest his captain in either of two comfortable wins over Leganes or Real Mallorca. 

Instead, Antoine Griezmann dropped to the bench, with Martin Braithwaite preferred in the front three alongside Messi and Luis Suarez, who made his first start since January after recovering from a knee injury. 

Sevilla’s Jules Kounde shot just wide of the post early on but Barcelona controlled the opening 30 minutes, even if chances were few and far between. 

Messi’s curled free-kick was headed off the line by Kounde and Braithwaite almost had a tap-in when Tomas Vaclik spilled, but the ball was hacked away. 

The half ended with a scuffle and Messi was at the heart of it, squaring up to and then pushing over Sevilla’s centre back Diego Carlos. Messi was unhappy with Carlos’ challenge on Suarez but escaped punishment. 

Ever Banega came on at half-time for Sevilla and gave them more purpose in midfield. Munir El Haddadi’s shot from the angle was palmed away by Ter Stegen. 

The game opened up in the final 15 minutes as Jordi Alba made a crucial block to prevent Munir’s pass setting up an easy finish in the middle. 

Alba might then have teed up a winner too but Suarez swept the defender’s pull-back over the bar. 

Sergio Reguilon, on loan at Sevilla from Madrid, had the best chance but he failed to connect with his weaker right foot. 

Earlier, Gerard Moreno’s winner gave Villarreal a 1-0 win away at Granada, putting them within touching distance of the top four.

Real Mallorca claimed a 1-1 draw against fellow strugglers Leganes thanks to a stunning late free kick from Oscar Rodriguez.

ROME — Gennaro Gattuso hailed the 'God of football' after he lifted his first coaching trophy as Napoli beat Juventus 4-2 on penalties to win the Italian Cup for the sixth time on Wednesday.

The final had ended 0-0 in an empty Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Paulo Dybala and Danilo both missed their spot-kicks for record 13-times Italian Cup champions Juventus with Arkadiusz Milik slotting in the winner for Napoli past veteran keeper Gianluigi Buffon.

It is the first trophy for the southerners since 2014, and also a maiden coaching trophy for Gattuso, who took over from Carlo Ancelotti in December.

For former Italy World Cup winner Gattuso his first coaching success comes after the death of his 37-year-old sister Francesca from a rare illness.

"In life you cannot accept some things, but football has given me a lot and a great passion," said the 42-year-old former AC Milan great.

"I feel I have a great responsibility. I know I cannot give up and I have never done in my career.

"I saw a team tonight that wanted to win, we deserved it.

"There's a God of football, who makes you reap all that you've sown.

"I am proud of what my lads have done. Now we must continue with this spirit also in the championship, to recover the disadvantage."

Napoli have been reborn under Gattuso and are now sixth in the league table as they target the Champions League places when Serie A returns this weekend after a three-month absence due to the coronavirus.

But the defeat was a worrying sign for Maurizio Sarri's Juventus, who also lost the Italian SuperCup final last December to Lazio.

The 61-year-old former Napoli coach had also been chasing his first coaching trophy in Italy, and second in his career after leading Chelsea to the Europa League last season.

"There is disappointment for the lads, for the club, for the fans," said Sarri.

"At this moment we lack brilliance to make the game dangerous, and without that brilliance, it becomes more difficult."

Ronaldo lacking sharpness

The final was played behind closed doors, in the silence of Rome's Stadio Olimpico which should have hosted Italy versus Switzerland in Euro 2020 on June 17.

Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo missed a chance to break the deadlock after five minutes, having also missed a penalty in a goalless semi-final, second leg match against AC Milan last weekend.

"It's unusual two 0-0 draws for us but that just shows the lack of sharpness after such a long break," said Sarri.

"Ronaldo's in the same shape as the others, like Paulo Dybala and Douglas Costa, he is lacking the sharpness to do what works best for him."

Napoli had the best chances of the first half with Lorenzo Insigne's curling effort denied and Buffon clearing Diego Demme from close range.

Buffon pulled off a last-minute save on Nikola Maksimovic to send the game into penalties with extra-time scrapped to minimise injuries after the coronavirus shutdown.

Sarri said he hoped the players would now "put the anger and hunger from this disappointment" into their Serie A challenge with the eight-time reigning champions just one point ahead of second-placed Lazio in the table.

LONDON — Chelsea announced the signing of German international forward Timo Werner from RB Leipzig on Thursday in the first major move of the summer transfer market.

Werner, 24, who has scored 32 goals in all competitions this season, had a 60 million euro (£53 million, $67 million) release clause in his contract with the German club.

He will remain at Leipzig for the remaining two Bundesliga games of the season.

However, Werner will not be available for the end of Leipzig's 2019/20 Champions League campaign in August as he is set to join Chelsea in July.

"I am delighted to be signing for Chelsea, it is a very proud moment for me to be joining this great club," Werner said in a statement.

"I look forward to next season with my new team-mates, my new manager and of course the Chelsea fans.

"Together we have a very successful future ahead of us."

The signing is a major coup for the Blues as they seek to close the gap on Liverpool and Manchester City at the top of the Premier League.

Werner was often linked with a move to Liverpool after he admitted to being flattered by Jurgen Klopp's interest.

However, concerned by the financial fallout from coronavirus, the European champions were not willing to pay Werner's release clause before it expired this month.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich had no such concerns as he is set to bankroll another revolution at Stamford Bridge.

Ajax winger Hakim Ziyech has also already been signed for next season to bring some much-needed firepower to Frank Lampard's forward line.

"We are very excited that Timo Werner has chosen to join Chelsea," said Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.

"He is a player who was coveted all over Europe and it is no surprise, he has that rare mix of being young and exciting and yet established and proven."

Werner will not be available for the second leg of Chelsea's Champions League last 16 tie against Bayern Munich in August as he was not registered at the time the match was due to be played.

Chelsea are on course for a return to the Champions League next season as they hold a three-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester United with nine games of the Premier League season to go.

However, goals have been difficult to come by for Lampard's men after a positive start to the former England international's time in charge.

Tammy Abraham has scored just once in 2020 and had lost his place as first-choice striker to Olivier Giroud prior to a three-month shutdown of the Premier League due to coronavirus.

Long-serving wingers Pedro Rodriguez and Willian are also expected to make way for the arrivals of Werner and Ziyech with both out of contract later this month.

MADRID — Lionel Messi was rugby tackled and then scored a penalty as Barcelona put the pressure back on Real Madrid by easing to a 2-0 victory over Leganes at an empty Camp Nou on Tuesday.

Messi was hauled to the ground in the first half by a diving Unai Bustinza wrapping two arms around his waist and he was knocked over again in the second, this time earning a penalty, which he converted.

After 33 appearances, Messi now has 26 goals this season. In his last eight games, he has seven goals and eight assists.

The 17-year-old Ansu Fati had earlier given Barcelona the lead, continuing his breakthrough season with a fifth goal in eight league starts.

Leganes could have made the reigning champions feel uncomfortable if Miguel-Angel Guerrero had taken either of two golden early opportunities, but the first was cleared off the line and the second denied by the post.

“We had a bit of luck at the beginning,” admitted Barca coach Quique Setien.

But his team’s reward for a rather underwhelming performance is a five-point advantage over Madrid, who can reduce that back to two by winning at home to Valencia on Thursday.

Valencia will be a more thorough examination of Madrid’s sharpness after the three-month break and Barca can expect tougher tests to come than Leganes too, starting with a trip to third-placed Sevilla on Friday.

Setien will hope Gerard Pique recovers from a nasty challenge that means he will need stitches in his shin. “It split his shinpad,” said Setien. “We hope it’s not serious.”

Leganes have dropped to the bottom of the table and look doomed to relegation, their chances of survival damaged by Barcelona snatching away their top scorer Martin Braithwaite as an emergency signing in February.

Leganes were not alone in feeling the rule had hurt them disproportionately and their sense of injustice might have been deepened by the fact Braithwaite was left on the bench for the entire 90 minutes.

Wasteful Guerrero

Barcelona controlled possession in the first half but created little and would have been behind early on if Guerrero had been more precise.

First, Javier Eraso sprinted clear and despite taking too long to shoot, the ball spilled out for Guerrero, whose drive hit the foot of Clement Lenglet on the line.

Guerrero had another go moments later, this time from an acute angle, but his rasping half-volley flew across the area and shaved the far post.

Barca were laboured, even as they dominated the ball, but Leganes might have been tiring by the 42nd minute when Junior Firpo’s bustling run allowed Fati to take an instinctive shot, which he fired through the legs of Rodri Tarin and into the bottom corner.

In the 69th minute, Messi gave his team the cushion they wanted, earning a dubious penalty with a storming run. He won the ball on the halfway line, nutmegged one defender and held off two more.

After an exchange with Luis Suarez, he was finally knocked over, even if it appeared less of a foul than the previous attempts to stop him. Messi curled into the bottom corner.

Suarez had come on for Fati and Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Arthur Melo all departed too as Setien turned his attention to Sevilla. Leganes coach Javier Aguirre was sent off for whistling on the sidelines in injury-time.

Getafe slip up

Earlier, Getafe dropped more points in the race for Champions League qualification as they failed to break down Espanyol despite their opponents playing most of the match with 10 men.

A goalless draw represents a missed opportunity for Jose Bordalas’ side and they could even have lost to Espanyol, who had Bernardo Espinosa sent off in the 16th minute but are building momentum.

Getafe stay fifth, level on points with fourth-placed Real Sociedad, who will play their game in hand at Alaves on Thursday. Espanyol move to within two points of safety after resuming with a 2-0 victory over Alaves on Saturday.

Villarreal stayed in the hunt for the European places by beating Real Mallorca 1-0. Carlos Bacca’s early finish leaves Villarreal seventh, three points from fourth. Mallorca remain 18th.