Italian media change their tune on Nick Woltemade as Newcastle United star fires back at critics
Italian media change their tune on Nick Woltemade after the Newcastle United striker equals Juventus record.
Nick Woltemade made it three goals from three in the Europa League after scoring from the penalty spot in Juventus’ 2-2 home draw with Stade Rennais.
The Newcastle United loanee is yet to start a Serie A match but has taken to the Europa League by storm. After netting in wins over NEC Nijmegen and Celta Vigo, the 6ft 6in striker kept his cool from the spot to earn Juve a point against the Ligue 1 side.
Not only did Woltemade score the equaliser, but he also set up Zeki Celik’s fifth-minute opener. Goals from Mousa Tamari and Boulaye Dia put the French outfit 2-1 up at half-time before Woltemade converted a 67th-minute penalty, as he had done against Nijmegen.
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Woltemade has now scored in all of his first three European matches for Juventus, a feat only previously achieved by Roberto Baggio in 1990 and Darko Kovacevic in 1999.
Juventus thought they had won it in stoppage time when Jhon Lucumi found the net, but the Colombian defender’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Italian media change their tune on Nick Woltemade
Woltemade has come in for criticism from the Italian media in recent weeks, with some even questioning whether he would see out his season-long loan spell in Italy, but they changed their tune on Thursday evening.
Tuttosport gave Woltemade a 7.5/10 and wrote: “The assist for Celik and the penalty goal are rewards for his performance. A capital C in every respect: for the way he technically clears up an infinite number of balls and for the way he fills the penalty area.
“It's not his world, but he's doing everything he can to understand it and enter it through the front door. Applause from the Allianz Stadium is deserved.”
Meanwhile, Woltemade received a 7/10 from Corriere dello Sport, which noted: “A key factor. With the first chance, he takes on the role of attacking midfielder and sets up Celik with a brilliant through ball.
“He proves himself to be a master from the spot and comes close to scoring twice.”
Nick Woltemade reacts after goal & assist v Stade Rennais
There have been calls for Woltemade and former Tottenham Hotspur striker Randal Kolo Muani to start together, and manager Luciano Spalletti did just that against Rennes.
The pair seem to have struck up a good partnership, with Kolo Muani even stepping aside to allow Woltemade to take the penalty.
Speaking after the game, Woltemade said: "What did we say to Kolo Muani? I politely asked if I could take it and he said ‘go ahead’.
"Obviously, they [goals] give us a lot of confidence. I would have liked to score a third goal towards the end. The most important thing is to play a good match. Tonight I played well and with the right spirit. We need to continue with this energy.
“My connection with Kolo Muani? He's an excellent striker, capable of scoring goals and opening up the pitch. But as I've already said, I'm not the coach; we have a lot of players who deserve to play. I have a good connection with Kolo, and we hope to score a lot of goals together.”
Woltemade will be hoping to make his first league start when Spalletti’s side travel to Lecce on Sunday evening.