Football Extras: Ronaldo misses penalty but Juve ease to win

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second-half penalty for Juventus but it did not matter as the Serie A leaders brushed aside Chievo 3-0 in a top-versus-bottom clash on Monday.

The Turin side were already two goals ahead when Ronaldo, the joint top scorer in Italy's top flight with 14 goals, saw his spot kick brilliantly saved by Stefano Sorrentino in the 52nd minute after Mattia Bani handled.

Douglas Costa, Emre Can and Daniele Rugani scored their first goals of the season as Juve restored a nine-point lead over Napoli who cut the gap with Sunday's 2-1 win over Lazio.

Juventus have 56 points from a possible 60 as they chase an eighth straight title. Bottom side Chievo have eight points.

The Flying Donkeys held out for only 13 minutes until Costa burst through the Chievo midfield and slipped a shot between two defenders from the edge of the area.

Another moment of individual inspiration created the second goal just before the break as Paulo Dybala ran at the centre of the defence and slipped the ball to Can, who fired a low shot past Sorrentino for his first goal since joining from Liverpool.

After missing his penalty, Ronaldo was frustrated twice more, turning the ball wide from Dybala's cross and then finding the side netting after the Argentine freed him on the left.

Juventus still added a third with a simple far post header from Rugani from Federico Bernardeschi's free kick in the 84th.

Barcelona make surprise signing

The La Liga leaders confirmed the arrival of the German-born former Ghana international in a statement, adding that the club also have an option to make the deal permanent for a fee of 8 million euros ($9 million).

Barcelona have been linked to a host of forwards during the winter transfer window as they seek experienced backup options for Luis Suarez. The club let youngster Munir El Haddadi join Sevilla at the start of the month after he refused the offer of a new contract at the Catalan club.

Moves for Cristhian Stuani of Girona and Los Angeles FC's Mexican international Carlos Vela were rebuffed, with Boateng emerging as a surprise target earlier on Monday in the Spanish press.

An attacking midfielder by trade, Boateng has operated as a forward for the midtable Serie A outfit during the first half of this season, scoring four times in 11 starts.

He spent the 2016-17 season in Spain with Canary Islands side Las Palmas, netting 10 goals in 28 La Liga appearances, and will be presented officially at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.