SERIE A – Page 15 – Football Flame

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Three talking points from Inter 2-2 Cagliari ahead of Serie A title decider with Milan

 Jakub Jankto of Cagliari glares at Claudio Ranieri Head coach of Cagliari after being substituted after 28 minutes during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari - Serie A TIM at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 14, 2024 in Milan, Italy. Inter were held to a 2-2 draw by a resurgent Cagliari side on Sunday evening, but the Nerazzurri are still able to win the 2023-24 Serie A title if they beat rivals Milan away at San Siro next weekend. Here are three talking points from Sunday’s stalemate between Simone Inzaghi and Claudio Ranieri’s sides: No Lautaro, no party? Inter had to make do without the suspended Lautaro Martinez for Sunday’s Serie A meeting with Cagliari after the Argentine picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. His place in Inzaghi’...
SERIE A

Late Okafor goal earns Milan draw in six-goal thriller with Sassuolo

 Samuel Chukwueze of AC Milan competes for the ball with Mattia Viti of US Sassuolo during the Serie A TIM match between US Sassuolo and AC Milan at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on April 14, 2024 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. Second-placed AC Milan twice fought back from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw at relegation-threatened Sassuolo with a late equaliser by substitute Noah Okafor in Serie A on Sunday. Milan have 69 points, six ahead of Juventus with six matches left. Sassuolo are second-bottom with 26 points. Inter Milan, who host Cagliari later on Sunday, are runaway leaders on 82.It was a frustrating match for Milan, who dominated possession and chances, particularly for Samuel Chukwueze who had two goals disallowed for offside by a hair’s breadth. Sass...
SERIE A

Juve’s poor run continues in Torino draw, Bologna held

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus during the Serie A TIM match between Torino FC and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on April 13, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Juventus's stuttering end to the Serie A season goes on, with the 36-time champions held 0-0 in the Turin derby.Juve have won only one of their last six league matches and slipped to third in Serie A. They are four points above fourth-placed Bologna who also drew 0-0, at home to Monza.The Bianconeri have enjoyed an impressive run in the derby, having not lost to Torino in nine years. The last time Saturday's hosts even managed a draw was more than two years ago.Juventus had a brilliant chance to take the lead in the seventh minute when Federico Chiesa whipped in a cross from the right for an unmarked Dusan Vlahovic but the striker's eff...
SERIE A

Reports Saudi family enter Inter takeover talks

 Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale in action during the FC Internazionale training session at the club's training ground Suning Training Center on April 12, 2024 in Udine, Italy. According to Repubblica newspaper, a Saudi Arabian family that is not state investment fund PIF is in negotiations to purchase Inter from Suning.There have been rumours for months of an approach from investors in Saudi Arabia to buy out the Serie A club, though Suning repeatedly assured they were seeking minority shareholders and not looking for a complete takeover.Saturday’s edition of Repubblica now claims that the talks are with a rich family in Saudi Arabia, but not the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that already bought Newcastle United in 2021.Want to know more about livetscore check out our article...
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Mancini reveals inspiration from Dybala in Roma’s win over Milan

 Gianluca Mancini of As Roma celebrates at the end of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final football match AC Milan vs AS Roma at San Siro Stadium in Milan, Italy on April 11, 2024.Cheerful Roma defender Gianluca Mancini says Paulo Dybala led by example in a 1-0 win over Milan at San Siro and admits he couldn’t ask more after scoring a winner in the derby as well.The Italy centre-back scored the second consecutive winning goal for Roma, allowing the Giallorossi to beat Milan at San Siro on Thursday in the first leg of the Europa League quarter-finals.“We are all protagonists, not only I because I scored. We played a good game and we are happy, but it’s everything is still open,” Mancini told Sky Sport, as quoted by TMW.“We’ll prepare for the next game on Sunday and then another great m...
SERIE A

Immobile may leave Lazio for Napoli as part of swap deal

 Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A TIM match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Stadio Artemio Franchi on February 26, 2024 in Florence, Italy. Lazio captain Ciro Immobile could make the switch to Napoli in the summer as part of a swap deal involving Giovanni Simeone, local reports detail.The 34-year-old Italian striker has come under increasing pressure in the Italian capital this season due to his poor form and struggles with fitness, managing just six goals and one assist in 1504 minutes of action across 27 Serie A games, far below his usual goalscoring standards.Igor Tudor has taken over at Lazio following last month’s shock resignation of Maurizio Sarri. The Croatian coach has already made it clear that all players in the squad will be evaluated ahead...
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Boniface: Milan identify €50m Nigeria star as Zirkzee’s alternative

 Victor Boniface of Leverkusen looks on during the training session prior to the DFB Pokal Semifinal on April 2, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. According to Il Corriere dello Sport, Milan have identified Bayer Leverkusen and Nigeria national team striker Victor Boniface as the number one alternative to Joshua Zirkzee.The Rossoneri will surely sign a new centre forward for 2024-25, given that Olivier Giroud is set to join LAFC at the end of his contract in June.Multiple sources in Italy claim that Bologna star Zirkzee is Milan’s primary target for next season. However, the Dutch striker’s price tag will likely be over €50m, so according to Corriere dello Sport, the Rossoneri are also looking at different targets.A recent report from Gazzetta suggested Bologna could be looking for a ...
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Napoli Have Renewed Hopes of Being Able to Hire Conte

Italian professional football manager and former player Antonio Conte poses for portraits in his home on February 7, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Napoli have reprised talking with Antonio Conte and believe they have a better chance of hiring him in the past. If possible, the gaffer would like to make his return to the bench in Italy.Eventually, he could go to Saudi Arabia to finish his career later on, Alfredo Pedullà informed.The manager has also been linked to Juventus, which are expected to part ways with Massimiliano Allegri. However, he’s not a real option for them at this stage. They are focusing on Thiago Motta for their potential opening.Want to know more about livetscore check out our articleConte could pick Napoli due to a lack of alternatives. Milan, which have yet to choose wheth...
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Pioli: Milan open to new contract as Conte doubts grow

Head coach AC Milan Stefano Pioli, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Ismael Bennacer of AC Milan chat during a AC Milan training session at Milanello on April 08, 2024 in Cairate, Italy. Whilst talks haven’t begun yet, Milan are open to offering coach Stefano Pioli a new contract in the summer as doubts grow about the suitability of Antonio Conte.At one point this season, Pioli seemed destined to leave the Rossoneri as form tumbled and the team faltered in the Champions League, leaving fans incredibly frustrated ahead of the Christmas break. Numerous alternatives were floated, including Conte, Thiago Motta and Roberto De Zerbi.In the second half of the season, Milan have found a new lease of life under Pioli and have been one of the most in-form teams in the league, comfortably putting themselve...
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Davide Frattesi late show pushes Inter close to title glory

 Inter Milan's Italian midfielder #16 Davide Frattesi celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Udinese and Inter Milan on April 8, 2024 at the Friuli - Dacia Arena stadium in Udine. Davide Frattesi fired Inter Milan one step closer to the Serie A title with his last-gasp winner in Monday’s comeback 2-1 victory at struggling Udinese.Italy midfielder Frattesi poked home the decisive goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time in Udine to maintain Inter’s 14-point lead at the top of the table with seven matches left in the season.Inter looked to be heading for a draw as they toiled to add to Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty, scored nine minutes after half-time, which levelled Lazar Samardzic’s freak deflected opener for Udinese.“We absolutely don’t t...
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Pellegrini and Real Betis challenge Roma rumours

Manuel Pellegrini and Real Betis have denied recent reports that the veteran coach met with the Roma directors over the last few days.A report from Il Messaggero recently claimed the former Manchester City boss met with the Giallorossi owners the Friedkins in recent days, after being seen in the stands of the Stadio Olimpico watching the Derby della Capitale with Lazio.Roma took a risk by dismissing Jose Mourinho back in January but their decision to appoint Daniele De Rossi immediately paid off, with the former midfielder instantly rejuvenating Roma upon his arrival. Despite that, he still hasn’t penned a new long-term contract.Pellegrini denialAs reported by Muchodeporte, Pellegrini and Real Betis have rejected the reports that the coach met with Roma over the last few days, explaining t...
SERIE A

Max Allegri proud of Juventus ‘Progress’ after Fiorentina win

 Juventus' Italian defender #04 Federico Gatti celebrates with teammates after winning 1-0 the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Fiorentina, at The Allianz Stadium, in Turin on April 7, 2024. Federico Gatti’s first-half goal settled a dramatic contest at the Allianz Stadium as Juventus squeaked past Fiorentina 1-0 on Sunday. Buoyed by a 2-0 win against Lazio in midweek Coppa Italia action, Massimiliano Allegri’s side ended a disappointing four-game winless run in Serie A.It wasn’t a convincing performance from Juventus by any stretch of the imagination. They only attempted two shots on target, though it’s worth noting Dusan Vlahovic had his first-half goal disallowed for offside. This game resembled November’s reverse fixture in Tuscany as Allegri’s team fought ...
SERIE A

Italy Star To Miss Udinese Vs Inter Milan Serie A Clash Through Injury

 Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale in a ction during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 01, 2024 in Milan, Italy.Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni will miss tomorrow evening’s Serie A clash between Udinese and Inter Milan due to injury.On Friday, defender Bastoni picked up a knock to his thigh in training.The injury is not a serious one. The Italian international should be able to fully recover from the problem in a matter of days.However, the match against Udinese is already coming up tomorrow.And so there is very little time in which to get back to fitness for Bastoni.The priority will therefore be not to take any risks with the former Parma and Atalanta defender’s fitness.It has been clear that Bastoni would ...
SERIE A

De Rossi looks ahead to Milan clash after derby win: “We’ve seen them 1000 times”

 Daniele De Rossi head coach of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A TIM match between AS Roma and SS Lazio - Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico on April 06, 2024 in Rome, Italy.AC Milan and Roma will both go into Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg full of confidence after two big wins over the weekend.Milan made it seven wins in a row across all competitions with a 3-0 victory against Lecce at San Siro yesterday, with Christian Pulisic, Olivier Giroud and Rafael Leao all getting their name on the scoresheet.Meanwhile, Roma beat Lazio in the evening kick-off as Gianluca Mancini’s header from a Paulo Dybala corner proved enough to give De Rossi a victory on his Derby della Capitale debut as a head coach.De Rossi was interview by DAZN after the game was asked about the immediat...
SERIE A

Allegri: It’s always hard-fought vs Fiorentina

 Massimiliano Allegri of Juventus during a training session at JTC on April 4, 2024 in Turin, Italy. On the eve of Juventus-Fiorentina, scheduled for Sunday, 7 April at 20:45 CEST at the Allianz Stadium, Coach Massimiliano Allegri previewed the weekend's match in his usual pre-match press conference.COPPA VICTORY"The whole match was important and not just the second half, we returned to winning ways, but it was a different competition compared to the championship. Now we have to make up for it in Serie A, consolidate our position and maintain our concentration. The next match is always more complicated than the previous one, there are 50 days left of the season and we need to have great enthusiasm and desire to achieve the objectives we have set ourselves.THE TEAM"Boys grow by pl...
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Maignan-Milan contract talks difficult but different from Donnarumma

 Mike Maignan of AC Milan looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 round of 16 first leg match between AC Milan and Slavia Praha at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 07, 2024 in Milan, Italy. La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Mike Maignan wants at least €7m to extend his contract with Milan, so reaching an agreement will be difficult. However, it’s not the same situation the club and Gigio Donnarumma experienced in 2021.Talks to extend Maignan’s contract have not yet reached a final stage because the French international has demanded a new €7m-a-year salary, which would make him the highest-paid player in the team alongside Rafael Leao, reports Gazzetta.The ex-Lille keeper currently earns €3.2m per season and his contract with the Serie A giants runs out in June 2026.According...
SERIE A

Lazio’s Ciro Immobile likely to depart in the summer

 Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio during the Serie A TIM match between SS Lazio and AC Milan - Serie A TIM at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2024 in Rome, Italy.Serie A giants Lazio are very likely to lose Ciro Immobile in the summer and a departure to Saudi Arabia seems inevitable.Corriere della Sera today (via TMW) have reported about the possibility of Immobile leaving, stating that the Italian could have left in the summer as there had been advanced from Saudi Arabia. But he wanted to captain the club in the Champions League and he did just that.The pathway, it is reported, remains very much alive. Now, Immobile could accept Saudi Arabia as his next destination. The insults made against his family and the situation at the club is swaying the striker’s mind and he is seriously tempted to de...
SERIE A

Allegri: Important for Juventus to get back to winning ways

 Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Juventus, helps Federico Chiesa of Juventus to his feet during the Coppa Italia Semi-Final match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Allianz Stadium on April 02, 2024 in Turin, Italy.Juventus’ recent barren run capped off by a defeat at Lazio on Saturday has heaped a lot of pressure on coach Massimiliano Allegri. At halftime in tonight’s first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against the same opponent from the weekend, the jeers aimed at the coach and team seemed quite apt for a side that appears to have lost their way in recent weeks.However, the players came out fired up from the break and were able to bag two goals while maintaining a recently-rare clean sheet to take a two-goal lead back to Rome in three weeks, with a spot in the final at...
SERIE A

Dimarco: “It wasn’t easy to strike the ball like I did”

 Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring opening goal during the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and Empoli FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 01, 2024 in Milan, Italy. The Nerazzurri No.32, who bagged his fifth league goal this season, spoke after to victory at San Siro on Monday night.In finding the net this evening, Federico Dimarco, who now has five league goals to his name in 2023/24, equalled his personal scoring record in a single Serie A season (he also bagged five for Hellas Verona in 2020/21). Furthermore, the Nerazzurri No.32 has now contributed to a total of eleven goals in the Italian top flight since the start of the current campaign (five goals and six assists). Here's what he had to say after the victory over Empoli:“The ...
SERIE A

Juventus management could consider sacking Allegri with UCL qualification in the balance

  Massimiliano Allegri Head coach of Juventus reacts during the Serie A TIM match between Hellas Verona FC and Juventus - Serie A TIM at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 17, 2024 in Verona, Italy.The Juventus hierarchy could discuss the potential sacking of Max Allegri before the end of the season.The Bianconeri hit a new low last night, extending their woeful streak with a last-minute defeat to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico.The capital side had the bulk of the chances, while the Bianconeri hardly produced anything noteworthy throughout the match.Allegri’s men have only collected seven points from their last nine Serie A fixtures.While they remain third in the table, their current run is more worthy of a relegation side, so falling behind the likes of Bologna and Roma is n...
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