SERIE A – Page 28 – Football Flame

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AC Milan reportedly join race for Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku of Chelsea FC looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on April 20, 2022 in London, England.AC Milan have joined the race for Chelsea's out-of-form Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, according to a report.The 28-year-old has struggled for goals since returning to Stamford Bridge from Inter Milan for around £97.5m last summer, with only five being netted in 21 Premier League appearances to date.After revealing in an interview at the end of last year that he was unhappy with his situation at Chelsea, Lukaku has struggled for game time with the Champions League holders too, which has contributed to reports that the club could look to cut its losses on the striker in the summer.Former employers Inter have been heavily linked with a move ...
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Serie A | Udinese 0-1 Salernitana: Verdi stunner keeps race open

Simone Verdi of US Salernitana scores the 0-1 winning goal during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and US Salernitana at Dacia Arena on April 20, 2022 in Udine, Italy.Salernitana are not relegated yet, as they snatched a shock victory away to Udinese in stoppages with a Simone Verdi counter-attack and left Genoa in bottom spot.This fixture was postponed from December 2021 due to a COVID outbreak. Milan Djuric and Paolo Mazzocchi sat out bans for Salernitana, while Beto and Roberto Pereyra were injured for the hosts.Gerard Deulofeu flashed a shot across the face of goal and Luigi Sepe’s gloves were stung by a Lazar Samardzic scorcher from distance.Emiliano Bonazzoli failed to make the most of a defensive error, blasting off target, while Luca Ranieri was unable to surprise Marco Sil...
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Insigne in tears after Napoli title hopes evaporate

Lorenzo Insigne of Napoli reacts after the final whistle of the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 18, 2022 in Naples, Italy.Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne was distraught after the 1-1 draw with Roma doomed their Scudetto hopes, saluting the home fans in tears.His penalty had given them the lead just 11 minutes in at the packed Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.However, coach Luciano Spalletti’s decisions will come under fire, as he decided to substitute all his attacking players to defend the one-goal lead.It didn’t work, as Stephan El Shaarawy scored the 91st-minute equaliser.The final whistle arrived to jeers from the crowd, who saw their team once again fumble a lead in a big game on home turf and choke just when the Serie A title seemed ...
SERIE A

Juventus salvage 1-1 draw against 9-men Bologna

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus FC controls the ball during the Serie A match between Juventus and Bologna FC at Allianz Stadium on April 16, 2022 in Turin, Italy.Juventus salvaged a 1-1 draw against Bologna on Saturday in an Italian Serie A match.Marko Arnautovic broke the deadlock for Bologna, while Juventus rescued one point with Dusan Vlahovic in the 95th minute at Allianz Stadium.The visitors were down to nine men after Adama Soumaoro and Gary Medel each received a red card.Juventus sit fourth after collecting 63 points, while Bologna are in the 13th spot with 38 points.Saturday's Serie A results:Cagliari - Sassuolo: 1-0Sampdoria - Salernitana: 1-2Udinese - Empoli: 4-1Fiorentina - Venezia: 1-0
SERIE A

AC Milan beat Genoa to maintain Serie A lead

Rafael Leao of AC Milan celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Genoa CFC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 15, 2022 in Milan, Italy. AC Milan beat Genoa at the San Siro to maintain their slender lead at the summit of the Serie A table over their city neighbours Inter.Goals from Rafael Leao and Junior Messias proved enough for AC Milan to earn a 2-0 victory over relegation-threatened Genoa.Without a goal in their previous two league games, Milan did not take long to get on the score sheet at home, with Pierre Kalulu picking out the perfect cross for Leao to volley home in the 11th minute.Leao is one of several out-of-form strikers, but showed no lack of confidence when he fired his first goal since the end of Februa...
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Inter beat Spezia with eyes on Scudetto

Lautaro Martínez of FC Internazionale celebrates with teammates after scoring the second goal of his team during the Serie A match between Spezia Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Alberto Picco on April 15, 2022 in La Spezia, Italy.Inter Milan beat Spezia on their turf to make it three successive wins in a row, keeping them firmly in contention for another Scudetto.Goals from Inter’s big guns in Marcelo Brozovic, Lautaro Martinez, and Alexis Sanchez gave them a 3-1 win on the night putting them briefly ahead of Milan at the top of Serie A table.League leaders AC Milan beat Genoa later in the day to reclaim their spot atop the Serie A standings.After a cagey start, Croatian midfielder Marcelo Brozovic swept the ball home, on the end of Danilo D’Ambrosio’s knock down, in the 31st minute...
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Arnautovic nets twice in Bologna victory

Marko Arnautovic of Bologna FC celebrates after scoring his team's and his peronal second goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC v UC Sampdoria on April 11, 2022 in Bologna, Italy.Marko Arnautovic could have had a hat-trick but for the crossbar as Bologna beat lowly Sampdoria 2-0 in Serie A.Bologna went ahead in the 61st minute when Aaron Hickey crossed for Mitchell Dijks at the back post and he knocked it down for Arnautovic to bundle over the line from point-blank range.Arnautovic almost doubled his tally in the 69th but his strike cannoned off the crossbar.Nicola Sansone soon after had an effort hit the crossbar when sent clear by an Arnautovic pass.Arnautovic grabbed a second in the 76th in a move which the Austria international started and finished.Sampdoria remained seven p...
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Milan, Napoli falter in Serie A title race

Stefano Pioli, Manager of AC Milan issues instructions during the Serie A match between Torino FC v AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on April 10, 2022 in Turin, Italy.Inter Milan have taken a big step toward defending their Serie A title without even playing.Serie A leader AC Milan were again let down by their poor finishing in a 0-0 draw at Torino while Napoli lost 3-2 at home to Fiorentina on Sunday.Milan remained top of the Italian league but just two points ahead of Inter, which beat Hellas Verona 2-0 on Saturday and have played a match less than their title rivals.Napoli are also two points behind Milan.It was a second straight 0-0 draw for Milan who have only scored four goals in their last seven matches in all competitions, from more than 100 attempts.Milan's hopes of finding t...
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Ibrahimovic, Rebic and Bennacer ruled out of Torino clash

Zlatan Ibrahimovic looks on during an AC Milan training session at Milanello on April 08, 2022 in Cairate, Italy.Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ante Rebic, Ismael Bennacer and Samu Castillejo did not travel with Milan for tonight’s Serie A clash against Torino.The Rossoneri are taking on the Granata at 19.45 UK time tonight at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, a must-win game following Inter’s 2-0 victory over Hellas Verona yesterday. Stefano Pioli already expected to be without Alessio Romagnoli, Alessandro Florenzi and Simon Kjaer, but these absences may have thrown a spanner in the works.As detailed by MilanNews.it, Ibrahimovic, Rebic, Bennacer and Castillejo did not join the Milan squad for the trip up to Turin, ruling them out of tonight’s game against Torino. MN - Milan, a Torino senza Ibrahim...
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Inter and Juventus celebrate Serie A wins

Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with team mates during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 9, 2022 in Milan, Italy.Defending Serie A champions Inter Milan have moved within one point of league leaders and city rivals AC Milan with a 2-0 defeat of Verona.Ivan Perisic set up both first-half goals, first for Nicolo Barella and the Edin Dzeko.Milan visits Torino on Sunday.Both Milan teams have played the same number of games as Inter still have to play a postponed match against Bologna.Napoli, who host Fiorentina on Sunday, are level on points with Inter.Perisic almost scored in the 18th minute but Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo pulled off a fantastic save to deny the Inter att...
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AC Milan held as Serie A title race heats up

AC Milan's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic (C) and Bologna's Senegalese defender Ibrahima Mbaye go for the ball during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Bologna on April 4, 2022 at the San Siro stadium in Milan.AC Milan have missed the chance to move three points clear at the top of Serie A after being held to a 0-0 draw by Bologna.The result left Milan just one point ahead of second-place Napoli with seven matches remaining.Defending champions Inter Milan are four points behind their city rivals but have a game in hand.It was Bologna's first match since coach Sinisa Mihajlovic returned to hospital for treatment for leukaemia.Mihajlovic briefly coached Milan six years ago and there was message of support for him on the big screens before the match.Milan had 33 effo...
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Mourinho Campaigning to Keep Roma Star amid Contract Talks

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (A.S. Roma) during the Coppa Italia soccer match between FC Internazionale vs AS Roma at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in Milan, Italy on 8 February 2022.Henrikh Mkhitaryan decided the contest between Sampdoria and Roma with his fourth goal of the season. Despite past disagreements with José Mourinho, he has continued to serve a key role. However, his contract runs out in June.The coach invited the parties to reach an agreement in his post-game remarks to Sky: “I want him to stay, and I think the management and the player are on the same page. Mino Raiola is enamored with his clients. If Mkhitaryan wishes to continue playing with Roma, his agent will make it happen.”According to previous reports, the versatile attacker asks for a two-year contract and to confirm his curren...
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Inter Milan beat Juventus in race for Serie A title

Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale scores his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at Allianz Stadium on April 3, 2022 in Turin, Italy.Inter Milan have halted their poor run of form in the best possible way, beating fierce rivals Juventus 1-0 to boost their Serie A title chances and hinder their opponent's own hopes.Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty at the second time of asking in first-half added time. Defending champions Inter move to within three points of leaders AC Milan and Napoli, who won at Atalanta 3-1 earlier on Sunday.Inter, who have played a match fewer than their title rivals, had won just one of their previous seven league matches.It's a fundamental step because at the moment we're chasing the others and we want to remain up ...
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Lazio beats Sassuolo 2-1; Spezia wins relegation battle

Manuel Lazzari with his teammates of SS Lazio celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and US Sassuolo at Stadio Olimpico on April 2, 2022 in Rome, Italy.Lazio boosted its bid for a European spot and put its derby nightmare behind it after a comfortable 2-1 win over Sassuolo in Serie A on Saturday. Manuel Lazzari and Sergej Milinković-Savić scored to send Lazio to fifth, a point above Atalanta and Roma, who play on Sunday. An unmarked Hamed Traorè pulled one back for Sassuolo deep into stoppage time. Lazio was still reeling from a hefty 3-0 defeat to city rival Roma before the international break. That had a negative effect on attendance, too, with less than 20,000 fans at the Stadio Olimpico. It was also a poor moment for team capt...
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Paulo Dybala to leave Juventus at end of season after club decide against contract renewal

Paulo Dybala of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus and US Salernitana at Allianz Stadium on March 20, 2022 in Turin, Italy. Argentine forward Paulo Dybala will leave Juventus at the end of the season after the Serie A club announced they would not be renewing his contract, which expires in the summer.Juventus CEO Maurizio Arrivabene brought to an end months of speculation when he said the club had made no offer to Dybala's representatives during a meeting held on Monday in Turin.Dybala, 28, had been waiting for talks over an extension after a verbal agreement reached in October, which would have bumped his basic salary up to €8 million ($9.1m) a season, had been rolled back by the club.With the arrival of [striker Dusan] Vlahovic [in January] the footballing structure at th...
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Abraham nets twice as Roma sweep aside Lazio

Tammy Abraham of AS Roma celebrates the victory after the Serie A match between AS Roma and SS Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on March 20, 2022 in Rome, Italy.  Fan favourite Tammy Abraham has scored two goals as Roma swept aside Lazio 3-0 in their Serie A capital derby.That took Abraham's tally to 15 in the league this season and nine this year.In 2022, only Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski has scored more goals than the England international in Europe's top five leagues.Roma went ahead with less than a minute on the clock and were three goals up at halftime in a dominant performance from Jose Mourinho's side.Roma moved up to fifth while Atalanta moved above Lazio to sixth with a 1-0 win at Bologna, courtesy of an 82nd-minute goal from substitute Moustapha Cisse.Lazio won the opening der...
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AC Milan win at Cagliari to retain lead

AC Milan's Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie (R) challenges Cagliari's Italian forward Leonardo Pavoletti (Rear) and Cagliari's Italian defender Raoul Bellanova during the Italian Serie A football match between Cagliari and AC Milan, on March 19, 2022 at the Sardegna Arena in Cagliari. Amid a tight race for the Serie A title, AC Milan are displaying more consistency than their rivals.On a night when defending champion Inter Milan were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Fiorentina, Milan won 1-0 at relegation-threatened Cagliari to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.Milan remained three points ahead of Napoli, who came from a goal down to beat visiting Udinese 2-1 earlier on Saturday.On a rainy night in Sardinia, Ismael Bennacer scored with a long-distance volley for Milan near the hour m...
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Berardi nets 100th Serie A goal in win

Domenico Berardi of US Sassuolo scores his team's first goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Spezia Calcio at Mapei Stadium - Citta' del Tricolore on March 18, 2022 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. Domenico Berardi scored twice, including his 100th goal in Serie A, as Sassuolo beat Spezia 4-1 to keep alive their chances of securing a Europa League spot.Sassuolo moved up to ninth place and just five points from the Europa League spots amid a six-match unbeaten run.Berardi converted a penalty early on then restored Sassuolo's advantage after the break with a precise finish through traffic.All of Berardi's 100 goals have come with Sassuolo. The striker could have a key role for Italy in next week's World Cup playoff against North Macedonia.Kaan Ayhan and Gianluca Scamacca also s...
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Inter gift Milan the upper hand after drawing at Torino

Alexis Sanchez of FC Internazionale and Armando Izzo of Torino FC battle for the ball during the Serie A match between Torino FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on March 13, 2022 in Turin, Italy.Inter Milan handed local rivals AC Milan the advantage in the Serie A title race on Sunday despite snatching a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Torino, as Napoli leapfrogged them into second place with a 2-1 win at Verona.Alexis Sanchez hit the leveller in the third minute of stoppage time of an entertaining encounter in Turin which left Inter in third, four points behind Milan.Simone Inzaghi’s side have a game in hand, but they are now looking over their shoulders at Juventus, who are only three points behind their old rivals in fourth after stringing together a 14-match unbeaten run.That ...
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AC Milan beat title rivals Napoli in Serie A

Olivier Giroud of AC Milan celebrates after scoring first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy on 6 March 2022.AC Milan have taken what could prove to be a crucial step toward a first Serie A title in more than a decade with 1-0 victory at Napoli, one of their main rivals.Veteran Milan forward Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of an intense but cagey match to send Milan back to the top of the ladder.Milan, who last won the Scudetto in 2011, are two points ahead of defending champions Inter Milan -- who have a game in hand -- and three clear of third-placed Napoli.Juventus are seven points behind Milan and kept their slim title hopes alive by beating Spezia 1-0.Talk before the match in Naples centred around the retur...
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