SERIE A – Page 39 – Football Flame

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US billionaire set to complete Roma takeover

AS Roma Logo viewed in the press conference at the AS Roma Training Centre. U.S. billionaire Dan Friedkin has signed a deal to purchase the Italian Serie A soccer club AS Roma, the club has said. Roma said formal contracts with the Friedkin Group were signed on Wednesday for a transaction valued at €591 million ($702 million). The transaction is anticipated to close by end the month. "We have signed the contracts tonight and, over the coming days, will now work together to complete the formal and legal process that will result in the club changing hands," AS Roma president James Pallotta said in a statement. "Over the last month, Dan and Ryan Friedkin have demonstrated their total commitment to finalizing this deal and taking the club forward in a positive way. I am sure they wil...
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Cristiano Ronaldo drop hints on his Juventus future, Lecce relegated

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates after scoring the goal of 3-0 for his side during the Serie A football match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli. Juventus FC won 4-3 over SSC Napoli. Almost 12 months after it started, the longest Serie A season in history finally drew to a close on Sunday.  Though Juventus' firm grip on the Italian title remains a familiar yet boring narrative along the coronavirus-delayed campaign, the battle for the last relegation spot went down to the wire, as Genoa edged out Lecce to guarantee their survival on the final day for the second successive year. Coming under huge pressure to win, Davide Nicola's side unleashed incredible attacking power and thrashed Verona 3-0 in a feisty encounter that saw four red cards, while Lecce, who needed to win ...
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Ibrahimovic scores for Milan, Immobile equals Serie A scoring record

Mario Rui of SSC Napoli vies with Ciro Immobile of SS Lazio during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio San Paolo on August 01, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Lazio forward Ciro Immobile equalled the Serie A scoring record for a single season when he was on target in his side's 3-1 loss at Napoli in their final game of the season. In a game which finished with an angry exchange between members of the two team benches, the 30-year-old took his tally to 36 goals, equalling the record set by Gonzalo Higuain for Napoli in the 2015-16 season. He also finished the season five goals clear of the next leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus. Fabian Ruiz gave Napoli a ninth-minute lead with a shot from outside the penalty area which took a deflection and looped into t...
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Andrea Pirlo Returns to Juventus as U-23 Coach

Andrea Pirlo is seen at the Etro fashion show on January 12, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Juventus's former maestro is going back to Turin. Andrea Pirlo, the Italian midfield great who played for Juventus from 2011-2015, is returning to the club as its under-23 coach, according to a team statement. The job will be Pirlo's first in management, and it comes three years after he retired following a stint in MLS with New York City FC.  The 2006 World Cup winner, six-time Serie A winner and two-time Champions League winner will take the helm of Juve's U-23s, a team that is just two years old and has already had two managers in its brief existence. It won the Coppa Italia Serie C this past season and competes in the third tier of Italian football. It most-recently had a 10th-place fin...
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Juventus crash to humiliating Cagliari defeat, Immobile eyes goal record

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus competes for the ball with Luca Gagliano of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Juventus at Sardegna Arena on July 29, 2020 in Cagliari, Italy. Juventus crashed to a humiliating 2-0 defeat at Cagliari on Wednesday days after sealing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, with their Champions League last 16 return leg looming. Cagliari's 20-year-old forward Luca Gagliano tapped in the opener eight minutes into his first Serie A match, beating veteran Juventus keeper Gianluigi Buffon to score his first top division goal. And the young Italian then teed up Giovanni Simeone in first half stoppage time to give Cagliari their first win over Juventus in 11 years. Cristiano Ronaldo missed the chance to keep pace with Serie A'...
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Martinez solo goal completes Inter win over Napoli

Lautaro Martinez (C) of FC Internazionale celebrates his goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on July 28, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez came off the bench and in no time scored an impressive solo goal and complete a 2-0 win over Napoli, which kept his side second in Serie A on Tuesday. Inter, who gained some revenge for their Coppa Italia semi-final defeat by Gennaro Gattuso's side, took the field wearing their kit for next season which features zig-zagged black and blue stripes instead of the traditional straight ones. The hosts went ahead after 11 minutes when Danilo D'Ambrosio turned the ball home from Cristiano Biraghi's cut back. Napoli created lots of openings but it was Inter who struc...
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Ibrahimovic has helped bring back ‘real Milan’, says Calhanoglu

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan reacts during the football match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan. Internazionale won over AC Milan 4-2. Hakan Calhanoglu praised Zlatan Ibrahimovic's impact at San Siro, saying the "real Milan" had returned. Since the season restarted last month, Milan are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions and sit sixth in Serie A. Ibrahimovic has scored eight goals in 18 matches since returning to Milan in January, and the 38-year-old is reportedly set to extend his stay beyond this season. Calhanoglu lauded Ibrahimovic, telling Sky Sport: "I think this is the real Milan. "We are a team that always wants to win, with great mentality and passion. Zlatan has helped us with this and it is important for us. "But the championship is not over yet and ...
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Serie A: Cristiano Ronaldo shines again as Juventus clinch ninth straight title with win over Sampdoria

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and UC Sampdoria at Allianz Stadium on July 26, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Before the break for the coronavirus pandemic. After the lockdown. And now for nine years running. Juventus are the undisputed leaders of Italian soccer. Cristiano Ronaldo scored the go-ahead goal and Juventus beat Sampdoria 2-0 Sunday to secure the Turin club’s record-extending ninth straight Serie A title. At the final whistle, Juventus players danced in celebration and embraced each other before the empty stands inside the Allianz Stadium. It was Juventus’ first title under coach Maurizio Sarri, who brought in a completely new system. “It was the most beautiful title, because it was th...
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Lukaku double pulls Inter second behind Juventus in Serie A

Alexis Sanchez of Inter (left) celebrates with his team-mate Romelu Lukaku after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on July 25, 2020 in Genoa, Italy. Romelu Lukaku scored in either half as Inter Milan claimed a 3-0 win against struggling Genoa to move second in Serie A behind Juventus who can win a ninth title in a row on Sunday. Antonio Conte's title ambitions took a knock with back-to-back stalemates against Roma and Fiorentina. But Inter pulled back ahead of Atalanta, and within four points of leaders Juventus, who are poised to claim a 36th 'Scudetto' when they play Sampdoria in Turin. "The problem is how you see the glass, whether half full or half empty," said Conte of second position. "There are vinta...
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Brilliant solo goal from former Man City youngster leaves Juventus stunned

Udinese players Ivorian midfielder Seko Fofana and Danish defender Jens Stryger Larsen of Udinese Calcio celebrate after taking a 2-1 lead during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Juventus at Stadio Friuli on July 23, 2020 in Udine, Italy. Former Manchester City youngster Seko Fofana scored the winner as Juventus fell to a shock 2-1 defeat at struggling Udinese on Thursday to miss the chance to seal the Serie A title for the ninth time in a row. Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt had put the defending champions ahead three minutes before the break in Udine. But a diving Ilija Nestorovski header seven minutes after the interval got Udinese level, with Fofana completing a comeback for the north-eastern side in injury time. Juventus remain six points ahead of second-placed A...
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Serie A round-up: Juventus on verge of title after Inter draw against Fiorentina

Italian goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano of ACF Fiorentina saves from Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku of Internazionale during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on July 22, 2020 in Milan, Italy. Juventus need just one more win to secure a record-extending ninth straight Serie A title after Inter Milan were held to a 0-0 draw by Fiorentina. Inter Milan twice hit the post but was held to a 0-0 draw by Fiorentina on Wednesday, meaning that rival Juventus can clinch the trophy on Thursday night. If Juventus wins at Udinese, it will move nine points clear of Atalanta with three rounds remaining - and the Bianconeri hold the tiebreaker over the Bergamo side due to a better head-to-head record. Inter is third, one point behind Atalanta, ...
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Juventus 2-1 Lazio : Ronaldo scores twice to put Juventus on brink of title

Juventus' Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Lazio, on July 20, 2020 at the Allianz stadium, in Turin, northern Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo put Juventus on the brink of a ninth consecutive Serie A title on Monday after scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Lazio. The reigning champions ended a three-match winless run thanks to Ronaldo's second half brace that moves them eight points clear of second-placed Inter Milan with four games remaining. Maurizio Sarri's side could win the title on Thursday against lowly Udinese, or on Sunday at home against Sampdoria, depending on their rivals' results this week.  Lazio's hopes of a first Serie A title since 2000 are effectively over as the defeat ...
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Inter held to a 2-2 draw at Roma to leave Juventus closer to title

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale scores second goal during the Serie A match between Roma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy on 19 July 2020.  Inter Milan missed a chance to keep the pressure on Juventus after being held 2-2 at Roma, leaving the way clear for the Turin giants to close in on a ninth consecutive Serie A title. Romelu Lukaku's penalty two minutes from time rescued a point for Antonio Conte's Inter, who are second, five points behind Juventus. Juve can open up an eight-point lead on the top of the table when they host fourth-placed Lazio on Monday. Stefan De Vrij had got Inter off the mark at the Stadio Olimpico when he headed home an Alexis Sanchez corner after 14 minutes. But Roma captain Edin Dzeko set up Leonardo Spinazzola for the eq...
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AC Milan thrash Bologna 5-1 to go sixth in Serie A

Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on July 18, 2020 in Milan, Italy. AC Milan continued their fine form since the return from lockdown extending their unbeaten run to eight games, including six wins, with a 5-1 success over Bologna to move sixth and into the Europa League places. It's their biggest win of the season. Alexis Saelemaekers scored his first Milan goal after ten minutes with Hakan Calhanoglu adding a second after 24 minutes. Japanese defender Takehiro Tomiyasu gave Bologna hope, firing in for just outside the box for his first Serie A goal just before the break. But Calhanoglu set up Ismael Bennacer for the third just after the break with Ante Rebic grabbed the fourth, three minu...
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Kessie inspires Milan comeback as Napoli held at Bologna

Hakan Calhanoglu of AC Milan celebrates 3-1 with Franck Kessie of AC Milan, Davide Calabria of AC Milan, Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan during the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan v Parma on July 15, 2020. Franck Kessie scored for the third consecutive Serie A game as AC Milan boosted their Europa League hopes with a 3-1 comeback win over Parma on Wednesday to move equal on points with sixth-placed Napoli who were held 1-1 at Bologna. Stefano Pioli's Milan are unbeaten in seven league games since Serie A returned after the coronavirus pandemic. And goals from Kessie, Alessio Romagnoli and Hakan Calhanoglu sealed the three points against 12th-placed Parma who had taken the lead thanks to a Jasmin Kurtic goal just before the break in the San Siro. ...
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Atalanta beat Bresica 6-2 to go second in Serie A

Mario Pasalic of Atalanta Bergamo celebrates 1-0 during the Italian Serie A match between Atalanta Bergamo v Brescia at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d Italia on July 14, 2020 in Bergamo Italy. Atalanta thrashed troubled Brescia 6-2 with Mario Pasalic scoring a hat-trick of goal as the hosts jumped up to second in the Italian Serie A. The Bergamaschi have now scored a whopping 93 goals in 33 league games this season - 25 more than any other team. They trail leaders Juventus by six points and are two points above third-placed Inter Milan and fourth-placed Lazio - who all have a game in hand. Brescia remain second-last in the three-team drop zone and appear doomed - nine points adrift of safety. Pasalic met no telling opposition when he entered Brescia's box to fire the ball into th...
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Napoli held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo

Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli competes for the ball with Theo Hernandez of AC Milan ,during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo on July 12, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Napoli were held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan at the Stadio San Paolo to remain sixth and seventh respectively in the table. Theo Hernandez put the visitors ahead in the 20th minute, Napoli turned things around with goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Dries Mertens and Franck Kessie then levelled with a penalty in the 73rd minute, before Milan substitute Alexis Saelemaekers was sent off late on. Genoa rose out of the relegation zone with a 2-0 home win against rock-bottom SPAL. Goran Pandev (24) and Lasse Schone (54) scored either side of Iago Falque having a penalty saved by SPAL goalkeeper K...
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Cristiano Ronaldo Converts Penalties to Salvage 2-2 Draw for Juventus against Atalanta

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus scores the second goal to make it 1-1 during the Italian Serie A match between Juventus v Atalanta Bergamo at the Allianz Stadium on July 11, 2020 in Turin Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo converted two penalties in the game against Atalanta on Saturday, drawing at 2-2, denying the visitors 10th straight win. Juventus is now eight points clear at the top of Serie A. Atalanta went ahead twice when Duvan Zapata gave Atlanta the lead in the 16th minute and Ruslan Malinovskyi fired Atalanta back in front in the 81st minute. Ronaldo, however, scored twice from penalties awarded for handballs at the 55th and the last minute, bringing his personal tally to 28 goals in 28 Serie A games this season, moving within one score of Lazio's Ciro Immobile atop the league scorin...
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Inter Milan held to a 2-2 draw at Hellas Verona

Romelu Lukaku of FC Internazionale competes for the ball with Marash Kumbulla of Hellas Verona during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on July 9, 2020 in Verona, Italy. Inter Milan were held 2-2 by Hellas Verona on Thursday as Antonio Conte's side failed to move into third place in Serie A. Inter, stunned by 10-man Bologna 2-1 at the weekend, were a goal down after just two minutes when Darko Lazovic scored. The Serbian winger got the better of the recalled Milan Skriniar to hit the target from a tight angle. It was almost 2-0 for the team only promoted to the top flight last season when Miguel Veloso saw a shot come back off the post. Inter, however, were level after 49 minutes through Antonio Candreva who was quickest to...
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Serie A wrap up: Atalanta defeats Sampdoria to go third

Luis Muriel of Atalanta BC celebrates with team-mates after scoring the his goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and UC Sampdoria at Gewiss Stadium on July 8, 2020 in Bergamo, Italy. Atalanta continued their remarkable season by beating Sampdoria 2-0 to extend their winning run to nine Serie A games and climb to third in the table, although they left it late against stubborn opponents. Serie A's leading scorers struggled to break down relegation-threatened Sampdoria until Ruslan Malinovskyi's in swinging corner found Rafael Toloi at the far post and the Brazilian out jumped two defenders to head home in the 75th minute. Substitute Luis Muriel fired the second 10 minutes later, his ninth goal of the season scored from the bench, although the Colombian did not celebrate a...
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