SERIE A

18Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Roma can be ‘one of the world’s greatest clubs’, claims new owners The Friedkin Group

Leonardo Spinazzola of AS Roma, Bruno Peres of AS Roma, Henrikh Mkhitaryan of AS Roma and Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with team mates during the Serie A match between AS Roma and FC Internazionale at Stadio Olimpico on July 19, 2020 in Rome, Italy. The Serie A club's new owners have proclaimed a bright future for their acquisition. Roma have been acquired by The Friedkin Group and the new owner wants to make the Serie A club one of the "greatest names in world football". The Friedkin Group completed its takeover from president James Pallotta on Monday, acquiring an 86.6 per cent majority stake in the Italian team. The Houston-based ownership group will launch a mandatory tender offer upon the publicly held ordinary shares, represe...

17Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Don’t call my Inter team the ‘saviours’ of Italy, insists Conte

Head coach Antonio Conte of Internazionale Milan gestures during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Borussia Dortmund and Inter at Signal Iduna Park on November 5, 2019 in Dortmund, Germany. Antonio Conte vowed Inter should not be portrayed as Italy's footballing "saviours" as they battle for UEFA Europa League glory. A semi-final against Shakhtar Donetsk awaits coach Conte and his team on Tuesday (AEST) in Dusseldorf, with the prospect of ending the season with silverware. Attentions have turned to Inter at home after Juventus fell to Lyon and Napoli lost to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League last-16, while Atalanta bowed out to Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals of the same competition. The Nerazzurri represent Italy's last hope for a Europea...

16Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

AC Milan Gearing Up For Seven Departures This Summer

AC Milan's Spanish forward Samu Castillejo (L) and AC Milan's Italian defender Davide Calabria (C) celebrate as AC Milan's Danish defender Simon Kjaer (R) looks on after AC Milan opened the scoring during the Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) semi-final first leg football match AC Milan vs Juventus Turin on February 13, 2020 at the San Siro stadium in Milan. Calcio Mercato are reporting that AC Milan have already registered a significant capital gain from the sale to Suso this summer but are looking to off load a lot more dead weight from the squad. The report indicates that Milan could sell seven more players significantly trimming the club's massive wage bill. The departures of Lucas Biglia, Giacomo Bonaventura, Ricardo Rodriguez and Pepe Reina will save Milan in excess of 20...

15Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus ‘ready to offer’ Paulo Dybala to Man United in bid to seal Paul Pogba transfer

Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba applauds during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on July 4, 2020. Juventus have reportedly made Paul Pogba their top summer target and are ready to offer Paulo Dybala to Manchester United as part of the deal. Pogba rejoined United from the Old Lady for a world record fee of £89million in 2016 but has continually been linked with a return back to Turin. The Frenchman was rumoured to be keen to leave Old Trafford until recently but is now finding his feet under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The midfielder is forming a potent partnership alongside new signing Bruno Fernandes and the team as a whole is much improved. Argentina ace Dybala wa...

14Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus contact Roma to sign Edin Dzeko

Edin Dzeko of AS Roma controls the ball during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio San Paolo on July 5, 2020 in Naples, Italy. Juventus has started negotiations with FC Roma about acquiring Roma's captain Edin Dzeko, local media reported on Thursday referring to the Sport Italia TV channel. The 34-year-old striker from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) recently said he would like to stay in Rome, but last week his club was sold for 591 million euros (about 698 million U.S. dollars) to the Friedkin Group, Inc., owned by the American billionaire Thomas Daniel Friedkin. On Wednesday evening, FC Roma has posted a six-minute-video showing all 106 goals that Dzeko scored since he came to Roma five years ago. Some commented that the Roma's Facebook post could be a farewel...

13Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter Miami signs Blaise Matuidi on free transfer after France World Cup winner’s Juventus exit

Blaise Matuidi of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Juventus and Atletico Madrid at Juventus Arena on November 26, 2019 in Turin, Italy. Inter Miami CF announced on Thursday morning it has signed former Juventus and France international midfielder Blaise Matuidi on a free transfer. The 33-year-old brings a winning pedigree to a side in need of midfield help, having been part of the France side that won the 2018 World Cup, as well as a total of 21 trophies at club level with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. The midfielder was also named the 2015 French Player of the Year and selected to the Ligue 1 Team of the Year twice. Matuidi was signed with the help of Targeted Allocation Money, meaning he will not count as one of the...

12Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Roma prepare contract offer in bid to retain Pellegrini

Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma controls the ball during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio San Paolo on July 5, 2020 in Naples, Italy. With their Dan Friedkin-led takeover nearing completion, Roma have already begun planning for the future and have ruled out selling Lorenzo Pellegrini. The midfielder had been linked with an exit from the Stadio Olimpico given the mounting debts at the capital club, as well as their failure to qualify for the Champions League, with fears his €30 million release clause would be triggered. However, La Gazzetta dello Sport report that Roma coach Paulo Fonseca, as well as the new ownership team, are determined to build around Pellegrini and will offer the academy graduate improved terms to tie him down. The Giallorossi are deter...

12Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Aaron Ramsey’s agents break silence on Juventus exit transfer reports

Aaron Ramsey of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League group D match between Juventus and Atletico Madrid at Juventus Arena on November 26, 2019 in Turin, Italy. Aaron Ramsey's agents have reacted to the reports that Andrea Pirlo was trying to get rid of their client. The Italian legend took over from Maurizio Sarri as manager of Juventus last week. His only coaching experience was being in charge of the Under-23s - a role he held for nine days before his promotion. However, a number of reports emerged that he was ready to ruffle some feathers. It included a summer exodus - with a number of players in the firing line. Ramsey had been touted as one of them, despite only joining last summer on a free transfer from Arsenal. But it has not all gone the Welshman's...

11Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Pirlo ‘lucky’ to start as Juventus coach, admits Mancini

Andrea Pirlo during the signing of Andrea Pirlo as new U23 team coach at Allianz Stadium on July 31, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Andrea Pirlo is lucky to be starting his coaching career at Juventus, according to Roberto Mancini, but the Italy boss believes the club have made a good call. Pirlo was appointed as Juve's new head coach on Sunday (AEST), a matter of hours after Maurizio Sarri was relieved of his duties. Sarri led Juve to a ninth straight Serie A crown this season, but failed to improve their standing in the UEFA Champions League as they headed out on the away goals rule against Olympique Lyonnais in the last 16 on Saturday. The role is Pirlo's first as a coach and while Mancini feels the Italy great is fortunate to have landed such a high-profile job, he thinks it will prov...

10Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo’s agent ‘in PSG talks’ as transfer speculation ramps up

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo (7) celebrates after scoring his goal to make it 1-0 during the Serie A football match n.20 JUVENTUS - PARMA on January 19, 2020 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, Piedmont, Italy. Cristiano Ronaldo's agent is reportedly in talks with Paris-Saint Germain as speculation ramps up of a shock summer transfer for the Juventus ace. Following Juve's Champions League exit at the hands of Lyon on Friday, Ronaldo issued a rallying cry to his teammates, urging them to "come back stronger" next season. But there is talk the Portuguese superstar may be considering a move away from Turin after it was reported that his agent is in talks with PSG sporting director Leonardo. Jorge Mendes is in discussions with Leonardo over a potential transfer for another his cli...

9Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus hand Pirlo his first manager’s role

Andrea Pirlo during the press conference of the unveiling of Andrea Pirlo as new U23 team coach at Allianz Stadium on July 31, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Serie A champions Juventus stunned Italian football on Saturday by naming World Cup-winning midfielder Andrea Pirlo as manager on a two-year contract even though their former player has no previous experience in the role. Pirlo, 41, was promoted to the senior job one week after being named coach of Juve’s under-23 side, who play in the Italian third tier, and without having taken charge of a match. The decision came hours after the Turin club sacked coach Maurizio Sarri following their Champions League last-16 exit to Olympique Lyonnais on away goals on Friday. Former Chelsea manager Sarri had been in charge for one season and led Ju...

8Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus fire Sarri after Champions League exit

Head coach Maurizio Sarri of Juventus looks on prior to the Serie A match between Juventus and ACF Fiorentina at Allianz Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Turin, Italy. Italian club Juventus sacked manager Maurizio Sarri on Saturday, a day after being knocked out of the UEFA Champions League. “Juventus Football Club announces that Maurizio Sarri has been relieved of his post as coach of the First Team,” the Serie A champions said in a statement. The 61-year-old Italian took charge of Juventus last June and guided the team to their ninth consecutive Serie A title this season. “The club would like to thank the coach for having written a new page in Juventus’ history with the victory of the ninth-consecutive championship, the culmination of a personal journey that led him to cli...

6Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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...

3Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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 ...

2Aug

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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...

31Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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...

30Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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'...

29Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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...

28Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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 ...

27Jul

By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

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...