SERIE A – Page 43 – Football Flame

SERIE A

No Comments
SERIE A

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores on first start as AC Milan beats Cagliari

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Milan celebrates his goal 0-2 during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Sardegna Arena on January 11, 2020 in Cagliari, Italy.Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored his first goal on his first start back for AC Milan to give the team a 2-0 lead against Cagliari on Saturday afternoon.The Swedish striker returned to Italy after leaving LA Galaxy at the end of the MLS season. Against Sampdoria last Monday he came off the bench but couldn't impact the game as the Rossoneri drew 0-0.On Saturday manager Stefano Pioli handed the 38-year-old his first start for Milan since 2012 and the former PSG striker repaid his manager's faith by scoring the second goal of the game.Ibra first moved to Milan in 2010, joining on loan from Barcelona having previously played for riv...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Report: Ajax want Matthijs de Ligt back on loan from Juventus

Juventus player Matthijs de Ligt during a training session at JTC on December 30, 2019 in Turin, Italy.Ajax have asked Juventus to send Matthijs de Ligt back to the club on loan, according to a report from Portuguese newspaper A Bola.The report details how the Dutch club have been following the 20-year-old Dutch defender’s time in Turin. The player joined the club from Ajax in July of last year in a deal worth around €70 million but has struggled to adapt to life in Italy. De Ligt has come under fire from some in Italy due to his poor adaptation to the league, giving away multiple penalties due to hand balls.Maurizio Sarri, the Bianconeri’s coach, has left the 20-year-old on the bench for Juventus’ last three consecutive games across the league and the Supercoppa Italiana.His replacement, ...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Ibrahimovic Fails to Impress on Second debut for Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return failed to inspire AC Milan as the fallen giants of Italian soccer were held to a 0-0 draw at home by Sampdoria in Serie A yesterday, failing to score for the third league game in a row.The 38-year-old Swede, who helped Milan win their last major title — Serie A in 2011 — before leaving the following year, was brought on to a rousing reception from the San Siro crowd in the 55th minute.But Milan could still not find a way past their opponents, who are hovering just above the relegation zone, and the match ended amid the familiar sound of jeers from their supporters.Milan were left 12th in the Serie A standings, below Verona on goal differe...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo Opens 2020 with Hat-trick for Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between Juventus and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium.Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first Serie A hat-trick as Juventus beat Cagliari.Ronaldo took advantage of a Ragnar Klavan error early in the second half to give the champions the lead, before scoring a penalty after Marko Rog fouled Paulo Dybala.Portugal legend Ronaldo then set up Gonzalo Higuain to put Juve 3-0 up.And moments later he got his 56th career hat-trick when he slipped the ball under goalkeeper Robin Olsen.The 34-year-old is in his best scoring run since his £99.2m move from Real Madrid in 2018, scoring in each of his last five Serie A games.Juventus overtake Inter Milan to go top in Serie A, but Inter can go back to the summit if they beat Napoli at 19:45 GMT...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Immobile brace gives Lazio ninth straight win

Ciro Immobile of SS LAZIO celebrates with team mates after is penalty goal 1-1 ,during the Serie A match between Brescia Calcio FC and SS Lazio at Stadio Mario Rigamonti.Two goals from Serie A’s leading scorer Ciro Immobile, the second in stoppage time, gave third-placed Lazio a dramatic 2-1 win at 10-man Brescia on Sunday as they chalked up their ninth successive league victory.Simone Inzaghi’s side overcame the absence of several key players as they cut the gap between themselves and leading pair Juventus and Inter Milan to three points after scoring an injury-time winner for the third away game in row.Juventus and Inter, who have 42 points each from 17 games, both play on Monday while Lazio, with 39 from 17, have an outstanding fixture at home to Verona to come in early February.Lazio h...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Ibrahimovic ready to kick-start Milan as Inter seek rare win at Napoli

Milan's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts as he receives his new jersey during his official presentation as new AC Milan player at the club's headquarters Casa Milan in Milan.Zlatan Ibrahimovic said he is ready to  help struggling AC Milan reverse their Serie A fortunes as their local rivals Inter Milan recommence a title battle with Juventus this weekend after the end of the winter break.Milan play host to Sampdoria on Monday (tomorrow), their first game since the humiliating 5-0 goal defeat to Atalanta last month which sparked Ibrahimovic’s return.“I’m ready and I really hope I can play,” said the 38-year-old Ibrahimovic as he returned to Milan nine years after his departure for Paris Saint-Germain.“Things need to be improved on the pitch and that’s why I’m here. I know what...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Giuseppe Iachini Appointed Fiorentina Coach

Giuseppe Iachini manager of Fiorentina.Fiorentina have appointed former player Giuseppe Iachini as their new manager.The hierarchy have acted swiftly to replace Vincenzo Montella, who was sacked on Saturday, following a 4-1 thrashing at home to Roma on Friday night, leaving them without a win in seven matches.Iachini, who made 126 appearances for Fiorentina during a five-year spell, has led four sides to promotion out of Serie B, but was sacked as Empoli manager in March."The current situation in the table forced us to change the coach," said Rocco Commisso, the club's billionaire owner."We chose Iachini because he is a great man, linked to Florence and Fiorentina. Now we have to stick together and get back on the right track as soon as possible."The 55-year-old has huge experience in Ital...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

AC Milan thrashed 5-0 at Atalanta, worst league loss in 21 years

Alejandro Gomez and Ruslan Malinovskyi of Atalanta BC celebrates after their team-mate Mario Pasalic scored during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and AC Milan at Gewiss Stadium.AC Milan suffered their heaviest defeat for more than 21 years as they were thrashed 5-0 by Atalanta in Serie A.Stefano Pioli's side are 10th in the table and could go into Christmas in the bottom half if Sassuolo or Bologna win later on Sunday.Alejandro Gomez scored a stunning opener, nutmegging Andrea Conti before firing home, and Atalanta's final three goals came in the last half hour.Mario Pasalic scored and Josip Ilicic netted twice before Luis Muriel struck.Atalanta, who are in the Champions League knockout stages, rise to fifth in the table.Milan had not lost by five goals in any competition since bein...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Flying Ronaldo fires Juventus three points clear

Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Juventus FC scores a goal during the Serie A football match between UC Sampdoria and Juventus FC. Juventus FC won 2-1 over UC Sampdoria.Cristiano Ronaldo’s scoring streak continued on Wednesday as the Juventus forward netted a soaring header to secure a 2-1 victory at Sampdoria, putting the defending champion back atop the Serie A standings.Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon matched Paolo Maldini’s all-time record of 647 Serie A appearances in the game, but Ronaldo found a way to steal the spotlight once again.The Portugal star leaped above a defender and hung in the air to meet a cross before planting a header into the top of the net for the winning goal on the stroke of halftime. Earlier, Gianluca Caprari had canceled out Paulo Dybala’s opener for Juve.“The goa...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Inter, Conte's post-match comments after Fiorentina draw

Antonio Conte manager of FC Internazionale looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Stadio Artemio Franchi.A win by Juventus and a draw from Inter mean that the two rival clubs are tied for top of the table. The nerazzurri were held without a win away at Fiorentina, drawing 1-1 against the hosts at the Artemio Franchi. Afterwards, Inter coach Antonio Conte gave his thoughts on the match to Sky Sport: "We got back less than we deserved, just like against Barcelona. I'm upset because the team gave a good response, we deserved more. That being said, we must do better in all phases. In the last three matches we are talking about three possible wins which became two draws and a defeat. But this is a process of growth, we must be patient and bui...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Ronaldo scores twice in Juventus win over Udinese

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus competes for the ball with Bram Nuytinck of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between Juventus and Udinese Calcio.Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Juventus beat Udinese to go top of Serie A - for a few hours at least.The Portuguese blasted in a crisp shot from the edge of the area for a fourth goalscoring game in a row.He then smashed in a first-time shot from Gonzalo Higuain's through ball before Leonardo Bonucci headed home to make it 3-0 before the break.Ronaldo almost grabbed his first Serie A hat-trick as he hit the post, before Ignacio Pussetto's late consolation.Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon made his 646th Serie A appearance, one short of Paolo Maldini's all-time record. It was Buffon's 700th league appearance including Serie B and the French top ...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Inter Congratulate Cristiano Biraghi Following Birth Of His Second Child

Cristiano Biraghi of FC Internazionale in action during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Inter and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.Inter Milan have taken to social media platform Twitter to congratulate defender Cristiano Biraghi and wife Sara on the birth of their second child, Carol.Carol was born on Friday morning and the club were quick to post their well wishes online for the 27-year-old wing back, who returned to the club where he came through the youth ranks, this past Summer on a season long loan from Fiorentina.Since his return, Biraghi has made 13 appearances across all competitions, in which he has provided two assists.“Congratulations. Welcome to Carol Biraghi, Cristiano’s second child! All the best from the Nerazzurri family,” the club posted.
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Napoli sack Ancelotti after sealing Champions League Last 16

Carlo Ancelotti SSC Napoli coach before the UEFA Champions League group E match between SSC Napoli and KRC Genk at Stadio San Paolo.Carlo Ancelotti has been sacked by Napoli despite taking the Serie A side to the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday with a 4-0 win over Genk."Napoli has decided to relieve Carlo Ancelotti of his role as first team coach," the Italian side said in a statement.Tuesday's win over Genk, which saw Napoli finish second in Group E, one point behind Liverpool, broke a nine-match winless run that came amid dressing room unrest and friction between the club, Ancelotti and the players.Former AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso is the favourite to take over at Napoli, who finished second behind champions Juventus last season but are miles off the pace this year.They ...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo Scores But Juventus Fall To Lazio For First Defeat Of Season

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus and Francesco Acerbi of Lazio during the Serie A match SS Lazio v Fc Juventus at the Olimpico Stadium.Italian champions Juventus suffered their first defeat of the season in all competitions with a 3-1 Serie A loss against Lazio in Rome on Saturday.Maurizio Sarri's eight-time reigning Serie A champions remain second in the league, two points behind leaders Inter Milan after 15 matches.Cristiano Ronaldo put Juventus ahead at the Stadio Olimpico when he picked up a Rodrigo Bentancur cross to tap in after 25 minutes. But Luiz Felipe hit back for the Romans in front of 60,000 fans just before the break.Juventus were hampered by Juan Cuadrado's sending off on 69 minutes and Lazio took control as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic connected with a Luis Alberto assist to fire i...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Inter, Barella has successful surgery: the medical report

Following his injury in the match against Torino last Saturday, Nicolo Barella had surgery this morning, Inter issued a medical report for the former Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella was admitted to the Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano this morning for keyhole surgery on his right knee, the operation being carried out in order to remove the cartilage fragment from his kneecap.The operation was a perfect success and the player will begin rehabilitation treatment in the coming days.
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Chris Smalling scores as Roma beat Brescia 3-0

Chris Smalling scored a goal and had two assists as Roma moved into the top four of Serie A with a 3-0 win over Brescia in Serie A. The on-loan Manchester United defender nodded in Lorenzo Pellegrini’s corner after 49 minutes and then set up goals for Gianluca Mancini and Edin Dzeko.Mario Balotelli was left out of Brescia’s squad following a training ground dispute with the coach, Fabio Grosso.Roma remain two points behind their neighbours Lazio, who claimed a fifth successive win thanks to the substitute Felipe Caicedo’s stoppage-time goal giving them a 2-1 victory at lowly Sassuolo.Fiorentina’s lacklustre season continued with a 1-0 defeat at Verona in a mid-table clash as Samuel Di Carmine scored the winner in the 66th minute. The win lifted Verona above Fiorentina to ninth with 18...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Higuain, Dybala score late to keep Juventus top of Serie A

A late double from Gonzalo Higuain helped Juventus come from behind to beat Atalanta 3-1 in Bergamo on Saturday and go four points clear at the top of the Serie A standings.Robin Gosens gave the home side a deserved lead in the second half after Musa Barrow missed a penalty before the break.But Higuain struck twice in the final 16 minutes to turn the game on its head before Paulo Dybala sealed the points with a late strike.“We lost our heads after the penalty, thinking of everything except the game of football and allowed Atalanta to take total control,” Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri told Sky Italia.“They deservedly went in front. We were fortunate to score the equaliser in a chaotic move against the run of play and from there on showed belief we could win it.”Sarri was without Cristiano R...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Dybala scores as Juventus beats Milan 1-0 to move back top

Juventus stayed top of Serie A with a 1-0 win over AC Milan thanks to Paulo Dybala’s fine strike on Sunday after Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted for the second game in a row and walked straight down the tunnel, clearly unhappy at the decision.Ronaldo’s replacement Dybala scored in the 77th minute with a goal the Portuguese would have been proud of. After a quick exchange of passes, the Argentine twisted past Alessio Romagnoli and beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a right foot shot.Ronaldo was taken off in the 55th minute, his earliest substitution since he joined Juve at the start of last season and the first time he has been replaced twice in succession.Despite producing a lacklustre display, Ronaldo gave coach Maurizio Sarri a dirty look, muttered something under his breath and walked str...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Inter move two points clear of Juventus

Nicolo Barella sealed a 2-1 win over Verona to send Inter Milan top of Serie A on Saturday as Napoli were jeered by their fans after being held to a goalless draw at home by Genoa.Former Cagliari midfielder Barella scored his first goal for Inter with a stunning curling strike seven minutes from time, allowing Inter to overtake defending champions Juventus.Inter sit two points ahead of Juve, who host 13th-placed AC Milan in Turin on Sunday.But Serie A runners-up Napoli saw their winless league run extended to four games, and are stuck in seventh position, 12 points behind Inter.Napoli fans were furious with the point against their northern rivals who are 17th in the league, days after the team's Champions League last 16 progress was stalled with a 1-1 draw against Salzburg.Inter coach Anto...
Read More
No Comments
SERIE A

Lukaku scores again as Inter Milan beat Brescia

Romelu Lukaku scored his seventh Serie A goal of the season as Inter Milan won at Brescia to go top of the table.Lautaro Martinez gave Inter the lead with a deflected strike before Lukaku ran down the right wing, cut inside and smashed home from 25 yards.Milan Skriniar's own goal gave Brescia hope but Antonio Conte's Inter held on.Lukaku, who joined Inter from Manchester United for £74m in the summer, has scored seven goals in 10 league games this season.Perennial champions Juventus - who have yet to lose in the league - will go back to the top if they beat Genoa on Wednesday.
Read More
Blogarama - Blog Directory