SERIE A

25Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus beat Brescia to go top of Serie A

Mario Balotelli made his first start for Brescia but the promoted northeners still fell to a 2-1 defeat which sent champions Juventus top of Serie A on Tuesday.Former Manchester City and Inter Milan striker Balotelli has returned to Italy to play for his hometown club, but his debut had been delayed as he sat out a four-game suspension for previous club Marseille.Juventus were without Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, rested with a slight thigh problem, but the champions recovered from going behind after less than four minutes to an Alfredo Donnarumma goal – his fourth in five games.Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny got two hands to Donnarumma's powerful strike, but could only push the ball into the net.Brescia defender Jhon Chancellor let the champions off the hook five minutes be...

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22Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Napoli thrash Lecce to move up to third, Roma grab late win at Bologna

A Fernando Llorente double helped Napoli move into third place in Serie A with a 4-1 win at Lecce on Sunday, while Edin Dzeko scored a last-gasp winner as Roma beat Bologna 2-1.Spaniard Llorente struck the opening goal on his first start for Carlo Ancelotti’s side before Lorenzo Insigne doubled their lead with a penalty before the break.Fabian Ruiz’s curling strike made it three before Marco Mancosu pulled one back for Lecce from the penalty spot, but Llorente made sure of the points with a tap-in.In Bologna, Roma defender Aleksandar Kolarov went from hero to zero in the space of five second-half minutes as he scored a superb free-kick before conceding a penalty to gift Nicola Sansone the equaliser.Roma’s Gianluca Mancini was shown a second yellow card with five minutes remaining but Dzeko...

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15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Serie A Roundup: Inter Milan go top with win over Udinese

Napoli and Inter Milan walked away winners in Saturday’s Serie A action.Inter Milan beat Udinese 1-0, Udinese played with 10 players from the 35th minute on, following Rodrigo De Pual’s slap to the back of Antonio Candreva’s head.In the 44th minute, Stefano Sensi – one of the smallest players on the field – headed the ball into the back of the net. Late in the game, Alexis Sanchez nearly scored in his Inter debut.In the end, Udinese were no match for Antonio Conte and Co., who find themselves in prime form heading into their Champions League return midweek.Up next for Inter in league play: Derby della Madonnina. Udinese, on the hand, host Brescia.Elsewhere in Serie A, Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus, Napoli 2-0 Sampdoria.Dries Mertens is the gift that keeps on giving for Napoli.To be exact, the Be...

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31Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus snatch late winner against Napoli

Juventus beat Napoli in a remarkable Serie A game as Kalidou Koulibaly's injury-time own goal negated the visitors' three-goal comeback.The champions led 3-0 through goals from debutant Danilo, former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo's first of the season.But three summer signings scored to put Napoli level - Kostas Manolas, Hirving Lozano and Giovanni di Lorenzo.That was in vain as Koulibaly shinned a deep free-kick past his own keeper.Juve, who have won the last eight titles, clearly lacked the presence of captain Giorgio Chiellini - likely to be out for several months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury - at the back, with £67.5m summer signing Matthijs de Ligt making a shaky debut.Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri did not take charge against his former club as he r...

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26Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Roma Share draw, Milan lose Serie A opener

Genoa came from behind three times against AS Roma to salvage a 3-3 draw, while AC Milan lost 1-0 to Udinese at Stadio Friuli on Sunday on the opening weekend in Italy's Serie A.This was AS Roma's first match under new coach Paulo Fonseca, and the Giallorossi made the perfect start when winger Cengiz Under made it 1-0 six minutes into the game. However, Genoa equalized ten minutes later when Cristian Romero converted Andrea Pinamonti's cross.Roma were back ahead in the 30th minute, when striker Edin Dzeko passed two defenders and fired in. But right at the end of the half, Genoa were level again when Domenico Criscito scored a penalty after Juan Jesus had clattered Pinamonti in the box.Five minutes into the second half, Aleksander Kolarov scored Roma's third with a long-range free kick, bu...

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24Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Chiellini scores as Juve beat Parma in Serie A opener

Juventus kicked started the 2019/20 Serie A season with all three points when they claimed a 1-0 win over Parma, courtesy of a first-half goal by Giorgio Chiellini, at Tardini Stadium, while Cristiano Ronaldo had a goal ruled out by VAR.Maurizio Sarri wasn’t on the bench for the Bianconeri, due to his struggle with pneumonia, and it was Giovanni Martusciello who stood in his place.The starting XI included Szczesny in goal, with De Sciglio, Bonucci, Chiellini and Alex Sandro safeguarding the defence. In midfield was Khedira, Matuidi and Pjanic, while Douglas Costa, Higuain and Ronaldo lead the attack.A chance fell at both ends of the stadium, inside the opening 13 minutes, when Khedira delivered a great long ball into the box, only for Ronaldo to head it over. Parma then went on the counter...

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6Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus 'to offer three players' for Real Madrid target Paul Pogba

Juventus are hoping to make a late attempt to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United, and are willing to offer three players to make a deal happen, reports say.Real Madrid had been favourites to sign Pogba - if he was to leave United this summer - but The Times say United have quickly rejected their initial proposal of £27.4million plus James Rodriguez.That has prompted Juve to try and move ahead of Real in the queue for Pogba, with Tuttosport reporting the Italian champions have sent sporting director Fabio Paratici, vice-chairman Pavel Nedved and super agent Mino Raiola to Manchester to force a deal.The report says they will offer Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic and Blaise Matuidi to try and persuade United to part with Pogba, but the club have already called off talks with Dybala in a swa...

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1Aug By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Fiorentina eye Los Angeles FC's Diego Rossi

Diego Rossi could soon become a new player of Fiorentina.La Viola are, in fact, considering the idea of buying the Uruguayan attacker born in 1998. After spending his youth - and making his professional debut - with Penarol, he moved to Los Angeles FC in the summer of 2018 (13 goals in 25 matches so far this season in the MLS). The talented player, who plays primarily as a second striker, would be an important reinforcement for Vincenzo Montella's offensive department, which continues to be under construction.

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30Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Cristiano Ronaldo Insists Juventus will Win Champions League Soon

Cristiano Ronaldo is confident Serie A giants Juventus will win the Champions League, insisting "it's coming"."After winning what I won at Madrid I needed a change and new motivation," Ronaldo said. "I still have the strength to keep winning. Juventus will win the Champions League. I don't know if it'll be this year or the next, but it's coming."The 34-year-old superstar made a seamless transition from Madrid to Juve, helping the Italian giants to their eighth successive Serie A crown in 2018-19.

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28Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Antonio Conte Still Confident on Lukaku Deal

Inter coach Antonio Conte has stated that he remains confident in the club's ability to conduct business as speculation continues to swirl over a move for Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku.The Serie A club have reportedly seen a €60m (£54m) bid for the Belgium international knocked back by the Red Devils, but their boss remains hopeful of bringing the forward to San Siro.The Nerazzurri have already made several eye-catching signings during the off-season, recruiting Valentino Lazaro, Nicolo Barella and Matteo Politano to their squad.But, speaking after his side's pre-season penalty shoot-out victory against Paris Saint-Germain in Macau, the former Chelsea manager has reaffirmed his belief that Inter's hierarchy will deliver, whoever they add in the final weeks of the transfer window."As I'...

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28Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Reports : Dybala Wants to Stay at Juve and Fight

Paulo Dybala wants to stay at Juventus and fight for his place under Maurizio Sarri, according to reports in Italy.Juventus are preparing to make an offer for Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku and had been willing to include the Argentina striker as part of the deal.But Dybala wants to remain in Turin and could return from his summer break early in order to start learning Sarri's methods.Dybala is currently due back at Juventus on August 5 having been given extra time off by the Serie A champions after featuring for Argentina in the Copa America this summer.United have been negotiating with Inter Milan for Lukaku but the clubs remain far apart in their valuation of the Belgium international.

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25Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Rumour : Tottenham Approach Juventus for Dybala

Tottenham have made contact with Juventus over an audacious swoop for Paulo Dybala, as per reports in England. Spurs would have to break their transfer record for the second time this summer to sign the Argentina international, who is valued at £80m by the Italian club.Dybala is regarded as one of the finest forwards in the world but he has been a casualty of Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Turin and scored just five goals in the Serie A last season.Juve are thought to be prepared to listen to offers for the 25-year-old and, while hugely ambitious, Spurs believe a deal in the final two weeks of the transfer window is a possibility.Dybala's contract runs until 2022 and he is thought to earn around £120,000-a-week, which should not pose a significant problem for Spurs, with Harry Kane and D...

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22Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Ancelotti: Napoli Still Trying to Sign James

Carlo Ancelotti says Napoli are still negotiating a deal to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid as Atletico Madrid reportedly circle.James has been linked with Napoli throughout the current transfer window, but a deal that would reunite the Colombia star and head coach Ancelotti is yet to materialise.Atletico have emerged as a possible destination for James amid a deadlock in talks between Napoli and La Liga giants Real.Asked about Napoli's pursuit of James, Ancelotti told TV Luna: "I'm not aware of a deal with Atletico."We're still talking for James, a player that I really like. I'm very attached to James, I rate him very highly and he can certainly improve our team."He doesn't need to re-announce himself, he's a great player. But he's not the only player we're openly negotiating for. W...

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22Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Sarri Expects More Juventus Arrivals

Juventus head coach Maurizio Sarri expects the Serie A champions to make more signings before the transfer window closes.It has been a busy off-season for Juve, who have signed Matthijs de Ligt, Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot, Luca Pellegrini, Merih Demiral and Gianluigi Buffon.Juve have also been linked with former midfielder and Manchester United star Paul Pogba, as well as Inter outcast Mauro Icardi."I don't want to occupy myself too much on the market because I think that's the right thing to do and because I keep much less of an eye on it than those who are in charge," said Sarri."Maybe there are leagues and players I don't know about. Therefore, it's better to leave it to those who are in charge."We have lots of players in certain positions and less in others, but we're talking about a ...

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14Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Ronaldo returns to training at Juventus

Cristiano Ronaldo has arrived back at Juventus for his first day of pre-season training.The 34-year-old Ronaldo was greeted by more than 100 fans Saturday on his arrival for standard medical tests.The fans shouted his name as well as chanting for him to win the Champions League for them as a smiling Ronaldo signed autographs and posed for selfies.Ronaldo will train for the first time under new Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri later Saturday.Ronaldo was signed from Real Madrid just over a year ago in the hope that the five-time World Player of the Year could lead Juventus to the Champions League trophy.However, Juventus was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Ajax.

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12Jul By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Inter Milan Confirm Talks for Lukaku

Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio confirmed the Serie A club have made an "official approach" to Manchester United for Romelu Lukaku.United striker Lukaku has emerged as a transfer target for Inter, who sent officials to England to try to reach a deal for the Belgium international.The Manchester United striker has made it clear to the club's hierarchy that he is hopeful of leaving Old Trafford after being told he will not be Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first-choice striker in 2019-20.Inter’s new boss Antonio Conte has made the Belgian his prime target in the summer market, having previously targeted the forward at prior clubs.Ausilio arrived back in Milan on Thursday and he told reporters: "We had a meeting with Manchester United for Lukaku."It was an official approach between two important...

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7Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Torino eyeing Move for Inter Striker George Puscas

Torino are on the lookout for a new striker to help them improve for the coming season and have identified Inter’s George Puscas as a potential addition according to a report from Tuttosport.The Romanian forward was on loan at Palermo this past season and the Rosanero were due to turn the move permanent but with them now being on the brink of extinction, they were forced to default on the payment which meant Puscas has now returned to Inter.Last season Puscas, who has also drawn interest from the likes of recently relegated Empoli, managed nine goals in 33 appearances for Palermo but as per the report from the Turin news outlet, he is not the only player being considered by bosses at the Granata.Genoa’s Ivorian forward Christian Kouame is also understood to be on their radar. The 21-year-o...

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4Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Italy Legend Buffon Returns to Juventus

Ex-Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon has returned to Juventus on a one-year contract after a season spent at Paris Saint-Germain, AFP reports.The 41-year-old, who will be number two to Polish ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny, previously spent 17 season with the Turin club, winning nine Serie A titles and playing three Champions League finals.“Welcome home, Gigi!” Juve said in a statement.“It was 19 May 2018. That was the day when there were tears in everyone’s eyes: when Gigi said goodbye to Juventus, its fans and vice-versa. It was the bidding of a farewell to someone who was more than just a captain, but a legend and a symbol of the club.“Probably each of us hoped, and in the end, knew that the yarn that united us for so many years was not destined to break. And that was the case.”The veteran g...

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2Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Adrien Rabiot completes move to Juventus from PSG

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Adrien Rabiot has completed his move to Juventus with the Italian champions announcing the signing of his contract on Monday.The Turin club said the 24-year-old would be presented at Juventus stadium on Tuesday.Although no details were provided by his new employers, Rabiot is reported to have agreed a four-year contract worth seven million euros ($7.9 million) a year plus another 10 million euro ($11.3m) bonus on signing.Rabiot had fallen out of favour with PSG and not played since December as he refused to renew his contract. It expired on Sunday.Rabiot was also suspended by the French champions in March after partying in a nightclub hours following PSG’s Champions League exit to Manchester United.

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1Jul By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus Confirm Pellegrini-Spinazzola Swap with Roma

Luca Pellegrini has completed his switch from Roma to Serie A rivals Juventus in a deal that sends Leonardo Spinazzola the opposite direction. The 20-year-old left-back passed a medical on Sunday and has agreed terms on a four-year deal. Juve announced a fee of €22m will be paid to Roma over the course of three years for Pellegrini, with the transfer of Spinazzola to cost Roma €29.5m across the same period. Pellegrini made 12 appearances on loan at Cagliari during the second half of 2018-19 and will now compete against Alex Sandro for a starting spot at Allianz Stadium. Italy international Spinazzola was loaned out seven times by the Bianconeri and leaves having played 10 Serie A games across his seven years in Turin, all coming last season.

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