SERIE A

27Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Napoli thrash Palermo to reach Coppa Italia last 16

Napoli winger Cyril Ngonge scored twice in an electrifying performance to help send his side through to the last 16 of the Coppa Italia with a crushing 5-0 win over Serie B club Palermo. Ngone struck in the seventh minute with a left-foot drive that bounced in front of Salvatore Sirigu and squirmed under his body into the net, leaving the keeper shaking his head in disbelief. Sirigu was at fault again five minutes later when Ngonge lashed another left-footer from a difficult angle, the ball flying across the face of the goal before nestling in the side netting to make it 2-0. Sitting second in Serie A and with Palermo 12th in the division below them, Napoli were too big, too strong and too quick for their visitors and Juan Jesus nodded home a corner to make it 3-0 just before the break. Pa...

Read More

26Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Lazio Hero Against Dynamo Kyiv Praises Team’s Bounce-Back Ability

Lazio enjoyed a dream start to their first UEFA Europa League campaign since 2022/23, strolling to a 3-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv in Hamburg. Boulaye Dia stole the show at the Volksparkstadion with a first-half brace to inspire the Biancocelesti to a much-needed victory. Dia joined Lazio on loan from Salernitana in mid-August. However, a lack of match fitness after a troubled 2023/24 saw him make his first Serie A start for Marco Baroni’s side on matchday three. He scored immediately to help his side register a 2-2 draw against Milan. The 27-year-old forward got on the scoresheet again against Hellas Verona in the following round before drawing a blank against Fiorentina last weekend. Lazio lost that game 2-1 despite leading at halftime, and Dia believes Wednesday’s triumph was a perfect...

Read More

24Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

The tops and flops of Serie A round 5: Fonseca flips the script on Inter

For those who still dare suggest Italian football is predictable, the mayhem witnessed throughout the weekend should be enough to dispel such an unfounded claim. Perhaps Udinnese’s reign on top of the table turned out to be brief as expected, but Torino seizing the top spot was certainly an unforeseen spin. What’s more? Thiago Motta’s Juventus are impregnable at the back, yet futile upfront. Did anyone see this coming? Nevertheless, the biggest twist of the weekend was reserved for the Derby della Madonnina, with a struggling Milan turning the table on their arch-rivals. So let’s review all these astonishing events and more while identifying the Tops and Flops from Serie A Round 5. Top (Player): Artem Dovbyk Last week, Artem Dovbyk opened his Serie A account in the 1-1 draw against Genoa...

Read More

23Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Roma owners address fans: “We respect you and De Rossi”

Dan and Ryan Friedkin, the owners of AS Roma, have issued a statement to the club’s fans addressing the recent controversial dismissal of manager Daniele De Rossi after just four league matches. The owners acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but defended it as necessary for the club’s ambitions. In their message, the Friedkins expressed their deep respect for De Rossi and belief in his future success as a coach, even suggesting he may return to Roma one day: “Football is appreciated globally for its unique beauty. Every match is full of passion, emotions, and unpredictability, and that’s why we love it. But beyond the results on the field, our responsibility as Club owners is to make important decisions that we believe are in Roma’s best interest, even when they are extremely diff...

Read More

23Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Fonseca on Milan derby win: “We played with the same structure”

In a surprising turn of events, Milan emerged victorious in the highly anticipated derby against Inter, marking a significant milestone for the team. Paulo Fonseca, Milan’s head coach, shared his thoughts on the match in a post-game interview with Dazn. Fonseca began by emphasizing the importance and rarity of this win: “Milan hasn’t won this match in a long time, and tonight we truly deserved it.” He went on to highlight the exceptional performance of his team, stating, “I can’t recall a team that has managed to create as many problems for Inter as we did today.” When questioned about potential tactical changes, Fonseca was quick to clarify: “No, we didn’t change anything. We played with the same structure. I only asked Fofana to drop between the center-backs during the build-up phase. ...

Read More

22Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juve and Napoli play out draw in early title tussle

Juventus and Napoli played out a goalless draw on Saturday as two teams tipped to challenge for the Serie A title cancelled each other out on Antonio Conte’s return to his old stomping ground. A fiercely contested, but far from exciting contest at the Allianz Stadium in Turin ended with Juventus maintaining their unbeaten start to life under new coach Thiago Motta. Juve are yet to concede in Serie A this season but their third consecutive league stalemate denied them top spot, currently held by local rivals Torino following their 3-2 win at Verona on Friday. Torino are a point ahead of Udinese, who are at Roma on Sunday, and third-placed Napoli, while Juve are a further point back in fourth. “Without goals, it is impossible to win games,” said a blunt Weston McKennie. Motta drew surprise...

Read More

21Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Serie A Preview: Atalanta vs Como – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

Gewiss Stadium sets the stage for the first Serie A meeting between resurgent Atalanta and newly-promoted Como since May 2023. The opposing teams enter Monday’s showdown in Bergamo with contrasting spirits. Atalanta headed into September’s international break as a wracked ship on the back of back-to-back league defeats, including a 4-0 rout at the hands of defending champions Inter. However, renowned tactician Gian Piero Gasperini has used the two-week hiatus to steady the ship and bring La Dea back on the rails. Despite falling behind twice inside the opening 35 minutes of their home encounter against Fiorentina last weekend, Atalanta posted a confidence-boosting 3-2 victory, turning things around before halftime. Buoyed by an exceptional comeback against La Viola, the Europa League win...

Read More

19Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Stefano Piolo heads to Saudi to take over misfiring Al Nassr

Stefano Pioli will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s new boss after the Italian was named as Saudi club Al Nassr’s head coach Wednesday, replacing Luis Castro who parted ways with the club after a slow start to the season. MILAN, ITALY - MAY 25: Head coach of AC Milan Stefano Pioli greets the fans for his last match with AC Milan at the end of the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and US Salernitana at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 25, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images) The 58-year-old Pioli, in his first job outside of his homeland, started his managerial career in 1999 and was AC Milan’s boss from October 2019 to May 2024, overseeing the club’s Serie A title-winning campaign in 2022. Prior to his nearly five-year stint at the Rossoneri, Pioli coach...

Read More

16Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Nesta: ‘I would have signed up for a draw against Inter before the match’

Alessandro Nesta expressed mixed feelings after Monza’s 1-1 draw against Inter Milan in Serie A. The Monza coach was pleased with his team’s performance but admitted there was a tinge of regret given how close they came to victory. “I’m happy with the performance because the players are committed,” Nesta said in his post-match interview. “If someone had told me before the match that we would draw 1-1 with Inter, I would have signed for it, even though there’s obviously some disappointment. I see the team improving and I’m confident.” Nesta felt Inter’s equalizer had an element of luck to it: “Their goal was a bit fortuitous because if the cross hadn’t been deflected, the ball wouldn’t have ended up there. The players were unlucky.” The coach also explained his limited use of substitution...

Read More

16Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Lukaku, Meret, Anguissa, Conte: Napoli verdicts after 4-0 win vs Cagliari

Italian media praised Napoli after a 4-0 win against Cagliari, and even if he didn’t get his name on the scoresheet, Frank-André Zambo Anguissa was the MOTM, according to Gazzetta. Napoli are the Serie A leaders after four rounds. Sunday’s 4-0 away win in Cagliari allowed Antonio Conte’s men to go one point clear of Inter, Juventus, and Torino, who were held to stalemates over the weekend. Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Romelu Lukaku and Alessandro Buongiorno scored in Cagliari, but according to Gazzetta, the best player on the pitch was Cameroon international Anguissa. Lukaku, Meret, Anguissa, Conte: Napoli verdicts after 4-0 win vs Cagliari ‘He put in a high-level performance, consistent and dominating, which included 12 recoveries,’ wrote Gazzetta. Anguissa was rated 7.5/10...

Read More

16Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Marseille have ‘agreement’ in place to sign Rabiot

Marseille have reached an agreement in principle with France midfielder Adrien Rabiot to join the club. "The player will join OM subject to the results of a medical," the nine-time French champion said Sunday. The 29-year-old Rabiot has been a free agent after he declined to extend his contract with Juventus, where he spent five seasons. Rabiot previously played for Marseille's bitter rival Paris Saint-Germain. Born in the Val-de-Marne region of Paris, he joined PSG's academy at age 15. Rabiot has made 48 appearances for France. He played at Euro 2024 where France lost to Spain in the semifinals. The terms of any deal were not announced by Marseille, but l'Equipe newspaper said Rabiot is expected to sign a two-year deal.

Read More

15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Serie A | Genoa 1-1 Roma: Dovbyk not enough for first victory

Artem Dovbyk scored his first goal in the Roma jersey, but Koni De Winter snatched a last-gasp equaliser for Genoa, so Daniele De Rossi still waits for his first win. The Giallorossi had Enzo Le Fée injured and Nicola Zalewski frozen out for rejecting a Galatasaray transfer, so Manu Koné got his first start. The hosts missed Junior Messias, Fabio Miretti, Alessandro Zanoli, Brooke Norton-Cuffy, Alan Matturro and David Ankeye. Tennis champion Stefanos Tsitsipas took centre stage during the warm-up, as he has been a Genoa supporter since childhood and got to enjoy the atmosphere. Paulo Dybala had penalty appeals waved away after 12 minutes for a Koni De Winter challenge and Johan Vasquez charged down the Gianluca Mancini header on the resulting corner. Koné blasted over from the edge of the ...

Read More

15Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus held at Empoli ahead of their CL return; Bologna draw at Como

Juventus were held to a goalless draw at Empoli in Serie A on Saturday ahead of their return to the Champions League, while Bologna came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Como. Thiago Motta’s side take temporary lead of the Italian top flight, one point ahead of Inter Milan, Torino and Udinese, who are all yet to play this weekend. But Juve underwhelmed in Tuscany, creating very little in a performance that offered little to worry PSV Eindhoven, who visit Turin on Tuesday evening. Dusan Vlahovic went closest for Juve four minutes at half-time when he shot straight at Deviz Vasquez after being sent racing towards goal. And Juve had Federico Gatti to thank for a goal-saving tackle in the fifth minute of stoppage time which denied Emmanuel Gyasi which would have been a stunning winner. ...

Read More

14Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Milan and Inter scrap latest plan to solve their San Siro saga

AC Milan and city rivals Inter have rejected a plan to renovate their Stadio Meazza home at San Siro but revived proposals to build a new joint stadium in the same area. The move is the latest twist in a saga involving the two Serie A clubs and local authorities for the past five years. Mayor Giuseppe Sala said: “After an in-depth analysis the clubs concluded that the (San Siro) stadium cannot be revamped in an affordable way … they don’t think it is feasible. MILAN, ITALY - AUGUST 30: General view inside the stadium prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 30, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) They have put forward the idea of going back to a new stadium in the San Siro area.”Inter and Mi...

Read More

13Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Douglas Luiz to make first start in Serie A for Juventus

Multiple reports in Italy claim Douglas Luiz will make his debut as a starter for Juventus tomorrow, in a Serie A game against Empoli. TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 12: Douglas Luiz of Juventus during a training session at JTC on September 12, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Daniele Badolato - Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images) According to multiple Italian sources, Douglas Luiz is set to start his first Serie A game at Juventus. La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere dello Sport claim that the Brazilian star will be in the Bianconeri’s starting XI tomorrow, Saturday, September 14 when they visit Empoli at the Stadio Castellani Computer Gross Arena. Douglas Luiz to make first start in Serie A for JuventusDouglas Luiz joined Juventus from Aston Villa in a €50m deal in the 202...

Read More

13Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Intermediary Shares Tidbits on Huijsen and Lukaku Moves

Andrea Pellegatti is part of the Epic Sports agency, which brokered some of the most meaningful deals of the summer, like the transfer of Dean Huijsen from Juventus to Bournemouth and the quick return of Romelu Lukaku to Serie A. The former Bianconeri prodigy joined the Cherries after being linked to a few sides. The intermediary dished on what swayed him to Radio Sportiva (via Football Addict). “Their style was decisive. They try to play with quality in a physical league. They build their actions from the back, and he excels in that. Coach Andoni Iraola helped him embrace their technical project, without forgetting the role of Tiago Pinto. They already crossed paths in Rome. Bringing the player to a context coherent with his age and level and the championship were factors that contribut...

Read More

9Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Galatasaray aiming to sign Roma’s Nicola Zalewski

Serie A giants Roma made some important moves in the summer but they could now be at the risk of losing an important squad player. Nicola Zalewski was linked with a move to PSV Eindhoven earlier in the summer but the move never quite took off. But with the Turkish window still open, he could yet depart the Giallorossi. Gianluca di Marzio have reported that Gala are trying to sign the Poland international on a permanent basis, despite having sealed their moves for Filip Kostic and Victor Osimhen already. In the last few days of the summer transfer window, Roma had attempted a swap involving Cyril Ngonge with Napoli but it didn’t materialise but it shows their willingness to move the player on. Gala has been described as a potential opportunity and the next few days will be vital in the...

Read More

8Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Will Danilo retire from international football? He gives his answer

Although Danilo has not started games for Juventus this season, he remains a regular for the Brazil national team and even captains them. At 33, many players retire from international football to focus on their club careers, but Danilo has shown no signs of considering stepping away from the Brazil squad. He continues to enjoy his time with the national team. After Brazil’s early elimination from Copa America, some sections of the Brazilian media suggested that Danilo should step aside to make room for a new generation of players to help rejuvenate the team. However, Danilo has continued to make himself available for selection, and following Brazil’s recent match, he was again asked if he would consider international retirement, as some fans had previously urged him to do. He said, as ...

Read More

5Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Roma include new buys in Europa League squad list

Roma have announced their Europa League squad list, including post-deadline day signings Mats Hummels and Mario Hermoso. The tournament has followed the changes in the Champions League and Conference League, using one large table with all results as the teams face eight different opponents. They open their campaign at home to Athletic Club Bilbao on September 26, followed by trips to Elfsborg on October 3 and hosting Dynamo Kyiv on October 24,Roma visit Union Saint-Gilloise on November 7 and Tottenham on November 28, then take on Braga on December 12. They are away to AZ Alkmaar on January 23 and finish at home to Eintracht Frankfurt on January 30.There have to be players who come from the Giallorossi academy, so they can rely on Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicola Zalewski. The four...

Read More

4Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Manolas shuts down Roma return rumours: “Thanks for the support, but it’s not true”

Kostas Manolas has put an end to rumors of a potential return to AS Roma. Despite recent speculation, the Greek defender has made it clear that there are no plans for him to rejoin the Giallorossi. Currently a free agent after his stint with Salernitana, Manolas addressed the rumors through a post on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the support from Roma fans but denying any truth to the reports. In his message, Manolas stated, “I have received many messages since yesterday, and I thank all the Roma fans for their affection. There’s nothing true about what I’m reading. Forza Roma!” This statement effectively closes the door on any immediate prospects of him returning to the Italian capital.Meanwhile, Roma have been actively seeking to strengthen their defense with free agents...

Read More