SERIE A

20Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Milan coach hails ‘fantastic’ Pulisic for role in win

Christian Pulisic of AC Milan and Souza Da Silva Brenner of Udinese bduring the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on October 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. AC Milan manager Paulo Fonseca praised Christian Pulisic's all-round performance as his side beat Udinese 1-0 on Saturday despite being down to 10 men for more than an hour. United States star Pulisic registered his 11th goal contribution in 13 games for club and country this season with his assist for Samuel Chukwueze to open the scoring for Milan in the 13th minute at the San Siro. But Fonseca also praised Pulisic for his defensive work as Milan held on for the victory, despite midfielder Tijjani Reijnders being shown a straight red card in the 29th minute. "Christian's game was fantastic," Fonseca told D...

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18Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus handed huge injury boost ahead of Lazio game

Timothy Weah of Juventus during a training session at JTC on October 17, 2024 in Turin, Italy. Juventus has received a timely boost ahead of their crucial Serie A clash with Lazio this weekend, as Timothy Weah returns to full training following a spell on the sidelines. The American winger has struggled with injuries throughout the season and was forced to miss the last three matches. However, the international break provided him an opportunity to recover, and according to Tuttomercatoweb, Weah is now fit and training with the rest of the squad. Injuries have plagued Juventus this season, with several key players missing at different stages. As the Bianconeri prepare to face a strong Lazio side, they will be without important contributors like Nicolas Gonzalez and Teun Koopmeiners, bot...

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17Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Paul Pogba ‘willing to accept pay cut’ to stay at Juventus

Paul Labile Pogba of Juventus looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Empoli FC and Juventus at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 3, 2023 in Empoli, Italy. Paul Pogba is adamant that he wishes to return from his reduced doping ban with Juventus even if it means accepting a pay cut, the French World Cup winner told La Gazzetta dello Sport in an interview yesterday. “I’m willing to give up money to be able to play again with Juve, I want to come back with this club,” said Pogba in an interview published on the Italian sports daily’s website. “The reality is that I am a Juve player and I am preparing to play for Juve.” Pogba’s contract with the Italian giants expires in June 2026 and is currently worth eight million euros (US$8.684 million) a year. During his ongoing suspension, the ...

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16Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter expands its business in Saudi Arabia

A corner flag with the Fc Internazionale logo is seen prior to the Uefa Champions League football match between FC Internazionale and FK Crvena Zvezda. Fc Internazionale wins 4-0 over FK Crvena Zvezda. Inter is formalising its commitment to strategic expansion in Saudi Arabia with the acquisition of the MISA licence, which is essential for any foreign company wishing to operate commercially in the country. The club will benefit from the support of the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Investment (MISA) to further extend its brand presence in the Middle East and grow its fanbase. At the same time, Inter will bring its expertise, values and experience as a top-level football club to the country, supporting Saudi Arabia's national plan for 2030 (Vision 2030). Through promoting talent and sports cul...

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13Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Another Juventus injury concern after USA 2-0 Panama

Juventus could have another injury situation to deal with, as midfielder Weston McKennie was an unused substitute during the USA’s 2-0 win over Panama in the early hours of Sunday morning. McKennie concern for Juventus after USA absence The 26-year-old has reportedly played the last few Juventus matches wearing a protective shoulder brace, but that has not had an impact on his game-time until this international break. According to updates from Gianluca Di Marzio, McKennie reported for Mauricio Pochettino’s first training camp with some fatigue and minor discomfort. He could also be a risk for the USMNT’s upcoming friendly against Mexico on Tuesday night. Additionally, as USA-Mexico will end in the early hours of Wednesday morning in European time, and given that Juventus will be in acti...

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11Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Spalletti: ‘Italy could not have done more,’ takes blame off Pellegrini

Luciano Spalletti concedes the red card ‘threw everything out the window’ in Italy’s 2-2 draw with Belgium, but takes some of the blame off Lorenzo Pellegrini for that incident. ‘We could not have done more.’ They had got off to the ideal start at the Stadio Olimpico when Andrea Cambiaso put the ball in the net within 61 seconds, followed soon after by Mateo Retegui’s tap-in from another save on Cambiaso. However, with the Azzurri seemingly in complete and total control at 2-0, Pellegrini lunged into a red card offence on Arthur Theate and Italy went down to 10 men, allowing Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard to equalise for Belgium. “There are incidents that can throw everything you prepared and did out the window,” confessed Spalletti in his press conference. “We must be better at reac...

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8Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Juventus and Pogba to part ways after doping ban cut

Paul Pogba's doping suspension was cut from four years to 18 months after experts supported the French international's claims of having unintentionally ingested a banned substance, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said on Monday. The France international was provisionally suspended by Italy's national anti-doping organisation (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA – a banned substance that raises levels of testosterone. CAS reduced the sentence last week, with Pogba saying his "nightmare is over". The 31-year-old, who has a contract with Italy's Juventus until June 2026, will be eligible to return to football in March. In a statement, CAS said Pogba had argued that his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional and had occurred after he consumed a supplement pre...

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7Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

AC Milan fall at Fiorentina after De Gea’s penalty heroics

AC Milan slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Fiorentina on Sunday after having two penalties saved by star man David De Gea, while Juventus fell further behind Serie A leaders Napoli on a day of spot-kick drama. Albert Gudmundsson lashed home the decisive goal in the 73rd minute of a match in Florence which was packed with drama and featured three failed attempts from the penalty spot. The 27-year-old’s winner was made possible by De Gea pulling off two incredible stops to deny Theo Hernandez and then Tammy Abraham from scoring penalties in a superb display from the former Spain goalkeeper. Those saves contributed to Milan missing the chance to move second above champions Inter Milan and Juventus, with the latter held 1-1 by Cagliari due to Razvan Marin’s late penalty. “We need to work out why we p...

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6Oct By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

SERIE A

Thuram hat-trick fires Inter to victory over 10-man Torino

A hat-trick from Marcus Thuram gave Inter Milan a 3-2 victory over 10-man Torino at home in Serie A after an early red card for visiting defender Guillermo Maripan. Inter are second in the league standings with 14 points, two behind Napoli. Torino are sixth with 11 points. The breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Inter capitalised on Maripan’s dismissal, with Thuram heading in from close range five minutes after the defender was sent off for a late challenge on the French forward. Thuram doubled Inter’s lead in the 35th minute with another header from close range. However, Torino pulled one back a minute later, with Duvan Zapata taking advantage of a defensive error to finish from inside the box. Thuram completed his hat-trick on the hour mark, being in the right place to tap in a reb...

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2Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Roma Director Addresses De Rossi, Dybala, and More

Roma director Florent Ghisolfi dished on several topics in his first interview since joining the team but refused to go into too much detail about Daniele De Rossi’s firing. He spoke with Corriere dello Sport. “The decision has been made, and it’s time to move on. It’s hard to find stability in football. That’s why we decided to build a club that doesn’t depend on a coach or an exec. It was a tough week because it’s rare to see the departures of a boss and a CEO at the same time.” Ghisolfi examined the Paulo Dybala saga. “Al-Qadsiah targeted him, and he thought about it as normal. He made a sentimental decision, which is positive for everybody considering his quality and connection with the team, the owners, and the fans. Since we’re pragmatic, we had to take his desire to leave into cons...

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1Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Napoli Encountering Issues with Kvaratskhelia Renewal

Napoli had a meeting with the agents of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on Monday to discuss the much-awaited extension, but more talks will be necessary to finalize the agreement. Another one will take place in the coming weeks. NAPLES, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 29: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia of SSC Napoli celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Monza at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 29, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the club’s offer has been on the table since July. His wages would increase from €2M to €6M including add-ons. He’d earn as much as Romelu Lukaku and therefore be the highest-paid player on the squad. Napoli and the Kvaratskhelia camp will convene again aft...

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30Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

SERIE A

Italy probe eyes mafia link to AC Milan, Inter Milan ‘ultras’

Italian police arrested 19 people accused of criminal ties with the powerful 'Ndrangheta mafia group in a move that decimated the fan clubs backing Serie A teams Inter Milan and AC Milan. STADIO OLIMPICO GRANDE TORINO, TURIN, ITALY - 2024/09/24: Official Serie A match balls Puma 'Orbita' are seen in a row prior to the Coppa Italia football match between Torino FC and Empoli FC. Empoli FC won 2-1 over Torino FC. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images) Prosecutors said at a news conference on Monday that possible charges include criminal association, with the use of "mafia methods," extortion, assault and other serious offenses. According to the wide investigation, the criminal ring was linked to 'Ndrangheta -- the Italian mafia organization that has emerged in recent...

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28Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

SERIE A

Martinez double at Udinese fires Inter level with Serie A leaders

Lautaro Martinez struck his first goals of the season for Inter Milan with a brace in Saturday's 3-2 win at Udinese which moved the champions level with Torino and local rivals AC Milan at the top of Serie A. Davide Frattesi's deft finish after just 43 seconds was followed by Argentina forward Martinez's strikes moments before and after half-time. The win in Udine saw Inter bounce back from Milan derby defeat last weekend and move up to 11 points after six matches. Torino, who host Lazio on Sunday, currently hold top spot by virtue of second-placed Milan and Inter having played a game more. "After the derby we kept quiet and worked hard and I think you saw that on the pitch," said Martinez to DAZN. Martinez's brace will be great news for coach Simone Inzaghi whose team host Red Star Belgra...

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28Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Milan talisman delivers promising statement after Lecce rout

Theo Hernandez ran the show at Stadio San Siro on Friday evening as Milan trounced out-of-sorts Lecce 3-0 to close the gap on Serie A leaders Torino. The French left-back delivered a match-winning performance, tallying a goal and an assist in Rossoneri’s clear-cut triumph. MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 27: Theo Hernández of AC Milan celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Lecce at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 27, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images) It took Milan 39 minutes to break the deadlock, with Hernandez whipping the ball into the box from the resulting free-kick to serve Alvaro Morata on the near post. The Spaniard still had much to do, yet he directed his towering header beyond Wladimiro Falco...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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. ...

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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...

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