Football-italia
De Biasi: ‘Italy unlucky’
De Biasi: ‘Italy unlucky’
Gianni De Biasi believes Italy were ‘unlucky’ in their 1-0 defeat to Sweden and says the Azzurri should be optimistic about turning the tie around. Giampiero Ventura’s side have been fiercely criticised after a result that leaves them in danger of failing to qualify for next summer’s World Cup. But with the return leg of […]
Ferrero wanted Sarri for Samp
Ferrero wanted Sarri for Samp
Sampdoria President Massimo Ferrero says he wanted Maurizio Sarri as Coach before he was appointed by Napoli. In 2015, the Blucerchiati were looking for a successor for Sinisa Mihajlovic at the same time as the Partenopei were trying to replace Rafa Benitez. They ended up appointing Walter Zenga as boss, with then-Empoli Coach Sarri heading […]
Atleti set Vrsaljko asking price?
Atleti set Vrsaljko asking price?
Atletico Madrid have reportedly set an €18m asking price for Napoli target Sime Vrsaljko. The Partenopei are in the hunt for a new full-back after Faouzi Ghoulam ruptured knee ligaments, putting him out of action for five months. Reports in recent days suggested that Croatia international Vrsaljko, who can play at either left or right-back, […]
Ghoulam contract details revealed?
Ghoulam contract details revealed?
Faouzi Ghoulam is poised to sign a new Napoli contract on wages of €3.5m a season, it is claimed. The left-back, whose current deal expires next summer, is expected to miss most of the remainder of the season through injury after rupturing a cruciate ligament. Despite this, numerous clubs have been linked with a move […]
Atletico Madrid after Mertens
Atletico Madrid after Mertens
Spanish newspaper As claims that Atletico Madrid have set their sights on Napoli star Dries Mertens. The Belgian forward only recently extended his contract to June 2020, but there is a relatively low release clause of around €30m valid from next year. According to As, Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone is very impressed with Mertens […]
Insigne in midfield confused Italy
Insigne in midfield confused Italy
A moment from Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden has gone viral, as Lorenzo Insigne tried to explain to teammates why he was in midfield. The 1-0 loss in Solna means there is the very real risk the Azzurri will fail to qualify for their first World Cup since 1958. There is a second […]
What we learned from Sweden-Italy
What we learned from Sweden-Italy
Italy’s tactical and personnel decisions caused as much confusion as consternation in the World Cup play-off with Sweden, writes Marcello Cossali-Francis. Sweden will take a 1-0 lead into the World Cup Play-Off second leg after Jakob Johansson’s deflected goal mid-way through the second half in an abysmal performance from the Azzurri. Italy lacked physicality and […]
Insigne: ‘Asked to replace Verratti’
Insigne: ‘Asked to replace Verratti’
Lorenzo Insigne confirms he was asked to take over Marco Verratti’s midfield role during Italy’s 1-0 World Cup play-off defeat to Sweden. “I think that aside from the goal tonight, Sweden did little else. I don’t think we played badly. It’s a pity about that, but it’s only half-time and we’ve got the second one […]
Mertens: ‘Best 12 months of my career’
Mertens: ‘Best 12 months of my career’
Dries Mertens admits “the last 12 months have been the best of my career, but it’s still strange to be considered a centre-forward” at Napoli. The former winger has become a sensation since taking on the new role a year ago, replacing injured Arkadiusz Milik. “The last 12 months have been the best of my […]
Biglia, Bonaventura to return
Biglia, Bonaventura to return
Giacomo Bonaventura and Lucas Biglia are expected to be fit for Milan when they face Napoli next weekend. Both have been struggling with injury, and Bonaventura hasn’t featured since playing 67 minutes of the 0-0 draw with Genoa last month. However, Premium Sport believes he’ll be ready to face the Partenopei, where he will be […]