The last tiraggiro: Insigne says goodbye to Naples

This afternoon’s match against Genoa will be Lorenzo Insigne’s last home game for Napoli, ending a career-long association with the Partenopei.

The 30-year-old Italian winger will leave the club on a free transfer next month, joining Canadian side Toronto FC in the MLS. The Euro 2020 winner has not had a campaign to remember this season, struggling to show his best following the heights of last summer. His departure has been a long time coming now, with his move to America agreed months ago, and yet emotions are still running high.

Things have never been simple for Insigne in Naples; the winger has always had a love-hate relationship with Aurelio De Laurentiis and this ultimately resulted in his failure to pen a contract renewal. This dichotomy was also shared with the fans, who both supported and jeered Insigne at different points throughout his time in the squad.

Despite the ups and downs, it’s impossible to suggest that Insigne doesn’t have both Napoli and Naples central to his heart, and it will be an emotional afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for both him and the fans. The 30-year-old will give a speech after the match, a moment that may prove tear jerking for casual and diehard fans alike.

The last tiraggiro: Insigne says goodbye to Naples

This afternoon’s match against Genoa will be Lorenzo Insigne’s last home game for Napoli, ending a career-long association with the Partenopei.

The 30-year-old Italian winger will leave the club on a free transfer next month, joining Canadian side Toronto FC in the MLS. The Euro 2020 winner has not had a campaign to remember this season, struggling to show his best following the heights of last summer. His departure has been a long time coming now, with his move to America agreed months ago, and yet emotions are still running high.

Things have never been simple for Insigne in Naples; the winger has always had a love-hate relationship with Aurelio De Laurentiis and this ultimately resulted in his failure to pen a contract renewal. This dichotomy was also shared with the fans, who both supported and jeered Insigne at different points throughout his time in the squad.

Despite the ups and downs, it’s impossible to suggest that Insigne doesn’t have both Napoli and Naples central to his heart, and it will be an emotional afternoon at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona for both him and the fans. The 30-year-old will give a speech after the match, a moment that may prove tear jerking for casual and diehard fans alike.

Why Hickey is the perfect fit for Arteta’s Arsenal

Arsenal are closing in on a €25m deal for Bologna’s Aaron Hickey, a player who seems to be the perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s squad in North London.

The 19-year-old Scot has proven himself to be an exciting and talented full back this season under Sinisa Mihajlovic, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 34 Serie A appearances this season. He seems ready for the jump to a big club in the summer, joining Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson in the list of skilled Scottish full backs.

Hickey appears to be a strong fit for Arteta’s squad, able to play as both a left and right back in a back four. He’d be an incredibly reliable backup option for Tierney, who has struggled with injuries this season, and the stats show that he’d easily bring enough to the table to justify a starting spot in the Premier League.

Hickey completes 33.8 passes per 90 minutes on average, only a little below Tierney’s 42.4. His work is usually a little less progressive than his Arsenal counterpart’s, 1.62 progressive pass p/90 to 3.57, but he makes up for that with significantly better defensive numbers. Hickey wins 0.69 tackles p/90, successfully applies pressure 3.53 times p/90 and makes 2.01 blocks p/90. In comparison, Tierney’s numbers are 0.56 p/90, 2.30 p/90 and 1.64 p/90 respectively.

Considering that Arsenal often find themselves stretched a little thin in the full back department, especially when considering Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury troubles, Hickey would be an incredibly smart signing by the North London side.

Why Hickey is the perfect fit for Arteta’s Arsenal

Arsenal are closing in on a €25m deal for Bologna’s Aaron Hickey, a player who seems to be the perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s squad in North London.

The 19-year-old Scot has proven himself to be an exciting and talented full back this season under Sinisa Mihajlovic, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 34 Serie A appearances this season. He seems ready for the jump to a big club in the summer, joining Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson in the list of skilled Scottish full backs.

Hickey appears to be a strong fit for Arteta’s squad, able to play as both a left and right back in a back four. He’d be an incredibly reliable backup option for Tierney, who has struggled with injuries this season, and the stats show that he’d easily bring enough to the table to justify a starting spot in the Premier League.

Hickey completes 33.8 passes per 90 minutes on average, only a little below Tierney’s 42.4. His work is usually a little less progressive than his Arsenal counterpart’s, 1.62 progressive pass p/90 to 3.57, but he makes up for that with significantly better defensive numbers. Hickey wins 0.69 tackles p/90, successfully applies pressure 3.53 times p/90 and makes 2.01 blocks p/90. In comparison, Tierney’s numbers are 0.56 p/90, 2.30 p/90 and 1.64 p/90 respectively.

Considering that Arsenal often find themselves stretched a little thin in the full back department, especially when considering Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury troubles, Hickey would be an incredibly smart signing by the North London side.

Why Hickey is the perfect fit for Arteta’s Arsenal

Arsenal are closing in on a €25m deal for Bologna’s Aaron Hickey, a player who seems to be the perfect fit for Mikel Arteta’s squad in North London.

The 19-year-old Scot has proven himself to be an exciting and talented full back this season under Sinisa Mihajlovic, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 34 Serie A appearances this season. He seems ready for the jump to a big club in the summer, joining Kieran Tierney and Andy Robertson in the list of skilled Scottish full backs.

Hickey appears to be a strong fit for Arteta’s squad, able to play as both a left and right back in a back four. He’d be an incredibly reliable backup option for Tierney, who has struggled with injuries this season, and the stats show that he’d easily bring enough to the table to justify a starting spot in the Premier League.

Hickey completes 33.8 passes per 90 minutes on average, only a little below Tierney’s 42.4. His work is usually a little less progressive than his Arsenal counterpart’s, 1.62 progressive pass p/90 to 3.57, but he makes up for that with significantly better defensive numbers. Hickey wins 0.69 tackles p/90, successfully applies pressure 3.53 times p/90 and makes 2.01 blocks p/90. In comparison, Tierney’s numbers are 0.56 p/90, 2.30 p/90 and 1.64 p/90 respectively.

Considering that Arsenal often find themselves stretched a little thin in the full back department, especially when considering Takehiro Tomiyasu’s injury troubles, Hickey would be an incredibly smart signing by the North London side.

Serie A Liveblog: Milan-Atalanta, Cagliari-Inter, Napoli-Genoa, Bologna-Sassuolo

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games with the Scudetto, European and relegation battles colliding in BolognaSassuolo, NapoliGenoa, MilanAtalanta and CagliariInter.

We begin at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT) with a local derby between mid-table Bologna and Sassuolo, the Rossoblu seeking a victory with Sinisa Mihajlovic back at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), Napoli can lock down third place and want to give Lorenzo Insigne a good send-off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, but Genoa need a result to keep their hopes of escaping relegation alive.

At 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT), Serie A leaders Milan can take another giant leap towards the Scudetto, but first they must get the better of an Atalanta side who are still in the running for a Europa League spot.

Everything is at stake in Sardinia at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT), as Inter need a win to keep the title race going down to the wire, while Cagliari have a huge opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone after Salernitana’s draw.

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Kessie goes full circle with Milan in last home game

Franck Kessie started his Serie A career with Atalanta and now he’ll face them in his final home game with Milan today.

The 25-year-old Ivorian forward is preparing to play in a Rossoneri shirt at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for the last time this evening, a must-win match as the team look to take one step closer to their first Scudetto in a decade.

As reported by Tuttosport, Kessie’s time with Milan is drawing to a close and it’s fitting that he’ll face Atalanta in his last home game in San Siro, ending a cycle filled with ups and downs.

It’s been a difficult season for the Ivorian, who fell out with some of the Rossoneri faithful for failing to renew his contract, but ending the season with his first trophy would crown off a memorable spell in the Lombardy capital.

Current indications suggest that the 25-year-old Kessie will join Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer.

Milan

Kessie goes full circle with Milan in last home game

Franck Kessie started his Serie A career with Atalanta and now he’ll face them in his final home game with Milan today.

The 25-year-old Ivorian forward is preparing to play in a Rossoneri shirt at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for the last time this evening, a must-win match as the team look to take one step closer to their first Scudetto in a decade.

As reported by Tuttosport, Kessie’s time with Milan is drawing to a close and it’s fitting that he’ll face Atalanta in his last home game in San Siro, ending a cycle filled with ups and downs.

It’s been a difficult season for the Ivorian, who fell out with some of the Rossoneri faithful for failing to renew his contract, but ending the season with his first trophy would crown off a memorable spell in the Lombardy capital.

Current indications suggest that the 25-year-old Kessie will join Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer.

Milan

Kessie goes full circle with Milan in last home game

Franck Kessie started his Serie A career with Atalanta and now he’ll face them in his final home game with Milan today.

The 25-year-old Ivorian forward is preparing to play in a Rossoneri shirt at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza for the last time this evening, a must-win match as the team look to take one step closer to their first Scudetto in a decade.

As reported by Tuttosport, Kessie’s time with Milan is drawing to a close and it’s fitting that he’ll face Atalanta in his last home game in San Siro, ending a cycle filled with ups and downs.

It’s been a difficult season for the Ivorian, who fell out with some of the Rossoneri faithful for failing to renew his contract, but ending the season with his first trophy would crown off a memorable spell in the Lombardy capital.

Current indications suggest that the 25-year-old Kessie will join Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer.

Milan

Milan take first official step to sign Origi

Milan have reportedly started the official process of signing Liverpool forward Divock Origi on a free transfer.

The 27-year-old Belgian forward’s contract expires with the Reds next month and it’s been clear for a while now that he’d be leaving on a free, with the Rossoneri leading the race to secure his signature. Origi has scored six goals and provided four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this season under Jurgen Klopp.

As reported by Calciomercato.com, Milan have officially informed Liverpool of their desire to sign Origi on a free transfer. This isn’t just a courteous gesture as the rules state that the player’s home club must be told about negotiations, even when he’s leaving on a free transfer.

This is a sign that the Rossoneri are working to close out the deal for the Belgian forward, ready to include him in their plans for next season. Origi scored a goal and provided an assist in two Champions League games against Milan earlier this season.