Category: Serie A

Criscito nets late penalty to fire relegation-threatened Genoa to win over Juventus

May 6, 2022

An injury-time penalty from Domenico Criscito fired relegation-threatened Genoa to a 2-1 win over Juventus.

Genoa trailed with three minutes left on the clock, but Albert Gudmundsson drew them level and Criscito fired home from the spot deep in injury time for three points as they battle to avoid the drop.

After a slow start to the half with Juventus controlling the majority of the possession, Genoa gradually grew into the game towards the end of the opening 45 minutes.

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The best chance of the half fell to striker Mattia Destro, who headed a corner over from close-range.

Wojciech Szczesny, who had little to do in the first 40 minutes, found himself called into action three times as the first half drew to a close, giving Genoa confidence going into the second period.

Destro continued to prove problematic, and forced a strong save out of Szczesny on the stroke of half time after a speculative long-range effort was beaten away by the Poland international.

Genoa had another chance through Destro 60 seconds into the second half, but after meeting a fizzed delivery across the box, blazed his first-time effort over the bar.

Two minutes later Juventus took the lead through Paulo Dybala, who scored his ninth goal against Genoa in spectacular fashion. He picked the ball up 25 yards from goal and crafted a pinpoint strike towards the far post, before nestling into the bottom left corner.

Juventus were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute when substitute Marley Ake was fouled by Gudmundsson, but a quick VAR check showed he got enough of the ball for the referee to overturn the decision.

Minutes later Gudmundsson levelled the score with a neat finish beyond Szczesny.

The host’s were awarded a penalty deep into injury-time, which was dispatched by club captain Criscito to complete the comeback and earn a valuable three points for Genoa.

With two games remaining, Genoa have hope in the battle to stay up.

TALKING POINT – HUGE COMEBACK WIN FOR GENOA

The odds remain stacked against them in the relegation battle, but a late double wrapped up all three points for the hosts, who needed them now more than ever. With three minutes to go it looked like they were heading for defeat, and potential relegation on Sunday, but an Albert Gudmundsson goal turned the tide before captain Domenico Criscito kept his cool to dispatch a penalty deep into added time.

Relegation rivals Cagliari and Salernitana face-off this weekend, but for now Genoa sit just a point from safety with two games to go. They’ve taken their chance and it could be worth top-flight football next season.

MAN OF THE MATCH – PAULO DYBALA (JUVENTUS)

The Argentine was the best player on the pitch by a distance. He was replaced when Juventus were leading and in cruise control, with Max Allegri likely having one eye on Wednesday’s Coppa Italia final, but outclassed his opposition throughout the game.

He took his goal exceptionally, showing elite precision to find the bottom corner from 25 yards out, and almost repeated the strike later on in the game, but was denied by the post. The goal was his 115th for Juventus, and ninth against Genoa.

MATCH RATINGS

GENOA: Sirigu 7, Hefti 7, Bani 6, Ostigard 6, Criscito 8, Galdames 6, Badelj 6, Melegoni 6, Amiri 7, Portanova 8, Destro 7

Subs: Yeboah 5, Gudmundsson 8, Ekuban 5, Frendrup 5

JUVENTUS: Szczesny 6, Cuadrado 6, Bonucci 7, Rugani 6, De Sciglio 7, Arthur 5, Miretti 6, Rabiot 6, Dybala 9*, Vlahovic 7, Kean 5

Subs: Sandro 5, Ake N/A, Morata 6, Bernardeschi 5, Zakaria 5

KEY MOMENTS

31’ – CHANCE GENOA! After forcing a cheap corner out of Kean, Destro wins the header in front of goal but guides it over the bar. The best chance so far for the hosts.

45’+1 – PORTANOVA STRIKES FROM RANGE! And Szczesny beats it away! That was a great effort from the winger against his former club. The Juventus goalkeeper has been called into action a few times in the last couple minutes after a quiet half.

48’ – GOAL! GENOA 0-1 JUVENTUS (DYBALA): And what a strike it is! He finds the bottom corner from roughly 25 yards out. That’s his ninth goal against Genoa.

87’ – GOAL! GENOA 1-1 JUVENTUS (GUDMUNDSSON): His first for Genoa and what a time to get it! A cool finish gives Szczesny no chance!

90’+6 – GOAL! GENOA 2-1 JUVENTUS (CRISCITO): Incredible scenes! A huge moment for Genoa! Criscito buries the penalty in the bottom left corner.

KEY STAT

  • 115 – Paulo Dybala scored his 115th goal for Juventus, equalling Roberto Baggio (9th place each in the all time Bianconeri scorers ranking). (Opta).

Serie A

Bonucci nets double as Juventus edge out Venezia

01/05/2022 AT 10:08

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Lautaro nets twice as Inter rally from two behind to beat Empoli and move top of Serie A

May 6, 2022

Lautaro Martinez’s brace got Inter Milan back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Empoli 4-2 and keep their Serie A title hopes alive.

Inter, who lost control of the title race by losing to Bologna nine days ago, fell two goals behind to strikes from Andrea Pinamonti after five minutes and Kristjan Asllani just before the half-hour mark.

However, an own goal from Simone Romagnoli five minutes before the break gave them a lifeline and Lautaro crashed home Hakan Calhanoglu’s pull-back to get them even before the break after an incredible first half.

Serie A

Inter keep their Scudetto dream alive with Udinese win

01/05/2022 AT 15:54

There only looked like being one winner after that point, though it took nearly 20 minutes before Lautaro, with another crashing finish, gave them the crucial lead.

The home side kept pouring forward and after a host of chances were squandered, before Alexis Sanchez turned home Edin Dzeko’s cross in injury time to seal the win.

Inter are now a point clear of AC Milan, having played a game more, with their city rivals set to play at Verona on Sunday.

TALKING POINT – Inter stared into the abyss but fight on

You can look at it two ways. How could Inter go two goals down to a side in mid-table – especially having lost to Bologna recently? And there is the suspicion that if they had not been gifted a goal from Romagnoli – and a questionable disallowed goal – the tough night might have extended deep into the second half at least. But when they needed them most, their key men took control and turned the game back in their favour. Their co-tenants remain the favourites and even a draw at Verona would leave them in control with two games remaining due to their head-to-head advantage over Inter. But Inter live to fight another day and it certainly looked like this might not be the case a third of the way into this match.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Ivan Perisic (Inter)

It would have been easy to give the award to Lautaro Martinez whose two efforts which won the game were sublime. But if there was one Inter player who showed his best form throughout the game, even in that difficult first half-hour, it was Perisic who did not stop tormenting the right-hand side of the Empoli defence for the whole game and his cross led to the own goal which brought the hosts back into the game. There might not be a better deliverer of a ball from that flank in world football. If his team-mates had been on form Inter could have doubled their score.

PLAYER RATINGS

Inter: Handanovic 6; Skriniar 6, De Vrij 6, Dimarco 7; Dumfries 7, Barella 7, Brozovic 6, Calhanoglu 8, Perisic 9*; Lautaro Martinez 8, Correa 6.

Subs: Dzeko 7, Vidal 6, D’Ambrosio 6, Darmian 6, Sanchez 6.

Empoli: Vicario 7; Fiamozzi 5 Romagnoli 6, Luperto 6, Parisi 5; Zurkowski 7, Stulac 6, Bandinelli 6; Asllani 6, Bajrami 6, Pinamonti 7.

Subs: Henderson 6, Di Francesco 6, Cutrone 6, Ismajli 6, Benassi 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

5′ GOAL FOR EMPOLI! What a fantastic start! It was a fantastic run down the right flank from Zurkowski and his low cross behind the defence was met on the stretch from Pinamonti.

10′ GOAL – NO! It looked like Inter were two down but Zukowski’s goal was disallowed for an offside against Pinamonti. He slotted the ball home superbly.

23′ PENALTY FOR INTER! It looked like Parisi got the ball when Barella went down. Now the referee is looking at the video screen. It’s been over-ruled, no penalty.

28′ GOAL FOR EMPOLI! Amazing! A long ball over the top was brilliantly controlled by Asllani who directed the ball wide of Handanovic and then slid the ball under him for his first Serie A goal.

40′ GOAL FOR INTER! An own goal from Romagnoli and maybe that is what they needed to get back into the game. Dimarco slid a low cross behind the defence and with a desperate lunge the defender shinned the ball into the net.

45′ GOAL FOR INTER! Crisis over? Well, they will at least go in level. Lautaro slammed the ball home with the outside of his right boot after Calhanoglu pulled the ball back from the left by-line.

64′ GOAL FOR INTER! It was coming. Another period of pinball in the Empoli box led to the ball being hit in the direction of Lautaro and he lashed home a low effort which even Vicario didn’t have a chance to stop.

90+2′ OFF THE POST! A fine run from Dzeko skipping past a diving challenge before hitting a shot which had Vicario beaten but came back off the post.

90+4′ GOAL FOR INTER! Finally Inter get a fourth and it is from Sanchez who was all alone at the far post after Dzeko pulled the ball across from the left-hand side of the six-yard box.

KEY STAT

Serie A

Inter suffer title blow as Arnautovic and Sansone seal Bologna win

27/04/2022 AT 17:21

Serie A

Empoli score three late goals in seven minutes to stun Napoli

24/04/2022 AT 12:04

Lautaro nets twice as Inter rally from two behind to beat Empoli and move top of Serie A

May 6, 2022

Lautaro Martinez’s brace got Inter Milan back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Empoli 4-2 and keep their Serie A title hopes alive.

Inter, who lost control of the title race by losing to Bologna nine days ago, fell two goals behind to strikes from Andrea Pinamonti after five minutes and Kristjan Asllani just before the half-hour mark.

However, an own goal from Simone Romagnoli five minutes before the break gave them a lifeline and Lautaro crashed home Hakan Calhanoglu’s pull-back to get them even before the break after an incredible first half.

Serie A

Inter keep their Scudetto dream alive with Udinese win

01/05/2022 AT 15:54

There only looked like being one winner after that point, though it took nearly 20 minutes before Lautaro, with another crashing finish, gave them the crucial lead.

The home side kept pouring forward and after a host of chances were squandered, before Alexis Sanchez turned home Edin Dzeko’s cross in injury time to seal the win.

Inter are now a point clear of AC Milan, having played a game more, with their city rivals set to play at Verona on Sunday.

TALKING POINT – Inter stared into the abyss but fight on

You can look at it two ways. How could Inter go two goals down to a side in mid-table – especially having lost to Bologna recently? And there is the suspicion that if they had not been gifted a goal from Romagnoli – and a questionable disallowed goal – the tough night might have extended deep into the second half at least. But when they needed them most, their key men took control and turned the game back in their favour. Their co-tenants remain the favourites and even a draw at Verona would leave them in control with two games remaining due to their head-to-head advantage over Inter. But Inter live to fight another day and it certainly looked like this might not be the case a third of the way into this match.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Ivan Perisic (Inter)

It would have been easy to give the award to Lautaro Martinez whose two efforts which won the game were sublime. But if there was one Inter player who showed his best form throughout the game, even in that difficult first half-hour, it was Perisic who did not stop tormenting the right-hand side of the Empoli defence for the whole game and his cross led to the own goal which brought the hosts back into the game. There might not be a better deliverer of a ball from that flank in world football. If his team-mates had been on form Inter could have doubled their score.

PLAYER RATINGS

Inter: Handanovic 6; Skriniar 6, De Vrij 6, Dimarco 7; Dumfries 7, Barella 7, Brozovic 6, Calhanoglu 8, Perisic 9*; Lautaro Martinez 8, Correa 6.

Subs: Dzeko 7, Vidal 6, D’Ambrosio 6, Darmian 6, Sanchez 6.

Empoli: Vicario 7; Fiamozzi 5 Romagnoli 6, Luperto 6, Parisi 5; Zurkowski 7, Stulac 6, Bandinelli 6; Asllani 6, Bajrami 6, Pinamonti 7.

Subs: Henderson 6, Di Francesco 6, Cutrone 6, Ismajli 6, Benassi 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

5′ GOAL FOR EMPOLI! What a fantastic start! It was a fantastic run down the right flank from Zurkowski and his low cross behind the defence was met on the stretch from Pinamonti.

10′ GOAL – NO! It looked like Inter were two down but Zukowski’s goal was disallowed for an offside against Pinamonti. He slotted the ball home superbly.

23′ PENALTY FOR INTER! It looked like Parisi got the ball when Barella went down. Now the referee is looking at the video screen. It’s been over-ruled, no penalty.

28′ GOAL FOR EMPOLI! Amazing! A long ball over the top was brilliantly controlled by Asllani who directed the ball wide of Handanovic and then slid the ball under him for his first Serie A goal.

40′ GOAL FOR INTER! An own goal from Romagnoli and maybe that is what they needed to get back into the game. Dimarco slid a low cross behind the defence and with a desperate lunge the defender shinned the ball into the net.

45′ GOAL FOR INTER! Crisis over? Well, they will at least go in level. Lautaro slammed the ball home with the outside of his right boot after Calhanoglu pulled the ball back from the left by-line.

64′ GOAL FOR INTER! It was coming. Another period of pinball in the Empoli box led to the ball being hit in the direction of Lautaro and he lashed home a low effort which even Vicario didn’t have a chance to stop.

90+2′ OFF THE POST! A fine run from Dzeko skipping past a diving challenge before hitting a shot which had Vicario beaten but came back off the post.

90+4′ GOAL FOR INTER! Finally Inter get a fourth and it is from Sanchez who was all alone at the far post after Dzeko pulled the ball across from the left-hand side of the six-yard box.

KEY STAT

Serie A

Inter suffer title blow as Arnautovic and Sansone seal Bologna win

27/04/2022 AT 17:21

Serie A

Empoli score three late goals in seven minutes to stun Napoli

24/04/2022 AT 12:04

Lautaro nets twice as Inter rally from two behind to beat Empoli and move top of Serie A

May 6, 2022

Lautaro Martinez’s brace got Inter Milan back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Empoli 4-2 and keep their Serie A title hopes alive.

Inter, who lost control of the title race by losing to Bologna nine days ago, fell two goals behind to strikes from Andrea Pinamonti after five minutes and Kristjan Asllani just before the half-hour mark.

However, an own goal from Simone Romagnoli five minutes before the break gave them a lifeline and Lautaro crashed home Hakan Calhanoglu’s pull-back to get them even before the break after an incredible first half.

Serie A

Inter keep their Scudetto dream alive with Udinese win

01/05/2022 AT 15:54

There only looked like being one winner after that point, though it took nearly 20 minutes before Lautaro, with another crashing finish, gave them the crucial lead.

The home side kept pouring forward and after a host of chances were squandered, before Alexis Sanchez turned home Edin Dzeko’s cross in injury time to seal the win.

Inter are now a point clear of AC Milan, having played a game more, with their city rivals set to play at Verona on Sunday.

TALKING POINT – Inter stared into the abyss but fight on

You can look at it two ways. How could Inter go two goals down to a side in mid-table – especially having lost to Bologna recently? And there is the suspicion that if they had not been gifted a goal from Romagnoli – and a questionable disallowed goal – the tough night might have extended deep into the second half at least. But when they needed them most, their key men took control and turned the game back in their favour. Their co-tenants remain the favourites and even a draw at Verona would leave them in control with two games remaining due to their head-to-head advantage over Inter. But Inter live to fight another day and it certainly looked like this might not be the case a third of the way into this match.

MAN OF THE MATCH – Ivan Perisic (Inter)

It would have been easy to give the award to Lautaro Martinez whose two efforts which won the game were sublime. But if there was one Inter player who showed his best form throughout the game, even in that difficult first half-hour, it was Perisic who did not stop tormenting the right-hand side of the Empoli defence for the whole game and his cross led to the own goal which brought the hosts back into the game. There might not be a better deliverer of a ball from that flank in world football. If his team-mates had been on form Inter could have doubled their score.

PLAYER RATINGS

Inter: Handanovic 6; Skriniar 6, De Vrij 6, Dimarco 7; Dumfries 7, Barella 7, Brozovic 6, Calhanoglu 8, Perisic 9*; Lautaro Martinez 8, Correa 6.

Subs: Dzeko 7, Vidal 6, D’Ambrosio 6, Darmian 6, Sanchez 6.

Empoli: Vicario 7; Fiamozzi 5 Romagnoli 6, Luperto 6, Parisi 5; Zurkowski 7, Stulac 6, Bandinelli 6; Asllani 6, Bajrami 6, Pinamonti 7.

Subs: Henderson 6, Di Francesco 6, Cutrone 6, Ismajli 6, Benassi 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

5′ GOAL FOR EMPOLI! What a fantastic start! It was a fantastic run down the right flank from Zurkowski and his low cross behind the defence was met on the stretch from Pinamonti.

10′ GOAL – NO! It looked like Inter were two down but Zukowski’s goal was disallowed for an offside against Pinamonti. He slotted the ball home superbly.

23′ PENALTY FOR INTER! It looked like Parisi got the ball when Barella went down. Now the referee is looking at the video screen. It’s been over-ruled, no penalty.

28′ GOAL FOR EMPOLI! Amazing! A long ball over the top was brilliantly controlled by Asllani who directed the ball wide of Handanovic and then slid the ball under him for his first Serie A goal.

40′ GOAL FOR INTER! An own goal from Romagnoli and maybe that is what they needed to get back into the game. Dimarco slid a low cross behind the defence and with a desperate lunge the defender shinned the ball into the net.

45′ GOAL FOR INTER! Crisis over? Well, they will at least go in level. Lautaro slammed the ball home with the outside of his right boot after Calhanoglu pulled the ball back from the left by-line.

64′ GOAL FOR INTER! It was coming. Another period of pinball in the Empoli box led to the ball being hit in the direction of Lautaro and he lashed home a low effort which even Vicario didn’t have a chance to stop.

90+2′ OFF THE POST! A fine run from Dzeko skipping past a diving challenge before hitting a shot which had Vicario beaten but came back off the post.

90+4′ GOAL FOR INTER! Finally Inter get a fourth and it is from Sanchez who was all alone at the far post after Dzeko pulled the ball across from the left-hand side of the six-yard box.

KEY STAT

Serie A

Inter suffer title blow as Arnautovic and Sansone seal Bologna win

27/04/2022 AT 17:21

Serie A

Empoli score three late goals in seven minutes to stun Napoli

24/04/2022 AT 12:04

Hamsik: ‘Insigne and I have a similar story at Napoli’

May 6, 2022

Napoli legend Marek Hamsik sees similarities between his and Lorenzo Insigne’s farewell to the club and confirms he snubbed moves to Juventus, Milan and Inter.

Hamsik left Napoli in February 2019 after becoming the player with the most appearances and goals across all competitions. His contract at the club would have expired in 2020.

“It was a huge love story. I have many friends at the club. I talk to Aurelio De Laurentiis when I can, who has always shown me his affection. I am in touch with Maurizio Micheli, Napoli’s chief scout. I owe him a lot. He is the one who brought me to Italy [at Brescia] for the first time,” he told Il Corriere dello Sport.

Hamsik didn’t have a proper farewell game before leaving the club and sees similarities between his farewell and Lorenzo Insigne’s. The Italy international will join Toronto as a free agent in June.

“Lorenzo’s history is very similar to mine. Everything happened very quickly, the season was ongoing when I left,” said Hamsik.

“However, it’s never too late to meet again, perhaps we could organise a game at the San Paolo [Stadio Maradona now]. If they want me to return with a role at the club after the end of my career, I’d be ready.

“I didn’t forget anything. The Coppa Italia, the Supercups, emotions, memories. A Serie A title would have been deserved, we were really close.”

Massimiliano Allegri wanted to sign Hamsik at Milan and Juventus, while Walter Mazzarri tried to bring him to Inter, but Hamsik never thought about leaving Naples.

“Now I can say that I was proud to attract interest from an important coach such as Allegri,” he said.

“I never talked to him directly, but I know he considered me worthy of playing with him and that he would be pleased [to have me in his teams].”

“Inter? I can’t deny it, but I never thought about leaving Napoli. I could have never done it.”

Hamsik

Jorge Mendes holds key role to Milan transfers

May 6, 2022

Super-agent Jorge Mendes will play a key role in Milan‘s transfers next summer, from the contract extension of Rafael Leao to the potential signings of Renato Sanches and Marco Asensio.

The Rossoneri may have a €300m budget for new signings if Investcorp completes the club’s takeover. Jorge Mendes has been in talks with the Serie A giants for a long time as Milan are willing to extend Rafael Leao’s contract as soon as possible.

Mendes will soon sit down with Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara and the two parties will also discuss other clients on the agenda of the Portuguese agent.

Milan in a hurry to extend with Leao amid PSG and Premier League links

Lille’s Renato Sanches is seen as a potential replacement for Franck Kessié, who has signed with Barcelona ahead of a free move over the summer. Sanches’ teammate Sven Botman will be Milan’s first signing in 2022-23 and Sanches would be happy to follow his teammate in Milan.

His contract expires in 2023 and he is not willing to renew. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mendes has recently clarified that his client wants a salary lower than €6-7m and that joining Milan is his priority.

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has recently joined Mendes’ clients’ list and Milan are among the suitors of the Spain international. As per Calciomercato.com, Asensio is Milan’s primary target to bolster their attacking options on the right wing. However, the 26-year-old has received an offer to extend with the La Liga giants and has demanded a €7m-a-year contract from Milan, who will only offer €5m per season.

Jorge Mendes holds key to Milan transfers

May 6, 2022

Super-agent Jorge Mendes will play a key role in Milan‘s transfers next summer, from the contract extension of Rafael Leao to the potential signings of Renato Sanches and Marco Asensio.

The Rossoneri may have a €300m budget for new signings if Investcorp completes the club’s takeover. Jorge Mendes has been in talks with the Serie A giants for a long time as Milan are willing to extend Rafael Leao’s contract as soon as possible.

Mendes will soon sit down with Paolo Maldini and Ricky Massara and the two parties will also discuss other clients on the agenda of the Portuguese agent.

Milan in a hurry to extend with Leao amid PSG and Premier League links

Lille’s Renato Sanches is seen as a potential replacement for Franck Kessié, who has signed with Barcelona ahead of a free move over the summer. Sanches’ teammate Sven Botman will be Milan’s first signing in 2022-23 and Sanches would be happy to follow his teammate in Milan.

His contract expires in 2023 and he is not willing to renew. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mendes has recently clarified that his client wants a salary lower than €6-7m and that joining Milan is his priority.

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio has recently joined Mendes’ clients’ list and Milan are among the suitors of the Spain international. As per Calciomercato.com, Asensio is Milan’s primary target to bolster their attacking options on the right wing. However, the 26-year-old has received an offer to extend with the La Liga giants and has demanded a €7m-a-year contract from Milan, who will only offer €5m per season.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

May 6, 2022

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

May 6, 2022

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.

Mathias Olivera ‘fascinated by Napoli,’ says Getafe President

May 6, 2022

Getafe President Angel Torres admitsMathías Olivera is ‘fascinated’ by a potential move to Napoli, but urges the Partenopei to pay the defender’s release clause.

The 24-year-old is among Napoli’s main targets for 2022-23 and is believed to have already agreed personal terms with the Serie A side. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported in April that the defender’s move to the Stadio Maradona was virtually a done deal.

Getafe President Angel Torres confirms Mathías Olivera’s move to Naples is on the cards but denies Napoli have reached an agreement with his club.

“Olivera is fascinated by Napoli and the Champions League,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“We’ll talk about it at the end of the season. For now, we are focused on the race for survival. If Napoli pay his clause, they can close the deal straight away.”

The defender’s clause is believed to be €20m. His contract with Getafe runs out in June 2025.