Arnautovic beendet Frosinones Hoffnungen auf die Überraschung

Inter Mailand hat sich bei Kellerkind Frosinone keine Blöße gegeben. Dem Meister reichte eine dosierte Leistung gepaart mit einer eiskalten Chancenverwertung. Allerdings hatten die Nerazurri auch etwas Glück, dass die Hausherren teils beste Chancen ungenutzt ließen. Arnautovics Treffer zum zwischenzeitlichen 2:0 brach den Willen dann endgültig.

Marko Arnautovic bejubelte seinen Treffer zum vorentscheidenden 2:0.

Marko Arnautovic bejubelte seinen Treffer zum vorentscheidenden 2:0.

IMAGO/Giuseppe Maffia

Während Inter Mailand als bereits feststehender Meister die Saison ausklingen lassen kann, kämpft Neuling Frosinone noch um den Klassenerhalt – und startete deshalb auch aktiv in die Partie. Mit der ersten richtigen Chance stachen dann aber die Nerazzurri durch Frattesi eiskalt zur (18.).

Geschockt waren die Gastgeber aber nicht: Brescianini ließ Sommer fliegen (25.), Cheddira scheiterte gar an der Latte (40.). Eine stark durchrotierte Mannschaft aus Mailand ließ es weiter ruhig angehen und konnte von Glück reden, dass Frosinone einfach zu viel liegen ließ, denn auch nach dem Seitenwechsel gelang dem Team von Eusebio di Francesco trotz bester Chancen einfach kein Treffer.

Serie A, 36. Spieltag

Aus dem Nichts hätte der deutsche U-21-Nationalspieler Bisseck beinahe erhöht, köpfte nach einer Ecke aber nur an die Latte (58.). Nur zwei Minuten später machte Arnautovic dann alles klar. Der 35-Jährige musste eine Frattesi-Vorlage nur zu seinem dritten Saisontreffer einschieben (60.).

Inter macht es deutlich

Spätestens als Carlos Augusto einen Abschluss von Brescianini vor der Linie geklärt hatte (76.) und Buchanan seine Freiheiten zum 3:0 genutzt hatte (77.), war der Wille des Aufsteigers gebrochen. Es schlichen sich immer mehr Fehler in der Defensive ein.

Der eingewechselte Lautaro Martinez nutzte eine schlechte Klärung zum 4:0 (80.) und auch Thuram profitierte von einem Ballverlust und lupfte zum 5:0-Endstand über Keeper Cerofolini hinweg (84.).

Enttäuschend und enttäuscht: Napoli gibt in Udine den Sieg spät aus der Hand

Der längst entthronte Meister Napoli will seine verkorkste Saison noch halbwegs retten, indem man sich für den Europapokal qualifiziert. In Udine reichte es aber nur zu einem enttäuschenden 1:1.

Hellblaue Freude: Rrahmani, Lindström, Osimhen und Cajuste (v. li.) bejubeln das 1:0.

Hellblaue Freude: Rrahmani, Lindström, Osimhen und Cajuste (v. li.) bejubeln das 1:0.

IMAGO/IPA Sport

Hatte Napoli noch vor einem Jahr zu dieser Zeit die erste Meisterschaft nach 33 Jahren gefeiert, so verläuft die aktuelle Saison mehr als nur enttäuschend. Als Tabellenachter befinden sich die Neapolitaner im grauen Mittelfeld und sind zum Siegen verdammt, wollen sie sich noch für das internationale Geschäft qualifizieren.

Am Montag im Gastspiel beim akut abstiegsbedrohten Udinese Calcio war in den ersten 45 Minuten nicht zu sehen, dass Napoli gewinnen muss – oder gar will. Die Süditaliener hatten zwar mehr Ballbesitz, spielten aber in weiten Teilen pomadig und wirkten teilweise sogar ein wenig verloren in ihren Offensivbemühungen.

Und Udine? Das hatte im ehemaligen Leipziger Samardzic zumindest einen Aktivposten – der Serbe war dann auch Ausgangspunkt der zwei einzigen Chancen in Hälfte eins: In der 34. Minute verzog er knapp aus der zweiten Reihe, während zehn Minuten später seine Ecke Ausgangunkt von Bijols vergebener Chance war, der Slowene schoss ebenfalls knapp vorbei.

Serie A, 35. Spieltag

Napoli steigert sich nach der Pause

Nach dem Seitenwechsel war es Cajuste, der nach einem Fehler im Spielaufbau den ersten nennenswerten Torschuss zustande brachte, als er aus spitzem Winkel Udines Schlussmann Okoye prüfte (48.).

Napoli war besser aus der Pause gekommen – und belohnte sich dann auch bald: Politano wurde auf der rechten Außenbahn nicht konsequent attackiert und flankte stark ins Zentrum zu Osimhen, der gegen zwei Verteidiger zum Kopfball kam und das 1:0 erzielte (48.)

Danach verpasste es der Noch-Meister, den Sack zuzumachen und hatte zudem Pech, dass Osimhens vermeintliches 2:0 wegen hauchdünner Abseitsstellung nicht zählte (80.). Die Quittung gab’s in der Nachspielzeit, als der aufgerückte Kristensen per Kopf von rechts für Joker Success ablegte und dieser den Ball zum 1:1 in die Maschen jagte (90.+2).

Trotz des späten Punktgewinns bleibt Udine Tabellen-18., hat aber nur noch einen Punkt Rückstand auf das rettende Ufer, wo sich derzeit die punktgleichen Empoli und Frosinone befinden. Die Hoffnung dürfte man im Friaul also noch nicht aufgegeben haben. Warum auch, hat man doch in den letzten drei verbliebenen Partien noch die Sechs-Punkte-Spiele gegen Empoli und Frosinone vor der Brust. Zuvor geht es am kommenden Spieltag am Montag nach Lecce (18.30 Uhr). Napoli erwartet indes am Samstag (18 Uhr) den FC Bologna.

Juventus’ Allegri: Bonucci to replace Chiellini as captain

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said on Sunday that Leonardo Bonucci will be the new club captain following the departure of Giorgio Chiellini.

The Italy skipper announced he would be leaving the Bianconeri at the end of the campaign following the 4-2 Coppa Italia final defeat to Inter.

And, speaking in a press conference ahead of Monday’s clash Lazio, Allegri confirmed Bonucci would wear the armband from next season.

The Juve coach also said he hopes his side will learn from the defeats to Inter in the league and cup final which negatively impacted their campaign.

“The team’s personality has grown throughout this season,” Allegri said. “The defeat to Inter in the league stopped us in our tracks.

“In Wednesday’s match, we were unable to bring him the Coppa Italia. When you don’t win, you don’t need to talk but focus on what needs to be done next season.”

Juve have finished the campaign trophyless for the first time since 2010-11 but will be in next season’s Champions League, having guaranteed themselves a top-four finish.

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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Scamacca drops hints on future: ‘Priority is continuing in Serie A’

Gianluca Scamacca is sought after in the Premier League and Bundesliga, but the Sassuolo striker insists his ‘priority is to continue in Serie A,’ giving Inter, Milan and Juventus hope.

The striker scored twice in today’s 3-1 victory away to Bologna, along with a Domenico Berardi bicycle-kick at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

This has been the breakout campaign for Scamacca, who is tipped to lead the Italy squad in future rather than Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, and he credits coach Alessio Dionisi for this growth.

“I didn’t have that much experience, so I thought only the statistics needed to speak for me, but a modern striker has to play for his teammates too. A goal is an added bonus, but the important thing is to play for the team,” Scamacca told Sky Sport Italia.

He has been linked with amongst others Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Newcastle United, Inter, Milan and Juventus.

“I think my priority now is to make my mark in Italy. Having said that, the transfer market is somewhat unpredictable. When the time comes to make a decision, I’ll try to make the best one.

“Serie A is of a very high level and my priority is to continue here. Others will then evaluate and we’ll see what happens.”

Serie A Highlights: Bologna 1-3 Sassuolo

Watch as Sassuolo turn on the style in the local derby with Bologna, including a Gianluca Scamacca double and acrobatic Domenico Berardi bicycle-kick.

Scamacca took centre-stage with a free header on Berardi’s corner, while Vlad Chiriches had a goal disallowed after using his arm to control the rebound off the bar.

Serie A | Bologna 1-3 Sassuolo: Scamacca and Berardi dominate derby

Berardi’s spectacular overhead kick from six yards doubled their lead before Davide Frattesi threaded through for Scamacca to make it 3-0.

Riccardo Orsolini converted a stoppage-time penalty after Ruan Tressoldi charged down a Mitchell Dijks cross with his arm.

Spalletti: ‘Insigne creates something out of nothing’

Luciano Spalletti hails departing Napoli captain Lorenzo Insigne as ‘someone who can create something out of absolutely nothing,’ the vision a coach can never prepare for.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

This is home-town hero Insigne’s final game at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and he saluted the fans with an emotional speech before kick-off against Genoa.

“Those like Insigne give coaches like us the solution that is written on no tactical whiteboard,” Spalletti told DAZN.

“They can bring creativity to create something out of absolutely nothing. I wish him a glorious future, he should be aware he’s had a marvellous career here.

“I asked him if he slept last night and he said, a little bit, yes.”

Insigne was not able to agree a new contract with Napoli and has signed for MLS club Toronto FC, who he’ll join from July 1.

Tearful Insigne says goodbye to Napoli: ‘We’re an enormous family’

Lorenzo Insigne fought back tears during an emotional speech to the fans ahead of his final match in a Napoli jersey at the Stadio Maradona. ‘We celebrated, suffered and at times argued, but always together, like an enormous family.’

The game against Genoa kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

He has not been able to agree a new contract and instead is joining MLS club Toronto FC as a free agent from July 1.

His teammates fanned out in a guard of honour as he walked out onto the pitch with his two sons and was presented with commemorative gifts, a framed jersey from Dries Mertens, a painting from Kalidou Koulibaly, a trophy from President Aurelio De Laurentiis – who was booed by the fans.

“As you know, I am not good with words, but I wrote something down,” said Insigne.

“All I can say is thank you. Thank you to a city that gave me everything. I grew up here with you. We celebrated, suffered and at times argued, but always together, like an enormous family.

“I felt loved by the people of my land, of my jersey. Playing for Napoli was not just a marvellous experience, but also a huge responsibility that I accepted with love and pride.

“Any goodbye leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but this one more than others. Leaving Napoli means leaving home, knowing I will miss this and you forever.

“Over the years, we amassed unforgettable moments that I will take with me. I always gave everything I had, but the biggest game, where there are no winners or losers, is the one we played together.

“Finally, thank you to all the fans of Napoli around the world, to all the teammates who became friends I could count on. Thank you to the entire staff who took care of me from the first day. To the club that made all this possible. To those who always believed in me.

“Thank you from my heart, Forza Napoli always.”

There were banners from both the Curva A and Curva B sections of ultras.

‘Your jersey weighed more than any other, because it belonged to someone who truly loved it. You wore it with creativity, courage and dignity, as a proud son of this city.’

Another read: ‘You conquered less than you dreamed of, was often insulted and given little consideration. You will always be remembered with affection by this Curva!’

Fittingly, the get-together was concluded with a giant bear-hug from Tommy Starace, the legendary kit and coffee man who has been working for Napoli since the Diego Maradona era.

Serie A | Bologna 1-3 Sassuolo: Scamacca and Berardi dominate derby

Sassuolo flattened local rivals Bologna with a Gianluca Scamacca brace and spectacular Domenico Berardi bicycle-kick.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Bologna 1-3 Sassuolo

This was an Emilia-Romagna Derby and the first game back at the Stadio Dall’Ara for Sinisa Mihajlovic since completing his second round of leukaemia treatment. He was irritated after his comeback coincided with a 4-3 defeat to Venezia and wanted a stronger response. Giorgos Kyriakopoulos was suspended for the Neroverdi, with Pedro Obiang and Jeremy Toljan injured.

Gianluca Scamacca forced a save with his snapshot from distance, beaten away by Lukasz Skorupski, and it was Scamacca who broke the deadlock when allowed a criminally free header on the Domenico Berardi corner.

Moments later, Arthur Theate made a decisive block on Giacomo Raspadori’s strike, while Marko Arnautovic’s horrible miss was spared by the offside flag.

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

Davide Frattesi stung Skorupski’s gloves at the near post on a smart Matheus Henrique slide-rule pass, then the goalkeeper scrambled to safety after Berardi’s flick over Theate.

Bologna moved to 4-3-3 after the restart and were far more effective, yet got away with more poor defending on a corner on the hour mark.

Gian Marco Ferrari’s header came off the bar and Vlad Chiriches turned in the rebound, but it was disallowed because he’d used his arm to control it.

Musa Barrow blasted over after a cheeky Marko Arnautovic back-heel flick, but Sassuolo doubled their lead with a spectacular Berardi bicycle-kick from six yards, as Skorupski had intercepted a low cross with his foot, which pinged the ball straight up into the air.

Andrea Consigli smothered Barrow’s attempt from point-blank range after an Arnautovic knock-down, but Scamacca added a third as he ran onto the Davide Frattesi through ball and swept into the far bottom corner.

Bologna had won 3-0 away to Sassuolo earlier this season, so the Neroverdi took full revenge. Orsolini could’ve had a consolation late on, but couldn’t get enough on the header at the back post.

In the final minute, VAR noticed Ruan Tressoldi used his arm to charge down the Mitchell Dijks cross and Bologna received a penalty, converted into the roof of the net by Orsolini.

Bologna 1-3 Sassuolo

Scamacca 35, 80 (S), Berardi 75 (S), Orsolini pen 92 (B)