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.

  • All
  • Favourites 0

Napoli

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 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.

  • All
  • Favourites 0

How Genoa can suffer relegation this weekend

Genoa are still on the cusp of suffering relegation but safety is not impossible as they prepare for their penultimate game of the season.

The Rossoblu currently sit 19th in the Serie A table on 28 points, one behind Cagliari and two behind Salernitana. They face Napoli this afternoon in Lorenzo Insigne’s final home game, so they’ll have to overcome to odds to pick up three points against the Partenopei. Their future in Serie A is directly tied to Cagliari’s, so tonight’s match in Sardinia against Inter will also prove key.

Genoa can join Venezia in mathematical relegation today if they lose to Napoli and Cagliari either win or lose to Inter. In the first case, 17th place would be four points away, and in the second, it would only be three points away but occupied by Salernitana, who hold the head-to-head advantage.

Things would be different if Genoa lost to Napoli but Cagliari picked up a draw against Inter; in that case, a complicated situation could see all three relegation candidates finish on equal points after the final game of the season, which would see Genoa avoid suffering the drop.

A win for Genoa against Napoli obviously significantly boosts their chances of survival, so they’ll be hoping to pull off the impossible.

How Genoa can suffer relegation this weekend

Genoa are still on the cusp of suffering relegation but safety is not impossible as they prepare for their penultimate game of the season.

The Rossoblu currently sit 19th in the Serie A table on 28 points, one behind Cagliari and two behind Salernitana. They face Napoli this afternoon in Lorenzo Insigne’s final home game, so they’ll have to overcome to odds to pick up three points against the Partenopei. Their future in Serie A is directly tied to Cagliari’s, so tonight’s match in Sardinia against Inter will also prove key.

Genoa can join Venezia in mathematical relegation today if they lose to Napoli and Cagliari either win or lose to Inter. In the first case, 17th place would be four points away, and in the second, it would only be three points away but occupied by Salernitana, who hold the head-to-head advantage.

Things would be different if Genoa lost to Napoli but Cagliari picked up a draw against Inter; in that case, a complicated situation could see all three relegation candidates finish on equal points after the final game of the season, which would see Genoa avoid suffering the drop.

A win for Genoa against Napoli obviously significantly boosts their chances of survival, so they’ll be hoping to pull off the impossible.

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.

  • All
  • Favourites 0

Serie A Lega logo

Nainggolan on Inter’s pressure, Brozovic’s cigarette and Perisic’s future

Radja Nainggolan suggested that Milan ‘are inferior to Inter’ despite them sitting two points ahead with two games to go.

The Rossoneri can put the pressure on their intercity rivals this evening if they pick up a home win over Atalanta, who have looked incredibly inconsistent in the second half of this season.

The Nerazzurri will face relegation candidates Cagliari in Sardinia, a match that will surely prove tougher than it seems on paper. A win for Milan and draw or loss for Inter secures the Scudetto for Stefano Pioli’s side today.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nainggolan first discussed tonight’s match between Cagliari and Inter, and who he’d prefer to win.

“I would be happy with the Inter Scudetto, but I would be overjoyed if Cagliari were saved. If, however, I have to choose, I say Rossoblu. The two teams should only blame themselves…

“A lot of mistakes were made in Sardinia and now they are being paid for. Inter threw away a good lead and they have to chase with more pressure.

“After beating Juve, immediately letting Milan pick up the Scudetto would be a double defeat for the club. Fortunately, the Coppa Italia has arrived.”

The Belgian looked at the remaining games for both Milanese clubs as the season draws to a close.

“Inter’s schedule is better, they can score six points. Atalanta are more dangerous for Milan, you don’t know how you’ll catch them, even if they have dropped a little compared to other years.

“In any case, Milan are inferior to Inter and, if they make it, it would be thanks to the coach. I had Pioli at Piacenza, he launched me like he did Tonali, he knows how to make players feel important.”

He commented on the photo showing Marcelo Brozovic smoking a cigarette.

“Definitely, he fires you up. Did you see the nice photo of Brozo smoking the other night? Had I taken it, I would have been slaughtered, but that’s just hypocrisy. What’s wrong with having a cigarette in company if you’re running on the pitch? It makes a triumph even more beautiful.”

Nainggolan then gave his thoughts on Ivan Perisic, who scored a brace in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

“Perisic! In these two years at full-back he has become an embarrassing, unbelievable player. Inter had to renew Brozo and him at all costs and as soon as possible, with the former they did, with the latter they didn’t and I can’t explain it.

“Now if he leaves, maybe even for Juve, it would be the club’s problem and certainly not Ivan’s, he’s a professional until the end.”

He touched on the mindset of Nicolo Barella ahead of Cagliari’s desperate bid to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know what I would do in his place, maybe I wouldn’t have played it because it’s easier….

“I know Nicolò, I know how much he loves Cagliari, but he has to do his job, look for the Scudetto. That’s right. For sure, it won’t be easy, it’ll be in his head.”

Finally, Nainggolan discussed if he could’ve been there to help the team avoid relegation.

“Well, they decided that. I was looking forward to staying, but if you change the plan at the last minute, then bye-bye. It burns me because I was true to my word, but now I want them to be saved.”

Nainggolan on Inter’s pressure, Brozovic’s cigarette and Perisic’s future

Radja Nainggolan suggested that Milan ‘are inferior to Inter’ despite them sitting two points ahead with two games to go.

The Rossoneri can put the pressure on their intercity rivals this evening if they pick up a home win over Atalanta, who have looked incredibly inconsistent in the second half of this season.

The Nerazzurri will face relegation candidates Cagliari in Sardinia, a match that will surely prove tougher than it seems on paper. A win for Milan and draw or loss for Inter secures the Scudetto for Stefano Pioli’s side today.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nainggolan first discussed tonight’s match between Cagliari and Inter, and who he’d prefer to win.

“I would be happy with the Inter Scudetto, but I would be overjoyed if Cagliari were saved. If, however, I have to choose, I say Rossoblu. The two teams should only blame themselves…

“A lot of mistakes were made in Sardinia and now they are being paid for. Inter threw away a good lead and they have to chase with more pressure.

“After beating Juve, immediately letting Milan pick up the Scudetto would be a double defeat for the club. Fortunately, the Coppa Italia has arrived.”

The Belgian looked at the remaining games for both Milanese clubs as the season draws to a close.

“Inter’s schedule is better, they can score six points. Atalanta are more dangerous for Milan, you don’t know how you’ll catch them, even if they have dropped a little compared to other years.

“In any case, Milan are inferior to Inter and, if they make it, it would be thanks to the coach. I had Pioli at Piacenza, he launched me like he did Tonali, he knows how to make players feel important.”

He commented on the photo showing Marcelo Brozovic smoking a cigarette.

“Definitely, he fires you up. Did you see the nice photo of Brozo smoking the other night? Had I taken it, I would have been slaughtered, but that’s just hypocrisy. What’s wrong with having a cigarette in company if you’re running on the pitch? It makes a triumph even more beautiful.”

Nainggolan then gave his thoughts on Ivan Perisic, who scored a brace in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

“Perisic! In these two years at full-back he has become an embarrassing, unbelievable player. Inter had to renew Brozo and him at all costs and as soon as possible, with the former they did, with the latter they didn’t and I can’t explain it.

“Now if he leaves, maybe even for Juve, it would be the club’s problem and certainly not Ivan’s, he’s a professional until the end.”

He touched on the mindset of Nicolo Barella ahead of Cagliari’s desperate bid to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know what I would do in his place, maybe I wouldn’t have played it because it’s easier….

“I know Nicolò, I know how much he loves Cagliari, but he has to do his job, look for the Scudetto. That’s right. For sure, it won’t be easy, it’ll be in his head.”

Finally, Nainggolan discussed if he could’ve been there to help the team avoid relegation.

“Well, they decided that. I was looking forward to staying, but if you change the plan at the last minute, then bye-bye. It burns me because I was true to my word, but now I want them to be saved.”

Nainggolan on Inter’s pressure, Brozovic’s cigarette and Perisic’s future

Radja Nainggolan suggested that Milan ‘are inferior to Inter’ despite them sitting two points ahead with two games to go.

The Rossoneri can put the pressure on their intercity rivals this evening if they pick up a home win over Atalanta, who have looked incredibly inconsistent in the second half of this season.

The Nerazzurri will face relegation candidates Cagliari in Sardinia, a match that will surely prove tougher than it seems on paper. A win for Milan and draw or loss for Inter secures the Scudetto for Stefano Pioli’s side today.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Nainggolan first discussed tonight’s match between Cagliari and Inter, and who he’d prefer to win.

“I would be happy with the Inter Scudetto, but I would be overjoyed if Cagliari were saved. If, however, I have to choose, I say Rossoblu. The two teams should only blame themselves…

“A lot of mistakes were made in Sardinia and now they are being paid for. Inter threw away a good lead and they have to chase with more pressure.

“After beating Juve, immediately letting Milan pick up the Scudetto would be a double defeat for the club. Fortunately, the Coppa Italia has arrived.”

The Belgian looked at the remaining games for both Milanese clubs as the season draws to a close.

“Inter’s schedule is better, they can score six points. Atalanta are more dangerous for Milan, you don’t know how you’ll catch them, even if they have dropped a little compared to other years.

“In any case, Milan are inferior to Inter and, if they make it, it would be thanks to the coach. I had Pioli at Piacenza, he launched me like he did Tonali, he knows how to make players feel important.”

He commented on the photo showing Marcelo Brozovic smoking a cigarette.

“Definitely, he fires you up. Did you see the nice photo of Brozo smoking the other night? Had I taken it, I would have been slaughtered, but that’s just hypocrisy. What’s wrong with having a cigarette in company if you’re running on the pitch? It makes a triumph even more beautiful.”

Nainggolan then gave his thoughts on Ivan Perisic, who scored a brace in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

“Perisic! In these two years at full-back he has become an embarrassing, unbelievable player. Inter had to renew Brozo and him at all costs and as soon as possible, with the former they did, with the latter they didn’t and I can’t explain it.

“Now if he leaves, maybe even for Juve, it would be the club’s problem and certainly not Ivan’s, he’s a professional until the end.”

He touched on the mindset of Nicolo Barella ahead of Cagliari’s desperate bid to avoid relegation.

“I don’t know what I would do in his place, maybe I wouldn’t have played it because it’s easier….

“I know Nicolò, I know how much he loves Cagliari, but he has to do his job, look for the Scudetto. That’s right. For sure, it won’t be easy, it’ll be in his head.”

Finally, Nainggolan discussed if he could’ve been there to help the team avoid relegation.

“Well, they decided that. I was looking forward to staying, but if you change the plan at the last minute, then bye-bye. It burns me because I was true to my word, but now I want them to be saved.”

Probable line-ups: Milan-Atalanta and Cagliari-Inter

League leaders Milan could secure the Scudetto with a win over Atalanta today if second place challengers Inter don’t win away against relegation candidates Cagliari.

The match between Milan and Atalanta kicks off at 17.00 UK time, with the game between Cagliari and Inter kicking off later at 19.45.

Stefano Pioli has a healthy Milan squad available to him for this evening’s tense clash as only Simon Kjaer is unavailable due to injury.

Gian Piero Gasperini has to deal with a few more injuries for the match; Giuseppe Pezzella, Josip Ilicic and Rafael Toloi are all unavailable for Atalanta.

Looking over to Sardinia, Nahitan Nandez has been ruled out for Cagliari’s match against Inter due to a thigh problem. Boris Radunović is also unavailable due to suspension.

Simone Inzaghi will be feeling prepared for the must-win battle in Sardinia, with only Matias Vecino sidelined with injury.

Probable line-ups

Milan vs Atalanta:

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kalulu, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Tonali, Bennacer; Messias, Kessié, Leao; Giroud.

Atalanta (3-4-1-2): Musso; Djimsiti, Demiral, Palomino; Hateboer, de Roon, Freuler, Zappacosta; Pasalic, Koopmeiners; Muriel.

Cagliari vs Inter:

Cagliari (3-5-2): Cragno; Ceppitelli, Lovato, Altare; Bellanova, Marin, Grassi, Rog, Lykogiannis; Joao Pedro, Pavoletti.

Inter (3-5-2): Handanovic; Skriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Brozovic, Calhanoglu, Perisic; Dzeko, Lautaro.