Category: News

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

May 15, 2022

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

May 15, 2022

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)

Allegri notes ‘these seasons happen’ after tough year with Juve

May 15, 2022

Massimiliano Allegri underlined that difficult seasons happen, even to top clubs, and noted the importance of Champions League qualification.

The Bianconeri will now finish this season in a worse position than they did last year under Andrea Pirlo, with no trophy and less points. It was been a frustrating and difficult campaign for both Allegri and the fans, who have started to lose faith in the coach that brought them to two Champions League finals.

Speaking in a press conference, Allegri first discussed the state of his team ahead of tomorrow’s match against Lazio.

“For who we are, we’re fine, tomorrow is the last at home and we have to honour it as best we can. Then it’s Chiellini’s celebration and Dybala’s last game, we must unite all three.”

Allegri touched on if this season could be considered a failure.

“Failure I’m hearing. When you’re at Juve it’s normal that there are high expectations, but such years happen.

“In the meantime we achieved Champions League qualification, which seems like a trivial objective but it’s not. It’s eleven consecutive years that Juve has taken part in the Champions League and it’s an important result.”

He did not want to rate the team’s season.

“These are trivial questions… What do I say 3, so are you happy? You always have to win here, but qualifying for the Champions League is not a trivial objective.”

The Italian coach didn’t want to discuss Paulo Pogba either.

“The season is not over yet and Pogba is a Manchester United player, with the club we will talk about the market at the end of the season. I have already forgotten, I don’t remember him so much, I have a full memory.”

Allegri commented on if Paulo Dybala’s departure takes a back seat compared to Giorgio Chiellini’s farewell.

“They are two different things. Chiellini spent 17 years with Juve, Paulo has a career ahead of him and will have the tribute of all the fans.”

The Juventus coach spoke about if there was a risk of the team giving up for the final two games of the season.

“Lazio and Fiorentina are teams in the running for the Europa League. By the way, tomorrow Sarri arrives, who is the coach of the last Scudetto, I think he will be shrewd because he deserves it.

“Some players will not be there. Danilo has finished his season, Arthur will have finished as well. De Sciglio will be back, Zakaria had a knock on his thigh and we have to evaluate but he won’t be there tomorrow.

“McKennie will see if he can be available on Wednesday. We saw Locatelli who had been out for a while. Miretti will play again tomorrow.”

He discussed if he was satisfied with this season as a whole.

“I am satisfied because of the team’s growth and the minimum goal achieved. Then I am not satisfied because we did not win anything.

“From what was negative there are always positive things, fighters in a season that stopped with Inter. Then moments often decide things. You have to take Wednesday’s defeat with you, it’s something I’ll find hard to erase.”

Finally, Allegri spoke about why it was important for him to take the defeat with him.

“Those are always there. The final must stay with us because we lost. The team did its best, but let’s not forget that in the long run numerically we paid for the traumatic injuries. Chiesa, McKennie, Danilo, Bonucci, it’s normal to pay in terms of strength.

“Vlahovic next year will be a better player than now, because he is young and can improve and has already been at Juve for six months. We have players who can potentially grow. Then with the market we’ll try to improve on the team’s shortcomings.”

Serie A line-ups: Napoli vs. Genoa

May 15, 2022

Lorenzo Insigne starts his final game at the Stadio Maradona in the Napoli jersey, but Genoa know a defeat here could see them relegated.

It kicks off at 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the LIVEBLOG.

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

There will be emotional scenes as home-town boy Insigne says goodbye ahead of his transfer to Toronto FC and MLS.

He’ll receive a commemorative plaque from President Aurelio De Laurentiis before kick-off and is expected to give a speech after the final whistle.

Insigne is accompanied by Dries Mertens, Hirving Lozano and Victor Osimhen, with none of these players guaranteed to be at Napoli next season.

Genoa know a defeat here could mean they are relegated to Serie B, as they have an inferior head-to-head record with Salernitana.

Their only hope if they lose is for Cagliari to draw with Inter and leave it all to the final round.

They fought back to beat Juventus 2-1 with a stoppage-time Domenico Criscito penalty, making up for the one that was saved by Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero.

Nikola Maksimovic, Yayah Kallon, Stefano Sturaro, Zinho Vanheusden and Riccardo Calafiori are out of action, but Kelvin Yeboah starts upfront with support from impressive Nadiem Amiri.

Napoli: Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Anguissa, Fabian Ruiz; Lozano, Mertens, Insigne; Osimhen

Genoa: Sirigu; Hefti, Bani, Ostigard, Criscito; Galdames, Badelj; Portanova, Amiri, Gudmundsson; Yeboah

Watch – Napoli fans protest against De Laurentiis: ‘Don’t talk…’

May 15, 2022

Napoli fans are continuing to express their anger at the club following their failed Scudetto challenge, this time attacking president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Banners attacking various elements of the team have started to crop up around Naples in recent weeks, with the first telling coach Luciano Spalletti to leave and the second attacking the players. Earlier this week a banner went up insulting De Laurentiis and now a second has been raised.

Seen today in Naples, a banner was raised that read “ADL? Always the same. Don’t talk, shut the f**k up.” It was signed by the Vecchi Lions ultra group.

Watch – Napoli fans protest against De Laurentiis: ‘Don’t talk…’

May 15, 2022

Napoli fans are continuing to express their anger at the club following their failed Scudetto challenge, this time attacking president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Banners attacking various elements of the team have started to crop up around Naples in recent weeks, with the first telling coach Luciano Spalletti to leave and the second attacking the players. Earlier this week a banner went up insulting De Laurentiis and now a second has been raised.

Seen today in Naples, a banner was raised that read “ADL? Always the same. Don’t talk, shut the f**k up.” It was signed by the Vecchi Lions ultra group.

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

May 15, 2022

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 Bologna–Sassuolo, Napoli–Genoa, Milan–Atalanta and Cagliari–Inter.

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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How Genoa can suffer relegation this weekend

May 15, 2022

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

May 15, 2022

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.

Why Hickey is the perfect fit for Arteta’s Arsenal

May 15, 2022

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.