Category: News

‘Let’s see what happens’ Ceferin threats Juve, Real Madrid and Barcelona over Super League sanctions

May 7, 2022

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin confirms that Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid could be sanctioned following their involvement in the Super League: ‘Let’s see what happens…’

The three European giants are the only ones not to have formally withdrawn from the breakaway competition that was launched one year ago by 12 elite clubs. However, it collapsed within 48 hours with a decisive push from England. Premier League clubs were the first ones to leave the competition and return to ECA, followed by Atletico Madrid, Inter and Milan.

Juve, Real Madrid and Barcelona are still out of ECA and could face sanctions for still being involved in the competition after that the Madrid Commercial Court lifted the injunction imposed on UEFA at the end of April.

Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid risk Champions League exclusion in 2023-24

Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid could receive fines or even be excluded from European competitions from 2023-24. UEFA President Ceferin confirms that these three clubs could face sanctions in the future.

“Yes, of course. It’s possible. But let’s see what happens,” he told AS.

“We just got the decision. We are glad that it finally came. I was shocked by the behaviour of the previous judge – we were not even offered a hearing; we just received the decision with precautionary measures. Now, finally, we had a proper hearing, and these measures are lifted in their entirety. I trust the Spanish authorities and courts. Let’s see what happens.

“Look, this project – which I am quite fed up with talking about because it doesn’t exist anymore – would absolutely ruin football,” he continued.

“When I saw the reaction of English fans, I was impressed. Fans in France and Germany didn’t have to do anything because their clubs didn’t participate. And I was a bit surprised by the fans’ soft reaction in Spain and Italy, although I do understand it. Sometimes these things go a bit slower in some countries, and since the Italian teams and Atletico Madrid quickly abandoned the project, there was not enough time to have a stronger reaction from the fans. I was surprised by the lack of reaction from Barcelona’s fans, as I always considered it a people’s club.”

Ceferin also confirms that the clubs didn’t inform him before launching the project in April 2021.

“They didn’t. When you do something like this, it makes more sense for them to approach us than the other way around. But they never did. The only ‘greetings’ UEFA got from them came from courts, as they tried to challenge us everywhere. We never said they could not play in their own competition, because they can if they want.

“It’s funny that these were the clubs who applied first for a place in the Champions League. If they play something else, they cannot play in our competitions. That is not a monopoly. They can create their own UEFA and do whatever they think is right. You know, I showed them a lot of respect in the past. I don’t want to speak about the chairman of Juventus, but in my relationship with him, I was very open and honest. I never said this before, but I also invited the President of Real [Madrid], Florentino Pérez, to Nyon before any of this happen to speak about the future competitions. He cancelled the meeting with a text message just 24 hours before because of what he called ‘an event related to basketball.’

“With Bartomeu, I never spoke. In a way, he was already on his way out of the club. So they all had a chance to speak, and we have never been aggressive or arrogant. The announcement of that project was an act of unbelievable arrogance from their side, which is probably why they don’t want to communicate with UEFA. But that never influenced how we treated them in our competitions. You can see from their success – Real Madrid will play the Champions League final and Barcelona Women’s Champions League final. That is a clear signal that our competitions are healthy, fair and correct.”

Aleksander Ceferin

Inter: Lautaro doesn’t miss Lukaku

May 7, 2022

Inter star Lautaro Martinez has scored more goals than in 2020-21, proving that he doesn’t miss last season’s strike partnership with Romelu Lukaku.

El Toro netted a decisive brace against Empoli yesterday, helping Inter to secure a 4-2 win and leapfrog Milan on top of the Serie A table. The Rossoneri have a game in hand and will face Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi tomorrow.

Lautaro has scored 23 goals in 46 appearances across all competitions, 19 in Serie A. He has netted one goal every 132 minutes. It’s his most prolific season at Inter, even better than 2020-21 when he formed one of the best strike partnerships in Europe with Romelu Lukaku.

The Belgian returned to Chelsea in the summer but is having a disappointing spell at Stamford Bridge. The striker misses the good old days in a Nerazzurri shirt, but Lautaro has become even more consistent without ‘Big Rom’ close to him. The Argentinean star had scored 19 goals in 48 games last season, 17 in Serie A.

Lautaro is Inter’s best scorer this season and one of Simone Inzaghi’s key men. He has recently extended his contract until 2026, but his future at the club remains in doubt as the Benamata may need to sell another star in the summer to balance the books.

Juventus: Vlahovic’s reaction to being subbed off sparks debate

May 7, 2022

Pressure mounts on Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic with fans and media discussing his reaction to being subbed off against Genoa yesterday.

The Serbia international hasn’t scored in the last three Serie A games and was quite disappointed when Max Allegri subbed him off against Genoa yesterday.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Vlahovic was unhappy with his performance rather than Allegri’s decision to replace him. The Italian tactician defended the striker after the match, saying he had put in a good performance.

The striker’s goal-per-minute ratio has risen since his move to Juventus, where he has managed one goal every 207 minutes. During the first part of the season at Fiorentina, he had netted once every 102 minutes.

“This was one of Vlahovic’s best games on a technical level. I am very pleased with the way he played with his technique,” he told DAZN.

Allegri stands up for Juventus, Vlahovic and Kean

“I tried to explain it before, but I was attacked as if I was the one ruining Vlahovic. He hasn’t played that many Serie A games and we need to find a balance here.

“Maybe he didn’t realise it was a good performance, I think next season we will see a definite improvement in terms of how he balances out the tempo of his performance, learning that he hasn’t failed if he doesn’t score a goal, there’s more to it.”

The Serbia international was replaced after 75 minutes to let him rest ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final.

“I don’t agree with his reaction,” Former Serie A and Italy goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

“It’s normal to score sometimes, he is taking it personally and this frustration is reflected in the way he plays. He must remain calm because Juventus need him to win the Coppa Italia.”

Fans on social media are also discussing Vlahovic’s performance and overall impact at Juventus. Contrary to Marchegiani, most fans blame Allegri and his defensive tactics for the striker’s drop. The 22-year-old has scored seven goals in 18 games since his move to the Allianz Stadium in January.

Serie A Highlights: Genoa 2-1 Juventus

May 6, 2022

Watch as Paulo Dybala puts Juventus in front with a quality strike, but Genoa turn it around in the most dramatic of circumstances, Domenico Criscito with tears of joy after last week’s trauma.

Dybala had curled in with his weaker right foot and come close to a second that thumped the upright, while the Bianconeri saw a penalty revoked after a VAR on-field review on Albert Gudmundsson’s tackle.

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

It was Gudmundsson who equalised moments later on a splendid Nadiem Amiri assist, but with Moise Kean missing a sitter, Genoa received a spot-kick.

With the last kick of the game, Criscito set aside last week’s traumatic miss against Sampdoria by converting to keep the Grifone’s Serie A hopes alive.

Blessin: ‘You can’t write this screenplay, I feel 30 years older’

May 6, 2022

Genoa coach Alexander Blessin ‘feels 30 years older’ after the incredible comeback win over Juventus and admits you ‘can’t write this screenplay’ with the Domenico Criscito penalty.

It was a remarkable game at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, Paulo Dybala putting Juve in front at the dawn of the second half and then hitting the woodwork, while a penalty was awarded to Juve and then revoked following a VAR on-field review.

“It’s really difficult to describe the feelings,” an emotional Blessin told Sky Sport Italia in English.

“We started not good, the first 20 minutes we dropped too deep, we got better, but we needed the players to believe. We made changes, I wanted more of a box-to-box player with deep movements.

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

“After three minutes of the second half, you concede this goal and you think oh f***. You made a mistake. At this moment you have real problems, think ok, perhaps it wasn’t the best decision, but the players believe in the way we play and showed a great mentality.”

The extraordinary turnaround was enacted by Albert Gudmundsson and above all Criscito converting a last-gasp penalty, just days after the same Genoa legend saw his spot-kick saved in a 1-0 defeat to Sampdoria.

“The last 15 minutes was really unbelievable. You cannot write this screenplay, when you think we equalised 1-1, they had a big chance with Kean, we got the penalty. This is football, full of emotions.

“You see last week Mimmo not scoring the penalty, now he has the responsibility and it is unbelievable how much pressure is on his shoulders at this moment. Winning this game, you cannot say it’s not deserved. We tried everything, showed a really great mentality.

“For sure, we are still in this position, but we are close to the other teams and we are back on track.”

Criscito was utterly distraught after last week’s penalty save against Sampdoria, so how did Blessin help him through the week?

“You saw this week his training, his performance. I talked to him, told him head up, the next chance will come. Usually when you talk to the players, they don’t believe you, but I felt the sensation we can still reach this. He has this experience, this really great left foot and it was nice to see his performance today after last week.

“This is why we love football! Mind you, I feel 30 years older now…”

Allegri stands up for Juventus, Vlahovic and Kean

May 6, 2022

Max Allegri stands up for Dusan Vlahovic and Moise Kean after Juventus fumbled a lead to lose 2-1 at Genoa in stoppages. ‘We didn’t have anyone slowing the moves down.’

Paulo Dybala had scored a splendid strike with his weaker right foot and also hit the woodwork with his left, but Albert Gudmundsson equalised before Domenico Criscito converted a last-gasp penalty.

“More than angry, I am disappointed not to win a game that was on the right track. We should’ve scored a second goal and didn’t,” Allegri told Sky Sport Italia.

“The thing we really need to work on, although admittedly the characteristics of the players aren’t suited to it, is that once we had to take off Arthur, Minetti and Dybala, we didn’t have any player who could dictate the tempo and slow the moves down. We only had counter-attacking players and it was end-to-end stuff. When you waste so many chances, you are going to be punished.”

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

Juve had to rotate the squad and take some of their star names off early to rest them ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Inter.

“I am sad to lose, but in terms of the table, at least it didn’t make much difference. Now we have the Coppa Italia and absolutely cannot make the same mistakes there.

“Arthur had been out for a while, Cuadrado was just coming back and had an hour in his legs, so we had to try to balance the playing time and reach Wednesday in the best condition.”

Vlahovic seemed very irritable on the bench in the final stages, having forced a couple of saves but again failed to find the net.

“This was one of Vlahovic’s best games on a technical level. I am very pleased with the way he played with his technique. I tried to explain it before, but I was attacked as if I was the one ruining Vlahovic. He hasn’t played that many Serie A games and we need to find a balance here. Maybe he didn’t realise it was a good performance, I think next season we will see a definite improvement in terms of how he balances out the tempo of his performance, learning that he hasn’t failed if he doesn’t score a goal, there’s more to it.”

Kean missed a couple of absolute sitters at Marassi this evening, so what is his next step?

“Kean is a player who usually scores with half a chance, tonight he had five or six and didn’t score, so that’s football for you. He has more experience, despite being very young, but he too needs to play it simple and not use up so much energy in these individual duels that aren’t really helping.”

Considering the drama of Domenico Criscito’s tears after his penalty was saved against Sampdoria last week, what did Allegri think when he saw the veteran step up again?

“Football can give you opportunities that come round and round again. I felt he would score tonight, because at the 95th minute again and at the same end, he was unlikely to get it wrong a second time.

“This is the sport, if you don’t take your chances, you can be punished, so Genoa deserved it.”

Criscito: ‘Football makes you cry and smile’

May 6, 2022

Genoa captain Domenico Criscito explains how he felt shaking off last week’s penalty error to give Genoa victory against Juventus. ‘Football makes you cry, it makes you smile.’

The dramatic finale at Marassi felt like something out of a movie, a week on from his stoppage-time effort saved by Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero in a 1-0 defeat that left him utterly distraught.

This time, Genoa had another last-gasp spot-kick and Criscito converted to give them a 2-1 win over Juve, keeping their hopes of avoiding relegation alive.

“Football makes you cry, it makes you smile. Nobody can cancel last week’s error, but I am happy for these three points as we keep that little light alive and can still believe,” Criscito told Sky Sport Italia.

“The fight to stay in Serie A is so tight, we’ve got to keep battling to the end. We must face Napoli with the same determination as tonight, because we went behind, but never stopped believing.”

When the penalty was awarded at the 95th minute, despite what happened against Sampdoria, Criscito did not hesitate to step up.

“To be honest, I was more relaxed tonight than last week. The problem last week was I changed corner at the last second and it went badly, this time I felt sure.”

His wife and children were in the stands and they looked to be in tears even before he took the penalty.

“My wife knows how much I suffer when we lose. It has been a hard week for us, I was concentrated only on working. I am very happy.”

Serie A | Genoa 2-1 Juventus: Criscito revives the Grifone

May 6, 2022

Paulo Dybala scored a wonderful goal, but Genoa completed a dramatic comeback with Domenico Criscito this time in tears of joy for a last-gasp penalty.

Watch the highlights here.

Serie A Highlights: Genoa 2-1 Juventus

The Bianconeri were already guaranteed a top four finish, but didn’t rotate the squad too much ahead of Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final against Inter. Juan Cuadrado and Mattia De Sciglio returned, with Danilo and Luca Pellegrini joining long-term absentees Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie, Federico Chiesa and Kaio Jorge, so 18-year-old Fabio Miretti started his second game in midfield. Genoa were desperate after the defeat to Sampdoria left them four points from safety, with Nikola Maksimovic and Zinho Vanheusden not fully fit.

Moise Kean wasted a huge chance in the opening minutes, nodding over from a Paulo Dybala cross at the back post.

Mattia Destro also turned a header over from a Pablo Galdames corner, while Salvatore Sirigu got his fingertips to a Kean pull-back for Dusan Vlahovic.

Serie A Liveblog: Inter-Empoli and Genoa-Juventus

Leonardo Bonucci charged down Filippo Melegoni’s attempt and Dybala tested Sirigu from distance, as did Manolo Portanova on Wojciech Szczesny with a scorcher.

Straight after the restart, Destro ballooned over when relatively undisturbed from eight yards, but Juventus did take their chance moments later.

Dybala gathered just outside the D and unleashed a wonderful curling finish with his weaker right foot into the far bottom corner, dipping just beyond Sirigu’s fingertips.

Szczesny had to readjust after a poor Kean back-pass and deal with a Frendrup strike, but Dybala almost had a second when curling with his left foot from a similar position to the goal, this time finding the base of the upright.

Vlahovic rode two tackles to force a save at the near post, while Kean had the ball in the net only after he was flagged offside.

Caleb Ekuban’s header whistled wide, but Genoa breathed a sigh of relief when the referee awarded a penalty on 84 minutes, only to change his mind after a VAR on-field review, seeing Albert Gudmundsson got the ball before Marley Ake.

It proved decisive, because moments later Gudmundsson equalised for Genoa. It was a divinely weighted through ball from Nadiem Amiri and he kept his cool for the angled drive past Szczesny.

It should’ve been 2-1 for Genoa a minute after that, Juve giving it away cheaply only for Amiri to fire straight at Szczesny from nine yards. Amiri also saw a shot charged down by Denis Zakaria.

Kean was limping badly when Alvaro Morata went on the counter and rolled it across for the young striker to incredibly fire wide of an open goal.

That again proved decisive, because moments later Mattia De Sciglio brought down Kelvin Yeboah for a penalty. Criscito had been left in floods of tears just days earlier when his last-gasp penalty was saved against Sampdoria. However, the veteran immediately stepped up and converted with the last kick of the game into the bottom corner, this time left with tears of joy as his teammates surrounded him.

Genoa are still alive and Criscito went from zero to hero.

Genoa 2-1 Juventus

Dybala 48 (J), Gudmundsson 87 (G), Criscito pen 96 (G)

Lecce and Cremonese earn promotion to Serie A

May 6, 2022

Lecce and Cremonese have earned direct promotion to Serie A for the 2022-23 season, as Monza fell at the final hurdle and go into the play-offs.

The final round of the regular season was played this evening and they went into the last 90 minutes with everything still up in the air.

Lecce had 68 points, Monza 67, Cremonese 66 and Pisa 64.

While Lecce secured the victory they needed over Pordenone thanks to a Zan Majer effort, Monza fell at the final hurdle with a surprise 1-0 defeat away to Perugia.

Because Cremonese surged into an early 2-0 lead that they retained away to Como, it is Cremonese who go straight into Serie A for the first time since 1995-96.

It is a swift return to the top flight for Lecce, who were last in Serie A during the 2019-20 campaign.

Pisa also won 2-1 away to Frosinone, so Monza slide down from second to fourth.

That means the play-offs contain Pisa, Monza, Brescia, Ascoli, Benevento and Perugia.

Alessandria, Crotone and Pordenone drop into Serie C.

Promotion to Serie A

Promotion play-offs semi-finals

Promotion play-offs preliminary round

Relegation play-out

Relegation to Serie C

Serie A Lega logo

Lautaro Martinez: ‘Inter the most important thing’

May 6, 2022

Lautaro Martinez explains the difficulty of his first goal in the 4-2 comeback win over Empoli and why ‘Inter is the most important thing of all.’

The Nerazzurri were shaken after going 2-0 down at San Siro to Empoli with Andrea Pinamonti and Kristjan Asllani goals, but Simone Romagnoli put into his own net before Lautaro Martinez equalised.

The turnaround was completed after the restart with another Lautaro Martinez strike and Alexis Sanchez in stoppages.

“We managed to recover after going two goals down and played in the second half with the intensity that we are capable of,” the Argentina international told DAZN.

“My first goal was certainly tougher than the second, because I saw the goalkeeper had two players in front of him, so I aimed for the far post.”

This victory sends Inter temporarily top of the Serie A table, awaiting Milan’s trip to Hellas Verona on Sunday.

“It was an important game for us, but then we’ve been saying that for weeks now. We’re in the running for another title and we must do everything we can to win it.”

Meanwhile, Lautaro Martinez has already achieved a new personal best with 23 competitive goals this season.

“I try to improve every day and keep raising the bar. I also must do what the coach asks, because Inter is the most important thing of all.”

Lautaro was asked if he has written to his fellow Argentina international Giovanni Simeone to encourage Verona to give their best against Milan.

“No, no, I don’t need to do that, I am sure Verona will put in a great performance.”