Category: Serie A

Dybala turns down offers as he waits for Inter

May 9, 2022

Paulo Dybala is close to joining Inter on a free transfer and he’s turned down a number of offers as he waits for the move to be completed.

The 28-year-old Argentinian forward will leave Juventus on a free transfer next month, ending a seven-year association in Turin, but he won’t be moving far away as the Nerazzurri work hard to try and secure his signature. Fans are divided regarding the move, with some calling him a traitor but others understanding his position.

As highlighted by Alfredo Pedulla, Dybala has decided to wait for Inter to complete the deal and so he’s turned down a number of unspecified offers in recent weeks, including some particularly valuable ones.

Genuine developments are expected once the Coppa Italia final has been played later this week and it might not be long now until the Argentinian forward is seen wearing the Nerazzurri shirt.

Dybala has scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 27 Serie A appearances this season for Juventus.

Valeri to officiate Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Inter

May 9, 2022

Referee Paolo Valeri will leading the officiating team in the upcoming Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Inter.

The match between the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri will kick off at 20:00 UK time at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday May 11. It is the third Coppa Italia final meeting between the two rivals and Inter will be hoping to shake-up historic precedent, as they lost both the previous Derby d’Italia finals.

As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, Rome-born referee Valeri will be the referee for the Coppa Italia final, leading the officiating team as Juventus take on Inter. He will work alongside assistant referees Alessandro Giallatini and Fabiano Preti.

The fourth official for the final will be Simone Sozza. Managing the VAR will be Aleandro Di Paolo and Rosario Abisso.

This will be the biggest match that Valeri has officiated so far; he’s previously overseen the Supercoppa Italiana final twice, the first in the 2020-21 season as Juventus and Napoli faced off, and the second in the 2014-15 campaign, when the same two teams met.

Valeri to officiate Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Inter

May 9, 2022

Referee Paolo Valeri will leading the officiating team in the upcoming Coppa Italia final between Juventus and Inter.

The match between the Bianconeri and the Nerazzurri will kick off at 20:00 UK time at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday May 11. It is the third Coppa Italia final meeting between the two rivals and Inter will be hoping to shake-up historic precedent, as they lost both the previous Derby d’Italia finals.

As reported by TuttoMercatoWeb, Rome-born referee Valeri will be the referee for the Coppa Italia final, leading the officiating team as Juventus take on Inter. He will work alongside assistant referees Alessandro Giallatini and Fabiano Preti.

The fourth official for the final will be Simone Sozza. Managing the VAR will be Aleandro Di Paolo and Rosario Abisso.

This will be the biggest match that Valeri has officiated so far; he’s previously overseen the Supercoppa Italiana final twice, the first in the 2020-21 season as Juventus and Napoli faced off, and the second in the 2014-15 campaign, when the same two teams met.

Milan’s Scudetto celebrations may force Inter fans out of San Siro

May 9, 2022

Should Milan win the Serie A title, Inter fans may be forced to quickly leave the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza after their match against Sampdoria to make space for the Rossoneri’s celebrations.

La Gazzetta dello Sport details how Lega Serie A hoped to bring forward Sassuolo-Milan and Inter-Sampdoria to Saturday May 21 at 15:00 local time, allowing for the official celebrations to take place the following day at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, regardless of the results.

This plan has collapsed, however, due to a big concert organised by Radio Italia in Piazza Duomo in Milan on Saturday. Obviously there would be significant policing and public order problems should a Milanese team win the title whilst the concert is taking place in such a public area, so the matches will have to be played on Sunday.

It’s likely that the two matches will kick off at 15:00 on the Sunday, but this could pose a problem. Should Inter win the title, there would be no issue as they’re already playing at home, but things get a little bit complicated if Milan secure the Scudetto.

The Meazza would have to be emptied of Nerazzurri fans in order to allow the Rossoneri fans the space to celebrate. Everything would be quickly transformed from Inter branding to Milan, something that precedent proves feasible.

Back in 2008, Inter celebrated their Scudetto on May 18 at the Meazza after beating Parma away in the afternoon. The stadium had hosted Milan-Udinese that afternoon and everything was quickly turned around ahead of the party.

Updates regarding this plan are expected in the coming days and contacts between the clubs and the police are constantly ongoing.

Milan’s Scudetto celebrations may force Inter fans out of San Siro

May 9, 2022

Should Milan win the Serie A title, Inter fans may be forced to quickly leave the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza after their match against Sampdoria to make space for the Rossoneri’s celebrations.

La Gazzetta dello Sport details how Lega Serie A hoped to bring forward Sassuolo-Milan and Inter-Sampdoria to Saturday May 21 at 15:00 local time, allowing for the official celebrations to take place the following day at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, regardless of the results.

This plan has collapsed, however, due to a big concert organised by Radio Italia in Piazza Duomo in Milan on Saturday. Obviously there would be significant policing and public order problems should a Milanese team win the title whilst the concert is taking place in such a public area, so the matches will have to be played on Sunday.

It’s likely that the two matches will kick off at 15:00 on the Sunday, but this could pose a problem. Should Inter win the title, there would be no issue as they’re already playing at home, but things get a little bit complicated if Milan secure the Scudetto.

The Meazza would have to be emptied of Nerazzurri fans in order to allow the Rossoneri fans the space to celebrate. Everything would be quickly transformed from Inter branding to Milan, something that precedent proves feasible.

Back in 2008, Inter celebrated their Scudetto on May 18 at the Meazza after beating Parma away in the afternoon. The stadium had hosted Milan-Udinese that afternoon and everything was quickly turned around ahead of the party.

Updates regarding this plan are expected in the coming days and contacts between the clubs and the police are constantly ongoing.

Juve still in race for Pogba after his Man City decision

May 9, 2022

Juventus are still one of the main contenders in the race to sign Paul Pogba in the summer following his decision to turn down Manchester City.

The 29-year-old Frenchman will be leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer, ending a divisive six-year spell in the North West on England. Prior to that, he had a successful four years in Turin and many fans are calling for him to return. Whilst he never managed to show his true quality for the Red Devils, his performances for France are proof that he’s still a top player.

As reported by David Ornstein, Pogba has decided not to join Manchester City in the summer; he seriously considered their offer but opted against the move, preferring a different package. Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are now the top three in the race to secure his signature, giving the fans something to get excited about.

Juve still in race for Pogba after his Man City decision

May 9, 2022

Juventus are still one of the main contenders in the race to sign Paul Pogba in the summer following his decision to turn down Manchester City.

The 29-year-old Frenchman will be leaving Manchester United on a free transfer in the summer, ending a divisive six-year spell in the North West on England. Prior to that, he had a successful four years in Turin and many fans are calling for him to return. Whilst he never managed to show his true quality for the Red Devils, his performances for France are proof that he’s still a top player.

As reported by David Ornstein, Pogba has decided not to join Manchester City in the summer; he seriously considered their offer but opted against the move, preferring a different package. Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are now the top three in the race to secure his signature, giving the fans something to get excited about.

‘Devastating’ Leao shines as Pioli’s ‘risks’ pay off against Verona

May 9, 2022

Rafael Leao made the difference for Milan in their key 3-1 win over Hellas Verona, an important victory as Stefano Pioli managed to avoid falling to the Fatal Verona curse.

The Rossoneri picked up a commanding win at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi yesterday to keep up the momentum in their quest for the Scudetto. It was a much needed win following Inter’s 4-2 comeback against Empoli on Friday. A brace from Sandro Tonali and a late addition by Alessandro Florenzi secured the victory for the Milanese club.

Leao was one of the most praised players following the victory, with La Gazzetta dello Sport feeling that he “invented the first goal” and “gifted Tonali the second”. Corriere dello Sport agreed, adding that he “cooked up the second goal in his own way.”

Tuttosport lauded even more praise on the Portuguese forward, calling him “Devastating. His two assists are two half-goals.”Corriere della Sera looked to animation for inspiration as they worked to describe his performance, suggesting that “he looks liked Road Runner, and there’s no Wile E. Coyote to follow him.”

Pioli also received praise and La Gazzetta dello Sport underlined how “He didn’t join the club of the greats to whom Verona has been fatal, but he certainly doesn’t regret it. The choice of 4-1-4-1 with Tonali so high was a nice one. Unprecedented.” Tuttosport was also impressed with Pioli’s work, noting that “he took risks and got them all right.”

Leao’s ratings in the Italian newspapers

La Gazzetta dello Sport: 8

Corriere dello Sport: 7.5

Tuttosport: 9

Corriere della Sera: 8

Pioli’s ratings in the Italian newspapers

La Gazzetta dello Sport: 8

Corriere dello Sport: 7

Tuttosport: 8

Corriere della Sera: 8

‘Devastating’ Leao shines as Pioli’s ‘risks’ pay off against Verona

May 9, 2022

Rafael Leao made the difference for Milan in their key 3-1 win over Hellas Verona, an important victory as Stefano Pioli managed to avoid falling to the Fatal Verona curse.

The Rossoneri picked up a commanding win at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi yesterday to keep up the momentum in their quest for the Scudetto. It was a much needed win following Inter’s 4-2 comeback against Empoli on Friday. A brace from Sandro Tonali and a late addition by Alessandro Florenzi secured the victory for the Milanese club.

Leao was one of the most praised players following the victory, with La Gazzetta dello Sport feeling that he “invented the first goal” and “gifted Tonali the second”. Corriere dello Sport agreed, adding that he “cooked up the second goal in his own way.”

Tuttosport lauded even more praise on the Portuguese forward, calling him “Devastating. His two assists are two half-goals.”Corriere della Sera looked to animation for inspiration as they worked to describe his performance, suggesting that “he looks liked Road Runner, and there’s no Wile E. Coyote to follow him.”

Pioli also received praise and La Gazzetta dello Sport underlined how “He didn’t join the club of the greats to whom Verona has been fatal, but he certainly doesn’t regret it. The choice of 4-1-4-1 with Tonali so high was a nice one. Unprecedented.” Tuttosport was also impressed with Pioli’s work, noting that “he took risks and got them all right.”

Leao’s ratings in the Italian newspapers

La Gazzetta dello Sport: 8

Corriere dello Sport: 7.5

Tuttosport: 9

Corriere della Sera: 8

Pioli’s ratings in the Italian newspapers

La Gazzetta dello Sport: 8

Corriere dello Sport: 7

Tuttosport: 8

Corriere della Sera: 8

Immobile in doubt for Juventus clash

May 9, 2022

Ciro Immobile may be forced to miss Lazio’s upcoming Serie A clash against Juventus due to injury.

The 32-year-old Italian striker played the full 90 minutes of the Biancocelesti’s 2-0 win over Sampdoria on Saturday, putting in a good shift even if he didn’t find the back of the net. Immobile is working hard to pick up his fourth Capocannoniere title and he currently sits four goals ahead of second place Dusan Vlahovic.

As reported by La Repubblica, Immobile suffered a sprained ankle in the first half of the win over Sampdoria. The club attempted to carry out a fix at half time and he remained on the pitch until the full time whistle went.

The Italian striker’s ankle is now swelling and he’s suffering from some pain, so Lazio will carefully manage their talisman’s condition over the next few days. He’ll likely miss a handful of training sessions and his presence for the upcoming match against Juventus is now in doubt.

Losing Immobile is a serious blow for Maurizio Sarri as Lazio’s second best goalscorer is Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who has only scored 10 goals all season to Immobile’s 27.