Category: Serie A

Pioli defines Tonali strengths and Milan belief in Scudetto

May 8, 2022

Stefano Pioli describes Sandro Tonali’s strengths, how unpicking Verona tactically could be used against Atalanta and how Milan developed their ‘courage and belief’ in the Scudetto dream.

It was a rough start at the Bentegodi when Tonali’s opener was ruled offside and Marco Davide Faraoni instead put Verona in front.

However, Tonali got on the end of another two Rafael Leao assists and Alessandro Florenzi came off the bench to seal the 3-1 victory.

Serie A | Verona 1-3 Milan: Birthday boy Tonali conquers the Bentegodi

“I am in love with my players, because I see the effort they put in every day, I know the journey we’ve been on. There’s another very tough one coming up, so we’re satisfied yes, but already need to find concentration for the next,” Pioli told DAZN.

This allows the Rossoneri to retain their two-point lead at the top of the table over Inter, and is their 10th victory of the season coming back from a trailing situation.

“Courage and belief come from your experience and your performances. For example, not taking the lead after 25 minutes, we didn’t feel anxious, because we knew that we were playing well and kept that spirit going to the end.

“This squad has step by step climbed the ladder, we’ve got to keep this concentration, determination and belief going for the final two games.”

Theo Hernandez was cutting inside more than usual, is that to counter Verona’s three-man defence and could it be used again with Atalanta next week?

“I think we played one of our best performances for 70-80 minutes against Atalanta last time, but they are one of the best squads in the league. They have a similar tactical approach to Verona, so it’s important to find the right characteristics within our squad to neutralise those strengths.”

Tonali had the best performance of his career, scoring two goals and having a third chalked offside, all on his 22nd birthday.

“He is young, but so strong. I said after two days of pre-season training, he was completely different to last term. These are young lads, many of us are experiencing this level for the first time and doing it in the right way, but we haven’t achieved anything yet.

“When coaches say it takes time to build a team, we also mean just getting to know our players and finding those characteristics that can be used. When we have two midfielders, we can attack more down the wings, whereas like this we can allow Tonali to surge forward and use the way he times those runs.

“The first day, I asked Sandro what his ideal position was, he said ‘people compare me to Andrea Pirlo, but I consider myself more of a Gennaro Gattuso.’ I think if we add in Daniele De Rossi to that mix, that completes him.”

Milan take on Atalanta next and this is a special fixture for Pioli and the Rossoneri.

“We are in the final stages. I think this Milan was born during the horrible, humiliating 5-0 defeat to Atalanta. That was when we realised what was needed to develop this team. It was one of the most negative moments of my career, but also one of the most valuable.”

El Oporto se busca un problema con Luis Díaz

May 8, 2022

El Bayern reconoce problemas con Gnabry

“Intentamos ofrecer a todos lo mejor, pero también tenemos límites. Hemos tenido muchas conversaciones y tendremos más. Me gusta mucho Serge, el chico es genial, y estaría feliz si se quedara”, afirmaba a Sport1 Hasan Salihamidzic, director deportivo del club muniqués sobre el proceso de renovación del extremo alemán de ascendencia costamarfileña, que finaliza contrato en 2023.

De romperse las negociaciones, el Bayern estaría abocado a plantearse la venta de uno de sus mejores activos (17 goles y 13 asistencias esta temporada). Todo ello con los fantasmas de los casos recientes de Alaba, Kroos o Süle, el más reciente. Sin contar a Lewandowski, que toca la puerta de salida. Es el dolor de cabeza para la directiva bávara, que ya ha renovado a Coman, Ulreich o Thomas Müller.

Aunque no ha sido el único asunto al que ha pasado revista. También habló de uno de los nombres del momento: Erlin Haaland. Pese a que, contrario a la tendencia, surgieron informaciones reflotando un interés del Bayern en el noruego, el bosnio zanjó de raíz las especulaciones: “Este no será el próximo club de Haaland”.

AC Milan rally to beat Verona and move step closer to Serie A title

May 8, 2022

Rafael Leao once again proved AC Milan’s saviour as he created two goals for Sandro Tonali as the Rossoneri recovered from a goal down to win in Verona and move a step closer to their first Serie A title since 2011.

After a strong opening, when they were denied a goal from Tonali by a marginal offside early in the build up, Milan fell behind to a header from Verona skipper Davide Faraoni, who nodded home Darko Lazovic’s perfect cross.

Three minutes into injury-time in the first half, Leao raced to the byline on the left side of the penalty area and drove a ball which Tonali, holding off a challenge from Federico Ceccherini, nudged home from two yards out.

Transfers

Chelsea could lose Mount and Pulisic this summer – Paper Round

02/05/2022 AT 05:40

Four minutes after the restart, it was almost deja vu when, breaking from a corner, Leao raced past Antonin Barak and then played a perfect low cross to Tonali at the back post.

In the 86th minute, Milan’s nerves were allayed as substitute Alessandro Florenzi played a one-two with Junior Messias then drove into the box and smashed a low effort home.

Milan now lie two points clear of rivals Inter, also holding an advantage in the head-to-head tie-breaker employed in Serie A if sides are level on points, with just two games remaining.

TALKING POINT

Serie A now the most competitive league – For a long time in Italian football a team trying really hard when they have nothing to play for was looked down upon, in the same way they could not understand the effort and fan appreciation in England of players sprinting 30 yards to make an inconsequential sliding challenge on the halfway line. In the not too distant past players have been seen on television complaining about the effort being put in by opponents which threatened to derail a procession to the title. This seems to be in the past now.

Both Milan teams, locked in a tussle for the Scudetto, have almost stumbled against teams embedded in mid-table, with no major historic rivalry, but who for at least half a game looked like taking points which could have settled the title race. You compare this to how Manchester City and Liverpool have brushed aside all-comers (until the latter’s recent slip until Champions League-chasing opposition), as well as the easy path to the title for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain, and Serie A this season stands as a beacon for how competitive a league should ideally be.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Rafael Leao (AC Milan) – Although likely the first Milan team to win the title since 2011, it will never be rated one of the great Rossoneri sides – admittedly they face incredibly strong competition in this regard. The one position which will bear comparison with one of the greatest Milan teams is their left winger who for the second game in succession rescued the side from a parlous situation. In an era of great left-sided forwards Leao is as exciting and consistent as any.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hellas Verona: Montipo 7; Gunter, Casale 6, Ceccherini 6; Faraoni 7, Tameze 6, Ilic 6, Lazovic 7; Barak 6, Caprari 7; Simeone 7.

Subs: Depaoli 6, Hongla 6, Lasagna 6, Sutalo 6.

AC Milan: Maignan 7; Calabria 6, Tomori 7, Kalulu 7, Theo Hernandez 6; Tonali 8*, Kessie 6; Saelemaekers 6, Krunic 7, Rafael Leao 9*; Giroud 6.

Subs: Rebic 6, Messias 6, Bennacer 6, Ibrahimovic 6, Florenzi 7.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

15′ GOAL FOR MILAN! They didn’t have to wait long this time round and the hordes of Milan fans in attendance are delighted as Tonali robbed Ilic then calmly slid the ball past the Verona keeper for the opening goal.

17′ VAR DISALLOW THE GOAL An offside decision which wasn’t obvious on replays.

38′ GOAL FOR VERONA! It has been coming. A fantastic move saw Lazovic clip a ball into the centre over the head of Maignian and Faraoni guided a header home into the net.

45+3′ GOAL FOR MILAN! You don’t make Leao angry. He skinned Casale on the left by-line and then forced a low ball inside the six-yard box which Tonali under pressure did well to turn home.

49′ GOAL FOR MILAN! Tonali with another goal and again the lion’s share of the praise deserves to go to Leao. On a break from the corner he drives past Barak and then plays a square ball just outside the reach of Montipo and perfectly for Tonali to turn home at the back post.

86′ GOAL FOR MILAN! Victory is now secure. Florenzi in his first meaningful possession played a one-two with Messias and then drove low into the corner.

KEY STAT

  • 1 – The number of Milan players who have reached double figures in league goals scored this season (Rafael Leao)
  • 3 – The number of goals scored by Sandro Tonali for Milan before this match.

Serie A

Leao strikes late to hand Milan three vital points in title chase

01/05/2022 AT 12:07

Football

Mino Raiola dies aged 54

30/04/2022 AT 14:35

AC Milan rally to beat Verona and move step closer to Serie A title

May 8, 2022

Rafael Leao once again proved AC Milan’s saviour as he created two goals for Sandro Tonali as the Rossoneri recovered from a goal down to win in Verona and move a step closer to their first Serie A title since 2011.

After a strong opening, when they were denied a goal from Tonali by a marginal offside early in the build up, Milan fell behind to a header from Verona skipper Davide Faraoni, who nodded home Darko Lazovic’s perfect cross.

Three minutes into injury-time in the first half, Leao raced to the byline on the left side of the penalty area and drove a ball which Tonali, holding off a challenge from Federico Ceccherini, nudged home from two yards out.

Transfers

Chelsea could lose Mount and Pulisic this summer – Paper Round

02/05/2022 AT 05:40

Four minutes after the restart, it was almost deja vu when, breaking from a corner, Leao raced past Antonin Barak and then played a perfect low cross to Tonali at the back post.

In the 86th minute, Milan’s nerves were allayed as substitute Alessandro Florenzi played a one-two with Junior Messias then drove into the box and smashed a low effort home.

Milan now lie two points clear of rivals Inter, also holding an advantage in the head-to-head tie-breaker employed in Serie A if sides are level on points, with just two games remaining.

TALKING POINT

Serie A now the most competitive league – For a long time in Italian football a team trying really hard when they have nothing to play for was looked down upon, in the same way they could not understand the effort and fan appreciation in England of players sprinting 30 yards to make an inconsequential sliding challenge on the halfway line. In the not too distant past players have been seen on television complaining about the effort being put in by opponents which threatened to derail a procession to the title. This seems to be in the past now.

Both Milan teams, locked in a tussle for the Scudetto, have almost stumbled against teams embedded in mid-table, with no major historic rivalry, but who for at least half a game looked like taking points which could have settled the title race. You compare this to how Manchester City and Liverpool have brushed aside all-comers (until the latter’s recent slip until Champions League-chasing opposition), as well as the easy path to the title for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain, and Serie A this season stands as a beacon for how competitive a league should ideally be.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Rafael Leao (AC Milan) – Although likely the first Milan team to win the title since 2011, it will never be rated one of the great Rossoneri sides – admittedly they face incredibly strong competition in this regard. The one position which will bear comparison with one of the greatest Milan teams is their left winger who for the second game in succession rescued the side from a parlous situation. In an era of great left-sided forwards Leao is as exciting and consistent as any.

PLAYER RATINGS

Hellas Verona: Montipo 7; Gunter, Casale 6, Ceccherini 6; Faraoni 7, Tameze 6, Ilic 6, Lazovic 7; Barak 6, Caprari 7; Simeone 7.

Subs: Depaoli 6, Hongla 6, Lasagna 6, Sutalo 6.

AC Milan: Maignan 7; Calabria 6, Tomori 7, Kalulu 7, Theo Hernandez 6; Tonali 8*, Kessie 6; Saelemaekers 6, Krunic 7, Rafael Leao 9*; Giroud 6.

Subs: Rebic 6, Messias 6, Bennacer 6, Ibrahimovic 6, Florenzi 7.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

15′ GOAL FOR MILAN! They didn’t have to wait long this time round and the hordes of Milan fans in attendance are delighted as Tonali robbed Ilic then calmly slid the ball past the Verona keeper for the opening goal.

17′ VAR DISALLOW THE GOAL An offside decision which wasn’t obvious on replays.

38′ GOAL FOR VERONA! It has been coming. A fantastic move saw Lazovic clip a ball into the centre over the head of Maignian and Faraoni guided a header home into the net.

45+3′ GOAL FOR MILAN! You don’t make Leao angry. He skinned Casale on the left by-line and then forced a low ball inside the six-yard box which Tonali under pressure did well to turn home.

49′ GOAL FOR MILAN! Tonali with another goal and again the lion’s share of the praise deserves to go to Leao. On a break from the corner he drives past Barak and then plays a square ball just outside the reach of Montipo and perfectly for Tonali to turn home at the back post.

86′ GOAL FOR MILAN! Victory is now secure. Florenzi in his first meaningful possession played a one-two with Messias and then drove low into the corner.

KEY STAT

  • 1 – The number of Milan players who have reached double figures in league goals scored this season (Rafael Leao)
  • 3 – The number of goals scored by Sandro Tonali for Milan before this match.

Serie A

Leao strikes late to hand Milan three vital points in title chase

01/05/2022 AT 12:07

Football

Mino Raiola dies aged 54

30/04/2022 AT 14:35

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Serie A | Venezia 4-3 Bologna: Lagunari postpone relegation

May 8, 2022

Venezia postpone relegation a little longer with a dramatic 4-3 victory on the day Sinisa Mihajlovic returned to the Bologna bench from leukaemia treatment.

This was the first match with Mihajlovic back on the bench since going into hospital for leukaemia treatment six weeks ago. The Lagunari were rock bottom after 10 consecutive defeats, missing Sergio Romero, Marco Modolo and suspended Ethan Ampadu, knowing anything less than a victory would mathematically doom them.

It took just four minutes to break the deadlock with pure Route One football, as goalkeeper Niki Maenpaa booted a long ball over the top, Thomas Henry let it bounce and chipped it over on-rushing Lukasz Skorupski.

Bologna’s defending was all over the place again when Ridgeciano Haps was brought down by Skorupski for a penalty. Sofian Kiyine’s spot-kick was parried by the goalkeeper, but he was able to score on the rebound to double Venezia’s lead.

Lorenzo De Silvestri’s header was off target from a corner, while Skorupski got down to fingertip a Kiyine low drive round the post and had his gloves stung by Henry after sluggish Adama Soumaoro defending.

Musa Barrow also tested Maenpaa, but Mihajlovic hauled Arthur Theate off just 33 minutes in for a tactical switch and it proved a smart change, because Riccardo Orsolini was allowed a free header at the back post on Barrow’s cross.

Marko Arnautovic forced a couple of saves after the restart, then got the equaliser when De Silvestri steered a looping header back from the by-line for the veteran Austria international to tap in on the volley from close range.

It was all Bologna in the second half and the comeback was completed with a sensational bit of skill from Jerdy Schouten, who gathered from a corner on the edge of the area and aimed a remote-controlled right-foot curler into the far top corner.

Gary Medel clipped Mattia Aramu on the ankle for another penalty. It was certainly soft, but also late and caught him, so the VAR on-field review did not change the referee’s mind. Aramu stepped up and send Skorupski the wrong way for 3-3.

It still wasn’t over, as in stoppages Dennis Johnsen curled a fantastic finish into the far top corner after Henry’s initial attempt was parried for 4-3.

They still might go down this weekend if Salernitana beat Cagliari, but at least it’s with their first win since February, ending a run of 10 consecutive defeats.

Venezia 4-3 Bologna

Henry 4 (V), Kiyine 19 (V), Orsolini 45 (B), Arnautovic 55 (B), Schouten 68 (B), Aramu pen 77 (V), Johnsen 93 (V)

Saved penalty: Kiyine 19 (V)

Roma confident Guardiola wasn’t criticising Mourinho’s club

May 8, 2022

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was mocked for mentioning Roma as an example of a club that ‘spent a lot and isn’t in the Champions League,’ but it seems as if he wasn’t criticising Jose Mourinho.

The statement in a press conference caused quite a lot of controversy both in Italy and England, with Guardiola seeming to suggest Roma’s expenditure on the transfer market was in any way comparable to that of City.

Guardiola compares Manchester City spending to Mourinho’s Roma

However, Roma have analysed the footage carefully from that interview and are now confident Guardiola was misunderstood.

He had said “that’s normal” rather than “AS Roma” and was therefore not referring to the Giallorossi, who are in the Europa Conference League Final against Feyenoord.

Serie A Liveblog: Verona-Milan, Salernitana-Cagliari, Venezia-Bologna

May 8, 2022

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games, Spezia–Atalanta, Venezia–Bologna, Salernitana–Cagliari and potential Scudetto decider Verona–Milan.

Week 36 already provided plenty of drama on Friday and Saturday, with Inter and Genoa completing comeback wins over Empoli and Juventus respectively, while Sampdoria lost 2-0 away to Lazio.

We begin today at 11.30 UK time (10.30 GMT), as Spezia are not guaranteed Serie A safety yet and host Europe-chasing Atalanta, a game between two sides who are furious with recent refereeing decisions.

At 14.00 UK time (13.00 GMT), expect emotional scenes as Sinisa Mihajlovic returns to the Bologna bench after leukaemia treatment when they visit rock bottom Venezia.

Relegation could well be decided at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT) at the Stadio Arechi when Salernitana and Cagliari go head-to-head.

Milan must beat Hellas Verona at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) to retain their two-point lead at the top of the Serie A table, but already lost the Scudetto twice in ‘Fatal Verona’ and face the ghosts of history.

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Juventus not interested in Manchester United midfielder Matic

May 8, 2022

Italian sources have been quick to shoot down reports that Manchester United defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic could join Juventus as a free agent.

The veteran is out of contract this summer and free to choose his next destination without a transfer fee.

The Daily Star suggested this weekend that Matic had chosen a proposal from Juve to continue his career in Serie A.

It would earn him a signing-on bonus and a salary worth €5m per season.

However, Italian sources from Calciomercato.it to Sky Sport Italia and Goal.com are all confident Juventus are not even interested in the possibility of signing Matic.

If anything, Matic’s representatives have offered him to the Bianconeri rather than the other way around.

They are trying to lower the overall wage bill and focus more on younger players.

If they are to go for a player over 30, it would only be Angel Di Maria, who is available once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain runs down on June 30.

Matic turns 34 in August and joined Manchester United from Chelsea for €44.7m in the summer of 2017.

Juventus not interested in Manchester United midfielder Matic

May 8, 2022

Italian sources have been quick to shoot down reports that Manchester United defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic could join Juventus as a free agent.

The veteran is out of contract this summer and free to choose his next destination without a transfer fee.

The Daily Star suggested this weekend that Matic had chosen a proposal from Juve to continue his career in Serie A.

It would earn him a signing-on bonus and a salary worth €5m per season.

However, Italian sources from Calciomercato.it to Sky Sport Italia and Goal.com are all confident Juventus are not even interested in the possibility of signing Matic.

If anything, Matic’s representatives have offered him to the Bianconeri rather than the other way around.

They are trying to lower the overall wage bill and focus more on younger players.

If they are to go for a player over 30, it would only be Angel Di Maria, who is available once his contract with Paris Saint-Germain runs down on June 30.

Matic turns 34 in August and joined Manchester United from Chelsea for €44.7m in the summer of 2017.