After Juventus’ hard-fought victory over managerless Spezia, Angel Di Maria has realized that “Italian football is generally very difficult.” He now turns his attention to Nantes in the Europa League. The Old Lady put in a far cry from their best, but they got the job done thanks to substitute Di Maria’s snooker shot and Moise Kean’s scuffed volley from a Filip Kostic cross.
Football
What Is Next for Italian Football After World Cup Quarter Defeat?
Italy, four-time champions failed to qualify for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar. This was the second time in a row that they missed the tournament. So, what is next for the European Champions?
In the UEFA World Cup qualifying round, Italy had been put in Group C along with Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Lithuania, and Bulgaria. The pressure had been high for Roberto Mancini, the coach and the team as Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup that was held in Russia 4 years back.
Massimiliano Allegri reveals Paul Pogba’s return date
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that Paul Pogba has been struggling with an injury that has prevented him from making a second debut for the team. After coming back from Manchester United as a free agent in the summer, Pogba is yet to make his second debut for the team. The availability of the French midfielder will be a huge boost for Juventus in the pursuit of the league title. Juventus are still seven points behind table leaders Napoli after 16 matches. Now, Allegri has confirmed that a training injury has been a significant factor behind Pogba not featuring in the squad so far.
The 29-year-old came back to training a few weeks ago and he was thought to be set for return earlier than scheduled. Now, Allegri has revealed that the club are taking it slow and the midfielder has been training without any signs of pain for the first time after a while. It means thatPogba could be available in the squad within the next few weeks. Allegri is hopeful that the player will be in contention when the team are scheduled to play Monza towards the end of August.Pogba is all set to team up with his international teammate Adrian Rabiot, who is in discussions with Juventus over a contract extension.
Mancini Talks about Italy Not Missing Out on World Cup Again
Roberto Mancini, the current manager of the national team Italy, has much to say about Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup twice in a row. He hopes that his country never misses out on participating in the forthcoming World Cup tournaments. He admits that EURO 2020 was a win that was like a full circle achieved for the Sampdoria team. This was especially so since they had lost in the finals of the European Cup at the same venue, Wembley Stadium.
NEWCASTLE UNITED PLOT ELEVENTH-HOUR MOVE FOR TIEMOUE BAKAYOKO
According to a fresh report from Italian outlet Calciomercato, Newcastle United have joined Nottingham Forest in the race to sign forgotten Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko. The news comes as AC Milan, who currently have the Frenchman on loan, intend to offload him by cutting short his two-year loan transfer in half.
ITALIAN SERIE A GIANTS AC MILAN REKINDLE INTEREST IN JAPHET TANGANGA PURSUIT
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan are looking to reopen talks for Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga, who is back on their radar to replace Alessio Romagnoli. The young defender does not have a future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and there has been considerable interest coming from Italy. Japhet Tanganga’s top-notch performances at the start of last season seem to have been long forgotten. The defender has since lost form and fallen considerably down the pecking order at Tottenham. Under Antonio Conte, there appears to be no future for the versatile defender, who is capable of playing on the right and centrally.
ITALIAN SERIE A GIANTS AC MILAN REKINDLE INTEREST IN JAPHET TANGANGA PURSUIT
According to Calciomercato, AC Milan are looking to reopen talks for Tottenham defender Japhet Tanganga, who is back on their radar to replace Alessio Romagnoli. The young defender does not have a future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and there has been considerable interest coming from Italy. Japhet Tanganga’s top-notch performances at the start of last season seem to have been long forgotten. The defender has since lost form and fallen considerably down the pecking order at Tottenham. Under Antonio Conte, there appears to be no future for the versatile defender, who is capable of playing on the right and centrally.
INTER MILAN VS SPEZIA PREVIEW: PROBABLE LINEUPS TEAM NEWS AND PREDICTION
Inter Milan will be keen to secure Scudetto glory again after falling short against arch-rivals AC Milan last season in the Serie A title race. They were, however, far from convincing in the season opener against Lecce and had to rely on a 95th-minute winner from Denzel Dumfries to secure all three points. A return to home comforts is on the cards, and the Nerazzurri will be aiming to treat their fans with a match-winning display.
PSG, INTER FAIL ON SKRINIAR AGREEMENT
French giants Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and Italian football giants Inter Milan are yet to reach an agreement over Slovakian defender Milan Skriniareven after the latest meeting between the representatives of the two teams on Wednesday. Italian football media portal Sportitalia confirmed the latest meeting between the two clubs and that they have not made a breakthrough in the quest for Skriniar to leave Inter Milan for PSG this summer.
DUMFRIES ON CHELSEA, UNITED RADAR
Two Premier League teams are in the hunt for Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries this summer. This is according to the various reports in the Italian media. It has been revealed that it could take around €40m to sign Dutchman Dumfries from Italian football side Inter Milan.
Italian football giants Inter Milan are keen to balance the books and they were hoping to make this happen with the sale of Slovakian national team central defender Milan Skriniar, but PSG have not been able to meet the €80m asking price for the player. Skriniar has been linked with Premier League teams Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea in the past transfer windows. However, PSG are the only team in the running for the Slovakia international. Skriniar is likely to stay at Italian football club Inter Milan after the immediate past Italian Serie A champions lost out to Juventus in the race to sign Brazilian player Gleison Bremer from Torino.