European Football News
Hosts Italy are the first team to book their place in the knockout stage of the ongoing Euro 2020 tournament after Switzerland were emphatically dispatched by the Italians. Italy thrashed the Swiss 3-0 to underline their credentials as one of the favourites for the tournament.
Real Madrid loaneeBrahim Diaz has said that he’s happy at Italian football giants AC Milan and that the focus is on securing a place in the Champions League next season. Diaz is on loan at Italian football club Milan from parent club Real Madrid.
Euro 2020 is just around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Thanks to the high competitiveness, there’s no denying the fact that this is set to be the best Euro in history. We have numerous teams that have great potential of winning this prestigious tournament as well as underdogs that are capable of pulling the impossible.
But, that is the beauty of football. You can never count anyone out and that is what brings excitement. With that being said, we wanted to take a look at the countries which are theoretically considered as favourites. It is worth mentioning that online sportsbooks have already opened bets for the Euro.
AS Roma defender Chris Smalling was left to rue the sloppy goals conceded by his Italian football team in the Europa League semi-final first leg clash with hosts Manchester United. Smalling and Roma were on the receiving end of a 6-2 thumping at the hands of the Red Devils at the end of the first leg thus giving themselves a huge mountain to climb in the second leg in Rome.
England international Smalling was a former Manchester United player before he left to join Roma on loan at the start of last season. His impressive performances while on loan at the Italian football team for the whole of last season prompted the club to make his move permanent last summer. He spoke to BT Sports about the Europa League semi-final first leg encounter with his former club.
Juventus attacker Federico Chiesa has credited manager Andrea Pirlo for his role in the form he has shown for the Old Lady this season. Chiesa has been one of the best players for Italian football giants Juventus in what has been a difficult season by their usual high standards.
The Italian football top flight champions have won the league title in each of the last eight seasons but a ninth straight title is highly unlikely for Juve due to their poor form and the good form shown by Italian football rivals Inter Milan. Juventus trail Inter Milan by 12 points ahead of the remaining nine games this season. In addition, Juve are back in third place after the win over Napoli and they are one point off AC Milan in second place.
Chelsea midfielder Jorginho would be interested in a return to Italian football with former club Napoli if he leaves the Blues. This is according to his agent Jorge Santos. Jorge Santos talked about Jorginho in a chat with Radio Marte. According to him, his client won’t have any issues returning to Napoli as suggested by several transfer rumours. Jorginho has been strongly linked with a return to StadioMaradona to play for Europa League campaigners Napoli.
He was in Italian football until 2018 when he left Napoli to sign for Chelsea.Jorginho was closing in on a move to Premier League table toppers Manchester City before the Blues swooped in to sign him under the noses of the Citizens.
Italian football started this season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) with four representatives but it is unlikely that there would be at least one representative left in the competition when hostilities resume in the quarterfinals next month. Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio and Atalanta were the Italian football representatives in the UCL this season. Three of the four teams made it out of the group stage and into the round of 16. Italian champions Juventus, Lazio and Atalanta made it out of the group stage at the end of last year, while Italian Serie A leaders Inter Milan didn’t make it out of their group. As a matter of fact, Inter Milan finished bottom of the group that had Real Madrid, Borussia Moenchengladbach and Shakthar Donetsk.
The round of 16 ties in the Champions League started last month with the aformentioned trio of Juventus, Atalanta and Lazio as Italian football representatives but they are likely to progress beyond this stage as things stand. Juventus arethe holders of the Italian football top flight league and they have already been eliminated by FC Porto. The Italian champions were eliminated by Portuguese champions FC Porto by the away goals rule. The Old Lady lost the first leg 2-1 away from home before a 3-2 win over Porto ensured that the Portuguese giants will advance into the quarterfinals at their expense.
Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is said to be considering the idea of playing Spanish international IscoAlarcon when they play hosts Atalanta in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie on Wednesday night. Italian football club Atalantawould be hoping to capitalise on the numerous injury problems at Real Madrid when the two teams meet for the first time in the competition. Real Madrid are without several first team players for the game including Frenchman Karim Benzema, who would have led the line if he was available. In his absence, Zidane could start Isco as a false nine according to journalist JosepPedrerol, who works for El Chiringuito TV in Spain. It was revealed that striker Mariano could come in as a substitute later in the game if he is snubbed in favour of Isco, who would be able to control the ball better while leading the line.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that the club will try to look into the availability of Christian Eriksen. The Inter Milan midfielder has struggled for form and he is available in the market after Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta confirmed that a few weeks ago about the same. Pochettino is no stranger to Eriksen after having managed the Danish midfielder during his time at Tottenham. After leaving Spurs in 2019, Pochettino had been out of work until now. However, he has been able to find a top job in the form of PSG. The serial French league champions will be aware about the quality possessed by Christian Eriksen.
Football is one of the more popular sports in the world. Millions of people all over the globe love watching or playing the beautiful game, and there are loads of different reasons to do so. The sport is fast-paced, exciting, and a lot of fun to play and to watch. Football is also a great form of exercise, as it gives you a great cardiovascular workout and involves the entire body, whichever position you are playing in. Finally, the social aspect of the sport is a big draw for many fans, whether it is playing alongside teammates or bonding with fellow fans while watching football games live or at the pub.
Are you interested in getting into playing amateur football? Whether you haven’t played football since you were a kid in the park or school playground or have never touched a ball before in your life, you can get started with these five top tips that we have gathered for you!