Football

Lucas Paqueta eager to work under Marco Giampaolo next season

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Brazilian attacker Lucas Paqueta has said that he is eager to work under manager Marco Giampaolo next season. The 51-year-old was appointed as the new Rossoneri head coach shortly after the previous campaign, where the club failed to qualify for the Champions League for the fifth season running.

Speaking to reporters, Paqueta said that he is eager to meet with Giampaolo shortly after returning from vacation. He added that he has some knowledge on the manager’s style of play and hinted that he would prefer to play in the number 10 role, he told: “Giampaolo? I will meet him personally when I return from vacation.

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Gonzalo Higuain determined to respect his Juventus contract – Agent

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The representative and brother of Gonzalo Higuain has stated that the Argentine is determined to see out the remainder of his contract with Juventus. The Argentine fell out-of-favour after the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo last summer and he has since spent loan spells at both AC Milan and Chelsea.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, agent Nicolas has revealed that the Argentine won’t consider playing for another Italian outfit and he remains determined to honour the final two years of his contract with the Bianconeri, he said: “I want to clarify that we haven’t talked to anyone else. My brother’s also under contract with Juve.”

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Berardi opens up on the possibility of playing for Liverpool in the future

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Sassuolo forward Domenico Berardi has said that he would fancy the potential move to the Premier League with Liverpool in the future. The 24-year-old has notched nine goals and five assists during the current Serie A season and his progress has already captured the attention of AC Milan.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Berardi acknowledged that he is not frightened to take up a challenge elsewhere and Liverpool are one of the clubs whom he would prefer to join. However, the Italian has indicated that he has no plans of playing a back-up role and he would require assurances of being a regular starter to consider such a move.

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Toni suggests Pep Guardiola wants to manage in Italy at some point

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Former Italy international and World Cup winner Luca Toni has said that Pep Guardiola has the ambition of managing a Serie A club at some point in the future. The Catalan tactician is currently on course to secure his second league title in three seasons at Manchester City, and he could create further history by guiding the club to a historic domestic treble.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Toni suggested that his former Brescia teammate will arrive in Italy sooner or later, given he likes to take up different challenges. He added that the 48-year-old has previously told him about the prospect of managing in the Italian top-flight, where Roma and Juventus can be regarded as potential destinations.

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Allegri refuses to blame Ronaldo for Juventus’ Champions League exit

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Juventus manager Max Allegri has said that Cristiano Ronaldo cannot be put at blame for the club’s exit from the Champions League. The Bianconeri were regarded as one of the favourites to make the semi-finals of the competition but they bowed out at the last eight following a 3-2 aggregate defeat at the hands of Ajax.

Speaking after the game, Allegri said that Ronaldo gave his best for the team and he could not have done much to influence the eventual outcome, he said: “No, absolutely not. Ronaldo has given us a lot over the course of the campaign, but when you reach the quarter-final, you need every player. I’ve always said that to win the Champions League, you need to reach a certain stage in good form and with good fitness levels.”

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AC Milan boss delighted after crucial league victory over Lazio

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AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has said that he is delighted for the team after secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Lazio in the Serie A. The Rossoneri won the game through a late penalty scored by Franck Kessie and the victory has given them a boost in the pursuit of Champions League football for next term.

Speaking after the game, Gattuso said that he had expected a tough battle against Lazio and he is pleased that the team have eventually come up with maximum points from the game, he told DAZN: “In order to play against Lazio, you need to take this approach. You need pace, technique and physicality. We already showed a week ago against Juve that we were improving, while tonight we won the battle in midfield and did well to bring it home.

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Gennaro Gattuso speaks after goalless draw against Lazio

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AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso has acknowledged that his team were not at their best during the recent 0-0 draw against Lazio in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final. The Rossoneri had the chance to gain an away-goal advantage from the game but they could not find the cutting edge in the attack front with just one shot on target.

Speaking after the match, Gattuso admitted that the Rossoneri were basically average when compared to recent matches with Lazio better organised during the course of the game. He added that his team should have tried out different channels rather than going centrally where Tiemoue Bakayoko could not influence the play.

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Gennaro Gattuso speaks on Krzysztof Piatek after Empoli win

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AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has spoken about the tactical awareness of winter signing Krzysztof Piatek. The Poland international has been a revelation for the Rossoneri since joining from Genoa last month and he has already contributed four goals in many league starts for the San Siro outfit.

Speaking in a press conference, Gattuso admitted that he has been impressed with the workrate shown by the Pole. He added that the marksman likes to analyse the movement of opposition defenders before the game and that has partly contributed to the success, he said: “Piatek has settled in very well and works hard, but he’s not a player who stands out in training. He looks after himself but doesn’t do that much. He is far more practical, focuses on the important things and likes to test out the movements two or three days before a game.”

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Andrea Pirlo not entirely impressed with AC Milan’s new winter signing

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Former AC Milan star Andrea Pirlo has said that he is not entirely convinced with the abilities of Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian joined the Rossoneri from Flamengo during the winter transfer window and he has since impressed with his skill, flair and confidence on the playing field for the Milan giants.

Amidst this, there have been comparisons between Kaka and Paqueta of late but Pirlo has indicated that the Rossoneri’s winter recruit can even be compared to the former in any aspect. He added that the Brazilian has the potential to become a good player, although that does not mean likening him to former Milan favourite Kaka.

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Former Liverpool star urges Aaron Ramsey to secure Juventus challenge

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Former Liverpool star John Toshack has urged Aaron Ramsey to take up the opportunity of joining Juventus when his Arsenal contract expires at the end of the season. The Wales international has already been declined a new deal with the Gunners and he is currently free to discuss pre-contract terms with an overseas club.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Toshack said that the Welshman should take up the chance of joining the Bianconeri, given he would get to work alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo. He added that the midfielder has not been lucky in terms of injuries over the years and he could transform his fortunes with the Bianconeri by winning more trophies.

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