Lazio

UCL: ITALIAN FOOTBALL IN SERIOUS TROUBLE

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UCL: ITALIAN FOOTBALL IN SERIOUS TROUBLE

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.

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ZIDANE CONSIDERING ISCO AS FALSE NINE

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ZIDANE CONSIDERING ISCO AS FALSE NINE

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.

Isco as a false nine could be a good idea for Zinedine Zidane against an offensive team like Italian football outfit Atalanta.Isco is not new to the false nine role having played there regularly during the two-year tenure of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Zinedine Zidane was the assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at that time. Isco Alarcon has not had much playing time under Zidane at Real Madrid this season and was linked with a move away from the club last month. The Spaniard will stay at Real Madrid until the summer but what happens to him afterwards is anyone’s guess.

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IMMOBILE EXTENDS LAZIO DEAL

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IMMOBILE EXTENDS LAZIO DEAL

Italian striker Ciro Immobile has ended the speculation regarding his future by putting pen-to-paper on a new long-term deal with the club. The marksman enjoyed a superb 2019/2020 campaign where he netted 36 goals in the Serie A and he was hence handed the European Golden Shoe for being the leading scorer in Europe’s top leagues.

Over the past few months, he was regularly linked with a move to the Premier League with Everton and Newcastle United and Immobile himself admitted that he had held talks with the latter before their failed takeover from Saudi PIF. He has now committed his long-term future to Lazio by signing a new five-year contract.

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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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Lucas Biglia talks up contract extension with AC Milan

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Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia has talked up the possibility of a new contract with AC Milan after completing an entire year with the club. The 32-year-old had a not-so-impressive season with the Rossoneri last term after joining them from Lazio but he has now cemented his spot at the heart of the club’s midfield.

Speaking to Sky Italy, the experienced midfielder said that he feels settled after enduring a difficult first season and he is open to the prospect of extending his stay beyond June 2020, he said: “I’d like to renew, I feel good and I’ve settled in after a hard year. I also feel good with my teammates who had faith in me. The relationship with the boss [Gattuso] is the best, I do what he asks me to do for the team.”

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