Abo Omar for Live Football

الأربعاء، 2 ديسمبر 2015

Coppa Italia Review

COPPA ITALIA REVIEW: AC MILAN SURVIVE SCARE, TORINO THRASH CESENA

2 December 2015

Coppa Italia Review: AC Milan survive scare, Torino thrash Cesena

AC Milan needed extra-time to overcome a spirited Crotone side, with goals from Giacomo Bonaventura and M'Baye Niang eventually sealing a 3-1 win in the Coppa Italia fourth round.

Milan striker Luiz Adriano broke the deadlock just after half-time but Crotone - second in Serie B - shocked San Siro when Ante Budimir drilled home from close range 21 minutes later.

Crotone goalkeeper Alex Cordaz made a number of saves to send the game to extra-time but could do little to keep out Bonaventura's 106th-minute free-kick, which flew up and over the wall and into the corner from the edge of the area.

Niang then made sure of the win and a last-16 tie with Sampdoria as he coolly slotted into the bottom corner from 12 yards after a good run from Riccardo Montolivo, with Milan coach Sinisa Mihajlovic ultimately able to celebrate a sixth win in eight matches in all competitions.

Torino made light work of their own Serie B opposition, routing Cesena 4-1 to book a place against city rivals Juventus in the next round.

Alessandro Gazzi scrambled the ball in with just three minutes on the clock before Emiliano Moretti made it 2-0 10 minutes later.

Josef Martinez sent Maxi Lopez through to make it 3-0 shortly after the interval and, though Emmanuel Cascione gave Cesena hope, Marco Benassi rifled home in the closing minutes to cap an emphatic victory.

Spezia edged the battle of the Serie B strugglers as they overcame Salernitana 2-0 at the Stadio Alberto Picco to book a match with Roma.

في 5:37 ص اضف تعليق

السبت، 7 نوفمبر 2015

Report: AC Milan 0 Atalanta 0

8 November 2015

AC MILAN 0 ATALANTA 0: SAN SIRO STALEMATE ENDS ROSSONERI'S WINNING RUN

AC Milan's winning run was ended by an impressive Atalanta in a 0-0 draw at San Siro in Serie A on Saturday.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's side had won three games in succession to move themselves into fifth in Italy's top flight prior to this weekend but they had to rely on the heroics of young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn a share of the spoils against Edy Reja's men.

M'baye Niang - making his first start of the season - came closest for the home side in the first half but Atalanta took control after the break, with Luca Cigarini spurning the best of a number of chances.

Mihajlovic threw on both Luiz Adriano and Keisuke Honda in an effort to snatch a winner but there was nothing to separate the two sides in what was only their second draw in 19 Serie A encounters.

The result means Milan can be overtaken by both Sassuolo and Lazio should they win their respective games on Sunday, while Atalanta remain two points behind the Rossoneri.

Alejandro Gomez just failed to connect with Mauricio Pinilla's teasing delivery after just six minutes, before Juraj Kucka came close to turning Alessio Cerci's corner toward goal, as both sides pushed forward in an end-to-end opening 20 minutes.

Carlos Bacca raced clear of the offside trap and cut inside onto his right foot only to be denied by a block from Gabriel Paletta, before Niang flicked Cerci's resulting cross beyond the far post.

De Sciglio was booked for a heavy challenge on Cigarini and Atalanta were left angry that a second yellow card was not forthcoming after he missed a clearance and kicked Pinilla.

The pace of the game slowed as the half drew to a close but Niang saw a low shot saved by Marco Sportiello after a bright run forward, and Niang was thwarted again by Sportiello on 50 minutes, bending a right-footed shot straight down the centre of the goal.

Milan survived a scare when Gomez went to ground in the area following a challenge from Davide Calabria, who replaced De Sciglio at the break, but the referee correctly showed the Argentine a yellow card for diving.

Cigarini had a moment to forget just past the hour mark as he wasted a golden opportunity for Atalanta. The midfielder headed down to draw a fine save from Donnarumma before he somehow contrived to turn the rebound over the crossbar with the goal gaping from five yards.

Morales drew another strong parry from Donnarumma at the near post before Marten de Roon fizzed a shot into the side-netting from 18 yards out as Atalanta looked the more likely to find a breakthrough.

The 16-year-old shot-stopper was again called into action to block Alberto Grassi's effort with his legs following a strong run and cut-back from Gomez.

The hosts turned up the pressure late on, with Luiz Adriano's header cleared away from the corner of the goal by Cigarini.

Cerci raced clear on the counter right at the death but could only fire into the side-netting from a tight angle after rounding the goalkeeper.

There was to be no late breakthrough, however, as Milan dropped their first points since the 1-1 draw with Torino on October 17.

في 2:56 م اضف تعليق

الأحد، 1 نوفمبر 2015

REPORT: LAZIO 1 AC MILAN 3

1 November 2015

ROMA OLD BOYS HELP SINK HOSTS

Lazio 1 AC Milan 3: Roma old boys help sink hosts

Two players with Roma connections, Andrea Bertolacci and Philippe Mexes, were on target as Milan picked up their third consecutive victory thanks to a 3-1 Serie A win at Lazio.

Milan had failed to beat Lazio in their past five visits to Stadio Olimpico but goals from Bertolacci, Mexes and Carlos Bacca settled Sunday's contest, although the win was overshadowed somewhat by concerns for Alex who was knocked unconscious during the second half.

Bertolacci, born in Rome, endured a mixed homecoming. The Italy international, who came through the youth ranks at Lazio's fierce rivals Roma, tapped in the opener after a poor piece of goalkeeping from Federico Marchetti but was forced off injured soon after.

Alessio Cerci also hit the post in a first half dominated by Milan, and the visitors had a second when Mexes, who spent seven years at Roma, headed home the second less than a minute after replacing Alex.

It was a particularly sweet moment for Mexes, who in last season's corresponding fixture - a 3-1 defeat for Milan - was sent off and later hit with a four-match ban for grabbing Stefano Mauri by the throat.

Sinisa Mihajlovic, who won Serie A during a six-year stint with Lazio as a player, then saw his side put the game beyond reach with Bacca's late goal and, although Ricardo Kishna bagged a late consolation, Milan leapfrogged their opponents in the table.

Lazio saw tentative penalty claims waved away in the fifth minute when Lucas Biglia was barged to ground by Riccardo Montolivo.

Milan edged play in the opening stages, though, and Giacomo Bonaventura saw a rasping 20-yard drive narrowly clear the crossbar.

And they took the lead in the 25th minute, albeit with a helping hand from Marchetti.

Alessio Cerci cut in from the right and his left-footed shot was parried straight into the path of Bertolacci, who provided the simple finish.

Milan came desperately close to a second moments later. Montolivo set Cerci free in the right of the area but his curling shot agonisingly rebounded off the far post to safety.

There was a stoppage in play shortly after the restart when centre-back Alex was knocked out cold after being sandwiched between 16-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Juraj Kucka.

When the action restarted, Mexes made a stunning impact as a substitute, leaping highest to head home Bonaventura's excellent whipped free-kick.

Lazio attempted to garner some momentum and Kishna had a goal rightly ruled out for offside when he tapped in at the back post.

But Milan were out of reach with 10 minutes remaining when Bonaventura played in Bacca, who rounded Marchetti to shoot into the unguarded goal.

Lazio restored some pride when Kishna fired home at the near post from the left of the box in the 85th minute, but it was too little too late.

في 2:44 م اضف تعليق

الاثنين، 12 أكتوبر 2015

Euro 2016 preview: Italy v Norway

12 october 2015

ITALY V NORWAY: TOP SPOT THE PRIZE FOR THE HOSTS IN ROME

Italy v Norway: Top spot the prize for the hosts in Rome

Italy can clinch top spot in Group H of Euro 2016 qualifying when they welcome a Norway side still needing to seal an automatic qualification place ahead of Croatia.

While Per-Mathias Hogmo's Norway beat Malta 2-0 at the weekend, Italy sealed their passage to the competition in France next year with a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan in Baku.

Top spot and a possible boost in their efforts to be among the top seeds are what Antonio Conte's men have to play for in Rome while Norway know a victory will see them climb above their opponents and finish the campaign as group winners.

A point could prove enough for Norway to go through automatically - with a play-off place already guaranteed.

Croatia trail Tuesday's visitors by two points ahead of their final qualifier away to Malta and Hogmo does not expect Italy to take it easy at the Stadio Olimpico.

"It's possible Italy will be more relaxed after they qualified but they certainly won't make it easier for us," said the Norway boss, who could be without Per Ciljan Skelbred due to a knock.

"It will be a game that is open to any result. Italy away from home is probably the most difficult away game you can have. It is an extremely difficult match.

"No-one has beaten them in qualifying in Italy since the 90s, that says everything."

Italy have not lost in 38 qualifiers on home soil - a run stretching back to September 1999 - and will hope to give Conte further encouragement after impressing in his new-look 4-2-4 formation in Baku.

The Italians have not lost in 15 competitive outings in their capital, with former Juventus boss Conte eager to make the most of any rankings boost that may become available.

"Now we have to think of recovery," he said.

"We absolutely want to go to Rome with the intention of getting all three points. The factor regarding the top seeded team is somewhat bizarre.

"Croatia are ahead of us in the FIFA rankings but we are ahead of them in the group standings. It’s a system that I have difficulty understanding."

في 5:10 ص اضف تعليق

السبت، 10 أكتوبر 2015

Preview: Azerbaijan v Italy

10 OCTOBER 2015

AZERBAIJAN V ITALY: CONTE'S MEN OUT TO SEAL QUALIFICATION

Azerbaijan v Italy: Conte's men out to seal qualification

Italy are three points away from a Euro 2016 berth but Stephan El Shaarawy and Co. are not taking anything for granted as they prepare to face Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan will host Italy in Baku on Saturday, with the Group H leaders knowing a win is enough to secure their ticket to France next year.

Italy top the standings on 18 points after eight matchdays, two points clear of Norway, who travel to the former next week.

Azerbaijan are eight points adrift of the play-off spot and out of qualifying contention.

However, El Shaarawy insists the Italians are not underestimating Azerbaijan, who have held Norway and Croatia to goalless draws.

"It's definitely a very important game, because we'll be in the European Championships with a win," El Shaarawy told reporters.

"Because of that, we can't underestimate our opponents. We're training well, and we'll have to go onto the pitch with the maximum commitment."

Antonio Conte's Italy - runners-up in 2012 - will be without in-form Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne for the away date.

AC Milan midfielder Giacomo Bonaventura, however, has a chance to stake his claim ahead of the showpiece tournament across the border.

"In a moment that was not great at Milan, this call certainly gave me renewed enthusiasm," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I am happy to go to the Coverciano camp and I feel ready.

The European Championships are a big motivation to do well.

"I will certainly try to do my best with Milan so I can become an important player for the Nazionale."

Toronto FC star Sebastian Giovinco is also back in the international fold, having succumbed to injury before last month's qualifiers against Malta and Bulgaria.

Former Juventus forward Giovinco has taken MLS by storm, scoring 21 goals and contributing 15 assists as he prepares to earn his 21st cap.

"I am happy to be back wearing the Italy jersey and to have recaptured a place in the Nazionale," the 28-year-old told Rai Sport.

"Just being here is already a victory, one I really hoped for and wanted, because it was by no means to be taken for granted.

"In Toronto not just football, but all sports are experienced as moments of enjoyment and celebration. It’s a wonderful atmosphere.

"My current club never put any pressure on me. In fact, they are all happy that I’m here on international duty."

في 3:31 ص اضف تعليق

الأربعاء، 7 أكتوبر 2015

NEDVED: MORATA'S FUTURE IS AT JUVENTUS

7 October 2015

Nedved: Morata's future is at Juventus

Juventus director Pavel Nedved has stressed that Alvaro Morata's future lies with the Serie A champions rather than back at Real Madrid.

The Spain international joined Juventus in 2014, but Madrid have an option to re-sign the striker for a set fee at the end of this season.

Nevertheless, Nedved is confident the 22-year-old will not return to the Spanish capital any time soon.

"Morata is our player," Nedved told Tuttosport. "I can only see his future at Juventus.

"He is a great player and I believe that he is still only at 60 per cent of his full potential.

"Morata represents the future of Juventus."

The striker has a contract with the Turin giants until June 2019.

Meanwhile, Nedved was adamant that Juventus did not make a mistake by allowing Kingsley Coman to leave the club for Bayern Munich, irrespective of his fine run of form this campaign.

The Czech added: "That was not an error from us. We only want players who want to play for Juventus and Coman had expressed his desire to leave. We decided to grant him his wish, even if we knew he is a very strong young player.

"We only need players who are proud to wear the Juventus jersey."

في 6:57 ص اضف تعليق

الأحد، 27 سبتمبر 2015

NO EXCUSES FOR JUVE - EVRA

27 - 09 - 2015

No excuses for Juve - Evra

Juventus defender Patrice Evra said there were no excuses for his team's slow start to the Serie A season after another loss on Saturday.

Massimiliano Allegri's team suffered a 2-1 loss at Napoli to leave them with just one win from their opening six league games.

The four-time defending champions sit on five points and 13th in the Serie A table, already 10 points behind leaders Inter.

Evra remains upbeat about his team's title hopes, but was unwilling to give them excuses for yet another defeat.

"We're all responsible," the France international said.

"Our young players cannot be used as an excuse and it's down to the older heads to help them out.

"It's a difficult moment for us, and it hurts, but we're not panicking and I remain fully optimistic. Now we've got the Champions League and Bologna and we want to win at home."

Goals from Lorenzo Insigne and Gonzalo Higuain sent Napoli to their win, and they held on despite Mario Lemina pulling one back for Juve.

في 4:12 ص اضف تعليق

الأحد، 6 سبتمبر 2015

ITALY 1 BULGARIA 0: DE ROSSI SCORES AND SEES RED IN WIN

September 6, 2015

Italy 1 Bulgaria 0: De Rossi scores and sees red in win

Italy went top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group H as Daniele De Rossi's penalty gave Antonio Conte's side a 1-0 win over Bulgaria in a game that saw both sides finish with 10 men.

The Euro 2012 finalists knew victory in Palermo would take them to the summit of the group following Norway's 2-0 victory against Croatia earlier on Sunday.

And Italy duly dominated from the start, needing just six minutes to open the scoring through De Rossi's twice-taken penalty.

Only the efforts of Bulgaria goalkeeper Bozhidar Mitrev prevented Italy from adding to their lead, but Conte will be without goalscorer De Rossi for their next qualifier in Azerbaijan after his second-half dismissal.

De Rossi and Bulgaria forward Ilian Mitsanski were each shown red cards for their respective roles in a confrontation 10 minutes into the second half.

Despite that incident and an improved second-half showing from Bulgaria, Italy stood firm to go two points clear at the top. By contrast, Ivaylo Petev's men have no chance of qualifying.

Italy went close to taking the lead in the first minute as Graziano Pelle was denied at the far post by a fine save by Bozhidar Mitrev, with Stephan El Shaarawy turning the rebound acrobatically over the crossbar.

But they were gifted the opening goal three minutes later when Antonio Candreva was clipped in the area by Veselin Minev. De Rossi coolly slotted away the subsequent spot-kick, only for referee Sergey Karasev to instruct the midfielder to take it again after players encroached into the area.

The drama did not faze the Roma stalwart, however, as De Rossi went the same way to beat the valiant dive of Mitrev.

Conte's men were almost caught cold in the 18th minute when Mitsanski burst through the heart of the Italy defence, only for his low effort to be turned round the left-hand post by Gianluigi Buffon.

The impressive Pelle headed over from a Marco Verratti free-kick and the Southampton striker was heavily involved again when Mitrev prevented Bulgaria from falling further behind by keeping out Mattia De Sciglio's half-volley.

Marco Parolo went close with deflected efforts either side of half-time, before De Rossi and Mitsanski were given their marching orders.

De Rossi appeared to kick out at Mitsanski for an innocuous but cynical foul and Karasev had no hesitation in brandishing the red card, which he then showed to Mitsanski, who had flung himself to the floor following the Italy man's reaction.

Todor Nedelev then curled narrowly over for Bulgaria and Mitrev produced a fine save to deny El Shaarawy as the two teams took advantage of the extra space on the Stadio Renzo Barbera pitch.

Bulgaria pressed more in the closing stages, but could not find a way through a stout Italy defence, the hosts holding on to take another step towards a place at the finals in France.

في 3:49 م اضف تعليق

الجمعة، 4 سبتمبر 2015

Italian Serie B to introduce GREEN cards for referees - to praise good behaviour and fair play

Revolutionary: The green card will be used to praise good behaviour

Italian football bosses will try to revolutionise football by introducing a new GREEN card for referees.

But unlike its yellow and red counterparts, it will not be brandished when a player fouls an opponent or commits an act of misconduct.

The green card, which is to be introduced in Italy's Serie B league this weekend according to La Stampa, will be shown for things that the referee deems a player does well.

No, it will not be flashed when a deep-lying playmaker rifles a rocket into the top corner, or when the team's Lionel Messi wannabe actually pulls off one of his attempted 'Maradona' turns.

It will be presented to players when they perform an act of fair play - or "acts of virtue” on the field of play.

Turn that frown upside down: Yellow cards could become green - if you own up

The idea has previously been adopted in the Italian youth leagues as a trial, but chiefs in the Italian hierarchy believe it can have great effect on the senior game.

By receiving a green card, the players will receive no on-pitch recognition, but the names will be noted and a list of the "most correct" players will be compiled at the end of the season.

Cards will be dished out if players, for example, kick the ball out of play when an opponent is down injured or if they assist the referee in correcting a call for their team, when he clearly gets it incorrect.

But bizarrely, green cards can be awarded for diving - providing you get up and admit that you made an error by going to ground.

According to Italian officials, the idea is to “highlight those who help to make the game a game and not a battle by primal instincts.”

Italian Serie B to introduce GREEN cards for referees - to praise good behaviour and fair play

في 6:36 ص اضف تعليق

PELLE SPARES WASTEFUL AZZURRI

September 4, 2015

Italy 1 Malta 0: Pelle spares wasteful Azzurri

Graziano Pelle spared Italy's blushes as the Southampton striker earned an unconvincing 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying win over Malta on Thursday to take full advantage of Croatia's slip-up.

Azerbaijan held Group H leaders Croatia to a 0-0 draw earlier in the day and, although for a while Malta looked destined to pull off a similar shock in Florence, Pelle bundled the ball home in the second half to see Italy go level at the top of the table.

Despite dominating from start to finish, Italy were forced to endure a great deal of frustration, with several first-half chances coming to nothing in a wasteful display.

Seemingly urged on by some choice half-time words courtesy from Antonio Conte, Italy's link-up play in the final third improved, though their luck did not and they looked on as Manolo Gabbiadini struck the crossbar from distance just before the hour mark.

Italy's persistence did pay off eventually, though, as Pelle managed to get himself on the end of Antonio Candreva's cross with just over 20 minutes to go, effectively dashing the hopes of the visitors.

The home side could have added to the score during the final stages, but ultimately their missed chances did not matter as Malta failed to produce much of a response, allowing Italy to end a run of three consecutive qualifying draws.

Italy were on the front foot right from the start and went close to breaking the deadlock after just three minutes, as Andrea Pirlo saw his free-kick fly just over.

But for all their domination and monopolisation of the ball, Italy found great difficulty breaking down Malta's packed defence, with errant crosses and forward passes regularly drawing groans of frustration from the crowd.

When Italy did eventually create their next chance in the 25th minute, it somewhat unsurprisingly came courtesy of a Pirlo set-piece, as the New York City midfielder's corner was nodded over by Graziano Pelle.

And Malta almost capitalised on that let-off just a few moments later, but Alfred Effiong's caressed effort after skilfully evading Leonardo Bonucci agonisingly missed the bottom-right corner.

Malta's defensive concentration began to waiver in the final 10 minutes of the half, but Italy failed to take advantage, as Eder dragged a 20-yard effort just past the post with 39 minutes on the clock, before Pelle suffered the same fate from close range soon after.

Proceedings followed a familiar pattern at the start of the second half and a crucial Andrei Agius block denied Matteo Darmian after the right-back was fed by Pirlo's disguised free-kick.

Gabbiadini went close for Italy with 59 minutes played as the Napoli forward's ferocious left-footed effort crashed against the crossbar and bounced down kindly for Malta.

But finally, with 21 minutes to go, Malta's resistance broke, as goalkeeper Andrew Hogg failed to deal with Candreva's cross and Pelle was able to find the net from close range.

Eder should have put the result beyond all doubt when firing into the side-netting from close range with eight minutes left, but it mattered not and Italy clinched victory to leave them on the brink of qualification.

في 1:21 ص اضف تعليق

الثلاثاء، 1 سبتمبر 2015

CONTE EYES TWO ITALY WINS

September 1, 2015

Conte eyes two Italy wins

Italy coach Antonio Conte said his team can all but secure Euro 2016 qualification with wins against Malta and Bulgaria.

Conte's men sit second to Croatia in Group H of qualifying, but they are two points clear of Norway and four ahead of Bulgaria.

Ahead of hosting Malta on Thursday and Bulgaria three days later, Conte said qualification - a top-two spot will guarantee their place in France - was close for his team.

"This is an important week for us. We face Malta and Bulgaria," he said. "We can be really close to qualification if we win these matches. But qualification has not been achieved yet."

Despite it being early in the European season, Conte backed his players to perform for their country.

Among the players left out were Mario Balotelli and Claudio Marchisio, while Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco had to withdraw because of an adductor injury.

"It is important to be focused on the players that we have got. Otherwise we start thinking about impossible solutions and wasting time.

We have to do our best with these players," Conte said. "However, I will be really careful with the players who play.

This time I called up the group of players based on last season's performances.

I trusted them and they deserve the chance to prove they can continue to do the job for us.

"If some of these players don't play during the season, then of course they risk not being called up.

I have to be honest and respectful with the players who are playing. I want to be clear about that."