Sports

Inter’s Title Charge Hits Breaks With Napoli Draw

Published

8 months ago

March 18, 2024

Inter Milan’s march towards a 20th league title was slowed down on Sunday by reigning champions Napoli who escaped the San Siro with a creditable 1-1 draw.

Juan Jesus nodded home Napoli’s leveller with nine minutes remaining after fighting back from Matteo Darmian’s opener shortly before half-time.

Leaders Inter still need 14 more points from their remaining nine fixtures to claim a 20th league title after their huge advantage on AC Milan was cut to 14 points with their local rivals winning 3-1 at Verona.

It was another disappointing result for Simone Inzaghi’s Inter following a painful exit from the Champions League at the hands of Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, as their 10-match domestic winning streak came to an end.

It was a symbolic fixture for Inter as they are outperforming Napoli’s incredible charge to their historic third league crown last season.

Even after Sunday’s draw, Inter have more points, have scored more goals and have a significantly better goal difference than Napoli did at the same stage last season.

However, their dream of securing the title with a record-equalling five matches to spare by beating Milan in next month’s derby is now less realistic than before kick-off.

Napoli were missing Victor Osimhen after the Nigeria forward picked up a hamstring problem in training and put up a brave fight after being dumped out of Europe by Barcelona on Tuesday.

However, assuming Italy get five Champions League spots next season, Napoli are still six points from a place in Europe’s top club competition as Roma, in fifth, beat Sassuolo 1-0 thanks to a goal from Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Milan on a roll
Goals shortly before and after half-time by Theo Hernandez and Christian Pulisic put Milan two ahead at Verona before Samuel Chukwueze volleyed the away side out of sight with 11 minutes remaining.

Sunday’s win moved Milan three points ahead of third-placed Juve, who were held to a goalless draw by Genoa, in the race for Champions League football.

Stefano Pioli’s side might be miles behind Inter but they are all-but guaranteed a spot in next season’s Champions League as they sit 11 points above Roma.

“We played very well as a team and we created a huge amount. It was a really positive performance,” said Pioli to DAZN after his team’s fifth straight win in all competitions.

Verona put on a good show and Tijjani Noslin’s unstoppable strike in the 64th minute gave the hosts hope they could pull off another good result after winning their previous two matches.

Instead, Verona stay two points above the relegation zone with a potentially huge clash at fellow strugglers Cagliari coming up after the international break.

Serie A confirmed to AFP that Fiorentina’s fixture at Atalanta had been postponed “to a later date” due to general manager Giuseppe “Joe” Barone’s being taken ill with what which Italian media reported as a heart attack.

The Gazzetta Dello Sport reported that Barone was whisked to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital from the hotel where Fiorentina stayed pre-match.

Barone, who was born in Sicily in 1966 but moved to New York City when he was a child, is a long-time colleague of Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso.

Fiorentina are eighth in Serie A, four points behind Atalanta who sit in sixth and the division’s Europa Conference League spot.

AFP

Sports

Osimhen scores two goals to drown Spurs to go top in Europa league

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Victor Osimhen scored twice as Galatasaray inflicted a first Europa League defeat of the season on Tottenham to move top of the table with a 3-2 victory in Istanbul on Thursday.

The Turkish champions have 10 points from four games and have all but secured qualification for at least the knock-out play-off round, while Spurs sit in fifth place after losing their 100-percent record.

Galatasaray took an early lead when Yunus Akgun smashed a sensational long-range volley into the top corner in the sixth minute.

But the visitors hit back just 12 minutes later as teenage striker Will Lankshear marked just his second first-team appearance with a goal by tapping in Brennan Johnson’s pass across goal.

Galatasaray took control before half-time, though, as Osimhen scored twice in the space of eight minutes.

The Nigerian star fired them back in front just after the half-hour mark, before cleverly volleying Dries Mertens’ cross past Tottenham goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

Osimhen has now scored six goals in eight appearances for Galatasaray since joining on loan from Napoli.

The home side passed up several opportunities to put the game out of sight for their opponents, but Spurs’ hopes of a comeback were hit when Lankshear was sent off for two yellow-card offences in quick succession in the second half.

Dominic Solanke pulled one back in the 69th minute, shortly after being brought on by Ange Postecoglou, but Galatasaray held on with relative comfort.

Eintracht Frankfurt are second in the standings, behind Galatasaray on goals scored, after Omar Marmoush’s 13th goal of the season clinched a 1-0 win against Slavia Prague.

The Egyptian clipped a superb free-kick in off the crossbar shortly after the break.

Athletic Bilbao are in third, separated from Eintracht also by goals scored, after coming from behind to grab a 2-1 success at Ludogorets.

Inaki Williams and Nico Serrano both scored in a two-minute burst from the Basque club.

Roma’s disappointing form this season continued as Kevin Mac Allister’s goal 13 minutes from time secured Union Saint-Gilloise their second point of the competition with a 1-1 draw in Belgium.

AFP

Sports

Al-Hilal eye Salah, Ronaldo as Neymar’s replacement

Published

2 days ago

November 7, 2024

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal are preparing to part ways with Brazilian superstar Neymar, with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Al-Nassr’s Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly among their targets as potential replacements.

Neymar, who joined Al-Hilal for €90 million from PSG 18 months ago, has struggled with injuries, including a recent ACL setback, which has kept him sidelined for much of his time at the club.

According to UOL Esporte, Al-Hilal’s frustration with Neymar’s injury problems has led them to consider terminating his contract as early as January.

A report published by FootballTransfer on Thursday stated that Al-Hilal are now exploring high-profile replacements as they prepare for life without Neymar, who is rumoured to be returning to Santos or possibly moving to Inter Miami.

Saudi broadcaster Action Ma3 reports that Al-Hilal are considering a sensational bid for Ronaldo, who has enjoyed a prolific spell at Al-Nassr since his arrival in 2022.

Meanwhile, TalkSport suggests Salah, a superstar in the Arab world, is also on their radar as an ideal successor to Neymar.

“The Egyptian ace is a superstar in the Arab world and a player that the Saudi Pro League has long coveted. Out of contract with Liverpool in the summer, he could potentially join Al-Hilal on a free transfer,” the report stated.

Sports

Eguavoen names Super Eagles squad for Benin, Rwanda games

Published

3 days ago

November 7, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen has unveiled his squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures against Benin Republic and Rwanda.

Eguavoen named 23 players in his squad for both games.

Nasarawa United defender, Victor Collins is the home-based player in the list.

Auxerre defender, Gabriel Osho will have the chance to make his debut for the three-time African champions after earning his second invitation.

Talismanic forward, Victor Osimhen makes a return to the team after missing out the last time due to injury

The Super Eagles will be up against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic at the Felix Houphet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan on Thursday, November 14.

They will host the Amavubi of Rwanda four days later at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Udinese FC, Italy); Amas Obasogie (Fasil Kenema SC, Ethiopia)

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood FC, Saudi Arabia); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce SK, Turkey); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Gabriel Osho (AJ Auxerre, France); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Collins (Nasarawa United)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Lazio FC. Italy); Frank Onyeka (Augsburg FC, Germany); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England

Forwards: Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan, Italy); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Sevilla FC, Spain); Victor Boniface (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain)