Sports

Bologna On Brink Of Champions League With Napoli Win

Published

6 months ago

May 12, 2024

Bologna took a huge step towards Champions League qualification on Saturday by winning 2-0 at Napoli, whose miserable season as Serie A titleholders nears its end.

Early headers from Dan Ndoye and Stefan Posch were enough for Thiago Motta’s Bologna to move third, above Juventus, and go seven points ahead of sixth-placed Roma, with a top-five finish enough for a spot in Europe’s top club competition.

Roma are at fifth-placed Atalanta — who have a game in hand — on Sunday night with the pair level on 60 points, and anything but a win for the capital club will guarantee Bologna a place in the Champions League.

Bologna played one match in the old European Cup in 1964, the same year they won the last of their seven league titles, but have never featured in the modern Champions League.

“More than the Champions League I’m happy about the squad who once again put in a really good performance against a good team,” Motta said to DAZN.

“I’m putting all my energy into enjoying the moment because the boys were great.”

The only negative note on a great evening for Bologna was star forward Joshua Zirkzee limping off in tears with what looked like a thigh injury.

Dutchman Zirkzee, who is yet to claim a senior cap for his country with Euro 2024 around the corner, was consoled by team-mates in the Bologna dug-out.

Napoli were loudly booed off at half-time and at the final whistle by livid fans who have watched their team slump from Scudetto winners last season to eighth this term.

The hosts had a chance to get back into the game when Victor Osimhen won a soft penalty in the 20th minute, but Federico Ravaglia pushed away Matteo Politano’s poor spot-kick.

There was more fan discontent in AC Milan’s 5-1 thumping of Cagliari — who stay three points above the relegation zone — in their penultimate home game of the campaign.

Supporters at the San Siro continued the silent protest they started at last weekend’s home draw with Genoa, with only small bursts of chanting from pockets of fans in the ground coming after Tijjani Reijnders smashed in Milan’s third in the 74th minute.

Christian Pulisic’s first Serie A double, Reijnders’ strike and further goals from Ismael Bennacer and Rafael Leao made it a heavy win which snapped a six-match winless run in all competitions for second-placed Milan, who also reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League this season.

But fans are unhappy about the 18 points which separate Milan from champions and local rivals Inter Milan, who secured their 20th league title by winning their local derby last month.

That, and being dumped out of the Europa League by fellow Italians Roma, angered supporters and means Stefano Pioli, the man who guided Milan to the 2022 Serie A title, will be dismissed at the end of the season after nearly five years at the helm.

AFP

Sports

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

Published

22 hours 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

2 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)