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Southampton is racing to reach a Europa League spot but is faced with tough obstacles

Southampton’s Ronald Koeman has set his eyes in securing a top spot in the Premier League that would allow the English club of competing in the Europa League for the upcoming season but things have started to become difficult for Ronald Koeman and his players.

On May 2, Sunderland received Southampton at the Stadium of Light and Ronald Koeman’s team were the favorites of claiming a victory as Sunderland is struggling just to stay out of the bottom relegation zone but in football anything can happen and indeed this match emerged with a surprising victory as it was Sunderland who came out on top with the victory.

Jordi Gomez scored twice as he helped Sunderland claiming a surprising but at the same time crucial triumph for his team as they overcame Southampton with a final scoreboard of 2-1.

Even with this defeat, Southampton still has a very good chance of snatching a Europa League position but they will have to get back to their winning ways and pick up triumphs in at least 2 of their 3 remaining matches.

Leicester City, Aston Villa and Manchester City are the last obstacles that Southampton have to face in this season and 2 triumphs from these games might just be enough for Ronald Koeman to position Southampton in a European spot. Continue reading Southampton is racing to reach a Europa League spot but is faced with tough obstacles

James Milner has revealed that the prospect of playing regular first-team football

James Milner has revealed that the prospect of playing regular first-team football was one of the main reasons why he joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City. The England international had been at the centre of a tug of war between Liverpool and Arsenal.

Other clubs like United and Chelsea were also showing tentative interest in the player who has won all the domestic trophies on offer. However, he chose Liverpool and will be wearing the iconic number seven shirt at the club. This move also presence Milner with a lot of responsibilities since he is expected to be named as the captain after the departure of Steven Gerrard.

Milner has long wish to play as a central midfielder but he has not been given the opportunities to do so at his previous clubs. This could change at Liverpool since it is believed that Brendan Rodgers sees him as an ideal attacking midfielder. The incredible work rate of the former Aston Villa man will help Liverpool continue to play the intense pressing game that they have developed under Rodgers. Still just under 30, it was surprising that City chose to let him go. Milner feels that he still has more than just a couple of years of top-level football left in him. Continue reading James Milner has revealed that the prospect of playing regular first-team football

Juventus won their second major trophy of the season after a 2-1 win over Lazio

Juventus won their second major trophy of the season after a 2-1 win over Lazio in the Coppa Italia final.

They had already won the Italian Serie A for yet another successive season. The club have been immensely successful under the regime of Massimiliano Allegri, but it looked like everything was going wrong at the start of the season when Antonio Conte left the club just a few days before the season began. Allegri was not given much of a hope given that he was seen as an AC Milan reject. However, he has now guided the team to two titles with the possibility of a third as well.

Juventus will be taking on Barcelona in a Champions League final at Berlin. The club have not been seen at this stage of the competition for more than a decade and it will mean a lot for them to win their first European cup title since 1996. Juventus have had a hat-trick of defeats in the final since then. After the success in 96, the Italian outfit were runners up during the 97 and 98 season. They were runners-up once more during the 2003 campaign. Lazio coach Stefano Pioli, though, claimed that Juventus were lucky to win the Coppa Italia by beating them in extra time. Continue reading Juventus won their second major trophy of the season after a 2-1 win over Lazio

Antonio Conte was not too displeased about his Italian national team

Former Juventus manager Antonio Conte was not too displeased about his Italian national team only managing a 1-1 draw with England in a recent friendly match.

This was seen as highly competitive encounter for both teams given that they needed to win in order to banish the painful memories of the World Cup. Despite being one of the top teams in the world, both England and Italy failed to progress to the knockout stages of the World Cup in Brazil. This led to the appointment of Conte, while England continue to be spearheaded by Roy Hodgson.

The former Liverpool boss did not have a number of his first-team regulars like Raheem Sterling in the team. However, he was giving starts to the likes of Harry Kane, who have been mightily impressive this season. Just ahead of the game, Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon said that he was studying every aspect of Kane very cleanly and that he may have found a way to stop the Tottenham forward. Kane failed to score in the match, but it was another Tottenham player who scored the important goal for the English – Andros Townsend. Since taking over from Cesare Prandelli, Conte continues to be unbeaten as the Italy manager. Continue reading Antonio Conte was not too displeased about his Italian national team

Roberto Mancini saw John Guidetti as Striker

Roberto Mancini is a manager has seen Celtic striker John Guidetti from close quarters during his time at Manchester City. The 22-year-old was regarded as one of talented players to come out of the City youth academy, but he has failed to make it big. After spending time on loan at the likes of Stoke City, he has now moved to Celtic on yet another loan spell.

However, this loan spell is proving very difficult for the 22-year-old after he has not scored in the last 10 matches. Mancini fears thatGuidetti may end his goal drought when Celtic come up against Inter Milan in the Europa League.

Guidetti has featured in 18 league matches and has scored seven goals. He is yet to make an appearance in the Europa League.Guidetti’s last goal for Celtic was in the league match against Dundee United back in November. His goal gave Celtic a 2-1 victory, but he has since been unable to find the back of the net. Celtic have not been given much of hope against Inter Milan, who may not be close to their former glory but still have a very strong squad. During his time at City,Guidetti has featured in only one first team appearance and it came in a League Cup match five years ago. Continue reading Roberto Mancini saw John Guidetti as Striker

Italian football not going through good Time

Italian football is going through a declining moment as there are less and less world class players making a move to the Italian League. The downfall of the Italian football is evidenced by the fact that there is only one Italian club competing in the Champions League which is Juventus.

Spain, Germany and England all have 3 representatives in the European competition with almost all of the clubs from these countries having a genuine chance on winning the Champions League title.

Continue reading Italian football not going through good Time