Juventus boss calls for patience with Cristiano Ronaldo

Juventus manager Max Allegri has urged the fans to show patience towards summer signing Cristiano Ronaldo, who failed to score for the second game on the bounce. Miralem Pjanic and Mario Mandzukic found the net during the league clash against Lazio and this ensured that the club picked up the perfect tally of six points from their opening two games.

Speaking after the match, Allegri spoke about the nature of the game whilst stressing that the supporters need to have more patience with Ronaldo, he said: “We rushed things a bit at the start. There was a risk that we could get ahead of ourselves with all the excitement among the fans around Cristiano’s home debut. We needed to show a bit more patience. At times our play is too frenetic and at others we go to sleep, but we need to move the ball more quickly when the opposition tire. That said, we will improve and I’m pleased because this is an important win in our first match against a direct rival.”
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Ilkay Gundogan has no plans to leave Manchester City

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has stressed that he has no plans of leaving the Citizens despite the ongoing speculation over his future. The Germany international has been linked with a potential move to Barcelona in recent weeks as they seek a replacement for Andres Iniesta but Gundogan remains content with his club situation.

Speaking to Arab News, Gundogan highlighted that he has two more years remaining on his existing deal and he has no desire to leave the club, unless they decide otherwise, he said: “I have plenty of time on my current contract, two years to go.But it also depends on the club if they want me to stay. Everyone can see and feel I am really happy here.With the way we play, with the people around me, in the city, in the community, I really enjoy it here and really enjoy my life. I’m happy.It was great to win the Premier League title, but there are plenty of things still to achieve.”
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Edin Dzeko Pleased To Have Stayed With AS Roma After Barcelona Shock

AS Roma striker Edin Dzeko is pleased to have played an influential role in his side’s progress to the semi-final stage of the Champions League. The Giallorossi clinched a shock 3-0 win over Barcelona in the second leg of their quarter-final tie, and this ensured their progress to the final four of the elite competition on the away-goal rule.

Speaking after the game, the Bosnian was happy to have snubbed a move to Chelsea during the winter transfer window in order to prolong his stay in Rome, he said: “It wasn’t easy, but I stayed here and am very happy to be here. I think the club is glad, too. Let’s not talk about [the move]. Money doesn’t matter. This was the best, but even better may well be yet to come. It proved we can play against anyone, as Barcelona are such a strong side. We put three goals past them and could have had more. I have never seen Barcelona struggle so much. We pressed them constantly from the first minute.” Continue reading Edin Dzeko Pleased To Have Stayed With AS Roma After Barcelona Shock

Antonio Conte Dismisses Talk Of Becoming Italy’s Next Manager

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has stressed that he is committed to the Blues for the remainder of his contract despite talk of him rejoining Italy in the summer. Speaking ahead of the Manchester City game, the 48-year-old reiterated his stance with his Blues contract only expiring in the summer of 2019, he said: “I think I have already answered this question, nothing has changed compared to the past… especially my answer, it has not changed.”

Conte has come from some criticism from the club’s faithful this term, but most of it has been in patches where the Premier League holders have struggled to find a winning momentum. The worst possible streak came during their defeats at the hands of Watford and Bournemouth, but the Italian managed to steady the ship with a strong performance against Barcelona in the Champions League.
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AC Milan sporting director gives his full support to Vincenzo Montella

AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli has dismissed suggestions that the Rossoneri are considering the position of Vincenzo Montella. Recent speculation suggested that the Italian could be dismissed from his head coach role with Gennaro Gattuso likely to take charge under the end of the season.

However, following Milan’s 2-0 triumph over Sassuolo, Mirabelli insisted that Montella is secure in his position, although the Rossoneri would have preferred a much stronger start to the season, he told Mediaset, “Believe it or not, these are things which are only part of your world; they are journalistic creations. We are involved in a league season and we’re not looking at what’s going on elsewhere.”
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Berlusconi says foreign imports not to blame for Italy woes

As the inquest into Italy’s failure to make the World Cup for the first time since 1958 continues, former AC Milan supremo Silvio Berlusconi has gone against the more common theory that the growing number of overseas players in the Italian game is to blame.

Their exit from the finals has dominated Italian news since the evenings itself and many reasons have been bandied about and there have been suggestions that a result of their failure would be to cap the number on non-Italians being allowed to play in Serie A.
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AC Milan chief admits Borussia Dortmund struggled to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave

AC Milan sporting director Massimiliano Mirabelli has revealed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could not secure his return to San Siro as Borussia Dortmund were not keen on his sale.

The Rossoneri spent over €230 million on 11 players over the summer with most of their business done prior to the new season.

Aubameyang had been keen on making a return to the Rossoneri, where he began his professional career, but Borussia Dortmund took him off the transfer market accusing the San Siro outfit of showing a lack of respect.

Speaking in a Facebook live session on the club’s official page, Mirabelli confirmed that the Gabon international had wanted to return to the Rossoneri, but Borussia Dortmund ‘struggled to allow him to leave’, he said: “He’s a great player and he wanted to come to Milan, but there are some weddings which you just can’t arrange. Dortmund struggled to allow him to leave and that is what happened, but he is still a great player.” Continue reading AC Milan chief admits Borussia Dortmund struggled to let Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave

AC Milan chief: Zlatan Signing was Close

AC Milan general manager Marco Fassone has hinted that the club nearly managed to land Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and hadn’t finished in the transfer market despite their spending spree which saw them recruit as many as 10 players to their ranks. The Rossoneri have recruited two strikers in their squad this summer with Andre Silva and Fabio Borini having arrived from Porto and Sunderland respectively – the latter on a season-long loan.

Despite this, the Milan outfit were reportedly still in the search for further reinforcements with a world-class striker being a top priority before the transfer deadline. Speaking to Mediaset, Fossune admitted that the club were monitoring their targets for the moment, and wouldn’t not rule out a move for the likes of Radamel Falcao and Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Continue reading AC Milan chief: Zlatan Signing was Close

M’Baye Niang not interested in Spartak Moscow move – Raiola

Super-agent Mino Raiola has admitted that he does not know how to solve M’Baye Niang’s situation after the Frenchman snubbed the chance to join Spartak Moscow.

The former France youth international has been heavily tipped to leave AC Milan during this summer’s transfer window, although the forward would prefer staying put at San Siro.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Raiola, who has previously represented Niang, admitted that the attacker is not the right frame of mind to pursue a new challenge, he said: “Montella said he didn’t train because his head wasn’t right. There’s a medical certificate which says his head isn’t right. So Montella is correct. How do we resolve the situation? I don’t know, we need to work to find a solution which benefits everyone. Russia? For now the lad doesn’t want to go and I think you have to respect his choice, just as you have to respect a choice to stay.” Continue reading M’Baye Niang not interested in Spartak Moscow move – Raiola

CHELSEA BACK ON KOULIBALY’S CASE

Premier League champions Chelsea are back on the case of Napoli defender KalidouKoulibaly, according to reports in Italy.

The Blues are already considering a deal of €60 million for the player. He joined from Genk back in 2014 but he quickly established himself at the Partenopei.

Past Chelsea bosses were keen on the player. Current manager Antonio Conte, who is knowledgeable about Italian football, agrees that he is worthy of chasing. Stamford Bridge were linked with the player last season and they launched a bid of €55 million. However, the move failed and Koulibaly remained with the Serie A side.

There are reports that Conte is looking at getting the player this summer after all the speculations have died down. Conte is believed to be a fan of the player and he hopes Napoli take the €60 million he values the 25-year old. In his three year stay, Koulibaly had played 119 games, scoring three times. Continue reading CHELSEA BACK ON KOULIBALY’S CASE