Serie A 2018/2019 - Discussion Thread

[Arham_PakFan]

Milan - Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus has injected an air of expectation into the Italian championship not felt in decades while spending has smashed the one billion euro mark with more than a day still to go before the transfer window closes.

Champions Juventus top the spree with €235 million invested in new players - more than double rivals AS Roma and Napoli - as for the second straight year Serie A are the only one of the top five European leagues to keep pace with the big-spending English Premier League.

With the transfer window slamming shut in Italy on Friday, Serie A teams have time to overtake the €1.037 billion euros spent last summer.

Here are six new signings to watch in the coming campaign.

CRISTIANO RONALDO (JUVENTUS)

Age: 33

Position: Forward

Previous club: Real Madrid (ESP)

Reigning seven-time Italian champions Juventus had the biggest scoop of the summer in five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo, who arrived from European champions Real Madrid in a shock 100 million euro ($117 million) deal. Massimiliano Allegri's side are counting on the evergreen Portuguese superstar to help win the Champions League. Ronaldo has been the bogey man in Europe for Juventus in recent years, scoring 10 in seven games against the Serie A side for Real Madrid as the Spaniards romped to three straight Champions League titles. Ronaldo has thwarted Juve's attempts to bag their first Champions League since 1996 in both of the last two seasons, earning a standing ovation from the Turin crowd for his superb overhead bicycle kick last season and scoring a brace in the 2017 final as Madrid thumped the Italians 4-1.

GONZALO HIGUAIN (AC MILAN)

Age: 30

Position: Striker

On loan from: Juventus (ITA)

Argentine international striker Higuain scored 40 goals in two seasons at Juventus, but with the arrival of Ronaldo has opted to head for rivals AC Milan on a one-year loan deal worth a reported 18 million euros ($21 million) that gives the Serie A club the option to buy the striker next summer for a further 36 million euros. Higuain's arrival has revived enthusiasm around Milan after a troubled period marked by on-pitch embarrassment and financial woes. Last season they scored just 56 league goals as they finished sixth despite spending over 200 million euros ($233 million) on new players. This season they have spent a more modest 81 million euros so far.

LEONARDO BONUCCI (JUVENTUS)

Age: 31

Position: Centre-back

Previous club: AC Milan (ITA)

Italy international defender Bonucci went back to Turin, where he previously won six Serie A titles and played in both of their lost European finals, after just one underwhelming season at Milan. The 31-year-old admitted that he left Juve in a fit of pique after falling out with Allegri in 2017, but "missed home" and wanted to return after burying the hatchet with the coach.

SIMONE VERDI (NAPOLI)

Age: 26

Position: Forward

Previous club: Bologna (ITA)

The Italian international forward was one of Carlo Ancelotti's first signings as Napoli coach coming in for 23 million euros despite the Serie A runners-up trailing behind their rivals in the transfer market spending. A versatile player Verdi scored ten goals last season for Bologna who he joined after Carpi were relegated in 2016, having also previous played for Torino and his boyhood club AC Milan.

JAVIER PASTORE (ROMA)

Age: 29

Position: Midfielder

Previous club: Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

Argentinian attacking midfielder Pastore returned to Italy on a 24.7-million-euro ($28.8 million) deal. The 29-year-old previously played in Serie A with Palermo from 2009-11 and was named the league's young player of the season in 2010. The gifted playmaker was the first major signing PSG made in 2011 after being taken over by their Qatari owners. Pastore's move back to Italy comes with Paris Saint-Germain under pressure from UEFA to balance their books after signing Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in blockbuster deals last season, sparking an audit of their financial affairs.

RADJA NAINGGOLAN (INTER MILAN)

Age: 30

Position: Midfielder

Previous club: Roma (ESP)

The controversial Belgium international, looking for a new challenge after being snubbed for the World Cup, links up again with former Roma coach Luciano Spalletti, as Inter look to improve on a fourth-place in Serie A and compete in the Champions League for the first time since 2011-12. "I think I had my best season under Spalletti and I hope to do just as well here," said Nainggolan who arrives on a four-year contract worth 38 million euros. "I hope we can do well both in Serie A and the Champions League because Inter have a proud history. Hopefully we'll get back to those heights again now."

https://m.sport24.co.za/Soccer/International/6-new-signings-to-watch-in-serie-a-20180816

 

[UN talkz]

 

[UN talkz]

First game today
Brilliant game, Juve scored in 93rd and won it 3-2

 

[Varun]

Juventus continued their unbeaten start to the season with victory in an entertaining game at Parma.

Mario Mandzukic opened the scoring for the defending Serie A champions after only two minutes.

But Parma responded well and were level before the break when Gervinho marked his full debut with a close-range goal.

Cristiano Ronaldo is still awaiting his first goal since joining Juve, but his side claimed the win through Blaise Matuidi's second-half strike.

Mandzukic quickly broke the deadlock by taking full advantage when a rebound off Simone Iacoponi fell kindly for the Croatia striker inside the six-yard box.

Parma's Leo Stulac hit the crossbar with a brilliant free-kick before Gervinho's equaliser, the ex-Arsenal striker diverting the ball home past former team-mate Wojciech Szczesny.

A brilliant touch from Mandzukic set up the winner, his deft backheel allowing Matuidi the chance to hit a powerful shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle.

Juve went close again when Douglas Costa hit the post late on.

Ronaldo's best chance was a powerful header that went just wide before half-time, and the Portuguese has now had 23 chances this season - the most of anyone in Europe's top five divisions without scoring.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45383704

 

[Varun]

Serie A Roundup: Paulo Dybala breaks drought to help Juventus beat Bologna 2-0

Paulo Dybala has been somewhat obscured by Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival at Juventus but the Argentine broke his goal-scoring drought on Wednesday. Dybala scored the opener to set Juventus on its way to a 2-0 win over Bologna in Serie A. Ronaldo, who has netted three goals in his past two league matches, didn’t get on the scoresheet but did set up Blaise Matuidi for Juve’s second in the 16th minute.

Juventus is the only team with a perfect league record and the Italian champion will be full of confidence ahead of two key matches: against last season’s runner-up Napoli on Saturday, and a Champions League group game with Young Boys next week.

“The understanding between Ronaldo and Dybala was good tonight. The more they play together, the better they understand each other, it’s normal,” Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri said. “But I think Dybala and Cristiano can do well even playing behind (Mario) Mandzukic.

“I should have substituted Ronaldo but he really wanted a goal. He had a good game too.” Bologna picked up its first win _ and first goals _ against Roma on the weekend but Juventus was in control from the start.

The Bianconeri took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances when a ball over the top came off Dybala’s back and fell to Matuidi. His effort was parried away but Dybala acrobatically volleyed it in for his first goal of the season. Matuidi added the second five minutes later when Ronaldo rolled the ball across the face of the goal for him to slot in from a tight angle.

EASY DOES IT

Napoli looked just as comfortable ahead of Saturday’s clash, as it strolled to a 3-0 win over Parma. Carlo Ancelotti again rotated his squad, making nine changes from Sunday’s 3-1 win at Torino. “Picking the lineup on Saturday will be a real headache, because the players who didn’t play today could have played,” Ancelotti said. “We are doing well and it will be difficult to decide. I knew at Torino that those who had been left out would play. That gave us freshness and an advantage in respect to Parma, which changed a lot less.

“Everyone’s training well, they’re motivated, they accept decisions without problems. At the moment things are working well, maybe Saturday night we’ll say the opposite but that’s football.” Arkadiusz Milik scored two second-half goals. The Poland international has struggled with serious knee injuries since his arrival at Napoli and it was the first time he had scored twice in a match since September 2016.

Lorenzo Insigne, who set up Milik’s second, scored the opener for his fifth goal of the season.

PERFECT FIVE

Lazio will also be confident heading into this weekend’s capital derby against Roma after recording a fifth consecutive victory with a 2-1 win at Udinese. Lazio went in front in the 60th minute when Udinese goalkeeper Simone Scuffet could only parry Luis Alberto’s free kick and Francesco Acerbi volleyed in the rebound from close range for his first goal for the club.

Joaquin Correa also added his first Lazio goal six minutes later. The Argentine beat Jens Stryger Larsen on the left of the penalty area, leaving the Denmark international on his backside, and slotted into the far corner from a tight angle. Lazio then had a nervy final 10 minutes after Bram Nuytinck’s overhead kick was deflected into the back of the net by Milan Badelj.

OTHER MATCHES

Roma bounced back from its surprise defeat to Bologna, by crushing Frosinone 4-0. It got off to a stunning start as Cengiz Under ran from inside his own half before blasting past Marco Sportiello from 30 yards. Javier Pastore, Stephan El Shaarawy and Aleksandar Kolarov completed the scoring.

Frosinone, which hit the post late, is still yet to score this season but Chievo Verona remained bottom after losing 2-0 at Genoa. Chievo was deducted three points for false accounting. It is appealing the decision. Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno saved a late penalty from Sampdoria’s Dawid Kownacki in a 0-0 draw in which the woodwork was hit three times.

Atalanta’s game against Torino also ended 0-0.

https://indianexpress.com/article/s...ht-to-help-juventus-beat-bologna-2-0-5376439/

 

[Abdullah719]

Roma 3-1 Lazio
Juventus 3-1 Napoli
Inter 2-0 Cagliari
Bologna 2-1 Udinese
Chievo 0-1 Torino
Fiorentina 2-0 Atalanta
Frosinone 1-2 Genoa
Parma 1-0 Empoli

 

[Hasan123]

Juventus looking dominant again

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Juventus looking dominant again

They will win again although I want the Milan teams to do well. Especially AC Milan.

 

[Hasan123]

They will win again although I want the Milan teams to do well. Especially AC Milan.

Can't expect Millan to win the tittle yet . They need to try and get into the champions league first.

 

[Arham_PakFan]

Can't expect Millan to win the tittle yet . They need to try and get into the champions league first.

Yes,I know.Just want them to reach a level of consistency.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Serie A has been pretty competitive over the last few years, but this season seems a wash already because of the decline of Roma and Napoli. Can't see past Juventus again sadly. How I detest that club. Expect them to thrash Udinese pretty handily this evening.

I was hoping that Milan might make the step-up this year, but it's looking like another season of despair and emptiness. Gazidis taking over in administration before the turn of the year doesn't exactly inspire confidence. I don't know how much longer Gattuso will survive as manager under the control of Elliott Management. It's not looking pretty financially either with Elliott charging approximately 10% on the bonds that it has lent to the club. Disgrace.

 

[shaaik]

 

[MenInG]

Juventus v Intermilan in progress

 

[finalfantasy7]

Juventus v Intermilan in progress

Ended juve 1-0 inter. League is finished already

 

[gazza619]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MenInG]

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late equaliser to rescue a point for 10-man Juventus against Atalanta and maintain the champions' unbeaten Serie A record.

Ronaldo, a second-half substitute, scored in the 78th minute, nodding in from close range from a corner.

Berat Djimsiti's early own goal had put Juventus in the lead, before Atalanta's Duvan Zapata struck twice either side of Rodrigo Bentancur's sending-off.

It was the first time Serie A has played matches on 26 December.

Ronaldo started the game on the bench for the first time since joining the club for £99.2m in July, but took his tally to 12 goals in Serie A just 13 minutes after coming on.

It is just the second time leaders Juventus have dropped points this season.

Elsewhere, AC Milan failed to score for their fourth Serie A game in a row for the first time since December 1984, as they drew 0-0 with 19th-placed Frosinone.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46686465

 

[MenInG]

 

[MenInG]

Inter Milan will play two home league games behind closed doors following the alleged racist abuse of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly on Wednesday.

The Italian side will also play a third match at the San Siro without opening the 'curva' section of the ground, popular with fans known as 'ultras'.

Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti said he asked for the match to be suspended three times and that Koulibaly was targeted in the 1-0 defeat.

Inter are deciding whether to appeal.

A supporter who was with a group of Inter Milan fans died after being knocked down by a van amid violence before the match in Milan.

Four Napoli fans were hurt and one of them was stabbed, police said.

Football fan dies amid clashes in Milan
Inter's next three home league games are against Sassuolo on 19 January, Bologna on 3 February and Sampdoria on 17 February.

In addition to the punishment for Inter, Serie A have given Koulibaly a two-match ban after the Senegal international was sent off.

The 27-year-old received two yellow cards in a matter of seconds in the 80th minute. The first was for a foul on Matteo Politano, the second for sarcastically applauding the referee's decision.

Italian football federation president Gabriele Gravina said the racist chants and violence outside the stadium were "no longer tolerable".

"Football is the heritage of true supporters and as such should be defended from all those who use it as a tool to create tension," he said.

"We condemn all forms of both physical and verbal violence, with the aggravating circumstance of racial discrimination. We do not tolerate such behaviour ruining football."

After the match Koulibaly posted on Twitter: "I'm sorry about the defeat and especially to have let my brothers down.

"But I'm proud of the colour of my skin. To be French, Senegalese, Neapolitan, and a man."

The mayor of Milan, Guiseppe Sala, apologised to Koulibaly on his Facebook page, calling the abuse "a shameful act against a respected athlete".

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46696329

 

[MenInG]

 

[The Viper]

 

[MenInG]

 

[The Viper]

 

[MenInG]

Cristiano Ronaldo scored an 88th-minute penalty as champions Juventus came from behind to beat Lazio and go 11 points clear at the top of Serie A.

Ronaldo, signed for £99.2m in the summer, netted his 17th goal of the season with a thumping spot-kick.

Juve looked to be heading for their first defeat since last April when Emre Can miscued into his own goal.

But substitute Joao Cancelo struck from close range to level the contest before Ronaldo kept his cool for victory.

Massimiliano Allegri's side capitalised on Napoli's goalless draw against AC Milan on Saturday and are now firm favourites to claim the title for the eighth straight season.

Juventus will be aiming to progress into the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia when they face Atalanta in their next game on Wednesday.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46926937

 

[The Viper]

 

[MenInG]

Juventus moved 14 points clear at the top of Serie A with a routine victory over second-bottom Frosinone.

Paulo Dybala found the top corner from Cristiano Ronaldo's pass to put the hosts ahead at the Allianz Stadium.

Leonardo Bonucci forced home following a goalmouth scramble, before Ronaldo scored his 21st goal of the season in all competitions.

Federico Bernardeschi was thwarted by Frosinone goalkeeper Marco Sportiello in stoppage time.

Second-placed Napoli face Torino at home on Sunday.

Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus side travel to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47261167

 

[MenInG]

Champions Juventus took a huge step towards retaining the Serie A title by beating second-placed Napoli, with both sides reduced to 10 men.

Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret was given a straight red card for tripping Cristiano Ronaldo and Miralem Pjanic curled in the resulting free-kick.

Emre Can headed a second, before Pjanic was dismissed for deliberate handball.

Jose Callejon pulled a goal back and Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne missed a late penalty.

The spot-kick was awarded by the VAR six minutes from time after Fabian Ruiz's cutback hit Alex Sandro on the arm, although the Juventus defender knew little about it.

Referee Gianluca Rocchi jogged over to have a look at the replay on the pitchside monitor and awarded the penalty, but Insigne rattled the post.

Relive Juve's victory over Napoli
Piotr Zielinski also hit the woodwork for the home side at 1-0 down and saw two further efforts saved by Poland international team-mate Wojciech Szczesny.

Juve have won the title for the last seven seasons and now hold a 16-point advantage with 12 games remaining.

Elsewhere, Fiorentina's game at Atalanta was paused in the 13th minute as the two sides and supporters paid tribute to former Viola captain Davide Astori who died on 4 March last year at the age of 31. The hosts won the game 3-1.

Meanwhile, veteran Sampdoria striker Fabio Quagliarella took his tally to 19 league goals for the season with a double at SPAL.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/47435856

 

[MenInG]

Teenager Moise Kean came off the bench to score the winner as Juventus edged past Empoli, now needing just 13 points for an eighth straight Serie A title.

Kean, 19, latched on to Mario Mandzukic's knock down to fire in a cool finish just three minutes after appearing as a second-half substitute.

It had been a poor contest up until then, with Juve's Federico Bernardeschi clipping the crossbar with a volley.

Empoli failed to work Wojciech Szczesny into making a save in the entire game.

With nine games remaining, Massimiliano Allegri's side have already clinched a place in next season's Champions League group stage.

Second-placed Napoli - who travel to Roma on Sunday (kick-off 14:00 BST) - are now 18 points adrift of Juve.