Serie A Archives | Trendbrio.com

Barca Considers Ademola Lookman Move

Our Reporters2 weeks ago2 weeks ago04 mins

Barcelona are reportedly considering making a move for Atalanta BC attacker Ademola Lookman during this summer’s transfer window. The 27-year-old has been in excellent form for Atalanta during the 2024-25 campaign, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and registering seven assists in the process. Lookman has 13 goals and five assists in 28 Serie A matches this term, while he also impressed in the Champions League, scoring five goals and registering two assists, before the Italian team were eliminated by Club Brugge in the knockout round playoffs. The forward’s future is currently the subject of much speculation, with Arsenal and Manchester United both believed to be considering making a move for him during this summer’s transfer window. According to Fichajes, Barcelona are also in the hunt, with the Catalan outfit giving serious consideration to making an offer. The report claimed that Lookman may be available for as little as €35m (£30m), which would represent a bargain considering his quality, and his arrival would give Barcelona a different option in the final third of the field. Lookman was born in London, coming through the youth system at Charlton Athletic before representing their first team on 49 occasions, scoring 12 times, and his form earned him a switch to Everton. The Nigeria international found it difficult to make his mark for the Toffees, scoring just four times in 48 appearances, before having an unsuccessful spell at RB Leipzig, spending time out on loan with Fulham and Leicester City. Lookman has finally realised his potential at Atalanta, though, representing the Italian side on 115 occasions, scoring 50 goals and registering 24 assists in the process. The attacker is capable of playing in a number of different positions, but he has mainly operated as a second striker, scoring 12 times and registering four assists in 25 outings while starting in the position behind the main forward. As well as Arsenal and Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool are believed to be keen on Lookman, with his bargain price making him a very attractive proposition during the summer market. Lookman is entering his prime, and his previous experience of English football should stand him in good stead. The forward is a different player to the one who left Everton in 2019 and then spent time on loan at Fulham and Leicester. Much will come down to which club shows the strongest interest, as Lookman will want to be an important player at this stage of his career, and it is difficult to imagine him becoming a starter at Barcelona, especially not next season.

Juventus sacks manager Thiago Motta

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Juventus have sacked head coach Thiago Motta less than a season into his tenure and moved quickly to line up his replacement. Motta, 42, was officially informed of his dismissal by the club’s hierarchy on Sunday after a nightmare run of results and has been replaced by Igor Tudor. Tudor, whose last managerial role came at Serie A rivals Lazio, will take charge for the rest of the season with Champions League qualification crucial in determining whether his deal is extended. He will oversee his first training session on Monday. Juventus crashed out of the Champions League and both the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana this season, and recently suffered a 4-0 humbling at the hands of title contenders Atalanta, their heaviest home defeat since 1967. Motta’s last match at the helm proved to be the 3-0 loss at eighth-placed Fiorentina, a result that left the Old Lady in fifth, one point adrift of fourth.

Napoli, Owner dragged to Court over Osimhen deal

Our Reporters3 months ago3 months ago05 mins

Italian prosecutors on Wednesday called for Napoli and the club’s owner Aurelio De Laurentiis to stand trial for false accounting related to transfers, including that of Serie A title hero Victor Osimhen. Napoli, De Laurentiis and one of his key advisors Andrea Chiavelli are suspected by prosecutors in Rome of filing falsified accounts between 2019 and 2021, with their investigation focused on the signings of Kostas Manolas from Roma and Osimhen from Lille. The 70 million-euro deal for Nigeria striker Osimhen — now on loan at Galatasaray — in 2020 raised eyebrows due to four players valued at around 20 million euros moving to Lille, three of whom never played for the French club. Napoli and De Laurentiis’ lawyers said that the decision to ask for a trial was “incomprehensible”. “In the documents there are opinions from consultants and independent bodies which demonstrate incontrovertibly that Napoli acted legitimately and in compliance with Italian accounting principles,” said Fabio Fulgeri and Lorenzo Contrada. “We are convinced that the proceedings will conclude positively (for Napoli and De Laurentiis).” A preliminary hearing judge will decide within six months whether the alleged offences are worthy of a criminal trial which would likely take years to complete. However, a source at Napoli told AFP that the documents in the prosecutors’ trial request have already been ruled as containing nothing incriminating by disciplinary authorities at Italy’s football federation (FIGC). The source said that there is “no chance” of Napoli being penalised by the FIGC even if the club were eventually found guilty in criminal courts, and added that they were confident a trial wouldn’t even take place. Osimhen was a huge star at Napoli and one of the keys to the club winning a third Serie A title — the first since the days of Diego Maradona — as they romped to the Scudetto with five matches remaining in 2023. Teaming up with breakout star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen scored 26 times in Serie A that season and confirmed his status as one of the world’s best strikers. But he soon began angling for a move away — saying publicly that he wanted to play in England’s Premier League — and after failing to agree a deal to leave last summer he was frozen out before being ignominiously loaned to Galatasaray in September. Osimhen’s move to Italy was one of a series of transfers from the same period which were investigated by the FIGC but which ended with all defendants, including Napoli and De Laurentiis, acquitted in April 2022. However the probe opened a can of worms and just over a year later Juventus were deducted 10 points after being found guilty of managing capital gains from transfers to artificially benefit their balance sheet. Juve were punished thanks to new evidence from a separate criminal investigation — named “Operation Prism” — carried out by prosecutors into the club’s accounting practices. A raft of Juve figures including ex-chairman Andrea Agnelli were handed long bans from football and also await a decision next month over whether they will face criminal trial.

British-born Nigerian defender joins Hellas Verona

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago02 mins

Daniel Oyegoke has left Hearts and completed a move to Hellas Verona. The defender joins the Serie A side on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee, subject to Scottish FA approval and international clearance. 22-year-old Daniel arrived at the Jambos last summer from Brentford and would go on to wear the maroon jersey 26 times, scoring once – a memorable long-range screamer against St Mirren at Tynecastle Park. Speaking about the move, Head Coach Neil Critchley said; “Daniel has shown improvement in the short period of time since his arrival at Hearts. “I’ve enjoyed working with Dan over this short period, and we wish him well at his new club. “It’s a good move for him, it’s a good deal for the club, and it makes sense for all parties involved. “It opens up opportunities for other players to step forward as we enter an exciting second half of the season.”

Serie A: Chukwueze seals AC Milan win in thriller

Our Reporters4 months ago4 months ago03 mins

Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze netted the winning goal as AC Milan staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Parma at San Siro. The Rossoneri, who had been trailing 2-1 until the 91st minute, managed to turn the game on its head in the dying moments, with defender Strahinja Pavlovic playing a crucial role as an improvised striker. The match began with Parma taking an early lead through Matteo Cancellieri, who capitalized on a slip by Theo Hernandez to curl a beautiful shot into the far corner. Milan equalized before halftime when Christian Pulisic converted a penalty after Parma’s goalkeeper Zion Suzuki fouled Pavlovic in the box. Parma regained the lead in the second half through Enrico Delprato, following a swift counter-attack. As the clock ticked down, Milan’s hopes seemed to be fading, especially after VAR ruled out what appeared to be an equalizer from Pavlovic for offside in the 88th minute. However, the Rossoneri refused to give up. Tijjani Reijnders leveled the score at 2-2 in the dying minutes, latching onto a through ball and calmly slotting past Suzuki. With Parma reeling, Milan pushed for the winner, and it was the unlikely figure of Pavlovic who made the difference. In a bold tactical move, manager Sergio Conceicao had pushed the Serbian defender forward as an extra attacker. The gamble paid off in spectacular fashion when Pavlovic nodded down a cross from Bartesaghi, allowing Chukwueze to bundle the ball over the line for a dramatic 3-2 victory. The win comes as a relief for Milan, who had been struggling in Serie A recently despite good performances in other competitions. It also sets up an intriguing Derby della Madonnina against Inter next week, although they will be without the suspended Youssouf Fofana for that crucial encounter.

AC Milan hires Sergio Conceicao after firing Fonseca

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago03 mins

AC Milan named Sergio Conceicao as their new coach within hours of sacking fellow Portuguese Paulo Fonseca on Monday after just six months in charge. Fonseca paid the price for the Italian giants’ inability to mount a Serie A title challenge. “Sergio Paulo Marceneiro da Conceicao has been appointed as the Head Coach of the men’s First Team until 30 June 2026,” Milan said in a statement. Conceicao, 50, was available after ending a seven-year stint with Porto in June this year having guided them to three league titles and four Portuguese Cup successes. His only head coaching experience outside of Portugal was a season with Ligue 1 side Nantes, although he knows Serie A having played for Lazio in two spells, Parma and Inter Milan from 1998-2004. Conceicao has shown extraordinary character to rise to the heights he has. The 56-times capped winger once contemplated quitting the sport after losing his father, mother and younger brother while still a teenager. Fonseca, 51, had pre-empted the announcement of his dismissal by saying he had been fired as he left the San Siro following his press conference after the draw with AS Roma on Sunday. The 1-1 draw was the sixth of the season and left Milan in seventh spot, eight points off Lazio in the fourth and final Champions League place, and also a massive 13 adrift of city rivals Inter, who are in third spot and challenging for the title. In a statement, Milan thanked Fonseca for his “great professionalism”. Milan, the seven-time European champions, have been battling inconsistent form and anger from their supporters.

Lookman fires Atalanta to Serie A summit

Our Reporters5 months ago5 months ago02 mins

Nigeria forward Lookman continued his superb form by nodding in his 10th goal of the campaign with three minutes remaining at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo. The 27-year-old met Sead Kolasinac’s flick-on from a corner to give Atalanta a club-record equalling ninth straight win in Italy’s top flight and further boost hopes of a first-ever Scudetto for the traditionally small, provincial club. Alvaro Morata had looked to have earned seventh-placed Milan a point in a fiery atmosphere with his 22nd-minute leveller after former Rossoneri flop Charles De Ketelaere had crashed Atalanta ahead in the 12th minute with a thumping header. Napoli host Lazio on Sunday night and Antonio Conte’s team will have to beat the team who knocked them out of the Italian Cup if they are to reclaim their narrow league lead. Atalanta now turn their attentions to Tuesday’s visit of Real Madrid in the Champions League when they can strengthen their case for direct qualification for the last 16 and get revenge for defeat in the European Super Cup in August.

Italian footballer Edoardo collapses during Serie A game

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is in a medically induced coma after collapsing on the field during his team’s Serie A match at home to Inter Milan, with the game abandoned shortly afterward. Bove’s teammates immediately called for medical help and both sets of players surrounded the 22-year-old while he was being treated before he was swiftly stretchered off to an ambulance near the pitch and taken to Careggi Hospital in Florence on Sunday. “Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital announce that the footballer Edoardo Bove… is currently under pharmacological sedation and hospitalised in intensive care,” Fiorentina said in a statement. “The first cardiological and neurological tests performed have ruled out acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system. Edoardo Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours.” ACF Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital have announced that footballer Edoardo Bove, who was treated on the pitch following a loss of consciousness during the Fiorentina v Inter match, is currently under sedation and is hospitalised in intensive care. Sky Italia reported that the player regained consciousness while he was in the ambulance and was managing to breathe on his own. Bove’s parents and his girlfriend have arrived at the hospital along with Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino and most of his teammates, as well as club directors and the city’s mayor. Fiorentina fans have also gathered outside the hospital and displayed a banner with the words: “Forza Edoardo, Florence is with you.” Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso echoed that sentiment and the club said he and his family are in constant contact from the United States to support Bove and his family. “Forza Edoardo, we’re with you,” Commisso said. “You’re a strong boy with a great character.”