Showing posts with label Antonio Conte. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antonio Conte. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Conte and the rascals of Chelsea


Chelsea officially appointed Antonio Conte as their new manager on Monday, but the Italian faces the issue of player unrest with some big names keen to move on...

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Congraziano Pelle: Balotelli given the boot by Italy

Mario Balotelli has endured a miserable start to the 2014-15 season since joining Liverpool and has now been snubbed by Italy, in favour of Southampton's in-form striker Graziano Pelle.

Pelle has scored four Premier League goals for the Saints this season, while Balotelli is yet to hit his first domestic goal for the Reds.

As a result, he has lost his place in the Italy squad. "Mario has started a new path," Antonio Conte said when asked about his decision. "It's not an easy one and I believe he must be given the necessary time to adapt at Liverpool," said the former Juve boss.

"We are following him just as we monitor all Italians that play abroad. I make selections not exclusions, which is something completely different. Graziano represents what I've always said. Meritocracy leads to a place in the national team for a player who in two years has scored 50 goals.

"Today he is becoming a star in the Premier League after an adventure in Holland.I am curious to see him from close quarters in order to understand if he can help us. He deserved this call-up from all points of view."
Tuesday, October 7, 2014 11:51

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Hell freezes over! Galatasaray - Juventus clash abandoned

Galatasaray fans are famous for giving opposition teams a fiery reception in Istanbul, displaying banners reading 'Welcome To Hell'.

But the atmosphere was anything but hot on Tuesday night as a severe snowstorm struck, causing their Champions League clash with Juventus to be canceled.

The match has plenty riding on it, with second spot in Group B and a place in the knockout stages up for grabs for both sides.

But with Galatasaray needing to win and a point enough for Juventus to advance, the Italians might attempt to make the most of the frosty conditions.

The match is scheduled to be completed on Wednesday afternoon.
Wednesday, December 11, 2013 10:45

Monday, October 21, 2013

Rampant Rossi trips up Old Lady

Juventus may have thought they had another Serie A victory in the bag when 2-0 up against Fiorentina with 25 minutes remaining. But oh no.

A Giuseppe Rossi hat-trick and a further strike from Joaquin handed the Viola a famous and much-celebrated win against one of their most hated foes.

It is a remarkable return from Rossi, who missed over a year with serious knee problems. The Italy striker has scored eight goals in as many matches and looks set to play a major role in his team's fortunes this season.
Monday, October 21, 2013 12:00

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Ajax, Juventus & Galatasaray join title celebrations

Manchester United were joined in wrapping up their league title early by Ajax, Juventus and Galatasaray on Sunday.

Antonio Conte's side beat Palermo to put the race for Serie A beyond Napoli, while the Dutch outfit secured their 32nd Eredivisie crown.

Galatasaray picked up their 19th Turkish title with victory over Sivasspor to become the most successful team in the country's history.

With PSG closing in on the Ligue 1 championship, the likes of Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini are left to look on enviously. 

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Football is back!

The international break. It was good while it lasted, but we're all jumping for joy it's over. Why? Because it means the real action is back and we're now at the business end of the season.

In the Premier  League, Manchester United look to continue their march to the Premier League title against Sunderland, while Chelsea take on Southampton in the first of four games in a week for Rafa Benitez's men.

Across the continent, Bayern Munich can wrap up the Bundesliga title with seven games to go should results go their way, while Tito Vilanova returns to Barcelona, Real Madrid face Zaragoza and Inter take on Juventus in stellar clash in Serie A.

Football is back alright, and with a BANG! 

Monday, December 31, 2012

Walcott hat-trick leaves Wenger fending off buyers

As trump cards in contract negotiations go, Theo Walcott played his ace on Saturday evening as his hat-trick inspired Arsenal to a 7-3 victory over Newcastle United.

The England international is yet to sign a new deal with Arsene Wenger's side and with his contract expiring next summer, clubs will begin to step up their interest next month.

Walcott has confirmed talks with Arsenal are ongoing but his recent displays in a striking role could result in better offers elsewhere.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Llorente outgrows Athletic Bilbao as Europe's hawks wait to pounce

Fernando Llorente has long been attracting glances of admiration from across Europe, as the Athletic Bilbao striker played a prominent role in the club's assault on the Europa League.

Some star turns, including a fabulously taken goal against Manchester United, have in turn attracted the biggest clubs, and the Basque striker looks set to leave the club after it was revealed he would not be extending his current deal.

So, which one of the hawks circling will be on hand to pounce for the big striker who looks to have outgrown his current club?

Juve in disarray as Conte faces 10 months off the sidelines

While Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci and Simone Pepe were acquitted in the Scommessopoli scandal on Friday due to a lack of evidence, there was bad news for coach Antonio Conte.
The 43-year-old was found guilty of failing to report attempts to influence the outcome of two Serie B matches while he was at Siena, and has been handed a 10-month ban from the dugout.

Without their coach for the first time against Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana on Saturday, and with uncertainty over who will take charge after assistant Angelo Alessio's eight-month suspension, how will the Serie A champions fare?
 

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Let's get ready to rumble!

With a thrilling Serie A title race between AC Milan and Juventus set to draw to a close, hostilities between the two Italian giants have not been contained to the pitch in recent months. A particularly contentious meeting between the two sides took place at San Siro at the end of February when Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari had a perfectly legitimate goal disallowed by the match officials, an error that Massimiliano Allegri simply refuses to forget.

The Ghanaian himself has an inventive solution for the rivalry between the two sides: "Allegri always talks about my disallowed goal against Juventus. When the season is over, I suggest a boxing contest between Allegri and Conte."

Well, if all else fails ...

 

Monday, April 9, 2012

Conte snatches Scudetto shield from Allegri's grasp

After AC Milan suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Fiorentina on Saturday, Juventus took the initiative in the race for the Scudetto by reclaiming top spot with a 2-0 win over Palermo in the early evening fixture.

With just seven games left to play, the unbeaten Bianconeri now lead the sprint for the Serie A title, and coach Antonio Conte will be hoping his side can hold on to their advantage and see off Massimiliano Allegri's reigning champions.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Conte and Allegri in linesman tug-of-war

Controversial decisions from the officials in the clash between Serie A's top two, AC Milan and Juventus, contributed to the game ending in a 1-1 draw, as Sulley Muntari's header and an incorrect offside decision against Alessandro Matri saw the spoils shared.
The officiating was much to the dislike of both Antonio Conte and Massimiliano Allegri, who were ready to do all in their power to influence the linesmen's decisions