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Tag: Italy

  • Euro 2024: Spalletti lays out battle plan for Spain

    Euro 2024: Spalletti lays out battle plan for Spain

    Italy coach Luciano Spalletti says they’ll seek to keep the ball against Spain in their next Euros clash.

    Spalletti admits Spain’s attack is a concern in his tactical planning.

    He said: “(Alvaro) Morata is the best running backwards. He’s not lazy. He runs a lot. In terms of metres traveled and speed, his numbers are incredible, also in maintaining speed over long distances, and that allows him to be more direct.

    “The same as (Lamine) Yamal. Spain has two wingers who like one-on-one situations and one of the problems we will encounter is that when we dominate the game we have to make sure we are in the right position for a turnover, because they are deadly if you leave too much  space.”

    Spalletti continued: “The key is to play good football and maintain more possession. Maybe against Spain there are more vertical passes because they don’t wait on the edge of the area. Against Spain we will have to go beyond the defensive line because they are more aggressive and also put pressure on the goalkeeper.

    “Morata presses back passes 20 out of 20 times. Of course: we have the utmost respect for Spain and its players but we should not think that they are better than they really are.”

  • Serie A: Inter Milan crowned champions of Italy for the 20th time in history

    Serie A: Inter Milan crowned champions of Italy for the 20th time in history

    Serie A giant, Inter Milan were crowned champions of Italy for the 2oth time in their history shortly after defeating  rivals, AC Milan  2-1 on Monday at the San Siro.

    Francesco Acerbi’s header gave the Nerazzurri a first-half lead before Marcus Thuram’s finish  gave the host a 2-0 lead after the break.

    Although Milan grabbed a late goal through Fikayo Tomori, it was only a mere consolation.

    Tempers boiled over in the closing stages of the Derby, as Theo Hernandez and Davide Calabria were sent off for AC Milan, while Denzel Dumfries was dismissed for Inter.

    But Simone Inzaghi’s side have now established an unassailable 17-point lead over their second-placed city rivals with five fixtures left.

  • Real Madrid will be my last team – Ancelotti

    Real Madrid will be my last team – Ancelotti

    Italian football manager Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid will be his last job.

    Ancelotti penned a new deal to 2026 last week.

    And today, the Italian said: “I am very happy about the renovation. It was quite simple. We have only agreed between the two, without problems and without doubts. It has been very fast.

    “The fact that the club wants to continue counting on my work has value. I was not in a hurry. Intrahistory does not matter. The club has done so now because it is happy with our work. I don’t know if it’s a success. The success here is winning the matches.

    “The President has not changed. He maintains his motivation and love for this team. It grows since childhood. His career is fantastic. He has very clear ideas about the future. He has always had them. That is why the club is in very good hands.

    “Real Madrid will be my last bench. 2026 can be partial. I can stay here after that year. It may or may not be my last year. Depending on the success. I hope I can continue in the Real Madrid in 2027 and 2028. I want to stay here.”

  • Italy to host 1st G7 summit on AI in 2024

    Italy to host 1st G7 summit on AI in 2024

    Italy will host a major conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in 2024 when it takes over the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven (G7) countries, Italian Prime Minister said.

    “We want a technology that guarantees both inclusion and equality,” Giorgia Meloni  said at a press briefing at the AI Safety Summit in the United Kingdom.

    “Artificial intelligence would be one of the themes at the centre of next year’s Italian presidency of the G7,” he said.

    The AI meeting next year in Italy would be the first time for AI to be discussed at the G7 level.

    Its exact date and location would be announced at a later date.

  • Tonali could play this weekend despite 10-month ban

    Tonali could play this weekend despite 10-month ban

    Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali could be involved in Saturday’s Premier League clash with Wolves despite being handed a 10-month ban.

    The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on Thursday that the 23-year-old had been suspended until next season after agreeing a plea bargain as part of an investigation into illegal betting activity.

    However, Newcastle say they are yet to be officially informed of the ban, which is yet to be ratified by world governing body FIFA and, as it stands, the summer signing from AC Milan is due to travel to the Midlands on Friday afternoon with the rest of the squad.

    Magpies head coach, Eddie Howe, said: “It’s a difficult one because we haven’t had official confirmation as a football club yet.

    “We’ve heard the news, the statement, but we haven’t had anything from the Italian authorities at the moment, so we’re in limbo, really, waiting for that official confirmation to come through.”

    Asked if there was a chance the Italy international could be involved at Molineux, Howe added: “Yes, I think there’s a high chance again that he could be available for us.

    “I still think there are a few things that have to happen before the ban is imposed, so let’s see.”

    The Italy international was also fined 20,000 euros (21,130 dollars) and will have to undergo eight months of therapy as well as carrying out a series of public appearances.

    Tonali found himself at the centre of a probe during October’s international break into breaches of betting rules and was alleged to have wagered on games involving former clubs Brescia and Milan during his spells with them.

  • Lady slices off ex-boyfriend’s manhood with knife to halt rape

    Lady slices off ex-boyfriend’s manhood with knife to halt rape

    A lady reportedly sliced off her ex-boyfriend’s manhood with a knife after he tried to rape her in Italy.

    The incident occurred on Saturday, August 12, in Marghera, Venice, after an argument between the couple over custody of their daughter broke out.

    The pair, who are both foreign nationals living in Italy have reportedly been separated for some time, according to la Repubblica. They are said to have met in the woman’s home to seek an agreement on the ‘management’ of their daughter.

    But during the meeting, things got heated after he allegedly tried ‘making peace’ by offering to have sex with her.

    After she is said to have refused, it is claimed that he pushed her against a piece of furniture while half-naked. The woman then responded by brandishing a knife and cutting off his penis with the blade.

    Police and ambulance services both rushed to the scene, with the pair both taken to the hospital.

    The man was said to have had his penis successfully reattached after a reconstruction operation, which was performed by urologist surgeons.

  • Italy calls on ECOWAS to extend Niger ultimatum

    Italy calls on ECOWAS to extend Niger ultimatum

    Italy has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)  to extend its deadline for the reinstatement of Niger’s ousted president.

    Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani gave the advice in an interview published on Monday.

    “The only way is the diplomatic one. I hope that the ultimatum of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which expired last night at midnight, will be extended today,” Tajani told La Stampa newspaper.

    Niger closed its airspace on Sunday until further notice, citing the threat of military intervention from the West African regional bloc after coup leaders rejected a deadline to reinstate the country’s ousted president Mohammed Bazoum.

    Earlier, thousands of junta supporters flocked to a stadium in Niamey, the capital, cheering the decision not to cave into external pressure to stand down by Sunday following the July 26 power grab.

    The coup, the seventh in West and Central Africa in three years, has rocked the Sahel region, one of the poorest in the world.

    Given its uranium and oil riches and its pivotal role in a war with Islamist militants, Niger holds importance for the U.S., Europe, China, and Russia.

    Defence chiefs of the bloc have agreed a possible military action plan, including when and where to strike, if the detained president, Mohamed Bazoum, is not released and reinstated by the deadline.

  • Legendary Italian goalkeeper, Buffon finally retires from active football

    Legendary Italian goalkeeper, Buffon finally retires from active football

    Legendary Italian goalkeeper,  Gianluigi Buffon has disclosed that he has retired from active football, sharing an emotional video on his verified Twitter page on Wednesday.

    Buffon brings an end to his incredible 28-year career that has seen him play for the likes of Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain.

    Buffon ends his astonishing football journey at his boyhood club, Parma.

    The 45-year-old took to his Twitter account to confirm the anticipated news that he was hanging up his gloves.

    Buffon captioned a video displaying some of his best moments with the caption: “That’s all, folks! You gave me everything. I gave you everything. We did it together.”

    Buffon will go down as one of, if not the greatest, goalkeepers in the history of the game.

    He ended his international career with 77 clean sheets in 176 caps and played a total of 1,151 professional games at club and international levels, winning the 2006 FIFA World Cup with Italy.

  • W/World Cup: South Africa stun Italy to secure last-16 spot

    W/World Cup: South Africa stun Italy to secure last-16 spot

    South Africa scored an added-time winner to stun Italy 3-2 at Wellington Regional Stadium to book their last-16 spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.

    The Banyana Banyana will now face the Netherlands in the knockout stage following a thrilling win over Italy, who would have advanced with a point.

    Italy took the lead after 11 minutes when Arianna Caruso slotted home low from the penalty spot after Chiara Beccari had been fouled by Karabo Dhlamini.

    Robyn Moodaly’s swerving shot struck the post on 20 minutes before South Africa were leveled in the 32nd minute.

    This was when Benedetta Orsi’s misplaced backpass skidded past her own goalkeeper Francesca Durante.

    Beccari almost restored Italy’s lead in the first half when her header came back off the post but they fell behind midway through the second half.

    This was when Thembi Kgatlana slipped a clever pass through to Hildah Magaia to finish beyond Durante.

    Kgatlana was then denied by a flying save from Durante which proved crucial minutes later when Italy equalised.

    This was after Caruso flicked out a leg to deflect substitute Cristiana Girelli’s header beyond Kaylin Swart.

    Girelli was denied from close range by a superb save from Swart before South Africa regained the lead decisively in the second minute of added time.

    This was when Kgatlana finished at the near post from Magaia’s pass to send her team into the next round.

    Player-of-the-match Magaia has now scored two goals at the 2023 finals and is the first player to score more than one goal in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup for South Africa.

    Milena Bertolini, Italy coach expressed disappointment after the match, saying that it was unfortunate all their hardwork failed to pay off at the end.

    “We’re very sorry because we worked hard to get through, but we didn’t succeed. I don’t think this group lacked understanding, the girls are very good together.

    “Maybe there was a little fear, the five goals against Sweden took away our certainties and it showed in the first goal we scored ourselves.

    “Today, the main opponent was not South Africa but ourselves.

    “I’m very convinced of the choices I’ve made, I think these are the best players and I think there will be a good future for this national team,” he said.

    Bertolini noted that the World Cup also served to raise young girls that Italian women’s football will meet in the future.

    “My future doesn’t matter so much, only the future of the movement matters.

    “I hope I have left a legacy with this young team, who have had an important experience and that the movement will find itself again for the future,” he said.

  • Argentina 2023: Uruguay win historic final, beat Italy 1-0

    Argentina 2023: Uruguay win historic final, beat Italy 1-0

    South American nation of Uruguay defeated Italy U-20 boys to win historic Under-20 World Cup title.

    Uruguay’s victory over Italy ended a streal of four consecutive wins for European countries in the competition.

    Uruguay’s forward, Luciano Rodríguez headed home the winning goal in the 86th minute with a header from close range, giving Uruguay a much-deserved victory after an entire match of dominance against Italy.

    FIFA President Gianni Infantino and many other dignitaries were present at the Diego Maradona Stadium.

    Uruguay barely needed to count on its steady defense, which conceded only three goals in the tournament, all against England in the group stage.

    The South American team had clear chances to open the scoring much earlier in a free kick taken by Rodríguez, two long distance shots by captain Fabricio Díaz and a header by Anderson Duarte that forced goalkeeper Sebastiano Desplanches to make one of the best saves of the tournament.

    After playing in two finals in the competion before now, Uruguay finally win the U-20 World Cup.