Latest news with #GliAzzurri
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Italy Player Ratings vs Norway: Disjointed Azzurri Humiliated in Oslo
Italy could not have imagined a worse way to commence their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as Norway thrashed them 3-0 in Oslo. A one-sided first half at the Ullevaal Stadium saw the rising Scandinavian superpower set the tone for their first win over the Italians since 2000. Due to their UEFA Nations League duties, Italy didn't feature in World Cup qualifiers in March. After failing to secure a berth at the most prestigious international tournament in the last two editions, the pressure was on Gli Azzurri to start on the front foot. Advertisement However, it was quite the opposite. Buoyed by a brace of multi-goal margin wins over Moldova and Israel, Norway came flying out of the traps. Indeed, Alexander Sorloth put Stale Solbakken's side in front after only 14 minutes. Norway doubled their lead 20 minutes later through Antonio Nusa, while Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland sealed Italy's fate on the brink of halftime. A 3-0 deficit proved unattainable for Italy, whose underwhelming winless streak in all competitions now stands at four matches. Without further ado, let's look at our Italy player ratings. Italy (3-5-1-1) Gianluigi Donnarumma – 3/10 Merely a shadow of the best Champions League goalkeeper for 2024/25, the Italy captain conceded from three out of Norway's four shots on target. It's fair to say that his defenders also let him down. Advertisement Alessandro Bastoni – 3/10 The Inter Milan star's significant dip in form came to the fore in Oslo as he struggled to cope with Haaland's runs behind the lines and Sorloth's aerial strength. Diego Coppola – 6/10 Spalletti's gamble didn't pay off, yet Coppola was arguably Italy's best-performing defender tonight. However, a lack of understanding with his defensive colleagues was evident. Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 3/10 Still hungover after Napoli's Scudetto win, the Partenopei right-back had an awful evening. Deployed as a right center-half, Di Lorenzo was among the worst on the pitch. Destiny Udogie – 4/10 Though Haaland gave him a slip for the third goal, the Tottenham Hotspur left-back had some bright moments, especially in the opposition's half. Not nearly enough, though! Advertisement Sandro Tonali – 5/10 He was supposed to be Italy's driving force in the midfielder, but the Newcastle United talisman saw very few things go his way. His set-piece delivers often led to nothing. Nicolo Rovella – 4/10 Despite leaving his heart and soul on the pitch, his defensive contribution wasn't significant enough to disguise his disheartening performance in the build-up play. Nicolo Barella – 5/10 Seemingly out of steam after Inter's long season, the diminutive midfielder showed flashes of class but lacked his usual sharpness and drive. Davide Zappacosta – 4/10 Atalanta's wingback was largely ineffective on both ends of the pitch. He offered little going forward, rarely troubling the opposition with his crosses and was too often caught out of position defensively Advertisement Giacomo Raspadori – 2/10 A near-anonymous showing from the Scudetto winner! His passing was occasionally sloppy, and he struggled to impose himself in key moments. Mateo Retegui – 3/10 Cut off from the rest of the pack, Serie A's top goalscorer was an idle threat. He was never in a position to put Orjan Nyland to the test and would want to forget this fixture in a hurry.
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Scott McTominay's Napoli 'dream' after Man Utd escape - but nightmare scenario with Serie A hero lingers
Scottish talisman drives Gli Azzurri to Scudetto amid uncertainty over manager's future Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Co-codamol is probably in short supply in Naples right now. The southern Italian city has the mother of all hangovers after Napoli won the Serie A title on Friday night. Joyous scenes spilled through the city after Gli Azzurri defeated Cagliari 2-0 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona under manager Antonio Conte to pip Internazionale to the post in a quite gripping race for the Scudetto. It is only the fourth time Napoli have become champions of Italy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Perhaps there were some sore heads back in Scotland, too. It is not every day that a couple of Scottish internationalists light up Serie A. Scott McTominay has been the poster boy for Napoli's charge to the summit but he has been ably supported by former Rangers kid Billy Gilmour, who has been a diligent presence in the No 6 role. Napoli lift the Serie A title after beating Cagliari on Friday night. | Getty Images McTominay grabbed the limelight with his 12th and most important goal of his maiden season at Napoli with an acrobatic scissors-kick on 42 minutes to break the deadlock against Cagliari. With Inter already ahead at Como, it was a goal that shattered the tension inside the stadium, and Napoli never looked back. McTominay is a hero now in Naples. He is up there with the great Diego Maradona, Marek Hamsik and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, legends in a football-daft community. Oh what Manchester United fans must be thinking after selling him for £25 million last summer to help fund their own rebuild. The 28-year-old never let the Red Devils down but it is clear he has moved on to better things. McTominay is Serie A player of year McTominay was voted the most valued player in Serie A this season straight after the win over Cagliari. He has filled the boots of Kvaratskhelia, the supremely talented Georgian forward who left for Paris Saint-Germain in January. Many observers feared Napoli would fall away after his sale. Those concerns were quickly allayed by McTominay and Co. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm lost for words, it's incredible,' McTominay said as the magnitude of his own first league title sank in. 'The sacrifice of every single player in this group is just incredible. The people deserve it, as they've been behind us from day one. For me to come here and experience this, it's just a dream.' Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour played key roles for Napoli. | Getty Images 'I forgot about the goal, as there was so much going on. We were concentrated, but the anxiety and the nerves were obviously there. Now we need to enjoy it with our people, next season we've got to come back next year with the same energy and never drop. 'You can tell every time with Conte the energy is troppo alto, that's what I learned, troppo alto, and we need the same attitude next season.' Conte Napoli speculation Ah, next season. McTominay and Gilmour will grace the Champions League stage once more, but already there is speculation about their manager. Conte is hot property in Italy and has been linked with a move to Juventus, a club he played for with such distinction. After a poor season by their standards, Juve dispensed with Thiago Motta and are reportedly considering a sensational swoop for Conte. The 55-year-old is understood to have a strained relationship with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and there are differences of opinion as to whether he will be backed sufficiently in the transfer market Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Never say never," De Laurentiis replied when asked if Conte was staying. "Coaches have their own character that must be respected and in my view you should never oblige them under iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli, it deserves respect. If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club the way he has done this season, then we say welcome, we are ready to follow him like a great leader. Napoli fans celebrated long into the night. | AFP via Getty Images "Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League, which since they modified the format has become even more important." Conte knows his stock is high. Taking Napoli to the Scudetto is a phenomenal achievement against rivals such as Inter, Juventus, Atalanta, Roma, AC Milan and Lazio. He called it "the most difficult challenge" of his career. 'It happened again, and it's something wonderful," said Conte. "When we got to the stadium, it was honestly difficult to get in, as I don't know how many people were there. I had a slight thought, if we let these people down, it'd be something we carried with us for a long time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Napoli's extraordinary campaign 'These lads were fantastic, it wasn't easy, as the pressure on us was insane, but we faced the game in the best way. It has been an extraordinary campaign and the lads deserve the credit. 'It was certainly the most unexpected, difficult and stimulating challenge of my career. To come to Napoli after 10th place and try to get everything back on track, as it had all rather smashed up last season, and convincing some of the best players to remain because we could do something positive. 'In all honesty, it is very difficult to win at Napoli. For these players to do it twice in three years means there is something special here, so I am happy for those players. Over 30 years ago, Diego Armando Maradona won the title, now Giovanni Di Lorenzo as captain lifts the trophy again with the armband on, it's special." Antonio Conte kisses the Serie A trophy. | Getty Images On his future, Conte played the politician. 'We are enjoying everything," he said. "I have a good rapport with the president. Let's say we had the chance to get to know each other this season, we are two winners. We might be winners in different ways, but we are both winners.'
Scotsman
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
but nightmare scenario could unfold with Serie A hero
Scottish talisman drives Gli Azzurri to Scudetto amid uncertainty over manager's future Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Co-codamol is probably in short supply in Naples right now. The southern Italian city has the mother of all hangovers after Napoli won the Serie A title on Friday night. Joyous scenes spilled through the city after Gli Azzurri defeated Cagliari 2-0 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona under manager Antonio Conte to pip Internazionale to the post in a quite gripping race for the Scudetto. It is only the fourth time Napoli have become champions of Italy. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Perhaps there were some sore heads back in Scotland, too. It is not every day that a couple of Scottish internationalists light up Serie A. Scott McTominay has been the poster boy for Napoli's charge to the summit but he has been ably supported by former Rangers kid Billy Gilmour, who has been a diligent presence in the No 6 role. Napoli lift the Serie A title after beating Cagliari on Friday night. | Getty Images McTominay grabbed the limelight with his 12th and most important goal of his maiden season at Napoli with an acrobatic scissors-kick on 42 minutes to break the deadlock against Cagliari. With Inter already ahead at Como, it was a goal that shattered the tension inside the stadium, and Napoli never looked back. McTominay is a hero now in Naples. He is up there with the great Diego Maradona, Marek Hamsik and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, legends in a football-daft community. Oh what Manchester United fans must be thinking after selling him for £25 million last summer to help fund their own rebuild. The 28-year-old never let the Red Devils down but it is clear he has moved on to better things. McTominay is Serie A player of year McTominay was voted the most valued player in Serie A this season straight after the win over Cagliari. He has filled the boots of Kvaratskhelia, the supremely talented Georgian forward who left for Paris Saint-Germain in January. Many observers feared Napoli would fall away after his sale. Those concerns were quickly allayed by McTominay and Co. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm lost for words, it's incredible,' McTominay said as the magnitude of his own first league title sank in. 'The sacrifice of every single player in this group is just incredible. The people deserve it, as they've been behind us from day one. For me to come here and experience this, it's just a dream.' Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour played key roles for Napoli. | Getty Images 'I forgot about the goal, as there was so much going on. We were concentrated, but the anxiety and the nerves were obviously there. Now we need to enjoy it with our people, next season we've got to come back next year with the same energy and never drop. 'You can tell every time with Conte the energy is troppo alto, that's what I learned, troppo alto, and we need the same attitude next season.' Conte Napoli speculation Ah, next season. McTominay and Gilmour will grace the Champions League stage once more, but already there is speculation about their manager. Conte is hot property in Italy and has been linked with a move to Juventus, a club he played for with such distinction. After a poor season by their standards, Juve dispensed with Thiago Motta and are reportedly considering a sensational swoop for Conte. The 55-year-old is understood to have a strained relationship with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis and there are differences of opinion as to whether he will be backed sufficiently in the transfer market Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Never say never," De Laurentiis replied when asked if Conte was staying. "Coaches have their own character that must be respected and in my view you should never oblige them under iron-clad contracts. Napoli is Napoli, it deserves respect. If he wants to put himself at the disposal of the club the way he has done this season, then we say welcome, we are ready to follow him like a great leader. Napoli fans celebrated long into the night. | AFP via Getty Images "Next year, I would be very pleased if he made his mark in the Champions League, which since they modified the format has become even more important." Conte knows his stock is high. Taking Napoli to the Scudetto is a phenomenal achievement against rivals such as Inter, Juventus, Atalanta, Roma, AC Milan and Lazio. He called it "the most difficult challenge" of his career. 'It happened again, and it's something wonderful," said Conte. "When we got to the stadium, it was honestly difficult to get in, as I don't know how many people were there. I had a slight thought, if we let these people down, it'd be something we carried with us for a long time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Napoli's extraordinary campaign 'These lads were fantastic, it wasn't easy, as the pressure on us was insane, but we faced the game in the best way. It has been an extraordinary campaign and the lads deserve the credit. 'It was certainly the most unexpected, difficult and stimulating challenge of my career. To come to Napoli after 10th place and try to get everything back on track, as it had all rather smashed up last season, and convincing some of the best players to remain because we could do something positive. 'In all honesty, it is very difficult to win at Napoli. For these players to do it twice in three years means there is something special here, so I am happy for those players. Over 30 years ago, Diego Armando Maradona won the title, now Giovanni Di Lorenzo as captain lifts the trophy again with the armband on, it's special." Antonio Conte kisses the Serie A trophy. | Getty Images On his future, Conte played the politician. 'We are enjoying everything," he said. "I have a good rapport with the president. Let's say we had the chance to get to know each other this season, we are two winners. We might be winners in different ways, but we are both winners.'
Scotsman
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
'The biggest compliment' - Scott McTominay hailed by ex-Scotland hero after what Napoli boss Antonio Conte did
The former Scotland international midfielder addressed the form of both Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson. Sign up to our Football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scott McTominay's outstanding debut season for Napoli in the Serie A has been so impressive it has resulted in 'rigid' Antonio Conte changing system in order to build the side around him, according to an ex-Scotland goalscoring hero. The 28-year-old midfielder moved to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in the summer for a reported fee of £32million, alongside international teammate Billy Gilmour, and has proven crucial to Napoli's title charge as the Gli Azzurri edge closer to a first Scudetto title since 2022. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His brace in the 2-0 weekend win over Torino took him to 11 league goals for the season, and helped Napoli go three points clear of Inter Milan at the top of the table with just four games remaining. It also saw McTominay smash a 63-year record held by Scottish icon Denis Law for most goals scored by a Scotsman in a single Serie A season, as his remarkable campaign continued at rocket speed. Following his exceptional form in Italy's top flight, former Scotland midfielder Don Hutchison believes the ex-Manchester United man has long been underrated, with McTominay vitally important at both club and international level. 'He scored more Serie A goals than Dennis Law now, breaking his record at the weekend,' said Hutchison. 'He's playing in his best position. The biggest compliment is that his manager, especially someone like Antonio Conte, who's normally been quite rigid in his playing style, he's gone from a back three to a back four to accommodate McTominay. I mean, that's a massive compliment when a manager changes your complete style and philosophy for one player. He's massively underrated. Scott McTominay heads home the winner for Napoli against Monza. | AFP via Getty Images 'Steve Clarke puts him in his best position for Scotland. That's why he scores goals when he's playing for the national side. Conte's doing the same thing and now what you've got is you've got a number eight/number 10 that's got freedom to get in the box and score goals. That's what he's good at. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He's not a number six. He's not a deep-lying midfield player. He can play at eight, of course, he can do it, but he needs the license to go forward. He's one of those sorts of players where you build a side around him because he will get and he should be getting double figures every season.' Hutchison, who was capped a total of 26 times by Scotland and famously scored the winning goal in a 1-0 victory over England at Wembley in 1999, also addressed the future of Tartan Army captain Andy Robertson following rumours that Liverpool were looking to make a summer move for Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez. Liverpool players – including Northern Ireland's Conor Bradley (third right) – enjoying the title party at Anfield. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty) The 30-year-old become only the third Scot to win the English Premier League title twice at the weekend, as Liverpool thrashed Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 at Anfield to confirm their status as the 24/25 champions. However, Robertson's form has come into question throughout the campaign, with some onlookers pondering if head coach Arne Slot may be considering a summer bid for Kerkez. 'It might not be a replacement for Andy Robertson,' said Hutchison. 'It might be the case of Kostas Tsimikas moving on. And then if they do sign Kerkez, then you've got two really good left backs. Then you can say that Andy Robertson and Milos Kerkez, right, you two are fighting it out for the left-back position. There's obviously going to be rotation as well, because of the amount of games they will play. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
