Latest news with #ItalianNationalTeam
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Thanks, Lorenzo
Lucca moves to Napoli Udinese Calcio has announced that the club has sold Lorenzo Lucca to Napoli. The striker is joining the Serie A champions on loan with an obligation to buy, upon meeting certain conditions. Lucca leaves Udinese after making 75 appearances, scoring 23 goals. He has developed into one of the best strikers in Serie A, which has seen him earn a permanent spot in the Italian national team's squads over the last year. This important and prestigious milestone was achieved thanks to his experience in Udine. We would like to thank Lorenzo for his dedication and professionalism and wish him the best for his future career. Thank you, Lorenzo.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Gattuso says Italy needs a different mentality to avoid missing another World Cup
Italian former player Gianluigi Buffon, left, talks to reporters during a press conference with newly appointed Italian national soccer team head coach Rino Gattuso, center, and Italian Soccer Federation, FGCI, president Gabriel Gravina, in Rome, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Newly appointed Italian national soccer team head coach Rino Gattuso, center, poses for photographers with Italian Soccer Federation, FGCI, president Gabriel Gravina, right, and former player Gianluigi Buffon as he arrives for a press conference, in Rome, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Italian former player Gianluigi Buffon, left, talks to reporters during a press conference with newly appointed Italian national soccer team head coach Rino Gattuso, center, and Italian Soccer Federation, FGCI, president Gabriel Gravina, in Rome, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Newly appointed Italian national soccer team head coach Rino Gattuso, center, poses for photographers with Italian Soccer Federation, FGCI, president Gabriel Gravina, right, and former player Gianluigi Buffon as he arrives for a press conference, in Rome, Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) ROME (AP) — Gennaro Gattuso is approaching his new job as the coach of an Italy squad in crisis with the same determination and combativeness he used to display on the field as a gritty midfielder. Replacing the fired Luciano Spalletti, with the four-time champion Azzurri in real danger of failing to qualify for a third straight World Cup, Gattuso knows there's no room for errors. Advertisement 'I know it's not an easy job but nothing is easy in life,' Gattuso said at his presentation Thursday. 'There's not much to say. There's work to do. 'I need to get inside the players' heads. I hear often that we don't have the talent or good enough players anymore. But I think we have the players. We just need to put the players in condition to succeed. We need to get Italy back to the World Cup. That's fundamental.' Spalletti was fired after Italy lost its opening qualifier 3-0 at Norway. The Azzurri are already nine points behind Norway in their World Cup qualifying group — albeit having played two matches fewer than the leader. Gattuso's debut will be at home to Estonia on Sept. 5. Israel is also in the five-team Group I. Advertisement Italy hosts Norway in the final round on Nov. 16. Only the group winner advances directly to next year's tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The runner-up enters playoff brackets to be played next March. That was the stage where Italy was eliminated by Sweden and North Macedonia and ruled out of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. But Italy's struggles go back further, with the Azzurri having failed to advance past the group phase at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Gattuso, however, remains identified as one of the main catalysts of its run to the title in 2006. 'He responded without any hesitation to our call and with the same enthusiasm as when he was called up as a player to the national team,' Italian soccer federation president Gabriele Gravina said. Advertisement 'And not simply enthusiasm. It's really a lot more: great spirit of sacrifice, great professionalism and diligence. He told me right away that nobody wins alone, that you win as a squad and a group.' New rules for injured players Gattuso said he wants to set a new standard of dedication whereby even injured players remain at the national team's training center. 'We have plenty of physical therapists and medical staff,' Gattuso said. 'If I had listened to my body, I would have played 50 fewer matches. We need to go beyond our limits.' Chiesa and Acerbi Gattuso said he had already made calls to 35 players, including Federico Chiesa. Advertisement Chiesa was a standout on the Italy team that won the European Championship in 2021 but hasn't played much since leaving Juventus for Liverpool last year. 'I told Chiesa that he needs to find a way to play more regularly,' Gattuso said. One player who Gattuso did not call was 37-year-old defender Francesco Acerbi, who turned down his call up for the Norway match, where he was expected to mark Erling Haaland. 'I respect him,' Gattuso said. 'But I called other, younger players who I think can offer us something.' ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus forward Sofia Cantore signs with the NWSL's Washington Spirit
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Spirit have acquired Juventus forward Sofia Cantore, who becomes the first Italian international in the National Women's Soccer League. Cantore's contract will keep her with the Spirit through the 2027 season, the team said Tuesday. She will join the Spirit on July 1. Advertisement Cantore is currently on Italy's provisional roster for the European Championship. She has made 37 appearances for the national team with five goals. She scored 11 goals for Juventus in Italy's Serie A this past season. 'I'm very proud to join this important club and grateful for their trust in my abilities,' Cantore said in a statement. 'I'm excited to start this new chapter of my career as the first Italian player in the NWSL and can't wait to work every day with coach Adrián González and my new teammates.' ___ AP soccer: The Associated Press
Associated Press
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Juventus forward Sofia Cantore signs with the NWSL's Washington Spirit
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Washington Spirit have acquired Juventus forward Sofia Cantore, who becomes the first Italian international in the National Women's Soccer League. Cantore's contract will keep her with the Spirit through the 2027 season, the team said Tuesday. She will join the Spirit on July 1. Cantore is currently on Italy's provisional roster for the European Championship. She has made 37 appearances for the national team with five goals. She scored 11 goals for Juventus in Italy's Serie A this past season. 'I'm very proud to join this important club and grateful for their trust in my abilities,' Cantore said in a statement. 'I'm excited to start this new chapter of my career as the first Italian player in the NWSL and can't wait to work every day with coach Adrián González and my new teammates.' ___ AP soccer:
Reuters
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Spirit sign F Sofia Cantore, first Italian in NWSL history
June 17 - The Washington Spirit signed forward Sofia Cantore on Tuesday, making her the first Italian player in NWSL history. Cantore arrives via transfer from Italy's Juventus FC and is signed to a three-year deal with a 2028 team option. Cantore, 25, is eligible to join the Spirit on July 1 when the FIFA summer transfer window opens. She will occupy an international roster slot. "Sofia is an important signing for this Spirit team as we continue to build up our roster to compete for trophies," head coach Adrian Gonzalez said. "Her extensive experience in the Italian leagues and exceptional talent in the attacking third will help add a new layer for the Spirit moving forward." Cantore made her professional debut with Italy's Fiammamonza in 2015 before moving to Juventus in 2017. She has spent time on loans with Hellas Verona (2019-20), Florentia (2020-21) and Sassuolo (2021-22), racking up 40 goals and 120 assists across 120 appearances. "I'm very proud to join this important club and grateful for their trust in my abilities," Cantore said. "I'm excited to start this new chapter of my career as the first Italian player in the NWSL and can't wait to work every day with coach Adrian Gonzalez and my new teammates. And of course, I'm thrilled to challenge myself in this great league!" Internationally, Cantore has contributed five goals in 37 matches with the Italian national team since making her senior debut in 2020. --Field Level Media
