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Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Here's how Conte transformed Napoli from Serie A has-been back to title champion
Fans celebrate showing a number 4 during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli's players celebrate after winning the Italian league soccer title at the end of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli's Scott McTominay scores his side's first goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Players celebrate at the end of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Players celebrate at the end of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Fans celebrate showing a number 4 during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli's players celebrate after winning the Italian league soccer title at the end of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli's Scott McTominay scores his side's first goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Players celebrate at the end of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Napoli and Cagliari at the Diego Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) MILAN (AP) — Antonio Conte started the season apologizing to the Napoli fans. He is ending it with those same supporters chanting his name. Napoli beat Cagliari 2-0 on Friday, in the final round of Serie A, to see the title return to the southern city. It finished one point above defending champion Inter Milan. Advertisement There was little sign of that happening at the start of the season. Conte's first league match in charge of Napoli was a dismal 3-0 loss to Hellas Verona in the opening round. So poor was his team that Conte said he was 'ashamed' and his players had 'melted like snow in the sun.' It was clear he had a lot of work to do. Conte became Napoli's fifth coach in little more than a year and the scudetto celebrations of 2023 seemed a distant memory, especially after Napoli delivered on the worst title defenses in Serie A history the previous season, finishing 10th. Here are the keys to Napoli's success in the 2024-25 Italian league: Advertisement Winning coach Conte is no stranger to lifting the Serie A trophy. He started Juventus' dominance of Italian soccer, brought the Serie A title to Inter Milan for the first time in more than a decade, and has now transformed Napoli from title has-been back to league champion. Conte led Juventus to the first three of its nine successive Serie A titles, in each of his three seasons in charge from 2011-14, and he triumphed again in his second season at Inter, in 2021. In between that, he also bagged a Premier League title with Chelsea in 2017. The 55-year-old coach was tasked with rejuvenating a troubled Napoli side when he took over last summer. And that's precisely what he did. Advertisement Conte shook things up and transformed the squad with his strict, no-nonsense attitude and attention to detail. Superstars out Luciano Spalletti's superstars have departed and been replaced by Conte's titans. Gone is Victor Osimhen, the forward who fired Napoli to the title in 2023. Gone is the dribbling wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, or 'Kvaradona.' Gone is defensive stalwart Kim Min-jae. Only five regular starters from Spalletti's team remained prominent this season: Goalkeeper Alex Meret, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo, defender Amir Rrahmani and midfielders Stanislav Lobotka and Frank Anguissa. But the replacements have more than been up to the task. Advertisement Conte convinced Romelu Lukaku to rejoin him at Napoli after the pair won at Inter, and the Belgian striker has filled in well for Osimhen, with 14 goals and 10 assists in the league. Perhaps the biggest revelation has been midfielder Scott McTominay, who joined in August after playing for Manchester United his entire career. McTominay, who is described by his Napoli teammates as 'a special guy,' has been the driving force behind Napoli's surge past Inter. He and Lukaku both scored against Cagliari. McToninay ended the season with 12 Serie A goals and was named the Italian league player of the season. Distracted Inter Advertisement Just over a month ago, Inter was very much on course for a treble of trophies. It had just beaten Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals, had a three-point lead over Napoli in Serie A and was in the semifinals of the Italian Cup. But the treble talk proved little more than a distraction and the fight on all three fronts too much as three straight losses — without scoring — saw Inter dumped out of the Italian Cup and slip behind Napoli. Inter still has the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to next week after an extraordinary semifinal against Barcelona, that saw 13 goals scored across two legs. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Napoli fans already celebrating before Serie A-deciding matches kick off
Newly wed couple Danilo Catane, left and Veronica Flocco kiss each other as the wave a lag reading: Endless love, in front of the Diego Maradona Stadium, where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title between Napoli and Cagliari is scheduled to be played, in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) People stroll past a bakery shop adorned with a tricolour and Napoli team scarf ahead of the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title between Napoli and Cagliari, scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Newly wed couple Danilo Catane, left and Veronica Flocco kiss each other as the wave a lag reading: Endless love, in front of the Diego Maradona Stadium, where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title between Napoli and Cagliari is scheduled to be played, in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) People stroll past a bakery shop adorned with a tricolour and Napoli team scarf ahead of the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title between Napoli and Cagliari, scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Napoli fans gather outside Diego Maradona stadium where the decisive match for the Italian Serie A soccer championship title Napoli versus Cagliari is scheduled to be played in Naples, Italy, Friday, May 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ROME (AP) — Napoli fans were already in a celebratory mood ahead of the game against Cagliari later Friday, which could secure a second Serie A soccer title in three years for the southern club. Napoli leads defending champion Inter Milan by one point entering the final round. Advertisement Inter visits Como in a game that will be played simultaneously with Napoli's match. If the team's finish level, a one-game playoff on Monday will determine the winner. Napoli supporters were cheering and singing outside Stadio Diego Maradona hours in advance of the 8:45 p.m. (1845 GMT) kickoff. Napoli is aiming for its fourth Italian league title overall. Maradona led Napoli to its first two in 1987 and 1990. The 2023 team led by Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia clinched with five rounds to spare. Inter is aiming for its 21st title. The Nerazzurri will also face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 31. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Milan strikes twice in two minutes to beat Genoa and keep alive Champions League hopes
AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) Genoa's Vitinha celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, right, makes an attempt to score during the italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) Genoa's Morten Frendrup, left, fights for the ball with AC Milan's Alex Jimenez during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/Lapresse via AP) Genoa's Morten Frendrup, left, fights for the ball with AC Milan's Alex Jimenez during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/Lapresse via AP) AC Milan's Rafael Leao celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) Genoa's Vitinha celebrates after scoring during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) AC Milan's Rafael Leao scores a goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) AC Milan's Christian Pulisic, right, makes an attempt to score during the italian Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/LaPresse via AP) Genoa's Morten Frendrup, left, fights for the ball with AC Milan's Alex Jimenez during the Serie A soccer match between Genoa and Milan at the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa, Italy, Monday, May 5, 2025. (Tano Pecoraro/Lapresse via AP) GENOA, Italy (AP) — AC Milan scored twice in two minutes to beat Genoa 2-1 in Serie A on Monday and keep alive its slim hopes of a place in next year's Champions League. Genoa substitute Vitinha scored a minute after taking the field to give his side the lead after 61 minutes. Advertisement But Rafael Leão levelled 15 minutes later when his powerful shot was deflected into the net, and two minutes later Genoa captain Morten Frendrup put one into his own net. Although Milan remained in ninth place, it closed the gap on the top four to six points. Juventus was fourth, equal on points with Roma and Lazio below it. Three rounds remain. Milan's last three games are against Bologna, Roma and bottom club Monza. Genoa has lost its last three games and sits in 13th. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rome derby clashes likened to 'urban warfare' with 24 police officers injured
Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with Police ahead of the Italian Series A soccer match between Lazio and Roma outside Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with Police ahead of the Italian Series A soccer match between Lazio and Roma outside Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ROME (AP) — The toll from clashes between violent fans and police at the weekend's Rome derby includes 24 law enforcement officers injured, one arrest and at least 40,000 euros ($45,000) in damaged garbage dumpsters. Officials in the capital were still trying to sum up the damages after fans on Sunday attacked police in riot gear in a heavily populated area where people had been gathering ahead of the Serie A game between Lazio and Roma. Advertisement 'I am disgusted,' said Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri. 'It's unacceptable that hooligans transform a day of sport into a scene of urban warfare.' Some 2,000 police officers were stationed at various flashpoints around the Stadio Olimpico and swept into action when Lazio's hard-core 'ultra' fans attempted to push through a barred-off area. Fans reacted to the intervention by launching fireworks and other objects at the police officers. Police then responded with tear gas and water cannons. The derby was restored to an 8:45 p.m. kickoff this season after six years of earlier start times in order to avoid violence. Now next year's games will likely start earlier again. Advertisement Lazio and Roma both expressed solidarity with the injured police officers and denounced the violence. The game ended 1-1. The Rome derby has been plagued by violence for years. In 2004, the derby was suspended due to a false rumor that police had killed a boy outside the stadium. In January, a car went up in flames outside the stadium before this season's first derby. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Police step in to avoid clashes between rival fans ahead of Rome derby
Police step in to avoid clashes between rival fans ahead of Rome derby Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Lazio fans riot with police ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Lazio and Roma at Rome's Olympic stadium, Sunday, April 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ROME (AP) — Police in riot gear intervened to prevent clashes between rival fans of Lazio and Roma ahead of the Rome derby on Sunday. Some 2,000 police officers were stationed at various flashpoints around the Stadio Olimpico and swept into action when Lazio's hard-core 'ultra' fans attempted to push through a barred-off area. Advertisement Fans reacted to the intervention by launching fireworks and other objects at the police officers. Police then responded with tear gas. Sixth-placed Lazio was facing seventh-placed Roma later in their second derby of the season. Roma beat Lazio 2-0 in January. ___ AP soccer:
