Golaccio

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini has said that Maurizio Sarri has different characteristics when compared to former coach Max Allegri and the team are trying their best to adapt to the demands of the new head coach. The Bianconeri have made multiple new signings during the summer and Matthijs de Ligt has been the most-profile capture after the switch from Ajax.

Speaking to reporters, Chiellini said that the players are adjusting to the change in tactics under Sarri and the focus is on attaining maximum efficiency ahead of the new league season, he told: “Every coach has his own characteristics, we have had Conte and Allegri in recent years, Sarri is different again. There is maximum availability on our part, and the whole team is trying to incorporate the coach's requests as soon as possible. We are still work in progress, this pre-season has been too long, I still don't understand why we are the only ones in Europe starting at the end of August. From next week we will begin to increase our head and body rhythms.”

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that he has doubts regarding the future of Romelu Lukaku, who has been touted to join Inter Milan this summer. The Belgian’s representative has confirmed that the striker is keen on making the move to the Serie A outfit, but so far, the club have not been able to strike a transfer agreement with the Red Devils.

United started their pre-season with a 2-0 triumph over Perth Glory on Saturday and shortly after that game, Solskjaer explained that the absence of Lukaku was due to fitness concerns from training, he said: "He should be fit for Wednesday, He trained with the team yesterday but it was not useful today to risk him."

Uruguay international Lucas Torreira has insisted that he is content at Arsenal and has no plans of making the return to the Serie A with AC Milan. The midfielder recently admitted that he has been struggling with a language barrier since making the move to England and that has led to suggestions that he could part ways with the Gunners.

Speaking ahead of Uruguay’s Copa America quarter-final against Peru, Torreira revealed that there has been no contact with the Rossoneri whatsoever and he is happy at the Gunners despite the struggles in adapting, he said: “Nobody from AC Milan has got in touch with me. Today I’m in the Premier [League] and happy to be part of Arsenal. Adapting was not easy, but I only think about the team. I’m happy to be there.”

Juventus defender Joao Cancelo has said that he is content in Turin amid the recent speculation regarding his future. The Portugal international has been recently linked with a potential move to Manchester United this summer amid claims that he does not have a fond relationship with manager Max Allegri.
Cancelo joined the Bianconeri from Valencia last summer but he has not been able to cement the right-back role with manager Allegri opting to swap him with Mattia De Sciglio on numerous occasions over the course of the campaign. As such, there have been suggestions that he could part ways with the club this summer but Cancelo has refuted the claims saying: “I want to stay here. I hope my future is at Juventus, where I hope to win many different trophies.”

Cancelo’s comments may come as a potential blow for United during the summer transfer window, given they are keen on pursuing a young and experienced option for the right-back role. Ashley Young has been the regular choice for the position over the past 24 months, but there are doubts whether he can sustain the role next term due to the inconsistency exhibited during the recent league campaign.

Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly has indicated that he is committed to the team’s cause despite the ongoing speculation linking him with a summer departure. The Senegal international is widely regarded as one of the best central defenders in the world and his stock has risen over the past few years despite Napoli’s struggles to secure regular silverware.

Speaking to reporters, Koulibaly said that he has improved as a player in Naples but he has not won anything to show for the progress. He added that he remains committed to the club, who have believed in his abilities and would like to guide the club to some kind of silverware, he said: “I’ve grown compared to five years ago but I haven’t won anything yet. I’m a Napoli player and I’ll give 100 percent to win something with this shirt. The market is full of talk, I prefer facts, which help us win, and to become great together. Napoli have given me so much. After the initial scepticism, their fans appreciated me. I would like to give them a trophy back.”

Lazio head coach Simone Inzaghi has said that his team controlled the game against Sassuolo and were unfortunate not to come up with the maximum points on the day. The Serie A side dominated the proceedings for most of the encounter but they were eventually left scrambling for the stalemate after Senad Lulic’s dramatic 95th minute leveller for them.

Speaking after the game, Inzaghi felt that his side deserved the maximum points from the league meeting and must remain positive despite the high-scoring draw, he told Sky Sport: “My players really did well today that's for sure. Sassuolo? They didn't create much and we didn't give them much yet we only got one point on the night. Goals against? We will have to review this that's for sure. We controlled the game from start to finish and we deserved all three points. We have to stay positive since we are close to the 4th place and we do have a game in hand.”

Former Arsenal ace John Hartson believes outgoing midfielder Aaron Ramsey has shown more commitment in the club’s shirt unlike Mesut Ozil. Ramsey has already agreed a pre-contract with Juventus ahead of the Bosman move this summer, but he has still remained consistent with his performances for the north London side.

Speaking to TalkSPORT, Hartson admitted that he has been impressed with the workrate showcased by Ramsey despite knowing that he would be joining Juventus at the end of the season. He added that the same can’t be said about Mesut Ozil, who has found himself in-and-out of the matchday squads under Unai Emery this term.

Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has indicated that goalkeeper David Ospina has a future with the Serie A outfit beyond the current campaign. The Colombia international has made 11 appearances in the Serie A since his season-long loan move from Arsenal in the summer but his future has come under question with Alex Meret competing with him for the number one role.

Speaking to reporters, Ancelotti clarified that the Colombian has a future with the Naples outfit regardless of the games he plays from now and the end of the season. He added that Ospina should have started for the midweek Europa League week game but a minor illness meant that he was dropped to the bench, he said: “Ospina was meant to play on Thursday in the Europa League, but wasn't feeling up to it, so I switched things around and used him [against Torino] instead. Ospina will remain at Napoli next season, regardless of how many games he plays.”

AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has urged his players to remain focused on the forthcoming matches as the club seek to push for a top four finish to the season. The Rossoneri have been lingering around the Champions League positions in the past few months but they are currently trailing fourth-placed Lazio by two points with a game in hand.

Speaking in a press conference, Gattuso highlighted that the club have never been in the top four running in the past few years but they have the perfect opportunity to make amends for the same. Barring Atalanta, the Rossoneri have four of the next five matches against teams in the bottom half of the standings but Gattuso has stressed that the squad must face each opposition with the same concentration and desire.

Italy manager Roberto Mancini has handed a warning to Cagliari midfielder Nicolo Barella amid the ongoing link with Premier League side Chelsea. The 21-year-old has been heavily linked with the Blues since the departure of Cesc Fabregas earlier in the month but Mancini has urged the youngster to think twice before consider a possible departure from the Serie A.

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mancini hailed the qualities of the highly-rated Italian midfielder, who has been building up his reputation with his boyhood club. He added that a move to a big club would undoubtedly suit the midfielder’s progress, although he needs to also worry about the gametime from the starting lineup.