Juventus midfielder Michele Pacienza has spoken about the reasons behind his move from Napoli.
In a news conference, Pacienza revealed that he felt under-appreciated at Napoli where he made 106 appearances in four seasons.
He also claimed that because the club was unwilling to talk about his contract situation for so long, he decided to look elsewhere.
I waited for Napoli until February, said Pacienza, 28, who Napoli bought from Fiorentina for 4.8 million euros in 2008.
I have to say they didn t show me full trust until it was too late, because I waited until February and after then I decided not to meet them anymore and to wait for the season to finish first.
Then Juventus contacted me and I didn t think about it too much.
Pacienza …
Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz scored a stunning first international goal as Spain’s build-up to Euro 2024 began with a surprise 1-0 defeat by Colombia.
Right-back Munoz acrobatically converted Luis Diaz’s cross in the 61st minute to earn his side a morale-boosting result moving towards this summer’s Copa America in the United States.
Three-time European champions Spain enjoyed plenty of possession at the London Stadium but lacked a cutting edge as their eight-match winning run ended.
Former Real Madrid man James Rodriguez played an instrumental role in his country’s success, which stretched their unbeaten run to 20 games, after coming off the bench following a forgettable first half.
Spain will look to bounce back on Tuesday night when they…
Netherlands captain Robin van Persie said they will aim to beat Chile, despite knowing a draw will see them top their FIFA World Cup group.
The 2010 finalists top Group B on six points, with Jorge Sampaoli s Chile behind them only on goal difference.
The two nations go head-to-head in Sao Paulo on Monday, with Chile needing to win to top the group and avoid a likely last-16 clash with hosts Brazil.
And the suspended Van Persie said the Dutch would not flirt with their attacking form, which has seen them produce eight goals in two games.
We believe in each other and we will go for it, we will go for it against any team, the Manchester United man said.
It doesn t matter against who we play. (The) next one is Chile and we will go for it.
A…
Chelsea were controversially denied back-to-back victories in Champions League Group E when they were held 1-1 by Valencia on Wednesday.
Andre Villas-Boas men took the lead at the Mestalla in the 56th minute, when English midfielder Frank Lampard scored his first European goal since October 2009.
Lampard powered home a trademark strike that looked to have sealed the Londoners their second win in the group.
But a late penalty paid by referee Nicola Rizzoli was converted by Roberto Soldado in the 86th minute, much to the delight of the La Liga club s faithful.
However, the referee s decision caught the ire of the English Premier League side, protesting the guilt of Salomon Kalou after he was judged to have handballed in the area.
The decision came …
Wayne Rooney has admitted he is feeling pressure to prove himself to Jose Mourinho following the Portuguese s arrival at Manchester United.
A mainstay at Old Trafford having spent 12 years at the club after his move from Everton in 2004, Rooney found the net just eight times in the league for United last term his lowest total in his time at the club as they missed out on Champions League football.
Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal as manager and United have added to their attacking options in the close-season, bringing in playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
And Rooney told reporters: I think you always feel pressure when you play for Manchester United.
It s one of the biggest, if not the biggest, clubs in the world and it s bee…
A brilliant strike from Danny Drinkwater denied Chelsea the chance to mark Guus Hiddink s final game in charge with a win, earning Premier League champions Leicester City a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge.
Hiddink took over from Jose Mourinho in December and helped steer the club into the top half of the table, but Drinkwater s effort ensured he would not get a winning send-off before Antonio Conte takes the reins next season.
Leicester clinched the title following Chelsea s 2-2 draw with Tottenham on May 2, and the Foxes were welcomed onto the pitch by last season s winners with a guard of honour Claudio Ranieri, Blues manager from 2000 to 2004, receiving a warm ovation from the home fans.
Kasper Schmeichel produced excellent saves to keep Willian and Cesc Fabregas …
It s hard to put the finger on the exact moment in the 2019/20 Premier League season when Liverpool s title bid really took off, but the 3-1 triumph over defenders Manchester City in November certainly could be described as a worthy candidate.
It was Fabinho who opened the scoring for the Reds with this thunderbolt, before telling the supporters it was time for the title to return to Anfield after 30 years. It was on this day (May 28th) in 2018 that the transfer of the Brazilian midfielder from AS Monaco to Liverpool was officially announced.
https://www.facebook.com/LiverpoolFC/videos/781870472254596/
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Unai Emery insisted Shkodran Mustafi is good enough to play for Arsenal, despite the centre-back coming under fire for his performances.
Mustafi was at fault for two of Crystal Palace s goals in Arsenal s shock 3-2 Premier League defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The 27-year-old has split opinion since joining from LaLiga side Valencia in a reported £35million transfer in 2016, but Emery has no doubt about the German s quality, citing his man-of-the-match showing in the 1-0 win at Watford on April 15.
I want to protect the players, Arsenal boss Emery said ahead of Wednesday s trip to Wolves. Mustafi is a very good player, a very good centre-back. He has the habit of doing a tackle and going to ground, using his anticipation against the opposition.
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Lando Norris had his watch taken in an incident at the Euro 2020 final on Sunday, Formula One team McLaren have confirmed.
Norris was in attendance at Wembley as England lost on penalties to Italy in the European Championship decider.
There were scenes of unrest throughout the day at England s national stadium as individuals without tickets attempted to gain access to the long-awaited final.
Indeed, pictures in London showed supporters clashing inside and outside Wembley.
And McLaren announced on Monday their star driver was left understandably shaken following an incident which has been reported to the police.
The team said: McLaren Racing can confirm that Lando Norris was involved in an incident, after the Euro 2020 final match at Wembley, duri…
Southampton have revealed the initial results of Danny Ings knee scan are favourable , with the striker appearing to have avoided serious damage.
The England international was forced off in the 85th minute of Sunday s 4-3 win over Aston Villa following a collision with Trezeguet.
Ings had earlier scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season to put Southampton 4-0 up, before a late fightback from Villa set up a tense finale.
He has already had to overcome two long-term knee injuries and boss Ralph Hasenhuttl admitted it did not look good when the 28-year-old went down at Villa Park.
However, Southampton confirmed on their website on Monday the initial results of Ings scan are favourable and he will undergo further assessment over the coming days.
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