Spain, Italy to settle old scores
For the second time in two years, Spain and Italy meet in the UEFA Nations League semi-finals, as the European heavyweights clash in Enschede on Thursday evening.
La Roja emerged winners back in 2021, before then falling to France in the final. On this occasion, the victor will progress to meet either the Netherlands or Croatia in Sunday’s decider.
A tumultuous 12 months for Spain began this time last year with two draws and two wins to start their Nations League campaign, and though they then lost their first September fixture to Switzerland, subsequent events in Braga saw them seal a place in the final four.
However, defeat in Switzerland was Spain’s first at home since 2018 and offered the first signs that Luis Enrique‘s time in charge could be curtailed.
After an unimpressive World Cup campaign in Qatar, the ex-Barcelona boss was replaced by former Under-19 and Under-21 coach Luis de la Fuente.
The latter’s start to life in the Spanish hotseat did not go altogether smoothly, as qualifying for Euro 2024 kicked off with victory over Norway before a deserved defeat in Scotland highlighted old failings.
Once again, La Roja encounter an Azzurri obstacle in the Nations League semis, having ended Italy’s world-record 37-match unbeaten streak back in 2021, to gain passage to the final. However, they then fell at the final hurdle.
Indeed, Spain and Italy are no strangers to each other, as Roberto Mancini‘s men also edged out their Mediterranean neighbours en route to European Championship glory in the summer of 2021.
With both teams searching for certainty amid fluctuating results, their respective coaches could take a more cautious approach – particularly at the end of a long, hard season.
Several Italy players were in action until the bitter end of a tough 2022-23 campaign, so they may pay the price for such fatigue against a Spain side who enjoy making opponents work for even a slim share of the ball.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Antonio Conte accuses Tottenham of lacking ambition
Antonio Conte has fired a poorly-disguised shot at his old club Tottenham, accusing the north London club of lacking ambition.
The Italian manager, who left Spurs by mutual consent after publicly criticising his players during an explosive tirade in March, claims the club ‘decided to settle for less’ by letting him go.
After Conte’s exit, Tottenham slipped out of the Champions League places and continued sliding down the Premier League table, failing to qualify for Europe altogether with an eighth-place finish.
Cristian Stellini took over from Conte as interim boss following the 53-year-old’s departure before being replaced by Ryan Mason, who has now passed the baton over to new permanent head coach Ange Postecoglou.
Conte made an instant impact after arriving in north London, taking Spurs from just inside the top half to the Champions League, and was keen to highlight how the club have regressed once again since his exit.
‘When I arrived, the team was in eighth or ninth place, yet we qualified for the Champions League,’ Conte said at an awards ceremony in Arezzo on Tuesday. ‘Then this season, with the side in fourth position, I decided we should part ways with Tottenham. Some had decided to settle for less.
‘The last experience, like all of them really, had some things that were positive and some less so. The experience was wonderful, we did the maximum possible and gave all that we had.’
Urging that he still has the hunger to carry on in management, the current free agent added: ‘I still have the desire to coach, that passion never goes. If it did, I would have to look inside myself and think that it was no longer right to continue doing this profession.
‘Having said that, I am also not spasmodically searching for a new job. If something important and serious came along, that gave me motivation, then I would give it consideration, in Italy or abroad.’
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
Premier League transfer window opens; Arsenal push for Rice, Mount linked to United, Harry Kane undecided
The 2023-24 Premier League summer window is officially open, with clubs looking to add to their respective squads ahead of the upcoming season.
Last year saw the Premier League set a new spending record of £1.9billion. This summer could see clubs in England surpass the whopping sum.
The new season is set to kick off on the weekend of August 12/13. It is likely that the first fixture is held on Friday, August 11.
This summer’s window will run until Friday, September 1 and is set to close at 11pm.
With the summer transfer window officially open, which big players could be on the move? Mail Sport provides the answers below.
Declan Rice
One of the biggest deals of the summer could see Declan Rice join Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.
Mail Sport reported last week that the Gunners are ready to table £90million bid for the West Ham star but face paying the West Ham skipper’s full transfer fee inside two years. The Hammers want the guaranteed portion of Rice’s transfer fee paid by next summer.
Mason Mount
Chelsea’s Mason Mount could be another player on the move this summer, with Manchester United looking to strengthen their midfield.
The Red Devils are reportedly set to table a £50m offer to sign the Englishman, but is valued at around £85m by Chelsea.
With Mount’s current deal set to expire next year, both the player and Chelsea are no closer to agreeing a new contract.
Harry Kane
Tottenham’s Harry Kane is another who could be on the move this summer. Speculation continues to surround Kane’s future at Tottenham after the club missed out on European football following a dismal season that ended in an eighth place finish in the Premier League.
Moises Caicedo
Brighton’s Moises Caicedo has attracted attention from several top clubs across England following his season with the Seagulls.
After missing out on Manuel Ugarte, who has recently signed for Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea are eyeing Caicedo – who is valued at around £80m.
With Chelsea in for Caicedo, the Seagulls are interested in defender Levi Colwill.
Federico Valverde
Liverpool have reportedly had a £51m bid for Real Madrid star man Federico Valverde rejected.
Valverde is one of Madrid’s most valuable players after his impressive campaign with Los Blancos.
The Reds are wanting to improve their midfield and have reportedly made Valverde a transfer target after already bringing in Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
