Napoli must have realistic expectations for the 2024-25 Serie A season during a period of reconstruction, so says Antonio Conte.
Conte took over in June, after Napoli went through three different coaches last season when, after winning the Scudetto under Luciano Spalletti in 2023, they followed that up by failing to qualify for European competition.
Former Italy boss Conte, who won four Serie A titles with Juventus and Inter, along with a Premier League title at Chelsea, wants patience from the club and the fans going into the new season.
Our mantra is to give 200%, we have to go beyond our limits, all of us, because it is a critical moment for Napoli, the president spoke of reconstruction, Conte told reporters ahead of Napoli s opening game against Verona on Su…
Spain will contest their first major tournament semi-final since 2012 despite failing to beat 10-man Switzerland after extra-time, with La Roja finally getting the job done on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Luis Enrique s men were dominant throughout and even had a man advantage throughout extra-time, and although their finishing left a lot to be desired, they proved more clinical from 12 yards than the Swiss.
It was a Switzerland player who provided the decisive touch to put Spain one up as Denis Zakaria scored an early own goal, but they capitalised on a defensive error to level through Xherdan Shaqiri in the second period.
Spain could not take advantage of Remo Freuler s contentious sending off, with Yann Sommer starring between the posts for Switzerland, but eve…
South Africa will host the 2013 African Cup of Nations, as previous hosts Libya had to rescind the rights due to political instability.
The two countries football associations have signed an agreement with regards to the hosting of the 2013 and the 2017 editions of the continent’s prime football competition, with Libya to inherit the rights to the latter event.
In terms of the agreement, Libya will host the 2017 Afcon, which had been awarded to South Africa, while Safa will take over the hosting of the 2013 Afcon tournament as well as the 2014 African Nations Championships (Chan), which was supposed to be played in Libya, a South African Football Association statement read.
“The agreement comes following the political upheaval in Libya, but is subject to ra…
Stoke City striker Peter Crouch refused a spot on the Euro 2012 standby list, according to England manager Roy Hodgson.
The 31-year-old target man has been left out of Hodgson s first two World Cup qualifiers, despite injuries to both Wayne Rooney and Andy Carroll and doubts over Daniel Sturridge s fitness.
And the veteran manager revealed that it was the former Liverpool and Tottenham man s decision to avoid involvement in the summer tournament and not his.
I selected him for the Euros but he didn t want to come, Hodgson said.
He made it clear that unless he was in the squad he didn t want to be considered.
As a result, we ve selected squads since that time when I felt I didn t need him here. I m not going to bring him here to fill up the ben…
Market: Over 2.5 goals
Odds: 1/1 @
Already securing their spot at next year s World Cup finals, France will be hoping to end their qualifying campaign with a flurry when they make the trip to Finland on Tuesday night.
Starting with the hosts, while Finland might open Tuesday s finale sat in pole position to secure a spot at next year s World Cup finals, they could have a nervy night on their hands. Sat holding just a two-point buffer over the chasing Ukraine in that lucrative play-off spot, Head Coach Markku Kanerva will be desperate for his side to show their resolve. Although the Whites might have been left heartbroken after their 2-1 defeat against Ukraine last month, they have managed to bounce back. Picking up some perfect momentum over the weekend as they …
Jamie Vardy scored for the 11th match in a row on this day in 2015 to break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record and earn Leicester a 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The England forward opened the scoring against Manchester United in the 24th minute to surpass Van Nistelrooy’s 10-game mark, which had stood since 2003.
Vardy found his 14th goal of the season when he got on the end of Christian Fuchs’ pass and rifled past David De Gea from close range and become the first player to score in 11 consecutive games in the Premier League era.
Manchester United managed to find an equaliser when Bastian Schweinsteiger cancelled out Vardy’s opener with a powerful header from close range to make it 1-1.
The 28-year-old started the run of consecutive …
For so long a meeting between the Jets and Patriots meant a New England win but now this Divisional game feels even closer given the struggles of both teams.
It’s going to be a war on Sunday but can the Jets leave Foxborough with a win? It’ll be tough and Bill Belichick won’t want to surrender to his former team.
If you’re betting this game on Sunday, October 24th then make sure you read our NFL picks and predictions for the New York Jets vs. New England Patriots.
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The Buffalo Bills and Carolina Panthers will wrap up their preseason action Friday night as Baker Mayfield and the Carolina starters will take on the backups of the Bills.
Sean McDermott is resting his first-teamers, while Matt Rhule has said his starters will play into the second quarter. With Carolina as a near-touchdown favorite, is the quarterback experience of Case Keenum and Matt Barkley being overlooked here?
Find out in my NFL preseason picks and predictions for Bills vs. Panthers.
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Bryce Young will open his NFL career on Saturday afternoon when the Carolina Panthers host the New York Jets for a preseason matchup at Bank of America Stadium.
The Jets have already opened their preseason schedule, losing 21-16 to the Cleveland Browns at the Hall of Fame Game last week. Carolina will be making their debut in Saturday’s exhibition after going 7-10 last season.
Young will be the main attraction for this game, especially since Aaron Rodgers won’t be making an appearance on the field for New York. We’ll break down the matchup in our free NFL preseason picks and predictions for Jets vs. Panthers on August 12.
Jets vs Panthers odds
Jets vs Panthers predictions
The Carolina Pa…
The Los Angeles Rams are a long way from La-La Land when they visit Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packers in Week 9.
Los Angeles is making its second road start at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT) and hoping veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford will be on the field to tilt the NFL odds after suffering a thumb injury in last weekend’s loss at Dallas.
That has the Week 9 odds listing L.A. as a 3-point underdog despite Green Bay mired in a four-game slide and head coach Matt LaFleur coming under fire. The Packers started the season with three straight covers, but have since gone 0-4 ATS heading into this homestand.
I break down the point spread and Over/Under total for Sunday’s showdown and give my free NFL picks and predictions for Rams at Packers on …