Nevertheless, the Ligue 1 giants seem more interested in Osimhen’s teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and have already held talks with the winger’s agent, irritating Napoli.
Sports
Switzerland shock Italy, secure Euro 2024 quarter-final spot
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Switzerland shock Italy, secure Euro 2024 quarter-final spot
Switzerland dumped reigning champions Italy out of Euro 2024 with a stunning 2-0 victory on Saturday to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in their history.
Murat Yakin’s supremely well-drilled side outplayed the flat two-time winners in the last 16 clash in Berlin and will face England or Slovakia in the next round.
Ruben Vargas teed up Remo Freuler for Switzerland’s 37th minute opener before curling home superbly himself right at the start of the second half to deservedly double their lead.
A new-look Italy, short on star power and without many of the key figures that led them to Euro 2020 glory, offered little in response to Switzerland’s energetic display.
“It hurts, it really hurts,” said Italy’s captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
“We can only say sorry to everyone, we were disappointing today and they deserved to win. We struggled all game long.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka, arriving at the Euros after a stunning season with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, pulled the strings as the Swiss rarely looked like letting the lead slip away.
“I’m at a loss for words, it was the most important game of my career,” said Swiss midfielder Fabian Rieder.
“Everyone played for each other, we worked well in defence and attack… we have an incredibly great team.
“We want to enjoy the moment now but keep working hard for the next game.”
Italy coach Luciano Spalletti dropped Jorginho after his worrying group stage performances, bringing in Nicolo Fagioli in defensive midfield among a hefty six changes which failed to bring the Azzurri to life.
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Spalletti said the second goal had knocked the stuffing out of his side and their limitations had been exposed.
“Right now, for too many reasons, we are unable to do anything more than this,” he said.
Spalletti had called on his team to improve in the knock-out rounds after they scraped into the Last 16 with a last gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Croatia.
However it was Switzerland who grew in confidence and pulled off their best display yet at the Olympiastadion in a sweltering Berlin, where a far more impressive Italy won the 2006 World Cup.
Former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, now Italy’s delegation head, has been regaling the squad with stories from that triumph but it did not inspire a convincing performance — apart from by his modern day counterpart, Donnarumma.
The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper, key in Italy’s Euro 2020 conquest, made a fine save to thwart Breel Embolo midway through the first half as Switzerland created the first real chance by playing him through.
– Freuler opener –
Donnarumma could not stop Freuler from firing Switzerland ahead after 37 minutes when the midfielder controlled Vargas’ low cross and drilled home at the near post.
Switzerland kept the ball for well over a minute in the build-up, stringing together 33 passes before Freuler, who plays for Serie A side Bologna, applied the finishing touch.
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Donnarumma produced a fine save to tip Rieder’s free-kick on to the post before the break as the Swiss sought to equal their best ever performance at the last Euros by reaching the last eight.
Hosts Germany needed a late leveller to avoid defeat against the Swiss in the group phase, while in the previous edition they knocked out much fancied France in the last 16, so Italy cannot say they were not warned.
Spalletti hooked Stephan El Shaarawy at half-time for Zaccagni, but Italy gave the ball away from the kick-off and Switzerland doubled their lead just 27 seconds into the second period.
Augsburg midfielder Vargas, who started in place of the suspended Silvan Widmer but on the left of the attack, broke into the area and arced a superb curling shot over Donnarumma.
The closest Italy came to scoring was when Swiss defender Fabian Schar misjudged a header and hit the frame of his own goal.
The near-invisible Gianluca Scamacca also hit the post from close range, but appeared to be offside.
The sides drew twice in World Cup 2022 qualification with the Azzurri failing to make the tournament but went one better in Germany, securing their first win against Italy since 1993, after 11 without victory.
AFP
Switzerland shock Italy, secure Euro 2024 quarter-final spot
Sports
Osimhen to start pre-season with Napoli
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Osimhen to start pre-season with Napoli
With no offers yet in sight despite being linked with a move away from Napoli this summer, Super Eagles’ ace striker Victor Osimhen will reportedly resume pre-season training with the former Italian champions next week.
According to Football Italia, new Napoli coach Antonio Conte could meet Victor Osimhen in Castel Volturno next week as no European club has yet made a formal offer to secure the striker’s services.
The Nigeria international has a €130m clause included in his contract with the Partenopei but despite rumours linking Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United with the 25-year-old, there are still no official bids on Napoli’s table.
No club seems willing to pay €130m for Osimhen, and it may be difficult to find suitable candidates even if the Partenopei lowers the price to €100m.
Conte is prepared to part company with the striker, but if no club steps up over the next few days, Osimhen will have to start the pre-season with Napoli on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Last week at his unveiling as the new manager of Napoli, the 54-year-old Conte described Osimhen as ‘a top player’ despite making a categorical statement about the future of the former upstart with Wolfsburg in Germany.
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“I know very well about the Osimhen situation,” Conte reportedly said. “I know that there are agreements with the club, it’s a totally different situation, which I’ll witness.
“Then if you ask me about the player, he’s a top player, but I can’t get into any discussions about Osimhen because these are previous agreements,” he added.
Yet Italian tabloid Il Corriere dello Sport has given a fresh insight on why English Premiership trio of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United have put Osimhen transfer talks on hold.
It was claimed that Arsenal prefer Viktor Gyökeres to Osimhen even if they also consider the Sporting striker’s €100m clause too high.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have changed their transfer targets after the appointment of the Italian Enzo Maresca, while Manchester United have set their sights on Joshua Zirkzee and will continue relying on ex-Atalanta ace Rasmus Hojlund, especially after Erik ten Hag was confirmed in charge at Old Trafford.
Osimhen dreams of playing in the Premier League, but PSG have also been monitoring the Nigerian ace.
Sports
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
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Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Super Eagles’ former forward, Emmanuel Amuneke, is set to return to coaching after a year away from the sidelines.
The former Tanzania coach has previously assisted Samson Siasia as well as Augustine Equavoen in the national team.
Amunike’s last role was with Zambia’s Zanaco FC, where he served as both coach and consultant before leaving in 2023.
He recently applied for the Super Eagles head coach position, but the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) opted for Finidi George instead
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According to reports from Owerri, Amunike is close to joining Heartland, which plans to return to the elite NPFL next season.
The report added that Amuneke, who has been quietly working with his hometown club, has started recruiting players for the upcoming season.
Heartland FC was relegated to the NPFL after finishing in the 19th position on the 20-team table last season.
The club is reportedly planning to buy the NPFL slot of Beyond Limits, who earned promotion from the Nigeria National League (NNL), but face participation issues due to their affiliation with Remo Stars.
Amuneke, 53, has extensive coaching experience in domestic and international football.
Updated: Amuneke set to be announced new Heartland head coach
Sports
Asisat Oshoala scores first-ever penalty for Bay FC in NWSL
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Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL
Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala has etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Bay FC player to score a penalty in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Oshoala scored the winning goal in Bay FC’s 1-0 victory over Racing Louisville.
She calmly sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot, 14 minutes before the end of the match.
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This record-setting goal adds to the former Barcelona star impressive start at Bay FC, where she previously scored the club’s first-ever goal on her debut in the USA.
Since joining the club, Asisat Oshoala has now scored three goals.
Meanwhile, her international teammate, Uchenna Kanu, did not feature in Racing Louisville’s matchday squad for the game.
Asisat Oshoala Scores First-Ever Penalty for Bay FC In NWSL
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