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Tag: Fiorentina

  • David de Gea struggling at Fiorentina because he’s been away for over a year – Ex- Juve star

    David de Gea struggling at Fiorentina because he’s been away for over a year – Ex- Juve star

    A former Juventus goalkeeper believes David de Gea is “struggling” at his new club, Fiorentina, after spending over a year away from first-team action.

    The Spanish shot-stopper parted ways with Manchester United in the summer of 2023, bringing an end to his 12-year stint at Old Trafford.

    After 14 months without a club, the 33-year-old joined Fiorentina this summer, but his return to football has been challenging. Now, former Genoa goalkeeper Rubinho has shared his thoughts on de Gea’s early performances with La Viola.

    Rubinho told Radio Firenze Viola after a 0-0 draw with Empoli: “De Gea is still suffering from having been out for more than a year. But he has already helped Fiorentina a lot in these first games.

    I think he can only grow further and show everyone the qualities he has. He is a top goalkeeper, and seeing him defend Fiorentina’s goal reminds me of when there were the likes of [Francesco] Toldo and [Sebastien] Frey.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbg3ymd01M4

    David de Gea has featured in five matches across all competitions this season, managing to secure one clean sheet so far.

    Despite his involvement, teammate Pietro Terracciano has also had game time in goal for Raffaele Palladino’s squad, with the coach indicating that the competition for the starting goalkeeper position remains wide open.

    He said in September: “There isn’t a hierarchy right now. I wanted to see De Gea and Terracciano to understand. I am happy with both. David hadn’t played for a year, so I preferred Terracciano. We’ll evaluate a few things in the coming days.”

    After a lengthy absence from top-tier football, De Gea may be experiencing some rustiness. He will be aiming to secure a starting spot for Fiorentina when they face The New Saints in their Europa Conference League opener on Thursday evening.

    If he doesn’t feature in that match, the former Manchester United goalkeeper could see action against AC Milan in their Serie A clash on Sunday night.

  • Kayode opts to stay with Fiorentina

    Kayode opts to stay with Fiorentina

    Fiorentina’s right-back, Michael Kayode, has attracted interest from several prominent clubs, such as Arsenal and Inter Milan.

    However, his agent asserts that, at present, he is content with his current situation.

    Despite being just 19 years old, Kayode has demonstrated promising performance with one goal and three assists in 25 appearances across all competitions since his promotion to the first team this season.

    Despite his contract extending until 2028, top clubs in Europe continue to monitor his development closely.

    “Fiorentina need not worry,” agent Andrea Ritorni told Radio FirenzeViola. “There is a contract that speaks for him: Michael is doing well with this club and in this team. Of course, various premier teams follow him and have followed him, but this is normal, it’s part of football and life.

    “However, Fiorentina has secured him with a nice contract and many bonuses let’s think about doing well now and in the future for the purple shirt.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy-P4nO2zZk
  • Brighton fortifies their defense with Igor from Fiorentina in Serie A

    Brighton fortifies their defense with Igor from Fiorentina in Serie A

    Brighton & Hove Albion has completed the signing of defender Igor Julio (25) from Serie A club Fiorentina.

    The Premier League club announced the acquisition on Wednesday, with Igor joining on a four-year contract.

    Though the transfer fee was not disclosed officially, British media reported that Brighton would pay Fiorentina 17 million euros for the Brazilian player.

    Igor initially joined Fiorentina on loan from Italian club SPAL in January 2020, and after impressing during his loan spell, he signed a permanent deal with Fiorentina in May 2021.

    During his time with Fiorentina, Igor showcased his talent, making nearly 110 appearances in all competitions.

    He played a significant role in the team’s 2022–23 campaign, helping them reach the finals of the Europa Conference League and the Italian Cup.

    Unfortunately, Fiorentina lost both finals to West Ham United and Inter Milan, respectively.

    Igor’s journey in Europe began in 2016 when he moved from Brazil to join Austrian second-tier side Liefering.

    He later had stints with Salzburg and went on loan at Wolfsberger and Austria Wien.

  • Inzaghi frustrated by Lukaku’s profligacy

    Inzaghi frustrated by Lukaku’s profligacy

    After Inter’s 1-0 loss to Fiorentina on Saturday, Simone Inzaghi expressed his annoyance with Romelu Lukaku’s difficulties in front of goal.

    Giacomo Bonaventura’s crucial header in the second half at San Siro increased Inter’s losing record in Serie A to its worst in six years.

    The Nerazzurri have now dropped three straight matches in the top division, with Lukaku’s terrible miss coming just before Bonaventura’s game-winning goal.

    While representing Belgium at the international level, Lukaku found his scoring touch again, but he was unable to carry that success over to his club team as he missed a close-range shot with the goal gaping.

    No Inter player had more shots than his three, with Lukaku not managing to get any of them on target, despite accumulating 1.2 expected goals.

    While not pinning the blame entirely on Lukaku – who is reported to have confronted Inzaghi about a lack of opportunities while he has been fit this season – Inter’s coach was quick to point out the importance of those misses.

    Speaking to DAZN, Inzaghi said: “If he had scored those chances, Lukaku’s performance would be judged in a very different way.

    “His role is to create the opportunities, make the movements that the team needs.

    “He wasn’t the only one who had chances today, so I wouldn’t focus only on Romelu.”

    Inzaghi also stressed he is ultimately responsible for turning Inter’s fortunes around. 

    “There is great disappointment, we lost two consecutive home matches,” he said. “We need to work more, starting with me.

    “At the moment, we need to be more determined, because we had so many chances to score and we should have done.

    “I cannot ask for more in terms of effort, as the players did everything I asked of them.”

    Inzaghi is not wrong. While Fiorentina had more shots (19 to 16) and got the same number of attempts on target (three each), Inter finished with a 2.8 xG compared to the visitors’ 1.2, suggesting the quality of opportunities that went their way was far greater.

    Lukaku’s glaring miss came from by far the best opportunity of the match, with Opta’s model estimating the chance would be converted 92 per cent of the time (0.92 xG).

    The 29-year-old’s future is uncertain. He is on loan at Inter, but due to return to parent club Chelsea at the end of the season.

    Before the match, Inter chief Giuseppe Marotta told DAZN: “[Lukaku’s] love for the Inter jersey is 10 out of 10, we’ll evaluate the prospects with Chelsea.”

  • Freak last-gasp Mkhitaryan goal stuns Viola

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored a freak last-gasp goal to snatch a 4-3 victory for Inter over Fiorentina in a Serie A thriller at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

    A frantic first half saw Inter race into a two-goal lead with only 15 minutes on the clock, Nicolo Barella opening the scoring and Martinez doubling the lead, but Arthur Cabral’s penalty gave the Viola hope.

    Jonathan Ikone curled home an equaliser on the hour mark before Martinez doubled his tally from the penalty spot, but Luka Jovic appeared to have snatched a point with time running out.

    The drama was not over, however, as substitute Lorenzo Venuti saw his attempted clearance hit Mkhitaryan on the shin and bobble into the net in one stunning final twist.

    Inter got the breakthrough inside 90 seconds, Martinez winning possession high up the field and feeding a pass through to Barrella to poke a finish past Pietro Terracciano with the outside of his right boot.

    The ruthless Nerazzurri doubled their advantage after 15 minutes, when Martinez skipped through the defence to drill home a low strike.

    A poor challenge from Federico Dimarco on Giacomo Bonaventura gave Fiorentina hope, with a penalty awarded after a VAR review and Cabral stepping up to coolly send Andre Onana the wrong way.

    Just before the hour mark, the Viola had their equaliser as first-half substitute Ikone surged into the box from the right side and shifted the ball onto his left foot before curling a fantastic shot into the top-left corner.

    A VAR review with 20 minutes remaining gave Inter a chance to regain the lead, as Martinez was felled by Terraciano in the box and the striker stepped up to rifle into the top-right corner, but Jovic then equalised with an acrobatic volley following a corner.

    The hosts were cruelly denied a point five minutes into time added on, when Mkhitaryan knew little above an attempted clearance from Venuti that struck him and found the back of the net to settle a classic contest.

    What does it mean? Leaky defence a concern for Inzaghi

    It was ultimately job done for Inter, but there will certainly be some concerns about the defensive performance of Simone Inzaghi’s side.

    This was the fifth occasion in 15 matches this season that Inter have conceded at least three goals, having previously done so against Lazio, Udinese and Milan in Serie A, as well as Barcelona in the Champions League.

    Cremonese. Spezia, Monza, Verona, Sampdoria and Monza are the only sides to have conceded more than the 17 goals Inter have shipped in Serie A this season.

    Marvellous Martinez shines again

    Martinez continues to be linked with an array of Europe’s top clubs and his performance against Fiorentina will not go unnoticed having displayed his attacking awareness, deft ability and composure in an exceptional performance.

    A brace takes his tally for the season to six Serie A goals, level at the top of the scoring charts alongside Ciro Immobile, Dusan Vlahovic and Marko Arnautovic, while his performances will provide optimism for Argentina ahead of the World Cup.

    Mammoth streak continues

    Inter’s victory over Fiorentina extended their streak without a draw to 20 Serie A matches, the longest such record in Italy’s top-flight, and sees the Nerrazzuri hit that tally for the first time since January 1941.

    They have now gone 11 matches against the Viola without a defeat (six wins, five draws), having lost five of their previous six in the competition beforehand.

    Key Opta Facts

    – 93 minutes and 20 seconds of play elapsed between Nicolo Barrella’s opening goal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s winner.

    – Lautaro Martinez is the only player who has scored at least three goals with both his right and his left foot in Serie A this season.

    – With two goals scored in his first 10 Serie A appearances this season, Jonathan Ikone has already equalled the amount of league goals netted throughout the whole last season (two in 35 games across Serie A and Ligue 1).

    – Nicolo Barella is one of three midfielders to have both scored at least four goals and delivered at least four assists in the big-5 European leagues this season, alongside Bukayo Saka and Florian Kainz

    What’s next?

    Inter will look to take a huge stride towards the Champions League knockout stages against Viktoria Plzen on Wednesday, while Fiorentina host Istanbul Buyuksehir in the UEFA Conference League the following day.

    Source: Livescore

  • Ghanaian youngster Philip Yeboah delighted to join Hellas Verona first team

    Ghanaian teenager Philip Yeboah has expressed joy after being called up to be part of Hellas Verona’s first team squad in the Serie A game against Fiorentina.

    Philip’s exceptional rise in his burgeoning football career has been remarkable as he was promoted to Hellas Verona’s primavera side (U19) last season after a magnificent campaign (25goals) in the U17 division.

    “I feel very good. It’s very nice to go with the first team, it’s a fantastic emotion,” he said.

    At 17, he is already a candidate for selection next year for the senior squad after he was handed the number 35 Jersey after restart of the league.

    “One day I hope to be able to make my debut with the yellow and blue,” added the teenager.

    This season he made 17 appearances for the primavera side scoring 5goals and providing 4 assist in the process. He also played a critical role in the U19’s qualification to the finals of the Coppa Italia in the Youth division

    Philip is one of many young talented footballers in Italy managed by astute Ghanaian FIFA agent Oliver Arthur, under his ArthurLegacySports Agency.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Fiorentina and Napoli join the race for Mohammed Salisu

    Serie A clubs Fiorentina and Napoli have expressed interest in Real Valladolid centre back Mohammed Salisu according to reports.

    The 20 year old has attracted interest from the Madrid teams and Manchester United who see his 12 million euro release clause as a steal considering his performances in the halted season.

    It has been reported that Atletico Madrid have already made an offer for the Ghanaian but Fiorentina and Napoli want to get ahead with offers of their own.

    They will all have to pay his release clause or offer to give him back to Valladolid on loan for one more season if they want to purchase him at a lower price.

    Salisu has made 27 league appearances for his club this season.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • I’m not happy with how it went: Kevin-Prince Boateng on playing for Fiorentina

    Ghana forward Kevin-Prince Boateng has opened up on the difficulties he encountered playing for Fiorentina under coach Montella.

    The 33-year-old Ghanaian joined from Sassuolo in the summer and featured 14 times in the Serie A, scoring only one goal.

    He made only 14 appearances for Fiorentina before being shipped out to Turkish side Beskitas in January. At Beskitas he has featured in six games with two goals to his credit.

    Boateng feels unhappy about how things went with Fiorentina, which he also apportion some of the blame to ex-coach Montella.

    “To make the most of it, many details must match, I arrived in Florence with great desire. It was the right place with a hot fan. With the shirt number ten I had the pressure to make an extra goal or an assist”, he said in an interview.

    “I’m not happy with how it went. I’m angry, they haven’t seen the real Boateng. Montella? We did not understand each other. He changed the idea he had at the beginning, he no longer wanted the attacker to go towards the ball. “, he added.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • KP Boateng unsure of Fiorentina return

    Ghana forward Kevin Prince Boateng is unsure if he will return to Fiorentina at the end of the season, after an explosive start to his career in Turkey.

    The 32-year old is on loan at Super Lig side Besiktas till the end of the campaign.

    Despite a difficult spell with La Viola, the well traveled attacker is enjoying his time with Besiktas, having scored twice in six games.

    Boateng revealed he has no regrets leaving Sassuolo for Fiorentina and believes he did enough to prove himself at the club but it just didn’t work.

    “I don’t know if I will go back to Florence or not, the market is strange, it is a bad time for everyone but I carry in my heart all my former companions even if they have not seen the real Boateng at Fiorentina,” Boateng told Sky Sports.

    “I wanted to prove my worth but for many reasons I didn’t succeed. If I come back I want to split everything, Florence is the right place.

    “Milan have a lot of cheering but there is also a lot of affection in Florence. I have talked to many young viola players trying to advise them, Chiesa, Vlahovic and Castrovilli will have a great future.”

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com

     

  • Alfred Duncan motivated to make a mark in new club Fiorentina

    Duncan is highly motivated to prove to the management of Fiorentina that they spent good money on him and has began intense training while in isolation, footballghana.com can report.

    The Ghanaian has been using his bike everyday to get in shape while he waits for the coronavirus to subside.

    The former Sassuolo man has already played three games for his new club. One of them ended in a comprehensive 5-1 win over Sampdoria and the other two were draws.

    He performed admirably in all three matches but is hungry to step it up once the Serie A resumes. He was signed during the winter transfer window.

    The Serie A has been suspended due to the outbreak of the coronavirus and over 1000 people have already lost their lives in the country.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Alfred Duncan talks up favourite position ahead of Fiorentina debut

    Ghana international Alfred Duncan is eagerly looking forwardly to making his bow for new club Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday.

    The midfielder crossed carpets from Sassuolo to La Viola in January following a five-year stay with the former.

    He has had to delay his first outing for his new side due to fitness issues. The first appearance, interestingly, could come against Sampdoria, a side he once played for.

    “I have been training fully with the team for a couple of days, I hope to be there on Sunday,” Duncan told pressmen on Thursday, as reported by Viola News.

    “My favourite position in midfield? It makes no difference [playing with] three or four [players in midfield]. I play based on what the coach decides.

    “It’s a football game on Sunday too, an important game, of course, but it’s just as good as the others.

    “It will be the first since I am available.

    “I don’t know if I will play, but whoever takes the field will give their best for what the goal is, beyond the classification: the three points.”

    Duncan joined La Viola on loan for the remainder of the campaign, with the obligation of a permanent deal at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

    The 26-year-old made 10 league appearances for Sassuolo this term, scoring once and assisting five goals, before leaving.

    He previously also played for Inter Milan, Livorno and Sampdoria.

    Duncan is likely to be called up by Ghana for their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan next month.

    Source: Goal.com

  • Kevin-Prince Boateng: I would like to stay 3 more years

    Ghanaian forward Kevin-Prince Boateng want to play three seasons for Turkish giants Be?ikta?, saying “there is a positive atmosphere.”

    The 32-year old joined Be?ikta? on loan from Fiorentina in the January transfer window.

    Boateng in an interview stated he has always wanted to play for the Turkish giant and has set his eyes on staying for three seasons.

    “Before I came, I was told,” There is a lot of pressure on the team, the team is not going well in the league and it is not good in the ranking,” he said

    “But after coming here I saw this, there is a positive atmosphere. In the sense of togetherness and friendship, the situation in the team is very good.

    It is difficult to achieve this. It is difficult to achieve this unity and companionship when things go bad. I saw this here. The fact that the teacher came from the exhibition caused a great excitement and enthusiasm here. ”

    He said he had had much information about the club before he joined the club.

    “Although I had a meeting with Be?ikta? before, my transfer did not take place. But you will never be late. But of course, when I saw the atmosphere in the match, he told reporters.

    ” I could have come before . ” I want to stay the longest time, I want to stay for 3 years. But of course I have to ask my wife, “he ended.

    According to reports Beskitas are likely to offer him a permanent contract if he is able to play nine games without injury.

    Boateng scored his debut goal for Beskitas against Gaziantep over the weekend.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Alfred Duncan set for Fiorentina debut

    Ghana’s Alfred Duncan is set to make his debute for Fiorentina against Sampdoria on Sunday.

    The 26-years-old has not been in action since his move from from Sassuolo to Fiorentina on deadline day of the winter transfer window in a deal that is expected to be made permanent in the summer transfer window.
    In his first interaction with the Italian media on Thursday morning, Alfred Duncan described his switch to Florence as a dream move while citing that he has been dreaming of playing for Fiorentina for the past four years.

    The team came on the field in the first weekly training session in view of the match against Sampdoria and Duncan has joined his colleagues at training in preparation for the clash.

    After two days of stoppage, the Viola from Machining resumed their preparation at the sports center in view of Sunday’s match at 3 pm at the Luigi Ferraris stadium.

    Fiorentina currently sits 14th on the standings of the League but could improve that position if they show consistent form.

    Below is the video of the purple club posted on social media where Alfred Duncan is clearly seen together with the group, at least as regards the first phase of warm-up.

    Source: ghanaguardian.com

  • Kevin-Prince Boateng to stay at Fiorentina

    Ghana forward Kevin-Prince Boateng is set to stay at Fiorentina ahead of the January transfer window despite reports he may leave the club.

    The 32-year old has had a poor start to the season and earlier reports suggested he could move from the club in search of more play time when the transfer window opens.

    Read:U.S Sassuolo slap €7 million price tag on Kevin-Prince Boateng

    According to reports in Italy, Brescia and Parma are interested in signing the Ghanaian International in January.

    Boateng has played 11 matches in the Serie A for Fiorentina making four starts and has scored one goal.

    Read:I was an idiot; I once bought 3 cars in one day at Tottenham Kevin-Prince Boateng

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com