AROUND ITALY
ITALY IS NOT FOR ME
Daniele De Rossi has admitted that he felt his last day with Roma was his “real retirement”, when he also opened up about his stay at Boca Juniors. The former Italy international hung up his boots after a stint in Argentina with Boca and has come back to talk about how he felt about leaving the Giallorossi. And he said it was only natural to be disappointed about not getting a new contract after serving the Giallorossi for nearly two decades. De Rossi has revealed that he rejected many offers from Serie A, but confessed it didn’t seem the right choice for him to prolong his career in Italy.
SORRY
Sporting director Daniele Faggiano has revealed that Gervinho “has apologised” and said the Ivorian forward “didn’t want to leave” Parma. After the controversial episode towards the end of the transfer market, Gervinho has now returned to the group and trained with his colleagues at the Ennio Tardini.
YER IN …. YER OUT
Sampdoria coach Claudio Ranieri has revealed that he knew his stint at Roma would be over without a place in the Champions League. Last season, the 68-year-old replaced Eusebio Di Francesco at the Olimpico, but only lasted for a few months in the Italian capital. He has revealed that he was aware of the task in hand and the Giallorossi decided to appoint Paulo Fonseca as their new coach last summer.
WELCOME TO 4 HOUR GAMES
FIGC are ready to “intensify” the use of VAR and the “on-field review” to help avoid “instrumental controversies” in Serie A. The Italian Football Federation has revealed that they are open to the implementation of a “challenge” rule by request from clubs in Serie A.
JUVE ALLIANZ
Juventus announced the extension of their professional relationship with Allianz to 2030 worth €103.1m. The deal also extends naming rights for the Allianz Juventus Stadium from July 2023 to June 2030, visibility on the training kit of the first team and some sponsorship rights for the women’s team.
NOT STRESSFUL AT ALL
Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has offended the Italian Post Office, who released a frosty statement in response to his suggestion it’d be work with less pressure. The controversy arose during a press conference when Sarri was asked about the difficulties of the job in Turin. The former Chelsea coach replied he would have taken a job at the post office, if he wanted an easy job.
THE SKINNY
Gonzalo Villar insists he doesn’t feel the “pressure” of making the step from Elche to Roma, but did lose 2kg through the stress of transfer talks. The midfielder turns 22 in
