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Serie A Liveblog including Atalanta-Bologna, Napoli-Juventus

Byfbadmin

Mar 3, 2024 19:42

Football Italia Live Blog
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21:47 That is all for the Liveblog

We will see you tomorrow for Inter–Genoa.

21:42 Napoli 2-1 Juventus

 

21:38 FT: Napoli 2-1 Juventus

Kvaratskhelia 43 (N), Chiesa 81 (J), Raspadori 88 (N)

Saved penalty: Osimhen 88 (N)

21:38 Meret punch

Meret punches the Chiesa free kick away from the crowd.

21:37 So much chaos

Juve try to take a free kick quickly, ref was still putting the spray down, then Calzona booked for dissent.

21:35 Napoli sub

Kvaratskhelia off, Lindstrom on.

21:34 Juventus chance!

GENERAL CHAOS. Corner put in out, shots charged down, eventually it comes to Rugani, who fires over from six yards!

21:33 Juve subs

Danilo and Milik on, Alcaraz and Nonge off. Poor Nonge.

21:32 No encroachment

That was really clever, the Napoli players all started there run a long way back from the penalty area, so when they got there, they already had a head of steam. Smart!

21:30 Osimhen penalty is SAVED, BUT SCORED ON REBOUND

Waiting for check on encroachment! Szczesny parries the Osimhen penalty, but Raspadori pounces on the rebound and fires it into the roof of the net from six yards. There were a lot of players there…

21:28 Penalty for Napoli!

Ref had waved play on, had to change his mind after the on-field review!

21:27 Osimhen down in the box

Hold on… Nonge trod on Osimhen’s foot.

21:24 Napoli 1-1 Juventus: Federico Chiesa!

Chiesa give and go with Alcaraz down the right, then smashes the daisy-cutter of a right-foot angled drive into the far bottom corner! He really, really prefers playing wide than as a striker!

21:23 The loud jeers

If you can hear LOUD JEERS it’s because Milik is coming on.

21:21 Allegri lectured

The referee tells Allegri off, but does not card him, for dissent.

21:20 Napoli waste

Napoli free kick is poor and then Di Lorenzo balloons over. Osimhen very unhappy with all the decisions made there.

21:18 Juve changes

Kenan Yildiz and Nonge on, Iling-Junior and Miretti off.

21:16 Juan Jesus alert

Vlahovic chasing down every ball, Juan Jesus manages to just prod it beyond him.

21:14 Bremer getting treatment

Not quite sure what happened, but the battle with Osimhen continues on and off every ball. He’s getting magic spray to the ankle.

21:12 News for Napoli

 

21:08 Juve sub

Weah replaces Cambiaso, who risked a second yellow.

21:07 Napoli subs

Raspadori, Zielinski and Ostigard on, Traore, Rrahmani and Politano off

21:06 Rrahmani is down hurt

He was struggling a bit earlier, but has now just sat down. Napoli are preparing a triple change.

21:03 Save on Vlahovic

It is really not his night, is it? Miretti through ball sends Vlahovic through, angled drive just about smothered by Meret at the near post.

20:59 Risky Cambiaso

Already on a card, Cambiaso pulls Kvaratskhelia back.

20:57 Napoli attempt

Corner taken short, Politano stands up a cross to the far post, where Rrahmani tries and quite comically fails to go for an acrobatic volley.

20:55 Another Juve chance wasted!

Chiesa broke away from Politano, pulled back, Alcaraz got into a muddle, the move continued and Cambiaso blasted over from a very promising position!

20:53 Olivera can’t reach

Osimhen cross for Olivera, who can’t quite get his head to that at the back post.

20:51 Vlahovic wide

Vlahovic free kick goes over the wall, but flashes wide of the near post.

20:50 Traore booked

Traore gets a yellow card for a foot so high he practically had to dislocate his hip.

20:49 Juve threaten

Chiesa through ball, Vlahovic offside so got out the way, but nobody else on it.

20:47 2nd half kicks off: Napoli 1-0 Juventus

20:43 Spot the gesture?

 

20:42 For the Americans

 

20:33 Kvara goal

 

20:32 Half-Time: Napoli 1-0 Juventus

Vlahovic hit the post and fired over, but Kvara scored the only goal of the game so far. Alex Sandro also cleared Olivera header off the line.

20:31 Traore curler

Traore curler easily plucked out of the far top corner by Szczesny.

20:30 Vlahovic waste!!!

That was a gift to Vlahovic and he wasted it! Traore caught napping on a Meret play out from the back, the Serbian blasts over from the edge of the area!

20:28 Napoli 1-0 Juventus: Kvicha Kvaratskhelia!

Moment of magic from the Georgia international! Di Lorenzo cross cleared by Bremer, but only as far as Kvara, who watched it come down and thumped it into the ground on the volley, it bounced right in front of Szczesny to squirm into the near bottom corner!

20:27 Alex Sandro again

Traore bursts down the left, finds Anguissa, the finish might’ve been going wide anyway, but Alex Sandro charged it down too.

20:24 That Vlahovic chance

 

20:23 Cleared off the line!

Wonderful, sweeping Napoli move, Matias Olivera looping header and Alex Sandro has to clear it off the line at the back post!

20:22 Save on Kvara

Juve wanted a free kick for a Rrahmani push on Miretti, but the ref was quite right he just went over far too easily, Napoli countered with Kvaratskhelia and the angled drive was well smothered by Szczesny.

20:21 Miretti over

Miretti wins it back, surges forward and then balloons into the sky.

20:19 Vlahovic off the post!

Ooh what a goal that would’ve been! Vlahovic sprung the offside trap on the Chiesa through ball, had drawn Meret out and dinked it over him, towards the open goal, bounced off the inside of the far post and back out!

20:16 Juve chance

Double chance really! Cambiaso pulls back from the right, it skims Chiesa’s head, then comes through for Iling Junior to volley just over!

20:15 Keep an eye on Bremer-Osimhen

Two great players, two absolute units, battling for every ball.

20:13 Cambiaso booked

Kvara getting everyone carded, another tug back at the by-line.

20:13 Szczesny double save!

Ferocious daisy-cutter of a Politano free kick, Szczesny spills and then manages to avoid the Anguissa follow-up too.

20:11 Bremer booked

Long Napoli ball from Kvara, Osimhen battles with Bremer, they kind of push each other really, the referee gives a free kick and yellow card. Napoli wanted a straight red, but there were two other Juve defenders in the vicinity.

20:10 Napoli chance

Cross from the right, Osimhen can’t get on the end of it, Traore does and scuffs the volley, deflected into the path of Di Lorenzo to fire over.

20:09 That Vlahovic header

 

20:07 Juve chance

Iling Junior weak finish smothered by Meret after a cheeky Miretti nutmeg on Lobotka.

20:04 Vlahovic booked

Vlahovic is first into the book for a foul on Kvaratskhelia, both a shirt tug and a trip at the by-line. He will be suspended for the next Juventus match against Atalanta.

20:02 Traore off target

Not the first time, Traore over-hits the cross.

19:59 Bremer strong on Osimhen

That is such a physical battle, but a fair one. So far.

19:56 Olivera struggling

That is the second time Matias Olivera gave it away cheaply.

19:55 Vlahovic inches wide!

Olivera error allows Chiesa to break down the right, floats in the cross for Vlahovic, whose header SKIMS the near post!

19:54 Bremer alert

Cross into the box, Bremer nods it away before it can reach Osimhen. Aggressive Napoli start here.

19:50 Kvara complaint

Kvaratskhelia had also complained on that Di Lorenzo cross when held back by Cambiaso, but the ball never got through anyway and also they were wrestling each other.

19:48 Szczesny save

Di Lorenzo immediately responds down the right, his cross-shot is palmed away by Szczesny.

19:47 Juve chance

Iling Junior bursts down the left and pulls back for Alcaraz, the ball sort of hits him more than him trying to redirect it towards goal.

19:45 We have kick-off in Napoli vs. Juventus!

19:42 Out come the teams

Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Traorè; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Juventus: Szczesny; Bremer, Rugani, Alex Sandro; Cambiaso, Alcaraz, Miretti, Locatelli, Iling Jr; Vlahovic, Chiesa

19:41 POLL

 

19:38 Young Juve

 

19:37 Giuntoli

 

19:26 No he isn’t

 

19:25 Napoli not talking to the media

No press conference yesterday. No pre-match interviews today, not even the director. Nothing.

19:24 Locatelli

 

19:15 A lot has changed

Napoli won 5-1 last season and went on to take the Scudetto. Here, they go into the match 17 points behind Juve.

19:11 Maradona’s favourite tune

 

19:09 Juve news

Juventus are forced to do without Adrien Rabiot, Weston McKennie, Moise Kean, Mattia Perin and Mattia De Sciglio, while Paul Pogba was given a four-year doping ban this week. The surprise is that Gatti is left out in favour of Alex Sandro with Samuel Iling-Junior and Carlos Alcaraz given rare opportunities.

19:07 Warm-ups

You can watch the warm-ups live on the Lega Serie A YouTube Channel.

19:04 POLL

 

19:01 Juve arrive

 

18:54 POLL

 

18:53 Napoli-Juve

 

18:52 Napoli vs. Juventus line-ups

Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Traorè; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia

Juventus: Szczesny; Bremer, Rugani, Alex Sandro; Cambiaso, Alcaraz, Miretti, Locatelli, Iling Jr; Vlahovic, Chiesa

18:51 Atalanta-Bologna

 

18:50 FT: Atalanta 1-2 Bologna

Lookman 28 (A), Zirkzee pen 57 (B), Ferguson 61 (B)

18:49 Lucumi to the rescue

Lookman offside anyway, but Lucumi made a decisive block on the Kolasinac pull-back from the by-line and Bologna celebrated as if he’d scored.

18:46 Juventus XI

 

18:45 Into added time

4 minutes in Bergamo.

18:43 Atalanta change

Hien replaces Ruggeri

18:42 Bologna sub

Aebischer replaces Ndoye

18:41 Carnesecchi save!

Almost 3-1 for Bologna! Lucumi on the counter, Ferguson angled drive is low and parried, De Roon with a very odd clearance that almost favours Lucumi.

18:40 Saelemaekers sneaky

Saelemaekers on the counter, realises he’s going nowhere, suddenly stops and hopes Ederson runs into the back of him. Referee saw that coming, awarded the goal kick.

18:38 Zirkzee getting treatment

Zirkzee has a problem on the back of his right thigh, there is ice strapped to it as he sits on the bench.

18:36 Bologna sub

Zirkzee off, Odgaard on

18:35 Koopmeiners free kick

He tries to surprise them with a low attempt, but it’s charged down.

18:34 Holm tripped

Free kick just outside the area. Inches outside.

18:33 We could do with that espresso

 

18:32 Miranchuk chance

Curler from outside the box takes a deflection and flashes just wide. Bologna cannot get out of their half.

18:30 All Atalanta now

Bologna hanging on under a series of crosses and corners.

18:28 De Roon strike

Long Atalanta passing move, De Roon scorcher from the edge of the box, Kristiansen flings himself in the way.

18:27 Ferguson attempt

Ball bounces kindly in midfield, Ferguson decides to have a go – off target, but audacious.

18:25 Atalanta corner

Lucumi had to make that interception, as Scamacca was ready for the header. On the actual corner, Holm’s header is very poor.

18:24 Ederson booked

Another Atalanta substitute straight into the book.

18:23 Juve news

Rumours Alex Sandro is starting rather than Gatti in defene.

18:22 Tonight

 

18:21 Ferguson goal

 

18:20 Atalanta changes

Scamacca and Miranchuk on, Scalvini and De Ketelaere off

18:19 Holm booked

Not a great start, he’s already carded for bodychecking Saelemaekers.

18:17 Atalanta subs

Ederson and Holm on, Zappacosta and Pasalic off

18:16 Atalanta 1-2 Bologna: Lewis Ferguson!

Well-worked Bologna move started by Saelemaekers, moved left to right by Zirkzee and Ndoye, effort deflected into the path of Ferguson, who smashes in on the volley from the edge of the area!

18:12 Atalanta 1-1 Bologna: Joshua Zirkzee penalty!

Rolled into the bottom corner, sending Carnesecchi the wrong way.

18:11 Penalty for Bologna!

Zirkzee threads through for Saelemaekers, he gets there before Koopmeiners, inevitable penalty!

18:10 Bologna sub

Urbanski replaces Fabbian

18:09 Carnesecchi!

Huuuuuuuge chance to equalise! Bologna corner finds the head of Calafiori, a bullet of a header from six yards, and Carnesecchi just about manages to stop it going over the line!

18:07 Good Atalanta move

Lookman shot charged down, then Koopmeiners back-heel flick, Zappacosta nutmeg, but the cross is blocked.

18:06 Zirkzee promising

Bologna throw-in, Zirkzee mazy run past Scalvini, but Atalanta manage to crowd him out.

18:00 2nd half kicks off: Atalanta 1-0 Bologna

17:59 Bologna subs

Saelemaekers and Lucumi on for Bologna. Orsolini and Posch off

17:51 Davide Zappacosta at half-time

“I tried to hit it as hard as possible,” he told DAZN. One can never accuse him of over-complicating matters.

17:45 Half-Time: Atalanta 1-0 Bologna

Lookman with the goal. As things stand, Atalanta would go into fourth place.

17:43 He’s back

 

17:41 De Ketelaere pressure

CDK pressing Calafiori all the way to the by-line, tries to pull back, wins a corner.

17:40 Lookman goal

 

17:37 Lookman counter

Lookman on the counter, shot deflected over by Beukema.

17:35 Orsolini shot charged down

Timid penalty appeals, but that was straight at Kolasinac, who had his arms across his body.

17:28 Atalanta 1-0 Bologna: Ademola Lookman!

Zappacosta bursts down the left, angled drive beaten away by Skorupski, it hits a Bologna player and ricochets back into the path of Lookman to blast in from seven yards.

17:27 Kolasinac knock

The centre-back was in a very advanced role there, no foul, he just turned his ankle a little bit. Is able to continue.

17:24 Zirkzee effort

Zirkzee strike charged down on the edge of the box by Kolasinac.

17:22 Oh Zappacosta

Promising Atalanta counter-attack, Zappacosta raised his head to check for options and forgot where the ball was…

17:19 Orsolini strike

Orsolini cuts inside, nobody closes him down, so he just thumps it from distance straight at Carnesecchi.

17:18 Lookman only glances

Zappacosta cross whipped in from the right, only grazes the head of Lookman.

17:14 Double Atalanta chance!

Lookman cross-shot, Skorupski gets a glove to it, then the Zappacosta follow-up header is charged down by Kristiansen.

17:13 Koopmeiners card

Koopmeiners blocks off Ndoye in midfield and is shown a yellow card.

17:11 Atalanta reply

Lookman pulls back from the by-line for Ruggeri, whose scorcher flashes across the face of goal.

17:11 Bologna chance

Orsolini corner finds the head of Fabbian over the bar. Beukema went for it too, they disturbed each other.

17:09 Atalanta pressure

Cross into the box from the left, Kristiansen not the best clearance, Calafiori has to help out on Ruggeri.

17:05 Posch booked

Zirkzee robbed, De Ketelaere tries to counter, but is caught from behind by Posch.

17:01 Chance for Atalanta

What a start that would’ve been! Cross low from the left by Ruggeri, De Ketelaere gets there before the defender and fires just over the bar!

17:00 We have kick-off in Atalanta vs. Bologna!

16:57 The teams are out

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; De Ketelaere, Lookman

Bologna: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Freuler, Fabbian, Ferguson; Orsolini, Zirkzee, Ndoye

16:57 Poll results

 

16:56 Luciano Spalletti is here

Italy coach is in the stands for Atalanta-Bologna.

16:49 Atalanta director Tony D’Amico

“The old guard has remained intact, the owners also remain the same, have a clear structure and presence, and of course the coach. Over the course of eight years, this is what allows the team to maintain that mentality, even when directors and players come and go.

“This allows Atalanta to face every match with unity and the right attitude.”

16:48 Thiago Motta (Bologna)

“Fabbian has to run along with his teammates. When we do not have the ball, we must defend together, communicate and keep an eye on each other,” Thiago Motta told DAZN.

“Fabbian is a very generous player, it can happen that at his age he wants to do that little something extra that isn’t really necessary. Mind you, I prefer to have a player like this, as it is easier to teach him.”

16:46 Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta)

“I don’t know if there is a secret to marking Zirkzee, but he is certainly a striker in excellent form and we will do our best.”

16:46 Dan Ndoye (Bologna)

“I had this problem at the beginning of the year, but now I feel better, I want to play all the games and I feel 100 per cent.”

16:42 Note

When these sides met in December, Bologna emerged 1-0 winners thanks to a late Ferguson header and it’s worth remembering, because if two teams finish level on points, they are separated by head-to-head record.

16:37 Warming up

 

16:33 Atalanta vs. Bologna

This represents a showdown between maestro and pupil, as Thiago Motta was Gian Piero Gasperini’s player at Genoa.

Atalanta are still smarting from the rescheduled midweek 4-0 defeat to Inter, but have a full squad to choose from, including the first start for Lookman since Africa Cup of Nations duty with Nigeria.

He is accompanied by De Ketelaere and Teun Koopmeiners, leaving Gianluca Scamacca on the bench.

Until the loss to Inter, La Dea had put together four straight wins and a draw away to Milan.

Bologna are on stunning form with five consecutive Serie A victories in which they scored 14 goals and conceded three.

Adama Soumaoro remains the only injury absentee, as Alexis Saelemaekers shakes off a knock for a spot on the bench.

Zirkzee leads the attack with support from Orsolini, Giovanni Fabbian, Dan Ndoye and Lewis Ferguson.

16:26 Reassuring for Cagliari

Claudio Ranieri tells DAZN that Zito Luvumbo “could be available next week, he only felt a twinge and stopped immediately.”

16:23 Wide open

 

16:13 Ouch

Jankto tells DAZN he accidentally got punched by a teammate during the Cagliari celebrations.

16:08 POLL

 

16:06 Frosinone-Lecce

 

16:03 Empoli-Cagliari

 

16:00 FT: Frosinone 1-1 Lecce

15:59 FALCONE

Frosinone almost win it deep into stoppages, Kaio Jorge header fingertipped over the bar by Falcone!

15:58 Atalanta vs. Bologna line-ups

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Ruggeri; Koopmeiners; De Ketelaere, Lookman

Bologna: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Calafiori, Kristiansen; Freuler, Fabbian, Ferguson; Orsolini, Zirkzee, Ndoye

15:57 FT: Empoli 0-1 Cagliari

HUGE result.

15:55 Scuffet save!

Empoli chance at the 96th minute, Niang attempt parried at the near post! On the corner, Ismajli nods over.

15:52 Bologna XI

 

15:52 Extra time in Frosinone

6 minutes awarded.

15:51 Frosinone again

Seck curler deflected wide off Ramadani for a corner.

15:50 Frosinone chance

Demba Seck lays it off for Kaio Jorge, who stumbles and can only prod it at Falcone from six yards.

15:49 Empoli-Cagliari stoppages

8 minutes awarded. At least. And add some more because Cerri’s shirt is torn and he needs a new one.

15:47 Problem for Lecce

Oof. Falcone went to pluck a cross out of the air and had a clash of heads with a Frosinone player. He’s feeling dizzy and needs treatment.

15:47 Empoli tense

There are going to be potentially record-breaking stoppages in Empoli.

15:42 It’s getting ugly in Empoli

Cagliari players are going down and rolling around at every tiny touch, it is infuriating the hosts.

15:41 Empoli siege

Cagliari hanging on for dear life now. Series of crosses and shots, includingan odd Gyasi dummy that surprised Cambiaghi too.

15:40 Jankto goal

 

15:39 Cagliari time-wasting

Empoli players understandably irritated with Augello for walking off during his substitution as slowly as humanly possible.

15:35 Empoli over

Empoli corner goes to Pezzella, who blasts over from outside the area.

15:34 Cagliari goal

 

15:33 Frosinone goal disallowed

Brescianini flagged offside as he turns in the Cheddira through ball.

15:31 Poor Cerofolini

Btw, that Krstovic penalty has been given as a Cerofolini own goal, because it hit the upright and bounced in off the goalkeeper’s back.

15:28 Empoli 0-1 Cagliari: Jakub Jankto!

After that disallowed Cacace goal, it is turned around. Zappa runs down the right, pulls back from the by-line for Nahitan Nandez, forces the save from Caprile, but Jankto fires in the rebound from 14 yards!

15:25 Frosinone off the crossbar!

Gelli scorcher from just inside the box smashes against the crossbar!

15:23 Empoli goal disallowed!

There was an offside position in there somewhere!

15:23 Frosinone 1-1 Lecce: Nikola Krstovic penalty!

Let’s recap. Lecce penalty taken by Rafia, saved by Cerofolini. However, had to be retaken due to encroachment, Krstovic took over the spot-kick duties, he fired it onto the upright and in off Cerofolini’s back. Oh dear.

15:22 Lecce penalty has to be retaken!

15:21 Empoli 1-0 Cagliari: Liberato Cacace!

Corner cleared, put back in for the Walukiewicz header, stunning Scuffet save at the near top corner, but Cacace blasts the rebound into the roof of the net!

15:20 Lecce penalty saved!

Cerofolini gave it away, even if he was done like a kipper by Zortea, but Cerofolini made up for it by saving the Rafia penalty!

15:18 Penalty for Lecce!

What a MESS. Zortea back-pass towards Cerofolini was far, far too short, Krstovic pounced and inevitably Cerofolini brought him down.

15:16 Empoli sub

Niang replaces Destro.

15:16 Empoli pushing

Cancellieri nods off target from a corner.

15:11 VAR says ok

We’ve had quite enough ludicrous calls this weekend, thank you.

15:10 Empoli appeals

Penalty appeals, Makoumbou had his arm very close to the body. Ref waves it on, VAR is checking.

15:07 2nd half kicks off: Frosinone 1-0 Lecce

After Cheddira finally turns up…

15:05 Big chance for Empoli

Cambiaghi shot charged down, turns into an assist for Cancellieri at the back post, Scuffet flings himself in the way.

15:04 2nd half kicks off: Empoli 0-0 Cagliari

14:50 Half-Time: Frosinone 1-0 Lecce

14:49 Half-Time: Empoli 0-0 Cagliari

14:48 Frosinone 1-0 Lecce: Walid Cheddira!

Free kick floated to the back post, knocked down by Romagnoli into a crowd, where Cheddira is sharpest to fire in from nine yards!

14:47 Coming up

 

14:46 Reinier booked

Reinier goes down in the box, the Frosinone man wants a free kick, instead he is booked for simulation. Hmm. He may well have been looking for it, but there was definitely contact. Harsh.

14:44 Cagliari denied!

Caprile crucial save on Lapadula! Gaetano floated in the cross from the left, Lapadula diving header from six yards and what a save!

14:43 Frosinone pushing

Oof! Gallo with his arms behind his back charges down the Soule’ strike with his stomach and is felled like a tree.

14:42 Cagliari chance

It would not have counted, as Lapadula accidentally booted Luperto when attempting an overhead kick, but even then Caprile made a fine save on Yerry Mina.

14:38 Falcone alert

Banda caught in possession, Falcone smothers the long-range Frosinone strike from Reinier.

14:35 Empoli so close!

Cross floated in from practically the corner flag, Destro gets in front of his marker and the glancing header flashes just past the far post!

14:34 Lecce from distance

Almqvist snapshot easy enough for the goalkeeper.

14:31 Cagliari sub

Luvumbo limps off, Zappa on. He’s a full-back really, but they are already missing Leonardo Pavoletti, Marco Mancosu, Ibrahim Sulemana, Pantelis Hatzidiakos and Andrea Petagna.

14:29 Cagliari injury

That is the last thing they need. Zito Luvumbo pulls up mid-run with a thigh injury. They are already SO short-staffed in attack.

14:28 Lecce chance

Lecce corner cleared, but not very far, Krstovic then sent through with a smart pass and Cerofolini has to make the save at the near post!

14:26 Cagliari again

Augello pulls back from the by-line down the left, but it’s cleared with difficulty. Period of pressure in Empoli.

14:23 Cagliari attack

A promising solo run from Lapadula, cuts inside and shot charged down. Ranieri angry Luvumbo didn’t provide him with other options.

14:21 Deiola snapshot

Cagliari effort from Deiola is wide from the edge of the D.

14:20 Cheddira error

Frosinone push with Cheddira, who can’t keep it in play due to a heavy touch.

14:16 Double Empoli chance!!!

Ooh! First Cambiaghi bursts down the right, angled drive thumps the base of the upright, then Maleh follow-up palmed off the line by Scuffet!

14:15 Cagliari threaten

That might’ve been going in from Gaetano, Caprile had to push it over the bar.

14:13 Incredibly

It is 2024 and Mattia Destro is still starting Serie A matches.

14:11 Ouch

Kovalenko with a knock to the head. Accidental for the Empoli man, but sore.

14:09 Empoli attack

Cancellieri springs the offside trap, only to then get the cross all wrong.

14:06 Frosinone chance

Walid Cheddira curler palmed round the base of the far post by Falcone! Reinier has replaced Harroui.

14:04 Oh dear

Within 90 seconds, Harroui pulls up clutching his thigh. That is a muscular problem and Frosinone are forced into a change already…

14:03 Empoli chance

Kovalenko could’ve done better on that dangerous cross from the left, just flicked it at the goalkeeper.

14:02 We have kick-off in Frosinone vs. Lecce!

14:00 We have kick-off in Empoli vs. Cagliari!

13:57 The teams are out

Here we go with two big relegation dogfights.

13:42 Table

Check just how important these two games, and the Verona win over Sassuolo, could be for the Serie A table.

13:40 Empoli-Cagliari line-ups

Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Cacace; Kovalenko, Marin, Maleh; Cancellieri, Destro, Cambiaghi

Cagliari: Scuffet; Nandez, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Makoumbou, Deiola; Jankto, Gaetano, Luvumbo; Lapadula

13:39 Frosinone-Lecce line-ups

Frosinone: Cerofolini; Zortea, Okoli, Romagnoli, Valeri; Brescianini, Mazzitelli, Gelli; Soule, Cheddira, Harroui

Lecce: Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschirotto, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani, Rafia; Almqvist, Krstovic, Banda

13:30 Berardi injury update

 

13:29 Match report

 

13:27 FT: Verona 1-0 Sassuolo

Even the goalkeeper went up for the final corner, but Sassuolo continue to fire blanks.

13:24 Racic attempt

Racic free kick into the wall. Sassuolo making no headway here.

13:22 The Swiderski goal

 

13:20 Verona subs

Vinagre and Magnani on, Suslov and Tchatchoua off

13:15 Berardi update

Unfortunately, we were right, that is an Achilles tendon issue. What remains now is to see if he tore it or just strained.

13:14 Oh dear

Lauriente’ – what happened to you? Ballooned into Row Z from the edge of the area.

13:13 Sassuolo subs

Mulattieri and Volpato on, Thorstvedt and Pinamonti off.

13:13 Another booking

Serdar this time for a mistimed sliding tackle.

13:12 Verona counter again

Cabal booked, Sassuolo set play breaks for a counter, but Bonazzoli has so many better options than to just scuff it at the goalkeeper.

13:09 Verona 1-0 Sassuolo: Karol Swiderski!

Against the run of play, but Sassuolo wasted too many chances and really gifted that with a horrible Matheus Henrique first touch. Bonazzoli immediately pounced to send Swiderski through and the finish took a little deflection off Erlic to wrong-foot Consigli!

13:07 Coming up

 

13:05 Frosinone vs. Lecce line-ups

Frosinone: Cerofolini; Zortea, Okoli, Romagnoli, Valeri; Brescianini, Mazzitelli, Gelli; Soule, Cheddira, Harroui

Lecce: Falcone; Gendrey, Pongracic, Baschirotto, Gallo; Kaba, Ramadani, Rafia; Almqvist, Krstovic, Banda

13:05 Empoli vs. Cagliari line-ups

Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto, Cacace; Kovalenko, Marin, Maleh; Cancellieri, Destro, Cambiaghi

Cagliari: Scuffet; Nandez, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Makoumbou, Deiola; Jankto, Gaetano, Luvumbo; Lapadula

13:03 Castillejo booked

Sassuolo definitely stronger in this half, series of shots charged down or turned off target.

12:59 Sassuolo attack

Roll across from the right, Thorstvedt strike charged down from the edge of the area.

12:56 subs

A lot of subs. Swiderski and Bonazzoli on, Henry and Lazovic off.

Racic replaces Boloca.

12:52 To explain

Why we fear the worst for Berardi. It was not a sprain, more of a stretch. He was holding the very back of the ankle, not the calf. That all points to this being an Achilles tendon issue. We can only hope it’s a strain and not a tear.

12:50 Subs

Berardi is carried off, replaced by Castillejo.

Noslin makes way for Mitrovic.

12:49 Oh no, that’s not good

That looks really bad. Domenico Berardi was running and just stopped, pulling his Achilles tendon. We had to say it, but that reminds us of the Spinazzola injury at EURO 2020.

12:48 Sassuolo again

Pinamonti effort deflected wide, could’ve gone anywhere. On the resulting corner, Lauriente’ weak finish straight at Montipo.

12:42 Inches wide!

Berardi curls the free kick around the ridiculously large wall and it goes just wide of the far post!

12:41 Now…

Dawidowicz push on Pinamonti right on the edge of the box. Yellow card is awfully harsh, but that is Berardi territory.

12:39 Suslov shot

Suslov shot smothered by Consigli, just after he got Matheus Henrique booked for a shirt tug.

12:35 2nd half kicks off: Verona 0-0 Sassuolo

No changes.

12:17 Half-Time: Verona 0-0 Sassuolo

Chances and saves at both ends.

12:12 Verona chance

Cabal cross for the Noslin diving header, he just fails to connect!

12:06 Verona furious

Verona were going on a very strong counter-attack when the referee stopped play for a knock to the head. Except no heads were knocked. And then he gives a free kick to Sassuolo. That feels like he was trying to cover his tracks…

12:02 Double Consigli save!

Huge chance for Verona! Consigli palms away a deflected and ferocious Suslov strike at the near top corner, then gets back on his feet to parry the Cabal follow-up too!

11:59 Thorstvedt blocked

Berardi cross punched to the edge of the box for the Thorstvedt volley, charged down for a corner. The Lauriente’ corner is shocking. Honestly, someone needs an investigation into how Lauriente’ went from last season’s form to this…

11:57 Verona chance

Thomas Henry likes the bounce on that ball over the top and whacks it on the half-volley, not far wide, but he shinned it just a bit!

11:55 Berardi foul

Berardi angled drive charged down, but he also fouled his marker.

11:53 Berardi deflected

Berardi curler deflected, Sassuolo risk allowing a dangerous counter on the resulting corner.

11:50 Verona chance!

Suslov steals it back, Noslin rolls across for a tap-in, but Pedersen makes a crucial interception that very much risked an own goal!

11:44 Big save on Thorstvedt!

Great chance for Sassuolo! Cross-field pass sends Berardi down the right, cross finds Thorstvedt at the back post for a half-volley and Montipo’ makes the save at the near post!

11:43 Verona threaten

This is why you don’t raise the flag unless you are sure… Noslin was not offside, but he failed to score anyway because Ferrari made a crucial block. Henry might’ve been offside, but it definitely wasn’t Noslin.

11:41 A reminder

If the race for the Scudetto or relegation sees two teams finish level on points, there will be a play-off. However, the other places – eg European qualification – are decided by head-to-head record.

11:38 Sassuolo counter

Berardi flashes a ball across the face of goal from the right, but Dawidowicz is ready to intercept.

11:34 Berardi is back

He had been out since late January with a knee injury, 3 minutes in and is already asking for yellow cards. Referee points out he is in charge, thank you very much.

11:30 We have kick-off in Verona vs. Sassuolo!

Precisely 203 Sassuolo fans made the trip to the Stadio Bentegodi.

11:29 Debut for Sassuolo

Sassuolo make their debut under new coach Davide Ballardini. Emiliano Bigica was only a caretaker after Alessio Dionisi was sacked – and lost 6-1 to Napoli.

11:27 Out come the teams

Verona: Montipò; Tchatchoua, Coppola, Dawidowicz, Cabal; Serdar, Duda; Noslin, Suslov, Lazovic; Henry

Sassuolo: Consigli; Pedersen, Erlic, Ferrari, Doig; Boloca, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti Laurienté

11:21 About last night

 

11:14 Montipo’ celebrates

 

10:52 Later on

 

10:50 Folorunsho has flu

Folorunsho is not even on the Verona bench, as he is struggling with flu symptoms.

10:44 Team news

These teams go into the weekend locked together on 20 points in the relegation zone.

The Neroverdi sacked Alessio Dionisi, then caretaker manager Emiliano Bigica lost 6-1 to Napoli, so Davide Ballardini was drafted in for his debut.

Mattia Viti is the only remaining absentee, as Domenico Berardi makes his comeback over a month after a knee injury.

Hellas held Juventus to a 2-2 draw in their last home fixture and Josh Doig returns to face the club he left in January.

10:24 Verona vs. Sassuolo line-ups

Verona: Montipò; Tchatchoua, Coppola, Dawidowicz, Cabal; Serdar, Duda; Noslin, Suslov, Lazovic; Henry

Sassuolo: Consigli; Pedersen, Erlic, Ferrari, Doig; Boloca, Matheus Henrique, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti Laurienté

Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games, including Atalanta-Bologna for fourth place and the grudge match Napoli-Juventus.

We begin at 11.30 GMT with the relegation dogfight between Verona and Sassuolo, as the Neroverdi debut under new coach Davide Ballardini.

At 14.00 GMT there is another crucial battle at the foot of the table as Empoli host Cagliari, while Lecce are away to Frosinone.

It’s fourth place at stake at 17.00 GMT when Atalanta and Bologna go head-to-head with just two points separating them.

All eyes on the Stadio Maradona at 19.45 GMT, as Francesco Calzona is fresh from his first win at Napoli and wants to take down Max Allegri’s Juventus.

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One thought on “Serie A Liveblog including Atalanta-Bologna, Napoli-Juventus”

  1. Destro still playing and De Luca with two goals in the Samp game – what a strange world we live in.

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