CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Atalanta Coach Gian Piero Gasperini is looking forward to Manchester City in the Champions League. “It’s more fun when you’ve got nothing to lose.”
Agent Giuseppe ‘Pino’ Pagliara is on trial in England for bribery, having told an undercover reporter he helped Sir Alex Ferguson ‘fix’ a Manchester United match with Juventus and gave then-Chelsea manager Antonio Conte back-handers.
Mauro Icardi insists “I can only wish the best for Inter in every competition” and expects Romelu Lukaku to “settle in and score so many goals.”
Paolo Maldini looked back over his Milan career and that infamous 2005 defeat to Liverpool. “I played eight Champions League Finals, but people only remember that one.”
Italy Coach Roberto Mancini believes “sport is the only thing that can truly unite people and not divide them,” speaking of his experiences in Turkey.
UEFA Vice-President Michele Uva confirmed they will consider calls to relocate the Champions League Final from Istanbul, but “we cannot replace the UN.”
Gigi Buffon reveals he would’ve retired without PSG, described the “bond of brotherhood” with Juventus teammates, getting to know Cristiano Ronaldo and that Champions League ambition.
Atalanta striker Duvan Zapata is returning to Italy after fears he suffered a serious thigh strain while playing for Colombia.
Atalanta captain Papu Gomez assures they “will try to surprise” Manchester City and get their first Champions League point.
Kalidou Koulibaly insists winning the Scudetto remains Napoli’s priority this season and that “I don’t care” about exit speculation.
Miralem Pjanic insists Juventus are “where we belong, on top of the Serie A table. I hope to achieve the Champions League dream this season.”
KRC Genk President Peter Croonen confirms “Napoli asked for information on Sander Berge. I think €20-25m is a fair valuation.”
Gian Piero Gasperini admits “Inter burned me in the worst of ways” and is determined to show Atalanta are not in the Champions League “by chance”.
Stefano Sensi will reportedly miss Inter’s first game back against parent club Sassuolo but will be fit to face Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.
Juventus chief Andrea Agnelli warns “we’re simply protecting a system which is no longer there” if his plans for European reform are thrown out.
Gian Piero Gasperini feels there is more to come from Atalanta after they beat Lecce 3-1 and hopes they “reduce the gap” in the Champions League.
Antonio Conte saw “a very balanced encounter, although we should not be comparing ourselves to Juventus right now. There are no short-cuts” for a young Inter.
Milan Skriniar admits Inter “need to be more aggressive in our defending around the penalty area” after defeats to Barcelona and Juventus.
Fabio Liverani believes Lecce can make the most of Atalanta weakness on the counter-attack. “Anything can happen in 90 minutes.”
Gian Piero Gasperini is relishing the first game of the season at the new Gewiss Stadium, as Atalanta host Lecce, but stands up for Josip Ilicic.
Nicolò Barella claims he is “prepared to die” for Antonio Conte, as “the only difference between Inter and Juventus now is experience.”
Inter v Juventus will see Diego Godin face off against Cristiano Ronaldo for the 32nd time at club and international level.
Radja Nainggolan admits he wanted to retire at Roma, claims the current side lack ‘personality’ and would replay the Liverpool semi-final “10,000 times”.
Claudio Marchisio admits he regrets not winning the Champions League and Euro 2012 with Juventus and Italy after retiring from football.
Lautaro Martinez admitted Inter “had to win” against Barcelona last night and suggested they left too much space to “best player in the world” Lionel Messi.
Lorenzo Insigne’s brother has hit out at Napoli boss Carlo Ancelotti for lacking ‘balls’ about the forward’s omission against Racing Genk.
Fabio Capello expects the Derby d’Italia to be won “in midfield” and reveals Juventus tried to sign Lionel Messi “on loan” when he was their Coach.
Genk Coach Felice Mazzù believes their performance against Napoli “must set the template for what we need to do in future,” but thinks Fabian Ruiz should've seen red.
Dries Mertens feels Napoli failed to get the victory against KRC Genk and didn’t “play our football. It’s a pity.”
Antonio Conte saw “an undeserved defeat” against Barcelona and criticised the referee, but also warned Inter “cannot be happy, as this is not the mentality of a great team.”
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BLOGS
CLUB BY CLUB NEWS
