Lazio are reportedly trying to fend off possible suitors and have set a price-tag of €70m for Luis Alberto.
The 28-year-old has re-confirmed his importance at the Olimpico, contributing eight goals and one assist in 29 Serie A games this term.
The former Deportivo La Coruna midfielder moved to Lazio from Liverpool for a reported €4m in August 2016 and has excelled under Simone Inzaghi’s reign.
Italy U21 CT Paolo Nicolato hits back at Spain U21 coach Luis de La Fuente waving away claims of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
Gianluca Scamacca and Nicolò Rovella saw red against Spain on Saturday and Spain’s coach De La Fuente accused the Azzurri of unsportsmanlike behaviour.
“I didn’t see particularly violent tackles. I am sorry for the suspensions to my players and for how our games are interpreted,” Nicolato said at a press conference.
Serie A players were decisive when Denmark earned the 8-0 win over Moldova, while Spain left it to the last minute against Georgia.
The Danes managed to find the net five times in a 21-minute spell in the first half alone.
Milan defender Simon Kjaer and Inter’s Christian Eriksen were rested, but other Serie A players stepped into the breach.
Kasper Dolberg converted a penalty, then Bologna midfielder Andreas Skov Olsen provided two assists for Sampdoria’s Mikkel Damsgaard to bag a brace.
Everything from the officiating to the negative attitude, a catatonic touchline presence, the dark old days without VAR to the lack of self-respect for Calcio that we saw in Spain-Italy Under-21s infuriated Susy Campanale.
Everything about the Italy Under-21 European Championship draw with Spain was absolutely infuriating. From the officiating to the pathetic attitude shown by the Azzurrini to the ludicrous play-acting of the Spaniards, all the way through to coach Paolo Nicolato declaring himself ‘satisfied’ with that shower some of us were forced to sit through on a Saturday night.
Italy U21 coach Paolo Nicolato insists he is ‘satisfied’ with the 0-0 draw against Spain, but another two red cards were ‘over the top.’
The result keeps their chances of qualification alive, because Slovenia and the Czech Republic also drew 1-1 in the other game.
It means Spain have four points, Italy and the Czech Republic two, Slovenia one.
Italy held Spain to a 0-0 draw to keep their European Under-21 Championship alive, but again ended with nine men after some extremely harsh refereeing decisions.
The Azzurrini had drawn the opener with the Czech Republic while down to nine men, so Sandro Tonali, Riccardo Marchizza and Matteo Gabbia were suspended, so with Matteo Ricci injured, they had only six outfield players on the bench. Spain kept Roma midfielder Gonzalo Villar, but Milan’s Brahim Diaz dropped to the bench after a knock to the foot.
Italy U21 coach Paolo Nicolato insists they can ‘take control of our own destiny’ in the showdown with Spain tonight.
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT, you can check the line-ups here.
This is particularly crucial, as the Azzurrini were held 1-1 by the Czech Republic in their opening European Under-21 Championship match.
“We need a little bit of luck, perhaps the luck we were missing in the first game,” Nicolato told RAI Sport.
Italy make numerous changes after their disappointing opening draw, while Spain rely on Gonzalo Villar and drop Brahim Diaz in the European Under-21 Championship.
It kicks off at 20.00 GMT.
Spain opened their group with a 3-0 win over Slovenia, while the Azzurrini drew 1-1 with the Czech Republic when down to nine men.
Italy U21 coach Paolo Nicolato insists a lack of ‘match fitness’ was behind their disappointing 1-1 Czech Republic result, but Sandro Tonali and Riccardo Marchizza are suspended against Spain.
The Azzurrini dominated the first half of this opening European Under-21 Championship fixture and took the lead through Gianluca Scamacca, wasted chances, then the intensity fell as time wore on, culminating in an unlucky Giulio Maggiore own goal.
Italy have been placed in the same group as Spain, Slovenia and the Czech Republic in the U21 European Championship.
The tournament will be held from March 24 to June 6 and the draw was made in Nyon this afternoon.
It’s the toughest possible outcome for the Azzurrini, as both Italy and Spain hold the record with five victories in this competition.
Spain are also the holders and as such were top seeds for the tournament, which will be held between Hungary and Slovenia next year.
