<p>Italy’s top-flight league Serie A has agreed on June 13 resumption date after completing a video call with all 20 clubs on Wednesday. However, the resumption of Serie A is subject to government approval.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All the clubs have already started their planning to resume full training on May 18 following the Italian government’s approval of league’s medical protocol amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual training has already begun in Italy.</p>

<p>"As far as the resumption of sports activities is concerned, the date of June 13 for the resumption of the championship has been indicated ... in accordance with medical protocols for the protection of players and all those involved," Serie A said in a statement.<br />
Serie A further stated that the clubs have also asked the broadcasting rights holders to “respect the payment deadlines” in a bid to maintain a healthy relationship with them.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/efls-economic-crisis-will-not-be-spared-behind-closed-doors-298598" hreflang="en">EFL's economic crisis will not be spared behind closed doors</a></strong></p>

<p>When the Serie A was suspended in the month of March, Juventus were one point ahead of Lazio in the league standings. While Juventus are eyeing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, Lazio haven’t won the league since 2000.</p>

<p>There are still 12 rounds of matches remaining in Serie A in addition to four postponed matches. The biggest problem for both Serie A and Italian government would be how they deal with players should they test positive to COVID-19.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the Italian football federation has said that isolating the positive tested player is sufficient, the Italian health ministry has said that the entire squad needs to go into a 14-day quarantine period.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ex-argentina-attacker-ezequiel-lavezzi-makes-sex-video-blackmail-complaint-298596" hreflang="en">Ex-Argentina attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi makes sex video blackmail complaint</a></strong></p>

<p>Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora told the Italian Senate that the government would take its time in providing their decision regarding the return of live football.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If [Serie A] resumes, as we all hope, it will be because we will have arrived at this decision after an orderly succession of actions and protocols," he said. "It is not possible to decide in an irresponsible hurry.</p>

<p>"Football is by its nature a sport in which it is not possible to keep distances, the players must run and agglomerate in the penalty area.</p>

<p>"The underestimation of this problem led a few weeks ago to the quarantine of several Serie A teams. We want to avoid finding ourselves in this situation."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, the German Bundesliga is set to resume the league on May 16. Whereas La Liga is steadily allowing the more players to train with a hope to restart the league on June 12.</p>


Italy’s top-flight league Serie A has agreed on June 13 resumption date after completing a video call with all 20 clubs on Wednesday. However, the resumption of Serie A is subject to government approval.

Italy’s top-flight league Serie A has agreed on June 13 resumption date after completing a video call with all 20 clubs on Wednesday. However, the resumption of Serie A is subject to government approval. All the clubs have already started their planning to resume full training on May 18 following the Italian government’s approval of league’s medical protocol amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Individual training has already begun in Italy. "As far as the resumption of sports activities is concerned, the date of June 13 for the resumption of the championship has been indicated ... in accordance with medical protocols for the protection of players and all those involved," Serie A said in a statement. Serie A further stated that the clubs have also asked the broadcasting rights holders to “respect the payment deadlines” in a bid to maintain a healthy relationship with them. ALSO READ: EFL's economic crisis will not be spared behind closed doors When the Serie A was suspended in the month of March, Juventus were one point ahead of Lazio in the league standings. While Juventus are eyeing their ninth consecutive Serie A title, Lazio haven’t won the league since 2000. There are still 12 rounds of matches remaining in Serie A in addition to four postponed matches. The biggest problem for both Serie A and Italian government would be how they deal with players should they test positive to COVID-19. While the Italian football federation has said that isolating the positive tested player is sufficient, the Italian health ministry has said that the entire squad needs to go into a 14-day quarantine period. ALSO READ: Ex-Argentina attacker Ezequiel Lavezzi makes sex video blackmail complaint Earlier on Wednesday, Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora told the Italian Senate that the government would take its time in providing their decision regarding the return of live football. "If [Serie A] resumes, as we all hope, it will be because we will have arrived at this decision after an orderly succession of actions and protocols," he said. "It is not possible to decide in an irresponsible hurry. "Football is by its nature a sport in which it is not possible to keep distances, the players must run and agglomerate in the penalty area. "The underestimation of this problem led a few weeks ago to the quarantine of several Serie A teams. We want to avoid finding ourselves in this situation." Meanwhile, the German Bundesliga is set to resume the league on May 16. Whereas La Liga is steadily allowing the more players to train with a hope to restart the league on June 12.

Serie A agrees on June 13 resumption after meeting with all 20 clubs

<p>The fate of the Serie A championship hung in the balance Thursday as state scientists huddled with football bosses in a desperate effort to save the pandemic-interrupted season.</p>

<p>The high stakes talks come with pressure mounting from sports-deprived fans and cash-starved sponsors for Italy to follow the German Bundesliga's lead and return to action.</p>

<p>Serie A began to descend into chaos at the end of February as the new coronavirus swept across Italy's north -- home to big teams such as Inter Milan and Juventus.</p>

<p>Several important matches were rescheduled. Some teams in the south played regularly and others in the north were not even able to train.</p>

<p>The league eventually threw up its hands and suspended the championship on March 9.</p>

<p>Fewer than 500 people had then died of the virus and the league was hoping to kick off again by early April.</p>

<p>Italy's official toll now stands at almost 30,000 and the time to pin the Scudetto badge on the shirts of the undisputed Serie A champion is running out.</p>

<p>Italy's Sport Mediaset channel called Thursday "the most important day for the future of our championship".</p>

<h2>- 'Desperate measures' -</h2>

<p>Some eager clubs have already opened up their grounds to players ahead of the official resumption of organised training on May 18.</p>

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo will have to observe a 14-day quarantine after returning to Italy from nearly two months of confinement in Portugal.</p>

<p>His Juventus teammate Paulo Dybala said Wednesday he has been given the all-clear after first testing positive for the virus together with his girlfriend.</p>

<p>But rivals Torino confirmed that one of their players had tested positive and the issue of how to keep the disease from spreading on the pitch remains unresolved.</p>

<p>"I hope to restart football," Italy's Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora said ahead of the meeting.</p>

<p>"But if the safety issues are not settled, the government will decide to shut things down."</p>

<p>Media reports said the discussion could run on into the weekend as the sides try to figure out proper virus testing procedures and the logistics of travel through contagion zones.</p>

<p>Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte -- the first Western leader to impose a national lockdown to ward off the pandemic in March -- was expected to have the final say.</p>

<p>But Conte has erred on the side of caution throughout the crisis. He upset many at the end of April by delaying an expected announcement on when matches can resume.</p>

<p>Former Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio warned that Italy's top three leagues faced the threat of lawsuits if their seasons were called off.</p>

<p>"If the championship is not finished, the rules of FIFA and UEFA will not be respected and there will be a lot of litigation, with losses not only for Serie A but also Series B and Serie C," Tavecchio said.</p>

<p>The former football executive said the "Italian system will default" unless the number of teams is immediately reduced.</p>

<p>"Football must be rescued through desperate measures," Tavecchio said.</p>


The fate of the Serie A championship hung in the balance Thursday as state scientists huddled with football bosses in a desperate effort to save the pandemic-interrupted season.

The fate of the Serie A championship hung in the balance Thursday as state scientists huddled with football bosses in a desperate effort to save the pandemic-interrupted season. The high stakes talks come with pressure mounting from sports-deprived fans and cash-starved sponsors for Italy to follow the German Bundesliga's lead and return to action. Serie A began to descend into chaos at the end of February as the new coronavirus swept across Italy's north -- home to big teams such as Inter Milan and Juventus. Several important matches were rescheduled. Some teams in the south played regularly and others in the north were not even able to train. The league eventually threw up its hands and suspended the championship on March 9. Fewer than 500 people had then died of the virus and the league was hoping to kick off again by early April. Italy's official toll now stands at almost 30,000 and the time to pin the Scudetto badge on the shirts of the undisputed Serie A champion is running out. Italy's Sport Mediaset channel called Thursday "the most important day for the future of our championship". - 'Desperate measures' - Some eager clubs have already opened up their grounds to players ahead of the official resumption of organised training on May 18. Cristiano Ronaldo will have to observe a 14-day quarantine after returning to Italy from nearly two months of confinement in Portugal. His Juventus teammate Paulo Dybala said Wednesday he has been given the all-clear after first testing positive for the virus together with his girlfriend. But rivals Torino confirmed that one of their players had tested positive and the issue of how to keep the disease from spreading on the pitch remains unresolved. "I hope to restart football," Italy's Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora said ahead of the meeting. "But if the safety issues are not settled, the government will decide to shut things down." Media reports said the discussion could run on into the weekend as the sides try to figure out proper virus testing procedures and the logistics of travel through contagion zones. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte -- the first Western leader to impose a national lockdown to ward off the pandemic in March -- was expected to have the final say. But Conte has erred on the side of caution throughout the crisis. He upset many at the end of April by delaying an expected announcement on when matches can resume. Former Football Federation president Carlo Tavecchio warned that Italy's top three leagues faced the threat of lawsuits if their seasons were called off. "If the championship is not finished, the rules of FIFA and UEFA will not be respected and there will be a lot of litigation, with losses not only for Serie A but also Series B and Serie C," Tavecchio said. The former football executive said the "Italian system will default" unless the number of teams is immediately reduced. "Football must be rescued through desperate measures," Tavecchio said.

Italy decides fate of suspended football season

<p>Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo flew back to Italy on Monday after almost two months in coronavirus lockdown in his native Portugal.</p>

<p>Ronaldo and his family landed in Turin Airport just after 10.20pm local time, according to media reports in Italy.</p>

<p>The five-time Ballon d'Or winner arrived by private jet from the Portuguese island of Madeira and will spend two weeks in quarantine.</p>

<p>The 35-year-old played Juventus's last Serie A game, a 2-0 win over Inter Milan behind closed doors at the Allianz Stadium on March 8, before the Italian football season was suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has killed over 29,000 people in the country.</p>

<p>Ronaldo returned to Madeira after the Inter Milan match to be close to his mother Dolores who had suffered a stroke.</p>

<p>Juventus have recalled their 10 overseas players as Serie A clubs were given the green light to return to individual training on Monday.</p>

<p>The Italian interior ministry's go-ahead for players to return to club training facilities two weeks ahead of schedule has offered fans hope that the 2019-20 season might yet be salvaged.</p>

<p>Juventus are leading Serie A, one point ahead of Lazio, as they target a ninth consecutive Scudetto.</p>

<p>The club has not yet given an official date for a return to training.</p>

<p>Juventus began carrying out tests on their players at the club's medical centre in Turin on Monday.</p>

<p>The first to arrive were Federico Bernardeschi, Juan Cuadrado, Carlo Pinsoglio, Leonardo Bonucci and Aaron Ramsey, all wearing face masks.</p>

<p>Juventus are also waiting the return to Turin of&nbsp;Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt and midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who returned to France after recovering from the virus.</p>

<p>Gonzalo Higuain remains in Argentina where he returned to be with his sick mother.</p>


Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo flew back to Italy on Monday after almost two months in coronavirus lockdown in his native Portugal. Ronaldo and his family landed in Turin Airport just after 10.

Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo flew back to Italy on Monday after almost two months in coronavirus lockdown in his native Portugal. Ronaldo and his family landed in Turin Airport just after 10.20pm local time, according to media reports in Italy. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner arrived by private jet from the Portuguese island of Madeira and will spend two weeks in quarantine. The 35-year-old played Juventus's last Serie A game, a 2-0 win over Inter Milan behind closed doors at the Allianz Stadium on March 8, before the Italian football season was suspended amid the COVID-19 pandemic which has killed over 29,000 people in the country. Ronaldo returned to Madeira after the Inter Milan match to be close to his mother Dolores who had suffered a stroke. Juventus have recalled their 10 overseas players as Serie A clubs were given the green light to return to individual training on Monday. The Italian interior ministry's go-ahead for players to return to club training facilities two weeks ahead of schedule has offered fans hope that the 2019-20 season might yet be salvaged. Juventus are leading Serie A, one point ahead of Lazio, as they target a ninth consecutive Scudetto. The club has not yet given an official date for a return to training. Juventus began carrying out tests on their players at the club's medical centre in Turin on Monday. The first to arrive were Federico Bernardeschi, Juan Cuadrado, Carlo Pinsoglio, Leonardo Bonucci and Aaron Ramsey, all wearing face masks. Juventus are also waiting the return to Turin of Dutch centre-back Matthijs de Ligt and midfielder Blaise Matuidi, who returned to France after recovering from the virus. Gonzalo Higuain remains in Argentina where he returned to be with his sick mother.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to Turin after coronavirus lockdown

<p>According to Juventus’ chief football officer Fabio Paratici, Paul Pogba might not earn as much as he will earn he currently earns in Manchester United after his rumoured transfer with Juventus is successful.</p>

<p>Paratici has said this because the sport has faced a massive hit financially because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pogba has a massive pay-grade with the Red Devils but has been eyeing to move out of the Manchester since the past couple of years, the Frenchman expects a pay rise due to the transfer.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to an Italian media outlet, Paratici warned Pogba: "Paul Pogba is a fantastic player, we know him as a champion.</p>

<p>"But something will change after the coronavirus crisis because logically the salary demands someone at his level would have had before is now more difficult to get hold of. Or, at least, he’ll have fewer clubs prepared to pay that money."</p>

<p>On why Pogba couldn’t command the same wage as Cristiano Ronaldo, Paratici added: "Cristiano is a different player to all the others. He brings incredible and exponential growth in revenue, representing a brand that is almost as big as a club."</p>

<p>He continued: "Clubs will certainly have some more difficulties to deal with, so with less income, we’ll need to be more creative and elastic, finding a different formula for transfer deals. I expect many exchanges of players, although obviously, we can’t use the NBA draft because that is a closed system.</p>

<p>"We should take more from the NBA and American sports in general. After all, the Premier League has this big advantage over the other leagues because they control the brand and represent the whole league rather than individual clubs.</p>

<p>"What we will see is more extended loans, so a two-year loan, even three. Some say we could start the 2020-21 season with the same players as 2019-20, which is also a possibility.</p>

<p>"There will certainly be less cash circulating and that’s obvious to everyone. We are going through a difficult moment globally, not just in football, and the consequences will be felt everywhere. Therefore, I think we’ll see longer loans because rather than purchase homes, people are more likely in a time of uncertainty to rent.</p>

<p>"I believe that if we exchange players between the top 12-15 clubs in the world, the value of the transfers won’t drop. When purchasing a new player, that’s a different matter and we can see a fall in the fees."</p>


According to Juventus’ chief football officer Fabio Paratici, Paul Pogba might not earn as much as he will earn he currently earns in Manchester United after his rumoured transfer with Juventus is successful.

According to Juventus’ chief football officer Fabio Paratici, Paul Pogba might not earn as much as he will earn he currently earns in Manchester United after his rumoured transfer with Juventus is successful. Paratici has said this because the sport has faced a massive hit financially because of the coronavirus pandemic. Pogba has a massive pay-grade with the Red Devils but has been eyeing to move out of the Manchester since the past couple of years, the Frenchman expects a pay rise due to the transfer. According to an Italian media outlet, Paratici warned Pogba: "Paul Pogba is a fantastic player, we know him as a champion. "But something will change after the coronavirus crisis because logically the salary demands someone at his level would have had before is now more difficult to get hold of. Or, at least, he’ll have fewer clubs prepared to pay that money." On why Pogba couldn’t command the same wage as Cristiano Ronaldo, Paratici added: "Cristiano is a different player to all the others. He brings incredible and exponential growth in revenue, representing a brand that is almost as big as a club." He continued: "Clubs will certainly have some more difficulties to deal with, so with less income, we’ll need to be more creative and elastic, finding a different formula for transfer deals. I expect many exchanges of players, although obviously, we can’t use the NBA draft because that is a closed system. "We should take more from the NBA and American sports in general. After all, the Premier League has this big advantage over the other leagues because they control the brand and represent the whole league rather than individual clubs. "What we will see is more extended loans, so a two-year loan, even three. Some say we could start the 2020-21 season with the same players as 2019-20, which is also a possibility. "There will certainly be less cash circulating and that’s obvious to everyone. We are going through a difficult moment globally, not just in football, and the consequences will be felt everywhere. Therefore, I think we’ll see longer loans because rather than purchase homes, people are more likely in a time of uncertainty to rent. "I believe that if we exchange players between the top 12-15 clubs in the world, the value of the transfers won’t drop. When purchasing a new player, that’s a different matter and we can see a fall in the fees."

Juventus’ chief football officer warns Pogba on his transfer to Italian side

<p>Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora on Wednesday said that Serie A, country’s top-flight football league, is unlikely to resume this season due to COVID-19 pandemic. On March 9, Italy had suspended Serie A as a part of strict lockdown phase to curb the spread of COVID-19 that has seen over 200,000 confirmed cases with more than 27,000 deaths in the country, the second-highest tally in the entire world after the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Spadafora said that if he was one of the presidents of Serie A clubs then he would be focusing on the next season rather than spending time thinking about the halted campaign.</p>

<p>"I see an increasingly narrow path for the resumption of the Serie A... If I were one of the presidents (of the clubs) I would focus on the next season," Spadafora told an Italian broadcaster.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/how-many-have-to-die-gary-neville-voices-fears-over-premier-league-plans-295599" hreflang="en">'How many have to die?': Gary Neville voices fears over Premier League plans</a></strong></p>

<p>The Netherlands and France are two European countries to have ended their football campaigns due to the coronavirus pandemic, whereas, the Premier League, German Bundesliga and Serie A are among those who want to finish the 2019/20 season.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"These decisions (in France and in the Netherlands) could push Italy to follow this line, which would become a European line," Spadafora said while adding that he thought a majority of Serie A clubs may soon ask to cancel the league.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had earlier announced that lockdown will be eased from May 4 with sports team given the allowance to train from May 18.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mauricio-pochettino-newcastle-uniteds-top-target-to-take-over-managerial-duties-295589" hreflang="en">Mauricio Pochettino Newcastle United's top target to take over managerial duties</a></strong></p>

<p>While the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has chalked out a medical protocol for training, Spadafora has clarified that government’s scientific experts didn't deem it sufficient.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If the championship should ever resume, it will certainly be behind closed doors," Spadafora said.</p>

<p>As of now, there are 12 more rounds of matches to be played in Serie A with a number of games from incompleted rounds. As things stand, Juventus are one point clear of Lazio at the top of the table.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora on Wednesday said that Serie A, country’s top-flight football league, is unlikely to resume this season due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Italian Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora on Wednesday said that Serie A, country’s top-flight football league, is unlikely to resume this season due to COVID-19 pandemic. On March 9, Italy had suspended Serie A as a part of strict lockdown phase to curb the spread of COVID-19 that has seen over 200,000 confirmed cases with more than 27,000 deaths in the country, the second-highest tally in the entire world after the United States. Spadafora said that if he was one of the presidents of Serie A clubs then he would be focusing on the next season rather than spending time thinking about the halted campaign. "I see an increasingly narrow path for the resumption of the Serie A... If I were one of the presidents (of the clubs) I would focus on the next season," Spadafora told an Italian broadcaster. ALSO READ: 'How many have to die?': Gary Neville voices fears over Premier League plans The Netherlands and France are two European countries to have ended their football campaigns due to the coronavirus pandemic, whereas, the Premier League, German Bundesliga and Serie A are among those who want to finish the 2019/20 season. "These decisions (in France and in the Netherlands) could push Italy to follow this line, which would become a European line," Spadafora said while adding that he thought a majority of Serie A clubs may soon ask to cancel the league. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte had earlier announced that lockdown will be eased from May 4 with sports team given the allowance to train from May 18. ALSO READ: Mauricio Pochettino Newcastle United's top target to take over managerial duties While the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has chalked out a medical protocol for training, Spadafora has clarified that government’s scientific experts didn't deem it sufficient. "If the championship should ever resume, it will certainly be behind closed doors," Spadafora said. As of now, there are 12 more rounds of matches to be played in Serie A with a number of games from incompleted rounds. As things stand, Juventus are one point clear of Lazio at the top of the table.

Serie A could follow Ligue 1, Eredivisie by cancelling 2019-20 season: Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora

<p>Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday delayed a decision on restarting Serie A football but gave the green light for top athletes to resume training in a week's time.</p>

<p>Conte unveiled the first details of how the country will emerge from a lockdown aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has officially claimed more than 26,000 lives in Italy and 200,000 worldwide.</p>

<p>He said individual athletes would be allowed to resume training on May 4.</p>

<p>Teams could start to train together again on May 18.</p>

<p>But Conte did not say when Serie A might resume a season interrupted on March 9 with Juventus leading Lazio by a point.</p>

<p>"The championship will start again only when it is safe," Conte told the nation in a televised address.</p>

<p>Italian football chiefs agreed on Thursday to push back the end of the Serie A season from June 30 to August 2.</p>


Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday delayed a decision on restarting Serie A football but gave the green light for top athletes to resume training in a week's time.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Sunday delayed a decision on restarting Serie A football but gave the green light for top athletes to resume training in a week's time. Conte unveiled the first details of how the country will emerge from a lockdown aimed at halting the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has officially claimed more than 26,000 lives in Italy and 200,000 worldwide. He said individual athletes would be allowed to resume training on May 4. Teams could start to train together again on May 18. But Conte did not say when Serie A might resume a season interrupted on March 9 with Juventus leading Lazio by a point. "The championship will start again only when it is safe," Conte told the nation in a televised address. Italian football chiefs agreed on Thursday to push back the end of the Serie A season from June 30 to August 2.

Italy's PM delays Serie A restart decision

<p>Premier League is facing a challenge in deciding their confirmed Champions League spots and relegation spots without completing the season. They could decide these spots by one-off ties.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UEFA has developed 'new' guidelines after Thursday to formulate a plan for all the European leagues so that they finish their 2019/20 seasons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>All the five leagues in Europe have come to a halt after the coronavirus outbreak. Europe has been the worst affected continent in term of the pandemic deaths.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UEFA has indicated that the leagues will restart but in a different format to complete its season. The statement post-meeting read: "It is preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit."</p>

<p>As far as Premier League is concerned, Liverpool has qualified for the Champions League after sitting 25 points clear on the top whereas Chelsea and Manchester United sit at number four and five respectively with three points difference and nine games left to play.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Norwich is bottom of the table, six points off safety, while Aston Villa are two points adrift and Bournemouth are in the relegation zone on goal difference.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Looking at UK's condition due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is highly unlikely that the league would return before early June. &nbsp;UEFA is optimistic about the leagues being concluded by August as the month will witness the Champions League final match.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Leagues that are unable to complete their leagues due to deteriorating situation will host a one-off tie to decide the qualifiers and the relegation.&nbsp;</p>

<p>UEFA has also acknowledged the leagues getting prematurely cancelled with the governments don't lift the lockdown. One more possibility that could lead to early league cancellation was listed during the meeting, &nbsp;"insurmountable economic problems which make finishing the season impossible because it would put at risk the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs".</p>

<p>Another way out?&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to The Times, leagues are offered to make a decision based on points-per-game ratio. The decision that will secure current Premier League top four Liverpool, Man City, Leicester and Chelsea contenders in next Champions League, whereas, Manchester United take the Europa spot. Biggest losers? Arsenal and Tottenham as they will miss out on all European action.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The German Bundesliga has decided to send its top four teams &nbsp;Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach to the Champions League as all teams have played the same amount of games.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Serie A has minor difficulties as some top teams have played fewer games but if they go according to the points-per-game ratio, Lazio will make a surprise entry to Champions League. Along with Lazio, Juventus, Inter Milan and Altlanta could represent Italy in the Champions League next year.&nbsp;</p>


Premier League is facing a challenge in deciding their confirmed Champions League spots and relegation spots without completing the season. They could decide these spots by one-off ties.

Premier League is facing a challenge in deciding their confirmed Champions League spots and relegation spots without completing the season. They could decide these spots by one-off ties. UEFA has developed 'new' guidelines after Thursday to formulate a plan for all the European leagues so that they finish their 2019/20 seasons. All the five leagues in Europe have come to a halt after the coronavirus outbreak. Europe has been the worst affected continent in term of the pandemic deaths. UEFA has indicated that the leagues will restart but in a different format to complete its season. The statement post-meeting read: "It is preferable that suspended domestic competitions would restart with a different format in a manner which would still facilitate clubs to qualify on sporting merit." As far as Premier League is concerned, Liverpool has qualified for the Champions League after sitting 25 points clear on the top whereas Chelsea and Manchester United sit at number four and five respectively with three points difference and nine games left to play. Norwich is bottom of the table, six points off safety, while Aston Villa are two points adrift and Bournemouth are in the relegation zone on goal difference. Looking at UK's condition due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is highly unlikely that the league would return before early June. UEFA is optimistic about the leagues being concluded by August as the month will witness the Champions League final match. Leagues that are unable to complete their leagues due to deteriorating situation will host a one-off tie to decide the qualifiers and the relegation. UEFA has also acknowledged the leagues getting prematurely cancelled with the governments don't lift the lockdown. One more possibility that could lead to early league cancellation was listed during the meeting, "insurmountable economic problems which make finishing the season impossible because it would put at risk the long-term financial stability of the domestic competition and/or clubs". Another way out? According to The Times, leagues are offered to make a decision based on points-per-game ratio. The decision that will secure current Premier League top four Liverpool, Man City, Leicester and Chelsea contenders in next Champions League, whereas, Manchester United take the Europa spot. Biggest losers? Arsenal and Tottenham as they will miss out on all European action. The German Bundesliga has decided to send its top four teams Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, RB Leipzig and Borussia Monchengladbach to the Champions League as all teams have played the same amount of games. Serie A has minor difficulties as some top teams have played fewer games but if they go according to the points-per-game ratio, Lazio will make a surprise entry to Champions League. Along with Lazio, Juventus, Inter Milan and Altlanta could represent Italy in the Champions League next year.

UEFA insists Premier league to conclude season as it is or with play-offs; will other leagues follow?

<p>Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned on Wednesday caution was needed as he promised a decision "in the coming days" on whether Italian football clubs can return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic.</p>

<p>Spadafora held a two-hour video-conference with representatives of Italian football, including federation chiefs, professional and amateurs leagues, players and doctors.</p>

<p>"I listened with great attention to the various positions that emerged and in the next few days, after a discussion with the Minister of Health and the Technical Scientific Committee, we will issue the updated provisions regarding the possibility and the procedures for a return to training," said Spadafora.</p>

<p>All sport in Italy has been suspended for the past six weeks as the country grapples with the COVID-19 crisis which has killed over 25,000 people.</p>

<p>"I can assure you that maintaining a profile of extreme prudence, as I am doing, is the most unpopular position imaginable," Spadafora later said in a post on Facebook.</p>

<p>"But we have the duty and responsibility to ensure that the whole country, obviously including the world of sport, can soon emerge from this health crisis.</p>

<p>"I am also a fan who misses following my team.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I was looking forward to the European championships this summer, but they will be postponed, like the Olympics, the Giro d'Italia and all sports competitions in our country.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is a huge disappointment, in a much bigger and deeper pain, in an atrocious mourning that has struck our country, Europe, the whole world."</p>

<p>The 20 Serie A clubs voted unanimously on Tuesday to complete the league season, which has been suspended since March 9.</p>

<p>The federation presented Spadafora with a medical code to allow the resumption of competition.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Players could start training again, in small groups and under strict medical supervision, from May 4, the date on which the government plans to start easing the containment measures.</p>

<p>Matches would start at the end of May or the beginning of June.</p>

<p>Spadafora earlier addressed the Italian Senate on the "gradual resumption" of sports activities, and later held talks with representatives of 19 other Italian federations.</p>

<p>"This restart is necessary because sport is important not only for its economic value but also its social value," he said.</p>


Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned on Wednesday caution was needed as he promised a decision "in the coming days" on whether Italian football clubs can return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora warned on Wednesday caution was needed as he promised a decision "in the coming days" on whether Italian football clubs can return to training amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spadafora held a two-hour video-conference with representatives of Italian football, including federation chiefs, professional and amateurs leagues, players and doctors. "I listened with great attention to the various positions that emerged and in the next few days, after a discussion with the Minister of Health and the Technical Scientific Committee, we will issue the updated provisions regarding the possibility and the procedures for a return to training," said Spadafora. All sport in Italy has been suspended for the past six weeks as the country grapples with the COVID-19 crisis which has killed over 25,000 people. "I can assure you that maintaining a profile of extreme prudence, as I am doing, is the most unpopular position imaginable," Spadafora later said in a post on Facebook. "But we have the duty and responsibility to ensure that the whole country, obviously including the world of sport, can soon emerge from this health crisis. "I am also a fan who misses following my team. "I was looking forward to the European championships this summer, but they will be postponed, like the Olympics, the Giro d'Italia and all sports competitions in our country. "It is a huge disappointment, in a much bigger and deeper pain, in an atrocious mourning that has struck our country, Europe, the whole world." The 20 Serie A clubs voted unanimously on Tuesday to complete the league season, which has been suspended since March 9. The federation presented Spadafora with a medical code to allow the resumption of competition. Players could start training again, in small groups and under strict medical supervision, from May 4, the date on which the government plans to start easing the containment measures. Matches would start at the end of May or the beginning of June. Spadafora earlier addressed the Italian Senate on the "gradual resumption" of sports activities, and later held talks with representatives of 19 other Italian federations. "This restart is necessary because sport is important not only for its economic value but also its social value," he said.

Italy's sports minister says caution needed over return to football

<p>Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy.</p>

<p>"The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, if the government allows it to take place," Italy's top flight said in a statement</p>

<p>It added that any resumption will take place "in accordance with regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA" and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and "in compliance with medical protocols to protect the players".</p>

<p>Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the "incalculable risk" of restarting, according to reports in Italy.</p>

<p>Six of those clubs are situated in the north of Italy which has been hardest hit by a virus which has killed over 24,000 people.</p>

<p>No football has been played in Italy since March 9 with the current lockdown measures in the country extended to May 3.</p>

<p>Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with FIGC officials midweek, but he warned he was not sure that Serie A teams can even resume training.</p>

<p>"I am not giving any assurances for the start of the championship or training on May 4, if the conditions for the country do not exist beforehand," Spadafora told Tg2 Post.</p>

<p>"Sport is not just football and it is not only Serie A," he added.</p>

<p>"I will evaluate very carefully, but this must not create the illusion that resuming training means resuming the championship."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Torino's team doctor Rodolfo Tavana, who held the position of the Serie A's representative on the FIGC's medical commission,&nbsp;resigned on Monday.</p>

<p>Tavana was appointed to the commission to help formulate the protocol for the resumption of football.</p>


Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy.

Serie A insisted Monday that they were committed to finishing the season despite reports seven clubs are against a return to action as the coronavirus pandemic continues to afflict Italy. "The Lega Serie A Council that met today unanimously confirmed its intention to complete the 2019-2020 season, if the government allows it to take place," Italy's top flight said in a statement It added that any resumption will take place "in accordance with regulations laid out by FIFA and UEFA" and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and "in compliance with medical protocols to protect the players". Brescia, Torino, Sampdoria, Udinese, SPAL, Genoa and Sardinian outfit Cagliari do not want to play because of the "incalculable risk" of restarting, according to reports in Italy. Six of those clubs are situated in the north of Italy which has been hardest hit by a virus which has killed over 24,000 people. No football has been played in Italy since March 9 with the current lockdown measures in the country extended to May 3. Sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora will meet with FIGC officials midweek, but he warned he was not sure that Serie A teams can even resume training. "I am not giving any assurances for the start of the championship or training on May 4, if the conditions for the country do not exist beforehand," Spadafora told Tg2 Post. "Sport is not just football and it is not only Serie A," he added. "I will evaluate very carefully, but this must not create the illusion that resuming training means resuming the championship." Meanwhile, Torino's team doctor Rodolfo Tavana, who held the position of the Serie A's representative on the FIGC's medical commission, resigned on Monday. Tavana was appointed to the commission to help formulate the protocol for the resumption of football.

Serie A commits to finishing season after virus lockdown

<p>Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has hit out at Serie A officials for letting the league continue despite a player being diagnosed of the coronavirus.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/italian-sports-minister-very-very-doubtful-about-serie-a-returning-in-may-288814">Italian sports minister 'very, very doubtful' about Serie A returning in May</a></p>

<p>Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was the first player in Serie A to be tested positive for coronavirus pandemic. But Rugani had played a match with Inter on March 8 behind closed doors.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lukaku had an interview with Thierry Henry via Puma's Instagram where he lashed out by saying: "Health comes first. Why should we play if there are people in the world who are risking their lives?"</p>

<p>"Why was it only necessary for a player to test positive in order for football to stop? It's not normal.</p>

<p>"I will admit that I do miss football, but now the most important thing is people's health. Everything else comes secondary to that."</p>

<p>Italy has been the worst-hit nation in terms of coronavirus outbreak. Over 30,098 people in Europe have now died - with Italy, France, and Spain adding most numbers to this toll.</p>

<p>The coronavirus pandemic has forced all the sporting seasons across the globe to come to halt.</p>

<p>Serie A was a part of the decision where all sporting activities were suspended until April 3 due to the on-going global coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;</p>


Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has hit out at Serie A officials for letting the league continue despite a player being diagnosed of the coronavirus. Also read: Italian sports minister 'very, very doubtful' about Serie A returning in May Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was the first player in Serie A to be tested positive for coronavirus pandemic.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has hit out at Serie A officials for letting the league continue despite a player being diagnosed of the coronavirus. Also read: Italian sports minister 'very, very doubtful' about Serie A returning in May Juventus defender Daniele Rugani was the first player in Serie A to be tested positive for coronavirus pandemic. But Rugani had played a match with Inter on March 8 behind closed doors. Lukaku had an interview with Thierry Henry via Puma's Instagram where he lashed out by saying: "Health comes first. Why should we play if there are people in the world who are risking their lives?" "Why was it only necessary for a player to test positive in order for football to stop? It's not normal. "I will admit that I do miss football, but now the most important thing is people's health. Everything else comes secondary to that." Italy has been the worst-hit nation in terms of coronavirus outbreak. Over 30,098 people in Europe have now died - with Italy, France, and Spain adding most numbers to this toll. The coronavirus pandemic has forced all the sporting seasons across the globe to come to halt. Serie A was a part of the decision where all sporting activities were suspended until April 3 due to the on-going global coronavirus pandemic.

Milan star Lukaku lashes out at Serie A officials for continuing league despite COVID-19 scare

<p>Manchester United are eyeing a swap deal for Paul Pogba with Juventus. The 27-year-old is planning to move out from Old Trafford, but the Red Devils denied his move to Real Madrid last summer.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/villas-grealish-apologises-fined-for-breaking-isolation-rules-289842" hreflang="en">Villa's Grealish apologises, fined for breaking isolation rules</a></p>

<p>Pogba is currently valued at £120 million and has a wage close to £300,000-per-week.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ex-olympique-marseille-president-pape-diouf-dies-of-coronavirus-289841" hreflang="en">Ex-Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf dies of coronavirus</a></p>

<p>Juventus has asked for Pogba but the Solskjaer side wants to include Matthijs de Ligt and money in the deal. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also see:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-messi-neymar-ramos-are-doing-during-coronavirus-self-quarantine-286940" hreflang="en">What Messi, Neymar, Ramos are doing during coronavirus self-quarantine</a></p>

<p>For Pogba to play for his ex Milan club, they will have to add de Ligt who is valued at £85 million and will have to pay £20-30 million as an extra money to seal the deal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Matthis de Ligt was an exciting prospect for Manchester United and they wanted to buy him but they did not and instead, the player decided to make a move to Turin.</p>

<p>Respective leagues of the clubs have come to a halt due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. Italy has been the worst-hit nation in the world.&nbsp;</p>


Manchester United are eyeing a swap deal for Paul Pogba with Juventus. The 27-year-old is planning to move out from Old Trafford, but the Red Devils denied his move to Real Madrid last summer.

Manchester United are eyeing a swap deal for Paul Pogba with Juventus. The 27-year-old is planning to move out from Old Trafford, but the Red Devils denied his move to Real Madrid last summer. Also read: Villa's Grealish apologises, fined for breaking isolation rules Pogba is currently valued at £120 million and has a wage close to £300,000-per-week. Also read: Ex-Olympique Marseille president Pape Diouf dies of coronavirus Juventus has asked for Pogba but the Solskjaer side wants to include Matthijs de Ligt and money in the deal. Also see: What Messi, Neymar, Ramos are doing during coronavirus self-quarantine For Pogba to play for his ex Milan club, they will have to add de Ligt who is valued at £85 million and will have to pay £20-30 million as an extra money to seal the deal. Matthis de Ligt was an exciting prospect for Manchester United and they wanted to buy him but they did not and instead, the player decided to make a move to Turin. Respective leagues of the clubs have come to a halt due to the on-going coronavirus pandemic. Italy has been the worst-hit nation in the world.

Manchester United ask for de Ligt and money in exchange for Paul Pogba

<p>Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has said that he is "very doubtful" if the Italian top-flight football league Serie A will return in early May.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/italian-football-chief-ready-to-finish-season-in-august-288608">Italian football chief ready to finish season in August</a></p>

<p>Serie A was a part of the decision where all sporting activities were suspended until April 3 due to the on-going global coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serie-a-fixture-delayed-due-to-confusion-over-italian-sports-ministers-post-calling-for-suspension-of-league-285134">Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league</a></p>

<p>The sports minister gave this statement on Thursday regarding Serie A's games in future, where he said: "I am very, very doubtful. I can certainly say that if there are conditions to resume competitions in certain circumstances, it will certainly take place behind closed doors.</p>

<p>"To date, it is unthinkable to say that in May it is possible to resume all competitions regularly, especially with spectators.</p>

<p>"Even scientists have no certainty about the evolution of the epidemic. We have to adapt our decisions to changing situations."</p>

<p>Italy has been the worst-hit nation in the coronavirus pandemic, with over 8,000 of its people killed due to the infectious virus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The sports minister said that the final decision "will be up to" the FIGC (the Italian football federation) who are keen to resume games in the first week of May.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"They could decide to postpone games until the late summer, but the situation is complicated, football has taken a little longer than others to understand the crisis."</p>

<p>"We want to be ready to start as soon as it will be possible. Sport will be one of the engines that will allow us to revive this country after the health crisis," he added.&nbsp;</p>


Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has said that he is "very doubtful" if the Italian top-flight football league Serie A will return in early May. Also read: Italian football chief ready to finish season in August Serie A was a part of the decision where all sporting activities were suspended until April 3 due to the on-going global coronavirus pandemic.

Italy's sports minister Vincenzo Spadafora has said that he is "very doubtful" if the Italian top-flight football league Serie A will return in early May. Also read: Italian football chief ready to finish season in August Serie A was a part of the decision where all sporting activities were suspended until April 3 due to the on-going global coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league The sports minister gave this statement on Thursday regarding Serie A's games in future, where he said: "I am very, very doubtful. I can certainly say that if there are conditions to resume competitions in certain circumstances, it will certainly take place behind closed doors. "To date, it is unthinkable to say that in May it is possible to resume all competitions regularly, especially with spectators. "Even scientists have no certainty about the evolution of the epidemic. We have to adapt our decisions to changing situations." Italy has been the worst-hit nation in the coronavirus pandemic, with over 8,000 of its people killed due to the infectious virus. The sports minister said that the final decision "will be up to" the FIGC (the Italian football federation) who are keen to resume games in the first week of May. "They could decide to postpone games until the late summer, but the situation is complicated, football has taken a little longer than others to understand the crisis." "We want to be ready to start as soon as it will be possible. Sport will be one of the engines that will allow us to revive this country after the health crisis," he added.

Italian sports minister 'very, very doubtful' about Serie A returning in May

<p>Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August.</p>

<p>All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.</p>

<p>"We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte.</p>

<p>"It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible."</p>

<p>The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2.</p>

<p>A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future.</p>

<p>"There are many issues," said Gravina.</p>

<p>As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted.</p>

<p>"This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options."&nbsp;</p>


Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics.

Italian football federation (FIGC) president Gabriele Gravina said he was determined that the Serie A season would be concluded even going into August. All sport in Italy has been suspended until April 3 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has forced the postponement of Euro 2020 and the Tokyo Olympics. "We will do everything to complete the championships, if necessary we will ask for the support of UEFA and FIFA to go beyond June 30 and play also in July or August," Gravina told Radio Marte. "It's premature to think of a date, but we must think positively, also for the health of Italians and hope that this situation will end as soon as possible." The FIGC chief had last week expressed his hope that the championship could resume on the weekend of May 2. A meeting is scheduled Thursday between the representatives of the Italian league, FIGC, the players' union, coaches and the government to evaluate the future. "There are many issues," said Gravina. As for the suspended championship, Gravina rejected either cancelling or assigning the title as the table stands where champions Juventus were leading by a point when the season was halted. "This would lead to an unpleasant scenario. As long as possible, I will continue to reject these options."

Italian football chief ready to finish season in August

<p>AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who is down with the novel coronavirus expects to recover "within a week".</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dybala-maldini-reveal-that-they-test-positive-for-covid-19-another-english-club-falls-victim-287847" hreflang="en">Dybala, Maldini reveal that they test positive for COVID-19, another English club falls victim</a></p>

<p>The 51-year-old, along with his 18-year-old son was in two weeks self-isolation after testing positive with the novel coronavirus.</p>

<p>The former Milan captain posted a video on Instagram: "With this video, I wanted to thank all those people who expressed on social media their love and concern for my and my son's health.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We're fine -- we should be able to get rid of this virus within a week.</p>

<p>"Thanks for your continuing affection.</p>

<p>"I wanted to thank all those doctors, nurses, health workers, civil protection and law enforcement officers who are facing this emergency with the utmost professionalism and enormous courage.</p>

<p>"Once again, you make us feel proud of being Italian. Thanks again."</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B-FslYZI_JR/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Paolo Maldini (@paolomaldini)</a> on <time datetime="2020-03-23T20:08:53+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Mar 23, 2020 at 1:08pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>Maldini, who is currently club's technical director, brought great laurels to AC Milan, he featured in five Champions League wins during his tenure as the defender.</p>

<p>Earlier, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has finally admitted that he has been tested positive for the novel coronavirus.&nbsp;<br />
Dybala took to twitter to make this announcement. In his tweet, he said that both he and his partner Oriana Sabatini were tested positive and the couple is currently in perfect condition as of now.</p>

<p>Another English team has been a victim of the novel coronavirus, four players of Portsmouth have been tested positive for COVID-19. James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Sean Raggett and Haji Mnoga have tested positive for the virus. The club's players went through tests after their FA fixture against Arsenal.&nbsp;</p>


AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who is down with the novel coronavirus expects to recover "within a week". Also read: Dybala, Maldini reveal that they test positive for COVID-19, another English club falls victim The 51-year-old, along with his 18-year-old son was in two weeks self-isolation after testing positive with the novel coronavirus.

AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini, who is down with the novel coronavirus expects to recover "within a week". Also read: Dybala, Maldini reveal that they test positive for COVID-19, another English club falls victim The 51-year-old, along with his 18-year-old son was in two weeks self-isolation after testing positive with the novel coronavirus. The former Milan captain posted a video on Instagram: "With this video, I wanted to thank all those people who expressed on social media their love and concern for my and my son's health. "We're fine -- we should be able to get rid of this virus within a week. "Thanks for your continuing affection. "I wanted to thank all those doctors, nurses, health workers, civil protection and law enforcement officers who are facing this emergency with the utmost professionalism and enormous courage. "Once again, you make us feel proud of being Italian. Thanks again." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Paolo Maldini (@paolomaldini) on Mar 23, 2020 at 1:08pm PDT × Maldini, who is currently club's technical director, brought great laurels to AC Milan, he featured in five Champions League wins during his tenure as the defender. Earlier, Juventus forward Paulo Dybala has finally admitted that he has been tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Dybala took to twitter to make this announcement. In his tweet, he said that both he and his partner Oriana Sabatini were tested positive and the couple is currently in perfect condition as of now. Another English team has been a victim of the novel coronavirus, four players of Portsmouth have been tested positive for COVID-19. James Bolton, Andy Cannon, Sean Raggett and Haji Mnoga have tested positive for the virus. The club's players went through tests after their FA fixture against Arsenal.

'Will recover within a week' Maldini expects to recover from novel coronavirus

<p>Europe's top football leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga have much to lose if the global pandemic forces them to cancel their rest of the seasons.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to a study conducted by KPMG, these top football leagues lose close to $4.33 billion in combined revenue if they get cancelled.</p>

<p>These figures were out after the accounting firm calculated the total potential matchday, broadcasting and commercial revenues set to be generated by the remaining matches in the Premier League, La Liga, German Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A and France's Ligue 1 added up to between 3.45-4 billion euros across the five leagues.</p>

<p>According to KPMG, English Premier League will lose the most if it happens, despite having fewer games left to play than every other league (except Bundesliga, German league has just 18 teams to play). The Premier League will lose about 1.25 billion euros out of which they lose 800 million in broadcasting revenues itself.&nbsp;</p>

<p>La Liga in Spain could lose as much as 600 million euros from broadcasters, the report said, while Serie A clubs stand to lose up to 450 million euros from a cancelled season. The Bundesliga and Ligue 1 stand to lose as much as 400 and 200 millions euros respectively.</p>

<p>This shows how much do these football leagues rely on television money to compensate for their expenses.</p>

<p>After Euro's postponement by a year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak has raised concerns for the top leagues in Europe.&nbsp;</p>


Europe's top football leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga have much to lose if the global pandemic forces them to cancel their rest of the seasons.

Europe's top football leagues such as the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga have much to lose if the global pandemic forces them to cancel their rest of the seasons. According to a study conducted by KPMG, these top football leagues lose close to $4.33 billion in combined revenue if they get cancelled. These figures were out after the accounting firm calculated the total potential matchday, broadcasting and commercial revenues set to be generated by the remaining matches in the Premier League, La Liga, German Bundesliga, Italy's Serie A and France's Ligue 1 added up to between 3.45-4 billion euros across the five leagues. According to KPMG, English Premier League will lose the most if it happens, despite having fewer games left to play than every other league (except Bundesliga, German league has just 18 teams to play). The Premier League will lose about 1.25 billion euros out of which they lose 800 million in broadcasting revenues itself. La Liga in Spain could lose as much as 600 million euros from broadcasters, the report said, while Serie A clubs stand to lose up to 450 million euros from a cancelled season. The Bundesliga and Ligue 1 stand to lose as much as 400 and 200 millions euros respectively. This shows how much do these football leagues rely on television money to compensate for their expenses. After Euro's postponement by a year due to the novel coronavirus outbreak has raised concerns for the top leagues in Europe.

Europe's top football leagues could face major hit if season gets cancelled due to coronavirus

What Messi, Neymar, Ramos are doing during coronavirus self-quarantine

<p>According to Juventus, their club's defender was Daniele Rugani tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/all-italian-sporting-events-including-serie-a-suspended-due-to-coronavirus-outbreak-285360" hreflang="en">All Italian sporting events including Serie A suspended due to coronavirus outbreak</a></p>

<p>"The footballer, Daniele Rugani, has tested positive for coronavirus-Covid-19 and is currently asymptomatic," Juve said in a statement. "Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."</p>

<p>Serie A has been among the major sporting events that have been suspended due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak. Rugani has featured in seven games for Juventus this season, the latest match he played was on February 22 against Spal where the Biancori side won 2-1.</p>

<p>Rugani was an unused substitute for Juventus on their fixture on Sunday against Internazionale. He was seen training with his teammates on Tuesday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">It’s time to be strong 💪🏻 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LB19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LB19</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinoAllaFine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinoAllaFine</a> <a href="https://t.co/9J1uvEsDRI">pic.twitter.com/9J1uvEsDRI</a></p>
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<p>Inter Milan has been quick to act after Rugani's test, they have suspended all competitive activities which includes training due to the outbreak. Inter's Europa fixture with Getafe was suspended after Getafe president refused to travel to Italy.</p>

<p>However, Champions League and International football are excluded in Italy's sporting ban, this means Juventus will be facing Lyon next week.</p>

<p>Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis.</p>

<p>"I am going to sign a decree that can be summarised as follows: I stay at home," Conte announced in a dramatic evening television address.</p>


According to Juventus, their club's defender was Daniele Rugani tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday. Also read: All Italian sporting events including Serie A suspended due to coronavirus outbreak "The footballer, Daniele Rugani, has tested positive for coronavirus-Covid-19 and is currently asymptomatic," Juve said in a statement.

According to Juventus, their club's defender was Daniele Rugani tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday. Also read: All Italian sporting events including Serie A suspended due to coronavirus outbreak "The footballer, Daniele Rugani, has tested positive for coronavirus-Covid-19 and is currently asymptomatic," Juve said in a statement. "Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him." Serie A has been among the major sporting events that have been suspended due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak. Rugani has featured in seven games for Juventus this season, the latest match he played was on February 22 against Spal where the Biancori side won 2-1. Rugani was an unused substitute for Juventus on their fixture on Sunday against Internazionale. He was seen training with his teammates on Tuesday. It’s time to be strong 💪🏻 #LB19 #FinoAllaFine pic.twitter.com/9J1uvEsDRI — Leonardo Bonucci (@bonucci_leo19) March 10, 2020 × Inter Milan has been quick to act after Rugani's test, they have suspended all competitive activities which includes training due to the outbreak. Inter's Europa fixture with Getafe was suspended after Getafe president refused to travel to Italy. However, Champions League and International football are excluded in Italy's sporting ban, this means Juventus will be facing Lyon next week. Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis. "I am going to sign a decree that can be summarised as follows: I stay at home," Conte announced in a dramatic evening television address.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for COVID-19

<p>Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serie-a-fixture-delayed-due-to-confusion-over-italian-sports-ministers-post-calling-for-suspension-of-league-285134" hreflang="en">Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league</a></p>

<p>The final Serie A game before government announcement saw Sassuolo beat Brescia 3-0 behind closed doors in Reggio Emilia on Monday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/inter-milan-chairman-zhang-lashes-out-on-serie-a-chairman-over-coronavirus-284172">Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus</a></p>

<p>After scoring his opening goal Sassuolo striker Francesco Caputo held up a handwritten message on a piece of paper, urging fans: "Everything will be fine. Stay at home."</p>

<p>A few hours later the Prime Minister used similar words as he announced a countrywide lockdown.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/six-nations-league-england-could-cancel-trip-to-rome-due-to-coronavirus-fears-283081">Six Nations League: England could cancel trip to Rome due to coronavirus fears</a></p>

<p>"I am going to sign a decree that can be summarised as follows: I stay at home," Conte announced in a dramatic evening television address.</p>

<p>The unprecedented measures limiting travel and banning public gatherings across the country of more than 60 million people came after 97 more deaths took Italy's toll to 463.</p>

<p>The measures include the closure of schools, universities and the suspension of sports competitions.</p>

<p>"There is no reason why matches and sporting events should continue and I am thinking of the football championship," said Conte.</p>

<p>"I'm sorry but all the fans must take note of it, we will not even allow gyms to be used for sports activities," he added.</p>

<p>The decree allows the possibility of organising matches under international jurisdiction behind closed doors, such as ties in UEFA's Champions League and Europa League.</p>

<p>Juventus are due to host Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Turin next week. Inter Milan are due to host Spain's Getafe in the Europa League on Thursday while Roma welcomes Sevilla a week later.</p>

<p><br />
Earlier Monday, Italy's National Olympic Committee (CONI), which has authority over all national sports federations, had recommended "sporting activities at all levels" be suspended until April 3 to help contain the virus outbreak and called for a government decree to enforce the request.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The decree, which goes beyond sport and provides for draconian new measures to combat the coronavirus, will come into force on Tuesday throughout Italy, the second most-affected country after China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Since Sunday, there had been growing calls to stop sports competitions and in particular, Serie A, with lower football leagues already paused.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora called for the suspension of Serie A while Italian Footballers' Association president Damiano Tommasi tweeted that "stopping football is the most useful thing for our country right now".</p>

<p>On Monday several Italian federations, such as those in swimming and winter sports, announced the end of competitive activities, joining rugby and volleyball which had been already suspended.</p>

<p>Serie A is now frozen after 26 games out of 38 in the season, with eight-time reigning champions Juventus leading the table one point ahead of Lazio. Inter Milan are third, nine points behind, with a game in hand.</p>

<p>Questions remain about getting the season finished. At least three rounds of matches will need to be rearranged after April 3 before the end of the season scheduled for May 24.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is little room for manoeuvre because of Euro 2020 beginning on June 12. And there are also concerns that Euro 2020, due to be hosted across 12 countries including Italy, might face an unprecedented cancellation.</p>

<p>In 1973 a cholera epidemic which left 227 dead in Italy, including more than 170 in Naples, did not stop "Calcio" in the football-mad country.</p>


Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on Monday announced the suspension until April 3 of all sporting events in the country, including the top-flight Serie A football league, as Italy grapples with the coronavirus crisis. Also read: Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league The final Serie A game before government announcement saw Sassuolo beat Brescia 3-0 behind closed doors in Reggio Emilia on Monday. Also read: Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus After scoring his opening goal Sassuolo striker Francesco Caputo held up a handwritten message on a piece of paper, urging fans: "Everything will be fine. Stay at home." A few hours later the Prime Minister used similar words as he announced a countrywide lockdown. Also read: Six Nations League: England could cancel trip to Rome due to coronavirus fears "I am going to sign a decree that can be summarised as follows: I stay at home," Conte announced in a dramatic evening television address. The unprecedented measures limiting travel and banning public gatherings across the country of more than 60 million people came after 97 more deaths took Italy's toll to 463. The measures include the closure of schools, universities and the suspension of sports competitions. "There is no reason why matches and sporting events should continue and I am thinking of the football championship," said Conte. "I'm sorry but all the fans must take note of it, we will not even allow gyms to be used for sports activities," he added. The decree allows the possibility of organising matches under international jurisdiction behind closed doors, such as ties in UEFA's Champions League and Europa League. Juventus are due to host Lyon in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie in Turin next week. Inter Milan are due to host Spain's Getafe in the Europa League on Thursday while Roma welcomes Sevilla a week later. Earlier Monday, Italy's National Olympic Committee (CONI), which has authority over all national sports federations, had recommended "sporting activities at all levels" be suspended until April 3 to help contain the virus outbreak and called for a government decree to enforce the request. The decree, which goes beyond sport and provides for draconian new measures to combat the coronavirus, will come into force on Tuesday throughout Italy, the second most-affected country after China. Since Sunday, there had been growing calls to stop sports competitions and in particular, Serie A, with lower football leagues already paused. Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora called for the suspension of Serie A while Italian Footballers' Association president Damiano Tommasi tweeted that "stopping football is the most useful thing for our country right now". On Monday several Italian federations, such as those in swimming and winter sports, announced the end of competitive activities, joining rugby and volleyball which had been already suspended. Serie A is now frozen after 26 games out of 38 in the season, with eight-time reigning champions Juventus leading the table one point ahead of Lazio. Inter Milan are third, nine points behind, with a game in hand. Questions remain about getting the season finished. At least three rounds of matches will need to be rearranged after April 3 before the end of the season scheduled for May 24. There is little room for manoeuvre because of Euro 2020 beginning on June 12. And there are also concerns that Euro 2020, due to be hosted across 12 countries including Italy, might face an unprecedented cancellation. In 1973 a cholera epidemic which left 227 dead in Italy, including more than 170 in Naples, did not stop "Calcio" in the football-mad country.

All Italian sporting events including Serie A suspended due to coronavirus outbreak

<p>Serie A fixture between Parma and Spal was delayed due to confusion after the Italian sports minister called for a suspension of all Serie A game due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/inter-milan-chairman-zhang-lashes-out-on-serie-a-chairman-over-coronavirus-284172">Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus</a></p>

<p>Sports Minister Vincenzo Spada posted a statement on Facebook which read: "It does not make sense for matches in Italy 's top-flight league to continue while the country struggles to contain the virus."</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/six-nations-league-england-could-cancel-trip-to-rome-due-to-coronavirus-fears-283081">Six Nations League: England could cancel trip to Rome due to coronavirus fears</a></p>

<p>The post sparked a controversy in the game as the play got delayed due to confusion. The players of each side (they were in the tunnel ready to walk out on the pitch) were asked to back to return to their respective dressing room.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Kick-off remains delayed under the referee's orders. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ParmaSpal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ParmaSpal</a></p>
— Parma Calcio 1913 (@ParmaCalcio_en) <a href="https://twitter.com/ParmaCalcio_en/status/1236618577454739456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>The match in an empty Ennio Tardini Stadium finally began 75 minutes later.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Italy has been under lockdown after being the worst-hit nation in terms of coronavirus outbreak outside China.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Italy's death toll from the novel coronavirus increased by 133 to 366 Sunday while the number of infections rose by a single-day record of 1,492 to hit 7,375.</p>

<p>Italy has recorded the most deaths of any country outside China and the second-most COVID-19 infections in the world.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This has led to massive lockdown across Italy, all the sporting events are being held under closed doors. The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree placing northern Italy (worst-hit part in Italy) to control the spread.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, Inter Milan chairman Steven Zhang lashed out at Serie A chief Paolo Dal Pino. Zhang was angered after Dal Pino refused to postpone Inter's match with Juventus in Turin. Zhang lashed at Serie A boss for putting football before Public health.</p>


Serie A fixture between Parma and Spal was delayed due to confusion after the Italian sports minister called for a suspension of all Serie A game due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak.

Serie A fixture between Parma and Spal was delayed due to confusion after the Italian sports minister called for a suspension of all Serie A game due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak. Also read: Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus Sports Minister Vincenzo Spada posted a statement on Facebook which read: "It does not make sense for matches in Italy 's top-flight league to continue while the country struggles to contain the virus." Also read: Six Nations League: England could cancel trip to Rome due to coronavirus fears The post sparked a controversy in the game as the play got delayed due to confusion. The players of each side (they were in the tunnel ready to walk out on the pitch) were asked to back to return to their respective dressing room. Kick-off remains delayed under the referee's orders. #ParmaSpal — Parma Calcio 1913 (@ParmaCalcio_en) March 8, 2020 × The match in an empty Ennio Tardini Stadium finally began 75 minutes later. Italy has been under lockdown after being the worst-hit nation in terms of coronavirus outbreak outside China. Italy's death toll from the novel coronavirus increased by 133 to 366 Sunday while the number of infections rose by a single-day record of 1,492 to hit 7,375. Italy has recorded the most deaths of any country outside China and the second-most COVID-19 infections in the world. This has led to massive lockdown across Italy, all the sporting events are being held under closed doors. The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree placing northern Italy (worst-hit part in Italy) to control the spread. Earlier, Inter Milan chairman Steven Zhang lashed out at Serie A chief Paolo Dal Pino. Zhang was angered after Dal Pino refused to postpone Inter's match with Juventus in Turin. Zhang lashed at Serie A boss for putting football before Public health.

Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league

<p>Juventus are back to their winning ways and top the Serie A table after beating Inter Milan 2-0 Derby D'Italia fixture in an empty Allianz Stadium.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/inter-milan-chairman-zhang-lashes-out-on-serie-a-chairman-over-coronavirus-284172">Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus</a></p>

<p>Aaron Ramsey and substitute Paulo Dybala's goals secured the top berth for the Biancori side.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serie-a-fixture-delayed-due-to-confusion-over-italian-sports-ministers-post-calling-for-suspension-of-league-285134">Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league</a></p>

<p>Italy will witness empty stadiums during their top-flight games until April 3. The lockdown has taken place as a preventive measure to stop the on-going novel coronavirus outbreak.</p>

<p>Though Cristiano Ronaldo failed to net the ball for the first time in 12 league match, he was also a highlight of the match as he has reached an impressive milestone, the Portuguese football legend has got 1,000 career appearances al senior level for club and country.</p>

<p>This milestone was achieved in an empty stadium match against Inter Milan.</p>

<p>Serie A is forced to play the match behind closed doors as Italy has gone under lockdown due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak.</p>

<p>Ronaldo has featured in 1,000 games out of which 164 were for Portugal and 836 were for clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and his current club Juventus.</p>

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<p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B9fQ0oXgpwe/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">So proud to reach 1000 official games in my career with a very important victory that put us on the top of the table again!💪🏽 Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, my family &amp; friends and to my fans that helped me to reach this great achievement.</a></p>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cristiano/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Cristiano Ronaldo</a> (@cristiano) on <time datetime="2020-03-08T21:54:44+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Mar 8, 2020 at 2:54pm PDT</time></p>
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<p>Cristiano Ronaldo has five Ballon d'Ors, 725 career-goals, six league titles, five Champions Trophy, and Portugal's first-ever Euro Cup.</p>

<p>Italy's top league Serie A is under the radar the moment, especially after their sports minister took to Facebook to cancel the league.</p>

<p>The country has been under lockdown after being the worst-hit nation in terms of coronavirus outbreak outside China.</p>

<p>Italy's death toll from the novel coronavirus increased by 133 to 366 Sunday while the number of infections rose by a single-day record of 1,492 to hit 7,375.</p>

<p>The European nation has recorded the most deaths of any country outside China and the second-most COVID-19 infections in the world.</p>


Juventus are back to their winning ways and top the Serie A table after beating Inter Milan 2-0 Derby D'Italia fixture in an empty Allianz Stadium. Also read: Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus Aaron Ramsey and substitute Paulo Dybala's goals secured the top berth for the Biancori side.

Juventus are back to their winning ways and top the Serie A table after beating Inter Milan 2-0 Derby D'Italia fixture in an empty Allianz Stadium. Also read: Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus Aaron Ramsey and substitute Paulo Dybala's goals secured the top berth for the Biancori side. Also read: Serie A: Fixture delayed due to confusion over Italian Sports Minister's post calling for suspension of league Italy will witness empty stadiums during their top-flight games until April 3. The lockdown has taken place as a preventive measure to stop the on-going novel coronavirus outbreak. Though Cristiano Ronaldo failed to net the ball for the first time in 12 league match, he was also a highlight of the match as he has reached an impressive milestone, the Portuguese football legend has got 1,000 career appearances al senior level for club and country. This milestone was achieved in an empty stadium match against Inter Milan. Serie A is forced to play the match behind closed doors as Italy has gone under lockdown due to the on-going coronavirus outbreak. Ronaldo has featured in 1,000 games out of which 164 were for Portugal and 836 were for clubs such as Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid and his current club Juventus. View this post on Instagram So proud to reach 1000 official games in my career with a very important victory that put us on the top of the table again!💪🏽 Thank you to all my teammates, coaches, my family & friends and to my fans that helped me to reach this great achievement. A post shared by Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) on Mar 8, 2020 at 2:54pm PDT × Cristiano Ronaldo has five Ballon d'Ors, 725 career-goals, six league titles, five Champions Trophy, and Portugal's first-ever Euro Cup. Italy's top league Serie A is under the radar the moment, especially after their sports minister took to Facebook to cancel the league. The country has been under lockdown after being the worst-hit nation in terms of coronavirus outbreak outside China. Italy's death toll from the novel coronavirus increased by 133 to 366 Sunday while the number of infections rose by a single-day record of 1,492 to hit 7,375. The European nation has recorded the most deaths of any country outside China and the second-most COVID-19 infections in the world.

Serie A: Juventus back on top after beating Inter, Ronaldo features in 1,000 games

<p>Italy is the worst-hit European country in terms of coronavirus outbreak. The death toll from coronavirus in Italy crossed 100 as the government announced the closure of all schools and universities until March 15 to help combat the spread of the virus.</p>

<p><strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-in-italy-crosses-100-at-least-3000-infected-284343" hreflang="en">Coronavirus death toll in Italy crosses 100, at least 3,000 infected</a></p>

<p>The government said the number of deaths had surged to 107 in the last 24 hours with at least 3,000 infected. Twenty-eight people died in the country today.</p>

<p><strong>Also see: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sporting-events-that-fell-victim-to-coronavirus-280070"><span>Sporting events that fell victim to coronavirus!</span></a></p>

<p>As a result, sporting events in Italy are either being rescheduled or are being played in the empty stadiums.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="http://13.235.153.162/videos/covid-19-confirmed-coronavirus-cases-in-italy-jump-50-in-24-hours-283813/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>The Italian government has announced that all sports fixtures, including England's men's and women's Six Nations matches and all Serie A games, will be played behind closed doors until 3 April to contain coronavirus.</p>

<p>The government released a statement that read: "There will be no sporting events with the presence of the public to prevent further contagion opportunities. Sports events and competitions of all kinds and disciplines, held in every place, both public and private, are suspended; however it is permitted to carry out the aforementioned events and competitions behind closed doors, or outdoors without the presence of the public.</p>

<p>"In all such cases, the associations and sports clubs, using their medical staff, are required to carry out the appropriate checks to contain the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus among athletes, technicians, managers and all accompanying persons who participate."</p>

<p>Serie A fixtures including Juventus and Inter Milan are postponed instead for playing matches in empty stadiums.</p>

<p>UEFA is going ahead with its second-leg Round of 16 ties in especially the March 17 fixture of Turin between Juventus and Lyon.</p>


Italy is the worst-hit European country in terms of coronavirus outbreak. The death toll from coronavirus in Italy crossed 100 as the government announced the closure of all schools and universities until March 15 to help combat the spread of the virus.

Italy is the worst-hit European country in terms of coronavirus outbreak. The death toll from coronavirus in Italy crossed 100 as the government announced the closure of all schools and universities until March 15 to help combat the spread of the virus. Also read: Coronavirus death toll in Italy crosses 100, at least 3,000 infected The government said the number of deaths had surged to 107 in the last 24 hours with at least 3,000 infected. Twenty-eight people died in the country today. Also see: Sporting events that fell victim to coronavirus! As a result, sporting events in Italy are either being rescheduled or are being played in the empty stadiums. The Italian government has announced that all sports fixtures, including England's men's and women's Six Nations matches and all Serie A games, will be played behind closed doors until 3 April to contain coronavirus. The government released a statement that read: "There will be no sporting events with the presence of the public to prevent further contagion opportunities. Sports events and competitions of all kinds and disciplines, held in every place, both public and private, are suspended; however it is permitted to carry out the aforementioned events and competitions behind closed doors, or outdoors without the presence of the public. "In all such cases, the associations and sports clubs, using their medical staff, are required to carry out the appropriate checks to contain the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus among athletes, technicians, managers and all accompanying persons who participate." Serie A fixtures including Juventus and Inter Milan are postponed instead for playing matches in empty stadiums. UEFA is going ahead with its second-leg Round of 16 ties in especially the March 17 fixture of Turin between Juventus and Lyon.

All Italian sporting events included Six Nations affected due to coronavirus

<p>A new batch of celebrities who will be getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame soon. The announcement was made earlier this week. This year, Carrie Fisher, a legend who is known best for playing Princess Leia in Star Wars, will receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame<br />
<br />
To celebrate the special honour, Mark Hamill paid homage to his space sis. Mark took to his social media and shared a touching throwback photo of the pair from different occasions, movie stills and more. The veteran actor, 69, also shared an image of Carrie's new star.<br />
<br />
“I congratulate &amp; salute all 38 new #HollywoodWalkOfFame honorees-Welcome to the neighborhood!” Mark captioned several photos with his Star Wars co-star. Hamill first met Fisher while filming 1977’s original Star Wars.<br />
<br />
''Much love &amp; a very special 1-finger salute to the incomparable, hilarious &amp; irreverent force of nature that was my space sis Carrie Fisher,” he continued. “Her star will blaze from here to eternity.”</p>

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<p>The most famous twins of the sci-fi movie franchise, Mark and Carrie starred in a 1997 movie as Luke and Leia, respectively. Over the years, Fisher's on-screen brother Hamill has raised his voice rooting for the&nbsp;actress to have her name on Hollywood's most famous walk.&nbsp;<br />
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“Carrie WILL get her well-deserved Star on the Walk of Fame, it’s only a matter of when. The rule is a 5-year wait when awarded posthumously. A letter to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t hurt, urging them to time it to the release of #EpIX #AlwaysWithUs,” Hamill tweeted in 2018, the same year, Hamill received his star.&nbsp;<br />
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Tragically, Fisher passed away in December 2016 after suffering a heart attack while on a flight to Los Angeles from production on Star Wars in London.<br />
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The late actress is among the 38 honorees who will have their names in the popular Los Angeles landmark, including Francis Ford Coppola, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, James Hong, Helen Hunt, Michael B. Jordan, Regina King, Ewan McGregor and more.&nbsp;</p>


A new batch of celebrities who will be getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame soon. The announcement was made earlier this week. This year, Carrie Fisher, a legend who is known best for playing Princess Leia in Star Wars, will receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame To celebrate the special honour, Mark Hamill paid homage to his space sis.

A new batch of celebrities who will be getting their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame soon. The announcement was made earlier this week. This year, Carrie Fisher, a legend who is known best for playing Princess Leia in Star Wars, will receive a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame To celebrate the special honour, Mark Hamill paid homage to his space sis. Mark took to his social media and shared a touching throwback photo of the pair from different occasions, movie stills and more. The veteran actor, 69, also shared an image of Carrie's new star. “I congratulate & salute all 38 new #HollywoodWalkOfFame honorees-Welcome to the neighborhood!” Mark captioned several photos with his Star Wars co-star. Hamill first met Fisher while filming 1977’s original Star Wars. ''Much love & a very special 1-finger salute to the incomparable, hilarious & irreverent force of nature that was my space sis Carrie Fisher,” he continued. “Her star will blaze from here to eternity.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mark Hamill (@hamillhimself) × The most famous twins of the sci-fi movie franchise, Mark and Carrie starred in a 1997 movie as Luke and Leia, respectively. Over the years, Fisher's on-screen brother Hamill has raised his voice rooting for the actress to have her name on Hollywood's most famous walk. “Carrie WILL get her well-deserved Star on the Walk of Fame, it’s only a matter of when. The rule is a 5-year wait when awarded posthumously. A letter to the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce wouldn’t hurt, urging them to time it to the release of #EpIX #AlwaysWithUs,” Hamill tweeted in 2018, the same year, Hamill received his star. Tragically, Fisher passed away in December 2016 after suffering a heart attack while on a flight to Los Angeles from production on Star Wars in London. The late actress is among the 38 honorees who will have their names in the popular Los Angeles landmark, including Francis Ford Coppola, Willem Dafoe, Salma Hayek, James Hong, Helen Hunt, Michael B. Jordan, Regina King, Ewan McGregor and more.

Inter Milan chairman Zhang lashes out on Serie A chairman over coronavirus

<p>Cristiano&nbsp;Ronaldo&nbsp;celebrated his 1,000th professional match by scoring for a record-equalling eleventh consecutive Serie A appearance to set leaders Juventus on the way to a 2-1 win at SPAL in a top-versus-bottom match on Saturday.</p>

<p>After being rested against Brescia last week, the 35-year-old celebrated his return by scoring from Juan Cuadrado's cross in the 39th minute before Aaron Ramsey added a second on the hour.</p>

<p>Andrea Petagna pulled one back from a penalty in the 69th minute amid problems with the VAR system. Neither the referee's ear piece nor the pitchside monitor appeared to be working, forcing him to use a walkie-talkie to talk to the video officials.</p>

<p>The win ensured that Juventus, chasing a ninth successive title, stayed top for another week as they went four points clear of Lazio who visit Genoa on Sunday. SPAL's fifth consecutive defeat left them bottom with 15 points.</p>

<p>Ronaldo's goal, which took his league tally for the season to 21, meant that he joined Fabio Quagliarella and Gabriel Batistuta as the only players to have scored in 11 consecutive league appearances. Quagliarella did so for Sampdoria last season and Batistuta for Fiorentina in 94-95.</p>

<p>He also reached yet another milestone with his 1,000th match for club and country in a remarkable career which has seen him play for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal.</p>

<p>However, his unhappy record of never having scored from a free kick for Juventus remained after he saw a late effort bounce off the crossbar.</p>

<p>"I feel the team is definitely improving, but we just don't seem to kill matches off," said Sarri. "We are creating chances consistently and we have hit the woodwork seven times in our last three games.</p>

<p>"Sometimes, we defend actively, putting good pressure on our opponents, but then we become passive and we just wait on the edge of our penalty. It's something we have been working on since the start of the season."</p>

<p>Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini made his first start since August following a knee injury although Miralem Pjanic was among several players missing.</p>

<p>Ronaldo&nbsp;had an early goal disallowed for offside and Dybala struck the inside of the post before Juventus went ahead. Ramsey sent Cuadrado down the right, he fired over a low cross which was swept in by&nbsp;Ronaldo.</p>

<p>Ramsey dinked the ball over goalkeeper Etrit Berisha for the second after he was released by a typical piece of Dybala skill.</p>

<p>There was confusion in the 69th minute as Simone Missiroli went down under a challenge from Daniele Rugani.</p>

<p>The referee, who initially waved played on, eventually changed his mind but the communication problems meant it took nearly four minutes to reach the verdict.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 1,000th professional match by scoring for a record-equalling eleventh consecutive Serie A appearance to set leaders Juventus on the way to a 2-1 win at SPAL in a top-versus-bottom match on Saturday.

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his 1,000th professional match by scoring for a record-equalling eleventh consecutive Serie A appearance to set leaders Juventus on the way to a 2-1 win at SPAL in a top-versus-bottom match on Saturday. After being rested against Brescia last week, the 35-year-old celebrated his return by scoring from Juan Cuadrado's cross in the 39th minute before Aaron Ramsey added a second on the hour. Andrea Petagna pulled one back from a penalty in the 69th minute amid problems with the VAR system. Neither the referee's ear piece nor the pitchside monitor appeared to be working, forcing him to use a walkie-talkie to talk to the video officials. The win ensured that Juventus, chasing a ninth successive title, stayed top for another week as they went four points clear of Lazio who visit Genoa on Sunday. SPAL's fifth consecutive defeat left them bottom with 15 points. Ronaldo's goal, which took his league tally for the season to 21, meant that he joined Fabio Quagliarella and Gabriel Batistuta as the only players to have scored in 11 consecutive league appearances. Quagliarella did so for Sampdoria last season and Batistuta for Fiorentina in 94-95. He also reached yet another milestone with his 1,000th match for club and country in a remarkable career which has seen him play for Sporting, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Portugal. However, his unhappy record of never having scored from a free kick for Juventus remained after he saw a late effort bounce off the crossbar. "I feel the team is definitely improving, but we just don't seem to kill matches off," said Sarri. "We are creating chances consistently and we have hit the woodwork seven times in our last three games. "Sometimes, we defend actively, putting good pressure on our opponents, but then we become passive and we just wait on the edge of our penalty. It's something we have been working on since the start of the season." Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini made his first start since August following a knee injury although Miralem Pjanic was among several players missing. Ronaldo had an early goal disallowed for offside and Dybala struck the inside of the post before Juventus went ahead. Ramsey sent Cuadrado down the right, he fired over a low cross which was swept in by Ronaldo. Ramsey dinked the ball over goalkeeper Etrit Berisha for the second after he was released by a typical piece of Dybala skill. There was confusion in the 69th minute as Simone Missiroli went down under a challenge from Daniele Rugani. The referee, who initially waved played on, eventually changed his mind but the communication problems meant it took nearly four minutes to reach the verdict.

Ronaldo scores for record-equalling Serie A appearance in Juventus win

<p>Lazio&nbsp;coach Simone Inzaghi gave warning his side are ready to fight for their first Serie A title since 2000 after moving into second in Serie A on Sunday, just one point off leaders Juventus after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over&nbsp;Inter&nbsp;Milan.</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/serie-a-juventus-seek-brescia-boost-as-rivals-inter-lazio-go-head-to-head-280678">Serie A: Juventus seek Brescia boost as rivals Inter, Lazio go head-to-head</a></p>

<p>Juventus reclaimed pole position thanks to Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado's goals as the Turin giants rediscovered their winning form 2-0 at home against Brescia.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Great goals, three points &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/chiellini?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@chiellini</a> back!<br />
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The recipe for a 🔝 Juve Sunday ⚪️⚫️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JuveBrescia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JuveBrescia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinoAllaFine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinoAllaFine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaJuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaJuve</a> <a href="https://t.co/5jCVUqNNrb">pic.twitter.com/5jCVUqNNrb</a></p>
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<p>Inter&nbsp;Milan&nbsp;dropped from the top spot to third -- three points behind the eight-time reigning champions -- after falling to just their second defeat of the season.</p>

<p>"We need to stay humble and focused but I'm sure we will succeed. We have nothing to lose," said Inzaghi.</p>

<p>"We know that Juventus and&nbsp;Inter&nbsp;are two great teams and we will do everything to fight to the end, knowing that it will be very difficult."</p>

<p>In a fiery clash in the Stadio Olimpico defender, Ashley Young broke through just before the break with his first Serie A goal for&nbsp;Inter&nbsp;Milan&nbsp;after his move from Manchester United.</p>

<p>The 34-year-old got his foot to tap-in off a rebound after Thomas Straskosha had cleared from former&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;player Antonio Candreva.</p>

<p>A Stefan de Vrij foul on Ciro Immobile allowed the Serie A top scorer to slot in his 26th goal in 24 games this season, five minutes after the break.</p>

<p>Sergej Milinkovic-Savic snatched the winner after 69 minutes amid confusion in front of goal.</p>

<p>"We gifted&nbsp;Lazio&nbsp;two goals," said&nbsp;Inter&nbsp;coach Antonio Conte as the northerners fell to their second defeat after Juventus in October.</p>

<p>Lazio&nbsp;extended their unbeaten run to 19 games as they target their second Scudetto, with a return to Champions League football on the cards for next season.</p>

<p>In Turin, Argentine forward Dybala curled in a perfect free-kick six minutes before the break, shortly after Brescia's Florian Aye was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession.</p>

<p>Colombian Cuadrado tapped in the second from close range after a Blaise Matuidi cross with 15 minutes to go, to get back winning after two away defeats.</p>

<p>"We did what we had to do," said Juve coach Maurizio Sarri.</p>

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo was rested, but veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini returned after a long injury layoff.</p>

<p>"Cristiano had to rest, he cannot play 75 games a year between the national team and club, we decided to let him recuperate," said Sarri.</p>

<p>Sarri said 35-year-old skipper Chiellini had been desperate to get onto the pitch, after nearly six months off with a cruciate knee injury.</p>

<p>"He said it yesterday, he has made six months of sacrifices and wanted to play the last quarter of an hour, and I found myself next to him when he had already taken off his tracksuit."</p>

<p>The champions did not have it all their own way against Brescia, who stay second-from-bottom, seven points from safety after extending their winless run to nine games.</p>

<p>Enrico Alfonso went off after just 10 minutes following a knock to the head, with substitute Brescia keeper Lorenzo Andrenacci pulling off some fine saves.</p>

<p>In Sardinia, Napoli got back to winning ways with a Dries Mertens' 65th-minute goal sealing a 1-0 success over Cagliari.</p>

<p>The Belgian completed a give-and-go with Elseid Hysaj with the ball curling in with a deflection off the post.</p>

<p>It was the 32-year-old's 120th goal for Napoli, one short of Marek Hamsik's all-time record, and five ahead of club legend Diego Maradona.</p>

<p>"Dry is a phenomenon, a champion who makes difficult things seem simple," said coach Gennaro Gattuso.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Gattuso's side overtakes Cagliari, moving up to eighth, two points off the Europa League berths, as Cagliari drop to 11th place.</p>

<p>Hellas Verona missed the chance to close in on fifth-placed Roma, who fell 2-1 at Atalanta on Saturday, with a goalless draw at Udinese.</p>

<p>In the Champions League race, Atalanta is fourth, six points ahead of Roma.</p>

<p>Verona, in the sixth, occupies the final Europa League spot ahead of Parma on goal difference but stay four points behind Roma.</p>


Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi gave warning his side are ready to fight for their first Serie A title since 2000 after moving into second in Serie A on Sunday, just one point off leaders Juventus after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Inter Milan.

Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi gave warning his side are ready to fight for their first Serie A title since 2000 after moving into second in Serie A on Sunday, just one point off leaders Juventus after a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Inter Milan. Also read- Serie A: Juventus seek Brescia boost as rivals Inter, Lazio go head-to-head Juventus reclaimed pole position thanks to Paulo Dybala and Juan Cuadrado's goals as the Turin giants rediscovered their winning form 2-0 at home against Brescia. Great goals, three points & @chiellini back! The recipe for a 🔝 Juve Sunday ⚪️⚫️#JuveBrescia #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/5jCVUqNNrb — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 16, 2020 × Inter Milan dropped from the top spot to third -- three points behind the eight-time reigning champions -- after falling to just their second defeat of the season. "We need to stay humble and focused but I'm sure we will succeed. We have nothing to lose," said Inzaghi. "We know that Juventus and Inter are two great teams and we will do everything to fight to the end, knowing that it will be very difficult." In a fiery clash in the Stadio Olimpico defender, Ashley Young broke through just before the break with his first Serie A goal for Inter Milan after his move from Manchester United. The 34-year-old got his foot to tap-in off a rebound after Thomas Straskosha had cleared from former Lazio player Antonio Candreva. A Stefan de Vrij foul on Ciro Immobile allowed the Serie A top scorer to slot in his 26th goal in 24 games this season, five minutes after the break. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic snatched the winner after 69 minutes amid confusion in front of goal. "We gifted Lazio two goals," said Inter coach Antonio Conte as the northerners fell to their second defeat after Juventus in October. Lazio extended their unbeaten run to 19 games as they target their second Scudetto, with a return to Champions League football on the cards for next season. In Turin, Argentine forward Dybala curled in a perfect free-kick six minutes before the break, shortly after Brescia's Florian Aye was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession. Colombian Cuadrado tapped in the second from close range after a Blaise Matuidi cross with 15 minutes to go, to get back winning after two away defeats. "We did what we had to do," said Juve coach Maurizio Sarri. Cristiano Ronaldo was rested, but veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini returned after a long injury layoff. "Cristiano had to rest, he cannot play 75 games a year between the national team and club, we decided to let him recuperate," said Sarri. Sarri said 35-year-old skipper Chiellini had been desperate to get onto the pitch, after nearly six months off with a cruciate knee injury. "He said it yesterday, he has made six months of sacrifices and wanted to play the last quarter of an hour, and I found myself next to him when he had already taken off his tracksuit." The champions did not have it all their own way against Brescia, who stay second-from-bottom, seven points from safety after extending their winless run to nine games. Enrico Alfonso went off after just 10 minutes following a knock to the head, with substitute Brescia keeper Lorenzo Andrenacci pulling off some fine saves. In Sardinia, Napoli got back to winning ways with a Dries Mertens' 65th-minute goal sealing a 1-0 success over Cagliari. The Belgian completed a give-and-go with Elseid Hysaj with the ball curling in with a deflection off the post. It was the 32-year-old's 120th goal for Napoli, one short of Marek Hamsik's all-time record, and five ahead of club legend Diego Maradona. "Dry is a phenomenon, a champion who makes difficult things seem simple," said coach Gennaro Gattuso. Gattuso's side overtakes Cagliari, moving up to eighth, two points off the Europa League berths, as Cagliari drop to 11th place. Hellas Verona missed the chance to close in on fifth-placed Roma, who fell 2-1 at Atalanta on Saturday, with a goalless draw at Udinese. In the Champions League race, Atalanta is fourth, six points ahead of Roma. Verona, in the sixth, occupies the final Europa League spot ahead of Parma on goal difference but stay four points behind Roma.

'Nothing to lose' Lazio topple Inter to go second behind Juventus

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../messi-could-play-with-ronaldos-juventus-from- next-season-ariedo-braida-280260">Juventus</a> return to their home comforts of Turin after a poor away run, hosting struggling Brescia on Sunday with top spot in Serie A at stake as title rivals Inter Milan and Lazio go head-to-head in the Stadio Olimpico.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../napoli-beat-inter-milan-to-close-in-on-italian- cup-final-280404">Napoli beat Inter Milan to close in on Italian Cup final</a></p>

<p>Inter moved top last weekend ahead of Juventus on goal difference after the eight-time reigning champions' shock 2-1 defeat at Hellas Verona.</p>

<p>Maurizio Sarri's side will be counting on a win over Mario Balotelli's lowly Brescia, who are second-last in the table.</p>

<p>Sarri's side has been rattled by two successive away defeats, with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-juventus-record-scores -for-10th-consecutive-time-279751">Cristiano Ronaldo</a>'s late penalty snatching a 1-1 draw in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday.</p>

<p>"We have to change gears. We need more from everyone," said defender Leonardo Bonucci with a Champions League last 16 trips to Lyon looming later this month.</p>

<p>"There is absolute unity with the coach," insisted Juventus chief football officer Fabio Paratici.</p>

<p>"We have precise ideas along with Sarri which go beyond a game done a little less well or a game did better.</p>

<p>"In ten years Juventus have always managed to change cycles and continue to be successful and competitive. The same thing this year, we are in line with expectations."</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="und">🔥🎯<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MilanJuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MilanJuve</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CoppaItalia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CoppaItalia</a> <a href="https://t.co/NtItGko9AV">pic.twitter.com/NtItGko9AV</a></p>
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<p>Juventus have never lost at home in the league against Brescia, with the promoted side winning just four games this season and none since mid-December.</p>

<p>In a three-team title race, Lazio are just one point behind the leading duo, and on an 18-game unbeaten run going back to a defeat to Inter back in September.</p>

<p>Antonio Conte's Inter showed signs of fatigue as they fell 1-0 at home to Napoli in the Italian Cup after a stunning derby comeback win.</p>

<p>But Inter has lost only one of their last seven games against Lazio while Romelu Lukaku has scored 12 away goals this season for Inter.</p>

<p>Lazio boosts Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile who has scored 15 goals at home, for a total of 25 this season.</p>

<p>Behind the leading trio Champions League hopefuls Atalanta and Roma also face a direct clash in Bergamo.</p>

<p>Atalanta are fourth, 11 points behind Lazio, with Roma a further three points adrift in fifth.</p>

<p>The side from the capital has lost their last two games.</p>

<p>Napoli, in 11th, look to get back to winning ways at Cagliari, who shocked the southerners in the reverse fixture in Naples.</p>

<p>The Sardinians are eighth, just two points off the Europa League places despite being on a nine-match winless run.</p>

<p>Hellas Verona, in the sixth, travels to Udinese after their success against Juventus, as Torino, on a run of four consecutive defeats, travel to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's AC Milan.</p>

<p><strong>One to watch:</strong></p>

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo can push his scoring streak to a record-equalling 11 consecutive league games to match the mark currently held by Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 24 goals in all competitions this season for Juventus, including 15 in the last ten league games.</p>

<p><strong>Key statistics</strong></p>

<p>38 - Points between Juventus and Brescia</p>

<p>18 - Lazio's unbeaten run in Serie A</p>

<p>4 - Torino's losing streak</p>

<p>1 - Inter's points lead on third-placed Lazio</p>


Juventus return to their home comforts of Turin after a poor away run, hosting struggling Brescia on Sunday with top spot in Serie A at stake as title rivals Inter Milan and Lazio go head-to-head in the Stadio Olimpico.

Juventus return to their home comforts of Turin after a poor away run, hosting struggling Brescia on Sunday with top spot in Serie A at stake as title rivals Inter Milan and Lazio go head-to-head in the Stadio Olimpico. Also read: Napoli beat Inter Milan to close in on Italian Cup final Inter moved top last weekend ahead of Juventus on goal difference after the eight-time reigning champions' shock 2-1 defeat at Hellas Verona. Maurizio Sarri's side will be counting on a win over Mario Balotelli's lowly Brescia, who are second-last in the table. Sarri's side has been rattled by two successive away defeats, with Cristiano Ronaldo's late penalty snatching a 1-1 draw in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg against AC Milan at the San Siro on Thursday. "We have to change gears. We need more from everyone," said defender Leonardo Bonucci with a Champions League last 16 trips to Lyon looming later this month. "There is absolute unity with the coach," insisted Juventus chief football officer Fabio Paratici. "We have precise ideas along with Sarri which go beyond a game done a little less well or a game did better. "In ten years Juventus have always managed to change cycles and continue to be successful and competitive. The same thing this year, we are in line with expectations." 🔥🎯#MilanJuve #CoppaItalia pic.twitter.com/NtItGko9AV — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 13, 2020 × Juventus have never lost at home in the league against Brescia, with the promoted side winning just four games this season and none since mid-December. In a three-team title race, Lazio are just one point behind the leading duo, and on an 18-game unbeaten run going back to a defeat to Inter back in September. Antonio Conte's Inter showed signs of fatigue as they fell 1-0 at home to Napoli in the Italian Cup after a stunning derby comeback win. But Inter has lost only one of their last seven games against Lazio while Romelu Lukaku has scored 12 away goals this season for Inter. Lazio boosts Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile who has scored 15 goals at home, for a total of 25 this season. Behind the leading trio Champions League hopefuls Atalanta and Roma also face a direct clash in Bergamo. Atalanta are fourth, 11 points behind Lazio, with Roma a further three points adrift in fifth. The side from the capital has lost their last two games. Napoli, in 11th, look to get back to winning ways at Cagliari, who shocked the southerners in the reverse fixture in Naples. The Sardinians are eighth, just two points off the Europa League places despite being on a nine-match winless run. Hellas Verona, in the sixth, travels to Udinese after their success against Juventus, as Torino, on a run of four consecutive defeats, travel to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's AC Milan. One to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo can push his scoring streak to a record-equalling 11 consecutive league games to match the mark currently held by Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 24 goals in all competitions this season for Juventus, including 15 in the last ten league games. Key statistics 38 - Points between Juventus and Brescia 18 - Lazio's unbeaten run in Serie A 4 - Torino's losing streak 1 - Inter's points lead on third-placed Lazio

Serie A: Juventus seek Brescia boost as rivals Inter, Lazio go head-to-head

<p>Fabian Ruiz scored the only goal as Napoli shocked Inter Milan 1-0 in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg tie in the San Siro on Wednesday.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ronaldo-ibrahimovic-set-for-italian-cup-clash-279912">Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic set for Italian Cup clash</a></p>

<p>The Spanish midfielder broke through after 57 minutes to get Gennaro Gattuso's side back to winning ways after their 3-2 league defeat at home to lowly Lecce last weekend.</p>

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<p>Ruiz picked up a Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross, beating three Inter defenders to curl in past a helpless Daniele Padelli.</p>

<p>"This is the real Napoli. Big compliments to my lads," said Gattuso, whose side are 11th in the Serie A table.</p>

<p>But he warned: "There's no reason to smile, we still haven't achieved anything yet."&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">⏱ 73 | Napoli make a change<br />
↩️ <a href="https://twitter.com/dries_mertens14?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dries_mertens14</a><br />
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⚽ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InterNapoli?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InterNapoli</a> 0-1<br />
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— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) <a href="https://twitter.com/en_sscnapoli/status/1227704640122343424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 12, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Antonio Conte's side looked sluggish days after their thrilling 4-2 derby win over AC Milan which put them top of the Serie A table.</p>

<p>Both sides had their chances in the first half with Lautaro Martínez nodding wide with Padelli denying Piotr Zielinski just before the break-in front of a crowd of nearly 60,000 in northern Italy.</p>

<p>Conte sent on Cristian Eriksen after 65 minutes and the Dane threatened but David Ospina held firm in the Napoli goal.</p>

<p>Napoli, who last won the trophy in 2014, now take a slim advantage into the second leg at their Stadio San Paolo on March 5.</p>

<p>"The derby certainly took away a lot of energy," said Conte. "But we're talking about Napoli, who beat Lazio, Juventus, Liverpool.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's a team of the substance despite its position in the standings."</p>

<p>Record 18-time winners Juventus take on AC Milan in the other semi-final on Thursday, again in the San Siro.</p>

<p>The match will be the first clash in Italy between Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo and Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic.</p>

<p>The final will take place in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 13.</p>


Fabian Ruiz scored the only goal as Napoli shocked Inter Milan 1-0 in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg tie in the San Siro on Wednesday. Also read: Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic set for Italian Cup clash The Spanish midfielder broke through after 57 minutes to get Gennaro Gattuso's side back to winning ways after their 3-2 league defeat at home to lowly Lecce last weekend.

Fabian Ruiz scored the only goal as Napoli shocked Inter Milan 1-0 in their Italian Cup semi-final, first leg tie in the San Siro on Wednesday. Also read: Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic set for Italian Cup clash The Spanish midfielder broke through after 57 minutes to get Gennaro Gattuso's side back to winning ways after their 3-2 league defeat at home to lowly Lecce last weekend. 🎙 @D_Ospina1: "A crucial win but the tie remains in the balance" 👉🏻 https://t.co/AkXw6C9HQf 💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/1ZtZKGUDpi — Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 12, 2020 × Ruiz picked up a Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross, beating three Inter defenders to curl in past a helpless Daniele Padelli. "This is the real Napoli. Big compliments to my lads," said Gattuso, whose side are 11th in the Serie A table. But he warned: "There's no reason to smile, we still haven't achieved anything yet." ⏱ 73 | Napoli make a change ↩️ @dries_mertens14 ↪️ @arekmilik9 ⚽ #InterNapoli 0-1 💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/X0LfDXHfQ3 — Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 12, 2020 × Antonio Conte's side looked sluggish days after their thrilling 4-2 derby win over AC Milan which put them top of the Serie A table. Both sides had their chances in the first half with Lautaro Martínez nodding wide with Padelli denying Piotr Zielinski just before the break-in front of a crowd of nearly 60,000 in northern Italy. Conte sent on Cristian Eriksen after 65 minutes and the Dane threatened but David Ospina held firm in the Napoli goal. Napoli, who last won the trophy in 2014, now take a slim advantage into the second leg at their Stadio San Paolo on March 5. "The derby certainly took away a lot of energy," said Conte. "But we're talking about Napoli, who beat Lazio, Juventus, Liverpool. "It's a team of the substance despite its position in the standings." Record 18-time winners Juventus take on AC Milan in the other semi-final on Thursday, again in the San Siro. The match will be the first clash in Italy between Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo and Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The final will take place in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on May 13.

Napoli beat Inter Milan to close in on Italian Cup final

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../series-a-ibrahimovic-winner-lifts-ac-milan- gloom-with-victory-at-cagliari-273727">Zlatan&nbsp;Ibrahimovic</a>&nbsp;are set to go head-to-head in Thursday's Italian Cup semi-final, first leg between Juventus and AC Milan at the San Siro.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-juventus-record-scores-for-10th-consecutive-time-279751" hreflang="en">Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Juventus record, scores for 10th consecutive time</a></p>

<p>Both Ronaldo and&nbsp;Ibrahimovic&nbsp;scored at the weekend in defeats as Juventus fell 2-1 at Hellas Verona, while AC Milan threw away a two-goal lead in a 4-2 defeat by city rivals Inter.</p>

<p>"It wasn't the result we wanted," said the 35-year-old Ronaldo despite becoming the first Juventus player to score in 10 successive league games, just one game short of the Serie A record.</p>

<p>The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season.</p>

<p>Ibrahimovic, 38, has scored three goals since <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../football-ibrahimovic-returns-to-italy-as-final- chapter-looms-270707">returning to Milan last month</a>.</p>

<p>The Swede headed in the second goal on Sunday after setting up the first, but Inter hit back with four second-half strikes.</p>

<p>"I showed that I can still make a difference, even at 38," he said.</p>

<p>But Inter striker Romelu Lukaku will be looking to upstage the two other former Manchester United players against Napoli in the other last-four first leg on Wednesday.</p>

<p>Gennaro Gattuso's Napoli, despite their current slump, ousted holders Lazio in the quarter-finals.</p>

<p>"There's a new king in town," a jubilant Lukaku wrote on Twitter after scoring the fourth goal for Inter in Sunday's derby.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We run this town."</p>

<p>The Belgian was replying to&nbsp;Ibrahimovic's pre-derby post saying that "lions don't compare themselves to humans".</p>

<p>Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has reason to be worried by his side's away form, with the defending Serie A champions having lost their last two games on the road.</p>

<p>"I hope that someone will help me, it's something we have to resolve," Sarri said after the loss to Verona.</p>

<p>"Right now we have a difference in performance between home and away."</p>

<p>Juventus are bidding to reclaim the trophy which they held for four seasons until losing to eventual runners-up Atalanta in the quarters last year.</p>

<p>Antonio Conte's Inter are the only one of the four semi-finalists to win in Serie A at the weekend, with Napoli crashing to a 3-2 defeat by lowly Lecce.</p>

<p>Inter's victory lifted them ahead of Juventus on goal difference at the top of the table, as they target their first Scudetto since 2010.</p>

<p>The second-leg ties will take place on March 4 and 5.</p>

<p><strong>Fixtures:</strong></p>

<p><strong>Semi-finals, first leg:</strong></p>

<p><strong>Wednesday</strong></p>

<p>Inter Milan v Napoli&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Thursday</strong></p>

<p>AC Milan v Juventus&nbsp;</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are set to go head-to-head in Thursday's Italian Cup semi-final, first leg between Juventus and AC Milan at the San Siro.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are set to go head-to-head in Thursday's Italian Cup semi-final, first leg between Juventus and AC Milan at the San Siro. Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Juventus record, scores for 10th consecutive time Both Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic scored at the weekend in defeats as Juventus fell 2-1 at Hellas Verona, while AC Milan threw away a two-goal lead in a 4-2 defeat by city rivals Inter. "It wasn't the result we wanted," said the 35-year-old Ronaldo despite becoming the first Juventus player to score in 10 successive league games, just one game short of the Serie A record. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has scored 23 goals in all competitions this season. Ibrahimovic, 38, has scored three goals since returning to Milan last month. The Swede headed in the second goal on Sunday after setting up the first, but Inter hit back with four second-half strikes. "I showed that I can still make a difference, even at 38," he said. But Inter striker Romelu Lukaku will be looking to upstage the two other former Manchester United players against Napoli in the other last-four first leg on Wednesday. Gennaro Gattuso's Napoli, despite their current slump, ousted holders Lazio in the quarter-finals. "There's a new king in town," a jubilant Lukaku wrote on Twitter after scoring the fourth goal for Inter in Sunday's derby. "We run this town." The Belgian was replying to Ibrahimovic's pre-derby post saying that "lions don't compare themselves to humans". Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri has reason to be worried by his side's away form, with the defending Serie A champions having lost their last two games on the road. "I hope that someone will help me, it's something we have to resolve," Sarri said after the loss to Verona. "Right now we have a difference in performance between home and away." Juventus are bidding to reclaim the trophy which they held for four seasons until losing to eventual runners-up Atalanta in the quarters last year. Antonio Conte's Inter are the only one of the four semi-finalists to win in Serie A at the weekend, with Napoli crashing to a 3-2 defeat by lowly Lecce. Inter's victory lifted them ahead of Juventus on goal difference at the top of the table, as they target their first Scudetto since 2010. The second-leg ties will take place on March 4 and 5. Fixtures: Semi-finals, first leg: Wednesday Inter Milan v Napoli Thursday AC Milan v Juventus

Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic set for Italian Cup clash

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 35 last week has proven that age is just a number. He has broken a Juventus record. The Portuguese striker has become the first player to score 10 consecutive goals for the Bianconeri side.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/Football-news-cristiano-ronaldo-breaks-another-mile-stone-scores-50-goals-of-juventus-278271">Cristiano Ronaldo achieves another milestone, scores 50 goals for Juventus</a></p>

<p>He achieved this feat during his Serie A match with Hellas Verona, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner overtook former Juventus player David Trezeguet, who scored nine consecutive goals record which was achieved in 2005.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">📊 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StatOfTheGame?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StatOfTheGame</a> | 10 in a row for <a href="https://twitter.com/Cristiano?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Cristiano</a> ⚽️<br />
<br />
➡️ <a href="https://t.co/Ji3r2ongOc">https://t.co/Ji3r2ongOc</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeronaJuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeronaJuve</a> <a href="https://t.co/4OihVM03KK">pic.twitter.com/4OihVM03KK</a></p>
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) <a href="https://twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/1226469611526336513?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Ronaldo is closing in on the all-time Serie A record of scoring in 11 consecutive games held by Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella.</p>

<p>Previously, he added another record to his name after scoring 50 goals, donning the Juventus jersey. He achieved this feat after netting twice in the match against Fiorentina.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Juventus lost the match (2-1) against Hellas Verona&nbsp;despite an early goal by Cristiano, this loss has opened a title race in the league.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="it">FT | ⏱ | Full-time in Verona. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/VeronaJuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#VeronaJuve</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinoAllaFine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinoAllaFine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaJuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaJuve</a> <a href="https://t.co/b6uTu8s1tX">pic.twitter.com/b6uTu8s1tX</a></p>
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) <a href="https://twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/1226260463513677824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Sarri was furious with the loss, he said: "We have to understand that winning is not a foregone conclusion,".&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We need to get it into our heads that we can't have lapses in concentration as happened this evening," blasted Sarri. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"We dropped points through carelessness," Sarri added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cristiano right now has 23 goals this season in all competitions out of which 20 of them are in Serie A.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Cristiano's 2020 began with a bang after he scored a hattrick and an assist against Cagliari.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Portuguese legend has been the highest goal scorer for his national team, and his previous club Real Madrid. He had scored 450 times in 438 matches for the La Liga table-toppers.&nbsp;</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 35 last week has proven that age is just a number. He has broken a Juventus record. The Portuguese striker has become the first player to score 10 consecutive goals for the Bianconeri side.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 35 last week has proven that age is just a number. He has broken a Juventus record. The Portuguese striker has become the first player to score 10 consecutive goals for the Bianconeri side. Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo achieves another milestone, scores 50 goals for Juventus He achieved this feat during his Serie A match with Hellas Verona, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner overtook former Juventus player David Trezeguet, who scored nine consecutive goals record which was achieved in 2005. 📊 #StatOfTheGame | 10 in a row for @Cristiano ⚽️ ➡️ https://t.co/Ji3r2ongOc #VeronaJuve pic.twitter.com/4OihVM03KK — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 9, 2020 × Ronaldo is closing in on the all-time Serie A record of scoring in 11 consecutive games held by Gabriel Batistuta and Fabio Quagliarella. Previously, he added another record to his name after scoring 50 goals, donning the Juventus jersey. He achieved this feat after netting twice in the match against Fiorentina. Juventus lost the match (2-1) against Hellas Verona despite an early goal by Cristiano, this loss has opened a title race in the league. FT | ⏱ | Full-time in Verona. #VeronaJuve #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/b6uTu8s1tX — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 8, 2020 × Sarri was furious with the loss, he said: "We have to understand that winning is not a foregone conclusion,". "We need to get it into our heads that we can't have lapses in concentration as happened this evening," blasted Sarri. "We dropped points through carelessness," Sarri added. Cristiano right now has 23 goals this season in all competitions out of which 20 of them are in Serie A. Cristiano's 2020 began with a bang after he scored a hattrick and an assist against Cagliari. The Portuguese legend has been the highest goal scorer for his national team, and his previous club Real Madrid. He had scored 450 times in 438 matches for the La Liga table-toppers.

Cristiano Ronaldo breaks Juventus record, scores for 10th consecutive time

<p>Cristiano Ronaldo stretched his scoring streak to nine consecutive league games with a penalty double as Serie A leaders Juventus bounced back from their defeat to Napoli with a 3-0 win over Fiorentina whose owner said Sunday's result left him feeling "disgusted".</p>

<p><strong>Also read:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-first-to-get-200-million-followers-on-instagram-277492">Cristiano Ronaldo first to get 200 million followers on Instagram</a></p>

<p>Lazio moved second, five points behind the reigning champions after Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo both scored a brace in a 5-1 win over rock bottom SPAL.</p>

<p><strong>Also see-&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/instagram-followers-top-10-most-followed-accounts-ronaldo-crosses-200m-mark-277512#10-neymar-235544">Instagram followers: Top 10 most-followed accounts, Ronaldo crosses 200m mark</a></p>

<p>Inter Milan, one point behind the Romans in third place, travel to Udinese later on Sunday looking to reclaim the second spot.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Good to get back to victories and happy to score again in our stadium!⚽⚽<br />
Proud to reach 50 goals with the bianconeri shirt!💪🏽<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/finoallafine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#finoallafine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/forzajuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#forzajuve</a> <a href="https://t.co/pzBrER9Uzt">pic.twitter.com/pzBrER9Uzt</a></p>
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<p>Ronaldo slotted in his goals in either half in Turin with Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt heading in a third in injury time.</p>

<p>Juventus had fallen to just their second defeat of the season last weekend at coach Maurizio Sarri's former club Napoli.</p>

<p>"Cristiano Ronaldo continues to score repeatedly and for him it's important psychologically," said Sarri of the player who turns 35 next Wednesday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">SUPER SUNDAY! 😁⚽️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JuveFiorentina?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JuveFiorentina</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FinoAllaFine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FinoAllaFine</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ForzaJuve?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ForzaJuve</a> <a href="https://t.co/mPxJehNifR">pic.twitter.com/mPxJehNifR</a></p>
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) <a href="https://twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/1224029916368441346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"Physically he's good and making a difference."</p>

<p>Fiorentina, in 14th position, have had a resurgence since Giuseppe Iachini took over on December 24, but suffered their first league defeat this year.</p>

<p>Club president Rocco Commisso was furious at the penalty decisions.</p>

<p>"I am disgusted with what I saw today," blasted the Italian-born US businessman who bought the Tuscany club last year.</p>

<p>"Juve are very strong, a team with a wage bill of 350 million doesn't need help. Referees cannot decide matches.</p>

<p>"Today they gave two penalties against us, maybe the first was there but the second certainly wasn't."</p>

<p>Juventus vice-President Pavel Nedved hit back, declaring he was "a bit fed up of these controversies".</p>

<p>"Juve won with merit. Teams have to stop trying to look for excuses and accept defeat."</p>

<p>Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo slotted in the opener five minutes before the break after German Pezzella's handball was confirmed by VAR.</p>

<p>His second came 10 minutes from time for a disputed Federico Ceccherini foul on Rodrigo Bentancur, making it 14 goals in nine games to bring his tally to 19 this season, including seven penalties.</p>

<p>He also becomes the first Juventus player to achieve a run of goals in nine consecutive league games since David Trezeguet in December 2005.</p>

<p>The former Real Madrid player has now scored 50 goals in 70 games since moving to Juventus in 2018.</p>

<p>De Ligt nodded in a Paulo Dybala cross in stoppage time for his first goal for Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.</p>

<p>- Lazio maintain title push -<br />
Ronaldo is second only this season to Immobile who now has 25 goals as Lazio kept alive their push for a first Scudetto since 2000.</p>

<p>Immobile volleyed in after just three minutes, with Caicedo finishing off a rebound less than quarter of an hour later.</p>

<p>Immobile's second came before the half hour mark with a deflected shot and he then played a role in Caicedo's second seven minutes before the break.</p>

<p>Substitute Bobby Adekanye came on after the break with the former Liverpool player tapping in his first Serie A goal.</p>

<p>"Caicedo, Immobile and (Joaquin) Correa are untouchable," said Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi.</p>

<p>The race for Champions League and Europa League places remains tight.</p>

<p>Atalanta moved fourth despite being held 2-2 by struggling Genoa, going ahead of Roma on goal difference after the side from the capital fell 4-2 at Sassuolo on Saturday.</p>

<p>Behind Cagliari, Parma and AC Milan have 32 points.</p>

<p>Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed AC Milan's game with flu, with the eighth-placed northerners held 1-1 by 10-man Hellas Verona.</p>

<p>For Milan, midfielder Daniel Maldini, 18, made his Serie A debut to follow in the footsteps of his father, club legend Paolo, and grandfather Cesare.</p>

<p>Torino plunged further into crisis, following last weekend's seven-goal thrashing by Atalanta with a 4-0 defeat to lowly Lecce, to sit 12th.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Lecce earned their first home win this season to move three points clear of the relegation zone, with new signings Alessandro Deiola and Antonin Barak getting the first two goals.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo stretched his scoring streak to nine consecutive league games with a penalty double as Serie A leaders Juventus bounced back from their defeat to Napoli with a 3-0 win over Fiorentina whose owner said Sunday's result left him feeling "disgusted".

Cristiano Ronaldo stretched his scoring streak to nine consecutive league games with a penalty double as Serie A leaders Juventus bounced back from their defeat to Napoli with a 3-0 win over Fiorentina whose owner said Sunday's result left him feeling "disgusted". Also read: Cristiano Ronaldo first to get 200 million followers on Instagram Lazio moved second, five points behind the reigning champions after Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile and Felipe Caicedo both scored a brace in a 5-1 win over rock bottom SPAL. Also see- Instagram followers: Top 10 most-followed accounts, Ronaldo crosses 200m mark Inter Milan, one point behind the Romans in third place, travel to Udinese later on Sunday looking to reclaim the second spot. Good to get back to victories and happy to score again in our stadium!⚽⚽ Proud to reach 50 goals with the bianconeri shirt!💪🏽#finoallafine #forzajuve pic.twitter.com/pzBrER9Uzt — Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) February 2, 2020 × Ronaldo slotted in his goals in either half in Turin with Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt heading in a third in injury time. Juventus had fallen to just their second defeat of the season last weekend at coach Maurizio Sarri's former club Napoli. "Cristiano Ronaldo continues to score repeatedly and for him it's important psychologically," said Sarri of the player who turns 35 next Wednesday. SUPER SUNDAY! 😁⚽️#JuveFiorentina #FinoAllaFine #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/mPxJehNifR — JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 2, 2020 × "Physically he's good and making a difference." Fiorentina, in 14th position, have had a resurgence since Giuseppe Iachini took over on December 24, but suffered their first league defeat this year. Club president Rocco Commisso was furious at the penalty decisions. "I am disgusted with what I saw today," blasted the Italian-born US businessman who bought the Tuscany club last year. "Juve are very strong, a team with a wage bill of 350 million doesn't need help. Referees cannot decide matches. "Today they gave two penalties against us, maybe the first was there but the second certainly wasn't." Juventus vice-President Pavel Nedved hit back, declaring he was "a bit fed up of these controversies". "Juve won with merit. Teams have to stop trying to look for excuses and accept defeat." Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo slotted in the opener five minutes before the break after German Pezzella's handball was confirmed by VAR. His second came 10 minutes from time for a disputed Federico Ceccherini foul on Rodrigo Bentancur, making it 14 goals in nine games to bring his tally to 19 this season, including seven penalties. He also becomes the first Juventus player to achieve a run of goals in nine consecutive league games since David Trezeguet in December 2005. The former Real Madrid player has now scored 50 goals in 70 games since moving to Juventus in 2018. De Ligt nodded in a Paulo Dybala cross in stoppage time for his first goal for Juventus at the Allianz Stadium. - Lazio maintain title push - Ronaldo is second only this season to Immobile who now has 25 goals as Lazio kept alive their push for a first Scudetto since 2000. Immobile volleyed in after just three minutes, with Caicedo finishing off a rebound less than quarter of an hour later. Immobile's second came before the half hour mark with a deflected shot and he then played a role in Caicedo's second seven minutes before the break. Substitute Bobby Adekanye came on after the break with the former Liverpool player tapping in his first Serie A goal. "Caicedo, Immobile and (Joaquin) Correa are untouchable," said Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi. The race for Champions League and Europa League places remains tight. Atalanta moved fourth despite being held 2-2 by struggling Genoa, going ahead of Roma on goal difference after the side from the capital fell 4-2 at Sassuolo on Saturday. Behind Cagliari, Parma and AC Milan have 32 points. Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed AC Milan's game with flu, with the eighth-placed northerners held 1-1 by 10-man Hellas Verona. For Milan, midfielder Daniel Maldini, 18, made his Serie A debut to follow in the footsteps of his father, club legend Paolo, and grandfather Cesare. Torino plunged further into crisis, following last weekend's seven-goal thrashing by Atalanta with a 4-0 defeat to lowly Lecce, to sit 12th. Lecce earned their first home win this season to move three points clear of the relegation zone, with new signings Alessandro Deiola and Antonin Barak getting the first two goals.

Serie A: Ronaldo scores for ninth game in row as penalty double lifts Juventus

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<p>Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to continue his sensational scoring run and help move Juventus four points clear at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Parma on Sunday.</p>

<p>The 34-year-old’s deflected shot opened the scoring in the first half, but Juve were pegged back after the break when Andreas Cornelius headed in from a corner.</p>

<p>Ronaldo restored the home side’s advantage just three minutes later with a low strike that took his tally for the season to 16 league goals, 11 of which have come in his last seven appearances.</p>

<p>“We knew that Inter drew and Lazio won, so it was important to build an advantage," Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia.</p>

<p>"They were two important goals, it was a tough game as Parma are very organised and difficult to beat, but we fought hard and got the victory."</p>

<p>Maurizio Sarri’s side sit on top of the table with 51 points, four clear of second-placed Inter Milan following their draw at Lecce earlier in the day, while Parma are seventh on 28 points.</p>

<p>Ronaldo lit up an uneventful first half with the game’s first goal two minutes before halftime by cutting inside and firing in a finish, aided by a deflection off Parma defender Matteo Darmian.</p>

<p>The goal made the former Real Madrid star the first Juve player to score in seven consecutive Serie A appearances since David Trezeguet in December 2005.</p>

<p>Parma drew level on the 56th minute when Cornelius guided in a header from a corner, but Ronaldo responded with his second of the night just two minutes later when he fired in from a Paulo Dybala pass.</p>

<p>The visitors pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but it was Ronaldo who went closest in the closing stages as he forced a save from Luigi Sepe before firing a shot wide as he searched in vain for a hat-trick.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to continue his sensational scoring run and help move Juventus four points clear at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Parma on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice to continue his sensational scoring run and help move Juventus four points clear at the top of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Parma on Sunday. The 34-year-old’s deflected shot opened the scoring in the first half, but Juve were pegged back after the break when Andreas Cornelius headed in from a corner. Ronaldo restored the home side’s advantage just three minutes later with a low strike that took his tally for the season to 16 league goals, 11 of which have come in his last seven appearances. “We knew that Inter drew and Lazio won, so it was important to build an advantage," Ronaldo told Sky Sport Italia. "They were two important goals, it was a tough game as Parma are very organised and difficult to beat, but we fought hard and got the victory." Maurizio Sarri’s side sit on top of the table with 51 points, four clear of second-placed Inter Milan following their draw at Lecce earlier in the day, while Parma are seventh on 28 points. Ronaldo lit up an uneventful first half with the game’s first goal two minutes before halftime by cutting inside and firing in a finish, aided by a deflection off Parma defender Matteo Darmian. The goal made the former Real Madrid star the first Juve player to score in seven consecutive Serie A appearances since David Trezeguet in December 2005. Parma drew level on the 56th minute when Cornelius guided in a header from a corner, but Ronaldo responded with his second of the night just two minutes later when he fired in from a Paulo Dybala pass. The visitors pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but it was Ronaldo who went closest in the closing stages as he forced a save from Luigi Sepe before firing a shot wide as he searched in vain for a hat-trick.

Football: Ronaldo double fires Juventus four points clear with Parma win

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cristiano-ronaldo-skips-ballon-dor-to-receive-serie-a-player-of-the-year-award-in-italy-266021">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> stretched his goal-scoring streak to six consecutive league games as Juventus took the top spot in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/martinez-fires-inter-top-of-serie-a-as-juventus-slip-up-265660">Serie A</a> on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Roma, whose defeat was made worse by the cruciate ligament injury of rising star Nicolo Zaniolo.</p>

<p>Juventus move two points ahead of Inter Milan, who were held 1-1 by Atalanta at the San Siro on Saturday, after going two goals up in just 10 minutes in Rome.</p>

<p>"We were very good for 60 minutes. Then, if you play against Roma, it is almost inevitable to suffer in the end," said Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri.</p>

<p>Turkish defender Merih Demiral found a way through after three minutes when he connected with a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-dybala-stunner-seals-top-spot-for-juventus-but-atletico-must-wait-264915">Paulo Dybala</a> free-kick.</p>

<p>Minutes later Argentine Dybala was hauled down in the box, and Ronaldo stepped up to convert from the spot to make it nine goals in six league games.</p>

<p>"It's tough playing against a team like <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/martinez-fires-inter-top-of-serie-a-as-juventus-slip-up-265660">Juventus</a> and we gave away two early goals," said Roma coach Paulo Fonseca.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We put in a good performance after that, against a great side. But once you go two goals down, it's difficult."</p>

<p>Both sides had casualties in the first half with Demiral limping off with a knee injury not long after scoring his first Juventus goal.</p>

<p>And Zaniolo was stretchered off in tears eight minutes before the break after falling victim to what Roma later confirmed was a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while trying to dribble past Matthijs De Ligt and Adrien Rabiot.</p>

<p>Zaniolo, who is considered one of Italy's most exciting young talents and was a rare bright point for Roma in a torrid first half, will undergo surgery on Monday.</p>

<p>"I swear to you ... I'll be stronger than before," the 20-year-old later wrote on Instagram.</p>

<p>Roma had their chances with Edin Dzeko hitting the post and Wojciech Szczesny denying Cengiz Under from point-blank range.</p>

<p>Diego Perotti pulled a goal back for the hosts from the penalty spot on 68 minutes after an Alex Sandro handball.</p>

<p>However, the capital side drop to fifth, outside the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-final-16-draw-date-rules-possible-scenarios-for-english-teams-and-all-you-need-to-know-268455">Champions League</a> places, level on 35 points with fourth-placed Atalanta and seven behind local rivals Lazio after their 1-0 win over Napoli on Saturday.</p>

<p>Earlier, Alejandro Berenguer struck the only goal as Torino beat Bologna to climb to seventh.</p>

<p>Spaniard Berenguer finished off a cross from captain Andrea Belotti on 11 minutes as Torino move two points off sixth-placed Cagliari, who are in the last <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/europa-league-arsenal-held-as-guimaraes-grab-last-gasp-equaliser-260442">Europa League</a> place.</p>

<p>Hellas Verona is two points behind Torino in eighth after snatching a 2-1 win over Genoa in a game that was delayed for 15 minutes in order to redo the uneven lines of the two penalty areas.</p>

<p>A pitch inspection at Verona's Stadio Bentegodi before the home side's win which also left Genoa in the relegation zone found that the lines marking the penalty box were visibly not straight.</p>

<p>Genoa's local rivals Sampdoria moved five points clear of the drop zone with veteran striker <a>Fabio Quagliarella</a> scoring a brace in their thumping 5-1 win over Brescia.</p>

<p>"We are starting to break away from the quicksand of the relegation zone, but it's still there and we have to keep going," said coach Claudio Ranieri, who next play title-chasing Lazio.</p>

<p>Jhon Chancellor nodded in after 12 minutes for Brescia.</p>

<p>But Karol Linetty volleyed in the equaliser on 34 minutes and provided the cross for Jakub Jankto to put the hosts ahead just before the break.</p>

<p>Last season's top scorer Quagliarella gave Sampdoria a third from the spot for his first home goal this season and added a second in injury time.</p>

<p>In Florence, Patrick Cutrone got his first start for Fiorentina since his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, playing the final 15 minutes in the tight win over rock-bottom SPAL.</p>

<p>German Pezzella struck eight minutes from time to give new coach Giuseppe Iachini his first win for 14th-placed Fiorentina who are now seven points above the drop zone.</p>

<p>Udinese beat Sassuolo 3-0 for their third consecutive victory to move level on points with last season's runners-up <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/juventus-inter-milan-return-to-serie-a-duel-as-napoli-try-to-snap-winless-run-265161">Napoli</a> who are in 11th position.</p>


Cristiano Ronaldo stretched his goal-scoring streak to six consecutive league games as Juventus took the top spot in Serie A on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Roma, whose defeat was made worse by the cruciate ligament injury of rising star Nicolo Zaniolo.

Cristiano Ronaldo stretched his goal-scoring streak to six consecutive league games as Juventus took the top spot in Serie A on Sunday with a 2-1 win at Roma, whose defeat was made worse by the cruciate ligament injury of rising star Nicolo Zaniolo. Juventus move two points ahead of Inter Milan, who were held 1-1 by Atalanta at the San Siro on Saturday, after going two goals up in just 10 minutes in Rome. "We were very good for 60 minutes. Then, if you play against Roma, it is almost inevitable to suffer in the end," said Juventus coach Maurizio Sarri. Turkish defender Merih Demiral found a way through after three minutes when he connected with a Paulo Dybala free-kick. Minutes later Argentine Dybala was hauled down in the box, and Ronaldo stepped up to convert from the spot to make it nine goals in six league games. "It's tough playing against a team like Juventus and we gave away two early goals," said Roma coach Paulo Fonseca. "We put in a good performance after that, against a great side. But once you go two goals down, it's difficult." Both sides had casualties in the first half with Demiral limping off with a knee injury not long after scoring his first Juventus goal. And Zaniolo was stretchered off in tears eight minutes before the break after falling victim to what Roma later confirmed was a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while trying to dribble past Matthijs De Ligt and Adrien Rabiot. Zaniolo, who is considered one of Italy's most exciting young talents and was a rare bright point for Roma in a torrid first half, will undergo surgery on Monday. "I swear to you ... I'll be stronger than before," the 20-year-old later wrote on Instagram. Roma had their chances with Edin Dzeko hitting the post and Wojciech Szczesny denying Cengiz Under from point-blank range. Diego Perotti pulled a goal back for the hosts from the penalty spot on 68 minutes after an Alex Sandro handball. However, the capital side drop to fifth, outside the Champions League places, level on 35 points with fourth-placed Atalanta and seven behind local rivals Lazio after their 1-0 win over Napoli on Saturday. Earlier, Alejandro Berenguer struck the only goal as Torino beat Bologna to climb to seventh. Spaniard Berenguer finished off a cross from captain Andrea Belotti on 11 minutes as Torino move two points off sixth-placed Cagliari, who are in the last Europa League place. Hellas Verona is two points behind Torino in eighth after snatching a 2-1 win over Genoa in a game that was delayed for 15 minutes in order to redo the uneven lines of the two penalty areas. A pitch inspection at Verona's Stadio Bentegodi before the home side's win which also left Genoa in the relegation zone found that the lines marking the penalty box were visibly not straight. Genoa's local rivals Sampdoria moved five points clear of the drop zone with veteran striker Fabio Quagliarella scoring a brace in their thumping 5-1 win over Brescia. "We are starting to break away from the quicksand of the relegation zone, but it's still there and we have to keep going," said coach Claudio Ranieri, who next play title-chasing Lazio. Jhon Chancellor nodded in after 12 minutes for Brescia. But Karol Linetty volleyed in the equaliser on 34 minutes and provided the cross for Jakub Jankto to put the hosts ahead just before the break. Last season's top scorer Quagliarella gave Sampdoria a third from the spot for his first home goal this season and added a second in injury time. In Florence, Patrick Cutrone got his first start for Fiorentina since his move from Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, playing the final 15 minutes in the tight win over rock-bottom SPAL. German Pezzella struck eight minutes from time to give new coach Giuseppe Iachini his first win for 14th-placed Fiorentina who are now seven points above the drop zone. Udinese beat Sassuolo 3-0 for their third consecutive victory to move level on points with last season's runners-up Napoli who are in 11th position.

Cristiano Ronaldo continues scoring streak to put Juventus top of Serie A

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