46 Friday

Sports Friday, January 5, 2018 Inter play catchup on Napoli, Juventus before winter break

Napoli lead the way with 48 points from 19 games

MILAN: travel to Fiorentina today solution to more team goals,” added Spalletti. looking to close the gap on leaders Napoli and Juventus to rekindle their campaign be- NAPOLI REFOCUS AFTER CUP EXIT fore the winter break. Inter Milan and Roma lost Napoli turn their focus back to their Serie A ground on the leading duo last weekend after campaign against second-from-bottom Verona both were held and need three points to ensure days after their shock 2-1 Italian Cup exit to Ata- the leading duo are within sight before a two- lanta. was at a loss to explain his week break in the championship. side’s flagging performance in the 2-1 home de- Napoli lead the way with 48 points from 19 feat by the side from Bergamo. games, one point ahead of six-time champions “I don’t understand why we can’t perform at Juventus, with Inter now seven points adrift of the same level as in the league,” said Sarri whose top spot in third. Roma-a further two points be- side have lost just once this season to Juventus. hind in fourth-host midtable Atalanta tomorrow. “I guess it’s subconscious or perhaps we see ’s side face a tricky task at some games as less important than others. Either Fiorentina, seventh after being held 1-1 by AC way, it’s a mistake on our part. Milan last weekend. Spalletti, who arrived from “If we play the same way we did in the sec- Roma last season, wants more despite just two ond half when we go to Bergamo, we’ll struggle losses in the campaign. again. “I am not happy with my work,” said Spalletti. “We’ll need to be fierce and aggressive.” Ju- “I think we’ve done quite well, but are capable ventus host lowly Cagliari boosted by their Ital- of something more. We’ve got to get a move-on ian Cup derby win over Torino. “I said we in the second half of the season.” Spalletti is expected key matches before the break, now we counting on leading Serie A scorer do not throw anything tomorrow,” said coach VERONA: File photo shows Juventus’ players celebrate their victory at the end of the Italian Serie A to lift his side, which suffered back-to-back . football match Verona vs Juventus in Verona. —AFP league defeats followed by an Italian Cup exit to Torino-whose coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has AC Milan. been sacked after the club’s Italian Cup defeat- “We have Mauro Icardi, the goal psycholo- host European rivals Bologna. AC Milan begin back into the top of the table and their push for ropean berths, travel to tailenders Benevento gist. He will speak to the team before (Thurs- their first match of 2018 against Crotone, occu- European football next season. who are looking to build on their first win of the day’s) training session and he will help find the pant of the first relegation spot, looking to climb Sampdoria, in sixth and also targeting the Eu- season last weekend. — AFP

Elsewhere, Sevilla beat second division Cadiz 2-0 Costa back with away in former AC Milan coach ’s first game in charge. Early goals from Nolito and Jesus Navas put the 2016 finalists in charge although a bang as Atletico the home side missed a late penalty. Spain international Rodrigo Moreno struck late to Torino sack coach thrash Lleida salvage a 1-1 draw for Valencia at Las Palmas and last year’s runners-up Deportivo Alaves eased to a 3-1 MILAN: Torino sacked coach Sinisa Mihajlovic win at tiny island side SD Formentera. yesterday, one day after he was sent off for dissent in King’s Cup in a 2-0 defeat against neighbours Ju- EXTRA EDGE ventus. The Serbian-born coach, who as a player Costa completed a 57 million-pound ($77 million) was regarded as one of the game’s best-ever free BARCELONA: Diego Costa enjoyed a typically move back to Atletico from Chelsea in September, kick specialists, had been in charge at the club for eventful return to action for Atletico Madrid on having left the club in 2014 after firing them to the La 18 months. Wednesday, scoring within six minutes of coming off Liga title. The move was delayed by the club’s ban on Torino, who have drawn 10 of their 19 league Sinisa Mihajlovic the bench in his side’s 4-0 King’s Cup win at Lleida registering new players which expired on Jan. 1. games this season, are 10th in Serie A and did not Esportiu but appearing to injure his knee in the Costa immediately gave his side an extra edge, give any reasons for the unexpected decision. process. charging into challenges and provoking opponents as “Torino announce the release of Sinisa Mihajlovic Costa turned Juanfran’s low cross into the net in well as starting and finishing the move for the third from his post of first-team coach,” said a brief statement. “We thank Sinisa and the 69th minute for Atletico’s third goal in the first leg goal, his first strike for Atletico since scoring against his staff for the effort and passion he has shown in these 18 months.”There was of the last 16 tie against third division Lleida but im- Chelsea in April 2014. no immediate comment from Mihajlovic himself. Italian media said that the 48- mediately limped to the sidelines. He did return to the “In those first five minutes he showed what he is year-old had been told of the decision in the early hours of the morning and that pitch, however, and completed the game despite all about and I hope he can keep it up,” Atletico coach a group of players had visited him to tell him that they stood behind him. bleeding from his knee. Diego Simeone told reporters. “But we have to take Local media also reported that former Napoli, Inter Milan and Watford coach Diego Godin had headed Atletico in front in the it easy, it’s bad to get carried away. He is quick, de- Walter Mazzarri was expected to be named as his replacement. Torino was the 33rd minute following a free kick and Fernando Tor- termined and strong, but (Kevin) Gameiro and Torres sixth Serie A club of Mihajlovic’s coaching career after Bologna, Catania, res slid in to double the lead, completing a sweeping played well too, the team played well as a collective.” Fiorentina, Sampdoria and AC Milan, where he lasted less than one full season. He counter-attack although he was fortunate not to be Spain international Vitolo, a 40 million-euro sign- has also coached the Serbian national team. Mihajlovic was sent off midway ruled offside. ing from Sevilla who spent the first half of the season through the second half of Wednesdsay’s game after protesting angrily at the ref- Antoine Griezmann completed the rout with a goal on loan at Las Palmas, also made his debut for eree’s decision to award Juventus’ second goal, a decision that the official stood from a free kick in stoppage time, moments after the Atletico by coming on in the second half. by after studying the video replay system (VAR). home side had defender Marc Trilles sent off for a “The arrival of these players will help us grow,” Torino claimed that Afriyie Acquah was fouled in the buildup to the second yellow card. The win put Atletico on the verge Simeone added. “I hope they improve us and give us goal. Mihajlovic has mellowed in the last few years although still shows flashes of of the quarter-finals, with the second leg at their more power and drive. They are top level players and the fiery temper for which he used to be known. —Reuters Wanda Metropolitano stadium on Jan. 9. they bring us extra competition.” — Reuters