Author: Steven Moore

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Atalanta Fiorentina Serie A

Match Preview: Atalanta vs Fiorentina

Match Preview: Atalanta vs Fiorentina
2022-23 Serie A - Atalanta vs Fiorentina

On 2 October 2022, catch the live broadcast of Atalanta vs Fiorentina from the Gewiss Stadium on TLN TV at 11:55A!

Match Insights: Atalanta

Atalanta have won four of their last seven Serie A games against Fiorentina (D1 L2): as many as they did in their previous 29 matches against them (D11 L14).

Atalanta have only won one of their last nine Serie A home games (3-1 against Torino on 1 September), drawing five times in the period (L3).

Atalanta have picked up 17 points from their first seven Serie A games this season: in their history, they have never gained 20 points before their ninth match in a single top-flight season.

Match Insights: Fiorentina

Fiorentina have won their last two Serie A games against Atalanta, having lost each of their previous three; the last time the Viola won more games consecutively against the Nerazzurri was back in February 2016 (eight).

Fiorentina are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 Serie A away games against Atalanta, winning five of those (D3); against no other opponent have they had as much success on the road during this period (since 2012/13) – five wins also against Hellas Verona.

Fiorentina have lost five of their last six Serie A away games (D1), only scoring three goals during this period; their last league win on the road came back in April (3-2 against Napoli).

Atalanta vs Fiorentina: Players to Watch

Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskyi has been directly involved in four goals in his last five Serie A appearances against Fiorentina (2 goals, 2 assists): only against Udinese (5) he has had a hand in more goals in the competition.

Fiorentina striker Luka Jovic has had just 130 touches in Serie A this season (16 in the opposition box), fewer than any other outfield player with at least 440 minutes played.

Be sure to visit bodog.net for odds on all your favourite sports and be sure to watch this match live on TLN TV at 11:55A!

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Monza Sampdoria Serie A

Match Preview: Sampdoria vs Monza

Match Preview: Sampdoria vs Monza
2022-23 Serie A - Sampdoria vs Monza

On 2 October 2022, catch the live broadcast of Sampdoria vs Monza from the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on TLN TV at 8:55A!

Match Insights: Sampdoria

Sampdoria are unbeaten in 13 of their 15 matches against Monza across Serie B and the Italian Cup (W6 D7), winning each of their last four.

Sampdoria have only picked up two points in the league this season; in their top-flight history, the Blucerchiati have always won at least four points after their first eight Serie A matches in a season.

Match Insights: Monza

Monza are winless against Sampdoria in the previous seven matches at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris (W4 D3), scoring just six and conceding 13.

Monza could win their first away match against a side from Liguria between Serie A and B: the Biancorossi have collected eight draws and 19 defeats on the road against such opposition, each of those in Serie B.

Sampdoria vs Monza: Players to Watch

Sampdoria midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri has made the most passes ending in the final third in Serie A this season: 122, however, none of those have resulted in an assist.

Gianluca Caprari has scored three goals against Sampdoria in Serie A; only against Fiorentina (5) and Roma (4) has he found the net on more occasions. Sampdoria are the team with which he has both collected the most appearances in the top-flight (73) and scored the most goals (14).

Be sure to visit bodog.net for odds on all your favourite sports and be sure to watch this match live on TLN TV at 8:55A!

Categories
Exclusives Fiorentina Juventus Serie A Toronto FC

Federico Bernardeschi Discusses TFC Transfer & Serie A Career

Federico Bernardeschi Discusses TFC Transfer & Serie A Career
Federico Bernardeschi - TFC - MLS 2022-2023

Toronto FC attacker Federico Bernardeschi was exclusively interviewed by TLN TV Host Antonio Giorgi to discuss his transfer to Canada, Major League Soccer, his life at Juventus and Fiorentina, Cristiano Ronaldo, his future with the Azzurri, and much more.

Transfer to TFC

Bernardeschi made the switch to Toronto on a free transfer in the Summer of 2022, surprising many soccer fans.

“I believe that I finished a journey at Juventus… There were various teams we spoke to, and various teams that came forward… They’re important names and I thank them, but there were little things that didn’t work out one way or another… With TFC everything went smooth…”

Major League Soccer

Soccer in North America has taken great strides in recent times to raise the level of quality and improve the exposure of the league worldwide.

“I think the MLS has a great future, I think they have very big projects, not only here in Toronto as they’re showing, but for the entire league… This is good for all soccer worldwide but especially for soccer and sport in North America… It is beautiful to see and for sure it’s beautiful to be a part of…”

Life at Juventus

Bernardeschi spent five years in Turin. He won seven trophies throughout this period, including three Serie A titles, two Supercoppa Italiana, and two Coppa Italia.

“At Juve, you feel the pressure every day, absolutely yes, but this is part of soccer… I have to say for myself, during the first 6 months at Juve, the impact was very different than the world I was coming from, and for me, it was really hard, but after that, I lived it with lots of serenity – actually for me, I love taking on responsibility, feeling the pressure from the fans…”

Life at Fiorentina

38 matches with Fiorentina Primavera and 93 appearances with the senior team – this is where Bernardeschi broke through the ranks.

“I did really well at 18 years old in Serie B with Crotone but then I broke the malleolus of my ankle at 19… At 20 I was a starter with Fiorentina in Serie A and I spent three good years with Fiorentina as a starter and I felt like myself, in the sense when you play and have fun and are healthy, you do good and normally you feel good…”

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo joined Juventus in the Summer of 2018 for €117 million. He scored 101 goals and provided 22 assists in 134 appearances over three seasons with the Bianconeri.

“I think he has changed the history of soccer, because of his accomplishments both individually and as a team… He provided a huge lesson to everyone, which is how to work hard…”

Future With Gli Azzurri

Since making his debut in March of 2016, Bernardeschi has made 39 appearances and has scored six goals. However, various questions have arisen since making the move to the MLS about his future with his nation, despite only being 28 years of age.

“No I have not spoken to him yet, there’ll be a way and time for that…”

Categories
Serie A Torino

Antonio Sanabria Discusses Wearing the No. 9 Shirt & Torino Manager Juric

Antonio Sanabria Discusses Wearing the No. 9 Shirt & Torino Manager Juric
Antonio Sanabria - Torino - 2022-23 Serie A

Torino attacker Antonio Sanabria sat down with Serie A ahead of Matchday 7 to speak about taking over the reins from Andrea Belotti, his goals for the Granata, and coach Ivan Juric.

Starting Role at Torino

Sanabria has made 50 appearances for Torino to date, scoring 12 goals and providing seven assists. As a result of Belotti’s departure, he has taken over the No. 9 shirt.

“I have huge respect for Belotti for everything he gave to this club. While certain numbers may be important for people, it’s just a number to me – what matters is the club that’s on the badge.”

Most Important Goals

The 26-year-old Italian attacker joined Torino on January 31, 2021, for €6.5 million.

“I’d say my first goal or the penultimate game under Nicola against Lazio away from home when we needed a result to keep our Serie A survival hopes alive.”

Manager Ivan Juric 

47-year-old Juric was appointed by the Granata on July 1, 2021 and has since secured a record of 18W-12D-17L during his 47 matches at the helm.

“I think the coach says what he’s thinking. He’s up front and calls it how it is, whether it might annoy people or not. That’s something we’re grateful for, particularly in the football world, where people often don’t say what they think.”

Categories
Milan Napoli Serie A

Match Preview: Milan vs Napoli

Match Preview: Milan vs Napoli
2022-23 Serie A - Milan vs Napoli

On 18 September 2022, catch the live broadcast of Milan vs Napoli from the San Siro on TLN TV at 2:30P!

Match Insights: Milan

AC Milan won their last league match against Napoli after a run of two consecutive defeats; the Rossoneri could win two Serie A games in a row against Napoli for the first time since 2010/11, under Massimiliano Allegri.

AC Milan have lost their last two home league games against Napoli, both with a score of 0-1. Only in 1979 did the Rossoneri suffer three home consecutive defeats against Napoli in Serie A and they’ve never gone three games against them in a row without scoring.

AC Milan have won their last six Serie A games at home, keeping four clean sheets. The last time they had a longer winning run at home was back in 2013 (8). That run, however, was ended by a draw against Napoli.

Match Insights: Napoli

Napoli have kept six clean sheets in their last nine Serie A games (0.4 goals conceded per game); that’s as many clean sheets as in their previous 25 matches (average of 1.1 goals conceded).

Napoli have picked up seven points in their first three away Serie A matches this season. They could remain unbeaten in the first four away games in a Serie A campaign for the third season in a row, a result never achieved before.

Napoli have the highest turnovers in Serie A this season (60), they are also the club with the most shots following high turnovers (13).

Milan vs Napoli: Players to Watch

Since the start of last season, Rafael Leão has missed just four Serie A games; only Saelemaekers and Tonali (41) have played more matches for the Rossoneri in the period (40 for the Portuguese). Without Leão, AC Milan have a win rate of 50% and average of 1.8 points but those figures rise to 70% and 2.3 points with him on the pitch.

AC Milan are Piotr Zielinski’s favorite opponent in Serie A. He scored four times in his first 10 matches against them but he hasn’t found the net in the following seven. Against the Rossoneri he also scored his first brace in the competition in August 2018.

Be sure to visit bodog.net for odds on all your favourite sports and be sure to watch this match live on TLN TV at 2:30P!

Categories
Fiorentina Hellas Verona Serie A

Match Preview: Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona

Match Preview: Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona
2022-23 Serie A - Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona

On 18 September 2022, catch the live broadcast of Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona from the Stadio Artemio Franchi on TLN TV at 8:55A!

Match Insights: Fiorentina

Fiorentina are unbeaten in their last five Serie A games against Hellas Verona (W1 D4), the last time the Viola recorded a longer streak without defeat against them was back in the first 18 matches between these two sides (1957-1977).

Fiorentina’s last win at Franchi stadium in Serie A against Hellas Verona was back on 2nd December 2013, four draws and two defeats since then; among the opponents they have faced more than twice at home since 2014, the Gialloblu are the one against which the Viola have picked up the fewest points (four).

Fiorentina haven’t won in their last five Serie A matches (D3 L2), the last time they registered a longer streak without a win was back in December 2020, the last match in that case of eight was against Hellas Verona (1-1 draw with Dusan Vlahovic and Miguel Veloso goals.

Match Insights: Hellas Verona

Hellas Verona have won 14 Serie A games against Fiorentina (D20 L28), a joint-record for them in the competition – in addition, the Gialloblù have scored more goals against the Viola than against any other side in the competition (68).

Hellas Verona have lost three of their first six league games this season (W1 D2); in four of the last five campaigns in which the Gialloblù have lost at least four of their first seven Serie A matches they have been relegated, the only exception was in 1999/00.

Hellas Verona have picked up two points from three away matches in Serie A this season and in three of their previous five campaigns in the top flight they stopped with as many points after four away games.

Fiorentina vs Hellas Verona: Players to Watch

Antonín Barak has scored three goals in three Serie A matches against Hellas Verona, only against Sassuolo has he netted more (four); the current Fiorentina midfielder scored 18 goals in 64 Serie A matches with Hellas Verona.

Josh Doig (born in May 2002) is the youngest player in Serie A this season to have scored a goal and provided an assist, while in the Big-5 European leagues in 2022/23 he is third among defenders, behind only PSG’s Nuno Mendes and  Montpellier’s Enzo Tchato Mbiayi.

Be sure to visit bodog.net for odds on all your favourite sports and be sure to watch this match live on TLN TV at 8:55A!

Categories
Empoli Sassuolo Serie A

Andrea Pinamonti Discusses Sassuolo Transfer & Time With Empoli

Andrea Pinamonti Discusses Sassuolo Transfer & Time With Empoli
Andrea Pinamonti - Sassuolo - 2022-23 Serie A

Sassuolo attacker Andrea Pinamonti sat down with Serie A ahead of Matchday 6 to speak about his time with Empoli during the 2021-22 campaign, signing for the Neroverdi, and the psychological effects of being a striker.

2021-22 Campaign

Pinamonti made 36 appearances for Empoli in Serie A in the 2021-22 season, scoring 13 goals.

“Last season at Empoli was crucial for me because I’d just gone a whole campaign barely playing for Inter. I needed to feel like I was an important part of a team. Going to Empoli was the best move of my career so far because it gave me a stage on which to show what I could do.“

Sassuolo Transfer

The 23-year-old Italian attacker arrived at Sassuolo this past summer on loan with an obligation to buy worth €20 million.

“I said various times when I joined that a big reason behind me coming to Sassuolo was the coach. He called me a few days before I’d signed on the dotted line. The conversation we had was positive: he outlined the team’s direct play and well-executed attacking approach. This counts for a lot if you’re a forward.“

Psychology of a Striker

Scoring goals is Pinamonti’s goal, but sometimes the mentality takes a toll on players.

“Until recent seasons this weighed on my mind: if I scored I was king but if I didn’t I was rubbish. I’ve learnt to understand the way things work and it doesn’t affect me now and I just want to score goals.”

Categories
Roma Serie A

Zeki Celik Discusses Roma Transfer & Club Depth

Zeki Celik Discusses Roma Transfer & Club Depth
Zeki Celik - Roma - 2022-23 Serie A

Roma defender Zeki Celik sat down with Serie A ahead of Matchday 6 to speak about the recent arrivals of Turkish players in Italy, joining the Giallorossi, and the club’s depth on the flanks.

Turkish Arrivals in Serie A

Following the success of the likes of Hakan Calhanoglu and Merih Demiral, interest from Turkey in playing in Italy has started to increase.

“There were other Turkish footballers who had played here before me. They all did very well here. I will also do my very best here to represent my country and do well for Roma.”

Roma Transfer

Celik is the fifth Turkish international to play for the Giallorossi; before moving to Italy, he spoke with former club player Cengiz Under.

“When I first told Cengiz Under about this opportunity he told me that I should accept it right away. Naturally, I want to play as much as I can and contribute to Roma’s success. Hopefully, we will have nice memories to talk about at the end of the season.”

Defensive Depth

Few teams can match Roma’s depth on the flanks. Jose Mourinho has Celik, Rick Karsdorp, Leonardo Spinazzola and Nicola Zalewski at his disposal.

“Yes, for a goal-oriented team it is important to have alternative options in every position. There is competition between teammates but everybody is very easygoing.“

Categories
Juventus Salernitana Serie A

Match Preview: Juventus vs Salernitana

Match Preview: Juventus vs Salernitana
2022-23 Serie A - Juventus vs Salernitana

On 11 September 2022, catch the live broadcast of Juventus vs Salernitana from the Allianz Stadium on TLN TV at 2:30P!

Match Insights: Juventus

Juventus have won four of their previous six Serie A games against Salernitana (D1 L1), keeping five clean sheets.

Juventus have scored in the first 10 minutes of play in each of their last three league games: in their Serie A history, they have never scored in this time interval in more games in a row.

Match Insights: Salernitana

Salernitana have lost all six Serie A away games against teams from Piemonte, conceding an average of 3.5 goals per game.

Salernitana have gained six points; in the two previous Serie A seasons in the era of three points (1998/99 and 2021/22), the team from Campania stopped at one point after both five and six days, while in 1947/48, their only other season, they obtained two wins and two draws (L2).

Juventus vs Salernitana: Players to Watch

Dusan Vlahovic has been involved in a goal every 45 minutes played on average against Salernitana in Serie A; the Juventus forward has scored three goals and delivered an assist in just two matches against this team in the competition.

Boulaye Dia is the first Salernitana player to have scored three goals in the club’s first five games in a Serie A season – the fastest to reach four goals with this team at the start of a Serie A championship was Sebastiano Vaschetto after 13 games in 1947/48.

Be sure to visit bodog.net for odds on all your favourite sports and be sure to watch this match live on TLN TV at 2:30P!

Categories
Hellas Verona Lazio Serie A

Match Preview: Lazio vs Hellas Verona

Match Preview: Lazio vs Hellas Verona
2022-23 Serie A - Lazio vs Hellas Verona

On 11 September 2022, catch the live broadcast of Lazio vs Hellas Verona from the Stadio Olimpico on TLN TV at 11:55A!

Match Insights: Lazio

Lazio have only won two of their last six Serie A games against Hellas Verona (D2 L2), after winning each of their previous five against them.

Lazio have scored 2.4 goals-per-game on average in Serie A against Hellas Verona in the 21st century (since 1 January 2001 onwards) – 41 in 17 matches – the highest average of any opponent they have faced at least 10 times in the period.

Lazio have won three of their last five Serie A home games (D1), although they have lost the latest one against Napoli; the last time the Biancocelesti have lost two home league matches in a row in the competition was back in December 2020, with the second defeat coming against Hellas Verona.

Match Insights: Hellas Verona

Hellas Verona are unbeaten in each of their last three Serie A away games against Lazio (W1 D2) and they could go on a such longer streak on the road against the Biancocelesti for the first time in the competition.

Hellas Verona won against Sampdoria last time out, after drawing two matches and suffering two defeats; in their last five Serie A seasons, the Veneti have picked up at least two wins in their first six seasonal league games only in 2020/21 (three in that case).

Hellas Verona are unbeaten in eight of their last nine Serie A away matches (W2 D6) and in particular they have drawn the most recent three (including also one against Lazio); the last time the Gialloblù went on a such longer streak in the top-flight was back in February 2020 (four).

Lazio vs Hellas Verona: Players to Watch

Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni played 81 games for Hellas Verona in Serie A, scoring nine goals; he found the net in his last league game and could score for two matches in a row in the competition for the first time since December 2021.

Verona’s Josh Doig is the second youngest defender to have scored in the league this season (after Destiny Udogie), while teammate Diego Coppola is the youngest one with at least one started game among the defenders.

Be sure to visit bodog.net for odds on all your favourite sports and be sure to watch this match live on TLN TV at 11:55A!