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Osimhen: Ode to a clubless star within a club

Akeem Lasisi

Imagine the sun being benched in the pitch of the sky.

It can appear in the firmament but will not be allowed to produce sun.

It will not be allowed to shine.

Well, maybe the analogy should be that of a grounded star, though not a twinkle, twinkle little star, but one gallant giant star.

It is not only benched in the azure game, its role has been season-round handed over to another star.

So, it can neither twinkle nor shine.

This appears to be the fate of Victor Osimhen, whom Napoli has removed from their squad in spite of the fact that he is neither ailing nor injured.

Well, the relationship between the club and him is ailing, one should note.

They have neither been able to sell him, nor do they consider him deserving of a shirt in the current season.

Napoli coach, Antonio Conte, has given the hint of a total blackout, saying the Super Eagles, striker would not be reintegrated into the Napoli squad in the 2024/2025 season.

In a post on Fabrizio Romano’s X handle on Sunday, when asked about the Nigerian forward to be reintegrated at some point, Conte replied, “No player will be reintegrated. “Those who are out of the project will remain out of the project. We made our choices and worked in one direction all together.”

He expressed some sympathy for him earlier when speaking after Napoli’s 2-1 victory over Parma – a position that some will hope does not smell of crocodile’s tears.

“I’m happy with the work the club did on the market,” Conte said, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. “If there had been the sale of Victor Osimhen, we would have completed the situation… but I’m happy.”

What is important for Conte is that he has a new bride in Lukaku, who, interestingly, gave him a goal in his inaugural game against Parma, which Napoli won 2-1.

He enthused about the replacement: “What can I say about Romelu. He is a unique centre-forward. Usually the big strikers are a bit slow, or you have to use them as a target in the penalty area, or they don’t have the best legs to exploit the space on the pitch.

“I have always described Lukaku as an American Football Player. He’s 1.90m tall, but very fast. He is a powerful player, we need someone who can hold it up, bring other players in, find combinations, while also being a player who can attack spaces and cause damage.

“That’s why I consider him to be unique. Having already said that he’s a good guy, I would put my hand on an open flame for him, and he knows the responsibility that has for me, for Napoli and for the fans.”

Now, for Osimhen, his fans would say, it is only a temporary setback.

Some mistakes may have been made. Some miscalculations may have occurred. Even some conspiracy may have been unleashed.

He is today a clubless star within a club.

But the clouds will soon evaporate.

The lull will be a thing of the past.

The star will still regain the sky’s Number 9 shine:

The sun is destined for the ultimate heights.

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Defending with tears: France wobbles to World Cup on inured boots

If you plan to write a book about France’s preparation for the upcoming World Cup, you can explore a title bearing ‘Defending with Tears’.

The reason is that they are heading to Qatar with more questions than answers after their build-up to the tournament was marred by injuries, poor results and off-field distractions.

The defending champions have had a dismal UEFA Nations League campaign, just salvaging their place in the top tier at the end of an injury-ravaged month in September.

As the News Agency of Nigeria also notes, key midfielders N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, who played pivotal roles in France’s victorious campaign in 2018, have been ruled out due to injuries.

Kylian Mbappe is in the midst of a media storm over reports he wanted to leave Paris St-Germain (PSG) less than four months after extending his contract with the French champions.

The striker has now said he is happy at PSG and never asked to leave in January.

ALSO READ: World Cup: Deschamps speaks on Pogba and other France’s injured players

The French Football Federation (FFF) has also been subjected to an audit commissioned by the Sports Ministry over working conditions, amid claims of sexual harassment and bullying.

The federation has denied the allegations.

Should the inspectors find evidence of a crime, they are legally bound to report it to a judge, which would likely trigger a police investigation.

On the pitch, France have been struggling to rediscover the spark which guided them to a perfectly-mastered UEFA Nations League triumph last season.

It helped Les Bleus put the disappointment of a last-16 exit at the 2020 European Championship behind them.

Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema and Mbappe may have the potential to form the most formidable attacking line-up in the game, but their partnership has been taking time to gel.

While Benzema was out injured in France’s last two UEFA Nations League games, veteran Olivier Giroud earned a recall from Deschamps and made the most of it, earning Mbappe’s praise.

“We managed to combine, to speak the same football, it was satisfying,” Mbappe said. “A plus for us? Of course he is. When you are the second-best striker in the French team, if you are not a plus you will never be a plus.”

The 36-year-old Giroud’s presence —- or absence —- will be the main topic of Deschamps’s squad list for the Qatar finals, where France take on Denmark, Australia and Tunisia in Group D.

They are expected to go through, even if they lost to Denmark in their last meeting when their back line showed more signs of nerves.

Deschamps needs to fix the defence and decide, for good, whether he will play with four defenders or three centre-backs and two wing-backs.

The length of the injury list might make the decision for the coach, who can win the World Cup for a third time.

He won once as a player and twice as manager — like Brazil’s Mario Zagallo who lifted the trophy twice as a player and once as head coach.

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Conte expresses fear about Southampton game after humbling Palace

Tottenham Hotspur manager Anthony Conte is looking at their next match with goggles of fear.

The match against Southampton in holding on Tuesday and this is his source of anxiety.

He feels the date is too close to the Sunday they played their last game and emerged victorious against Crystal Palace.

Spurs took the Boxing Day spoils with ease, beating Crystal Palace 3-0 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

They scored twice in the first half, while Palace, without manager Patrick Vieira after he tested positive for COVID-19, were reduced to 10 men when Wilfried Zaha was sent off for two bookable offences.

Tottenham started the game the better, and it was Son Heung-Min who tested Jack Butland in the opening moments.

Son’s effort from distance forced Butland to get down low to his right to scoop the ball behind.

As Reuters/NAN reports, Spurs had to wait until the 32nd minute to find the breakthrough. It came out of nothing, Lucas Moura breaking from midfield to square a pass to the unmarked Harry Kane, who swept his shot past Butland.

Two minutes later, Spurs had a second goal. This time it was Moura who got on the scoresheet, rising to head home from Emerson Royal’s perfect cross.

If Palace’s task was already hard, it became even more difficult in the 37th minute when Zaha was shown a second yellow card after he shoved Davinson Sanchez to the ground.

The second half was largely a non-event, with Spurs in control against 10-man Palace.

But the home side did find a third goal in the 73rd minute when Son guided home Moura’s cross from close range.

Tottenham have 29 points, six less than fourth-placed Arsenal but have played three games fewer after having two matches postponed this month because of COVID-19.

Conte has changed the vibe at Tottenham since taking over from Nuno Espirito Santo, and this latest victory provided further proof that his methods are paying off as his side avenged a 3-0 defeat at Palace in September.

“We started a bit slow but created chances to score. We improved the quality and the intensity and scored twice and for sure when we played against 10 men it was easier.

“Now we have to recover and make the best decision around our starting 11 for Southampton [on Tuesday]. It won’t be easy for us or other teams to play after two days,” Conte said.

Palace, who are 12th, failed to register a shot on target.

“The two goals and the red card changed the game. We knew it would be difficult with 11 men on the pitch, but it made it even more difficult after the red card,” Crystal Palace assistant manager, Osian Roberts, said.

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Conte leaves Inter Milan after agreeing contract termination

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte has terminated his contract one year early, just days after leading the club to their first Serie A title in 11 years.

Conte, who joined Inter Milan in May 2019, agreed to depart after Italian media reported he had been left unhappy with plans to reduce investment and cut costs.

The club’s cost-cutting measures were due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“FC Internazionale Milano can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Antonio Conte for the termination of his contract by mutual consent,” read a club statement.

“The club will like to thank Antonio for the extraordinary work that he has done, culminating in Inter Milan’s 19th top-flight title.

Antonio Conte will forever remain a part of our club’s history.”

The 51-year-old’s ambitions to improve his squad were at odds with the club’s financial situation.

Inter Milan are reportedly looking to slash the wage bill by 15 to 20 percent and make 70 to 100 million euros from player sales before next season.

Conte was not convinced by the plans, which include the possible sale of a key player.

Inter will also hand the coach a severance payment of around seven million euros (8.53 million dollars).

Former Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri and current Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi have been named in Italian media as potential successors.

“As well as the professional side, where the daily work was amazing, I will miss the human side of a great group,” Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti wrote on Instagram.

“Always together, united, with our heads towards the objective for the good of Inter Milan, in spite of all the difficulties.

“I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for us, for Inter Milan, where you won’t be forgotten and you have written another page of our long, extraordinary history.”

Speculation over Conte’s future has been rife for months due to the financial problems facing the club and its owners, Chinese retail giants Suning.

Suning shut down Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu FC, who they also owned, in February.

This month, Inter Milan president Steven Zhang made a plea to players and staff to give up two months’ wages, but it was rejected.

The club have since secured 275 million euros (336.35 million dollars) from Oaktree Capital Management to help balance the books.

Inter Milan made the high-profile signings of players like Romelu Lukaku, Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi during Conte’s tenure and their arrivals spurred the club to great success.

“2014 we spoke for the first time and we have had a bond ever since,” Lukaku wrote on Instagram.

“We had many moments to work together but only God knows why it never happened earlier.

“You came at the right time and basically changed me as a player and made me even stronger mentally and more importantly we won together!

“Winning is and it’s all that matters to you and I’m glad that I have had you as a coach.

“I will keep your principles for the rest of my career (physical preparation, mental and just the drive to win…) it was a pleasure to play for you!”

Conte masterminded a superb domestic campaign for Inter Milan, wrapping up the Serie A title with four games to spare and accumulating 91 points.

It was the second-highest total in the club’s history after the 97 they amassed in 2006/2007.

Inter Milan finished no higher than fourth for eight years before Conte’s arrival, and ended the 2018/2019 season 21 points behind champions Juventus.

But Conte made an immediate impact in his debut season by leading the club to the runners-up spot in Serie A, reducing the gap to Juve to one point, and to the Europa League final, where they lost to Sevilla.

They went one better in 2020-21 as Conte’s side blew away the competition domestically to end Juventus’ nine-year stranglehold on the league crown and finish 12 points clear of nearest challengers Milan.

The coach constructed a balanced side fired by the goals of strike partners Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez and marshalled by a mean defence that conceded a league-low 35 goals.

The achievement also saw Conte, a three-time Scudetto winner as Juventus coach between 2011 and 2014, become the first manager to gain 90 points or more.

He did it with two different teams in Serie A since three points for a win was introduced in 1994.

However, they disappointed in the UEFA Champions League, finishing bottom of their group and winning one of their six games.

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Conte sees red as Inter Milan are held to Udinese stalemate

Inter Milan missed out on the chance to go top in Serie A as coach Antonio Conte was sent off in a 0-0 draw at strugglers Udinese on Saturday.

The visitors travelled to Udine on a high after beating title rivals, Juventus, 2-0 last weekend.

However, they couldn’t break down the determined hosts, who became the first team to keep a clean sheet against Inter in Serie A this season.

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez came closest when his first half shot drew a spectacular one-handed save from Juan Musso.

The visitors’ frustration, however, showed when Conte was dismissed for dissent in stoppage time.

Conte’s side remain second on 41 points, two behind AC Milan at the halfway stage of the season, while Udinese are 14th on 18 points but without a win in nine games.

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Conte to remain coach next season – Inter Milan

Antonio Conte will stay on as coach at Italian Serie A clubside Inter Milan next season, ending speculation they may part company following last week’s Europa League final defeat.

Conte’s occasional angry outbursts saw him clash with the club’s senior executives during his first season in charge, when Inter Milan finished second to Juventus in Serie A.

They went on to lose 2-3 to Sevilla in the Europa League final on Friday.

“The Club and Antonio Conte had a constructive meeting today (Tuesday), focused on continuity and strategy, in which the two parties laid the foundations to continue working together on the Club’s project,” Inter Milan said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 51-year-old ex-Italy coach joined Inter Milan after winning three Serie A titles with Juve and the Premier League with Chelsea.

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Conte blames himself after another Inter Milan collapse

Exasperated Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte blamed himself after watching his team collapse again on Sunday, almost certainly ending their Serie A title challenge.

“There’s a great, indeed enormous, disappointment,” said Conte whose side were leading 10-man Bologna when they missed a second half penalty kick.

They went on to concede twice to go down 2-1 to late goals by Gambian pair Musa Juwara and Musa Barrow.

“We managed to lose a match that we should have brought home comfortably. I’m angry with myself as the coach and responsible for what happens on the pitch,” said Conte, whose side had taken a first half lead through Romelu Lukaku.

“The players must also be angry with themselves, although they only have a small part of the blame.”

Inter Milan, who have a habit of making life difficult for themselves, led the table in the early part of the season.

But they have now dropped 11 points behind leaders Juventus with eight matches to play.

There was a long delay before Conte spoke to the press and some Italian media reports said he was involved in a meeting with club directors.

“It’s right to question all of us. First of all me, because I was called to bring Inter Milan back to victory after so many years,” he said.

“Of course, it won’t happen overnight but this situation brings a lot of bitterness.

“We have not reached the standard we set ourselves. Everyone has to show they want to rise above the past years, otherwise it’s right to make other decisions”.

Bologna coach Sinisa Mihajlovic was happy with the result but also frustrated that his team, who are ninth, took so long to get going.

“We were poor in the first 20 minutes. We were afraid and there were too many wayward passes,” he said. “We really looked a completely different team in the second half.

“It wasn’t easy to be a goal down with 10 men. This is a great victory, with character and conviction.

“However, we’ve sometimes waited to concede before we start to play. That’s not okay, we need to play from the off.”

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Inter Milan’s Serie A title challenge still alive and kicking – Conte

Inter Milan coach Antonio Conte is refusing to throw in the towel and believes they still have a chance to win Serie A in spite of dropping nine points behind leaders Juventus.

Conte, in his debut season at Inter Milan, said there were no limits for his side.

They restart their Serie A campaign after the coronavirus stoppage by playing their game in hand at home to Sampdoria on Sunday.

“Winning on Sunday would mean moving to within six points of top spot with 12 games to go: it’s not an impossible mountain to climb.

“We’ve worked hard and with intensity. I’m feeling positive,” Conte said.

“We want finish the final part of the league season playing at the maximum level with no holds barred and no limits,” he added.

“While we’ve got less margin for error than those ahead of us, we have desire, enthusiasm and passion.”

Inter Milan, who have 54 points, lost ground after losing to Juventus and second-placed Lazio in their last two games before Serie A was halted in March.

Juventus lead with 63 points, followed by Lazio on 62.

Conte said that late kick-offs and the high summer temperatures presented new challenges.

“Planning for a match that will kick off at 21:45 requires attention to detail in terms of how we organise the day: breakfast, lunch and breaks need to be considered,” he said.

“As regards the fans, it’s obviously difficult for them not being able to come to the stadium, and we feel this absence too.

“We hope that this really complicated period will pass because we need normalcy to return and the Nerazzurri fans back supporting us.”

“We’ll be playing every three to four days, the heat will be a factor and therefore everyone will be needed. We’ve also worked with this in mind, trying to involve all the players.”

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Sanchez can’t start for Milan yet – Conte

Inter Milan coach, Antonio Conte, has said that Chilean professional footballer, Alexis Sanchez, is not ready to start for Inter Milan since joining the club.

Sanchez joined Milan at the end of August on loan from English side, Manchester United, in the summer after 18-month at Old Trafford.

The 30-year-old has only made one substitute appearance in four matches Inter have played this season.

ALSO READ: Inter Milan edge push Juventus off table top

Conte
Conte

Less concerned, Conte insists there is no need to rush Sanchez into Inter’s starting eleven.

“For him it is worth the words I give for everyone else.

“When I see ready players, they will be inserted [into the starting line-up]. I have to work in the interest of Inter, not of individuals,” he said.

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Conte now Inter Milan coach

Tobi Ijalana

Former Chelsea coach, Antonio Conte has been appointed as the new Inter Milan head coach following the sacking of Luciano Spalletti.

Conte
Conte

The Italian has signed a three-year contract at the San Siro in what is his first job since leaving Chelsea a year ago.

Signing with the Italian side, Conte expressed his excitement:

“A new chapter in my life is beginning, I’m really excited. Through my work, I’ll try to repay all of the trust that the president and directors have placed in me.
“I have chosen Inter because of the club it is, because of the project’s sound basis and how ambitious it is. Because of Inter’s history.

“I was struck by the club’s transparency and the desire to bring Inter back to where it belongs.”

Before joining Chelsea, the 49-year-old won three Serie A titles with Juventus and also took Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016.

Conte spent two years at Chelsea, winning the Premier League and the FA Cup and he was sacked by after winning last season’s FA Cup.

ALSO READ: Conte rules out coaching AS Roma

Inter president,Steven Zhang, added that Conte is a good coach and the right person for the job.

He said: “I’m sure that Antonio Conte is one of the best coaches out there. I’m certain that he’ll help us achieve our objective and fulfil our mission, one which has always remained the same: to make this club one of the best in the world again.”