Jonathan: Inter should strengthen in January

The Brazilian was on the scoresheet for the Nerazzurri in Bologna but he believes that new recruits are needed if Mazzarri's side are to maintain their European ambitions

Jonathan has expressed his belief that Inter should be looking to bring in new recruits during the January transfer window.

The Brazilian netted his second goal of the campaign as the Nerazzurri struggled to a 1-1 draw away at Bologna and he reckons that coach Walter Mazzarri must be allowed to delve into the market if the Milan club are to seriously challenge for a Champions league spot.

“Today we have had a lot of chances but the ball just wouldn’t go in,” the 27-year-old explained to Premium Calcio.

“With a little bit of luck we could have done it. We missed those small details that help you win.

“The road is still long, the Champions League is still possible - do not forget that there is also still the January transfer market.”

Jonathan also showed his appreciation of his new boss and the part the Inter coach has played in rejuvenating his career at San Siro after a tough time over the past two years.

“I can still improve. This year Mazzarri is giving me the confidence I needed and I thank him," he enthused.

“Immediately he has said he can count on me and that has made me feel important.”

Fredy Guarin was also keen to look at the positives from the draw too, stating that he is very happy with his displays at the moment and adding the only thing missing are those elusive goals.

“Nowadays, I’m only missing chances because the team played well; the individuality and contribution of everyone was important,” the Colombian told the Inter Channel. 

“I am calm, I’ll just continue to work and be available for the team. For me, the goals will come now the team is doing well, that’s fine like this.”

Galatasaray to offer Drogba new deal

The Ivorian joined the Istanbul giants in January on an 18-month deal, but the club are confident he will opt to extend his stay in Turkey
Galatasaray striker Didier Drogba is set to be offered a contract extension, club president Unal Aysal has revealed.

The former Chelsea and Olympique de Marseille forward joined the Turkish side in January on a year-and-a-half deal which is due to run out in June 2014.

Aysal is ready to offer fresh terms to the 35-year-old, who has scored four goals in 10 games for the Super Lig champions this season, and is confident he will opt to stay in Istanbul.

"Drogba has talked about issues related to the future," Aysal told GSTV.

"He wants to extend his career as a player. I told him that, at Galatasaray, you can play as long as quality is evident.

"We are definitely going to offer him a [new] contract. I also do not think he will reject it."

Galatasaray currently sit second in Group B of the Champions League on four points, with a home tie against Juventus and visits to Real Madrid and Copenhagen to come.

In the Super Lig, Roberto Mancini's men sit seventh after eight games - nine points behind league leaders and arch-rivals Fenerbahce.

Barcelona have learned from last year, Alexis

The Chilean attacker says the Blaugrana will be suitably prepared for what awaits them at San Siro on Tuesday following their humbling defeat last season

Alexis Sanchez says Barcelona will be a different team to the one that AC Milan tactically outclassed in San Siro last season when the sides meet in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Barca were humbled 2-0 in Milan in the first leg of the last 16 encounter back in February as Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng goals ensured a comfortable victory.

The return leg saw the Catalans overturn Milan's aggregate lead with an emphatic 4-0 win at Camp Nou, but the memories of the San Siro defeat will spur the Blaugrana on to make sure there is not a repeat result in the Group H match, according to Alexis.

"We learned from last year's experience [2-0 loss against AC Milan in the San Siro]," he told reporters ahead of the game.

"Milan have always shown great heart, it is important to play 90 minutes with great concentration. I always give my 100 per cent."

The Chile international has been criticised from some quarters as they believe he has not reached his full potential since his €26 million move from Udinese.

However, the 24-year-old, who has scored 30 goals in 97 appearances for Barcelona, says detractors spur him on to do even better.

He added: "In Barca there are so many good players. I am ready to play but I do not feel like a starter. 

"The criticism gave me more strength. Playing with Neymar gives me happiness and confidence."

Rami set for Milan loan switch

The 27-year-old rejected the chance to join Napoli in favour of the Rossoneri, whom he will begin 2014 with, according to Bronzetti

Valencia defender Adil Rami has finalised a deal which will see him go on loan to AC Milan in January, according to agent Ernesto Bronzetti.

The 27-year-old's future at the Mestalla has been the subject of speculation recently, as the France international was slapped with a one-week suspension without pay for publicly criticising coach Miroslav Djukic and team-mates.

And Bronzetti has confirmed that he has sealed an escape route for the defender, who snubbed interest from Napoli prior to agreeing to join the Rossoneri early in 2014.

He told Radio Kiss Kiss: "I have just concluded the transfer, so it is complete.

"The player will go to Milan despite recent interest from Rafa Benitez at Napoli. He [Rami] was wanted by many clubs, but he chose the Rossoneri."

Reports emanating from Italy have suggested that a fee of €400,000 will be paid by Milan for the loan, while a further €7 million will be required at the end of the season should the Italian giants wish to make the move permanent.

Rami, whose contract with los Che runs until 2015, joined Valencia from Lille in 2011 and has subsequently made 93 appearances for the club.

Balotelli often the victim of bad fouls, argues Galliani

The Rossoneri director has admitted that the striker should control his temper but feels he is often unfairly targeted by opposing defenders




AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani feels Mario Balotelli is too often fouled by opposing players, which affects his ability to control his temper.

The 23-year-old was recently handed a three-match ban following his outburst toward the referee after his side's Serie A loss against Napoli, and although Galliani has stressed that the Italy international must improve his behaviour, he insists his cause is not helped by players who target him on the pitch.

"We have spoken at length with Balotelli. Mario cannot behave like that anymore and he needs to focus on his own game," Galliani told reporters.

"Balotelli must learn to moderate his reactions. He has already matured a lot, though. 

"He is often on the receiving end of bad fouls that are not given."

Balotelli has netted four goals in seven official appearances for Milan so far this term.

Wenger: Giroud can fire Arsenal to Napoli success

The Gunners manager has backed the France international to find the back of the net when Rafael Benitez's Serie A side come to north London this week



Arsene Wenger wants striker Olivier Giroud to extend his goal-scoring form when Arsenal take onChampions League Group F opponents Napoli at the Emirates on Tuesday.

The France international has been in lethal form for the Gunners this season, scoring four goals in six Premier League games, and Wenger believes there is still more to come from the 27-year-old. 

"I think he will improve and be better in all aspects of his game. At 27, you always think the best years are coming for him now," Wenger told The Mirror. 

Giroud joined Arsenal last summer from Montpellier – a transition which Wenger believes was difficult for the Frenchman.

However, team-mate Bacary Sagna believes the striker has now adapted to life at Arsenal and feels Giroud has played a vital part in the Gunners' strong start to the season. 

"If we are on top of the league today, it is because [Giroud] made a lot of improvement and he is an important part of the team," said Sagna.

"We need to give him time and I think he will improve even more, and be more decisive.

"He questions himself every day, wants to learn and improve, even on his English which helps a lot."

Napoli beat Genoa to top Serie A

The Partenopei triumphed 2-0 at the Luigi Ferraris, with two first-half goals from Goran Pandev seeing them overtake Roma in the Scudetto race

Napoli moved top of Serie A on Saturday as they got back to winning ways by beating Genoa 2-0 away from home.

Rafael Benitez's side were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Sassuolo at home last time out, but a brace from Goran Pandev ensured they would claim all three points at Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

The 30-year-old grabbed his first of the game by claiming a loose ball midway through the Genoa half and firing a crisp left-footed shot into the bottom corner.

His second followed soon after as he latched onto Lorenzo Insigne's deft pass over the top and finished brilliantly with his right foot.

Speaking in the wake of the match, coach Rafa Benitez claimed that the victory could have been even even more comfortable for his side.

"I thought the game was closer to 3-0 than 2-1 all the way through," he told reporters.

“Many of our players cause problems for the opposition, whether they score or not. Duvan created a lot of space for the wingers today.”

Napoli have dropped just two points in their opening six games of the campaign, and sit one point above Roma, who have a perfect record after five matches and will host winless Bologna on Sunday.

For Genoa, it was a second successive defeat, and their fourth in six games this season, with Fabio Liverani's side currently occupying 15th place.

Allegri: Balotelli needs to shut up

The Rossoneri coach was less than impressed
by his striker's behaviour after he received a
second yellow card after full-time for dissent Massimliano Allegri has warned Mario Balotelli to keep his mouth shut after the striker was
sent off after the final whistle in AC Milan’s 2-1 defeat to Napoli. The Italian striker missed from the penalty spot
for the first time in his professional career and
he compounded a bad day at the office by
receiving a second booking for dissent, much to
the frustration of his coach.
“When games are over it’s better to stay quiet and I am against hysteria,” Allegri told Sky Sport
Italia.
“It’s best to shut up and leave rather than stay
there arguing with the referee, as it’s not going
to change anything. Balotelli needs to improve
that.” The ex-Manchester City forward did get on the
scoresheet with a smart finish late on and
despite the lack of maturity at full-time, the
Milan boss was still pleased with his striker’s
performance on the pitch.
“He received a fair few kicks, including many from behind, though he overall had a good
game.”
The result means the San Siro side have only
picked up four points from their opening four
Serie A games, but Allegri is refusing to panic
just yet and is confident of turning things around.
“We must try to pick up as many points as
possible now. Napoli are one of the candidates
for the Scudetto an we played on a par with
them overall despite missing many key players.
“I already have ideas on how to fix things, but I need some of the players to recover from
injuries first.”

Hamsik extends Napoli deal

The midfielder, who has been a San Paolo resident for six years, and the club president have confirmed the Slovakia star will remain a Partenopei player until 2018

Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik has confirmed that he has extended his contract with the club until 2018.

The Slovakia international, who has been with the Naples club since 2007, has become one of the hottest properties in European football at the Stadio San Paolo.

The 26-year-old confirmed his renewal after the Partenopei's 2-1 friendly win over Benfica on Friday, revealed his hope that compatriot Martin Skrtel joins from Liverpool and predicted a top debut season from Gonzalo Higuain.

"I have just renewed my contract with Napoli until 2018 and I'm very happy," Hamsik told Mediaset Premium.

"I do not decide who we sign in the transfer market, but Skrtel's definitely a great player and would suit Napoli. Higuain? I think it will be a great year for him."

Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis also spoke out with delight about Hamsik's renewal and praised the player for ignoring the attention of other top teams to be a key figure for Rafael Benitez's men.

"It’s a perfect marriage with Hamsik," he wrote on Twitter. "He is a great man, a great professional and a great player who honours the Napoli jersey.

"It is a shirt he is happy and satisfied to honour. We have renewed his contract, extending it to 2018."

Higuain, who scored his first goal for the Naples-based club since his move from Real Madrid earlier this summer to secure the win over Benfica, revealed the home crowd had given him goosebumps following the triumph.

"I am very happy to have scored my first goal at the San Paolo," the Argentine said. "I really hoped to score tonight and to give my first goal to the fans. I managed it and I am really happy.

"Hearing the noise of the crowd at my goal and them chanting my name was an amazing experience, it gave me goosebumps. I thank the Neapolitans for this splendid evening and for all the warmth they are giving me."