Antonio Conte leads Napoli to Serie A title but does nothing to dispel rumours he will leave

24-05-2025

Napoli climbed back to the top of Italian football after sealing the Serie A title on Friday, bouncing back from disaster to win the Italian championship for the fourth time. Scott McTominay and Romelu Lukaku netted in a 2-0 win over Cagliari at a packed and wild Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli secured their second league crown in three years on the final day of the season. Napoli finished the season a point ahead of closest rivals Inter Milan who won 2-0 at Como, the outgoing champions' opponents having to play half the match with 10 men after goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off just before half time of his last ever match. Friday's triumph crowned a season which started with few thinking Napoli could challenge Inter after finishing 10th as reigning champions last term. "It's happened again and it's fantastic ... we've had a really great season and it's all thanks to the boys who wanted to put themselves out there, especially those who won the league two years ago," said coach Antonio Conte. Conte has taken Napoli by the scruff of the neck but did nothing to squash rumours that he will leave in the summer after one season in Naples due to his frustrations at a lack of investment from owner Aurelio De Laurentiis. "I have a good relationship with the president and his family," said Conte when pressed on his future by DAZN. "I've had the opportunity to get to know him and him me, we're celebrating together and we're two winners. Maybe we're a bit different, but we're two winners." Inter's win meant nothing as another Scudetto party was kicked off in Naples by the fans' new heroes McTominay and Lukaku, with fans lighting flares and setting off fireworks in the streets in celebration. Scotland midfielder McTominay, named Serie A player of the season, signed with the league campaign already underway in August and immediately made an impact on a team still reeling last season's disaster. His 12th goal of his first Serie A season, three minutes before half time, was a fitting way for Napoli to break the deadlock as he has been the symbol of the team's renewal under Conte. "I'm lost for words. It's incredible you know, the sacrifice that every single player in the group has put forward to the cause," said McTominay. "And the people deserve it because they've been behind us from day one, and for me to come and experience this is a dream." McTominay's acrobatic volley from Matteo Politano's cross broke the ice in a tense stadium, as supporters watched a clutch of good chances come and go while Inter took the lead through Stefan de Vrij in the 21st minute in Como and briefly moved top of the division. And Lukaku made sure that Napoli would secure title glory five minutes after the break when he collected Amir Rrahmani's long pass and held off Yerry Mina before ramming home the goal which sealed the deal. Joaquin Correa doubled Inter's lead just as Lukaku scored, cutting inside Ivan Smolcic before confidently sliding home his second goal of the season. But Inter now turn their attentions to the Uefa Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, where Simone Inzaghi's team will try to win club football's biggest prize after conceding the Scudetto to Napoli. Twelve points lost from winning positions played their part in Inter losing the title and the second-string team sent out at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia suggested that Inzaghi was already thinking ahead to next weekend. Inter had been gunning to repeat the treble won under Jose Mourinho in 2010 earlier in the season but the Champions League is now their only chance for a trophy from a long, and draining campaign which they could end with nothing.

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Neymar says he felt offended, explaining confrontation with fan

Gulf Today

2 days ago

Gulf Today

Neymar says he felt offended, explaining confrontation with fan

Striker Neymar said it was hard to control his feelings when he was being insulted, commenting on a heated exchange he had with a fan after his late goal was ruled out and his club Santos suffered a 2-1 defeat that left them in the Brazilian Serie A relegation zone. The 33-year-old Brazilian, who has had a frustrating time since returning to his boyhood club this year, went over to the stands at the end of Wednesday's game with Internacional to talk with a fan who appeared to be remonstrating with him. Videos showed Neymar agitated and gesticulating, then raising a thumbs up as a teammate ushers him away. 'In the heat of the moment, it is difficult to control your feelings when you are unfairly offended,' Neymar posted on Instagram late on Thursday. 'I will never argue with fans when they criticise me on the pitch, because they have the right to say whether I played badly or not, and they have every right to boo me! 'What they can't do is insult me the way they insulted me...' Santos had been pushing for a comeback from two goals with Alvaro Martin Barreal scoring a minute into added time. Three minutes later, Neymar thought he had scored with a left-footed shot and celebrated in front of cheering home fans. But boos rang out across Vila Belmiro stadium as the referee ruled the ball had not crossed the line. Santos are 17th in the 20-club league, where the bottom four are relegated to Serie B at the end of the season. The former Barcelona and Paris St Germain player has had a torrid time since returning: sidelined with injury, sent off for a handball and suffering COVID-19. 'On the day the fans think I can no longer help or that I am harming the club in any way, I will be the first to pack my things and leave!' Neymar added in his remarks on Thursday. 'Santos is one of my greatest passions, and as long as I have the strength, I will do my best for this club. I will run, fight, shout, and even argue if necessary to get Santos where it deserves to be.' Reuters

Jannik Sinner reappoints coach he sacked in doping scandal

Khaleej Times

4 days ago

Khaleej Times

Jannik Sinner reappoints coach he sacked in doping scandal

World No.1 Jannik Sinner is teaming up once again with Umberto Ferrara, the fitness coach he sacked in the summer of 2024 after it was revealed that the Italian had tested positive for doping, his management team announced on Wednesday. Since the revelation of Sinner's positive tests for the anabolic steroid clostebol, Sinner has constantly maintained his innocence, laying the blame squarely on his team. Although he quickly dismissed Ferrara and his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, after the revelation of his positive tests, Sinner still described the former as an "excellent coach" on the sidelines of the ATP Finals in Turin in November 2024. "Jannik Sinner has reappointed Umberto Ferrara as his fitness coach with immediate effect," his new management team Avima announced in a brief statement. "The decision has been made in alignment with Jannik's management team as part of ongoing preparations for upcoming tournaments, including the Cincinnati Open and US Open. "Umberto has played an important role in Jannik's development to date, and his return reflects a renewed focus on continuity and performance at the highest level." Doping authorities accepted that it was accidental and imposed a three-month ban which Sinner served following his victory in the Australian Open in January. He returned in time for the French Open where he lost an epic final to Carlos Alcaraz before beating the Spaniard in four sets to win his first Wimbledon title earlier this month.

Guide to Maranello, the city where Ferrari was born

The National

5 days ago

The National

Guide to Maranello, the city where Ferrari was born

For any enthusiast of automotive greatness, or even a casual admirer of what happens when pure passion meets precision engineering, a trip to Maranello in Italy is less a holiday than a pilgrimage. This unassuming town in Emilia-Romagna is home to Ferrari, the crucible where the legend of the Prancing Horse was forged. Even the most indifferent visitor can sense how deeply the company is embedded in the fabric of the place. A visit to Ferrari Central isn't just a stroll through a museum; it's full immersion into a legacy. It's a living testament to Enzo Ferrari 's relentless pursuit of perfection. The two main attractions are the Museo Ferrari in Maranello and the Museo Casa Enzo Ferrari in nearby Modena. The latter goes beyond motoring, offering a broader look at the life and vision of Ferrari's founder. Even non-car lovers are drawn in. The experience is engrossing and witnessing decades of evolution is deeply emotional. Inside, you're enveloped in an atmosphere charged with the echoes of thundering engines and celebratory podiums. Ferrari's vast collection includes famous Formula 1 cars, sport prototypes and road-going masterpieces that define the apex of performance and luxury. For racing purists, the connection to Grand Prix is the real magnet. The buzz around the new F1 film starring Brad Pitt - which grossed about $300 million in its first month - has only heightened the allure. Unsurprisingly, the museums in both Maranello and Modena lean into this momentum. The Hall of Victories is a shrine to Scuderia Ferrari's unparalleled F1 success. More than 110 trophies glitter beneath the lights, each representing a moment of global triumph. In the centre – championship-winning cars from 1999 to 2008, arranged in a proud semi-circle, all facing inward like predators about to pounce. But Ferrari isn't resting on its heritage laurels, it is looking to reassert dominance in the field. As F1 evolves, thanks to rule changes and real-time analytics, Ferrari has enlisted the help of Amazon Web Services to mine more than a million data points per second from hundreds of sensors. For Scuderia engineers, this data is gold. It fuels simulations, perfects car setups, and identifies issues before they arise. The goal – shaving off tenths of a second that win races. Visitors can get a taste of that pressure in the racing simulator at Museo Ferrari, offering a high-octane glimpse into what it takes to handle an F1 machine. For a hands-on thrill, Ferrari owners can enroll in the two-day Corso Pilota at the Fiorano circuit. From Sport to Evoluzione+ to Race levels, each stage builds toward competing in the Ferrari Challenge - the brand's single-make racing series dedicated to clients. Drivers are coached by pros, guided by mental trainers, and even fuelled by Scuderia nutritionists. The cars? Ferrari 296 GTBs lined up to greet you. Taking one around Fiorano's twisty track is a visceral, unforgettable experience. Designed with track days in mind, the 296 GTB responds to the lightest touch with breathtaking agility. And with a pro beside you - not to nanny you but to sharpen your technique - you feel at once safe and supersonic. While full factory tours are restricted to clients, media and F1 sponsors, those granted access board shuttles through the Fiorano circuit and Viale Enzo Ferrari. Along the way, you witness each painstaking step of car assembly, still done largely by hand. It's a sharp contrast to the robotic uniformity of mass-market plants. You'll see chunks of raw metal waiting to become part of one of the world's most upmarket vehicles. Even the buildings reflect Ferrari's fusion of art and function, with architecture by greats such as Renzo Piano and Jean Nouvel adding another layer of appreciation to the engineering prowess on display. A visit to Maranello is more than just seeing cars. Local pride in the Ferrari brand is off the scale, but the crowds are a truly international bunch – from aficionados who know exactly what they're after to the less initiated who will soon understand the fuss. Coming to this region and sampling what's on offer involves understanding a philosophy and appreciating a fusion of art and engineering, the relentless pursuit of speed, and witnessing the enduring passion that has made Ferrari a global name.