Latest news with #MilinkovicSavic
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Al-Hilal eye more glory against Fluminense at Club World Cup
Having pulled off the biggest upset of the Club World Cup so far, Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal have their eyes on a spot in the semi-finals when they take on Brazil's Fluminense in Orlando on Friday. The Saudi Pro League club produced a stunning performance to beat Premier League giants Manchester City 4-3 in extra-time in the round of 16. Advertisement While there was no shortage of heart and effort in Al-Hilal's display against Pep Guardiola's side, it was allied with an impressive tactical discipline, shape and technical quality. And although they will be remembered for putting Middle Eastern club football on the map with that win, the victory came with a strong international influence. Italian Simone Inzaghi took charge of the team just before the start of the tournament and is able to call on experienced talent such as Portugal full-back Joao Cancelo, former Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly and Serbian midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. It is the latter, who played for Inzaghi at Lazio in Serie A, who proved to be the most influential against City and earned the label "fantastic" from Guardiola. Advertisement A tall, strong, physical presence in midfield, Milinkovic-Savic is a key element of Al-Hilal's counter-attacking style which proved to be so effective against City. Inzaghi is glad to have a core of players that he can communicate with him and who give his team the necessary nous and experience for these tough tests. "I didn't need to get to know Sergej. He is an extraordinary player who combines quality and quantity," Inzaghi said after Saturday's win. "He ran a lot, just like all the other players. He, like Koulibaly and Joao Cancelo, speak Italian, so they also help my staff and me," he said. Advertisement - 'Historic accomplishment' - "It's definitely great to receive these compliments from a manager like Guardiola," Milinkovic-Savic told "We showed what level we're on. I'm feeling great here, we're training well and physically I'm feeling good. Inzaghi has now arrived, who I know really well, so now we need to believe until the end. 'What we did (against City) is inexplicable. We played against one of the best teams in the world and this motivates us more for the next games. It's a historic accomplishment for us, the club and the whole country. We believed for every single second and we've done it." Advertisement Full-back Renan Lodi, winger Malcom and striker Marcos Leonardo, who scored twice against City, provide some Brazilian influence which could come in very useful at Camping World Stadium on Friday. Fluminense also overcame the odds to reach the last eight, beating UEFA Champions League finalists Inter Milan 2-0. Having gone unbeaten in the group stage including a goalless draw with Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilians -- with 40-year-old Thiago Silva at the back -- have shown strong defensive resiliance. While the two teams meet for the first time in a competitive game, several Brazilians have played for the Saudi club, none better known than 1970 World Cup winner Rivellino who won the domestic league with Al-Hilal after joining them from Fluminense. sev/as
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What Milinkovic-Savic means for Meret future with Napoli
Napoli are on the verge of sealing an agreement with Torino for goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, but that does not spell the end of Alex Meret's career at the Stadio Maradona, despite his being out of contract at the end of the month. What Napoli's goalkeeper talks mean for Meret According to reports from various outlets on Thursday, Napoli are in talks with Torino over possible deals for Milinkovic-Savic and Cyril Ngonge, who could move in the opposite direction. Advertisement reports that Napoli are on the verge of sealing an agreement for Milinkovic-Savic for a fee of €18m. However, even if Milinkovic-Savic comes in, that does not necessarily mean the end of Meret's time in Naples. GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Alex Meret of Napoli reacts during a warm-up session prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa and Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 21, 2024 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by) In fact, according to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli now have an agreement in place to extend Meret's contract for a further two seasons, until the end of the 2026-27 campaign. The two-time Scudetto winner is currently due to be out of contract on June 30. The 28-year-old could sign his new contract extension with Napoli by the end of next week, according to Di Marzio's latest update.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Napoli on verge of agreement with Torino goalkeeper linked with Manchester United
Reports in Italy claim that Napoli are on the verge of striking an agreement with fellow Serie A outfit for goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has also been linked with a move to join Manchester United during the summer transfer window. Napoli on verge of Milinkovic-Savic agreement with Torino The towering 28-year-old has had plenty of suitors in the early stages of the summer transfer window. He will be entering the final year of his contract in 2025-26, and looks likely to secure a move away from Toro after spending eight years on the club's books. Advertisement Now, according to reports from Matteo Moretto and Napoli are on the verge of sealing an agreement with Torino to sign Milinkovic-Savic. Thursday's reports claim that the Partneopei are expecting to close a deal for €18m. epa11916665 Torino coach Paolo Vanoli celebrates with goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic after winning the Italian Serie A soccer match between Torino FC and AC Milan, in Turin, Italy, 22 February 2025. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO Napoli have remained in constant contact with Milinkovic-Savic and resumed contact on Thursday, according to Calciomercato's report. Sporting director Giovanni Manna has always had the Serbian as his no.1 target between the sticks. It now remains to be seen what happens with Italy international Alex Meret, who will be out of contract at the end of the month. epa12000130 Napoli's goalkeeper Alex Meret (C) reacts after saving a penalty kick during the Italian Serie A soccer match SSC Napoli vs AC Milan at Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples, Italy, 30 March 2025. EPA-EFE/CIRO FUSCO Recent reports claim that Napoli have been in contact with the stopper to negotiate a renewal. Calciomercato writes that we will have to wait and see whether he and Milinkovic-Savic are kept on board together, or whether Meret is allowed to leave on a free transfer.
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Al-Hilal superstar who once dreamed of Real Madrid move now stands against them
The Al-Hilal superstar who once dreamed of Real Madrid move now stands against them As Real Madrid prepare to face Al Hilal in their FIFA Club World Cup opener, all eyes are not just on the Spanish giants, but also on one of their opponents' standout players, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Serbian midfielder, now 30, has become a key figure for Al Hilal, showing consistent brilliance since making the switch from Lazio. Advertisement Since joining the Saudi club, Milinkovic-Savic has already lifted four trophies and scored 31 goals in just 96 appearances. However, things could have turned out very differently for him. When Real Madrid expressed interest According to MARCA, the talented midfielder had once been on Real Madrid's radar as early as 2018. Back then, after a standout season at Lazio, top European clubs such as Juventus, PSG, Manchester United, and Milan all showed interest in him, but no one could make the deal happen. The reason? Lazio president Claudio Lotito refused to budge. He placed a €150 million price tag on Milinkovic-Savic and made it clear he wasn't planning to sell. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic wanted to play for Real Madrid. (Photo by) Advertisement 'I don't feel obliged to sell,' he said on several occasions. And so, Milinkovic-Savic remained in Rome. His Real Madrid dream never came During his eight years with Lazio, the midfielder made over 300 appearances and became one of the most admired talents in Serie A. However, in a 2021 interview, he openly admitted: 'It's always been my dream to play for Real Madrid. I hope to wear that white shirt one day.' But that day never arrived. After Zinedine Zidane left the club, Real Madrid changed direction and brought in younger midfielders like Eduardo Camavinga instead. The dream move faded. In 2023, Milinkovic-Savic surprised many by moving to Al Hilal. The Saudi club paid €40 million for his services and handed him a lucrative deal. Now, in June 2025, destiny brings him face to face with the club he once longed to join. On the pitch in the Club World Cup, he will finally meet Real Madrid, not as one of them, but as their rival.
The Sun
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Maurizio Sarri closing in on return to management with club he resigned from six years after leaving Chelsea
MAURIZIO SARRI is reportedly close to a stunning managerial return with Lazio. The former Chelsea boss spent nearly three years at the Rome club before resigning in March 2024. 1 Sarri, who won the 2019 Europa League during his sole season with the Blues, was left unhappy with Lazio's transfer business. He saw key men like Joaquin Correa, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Francesco Acerbi depart while being replaced with 'Plan C and Plan D' targets. And a fourth straight league defeat proved to be Sarri's breaking point last year. However, numerous reports in Italy claim the former Napoli and Juventus boss, who won the 2020 Serie A title with the latter, is now set to rejoin Lazio. They are without a manager after seeing Marco Baroni resign just one year into a five-year deal following Lazio's failure to qualify for Europe. It's believed club chiefs immediately reached out to Sarri to see if he was interested in a return. And after being promised that Lazio will hand him a transfer window war chest, the chain-smoking tactician has accepted their proposal. Sarri is now expected to pen a two-year deal worth £5million, with an automatic year-long extension worth a further £2.5m should Lazio qualify for the Champions League. The Italians are now targeting several stars including Fenerbahce playmaker Sebastian Szymanski, Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares and even former midfielder Milinkovic-Savic, now at Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal. Sarri is also thought to have been promised that key men including centre-backs Alessio Romagnoli and Mario Gila will be kept on despite interest from numerous clubs. Criticising Lazio's transfer policy shortly before his departure last year, Sarri said: 'Everyone else signs who they want. 'It seems to me that before, the club were clear about who was doing the transfers. 'If I ask you for a player who is Plan A, and you make me choose between C and D… It's not like I did the market.'
