GENOA, BALOTELLI’S DAY. OTTOLINI: “HE TRANSMITTED DESIRE AND ENTHUSIASM”. ATALANTA WORKING FOR THE AFTER LOOKMAN –
It’s Mario Balotelli’s day at Genoa. Grifone sporting director Marco Ottolini commented on the closing of the deal yesterday: “We were making assessments on the injured players before making choices on other free agents. Various injuries led us to go all the way with Mario Balotelli. He conveyed great enthusiasm and – explained the rossoblu manager – the desire to come to Genoa”.
Atalanta enjoys Ademola Lookman. Almost uncatchable for Serie A levels, with another monstrous performance against Verona. After winning the Europa League, with his hat-trick, he really seems to have mentally removed every block that could have kept him in a dimension one step below the current one, effectively becoming a top player. Now he is also the big favorite for the African Ballon d’Or (and it would be the first time for an Atalanta player) and he also seems to be of a higher level than Papu Gomez, whose place he took on the pitch upon his arrival in 2022.
Then there is the transfer question: Atalanta knows very well that Lookman’s intentions and ambitions include playing in a major European championship. Like Paris Saint Germain, who looked for him in the summer and were convinced they could bring him home with around twenty million euros, also on the advice of his agent. Instead, the Dublin hat-trick had given a new valuation of between 50 and 60 million: if checks of that size had arrived, Lookman would have said hello. The request to stay out in the first few days should be seen in this direction, because Lookman was not considered essential (as Koopmeiners was).
Pagliuca’s arrival in Bergamo is not accidental. It’s true that he wanted to talk to Lookman, but on the other hand what filters through from the Bergamo club is that they are already thinking of finding a replacement, two years after the end of the contract. In short, selling for 50 million – maybe even 60, in the Premier League – to spend 25-30 on someone younger who can represent the next great protagonist on the pitch.
ARABIA, RENARD REPLACES MANCINI. EVERTON, FINALLY BETO –
After the separation from Roberto ManciniSaudi Arabia has chosen to return to the past and rely on a coach who left a great memory. Herve Renardthe 56-year-old French coach, returns to the Asian national team and has signed an agreement until 2027.
Renard led the Green Falcons in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar: the Saudi team was the only team capable of defeating Argentina, who would later become World champions.
Finally Beto: Everton save themselves in full recovery from the defeat against Fulham, a header from the former Udinese striker was decisive. The team of Sean Dyche looked destined for defeat after a lackluster performance, but the Portuguese striker pushed Ashley Young’s pass into the net in the 94th minute, ensuring the Toffees extended their unbeaten run to five matches.
Speaking to BBC Match of the Day, the ex Udinese said: “This goal means a lot to me. I haven’t played in these two weeks, so I had to work hard and, as everyone says, hard work pays off. This time it pays for me and for my teammates, for the Toffees, and it’s really important. I know I just have to keep working. If I have the opportunity, obviously I want to score, and if I don’t have it I’ll keep working: that’s my mentality. We showed that tonight we give up. We must maintain this mentality.”