يستعد الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بـ الزمالك، لخوض مباراة قوية ومثيرة أمام نظيره المصري البورسعيدي، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري الممتاز.
ويلتقي الزمالك مع المصري، على أرضية ملعب برج العرب بالإسكندرية، ضمن منافسات الجولة 26 من عمر مباريات بطولة الدوري.
ويحتل الزمالك، المركز الحادي عشر في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز، برصيد 31 نقطة من 18 مباراة، ولهُ 7 مباريات مؤجلة.
طالع أيضاً.. حكم مباراة الزمالك والمصري في الدوري
على الجانب الآخر، يحتل فريق المصري المركز الثاني برصيد 39 نقطة، من 24 مباراة، فاز في 11 مباراة وتعادل 6 وخسر 7 مواجهات. موعد مباراة الزمالك والمصري في الدوري
من المقرر أن تنطلق مباراة الزمالك والمصري اليوم الأحد، في تمام الساعة السابعة مساءً بتوقيت مصر والسعودية. القناة الناقلة لمباراة الزمالك والمصري اليوم
من المنتظر أن تنقل المباراة عبر فضائية أون تايم سبورتس 1. معلق مباراة الزمالك والمصري في الدوري
يتولى مهمة التعليق على المباراة مؤمن حسن.
ويمكنكم مطالعة مواعيد ونتائج جميع المباريات لحظة بلحظة عبر مركز المباريات من هنا.
O compromisso contra o Goiás é essencial para o Botafogo se afastar da zona de rebaixamento. Além disso, será um reencontro marcante para Bruno Lazaroni, treinador do Alvinegro. As duas equipes se enfrentam nesta segunda-feira, às 20h, no Estádio Nilton Santos, pela 17ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. O duelo terá transmissão em tempo real no site do LANCE!.
No ano passado, quando Eduardo Barroca havia sido demitido e o Botafogo ainda não tinha contratado Alberto Valentim, foi Bruno Lazaroni quem comandou o Glorioso, de forma interina, diante do próprio Goiás, no Nilton Santos. Na ocasião, o Alvinegro venceu o Esmeraldino por 3 a 1 e dava fim a um jejum de cinco rodadas sem um resultado positivo.
Diego Cavalieri; Fernando, Marcelo Benevenuto, Gabriel, Yuri (Lucas Barros); Cícero (Alan Santos), Gustavo Bochecha, João Paulo; Rodrigo Pimpão, Diego Souza, Luiz Fernando (Léo Valencia). Esta foi a equipe colocada por Bruno Lazaroni naquela partida, válida pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão de 2019. Os gols foram marcados por João Paulo, Gabriel e Valencia.
Em 2020, a estrutura tática da equipe é parecida com o time que entrou em campo com o Goiás há um ano. Com três jogadores no meio-campo, um fica preso junto aos zagueiros – Cícero no ano passado e Rafael Forster atualmente – e os outros dois aparecem com mais liberdade para chegar ao ataque – hoje, esta é a responsabilidade de Keisuke Honda e Caio Alexandre.
Em 2019, o 3 a 1 sobre o Goiás serviu para colocar o Botafogo na 12ª colocação do Brasileirão, se afastando ainda mais da zona de rebaixamento. Na atual edição, a história pode se repetir: o Alvinegro, com 18 pontos, está em 15º – com um triunfo, pode alcançar até a 10ª posição, na parte superior da tabela.
RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo x Goiás: prováveis times, onde ver, desfalques e palpitesBotafogo18/10/2020BotafogoCascardo garante suor no Botafogo: ‘Dar tudo em campo, sem bola perdida’Botafogo18/10/2020BotafogoEm dia: Botafogo paga um mês de salário a jogadores e funcionáriosBotafogo18/10/2020
Liverpool squeezed past Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon, avoiding a setback to maintain their sizeable lead at the top of the Premier League.
Now, Aston Villa at Villa Park. It won’t be easy, although the Reds have avoided defeat in their last nine top-flight meetings with the upcoming opponents, albeit drawing two of the previous four.
With Manchester City hosting Arne Slot’s table-toppers at the weekend, change may be afoot. Liverpool have run roughshod over the majority of their league opponents this season but must be wary as nerves begin to dig their claws in.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Mohamed Salah
Lifting the title is becoming a very real possibility, but Liverpool need to avoid a setback here and will have to do so without several first-team stars.
Liverpool dealt fitness blows
Cody Gakpo was absent against Wolves after picking up a knock during last week’s draw at Goodison Park and has been ruled out once again for this one.
Cody Gakpo celebrates for Liverpool
It’s a blow, to be sure, but Liverpool have depth and a host of players who need to step up to the plate and ease Mohamed Salah’s burden.
Though Gakpo is in contention for a return against Pep Guardiola’s side, Slot has provided a begrudging update on Joe Gomez’s fitness, with the versatile defender set to be sidelined for several more weeks, potentially requiring surgery on a hamstring injury.
Of course, Villa have got a number of issues themselves, chiefly to their depleted defensive ranks. Liverpool can damage Unai Emery’s side, for sure.
However, the Lions did boost their ranks in January, and there’s one man in particular – Marcus Rashford – who will have the spotlight on him this evening.
Slot praised the 27-year-old’s quality and may be tempted to make a big change for the looming contest.
Slot could make a bold call vs Villa
Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of Liverpool’s greatest latter-day players, but he looked somewhat off the boil during the narrow Wolves win, and Slot could replace him with Conor Bradley for this one.
The games are coming thick and fast, and Gomez’s injury update calls for caution, lest Liverpool lose another key part ahead of the business end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold said in 2020 that a clash against Manchester United two years before was “the most difficult” in his fledgling career, owing largely to being pitted against Rashford.
The Three Lions winger has felt more than most the ebb and flow of football, but there’s little question that he’s one of the dangerous forces in the Premier League when on his a-game.
It’s early days yet, but you feel that Rashford is ready to play with a new lease of life at Villa Park, and having scored five goals from ten games against Trent in his career, switching things up might pay off for Slot.
It would be a big – some may even say brazen – call from the Netherlands tactician, but Bradley’s mobile and athletic style of play could be the perfect way to neutralise Villa’s winter recruit.
Marcus Rashford – Past 6 Premier League Seasons
Season
Apps (starts)
Goals
Assists
24/25
16 (12)
3
1
23/24
33 (26)
7
2
22/23
35 (32)
17
5
21/22
25 (13)
4
2
20/21
37 (33)
11
9
19/20
31 (31)
17
7
Stats via Transfermarkt
He’s down but not out. Rashford has proved over separate campaigns his capacity for brilliance, and freshening things up, bringing Alexander-Arnold’s heir apparent to the starting fold, might knock Emery’s pre-game preparations askew.
There’s also the matter of Liverpool’s weekend fixture. Indeed, Manchester City await on Sunday, with Liverpool last winning at the Etihad Stadium in the league way back in November 2015, just two months into Jurgen Klopp’s tenure.
Days after, Liverpool meet Newcastle United at Anfield in the next crunch fixture in a sea of crunch fixtures. They have the following weekend off due to being dumped out of the FA Cup, but the last 16 of the Champions League rolls up the ensuing midweek.
Liverpool vs Arsenal – Upcoming PL Fixtures
Liverpool
Arsenal
Aston Villa (A)
West Ham (H)
Man City (A)
Nott’m Forest (A)
Newcastle (H)
Man United (A)
Southampton (H)
Chelsea (H)
Everton (H)
Fulham (H)
It’s relentless, but Liverpool are up for the task. However, Slot will likely be wary after his side’s uninspiring performances against Everton and Wolves, with Arsenal only too eager to pounce on a Reds setback and bridge the title gap.
Bradley is more than capable of silencing Rashford and helping his team toward a stirring Villa Park victory that would see Liverpool tackle the weekend fixture with renewed vigour and confidence.
Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley
As per FBref, the Northern Ireland star ranks among the top 10% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for both passes attempted and the top 5% for progressive carries and tackles per 90.
He’s dynamic and ceaseless. Bradley’s 4.28 touches per 90 in the attacking box also put him in the top bracket of positional peers, showcasing a different type of attacking flair to that of Liverpool’s vice-captain.
Against the likes of Rashford and Morgan Rogers, his defensive game will surely be called into play more than a few times – luckily he’s already proved against the very best that the game has to offer that he has no qualms about getting stuck in with crunching challenges.
Hailed as an “unbelievable talent” by Northern Irish footballer Richard Donnelly, Bradley’s proved time and time again that he’s capable of playing a central role in Slot’s project.
All of a Liverpool persuasion want Trent to stay put, but if he does leave for Real Madrid, Bradley is more than ready to step up.
Chalkboard
Should he start against Aston Villa, he will prove as much all over again.
He left in 2021: Liverpool flop sold for £12m is now outscoring Nunez in PL
He could have played a part for the Anfield side over the past few years.
Glasgow Rangers are on the search for a new head coach during a season for the third campaign in succession after they decided to part ways with Michael Beale on Sunday.
The Light Blues kicked off this run of bad luck in the dugout when Steven Gerrard was poached in November 2021.
He was replaced by Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who had previously played for the Light Blues, but the Dutchman only lasted until November of the following year.
Despite winning the SFA Cup and leading the club to the final of the Europa League, Rangers sacked the former defender during the break for the 2022 World Cup and appointed Beale as his successor.
Rangers Manager
Date of departure
Steven Gerrard
13/11/2021
Gio van Bronckhorst
21/11/2022
Michael Beale
01/10/2023
That move has turned out to be an error on Ross Wilson's part as the sporting director, who has since gone on to join Nottingham Forest, failed to bring in a suitable replacement for the Dutch boss.
Current chief executive James Bisgrove is now tasked with finding a manager who can bring success back to Ibrox and, hopefully, not be sacked by November 2024.
Who could replace Beale at Rangers?
Speaking on the BBC Radio 5 Live Monday Night Club (2 October), New York Times journalist Rory Smith named Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen as one of the managers who is likely to be under 'consideration' by the Scottish giants, among a number of options.
This comes after the Norwegian boss was tipped as one of the 'frontrunners' to replace Van Bronckhorst during the 2022/23 campaign by The 4th Official.
Former Rangers boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
He was also named as a possible alternative to the Dutch tactician in 2021 after Gerrard's move to Villa, as Ross Wilson was a fan of his work, but the club ultimately opted for the former Light Blues full-back instead.
It could now be third time lucky for Rangers if they decide to go through with a swoop for the 54-year-old to take on the role this month.
Bisgrove could get Ibrox rocking with a move for Knutsen as he plays an exciting brand of football and would come in with a proven track record of coaching teams to win trophies.
What is Knutsen's style of play?
Bodo/Glimt captain Ulrik Saltnes once described his manager's style of play as “kamikaze” as his team is based around an intense, high-energy, press, a far cry from the turgid football of Beale's Rangers tenure.
Knutsen's side wants to dominate possession and control the game and do so by winning the ball back quickly after they lose it, which allows them to stop the opposition from countering them whilst providing themselves with more chances to make things happen at the top end of the pitch.
The 54-year-old typically deploys a high-pressing 4-3-3 set-up and this, along with his excellent attacking coaching, has led to them being a free-scoring team in recent seasons.
Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen.
Journalist Connor McGilligan once claimed that his brand of football would be "fantastic to watch" for supporters, which is backed up by the statistics.
Bodo/Glimt scored a mind-boggling 103 goals in 30 Eliteserien matches throughout the 2020 campaign as they won the title with only one loss to their name and a positive goal difference of plus 71.
Whereas, Rangers have not scored more than 82 Scottish Premiership goals across 38 league games since their return to the top flight at the start of the 2016/17 campaign.
Meanwhile, Celtic scored 103 league goals on their way to the title under Ange Postecoglou during the 2022/23 season and this shows that it is possible for Knutsen to replicate his success with Bodo/Glimt in Scotland, as the Hoops have proven that you can dominate the division as a free-scoring, prolific, side.
How many trophies has Knutsen won?
The Gers managerial target has won two league titles in the Norwegian top-flight with his current club and his side are currently one point clear at the top of the table with seven games left to play in the 2023 campaign.
Knutsen won the Eliteserien in 2020 and 2021 but finished second in 2022 as Molde ran away with the title by 18 points. However, he is now closing in on a third title in four years and has proven himself capable of instilling a winning mentality within his squad.
Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen.
The former Asane head coach has been able to deploy an exciting style of play based on pressing high and getting the fans onside with aggressive play and a constant stream of goals to dominate and win matches, which has led to excellent success on the pitch and trophies on top.
Therefore, Bisgrove could get Ibrox rocking by appointing a manager whose brand of football could resonate with supporters and get them to buy into the process, due to the style and his proven track record of implementing it.
How many trophies has Beale won as a manager?
The fans in Glasgow did not have many reasons to get behind Beale's future at the club as he arrived without trophies to back his pedigree and failed to deploy an attractive style.
Former Rangers boss Michael Beale.
He has not won a single piece of silverware in his managerial career to date, with QPR or Rangers, and journalist Derek Clark claimed, earlier this season, that there was no sign of a clear way of playing from the English boss' team.
Reporter Graham Spiers also described Beale's style of football as "hapless" and the results on the pitch did not make up for the dull football as the Gers lost three of their first seven Premiership matches.
The Light Blues also failed to qualify for the group stages of the Champions League as they were hammered 5-1 by PSV in the second leg of their play-off tie, which shows that Beale struggled domestically and in Europe.
This suggests that it was the right decision by Bisgrove and the club to part ways with the former Aston Villa assistant manager as the performances and results were not going in the right direction.
There was very little for supporters to cling to in order to have faith that Beale would eventually be a success at Rangers and the Light Blues can now get the fans back onside by bringing Knutsen and his 'Kamikaze' style to Ibrox.
هاجم أحمد سالم المتحدث باسم نادي الزمالك، عامر حسين رئيس لجنة المسابقات بالاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم، موضحاً سبب انتفاضة الزمالك واعتذارة عن عدم خوض مباراة القمة أمام الأهلي.
وحسم نادي الزمالك بشكل رسمي موقفه من مباراة القمة، حيث أعلن انسحابه من اللقاء لظروف وصفها بالقهرية لغياب مبدأ تكافؤ الفرص.
وقال أحمد سالم في تصريحات عبر قناة “إم بي سي مصر 2” عن مشكلة النادي مع عامر حسين: “عامر حسين لديه مشكلة لا بد أن يراجع نفسه فيها، هو رئيس منطقة الإسكندرية ومشرف على الكرة في سبورتينج وعضو الرابطة وعضو الاتحاد ورئيس المسابقات، ولم يكن لاعب كرة دولي كبير مثلًا، لا يصح أن الأندية تعترض عليه ويظل موجودا، نحن لا نشخصن الأمور، لكن نتحدث عن أحد أضلع المنظومة وهو عامر حسين، الذي لا يمتلك حداثة، هل عامر حسين يستطيع استخدام الكمبيوتر؟ أعتقد لا، أنا عضو في نادي سبورتينج وعندنا مشاكل في الدورات الرمضانية وعامر حسين هو الذي يضع جداول الدورة”.
طالع أيضاً.. الشباب والرياضة توضح حقيقة الضغط على الزمالك لخوض لقاء القمة أمام الأهلي
وبسؤاله ما هي الأخطاء التحكيمية التي بسببها انتفض الزمالك؟ أجاب: “أمين عمر في مباراة المقاولون عندما قال أنا لست مُقتنعا بركلة الجزاء، هذا كان مستفزا، وركلة جزاء أحمد حمدي في مباراة سموحة، وأن يأتي حكم دولي على الفار ولم يعيد ركلة جزاء زيزو، وحكم الساحة الذي كان يُحجم المباراة ببطاقات صفراء، لماذا بعد هذه الأخطاء التحكيمية تضيق علي في الانتفاض؟”.
وأتم: “أيمن الشريعي رئيس إنبي قال في تصريحات إن شخص (عامر حسين) طلب ضم لاعب واسطة لإنبي والنادي رفض فبدأ يضايقهم، هذا الأمر لو حدث في السياسة ووزير تدخل في وساطة سيقال من منصبه”.
“Se você se afastar da área do adversário toda a riqueza é perdida. 80 ou 90% dos gols são marcados dentro da área, então por que você deve sair dela?”: é assim que Ramón Díaz, novo treinador do Botafogo, apresenta a filosofia de jogo que acredita e segue em seu próprio site.
O argentino chega ao Alvinegro com contrato válido até dezembro de 2021. Com gosto por desafios, a chance de reerguer o Glorioso, que passa por um período de turbulência dentro e fora de campo, deve ter sido o chamou a atenção. O comandante, porém, não chega com um trabalho positivo às costas.
RelacionadasBotafogoBotafogo encaminha acerto com Ramón Díaz para ser o novo técnicoBotafogo04/11/2020BotafogoCesinha rescinde com o Internacional e Botafogo tem ‘sinal verde’ para contratar meiaBotafogo04/11/2020BotafogoCom três de Navarro, Botafogo goleia o Santos no Brasileiro sub-20Botafogo04/11/2020
Ramón Díaz comandou o Libertad até setembro. No Paraguai, ele combinou bons resultados com desempenhos irregulares, o que gerava questionamentos por parte da torcida. Em 24 partidas, foram 14 vitórias, quatro empates e seis derrotas. Quem explica melhor é Ever Leguizamón, jornalista que cobre o Libertad.
– As coisas não andaram no Libertad. Havia muitas esperanças no argentino, ele chegou em um momento que o time não estava bem, já estava três anos sem títulos e o desempenho era ruim. Ele pediu jogadores e a diretoria trouxe. Não existem desculpas. Ele ganhou partidas, mas sem convencer – afirmou.
Os bons resultados, contudo, pararam de aparecer após o retorno das competições em detrimento à COVID-19. Ramón Díaz se desligou do Libertad com uma sequência de três partidas sem vencer. Nestas, testou três formações diferentes e perdeu totalmente a cara do time que havia desenvolvido desde janeiro, no começo do trabalho.
– O Libertad foi líder do Campeonato Paraguaio antes da pandemia, mas a equipe não jogava bem. Faltava conexão, mas mesmo assim a equipe vencia, tinha 7 pontos de vantagem na liderança, encaminhou uma classificação na fase de grupos da Libertadores. Mas depois as coisas mudaram completamente. O Libertad teve cada vez menos rendimento, ele foi mudando a sua ideia de jogo. Jogou com um atacante, dois pontas, três volantes… Tentou de tudo para salvar – analisou Ever.
COMO JOGA RAMÓN DÍAZ? A formação mais usada pelo treinador é o 4-4-2 tradicional, com duas linhas de quatro jogadores definidas e dois jogadores no comando de ataque. Nos lados, ele gosta de atletas rápidos e com capacidade de recomposição. A última linha, o sistema ofensiva, geralmente, possui um homem com capacidade física e jogo de pivô.
Ramón Díaz se adapta às peculiaridades e características de cada elenco, mas leva consigo o estilo de jogo de toques dinâmicos e de buscar o gol com a maior rapidez possível.
– Ele, na maior parte do tempo, jogou no 4-4-2. Ele conseguiu os melhores resultados com essa formação. Ele deu muito espaço para jogadores experientes, poucos jovens ou da base tiveram espaço com ele, por exemplo. Eles só tinham espaço quando alguém se machucava ou ficava suspenso – finalizou o jornalista.
The England bowler is first among nearly six million contestants for the week
ESPNcricinfo staff10-May-2018The number 169 just took on even greater significance for England bowler Stuart Broad. It’s his highest Test score, and it was now also the fantasy football score that made him lead the Fantasy Premier League for game week 37. Broad was first among nearly six million contestants in the latest round of English Premier League matches, and he joked on Twitter that the achievement rivalled his 8 for 15 in the 2015 Ashes.That was on Thursday, May 11. The following day Manchester United drew 0-0 with West Ham, and because Broad had West Ham keeper Adrian on the bench – and having used the ‘bench boost’ – he finished on 180 points and won the game week.Broad is a fan of Nottingham Forest, who do not play in the Premier League, and so had the advantage of being able to make unbiased picks in his Fantasy XI. He had made Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang his captain and got 46 points for him, thanks to Aubameyang’s three goals and one assist over the week. Broad also got 15 points each for Chelsea left back Marcos Alonso, who scored against Huddersfield, and Tottenham centre back Jan Vertonghen, who helped keep a clean sheet against Newcastle. He used the “bench boost” option, which means he got points for his substitutes.0800 GMT* The story was updated to reflect Broad winning the week
O Corinthians terá mais um desfalque para o confronto com o Atlético-MG e os próximos jogos do Brasileirão-2020. Isso porque o meia-atacante Mateus Vital testou positivo para Covid-19 e ficará afastado por cerca de 15 dias. Segundo informa o clube, o jogador está assintomático e cumprirá quarentena em casa.
continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalValores detalhados: confira os clubes brasileiros com maior receita de 2010 a 2019Futebol Nacional13/11/2020CorinthiansMancini diz que Corinthians quitou os salários atrasados do elencoCorinthians13/11/2020CorinthiansPronto para voltar ao Corinthians, Jô pode quebrar incômodo jejum de golsCorinthians12/11/2020
Ainda no comunicado enviado pela assessoria de imprensa do Timão, o restante do elenco testou negativo para a doença e não haverá mais desfalques desse tipo para o duelo deste sábado, às 19h, na Neo Química Arena.
TABELA > Veja classificação e simulador do Brasileirão clicando aqui
Os testes foram realizados na última quinta-feira e os resultados foram apresentados nesta sexta. Apenas Vital teve diagnosticada a infecção pelo coronavírus e já está em isolamento doméstico até que o próximo exame acuse que a doença não está mais apresentando resultado positivos.
Além de Vital, o Corinthians terá os desfalques de Fábio Santos, por conta de contrato com o Atlético-MG, Otero, que está na seleção da Venezuela, Cazares, que tem estiramento na coxa esquerda, Boselli, ainda em tratamento de lombalgia e Xavier, que levou o terceiro cartão amarelo diante do Atlético-GO.
O Timão entra em campo neste sábado, às 19h, para enfrentar o Galo, pela 21ª rodada do Brasileirão-2020, na Neo Química Arena. Atualmente, o Alvinegro do Parque São Jorge ocupa a 11ª posição na tabela com 25 pontos.
أصدر أشرف صبحي وزير الشباب والرياضة قرارًا جديدًا بشأن أزمة اللاعب الراحل أحمد رفعت، والتي كُشف عنها خلال الساعات القليلة الماضية.
وكان رفعت قد وافته المنية أمس السبت، متأثرًا بالإصابة القوية التي تعرض له خلال مباراة مودرن فيوتشر والاتحاد السكندري، وتوقف عضلة القلب.
صالح جمعة: أعلم من السبب في إيذاء أحمد رفعت.. ووفاته لن تمر مرور الكرام
ونشر محمد رشوان محامي اللاعب أحمد رفعت مستندات رسمية، تشير إلى أن التصريحات التي حصل عليها اللاعب للسفر للاحتراف في نادي الوحدة الإماراتي، لم تكن كافية وأدت إلى معاقبته.
وقرر صبحي تكليف اللجنة القانونية العليا بالوزارة، للتحقيق في كافة الملابسات وفحص جميع المستندات الخاصة بسفر اللاعب الراحل أحمد رفعت -حسبما أُعلن في بيان رسمي-.
وأضاف البيان: “وذلك لما أثير مؤخرًا عبر وسائل الإعلام بشأن وجود شبهة مخالفات إدارية وقانونية شابت سفر اللاعب خارج البلاد”.
أول قرار من وزير الرياضة بعد وفاة أحمد رفعت.. وموقف خاص من رئيس مودرن سبورت
وتابع: “كما أصدر وزير الشباب والرياضة قرارًا بتشكيل لجنة من المختصين بالوزارة للقيام بأعمال الفحص والمراجعة لجميع المستندات بنادي مودرن سبورت والاتحاد المصري لكرة القدم واللجنة الأولمبية المصرية في هذا الشأن”.
وأتم : “هذا وسوف تعلن الوزارة فور انتهاء عمل اللجان عن جميع التفاصيل والملابسات وما انتهت إليه التحقيقات في هذا الشأن”.
These days, Aston Villa are unlikely to be too bothered about their goalkeeping situation – seeing as World Cup winner Emi Martinez is part of a great setup that has rewarded the Lions with a first involvement in European football in over a decade.
However, the Villans would be refreshed to hear that they're not the only ones who have taken the rough with the smooth before coming good in recent seasons. Step forward, Pierluigi Gollini.
How much did Aston Villa sell Pierluigi Gollini for?
Gollini signed for then-Champiosnhip Aston Villa in 2015. The young 'keeper had had a promising Serie A season with Hellas Verona, and showed why he'd been involved with the youth academies of Fiorentina and even Manchester United.
However, in Birmingham, things didn't exactly materialise for the 6 foot 4 stopper with Aston Villa struggling to bounce back from relegation to the second tier under Roberto Di Matteo.
Pairing some key Gollini mistakes as well as the eventual sacking of the manager who bought him – the keeper fell further and further down the pecking order.
Pierluigi Gollini in action for Aston Villa in the Championship.
When Steve Bruce arrived, Mark Bunn was preferred for the 2016 festive period. Then, Sam Johnstone came in on loan in the January window from Manchester United – all but cementing the club's intentions to get Gollini gone.
Atalanta obliged and took him on loan for 18 months before making the move permanent in June 2018 for what now seems a steal of £4.5m.
Where is Pierluigi Gollini now?
In Bergamo, Gollini steadily became a constant feature in a side of often-cult players that achieved great league placements for La Dea.
After gradually surpassing Erit Berisha's spot as number one, Gollini spent two terms in the team that finished third in 2019/20, and 2020/21. In Atalanta's debut Champions League campaign, Gollini featured in every group game as they finished second.
Soccer Football – Serie A – Juventus v Atalanta – Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy – December 16, 2020 Atalanta’s Pierluigi Gollini celebrates after Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo fails to score a penalty REUTERS/Massimo Pinca
In the 19/20 campaign, Gollini kept eight clean sheets. He then beat that in 20/21 with ten as the rest of the league saw what a capable keeper Aston Villa had let go.
This prompted admittedly inconsistent loans to both Tottenham and Fiorentina before he settled again on loan with Napoli.
The Italian giants have taken Gollini on loan twice with the potential for a permanent move – and his form when given the chance, and support to the group, has kept him at the club. When he got the opportunity in Napoli's Serie A winning campaign ahead of regular Alex Meret – Gollini kept two clean sheets in four appearances. Impressive work indeed.
Now, despite being lauded "as among the hottest goalkeeping prospects to come out of Italy", before only spending six months at Aston Villa – Gollini's story shows that persistent determination and a clearly endearing nature can get you where you want to go.
Maybe after all, it looks as if the 'keeper can keep repaying Roberto Di Matteo's judgement: "Gollini is a highly-rated goalkeeper in Italy, he's young, a good shot-stopper, he comes for crosses, he's good with his feet."
Indeed, perhaps that sale of just £4.5m was a mistake after all. Imagine him and Martinez together…