Pages

Striker makes up for lost time at 36

Striker makes up for lost time at 36

UDINE • At 36, Fabio Quagliarella has put his years of torment at the hands of a stalker behind him as he prepares to line up for Italy thanks to the best season of his career in Serie A, where he is the top scorer ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even if Roberto Mancini is focusing on youth as he rebuilds the Azzurri following their failure to qualify for last year's World Cup, the Italy coach was unable to ignore the striker's remarkable run of form for Sampdoria that has seen him plunder 21 goals in 27 league games.
The veteran could earn his 26th cap - 8.5 years after his last appearance for the national team - in their Euro 2020 Group J opener against Finland in Udine today.
While Quagliarella is the oldest member of the squad, he told Italian TV channel Rai Sport he was "living everything with great enthusiasm and serenity".
Insisting the call-up was earned, he added: "This is the Italian national team, there's no need to give caps away.
"Being called up by the Azzurri is a great source of satisfaction. There are so many strong young players with great personalities and, for me, it's nice to be here, even if I'm playing it by ear.


  • 21




  • League goals Fabio Quagliarella has for Sampdoria this season, the most in Italy's Serie A.


"I'm trying to carve out my space. I'm now at an age where you also know how to manage emotions."
While Mancini's side have been hit by injuries with Fiorentina striker Federico Chiesa already ruled out, Quagliarella provides another option up front alongside Juventus' forward pair of Federico Bernardeschi and Moise Kean, and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile.
The former Manchester City boss had already been keeping tabs, inviting him to take part in a training camp in February.
Quagliarella said: "I know that at my age, things can change from one day to the next, but the national team has always been a goal, and being in the midst of all these young people gives energy."
He scored his first goals in Serie A almost 15 years ago, in 2005 with Ascoli, and having netted 19 league goals last term, he is enjoying a sustained purple patch when most footballers would be winding down their careers.
His new-found calmness also follows the end of a stalker case that forced him to leave his home town of Naples in 2010.
For months, a former policeman sent hundreds of anonymous letters to Napoli claiming the player was involved in organised crime, paedophilia and drug trafficking.
After just one season, the club offloaded him to rivals Juventus, a departure then perceived as the worst betrayal by the home fans, who knew nothing of the case.
He was only able to tell the whole story, which left "significant scars", in 2017, when his persecutor was sentenced to nearly five years' jail.
In response, Napoli supporters displayed a banner at the San Paolo Stadium, which read: "You've lived through hell with enormous dignity. We will embrace you again, Fabio, son of this city."
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE



Lucas Moura: From PSG cast off to Tottenham idol Lucas Moura almost single-handedly fired Spurs into their first Champions League final with a hat-trick in Amsterdam.
Lucas Moura, from PSG cast-off to Tottenham idol



Your Best Football News Source Neymar hits half-century mark as PSG are held by Nice. season with a 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at home to Nice, with Neymar notching his
UPDATE 1-Soccer-Neymar hits half-century as PSG are held by Nice



Football: Sarri fears Chelsea ban will ruin title hopes. Chelsea's success next season hinges on transfer ban being lifted, says former striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
More racial abuse cases heighten calls for action



Soccer Extras: Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino May 04, 2019 10:08 IST Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away to neighbours Juventus for 24 years as the two
Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino - uk.sports.yahoo.com



Croatia fixtures tab is showing last 100 handball matches with statistics and win/lose icons. There are also all Croatia scheduled matches that they are going to play in the future. Croatia performance & form graph is SofaScore Handball livescore unique algorithm that we are generating from last 10 matches, statistics, detailed analysis and our
Shootout Sunday: Croatia Follows Russia's Lead and Wins on



Maurizio Sarri condemns the alleged racist abuse of Raheem Sterling by Chelsea supporters but wants the club's main focus to be on Thursday's clash with Vidi.
FlowSports - Sarri condemns 'disgusting' Sterling abuse



Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric has criticised Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for choosing not to attend this month's ceremony where he was given the award, saying their decision was unfair to
Ballon d'Or winner, Modric criticises Ronaldo, Messi over



Marcos Alonso hails Maurizio Sarri's tactics and training as Chelsea star reveals the secrets of his formidable partnership with Eden Hazard. Marcos Alonso has revealed how much he enjoys playing
'Sarri will be happy now' - Hazard hails Chelsea response in



Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge into top four March 12, 2019 LONDON (AFP) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer blamed Manchester United's lack of ruthlessness as the Norwegian suffered his first domestic defeat as caretaker manager in a 2-0 loss at Arsenal on Sunday night.
Arsenal inflict first domestic defeat on Solskjaer to surge



Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was equally keen for Willian to remain a member of his squad, especially as he is deploying Eden Hazard as a striker. "You know very well that Willian for us is a very important player," Sarri told reporters. "In my opinion, Willian has to stay with us. "With Eden playing as a striker we need wingers.



World Cup group stage - Ivory Coast vs. Japan. Japan's Eiji Kawashima saves the ball during the 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match between Ivory Coast and Japan at the Pernambuco arena in
TRAIN TRAVEL IN JAPAN | How to buy & use a Japan Rail Pass


Burnley 2-0 Wolves: Clarets boost Premier League survival



Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy Sane, says CEO Rummenigge Bayern have repeatedly said that they would like to draw Manchester City winger Leroy Sane to Munich. PHOTO
Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy
sportstons.com/soccer/football-bayern-have-not-yet-tabled-bid-for-man-citys-leroy-sane-says-ceo-rummenigge/
Football: Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Leroy Sane, says CEO Rummenigge BERLIN (REUTERS) - German football champions Bayern Munich have not yet made an offer for Manchester City winger Leroy Sane despite their longstanding desire to sign him, club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said on Wednesday (June 5).
Bayern have not yet tabled bid for Man City's Sane



Part 3 of Inside The Rhapsody - A mini documentary about the making of Bohemian Rhapsody - Taken from the 'Greatest Video Hits 1' bonus DVD of 2002. 1 of 3 mini documentaries from this disc. http
Queen Is Making A Killing In Music Sales Thanks To 'Bohemian

0 Kommentare:

Kommentar veröffentlichen