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Serie A Review: Klose inspires Lazio win, Cesena held by Verona
3 November 2014
Miroslav Klose scored twice on his Lazio return as Stefano Pioli's side beat Cagliari 4-2 in Serie A on Monday.
The Germany striker had not started in the league since September but wasted no time in showing his worth as Lazio ran riot in the first half at the Stadio Olimpico.
Having set up Stefano Mauri's opener on seven minutes, Klose netted his second goal of the campaign five minutes before the half hour.
Senad Lulic provided the assist for that goal, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina international was on hand a minute later to do the same, Klose making no mistake to fire past Alessio Cragno.
However, with Zdenek Zeman's half-time words for inspiration Cagliari pulled a goal back three minutes after the break, Edson Braafheid fumbling the ball into his own net in a goalmouth scramble.
Even after Victor Ibarbo had been sent off for the visitors they continued to pressurise Lazio, and when Joao Pedro fired home on 84 minutes it was the cue for a nervous end to the game for the hosts.
Those nerves were quickly settled, though, as Ederson converted an Andrea Candreva cross in stoppage time to seal Lazio's win, and lift them into third place in the table.
Meanwhile, Cesena moved level with Empoli on seven points after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hellas Verona.
Pierpaulo Bisoli's side started the game brightly on Monday and took the lead on 22 minutes, Hugo Almeida's header playing in Gregoire Defrel who made no mistake.
They were unable to hold onto that lead, though, as Juan Gomez levelled for the visitors with 13 minutes to play.
Cesena pushed for a winner and thought they had got one in stoppage time but Emmanuel Cascione's header was superbly kept out by Rafael.
Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne has signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until June 2019.
The 23-year-old Italy international has been in excellent form in recent weeks, playing a key role in his club's climb to third in Serie A on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run.
And it was announced on Monday that Insigne, who came through the youth system at Napoli, has been rewarded with a fresh deal.
A short statement published on Napoli's official website read: "The president Aurelio De Laurentiis and Lorenzo Insigne met today in the offices of Filmauro in Rome and have signed a contract until June 30 2019."
The news is sure to delight Napoli coach Rafael Benitez, who last month lauded for his attitude and work rate on the pitch.
Insigne has featured in all 10 of Napoli's Serie A fixtures so far this season, scoring once.
Filippo Inzaghi should not be blamed for Milan's recent Serie A slump, their Netherlands international midfielder Nigel de Jong insists.
After starting the season with impressive victories over Lazio and Parma, Milan have subsequently won just two of their subsequent eight to leave them seventh in the table.
Having already slipped nine points behind league leaders Juventus after the weekend's 2-0 loss to Palermo at San Siro, reports have emerged that head coach Inzaghi's job could be under threat.
However, De Jong insists the whole squad should bear the brunt of criticism, rather than just the coach.
"It's not Inzaghi's fault if we lose a match, even if he did take responsibility," the midfielder told a media conference on Tuesday.
"We win together and we lose together. Of course, when we lose, he's the first one to be blamed because he has to face the cameras. We have a lot of work to do.
"I don't know what's happened, we always play to win and right now it's proving difficult. We continue to work, and we believe in ourselves.
"We didn't have a good game against Palermo, but we must believe in our objective which could be third or fourth place.
"We travel to Genoa [to face Sampdoria] with confidence, even if it will be hard there."
Inzaghi takes Milan to the Luigi Ferraris on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways, but they face a tough test given the hosts are flying high in fourth place under Sinisa Mihajlovic.
Juventus wing-back Kwadwo Asamoah has been ruled out for around two weeks due to a knee injury.
The 25-year-old Ghanaian was injured during the Serie A champions' 2-0 win at Empoli on Saturday.
Asamoah featured in Tuesday's 3-2 UEFA Champions League victory against Olympiacos, but will play no part against Parma on Sunday.
A statement on the club's official website said: "Kwadwo Asamoah will be out for a precautionary period of 15 days in order to fully recover from the injury he sustained during last Saturday's Serie A meeting with Empoli.
"The Ghanaian featured in last night’s game against Olympiacos but continued inflammation in his knee means he will be rested over the next couple of weeks."
The Turin giants will be hoping Asamoah is able to return for the clash against Lazio on November 22.
The former Bianconeri midfielder feels Italian clubs need to make a step up, but is hopeful they can do so in the not too distant future
Juventus director Pavel Nedved has admitted the gap between the club and the likes of Bayern Munich is "huge" and getting bigger each season.
The Bavarians recorded two comfortable wins over fellow Italian side Roma in this year's edition of the competition and Nedved feels Serie A teams lack the quality to challenge the biggest teams in Europe at this stage.
"The gap between Bayern and Juventus and the other Italian teams is huge," Nedved told Tuttosport.
"We all saw proof of this when Bayern and Juve met two years ago, even if they weren't as glamorous as against Roma this season.
"Italian football is no longer at the heights from the past and we all see that."
Nedved, however, is confident that Italian football can eventually rise again and urged other clubs to follow their financial model.
"I am convinced that Italian football can become great again.
"Juventus own their stadium and it's sold out each game. Other clubs should follow this example."
Juventus have not made it past the quarter-finals of the Champions League since reaching the final in 2002-03.
They currently sit third in Group A with six points from four games.
Serie A Preview: Juve aim to extend lead, Lazio can increase pressure
6 November 2014
Juventus host an improving Parma on Sunday aiming to build on midweek momentum and increase their lead at the top of Serie A.
Massimiliano Allegri's men stretched their advantage at the top of the table to three points last weekend.
Juve recovered from defeat to Genoa with a comfortable victory against Empoli while Roma slipped up at Napoli.
The defending champions carried that form into the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday as they came from behind to beat Olympiacos 3-2 and strengthen their hopes of qualification for the last 16.
But attention returns to domestic action this weekend with Parma standing between Juventus and a third straight victory in all competitions.
Roberto Donadoni's Parma will be confident themselves, however, having halted a run of six successive defeats with an impressive win against Inter last time out to ease the pressure on him amid rumours over his future.
Allegri will have to do without Kwadwo Asamoah after the midfielder aggravated a knee injury on Tuesday.
But, as has been a recurring theme this season, Allegri's biggest selection decision concerns whether to pair Alvaro Morata or Fernando Llorente alongside Carlos Tevez in attack.
"They have different attributes: Morata attacks from deep and drives forward compared to Llorente who acted as a target man for Tevez," Allegri told the club's official website.
"Carlitos (Tevez) can play with everyone, and understands where to go and seek out pockets of space.
"We're in a good position and still in the hunt to finish first. Now let's turn our attentions to Parma and then we’ll begin preparations for the game with Malmo."
Roma's defeat last weekend means cross-city rivals Lazio could climb above them with success at struggling Empoli, although Rudi Garcia's side can avoid that if they overcome Torino.
Sampdoria have endured a tough run of fixtures, facing Fiorentina, Inter and Roma in their previous three games. But Sinisa Mihajlovic's side remain just six points behind Juve ahead of hosting Milan on Saturday.
Atalanta travel to Sassuolo in Saturday's other match with the hosts looking to extend a four-match unbeaten run that has allowed them to climb to 14th.
Two of the bottom three meet in Verona as Chievo take on Cesena with both sides desperate for a first win in over two months.
Napoli have not lost in seven Serie A matches and can keep up the pressure on the leaders with a positive result from their trip to Fiorentina.
Five places and four points separate Udinese and Palermo, but that matters little when Giuseppe Iachini's men play hosts on Sunday, hoping to add to victories against Milan and Chievo.
And Inter will look for a response to their reverse at Parma as Verona visit San Siro while Genoa aim to continue their fine form at Cagliari.
Roberto Mancini plans to return to coaching next year and refused to rule out going back to Inter.
The Italian has been without a job since leaving Galatasaray in June, with the 49-year-old regularly linked with a return to Inter.
Walter Mazzarri's men are battling in ninth in Serie A, and while Mancini praised the former Napoli coach, he never ruled out a move.
"I will surely return to coaching next season, perhaps even this year," Mancini told MilanInterTV.
"Inter? I had an extraordinary experience there, as we won a lot together.
"I don't know what will happen, it's hard to say right now. From now until the summer, anything can happen but Inter already have a good coach."
At Inter, Mancini won three Serie A titles and multiple other cups.
He denied having a meeting with Inter CEO Michael Bolingbroke and said Sinisa Mihajlovic was among the coaches ready to take over at San Siro.
"I went to Cesena to watch the game. I said hello to Bolingbroke because we came across each other when in Manchester, that's all," Mancini said.
"I can't judge from the outside. I reiterate that Inter have a good team, and with a little more composure, they can fight for the Champions League. They're not far behind.
"[Mihajlovic] has now accumulated a lot of experience and is doing very well at Sampdoria. I think he's fairly ready for a team like Inter."
Serie A Review: El Shaarawy ends drought as Milan salvage point, Atalanta earn draw at Sassuolo
8 November 2014
Stephan El Shaarawy ended a 622-day goal drought to help 10-man Milan claim a 2-2 draw at Sampdoria on Saturday.
Back in the starting line up in place of Fernando Torres, El Shaarawy put Filippo Inzaghi's side ahead early on at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, cutting in on his right foot to curl a sublime shot into the bottom-right corner of Sergio Roberto's goal - and in doing so finding the net in Serie A for the first time since February 2013.
But high-flying Sampdoria were not to be deterred and after having two penalty appeals waved away by the officials, they replied through Stefano Okaka.
He latched onto Manolo Gabbiadini's cross to tuck home his second goal of the season as the first half drew to a close.
And the hosts took the initiative soon after the interval, when Eder bundled home from close range after Pedro Obiang's powerful header had rebounded off of the woodwork.
Milan were on the rocks as Sampdoria pressed for a third, but Inzaghi's side gained a reprieve when they were awarded a dubious penalty after 65 minutes, as Jeremy Menez's low cross was deemed to have struck the hand of a Sampdoria defender.
Menez calmly dispatched the resulting spot-kick himself and despite seeing Daniele Bonera sent off for a second bookable offence late on after obstructing Okaka, Milan held on - although Roberto Soriano forced Diego Lopez to make a spectacular save to preserve their point.
In Saturday's other encounter, Atalanta ground out a point in a dull 0-0 stalemate at Sassuolo, who have now extended their unbeaten run to five league matches.
The visitors looked the more likely to take the spoils from a game of few chances, with midfielder Cristian Raimondi hitting the post with just over 15 minutes remaining.
Atlanta are now unbeaten in three, while Sassuolo move into 13th place in Serie A.
Serie A Review: Juve destroy pitiful Parma, Roma bounce back
9 November 2014
Serie A pacesetters Juventus demolished rock-bottom Parma 7-0 on Sunday, but Roma remain just behind them after beating Torino 3-0.
The Italian champions struggled to a 3-2 win over Olympiacos in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, but they were at their relentless best as Fernando Llorente, Carlos Tevez and Alvaro Morata starred in Turin.
Juve were 3-0 up at half-time as Llorente twice steered in easy finishes and Stephan Lichtsteiner fired an unstoppable half-volley beyond the helpless Antonio Mirante.
Parma struggled to make any impact going forward and Tevez scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the second period, first netting a fantastic solo effort and then pouncing on a rebound.
Juve still had it in them to add two more as Morata, a 71st-minute substitute for Llorente, coolly slotted in 14 minutes from time and he then added the seventh at the death.
Roma lost ground on Juve at the top of the table with their loss at Napoli last weekend, but they produced an immediate response against visiting Torino.
Vasilis Torosidis putt Rudi Garcia's men ahead after only eight minutes, steering in Francesco's Totti's low cross and Seydou Keita doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark, finding the bottom-right corner from 20 yards.
Adem Ljajic wrapped up the comfortable win in the 58th minute with a lovely curling strike from about 25 yards
Inter failed to ease the mounting pressure on coach Walter Mazzarri as they conceded a late equaliser in their 2-2 draw at home to Verona.
Luca Toni put the away side ahead in the 10th minute, but Inter fought back with a double from Mauro Icardi, the second arriving just after half-time.
Gary Medel picked up a red card for two yellow card offences a few moments later and, although Inter looked set to hold on, Nicolas Lopez struck for Verona in the 89th minute, dealing a cruel blow for Mazzarri.
Napoli continued their recent resurgence and lifted themselves up to third as Gonzalo Higuain's 61st-minute goal earned a 1-0 win at Fiorentina, seeing the Naples club capitalise on Lazio's 2-1 defeat at struggling Empoli.
Elsewhere, Cagliari and Palermo were held to 1-1 draws at home to Genoa and Udinese respectively, while Chievo beat Cesena 2-1 for only their second Serie A win of the season.
Inter president Erick Thohir has denied placing demands on under-fire head coach Walter Mazzarri.
Inter have made an inconsistent start to the 2014-15 campaign and sit ninth in the Serie A table with 16 points from 11 matches.
The San Siro club's spluttering form has led some to suggest that Thohir's patience with Mazzarri could be wearing thin, but the Indonesian insists he has not put any undue pressure on the coach.
"I've never given him an ultimatum, although I've read several times that I have," he told La Repubblica.
"I've said the same thing six or seven times, and I'll say it again - I started this project with Mazzarri, and he can feel comfortable, we know that bringing a plan to fruition takes time.
"But at the same time you must also get results. We have a lot of injuries, which has hurt us but the team is good."
Inter, who drew 1-1 at Saint-Etienne in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday, host Verona in the league on Sunday.
Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne is to undergo surgery after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury midway through the first half of Napoli's 1-0 win at Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday.
Napoli's worst fears were confirmed on Monday with the news the Italy international had suffered serious damage and is set to go under the knife this week.
"Insigne has a rupture of the anterior cruciate in his right knee," a brief statement on the Naples club's official website said.
"This is the outcome of the diagnostic analysis for Insigne who, accompanied by Dr. D'Andrea, went to Professor Mariani at Villa Stuart for clinical examination after the accident yesterday in Florence.
"The attacker will undergo surgery in the coming days, to be carried out by Professor Mariani."
Napoli have not put a timescale on Insigne's recovery, but it is feared that the forward could miss the remainder of the campaign.
The midfielder joined from Dinamo Zagreb back in 2013 but the Nerazzurri still find themselves struggling in mid-table in Serie A
Croatia defender Darijo Srna has told compatriot Mateo Kovacic he must leave Inter or risk hampering his progress.
The 20-year-old, who joined the Nerazzurri from Dinamo Zagreb in January 2013, has made 11 appearances in Serie A this season but the club continue to struggle and sit ninth in the table.
That has led to questions over the future of Inter boss Walter Mazzarri and Srna believes his Croatia team-mate should cut his losses and join a club with better immediate prospects.
"Mateo is one of the best young players in Serie A, but, if he wants to progress, he must go to another club. Inter are far from their glory days," he told reporters on Tuesday.
Srna is one of several experienced players who have been left out of Croatia's squad for their friendly with Argentina at Upton Park on Wednesday, along with the likes of Mario Mandzukic, Dejan Lovren and Luka Modric.
But the Shakhtar Donetsk right-back has backed the decision of coach Niko Kovac and feels it will provide the country's younger players with invaluable experience at international level.
He said: "We have the opportunity to change the future of Croatian football against Argentina. I think that coach Niko Kovac made the right decision, it's better to rest some of us, the older players. Young players will replace us some day and this game they will remember all their life."
The club's former sporting director feels the lack of competition in Italy is costing the Bianconeri when they travel the continent
The lack of competition in Serie A for Juventus' struggles in the Champions League, according to former director Luciano Moggi.
The Turin outfit failed to qualify for the knockout stages of European club football's elite competition last season and have again failed to impress this term, even if they still have every chance of making it to the next round.
Moggi is not surprised by the difficulties Juventus - and Roma - encounter when they take on foreign competition, however, blaming the inferiority of most teams in Serie A for it.
"Juventus and Roma are always dominating in Serie A and are superior to the other teams. That gives them the impression that they can also dominate foreign teams in the Champions League," Moggi told reporters.
"This is not the case, though, because Italian football is inferior to that of other countries. It's too easy to win in Italy. Winning games is much more complicated elsewhere than in Italy.
"People shouldn't be surprised that Roma conceded nine goals in two defeats versus Bayern or that Juventus lost the first match against Olympiakos in Athens."
Juventus sit third in Group A of the Champions League with six points from four encounters, level on points with second-placed Olympiakos, but trailing leads Atletico Madrid by three points.
Verratti forced to leave Italy squad due to injury
Nov 12, 2014 11:14:12
The former Pescara star will miss the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier versus Croatia and the friendly against Albania while he receives treatment in France
Italy coach Antonio Conte has received some disappointing news as Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti has been forced to withdraw from the national team due to an adductor injury.
The 22-year-old - who has been capped 10 times - had been unable to train with Italy after being called up last week and the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed on Tuesday that the midfielder has been sent home for treatment.
"The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder will return to France to continue physiotherapy on his injured left adductor muscle, which prevented him from training on Monday," said a statement from the FIGC.
Verratti is now set to miss Sunday's Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia and the friendly versus Albania two days later.
Antonio Conte's side have won their opening three Group H matches but trail Croatia on goal difference.
The Giuseppe Meazza side have decided to part ways with the ex-Napoli boss and are expected to bring back Roberto Mancini to take his place
Inter have announced they have parted company with head coach Walter Mazzarri following the club's disappointing performances this term and are expected to appoint Roberto Mancini as his replacement.
The 53-year-old joined Inter in the summer of 2013 after leaving Napoli and guided the Giuseppe Meazza side to fifth place in the Serie A table in his first season in charge.
However, Mazzarri was unable to build on that in 2014-15, with Inter sitting ninth after 11 games, winning just four league encounters so far.
"FC Internazionale would like to announce that Walter Mazzarri has been relieved of his duties as first team coach," the club said in an official statement.
"The club would like to thank Mazzarri for the commitment, dedication and professionalism he showed over his 17 months in charge."
Mancini previously coached Inter between 2004 and 2008, leading them to three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia trophies, and is expected to be appointed by owner Erick Thohir as soon as the contract details are finalised.
Mancini was fired by Inter in May 2008, with Jose Mourinho eventually taking his place.
The ex-Italy international has since coached Manchester City and Galatasaray, but had been out of work since leaving the Istanbul giants in the summer of 2014.
The Italian returns to the San Siro for his second spell with the Nerazzurri after Walter Mazzarri was sacked on Friday morning
Roberto Mancini has been named as the new coach of Inter, returning to the club for his second spell in charge.
The Nerazzurri sacked Walter Mazzarri on Friday after a poor start to the season and have brought the former Manchester City boss in to replace him.
Mancini, who won three consecutive Serie A titles as Inter boss between 2004 and 2008, has been confirmed as the new coach of the 2010 Champions League winners.
"F.C. Internazionale is pleased to announce that Roberto Mancini is the new first-team head coach. He will begin coaching duties on Saturday," a statement read on their official website.
Club president Erick Thohir has expressed his delight in appointing the 49-year-old, who has coached Manchester City and Galatasaray since leaving San Siro.
Thohir believes he is the right man to take them back to the pinnacle of Italian and European football.
"Our goal is to regain our rightful position as one of the very top clubs in Europe and that's why I am so happy to welcome back Roberto Mancini," he said.
"His track record both at Inter and elsewhere speaks for itself, and his international experience and hunger for success will drive the team to the next level."
Mancini won seven trophies in total in his first stint at San Siro, including two Coppe Italia.
The 41-year-old says he has been assured by president Silvio Berlusconi that he will lead the club for the next 20 years
Filippo Inzaghi is determined to leave a lasting legacy as AC Milan head coach and become known as the Serie A side's own Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot guided Manchester United to numerous trophies during a remarkable 27-year spell in charge of Manchester United and Inzaghi hopes to oversee a similar era at Milan.
"I would like to do at Milan what Ferguson did at Manchester United," Inzaghi told Corriere dello Sport.
"The president understands what I want and Milan have given me so much...
"I will still be Milan coach in 20 years' time. President [Silvio] Berlusconi told me this when he visited Milanello the other day.
"There is total harmony among the team. Everything has been running smoothly and there have not been any incidents. The team spirit is amazing. I expected to encounter more problems.
"We have started a new cycle and our first objective is to bring the Scudetto back to San Siro."
Milan currently sit seventh in the Serie A table with 17 points from 11 games.
The ex-Inter star says Roberto Mancini can bring success back to the San Siro and should build his team around Mateo Kovacic.
Roberto Mancini is the right man to turn things around at Inter, according to former midfielder Dejan Stankovic.
Mancini, one of Inter's most successful managers, returned to the San Siro club for a second spell on Friday after Walter Mazzarri was sacked.
Stankovic, now assistant coach at Udinese, won three Serie A titles during Mancini's first stint at the Nerazzurri from 2004 to 2008 and expects the Italian to revitalise the club.
"He knows the environment, and when you have no time to lose, that is something that makes a big difference," the Serbian said.
The Nerazzurri currently sit ninth in Serie A, 12 points behind leaders Juventus, but in young Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic, Mancini has a player he can build a team around, according to Stankovic.
"Inter and Inter fans, they needed this: to find a good feeling with their coach," he added.
"He likes the players like Kovacic: young, with quality and who are not afraid to take responsibility," the former midfielder said.
"He can build [a team] around him. It will be a boon for Mateo and Inter."
Mancini's second reign will begin with a derby match against AC Milan Sunday November 23.
The 49-year-old was sacked by Inter in 2008 after winning three Serie A titles but is back in the San Siro hotseat
Roberto Mancini has admitted he is as surprised as anyone over his return to coach Inter and says he has "everything to lose", six years after leaving the club.
The 49-year-old won three successive Serie A titles in his first spell at San Siro, but was sacked by former Nerazzurri president Massimo Moratti in 2008.
Following an indifferent start to the 2014-15 campaign, Inter parted company with Walter Mazzarri on Friday, paving the way for Mancini's appointment.
At a press conference on Saturday, the Italian revealed his delight at returning to his homeland after a successful spell at Manchester City was followed by a disappointing stint in Turkey with Galatasaray.
"I was very pleased to receive the affection of the fans," he said. "I never thought I'd come back to Inter, but it all happened so quickly. These things can happen in football.
"I honestly never thought I’d return here, as when you've done good work then there's everything to lose by coming back.
"I was called, the project was explained to me and I think it can be another great story.
"I don't know all the players well yet, so it's difficult to compare with the team I left. But, Kovacic is a good lad with fantastic ability, [Gary] Medel is a great professional, [Yuri] Nagatomo is an experienced player and [Fredy] Guarin can play a key role for us.
Usually when a coach is changed, it means things aren't going well and it is not always just the fault of the coach. I consider Mazzarri to be a good coach.
"We need to do something. I hope we can repeat what we achieved 10 years ago. It's tough to say if there are comparisons, but this team looks like it has quality - as we did a decade ago - and we just need a bit of luck, to work together and ensure things don't get worse.
"I am happy with the enthusiasm, as that is the basis of any victory. It's down to us now to restore enthusiasm and bring the fans back to the stadium so we can get back to winning ways."
Mancini's first game in charge will come against city rivals Milan a week on Sunday.
The Gunners boss was interested in the France midfielder but said his side were unable to make contact with him while he was at Man Utd
Arsene Wenger has revealed Arsenal attempted to sign Paul Pogba from Manchester United prior to him joining Serie A giants Juventus.
The France international left Old Trafford in 2012 having made just three first-team appearances, but has matured into one of the world's most sought after players following his showings in Serie A.
And Wenger has admitted the 21-year-old was on his radar as a teenager, but his age meant a deal was difficult to push through.
Wenger told BeIn Sport: "We were interested by Pogba when he was at Manchester. We tried to get him, but it was complicated. I was surprised to see Manchester let him go. We did not have the right to contact him."
The Gunners have struggled in the centre of midfield in recent years, with Abou Diaby's persistent injury problems proving an issue for Wenger.
Diaby has made just two appearances since March 2013, but Wenger believes the former Auxerre man has shown great character to continue coming back and trying to regain his full fitness.
He continued: "Diaby hasn't a mental problem, but a problem of injury. He is a player for whom I have great respect.
"Whenever he returns, he is injured and goes from zero. He was destroyed by a bad tackle. The soccer player needs the mobility of his ankle. When your ankle mobility is restricted, you compensate with something else.
"He suffered from a very bad tackle in Sunderland six or seven years ago. A tackle murderer who was never punished. It has restricted the mobility of the ankle.
"If he comes back, I'll keep him. I always believed in him. In football, the most important thing is health."
