Former Paris Saint-Germain and Napoli forward Ezequiel Lavezzi has spoken candidly about his mental health struggles, detailing his admission to a psychiatric clinic following his retirement from professional football. The 2014 World Cup finalist revealed that close friend Lionel Messi and the birth of his son were vital in his recovery.
Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that the late injury scare involving Kevin De Bruyne was merely a cramp following a narrow victory over Bologna in Serie A today. The Napoli manager eased fears surrounding his star midfielder while also praising his squad for their anger and determination to secure their first home win of the current domestic campaign.
Napoli defender Amir Rrahmani has shockingly retired from international duty with Kosovo following a bitter dispute with the national football association. The 32-year-old cited persistent disagreements and constant attacks from FA leadership as the driving forces behind his explosive exit.
Mikel Arteta has revealed his bizarre methods for preparing Arsenal for unexpected disruptions after their Champions League plans were thrown into chaos. The Gunners' flight to Italy ahead of Napoli clash was severely delayed by UK air traffic control issues, but the manager insisted his squad was ready. He admitted to deliberately sabotaging pre-season schedules to ensure his players could handle sudden adversity without complaining.
Declan Rice has admitted that ex-Man City star Kevin De Bruyne remains a massive threat on the European stage despite Arsenal securing a hard-fought victory over Napoli. The Gunners kicked off their Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win in Italy, but the Belgian playmaker left a lasting impression on his former Premier League rivals.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has delivered a sobering reality check to his former club, labelling reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain as virtually 'unplayable' in the Champions League. Despite the Gunners enjoying a flawless start to their European and domestic campaigns, the Frenchman believes the tactical evolution in Paris under Luis Enrique has created a formidable hurdle for any title hopeful.
Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero has heaped praise on Arsenal following their impressive Champions League victory over Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The former Juventus star believes Mikel Arteta's side were a class above their Italian opponents, singling out Martin Odegaard for his standout performance.
Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne has conceded that Arsenal may now be the best team in world football following their Champions League victory over Napoli. The Belgian midfielder was on the receiving end of a dominant Gunners performance as Mikel Arteta’s side continued their perfect start to the new campaign.
Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri has lauded Mikel Arteta's Arsenal as one of Europe's elite following a narrow Champions League defeat at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Despite remaining resolute for much of the contest, the Italian manager conceded his struggling side ultimately had no answer to the visitors' quality.
Rasmus Hojlund has heaped praise on Arsenal's formidable defensive unit following Napoli's narrow Champions League defeat in north London. The former Manchester United striker lauded Gabriel Magalhaes as the team's vital anchor while expressing his admiration for Mikel Arteta's impressive squad depth amid defensive absences.
Martin Odegaard continued his superb start to the season with a decisive strike as Arsenal edged past Napoli in their Champions League opener. The Gunners captain secured all three points after his team-mates were guilty of wasting a host of glorious opportunities in Italy.
Napoli have confirmed that star midfielder Scott McTominay has undergone successful surgery to correct a minor heart condition. The former Manchester United man was recently diagnosed with a mild benign arrhythmia, requiring a specialist procedure to ensure his long-term health and fitness.
Massimiliano Allegri has warned his Napoli side that they are coming up against one of the best teams in world football as they prepare to host Arsenal in their Champions League opener. The Italian tactician identified a specific tactical evolution under Mikel Arteta that has transformed the Gunners into a formidable European force.
Several high-profile stars have been left out of European squad lists following key deadline decisions. From Liverpool's Federico Chiesa and Real Madrid's Ferland Mendy to Borussia Dortmund captain Emre Can, managers across the continent faced tough selection calls due to injuries and squad limits.
The road to Madrid begins this week as the league phase gets under way - but which teams are currently looking in the best shape to go on and lift the European Cup?
Bruno Guimaraes has offered a fascinating insight into the mentality of Mikel Arteta, describing the Arsenal manager as "very obsessed" with continuous improvement. The Brazilian midfielder, who arrived in North London this summer, believes the Spaniard's relentless drive is the primary catalyst behind the Gunners' perfect start to their Premier League title defence.
Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna has addressed the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Scott McTominay’s future as the midfielder prepares for surgery to correct a heart issue. The Scotland international is set to undergo a procedure in London, with the Serie A club providing a definitive recovery plan that will see him sidelined through the upcoming international break.
Kevin De Bruyne is inline to make his first Napoli start as Massimiliano Allegri's side host Arsenal in the Champions League. The Belgian playmaker boasts an incredible career record against the Gunners, giving Napoli a major boost following their recent defeat to Inter Milan.
Napoli have confirmed that Scott McTominay is scheduled to undergo heart surgery in London on Monday to address a recently diagnosed cardiac condition. The Scotland international will travel to the English capital for the procedure as the Serie A side look to resolve the issue swiftly and get their star midfielder back on the pitch.
Inter head coach Cristian Chivu praised his side's resilience and courage after fighting back from two goals down to seal a historic 3-2 victory against Napoli on Saturday. Lautaro Martinez netted a dramatic stoppage-time winner at San Siro to maintain the Nerazzurri's flawless start to the season and end a five-match winless streak against their rivals.
Lautaro Martinez scored two goals as Inter Milan fought back from two goals down to beat Napoli 3-2 at San Siro. The Argentine captain reached a historical goalscoring milestone for the club while revealing why Marcus Thuram joined his famous barrier celebration.
Marcus Thuram has explained why he joined captain Lautaro Martinez in celebrating on the San Siro barriers during Inter's stunning comeback win over Napoli. The French forward scored a vital header as the Nerazzurri overturned a two-goal deficit to win 3-2.
Curtis Jones has revealed he already feels completely at home at Inter after playing a key role in their stunning 3-2 comeback victory over Napoli. The former Liverpool star praised his new manager Cristian Chivu and hit back at critics who label Serie A as boring, insisting that his new team have the tactical brilliance and fighting spirit to achieve major success.
Massimiliano Allegri has expressed his frustration with his side's defensive lapses after Napoli threw away a two-goal lead at San Siro. The Partenopei suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat at the hands of Inter, leaving the manager to rue a lack of concentration in key moments.
John Stones is tipped to make his first Serie A start for Inter against Napoli at San Siro on Saturday evening. The England international could face former Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne in a blockbuster weekend clash.