Romelu Lukaku is giving excellent signals following a timely return to form, according to Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi.
The Belgium international has scored just four goals for the Nerazzurri since returning on loan from Chelsea last June.
Two of those have come in his last four appearances including the winner in the first leg of Inter s Champions League last-16 tie with Porto.
The striker is just one goal away from becoming only the fourth player to score 50 times in Serie A and the Premier League, after Gianfranco Zola, Edin Dzeko and Cristiano Ronaldo.
We know his value, he came from a problematic period, and now he is giving excellent signals, Inzaghi said of Lukaku during his press conference ahead of Inter s clash with Spezia on Friday.
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Competition: Serie A
Market: Torino to beat Benevento
Odds:
Serie A returns this weekend for yet another massive round of games as the competition continues to simmer away nicely. Every side will be desperate to pick up a win, with the three points crucial to the season-long objectives of every team, be it for survival or for the European places. With this in mind, Torino host Benevento on Sunday.
Torino have been in good form this season and they are looking to climb up the table and into the European places. After 21 games they have won six, drawn 11 and lost four, scoring 29 goals and conceding 28 times. In their last five games they have managed to win once, while they have drawn once and lost three times, which has seen them onto 29 points…
I have always liked Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe. He comes across as an intelligent guy, who talks sense when it comes to football. The Cherries boss also seems to be honest as well.
His no BS personality is a breath of fresh air in the Premier League, where bosses spend so much time playing mind games. Apart from his obvious good character traits, there is the fact that he is a good football manager too.
I have to admit I was starting to lose faith in Eddie a few weeks ago. However, the last few Bournemouth games culminating in last night’s excellent 3-0 win at champions Chelsea has made me a believer in the highly rated Cherries boss.
His football philosophy admirable
Howe has never changed his football philosophy. He helped the Cherries to promotion …
Bayern Munich left-back Diego Contento has signed a contract extension with the Bavarians until June 2016.
The defender s previous deal was to expire in 12 months, and a number of clubs were closely monitoring Contento s situation.
However, the 22-year-old has moved to end all speculation about his future by signing a three-year extension to his existing contract.
Contento is a product of the Bayern youth academy, and made his official first team debut in February 2010.
The former Germany Under-20 starlet has made 47 competitive appearances for Bayern to date.
The defender faces stiff competition from Austria international David Alaba for the position of left-back at the Bavarian giants.
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Japan s national team manager Alberto Zaccheroni has agreed to a contract extension, according to reports.
According to sources from within the Japan Football Association (JFA), the Italian s term at the helm of the Samurai Blue will be extended by one year, with another one-year extension depending on the team reaching the 2014 World Cup.
Zaccheroni s previous contract was due to expire in August, but his extension means he will lead the team throughout Cup qualifying as well as the 2013 Confederations Cup in Brazil.
The Italian took over Japan following the 2010 World Cup, beginning his tenure with a 1-0 win against a Lionel Messi-led Argentina that October. Just five months later, Japan captured the 2011 Asian Cup after defeating Australia in extra-time.
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West Brom missed the chance to return to the top of the Championship as their six-match winning run was halted in a 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic.
Slaven Bilic s side had to recover from a goal down to snatch a point that lifts them level with Leeds United, who beat Hull City on Tuesday to climb into top spot.
Brentford got their play-off charge back on track with a 2-1 win over Cardiff City, inflicting a first defeat of Neil Harris reign on the Welsh side.
Elsewhere, QPR moved into the top half of the division with a 2-0 away win at Birmingham City, while the other three games that took place on Wednesday finished 1-1.
WEST BROM DROP POINTS
West Brom had won four successive away league matches without conceding, but they came unstuck against a det…
Mason Greenwood starred with a superb brace as Manchester United thumped AZ 4-0 to seal top spot in Europa League Group L.
The first half was in keeping with the fact both teams had already qualified but United sprung into life with a flurry of four goals inside 11 second-half minutes.
Teenage forward Greenwood was to the fore after Ashley Young opened the scoring, dispatching a pair of fabulous finishes either side of winning a penalty that Juan Mata converted.
AZ were left to rue a pair of missed chances from Calvin Stengs as United romped clear to be assured of a seeded spot in Monday s draw for the knockout stages.
Andreas Pereira forced AZ goalkeeper Marco Bizot into an early near-post save but the lack of jeopardy in the game was initially reflecte…
Image Credit: Sportsgooglly.com
Colombia earned a in the opening match of the Copa America 2016 Centenario at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on Friday.
AC Milan defender Cristian Zapata opened the scoring for Los Cafeteros within 8 minutes of the match, while Real Madrid superstar James Rodriguez doubled the lead for the visitors before half-time.
Here are five major talking points from the match:
USA lacklustre, completely outplayed
The hosts enjoyed loads of possession but didn t do enough to trouble the Colombian defence. In fact, Colombia were more than happy to sit back and hit them on the counter. USA enjoyed a lion share 53% ball possession but how many clear cut goal chances had they created? Hardly one or two. They were restricted t…
Lille centre-back Simon Kjaer has emerged as the latest target for Premier League high-flyers Liverpool, Sportmediaset can reveal.
The Danish defender caught the eye of the Reds scouts who were watching Divock Origi in action and the Premiership side may come forward with an official bid in the summer.
Kjaer has kick-started his career in France following somewhat disappointing spells with Roma and Wolfsburg, and he recently hinted he would consider any serious proposal for his services.
The Reds need to recruit at least another centre-back if Brendan Rodgers continues playing a three-man defence and the Denmark international will certainly come into consideration.
Simon Kjaer made a name for himself in Italian Serie A, enjoying two very successful seaso…
Christian Pulisic believes the United States can take confidence from setting a record for away goals as they thumped Grenada.
In winning 7-1 on Friday in the CONCACAF Nations League, it was the first time they had scored seven goals in a match taking place outside the US.
It was USA s first competitive match since the World Cup, with Ricardo Pepi and Weston McKennie each scoring twice.
Chelsea star Pulisic also got on the scoresheet, and had a hand in four other goals too.
We came out really strong with a lot of energy and just kind of put with them right away, Pulisic said, per ESPN.
So I think they were kind of surprised by that. Took our goals well and just a great all-around performance. Definitely gives us confidence.
Pulisic adde…