Stefano Pioli believes the outcome of AC Milan’s home clash with Serie A rivals Atalanta could determine the trajectory of the rest of their season with the title not yet out of their reach and a chasing pack turning up the European heat.
The Rossoneri head into Sunday’s match 11 points behind city foes Inter Milan in the Scudetto race while fourth-placed Bologna and Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta are both in excellent form and pushing hard for Champions League football.
Defeat at San Siro and Milan could lose the initiative in that battle, especially considering the fact Atalanta – in fifth – have a game in hand and are riding a five-game winning streak.
Pioli said at Saturday morning’s press conference: “Tomorrow’s match is very important in terms of the league standings.
“Various teams below us continue to pick up points, and we want to get back to winning ways.
“It’ll be difficult, as we’ll be up against a side who are doing well, but we are also doing well. They’ve beaten us twice this season, so we’re preparing for the game with the aim of doing better.”
Milan celebrated reaching the Europa League last 16 this week with an aggregate victory over play-off opponents Rennes, and next up will be two legs against Slavia Prague in March.
This offers the Rossoneri further incentive to up their game and fight for honours on multiple fronts across the run-in.
“We progressed through our tie in the Europa League, and we’re in the competition to give it a go and fight to win it,” said Pioli. “Our destiny depends on ourselves, not on our opponents and the draw.
“In Europe, easy opponents don’t exist; Slavia Prague won their group ahead of Roma and are fighting to win their league domestically.”
Striker Luka Jovic is suspended but the boss hopes to have Pierre Kalulu back in the squad, with the French defender completing a full week of training following an injury lay-off.
England international Fikayo Tomori is “also doing better but slightly behind in the recovery process” and Pioli is optimistic that their returns will give Milan more bite in the backline as both players are “aggressive and fast and contribute well to our build-up play”.
Defender Isak Hien and Jose Luis Palomino are sidelined for Atalanta, who triumphed 3-2 in a wild December meeting with Milan before going to San Siro and knocking them out of the Coppa Italia last month.
Ex-wife of former Jamaica footballer Jorginho James shares harrowing details of assault: "He punched me eight times..."
The estranged ex-wife of former Jamaican footballer Jorginho James has come forward with harrowing details of an assault she endured on August 30. A video of the horrific assault that occurred inside his child’s daycare facility, has since gone viral.
In an interview with Fox 26, she recounted the frightening ordeal that is the latest in a series of incidents involving the 30-year-old former professional soccer player.
James, who has had previous run-ins with the law for family-related assaults, was first charged with a felony last month. Recalling one such incident, his ex-wife described a terrifying attack where James used a belt to strangle her. "He put a belt around my neck, and he strangled me," she said. "He kept me in the room for about an hour, two hours. He put the belt around my neck a second time and this time it was longer."
The ex-wife managed to call 911 during the ordeal, leading to James' arrest. However, he was released on bond just two days later. Court records indicated that James initially complied with the protective order and bond conditions placed upon him. However, this compliance reportedly came to an abrupt end on August 30.
According to the ex-wife, the incident on that day unfolded as James followed her while she was taking their two-year-old child to daycare. "As soon as I parked, he jumped into my back seat," she recounted. Fearing for her safety, she quickly exited the car and sought refuge inside the daycare while calling 911. However, this did not stop James. "While I'm still on the phone with them, that is when he started hitting me," she said. "He punched me eight times. I feel like he wouldn't have stopped if I wouldn't have fallen. He already had his arm ready to go a ninth time."
The brutal assault left the battered woman with severe injuries, including a large black bruise on her face, swelling, and a broken finger. "I can't use my right hand," she shared, adding that even two weeks after the attack, the physical effects are still evident.
Despite the severity of the attack, the charges against James were not upgraded to a felony. Instead, the August 30 assault was classified as a misdemeanor, with James only facing a second felony charge for violating a protective order or bond condition. "I was 100 per cent sure that he wasn't going to be able to come out this time," the flustered woman expressed, voicing her frustration and disbelief at the legal response.
Even though the District Attorney's Office filed a motion to deny bond, the court set it at $20,000. James currently remains free after posting bail.
In a message directed at James, the ex-wife said, "I hope he watches this or somebody he knows watches this, and he realizes that he hurt our daughter more than he hurt me. She's been screaming and crying in her sleep. I just need him to stay away and focus on himself and getting better so he can be a father to our daughter in the future if he gets a chance."
'I always win things in my second year' - Postecoglou insists Tottenham can win trophies
A defiant Ange Postecoglou believes Tottenham have enough to win trophies this campaign as he "always wins things in his second year".
Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal for the Gunners in the 64th minute, profiting from some slack defending on a corner as he thumped in the winner.
Spurs had the better chances, especially in the first half, finishing the game with 15 shots overall, more than double what Arsenal managed (seven).
The hosts also dominated possession with 63.7% and entered the final third 62 times, but as they did against Leicester City on the opening day, they struggled to take their chances.
Asked if he thought his team had enough to challenge for silverware this season, Postecoglou told Sky Sports: "I don't usually win things, I always win things in my second year," he told Sky Sports. "Nothing's changed. I don't say things unless I believe it."
Postecoglou has failed to beat Arsenal in three Premier League attempts and was left to lament their lack of a clinical edge after the match.
"It's very disappointing in a big game for us and our supporters. We didn't deliver so you have to take the pain from that," he added.
"It has been the story of our season so far, we played in their half and created chances, but we lack a bit of belief in the final third. That's what we need to fix. It was always going to be decided in moments, and they capitalised on theirs.
"It's me who has to give the guys the way forward. It's not for a lack of trying by the lads, we are just going through this early part of the season where we are playing well but not getting rewards for it.
"We handled set-pieces pretty well, but we switched off for one and paid the price."
Son Heung-min made his 19th Premier League appearance in the North London derby, with only Sol Campbell (22) playing in more among outfield players.
The Spurs captain struggled to make an impact though, worth just 0.04 expected goals (xG), and he echoed Postecoglou's frustrations.
"We dominated the game; the football was there, we just conceded from a set-piece again. We did it last season, and it is really frustrating," Son said.
"I am sure the fans are also very disappointed. We have to improve, 100%. It's a tough moment and we have to stick together.
"We are getting into the final third, but the players have to take the responsibility to score. It is the hardest part of football, making the right decision and being clinical.
"We will bounce back strong, there is a long way to go."
Arteta delighted after Arsenal 'go over hurdles' to win North London derby
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta was beaming with the work rate put in by his side following their 1-0 victory away to rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Defender Gabriel Magalhaes scored the decisive goal, heading home from a corner in the second half, to leave the Gunners second in the Premier League table.
Spurs enjoyed the better start of the two, creating plenty of openings in the early part of the first half, but were unable to take advantage.
Arsenal had fewer shots than Spurs (seven to 15) but were more clinical than their hosts.
"They are a great side and create an unbelievable atmosphere," said Arteta of their opponents while talking to Sky Sports.
"We knew it would be tough. We believed we could hurt them, we weren't the best with the ball today.
"The way we defended was top drawer. We want to play a different game, but they put a structure that is extremely difficult to match up, so we decided not to do that."
Three of Arsenal's last four Premier League goals against Spurs have come from corners, compared to just three in their previous 88 such matches beforehand.
"We just work on heading the ball, having the right delivery and winning the ball," Arteta added.
"It is about the right timing. Over the season, the team has to go over hurdles, so I am delighted."
Arsenal's players echoed their manager's happiness, with stand-in captain Jorginho highlighting how the team spirit helped them over the line.
"We had to work really hard, as you saw, we knew it was going to be a difficult game," he told Sky Sports.
"On these days you have to work, and we know we can count on each other as teammates.
"At the end, it paid off, and we are so happy that we won. We had key players missing, but we are a total team, the whole squad. We know that whoever comes on will be ready to help the team. We are really proud of the team."
Arsenal's victory over their rivals was the first time since 1988 that they have won three in a row at Tottenham, and that significance was not lost on the players.
"We did it three times in a row now, and you felt the excitement in the dressing room after the game," Jurrien Timber said to BBC Match of the Day.
"You know how bad the fans want to win this game, but it's the same for every game. You prepare for every game the same way, but it felt really nice winning this one.
"I am really, really enjoying it even with all these games coming up. The feeling of being fit is an amazing feeling.
"It's a true honour. We showed up today and credit to everyone who came in."
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