As the Serie A season progresses, teams are gearing up for another exciting weekend of fixtures. With the summer transfer window now closed, clubs are focusing on their upcoming matches. This weekend features a highly anticipated clash as Inter Milan hosts Napoli at San Siro on Saturday at 6 PM, alongside other significant matchups including Roma against Atalanta and Juventus facing AC Milan.
One of the most pressing stories in the league revolves around Juventus and Edon Zhegrova. The Kosovan winger has been notably left out of Juventus' UEFA squad, leading to speculation about his future. Reports from Corriere dello Sport suggest that Zhegrova may be considering a move to the Saudi Pro League. If this transfer does not materialize, he risks being sidelined from all competitions, indicating Juventus’ shift in focus away from integrating him into their plans.
In a separate development, AC Milan has received troubling news regarding defender Matteo Gabbia. He has sustained an ankle injury that will keep him out of action for an unspecified duration. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gabbia will definitely miss the upcoming match against Juventus and is doubtful for the subsequent fixture against Lazio. Milan's medical staff are working diligently to ensure his recovery is managed properly, with hopes he could return in time for their Europa League encounter against Benfica. This absence is particularly concerning for Milan, who are still striving for defensive stability.
Inter Milan is also making headlines with the departure of their long-time goalkeeper and captain, Samir Handanovic. After 14 years with the club, Handanovic has chosen to leave following an offer to coach the Primavera team, which he declined due to a mismatch in vision. He expressed his desire to work with a consistent group of young players, emphasizing the challenges he faced with player management between the Primavera and Under-23 teams. Handanovic is now preparing to take the UEFA Pro exam, aiming to transition to coaching senior players.
Meanwhile, Napoli will be without Brazilian winger Giovane for the next three matches due to surgery for an inguinal hernia. The club confirmed that he underwent the procedure at the Villa Stuart Clinic and is expected to return after the international break. This setback comes at a critical time for Napoli as they navigate their early-season challenges.
In the capital, Roma is keeping a close eye on Evan N’Dicka’s condition. The defender missed the previous match against Lecce due to a last-minute physical issue, but tests have revealed that he is only dealing with inflammation and no serious injury. His availability for the match against Atalanta remains uncertain, and should he be unable to play, Ghilardi, who performed well against Lecce, may step in, alongside Balerdi, who recently joined from Marseille.
Lastly, Lazio's goalkeeping situation has been a topic of interest as coach Gennaro Gattuso reportedly blocked a move for Christos Mandas to Bournemouth, valuing him as a key player in Lazio’s plans. The club also turned down offers for Michele Di Gregorio and Kepa from Arsenal, indicating Gattuso's confidence in Mandas, who has already secured two clean sheets in the season’s opening matches.
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