DANIELE DE ROSSI'S FIRST WIN: GENOA RALLIES AFTER SLOW FIRST HALF
Daniele De Rossi secures his first managerial win at Genoa, a 2-1 comeback against Verona. The new boss praised his team's spirit but demanded a better first-half performance.
Daniele De Rossi celebrated his first win as Genoa's coach today, with a sweet 2-1 comeback against Verona.
This win bumps Genoa up to 15th place in Serie A for now, until the other games this weekend shake things up.
Even with the victory, De Rossi pointed out that the team needs to play better, especially in the first half. He said, “This win is important, even if it doesn’t change everything. We know our first half wasn't great, but the guys always respond well.”
Lorenzo Colombo and Morten Thorsby scored the goals that won the game, after Rafik Belghali put Verona ahead early on.
De Rossi seems happy with how dedicated his team has been. They haven't lost in the three games since he took over.
In his press conference (via TuttoSport), he mentioned, “The attitude in training and during matches is great, but we need to step it up in the first half.”
He also talked about how the team needs to turn ball possession into real scoring chances, something they’ve struggled with this season.
“We had the ball a lot, but we need to figure out how to do things with it. We were too slow and didn't look for open spaces. We’re enjoying this win and the good feeling. We played much better in the second half, even if we got pushed back in the final minutes.
De Rossi also had some advice for two of his key forwards, encouraging them to work together better to create more opportunities for the team.
“Vitinha and Colombo? They need to find each other more. They were a bit static in the first half, even though they helped us get out of a tough spot. These guys need to get assists and score goals to win over the fans.
“I care a lot about my job, the staff, the team, and the fans. A coach’s job is to get the team ready. If the first half wasn’t good, that’s on me. I also have to figure out what was going wrong. It wasn’t really about tactics but more about how we moved the ball. You have to give a little extra.”
Looking ahead to their match against Atalanta in Coppa Italia on Wednesday, De Rossi was asked if he'll make changes to the team.
He replied, “We were just focused on getting ready for today’s match. I’m thinking about it a lot. I’d like to switch out ten players to give everyone a chance, but changing that many players can hurt their ability to play well.
“There will be chances for guys who haven’t played much, but I don’t want to just throw them in there for the sake of it. Coppa Italia is important, and I respect it.”
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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