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OLD FRIENDS: LUKA MODRIC'S INFLUENCE KEY IN MILAN'S SUMMER GOALKEEPER PURSUIT OF ANDRIY LUNIN

AC Milan is intensely pursuing Real Madrid backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, with veteran star Luka Modric expected to play a key role in convincing his former teammate to move to Italy

Old Friends: Luka Modric's Influence Key In Milan's Summer Goalkeeper Pursuit Of Andriy Lunin
Milan Aims For Lunin As Modric Assists Free Agent's Next Big Move

Luka Modric, the old Real Madrid midfielder, is doing great in his first season in Italy. He joined Milan as a free agent after the Club World Cup. Even though he turned 40 in September, he's helped Milan compete for the title.

After scoring one goal and assisting twice this season on top of his solid play, Milan wants his help in another area.

The Italian team has its eyes on a Real Madrid player for the summer. They're hoping Modric can convince the Real Madrid star to join him in Milan. This transfer could happen because they might lose a current starting player.

Milan Wants Real Madrid Goalkeeper With Modric's Help

Reports from Tuttosport (via MilanNews) say Milan is very interested in getting Real Madrid's backup goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian played with Modric for quite some time at Madrid, and Milan thinks he can help convince Lunin to come to Italy.

There's a good chance Milan will need a new main goalkeeper next season because Mike Maignan, their current starter, might leave. The Frenchman's contract ends after this season, and it's expected he won't sign a new one.

Milan is still trying to negotiate a contract extension. But they've started making a list of possible replacements, with Lunin as their top choice.

The 26-year-old was almost transferred this past summer, as he wanted to play regularly. But he was reportedly happy in Madrid, even as Thibaut Courtois' backup. Now that Courtois has signed a new deal until 2027, Lunin might think 2026 is the right time to move on.

If Maignan leaves Milan, Lunin could become the main goalkeeper. When the Ukrainian has filled in for Courtois, he's shown he can be a consistent starter at a high level. That's why big clubs asked about him this summer.

Manchester United and Aston Villa had some talks, looking to get new goalkeepers. They probably won't be looking again unless Emi Martinez leaves Villa after this season. That means Milan might get Lunin without much competition, and with Modric's help, they could get him.

TIRED OR TOUGH? THE CONFLICTING ITALIAN MEDIA REPORTS ON SCOTT MCTOMINAY’S PERFORMANCE

Scott McTominay and Napoli suffer Champions League elimination after a 3-2 home defeat to Chelsea's clinical Joao Pedro.

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Napoli and McTominay crashed out against Chelsea

Scott McTominay had a rough night as Napoli crashed out of the Champions League on Wednesday. The reigning Serie A champs missed out on a play-off spot after losing at home to Chelsea.

It was a wild night in the Champions League, and Napoli ended up as one of the biggest letdowns. Even with home advantage against Liam Rosenior's team, they only managed to finish 30th overall. Chelsea, on the other hand, walked away with sixth.

McTominay, along with Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund, couldn’t stop Napoli from falling 3-2 in Naples. Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring, but Napoli hit back before halftime thanks to Antonio Vergara and Hojlund.

But after the break, Joao Pedro bagged a brace and sealed Napoli’s fate. The Italian press didn’t hold back in their reviews of McTominay’s performance.

Il Napolista gave McTominay a 6 out of 10. They liked his grit but pointed out he lost possession a few too many times in midfield. Still, they said he was a threat going forward—enough to give Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez something to worry about. But in the end, it just wasn’t enough for Conte’s side.

Il Messaggero also gave him a 6. They called his first half “average”, even though the game was played at a high level. After halftime, they thought he looked tired and didn’t live up to his usual standards.

Corriere dello Sport was a bit more generous with a 6.5. They praised his fighting spirit—classic Premier League style—and said he gave it everything he had. But as Serie A’s current MVP, expectations are high, and he just couldn’t find the goals Napoli needed.

Essere Partnopei matched that 6.5 rating. They praised his energy and said he was as active as ever, moving the ball well. Still, his efforts couldn’t keep Napoli from being knocked out.

Napoli Magazine skipped the ratings but said McTominay wasn’t at his best. He’s a key player for Conte and stayed committed, but it wasn’t enough to push Napoli into the next round.

"DON'T JUMP SHIP!" — ANTONIO CONTE’S EXPLOSIVE WARNING TO NAPOLI STARS AFTER JUVENTUS ROUT

Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund fail to fire as Juventus crush Napoli 3-0. Discover Conte’s defiant post-match reaction.

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Napoli slip to fourth as title rivals capitalise on defeat

Napoli just fell nine points behind in the Serie A title chase after Scott McTominay and the rest of the squad took a heavy 3-0 loss against Juventus.

The defending champs barely put up a fight at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Juventus looked sharp, closing the gap with Napoli to just a single point. Right now, Gli Azzurri sit fourth with 43 points, Juventus are right behind on 42, and Inter still lead the pack with 52. If Antonio Conte’s side wants to catch up, they’ve got a lot of work to do.

McTominay played the whole match for Napoli but couldn’t change the game. Frustration was obvious for the visitors. Rasmus Hojlund, on loan from Manchester United, struggled again and didn’t make much of a difference up front. While his parent club edged out Arsenal 3-2 in London, Hojlund missed two decent chances in Turin. He hasn’t scored for Napoli since late December.

Romelu Lukaku finally got back on the pitch after his injury, but with just 12 minutes left, the result was already settled. Juventus were two goals up—Jonathan David bagged the first, Kenan Yildiz added another, and Filip Kostic finished things off near the end with a third.

Napoli are still missing another Scot, Billy Gilmour, and creative midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is out hurt as well. Next up, Chelsea comes to Naples on Wednesday night. Napoli really needs a win to stay in the hunt for a Champions League play-off spot.

Conte faced up to the defeat but made it clear Napoli aren’t about to give up on the Scudetto—even with all these injuries.

Conte didn’t sugarcoat things:

“As long as it was 1-0, it felt close—like we might grab a draw,” he said. “But after their second goal, things opened up, and then they scored a third. Credit to them, but also to my guys. There’s not much to say or criticise. Even here in Turin, they gave everything.

“Sometimes you get past these obstacles, sometimes you don’t. For the first time in my career, I had to bring on a player [Giovane]. I’d never even seen him in training—a kid who just joined us Saturday. That tells you something about what we’re dealing with right now.

“But we’re not quitting. We know the situation, and we’ll keep pushing. It feels like we’re out at sea in a storm, but we’re not bailing. If someone wants to jump ship, fine—they can swim to shore. The rest of us are staying on board, ready to fight with everything we’ve got, whatever comes our way.”

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