Short Corner
Hamsik struggling to adapt to Chinese football
AFP
Marek Hamsik says that he is struggling to settle in Chinese football and admitted he has problems communicating with his Dalian Yifang teammates.
The 31-year-old, Napoli’s all-time leading goal-scorer, left Serie A for the Chinese Super League (CSL) in February but has failed to find the net or provide an assist in six games.
Hamsik was dropped for Sunday’s 4-1 defeat at top-of-the-table Beijing Guoan and did not even make the bench.
“I am not particularly satisfied with my performances,” the Slovakian international midfielder told CCTV.
“There are big differences between Chinese and European football, but I will try to overcome this and adapt.”
Altidore and Stephens announce engagement
AFP
American tennis star Sloane Stephens and USA international Jozy Altidore announced a love match on Monday with both posting on Twitter that they are getting engaged.
Altidore tweeted the news with a picture and a message that read, “Forever starts now” while Stephens wrote “Forever yes” next to a red heart.
The couple have been dating since 2016.
The 2017 US Open champion Stephens has won six WTA Tour titles and was runner up at the French Open last year.
In addition to her Grand Slam success, the 26-year-old Stephens was a member of the 2017 US Fed Cup team and reached the championship match of the WTA Tour Finals in 2018.
The 29-year-old Altidore currently plays for Toronto FC in the Major Soccer League and has represented the US at almost every level, including two World Cups.
De Roon, Pasalic fire Atalanta into fourth
AFP
Midfielders Marten de Roon and Mario Pasalic scored late as Atalanta beat Udinese 2-0 to surge back into the top four in Serie A on Monday.
The side from Bergamo move ahead of Roma into the final Champions League spot days after booking their ticket to the Coppa Italia final on May 15 against Lazio.
The battle for elite European football next season remains tight with six teams in the running to join Juventus and Napoli in the competition next season. Atalanta with 59 points from 34 games move one point ahead of Roma who drop to fifth with four games left of the campaign.
“We’re experiencing something remarkable, the lads are doing incredible things,” said coach Gian Piero Gasperini as his team target a place in top-tier European football for the first time.
“It’s in our hands now.”
Lazio punished over ‘banana’ Bakayoko chant
AFP
Lazio have been handed a one-match stand closure penalty which is suspended for a year due to racist chants by their fans during last week’s Italian Cup semifinal against AC Milan, the Lega Serie A announced on Monday.
AC Milan players Tiemoue Bakayoko and Franck Kessie were targeted by ‘monkey chanting’ by a section of Lazio supporters before and after the game in the San Siro.
Bakayoko was also targeted before the game with Lazio fans heard outside the stadium singing: “This banana is for Bakayoko”.
The Lega Serie A said in a statement that “90% of the 4,049 occupants, were responsible for repeated racist chants towards Milan players Franck Kessie and, in particular, Tiemoue Bakayoko”.
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