Kalidou Koulibaly

However, neither appeared possible. They were to achieve that tall order against the Serie A champions Juventus, that had won nine of their last 11 games in all competitions and boasted an unyielding defense. And, they were to overcome such daunting challenge without key players like Belgian striker Dries Mertens and Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

Gennaro Gattuso has said Napoli ‘shot ourselves in the foot’ during their 2-1 defeat to Genoa and they are still battling to keep Victor Osimhen in top shape for a top-grade game.

Napoli communicated on Friday that Kalidou Koulibaly has tested positive for the coronavirus after the latest PCR test. The Senegalese centre-back will miss his side's next few matches.

One of Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ most reliable hands between the sticks of the goalpost, the former Lille goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama, has been named in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Team of the Decade (TOTD), 2011-2020, by the International Federation of Football History & Statistics (IFFHS).

Napoli got back to winning ways in their newly-named Diego Armando Maradona Stadium after falling to promoted Spezia in their last home match.

Former Senegalese soccer international, Papa Bouba Diop, who died last Sunday in Arras, northern France, will receive a post-humous national award on Friday, after his body arrived in Dakar, before his burial on Saturday in Rufisque, his hometown.

Napoli players are '100 per cent' behind manager Gennaro Gattuso after Sunday's 3-1 loss to AC Milan, according to Kalidou Koulibaly.

Gennaro Gattuso was critical of himself and his Napoli players after a 3-1 home defeat to Milan. ‘It’s no coincidence that we falter in the important games.

Inter would win Serie A with Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante and Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly, according to Massimo Moratti.

The Nigeria international, Victor Osimhen, got the only goal of the game as his Serie A side, Napoli battled to a lone goal victory away to Bologna on Sunday.

Former Napoli centre-forward Andrea Carnevale has urged Victor Osimhen to be more selfish in order to score more goals.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba on Monday denied media reports that claimed he had quit the French national team over comments made by the country’s president, Emmanuel Macron.

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has heaped plaudits on Kelechi Iheanacho after the forward impressed in Thursday night Europa League win against Zorya.

The 23-year-old will move to the Etihad Stadium in a deal worth £62million (€68m), while Argentine defender Nicolas Otamendi heads the other way in a separate deal, with City receiving £13.6m (€16m).

Former Liverpool defender, Jamie Carragher, has identified Manchester City playmaker, Kevin de Bruyne, as among the three best players in the world, behind Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo.

Fernandinho will be Manchester City’s captain for the 2020-21 season, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed.

Victor Osimhen will potentially make his long-awaited Napoli debut from the bench having been named among the substitutes in their Serie A opener against Parma on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola faces a stern test of his managerial philosophy as the Manchester City boss aims to overhaul Premier League champions Liverpool this season.

Sevilla have reportedly turned down a shock €55m offer from Premier League giants Manchester City for central defender Jules Kounde.

Manchester City have set a new deadline date for the completion of a deal for Napoli central defender Kalidou Koulibaly, with the player’s agent expected in Italy next week to meet with Aurelio De Laurentiis, according to the latest reports from Italy.

Napoli head coach Gennaro Gattuso said Kalidou Koulibaly will stay if the Serie A club’s asking price is not met as Manchester City reportedly eye the star defender.

Europe’s football governing body UEFA has praised Victor Osimhen after he scored his second hat-trick for Napoli, in their 4-0 win against Teramo in Friday’s pre-season game.