Serie A

Alexis Sanchez, lol.

Alexis Sanchez, the once-brilliant-now-enigmatic Chilean, got the hell out of Manchester with a loan move to rejoin Romelu Lukaku at Inter Milan. To say the former Udinese, Barcelona and Arsenal winger’s time at Manchester United was a disappointment would be like saying the Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” is kinda catchy. 

But given a new chance with a new club, back in the league where he first became a star, Alexis Sanchez made a massive immediate impact, for better and worse.

Cristiano Ronaldo has, without a doubt, matured over his years as a global soccer superstar. But there’s still no doubt he wants to be the hero, he wants to be the one scoring goals and he wants to be at the center of everyone’s attention.

That doesn’t mean Ronaldo isn’t capable of humility and knowing where his bread is buttered.

A video of Juventus’ training session Tuesday has taken social media by storm. The clip features a frustrated Gonzalo Higuain lashing out during a game of rondo (monkey in the middle).

Higuain lost it in training today pic.twitter.com/k6BaXEyS6c

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 17, 2019

Once again Serie A has shown the world it doesn’t give any fucks about racism in its league.

Shortly before Inter Milan began its 2019-20 Champions League campaign against Slavia Prague on Tuesday, Serie A ruled clubs were free to racially abuse one of the Nerazzurri’s star players.

AC Milan warmed the heart of the Twitter-sphere this week, posting a video of Ines, a 100-year-old Milan fan who recieved a customized jersey signed by the entire team for her birthday. 

We're not crying, you are
Check out the surprise we made to 100-year-old Ines, who has been supporting us for more than 80 years

Hirving Lozano scored on his debut with Napoli on Saturday, netting the second in an ill-fated three-goal comeback against reigning Serie A champion Juventus. It was a remarkable start to Lozano’s career in Italy, becoming the first Mexican to score in Serie A, even if it came in a heartbreaking, last-minute loss. 

Racism in Italian football is rampant. Incidents in the last year have highlighted how little Serie A and the Italian FA are doing to curb racist chants toward black players. Now, Curva Nord, an Inter Milan ultras group, is defending the right of Cagliari fans to racially abuse Inter players.

This is the world in which we live.

Humanity should not expect progress to be expeditious or even linear. But when racist chants are commonplace in Italian soccer stadiums, the world takes notice.

The European transfer window slammed shut yesterday with Paris Saint-Germain at the center of everything. Neymar, reportedly the subject of three different bids from Barcelona, is staying put for another season, and the club further strengthened its ambitions by adding three-time Champions League-winner Keylor Navas from Real Madrid for $14.3 million and Mauro Icardi from Inter Milan on a season-long loan. PSG could sign the striker permanently next summer for a total of $76.8 million.