VERONA NEWS

Antonin Barak - Bench option against Spezia Barak (back) is available off the bench in Thursday's game versus Spezia.

Impact Barak is not starting but he is available missing multiple matches with an illness and back problems. He will look to provide his contribution in the second half. He has posted five goals, three assists, 30 shots and 18 chances in 15 games.

JANUARY 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nikola Kalinic - In doubt for Spezia game Kalinic (calf) has made progress, but he has yet to be fully cleared, L'Arena reports.

Impact Kalinic has been out since mid-November because of a calf strain. He is at risk of sitting out more matches, and the coach will make the call in the immediate lead-up of the match. Even if available, Giovanni Simeone is the clear starter up front for Verona.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Koray Gunter - Late call for Spezia game Gunter (calf) has returned to full training during the break and is questionable for Thursday's match versus Spezia, L'Arena reports.

Impact Gunter has a chance to return from a calf injury, although Verona have generally been rather cautious with their injuries. If available, he could play over Bosko Sutalo Thursday. He has posted nine tackles, 36 interceptions, 42 clearances and 13 blocks in 13 matches so far.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Antonin Barak - Questionable for Spezia game Barak (back) has progressed during the break, but his availability for Thursday's game versus Spezia will be a late call, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Impact Barak sat out the past two matches with what he defined as a muscular block his back. He has been able to practice in recent days, although the coach might prefer to hold him out until fully healthy. If available, he could unseat Kevin Lasagna right away.

JANUARY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Liverpool wants Arsenal cup match postponed over COVID

Liverpool has requested the postponement of Thursday’s match against Arsenal in the English League Cup semifinals because of more suspected COVID-19 cases at the club

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fabio Depaoli - Moves to Verona Depaoli has transferred to Verona on loan with option to buy, Sampdoria announced.

Impact Depaoli had featured just six times so far (one start), tallying three crosses, three tackles and two clearances. He will remain in a backup role at Verona, but he could be a little more involved considering they are not deep on the flanks. He will be the top alternative to Marco Davide Faraoni and Darko Lazovic.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Martin Hongla - Leaves for AFCON Hongla is part of the Cameroon squad for the African Cup of Nations.

Impact Hongla will miss the next four Serie A matches. He is generally the fourth/fifth option in the Verona midfield behind Adrien Tameze, Miguel Veloso, Ivan Ilic and Daniel Bessa.

JANUARY 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Giangiacomo Magnani - Tests positive for COVID-19 Magnani has contracted Coronavirus while away from the team, Verona announced.

Impact Magnani has begun isolating and will have to wait for a few days to resume practicing, which puts him at risk for the next two matches. Verona are hopeful they will have Koray Gunter back from a calf injury right after the break, and he would join Nicolo Casale, Federico Ceccherini and Bosko Sutalo as the main options in the back.

DECEMBER 30, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giangiacomo Magnani - Eligible to face Spezia Magnani will be an option for January 6th's match against Spezia after serving a one-game ban.

Impact Magnani will be available, although he projects to be a reserve with Koray Gunter back into the fold following a calf injury. He has tallied two tackles, four interceptions, 15 clearances and one block in the last three appearances, but he was sent off early in the most recent one.

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Ceccherini - Available against Spezia Ceccherini will be eligible to play against Spezia on January 6th following a one-game ban for yellow-card accumulation.

Impact Ceccherini will be in contention to start, but Koray Gunter will likely return from his calf strain after the break, reducing the room in the back. He has logged nine interceptions and 17 clearances in the last five matches.

DECEMBER 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Adrien Tameze - Makes nine clearances in draw Tameze created two chances and made nine clearances, four interceptions and one draw during Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

Impact Tameze was deployed as a centre back for the first time this season and exceeded expectations, leading all players in both clearances and interceptions. Federico Ceccherini and Giangiacomo Magnani will be back from their one-match bans for Jan. 6 visit to Spezia, but Tameze certainly built a great case to remain in the starting XI.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Montipo - Concedes one in draw Montipo made zero saves and conceded one goal during Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

Impact Montipo was helped by the lack of accuracy from opposing forwards and looked on his way to a clean sheet despite not making a single save. But everything changed in the 81st minute, when Gaetano Castrovilli dove to head home a cross from the left flank and draw things level at 1-1. With just two clean sheets over 18 starts this season and seven goals conceded over his last four games, Montipo will try to bounce back during Jan. 6 visit to Spezia.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gianluca Caprari - Provides assist in draw Caprari provided an assist, had one off-target shot, created two chances, made three tackles (one won), drew two fouls and was shown a yellow card during Wednesday's 1-1 draw again...

Impact Caprari assisted Kevin Lasagna for the goal that opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a beautiful through pass and then added some other contribution on both ends. the attacker is enjoying a decent campaign for Verona, with four goals and five assists over 17 Serie A appearances so far. Up next for him is Jan. 6 visit to Spezia.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Kevin Lasagna - Scores in draw versus Fiorentina Lasagna scored a goal off his lone shot and created one chance during Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

Impact Lasagna opened the scoring for Verona with a left-footed shot after picking up a beautiful through ball in the 17th minute. Other than that, the attacker couldn't produce anything noteworthy during the rest of the match, which led him to be subbed off in the second half. After scoring his first goal of the season, Lasagna will try to keep it up during Jan. 6 visit to Spezia.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giovanni Simeone - Quiet performance in draw Simeone had one off-target shot, made two clearances and drew one foul during Wednesday's 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

Impact Simeone had a poor showing against his former club, being kept at bay by opposing defenders and missing a very clear scoring chance right before halftime. The striker is enjoying a great season so far, with 12 goals and two assists over 17 appearances (14 starts) and will try to bounce back during Jan. 6 visit to Spezia.

DECEMBER 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Inter ends year with 7th straight win and control of Serie A

Inter Milan ended the year with a 1-0 win over Torino to confirm its control of Serie A and intention of securing consecutive Italian league titles

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Antonin Barak - Ruled out Wednesday Barak (back) did not make Verona's squad list to face Fiorentina Wednesday.

Impact Barak will miss the second game in a row due to back problems despite some optimism about his status. Kevin Lasagna has filled in for him recently, but also Daniel Bessa and Matteo Cancellieri are options for the position.

DECEMBER 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

MATCHDAY: League Cup QFs in England; Real Madrid at Bilbao

Spanish leader Real Madrid visits Athletic Bilbao with both teams missing several players with coronavirus infections

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Antonin Barak - Questionable for Fiorentina match Barak is dealing with back spasms, but he has a chance to be available for Wednesday's game versus Fiorentina, L'Arena reports.

Impact Barak is dealing with a less severe injury than what was initially reported after he was a late scratch for the previous game. The coaching staff is still hopeful he will be an option and perhaps even start Wednesday, the local newspaper adds. He has not featured in three matches due to two separate issues. He has logged two goals, two assists, 12 shots and ten chances in the six matches before the physical issues.

DECEMBER 21, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Federico Ceccherini - Suspended for Fiorentina match Ceccherini had three interceptions and seven clearances, won one tackle and picked up his fifth yellow card in Sunday's 0-1 loss to Torino.

Impact Ceccherini had a pretty solid game, but he will be forced to miss one match due to yellow card accumulation. Verona will be depleted in the back Wednesday as Giangiacomo Magnani is suspended too and Pawel Dawidowicz and Koray Gunter are hurt. Bosko Sutalo and Mert Cetin would be next in line, but the coach could also opt for a tactical switch.

DECEMBER 20, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Napoli leapfrogs Milan into 2nd place in Serie A

Napoli leapfrogged AC Milan into second place in Serie A after beating its title rival 1-0 in a mediocre match at San Siro

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Giovanni Simeone - Ties for team-high in tackles Simeone crossed once inaccurately and made three tackles (winning one) during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Verona.

Impact Simeone was held off the scoresheet but wasn't alone as Verona were shutout on Sunday. The forward crossed just once without taking a shot but his three tackles tied for the team-high total in the loss.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lorenzo Montipo - Concedes one in loss Montipo allowed a goal while making a save during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Torino.

Impact Montipo allowed the lone goal of the match in the 26th minute as Verona dropped all three points on Sunday. The keeper has now allowed 28 goals in 17 league starts while his lone save upped his season total to 41.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Giangiacomo Magnani - Sent off early against Torino Magnani was expelled in the first half of Sunday's match versus Torino for denying a clear scoring opportunity.

Impact Magnani botched a first touch just outside the box and quickly brought down the opponent that pickpocketed him, earning a red card after a VAR review. He will be suspended for Wednesday's home game versus Fiorentina, where Verona will have to turn to Busko Sutalo and Mert Cetin considering their absences in the back.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Antonin Barak - Pulled from lineup Barak was removed from the XI and the match-day squad list due to a muscular problem during shooting drills, DAZN informed.

Impact Barak was slated to make his return after missing two matches with an illness, but he picked up a last-minute broke. Kevin Lasagna replaced him in the lineup as it was the case in previous games.

DECEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE