bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Shanghai Shenhua forward Stephan El Shaarawy wore the Italy captain’s armband for the first time, scoring a brace as an experimental Azzurri side crushed Moldova 6-0 in an international friendly in Florence on Wednesday.
Roberto Mancini fielded Italy’s “B-side” as the Italians build towards next year’s European Championships, having failed to reach the 2018 World Cup.
Ex-Roma player El Shaarawy, now plying his trade in the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Shenhua, claimed his first double with the national team before going off in the second half after receiving a blow to his right eye which left him with severe swelling.
“It was worth it, it was a special evening,” said the 28-year-old, who had looked poised for a move back to Rome before his transfer fell through at the last minute.
China boss Li Tie says ‘no limit’ on naturalised players
“Scoring the first brace in the national team with the captain’s armband is an immense satisfaction.
“I had to train for a long time alone, but the important thing is to be ready when the time comes. I enjoy this evening.

“For a month I trained alone, not being able to return to China.
“I needed to play because the Chinese championship will remain stationary until February.
Shanghai Shenhua set up second round derby with SIPG
“This is the demonstration that you have to know how to wait, and be ready when the opportunity arrives.
It was an evening of firsts as veteran striker Francesco Caputo, 33, scored on his debut while Bryan Cristante and Domenico Berardi both got their first Italy goals.
Cagliari goalkeeper Alessio Cragno also got his first start coming on for the final 25 minutes in Florence.
“I’ve seen so many interesting things,” said Mancini after extending his unbeaten run to 17 consecutive games, with 14 wins and three draws.
“We had some difficulties in the first quarter of an hour, but I think it was quite normal, because we changed so many players.
Chinese Super League: no Covid-19 positives in 23,000 tests
“The mentality is the right one, even changing many elements, and this is a positive sign.”
Italy’s stars including defenders Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini, who were in isolation with Juventus after two positive coronavirus cases in the Serie A team’s staff, will now rejoin the team for upcoming Uefa Nations League games.
Italy, top of their Nations Leagues group with four points, play in Poland on Sunday and face the Netherlands in Bergamo next Wednesday, with both on three points.


Team bus of CSL leaders Beijing Guoan seized over debt issues, players forced to hire bikes

Fans in China voice anger as club play hours after striker Boupendza’s death

Footballer dead in China after fall from building, Gabon FA says

Hong Kong star Shinichi Chan Shanghai Shenhua’s hero with winner deep into stoppage time

Chinese Super League

Shanghai Shenhua’s Stephan El Shaarawy nets brace as he skippers Italy for the first time

Italy’s Stephan El Shaarawy was on target against Andorra. Photo: Reuters

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Italy v Moldova - Stadio Artemio Franchi, Florence, Italy - October 7, 2020 Italy's Stephan El Shaarawy in action with Moldova's Alexei Koselev REUTERS/Alberto Lingria

CSL: Shanghai Shenhua set up second round derby with SIPG

Elkeson of Guangzhou Evergrande celebrates an own goal during the 1-0 win over Dalian Pro in the Chinese Super League. Photo: Xinhua

Rafa Benitez’s Dalian Pro and Shanghai Shenhua knocked out of Chinese FA Cup

Aloisio, also known as Luo Guofu, of Guangzhou Evergrande celebrates his goal with his teammates during the first round Chinese FA Cup against Henan Jianye. Photo: Xinhua

Shanghai Shenhua coach Choi Kang-hee rages at Guangzhou Evergrande’s naturalised players – ‘Give them the title’

Guangzhou Evergrande’s Fernandinho, Anderson Talisca, Elkeson and Paulinho celebrate against Shanghai Shenhua in the Chinese Super League. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football


Italy boss Roberto Mancini fields Italy’s ‘B-side’ as his team builds towards next year’s European Championships



Italy boss Roberto Mancini fields Italy’s ‘B-side’ as his team builds towards next year’s European Championships.


Uefa