Inspiration 92.3 FM

January 6, 2023

January 6, 2023 IFMSPORTS

Former Italy and Chelsea Striker, Gianluca Vialli, Dies Aged 58 After Battle With Pancreatic Cancer

The Football World once again, mourns the death of a former player, Gianluca Vialli.

Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer for the first time in 2017 and again in 2021, soon after Italy’s Euro 2020 victory.

He resigned from his position with Italy in December, citing the necessity for treatment for the ailment.

Before joining Chelsea in 1996, Vialli played for Cremonese, Sampdoria, and Juventus.

Following the departure of Ruud Gullit as Blues player-manager in 1998, he guided the team to triumph in the League Cup, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Super Cup that year.

Vialli retired from playing at the conclusion of the 1998/99 season to concentrate on managing, and Chelsea won the FA Cup and Charity Shield under him until he was fired early in the 2000/01 season.

Vialli earned 59 appearances for Italy, scoring 16 goals, and was most recently the national team’s director of delegation.

May 20, 2022

May 20, 2022 IFMSPORTS

Chelsea Held By Leicester City At Stamford Bridge

Chelsea effectively secured a third-place finish despite failing to capitalise on a dominant performance as they drew 1-1 with Leicester.

The Blues, defeated by Liverpool on penalties in Saturday’s FA Cup final, fell behind when James Maddison curled home a stunning finish in the early stages but it proved to be one of only two Leicester shots in a one-sided game.

Chelsea equalised when Marcos Alonso, who was guilty of slack defending in the build-up to Leicester’s opener, rifled home a lofted cross from fellow wing-back Reece James in the first half.

But they could not find a way past Kasper Schmeichel after that as they endured another frustrating night at Stamford Bridge, where they have only won eight Premier League games out of 18 this season.

Christian Pulisic spurned their best chance, missing an open goal from a Romelu Lukaku centre in the second half, and while the draw puts them three points clear of Tottenham, all but clinching third thanks to their vastly superior goal difference, it was a disappointing result for Thomas Tuchel and his players.

March 21, 2022

March 21, 2022March 21, 2022 IFMSPORTS

Liverpool Through To FA Cup Semis After Win At Nottingham Forest

Liverpool have clinched a date with Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley after narrowly edging past a resilient Nottingham Forest in a enthralling encounter at the City Ground.

Diogo Jota scored the decisive goal of the game for the visitors late on, prodding in Konstantinos Tsimikas' cross from the left with 12 minutes left on the clock.

Jurgen Klopp's quadruple-chasing side dominated possession with nothing to show for and were made to work for their victory by their relentless Championship opponents.

Steve Cooper's side saw a late penalty appeal turned down by VAR when midfielder Ryan Yates fell after a challenge with Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.

The hosts were made to pay for the missed chances as Philip Zinckernagel's miss was decisive to the outcome, the Danish winger side-footing wide from six yards from Brennan Johnson's inviting cross just a couple of minutes before Jota's goal.

"I think the game was decided on a defining two minutes - we had a good chance that we didn't take and they created one and did," said Cooper.

While Forest had already gotten past EPL sides Arsenal and Leicester in this season's competition, they found themselves trying to beat insurmountable odds as the difference in class against Liverpool was apparent despite Klopp making seven changes to his starting XI.

And while they were startled by the electric atmosphere in what was the first meeting between the clubs in the FA Cup since the rescheduled 1989 semi-final that followed the Hillsborough disaster, they spent long periods of the game under severe pressure.

Yates also had a chance to head a late equaliser, but Liverpool, who also carved open several excellent opportunities of their own, deservedly advanced to the last four.

The Reds will now meet Manchester City after Guardiola's men claimed a 4-1 win over fellow EPL side Southampton. The Semifinal tie between these two powerhouses will take place at Wembley stadium on April 16.

March 22, 2021

March 22, 2021March 22, 2021 IFMSPORTS

Leicester City Outclass Man Utd To Reach FA Cup Semi-Finals

Leicester City reached their first FA Cup semi-final for 39 years with a fully deserved win over Manchester United at King Power Stadium.

Brendan Rodgers' side will face Southampton at Wembley with Chelsea and Manchester City meeting in the other semi-final.

Leicester, who lost to eventual winners Tottenham in the 1982 semi-final, was the more vibrant and positive team against off-color United as manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer once again tasted defeat in the latter stages of a cup competition, his ploy of resting the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Luke Shaw failing to produce the desired result.

The Foxes' hero was in-form striker Kelechi Iheanacho, who struck twice and now has nine goals in nine games.

He took advantage of Fred's awful backpass to round Dean Henderson to score in the 24th minute after the hapless Brazilian was played into trouble by captain Harry Maguire.

Mason Greenwood crowned a crisp United move to equalize before half-time but Youri Tielemans restored Leicester City's lead with a fine low shot seven minutes after the break before Iheanacho took advantage of shocking marking at a free-kick to head in Leicester's third after 78 minutes.