Gianluca Nesci
theScore
Toronto, ON, Canada
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Past articles by Gianluca:
Report: Expanded 2026 World Cup to feature 4-team groups, 104 total matches
The expanded 2026 World Cup will feature four-team groups and 104 games in total, according to Matt Slater and David Ornstein of The Athletic.FIFA is set to formally approve and announce the format for the supersized event during a council meeting Tuesday in Kigali, Rwanda. The men's World Cup has been a 64-game tournament since 1998.The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and… → Read More
Thoughts and analysis from topsy-turvy weekend of Premier League action
theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points from the weekend's slate of action in England's top flight.Arsenal show class but still too early for comfortA decisive victory over Fulham restored Arsenal's five-point edge over Manchester City while maintaining an unexpected title run that looks set to end with a parade in north London, as every passing week ends… → Read More
MLS willing to be flexible to facilitate Messi deal, says Garber
Major League Soccer is willing to do whatever it takes to add Lionel Messi, with commissioner Don Garber saying the league is open to thinking "outside the box" in order to facilitate the signing of the Argentine superstar.Messi's contract with Paris Saint-Germain is slated to expire at the end of the European club season this summer, and, as such, he's free to negotiate a deal with any… → Read More
How has Ronaldo fared in his first 5 matches in Saudi Arabia?
Cristiano Ronaldo said the project at Al Nassr was more enticing than multiple offers from European clubs. The Saudi Pro League was "very competitive" and thus enticing as the next step in his storied career.The Portuguese superstar signed for Al Nassr on Dec. 30, 2022. Ronaldo stressed - publicly and repeatedly - that his main motivation during the autumn of his career was to play at the… → Read More
Watch: Sensational Di Maria goal helps Juventus advance in Europa League
Angel Di Maria took it upon himself to ensure Juventus' Europa League campaign didn't come to a shocking end in the knockout playoff round.The Argentine star scored all three goals in Thursday's 3-0 win over 10-man Nantes, a hat-trick that sent the Italian side into the last 16 of the competition. Di Maria's opener at the Stade de la Beaujoire was the pick of the bunch, as he silenced a raucous… → Read More
Preview, predictions for this week's Champions League last-16 matches
The Champions League continues this week, as the round of 16 rumbles on in Europe's premier club competition. Here's a breakdown of the four remaining first-leg fixtures, along with predicted outcomes.Liverpool vs. Real Madrid First leg: Feb. 21 (Anfield) Second leg: March 15 (Santiago Bernabeu) "Befitting of a final" is an overused trope, but, considering this literally was the showpiece match… → Read More
Key thoughts and analysis from Saturday's Premier League action
theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points from Saturday's slate of action in England's top flight.Arsenal show their mettleArsenal could have wilted. On the back of a dispiriting defeat to Manchester City less than 72 hours earlier, the Gunners were in danger of seeing their blip in form turn into a season-defining slump on Saturday. Winless in three matches… → Read More
Report: PSG, Chelsea bosses met to discuss potential Neymar deal
Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly met in Paris on Tuesday to discuss a potential Neymar transfer, sources told Julien Laurens of ESPN.The Brazilian forward, 30, was rumored to be available last summer as PSG looked to build around Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. Boehly was offered the chance to sign him at that time, Laurens adds, but a move never… → Read More
Key thoughts and analysis from Saturday's Premier League action
theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points from Saturday's slate of action in England's top flight.Arsenal becoming too predictableArsenal's season is at a crossroads. With five points dropped from their last two matches, including Saturday's 1-1 draw with Brentford, the Gunners' six-point lead atop the Premier League looks tenuous at best. If Manchester City… → Read More
Ranking the 20 best deals of the January transfer window
With the January transfer window slamming shut on Tuesday night, theScore ranks the 20 best moves made across the game's top leagues.20. Alistair Johnston ➡️ CelticDetails: Signed from CF Montreal for reported £3M feeJohnston, a standout performer for Canada at the World Cup, is already becoming a cult favorite among the vociferous Celtic fan base following his transfer from Major League Soccer.… → Read More
Report: Chelsea ready to break British transfer record with £105M Fernandez bid
Chelsea are pulling out all the stops in their pursuit of Enzo Fernandez.The Blues are ready to break the British transfer record in order to sign the Benfica midfielder before Tuesday's deadline, tabling a £105-million offer (€120 million) for the World Cup star, reports David Ornstein of The Athletic.The existing record belongs to Manchester City, who paid £100 million for Jack Grealish in… → Read More
Report: Chelsea strike €38M deal with Monaco to sign Badiashile
Chelsea reached an agreement with AS Monaco to sign defender Benoit Badiashile in a deal worth about €37 million-€38 million, reports David Ornstein of The Athletic.The Frenchman, 21, will undergo medical tests Monday before signing a contract until 2029 with the Premier League club, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.He was left out of the squad for Monaco's match against Brest on… → Read More
5 soccer predictions for 2023
It's officially time to start looking ahead. With 2022 coming to an end, here are five things we expect to happen in world soccer in 2023.Canada wins Women's World CupNever before have fans enjoyed two World Cups in such quick succession. Just seven months after the completion of an enthralling men's tournament in Qatar, the women descend on Australia and New Zealand to take center stage in… → Read More
Premier League is back: Analyzing busy Boxing Day slate of action
Just like that, the Premier League is back. theScore examines the most important developments and biggest talking points from a jam-packed slate of action in England's top flight on Boxing Day.Nothing changes for SpursFar too often, the absence of one or two players makes the rest of Antonio Conte's side crumble. Rodrigo Bentancur being unavailable left Tottenham Hotspur short of midfield… → Read More
Report: Liverpool close to signing Gakpo from PSV for initial £37M
Liverpool are in advanced negotiations to sign versatile attacker Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £37-million fee, according to Paul Joyce and Paul Hirst of The Times.The Premier League club is aiming to finalize the deal before the transfer window reopens on Jan. 1, reports David Ornstein of The Athletic.Gakpo, 23, is fresh off an impressive showing at the World Cup in Qatar, where… → Read More
Biggest winners and losers from scintillating 2022 World Cup
A truly thrilling World Cup came to an end Sunday, as Lionel Messi and Argentina were crowned champions after a month of non-stop drama. Below, we look back on the tournament by examining the biggest winners and losers.Winner: Lionel Messi Julian Finney / Getty Images Sport / GettyHe did it. He really did it.Messi didn't need the World Cup to cement his legacy as the best player in history. But… → Read More
Messi wins Golden Ball after indelible World Cup triumph
Lionel Messi finally has his hands on the World Cup trophy. He added another piece of hardware for good measure Sunday, too.Argentina's captain was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player at the tournament in Qatar after leading his country to its third title and first since 1986.It's the second time the 35-year-old has been bestowed with the individual honor after he claimed the award in… → Read More
World Cup final preview: Key questions, prediction for Argentina vs. France
Get ready for Sunday's World Cup final with theScore's comprehensive preview. Below, we examine the key questions and tactical battles that'll determine whether Argentina or France hoists the iconic trophy, along with a prediction for the showpiece match.How to watch When: Sunday, Dec. 18 at 10:00 a.m. ET Where: Lusail Stadium (Qatar) Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland) TV: FOX, Telemundo, and… → Read More
How France held off lionhearted Morocco to make 2nd straight World Cup final
The 2022 World Cup is nearing its climax. After every matchday, we'll review the biggest talking points emanating from Qatar and break down all the action on the pitch. Below, we look back on France's semifinal win over Morocco.Morocco goes down swingingMorocco gave absolutely everything against France. It needed to find that little bit more to keep one of the most invigorating World Cup runs… → Read More
Key questions, tactical analysis, and predictions for World Cup semifinals
And then there were four. After a dramatic quarterfinal round, the World Cup nears its climax with a pair of intriguing semifinals this week. Below, we examine the key questions and tactical battles that'll determine which two nations will meet in the Dec. 18 final, along with a prediction for each game.Argentina vs. Croatia Date: Tuesday, Dec. 13 (2 p.m. ET) Venue: Lusail Iconic Stadium Betting… → Read More