Importance Score: 20 / 100 🔵
Milan Midfielder Loftus-Cheek Undergoes Successful Appendectomy
Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek has successfully undergone surgery for acute appendicitis, the Serie A club announced on Sunday. The operation follows a diagnosis of appendicitis, requiring prompt medical intervention for the England international.
Diagnosis and Surgery
Reports from local media indicate that Loftus-Cheek experienced intense abdominal pain during Milan’s training camp in Napoli. This discomfort led to his hospitalization for thorough examinations. Medical tests subsequently confirmed acute appendicitis, necessitating immediate surgical treatment. The club confirmed in a statement that the appendectomy was completed without complications. Further details regarding Loftus-Cheek’s recovery timeline have not been disclosed.
Serie A Match Results: Napoli Defeats Milan, Inter and Fiorentina Secure Wins
Napoli 2-1 Milan
In Serie A action, Napoli defeated Milan 2-1, narrowing the gap to league leaders Inter Milan to just three points. Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku scored first-half goals for Napoli, securing the victory at home. Napoli, entering the match with only one win in their previous seven league fixtures, now hold 64 points, six points ahead of Atalanta in third place.
- Politano opened the scoring in the first minute, capitalizing on Milan’s defensive lapses to launch a long-range shot into the net.
- Lukaku extended Napoli’s lead in the 19th minute, converting a deflected shot following an interception and pass from Billy Gilmour.
- Milan’s Luka Jovic scored late in the game, but it was not enough to overcome Napoli’s lead.
- Santiago Giménez missed a penalty for Milan in the second half, further hindering their comeback attempt.
The defeat leaves Milan in ninth place with 47 points, increasing pressure on coach Sérgio Conceição as they remain distant from Champions League qualification positions.
Inter Milan 2-1 Udinese
League leaders Inter Milan secured a 2-1 home victory against Udinese. First-half goals from Marko Arnautovic and Davide Frattesi were decisive, while goalkeeper Yann Sommer made crucial late saves to preserve Inter’s lead.
- Arnautovic scored the opening goal in the 12th minute with a first-time strike.
- Frattesi doubled Inter’s advantage before the half-hour mark, both goals assisted by Federico Dimarco.
- Udinese’s Oumar Solet reduced the deficit with a long-range goal, but Inter held on for the win.
Fiorentina 1-0 Atalanta
Fiorentina defeated Atalanta 1-0, with Moise Kean scoring a remarkable solo goal. This result deals a setback to Atalanta’s aspirations of contending for the Scudetto.
- Kean’s goal came just before halftime, a solo effort concluding with a low shot into the corner of the net.
- Atalanta, previously defeated by Inter Milan, remain in third place with 58 points.
La Liga Results: Barcelona Triumph Over Girona
Barcelona 4-1 Girona
In La Liga, Barcelona dominated Girona 4-1 in the Catalan derby. Robert Lewandowski scored twice in the second half, solidifying Barcelona’s position at the top of the league, three points ahead of their rivals.
- Barcelona initially took the lead through an own goal from Girona’s Ladislav Krejci.
- Girona’s Arnaut Danjuma equalized after halftime.
- Lewandowski then scored twice, including a spectacular acrobatic goal.
- Ferran Torres added a fourth goal late in the match, completing Barcelona’s dominant performance.
Barcelona avenged a previous defeat to Girona and now lead La Liga with 66 points after 29 games. Girona are currently in 13th place.
Real Betis 2-1 Sevilla
Real Betis emerged victorious in the Seville derby against Sevilla, winning 2-1.
- Rubén Vargas gave Real Betis the lead.
- Johnny Cardoso quickly equalized for Sevilla.
- Cucho Hernández scored the decisive goal for Betis in first-half stoppage time.
Real Betis remain in sixth place with 47 points, while Sevilla are in 11th position.
Bundesliga Result: Borussia Dortmund Defeats Mainz
Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Mainz
In the Bundesliga, Borussia Dortmund secured a 3-1 home win against Mainz. Maximilian Beier scored twice for Dortmund, contributing to their first league victory in three matches as they aim to rejoin the Champions League qualification race.
- Beier’s first goal came from a close-range finish after a cutback from Karim Adeyemi.
- Emre Can added a second goal with a header from a corner.
- Beier completed his brace with another header, securing Dortmund’s win.
- Mainz scored a consolation goal through Paul Nebel.
Borussia Dortmund’s win elevates them to 10th place with 38 points. Mainz are currently in fourth place with 45 points. The top four Bundesliga teams qualify for the Champions League.