Italian Football Teams and Player News

May 16, 2026, 17:40
EuropeSports

Introduction

Some Serie A teams have player problems. They are preparing for the last games of the season.

Main Body

Como 1907 has some problems. Nico Paz has a knee injury. He cannot play against Parma. Alex Valle and Jayden Addai are also out. Como is in sixth place. They want to be in the top four to play in the Champions League. Real Madrid might buy Nico Paz soon. Napoli plays against Pisa soon. Kevin De Bruyne is healthy now. He can play again. But Matteo Politano cannot play. David Neres has an ankle injury. He might not play. Napoli is in second place. They have five more points than Como. They will probably stay in second place. Pisa is in last place. They lost seven games. Two of their players cannot play because of rules.

Conclusion

Como and Napoli have different player problems. Both teams want a good finish in the league.

Learning

⚡ The Power of 'CAN' and 'CANNOT'

In this story, we see how to talk about ability and possibility. This is a key step for A2 learners to describe what people are able to do.

1. The Simple Rule

  • Use can for things that are possible.
  • Use cannot (or can't) for things that are impossible.

2. Examples from the News

  • Positive: "He can play again." →\rightarrow (He is healthy/ready).
  • Negative: "He cannot play against Parma." →\rightarrow (He is hurt/injured).

3. Quick Pattern Subject + can/cannot + action

  • Nico Paz →\rightarrow cannot →\rightarrow play.
  • Kevin De Bruyne →\rightarrow can →\rightarrow play.

Note: Notice that we do not say "can to play." We just say can play.

Vocabulary Learning

team (n.)
group of people playing together
Example:The team celebrated after winning.
player (n.)
person who plays a sport
Example:The player scored a goal.
problem (n.)
something that causes difficulty
Example:He has a problem with his knee.
prepare (v.)
get ready for something
Example:They will prepare for the next match.
last (adj.)
final or most recent
Example:This is the last game of the season.
game (n.)
a sports match
Example:The game was exciting.
season (n.)
period of sports competitions
Example:The season starts in August.
injury (n.)
harm to the body that makes it hard to play
Example:She has a knee injury.
cannot (modal verb)
not able to do something
Example:He cannot play today.
play (v.)
participate in a sport
Example:They will play tomorrow.
against (prep.)
opposite side in a match
Example:They play against Parma.
top (adj.)
highest position
Example:They want to be in the top four.
champion (n.)
winner of a competition
Example:The champion team celebrated.
league (n.)
organized competition of teams
Example:They play in the league.
buy (v.)
purchase something
Example:Real Madrid might buy him.
knee (n.)
joint in the lower leg
Example:He injured his knee.
ankle (n.)
joint at the foot
Example:She has an ankle injury.
place (n.)
position in a ranking
Example:They are in sixth place.
sixth (adj.)
the number 6
Example:They are in sixth place.
second (adj.)
next after first
Example:They are in second place.
five (num.)
the number 5
Example:They have five more points.
more (adj.)
additional
Example:They have more points.
point (n.)
a score in a game
Example:They earned a point.
stay (v.)
remain in a place
Example:They will stay in second.
lost (v.)
fail to win
Example:They lost seven games.
seven (num.)
the number 7
Example:They lost seven games.
two (num.)
the number 2
Example:Two players cannot play.
rule (n.)
regulation that must be followed
Example:They cannot play because of rules.
different (adj.)
not the same
Example:They have different problems.
good (adj.)
positive or satisfactory
Example:They want a good finish.
finish (n.)
end of a competition
Example:They want a good finish.
healthy (adj.)
in good health
Example:He is healthy now.
again (adv.)
once more
Example:He can play again.
might (modal verb)
possibility
Example:He might not play.
not (adv.)
negation
Example:He might not play.