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BLAMING SUNING GROUP FOR INTER FORM IS UNFAIR-WALTER SABATINI

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Football Club Internazionale Milano technical coordinator, Walter Sabatini believes it is unfair to blame Suning Group for Inter’s poor run of results. According to Sabatini, Suning Group have never influenced their choices and revealed the responsibility for the team’s results lies with those who are in charge of them.   “To blame Suning is wrong or, at least, unfair,” he told ANSA. “Spalletti? He remains the best man for the job in any case. As for our objective of the Champions League, we need to put all the needless bluster and various digressions to one side. “The time has come for synthesis. No-one can escape.”

EFL CLUBS IN LINE PREMIER LEAGUE TEAMS ON TRANSFER DEAD LINE

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EFL clubs have officially voted in favor of the proposals to shut the summer transfer window for permanent transfers on Thursday, 9 August at 17:00 BST. That brings the 72 EFL clubs in line with the top division clubs who voted in favor of closing the window before their season starts last September.   The 2018-19 EFL season is scheduled to start on Saturday, 4 August. Clubs outside the top flight will still be able to sign players on loan until 31 August.   EFL chief executive Shaun Antony Harvey said: "After discussing the options throughout the course of the last few months, I'm pleased that the matter has been determined by clubs ahead of the start of next season. "This new approach will give clubs and managers the stability they crave earlier in the season whilst also providing the flexibility to add to their squads after the traditional deadline until the end of month if required."

ANDREA BERTOLACCI UNCERTAIN ABOUT HIS FUTURE

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Andrea Bertolacci says he does not know what his future holds when his loan spell with Genoa come to an end but hopes to return back to Milan.Bertolacci is currently back on loan at Genoa after two disappointing years at Milan. “I’ve always been part of the national team, now Di Biagio will decide,” he told Premium Sport. “I always had a place in the group when Conte was CT, but I was a bit unlucky at Milan and didn’t get called up. “My future? My loan is a dry one. When it ends I’ll go back to Milan, but I’m curious to see what’ll happen.”

"I'M WORKING ON BEING THERE WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS - SHKODRAN MUSTAFI

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Arsenal defend er, Shkodran Mustafi believes the Premier League is the most intense l eague in Europe but insists he is playing with players with a lot of experience and he’s learning a lot from his team mates. "The Premier League is the most intense league in Europe. I knew that before but now that I've played a lot of games, it's just something that you feel. "When you play in the Premier League alongside players who have won a lot of trophies or who have played a lot of games, they give you this kind of experience so you make less mistakes, you react differently to different situations. "I would say that in the last year I've taken a lot of experience for myself. The German international is convinced he is working hard at the moment and will be ready for the team when it matters     "As a defender, it's really difficult to always do your job 100 per cent. As soon as you do something wrong, it gives the other team an opportunity to s

"ALLI WAS SMART" - KEITH HILL

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Rochdale manager Keith John Hill believes Bamidele Jermaine Alli was right in the way he won a penalty that almost knocked his side out of the FA Cup. Referee Bobby Madley pointed to the spot after Dele Alli went down inside the penalty area under pressure from Harrison McGahey's challenge and Kane put Spurs in a a 2-1 up late in Sunday's fifth-round tie. But Steve Davies' equaliser secured a Wembley replay for the League One club. "I won't hold it against him and if he does it for England in the summer and we win the World Cup, I will certainly be supporting him," Hill said. "I'm led to believe he's looking for it but we get too involved in controversy."

SOLBAKKEN: WE WANT TO KEEP THE TIE OPEN

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Copenhagen will host Atletico Madrid today’s e Europa League game and Stale Solbakken claims his team's target is to secure a result that doesn't rule them out of the tie after just 90 minutes at the Parken Stadium and the 49-year-old declared that he has been contemplating tactical changes to counter Atleti's threat. "Our goal is to go to the second leg with an open tie," he told the press conference prior the match."It would be naive not to make any small tactical adjustments when you face a rival like Atletico." The Norwegian did praised the organisation of Lo Rojiblancos and the way their players operate in defence, as well as their pressing mentality. Solbakken also highlighted the ability of Antoine Griezmann to move between the lines and look for spaces and warned that his players have to work collectively to prevent him from circulating the ball. Copenhagen's striker Federico Santander has fully recovered from a knee injury

AC MILAN IN REFINANCING DEAL WITH ELLIOTT MANAGEMENT

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AC Milan are working on a €250m refinancing deal with Elliott Management, separating Yonghong Li’s debt. The Chinese owner got a €123m loan from Elliott, an American hedge fund, to take over the Rossoneri and that must be repaid by October. As a result the Diavolo have been looking to take out another loan to repay the hedge fund, but the unclear status of Li has made it difficult to find a lender. Tuttosport is reporting that Milan are working with Merrill Lynch on a €250m refinancing deal, double the original loan. However, this would separate Li’s €180m debt from the club, reducing his exposure and making the deal easier. That would also give the Rossoneri more time to pay the debt, as they’re likely to make a loss again this season.

LAZIO NEWS : DE VRIJ OUT DIEGO REYES IN

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According to reports in Italy, Lazio will make a move on FC Porto defender Diego  Antonio  Reyes  Rosales as a replacement to Stefan de Vrij.   De Vrij’s contract with the Biancocelesti expires at the end of the season and he looks set to leave the capital one way or another. The Aquile have offered a renewal, but that would contain a €25m release clause to allow the centre-back to leave while still recouping a fee for the capital club. Corriere di Roma is reporting that sporting director Igli Tare has identified De Vrij’s replacement, in the shape of Porto’s Diego Reyes. The Mexican international is 25, and like De Vrij his contract expires at the end of the season.

INZAGHI-"WE WILL PUT ALL CARDS ON THE TABLE"

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Simone Inzaghi has revealed that Lazio will put all the cards on the table in the Europa League and Coppa Italia, but makes changes against Steaua Bucharest. Steaua Bucharest will host the Aquile at   Stadionul National in the first leg of the Round of 32 today   at 20.05 GMT and Inzaghi insist his side will go all out for the win. “We can’t wait to get back to playing again so we can put recent results behind us,” said the Coach in his Press conference.   “We are not accustomed to this and we absolutely want to put this negative period aside. We’ll need to put in a strong performance and are up against a quality team that is in good shape. The home advantage will also be important for them with a fiery atmosphere. “We analysed everything with the lads, calmly discussing the current situation. Apart from against Genoa, these were games decided by individual incidents. We’ll change a few things and want to continue our Europa League journey.” Inzaghi is forced int

EMERY PINS DEFEAT ON GIANLUCA ROCCHI

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Paris Saint-Germain head coach, Unai Emery Etxegoien has heavily criticize referee Gianluca Rocchi's display in yesterday’s defeat to the Los Blancos. PSG took the lead through Adrien Rabiot at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu but let that advantage slip, with a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty setting Los Blancos en route to a 3-1 victory. However, Emery believes that the performance of the man in the middle didn't help his side. "His decisions were contradictory and when we were on top and playing well before the break, they were strengthened with the goal from a doubtful decision," he said afterwards. "The referee didn't help us. Then, when the game was under control, they went 2-1 up after a possible foul and then the third goal arrived. "We played a great game but the result isn't fair on us and there was also a handball from Ramos in the game too, so decisions clearly harmed us.

"I HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS WITH MAN UTD-MARCOS ROJO

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Faustino Marcos Alberto Rojo  feels he has unfinished task with the Red Devils as he recovers from a knee injury to redeem his place in Jose squad. In an exclusive interview with the latest edition of Inside United, the official club magazine, the 27-year-old made it clear he has unfinished business with United and is determined to win the ultimate prize in English football. When asked what his ambitions are over the course of the next five years, the defender replied: “I feel my thinking in the next few years must be to try to stay as long as aI can and to be here at one of the biggest clubs you can be at. My family is really happy to be here and I am also very pleased to be here. "The challenge in the next few years is to win the Premier League. I don’t want to leave England without winning the title. “It’s great and I’m very happy here,” he continued. “At first, it’s true it was difficult but it always is difficult getting used to a new city. Now, I’ve found

JUVE CAN'T WIN CHAMPION LEAGUE WITH BUFFON-MARIO BASLER

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Former German winger Mario Basler says Gianluigi Buffon must retire in order for   Juventus to win the Champions League. Speaking on German television after the match, Basler was fiercely critical of the Bianconeri captain. “Gigi was an exceptional goalkeeper, but sometimes we miss the right time to retire,” the Euro ’96 winger said. “He’s lost the moment to retire, I stopped at 33. The club and the Coach, Max Allegri have to tell him that the time to stop has arrived. “Maybe he really wants to win the Champions League, but he’s no longer an international level goalkeeper and Juventus won’t be able to win the trophy with him.”

GATTUSO LAST AMONG TOP EARNERS

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Gennaro Ivan "Rino" Gattuso is reported to be the lowest-paid Coach in Serie A, as the AC Milan boss is on the same terms as his Primavera contract. The former midfielder had beeAn in charge of the youth team, but stepped up to replace Vincenzo Montella in the top job.       However, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that he’s coaching the Rossoneri first team on the same terms as the youth team, meaning he earns €120,000 per season.   That makes him the lowest-paid Coach in Serie A, with Fabio Pecchia at Verona in 19th on €250,000 per season. Juventus Coach Massimiliano Allegri is on a reported €7m per season, with Inter’s Luciano Spalletti on €4m. Vincenzo Montella was on €3m per season before he was sacked

INTER TO FINE BROZOVIC

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Close source from Inter Milan suggest that the club will fine Marcelo Brozovic, after his sarcastic applause the fans on Sunday. The Croatian was whistled by the San Siro crowd as he was substituted against Bologna, and he sarcastically clapped his hands at the Nerazzurri fans. According to sources, neither Coach Luciano Spalletti nor the club appreciated the gesture, and Brozovic will be fined for his actions. Inter also want him to make a public apology, because owners Suning Group are keen to make sure all Beneamata staff are respectful, even in the face of criticism

MILAN TO EXTEND GATTUSO REGIME TO 2020

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Latest reports from Milan suggest AC Milan are reportedly ready to extend the contract of Coach Gennaro  Ivan "Rino"  Gattuso following recent good results from the tea. The former midfielder was promoted from the Primavera team to replace Vincenzo Montella last year, and has guide the Rossoneri into eight games without defeat. Now calciomercato.com reports that the Diavolo are considering adding at least another year to Ringhio’s contract, which expires in 2019. However, the club will not do any major contract work until April or May, as they wait to see what sanctions will be handed down by UEFA, having seen their voluntary agreement on Financial Fair Play rejected.

LAUTARO MARTINEZ BID REJECTED

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Football Club Internazionale Milano's  initial bid of €20m for Lautaro Martinez has been rejected by Racing Club, but the Beneamata’s are optimism a deal will be completed. Nerazzurri sporting director Piero Ausilio was in Argentina to watch the striker at the weekend in the game against Huracan, Martinez completed in  that game. It was widely reported that the deal was almost done but TyC Sport is reporting that the Beneamata’s first bid of €20m was knocked back. Both sides are still in Negotiations and  are optimistic that a deal will be agreed.

ERIK LAMELA INSISTS TOTTENHAM CAN PROGRESS IN EUROPE

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Tottenham Hotspur winger Érik Manuel Lamela believes Juventus is a strong team but he insists his side can progress in the Champions League. The teams meet next week in the Champions League Last 16, and the Argentine is familiar with Italian football following his time with Roma.   “I’m optimistic,” Lamela told Gazzetta dello Sport’s Extra Time supplement. “I think we can do it, at the end it’ll be the details which decide who goes through. Juventus are very strong, they’ve played two Champions League finals in the last three years, but we’re strong too. “Juve have character, experience, a great defence and champions in every position.”

ICARDI CAUSES SOCIAL MEDIA SCARE

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Internazionale Milano captain, Mauro Emanuel Icardi caused a social media storm last night with his post “to say goodbye is to grow” The Nerazzurri striker has been linked with Real Madrid, but has repeatedly made it clear he wants to stay at San Siro. Last night Icardi on his official Instagram page  posted “to say goodbye is to grow”, along with the caption “Chau Chau”, a waving emoji and the ‘Epic Brozo’ one. This immediately caused concern among Interisti, but the words in question are lyrics from the song ‘Adios’ by Gustavo Cerati. Some on social media speculated he was saying goodbye to Inter, while others maintained he was splitting from wife Wanda. It was claimed she had changed her Instagram name from Wanda Icardi to Wanda Nara, but that's not true. This morning’s Gazzetta dello Sport speculates that it could have been a reference to Brozovic, who could be sold this month, but it’s not thought Icardi is on the verge of leaving himself. He is w

FIORENTINA SIGNS KEVIN DABO

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Fiorentina have officially announced the signing of midfielder dynamo Bryan Boulaye Kevin Dabo from Saint-Étienne. The Serie A side announces the outright signing of the player Bryan Dabo from the Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire, a statement on the Viola’s website confirms. The 25-year-old has one cap for the French Under-21 side, and previously played for Montpellier, as well as having a loan spell in England with Blackburn Rovers. Dabo won the French title with Montpellier in the 2011-12 season. The new Viola player will be in Florence today for his medicals. Dabo was born on February 13 1992 in Marseille and boasts one cap for the Under-21 side of his country.

UNAI EMERY WANTS PASTORE TO STAY

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Paris Saint-Germain Coach U nai Emery Etxegoien insists insist he wants Javier despite interest from Inter Milan. The Argentinian international’s agent said this weekend that the French club would allow his client to leave if he remains unhappy with inter showing keen interest. However, U nai Emery in his Press conference today made it clear he wants the former Palermo man to stay at the Parc des Princes. “I want Javier Pastore to stay with us, it’s better for the team,” Emery insisted. “I’ve talked a lot with him. What is said outside is something else, it’s his responsibility. Pastore is a  great player and when he’s ready [physically] he’s important. “My opinion is that I want him to stay here, then it’s up to him to see what he wants on an individual level. “With the World Cup, every player wants to play more”.

WATFORD IN FOR DEULOFEU

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According to reports from Catalan-based RAC1 Watford leads the race in securing the signature o f Gerard Deulofeu Lázaro from Barca. The likes of Napoli, Roma and Inter have all be heavily linked with a midseason swoop for Deulofeu, but it is likely that the former Milan player will not move to Italy after all. The radio station explains the Barcelona outcast is one of Javi Gracia’s objectives at Vicarage Road but stresses an agreement for his transfer has yet to be reached. The 22-year-old would be no stranger to the Premier League, having played for Everton across two different spells.

“THERE’S NO SHAME IN PLAYING SECOND FIDDLE TO BUFFON”- SZCZĘSNY

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Wojciech Tomasz believes he sees himself at Juventus color in 10 years but admits playing second fiddle to Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon is a test of his humility. Juve signed Szczesny  last summer to become Buffon’s long-term successor between the sticks, with the veteran expected to retire at the end of the season. “When Juve call you, you have no choice,” the former Roma and Arsenal goalkeeper told Rai Sport. “The choice is already made for those who have ambitions and want to win trophies.  “I came here to win every trophy possible. I was the happiest lad in the world when I exchanged my shirt with Buffon two years ago after Roma-Juventus. “I didn’t think that one day, I’d have reached the level of being able to train with him. It’s a great experience for me. “There’s no shame in playing second fiddle to him, knowing I’ll then have the opportunity to become the starting goalkeeper. “The choice I made is a test of my humility. I made it for the next

ARSENAL HAVE NOT PROGRESSED UNDER WENGER SAYS MICHAEL THOMAS.

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Arsenal is yet to win the Premier League since 2004, although they have won four FA Cup titles since but they have failed to put together a strong title challenge since moving to the Emirates in 2006. According to former Arsenal midfielder Michael Lauriston Thomas, Arsene Wenger would not have lasted this long at most other clubs with this poor record but admits the Frenchman has been good for the club overall. Thomas said: "[The 4-1 win over Palace on Saturday] was fantastic, but that's Arsenal. They are always going to win games, no matter who is playing. However, for me, the most important thing is to win the league. "They've not progressed. They've won the FA Cup and it's still a big thing but the league should be their bread and butter. "Arsene Wenger has been fantastic for the club and I love what he's done for the club, but anywhere else he wouldn't be there because he's not won a major trophy for a long time. "An

CARROLL’S CHELSEA MOVE RUIN BY ANKLE INJURY

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Andrew Thomas Carroll’s £20m move from the Hammers to Chelsea is off, with an ankle injury forcing the striker out of action for an extended period.     Carroll has been heavily linked with a move to the champions but any January switch is doomed after a scan revealed a hairline fracture of the ankle. He could now be absent for six weeks with surgery still a possibility. If Carroll opts for an operation, he could be out for virtually the rest of the season. Chelsea are looking at a number of options in an attempt to ease the workload on Álvaro Morata and were initially interested in taking Carroll on a six-month loan. West Ham wanted £20m for a player who has 18 months on his £70,000-a-week deal. Chelsea have been linked with other forwards – Red Star Belgrade’s Ghana international Richmond Boakye has also been scouted – but Carroll would have benefitted the squad as he was eligible for European competition. The injury news may also affect West Ham’s stance on Javier He

RAMIRES KEEN ON INTER MOVE-AGENT

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Football Club Internazionale Milano S.p.A have been heavily linked with the signing of Ramires Santos do Nascimento for some time, but a deal continues to evade the Nerazzurri and the former Chelsea man. Nonetheless, Ramires’ agent Luis Carlini told Calciomercato.com: “We hope everything goes well in the direction of Inter.” The website explains the Nerazzurri will avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions if they are able to negotiate a six-month loan for the Brazilian.

NO WINTER SIGNING FROM MILAN

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AC Milan insist they will not be making any signings this month as the Rossoneri want to centralize on the players they brought in last summer. Milan had been linked with moves for German pair Julian Brandt and Kerem Demirbay, but the club have been quick to reiterate their faith in the squad currently available to Gennaro Gattuso. “A little imagination never hurts and is part of the game, especially when the transfer market is open,” read a Press review. “But aside from all the players we’ve been linked with, Milan’s winter transfer campaign only involves the consolidation of all the players that moved to Milanello after all the business we did last summer. “The Club remain convinced of their choices and continue to work with them.”

VALENCIA IN FOR JOAO CANCELO

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According to Superdeporte, Valencia have shown keen interest in signing  João  Pedro Cavaco Cancelo  as their third January arrival after Luciano Vietto and Francis Coquelin and Coach Marcelino is prepared to wait until the last few days of the transfer window for the right-back. His agent Jorge Mendes would have also revealed that Cancelo was released by Inter, but the newspaper warns the Nerazzurri are demanding a fee for the Portuguese’s arrangement to be cut short. A lack of form and fitness has limited the 23-year-old to just five starts for the Beneamata this season, making it unlikely that they will activate their €25m purchase option in the summer.

RYAN GIGGS TO BE NAMED WALES MANAGER

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Former Manchester United assistant manager, Ryan Joseph Giggs  will be named Wales manager on a four-year deal today, according to Sky sources. The former Wales captain, told Sky Sports last month that he could be tempted back into football management with the national team.Wales will formally announce their new manager at a press conference at 2pm on Monday. Giggs' only previous spell as a manager came when he took over at Manchester United for the final four games of the 2013-14 season following David Moyes' sacking. Giggs quit his role at Manchester United in 2016 when José Mário dos Santos Mourinho Félix toaok over from Louis van Gaal.

"I WOULD'VE DIE AT INTER-COUTINHO

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Barcelona latest signing Philippe Coutinho Correia admits his spell with Internazionale was difficult and would’ve died without the support of his family. “I started to understand that I’d turn professional when I signed my first contract with a European club at the age of 16, Inter, but I was very young,” he told Barca TV. “It was difficult for a young man like myself, who came from a different culture. I went to Italy with my parents and girlfriend, who is now my wife”. “The team had many champions and it was a very positive experience but also difficult. If I went alone, I would’ve died...” “I needed my family’s support, and they were by my side.”

SÁNCHEZ TO START AGAINST CHELSEA DESPITE MANCHESTER CITY’S £20M OFFER

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Arsène Wenger will start Alexis Alejandro Sánchez Sánchez in tonight’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Chelsea, despite doubts over the Chilean future after Manchester City made a £20m offer to sign him during the January transfer window. Arsenal has been hit series of injuries as Mesut Özil joins the casualty list with Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac, Aaron Ramsey and Olivier Giroud.   Wenger is particularly stretched in defence and he will include the new signing Konstantinos Mavropanos among his substitutes. The 20-year-old centre-half arrived last week from PAS Giannina in Greece and Wenger’s plan was to loan him out. “He’s not ready to play for us,” the manager said last Wednesday. “We’ll give him out on loan.”     City have shown keen interest in Sánchez since the summer, when they made an attempt to sign him, and, with the 29-year-old running down his Arsenal contract, they have been confident of signing him as a Bosman free agent at the