Sports 24/7

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 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 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.”

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

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."

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.”

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

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

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.

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.

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.”