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      Football fans are just realising why Inter Milan’s badge is black and blue – and it’s actually very simple

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      INTER MILAN are set for their first Champions League semi-final in 13 years on Wednesday evening.Both legs of their tie come at the San Siro against bitter rivals AC Milan as Simone Inzaghi’s side bid to claim a fourth European crown.
      Inter Milan’s iconic blue and black saw them nicknamed the “Nerazzurri”Credit: Instagram / @inter
      Inter have not reached the Champions League semi-finals since 2010Credit: AP
      How the original Inter badge looked
      And while the intrigue of their rivals’ badge comes from the cross on their emblem, the interesting part of Inter’s comes in the form of their chosen colours.
      The blue and black combination represents the sky and the night.
      This explains their nickname, the Nerazzurri, with “Ner” meaning black and “Azzurri” meaning blue.
      They are also known affectionately as The Grass Snake or Serpente.
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      This relates to the emblem of the House of Visconte – a Milan family who controlled the city in the 13th century.
      What’s more, the circle of the badge holds within it the letters “FCIM” – which stand for FC Inter Milan.
      The club crest was first created in 1908 and modernised in 2014 – but has principally remained the same.
      And Inter will be hoping the 2022/23 campaign is a memorable one.
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      They last celebrated a European triumph under Jose Mourinho, beating Bayern Munich to lift the Champions League in 2010.
      The victory added to their back-to-back European titles in 1964 and 1965.
      But standing in their way are bitter rivals AC Milan, before a potential final against either Real Madrid or Manchester City. More

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      Meet AC Milan and Inter Milan’s Wags, from a tattooed beauty to an Instagram model, ahead of their Champions League semi

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      AFTER being treated to a riveting Champions League semi-final on Tuesday night, now it’s the time for the Milan sides to lock horns.Real Madrid and Manchester City played out an engaging 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
      Argie beauty Agustina Gandolfo will be cheering on Inter MilanCredit: https://www.instagram.com/agus.gandolfo/?hl=en
      Agustina is one of the leading Wags of Italian footballCredit: Instagram @agus.gandolfo
      Inter striker Lautaro Martinez poses with AgustinaCredit: Instagram @agus.gandolfo
      Should they reach the final, they will play the victors of AC Milan vs Inter Milan.
      The Italian sides boast plenty of quality on the pitch, with the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Rafael Leao enjoying stellar campaigns.
      While off the pitch, they will be flanked by their stunning Wags, including a tattooed beauty and an Instagram model.
      Agustina Gandolfo
      Instagram model Agustina, 26, is the girlfriend of Inter striker Lautaro Martinez.
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      The blonde bombshell was introduced to the Argentina star by stunner Wanda Nara, the wife of Mauro Icardi.
      She has since grown her own brand as a fitness and healthy lifestyle expert – boasting almost one million followers on Instagram,
      Agustina also runs her own restaurant in Milan called Coraje.
      Zoe Cristofoli
      Influencer and tattoo lover Zoe, 27, dates AC Milan star Theo Hernandez.
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      She and the defender share a son called TJ.
      The stunner has a love of ink, with her body a canvas for it.
      While she also runs her own parlour Ink Studio Lagrange in Turin, and is a part-time DJ.
      Zoe Cristofoli is a tattoo lover and influencerCredit: Instagram @zoe_cristofoli
      Zoe with partner Theo Hernandez
      Juliette Pastore
      Juliette, 22, is the girlfriend of AC Milan playmaker Sandro Tonali.
      She is an Instagram model, and owns her own clothing brand, Juliette.24 Club.
      They began dating in 2019, after meeting in Brescia.
      Juliette has appeared on the front cover of various fashion magazines.
      Juliette Pastore is an Instagram model and owns her own clothing label
      Sandro Tonali and Juliette have been dating since 2019
      Amra Dzeko
      Manchester City legend Edin Dzeko married Bosnian supermodel Amra, 38, in 2016 in a ceremony in Rome.
      She began her career aged just 16, and was signed up my Elite Models in Paris.
      Since then she has appeared in music videos for Enrique Iglesias, Blake Shelton and Taio Cruz.
      They have four children together, with Amra happy to share her family on Instagram to over 250,000 followers.
      Bosnian supermodel Amra Dzeko has been married to Edin Dzeko since 2016
      Dzeko is still going strong for Inter Milan at 37
      Ilaria Belloni
      With a Master’s degree in marketing, communication and digital strategy, Illaria is going places.
      Her other half is AC Milan captain Davide Calabria, who she grew up with in Brescia.
      The pair are one of Italy’s glam couples, spotted attending Milan Fashion Week’s Giorgio Armani show.
      They have no children yet, but at 26 have plenty of time before building a family.
      Ilaira Belloni is one half of one of Italy’s glam couples
      AC Milan captain Davide Calabria and Ilaria attend Milan Fashion Week
      Chiara Casiraghi
      It was inevitable gorgeous Chiara would get together with a footballer.
      Her dad was Italian international Pierluigi Casiraghi, who played for Juventus, Lazio, and Chelsea, before his career was brought to a premature end at Stamford Bridge with a horror knee injury.
      The 21-year-old dates Inter Milan star Joaquin Correa.
      She is a student at Università Cattolica.
      Chiara Casiraghi is the daughter of ex-Chelsea star Pierluigi Casiraghi
      Chiara dates Joaquin Correa
      Federica Schievenin
      Chelsea and Liverpool target Nicola Barella is a hero for club and country.
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      Off the pitch, the 26-year-old is supported by his sport scientist wife Federica Schievenin, 33, and their daughters Rebecca, four, Lavinia, two, and five-month-old ­Matilde.
      The tight-knit couple were childhood sweethearts and tied the knot in 2017 at the picturesque royal Villa d’Orri in Sardinia.
      Federica Schievenin is Nicola Barella’s childhood sweetheart
      Federica is a sports scientist More

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      Fans love how BT Sport have camera just for Jack Grealish’s calves after cutting to them during interview

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      FANS loved how BT Sport cameras cut to a shot of Jack Grealish’s calves during a post-match interview.The midfielder spoke to the media after Manchester City drew 1-1 with Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.
      Manchester City ace Jack Grealish admitted to getting cramp in both his calves versus Real MadridCredit: BT Sport
      BT Sport’s cameras swiftly cut to his calf muscles when they were mentionedCredit: BT Sport
      However, supporters were left in awe of Grealish’s bulging muscles as the player admitted to feeling pain in his legs after the game.
      The City ace said: “I was tired, I have never had cramp before, but I had it in both my calves at the end.”
      Pundit Rio Ferdinand quickly jumped in, stating: “Especially with them calves as well, Jesus.”
      And the cameramen reacted just as swiftly, zooming in on the back of Grealish’s legs.
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      Fans found it hilarious, one said: “‘Those calves, Jesus’ and then the opposite camera panning to his calves cracked me right up.”
      Another joked: “We’ll have Grealish on camera five, keep his calves in frame in case we need to cut to them quickly.”
      A third added: “It’s impossible not to like this man. Warning, contains gratuitous leg shots too.”
      The interview has also hit the headlines with internet sleuths believing a mystery pundit farted towards the conclusion of the chat due to a suspicious noise being heard.
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      During the game, Grealish was engaged in a fiery exchange with Dani Carvajal.
      Afterwards, he claimed he was not intimated by him or the occasion, saying: “I loved it, these are the nights you play football for.
      “These are nights you dream of playing in with everyone in the world watching.
      “Playing against Carvajal, I can’t count the amount of people that said to me before the game, ‘you know what he is going to be like’. It was a good battle, I really enjoyed it out there.
      “I had a text from my mum before the game and she was like ‘these are the nights you’ve dreamed of since you were a kid’ and it’s true.” More

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      Fans convinced mystery pundit let rip during Jack Grealish interview live on BT after farting noise heard off camera

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      FANS have been left convinced that a mystery pundit farted during Jack Grealish’s post-match interview after Manchester City’s clash with Real Madrid.The Champions League first leg tie at the Santiago Bernabeu ended 1-1.
      Fans believe somebody let rip during Jack Grealish’s interviewCredit: BT Sport
      Grealish spoke about his dream of playing on such a big occasionCredit: BT Sport
      And after the match, Grealish spoke to BT Sport, only for the chat to be overshadowed by someone appearing to let rip live on TV.
      Grealish was coming to the conclusion of his interview when the noise was heard and it made fans believe a mystery pundit could not hold it in any longer.
      Internet sleuths were quick to point the finger at Rio Ferdinand who was standing next to Grealish.
      One said on social media: “Is no one going to mention what I think was an audible fart in the last fifteen seconds of the video, quickly followed by Rio saying ‘erm sorry?'”
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      Another reacted: “Does Rio fart right at the end?”
      After a closer listen, Ferdinand seems to say “the stuff of dreams”.
      Supporters found that equally hilarious: “He actually says ‘the stuff of dreams’, which makes the idea that he farted so much better.”
      The other pundits in the vicinity were Joleon Lescott and Michael Owen, who were alongside host Jake Humphrey.
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      Grealish starred in the game for Man City and notably clashed with Dani Carvajal in a fiery exchange.
      But he admitted he was not intimated by him or the occasion, saying: “I loved it, these are the nights you play football for.
      “These are nights you dream of playing in with everyone in the world watching.
      “Playing against Carvajal, I can’t count the amount of people that said to me before the game, ‘you know what he is going to be like’. It was a good battle, I really enjoyed it out there.
      “I had a text from my mum before the game and she was like ‘these are the nights you’ve dreamed of since you were a kid’ and it’s true.” More

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      Aguero ‘can’t understand’ Guardiola’s team selection against Real Madrid after Man City star with ‘spark’ is snubbed

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      SERGIO AGUERO has revealed he would have played a different Manchester City side against Real Madrid. The former City star was unhappy with Pep Guardiola’s team selection for the Champions League semi-final and outlined the one player he thought could have made the difference.
      Both Manchester City and Real Madrid will have full focus on the return leg after a tight affair in the first match-up
      Julian Alvarez was an unused substitute during Man City’s clash with Real Madrid
      The Citizens left the Spanish capital with a 1-1 draw ahead of the second leg after a close fought battle between the two clubs.
      Aguero made it clear after the game that he felt City could have got more if they had played Julian Alvarez.
      The 34-year-old said: “What I don’t understand is why he didn’t play Julián [Alvarez] I wonder, but well it’s Pep. He doesn’t favour anyone.
      “If it was up to me, I’d play Julián in almost every game – we need him to be active and have a spark”
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      Alvarez has featured 44 times for City across all competitions, netting 15 goals in the process.
      Despite being a World Cup winner at just 23 years old, he sits second in the pecking order behind the imperious Erling Haaland.
      Guardiola’s side struggled to create clear cut chances against a talented Madrid team and it was Kevin De Bruyne’s long range effort that kept things level going into the second leg.
      City now face a quick turnaround as they travel to Goodison Park to take on Everton on Sunday in the hopes of taking another step closer to winning the Premier League.
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      They welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad just three days later for the mouthwatering second leg.
      The side will be hoping to complete a Treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League this season.
      City would be only the second English club to ever achieve this feat after their neighbours Manchester United, who they face in the FA Cup final, managed it in the 1998/99 season. More

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      Pep Guardiola SLAMMED for tactical decision last tried by Fergie… but Arsenal fans love it

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      ALL eyes were on Pep Guardiola as Man City visited Real Madrid looking to finally win the Champions League.The City boss has been criticised by some in the past for overthinking things with elaborate tactical tweaks in the biggest European games.
      Pep Guardiola was labelled a ‘nervous wreck’ for his approach on the touchlineCredit: EPA
      But as his side drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, fans were more concerned by something he DIDN’T do.
      That’s because he became the first manager since 2007 to not make a single substitution in a Champions League semi-final.
      It marked the second time during City’s European campaign that the boss had made no changed, after the 1-1 draw with Leipzig in February.
      One fan tweeted: “Pep didn’t make a single sub. You just know that brother was scared of making a mistake.”
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      Another wrote: “Pep fears Real Madrid so much, dude couldn’t even make subs”
      And a third commented: “Pep is just too human sometimes, rise to the occasion you nervous wreck and make a sub!”
      Even Sergio Aguero was left confused by Guardiola’s decision.
      The Man City legend said: “What I don’t understand is why he didn’t put Julian [Alvarez on]…
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      Sir Alex Ferguson was the last manager not to make a substitution in a Champions League semi-finalCredit: Sportsfile
      Even Man City legend Sergio Aguero was baffled by some of Guardiola’s decisionsCredit: Getty
      “I wonder, but well it’s Pep. He doesn’t marry anyone.
      “If it was up to me, I’d play Julian in almost every game – we need him to be active and have a spark…”
      The last time a manager chose not to make a sub in a Champions League semi-final was 16 years ago when Man Utd finished their game against AC Milan with the same team that started.
      But Sir Alex Ferguson’s approach that night paid off as Wayne Rooney scored a last minute winner in a 3-2 first leg victory.
      And Arsenal fans were more than happy to see Guardiola follow Fergie’s lead.
      One wrote: “Watching and Pep has made no subs for 90 minutes, Everton please make their tired legs work”
      Another fan commented: “It’s up to Pep Guardiola to choose between winning the Champions League or the Premier League.
      “He has to sub some players for PL matches, if the Champions League is his main priority. Leave the Premier League for Arsenal FC.”
      And another tweeted: “Surprised Pep didn’t make a single sub tonight with Everton away on the weekend…
      “Tonight went brilliantly for Arsenal too”
      Man City visit Everton on Sunday as they look to open up a four point Premier League gap on Arsenal, who host Brighton later in the afternoon.
      Pep Guardiola’s men then host Real Madrid in the second leg next Wednesday.
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      Asked why he had made no changed Guardiola explained: “Because I thought the players on the pitch were doing well.
      “They all had a certain skillset, retaining the ball. Madrid have players who can transition quickly, if the game goes crazy, we cannot match them.”
      Arsenal will be hoping Man City’s players will be tired for the rest of the title race after they all played a full 90 minutes at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Kevin de Bruyne earned Man City a 1-1 draw at the BernabeuCredit: Getty More

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      New picture shows why Carlo Ancelotti was so furious after Man City equaliser at Real Madrid

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      A SHOCK new photo has revealed why Carlo Ancelotti and Real Madrid were so furious over Kevin De Bruyne’s equaliser at the Bernabeu.Vinicius Jr broke the deadlock in the Champions League semi-final first-leg 1-1 draw between Los Blancos and Manchester City.
      Kevin De Bruyne earned Man City a draw at Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Carlo Ancelotti was furious at the decision to allow the goalCredit: Alamy
      Bernardo Silva appeared to have kept the ball in for City during the build-upCredit: BeIN sports
      BEIN Sport are now claiming that it had crossed the line and a throw-in should have been awardedCredit: BEIN SPORT
      The Brazilian produced an incredible strike from outside of the area in the 36th minute to send Rio Ferdinand wild in the BT Studio.
      Tensions then threatened to boil over as Dani Carvajal was labelled an “absolute disgrace” for his play acting after he shoved Jack Grealish into the pitchside hoardings.
      But a stunning effort from De Bruyne earned City a 1-1 draw to take back to the Etihad next week for the second-leg.
      However, that goal was hotly-disputed by Real Madrid’s players and their bench for a reason unknown to most English viewers.
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      Their usually-cool boss Ancelotti was so angered that he even received a yellow card from the referee for his protests.
      And now it has emerged why he was so enraged by the goal as the ball appeared to have crossed the line for a throw-in just seconds before the equaliser.
      In the lead-up to the goal, the ball looked to have gone out of play right in front of the Madrid dug-out.
      But neither the assistant referee nor the man in the middle spotted the incident and allowed Bernardo Silva to play on.
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      However, a VAR check was not even able to be used as moments later Eduardo Camavinga lost the ball.
      And it was only then that the attacking phase for City that led to the equaliser was deemed to have begun, meaning that the potential throw-in decision was not able to be reviewed.
      Italian Ancelotti was still seething over the decision afterwards as he took aim at the officials.
      He said: “The ball was off the pitch.
      “That’s it. Technology said it. I don’t understand why VAR didn’t check it.
      “The referee didn’t pay attention to many things tonight.”  More

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      Erling Haaland savaged by Marca as horror touch stats against Real Madrid revealed after ‘Rudiger masterclass’

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      ERLING HAALAND managed just 21 touches of the ball as Manchester City drew at Real Madrid.The 51-goal striker was largely kept quiet by Antonio Rudiger in the thrilling 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu.
      It was a difficult night for Erling Haaland at the BernabeuCredit: AFP
      Haaland managed just 21 touches of the ball against Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Haaland was largely kept quiet by Antonio Rudiger
      Haaland did manage two early efforts on goal that were both kept out by Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
      But after that he barely touched it, as Rudiger out-battled him in the Spanish capital.
      Haaland’s 21 touches was the fewest of any player who started the match.
      And Spanish publication Marca savaged Haaland with a 3/10 match rating, which is brave considering there is still the second leg left to play.
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      Striker sensation Haaland has another entire 90 minutes to find the back of the net next week, or potentially more if the semi-final goes to extra-time.
      And surely the Norwegian superstar can’t go that long without scoring a goal?
      Marca meanwhile gave ex-Chelsea man Rudiger a 10/10 match rating for successfully managing to keep Haaland quiet on Tuesday night.
      The German centre-back did what not many defenders have done this season in keeping Haaland relatively ineffective.
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      Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was full of praise for his defender after the game.
      The Italian said: “Toni Rüdiger… excellent. Top performance. He was very good, he’s a player with great experience, quality”.
      “It wasn’t easy but he played very well. I’m so happy with Toni”.
      Fans on Twitter were also left lauding Rudiger for his performance.
      One wrote: “I didn’t even see Haaland thank you Rudiger for this masterclass.”
      Another added: “Rudiger has been putting in a masterclass.”
      And a third said: “Rudiger’s masterclass to shut down Haaland.”
      However, Kevin De Bruyne stepped up to the plate and fired in a sumptuous effort from 20 yards to salvage a draw for City.
      Vinicius Jr had initially given Real Madrid the lead with an unstoppable effort from outside the area on 36 minutes.
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      But De Bruyne levelled things up midway through the second-half with a stunner of his own.
      It leaves the tie perfectly in the balance going into the return leg next Wednesday… making it the perfect opportunity for Haaland to respond. More