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      ‘I will be back with violence!’ Zlatan Ibrahimovic rules out retirement aged 40 – but reveals when he will pack it in

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      ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has claimed he has no plans to retire yet as he revealed what it will take for him to hang up his boots.The 40-year-old is currently out with an anterior cruciate ligament injury and underwent surgery back in May.
      AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic isn’t retiring just yetCredit: AP
      The AC Milan striker is thought to not be ready to take to the pitch again until the new year.
      But this has not impacted the longevity of Ibrahimovic’s career as he dismissed retirement talk.
      He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I am arrogant, zero fear. I’m well, I’m working every day to come back.
      “You will surely see it. When I come back, I will be heard, you can count on it. I will do it with violence.
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      “Patience is needed, that’s the key now.
      “I’m not going to retire, I’m coming back and I won’t give up.”
      When asked what could lead to his retirement from football he gave a typical Ibrahimovic like response.
      He said: “If I see a player stronger than me, I’ll stop. But I haven’t seen him yet.”
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      The veteran played a key role in the Rosseneri’s Serie A title victory last season scoring eight goals.
      And the Swedish international stressed that he believes the team has got even better since last time out.
      He said: “We’re even stronger than last year as a squad. Overall, we’re a better team, the market in the summer after winning the Scudetto strengthened us and now we have more alternatives on the bench. 
      “If I didn’t like things, I wouldn’t be here.”
      Ibrahimovic singled out the signing of talented young midfielder Charles de Ketelaere as one of the reasons they are better this season.
      The ex-Manchester United man stated: “De Ketelaere is a top player, I’ll say that. You just have to give him some time to grow.” More

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      Jose Mourinho hits out at Tammy Abraham despite late winner for Roma as ex-Chelsea star bids for England spot

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      ROMA boss Jose Mourinho is keeping Tammy Abraham’s feet on the ground by taking a swipe at him despite netting a last-gasp winner.Former Chelsea striker Abraham has been a big hit in Italy since his £34million arrival last summer.
      Tammy Abraham celebrates scoring Roma’s late winner against Empoli
      The 24-year-old was deemed surplus to requirements by the Blues and responded by bagging 17 Serie A goals last season – the highest ever single campaign league total by an Englishman.
      His nine strikes also bagged his side a Europa Conference League crown.
      Abraham already has two goals to his name this season, including a winner against Empoli on Monday which left Roma just a point off the Serie A summit.
      The former Aston Villa loan star’s progress in the Italian top-flight has undoubtedly strengthened his claim to be a key man for England at this winter’s World Cup.
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      Mourinho has been impressed by Abraham’s all-round performance but has called for him to incorporate more intelligent movement into his game.
      The Roma boss told Sky Sports Italia: “He has to do it – he has to drop deep when the team needs him.
      “Maybe he can struggle more mentally to do it, but that is also the mission.
      “I must say that scoring goals against [Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo] Vicario was difficult, he looked like the best goalkeeper in the world.”
      Abraham will be hoping to see his name when England boss Gareth Southgate announces his latest squad on Thursday.
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      Three Lions skipper Harry Kane remains the nation’s go-to No9 after a five-goal start to the season with Spurs.
      The likes of Brentford striker Ivan Toney along with Everton’s precocious prospect Anthony Gordon are also pushing to gate-crash the World Cup party.

      But Abraham already has 11 caps and three international goals to his name.
      And if his hot form continues under Mourinho he looks a shoe-in for Qatar. More

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      Ex-Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri gives middle finger after Lazio clash with Verona leaving fans in stitches

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      FORMER Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri left fans in hysterics after being caught giving someone the middle finger. The Lazio manager was spotted live on TV aiming the gesture at a member of the Hellas Verona bench.
      Maurizio Sarri was not happy with something said by a Verona coach
      Maurizio Sarri was caught giving multiple gestures on the touchlineCredit: Getty

      The Rome-based side had just scored via Ciro Immobile when Sarri took offence to something said by a member of the Verona backroom team.
      Reports in Italy suggested Sarri was arguing with their coach Alessandro Mazzola.
      Sarri, 63, has since cleared up the incident saying in a post-match press conference: “I had the feeling he had told me ‘Sit down,’
      “After that, we cleared up and we laughed about it.”
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      Lazio went on to win the game 2-0 when Luis Alberto added a second goal late on.
      Fans reacted online, with one saying “Uncle Sarri” alongside laughing emojis.
      Another reacted: “My GOAT always.”
      A Chelsea fan responded: “The Don is back, sack [Graham] Potter asap.”
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      The victory means the Biancocelesti maintain their good start to the season and sit 6th in Serie A after six games.
      This is not the first time Sarri has gone viral on social media for flipping the bird.
      While in charge of Napoli he was pictured giving Juventus fans the middle finger when arriving at the stadium on the team coach.
      Sarri is an experienced manager having also taken charge of the likes of Juventus.
      But he never played professional football and began his career as a part-time centre-back and coach while working as a banker.
      In 2019 he won the Europa League with Chelsea before eventually being sacked and replaced by Frank Lampard. More

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      Sampdoria manager Marco Giampaolo says he deserved red card against AC Milan as he reveals his X-rated blast at referee

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      SAMPDORIA’S manager admitted he deserved his red card against AC Milan and revealed details of his X-rated blast at the referee. Marco Giampaolo let rip at the official as his side lost 2-1 at home to the Rossoneri.
      Marco Giampaolo was sent off towards the end of Sampdoria’s defeat to AC MilanCredit: Getty
      The Sampdoria boss was furious at a number of decisions – but confessed he overstepped the line when talking to the ref.
      And it resulted in Michael Fabbri sending him off in injury time.
      Giampaolo said: “The red card for me was fair.
      “I told the ref he is an a***hole.”
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      Junior Messias put the Serie A champions ahead after just six minutes but they were reduced to ten men just after half-time when Rafael Leao was sent off.
      The Portuguese star, a transfer target for Chelsea, was handed a second yellow for an attempted dangerous overhead kick.
      Filip Duricic equalised for the hosts on 57 minutes with a neat header but ten minutes later Olivier Giroud hit the winner from the penalty spot after a controversial VAR handball call.
      Giampaolo’s fury spilled over late on as he was punished for dissent – but did not back down when speaking to Sky Sport Italia.
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      The 55-year-old, who had a brief stint in charge of Milan in 2019, added: “After Leao’s red card, which was sacrosanct, the referee then started officiating purely in one direction, almost as if he was trying to make amends for something.
      “Every decision went against us. Plus you shouldn’t officiate with arrogance, you need to handle the pressure. It’s an important result for both clubs, not just Milan.
      “It is right that I was sent off, because I called him an a***hole, but this is not how you deal with cards, you need to be more reasonable. Otherwise you lose control of the game.
      “I am never controversial with referees, I have great respect for them, but this was a referee who was not in control of the match.
      “It’s entirely possible Milan would’ve won anyway, don’t get me wrong, but I did not like his attitude.” More

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      Napoli leak Keylor Navas’ eye-watering wages after transfer for PSG’s backup keeper breaks down

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      NAPOLI director Cristiano Giuntoli has claimed Keylor Navas is on wages of £13million at PSG. The Costa Rican keeper has lost his place as No1 in the French capital to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
      Keylor Navas saw a move to Napoli collapseCredit: Getty
      As a result, Napoli were among the clubs in talks to sign Navas.
      But club chief Giuntoli revealed talks broke down due to the stopper’s financial demands.
      He said: “Keylor Navas deal collapsed because there was no agreement between PSG and player’s camp on the salary: he’s on €15m gross wages per season.
      “We will not try again for Navas in January – it’s over.”
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      Donnarumma, 23, joined PSG from AC Milan in 2021 but competed with Navas, 35, for the No1 spot.
      The Italian made 24 appearances while his counterpart played 26 times.
      Although under new manager Christophe Galtier, Donnarumma has been selected as his first-choice keeper, starting all eight games.
      Navas pushed more a move away from the Ligue 1 champions but after failing to secure a switch, he is braced to fight for his spot again.
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      Galtier said: “This does not change my hierarchy decision, with Gianluigi as number one and Keylor as number two.
      “Now that the summer market is over, I do not forbid myself to have a reflection, to know if Keylor, like every number two, must play sometimes,” to be ready “in case of suspension, injury.
      “I knew that in Saint-Étienne, where there was an injury to number one and number two had not participated in many games.
      “It is a reflection, but the hierarchy is established, and it stays that way.” More

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      Cristiano Ronaldo’s super fleet of cars worth £17m, including £8.5m Bugatti and new £200,000 Aston Martin

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      CRISTIANO RONALDO certainly knows how to treat himself.The Manchester United star added a £200,000 Aston Martin DBS Superleggera to his staggering car collection after his hat-trick heroics against Spurs back in March.
      Ronaldo drove his Aston Martin into Carrington after his brilliant Spurs hat-trickCredit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      The Portuguese star rewarded himself after his match-winning efforts back in MarchCredit: Zenpix
      Cristiano Ronaldo drives his Bentley Flying Spur to training with Manchester United
      Ronaldo is also believed to be one of 10 people lucky enough to buy the incredible Bugatti Centodieci, which costs £8.5m
      The amazing Bugatti is truly a one of a kind motorCredit: Bugatti

      Ronaldo has reportedly spent £1.4m on an amazing Ferrari MonzaCredit: Alamy
      It joins a limited edition £8.5million Bugatti Centodieci – of which only ten have been made, he added to his incredible fleet last year.
      Ronaldo, 37, regularly takes his new motor for a spin as he arrives at training at United’s The AON Carrington Training Complex back in M
      While in 2020, he was spotted taking a tour of Ferrari’s Maranello company, where he posed for a picture with a F1 car and ordered himself a Ferrari Monza worth £1.4million.
      That puts his car collection now at around roughly £17million – with Bugattis being his favourite.
      Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo has a Bugatti Chiron and a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse as part of his huge hoard.
      He has ‘CR7’ embroidered on the headrests of his other two Bugattis, but his latest model he bought is believed to be a tribute to the legendary Bugatti EB110 – Centodieci is Italian for 110.
      The Centodieci boasts an 8 litre W16 engine, with special models having 1600hp – some 100hp more than the Chiron and, overall, three times the price of that model.
      It can do 0-62mph in just 2.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 236mph.
      The Portuguese superstar has supercars likes Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Rolls Royces, admitting to Piers Morgan in an interview he likes to have two of everything.
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      Join SunSport in revelling in just some of Ronaldo’s collection that his fortune can afford.ASTON MARTIN DBS SUPERLEGGER, £200,000
      The Manchester United ace turned heads at Carrington as he rocked up to the gates in an amazing Aston Martin DBS Superleggera convertible.
      The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera boasts a 5.2 litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, providing a mind-boggling 715 hp.
      It has a top speed of 211mph, and can also go from 0-60mph in just 3.4 seconds.
      The car is certainly a worthy addition to Ronaldo’s stunning motor collection.
      Credit: Eamonn and James Clarke
      MERCEDES G-WAGON BRABUS, £600,000
      What do you buy your boyfriend if he has everything?
      Well if you’re Georgina Rodriguez you get a massive, gift-wrapped Mercedes-Benz G-Class.
      The gorgeous former shop assistant made sure CR7’s had the best 35th birthday ever – gifting him a stunning Mercedes G Wagon Brabus that can cost as much £600,000.
      And the brilliant SUV can reach top speeds of 137mph.
      Cristiano Ronaldo was the lucky recipient of a Mercedes G Wagon Brabus for his 35th birthdayCredit: Instagram @georginagio
      BUGATTI CHIRON, £2.15MILLION
      In 2017, Ronaldo’s need for speed saw the mercurial forward splash the cash on a stunning silver Bugatti Chiron.
      Incredibly, it can reach speeds of 260 mph, and does 0-60 in just under 2.5 seconds, not that Turin will allow him the opportunity to drive it that fast with the city’s busy traffic.
      As we said, he likes two of everything – and this was the second Bugatti he bought, although he has denied buying a third  – the Bugatti La Voiture Noire – which was reckoned to be the most expensive car in the world EVER at £9.49million, and was snapped up by a mystery buyer last year.
      The 37-year-old loves posting images of his cars to social media, including the Bugatti ChironCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      BUGATTI VEYRON, £1.7M
      Only 450 Veyron 16.4 Grand Sports were built, so of course Ronaldo wanted a slice of that rarity pie.
      It cost him £1.7m, and the Portuguese legend bought the car as a treat after winning Euro 2016 with his country.
      Though the car was involved in a crash in June 2022 in Majorca. The driver, who was reportedly not Ronaldo, lost control and the car skidded into a wall.
      The front of the Bugatti was believed to have been wrecked with investigators revealed no other vehicle was involved.
      The driver of the car did not suffer any injuries and signed an accident report.
      Cristiano Ronaldo poses outside his former Madrid home on his £1.7m Bugatti VeyronCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      LAMBORGHINI AVENTADOR, £260,040
      Simply because a Bugatti Veyron won’t fulfil Ronaldo’s love of fast cars, in the same year he bought that motor he splashed on a Lamborghini Aventador.
      Made in 2011, it’s the most celebrated model by the Italian car designer – and owned by footballers all over the world, not scared of the outlandish price.
      Ronaldo celebrated his purchase on Instagram in 2016, with a picture with the caption: “Bom dia (good morning)”.
      Ronaldo has a matte-black Lamborghini Aventador worth over £200kCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Ronaldo loves having two of every brand and has a separate LamborghiniCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      ROLLS ROYCE CULLINAN, FROM £330,000
      In 2020, Ronaldo added a Cullinan to his collection, having previously owned a Rolls Royce Phantom worth around £363,000.
      Showing his loyalty to his new employers, CR7 even personalised the interior with black and white leather.
      Standing at five metres long, the Cullinan boasts a V12 engine and a horse power of 571.
      It is the only SUV Rolls Royce have ever produced.
      Ronaldo arrives anywhere in style with his Rolls Royce among the collectionCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      CHEVROLET CAMARO, £35,000
      Maybe he learned something from Sir Alex Ferguson about American cars, after all the former Manchester United boss drove a Chevrolet to training when he was Red Devils manager.
      A more economic motor than others in his garage, the Camaro has a 6.2-litre V8 engine that delivers 453 horsepower.
      It’s cheaper than anything else he owns, and was bought in 2016 as a family car.
      Ronaldo arrives at his old Madrid home in his white Mustang convertibleCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      FERRARI F12 TDF, £350,000
      In 2017, Ronaldo bought an F12 TDF – another collector’s item with only 799 made in the world.
      It is certainly one of the favourites he owns, and is zippy with a top speed of 211 mph, and capable of doing 0-62 in 2.9 seconds.
      Needless to say, pet-friendly Ronaldo won’t let his pooches in though.
      The Portuguese superstar’s red Ferrari may not be the most appropriate car for his dogsCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      The Ferrari F12 is one of Ronaldo’s favouritesCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Ronaldo poses on the boot of one of his white FerrarisCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      RANGE ROVER SPORT, £100,000
      A staple for every footballers’ garage, the Range Rover Sport is the ultimate SUV for the rich and famous.
      The model that Ronaldo drives is, of course, is the special edition, SVR.
      It’s Ronaldo’s go-to motor when he drove to the Continassa training ground in Turin.
      Ronaldo’s garage has also includes a giant Range RoverCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      MERCEDES AMG GLE 63, £127,000
      In 2016 Ronaldo filled his garage with supercar after supercar.
      His AMG GLE 63 was a gift to himself for Christmas, and some present it is.
      The SUV has a 612 horse power engine, and it can reach a top speed of 155 mph.

      Ronaldo has one of the most impressive car collections in footballCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      MCLAREN SENNA, £1MILLION
      A car made as a dedication to the legendary Brazilian racing driver Ayrton Senna, it would’ve set Ronaldo back around £1million – with only 500 models ever made.
      So enamoured by its performance on Top Gear, former presenter Jeremy Clarkson said of the McLaren Senna it has ‘rewritten the supercar rule book’.
      Powered by a twin-turbo charged V8 engine that produces 800 horse power, it can hit 0-62 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
      Mika Hakkinen is another sports star who owns one of these beauties.
      Ronaldo’s six years in Manchester saw him take a liking to McLarensCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT, FROM £151,000
      Ronaldo is believed to have started collecting cars from around 2009, when he was a Manchester United star.
      He had a penchant for Bentley Continental GTs in those early days, and collected several during his time at Old Trafford.
      Ronaldo’s was the GT Speed model, which was naturally the most expensive version ever.
      The interior was lush, filled with magnolia leather.
      And because it was a convertible, Ronaldo was often spied with the roof down – even in rainy Manchester.
      Ronaldo began to have a collection of supercars during his time at United, including this Bentley convertibleCredit: Cavendish
      Ronaldo’s car collection is worth around £17mCredit: Instagram @cristiano
      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘splashes out £8.5million on limited edition Bugatti Centodieci’ – with just ten models ever created More

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      Inter Milan chief hints Romelu Lukaku’s transfer future could be back at Chelsea after Thomas Tuchel’s shock sacking

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      INTER MILAN director Giuseppe Marotta has said talks with Chelsea on Romelu Lukaku’s future will go ahead at the end of the season.Lukaku returned to Inter on loan in the summer after a miserable campaign at Stamford Bridge.
      Romelu Lukaku returned to Inter Milan on loan in the summerCredit: Getty
      In a bombshell interview with Italian TV last year, Lukaku hit out at Thomas Tuchel while he was still playing for the club.
      The 29-year-old claimed he was not happy with the German manager’s tactics.
      But now Tuchel has been ruthlessly sacked by American businessman Todd Boehly, the new owner may want £97.5million man Lukaku as part of the club’s plans going forward.
      And Marotta said “it’s difficult to predict” what will happen with the striker after an agreement in principle had been reached for Lukaku to spend a SECOND year on loan at San Siro.
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      That was back in July, but now Tuchel is gone Boehly could rethink his plans, with Graham Potter currently in talks to become the next gaffer.
      Speaking to Sky Italia on Lukaku after Tuchel’s sacking, Marotta said: “It’s fresh news. I don’t know what the effects will be.
      “We absolutely want to get the best contribution out of Lukaku, and then at the end of the season we’ll sit down and discuss him with Chelsea.”
      “I don’t know if a change of coaches means that his return is to be automatic, it’s difficult to predict today.”
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      Lukaku scored once and provided one assist in three games for Inter before picking up a thigh injury.
      His No9 shirt at Chelsea has been taken by deadline day signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
      The Blues swooped for the former Arsenal man to replace Lukaku as the only out and out striker at the club. More

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      Gazza made Gazzetta Football Italia primetime viewing as Channel 4 celebrates 30 years since Serie A football came home

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      THIS week marks the 30th anniversary of Channel 4 bringing Italian footy to British and Irish TV screens — as Serie A gained a cult following.Saturday mornings were all about highlights show Gazzetta Football Italia, while Football Italia featured live action from the biggest names in world football every Sunday and a chance to watch Paul Gascoigne.
      Gazza with a snake wrapped around his neckCredit: YouTube
      Gascoigne spent time in Italy’s capital playing for LazioCredit: Getty
      Gullit in action for AC MilanCredit: Getty
      Baggio was one of Italy’s biggest starsCredit: Getty
      Jonathan Grade was a producer when the iconic Gazzetta Football Italia took over our televisions.
      In his new book Golazzo: The Football Italia Years, he talks Gazza, snakes and the finest footballers of the 1990s.
      In those days Serie A was in a class of its own.
      Fans had to pay a subscription to watch Premier League football, but over on Channel 4 the best league in the world had a new home, and you did not have to pay a penny.
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      And while Ruud Gullit, Marco van Basten, Roberto Baggio, Gabriel Batistuta and Co were thrilling viewers every week, it was the arrival of a certain Geordie who took centre stage, as Gazza finally signed for Lazio.
      His three years in the eternal city were a rollercoaster.
      There were some unforgettable times — the highlight being a last-minute equaliser in the Rome derby — but there were lows too, as he suffered repeated injury setbacks.
      Gazza’s weekly appearances on Gazzetta Football Italia were legendary, as he and presenter James Richardson hit it off from the start.
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      James would have him up to all sorts — one week doing links with a giant chocolate Easter egg over his head and the next with a snake around his neck!
      On the field viewers were treated to the finest football in Europe.
      A six-goal thriller between Sampdoria and Lazio was the perfect way to start and set the tone for a thrilling first season.
      Any idea that Serie A was dull was well and truly swept away.
      Football Italia was the first live football programme to not have commentators inside the stadium.
      Instead, Peter Brackley would be based in a voiceover booth — usually alongside Ray Wilkins. The viewer would be none the wiser.
      Brackers would always tell us that when he returned home after a live game that nobody could believe he’d got back so quickly!
      While the show was an enormous success it was not always plain sailing behind the scenes.
      There were times when we’d lose the match feed — on one occasion for a match between Parma and Juventus.
      Thankfully we started filming just in time for a Filippo Inzaghi goal, so the viewers didn’t miss anything!
      The pictures coming from our host broadcaster in Italy may not have been Prem quality, but the football was from another planet.
      Before long C4 would expand the coverage. Both legs of Italy’s crucial World Cup qualifier with Russia in 1998 were shown live, attracting a huge audience.
      The channel’s commitment to Football Italia got stronger. Saturday night’s primetime viewing one week was the Milan derby, as we were able to keep showing the biggest games.
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      Sadly, at the turn of the millennium crowd trouble and racism came to the fore in Serie A and in 2002 Channel 4 decided not to renew its Football Italia contract.
      But the memories still remain of one of the greatest eras in Italian football history — and viewers over here got the chance to see it all. 
      l Golazzo: The Football Italia Years by Jonathan Grade is available on Amazon for €13.57 and the Kindle store for €10.31. More