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    Mourinho suffers heaviest EVER defeat as Roma thumped 6-1 by Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in Europa Conference shocker

    JOSE MOURINHO lashed out at the state of his Roma squad after suffering the heaviest defeat of his managerial career.The Serie A side were embarrassed 6-1 by Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt in Thursday’s Uefa Conference League clash.
    Roma were thrashed 6-1 away against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt in the Uefa Conference LeagueCredit: Getty
    Is it the first time Jose Mourinho has conceded six goals in a single matchCredit: Getty
    It was the first time a team coached by the Special One has shipped in six goals in a single game.
    A stat made even more staggering considering that was the 58-year-old’s 1008th match of his career.
    His previous biggest loss was Real Madrid’s 5-0 mauling at the hands of rivals Barcelona in November 2010.
    While his Chelsea side were hit for five in the 5-3 loss against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in January 2015.
    But today’s result in Europe’s third-tier competition will undoubtedly be one of the most embarrassing moments of his career.
    Speaking after the match, Mourinho said: “I decided to play with this line-up, so the responsibility is mine.

    “I did it with good intentions, to give an opportunity to those who work hard and to rotate the squad on a synthetic pitch in cold weather. I decided to rest many players.
    “We lost against a team that showed more quality on the night. It’s that simple.”
    Before adding: “Every defeat does damage. I spoke to the players and was honest. I was honest with them, I cannot be honest with you.
    “I never disguised the fact we were a squad with real limitations. We have 13 players who represent one team, the others are on a different level.
    “At least the positive thing from now on is that nobody will ask me why I always use the same players.”
    Roma, who had won both of their Conference League outings prior to their trip to Norway, now sit second to Bodo/Glimt in Group C.
    The Giallorossi went 1-0 down in the eighth minute after Erik Botheim opened the scoring, before Patrick Berg doubled the hosts’ lead shortly after.
    Carlos Perez pulled a goal back for the visitors in the 28th minute to give Roma hope of completing a comeback in the second half.
    Roma now sit second in Group C following the embarrassing defeat at the Aspmyra StadionCredit: Getty
    But their hopes were quickly dashed after Botheim banged in his second of the match shortly after the break, with Ola Solbakken firing home a fourth in the 71st minute.
    It was 5-1 seven minutes later when Amahl Pellegrino got on the score sheet, before Solbakken grabbed his second moment later.
    In an unwanted stat, Roma’s defeat against last season’s Norwegian top-flight champions is the club’s joint-second biggest defeat in Europe.
    The result matches their 6-1 loss against Barcelona from 2015, with Manchester United’s 7-1 win in April 2007 remaining their heaviest.
    And it is the only the second time a Norwegian team have scored three or more goals against an Italian opponent in a European competition.
    Bodo/Glimt previously beat Sampdoria 3-2 in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1994-95 season.
    Danny Mills urges Newcastle to poach Jose Mourinho from Roma More

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    Chiellini wishes Cristiano Ronaldo left Juventus SOONER as he joins Bonucci in hitting out at Man Utd star

    GIORGIO CHIELLINI has criticised the timing of Cristiano Ronaldo’s high profile Juventus exit.And the veteran Juve captain, 37, blames the Portugal skipper’s late Manchester United move for his side’s poor start to the season.
    Giorgio Chiellini believes it would have been better for Juventus if Cristiano Ronaldo had left early on in the summerCredit: AFP or licensors
    Ronaldo, 36, finished last term as Serie A’s top scorer with 29 goals before sealing a sensational August return to Old Trafford on a two-year deal.
    And the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s exit has left a void up top for Juve, who are currently seventh after losing two and drawing two of their first eight Serie A games.
    In a DAZN interview, Chiellini said: “Ronaldo left on August 28, it would have been better for us if he had left earlier. 
    “It was not a difficult thing to digest, but it gives you a bit of a surprise and, in my opinion, we paid something in terms of points in the first matches. 
    “If he had left on August 1, we would have had time to prepare better and we would have come to the start of the championship a little more prepared”.
    Ronaldo enjoyed trophy success with Juventus during his three-year spell at the club, including two Serie A titles in 2019 and 2020 and two Italian Super Cups.

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    However, in April reports in Italy claimed the Portugal star had grown ‘nervous and irritable’ with the club’s lack of progress in the Champions League during his time there.
    Earlier this week Chiellini’s club and country team-mate Leonardo Bonucci took a dig at the superstar forward.
    The defender told reporters via Football Italia that the Turin juggernauts needed to “rediscover that Juve spirit that was there before his (Ronaldo’s) arrival”.
    And Chiellini admitted to not being surprised by the former Real Madrid star’s departure.
    The Azzurri skipper added: “He had reached a point in the relationship where Cristiano needed new encouragement and a team that could play for him because when he finds a team like this it is decisive.
    “It does not surprise me because it has shown throughout his career and also in the three years with us. ”
    While Chiellini believes Ronaldo staying would have been a boost for the Turin giants, he reckons a move to a side that is not in transition would be beneficial for the star.
    The centre-back said: “A rejuvenation and restart programme is underway here at Juventus. 
    “It is clear that if Ronaldo had stayed, it would have been an added value and we would have gladly exploited it, but it could also be that he decided to start with a team more focused on the present than on the future. ”

    Chiellini believes Ronaldo was after new motivation and working with team-mates who would play for himCredit: Sportphoto24/Marco Canoniero
    Watch Italy and Juventus goalkeeper legend Gianluigi Buffon prove he is also the GOAT of Rock, Paper, Scissors at Parma More

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    Bonucci fires dig at Cristiano Ronaldo and says Juventus are more of a team and have ‘humility’ without Man Utd star

    ITALIAN EURO 2020-winning defender Leonardo Bonucci took a dig at former Juventus team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo after Wednesday’s 1-0 win against Zenit Saint Petersburg.The Old Lady sit top of their Champions League group on nine points, three ahead of defending European champions Chelsea.
    Five-time UCL winner Ronaldo was unable to bring the famous trophy to TurinCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    And Juve are looking more fluent than they were when Ronaldo was playing in Turin.
    Ronaldo was brought into Juve to win them the elusive Champions League trophy that they had been longing for.
    But Juve bailed out of the competition early, twice failing make it past the Round of 16.
    Speaking to Sky after yesterday’s group game win, Bonucci took aim at the Manchester United star.
    He said: “It’s absolutely true [playing more as a team].
    “In the recent past we had lost this characteristic from Juve, we were playing with a great champion like CR7 and we wanted to put him in a position to always do well, thinking he could solve all the matches.

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    “This year we are rediscovering that right humility that it serves to regain victory.”
    Bonucci’s latest comments come after an interview he did with The Athletic where he described how the atmosphere of the dressing room effected the performance on the pitch.
    The 34-year-old said: “This was the thing, the idea that one player, even the best in the world, could guarantee Juventus victory.
    “Cristiano’s presence had a big influence on us. Just training with him gave us something extra but subconsciously players started to think his presence alone was enough to win games.

    “We began to fall a little short in our daily work, the humility, the sacrifice, the desire to be there for your team-mate day after day. Over the last few years, I think you could see that.”
    Juve and Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini also took a dig at Ronaldo after he left to return to Man Utd.
    The experienced defender said the team had ‘to play for him’.
    Chiellini told DAZN: “When you have a world class player like Cristiano, you cannot help but use the team to play for him.
    “We must be grateful to Cristiano for all he did during these years at Juventus, but we carry on.
    “This will be Paulo Dybala’s team. Over the last couple of years, he lowered his average goals because of Cristiano’s presence, but he is a key player for this team and that is recognised by everyone.”
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    Solskjaer hits back at Cristiano Ronaldo’s Man Utd critics More

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    Atalanta stars woken up SIX times by fire alarms on night before Man Utd clash as Wag fumes at ‘terrible locals’

    ATALANTA’S stars were woken up by fire alarms SIX times as they stayed in Manchester ahead of their Champions League clash with Man Utd on Wednesday.And one Wag took to social media to point the finger at ‘terrible locals’.
    Atalanta stars including Ruslan Malinovskiy were woken up six times by fire alarms in Manchester ahead of their Champions League game at Man UtdCredit: Getty
    Malinovsky’s wife Roksana took to social media to point the finger at ‘terrible locals’
    Roksana Malinovskiy, wife of Atalanta midfielder Ruslan Malinovskiy, appeared to encourage Atalanta fans to subject United’s players to the same treatment when they travel to Italy at the beginning of next month.
    One hotel guest reported hearing alarms at 4:51am, 5am, 5:36am, 6:11am, 6:31am and 7:13am at Atalanta’s Radisson Edwardian hotel base in Manchester on Wednesday morning.
    Gian Piero Gasperini, his staff and players were disturbed by the noise.
    And Roksana wrote: “Hellish night in Manchester.
    “Throughout the night in the hotel the fire alarm was turned on at full power five times.
    “It happened just when the team arrived, and only at night!

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    “Do you think this is an accident? I don’t.
    “Such a ‘warm’ welcome from the local population. Terrible.
    “I hope that our fans will support the team in our home game, and maybe the same thing will suddenly happen in an Italian hotel.”
    Man Utd’s stars arrived at the Hyatt Hotel in Manchester on Wednesday afternoon.
    ⚽ Read our Manchester United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford

    United host the Serie A side at Old Trafford and are looking to restore some confidence after a turbulent start that has seen them lose to Young Boys away and snatch a last-gasp victory over Villarreal at home.
    The likes of Harry Maguire, Cristiano Ronaldo and Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer were pictured making their way to the hotel ahead of a rough schedule.
    SunSport also explored how United might line-up for the fixture with Marcus Rashford likely to start after his shoulder injury.

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    Schmeichel says Sancho will come good at Man Utd but must look at Ronaldo for inspiration More

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    Lazio’s Felipe leaves pitch in tears after sparking brawl by jumping on Inter ace and former team-mate to celebrate win

    LAZIO star Luiz Felipe said sorry after jumping on an opponent’s back and sparking a mass brawl before leaving the field in tears.The Brazilian defender was sent off for leaping on Inter striker Joaquin Correa’s shoulders during the Serie A clash.
    Luiz Felipe apologised for his red card after Lazio’s win over Inter
    He jumped on Joaquin Correa’s back to celebrate Lazio’s winCredit: Getty
    And that incident led to a brawl between the two sets of players at the end of Lazio’s 3-1 win over Inter Milan.
    Felipe left the pitch in tears after the flashpoint with his ‘friend’ Correa and the red card.
    Correa, on loan at Inter Milan from Lazio, was furious with the Brazilian centre-back after the heated clash.
    But Felipe apologised for his actions and to Inter forward Correa on social media.
    He wrote on Instagram: “First of all, I want to clarify that I have great respect for Inter… We are all professionals, working to pursue our goals, and would never fail to respect another professional.
    “At the end of the game I jumped on Tucu’s shoulders because he is one of the great friends that football has given me.
    “Our families are friends and we have always been very close… I wanted to hug him and joke about the result, as far as our friendship allows, but I got excited.
    “Perhaps, in retrospect, it was not the best time or the most suitable place.
    “I apologise to anyone who felt offended and I did not try, in any way, to be disrespectful towards him, towards other athletes or towards Internazionale and its passionate fans. It was an innocent act, by a person who has a great affection for Tucu!!”

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    Lazio moved into fifth place and within three points of third-placed Inter with the win.
    Ciro Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Sergei Milinkovic-Savic scored second-half goals as they came from behind to beat Inter.
    Napoli lead the way in Serie A having won all of their eight games to start the campaign. More

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    Kylian Mbappe WILL quit PSG next summer ‘regardless of new contract offer amount’ amid Real Madrid transfer interest

    KYLIAN MBAPPE will leave PSG next summer regardless of any new contract offers, Spanish reports claim. It comes after the French forward looked to leave Paris to join Real Madrid, who were believed to have made two bids for the superstar.
    Kylian Mbappe will leave PSG next summer, Spanish reports claimCredit: Alamy
    But PSG rejected both, the most said to be worth £145million, despite Mbappe’s contract expiring at the end of the season.
    He is free to negotiate a free transfer to Real or any club in January but PSG remain hopeful they can convince him to stay.
    And despite that, Mbappe has had no change of heart and will pursue an exit from the French capital when his deal expires, AS report.
    The 22-year-old opened up about the summer transfer saga and admitted he DID ask to leave and join Real so PSG could receive a fee for him.
    Mbappe told French radio station RMC. “I asked to leave, because from the moment where I did not want to extend, I wanted for the club to receive a transfer fee so that they could bring in a quality replacement.
    “This club has given me a lot, I have always been happy [during] the four years I have had here, and I still am.

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    “I said it early enough so that the club could react.
    “I wanted everyone to come out of this stronger, that we leave hand in hand, to make a good deal and I respected that.
    “I said, ‘If you don’t want me to go I will stay’.”
    Mbappe’s international team-mate Karim Benzema wants him to one day join him at Real.
    Benzema said: “I enjoy playing with him in the national team and in the future, why not? He’s a great player, but you have to respect PSG.
    “I’ve always said it and I’ll say it again; I hope we play together some day.”
    Kylian Mbappe ‘filmed moaning about Neymar for not passing him ball’ after Brazilian’s assist for Draxler vs Montpellier More

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    Conor McGregor shares whiskey with Jose Mourinho as UFC star gets Roma shirt after his son gets christened at Vatican

    CONOR MCGREGOR shared whiskey with Jose Mourinho after getting a Roma shirt while in Italy for his son’s christening. The Irishman posted pictures with Mourinho, who previously managed Chelsea and McGregor’s boyhood club Manchester United.
    Jose Mourinho pictured with Conor McGregorCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
    Mourinho gifted McGregor a Roma shirtCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
    McGregor’s dad Tony pictured with Mourinho and his sonCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
    McGregor gave Mourinho a glass of his whiskeyCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
    And the managerial legend admitted he could not turn down a glass of McGregor’s Proper 12 whiskey.
    Mourinho, 58, wrote on Instagram: “Yes it’s him!
    “Yes, the great @thenotoriousmma is in Rome and yes it was a real pleasure to meet him, to share some stories and to offer him the most beautiful shirt in town @officialasroma.
    “He made a miracle, it’s impossible to say no to Conor, I had to try @properwhiskey.”
    McGregor, 33, also posted: “Respect to this man. Legend.”
    McGregr is in Italy as his son is being christened at the Vatican.

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    The former UFC champion last fought in July, losing to Dustin Poirier – the man he beat in 2014 but lost to in a rematch in January.
    But disaster struck in the trilogy bout as McGregor suffered a leg break just seconds before the end of round one, with Poirier, 32, winning by doctor stoppage.
    McGregor underwent surgery in Los Angeles and continued his rehabilitation process in America while returning to training.
    But he recently took a European holiday vacation, with his fiancee Dee Devlin, son Conor Jr, four, daughter Croia, two and newborn Rian.
    And Rian, born in May, was christened in the Vatican, and McGregor even posed with the keys.
    Meanwhile Mourinho, who returned to management after being sacked by Tottenham in April, has started with five wins in Roma’s opening seven games.
    They currently sit fourth in the Serie A, six points behind league leaders Napoli.
    Conor McGregor pictured with his fiancee Dee DevlinCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
    Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin pose with the keys to the VaticanCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma
    Conor McGregor on his vacation to RomeCredit: Instagram thenotoriousmma More

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    Man Utd star Jesse Lingard transfer target for Barcelona and AC Milan with England star’s contract expiring next summer

    BARCELONA and AC Milan are targeting a free transfer swoop for Manchester United star Jesse Lingard, according to reports.The playmaker rejected a new Red Devils contract last month and will be able to leave for nothing at the end of the season if he doesn’t sign a new deal.
    Barcelona and AC Milan are keen to sign Jesse Lingard on a freeCredit: Getty
    Lingard, 28, is attracting some of Europe’s biggest clubs and Barca and AC Milan are the latest to emerge, according to the Mail.
    He can sign pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs in January.
    And SunSport exclusively revealed this week United will consider selling him for £15m in January if he continues to reject his boyhood club’s offers.
    Having revived his career on loan at West Ham last season, Lingard has struggled to break into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s starting XI since his return this summer.
    He has come off the bench to score a winner at the Hammers and set up Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal against Villarreal.
    The England international has been in talks over an extension to his contract, but he wants to keep his options open with the view of making Gareth Southgate’s squad for next year’s World Cup.

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    SunSport understands he has been offered terms around £135,000-a-week at Old Trafford, a decent increase on his current deal.
    The academy graduate is interested in staying, but wants assurances he will get regular first-team action.
    Lingard holds United close to his heart after a two-decade association.
    The Red Devils do not want to lose him on a free at the end of the campaign, if he decides he wants to go.
    So Old Trafford chiefs will discuss letting him leave in January if they can find a buyer.
    Lingard is expected to get playing time in Champions League, cup competitions and off the bench in the Premier League.
    ⚽ Read our Man United live blog for the latest news and transfer gossip from Old Trafford
    United valued him at around £25m over the summer, but rebuffed interest from suitors.
    West Ham, along with Leicester and other Premier League sides, have shown interest in the Warrington-born ace.
    But he now has offers from LaLiga and Serie A giants who showed strong interest in signing him as a free agent.

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    Carragher jokes he’s had enough of Neville and Keane making excuses for Man Utd boss Solskjaer because ‘he’s their mate’ More