More stories

  • in

    Fans believe Sarri’s Lazio assistant is GARY LINEKER as the Match of the Day host is hilariously forced to deny it’s him

    FOOTBALL fans are certain Gary Lineker is part of Maurizio Sarri’s BACKROOM STAFF after a photo emerged on social media.A Lazio coach is the spitting image of the Match of the Day host – who’s even hilariously confirmed he doesn’t work with the ex-Chelsea boss.
    Football fans believe one of Sarri’s Lazio assistants is Gary LinekerCredit: Getty
    Has the Match of the Day host met his doppelganger?Credit: The Mega Agency
    Italian Football TV shared a photo on Sunday evening of Sarri smoking a cigarette in the press box during Lazio’s 2-2 draw with Cagliari.
    Standing alongside Sarri was Gianni Picchioni, who is a coach at the Italian club and previously worked with the manager at Chelsea and Juventus.
    The pair are thought to have met when Sarri was an amateur coach and Picchioni is said to be one of his most trusted advisers.
    But fans on social media were certain Picchioni was Lineker in disguise, with one tweeting: “I didn’t know Lineker was Sarri’s assistant.”
    While another – referring to Lineker’s job with LaLiga TV – wrote: “I thought Gary was doing LaLiga this season, not Serie A.”
    And one person tweeted: “It can’t be Lineker, he’s not eating any crisps!”

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Lineker saw the tweet and was quick to quash any transfer rumours linking him with a move from Match of the Day to the Italian capital.
    The England icon replied: “It’s not me with him, honest.”
    But Sarri, who was appointed Lazio boss in June, might be tempted to add Lineker to his backroom staff after a slow start to his reign.
    The Italian side have picked up seven points from their first four Serie A games and are currently sixth in the table.
    The Lazio job is Sarri’s first since he was sacked by Juventus in August 2020 after winning the title, just 14 months after being appointed by the Old Lady.
    The former Napoli coach left Chelsea to join Juve in June 2019 after only one season in England, guiding the Blues to success in the Europa League.
    David Beckham, Piers Morgan and Gary Lineker among celebrities mingling at Who Cares Wins awards after party More

  • in

    Jose Mourinho posts dejected photo on Instagram after first Roma defeat in Serie A but claims ‘tomorrow is another day’

    JOSE MOURINHO suffered his first defeat as Roma manager on Sunday evening – and followed the result with a grumpy Instagram post.The Portuguese’s new team lost 3-2 at Hellas Verona but a sombre looking Mourinho insisted ‘tomorrow is another day’ on social media.
    Jose Mourinho posted this photo on Instagram after Roma’s defeat to Hellas VeronaCredit: Getty
    Roma took the lead in the 36th minute when skipper Lorenzo Pellegrini produced an outrageous, delicate flick at the near post.
    Verona turned the game on its head with strikes from Antonin Barak and Gianluca Caprari before an own goal in the 58th minute made it 2-2.
    Ex-Watford star Davide Faraoni then scored a goal worthy of winning any game, flicking the ball up with his left boot before volleying it into the top corner with his right.
    And, just to make the goal more emphatic, his effort hit the underside of the bar, bounced over the line and then crashed into the roof of the net.
    Roma were stunned by Faraoni’s genius and couldn’t find an equaliser as it finished 3-2 to Verona, leaving Mourinho to post a glum selfie on Insta.
    The post was captioned: “A face that says everything, but tomorrow is another day.”

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Mourinho’s side had made a stunning start to the season by winning their first six competitive fixtures in all competitions.
    Roma picked up nine points from their opening three Serie A games, with Stephan El Shaarawy scoring an added-time winner against Sassuolo last week.
    That was Mourinho’s 1,000th match in management and Sir Alex Ferguson has since described his old rival as one of the ‘managerial greats’.
    The Italian giants have also won all three of their European ties this term, recently beating CSKA Sofia 5-1 in the Europa Conference League.
    Sunday evening’s defeat to Verona leaves Roma second in Serie A, one point behind defending champions Inter Milan.
    Angry A.S. Roma coach Jose Mourinho gets sent off over after protesting handball goal scored by Real Betis More

  • in

    Lazio goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha in tears after fans unveil banner in support of him after Europa League howler

    THOMAS STRAKOSHA was left tearful by Lazio supporters who unfurled a banner backing the keeper after his Galatasaray mishap.The Albania stopper virtually put the ball in the back of his own net during the Serie A side’s  Europa League duel with the Turkish giants. 
    Thomas Strakosha was left emotional after Lazio fans showed their support for him after his mishap against GalatasarayCredit: Getty
    Strakosha ended up tipping a high ball from Manuel Lazzari into his netCredit: BT Sport
    And the unfortunate error led to Lazio losing their opening clash in the competition with the Stadio Olimpico side falling to a 1-0 defeat in Turkey. 
    The stopper, 26, ended up tipping spooned high ball from Manuel Lazzari into the back of his own net rather than over his crossbar.
    However, the club’s fiery fan base are keen to forgive and forget Strakosha’s howler against Galatasaray.

    They showed this was the case during the warm-up ahead of Lazio’s game against Cagliari this evening. 
    Before the clash supporters unravelled a giant banner featuring a quote from Dante Alighieri’s famous 13th-century poem ‘Divine Comedy’ 
    The quote said: “Don’t care about them, just look and go on.” 

    JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
    And Football Italia reports the unveiling of the message held aloft a number of the club’s ultras prompted an emotional response from Strakosha. 
    The Albania international, who joined the club as an Under-19 prospect in 2012, was seen sobbing into his towel. 
    However, the player started this evening’s game on the bench with ex-Liverpool stopper Pepe Reina preferred in goal. 
    Strakosha, who began his Lazio career at 17 has made 178 appearances for the club.

    The keeper has won four major honours at senior level with the side including two Italian Super Cups. 
    Lazio, who are currently ninth after four Serie A games, are due to play Torino away followed by a derby duel with Jose Mourinho’s Roma. 
    And the club will take on Locomotiv Moscow in their second Europa League group stage clash. 

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Watch moment Ibrahimovic ‘does a Usain Bolt’ and scores with laces undone after he stops tying shoes to make a run More

  • in

    Chelsea preparing ‘attractive transfer offer for Aurelien Tchouameni as Juventus join race for 21-year-old Monaco ace’

    CHELSEA are reportedly preparing an ‘attractive transfer offer’ for Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni amid interest from Juventus.The 21-year-old has earned rave reviews in Ligue 1 under Niko Kovac, resulting in the player making his international debut for France earlier this month.
    Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has been linked with a move to Chelsea in 2022Credit: AP
    Thomas Tuchel’s side were linked with a move for the ex-Bordeaux man in the summer, but were claimed to be reluctant to meet his £34million asking price.
    It has since been stated how the Blues will press ahead with a move to sign the youngster in 2022 following the loan arrival of Saul Niguez.
    And according to Tuttomercatoweb, Chelsea will offer Tchouameni an ‘attractive’ proposal in order to convince him to link up with the club.
    The Italian news outlet have declared that the Champions League holders are in competition with Juventus to secure his services.
    They add that the Old Lady have made prising Tchouameni away from Monaco their No1 midfield target.
    Though it has been said how the Serie A giants may have to offload either Aaron Ramsey or Weston McKennie in order to land him.

    Should Juve fail in their quest to sign Tchouameni, they could turn their attention to Leicester ace Youri Tielemans.
    Manchester United star Paul Pogba hailed the 2021 Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year following his impressive displays during the recent international break.
    Speaking of his compatriot, he told Ouest-France: “Very very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man.
    “It was a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy.
    “A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.
    “We wish him to play lots of matches. And that I am always at his side.”
    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel could replace Saul Niguez with Kante for London derby More

  • in

    Fikayo Tomori delighted for Chelsea pal Tammy Abraham after his move to Roma as English duo thrive in Serie A

    AC MILAN defender Fikayo Tomori is chuffed to see former Chelsea team-mate Tammy Abraham scoring goals in Italy.The duo came through the ranks together at Stamford Bridge but have both since made eye-catching moves to Serie A.
    Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham came through the ranks at ChelseaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Tammy Abraham scoring against CSKA Sofia in Europe this weekCredit: Getty
    Striker Abraham joined former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho at Roma this summer, while Tomori moved to the San Siro in a permanent deal having impressed on loan.
    Abraham notched his first home goal in Roma’s 5-1 Europa Conference League victory over CSKA Sofia on Thursday and Tomori has revealed his delight for his mate.
    “I’m happy for Tammy, we talk pretty much every day,” Tomori told DAZN.
    “When we started playing together at Chelsea we were seven years old and then we made it to the first team.
    “When you grow up that’s where you want to go, but you don’t know if it will happen.
    “I remember when I scored my first goal, he got a hat-trick and it was the best day of our life.

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    “(Mason) Mount scored too, it was crazy. It all started from there.”
    England midfielder Mount is a fellow Chelsea academy graduate and is the only one of the trio still at the Champions League winners.
    But Tomori and Abraham both seem to be thriving on the continent, with the Roma faithful giving Abraham a standing ovation on his debut against Fiorentina.
    The pair look likely to be reunited on the pitch again when AC Milan travel to Roma on October 31.
    And while Abraham appears to be benefiting from the discipline of Mourinho in Rome, Tomori has revealed there is often “trouble” at AC Milan if players do not pull their weight.
    That is due to the imposing presence of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who refuses to let team-mates slack off even in jokey games of foot-golf.

    Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel could replace Saul Niguez with Kante for London derby More

  • in

    Cristiano Ronaldo wears stunning £370k Rolex watch made from 18-karat white gold and encrusted in diamonds

    CRISTIANO RONALDO wowed fans by donning a luxury watch that clocks in as Rolex’s most expensive EVER.The Rolex GMT Master Ice will set you back a healthy £371,000 if you want to match the Man Utd star’s attire.
    Ronaldo showed off the bling en route to the Middle EastCredit: Getty
    He was spotted wearing the timepiece back in 2020 when he popped over to the Middle East for the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards.
    Naturally, the 18-karat white gold timekeeper is festooned with diamonds.
    Some 30 carats of white diamonds are to be found across the bezel and bracelet.
    Ronaldo also wore the Rolex on stage in Dubai and in an Instagram post cuddling up to wife Georgina Rodriguez.
    It is no surprise to see the 36-year-old with such bling after he was named the world’s second-highest earning athlete in the 2010s.
    Having started the decade as Real Madrid’s star man and ending it with four more Champions League titles, another four Ballon d’Or, and a European Championship with Portugal, Ronaldo has assuredly cashed in.
    Rolex GMT Master Ice is covered in diamonds

    Forbes reckon the forward earned a mega £548million in the decade, edging Lionel Messi and his £517m earnings.
    Boxing ace Floyd Mayweather took the crown with £667m – proving why he boasts the nickname “Money”.
    Ronaldo is now focused on adding yet more silverware to his collection by attempting to fire Juventus to Serie A and Champions League glory following the season’s restart.

    ‘Inspirational’ Cristiano Ronaldo shows off caring side as he plays football with young lad born without legs More

  • in

    Man Utd ‘tried to sign Koulibaly before Varane in summer transfer window but Napoli rejected £30m offer’

    MANCHESTER UNITED failed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly before Raphael Varane this summer, Italian reports say. United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a centre-back one of his top priorities in the window, along with Jadon Sancho.
    Man Utd reportedly failed to sign Kalidou Koulibaly before Raphael Varane this summerCredit: Rex
    Raphael Varane joined Man Utd from Real MadridCredit: Reuters
    Soon after completing a £73million move for Sancho, 21, from Borussia Dortmund, Varane, 28, arrived after leaving Real Madrid.
    But according to Corriere Dello Sport, Napoli’s Koulibaly was preferred to the Frenchman, who later arrived for £42million.
    It is claimed United were ready to offer £30m for the Senegal captain, but were told it would not be enough.
    Napoli before have set a £100m price tag on Koulibaly, one of the highest-rated defenders in the world.
    But, after recent financial woes at the Serie A club, it is believed they would be willing to slash their asking price.
    Nevertheless, United settled for Varane, who left the Spanish capital with just one year left on his deal.

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    Amazingly, he was then joined by former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, 36, who returned to United after initially leaving in 2009.
    Paul Pogba, who also plays with Varane for France, hailed the star signings when quizzed on recent international duty.

    Pogba, 28, told Telefoot: “It’s always a pleasure to play with the best.
    “It’s also a plus for the players to be able to train with a great player. He’s going to raise the level of the team.”
    Pogba sang Ronaldo’s praises shortly after the star forward completed his stunning comeback to Manchester.”
    The top transfers of the 2021 summer transfer window More

  • in

    Leicester stars will get their hands on Armani shirts if they swap tops with Napoli stars after Europa League clash

    LEICESTER CITY’S stars have extra motivation to swap shirts with Napoli at full-time on Thursday.The Italians will walk out at the King Power Stadium wearing the first ever kit designed by fashion superstar Giorgio Armani. 
    The Emporio Armani logo can be seen on the right shoulderCredit: GETTY IMAGES
    The traditional colours of light blue and white have been kept.
    The 87-year-old is sports-mad and even owns Italy’s premier basketball club Olimpia Milano.
    It’s a tailor-made partnership for Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis who is known for his unorthodox approach to teamwear, which generates publicity and sales – although a portion of profits will be distributed to good causes in the region. 
    The 2013-14 camouflage away shirt was loved by fans, while last season they sported an Argentina-themed look as a tribute to former idol Diego Maradona who fired them to two league titles in 1987 and 1990. 
    The first of those championships was as unexpected as Leicester’s triumph in 2016. 
    Armani’s design is a classy V-neck that comes in three colours – the traditional home light blue, then white and red change kits. 
    That combination is a throwback to Maradona’s era.

    FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN NEW CUSTOMER DEALS

    The little genius led Napoli to glory in this competition when it was called the UEFA Cup in 1989.
    So far manager Luciano Spalletti’s men are dressed for success, sitting joint top of Serie A with three wins out of three.
    Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers hailed Napoli as a ‘Champions League club’ ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash.
    He said in his pre-match press conference: “I certainly believe they are a Champions League club [Napoli].
    “They arrive in the Europa League as one of the favourites. They’re full of world-class players. It’s such an exciting game.”

    Rodgers also believes Napoli will likely shape up with a 4-3-3.
    He added: “In a lot of the games we’ve watched they’ve played 4-3-3. He’s a fantastic manager and a very experienced manager.
    “We have to prepare for both, but I feel he will play 4-3-3.”
    Europa League draw sees Leicester in group with Napoli while West Ham will face Dinamo Zagreb and Genk More