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    Inter Milan 1 Verona 0: Antonio Conte takes one step closer to Serie A title after Matteo Darmian scores late winner

    INTER MILAN are one step closer to the Serie A title after Manchester United flop Matteo Darmian netted a late winner against Verona.Antonio Conte’s men struggled for possession and chances against the impressive visitors, who have defied the odds this season.
    Matteo Darmian’s late winner against Verona saw Inter Milan move one step closer to the titleCredit: AP
    Antonio Conte’s men are 13 points clear at the top and need six points from their last five games to end Juventus’ dominant reignCredit: Getty
    Time was running out for Inter to press home their advantage in the table over rivals AC Milan and Juventus.
    But substitute Darmian, who spent four subdued years at United, came off the bench to fire in a 76th minute winner at the San Siro.
    His strike sparked scenes of wild celebrations among the Inter ranks, with the club now on the verge of a first Serie A title since Jose Mourinho’s Treble winners in 2010.
    The Nerazzurri are now 13 points clear of Milan and Juventus, who have won the last NINE in a row.
    And Inter need to take just six points from their final five matches to get their hands on the coveted trophy.
    Indeed, they could have it secured when they travel to Turin in the second-last week, with Juventus facing the ignominy of welcoming back former boss Conte as the man who denied them a tenth consecutive title.
    Speaking after the Verona clash, match winner Darmian hailed the significance of the victory and urged Inter to close out the season in style.
    He said: “We knew today would be difficult because Verona play man-to-man with good football.
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    “But today the result counted, getting three points that brings us closer to the finish line.
    “We feel good. We train to be ready for these emotions, today went well. The victory is important.
    “We work hard every week from the first to the last minute and the coach always keeps us on our toes.
    “We are all important and I feel the confidence of the coach and team-mates, which makes everything easier.”
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    Sergio Aguero could make shock Inter Milan free transfer if Martinez leaves despite Barcelona and Juventus interest

    INTER MILAN are in the hunt to sign Sergio Aguero, according to reports.Barcelona are believed to be close to an agreement with the Manchester City striker, who is being chased by a number of clubs including Juventus.
    Sergio Aguero has multiple clubs to choose from when his contract ends
    A move to Barcelona is still on the cards for Lautaro Martinez
    Tottenham and Arsenal have both been linked with a move for the Argentine since City announced he would not receive a new deal.
    And Serie A champions-elect Inter have now joined the battle for Aguero’s signature after the striker was offered to them, report Tuttosport.
    The Italian outlet suggests I Nerazzurri may first have to offload players to bring in Aguero.
    And with Barcelona reportedly keen on Lauturo Martinez, the Italians could swap one Argentine for another.
    Martinez, 23, was in talks to sign a new contract at Inter back in February but he could be offloaded to ‘heal the balance sheet’, say Tuttosport.
    Aguero could have a number of clubs to choose from in the summer, therefore.
    Manchester United have ruled out a move for the 32-year-old but he may favour a Premier League move to one of the North London clubs.
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    Aguero has 181 Premier League goals, the fourth most in history, and he may be keen to overtake Andy Cole and Wayne Rooney.
    Alternatively, the Champions League is one competition that has alluded him and he may view Barcelona as the destination to win that piece of silverware.
    It promises to be a transfer saga with a few more twists and turns, and it will not be a surprise if other clubs make an approach.
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    Tottenham and Roma in Jannik Vestergaard transfer battle with talks set to begin for Southampton defender

    SOUTHAMPTON are set to face interest from home and abroad as they look to keep Jannik Vestergaard.Tottenham are rumoured to be keen on the centre-back along with Serie A pair Juventus and Roma.
    Jannik Vestergaard will be out of contract in a year’s timeCredit: Getty
    Vestergaard, 28, has been a regular in the Saints line-up since a 2018 move from Borussia Monchengladbach.
    But his contract expiring in 2022 could force the club’s hand if serious interest arises in the summer.
    According to Italian portal TuttoMercatoWeb, Spurs are working on setting up a meeting with the player’s entourage.
    Roma could steal a march on their progress however with club general manager Tiago Pinto tipped to discuss a switch with Vestergaard’s representatives next week.
    The Giallorossi are described as long-term admirers of the towering defender and could be set for a rebuild this summer under a new coach.
    Juventus are also named as keeping tabs on Vestergaard, although there is no word on imminent talks to gauge a deal.
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    Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl insisted earlier this month that the club will ‘do everything’ to keep him on the South Coast.
    The Austrian stated: “It’s nothing new for our players that do a good job for us this season, that they are on the list for some bigger clubs.
    “You can be sure that this player has a contract for Southampton and for as long as he has this he is our player.
    “We will do everything to keep him here and to protect him for everything.”
    I can only say that of course it’s always a pat on the back with stories of interest from other big clubs.Jannik Vestergaard

    Vestergaard featured in Southampton’s 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in midweek, the North London side’s first game since sacking Jose Mourinho.
    And he recently admitted it was a boost to see ‘big clubs’ linked with his name.
    The Dane said: “I can only say that of course it’s always a pat on the back with stories of interest from other big clubs.
    “But right now I have a contract with Southampton so, it’s not something I can talk about.”
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds

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    Man Utd set to be offered Adrien Rabiot player-swap transfer for Alex Telles by Juventus in shock summer deal

    MANCHESTER UNITED defender Alex Telles could reportedly be heading to Juventus with Adrien Rabiot coming in the opposite direction.The Brazilian left-back has failed to make an impression at Old Trafford since joining from Porto in October having featured in just seven Premier League games.
    Alex Telles has been linked with a move away from Manchester United in the summerCredit: Rex
    Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot could join the Red Devils in a swap deal for TellesCredit: Getty
    Telles has had to settle for a place on the bench due to Luke Shaw’s stunning form, with his last top-flight appearance coming on January 27.
    And according to Calciomercato, the 28-year-old is keen to depart Old Trafford having grown frustrated by his lack of game time.
    They state that Juventus are admirers of the player, and could look to bring him to Turin to compete with Alex Sandro.
    It has been suggested that the Old Lady would be willing to exchange midfielder Rabiot, 26, for Telles.
    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is known to be a fan of the Frenchman having failed to lure him to the Theatre of Dreams last season.
    United are understood to be desperate to sign a central midfielder as a potential partner for Scott McTominay.
    Rabiot has featured in 40 games in all competitions for Juve this term – chipping in with three goals and two assists.
    There have even been rumours that he could be used in a swap deal for Donny van de Beek.
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    It’s not just United that are believed to be interested in the ex-Paris Saint-Germain ace, with Chelsea linked with a move.
    Meanwhile Rabiot is said to be on Pep Guardiola’s radar as Manchester City weigh up a possible offer.
    It was even claimed in February that Everton were eyeing up a summer swoop in a potential £26million deal.
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    Zlatan Ibrahimovic signs one-year AC Milan extension to play into 40s but Chelsea target Donnarumma yet to agree deal

    ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has signed a one-year extension with Serie A giants AC Milan.The 39-year-old returned to Italy in January 2020 having enjoyed a two-year stint in the US with LA Galaxy.
    Ibrahimovic’s remarkable career is set to continue for another seasonCredit: Reuters

    And the Swede, now 39 years old, has been a revelation since beginning his second spell at AC Milan.
    Ibrahimovic has scored 28 goals in 45 games for the club, including 15 in 17 Serie A matches this season.
    And that form has earned him another campaign playing at the highest level with the European giants.
    Ibrahimovic said “the saga continues” as he announced his new deal on Instagram.
    It is thought the former Manchester United striker will be on a salary of around £6million.
    Meanwhile, a contract situation which remains unresolved at Milan is that of 22-year-old keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
    The former wonderkid made his debut at the tender age of just 16 and has been Milan’s first choice keeper ever since.
    In six seasons with the senior team, the giant Italian has played 245 times for the club.
    But with his contract expiring at the end of the campaign, Milan are desperate to tie him down to a new deal to ensure he does not leave on a free.
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    Donnarumma is one of the highest-rated keepers in EuropeCredit: Getty
    Chelsea have been linked with a move for the shot-stopper as boss Thomas Tuchel prepares for his first window as Blues manager.
    Kepa Arrizabalaga, the world’s most expensive in that position at £71.6million, isn’t even first choice for the Blues.
    And summer arrival Edouard Mendy has had a few shaky moments between the sticks during his first Premier League season.
    However, Chelsea will have to cough up wages of £175,000-a-week to lure Donnarumma to Stamford Bridge.
    AC Milan currently sit second in Serie A, ten points off table toppers and fierce rivals Inter with just six games remaining.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Cristiano Ronaldo faces being hauled out of Juventus’ free-kick walls after SECOND costly blunder in six weeks

    CRISTIANO RONALDO could be axed from Juventus’ free-kick walls after a second blunder in six weeks cost the Italian champions again on Wednesday night.Parma took a shock lead after 25 minutes at the Allianz Stadium when Gaston Brugman curled his effort over the wall and into the top corner.
    Ronaldo was at fault for the wall failing to block a Parma free-kick on Wednesday nightCredit: Getty
    A Porto free-kick went through Ronaldo’s legs to knock Juventus out of the Champions League back in MarchCredit: AP
    Replays revealed Ronaldo, 36, ducked underneath the strike while covering his head with his arm, as the rest of the wall leapt.
    The Portuguese’s major error comes after a similar incident in the Champions League last month.
    During the second leg of their last 16 tie against Porto, Sergio Olivera struck a low free-kick under the wall and into the net, a goal that would ultimately see the Old Lady dumped out of Europe.
    And it was clear when watching the goal back that captain Ronaldo was at fault as he had turned his back, jumped and allowed the ball to go through his legs.
    Legendary Italian manager Fabio Capello labelled Ronaldo’s error ‘unforgivable’ after the Porto humiliation.
    Following the Parma match, Juve boss Andrea Pirlo admitted his skipper may be taken out of future free-kick walls.
    “Unfortunately, these things happen,” Pirlo said when asked specifically about Ronaldo’s dreadfully poor attempt to block the ball.
    “But we’ll evaluate (his role at free-kicks) over the next few days.”
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    Juventus recovered from the early setback to win the game 3-1 and keep their wafer-thin chances of winning a tenth successive Serie A title alive.
    Two goals from Alex Sandro and one from Matthijs de Ligt closed the gap to Inter Milan at the top of the table to 11 points.
    That was because Inter were held to a 1-1 draw away at Spezia.
    But with just six games remaining, Inter still appear nailed on for their first Scudetto since 2010 as they sit ten points clear of second-placed AC Milan.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
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    Juventus 3 Parma 1: Watch Cristiano Ronaldo duck out the way of free-kick goal as Sandro and De Ligt rescue Old Lady

    CRISTIANO RONALDO was caught out again as he ducked under a goalbound free-kick in Juventus’ win over Parma. The Portugal captain was left red-faced as Gaston Brugman curled one into the top corner to give the Serie A strugglers a shock lead after 25 minutes.
    Cristiano Ronaldo was caught out again as he ducked in Juventus’ free-kick wall against ParmaCredit: Getty
    Despite Cristiano Ronaldo’s rare gaffe, Juventus come from behind to win 3-1Credit: Getty
    Replays revealed Ronaldo, 36, ducked underneath the strike while covering his head with his arm, as the rest of the wall leapt.
    He was similarly slammed earlier in the season against Porto as he turned his back in the wall as Sergio Oliveira’s free-kick went between his legs.
    Despite Ronaldo’s gaffe, a double from Alex Sandro and a header from Matthijs de Ligt helped Juventus come from behind to win 3-1 and keep their Champions League aspirations alive.
    Victory moves Juve onto 65 points from 32 matches, five ahead of fifth-placed Napoli, who have a game in hand.
    Parma, on the other hand remain in deep trouble in 19th, 11 points from safety.
    On a tumultuous day at the club, following their withdrawal from the proposed European Super League, Juve must have thought the world was against them as Brugman’s free kick somehow squirmed under the wall and into the net.
    Even with top goalscorer Ronaldo back in the side, Juve struggled to make any immediate response.

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    Brazilian Sandro, however, fired a superb left-footed strike into the net just before the break and then headed home less than two minutes into the second half to complete the turnaround.
    De Ligt’s equally well-taken header put the seal on the win to help Juve close to within one point of AC Milan in second.
    But Antonio Conte’s Inter Milan are still runaway leaders, 11 points ahead of the defending champions.
    ⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
    Juventus celebrate their winCredit: Getty
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    AC Milan legend and director Paulo Maldini insists he knew nothing about European Super League and apologises to fans

    APOLOGETIC AC Milan director Paolo Maldini insists the European Super League plotters were so secretive he knew NOTHING of the plans.Milan became the ninth of the 12 rebel clubs to withdraw from the closed-shop league after a huge backlash from fans, football authorities and governments.
    AC Milan great Paolo Maldini says he was kept in the dark all the way over the ESLCredit: EPA
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    And Milan legend Maldini told Sky: “I’m the director of AC Milan and I didn’t know anything about the SuperLeague project.
    “I want to say sorry to the fans again. There was confusion.
    “Sport is about dreams and meritocracy: we have to take this as a lesson.
    “I have never been involved in the discussions concerning the Super League.
    “I’ve seen the news on Sunday evening with the statement of the clubs.
    “The owners decided and not me. Despite this, I want to apologize to the fans”.
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    Maldini’s words mirror those of many managers of the so-called dirty dozen clubs.
    But as he is such an icon of Italian football, and in an even more senior position, the ex-Azzurri defender being kept in the dark might seem even more shocking.
    The half-dozen rich giants from Italy and Spain set to join the ESL admitted defeat for the project after the English ‘Big Six’ withdrew on Wednesday night.
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