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      Roma fans line streets to send off team for Man Utd after pinning up ‘disrespectful’ quote from Solskjaer at training

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      OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has denied being disrespectful to Roma when Manchester United booked their date in the Europa League semi-finals.Having got past Granada in the last eight the United boss was asked about facing the Serie A side next.
      Roma fans lined the streets to send off their heroes to ManchesterCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN
      The Giallorossi are out to win their first-ever Europa LeagueCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN
      He said he ‘didn’t know them and hadn’t seen them play’, a quote that has been pinned up by Roma’s ultras around the club’s training ground beneath a picture of Solskjaer to wind up their players.
      But Solskjaer said: “Of course, that was straight after the game and with all the games we’ve had I was just relieved we’d gone through.
      “But we have analysed them down to the ground since we drew them. We are ready for them.
      “It was not meant as any disrespect, I think everyone knows that. I’ve got loads of respect for them.”
      Indeed Solskjaer says that two of his most coveted keepsakes from his career came from swapping shirts with Roma legends Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi.
      He said: “It’s a fantastic club with a great history.
      “I’ve actually got two prized possessions back home, a Totti shirt and a De Rossi shirt that I’ve swapped with them and they’re actually signed, so I know about the history, I know about the quality.”
      The Roma squad left for Manchester on Wednesday and thousands of fans turned up to provide a huge send-off.
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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted he did not mean to offend the ItaliansCredit: EPA
      A number of players came out to applaud the Lupi faithful as they chanted and waved banners, before hopping in the bus for the airport.
      The quality of the Europa League has obviously come into sharp focus this past fortnight after United’s owners tried to break away from it and the Champions League to be part of a European Super League.
      Solskjaer denies that failed bid will in any way devalue United’s achievement this season if they do go on to win the trophy – which they last lifted under Jose Mourinho in 2017.
      He said: “We have had a great night in this tournament before at the club and we know how much it means for a team and the whole club.
      “Our focus now is to get to the final and make sure that the end of the season can finish with a celebration.
      “As soon as we went out of the Champions League, our eyes and focus was on getting to this final.
      Roma fans gathered in their thousands on WednesdayCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN
      A number of players applauded their fans before hopping on the team busCredit: Twitter / @ASRomaEN

      “I’ve noticed with the players that these games have been very important for them and us.
      “When you’ve got Real Sociedad and Granada, two Spanish LaLiga teams, good teams, when you’ve got AC Milan with their history and Roma with their history, we feel we’ve been in a proper competition.
      “Now we’re one step away from the big one. It will be a dream come true the day I lift a trophy for this club as manager.
      “That’s what we’re building for. I know how much that can mean for a group moving forward.”
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      Capello blasts Hodgson for selling Roberto Carlos from Inter Milan and says he ‘did not understand’ Brazil star

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      FABIO CAPELLO has slammed Roy Hodgson for his treatment of Roberto Carlos at Inter Milan.Inter sold Carlos to Capello’s Real Madrid in 1996 and the Italian said it was ‘all Hodgson’s fault’ for not handling the legendary left-back properly.
      Fabio Capello slammed Roy Hodgson for his treatment of Roberto Carlos at Inter MilanCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Inter sold Carlos to Real Madrid when Hodgson was in charge at the San SiroCredit: PA
      Carlos has previously criticised the Crystal Palace boss for playing him out of position in his one-year spell at Inter.
      He was sold to Real at the end of the 96-97 season and went on to become a Los Blancos icon and will forever be remembered as one of the greatest left-backs of all time.
      But Capello could not believe it when he heard Carlos was available and says Hodgson and Inter ‘did not understand’ the Brazilian.
      Capello said: “One day [Giovanni] Branchini arrived and told me that Inter wanted to sell Roberto Carlos.
      “I thought he was joking and I didn’t believe it. But he sent me a fax where there was even the price already fixed and not questionable.
      “I immediately called the president of Real and told him to fly immediately to Italy, because as soon as the news spread, they would all arrive in Milan.
      “We closed his purchase in less than 24 hours. Inter did not understand what player Roberto Carlos was.
      “In Milan they were convinced that he could not mark, all Hodgson’s fault.”
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      The legendary left-back previously criticised Hodgson for playing him out of position

      Hodgson has previously had his say on Carlos’ criticism and labelled the claims he played him out of position ‘nonsense’.
      The former England boss said: “Well that’s nonsense.
      “Anybody who watched us play at that time, he no more played left wing than I did. Every game he played for Inter when I was there was at left back.
      “What I remember, when I was at Inter, he scored four goals I think in the first six or seven games from free kicks. During the rest of the season he took about 28 free kicks and never scored one.
      “So I don’t know if that was my fault as well.
      “But him playing out of position? Unless he wasn’t a left back, but that’s where I was told he played and what he came to the club as.
      “He was a very attacking left back, he was much better going forward than he was defending.
      “But he was young, I was new to the job. We didn’t have a bad relationship I wouldn’t say per se while we were actually working together. But of course, when he left, all hell broke loose.
      “The decision to let him go was a club decision, and it was mainly to do with the fact that the new managing director of Inter, Luigi Predeval, was very anxious to reduce the amount of money that was being spent on transfers and to bring some money back into the club.
      “And Roberto Carlos was one of the players who was sellable. So he got sold.”
      Hodgson managed Inter twice, the first between 95-97 and then again as a caretaker coach during the first part of 1999.
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      Inter Milan stars ‘will give up bonuses for winning Serie A to help financial crisis’ with club £548m in debt

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      INTER MILAN players are reportedly ready to give up their Serie A title bonuses to help the club’s crippling debt problem.Despite being set for a first Scudetto in over a decade, the Italians are reportedly the most in-debt club in the country.
      Inter Milan are on the verge of a first league title since 2010Credit: Getty
      A figure topping £548million has been reported with Serie A clubs owing a total of £2.4bn.
      Inter owners Suning and club president Steven Zhang have sought emergency investment for some months now following financial difficulties in their home country of China.
      And the coronavirus pandemic, alongside the team’s early exit from the Champions League, have exacerbated their problems.
      Therefore, according to FCInter1908, the Nerazzurri squad has come to an amicable agreement with club bosses.
      They will reportedly waive their title win bonuses if they see out their 11-point lead in the final weeks of the season.
      The decision comes after the dressing room agreed to a wage deferral late last year.
      Reports have outlined the potential need for a fire sale if Inter’s finances cannot be fixed, with Achraf Hakimi one player said to be up for grabs.
      The club were one of three Italian teams to sign up for the lucrative European Super League, before pulling out days later.
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      Antonio Conte may face a fire sale of his best players in the summerCredit: AFP

      Antonio Conte has fought off a strong start from AC Milan to set up his side for the Scudetto, having lost only two league matches all season.
      Scoring just four goals in their last four games, Inter are grinding their way towards a title that can be won this weekend.
      If the Nerazzurri beat Crotone on Saturday and Atalanta fail to beat Sassuolo the following day, the crown will be heading back to Milan.
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      Man Utd in Gianluigi Donnarumma transfer blow as keeper will STAY at AC Milan despite contract expiring this summer

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      MANCHESTER UNITED have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Gianluigi Donnarumma with the goalkeeper reportedly set to stay at AC Milan.The 22-year-old goalkeeper is out of contract in the summer, leading to the likes of the Red Devils and Chelsea to keep tabs on his situation.
      AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is reportedly set to sign a new dealCredit: Reuters

      It had been claimed that the Italy international was given a May 23 deadline by the Rossoneri to pen a new contract at the San Siro.
      Tuttosport stated that Milan were ready to hand the academy graduate £130,000-a-week to keep him at the club, with Juventus also keen to snap him up.
      And according to talkSPORT’s European transfer expert Chris Parrott, Donnarumma is expected to commit his future to Milan, who could be back in the Champions League next term.
      Parrott said: “This is a guy who’s only 22 and when he burst onto the scene we thought: ‘this is Buffon again isn’t it?’
      “He’s going to be Milan’s goalkeeper and a lot of people say that Mino Raiola’s clients do not always end up at the right club at the right time.
      “For me, for all of the years he has been at Milan this is the one year where you would not want to leave.
      “They are threatening to create something and will be back in the Champions League next season. This isn’t the time to join Juventus.
      “They need a major rebuild and it just seems again that Raiola isn’t getting his players to the right clubs but the clubs where they get the most money.
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      “[Zlatan] Ibrahimovic is one of his most high profile players and he’s never won the Champions League.”
      Donnarumma burst on the scene during the 2015-16 campaign where he became Milan’s first-choice goalkeeper at the age of 16.
      Since making his debut, he has featured in an incredible 246 matches, as well as being capped 25 times by the Azzurri.
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      Andrea Pirlo’s son Niccolo, 17, claims he is receiving death threats every day due to dad’s struggles with Juventus

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      ANDREA PIRLO’S son Niccolo has hit back at the death threats he receives due to Juventus’ poor form.The Serie A giants are out of this year’s title race and could miss out on a top-four finish.
      Niccolo Pirlo (right) has spoken of the abuse he receives Andrea’s (left) sonCredit: Alamy
      Amid rumours over boss Pirlo’s future, some Juve fans have aimed disgusting abuse at his teenage son.
      On Monday, Niccolo, 17, posted a picture of himself and dad Andrea, 41, on to Instagram with a statement against the threats.
      He wrote: “I’m not a person who judges, I don’t like doing it.
      “Everyone has the right to be able to say what they want, I’m the first to do it and I would never want someone to take away my freedom of speech.
      “My parents taught me to have thoughts and above all to listen to those of others.
      “But I believe that there is a limit to everything and this limit has been exceeded for some time.
      I would like to ask you to put yourselves in my shoes for just a second and ask yourself how you would feel.Niccolo Pirlo
      “I am 17 years old and every day I receive messages of this kind (here I show you the last one, received a little while ago).”
      An attached screenshot showed a direct message from one account that declared: “You must die together with your father.”
      Niccolo added: “Not because I do something special, but only because I am the son of a coach.
      “This would be my ‘fault’ and is the reason why I receive messages wishing death upon me and various insults every day.
      A draw with Fiorentina on the weekend left Juventus on the brink of the top fourCredit: Getty

      “I would like to ask you to put yourselves in my shoes for just a second and ask yourself how you would feel.”
      Niccolo is the eldest son of the Juventus coach, who also shares a daughter with former partner Deborah Roversi and young twins with girlfriend Valentina Baldini.
      The teenager signed for the club academy aged 15 and was later linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
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      Cristiano Ronaldo ‘looking at Man Utd and PSG transfers’ with Juventus ‘unable to pay wages’ if they miss out on Europe

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      JUVENTUS face having to sell Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United or Paris Saint-Germain if they miss out on the Champions League.That is according to reports in Italy which doubt the Bianconeri’s ability to support the superstar’s huge wages from the Europa League.
      Cristiano Ronaldo could be put up for sale if Juventus’ cash crisis worsensCredit: AP
      The weekend’s draw with Fiorentina left fourth-placed Juve hanging onto Serie A’s final Champions League spot and three points clear of Napoli.
      Gennaro Gattuso’s side boast a game in hand, against Torino on Monday evening, and a more favourable run-in.
      Juventus were already struggling financially amid the coronavirus pandemic, reportedly hastening their push for a European Super League.
      But missing out on a top-four finish would hit the club’s coffers hard at the worst possible time.
      According to Tuttosport, Ronaldo costs the Old Lady a gross £1million-a-week in wages.
      Without the tens of millions raked in via the Champions League, they would reportedly be forced to sell the 36-year-old despite having a year left on his contract.
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      Furthermore, it is said that the player himself would be keen to leave rather than spend one of his few remaining seasons outside the elite.
      United and PSG are named in the report as two potential options.
      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is thought to be keen on a new forward, as well as a centre-back, this summer with Erling Haaland linked.
      While Les Parisiens are fighting to hold onto Kylian Mbappe while also seeking a big addition such as Harry Kane.
      Real Madrid have also been touted for a Ronaldo bid but club president Florentino Perez has strongly denied the possibility.
      Following the Portuguese forward’s display against Fiorentina, coach Andrea Pirlo leapt to his defence.
      Ronaldo’s net wage trumps his Juventus team-mates

      He said: “I don’t think Ronaldo did badly.
      “He had a few chances and overall was not bad.
      “It was the team that should’ve attacked the space more, and we did see some of that in the second half, as Fiorentina had a high line.”
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      Man Utd and Chelsea transfer target Gianluigi Donnarumma ‘given May deadline to sign final £130k-a-week AC Milan deal’

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      GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA has reportedly been given a May 23 deadline to sign a new contract by AC Milan.The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers on the planet after being an ever-present for the Rossoneri for the past six seasons.
      AC Milan have set a deadline for Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, to sign his new contractCredit: Reuters
      However, his current deal at the San Siro expires in June with a host of clubs ready to pounce and sign him.
      Both Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea, along with Serie A side Juventus, are all keen on the stopper.
      Milan are desperate to keep hold of their No1 and have offered him a new two-year extension to stay.
      However, Tuttosport says they will not offer Donnarumma anything higher than £130,000-a-week.
      And they have demanded an answer from the Italian over his future by the final Serie A match of the season, away at Atalanta on May 23.
      Donnarumma is represented by super-agent Mino Raiola.
      And he is believed to be holding out for a contract of around £200,000-a-week.
      Milan are second in the Serie A table, ten points behind neighbours Inter, but look on course to reach next season’s Champions League.
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      And qualification for that could convince Donnarumma to stay.
      But Milan are already setting plans in motion for a replacement should he go.
      They have been linked with Lille goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
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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

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      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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