Serie A

CHELSEA have agreed to sell Romelu Lukaku to Roma for £37million at the end of the season, according to reports.The Belgian moved to the Italian capital on loan from Stamford Bridge back in August.
Romelu Lukaku has been in red-hot form for RomaCredit: Getty
He has had a blistering start to life at Roma, scoring seven goals in eight appearances in all competitions.
The 30-year-old was not involved at all in Chelsea’s pre-season and is unlikely to ever play for the Blues again.
But upon the expiry of his Roma loan at the end of the campaign he will still have two years remaining on his Blues contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have agreed to “make Lukaku available” for a £37m fixed fee next summer.
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The Blues forked out £97.5m to re-sign the striker from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021.
He subsequently struggled to find his best form back at Stamford Bridge, scoring just eight Premier League goals during the 2021-22 campaign.
Lukaku spent last season on loan at Inter, netting ten times in Serie A.
The experienced forward has credited Roma manager Jose Mourinho for his renaissance this season.
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After scoring twice in his side’s 4-1 win at Cagliari over the weekend, Lukaku explained of Mourinho: “As I’ve said in the past, he and I have a special relationship. He knows me and my children.
“He’s someone I can trust, and he puts his trust in me.
“He’s tough, but that’s the only way that I can grow.”
Despite Lukaku’s red-hot form, Roma have had a mixed start to the season.
They currently sit tenth in the Serie A table, having won three, drawn two and lost three of their eight matches thus far.
Lukaku, 30, has a strong relationship with Jose MourinhoCredit: Getty More

REFEREE Juan Luca Sacchi is set to be suspended after awkwardly snubbing a handshake with his female assistant, according to reports.The Serie A official was caught on camera pulling his hand away from Francesca Di Monte before Friday’s match between Lecce and Sassuolo.
Juan Luca Sacchi is set to be suspended for snubbing his assistant referee’s handshakeCredit: TikTok
Francesca Di Monte was snubbed by Sacchi in the tunnel before Lecce vs SassuoloCredit: TikTok
Footage shows the female assistant shaking her head after the incident.
Sacchi can be seen embracing his other assistant and Lecce captain Gabriel Strefezza in the tunnel.
According to reports in Italy, Sacchi will now be handed a one-match suspension as punishment for the incident.
His actions are said to have caused embarrassment to the Italian Referees Association (AIA), who have claimed it was not a form of sexist discrimination.
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The report adds that Sacchi was scolded in private by referee designator Gianluca Rocchi after footage of the snub emerged.
A statement from the AIA, via news agency Ansa, explained: “We can absolutely exclude that this was a sexist gesture or a personal snub.
“As far as we are concerned, it is not a problem, it was only an involuntary gesture that was misinterpreted.
“The two colleagues worked well during the match and their performance was excellent.’
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Sacchi could be suspended for one match, according to reports in ItalyCredit: Getty
Di Monte was the assistant referee for Friday’s Serie A clash in LecceCredit: Rex
“What is truly surprising is that there is talk of sexism in an association that has made the knocking down of gender barriers one of its greatest achievements.”
Sacchi, 38, has been a Serie A referee since 2015, officiating a total of 43 matches to date.
He was previously given a suspension after a costly blunder in Inter Milan’s 2-2 draw against Monza back in January.
Sacchi came under fire after wrongly blowing his whistle for a foul and disallowing an Inter goal whilst they led 2-1.
Once the action got underway, Lecce and Sassuolo played out a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Via del Mare.
Nikola Krstovic equalised for the hosts after Domenico Berardi had opened the scoring from the penalty spot. More

ROMA star Paulo Dybala hobbled off in tears after suffering yet another heartbreaking injury blow against Cagliari.Dybala was subbed off in the 40th minute after the Giallorossi’s physios entered the pitch to treat him while he was lying on the pitch.

Roma star Paulo Dybala broke down in tears after suffering another injuryCredit: Getty
Dybala’s injury hell continued after a series of setbacks last seasonCredit: Getty
Cameras caught the forward breaking down in tears before Andrea Belotti came on to replace him.
According to Italian Football News, the Argentina international suffered a knee injury.
This is yet another setback for the 29-year-old who was marred by injury last season.
Roma manager Jose Mourinho addressed the 2022 World Cup winner’s condition after his team won 4-1 at Cagliari and was “not optimistic”.
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Mourinho told DAZN: “I spoke to Dybala, he is not optimistic. So I’m not either….
“We have to wait for the results of the tests, but I have a lot of confidence in the players and their knowledge of their bodies. Paulo is not optimistic and neither am I.”
Fans were left heartbroken after watching Dybala being reduced to tears on the pitch.
And they all rushed to social media to reach out to the ex-Juventus star.
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One fan tweeted: “Mad to see him suffer like this, I enjoy every time he plays.”
Another commented: “Forzaaaaaaaaaaaa Paulo.”
A third wrote: “So sad for Paulo. Injury problem are killing his player life.”
This fan said: “He is the definition of unlucky.”
And that one stated: “Be patient bro, the spirit must recover quickly, Rome needs you VERY MUCH.” More

AC MILAN have included striker Olivier Giroud in their goalkeepers’ list after a stunning performance between the sticks.Giroud went viral on Saturday during Milan’s 1-0 Serie A victory at Genoa as he was forced to go in goal.
AC Milan honoured striker Olivier Giroud by adding him to their goalkeepers’ listCredit: AC Milan
Giroud was forced into goal after Milan’s No1 Mike Maignan was sent offCredit: AC Milan
Giroud pulled off a wondersave at the death against GenoaCredit: Getty
Disaster struck for the Rossoneri in the eighth minute of stoppage time when keeper Mike Maignan was shown a direct red card for rushing out of his box and bringing down Genoa’s Caleb Ekuban.
Maignan’s exit saw the ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star given the shot-stopper’s green jersey after Milan manager Stefano Pioli completed his changes.
Tension then built up with the hosts’ goalkeeper Josep Martinez also getting sent off in the 13th minute of stoppage time for lunging at Fikayo Tomori after coming up for a corner-kick.
Genoa were luckier, though, as manager Alberto Gilardino had one more substitution left and so back-up keeper Nicola Leali came on for Koni De Winter.
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But the drama wasn’t over just yet as Giroud was forced to make a wonder save at the death.
Genoa went clear through on goal with George Puscas finding himself in front of the France international.
However, the 37-year-old rushed from his goal to block the ball before throwing his body over it and deny Puscas.
The referee then blew the whistle and Milan stars all jumped on Giroud who was praised worldwide.
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The Frenchman’s brave performance in goal sealed the three points after his former Chelsea team-mate Christian Pulisic’s winner.
To top it off, the Italian giants decided to honour the ex-Montpellier star’s display with a hilarious change in their official website’s squad list.
The France record goalscorer was included in their goalkeepers’ list, hinting he could be considered for the No1 spot again. More

OLIVIER GIROUD was forced to go in goal for AC Milan in their dramatic win at Genoa.And fans hailed the striker as “better than Andre Onana” after he made a wonder save at the death.
Olivier Giroud was forced to play in goal during AC Milan’s dramatic win at GenoaCredit: Reuters
Fans said Giroud is ‘better than Andre Onana’ after he made a wonder saveCredit: Reuters
Giroud, 37, is still playing at the top level after successful spells at Arsenal and Chelsea.
The French World Cup winner is in his third season with Milan and already has four goals in six games.
But Giroud saved his biggest performance for Saturday night when the Italian giants travelled to Genoa for a crunch Serie A clash.
After pressing hard all night, Milan finally took the lead in the 87th minute through ex-Blues winger Christian Pulisic.
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But disaster struck in the eighth minute of stoppage time when visiting goalie Mike Maignan was shown a straight red card for rushing out of his box and bringing down a Genoa forward.
Maignan’s exit saw Giroud given the gloveman’s green jersey.
And the forward’s first piece of business was to deal with the resulting Genoa free-kick.
Giroud could only watch as the shot went sailing past his head.
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Giroud’s heroics saw Milan secure a huge winCredit: Reuters
Giroud was mobbed by pals at the final whistleCredit: Reuters
Incredible scenes in the last moments of AC Milan vs Genoa!Olivier Giroud goes in goal for Milan after Mike Maignan received a red card.Genoa hit the crossbar from the resulting free kick before their own goalkeeper is sent off!Have you ever seen anything like it?! pic.twitter.com/J4xxOEibjW— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 7, 2023

But luckily for him and his Milan teammates, it struck the crossbar.
The ball eventually went out for a Genoa corner, with home stopper Josep Martinez charging up the field to try his luck.
However, he was then sent off for chopping down a Milan defender while attempting to win the ball.
It meant both sides were forced to field outfield players in goal for the remaining moments.
And it was Giroud who was again called into action when Genoa went clear through on goal at the death.
However, the veteran bravely rushed from his goal to block to ball before throwing his body over it.
The whistle then blew, handing Milan a huge win as fans described Giroud as being a better goalie than error-prone Manchester United man Onana.
One said: “Giroud is better than Onana.”
Another declared: “Giroud getting a clean sheet added to his records.”
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One noted: “What a save from a makeshift keeper.”
Another added: “Giroud starts for Man United.” More

ROMA are threatening to sack Jose Mourinho if his side lose to Cagliari on Sunday.The Italian giants currently sit 13th in the Serie A table with just eight points from seven games.
Jose Mourinho could be sacked if Roma lose to Cagliari on SundayCredit: Getty
Hansi Flick has been earmarked as his potential replacementCredit: Getty
They travel to the Sardegna Arena this weekend to face Claudio Ranieri’s Cagliari in a match that could prove to be decisive for Mourinho’s future.
According to Corriere dello Sport, club president Dan Friedkin is willing to sack the iconic manager if Roma fail to win.
And the 58-year-old has even lined up a potential replacement.
Friedkin has allegedly earmarked former Bayern Munich boss Hansi Flick for the job.
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Flick was sacked as manager of the Germany national team last month following a 4-1 defeat to Japan.
He has since been linked with a number of clubs, but Roma could become his top choice.
Roma officials will likely face backlash from fans if Mourinho is dismissed given his previous success with the club.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager ended Roma’s 11-year trophy drought at the end of his first season after leading the team to the inaugural Europa Conference League title.
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He recently revealed that he turned down the biggest, most important and craziest job offer in the history of football this summer.
When asked about offers from the Saudi Pro League during a press conference last week, Mourinho said: “Would I renew now? It’s a hypothetical situation, I can’t answer.
“What I can say is that three months ago there was almost a drama to think that I could leave.
“In Budapest on the pitch I told the players that I would stay, after Spezia I reiterated it to the fans, two-three days later I gave my word to Mr. Friedkin.
“In the summer I had the biggest, most important and craziest job offer a coach has ever had in the history of football: I turned it down because of my word.
“Now it seems that I am a problem, I do not accept it. I don’t accept it because it’s not true, I’m not a problem.” More

PAUL POGBA faces a four-year ban after testing positive for a ‘B’ sample.And Juventus are reportedly ready to rip up his £130,000-a-week contract as a result.
Paul Pogba’s ‘B’ doping test has returned positiveCredit: Reuters
The Frenchman, 30, was provisionally suspended after failing a drugs test last month.
And a backup ‘B’ sample given by Pogba has come back positive as well.
Reports in Italy also claim Pogba could now have his £130k-a-week Juve contract ripped up.
Traces of testosterone were found in Pogba’s system following Juventus’ opening day win over Udinese.
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The former Man United star was an unused sub in the game but was hauled in by testers.
Pogba was automatically handed a provisional ban by Italian anti-doping chiefs.
And he was given three days to provide a secondary ‘B’ sample for counter-analysis.
That has now come back positive too.
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Although it is understood to have contained traces of a different substance, but not testosterone.
Pogba will now be hauled in for questioning by an anti-doping tribunal.
If found guilty, he faces a two-year ban.
But if he is guilty of doping intentionally, that could double in length to four years.
Pogba has a week to prepare his defence, and is expected to face a tribunal within two to four weeks.
His second spell at Juventus also hangs in the balance, with the Italians considering their next steps.
Terminating Pogba’s contract is one option, according to reports in Italy.
Juventus are now looking to terminate Pogba’s contract should he get a banCredit: Getty
Boss Max Allegri said at Friday’s press conference: “I didn’t know, I’m sorry. We await the outcome of what will be the continuation. Talking about it now is of no use.”
After his initial positive test, Pogba’s agent Rafaela Pimenta told Tuttosport last month: “We’re waiting for the counter-analysis and we can’t say anything now.
“For sure, Pogba never wanted to bend the rules — I can guarantee that.”
A statement from anti-doping chiefs read: A statement read: “The National Anti-Doping Tribunal announces that, in acceptance of the request proposed by the National Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office, it has taken steps to suspend the athlete Paul Pogba on a precautionary basis for violation of articles 2.1 and 2.2. 
“Substance Detected: Testosterone metabolites of non-endogenous origin.”
Pogba’s club Juventus acknowledged the provisional ban, saying: “Juventus Football Club announces that today, September 11, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on August 20, 2023. 
“The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.”
Pogba rejoined Juventus from United in 2022 but has been limited to 12 appearances due to injury setbacks.
He played twice this season before his first positive test result.
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And just days before, Pogba vowed to show critics he is “not weak.”
He told Al Jazeera: “I want to make them eat their words. I want to show them I’m not weak. They can talk bad about me, I will never give up.” More