More stories

  • in

    Lazio star Romagnoli ‘brawls with Roma’s NAKED Mancini’ after celebrating feisty derby win outside rivals’ dressing room

    ROMA star Gianluca Mancini reportedly brawled NAKED with Lazio rival Alessio Romagnoli.The Rome derby was typically feisty on and off the pitch as Lazio ran out 1-0 winners at their shared Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
    Lazio star Alessio Romagnoli took great delight in beating RomaCredit: Getty
    Gianluca Mancini lost his cool after the Rome derby defeatCredit: AP
    That result gave Lazio a major boost in their chase for Champions League qualification – and simultaneously dealt their arch-enemies a mighty blow.
    Roma were reduced to nine men while Adam Marusic was sent off for the winners in an ill-tempered clash.
    But the drama continued behind the scenes.
    Corriere dello Sport report Romagnoli, 28, deliberately took a different route to the Lazio dressing room.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    It is alleged he instead went out of his way to celebrate right outside the Roma changing room.
    And then opposition defender Mancini, 26, emerged to confront him… completely in the nude.
    It is suggested the pair tussled and exchanged expletive insults as emotions continued to run high.
    However, that was not the end of the tension between the two clubs.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    Roma manager Jose Mourinho apparently got involved in a furious X-rated row in the tunnel with Lazio’s owner Claudio Lotiti.
    Mourinho allegedly asked Lotito: “What the f*** are you looking at?”
    And the Lazio chief replied: “I am the president of Lazio and you are a guest.
    “This is my home and I go wherever I like. And you can’t be here.” More

  • in

    Man Utd target Victor Osimhen bizarrely compared to Spider-Man as shocking stats come to light

    NAPOLI striker Victor Osimhen has been compared to Spider-Man as a result of his improvement since wearing a mask.The Nigerian forward, 24, has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in European football as the Italian side fly high at the top of Serie A.
    Victor Osimhen had strong numbers before being forced to wear a mask due to injuryCredit: Getty
    His goals and assists have increased significantly since he put on the maskCredit: Rex
    Osimhen has been compared to Spider-ManCredit: Handout
    His sensational form has seen him linked with a blockbuster summer move to Manchester United.
    And Italian outlet Pazzi Di Fanta have now likened him to superhero Spider-Man following his stellar run.
    Osimhen broke his cheekbone in November 2021 following a head clash with Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar.
    Up to that point, he had registered 19 goals and five assists in 46 games for Napoli following his arrival in the summer of 2020.
    READ MORE ON MAN UTD
    How Osimhen compares with and without a mask
    He was ruled out for 12 matches, but returned an improved striker.
    Wearing a mask to protect his face, he has racked up 34 goals and nine assists in 45 appearances.
    It means his goal contributions per game have increased from 0.52 to 0.96 since he put on the mask.
    And he has been compared to Spider-Man when he gained superhero status following what turned out to be a fortuitous spider bite.
    Most read in Football
    HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
    Osimhen has racked up a total of 53 goals and 14 assists in 91 games for Napoli.
    And his sensational 2022/23 campaign has seen Luciano Spaletti’s side run away with the league as they extended their lead to 19 points over the weekend.
    They are also into the quarter-finals of the Champions League where they will face Italian rivals AC Milan.
    But it could still be Osimhen’s final season in Serie A as Man Utd and Chelsea line up big bids. More

  • in

    Ex-Juventus star sent off for PEEING on pitch moments before he’s subbed on – but coach says ‘he didn’t offend anyone’

    A FORMER Juventus star was sent off for PEEING on the pitch… moments before he was subbed on.But his coach insists the player “did NOT offend anyone” in the process and should not have seen red.
    Cristian Bunino saw red for peeing on the pitch before coming on as a subCredit: Getty
    Cristian Bunino, 26, spent three years with Juventus after initially being tipped as a potential star.
    He now plies his trade in Italy’s third tier with Lecco after joining the Serie C side in January.
    However, Bunino did not make the impact he hoped for in yesterday’s 0-0 draw at Piancenza.
    The striker was summoned from the bench with around 20 minutes left to break the deadlock.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    But nature called as Bunino prepared to make his entrance.
    And he decided to save time by urinating straight on the side of the pitch.
    Buninio attempted to hide his antics from officials, but was thwarted by the assistant referee.
    It resulted in a straight red card just moments after he made it onto the field of play.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    And the decision infuriated boss Luciano Foschi, who believed it should have merited just a yellow as Bunino “didn’t offend anyone.”
    Foschi raged: “It’s the rules and they must be applied, but I hope the officials would use common sense because he didn’t offend anyone, no-one saw it.
    “I was hoping for a yellow card but the ref didn’t make a mistake. And Bunino? In my opinion, he didn’t even know what was going to happen.”
    It’s not the first time urine has taken centre stage in a match.
    Salford City’s goalie was sent off in 2017 for having a pee during a game against Bradford.
    And in September another stopper decided to let loose in a hedge during an FA Cup tie.
    Elsewhere, a non-league star was sent off for squirting pee from a water bottle at a supporter.
    And ex-Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri claimed he had bags of urine thrown at him by Feyenoord fans during Lazio’s Europa League clash. More

  • in

    ‘This is MY home, not yours’ – Roma boss Jose Mourinho in X-rated row with Lazio chief after hot-tempered derby

    ROMA manager Jose Mourinho got into a heated bust-up with Lazio owner Claudio Lotito after an intense derby.Mourinho lost the Derby della Capitale to the Giallorossi’s fiercest rivals, who won 1-0 on Sunday at the Olimpico.
    Roma and Lazio had a high-termpered derby at the OlimpicoCredit: Rex
    Roma manager Jose Mourinho had an intense row with Lazio owner Claudio LotitoCredit: Getty
    Lazio owner Claudio Lotito told Jose Mourinho he was in “his house”Credit: Rex
    Mattia Zaccagni scored the winner for Maurizio Sarri’s side on 65 minutes in an intense clash that saw the referee dish out three red cards.
    Roma lost Roger Ibanez after 32 minutes following a second yellow card as well as Bryan Cristane who was shown a red card alongside Lazio’s Adam Marusic at full-time.
    According to Il Messaggero, however, the drama didn’t end on the pitch as Mourinho and Lotito locked horns in an X-rated row in the tunnel.
    In fact, the Lazio owner told the ex-Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham boss that he was in “his home”.
    Read More on Football
    Mourinho told Lotito backstage: “What the f**k are you looking at?”
    The Lazio president responded: “I am the president of Lazio and you are a guest.
    “This is my home and I go wherever I like. And you can’t be here.”
    However, the Olimpico has belonged to both Lazio and Roma for years.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    The same source also suggests there was further tension in the dressing room as Roma’s Gianluca Mancini called Lazio’s Alessio Romagnoli a “piece of s**t”.
    Mourinho has been dealing with a raft of intense matches in the Serie A lately.
    In fact, the Portuguese tactician has seen referees dish out six red cards in Roma’s last five meetings – half of which were handed to his players. More

  • in

    Aston Villa considering shock Romelu Lukaku transfer swoop this summer when Chelsea stars loan finishes at Inter Milan

    ROMELU LUKAKU is a shock transfer target for Aston Villa, according to reports.The Chelsea striker, 29, was shipped out on loan to Inter Milan for this season despite his £97million transfer in 2021.
    Romelu Lukaku could be on his way to Aston Villa this summerCredit: Getty
    But with that deal ending in the summer, he looks set to be on the move again as the Stamford Bridge club are said to want to sell him.
    And Todo Fichajes claim Aston Villa are surprise admirers and considering launching a bid.
    Unai Emery’s side sold Danny Ings to West Ham in January, leaving Ollie Watkins as the main striker.
    Villa also have Bertrand Traore and Wesley on their books.
    READ MORE ON ASTON VILLA
    But signing Lukaku would add plenty of experience and extra talent into the attack.
    Lukaku has 121 goals in 278 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, West Brom, Everton and Manchester United.
    The Belgian, though, has expressed his desire to stay put at Inter, where he spent two years from 2019 to 2021, winning Serie A, reaching the Europa League final and scoring 64 goals in 95 games.
    He has struggled to hit his top form this term, though, with just five goals in 19 games – including three in the league.
    Most read in Football
    FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
    But as with Villa’s pursuit, attempts by Inter to sign Lukaku permanently could be thwarted by finances.
    Ths San Siro giants and Villa Park side may be unable to offer the money both Chelsea and Lukaku the money they want for a transfer.
    The Blues will certainly have to take a hit on the £97m outlay two years earlier.
    But Lukaku’s current contract in West London sees him earn a whopping £325,000 per week.

    Chelsea have no genuine strikers available for the Champions League knockout stages, dumping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang while Armando Broja is injured.
    Kai Havertz, Joao Felix and Raheem Sterling can all play in a central role, though. More

  • in

    Riot police whack fans with truncheons as flares thrown before fierce derby clash between Lazio and Roma

    DISTRESSING footage circulating this afternoon appears to show Roma fans being beaten with truncheons by riot police.Jose Mourinho’s side take on Lazio this afternoon in a crucial Rome derby.

    Police confronted fans on the streets of RomeCredit: EPA
    Cops wielded truncheons as they patrolled the streetsCredit: AP
    Prior to the match, clips emerged on social media of confrontations between Roma supporters and police.
    Some videos show fans being whacked by cops, while flares were also thrown,
    One Ultras account tweeted a video while recounting their impression of what happened.
    They wrote: “Tensions between #ultras of #Roma and the Police, before the match.
    Read More in Football
    “An injured policeman in Piazza Mancini.
    “At the obelisk, a group #CurvaNord #Lazio attempted to make contact with the #romanisti , after leaving the Ponte Milvio. Police action.”
    Italian football has already been hit with ugly confrontations between fans and police this week.
    Napoli’s Champions League clash with Eintracht Frankfurt saw cars set alight and cops reportedly attacked.
    Most read in Football
    Flares were thrown by fansCredit: AP
    It was claimed that travelling Frankfurt fans were responsible for causing the chaos.
    The scenes saw 800 cops deployed on the streets, with a reported 300 fans causing mayhem and resorting to violence.
    This afternoon’s Rome derby could have a huge say on determining where both teams finish in the Serie A table.
    Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio go into the match third – two points above their fifth-placed fierce rivals.
    Cops attempted to gain control outside the Stadio OlimpicoCredit: EPA More

  • in

    Former Man Utd striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic breaks ANOTHER record in AC Milan’s shock Serie A defeat to Udinese

    ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC added another record to his impressive CV after scoring for AC Milan at Udinese last night.The Swede had a penalty saved on the stroke of half time but had his blushes spared as the referee ordered it to be retaken.
    Zlatan Ibrahimovic made history with his goal for AC Milan on SaturdayCredit: Getty
    This time the legendary striker made no mistake as he slotted home his first goal since his return from a long-term injury.
    That made Ibrahimovic the oldest ever scorer in Serie A history at the age of 41 years and 166 days, beating Alessandro Costacurta’s previous record of 41 years and 25 days.
    Unfortunately for him his equaliser would be in vain as Milan went on to suffer a 3-1 defeat.
    The defeat left them sitting fourth, while Udinese moved up to eighth.
    READ MORE FOOTBALL
    Ibrahimovic returned to action in February and had appeared three times off the bench before being made skipper yesterday, becoming Milan’s oldest captain.
    He equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record in January 2022 when he found the net against Venezia.
    That was the 80th team he has scored against in Europe’s top five leagues.
    The feat meant he pulled level with Ronaldo – who netted against his 80th different side in Man Utd’s 3-1 win over Burnley in December 2021.
    Most read in Football
    Ibra also broke a Champions League record during his time at United.
    The iconic Swede became the first and only player to represent seven different sides in Europe’s elite club competition.
    During his career, Ibrahimovic has played for Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus and Ajax, as well as United. More

  • in

    Newcastle transfer blow with ‘PSG willing to splash staggering £159m to land Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Napoli’

    NEWCASTLE have suffered a blow in their pursuit of Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after reports of Paris Saint-Germain lining up a stunning £159MILLION offer.The 22-year-old sensational only joined the Serie A leaders last summer from Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi for £8.6m.
    Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been a revelation at NapoliCredit: Getty
    But he is already being linked with a move to the Premier League and Newcastle are thought to be a potential destination.
    However, according to Corriere dello Sport, PSG are preparing to pay a remarkable £159m to acquire the forward.
    The Ligue 1 champions also have guaranteed Champions League football – something Newcastle are fighting for.
    Eddie Howe’s men sit two points adrift of fourth-place Tottenham with two games in hand.
    READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
    Kvaratskhelia’s existing contract runs until 2027, but he is earning just £26,000-a-week.
    A remarkable first season has seen him rack up 13 goals and 15 assists in 29 appearances.
    And while an improved deal could be on the cards, Kvaratskhelia, nicknamed “Kvaradona”, wants a release clause put into his contract.
    Napoli are reluctant to oblige as they value their man at around £140m – a figure they could obtain if PSG stump up the cash.
    Most read in Football
    BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK
    Napoli are closing in on their first league title in 33 years.
    Luciano Spaletti’s side sit a huge 18 points clear at the top of Serie A.
    They are also in with a chance of winning the Champions League as they prepare to take on AC Milan in the quarter-finals.
    But they do face losing their two biggest stars in the summer, with Kvaratskhelia and striker Victor Osimhen both linked with moves away. More