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      Ex-Man Utd star Angel Di Maria ‘withdraws from squad in suspicious circumstances’ after being left out of starting XI

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      ANGEL DI MARIA allegedly withdrew from the Juventus squad against Bologna after being told he was only going to be named on the bench.The 35-year-old Argentine hit the headlines last night as his club were held to a 1-1 draw in the Serie A clash.
      Mystery reportedly surrounds Angel Di Maria’s absence for Juventus last nightCredit: Getty
      The World Cup winner was left out of Massimiliano Allegri’s 23-man squad for the trip with the Italian side claiming that it was due to an ankle injury.
      However, Tuttosport is reporting that Di Maria has reportedly clashed with Allegri before the game after being told that he was due to start as substitute.
      He then pulled out of the squad in “suspicious circumstances”.
      Di Maria allegedly informed the Juventus boss he was suffering from the problem before withdrawing from the squad.
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      The former Real Madrid and Manchester United winger has endured a difficult campaign with the Bianconeri.
      He penned a one-year deal with the Turin giants after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent.
      Di Maria struggled to impress before the World Cup in November but his form has improved since the tournament in Qatar.

      He has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 32 appearances this season for Juventus.
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      However, over recent weeks, his displays have come under criticism again from supporters.
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      And he has not contributed to a goal in his last nine outings for the club.
      Juventus are currently third in the top-flight and battling for a top four finish.
      They are three points ahead of fifth-placed Milan in the chase to secure Champions League football. More

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      Erling Haaland miles ahead in Europe’s Golden Boot race but current and former Arsenal stars make top 10

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      ERLING HAALAND is miles ahead in this season’s hunt for the European Golden Boot.But Arsenal have two horses in the race – despite neither actually playing for the club this season.
      Man City ace Erling Haaland is leading the charge for the European Golden BootCredit: Getty
      Spurs star Harry Kane is number two on the listCredit: Getty
      The continent’s top strikers have been in top form this term.
      Their goals are contributing to several big title races, with some even proving to be decisive in recent matches.
      And no one else has been more prolific in front of goal than Manchester City star Haaland.
      The Norwegian only made the move to the Etihad last summer.
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      But he has already smashed the record for most goals in a Premier League campaign after bagging his 33rd in the 4-1 win over Arsenal.
      Haaland’s stunning feat means he is also nine goals clear in the Golden Boot race, handed to the player with the most league goals in Europe.
      However, he’s not alone in having a fine season in England’s top flight.
      Step forward Tottenham star Harry Kane, who has still managed to bag 24 goals despite his club’s torrid downturn in form.
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      PSG star Kylian Mbappe is third on the listCredit: Getty

      The England captain is on his third manager of the season, yet his haul is still the fourth-best of his career – with five games still to play.
      Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe is currently in third place with 22 goals for Paris Saint-Germain.
      The Frenchman started the term slowly, but seven goals in his last five matches has seen him storm up the charts.
      Mbappe is one clear of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Lille’s Jonathan David, who are both being tipped for big transfer this summer.
      Surprisingly, the next in line is ex-Arsenal star Alexandre Lacazette.
      He has smashed in 20 goals for Lyon, a feat he never achieved in five years at the Emirates.
      Lacazette is followed by Brentford star Ivan Toney, who has 19 goals ahead of an impending ban for betting.
      Robert Lewandowski, who has won the award the past two seasons, is next after hitting 18 goals during his first season at Barcelona.
      And he is level-pegging with Folarin Balogun, on loan at Reims from Arsenal.
      The final spot in the list goes to Monaco’s Wissam Ben Yedder, who has 17 goals this term.
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      It means three of the top 10 – including the top two – are made up of players from the Premier League.
      But Ligue 1 takes the crown for the most amount of stars, boasting no less than six. More

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      Real reason AC Milan has ‘St George’s’ cross on its iconic badge… it’s not as straight forward as you think

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      A CROSS on the badge of Serie A giants AC Milan is inspired by Italian history rather than England’s St George.The Rossoneri, who dominated Italian football in the 1990s, have boasted some of the world’s great players over the years such as Marco van Basten and Paolo Maldini.
      AC Milan Herbert Kilpin was a butcher’s son from Nottingham and founded AC Milan back in 1899
      AC Milan logo features a red cross on a white background – often mistaken for the St George’s flagCredit: AFP or licensors
      Sandro Tonali wearing AC Milan’s iconic kitCredit: Getty
      The club’s famous logo was actually inspired by Italian history – not English
      The club’s badge has long held a fascination for England fans with what appeared to be a red St George’s Cross against a white background.
      The club was founded by English ex-pat Herbert Kilpin, who arrived in the city in 1897.
      Kilpin, from Nottingham, remains a cult figure for AC Milan’s fans and devoted Ultras.
      Banners are some times visible in the Curva Sud section of the ground displaying cartoon images of their hero.
      Kilpin, who racked up 23 appearances for Milan, retired in 1908 and died in 1916.
      Kilpin’s English roots helped create the urban myth that the cross on the club’s famous jersey was that of St George.
      But the club’s official website states the cross was inspired by Italian history – not St George.
      The club’s website reads :” The cross is the oldest part; before being used on the English flag, the red cross on a white background was born here in Italy.
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      “The Republic of Genova used it as their emblem and then it was chosen to represent the Carroccio, a symbol of the Milan commune, which was opposed to the imperial forces.
      “Since its first appearance in 1160, the cross has been linked to Milan.
      “The red represented nobility, the white represented the people – there was a unity between them in this emblem.
      “Seven centuries later, this sense of unity was still alive in AC Milan fans’ hearts.
      “The Club united aristocrats and “casciavìt” (the working classes) in a shared love for the Rossoneri.” More

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      AC Milan ‘offered Arsenal star on free transfer’ with no new Emirates contract agreed yet

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      AC MILAN could snap up Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson on a free transfer this summer, according to reports.The 23-year-old’s Gunners contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
      Reiss Nelson is out of contract in the summerCredit: AFP
      And the club are yet to reach an agreement when it comes to a new deal despite reports he would “love” to stay.
      According to Football Italia, AC Milan are interested in acquiring him if he becomes a free agent.
      The Italian giants are prioritising the signing of a striker in the summer window as they look to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Divock Origi.
      But with the futures of trio Ante Rebic, Charles De Ketelaere and Rafael Leao all uncertain, a wide forward is also being targeted.
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      And Nelson could fit the mould as he has shown flashes of brilliance this season, despite limited game time.
      He has made six substitute appearances in the Premier League – but not managed a single start.
      Nelson’s standout moment in the 2022/23 campaign came when he struck a sensational last-minute winner against Bournemouth last month.
      However, he has been a bit-part player due to the form of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
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      And Leandro Trossard’s arrival in January pushed him even further down the pecking order.
      All in all, Nelson has contributed seven goals and seven assists in 61 games for Arsenal.
      But he has shown promise during loan spells with Feyenoord and Hoffenheim.
      And AC Milan could obtain his services if Arsenal fail to tie Nelson down to a new contract.
      The seven-time European champions sit fourth in Serie A as they fight for a Champions League place.
      But they could still qualify for Europe’s elite competition even if they miss out on the top four.
      That is because they are in with a chance of winning it this year as they prepare for a mouthwatering semi-final clash against bitter rivals Inter Milan. More

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      Chelsea ‘to meet Inter Milan chiefs over Andre Onana transfer’ as Blues look to replace Mendy and Kepa

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      CHELSEA are ready to meet Inter Milan chiefs over a transfer for Andre Onana.And Romelu Lukaku’s future will be high on the agenda too.
      Andre Onana is wanted by ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Romelu Lukaku’s future will be talked about when Chelsea and Inter Milan meetCredit: Getty
      Officials are set to fly to Italy as the Blues begin planning for a summer overhaul.
      The Evening Standard say Chelsea want Onana to replace Kepa Arrizabalaga and Edouard Mendy in goal.
      Owner Todd Boehly is looking to trim his inflated squad and it’s claimed a swap deal involving Lukaku could be on the cards.
      And that would allow Kepa and Mendy – who have each failed to assert themselves a No 1 – to depart.
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      £97.5million flop Lukaku has spend the season on loan at Inter but has struggled for fitness.
      Lukaku wants to stay in Italy after an unhappy time at Chelsea, but he faces a battle to get them to make the transfer permanent.
      And the Italians could elect to send the Belgian back to Stamford Bridge and demand a fee for Onana.
      The Cameroonian stopper has impressed in Serie A this season, conceding only 18 goals in 20 matches.
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      But sixth-placed Inter’s woes have been at the other end, with Lukaku missing 18 games through injury.
      Lukaku can reportedly stay next year on loan again for the same £7million loan fee and £165,000-a-week wages, roughly half his Chelsea contract, but Boehly may prefer to sell him for good.
      Brentford’s David Raya, Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili are other keepers being monitored by Chelsea.
      Edouard Mendy or Kepa Arrizabalaga could leave Chelsea this summerCredit: AFP More

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      Jose Mourinho kicked me off the team bus after a blazing row – he’s not an easy guy to deal with, says Balotelli

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      MARIO BALOTELLI has revealed that Jose Mourinho once kicked him off the team bus.The pair worked together during their respective stints at Inter Milan, prior to Super Mario’s Manchester City switch.
      Mario Balotelli played under Jose Mourinho at Inter MilanCredit: AFP
      Mourinho and Balotelli didn’t always see eye to eye – resulting in some heated rows.
      Recounting his experiences with his Portuguese former boss, Balotelli told the Muschio Selvaggio podcast: “Mou is not an easy guy to deal with, much like me.
      “One time before a trip to Catania, we had an argument on the bus taking us to the airport.
      “He made me get off the bus and I had to return home with a car.”
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      Balotelli, now 32, is the first to admit that he made mistakes during his younger years.
      But he feels that at times he has been unfairly singled out.
      He continued: “I know that I made mistakes, but it is also true that the spotlight was always on me.
      “Aside from my own character and the label of being a prodigy as a teenager, I think the status of being the first black player in the Italy squad also contributed to people always talking about what I did off the field.
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      Balotelli, 32, signed for FC Sion last yearCredit: EPA
      “I saw colleagues do some things, if it had been me…”
      Balotelli is still going strong, plying his trade in Switzerland for FC Sion – recently captaining them to a 3-1 win at Grasshoppers, ending his own personal goal drought in the process.
      He reckons there’s still plenty of life in his career yet, concluding: “I think I can play at least another four years at a good level.
      “When I do retire, I’ll be happy with the path I have taken. I could’ve done more, but in any case I won everything.”
      Mourinho, 60, once recounted overseeing a Champions League clash between Inter and Rubin Kazan – in which Balotelli was playing.
      He said in 2014: “I remember one time when we went to play Kazan in the Champions League.
      “In that match I had all my strikers injured. No Diego Milito, no Samuel Eto’o, I was really in trouble and Mario was the only one.
      “Mario got a yellow card in the 42nd minute, so when I got to the dressing room at half-time I spend about 14 minutes of the 15 available speaking only to Mario.
      “I said to him: ‘Mario, I cannot change you, I have no strikers on the bench, so don’t touch anybody and play only with the ball.
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      “If we lose the ball no reaction. If someone provokes you, no reaction, if the referee makes a mistake, no reaction.’
      “The 46th minute – red card!”
      Balotelli played for Inter between 2007 and 2010Credit: Reuters More

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      I played alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus… I told him I HATED him during long plane journey

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      A FORMER team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he told the superstar “he hated” him.Roma forward Paulo Dybala, 29, spent three years alongside the Portugal legend at Juventus between 2018 and 2021.
      A former team-mate of Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed how he told him he ‘hated him’Credit: AFP
      The pair helped the Old Lady to win two Serie A titles, two Italian Super Cups and the Italian Cup during that period.
      Various reports claimed during that time that the duo did not get on despite the success on the pitch.
      But the Argentine international has now denied those rumours – even though he admitted that he did tell the now Al-Nassr ace he “hated” him.
      Speaking to DAZN, Dybala said: “I spent three nice years with Cristiano, the team was very strong and he added something more.
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      “There’s a big rivalry between [Lionel] Messi and Ronaldo in Argentina.
      “Once, we were flying out for a game, I was sitting at the back of the plane and he was slightly ahead. 
      “At some point, he came to me, we spoke about life in general for a while, and I told him: ‘As a kid, I practically hated you.’
      “We laughed about it and we’ve always been on good terms.”
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      Ronaldo left Juventus in 2021 to make his return to Manchester United.
      He was at Old Trafford for just one-and-a-half seasons before his explosive interview with Piers Morgan led to his contract being terminated and leading to his move to Saudi Arabia.
      Dybala departed Juventus last summer as a free agent to sign for Roma.
      He has scored 16 goals in 34 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side, who are battling to secure a top four finish to secure Champions League football next season. More

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      Italian FA trialling major change to offside rule…and it’s proven to lead to more goals

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      THE Italian FA are trialling a major change to the offside rule which is proven to lead to more goals. The changes, developed by former Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, would only see an offside given if there is a clear space between the attacker and the defender.
      The Italian FA is set to trial a major change to the offside ruleCredit: Rex
      There have been a lot of contentious VAR decisions this seasonCredit: Getty
      Wenger has previously spoken of his desire to make changes to the offside rule and has been a long time advocate of this but was aware of the difficulties in implementing any changes.
      Back in 2020 he said: “My objective, as well as Fifa’s, is to continuously think about ways to improve our game.
      “We shouldn’t be afraid to debate them in public.
      “But I am well aware any rule changes are subject to a standard approval process.
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      “That includes discussions with stakeholders and potential test phases, within the scope of the established IFAB framework.”
      The proposal was explained back in February before its first trial in the Italian u18’s championship by Christos Kanellas, Fifa’s high performance manager.
      He said: “The idea was born to favour a more offensive game, increase the chances of scoring goals and make the game more exciting.”
      The Italian Football Federation president Gabriele Gravina said: The Italian Football Federation is at the forefront of the development of the game.
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      “We have made ourselves available to continue testing in the Under 18 championship because innovation is in our DNA.
      “We are not afraid of change both on and off the pitch and, in close synergy with Fifa, we will continue to study the effects of a change to the offside rule.”

      Matteo Trefoloni, head of the technical sector, explained the way the law will change.
      He said: “The experiment states that a player is no longer considered punishable if any part of the body with which he can score a goal is in line with the penultimate defender. 
      “Therefore, in order for an offside to be sanctioned between the attacker in the most advanced position and the defender, there must be the so-called light, i.e. they must be visually separated.”
      The rule change was first trialled back in April 2022 in 35 matches.
      The players, coaches and referees who participated in the survey gave a positive overall opinion.
      They indicated a reduced impact of the proposed change on the game and an overall increase in scoring opportunities.
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      Italian Football has been at the forefront of trialling new technology with the first VAR test having taken place in the friendly between Italy and France in September 2016 in Bari.
      Last December the use of semi-automatic offside was approved and was then bought into use from 27 January in Serie A. More