AC Milan lead tributes to ‘unforgettable’ former owner Silvio Berlusconi

AC Milan have paid tribute to their former owner Silvio Berlusconi, who has died at the age of 86.

The Milan-born former Italian prime minister saved the club from near-bankruptcy when he bought it in 1986 and the Rossoneri went on to lift eight Serie A titles and five European Cups under his presidency.

The controversial businessman later went on to become president of Monza, who earned promotion back to the top flight through the play-offs in 2022, and was still in the role at the time of his death.

Pictures that defined an era History was made

Le foto che hanno fatto la Storia

— AC Milan (@acmilan)

Berlusconi was treated for leukemia earlier this year but was reportedly hospitalised last week and died on Monday morning.

Mil…

Hamstring injury rules Lionel Messi out of Argentina friendlies

Lionel Messi will not be available for Argentina in their upcoming international friendly double-header due to injury.

In a statement posted on their official X page, Argentina confirmed that the forward would not be in the squad after sustaining a “minor” injury to his hamstring.

Messi sustained the injury playing for Inter Miami during their Concacaf Champions Cup clash against Nashville.

El capitán de , Lionel Messi, no podrá estar en la convocatoria para los amistosos en debido a una pequeña lesión en el isquiotibial de la pierna derecha sufrida en el partido de su equipo ante Nashville SC.

— Selección Argentina (@Argentina)

The 36-year-old scored in the 23rd minute of his side’s 3-1 victory over their MLS rivals on Thursday,…

Harry Kane using domestic disappointment to fuel Bayern’s Champions League bid

Harry Kane says the bitter pill of Bayern Munich’s doomed Bundesliga title defence and the prospect of a Wembley final is fuelling his desire for Champions League glory.

Former Tottenham star Kane returned to haunt familiar foes Arsenal by converting a first-half penalty in Tuesday evening’s thrilling quarter-final first leg which ended tantalisingly poised at 2-2.

Bayern’s 11-season run as German champions could be over before next week’s return match with the Gunners as unbeaten runaway leaders Bayer Leverkusen sit 16 points clear with only 18 left to play for.

Great performance from back to front. Only half time in the tie. Can’t wait for next week in Munich with our fans and a special atmosphere.

— Harry Kane (@HKane)

England ca…

Spain 2-1 France: Olmo powers La Roja into final after record-breaking Yamal goal

Lamine Yamal etched his name in history with a record-breaking goal before Dani Olmo fired Spain into the Euro 2024 final with a 2-1 victory over France.

Yamal produced a remarkable long-range equaliser shortly after Randal Kolo Muani s ninth-minute opener in Tuesday s first semi-final in Munich, the 16-year-old becoming the youngest scorer at a major tournament in history.

In-form Olmo then delivered the decisive strike midway through the opening half, manufacturing space inside Les Bleus area before squeezing a low effort home.

Didier Deschamps side had been unconvincing before this last-four meeting, and though they improved in the second half, they were unable to find a leveller as Spain teed up a meeting with either the Netherlands or England.

Spain …

Mangala would shine at Euro 2016 – Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini has backed Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala to win a place in France s Euro 2016 squad.

Mangala became the most expensive defender in Premier League history when he joined City from Porto in August 2014, but a succession of high-profile errors have littered his time at the Etihad Stadium. 

However, the 25-year-old was a star performer in the Champions League quarter-final triumph over Paris Saint-Germain and has played with increasing assurance over recent weeks.

This upturn in form is particularly well-timed for Mangala as a failed drugs test for Liverpool s Mamadou Sakho could open up a centre-back vacancy in Didier Deschamps  France squad with Euro 2016 on the horizon.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday s Champions League semi-fin…

Postecoglou will not settle until Tottenham hit his ´lofty ambitions´

Ange Postecoglou warned Tottenham he will not settle until the club hits the lofty ambitions targeted in his mind.

Spurs were 3-0 victors over Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Sunday, ending their Premier League season with a convincing win to finish fifth in the table.

Postecoglou voiced his frustrations after Tuesday s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City ended their hopes of Champions League football next term.

The Spurs head coach was far more relaxed after his side performed well in Sheffield, with Dejan Kulusevski twice on target, along with a goal for Pedro Porro against the relegated Blades.

Yet Postecoglou insisted his ambitions remain high as the Australian attempts to take Tottenham to the next level.

Contrary to my general demeanour, I ha…

Inter Milan 1-0 AC Milan: Key Talking Points As The Nerazzurri Claim Milan Bragging Rights At The San Siro

With all eyes from across Europe falling on the San Siro on Sunday night, Inter Milan claimed local bragging rights as they clinched a 1-0 victory against their struggling neighbours.

Continuing on what has been a hugely impressive domestic romp since returning from the World Cup s festive break, the Nerazzurri wrapped up all three points as Lautaro Martinez bagged the winner 10 minutes before the half-time break.

Suffering just a single defeat from any of their last 10 domestic matchups across all formats, Simone Inzaghi s men also pilled more pressure onto an AC Milan squad who are at the heart of a Serie A nightmare.

Lifting this year s Super Cup thanks to a famous 3-0 romp on January 18th, Inter s victory here means that their bitter local rivals have now lo…

De Gea calls for refereeing consistency after Casemiro red

David de Gea appealed for more consistency from referees after Manchester United had Casemiro sent off in their 0-0 draw with Southampton.

United failed to get back to winning ways in the Premier League following their 7-0 thrashing by Liverpool last week.

They spent much of a home game with the division s bottom club on the back foot, especially after Casemiro became the first United player to receive two red cards in the same league season since Nemanja Vidic in 2013-14.

Casemiro was initially booked by Anthony Taylor for his challenge on Carlos Alcaraz, but the referee was instructed by VAR to consult the pitch-side monitor.

Having looked at replays that showed Casemiro going over the top of the ball and sending his studs high into Alcaraz s leg, Taylo…

Germany v Hungary: Muller, Khedira focused on Euro 2016 triumph

Germany s stuttering friendly form has not shifted their focus away from Euro 2016 glory ahead of their final warm-up match against Hungary.

Joachim Low handed international debuts to Joshua Kimmich, Bernd Leno, Julian Brandt and Julian Weigl in a rain-lashed Augsburg on Sunday, but, despite experienced striker Mario Gomez opening the scoring with a penalty, Slovakia came from behind to record a 3-1 victory.

It was Germany s third defeat in four friendly outings since the conclusion of Euro 2016 qualifying, following defeats to France and England for the world champions before a resounding 4-1 win over Italy.

They have the chance to improve that record against Bernd Storck s men in Gelsenkirchen on Saturday and Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller expects his co…

Prediction: Bolivia vs Chile

Prediction: Match to end in 1-1 draw

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Bolivia and Chile will face each other in a friendly international match this week. The game between Gustavo Costas’s side and Eduardo Berizzo’s team will be held at Estadio Ramon Aguilera Costas in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, and is scheduled to kick off at 1am UK time on Wednesday.

Bolivia

Bolivia are a South American minnow, and no one really expects them to do much of note in the international arena. For La Verde, qualifying for major international competitions is a big achievement in itself and is a dream. They have won just one match in over a year and are in dire form at the moment.

Since failing to qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Bolivia have struggled badly in a run of fri…