Football

In a thrilling Serie A derby, AC Milan emerged victorious over Inter Milan with a dramatic late header from Matteo Gabbia. The 2-1 win snapped Inter's six-match derby winning streak and propelled Milan out of their early season slump.Milan started brightly and took the lead in the 10th minute through a brilliant individual effort from Christian Pulisic. However, Inter equalized just before the half-hour mark when Federico Dimarco converted a penalty.In the second half, Milan dominated possession and created numerous chances. Rafael Leao and Tammy Abraham both came close to scoring, but they were denied by Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer.With time running out, Milan earned a free-kick in a dangerous position. Tijjani Reijnders whipped in a perfect cross, and Gabbia rose highest to power a header into the net. The goal sent the Milan fans into raptures and sealed a memorable victory.Meanwhile, Roma secured their first win of the season with a 3-0 triumph over Udinese. Artem Dovbyk, Paulo Dybala, and Tommaso Baldanzi scored the goals for the Giallorossi.However, the match was overshadowed by protests from Roma fans over the shock sacking of Daniele De Rossi. Supporters hurled abuse at the team and left the Curva Sud section of the Olimpico empty for the first half hour.Despite the off-field drama, Roma played with determination and secured a much-needed victory. They now sit 10th in the Serie A standings, while Udinese drop to third.

Liverpool Face Tough Test in Champions League Opener Against AC MilanLiverpool will begin their UEFA Champions League campaign with a challenging away fixture against Serie A giants AC Milan on Wednesday, September 18. The match will mark the debut of new Liverpool manager Arne Slot in the competition.Liverpool enter the game on the back of a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. Despite winning the Champions League under Jurgen Klopp in 2019 and reaching the final twice more, pressure is mounting on Slot to deliver success in Europe.Milan, meanwhile, have had a mixed start to their Serie A season, winning just one of their opening four league games. The Italian giants will be eager to make a statement in the Champions League and will pose a significant threat to Liverpool.The match will be played at the iconic San Siro stadium in Milan, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 AM IST. It will be live telecast on the Sony Sports network and live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website.Liverpool will be without several key players for the match, including Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, and Ibrahima Konate. Milan, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has been out injured since May.The match is expected to be a close and competitive affair, with both teams desperate for a positive result. Liverpool will be looking to bounce back from their Premier League defeat and establish themselves as contenders in the Champions League, while Milan will be aiming to prove that they are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe.

AC Milan's emphatic 4-0 victory over Venezia on Saturday served as a resounding statement ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash with Liverpool and next weekend's Milan derby. The Rossoneri, under pressure after a disappointing start to the season, responded with a dominant performance that showcased their attacking prowess.Theo Hernandez opened the scoring within two minutes, followed by Matteo Gabbia's header in the 16th minute. Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham converted two soft penalties to put the game beyond Venezia's reach before the half-hour mark. Abraham's goal marked his first for Milan since joining from Chelsea.Despite Venezia's valiant efforts, they were unable to overcome Milan's relentless attack. Francesco Zampano's consolation goal was ruled out for offside, and Joel Schingtienne's rash challenge on Rafael Leao resulted in a red card.Meanwhile, Juventus stumbled to a goalless draw at Empoli, leaving them with a temporary lead in Serie A. Thiago Motta's team struggled to create chances, with Dusan Vlahovic's shot straight at the goalkeeper being their closest attempt. Federico Gatti's goal-saving tackle in stoppage time prevented Empoli from snatching a late victory.The draw was a disappointing result for Juventus, who will face PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Tuesday. Coach Motta acknowledged the need to improve their performance, emphasizing the importance of being at their best against the Dutch side.Elsewhere, Bologna's Samuel Iling-Junior rescued a point for his team with a late equalizer in their 2-2 draw at Como. The Rossoblu, who will make their Champions League debut against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, have yet to secure a win this season.

AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani has emphatically denied rumors linking star winger Rafael Leao with a move to Barcelona. Furlani stated that there is "zero possibility" of Leao leaving the Rossoneri, despite reports in Spain suggesting otherwise.Leao, 25, is one of Milan's most prized assets and has been a key figure in their recent resurgence. His contract runs until 2028, and Furlani is confident that he will remain at the club for the foreseeable future."There is zero possibility that Leao will leave Milan," Furlani told reporters. "He is a fundamental player for us, and we are counting on him for the future."When asked if Leao could potentially submit a transfer request, Furlani responded with certainty: "I am sure that he will not. He is happy at Milan, and he wants to continue his career here."Leao's impressive performances have attracted the attention of several top clubs, including Barcelona. However, Milan is determined to keep hold of their star player and is not willing to entertain any offers.The Portuguese winger has been a revelation since joining Milan in 2019. He has scored 34 goals in 125 appearances for the club and has played a pivotal role in their recent successes, including winning the Serie A title last season.Milan began their Serie A campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Torino last weekend. They will face newly promoted Parma on Saturday evening as they look to secure their first win of the season.

AC Milan and Arsenal Triumph in Pre-Season FriendliesIn a series of pre-season tune-ups, European football giants AC Milan and Arsenal emerged victorious in their respective matches against Manchester City and Manchester United.AC Milan vs. Manchester CityAt Yankee Stadium in New York, AC Milan overcame English Premier League champions Manchester City 3-2. Lorenzo Colombo's first-half brace gave Milan an early lead, but Erling Haaland's goal for City brought them level. Marco Nasti's 78th-minute strike proved to be the game-winner for the Italian side.Arsenal vs. Manchester UnitedAt SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Arsenal defeated Manchester United 2-1. Rasmus Hojlund opened the scoring for United, but Gabriel Jesus equalized for Arsenal. Gabriel Martinelli's 81st-minute goal sealed the victory for the Gunners.Celtic vs. ChelseaIn a dominant performance, Celtic thrashed Chelsea 4-1 at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Kyogo Furuhashi and Matt O'Riley scored first-half goals, while Luis Palma and Michael Johnston added to the tally in the second half. Christopher Nkunku's late penalty kick prevented a shutout for Chelsea.Key Details:* AC Milan's victory over Manchester City was their second consecutive win in the United States.* Arsenal's triumph over Manchester United extended their unbeaten streak in pre-season to three matches.* Celtic's victory over Chelsea was their second consecutive win over a Premier League side in pre-season.* Several European teams are using pre-season matches in the United States to prepare for the upcoming league campaigns.

Olivier Giroud, the veteran French striker, bid farewell to AC Milan in a thrilling 5-2 defeat to AS Roma in a post-season friendly in Perth. The match, played in front of a packed Optus Stadium, marked Giroud's departure from Europe, where he has enjoyed a successful career in France, England, and Italy.Giroud, who will join Los Angeles FC next season, is France's all-time leading goalscorer with 57 goals in 131 appearances. He will have the opportunity to add to his tally at the Euros later this month before retiring from international football.Despite the defeat, Giroud's performance was overshadowed by the high-octane contest between the two teams. Roma took the lead through Tommaso Baldanzi in the 27th minute, but Theo Hernandez equalized for Milan just ten minutes later. Tammy Abraham restored Roma's lead before halftime, and the second half saw a flurry of goals from Angelino, Noah Okafor, Paulo Dybala, and Sardar Azmoun.Giroud, who won the Champions League with Chelsea and the Serie A title with Milan in 2021-2022, struggled to make an impact against Roma's determined defense. He was substituted at halftime, leaving the pitch to a standing ovation from the crowd."I learned so much from him. He is such a legend," said Swiss striker Noah Okafor, who replaced Giroud at halftime. "Big respect that he can perform at that age. I'm going to miss him....just going to enjoy these last hours together."Giroud's departure marks the end of an era for AC Milan, who will now look to rebuild their squad for the upcoming season. The Frenchman's experience and leadership will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of Milan fans.

Kylian Mbappé, the French football sensation, has expressed his desire to play for AC Milan, a club he has admired since childhood. While a move to Real Madrid remains the most likely destination for the 25-year-old, Mbappé's revelation has sparked excitement among Milan fans.Mbappé's admiration for Milan stems from his childhood, when he was an avid supporter of the Italian giants. "As a kid, I was a big fan of AC Milan and I always watch Serie A, every Milan game. All my family, massive Milan fan," he said.Despite Milan's recent struggles in Serie A, Mbappé remains open to the possibility of playing for the club in the future. "Italian football? You never know what happens," he told Sky. "I was always saying: if I will go to Italy one day, I will go to Milan."Mbappé's departure from Paris Saint-Germain is imminent, with his contract expiring at the end of the season. The French forward has enjoyed a remarkable spell at PSG, becoming their all-time top scorer with 26 goals. He has also won multiple Ligue 1 titles and the league cup.While Real Madrid is the frontrunner to sign Mbappé, Milan's history and tradition could prove to be a tempting proposition for the player. The Italian club has a rich history of success, having won seven European Cups and 19 Serie A titles.Mbappé's potential move to Milan would be a major coup for the club, which has been struggling to regain its former glory. The arrival of a world-class player like Mbappé could help Milan challenge for major trophies once again.

Olivier Giroud bid farewell to AC Milan with a poignant goal in their thrilling 3-3 draw against Salernitana on Saturday. The match marked the final appearance for both Giroud and coach Stefano Pioli, who guided Milan to the 2022 Serie A title.Giroud, who will join Los Angeles FC after Euro 2024, opened the scoring for Milan in the 27th minute. The veteran striker, who scored 49 goals in three seasons with the Rossoneri, was visibly emotional after netting his 17th goal of the campaign.Milan fans paid tribute to Giroud, chanting his name and holding up banners in his honor. The Frenchman, who played a pivotal role in Milan's Scudetto triumph, was substituted with five minutes remaining, prompting a standing ovation from the San Siro crowd.Pioli, who took over Milan in 2019, was also given a warm send-off by fans and players. The Italian coach, who led Milan to the Champions League semi-finals last season, was hoisted on the shoulders of his players at the end of the match."We won and lost together, shared joy and pain together," said Pioli. "You lit a fire in my heart that will not be extinguished. I won't forget you."Milan announced on Friday that Pioli would be leaving at the end of the season. He is reportedly set to be replaced by Lille coach Paulo Fonseca.In other Serie A action, Juventus secured a 2-0 victory over Monza to finish third in the standings. Goals from Federico Chiesa and Alex Sandro in the first half were enough for Juve to end their season on a positive note.Thiago Motta is expected to be appointed as the next Juventus coach after he decided not to renew his contract at Bologna. The former Italy midfielder guided Bologna to a respectable 12th-place finish in Serie A this season.

AC Milan and Juventus played out a disappointing 0-0 draw in Serie A on Saturday, extending their recent struggles. The result leaves Juventus looking over their shoulders in the race for Champions League qualification, while Milan's hopes of a top-four finish are fading.Juventus, who have won just two of their last 13 league matches, were the more dominant side in Turin but failed to find a breakthrough. Milan, depleted by injuries and suspensions, defended resolutely and had their chances on the counterattack.The Bianconeri had the best chance of the first half when Dušan Vlahović's free kick was brilliantly saved by Marco Sportiello. Sportiello was again in inspired form after the break, making a double save to deny Filip Kostić and Danilo.Milan also had their moments, with Rafael Leão and Olivier Giroud both going close. However, the Rossoneri were unable to find the winning goal and had to settle for a point.The draw leaves Juventus third in the table, 11 points above Atalanta but with two games in hand. Milan remain fifth, five points behind Juventus. The top five teams in Serie A qualify for next season's Champions League.In other Serie A action, Lazio moved into sixth place with a 1-0 win over Hellas Verona. Mattia Zaccagni scored the only goal of the game in the 72nd minute.Lecce took another step towards safety with a 1-1 draw at home to Monza. Nikola Krstović thought he had won it for Lecce in stoppage time, but Matteo Pessina equalized from the spot after a handball by Lorenzo Venuti.