Football

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.

Juventus and Atalanta kicked off their Serie A campaigns with emphatic victories, showcasing their attacking prowess and tactical adaptability.Juventus, under the guidance of new manager Thiago Motta, cruised to a 3-0 triumph over promoted Como. Samuel Mbangula, Timothy Weah, and Andrea Cambiaso found the net for the Turin giants, who dominated the match from start to finish. Despite hitting the woodwork twice, Dusan Vlahovic was denied a goal due to an offside call.Motta's Juve displayed a more fluid and attacking style of play compared to their previous regime under Massimiliano Allegri. The team created numerous chances and controlled possession throughout the match.Meanwhile, Atalanta, despite facing transfer turmoil and injuries, made a resounding statement with a 4-0 thrashing of Lecce. New signings Marco Brescianini and Mateo Retegui made their mark, scoring two goals each. Brescianini opened the scoring with a rebound, while Retegui netted a bullet header and converted a penalty.Brescianini, a local product from Bergamo, expressed his delight at his impressive debut. Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini acknowledged the challenges posed by injuries and transfer requests but remained optimistic about building a strong team.Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi hinted at the possibility of reconciliation with Teun Koopmeiners and Ademola Lookman, who have been linked with moves away from the club.Both Juventus and Atalanta have set the tone for their respective seasons with impressive performances. Juventus will look to continue their winning ways when they face Sampdoria next, while Atalanta will aim to maintain their momentum against Monza.

The conclusion of the Olympics marks the commencement of the highly anticipated football league season. La Liga kicked off on Thursday, followed by the Premier League and Ligue 1 on Friday, Serie A on Saturday, and Bundesliga the following weekend. These five leagues represent the pinnacle of global football, boasting the most competitive and widely watched matches.The Premier League has consistently dominated international competitions, with 136 players representing the league in the last World Cup, 96 in Euro 2024, and 41 in the Copa America. Opta Power Rankings places the Premier League at the top of its list of the world's best 30 leagues.Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League has raised concerns about the league's competitiveness. However, the club's narrow victories in recent seasons suggest that the title race remains unpredictable. City's manager, Pep Guardiola, remains confident in his team's ability to break records and maintain their winning streak.Arsenal, who finished second last season, has strengthened its defense and hopes to end its 21-year title drought. Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, faces the challenge of replacing Jürgen Klopp's legacy. The club has retained its core players and hopes to regain its former glory.Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, aims to challenge for the championship once again. The club has invested heavily in its squad but may need to sell players to balance its books. Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, has signed several players from the manager's former club, Ajax. Despite a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, the club remains optimistic about its prospects.Aston Villa serves as an inspiration for Manchester United, having risen from 17th place in 2019-20 to a top-10 finish last season. Manager Unai Emery has signed key players and hopes to lead the club back to European competition.

Juventus and Massimiliano Allegri have parted ways by mutual agreement, ending the Italian's second spell as manager of the Turin giants. The decision comes two weeks after Allegri was sacked following an outburst during the Italian Cup final victory over Atalanta.Allegri, 56, had been in charge of Juventus since 2021, having previously managed the club from 2014 to 2019. During his two spells, he guided the Bianconeri to 12 trophies, including five Serie A titles and four Italian Cups.However, Allegri's second stint at Juventus was marred by inconsistency and a lack of success in Europe. The team finished third in Serie A this season, 23 points behind champions Inter Milan, and were eliminated from the Champions League in the round of 16 by Villarreal.Allegri's behavior during the Italian Cup final, where he was sent off for ranting at match officials and dismissively waved away Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, led to an investigation by the Italian Football Federation's disciplinary authorities.The announcement of Allegri's departure opens the door for former Italy midfielder Thiago Motta to be named as the new Juventus boss. Motta guided Bologna to fifth place and Champions League qualification this season.

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.

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.

Claudio Ranieri, the legendary Italian manager, has bid farewell to Cagliari, bringing an end to a remarkable four-decade coaching career. In his final match in charge, Cagliari suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat to Fiorentina in the 13th minute of added time.Ranieri's departure marks the end of an era for Cagliari, a club he guided to Serie A in 1989 and 1990. He returned to the club last season and saved them from relegation, fulfilling a promise he made to the fans.Despite the defeat, Ranieri's legacy at Cagliari remains intact. He is revered as a father figure by the players and fans, who chanted his name and gave him a standing ovation before the match.Ranieri's decision to retire was made with a "heavy heart," as he feared tarnishing his two brilliant spells with Cagliari. However, he leaves behind a lasting impact on the club and the players he has coached."He's taught us things that are valuable not just on the pitch, but in life in general," said Gianluca Lapadula, a Cagliari striker. "If you don't fight for your teammate, the man next to you, you'll never go anywhere."Ranieri's career has been marked by both triumphs and setbacks. He famously won the Premier League with Leicester City in 2016, but he has also experienced relegation and managerial dismissals.Despite the ups and downs, Ranieri remains a beloved figure in the world of football. He is known for his warmth, his tactical acumen, and his ability to inspire his players.As Ranieri steps away from club management, he leaves behind a legacy of success and a reputation as one of the most respected and admired figures in the game.

In a thrilling encounter that could potentially shape Thiago Motta's future, his Bologna side surged ahead against Juventus but ultimately succumbed to a dramatic 3-3 draw on Monday.Motta, whose contract with Bologna expires at the end of the season, has been linked with a move to Juventus following Massimiliano Allegri's dismissal. His team, a revelation this season, has already secured Champions League qualification and currently sits third in the Serie A standings.Juventus, playing their first match since Allegri's departure, started sluggishly. Bologna capitalized on their lethargy, with Riccardo Calafiori and Santiago Castro scoring within the first 11 minutes. Jens Odgaard's goal was ruled offside, but Bologna continued to dominate.After a halftime pep talk from interim coach Paolo Montero, Juventus emerged with renewed vigor. Castro's error in midfield allowed Federico Chiesa to pull one back for the visitors. Substitute Arkadiusz Milik equalized with a deflected free kick, and Kenan Yildiz completed the comeback just a minute later.Montero celebrated wildly on the touchline, while Motta's Bologna imploded in the closing stages. The draw preserved Bologna's third-place position, but it also raised questions about Motta's ability to handle the pressure of a top club like Juventus.Motta has remained coy about his future, stating that he has not made any decisions or signed any contracts. However, the speculation surrounding his potential move to Juventus is likely to intensify following this rollercoaster match.

Inter Milan's Serie A title celebration was dampened by a 1-1 draw against Lazio at the San Siro on Sunday, as the champions prepare to lift the trophy amidst financial uncertainty.Inter's title triumph was sealed weeks ago, but the trophy ceremony will take place against an uneasy backdrop. The club faces a major debt deadline of around 395 million euros ($429 million) to US fund Oaktree, which must be repaid by Tuesday. If Inter fails to meet this obligation, Oaktree could take control of the club, similar to how AC Milan was acquired by Elliott Management in 2016.Inter's sporting CEO Giuseppe Marotta expressed optimism before the match, stating that the club was in a "solid" position. However, a banner in the stands read "Thanks Steven," referring to president Steven Zhang, suggesting that fans have doubts about Suning's future as owners.On the pitch, Inter struggled to find their rhythm against a determined Lazio side. Daichi Kamada gave Lazio the lead in the 32nd minute, and Inter failed to respond until Denzel Dumfries equalized in the 87th minute.The result was inconsequential for Inter's title hopes, but it highlighted the financial challenges facing the club. Inter has won seven trophies, including two Serie A titles, and reached two European finals since Suning acquired the club in 2016. However, the club's future is now uncertain as it grapples with its debt obligations.In other Serie A action, Sassuolo's 11-year stay in the top flight came to an end after a 2-0 defeat to Cagliari. Udinese snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw with Empoli in the 14th minute of stoppage time, securing their Serie A status.