The Italy international was devastated by the news that his friend had passed away at just 31 but he believes he is now in a better place Ahead of kick-off at San Siro on Thursday night, Leonardo Bonucci will put on his usual playlist, which always ends with the song ‘Faded‘ by Alan Walker.  The repeated refrain ‘Where are you now?’ will resonate with Bonucci even more than usual, with the AC Milan captain having been left in a state of shock by the sudden death of his Italy team-mate and good friend Davide Astori on Sunday. He remembered how many laughs they had shared together, how often ‘Grande Asto’…

Ibrahimovic leaves the club with the feeling of a job half done, but he has played his part in turning them around COMMENT “I came like a king, left like a legend,” said Zlatan Ibrahimovic when parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain last summer. He leaves Manchester United with his status as one of the great figures of the modern era bolstered, but his career record at Old Trafford is destined to carry an asterisk forever more. United confirmed on Friday through the publication of their official player retention list that Ibrahimovic has not been offered an extension to his initial one-year contract. The decision comes after the Swede sustained a…

The Gunners boss used a rather odd “naked” analogy to explain his struggles following a defeat at Brighton, but saw his side hit back at AC Milan Arsene Wenger has “got his trousers back on again”, says former defender Martin Keown, with Arsenal offering the perfect response to their critics against AC Milan. The Gunners, and their under-fire manager in particular, had faced plenty of uncomfortable questions on the back of four successive defeats which threatened to undermine their season. With the Carabao Cup surrendered in timid fashion against Manchester City, the FA Cup exited at the hands of Nottingham Forest and costly defeats in the Premier League leading to…

The pressure is building on Arsene Wenger, who will see the Europa League as a viable path into next season’s Champions League Arsenal return to European action on Thursday when they take on Swedish side Ostersunds in the Europa League last 32. The competition has taken on greater significance for the Gunners as the season has progressed and their routes to continental football begin to dwindle. Indeed, with a top-four Premier League finish far from guaranteed, the Europa League is arguably Arsenal’s best chance of ensuring their place in next season’s Champions League. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game…

The French side Marseille are investigating what triggered the defender to lash out at a fan before the club’s Europa League fixture Marseille have launched an internal investigation after full-back Patrice Evra was dramatically red carded before kick-off for appearing to kick a club supporter on Thursday. Rudi Garcia’s Marseille suffered a 1-0 loss at Vitoria Guimaraes in the Europa League but the result was overshadowed by a pre-match altercation between veteran Evra and some fans in Portugal amid growing tension. Former Manchester United defender Evra – under pressure for his form and performances this season – became the first player to be sent off before kick-off in a Europa…

The midfielder was full of praise for team-mate, who was in the thick of the action keeping Sporting CP at bay in the Europa League Koke said he would give Jan Oblak a blank cheque to ensure he remains at Atletico Madrid after lauding the goalkeeper’s performance in the Europa League. La Liga outfit Atletico reached the semi-finals 2-1 on aggregate, despite Thursday’s 1-0 loss at Sporting CP in Lisbon. Oblak was in the thick of the action, producing a world-class save to stop Sebastian Coates and denied Bryan Ruiz twice, though he was at fault for Fredy Montero’s winner. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi…

The Gunners have taken the opportunity to rotate in continental competition this season, but their record signing wants to challenge for the crown Alexandre Lacazette is determined to add a silver lining to his debut season at Arsenal, with his sights set on Europa League glory. The Gunners broke their transfer record to land the France striker from Lyon over the summer, with his prolific strike rate having interested Arsene Wenger for some time. He was acquired to help lead another trophy quest in north London, with the 2017-18 campaign opened with a Community Shield victory over Chelsea. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have…

The Hoffenheim boss said his remarks about one day coaching Bayern Munich “had no current reference” Julian Nagelsmann has moved to distance himself from comments he made about managing Bayern Munich in the future, saying the remarks “had no current reference”. The Hoffenheim coach prompted speculation that he could succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the Allianz Arena by telling Eurosport that his family were moving to Munich and that the city is important to him. However, speaking ahead of Hoffenheim’s Europa League clash with Braga, he made it clear that he was not seeking to undermine Ancelotti. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played…

Click:cnc turning In a trying week for the city of Manchester, it was Paul Pogba and Henrikh Mkhitaryan who gave United fans something to smile about COMMENT In the most painful of weeks for their city, Manchester United provided a fitting tribute on Wednesday by winning the Europa League with one of their most clinical performances of the season. The 2-0 win over Ajax came less than 48 hours after the terrorist attack which claimed 22 lives at the Manchester Arena, but United’s players deserve all the plaudits that come their way for their response in the face of adversity. Ivanka Trump makes big gaffe in Rome Editors' Picks Juve…

The German outfit are preparing to play host to the Gunners and have attempted to get their supporters in the mood with a list of light-hearted rules Cologne have attempted to get their supporters in the mood for a Europa League clash with Arsenal by laying out a set of playful ‘ground rules’. Arsenal 13/10 to beat Cologne The Gunners head into Thursday’s clash already guaranteed of a place in the last-32 of the competition. Article continues below Editors' Picks Juve on alert: Exiled Icardi may have already played his final game for Inter Sarri vindicated for dropping Kepa as Chelsea & Pedro impress in Spurs win Magnificent Mane takes…