UEFA appoints Italian referee for Chelsea-Real Madrid clash

UEFA has appointed Daniele Orsato as the referee of the return leg of the Champions League semi-final between Chelsea and Real Madrid.

It kicks off at 20.00 GMT at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Thomas Tuchel’s side picked up a 1-1 draw away at Madrid last week.

Alessandro Giallatini and Fabiano Preti are Orsato’s assistant, while Massimiliano Irrati is in charge of VAR. Marco Guida is the VAR assistant referee, and Davide Massa is the fourth official.

Orsato was named the best referee in the world in 2020 and has overseen four Champions League games this season, including Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the last 16 stage.

The 45-year-old has never refereed Real Madrid this season.

Romelu Lukaku tells Chelsea about his future as Blues circle for former striker

Romelu Lukaku has handed Chelsea transfer setback after hinting he is not looking to leave Inter Milan.

The Blues are in the hunt for a leading marksman this summer and have turned to the Belgian who was on their books between 2011 and 2014 but unable to score in just 15 games having been signed from Anderlecht for £18million.

However, since leaving Stamford Bridge the 27-year-old has blossomed into one of Europe’s deadliest strikers and this season has scored 27 goals in 41 games for Inter.

In doing so he has helped the San Siro outfit end Juventus’s nine-year domination of Serie A and earned Inter their first league title since 2010.

Lukaku celebrated title success with fans as he took to the streets in his car, revealing his pride in playing for the Italian giants.

“I am so happy for all the Inter fans in the world, for the team, the staff, the president and everyone,’ Lukaku told Sky Sport Italia.

“It was a wonderful year for us, I am truly proud to play for Inter.

“I wanted to come out here and celebrate along with the people. I told my friend this was the best way to experience it, to be there with the fans.

“For me and many of my team-mates, this is our first league title, so it’s a moment we wanted to share with them.’

Lukaku came close to landing Inter a trophy last year, having tasted defeat in the Europa League final during his first season in Italy, where he struck 34 goals in 51 games, rebuilding his reputation following a mixed spell at Manchester United.

Asked whether this was the best season of his career, Lukaku responded by hinting he was happy to stay at Inter by targeting future success at the club.

“Last year was good too, but yes, this was the best of my career. It’s wonderful and I hope to continue like this. I want to thank everyone, I am truly so happy.”

Although Lukaku is happy to stay at Inter, the Italian club’s poor finances due to Covid mean they may be forced to offload their assets – with Chelsea ready to pounce.

Inter Milan fans celebrate as club win Serie A title after eleven years

Inter Milan have been crowned Serie A champions with four games to spare – ending Juventus’ run of nine titles in a row.

Antonio Conte’s side beat Crotone 2-0 on Saturday, with Christian Eriksen and Achraf Hakimi’s goals putting them on the edge of glory.

And second-placed Atalanta’s failure to beat Sassuolo, falling to a 1-1 draw, has sealed the title for Inter.

That is the club’s first Serie A title since 2010.

And the Nerazzurri’s supporters trooped out to celebrate their club’s feat after the match between Atalanta Sassuolo.

The Italian tactician has won his fourth Scudetto after the three conquered with Juventus.

Inter had won their last Serie A title in the 2009-10 campaign with José Mourinho in the dug-out.

The Special One is the last foreign coach to have won the Serie A title and the only one different from Conte, Massimiliano Allegri and Maurizio Sarri to have claimed the Scudetto in the last 11 years.

Gareth Bale aims dig at Jose Mourinho after scoring hat-trick for Tottenham

Spurs’ hat-trick hero Gareth Bale has taken a dig at sacked Jose Mourinho, by revealing that his side are now finally trying to play ‘the Tottenham way’.

Tottenham defeated Sheffield United 4-0 on Sunday at White Hart Lane on Sunday, with the Wales international scoring three time and Son Heung-min added a superb fourth.

The Welshman said: “The fact that we’re more on the front foot.

“We’ve been working on that now for the last few weeks.

“It’s obviously not going to happen overnight but I feel we’re taking a step in the right direction and we’re playing football the Tottenham way.”

He added that: “It was a great performance from the first whistle.

“We got the ball, got control of it and played some good football.

“Nice to get a hat-trick but more importantly three points for the team, and we move on to the next one.

“I just needed to get a run of games, and I’m doing that now. I’m happy, and when I’m happy I normally play well.”