Former Manchester United, Liverpool, Inter Milan and England midfielder Paul Ince has caused a few raised eyebrows by identifying the best player he ever played with.

The man who insisted his team-mates refer to him as The Guvnor shared the field with a number of great players throughout his career, including Eric Cantona, Alan Shearer, Paul Gascoigne and Roberto Carlos.

But in Ince‘s eyes, those legends play second fiddle…to Stig Inge Bjornebye.

Speaking about the former Liverpool and Norway left-back, he told Norwegian paper VG Sporten (via the Mirror): “Stig Inge Bjornebye. Amazing. Maybe the best I ever played with, because he had the inner drive, the ability to question himself, the ability to work hard all the time. He was not the greatest talent, but he had something that many of the others lacked: guts.”

With Ince‘s comments coming as he promoted a book in Norway, some people were unconvinced:

Hmmmm … https://t.co/3BUpT2Ntbt

— Oliver Kay (@OliverKayTimes) March 7, 2016

Speaking at a Norwegian book launch, Paul Ince said Stig Inge Bjørnebye was the best player he ever played with. http://pic.twitter.com/RryXG2pikz

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 8, 2016

Paul Ince believes that Stig Inge Bjørnebye is ‘arguably the best player I have played with’ and he wonders why he is unemployed?

— James (@jpick2012) March 8, 2016

Whatever you say, Paul.

[Twitter, h/t the Mirror]

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1TpNeZb
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

During Juventus‘ tumultuous summer transfer window, it was easy to lose track of some of the players moving in and out of the Vinovo training ground.  

A total of 11 players arrived in Turin, including a pair of midfielders on deadline day.  The first, Hernanes, has been the focus of many a fan’s ire this year after his uneven play cost the Bianconeri on several occasions.

The second, however, was more of a developmental project.  Mario Lemina turned 22 the day after Juve announced they had signed him on loan from Olympique Marseille.  The move included an option to buy the young Gabon international for €9.5 million.

A promising youngster, Lemina had been with Marseille the last three years and rapidly turned himself into one of the better young prospects in Ligue 1.  

Juve fans can be forgiven for not knowing too much about him, as circumstances beyond his control have kept him from the field for much of the season.  But regardless of the small sample size, it would behoove the Turin club to keep the youngster in the fold beyond this season.

Lemina arrived at the right time.  Juve were going through an injury crisis in midfield.  Two starters, Claudio Marchisio and Sami Khedira, were out until October with leg injuries.  Down to the likes of Simone Padoin to start in midfield, Lemina was a welcome presence.

He started his first game three weeks after his arrival and saw time in the next two, including two more starts.  It took him nearly a month after that to get his next game action, in what may have been his worst match of the year against Sassuolo.  After a three-minute Champions League cameo a week later, he was felled by a training-ground injury.

That injury kept him out of the lineup until last Wednesday, when he played his first game of 2016 as a substitute in the second leg of the Coppa Italia.

While short of game action, when he has played he’s done well for the most part.  According to WhoScored.com, he’s completed 91.7 percent of his passes for Juve this season, the third consecutive year that that number has increased.  On the defensive end, he’s averaged 2.3 tackles per game, a total that actually leads the team.

He’s also scored twice in his seven appearances, and both of those goals were both significant and well-taken.

The first came on September 26, when he was in the starting XI as a vastly underpowered Juve squad visited Napoli at the San Paolo.  Maurizio Sarri’s squad had dominated most of the game and taken a 2-0 lead through Gonzalo Higuain in the 62nd minute.  Seconds after the restart, Lemina made a smart run to the back post and slammed home a Paulo Dybala cross that had got past Roberto Pereyra.

The visitors couldn’t find an equalizer, but the consolation turned out to be massive.  As Juventus began their tear up the standings, that head-to-head win loomed large as a potential tiebreaker between them and Napoli.  Their 1-0 win over the Partenopei last month equalized that, but Lemina‘s goal ensured that the next two tiebreakers—head-to-head goal difference and head-to-head goals scored—would be equal as well.

Lemina‘s goal on Sunday against Atalanta was a thing of absolute beauty.  Coming on as a sub for the second consecutive game, the Gabonese got the ball in space in the 86th minute and edged forward.  With a sudden burst, he moved past Gabriel Paletta with a quick step-over and Rafael Toloi with a deft toe-poke before driving the ball past Marco Sportiello in goal to cement the 2-0 win and keep Juve three points up at the top.

It was a moment of quality for a player who had been in danger of getting marginalized because of his absence.  Indeed, he was probably only on the field because Stefano Sturaro was unavailable due to a toe injury.  

With Hernanes, Sturaro, Pereyra and perhaps Kwadwo Asamoah in the rotation ahead of him, Lemina needed a chance to make a statement on Sunday, and make one he did.

His work this season has produced a small portfolio so far, but there’s enough in it to say that Lemina deserves to stay in Turin.  His passing and defensive numbers are top level and have either been consistent or on the up throughout his young career.  His dribbling ability was on full display on Sunday, and if he can turn the finishing touch he’s shown this year into something consistent, the Bianconeri could have a baby Arturo Vidal on their hands.

There’s no way to overstate how important Vidal was to Juve‘s resurrection from back-to-back seventh-place finishes to four-time defending champions and European runners-up.  He was the heart and soul of the team.  He ran hard, he created chances, he was a defensive roadblock in midfield and he scored huge goals.  During his time at Juventus, he turned into the most complete player in the game.

Juve did well to fill his place when he left for Bayern Munich this summer by signing Khedira, but it’s nigh on impossible to fully replace a player like Vidal so immediately.  But if Lemina continues to develop, the Serie A champions may have a player that could at least come very close to doing so.  If Paul Pogba were to leave the team this summer, the Gabon international could be even more important.

Lemina certainly has some aspects of his game that he can iron out.  His reading of the game and feel for passing lanes definitely needs improvement—that is the only statistic of his that has actually dropped as his career has gone on.

His discipline could also use work.  He’s received three bookings in 383 Serie A minutes, and was booked against Inter Milan as well.  

In the October loss to Sassuolo it was Lemina who conceded the free kick that provided the game’s only goal—getting booked in the process—and he could have got himself sent off shortly after when he kicked the ball away after being called for another foul.

Of course, a little indiscipline was a hallmark of Vidal’s game as well.  If Lemina learns to harness his aggression, it could go a long way toward completing his development.

Even though Lemina‘s body of work is small, it should be enough to convince Juve‘s front office that keeping him around will be in the best interests of the club.  

If he gets even more game time in the next two months—Juve must decide by the last day of April in order to lock in the €9.5 million price—he could make the decision a no-brainer.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1YqsWy1
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Jose Mourinho has reportedly been in contact with Paris Saint-Germain star Zlatan Ibrahimovic over a potential move to Manchester United should the Portuguese take the manager’s job at Old Trafford in the summer.

According to French outlet Le10Sport (via Metro‘s Mark Brus), Mourinho is trying to tempt the Swedish striker to make a free transfer to United over the summer when his PSG contract expires.

The former Chelsea boss worked with Ibrahimovic when he was at Inter Milan, and the forward has previously said he regrets not playing under him for longer, per the Daily Mail‘s Rohan Banerjee. 

Mourinho would likely be a big draw for the 34-year-old when he leaves PSG this summer, and United could do with someone of his immense experience.

However, it is far from guaranteed that Mourinho will take over from Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford in the summer. Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror recently reported that Ryan Giggs will succeed the Dutchman.

It is seemingly not a choice that would impress Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones, who thinks Mourinho would be the ideal option for United, not least because he could attract big stars like Ibrahimovic:

Despite the fact that he is getting on in years, Ibrahimovic is still remarkably consistent in front of goal and has netted 23 times in Ligue 1 this season, per WhoScored.com.

A similar return for him at Old Trafford would give United a big boost, while his arrival would definitely take the strain off the likes of Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard—youngsters who have often had to carry the team this season.

Van Gaal did look to be sparking a slight revival recently when his side won four games on the bounce, but a Premier League defeat to West Bromwich Albion on Sunday was another huge blow to United’s top-four ambitions, and it remains unlikely that the former Ajax boss will still be in charge in Manchester next season.

Mourinho reportedly has another target on his radar should he get the call up to replace Van Gaal, Juventus‘ Stefano Sturaro, per Italy’s Forza Italian Footbal.

According to the Sun‘s Wally Downes Jr, Mourinho tried to sign the central midfielder as Frank Lampard‘s long-term replacement when in charge at Chelsea.

He is clearly a fan of the 22-year-old Italian, who has made 15 Serie A appearances for Juve in the current campaign, his first full season at the Old Lady, per WhoScored.com. 

Sturaro’s potentially vital recent equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League was an indication that he can handle the big occasion, per Juve’s Twitter feed:

His defensive acumen would be a big help in the middle of the park at United, while he would be a key young presence in a midfield that currently includes aging duo Bastian Schweinsteiger and Michael Carrick.

Sturaro would be an exciting addition to the squad and could work well under Mourinho, but he may not even be on United’s radar if the 53-year-old doesn’t get the manager’s job. 

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1X6VIme
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro but are set to face competition from Porto, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

According to Spanish outlet OK Diario (via the Daily Star‘s Alex Wood), the Brazilian is expected to leave the Bernabeu this summer—as he has played very little under manager Zinedine Zidane—and Porto are prepared to pay £16 million for him, which may give them the edge over Chelsea.

Since Frenchman Zidane took over from Rafael Benitez in early January, Casemiro has made just two starts for Los Blancos, per WhoScored.com.

He has the quality to be a regular first-team player at a number of other top sides and could be the answer to Chelsea’s midfield problems.

The Blues have improved significantly of late under interim boss Guus Hiddink, and Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe believes they will be playing in Europe next season:

But they still need added strength in the middle of the park, as Nemanja Matic has been very disappointing this term.

Casemiro, 24, is a combative defensive midfielder who could bring some solidity back to the Chelsea midfield while also taking the burden off Matic.

Per OK Diario‘s report, though, the fact that he was on loan to Porto last season means they are front-runners to sign Casemiro, and Chelsea may have to shell out big money if they want to snap him up.

The Blues could also reportedly move for PSG’s Edinson Cavani in the summer, as Antonio Conte is widely expected to take over at Chelsea and is eager to add greater strength to the forward line, per the Evening Standard‘s Simon Johnson.

The report said that the current Italy boss also has his sights set on Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi as Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao could all potentially leave Stamford Bridge this summer.

Cavani has long been rumoured to be unsettled at PSG, and it was recently reported that he had been offered to both Chelsea and Manchester City for £30 million, per the Sun‘s Mike McGrath.

That is quite a significant sum for a 29-year-old, but he is a consistent goalscorer and has netted 12 times in 25 Ligue 1 appearances this season, per WhoScored.

The Uruguayan would be an adequate replacement for Costa should he return to Atletico Madrid, but another top-quality addition would also be necessary to avoid an overreliance on one striker.

Elsewhere, Chelsea have reportedly joined Liverpool and Manchester City in the race to sign AC Milan attacker Giacomo Bonaventura, per Italian website Calciomercato.com.

The Serie A giants are reportedly asking for £14 million for the 26-year-old, per James Walters in the Daily Star.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1p26Q8L
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Chelsea are prepared to offer Juventus superstar Paul Pogba a huge £300,000-per-week wage to join them as they look to beat the competition to the midfielder’s signature.

Paul Hetherington of the Daily Star reported the reigning champions will battle Manchester City for the 22-year-old France international. Both teams are “confident” they can beat Barcelona and Real Madrid in the race for the £80 million-rated player as the Premier League’s new TV deal commences next term, giving English clubs increased financial power over their Spanish counterparts. 

Chelsea believe “the lure of London” could be the deciding factor for Pogba after his previous association with Manchester United as a youth team player, per Hetherington. 

Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport (h/t Independent‘s Tom Sheen) claimed Chelsea watched Pogba during Juventus’ Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Inter Milan, a 3-0 loss that saw the Old Lady advance on penalties.

Hetherington noted former Juve boss Antonio Conte is the favourite to be the next Blues coach, and his knowledge and experience with Pogba will surely aid any capture. Conte signed the player for the Turin club and developed him in the first team after his disappointing spell at United. 

United’s loss was Conte’s gain, and Pogba has quickly blossomed into one of the greatest young midfielders in world football.   

The player has featured 26 times in Serie A this season, scoring and assisting five times, according to WhoScored.com.

Here is a video displaying Pogba’s key assets: 

Chelsea also have their eye on recruiting Edinson Cavani as a direct replacement for Diego Costa, according to reports.

French media outlet Le 10 Sport (h/t James Walters of the Daily Star) claimed the striker is ready to leave Paris Saint-Germain for the Premier League, and Stamford Bridge or Old Trafford is his likely destination. The report suggests Chelsea could be prepared to swap Costa for the Uruguayan superstar, as owner Roman Abramovich is “desperate” to purchase Cavani. 

The Sun (h/t Walters) also reported the player has “his heart set” on a switch to England after three years in the French capital. 

Spanish football expert Sergi Dominguez said he is a fan of the deadly attacker:

However, the player’s father has professed a preference his son joins United if he leaves PSG for English shores, according to Israeli TV station Sport 5 (h/t Metro‘s Tom Olver).

“Edinson is suffering at PSG,” he said. “If they let him play as the No. 9 he will be happy. I would like to see him play for Real Madrid, Manchester United or Juventus.”

Costa has recovered his form after the departure of Jose Mourinho from the Bridge, and it is debatable whether Cavani is an upgrade on the Brazil-born striker. 

Cavani certainly has the bombastic style appreciated in the Premier League, and his physical play would suit Chelsea’s current tactics.

However, the installation of a new coach will once again change the face of the club as they attempt to recover from a terrible season, and Chelsea might have more pressing issues in other key positions rather than centre-forward.  

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1W0T40S
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Having somewhat fortunately squeezed past Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, Juventus travelled to Bergamo on Sunday, taking on Atalanta and confirming their grip on top spot in Serie A courtesy of a 2-0 victory.

Extra time and penalties were needed to overcome Roberto Mancini’s Nerazzurri, and the Bianconeri arrived at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia knowing closest rivals Napoli had already taken three points from Chievo on Saturday to close the gap.

Even before that, Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri had spoken to the press at his pre-match press conference, admitting an admiration for Sunday’s opponents but stressing the importance of securing another victory.

“Atalanta play good football on home soil and will make it a tricky test for us,” the coach said. “We need to maintain our lead over Napoli and a win, which is the only result available to us, would enable us to do just that.”

His players would labour throughout the game before sealing all three points. What follows is a look at the winners and losers from the game, highlighting the best and worst performances from the Serie A clash.

Begin Slideshow

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1npv4Zk
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Jose Mourinho is reportedly resigned to the fact he won’t become Manchester United manager any time soon, with Ryan Giggs said to be lined up as the club’s next boss.

According to Simon Mullock of the Sunday Mirror, the Red Devils are set to opt for their former midfielder and current assistant to Louis van Gaal instead of the Portuguese—who is said to already be aware of the choice—with the Old Trafford club concerned over Mourinho’s poor track record when it comes to developing young players.

Mullock expanded on the reported reasons as to why United will look to appoint Giggs instead of the former Chelsea man:

Powerful influences in the Old Trafford boardroom feel the Special One can’t be trusted to keep faith with the club’s long-standing philosophy of promoting homegrown talent from the Academy.

And Sunday Mirror Sport understands the former Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid boss Mourinho has resigned himself to the fact that United are sticking with a succession plan that will see [Ryan] Giggs eventually take over from Van Gaal.

As noted by Mullock, United have included a homegrown player in their squad for every game since 1937, and it’s a policy they’re seeking to continue. And for all the qualities Mourinho possesses as a manager, giving academy talents a chance in the side is not one of them. 

Kevin Palmer of ESPN FC noted that despite having some fine young footballers to call upon at Chelsea, Mourinho opted against using them:

At Old Trafford, that process is crucial. The Red Devils supporters love to see their own making it in the starting XI, something that has been evident in the lift the club has recently received following the emergence of Marcus Rashford; the striker has netted four times in his first three appearances for the club so far.

As the club’s official Twitter feed noted earlier this week, the teenager has made an immediate impact:

Mourinho may not have handed the youngster a chance. Indeed, the Chelsea academy side won the FA Youth Cup last season as well as the Europa Youth League, yet very few of the players were given opportunities in the starting XI despite the Blues’ struggles under his tutelage this term.

Giggs, as a player who took the academy route himself, would surely be willing to give these players a greater chance. Although his managerial experience is extremely minimal compared to that of Mourinho’s, if the club are looking at making a long-term appointment, in direct comparison to the Portuguese, he may well be the better option.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1RuX2v8
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Chelsea scouts have reportedly been watching the undisputed king of the transfer rumour mill, Paul Pogba, according to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, via Tom Sheen of the Independent.

The Frenchman has been linked every which way over the past few transfer windows, with the likes of Chelsea, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Manchester United all vying to break the bank to secure his services.

Sheen writes that scouts and players from Stamford Bridge were in the stands at the San Siro to watch Juventus in Coppa Italia action against Inter Milan on Wednesday, although Pogba only came on for the last five minutes of normal time in a 3-0 defeat for the Old Lady.

The former Manchester United midfielder did find the net from the spot in the penalty shootout to send his side to the final, yet his performance wasn’t exactly enough for scouts to tell the Chelsea powers-that-be to hand Juventus a blank cheque.

Still, the football world knows exactly what Pogba is about. He’s a powerful, attack-minded midfielder who has the ability to turn a game on its head in the blink of an eye. The torrential rumours may be a tad frustrating, but they prove just how highly sought after the 22-year-old is.

It’s luring him to Stamford Bridge that’s the really tricky part, though.

Chelsea reportedly tabled a bid for Pogba at the end of the 2014/15 season, yet Juventus’ astronomical valuation of the player means they came up a little short.

However, it seems the Blues have a plan up their sleeves. According to Sky Sports Football, rumours have emerged that Chelsea plan to use Nemanja Matic as bait in their bid to get Pogba to west London:

The Premier League champions would have to stump up some cash on top to give Juventus something to think about, although signing a player of Matic’s quality and getting a healthy pay day at the same time would be enough to tempt many teams.

Pogba is one of the most wanted players in football, but until you see him proudly holding another team’s shirt aloft, it’s best to think he’ll be staying put with the Serie A champions.

Elsewhere, Chelsea are reportedly in the hunt to sign Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi, per Corriere dello Sport, via Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star.

Icardi has been in sensational form for the Serie A side this term, and his lethal touch in front of goal hasn’t gone unnoticed.

However, the man himself told Inter Channel that he wants to stay in Milan and enjoy success, per Malata’s story: “I’ve had a few offers but I want to stay here and lift trophies with this club. I’m the captain and I want to achieve great things with Inter.”

Chelsea’s squad isn’t one you’d look at and say needs a complete overhaul, but the Blues desperately need more quality in depth.

Signing such quality could depend on whether or not Guus Hiddink can guide his side to Champions League football next term; and based on their current form, it’s certainly possible.

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1TgBdoJ
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Chelsea star Eden Hazard has hinted he may not be leaving the Blues during the summer transfer window.

In an interview with Chelsea TV (h/t Metro‘s Lee Thomas-Mason), the Belgian winger said he’s “happy” at Stamford Bridge, despite his rocky form in the 2015-16 campaign:

The future is always the same and that is to win trophies, next season, in two and three years.

You want to win the games, to win trophies. [To do that] you have to be ready because all the teams want to beat Chelsea.

We are ready for that. We have good players in the team and I hope we can win more trophies.

I am always happy here. Even if I play badly, I’m happy. I know this is football but I try to keep a smile on my face every time.

Per Thomas-Mason, he has been linked with moves to Real Madrid and Paris-Saint Germain, and he previously said it would be difficult to turn down a move to PSG, per Metro‘s Sean Kearns.

Last year’s PFA Player of the Year has failed to replicate his form in the 2015-16 season and has failed to score a single goal in the Premier League all season long. The Blues struggled collectively at the start of the season.

Under interim manager Guus Hiddink, Chelsea have recovered and currently find themselves in a battle for a ticket for European football next season. Hazard’s form has improved as well, although he’s still the butt of jokes on social media. BreatheSport joined in on the fun:

The 25-year-old is still one of Chelsea’s most important players, and arguably their best talent when he’s on form. The Blues are expected to fight tooth and nail to keep him in west London during the upcoming transfer window.

Fighting off the likes of PSG and Real won’t be easy, however, and Los Blancos in particular continue to be linked with the Belgian. Marca recently claimed the Spanish giants would love to bring him to the Santiago Bernabeu as a replacement for Isco and James Rodriguez, something Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws didn’t find shocking:

Real manager Zinedine Zidane has previously expressed his admiration for Hazard, and there’s every reason to believe the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner will try to move for the former Lille star next summer, per MailOnline’s Ben Grounds.

Hazard seems open to a prolonged stay with his current club, however, which gives the Blues leverage in negotiations. Unless PSG or Real are willing to pay top dollar for a player who hasn’t lived up to his lofty standards all season long, Hazard seems likely to stay with the Blues for now.

Chelsea Reportedly Scout Paul Pogba

Italian daily Corriere dello Sport (h/t Independent‘s Tom Sheen) claimed the Blues watched Juventus star Paul Pogba during Juventus‘ Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Inter Milan, a 3-0 loss that saw the Bianconeri advance to the final after a penalty shootout.

Per the report, Chelsea have been linked with the France international for a long time, while former club Manchester United and Manchester City are reportedly also interested.

The 22-year-old hardly needs an introduction. Rated at £70 million, per Sheen, Pogba is one of the best young midfielders in the world, playing a big part in Juventus‘ run to the UEFA Champions League final last season.

Here’s a look at some of his highlights:

Blessed with remarkable physical traits, technique and a killer shot from long range, Pogba is already a complete player, despite his young age. He can struggle for consistency, but that’s to be expected from a youngster tasked with carrying a midfield unit on his back at times.

Per Corriere dello Sport (h/t Daily Mirror), former Juventus manager Antonio Conte is widely expected to replace Hiddink as Chelsea manager next season, and given his personal history with Pogba, rumours linking the Frenchman with Chelsea will only increase.

ESPN FC’s David Amoyal doesn’t expect the Italian to have any effect on Pogba‘s decision to leave the Bianconeri, however:

Transfer rumours regarding Pogba have been swirling for a while, but Juventus have a fantastic reputation for keeping hold of their top talent and only selling if the buying club is willing to pay well above a player’s worth.

Pogba might leave Juventus this summer, but his departure is far from a certainty. And when he does leave, he’s more likely to move to a top club expected to win immediately, like Barcelona or Real Madrid, instead of Chelsea, who face a rebuild under their next manager and likely won’t be playing in the Champions League next season.

Follow @ReverschPass

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1nm128Z
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J

Injured Juventus star Claudio Marchisio has apologised after offending disability groups for a tweet he sent out during his side’s Coppa Italia win over Inter Milan, reports Football Italia.

The 30-year-old sat out the penalty-shootout victory and sent out a message on social media when Simone Zaza received a yellow card: “Zaza booked, they say he kicked. The commentator must be blind.”

And it’s a choice of words that has been condemned by the Rai journalists syndicate Usigrai “an offence that cannot be overlooked as a stylistic accident.”

Marchisio was forced into an apology on Facebook and will not be punished by his club.

His post reads, per Football Italia:

I’m surprised that my comment on a football play was defined as “delegitimising” the work of others. We all have the right to express our judgment on a match.

As a player I’m used to accepting comments and opinions of all sorts, from the fans as well as from the journalists.

On the other hand my faux pas, even though I was attempting a joke, on blind people, was unfortunate and wrong.

I apologise for that. The moment’s emotion overwhelmed me and this is something that should never happen.

League-leading Juventus take on Atalanta in Serie A on Sunday.

[Football Italia]

from Bleacher Report – Front Page http://ift.tt/1Y9MZRp
via IFTTT http://ift.tt/eA8V8J