Milan try to keep title push afloat as Inter host Genoa

AC Milan take their title push to Rome on Sunday looking to keep touch with leaders Inter in a top-four clash which could boost champions Juventus’s hopes of a 10th consecutive crown.

Stefano Pioli’s Milan are coming off back-to-back defeats and trail four points behind Inter who can hammer home their advantage against 11th-placed Genoa.

Roma in fourth, five points behind Milan, were held to a goalless draw last time out against Benevento.

Both Roma and Milan drew 3-3 in the reverse fixture.

It’s a clash between a Roma side who have collected the most league points at home this season with 30, and a Milan team that boasts the best away record – picking up 28 points on their travels.

“It will be a very important match against a great team that is doing well,” said Roma coach Paulo Fonseca.

The two teams advanced to the Europa League last 16 on Thursday, Roma easing past Portuguese side Braga 5-1 on aggregate, with Milan beating Red Star

Belgrade on away goals after their tie finished 3-3.

Milan have stuttered in the new year, as they juggle league and Europa League commitments, and desperately want to avoid losing a fifth top-flight match in the first two months.

Inter host a resurgent Genoa, who have powered back into mid-table with a run of seven games without defeat under new coach Davide Ballardini.

Antonio Conte’s side are without any European football and have won four games in a row as they target a first league title since 2010.

In third, Juventus — eight points off top spot with a game in hand — face a tricky task at ninth-placed Hellas Verona.

Cristiano Ronaldo has rediscovered his form, scoring three goals in as many games league appearances after failing to find the net in the previous three.

Napoli and coach Gennaro Gattuso are under increasing pressure with three defeats in their last five league games, and elimination from the Europa League.

LONDON: Premier League champions Liverpool said on Thursday they were “deeply saddened” by the death of goalkeeper Alisson Becker’s father in Brazil.

It is understood 57-year-old Jose Agostinho Becker drowned after going for a swim on his property in Lavras do Sul on Wednesday.

Liverpool tweeted a picture of their goalkeeper accompanied by the title of the club’s anthem — “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

“Liverpool FC is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Alisson Becker’s father, Jose, in Brazil on Wednesday,” said a statement from the club.

“The thoughts of everybody at the club are with Alisson and the Becker family at this incredibly sad and difficult time.”

Alisson’s team-mates Adrian and Virgil van Dijk both took to Instagram to express their support.

David de Gea, goalkeeper with arch-rivals Manchester United, posted a picture on Twitter of the two of them embracing after a game with the words: “We are all with you.”

Brazilian club Fluminense, where Alisson’s brother Muriel currently plays, said on Twitter: “Fluminense Football Club deeply regret the passing of Jose Agostinho Becker, father of goalkeepers Muriel and Alisson. We wish all strength to his friends and family.”

Liverpool’s next match is away to Sheffield United on Sunday.

hallowed Merdeka Stadium, which evokes the glory days of Selangor football, is not in the Red Giants’ plans for the new MLeague season.

With Selangor FC’s home, the Shah Alam Stadium closed for repairs until 2022, there have been speculations Merdeka Stadium could be utilised by the team.

Earlier this month, during the home kit launch for the new season, there were talks that the 33time Malaysia Cup champions had plans to make a return to their former iconic home ground.

The Merdeka Stadium, which was Selangor’s home for 38 years (from 1957), is reported to be in the process of restoration.

Selangor FC chief executive officer Dr Johan Kamal Hamidon, however, dismissed the speculation.

“So far, we have nothing to do with the Merdeka Stadium but we did find out that someone got the rights to manage the stadium.

“We haven’t had any discussions with any parties about moving (to Merdeka Stadium)... nothing about that at the moment.”

And even if the 64-year-old Merdeka Stadium were to be fit for professional competitions, its grass pitch needs to be changed, apart from repairs to changing rooms, stands and other facilities.

Selangor FC’s Klang Valley cousins, Kuala Lumpur United FC, are said to be happy with where they are now — the KL Football Stadium in Cheras — and have no plans of moving to Merdeka Stadium.

For this year, Selangor FC are expected to “borrow” the home of PJ City FC — the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya.