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The Rapids have removed 21-year-old Brazilian midfielder Max Alvas from all team activities.

After a night when Internazionale could excitedly imagine a stage that recently seemed unattainable, it is worth considering an alternative future. This could easily have been a Super League game, since both Milan clubs signed up to the ill-fated project. If it was, would it have been anything like the stirring sensory overload that this was? That is something that is simply impossible to imagine. The fans would have of course tried to enliven a relatively sterile round-robin match with the same choreography, but it just couldn’t have had the same emotion, the same force. That is because this precious occasion was so much more than a Milan derby, even as that was what made it unique. It was a consequence of seven decades of history and mystique, much of that when these two clubs have been regular European champions, all of that feeling more acute since neither looked like rising to that level for such a long time. There was almost a contradiction, since it was their very scarcity that made this such a spectacle. It is also cause for consideration. The story of the last 15 years of European football, but one that really stretches back further, is that of Western capitalism and wider political interests looking at occasions like this and deciding they wanted it for their own ends. That story has led to the profound distortion of the game, in a manner that is without precedent in that long history. The two Milan clubs have been victims of this and examples of it. They have not been able to keep financial pace with grander projects elsewhere, which directly resulted in their old industrialist moguls selling up. This has then seen them picked up and picked off by newer models. There remain so many questions about Inter Milan’s ownership. AC Milan’s have meanwhile been extreme modern examples of that very Western capitalism. All of this was supposed to put them outside the game’s new and increasingly calcified elite. And yet the two clubs and their wider communities came together to offer an occasion that so many of these interests are desperate to recreate and capitalise from, but that actually can’t be bought. It is something that will always be separate from such interests, because it can only come organically, and from a shared history and identity. On a more basic level, it’s one reason the Super League plan is flawed. The idea was to recreate these fixtures every week but they can only rise to such levels as a season builds to something, with the inherent peril of elimination infusing it all with something greater. That also raises another point. For all that more and more money is flowing into the game, which the Champions League has done the primary job of generating, the sport doesn’t need these external interests. It is capable of producing this all on its own, as the self-contained cultural pursuit that it should be. Even more pointedly, would football be any lesser if it was 10 percent financially smaller? The players may not be paid the same level but that alone would mean financial gaps are shorter, and allow more clubs to compete. A Milan derby in a Champions League semi-final would be just as precious but for the opposite reason, which should bring more optimism. It wouldn’t be because the same handful of clubs always reach the semi-final. It would be because, like most of European history, a far wider field of clubs would be able to get this far. That is far better for football. If all of this seems complex discussion from such a compelling occasion, it is only because that occasion itself had a purity that is increasingly rare. It was to be savoured. It was also a throwback in another sense. In a modern game of tactical models where system trumps all - of which Milan are another clear example - Inter are like a side from 20 years ago. They are a canny group of individuals, fashioned to whatever force is required for any specific game. That was the winning of this first leg. Inter’s individuals rose to it in an approach cut for the game. It should be stressed this is one reason they have become a cup team and Simone Inzaghi has become known as a cup manager, where they have not really been able to recreate their 2020-21 title victory. This is why clubs like Milan go for that system model, after all. It is more productive over the longer term, representing something of an “algorithmisation” of football. The model was validated last year as the Rossoneri succeeded their bitter rivals to claim the Scudetto under Stefano Piolo. It was just that Inter’s approach played into what a stirring occasion this was. So many of their team - from Lauturo Martinez to Edin Dzeko to the brilliant Federico Dimarco - played to the occasion in the best way possible. If they do complete the job, and get to the final, there is probably more of a danger for Real Madrid and Manchester City than most anticipate. That is for more than just being able to rise to such an occasion, which Inzaghi has been so good at firing. It is also that they have a serious team, that of course came together under Antonio Conte in that title win two seasons ago. There is probably more higher quality than Milan, from Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni at the back through Dimarco and Nicola Barella in midfield, with Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku up front. The Belgian, on loan from Chelsea, was actually back to looking a level above when he came on. Many will fairly point to the presence of such Premier League veterans as one key reason why they are a level below the elite, especially when the rest of the team is made up of more makeshift options like former Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian. But the point is the inherent quality that can come together on any given occasion, and particularly an occasion like a Champions League final. That’s if they get there, of course. It remains possible that Milan’s process will produce over the longer-term course of two games. They probably should have at least had a goal in a dominant second half. They just lacked that greater quality up front. They lacked the brilliance of Rafael Leao. His return could yet bring a roaring comeback. We could well have an occasion that matches this. That is something all too easy to imagine, and gloriously exciting. Read More Milan derby creates thrilling sensory overload that shows how football should be False 9? Edin Dzeko shows the value of an old-fashioned centre-forward The Milan derby crowns Serie A’s return - here is why it means so much more Emery warns Tottenham that top four spot harder to achieve than ever Learning how much Wolves have to spend in summer is ‘key’ for Julen Lopetegui Milan derby creates thrilling sensory overload that shows how football should be

BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 Legends Stage results live and up-to-date at the final CS:GO Major.

We here at FanSided are joining the MLB prospect rankings wagon as we are issuing our first ever FanSided 15.In the world of baseball, there's a plethora of MLB prospect lists available online, providing fans and experts with valuable insight into the up-and-coming talent set to make an imp...

Real Madrid have been handed an injury boost ahead of next Wednesday's Champions League semi-final second leg with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

After losing a key starter to Tommy John surgery, the Houston Astros may have to look at the trade market to fill a sizeable gap in their rotation.A few days after being placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow discomfort, the Astros and starting pitcher Luis Garcia were met with the news that he ...

Leeds boss Sam Allardyce believes his side can take a giant leap towards Premier League safety with victory against Newcastle in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off. Allardyce, appointed by Leeds eight days ago in a last-ditch bid to retain top-flight status, takes charge of his first match at Elland Road for the club, who sit second bottom and two points from safety with three games to go. The former England manager said: “The biggest thing that can happen is not lose. If we got three points I’d be 40 or 50 per cent thinking we could stay safe. “We still have to win some games. We won’t stay up on 30 points. If we get nine points we’ll stay up, if we get six we might stay up. I want to be still in it when we play Tottenham (on the final day).” Allardyce was sacked by Newcastle in early 2008 after just eight months in charge, but insisted that would not give him extra motivation to deal their top-four hopes a blow. “It’s a long time ago,” the 68-year-old said. “Was I disappointed? Yes. What did it do to my career? Massive knock-back. “But I always recover and move on. It was an opportunity, but in the end I couldn’t avoid a change of ownership that was unexpected.” Mike Ashley had taken control of Newcastle from Freddy Shepherd six months earlier and Allardyce added: “It was a blow to my career at that time because I wanted to take Newcastle as far as I could, like they’re doing now.” Newcastle lost 2-0 to Arsenal last week, but have won eight of their last 10 league games to stay on course for Champions League football next season. Allardyce said the Magpies’ transformation this term under manager Eddie Howe was not just down to the mega-riches provided by current Saudi owners, the Public Investment Fund. “If it doesn’t all come together, your relationship with the owners and the recruitment and the whole building of a football club is imperative to your success,” Allardyce said. “If you get the right players, as they have done…I think what they have done is they’ve not got sucked into the usual hell-for-leather spend, spend, spend like Chelsea. “The way they have spent, slowly but surely, position by position, not over-extending the price that they pay and refusing to pay the inflated price that everybody thinks they’re going to get because they’ve got a mega-rich owner, they’ve resisted all that and now they’ve had the benefit.” Allardyce, who has three games left to keep Leeds in the top flight for a fourth season, was pleased with their “fight and determination” in his first match in charge, which ended in a 2-1 defeat at Manchester City. After Newcastle’s visit they play West Ham away and then host Tottenham in their last match. Allardyce added: “It won’t be over if we lose (on Saturday), but to give ourselves the best chance we have to try and at least get a point on the board.” Allardyce, still without injured skipper Liam Cooper, does not expect USA captain Tyler Adams to feature again this season after he had hamstring surgery in March. Read More Sam Allardyce as good as Pep Guardiola? Man City show they are separated by a gulf Man City vs Leeds LIVE: Premier League latest updates Sam Allardyce labelled ‘deluded’ after Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp comparison Sam Allardyce returns and Liverpool on a charge – Premier League talking points Sam Allardyce asks Leeds for season’s best at the back to keep out Man City Former boss Javi Gracia has no bitterness towards Leeds despite sacking

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has told Tottenham that qualifying for the Champions League is far tougher than it was before. Villa host Spurs on Saturday with the two sides still in the hunt for European football next season, but with hopes of claiming a top-four Premier League place all but over for both. Tottenham – Champions League finalists in 2019 who reached the round of 16 this season – are sixth, six points behind fourth-placed Manchester United having played a game more. Eighth-placed Villa’s late bid to break into the top four was ended by successive 1-0 away defeats to United and Wolves over the last fortnight. “Their expectation in the beginning was to be in the top four,” ex-Arsenal boss Emery said of his former North London neighbours. “It’s now more difficult than it was five to 10 years ago. There are now seven teams trying to be in the top four. “Maybe Aston Villa now as well. It’s more difficult.” Tottenham’s search for a first trophy since League Cup success in 2008 has seen them turn to Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte since Mauricio Pochettino’s departure in November 2019. Neither Mourinho nor Conte, both perennial winners, could sprinkle their stardust on Spurs and caretaker boss Ryan Mason now has the task of trying to secure European football next season. Mason’s three matches in charge so far have produced a win, a draw and a defeat, with the latest game being a 1-0 home victory over Crystal Palace. Emery said: “Tottenham have had some problems in the last month but they have very good players. “The last match they played against Palace they kept good balance tactically and they have very powerful players in the transition, being strong defensively. “They have very good players who can make different tactical decisions. “The last matches against them at home here, (Villa) have struggled and it’s now a challenge to get a good performance at home. “We have to believe in our players, in our tactical way we are progressing. That is the match on Saturday. “To play a great match, spirit and playing and trying to get at them. They have a three-goal difference with us but our mind is to be very competitive and to get better.” Villa quartet Boubacar Kamara, Leon Bailey, Matty Cash and Philippe Coutinho are all available. “It’s the first time in the last month we have everybody ready to be in the squad for Saturday,” Emery said. “Only Jed Steer is out but Cash, Kamara, Bailey, Coutinho – in the last match they were in the squad but not ready 100 per cent to play. “Some players are still not ready to play 90 minutes, but they’re ready to be in the squad and ready to play.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Steve Cooper not interested in Chelsea’s problems ahead of Forest’s trip Josh Cobb shocked to be replaced by David Willey as Northamptonshire T20 captain Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson named National League manager of the season

Atlanta United star midfielder Thiago Almada has attracted plenty of interest from European clubs after his strong start to the 2023 MLS season.

The home opener for the New England Patriots will be a memorable contest as the franchise honors its greatest player and NFL GOAT, Tom Brady.He's back, folks. Tom Brady is back. For a reunion and celebration. The Hall of Famer will be honored at the Patriots' home opener this season....

Today's USMNT news includesU.S. Soccer hiring OguchiOnyewu,Ricardo Pepi being linked with Lazio and Antalyaspor rejecting a bid for Haji Wright.USMNT news: Oguchi Onyewu's new jobOguchi Onyewu has been appointed as the Vice President of Sporting at U.S. Soccer. It is a new role and he ...

Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest’s assignment at Chelsea on Saturday is not made any easier by the London club’s recent struggles. Forest head to Stamford Bridge looking for the three points that could virtually secure their Premier League status and will fancy their chances, despite their dreadful away record. Chelsea ended a nine-game winless run at Bournemouth last week, but they have not won any of their last five league home matches. Cooper says he does not take any notice of the problems Frank Lampard is enduring. “We are playing Chelsea away so that is always going to be a tough game at any time of the season, you look at the squad they have, the changes they can make, the team they can start with, they have players all over the pitch who can make a difference and we have to be ready for that,” he said. “I never pay any attention to any context around a team we play against apart from them being at their best because I always think you have to prepare for that. “That’s what we’ll be doing. We want to go there with our best intentions of getting a result we really need and want. “We have got to know what it takes from our guys to do well and try and minimise the strengths they have because there is a lot.” Forest will give Serge Aurier every chance to be fit after he limped off in Monday night’s win over Southampton with a knock. “Serge walked off and we’re doing everything we can to see if he’s available,” he said. “Maybe in a different time of the season and if Neco (Williams) was fit it might be a different situation, but we are going to give him everything we have to be available. But that might be touch and go. “(Gustavo) Scarpa is back in full training now so he won’t be far off being available. (Emmanuel) Dennis has been injured, he picked up a knock in training before Southampton and he is still not available. “Still a bit of a mixed bag, it’s definitely been worse but not something we’re paying attention to.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Josh Cobb shocked to be replaced by David Willey as Northamptonshire T20 captain Wrexham’s Phil Parkinson named National League manager of the season It was an amazing honour – Chelsea star Sam Kerr proud of role in coronation