OLD FRIENDS: LUKA MODRIC'S INFLUENCE KEY IN MILAN'S SUMMER GOALKEEPER PURSUIT OF ANDRIY LUNIN
AC Milan is intensely pursuing Real Madrid backup goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, with veteran star Luka Modric expected to play a key role in convincing his former teammate to move to Italy
Luka Modric, the old Real Madrid midfielder, is doing great in his first season in Italy. He joined Milan as a free agent after the Club World Cup. Even though he turned 40 in September, he's helped Milan compete for the title.
After scoring one goal and assisting twice this season on top of his solid play, Milan wants his help in another area.
The Italian team has its eyes on a Real Madrid player for the summer. They're hoping Modric can convince the Real Madrid star to join him in Milan. This transfer could happen because they might lose a current starting player.
Milan Wants Real Madrid Goalkeeper With Modric's Help
Reports from Tuttosport (via MilanNews) say Milan is very interested in getting Real Madrid's backup goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian played with Modric for quite some time at Madrid, and Milan thinks he can help convince Lunin to come to Italy.
There's a good chance Milan will need a new main goalkeeper next season because Mike Maignan, their current starter, might leave. The Frenchman's contract ends after this season, and it's expected he won't sign a new one.
Milan is still trying to negotiate a contract extension. But they've started making a list of possible replacements, with Lunin as their top choice.
The 26-year-old was almost transferred this past summer, as he wanted to play regularly. But he was reportedly happy in Madrid, even as Thibaut Courtois' backup. Now that Courtois has signed a new deal until 2027, Lunin might think 2026 is the right time to move on.
If Maignan leaves Milan, Lunin could become the main goalkeeper. When the Ukrainian has filled in for Courtois, he's shown he can be a consistent starter at a high level. That's why big clubs asked about him this summer.
Manchester United and Aston Villa had some talks, looking to get new goalkeepers. They probably won't be looking again unless Emi Martinez leaves Villa after this season. That means Milan might get Lunin without much competition, and with Modric's help, they could get him.
ROMA LOAN CUT SHORT: GASPERINI SAYS EVAN FERGUSON NEEDS TO IMPROVE "TECHNICALLY AND PERSONALLY."
Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini clarified he doesn't dislike Evan Ferguson but issued a clear demand: the striker must "up his game, not just technically, but also as a person."
Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini has told Evan Ferguson he needs to improve.
Gasperini clarified that he doesn't dislike the striker, who is on loan.
There have been reports that Roma might want to end their season-long deal with Albion for the Republic of Ireland international, as he hasn't made a big splash in Italy yet.
Gasperini hasn't said he wants to cut the loan short. Most sources suggest it's possible, but only if Albion agrees.
Gazzetta Dello Sport even ran a headline this week suggesting Roma had already decided.
Many fans and media jumped on this, especially since Albion striker Stefanos Tzimas just suffered a knee injury that will sideline him for months.
Gasperini has supported Ferguson, who has been dealing with his own injury.
However, he seemed to lay down the law before the Europa League game against Celtic.
At a recent press conference, the Roma boss said he had no antipathy toward Ferguson, but he seemed to imply that he wants Ferguson to step up his game.
Gasperini told reporters, “There's no dislike for the players; it's about their performances.
“Ferguson has had many chances. Do we want to be patient with him? Yes, we do.
“He needs to up his game, not just technically, but also as a person.”
While Ferguson hasn't been at his peak, he also hasn't gotten great support when he's been on the field in Serie A or the Europa League.
Gasperini seemed to acknowledge this before the Parkhead game.
He said, “We haven't scored much all year, so it's probably a structural issue for us, even though we've played well at times.
“In these last two games, we haven't been creating as many dangerous chances.
“This isn't about individual players; it's a team problem.
SUPER-SUB CHRISTIAN PULISIC BAGS TWO; MILAN'S 3-2 THRILLER KEEPS TOP SPOT
A 29-meter strike from Rabiot and a Pulisic brace secured a season-defining 3-2 victory for AC Milan, demonstrating determination in the title race.
After recovering from a fever, Christian Pulisic scored twice in AC Milan’s 3-2 victory at Torino. Adrien Rabiot chipped in, describing his own fantastic goal.
The USMNT star wasn’t even supposed to play. He had a high temperature the night before and only joined his teammates a few hours before the game.
Coming off the bench, he scored twice, helping turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 win against Torino. Rabiot added a goal from 29 meters out.
I was really sick two days ago, but I felt better today. “I’m just glad I could be here and help the team,” Pulisic told Sky Sport Italia.
I didn’t know if I could play. I felt better this morning. I’m happier about the win than my goals.
Pulisic has played less compared to past seasons because of injuries, but has scored seven goals in nine Serie A games.
It’s been a weird season, and I want to get more playing time. We’ll focus on each game and see where we stand at the end of the season.
Milan's win means they're still at the top of the table with Napoli, one point ahead of Inter, a good response to their Coppa Italia exit to Lazio.
We started badly, but we improved halfway through the first half. We knew we had to play better in the second half and be more determined. We picked up the tempo, and Christian’s substitution helped, Rabiot told Sky Sport Italia.
These are the games that can turn a season around. It shows we’re determined and focused. We need to start stronger because we can’t always expect to come back from 2-0 down.
Rabiot's goal was amazing, maybe the best of his career, and seemed to come out of nowhere.
We needed a spark, and sometimes you have to try something different. We made errors, but the important thing was our attitude and how we turned it around. Everyone who came off the bench played well, said the France international.
We’ll see what happens, but with this attitude, we can go far.
Rafael Leao left the game in the first half with a possible adductor injury in his right leg.