Wolves: Who could Lage’s first signing be?

How Wolves go about welcoming new players to Molineux this summer will seemingly depend on who leaves the club.

Reports this week dictate that if the Old Gold want to spend big, they’ll have to sell some of their best players first.

Ruben Neves is one of the stars of this team and could be sold but there remain doubts over the future of Adama Traore too.

It’s a complex time for the Wolves board who lost Nuno Santo as a result of their proposed transfer plans this summer.

He was left unhappy with the lack of resources he was going to be given so, understandably, he took his leave.

One manager the club have been linked with is Bruno Lage. A deal has been moving forward in the last few days and it would appear that he is at the top of their shortlist.

He and his team were dubbed “spectacular” for the way they won the Portuguese top-flight with Benfica while Lage’s progressive style of management and the way he can take young players forward is admirable.

Lage could also be highly beneficial in landing one of Wolves’ long-standing targets; Carlos Vinicius.

The Benfica striker spent the campaign on loan at Tottenham where he played just nine times in the Premier League.

[snack-amp-story url= “https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-wolves-transfer-rumours-and-news-soumare-dias-dembele-marques-nuno-santo” title=”Read the latest Wolves transfer rumours and news!”]

Spurs had an option to buy the Brazilian this summer but it’s unlikely they’ll take up that opportunity.

Wolves are queuing up for his signature and could finally sign him this summer. They had a bid rejected last January and were knocked back again before he joined the Lilywhites.

It’s now thought he could cost the Midlands outfit around €25m to €30m (£21m-£26m).

If that goes through then he could form a simply magical partnership with Lage. The duo worked together at Benfica and it’s under the Portuguese manager that Vinicius thrived.

In 2019/20, the striker played 41 times with Lage at the helm, scoring 22 goals and providing a further 12 assists for his teammates.

It was a marvellous campaign for a player who seemed to love playing under the Wolves-linked head coach.

Thus, if the pair link up in the Midlands next season, they should hit the ground running. Vinicius knows how Lage works and the manager knows how to get the best from him.

With Willian Jose heading back to Real Sociedad, signing another forward certainly makes sense.

Speaking last year, Jose Gomes, his former manager at Rio Ave, said: “He’s a powerful player, and very intelligent. He is someone who always gets himself into goalscoring positions.”

That’s already an improvement on Jose who only scored one goal in the Midlands, very rarely getting himself into areas he could score from.

Vinicius and Lage is a mouth-watering combination for Jeff Shi to consider.

AND in other news, Wolves could be set for huge blow after crushing Tim Spiers reveal, fans surely gutted…

'They don't understand!' – Why Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti was left fuming following tense managers' meeting with RFEF

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti complained that referees do not understand coaches after a tense meeting at the Spanish Football Association (RFEF).

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  • Ancelotti attended meeting at RFEF offices
  • Real Madrid boss left the discussion angry
  • Coach says referees 'don't understand' coaches
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Ancelotti and his Barcelona counterpart Xavi, along with several other La Liga coaches, were present at a meeting at the RFEF's headquarters. The gathering was held to discuss refereeing and other issues in Spanish football – most notably a lack of severance pay received by coached when they're sacked.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Ancelotti has previously complained that the referees in La Liga do not show enough respect to coaches, while Xavi has reportedly proposed a joint-press conference so that managers can express their grievances.

  • WHAT CARLO ANCELOTTI SAID

    The meeting at the RFEF headquarters seems to have done very little to resolve the tension between referees, coaches and the RFEF in general, as Ancelotti voiced his anger afterwards. Asked by a journalist how the meeting went, Ancelotti said it was "a mess", adding: "They don't understand us coaches".

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    WHAT NEXT FOR ANCELOTTI?

    The Italian left RFEF's headquarters early so that he could lead Madrid's training session on Tuesday. Their next game is against Cadiz on November 26.

Jude Bellingham is the new king of El Clasico! Winners and losers as Real Madrid superstar punishes wasteful Barcelona

We've had the era of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, but it now feels like the Englishman is about to dominate the biggest fixture in football

Jude Bellingham's first Clasico appeared to be passing him by. Just like nearly every Real Madrid player around him, he was struggling to get into Saturday's game at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys. Barcelona were undeniably dominating, excellent value for a 1-0 win given to them by Ilkay Gundogan.

Worse still, it actually looked like they wanted it more. Madrid looked lethargic. They were strangely subdued. The introduction of Luka Modric certainly helped matters. But the unlikeliest of Clasico comebacks was all about Bellingham.

With 22 minutes to go, he picked up possession about 10 yards outside the Barca box and simply thumped the ball past Marc-Andre ter Stegen and into the back of the net. Then, in injury time, the Englishman struck again, showing his predatory instincts to get on the end of a Dani Carvajal cross that Modric had helped on into the six-yard box. Game over. Job done. Bellingham brilliant again.

Below, GOAL runs through all of the winners and losers from a remarkable encounter in Catalunya…

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    WINNER: Jude Bellingham

    We all knew Jude Bellingham was good. But did anyone really think he was going to be this good, this quickly?! The kid is still only 20 years of age and he's just won a Clasico almost single handedly. Make no mistake about it: Madrid were going nowhere here. They'd been second best all game, until Bellingham decided to level the game with a shot so ferocious that it bordered on violence.

    Seriously, there was real menace behind the strike, as underlined by the fact that Bellingham barely celebrated. He appeared more annoyed than anything else, almost angry that it had come to this; him having to bail out los Blancos once again.

    He wasn't done, though. In injury time, he stole into the area to win the game for Madrid with a far more straightforward finish. In doing so, he became the first Madrid player this century to score twice on his Clasico debut this century. Not even the great Cristiano Ronaldo managed such a feat.

    And that's the level of talent we're talking about here; there's simply no getting away from that fact now. Jude Bellingham is the real deal, and the new king of the Clasico.

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    LOSER: Xavi

    How he must have thought he did everything right! Barcelona are short at the moment, missing four presumptive starters, and relying on a number of backups and teenagers to pick up results in a gruelling La Liga slate. And for 65 minutes, the Barca boss made it work. His midfield was excellent, while his defensive structure held firm. Vinicius, Toni Kroos and Bellingham hardly had a sniff, and the Blaugrana were dangerous on the break.

    But it all went wrong. Madrid simply had a stronger bench and Xavi could only watch while his team were steadily outclassed. Perhaps this would have gone differently if the Barca manager could call on Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and even Jules Kounde at the back.

    Instead, a team of bit-part players and La Masia graduates were overrun by a team who simply looked like they had been here before. Xavi didn’t really get anything wrong here. Madrid were, in effect, too good. And perhaps that’s the most demoralising thing of all.

  • WINNER: Luka Modric

    Just when you think Luka Modric is done, just when you think he might not have any more left in the tank, he makes an impact like this that leaves you cursing yourself for ever doubting the great man.

    Bellingham will dominate all of the headlines after this Clasico – and rightly so as both the game-changer and the match-winner. But Modric coming on in place of Toni Kroos was an important moment in the proceedings. The Croatian maestro, as he so often does, added poise, precision and penetration to Madrid's play, which is precisely why Barca lost control of a game that they had been bossing.

    How much longer can Modric keep doing this? Who knows? He may have been the oldest player on the pitch but he also ultimately proved one of its most influential – and on his 500th appearance for Madrid. All we can say for sure is that we'll probably never see a player like Luka Modric ever again.

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    LOSER: Ferran Torres

    The striker has been a steady backup this year. He is certainly lacking in some areas, but it is hard to complain about his three La Liga goals and constant effort. Still, his biggest fault is that he is simply nowhere near as good as the guy he was charged with replacing.

    And with Lewandowski unable to start, still recovering from an ankle injury, Ferran had to be perfect. Instead, he returned to his old erratic self. Ferran rushed things far too often, and didn’t connect with the midfield effectively enough. Indeed, the striker was often bypassed, and a peripheral figure when the Blaugrana looked to break. Ironically, they were, despite not scoring, a far more dangerous attacking team when he was removed from play after an hour.

    This is likely the end of a run in the side for the Spaniard, who, for all of his hard work and good vibes, isn’t good enough to force his way into a team that has lofty ambitions.

Kylian Mbappe, Neymar & the best 5-star skill players in EA Sports FC 24

GOAL brings you the best 5-star skill players in the new EA Sports FC 24 football video game.

The EA Sports FC 24 is nearing a thunderous release and football fans around the world can't keep up with the excitement. The game is touted to set new standards this season with it's scintillating graphics and new features while also retaining some famous features from past season.

Find the best EA Sports FC 24 deals on Amazon USPre-order nowFind the best EA Sports FC 24 deals on Amazon UKPre-order now

While fans are waiting for the much-anticipated release of the game, EA has revealed the cards of multiple players in the game. GOAL, takes a look at some of the best players who have been showered with 5-star skill ratings on the game.

Read more about EA Sports FC 24

  • EA Sports FC 24: Release date, price, and the complete guide
  • EA Sports FC 24: Bets Player Ratings
  • EA Sports FC 24: The Best Ligue 1 players
  • EA Sports FC 24: The Best Bundesliga players
  • EA Sports FC 24: The Best MLS players
  • Alexia Putellas | Barcelona | 91

    Attribute Rating
    PAC 82
    SHO 90
    PAS 91
    DRI 92
    DEF 72
    PHY 78

    The joint-highest rated player on the game, Spanish international Alexias Putellas has the ability to showcase some magnificent skills on the pitch and users will be able to perform them in the game as well with her 5-star abilities.

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    Kylian Mbappe | PSG | 91

    Attribute Rating
    PAC 97
    SHO 90
    PAS 80
    DRI 92
    DEF 36
    PHY 78

    Without a doubt, French superstar Kylian Mbappe is another player who has been given 5-star skill moves in the game. Mbappe has the ability of putting the defenders to the floor with his skill moves and speed, something users can use while playing with him.

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    Caroline Graham Hansen | Barcelona | 90

    Attribute Rating
    PAC 89
    SHO 86
    PAS 88
    DRI 90
    DEF 47
    PHY 75

    Another high rated women's footballer in EA Sports FC 24, Caroline Hansen has been awarded with a scintillating card on the back of a superb domestic season.

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    Neymar | Al Hilal | 89

    Attribute Rating
    PAC 86
    SHO 83
    PAS 85
    DRI 93
    DEF 37
    PHY 61

    Neymar's ability to perform skill moves in the game is second to none. The Brazilian has been responsible for causing mayhem on the football pitch with some jaw-dropping skills and would be a crucial player for users looking to recreate his magic in the game.

'Not possible' – Neymar astonished by state of Iranian pitch ahead of Al-Hilal's next AFC Champions League fixture as footage emerges showing large areas of exposed concrete

Neymar was left stunned by the state of an Iranian pitch as Al-Hilal prepare to face Nassaji Mazandaran in the AFC Champions League.

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  • Neymar left shocked
  • Concrete visible in video of pitch
  • Al-Hilal star reacted on social media
  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Al-Hilal are preparing to take on Nassaji Mazandaran on Tuesday. Videos shared on X have shown groundskeepers at the Azadi Stadium placing thin portions of turf over what appear to be large areas of exposed concrete. Neymar was less than impressed when reacting to the footage on social media.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Al-Hilal are the reigning AFC Champions League holders and began the defence of their title with a 1-1 draw against Uzbekistani club Navbahor in their group stage opener.

  • WHAT THEY SAID

    Quoting the video on X, Neymar wrote: "This is not possible". He also added a facepalm emoji and a crying laughing emoji.

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    WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

    Al-Hilal will play on the pitch on Tuesday. Neymar will be expected to feature for Jorge Jesus' side despite his reservations over the pitch, having shone in their latest Saudi Pro League victory against Al-Shabab.

How England's Lionesses should line up vs Australia in Women's World Cup semi-final: What does Jordan Nobbs need to do?!

With Ella Toone struggling for form, the Aston Villa midfielder has earned the right to be the creative force in Sarina Wiegman's side on Wednesday

One more win. That's all that England need to secure a place in the 2023 Women's World Cup final. After beating Colombia in the last eight, the Lionesses face Australia in the semi-finals on Wednesday for what is sure to be an incredible occasion. The question is, which 11 players will head coach Sarina Wiegman choose to take to the field for it?

With Lauren James suspended after her red card against Nigeria in the last 16, Ella Toone returned to the line-up last time out, filling the creative midfield role. However, a lack of impact from the Manchester United star not only against Colombia but throughout the tournament generally has surely got Wiegman thinking about other options.

Will she make a change in that position? Or will she keep things as they are? Will there be any other tweaks, even? GOAL takes a look at how England should line up against Australia…

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    GK: Mary Earps

    Mary Earps had a bit of a nightmare for Colombia's goal on Saturday, but it's highly unlikely that it leads to her losing her place in the England team. With three clean sheets in five games, and having only conceded twice, she has been one of the best performing goalkeepers at this tournament.

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    CB: Jess Carter

    An increasingly impressive performer at this World Cup, Jess Carter was great again in the win over Colombia, despite being matched up against Real Madrid's teenage phenom Linda Caicedo.

    She'll have another tough task on Wednesday, with Australia's left-hand side particularly threatening, but she's shown she can handle it.

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    CB: Millie Bright

    After a rusty start to the tournament, Millie Bright has been absolutely brilliant in the last few games for England. The captain was immense against Colombia and will need to be at her best once more, as she is likely to be facing Chelsea team-mate Sam Kerr.

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    CB: Alex Greenwood

    One of England's best players at this tournament, Alex Greenwood has played three different roles already and has been superb in all of them. Like the rest of the back line, she should keep her place.

CPFC: Fans react to Max Aarons links

Tottenham have joined Crystal Palace in the race to sign right-back Max Aarons this summer.

That’s according to a report from Football Insider, cited by Football League World, and, as to be expected, Palace’s interest has had a number of Eagles fans talking on social media.

Aarons, on £17,000-a-week, helped Norwich City return to the top flight at the first time of asking this season.

He’s been linked with a number of sides recently, with Palace just one of a plethora of clubs who have asked to be kept informed of his situation.

Spurs have now joined the hunt for the 21-year-old though, with a club source claiming landing a new right-back is one of the club’s main priorities this summer.

Palace could also do with a new right-back ahead of the 2021/22 season, as their three right-backs on the books right now are all out of contract in a matter of months.

Palace fans react

@CPFCtransfersHQ shared Football League World’s report on social media on Monday lunchtime, with a number of Palace fans interacting with the post.

This is what some had to say, with one referencing the club’s interest in Aarons from 2019…

“Would love this signing but wouldn’t come cheap at all”

Credit: @CPFANUSA

“Ha ha we haven’t got £2.50 let alone £25m”

Credit: @NoContextHumour

“Why do u think u can fool me”

Credit: @SellyMenace

“Huh”

Credit: @Mark_CPFC

“Feels like 2019 again”

Credit: @localpla9tic

“Would be a great signing but no chance we get him LOL”

Credit: @DrizzyCPFC

In other news: Many Palace fans react to Paulo Fonseca update, find out more here. 

How the USMNT should line up vs St. Kitts and Nevis in crucial Gold Cup clash: Jalen Neal in defense, Brandon Vazquez up top

After opening the tournament with a draw against Jamaica, B.J. Callaghan may look to alter his team for its second group-stage game

No disrespect to St. Kitts and Nevis, who have earned their right to be at the Gold Cup, but it's safe to say the United States men's national team will be favored on Wednesday night. After surviving to seal a 1-1 draw with Jamaica in the opening game of the tournament, the U.S. will now take on an opponent with a bit less punch, to put it lightly.

This is the Sugar Boys' first-ever Gold Cup, having failed to qualify between 1991 and 2021. Their first game came against Trinidad and Tobago, ending in a 3-0 battering that saw the Soca Warriors jump right to the top of the group.

What we're getting at here is that the USMNT will be heavy, heavy favorites, which means this may be the time to rotate a little bit after a real battle with Jamaica. B.J. Callaghan has some interesting decisions to make, both tactically and some enforced due to injury. A few players will be questionable for this game, which means we will likely see some new faces in the USMNT XI.

But who should Callaghan go with? GOAL takes a look…

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    GK: Matt Turner

    If there was a game to start Gaga Slonina, this would probably be the one, but will Callaghan actually do it? Probably not. Turner is here for a reason, and that reason is to play games. Each chance to get on the field is vital for the USMNT No.1, who may not get too many chances at club level as long as he remains at Arsenal.

    Because of that, we'll start him, but do keep an eye on Slonina if Callaghan does want to give the youngster a go.

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    LB: DeJuan Jones

    John Tolkin played in the first game and was solid, but not spectacular. We'll give Jones this one to show what he's got. Both Tolkin and Jones are vying for a back-up spot with the full team, and while St. Kitts and Nevis isn't the best team to audition against, every impression counts.

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    CB: Jalen Neal

    He's certainly earned this. After coming in as a second-half substitute against Jamaica, Neal looked like the most composed defender on the field. He's only 19 years old and still has a lot of growing to do, but you have to say that he was ridiculously impressive when challenged by a pretty good Jamaica attack.

    Because of that, he deserves a start and a chance to show why he may just be someone the U.S. can rely on in the knockout rounds.

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    CB: Miles Robinson

    This all depends on health. If Robinson is good to go, there's no doubt he'll be a key piece for this team the rest of the way. However, a knock kept him out of the first game, and it would be understandable if Callaghan wanted to give him a few more days of rest or a just a brief cameo to get his feet wet post-injury.

    If not Robinson, Matt Miazga would probably be the guy as he looks to make his mark after being at least partially at fault for the first goal on Saturday night.

Derby County: Fans slam Kelle Roos

Kelle Roos faltered on two occasions in Derby County’s crucial clash with Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, and fans took to Twitter to express their frustration.

Wayne Rooney’s side took the lead in the first half courtesy of Tom Lawrence, but former Rams forward Morgan Whittaker equalised for Swansea on 63 minutes.

The Athletic’s Derby correspondent Ryan Conway tweeted that Roos ought to have done better.

“It’s a weak header and he just can’t sort his feet out,” he wrote.

Three minutes later, Swansea scored again to complete the turnaround, as Connor Roberts was given acres of space and punished the visitors.

Conway again noted that Roos hadn’t ‘covered himself in glory’ with his attempt at the save.

SofaScore rated Roos’ performance a 6.0, the lowest in the Derby team.

How much will Roos’ errors cost Derby?

A point would have been enough for County to secure survival ahead of the final day of the season.

But now their clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park next Saturday will be a relegation decider.

They’ll have to avoid defeat to stay in the Championship, and these fans won’t be full of confidence if Roos is in between the sticks…

Derby fans tear into Roos after Swansea turnaround

“Kelle Roos stopped us getting promoted now relegating us”

Credit: @dcfc53

“Kelle Roos is an embarrassment”

Credit: @DcfcFansTalk

“That is pathetic from Roos, I’m sorry but why is he playing?!? I don’t get it”

Credit: @rooybears

“I’ve seen sturdier poppadoms than Kelle Roos”

Credit: @joeycoxon97

“Has Roos ever had one good game for us?”

Credit: @adamcoynee

“Roos never in a million years a number 1 keeper”

Credit: @Stevemac_25

In other news, see Rams fans’ reaction to this takeover development.

Inter player ratings vs Man City: Anonymous Edin Dzeko and selfish Lautaro Martinez come up short in Champions League final

The Nerazzurri had the chances to upset their treble-chasing opponents but their finishing let them down badly in Istanbul

Inter gave their all in Saturday night's Champions League final against Manchester City. They were the better side. They deserved extra-time at the very least. But they couldn't do the most important thing in football: put the ball in the back of the net.

Between them, Edin Dzeko, Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku all failed to get the goal that the underdogs' excellent display merited. Consequently, Inter will leave Istanbul proud of their performance, but with plenty of regrets having succumbed to Rodri's second-half goal.

Below, GOAL rates Simone Inzaghi and every member of the side that took to the field in Istanbul…

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    Goalkeeper & Defence

    Andre Onana (6/10):

    Took a few risks in possession and his distribution wasn't great, overall. But made a couple of decent saves, most notably an awkward stop from Haaland. Nothing he could do about the goal.

    Denzel Dumfries (4/10):

    Given a torrid time by Grealish and was horribly hesitant going forward. Probably should have been replaced earlier.

    Matteo Darmian (5/10):

    Put in a serious shift at the back and didn't really do a lot wrong during a solid if unspectacular showing.

    Francesco Acerbi (7/10):

    Set the tone for an impressive performance with a strong early challenge on Haaland. Should be proud of his contribution to what was, for the most part, another impressive defensive display from Inter.

    Alessandro Bastoni (6/10):

    Lost Haaland once early on and never quite looked his usual comfortable self on the ball. Gave everything for the cause, though, before being subbed in the closing stages, looking utterly exhausted.

    Federico Dimarco (7/10):

    The revelation of Inter's European campaign and didn't disappoint in the final. Always busy hassling attackers, always looking to get forward. Unfortunately, he just couldn't add to his tournament haul of five assists.

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    Midfield

    Nicolo Barella (6/10):

    Worked tirelessly and took up some threatening positions on the right-hand side but there was just no end product.

    Marcelo Brozovic (8/10):

    Inter's best player by some distance. Was everywhere, pilfering possession and then picking out passes left, right and centre. Didn't deserve to end on the losing side and he clearly felt the same way, with his frustration boiling over towards the end.

    Hakan Calhanoglu (4/10):

    The hope was that playing in his native Turkey would bring the best out of him but he produced a dreadful display. Gave the ball away repeatedly and the supposed dead-ball specialist didn't even threaten from set-pieces.

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    Attack

    Edin Dzeko (3/10):

    Unsurprising that he started but still a really poor call. As expected, offered nothing on the break before being replaced just 10 minutes into the second half.

    Lautaro Martinez (4/10):

    A menace with his energy and speed but was guilty of shocking selfishness after pouncing on a loose pass in the area. Could have passed to either Lukaku or Brozovic instead of trying to beat Ederson from an impossible angle.

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    Subs & Manager

    Romelu Lukaku (5/10):

    Offered a far, far greater attacking threat than either Dzeko or Lautaro but loses marks for squandering squandering a gilt-edged opportunity to force extra-time.

    Robin Gosens (5/10):

    Replaced Bastoni with 15 minutes to go but couldn't make a difference despite going oh so close with an injury-time header.

    Raoul Bellanova (5/10):

    Always available down the right flank and won a couple of corners.

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan (N/A):

    Only came on for the final seven minutes.

    Danilo D'Ambrosio (N/A):

    Introduced alongside Mkhitaryan.

    Simone Inzaghi (5/10):

    Made the right call picking Brozovic at the base of the midfield, but going with Dzeko over the in-form Lukaku was a dire decision. The Belgian may have missed chances but Inter looked like a different team with him up top.

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