AC Milan Not Distracted by Takeover Talks, Says Pioli

04 April 2022, Italy, Milan: Milan coach Stefano Pioli pictured prior to the start of the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at San Siro Stadium. (dpa)
04 April 2022, Italy, Milan: Milan coach Stefano Pioli pictured prior to the start of the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at San Siro Stadium. (dpa)
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AC Milan Not Distracted by Takeover Talks, Says Pioli

04 April 2022, Italy, Milan: Milan coach Stefano Pioli pictured prior to the start of the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at San Siro Stadium. (dpa)
04 April 2022, Italy, Milan: Milan coach Stefano Pioli pictured prior to the start of the Italian Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at San Siro Stadium. (dpa)

AC Milan will not be distracted by a potential takeover of the club and the players are focused squarely on Tuesday's Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Inter Milan, manager Stefano Pioli said.

Sources said on Friday that Bahrain-domiciled asset manager Investcorp had entered into exclusive talks to purchase Milan.

"We haven't talked about it and nothing will take away our concentration on the championship semi-final," Pioli told a news conference on Monday.

"The club is very close to us. I can say that Milan's present is very solid and the future could be even better."

Milan failed to take advantage of several chances in the first leg, which ended 0-0.

The neighbors are also vying for the Serie A title with leaders Milan two points ahead of Inter, who have played a game less. Pioli said the outcome of Tuesday's cup match would have no impact on the title race.

"We know what our path is regardless," Pioli said. "Clearly tomorrow is important because there is a final, we will do our best. But we will have to try to win all the games regardless of tomorrow night."

The manager added that defenders Davide Calabria and Alessio Romagnoli could return for Tuesday.

"Calabria and Romagnoli, let's see today, Calabria had some difficulties," Pioli said. "Romagnoli is a little better but today will be decisive. (Matteo) Gabbia came out tired but I think he will be there tomorrow."

The winner of Tuesday's contest will meet either Fiorentina or Juventus in the final.



Verbeek and Siniakova Win Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Title

10 July 2025, United Kingdom, London: Dutch tennis player Sem Verbeek (L) and Czech Katerina Siniakova celebrate with their trophies after defeating British Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani during their Mixed Doubles Final match on day eleven of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
10 July 2025, United Kingdom, London: Dutch tennis player Sem Verbeek (L) and Czech Katerina Siniakova celebrate with their trophies after defeating British Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani during their Mixed Doubles Final match on day eleven of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
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Verbeek and Siniakova Win Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Title

10 July 2025, United Kingdom, London: Dutch tennis player Sem Verbeek (L) and Czech Katerina Siniakova celebrate with their trophies after defeating British Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani during their Mixed Doubles Final match on day eleven of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa
10 July 2025, United Kingdom, London: Dutch tennis player Sem Verbeek (L) and Czech Katerina Siniakova celebrate with their trophies after defeating British Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani during their Mixed Doubles Final match on day eleven of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Photo: Mike Egerton/PA Wire/dpa

Czech Katerina Siniakova and Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands claimed the Wimbledon mixed doubles title on Thursday, defeating Britain's Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani 7-6(3) 7-6(3).

Facing home favorite Salisbury and Stefani on Centre Court, the Czech-Dutch duo held their nerve, while Stefani appeared to be hampered by a leg issue in the second set.

As Siniakova sealed victory with an overhead smash, the duo celebrated their first title together, Siniakova’s maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam and Verbeek’s first Grand Slam triumph of any kind.

"It’s very special, I mean it means a lot -- we had a lot of fun on the court and I really enjoyed it, it was a really amazing time here," Siniakova said after lifting the trophy.

For the 29-year-old Siniakova, the win added to her 10 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, including the Australian Open crown with American Taylor Townsend in January.

"Katerina, thank you so much, it’s been an honor to compete next to such a great doubles legend, one of the best to ever do it and thank you for making this a Thursday I will remember for the rest of my life," Reuters quoted the 31-year-old Verbeek as saying.

Salisbury, who faced the disappointment of home fans hoping to see a British champion, said margins did not fall in his and Stefani’s favor.

"It's always tough to lose a final but they played amazing so congratulations. They were too good in the tie-breaks today," Salisbury said.