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.



Olympic Cauldron to Rise into Paris Skies Each Night

 Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
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Olympic Cauldron to Rise into Paris Skies Each Night

 Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)
Paris 2024 Olympics - Paris, France - July 27, 2024. A general view of the balloon and Olympic cauldron in Jardin des Tuileries. (Reuters)

The Olympic cauldron that made a stunning first flight at the Paris Games opening ceremony will sit on the ground during the day and rise again every evening.

Paris Olympics organizers said that from Saturday, the cauldron attached to a balloon will fly more than 60 meters (197 feet) above the Tuileries gardens near the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre museum from sunset until 2 a.m.

During daytime hours, 10,000 people each day can get free tickets to approach the cauldron, which is the first in Olympic history to light up without the use of fossil fuels.

Organizers said the electric flame uses 40 LED spotlights “to illuminate the cloud created by 200 high-pressure misting nozzles.”