Roma Unhappy with Rescheduling of Interrupted Udinese Match

AS Roma's supporters cheer during the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, 2nd leg soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan in Rome, Italy, 18 April 2024. (EPA)
AS Roma's supporters cheer during the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, 2nd leg soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan in Rome, Italy, 18 April 2024. (EPA)
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Roma Unhappy with Rescheduling of Interrupted Udinese Match

AS Roma's supporters cheer during the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, 2nd leg soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan in Rome, Italy, 18 April 2024. (EPA)
AS Roma's supporters cheer during the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals, 2nd leg soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan in Rome, Italy, 18 April 2024. (EPA)

AS Roma said Serie A's decision to schedule the remaining 18 minutes of their suspended fixture against Udinese for April 25 is unfair as it puts the club at a disadvantage in their Europa League semi-final against Bayer Leverkusen.

The April 14 match at Udinese was suspended in the second half after Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch and Serie A said the remainder would be played on Thursday.

Roma are also scheduled to play Bologna and Napoli this week before hosting Bayer Leverkusen on May 2 in the first leg of their Europa League semi-final.

"AS Roma with its results and four consecutive European semi-finals contributed to UEFA ranking and thus five slots for Italian teams in the next edition of the Champions League," the club said on Friday.

"Despite that, (Serie A) President (Lorenzo) Casini took today an unfair decision, as it holds, against AS Roma forcing us to face Bayer 04 Leverkusen at disadvantage," it added.

"This is a clear backwards step for the whole of Italian football."



Messi Fit to Face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
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Messi Fit to Face Porto: Inter Miami's Mascherano

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP
Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano says Lionel Messi will be fit to face Porto in the MLS side's next Club World Cup game. ROBERTO SCHMIDT / AFP

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said Lionel Messi would be fit to face Porto at the Club World Cup on Thursday, despite showing signs of discomfort in training.

A video emerged of Messi touching his left leg during the session on Wednesday, but Mascherano confirmed the veteran forward was ready for Miami's second Group A match in Atlanta, said AFP.

"On the trip from Miami to Atlanta I saw that came out in some places, but Leo is fit, he trained, he completed the whole session," Mascherano told reporters.

"He was touching his leg, sometimes people touch themselves, but there's no problem, he's fit and obviously he will play tomorrow."

The coach said Messi's former Barcelona team-mate Jordi Alba was available after missing the opening 0-0 draw against Al Ahly due to injury.

"We'll evaluate what's best for us, if he starts or not," said the coach. "Actually, I already know but I won't tell you."

Mascherano meanwhile said retaining possession would be the key against Portugal's Porto, regular Champions League participants who are likely to provide the MLS team with a stern test.

"We have players who feel much more comfortable when they're in possession, dominating, and having control of the game through the ball," said the Argentine.

"Of course, we're facing a team that also is used to doing that, who are a high level side.

"But on the pitch we're 11 against 11, we'll try to shut down their strengths, expose their weaknesses and try to have a great game to get a good result."

Inter Miami midfielder Sergio Busquets, a member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning side and one of Messi's former Barcelona team-mates, admitted his team would be up against it at the Mercedes-Benz stadium.

"They have very good players, they have reinforced and we know that it will be very difficult," Busquets told reporters.

"They are a team that compete every year for their league, against other great teams like Sporting and Benfica.

"We will try to be as solid as possible, stick close together and try to do the best we can as a team.

"If we get chances, we have the individuals (who can finish them), but above all we have to be solid and keep a clean sheet."