Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Spanish side Rayo Vallecano are at present involved in an audacious bid to lure Diego Maradona, according to the Spanish sports daily Marca.
The troubled star is now in Madrid undergoing medical tests after reportedly spending 10 days in a drug rehabilitation clinic in Switzerland. "There have been contacts with Rayo. But we have only talked, anything could happen, we don't discard anything," said Guillermo Coppola, Maradona's agent.
Juventus face their first big test of the season at home to Fiorentina this afternoon. The European Cup holders have moved to the top of Serie A after collecting seven points against the lowly Reggiana, Cagliari and Perugia in their opening three games. However, Fiorentina, the pre-season Italian Super Cup winners against Milan, are an entirely different proposition according Marcello Lippi, the Juventus coach: "Fiorentina beat Milan in the Super Cup and beat them well, and they remain one of seven sides you have to fancy for the league title."
Juventus will be without the suspended French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who will be replaced by Vladimir Jugovic, and the defender Moreno Torricelli returns from injury in place of Sergio Porrini.
Fiorentina defeated Gloria Bistrita of Romania in the European Cup Winners' Cup on Thursday but still failed to impress their coach, Claudio Ranieri. "If we play like that against Juventus, you'll want an abacus to keep the score," said Ranieri. "There was no positive aspect to this performance."
Milan appear to have a simpler task at home to newly promoted Perugia, having recovered their confidence with last week's victory over Bologna and the midweek thrashing of Rosenborg in the Champions' League. Marco Simone, scorer of nine goals in all competitions so far this season including a hat-trick against Rosenborg, continues to keep out the unhappy Roberto Baggio.
Parma, the only loser among the seven Italian sides in European competition last week, face a tough game away to Lazio. "The league title remains our only target and I'd better be clear, we're not obliged to win it but we'd better give it a good try," said Carlo Ancelotti, the new coach of Parma.
The Dutch international defender Michael Reiziger has become the third Milan star in just over a year to be hurt in high-speed car accidents. Reiziger was taken to hospital after suffering whiplash following the accident on a motorway outside Milan while driving to training with his Dutch team-mate Edgar Davids.
Last February, George Weah and the Arsenal defender Patrick Vieira escaped unharmed when the Liberian striker's car hit a guard rail in northern Italy, while Simone was also fortunate when he suffered minor injuries in a crash last summer.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments