MX23RW : Friday, November 8 05:48:20| >> :120:25218:25218:
[monks data]
Attendance: 23,850
Europa League | Round of 32
Feb 14, 2019 at 5.55pm UK
 
Inter logo

0-1

FT(HT: 0-1)
Martinez (39' pen.)

Chelsea target Mauro Icardi 'refusing to play for Inter Milan'

Chelsea and Real Madrid are handed a boost in their hopes of signing Mauro Icardi as the striker refuses to play for Inter Milan after being stripped of the captaincy.

Inter Milan striker Mauro Icardi has refused to play in his side's Europa League match against Rapid Vienna on Thursday night after being stripped of the club captaincy.

Inter announced yesterday that Samir Handanovic would replace Icardi as captain with immediate effect after manager Luciano Spalletti became concerned that the Argentine's protracted contract negotiations were a distraction.

The 25-year-old still has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at San Siro, but the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea have been heavily linked with a bid this summer amid reports that Inter have fallen out with his wife and agent Wanda Nara.

Spalletti admitted that Icardi had not taken the decision well, with the forward refusing to travel to Austria for the first leg of their Europa League last-32 tie.

"The decision to remove the captain's armband from Icardi was difficult and painful, because we all know what he is worth to the team," Spalletti told reporters at his pre-match press conference.

"But it was divided between all parts of the club and was made exclusively for the good of Inter. Obviously, he took it badly but there are things which disturb him and the team."

Icardi was given the captain's armband in 2015 and has ended the last four seasons as Inter's top scorer.

ID:350316: cacheID:350316:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2885:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Inter Milan forward Mauro Icardi pictured in December 2018
Read Next:
Spalletti seeks Icardi clarity amid exit talk
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Bengals
@
Ravens
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!