Italian powerhouses AC Milan, Como poised for Perth clash
Perth is poised to host a historic clash between Italian football giants AC Milan and Como next year in what will be the first-ever major European match played for points on foreign soil, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the deal.
Italy's top-flight competition, Serie A, has been forced to search for alternative venues in February next year with Milan's San Siro Stadium, which has a capacity of 80,000, out of action due to the Winter Olympics.
The state government has been in negotiations with the league to bring a match to Perth, while Optus Stadium has been locked away for February 8.
AC Milan will next month return to Perth for a pre-season friendly for the second consecutive year, taking on Perth Glory in an exhibition match at HBF Park on July 31.
The European giant also faced Italian rivals AS Roma at Optus Stadium last year, drawing a bumper crowd of 56,000 fans.
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The club has developed a 'great relationship' with the state government on the back of these matches, sources told 9News Perth.
Western Australia claiming hosting rights for next year's clash with Como would mark a significant step-up of that bond with no other major European league ever venturing outside the continent for a competitive clash.
AC Milan are one of the biggest clubs in world football, having claimed 19 Serie A titles across their history. The club views the prospect of playing a proper match in Australia as a strong opportunity to further boost that profile, according to sources.
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Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Tupou set to fire up and tame the Lions, say Wallabies
In a chilling warning to the British and Irish Lions, Wallabies prop Angus Bell is predicting front-row "freak" Taniela Tupou to emerge from his slumber and wreak havoc during the looming showpiece series. Tupou's fluctuating form, even by his own admission, has been one of the major discussion points during the Super Rugby Pacific season. The million-dollar behemoth made the startling confession last month that at times he feels like he's forgotten how to play the game, so low on confidence Tupou has been in 2025. But Bell, his NSW Waratahs and Wallabies teammate and front-row partner, believes the sleeping giant is ready to roar against the Lions and says "of course" Tupou should be named in Joe Schmidt's squad next week. "We know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and the squad," Bell said. "We know how important he is and what he can do when he's in his career-best form. "He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela - he's a mate, he's a freak of nature and we all know that. "So, look, he's happy and he's looking forward to the Tests and he's as excited as everyone else in Australian rugby. It's a pretty cool time and 'Nela' will be awesome this year, I reckon." The scrum and set piece have traditionally been a huge strength of the Lions, but Australia's front-row depth is fast emerging as a weapon for the Wallabies too. Bell and Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa were both named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the season, while Tupou at his destructive best and veteran James Slipper, now Australia's most-capped player ever, shape as a formidable threat to the Lions. "It's good for Joe because he's got a lot of selection headaches, which is awesome for Australian rugby," Bell said. "It's now become a real strength of Australia that not every position is locked down, so everyone's just got to keep fighting for positions, and as a squad if we do that ... when the squad gets announced, it will put Australia in good stead against the Lions." The Wallabies are, however, also bracing for a different style of play from the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales than the typically dour northern hemisphere brand of yesteryear. "They'll definitely play an expansive game," Bell said. "I feel like European rugby's come a long way in that sense. "They used to be very heavily set-piece orientated. Now they're moving the ball just like New Zealand would. "So, look, I feel like they're a similar team to what we play down here in the southern hemisphere and they'll be extremely challenging. "We know the stars they have in their team." Schmidt plans to name a squad of up to 40 players for the Wallabies' first Test of the year - against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 - once the last Australian team standing is eliminated from the Super Rugby Pacific finals. The ACT Brumbies face the table-topping Chiefs in the semi-finals in Hamilton on Saturday, meaning a squad could be announced as early as Sunday or Monday. The first Test is in Brisbane on July 19.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Tupou set to fire up and tame the Lions, say Wallabies
In a chilling warning to the British and Irish Lions, Wallabies prop Angus Bell is predicting front-row "freak" Taniela Tupou to emerge from his slumber and wreak havoc during the looming showpiece series. Tupou's fluctuating form, even by his own admission, has been one of the major discussion points during the Super Rugby Pacific season. The million-dollar behemoth made the startling confession last month that at times he feels like he's forgotten how to play the game, so low on confidence Tupou has been in 2025. But Bell, his NSW Waratahs and Wallabies teammate and front-row partner, believes the sleeping giant is ready to roar against the Lions and says "of course" Tupou should be named in Joe Schmidt's squad next week. "We know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and the squad," Bell said. "We know how important he is and what he can do when he's in his career-best form. "He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela - he's a mate, he's a freak of nature and we all know that. "So, look, he's happy and he's looking forward to the Tests and he's as excited as everyone else in Australian rugby. It's a pretty cool time and 'Nela' will be awesome this year, I reckon." The scrum and set piece have traditionally been a huge strength of the Lions, but Australia's front-row depth is fast emerging as a weapon for the Wallabies too. Bell and Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa were both named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the season, while Tupou at his destructive best and veteran James Slipper, now Australia's most-capped player ever, shape as a formidable threat to the Lions. "It's good for Joe because he's got a lot of selection headaches, which is awesome for Australian rugby," Bell said. "It's now become a real strength of Australia that not every position is locked down, so everyone's just got to keep fighting for positions, and as a squad if we do that ... when the squad gets announced, it will put Australia in good stead against the Lions." The Wallabies are, however, also bracing for a different style of play from the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales than the typically dour northern hemisphere brand of yesteryear. "They'll definitely play an expansive game," Bell said. "I feel like European rugby's come a long way in that sense. "They used to be very heavily set-piece orientated. Now they're moving the ball just like New Zealand would. "So, look, I feel like they're a similar team to what we play down here in the southern hemisphere and they'll be extremely challenging. "We know the stars they have in their team." Schmidt plans to name a squad of up to 40 players for the Wallabies' first Test of the year - against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 - once the last Australian team standing is eliminated from the Super Rugby Pacific finals. The ACT Brumbies face the table-topping Chiefs in the semi-finals in Hamilton on Saturday, meaning a squad could be announced as early as Sunday or Monday. The first Test is in Brisbane on July 19. In a chilling warning to the British and Irish Lions, Wallabies prop Angus Bell is predicting front-row "freak" Taniela Tupou to emerge from his slumber and wreak havoc during the looming showpiece series. Tupou's fluctuating form, even by his own admission, has been one of the major discussion points during the Super Rugby Pacific season. The million-dollar behemoth made the startling confession last month that at times he feels like he's forgotten how to play the game, so low on confidence Tupou has been in 2025. But Bell, his NSW Waratahs and Wallabies teammate and front-row partner, believes the sleeping giant is ready to roar against the Lions and says "of course" Tupou should be named in Joe Schmidt's squad next week. "We know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and the squad," Bell said. "We know how important he is and what he can do when he's in his career-best form. "He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela - he's a mate, he's a freak of nature and we all know that. "So, look, he's happy and he's looking forward to the Tests and he's as excited as everyone else in Australian rugby. It's a pretty cool time and 'Nela' will be awesome this year, I reckon." The scrum and set piece have traditionally been a huge strength of the Lions, but Australia's front-row depth is fast emerging as a weapon for the Wallabies too. Bell and Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa were both named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the season, while Tupou at his destructive best and veteran James Slipper, now Australia's most-capped player ever, shape as a formidable threat to the Lions. "It's good for Joe because he's got a lot of selection headaches, which is awesome for Australian rugby," Bell said. "It's now become a real strength of Australia that not every position is locked down, so everyone's just got to keep fighting for positions, and as a squad if we do that ... when the squad gets announced, it will put Australia in good stead against the Lions." The Wallabies are, however, also bracing for a different style of play from the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales than the typically dour northern hemisphere brand of yesteryear. "They'll definitely play an expansive game," Bell said. "I feel like European rugby's come a long way in that sense. "They used to be very heavily set-piece orientated. Now they're moving the ball just like New Zealand would. "So, look, I feel like they're a similar team to what we play down here in the southern hemisphere and they'll be extremely challenging. "We know the stars they have in their team." Schmidt plans to name a squad of up to 40 players for the Wallabies' first Test of the year - against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 - once the last Australian team standing is eliminated from the Super Rugby Pacific finals. The ACT Brumbies face the table-topping Chiefs in the semi-finals in Hamilton on Saturday, meaning a squad could be announced as early as Sunday or Monday. The first Test is in Brisbane on July 19. In a chilling warning to the British and Irish Lions, Wallabies prop Angus Bell is predicting front-row "freak" Taniela Tupou to emerge from his slumber and wreak havoc during the looming showpiece series. Tupou's fluctuating form, even by his own admission, has been one of the major discussion points during the Super Rugby Pacific season. The million-dollar behemoth made the startling confession last month that at times he feels like he's forgotten how to play the game, so low on confidence Tupou has been in 2025. But Bell, his NSW Waratahs and Wallabies teammate and front-row partner, believes the sleeping giant is ready to roar against the Lions and says "of course" Tupou should be named in Joe Schmidt's squad next week. "We know how important Taniela is for Australian rugby. If we're going to compete and beat the Lions, Taniela will be in and around the team and the squad," Bell said. "We know how important he is and what he can do when he's in his career-best form. "He's working really hard at NSW and he's working really hard at camps to get himself there, and we believe in Taniela - he's a mate, he's a freak of nature and we all know that. "So, look, he's happy and he's looking forward to the Tests and he's as excited as everyone else in Australian rugby. It's a pretty cool time and 'Nela' will be awesome this year, I reckon." The scrum and set piece have traditionally been a huge strength of the Lions, but Australia's front-row depth is fast emerging as a weapon for the Wallabies too. Bell and Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa were both named in the Super Rugby Pacific team of the season, while Tupou at his destructive best and veteran James Slipper, now Australia's most-capped player ever, shape as a formidable threat to the Lions. "It's good for Joe because he's got a lot of selection headaches, which is awesome for Australian rugby," Bell said. "It's now become a real strength of Australia that not every position is locked down, so everyone's just got to keep fighting for positions, and as a squad if we do that ... when the squad gets announced, it will put Australia in good stead against the Lions." The Wallabies are, however, also bracing for a different style of play from the best of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales than the typically dour northern hemisphere brand of yesteryear. "They'll definitely play an expansive game," Bell said. "I feel like European rugby's come a long way in that sense. "They used to be very heavily set-piece orientated. Now they're moving the ball just like New Zealand would. "So, look, I feel like they're a similar team to what we play down here in the southern hemisphere and they'll be extremely challenging. "We know the stars they have in their team." Schmidt plans to name a squad of up to 40 players for the Wallabies' first Test of the year - against Fiji in Newcastle on July 6 - once the last Australian team standing is eliminated from the Super Rugby Pacific finals. The ACT Brumbies face the table-topping Chiefs in the semi-finals in Hamilton on Saturday, meaning a squad could be announced as early as Sunday or Monday. The first Test is in Brisbane on July 19.
The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Tough club challenge awaits Auckland City's part-timers
Auckland City's players aren't full-time professionals and many have taken annual leave to compete in the Club World Cup, where they face what coach Paul Posa calls "the toughest group". New Zealand's champions, fresh from winning the OFC Champions League, will face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors in Group C of the revamped tournament, which starts at various US venues on Saturday, and Posa acknowledged their uphill battle. "It's quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn," said Posa, who guided them to fifth place in the old Club World Cup in 2009. "We have two traditional European powerhouses in Bayern Munich and Benfica, and Boca Juniors, who are also capable of going all the way. "We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared, and compete, to the best of our ability.'' Auckland enter the 32-team tournament months after claiming their 13th Oceania title and fourth in succession. Despite continental success, football remains a part-time commitment for the squad. "All of the players have other jobs alongside their football commitments," Posa said. "However, they have an extraordinary dedication to their football outside of their working hours. "Players have had to take annual leave from their jobs. Indeed, some of the players were unable to take time to attend both the OFC Champions League competition and the Club World Cup." The mid-June to mid-July tournament timing means it falls during Auckland's season rather than after it, as the previous version of the competition did. "The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times. However, I believe we're on track to achieve this," Posa said. Serving as caretaker coach for Albert Riera, who's away for family reasons, Posa previously managed Auckland from 2008-10. In the 2009 Club World Cup, they defeated the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli and DR Congo's TP Mazembe to finish fifth. The 63-year-old acknowledged how difficult it would be to repeat his 2009 success. "It's nice to dream we could be that competitive again. However, we're realistic about the challenge," he said. While temporary, Posa has maintained Auckland's established playing style. "It has not been difficult to maintain a playing philosophy that has evolved at Auckland City over many years,'' he said. "Of course, every coach puts their own fingerprint on a team.'' This stability underpins Auckland's continued success. "This comes down to building on experience gained in previous competitions, and a consistent focus on being well-organised and prepared, both on and off the pitch," Posa said. "The culture surrounding the team is such that they always want to win, and motivating them is no problem at all." Auckland City's players aren't full-time professionals and many have taken annual leave to compete in the Club World Cup, where they face what coach Paul Posa calls "the toughest group". New Zealand's champions, fresh from winning the OFC Champions League, will face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors in Group C of the revamped tournament, which starts at various US venues on Saturday, and Posa acknowledged their uphill battle. "It's quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn," said Posa, who guided them to fifth place in the old Club World Cup in 2009. "We have two traditional European powerhouses in Bayern Munich and Benfica, and Boca Juniors, who are also capable of going all the way. "We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared, and compete, to the best of our ability.'' Auckland enter the 32-team tournament months after claiming their 13th Oceania title and fourth in succession. Despite continental success, football remains a part-time commitment for the squad. "All of the players have other jobs alongside their football commitments," Posa said. "However, they have an extraordinary dedication to their football outside of their working hours. "Players have had to take annual leave from their jobs. Indeed, some of the players were unable to take time to attend both the OFC Champions League competition and the Club World Cup." The mid-June to mid-July tournament timing means it falls during Auckland's season rather than after it, as the previous version of the competition did. "The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times. However, I believe we're on track to achieve this," Posa said. Serving as caretaker coach for Albert Riera, who's away for family reasons, Posa previously managed Auckland from 2008-10. In the 2009 Club World Cup, they defeated the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli and DR Congo's TP Mazembe to finish fifth. The 63-year-old acknowledged how difficult it would be to repeat his 2009 success. "It's nice to dream we could be that competitive again. However, we're realistic about the challenge," he said. While temporary, Posa has maintained Auckland's established playing style. "It has not been difficult to maintain a playing philosophy that has evolved at Auckland City over many years,'' he said. "Of course, every coach puts their own fingerprint on a team.'' This stability underpins Auckland's continued success. "This comes down to building on experience gained in previous competitions, and a consistent focus on being well-organised and prepared, both on and off the pitch," Posa said. "The culture surrounding the team is such that they always want to win, and motivating them is no problem at all." Auckland City's players aren't full-time professionals and many have taken annual leave to compete in the Club World Cup, where they face what coach Paul Posa calls "the toughest group". New Zealand's champions, fresh from winning the OFC Champions League, will face Bayern Munich, Benfica and Boca Juniors in Group C of the revamped tournament, which starts at various US venues on Saturday, and Posa acknowledged their uphill battle. "It's quite possibly the toughest group we could have drawn," said Posa, who guided them to fifth place in the old Club World Cup in 2009. "We have two traditional European powerhouses in Bayern Munich and Benfica, and Boca Juniors, who are also capable of going all the way. "We have competed in many of the previous versions of the CWC competition, which has given us a broad range of experience allowing us to punch above our weight in the past. Our goals are to be prepared, and compete, to the best of our ability.'' Auckland enter the 32-team tournament months after claiming their 13th Oceania title and fourth in succession. Despite continental success, football remains a part-time commitment for the squad. "All of the players have other jobs alongside their football commitments," Posa said. "However, they have an extraordinary dedication to their football outside of their working hours. "Players have had to take annual leave from their jobs. Indeed, some of the players were unable to take time to attend both the OFC Champions League competition and the Club World Cup." The mid-June to mid-July tournament timing means it falls during Auckland's season rather than after it, as the previous version of the competition did. "The challenge of having the CWC fall in the middle of the season has been ensuring that players are in top form at the right times. However, I believe we're on track to achieve this," Posa said. Serving as caretaker coach for Albert Riera, who's away for family reasons, Posa previously managed Auckland from 2008-10. In the 2009 Club World Cup, they defeated the UAE's Shabab Al Ahli and DR Congo's TP Mazembe to finish fifth. The 63-year-old acknowledged how difficult it would be to repeat his 2009 success. "It's nice to dream we could be that competitive again. However, we're realistic about the challenge," he said. While temporary, Posa has maintained Auckland's established playing style. "It has not been difficult to maintain a playing philosophy that has evolved at Auckland City over many years,'' he said. "Of course, every coach puts their own fingerprint on a team.'' This stability underpins Auckland's continued success. "This comes down to building on experience gained in previous competitions, and a consistent focus on being well-organised and prepared, both on and off the pitch," Posa said. "The culture surrounding the team is such that they always want to win, and motivating them is no problem at all."
