Cardinale entertained himself talking to the managers (present in full), the technical staff and the players. Particularly significant was the moment when he shook hands and hugged Captain Maignan, whom he congratulated on the renewal of the contract, since Mike has an important value for the Devil's sports project. Cardinale also stopped to talk alone with Allegri, with whom he took stock of the team's situation, fresh from two consecutive victories and -8 from the leader Inter.
Luka Modric is the man of the moment for AC Milan again after his winner in Pisa, and he continues to play at an elite level even at 40. Modric netted late on in Friday night's game at the Arena Garibaldi to just about keep Milan's Scudetto hopes alive. It is his second game-winning goal of the season, after the one against Bologna at San Siro earlier in the campaign.
Manchester United are becoming more assured that Harry Maguire will commit his future to the club by signing a new contract, according to TEAMtalk. The 32-year-old centre-back is currently set to see his existing deal expire at the end of the season, a scenario that would technically allow him to depart as a free agent. However, there is a growing sense within Old Trafford that an agreement can be reached before that point.
According to SPORT, Barcelona youngster Pedro 'Dro' Fernández did not train in the session prior to the match against Racing Santander and will not travel to Santander for the Copa del Rey tie. The 18-year-old midfielder will be unavailable and will not join the squad after it was confirmed that he is carrying physical discomfort that prevents him from competing at full capacity.