Football fans in massive love-in before biggest game in Italy
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What made these rival fans get all touchy-feely?
It was a weekend of questionable compliments, impudence from some official quarters, and the breaking of a long-held record - but before all that, something to warm our hearts...
1) Hugging rights
Here are two snarling rival firms from Napoli and Juventus renewing acquaintances before their huge Serie A clash on Sunday night... by having a nice cuddle. Yes, we know it's staged, but at least it's well executed.
2) Facing the news
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One takeaway from this classy tribute to the departing Arsene Wenger is that he seems to get slightly sadder every year 😞.
But perhaps more urgently: what on Earth ever happened to those oval glasses?
3) Backhanded Compliment of the Week
Please don't put ideas in the Premier League's head, Jurgen. Also, what's wrong with a nicely worked free kick every now and then?
4) An agricultural tackle
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Aston Villa resort to the only existing Ipswich stereotype to celebrate their 4-0 win at Portman Road.
5) Official cheekiness
Clubs' official accounts have been engaging in the elementary arts of banter for a while now, so it was inevitable that stadiums would follow suit.
Wembley here tapping into topical news (albeit about 10 days too late)...
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6) When retro goes too far
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Here's Argentina's Independiente, showing off their nostalgic new kit for next season, which celebrates the 70th anniversary of their league-title-winning 1948 team. Unfortunately it also looks like the sort of outfit the waiters might be forced to wear in a diner. Or for a darts match. Or pyjamas. Either way, it's a no from me.
7) The no-yo club
Imagine never getting promoted or relegated. For 145 years. Sounds quite stress-free, actually.
8) Non-League Score Update of the Week
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95th minute. Goalkeeper scores. 4-4.
It's the simple pleasures, sometimes.
9) Oli-weird Giroud
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There is something very odd about Olivier Giroud in anything other than an Arsenal shirt, and it's taken until now to really sum it up.
10) They're just showing off now
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What next? Most nutmegs? Benjamin Mendy to send the first ever mid-game Premier League tweet? Ederson to shoot from a goal kick?
11) And finally...
...we finish where we began.
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Hold your horses: they've got Atletico Madrid on Thursday. There's still time for a #WengerOut campaign, a plane banner flown over the Emirates and some angry YouTubers yet...
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