Normally a big game that you’d expect to have consequences nearer the very top of the Premier League table, Tottenham vs Liverpool is looking like being more of a mid-table affair this season.

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Both sides have endured disappointing starts to the 2025/26 campaign, and that could make this tie all the more interesting as they look for a result that could launch them up the table due to how close it’s looking between fourth and 13th place right now.

Spurs have home advantage but have suffered some really bad results at their stadium so far this season, while Liverpool are arguably starting to look a little more like themselves again, even if they’re still not hitting the heights many would have expected after their title triumph last term.

Fans won’t want to miss this unpredictable fixture between two teams who, more often than not, produce a spectacle for the neutrals to enjoy.

Tottenham predicted line up to take on Liverpool

Thomas Frank has rotated a lot this season, so it can be tricky to predict precisely what kind of Tottenham line up we’re going to see.

If everyone’s fit by the time this fixture comes around, Frank will surely go full strength to try to claim a big three points, so perhaps a line up that looks something like this…

Tottenham predicted line-up: Vicario; Porro, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven; Bentancur, Palhinha, Simons, Odobert, Kudus; Richarlison.

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Liverpool’s predicted line-up to take on Tottenham

The big debate in recent weeks has been about Mohamed Salah and if he should still be in the Liverpool team after his outburst about Arne Slot.

This situation is one that could change quickly, so by the time this game comes around it will either be resolved, or Salah will just be a step closer to leaving.

In recent matches, though, we’re perhaps starting to see that LFC look a slightly more balanced side without Salah now, so our hunch is that he’ll probably remain out of the team for this one.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Alisson; Bradley, Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Szoboszlai; Isak, Ekitike.

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How to buy Tottenham tickets

The official Tottenham tickets page can be found by clicking the link here, but we thought we’d also make you aware of another good option you can make use of.

Follow our link here to get access to a quick, easy-to-use and reliable ticketing hub that allows you to get to the games you care about most, without the extra hassle and cost of dealing with club membership fees.

How to buy Liverpool tickets

Most Liverpool fans will likely be aware of the club’s official ticketing page here, but it won’t necessarily give you the best chance of making it to this game.

Instead, make sure you beat the season ticket holders and club members to this one by using our reliable page here, which provides you with a 150% money-back guarantee if, for any reason, you’re not happy.

Tottenham vs Liverpool head-to-head record

This always feels like one of the Premier League’s most entertaining fixtures, and it will certainly be one that Liverpool have mostly enjoyed down the years.

The Reds have won 93 times and lost only 50 games against Tottenham, with a further 44 ending in a draw.

In more recent times, it’s also been a happy fixture for Liverpool, with Spurs winning just twice in their last 17 meetings in all competitions, which includes the 2019 Champions League final.

Spurs did win one of their games last season, though, a 1-0 victory in the league in January, but they were thumped 5-1 in the return fixture at Anfield.

Who will come out on top this time? Drop us your score predictions in the comments!

Lautaro Martinez, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are the only four players to have been directly involved in more than 10 goals in each of the last seven seasons in Europe’s top five leagues, reports Opta.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez inspired the Nerazzurri’s 2-1 win over Genoa on Sunday providing one goal and one assist at Marassi.

The Argentine is currently the Serie A top-goal scorer with eight goals, one more than Milan star Christian Pulisic.

Stats from Opta on X social media confirm that Lautaro has been one of the most decisive strikers in Europe over the last few years.

Lautaro Martinez matches Mbappé, Haaland and Kane

“Lautaro Martínez is only one of the four players to have been directly involved in more than 10 goals (8G-3A this season) in each of the last seven Big-5 European Leagues’ seasons, along with Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane. Unstoppable,” Opta reported.

Unstoppable Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro has netted 165 goals in 355 Inter games since joining the Nerazzurri in the summer of 2018.

A 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina, ‘El Toro’ was the Serie A’s Capocannoniere in 2023-24 with 24 goals, contributing to Inter’s 20th Scudetto in their history.

He was also the top-goal scorer in the Copa America with Argentina in 2024.

Khephren Thuram is the present and future of Juventus, and has recently received the backing of Giorgio Chiellini, so here is the reasoning behind the recent rumours involving the Frenchman and a possible Bianconeri move for Inter’s Davide Frattesi. 

Where Juventus stand with Thuram and Frattesi

In recent weeks, there had been far-fetched suggestions that Juventus were considering the possibility of a swap deal with Inter that would see Thuram and Frattesi move in opposite directions. Similarly, Milan and Napoli have also been linked with deals involving Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lorenzo Lucca swapping sides. Both rumours are baseless. 

Focussing on Juventus specifically, Chiellini has recently stressed Thuram’s importance to Luciano Spalletti: “I won’t talk about Frattesi, as that’s a lack of respect towards Inter. What I can say without doubt is that Thuram will remain a Juventus player. He has done really well in the year and a half he’s been with us and we have no intention of letting him go,” he said before kick-off against Bologna on Sunday. 

Thuram has shown that he is capable of being a Juventus player and that he still has plenty of potential to fulfill. He hasn’t had the most impressive of performances in recent weeks, but there’s no doubt that Juventus intend to stick with him for the time being. 

As for Frattesi, Juventus’s interest is a separate matter. Inter are adamant that they will not let the Italy international leave for anything less than €35m, which is less than the fee that had been cited to interested clubs over the summer. 

If Frattesi wants to leave Inter, it is down to his agent to find him the move, which he has failed to do for the last three transfer windows now.

Napoli have been dealing with several injuries in recent weeks, and many of their stars, including Scott McTominay, have played 100% of the available minutes in the last month.

Napoli suffered their second consecutive defeat across all competitions on Sunday, seeing Udinese secure a 1-0 win at the Bluenergy Stadium.

Earlier last week, Napoli had lost 2-0 away against José Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.

Napoli struggling away from home

Napoli are still unbeaten in home Serie A games with six wins and one draw, but have fallen short away from the Maradona with four losses in the league and three – from three outings – in the Champions League.

“They have a stadium that pushes; playing at home for them it’s a big advantage,” former Lazio goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani told Sky Sport Italia.

“In the first half against Udinese, they did some good things and created some situations. The tragic thing was the start of the second half. That was when Udinese took command.

“This season, Napoli have struggled to face all the teams with the same determination. This is a team that, to be efficient, must play with their intensity; if they drop it, they can suffer against anyone.”

Coach Antonio Conte has had limited chances to rotate in recent weeks, especially in central midfield, where Kevin De Bruyne, Billy Gilmour, Zambo Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka have all suffered injuries.

The latter returned to action against Udinese yesterday after two weeks, while the others will be forced to the sidelines for longer.

“Napoli are a team that doesn’t have the strength to play constantly in the opposing half and dominate proceedings through ball possession,” argued Inter legend Beppe Bergomi.

Napoli stars overused

“The coach is good at fixing problems and finding solutions. They are better than last season because they have a deeper team with important players. But they have an alibi, which is a lot of injuries and reduced options in certain roles.”

Conte’s reduced options have forced the Italian tactician to overuse many of his stars. Sky showed that Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Scott McTominay and goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic have played every minute since Conte switched to a three-man defence against Atalanta on November 22. That makes it six full games in less than one month, with the only exception being a Coppa Italia match against Cagliari.

Amir Rrahmani, David Neres, Rasmus Hojlund and Alessandro Buongiorno have played over 90% of the available minutes in the same time, Same Beukema and Noa Lang more than 80%.

Even Matteo Politano, a regular starter at the end of the season, has struggled with playing time, despite being fully fit, playing just 27.9% of the available minutes since November 22.

Monday’s reports claim that Milan have an agreement in place to extend the contract of versatile wing-back Alexis Saelemaekers until the summer of 2030. 

Gazzetta: Saelemaekers set to renew Milan contract until 2030

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan and Saelemaekers have an agreement in place over a new contract that will run until 2030, which comes with an increase in wages from around €1.2m per season to roughly €3m per year. 

The topic of a contract extension for the Belgian has been on the cards for several months, but Monday’s report suggests that an official announcement could now arrive within the next few days. 

Saelemaekers’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, which means that he would be entering the final year of his deal once the current campaign draws to a close. 

The 26-year-old originally joined the Rossoneri in the winter of 2020, and though he would go on to make 111 Serie A appearances across his first three-and-a-half seasons in San Siro, he would later be allowed to join Bologna on loan for the 2023-24 campaign. 

It looked as though his time with Milan might be over when he was sent out on a second consecutive season-long loan deal to Roma in 2024-25, but after seven league goals from 22 appearances, his numbers convinced Massimiliano Allegri to give him another go in the Milan first-team. 

Saelemaekers has gone from strength to strength since then, and has become one of the most dependable performers for the Rossoneri this term. He has started in all 15 of this season’s league fixtures, and has only come off before full-time on four occasions. Now a regular at right wing-back, he has also filled in in the attackiing line on occasion this term.

Football Italia transfer expert examines Juventus’ deserved victory against Bologna on Sunday, highlighting that the Bianconeri are finally starting to flourish under Luciano Spalletti.

The Bianconeri secured a 1-0 win at the Stadio Dall’Ara last night, boosting their hopes of finishing in the top four, which is now just one point away.

Pedullà examined the Old Lady’s victory in his latest YouTube video for Football Italia.

“You can witness a blossom even in December, the blossoming of football and a team that is still trying to internalise a new theorem,” Pedullà said.

Juventus are now just one point below fourth-placed Roma, but the Giallorossi have a game in hand and will be the Bianconeri’s next opponent in Serie A on December 20.

Watch the full video below:

Things have gone from bad to worse for Fiorentina in 2025-26, and with no wins to their name in Serie A after 15 attempts, the finger has been pointed in numerous directions over the last few weeks. This time it’s the turn of goalkeeper David De Gea, whose errors have cost the Viola up to eight points so far this season. 

De Gea under fire for Fiorentina blunders

Fiorentina are already staring at the threat of relegation from Serie A after 15 matches, with just six points to their name so far in the league. They have won none of their 15 league fixtures and have lost nine, the most recent coming in a 2-1 defeat at home against Hellas Verona, also in the relegation zone, on Sunday. 

De Gea came under fire after the Verona loss for his positioning error that led to the first goal. Gift Orban looked as though he was going to challenge the Spaniard one-on-one, but was instead able to wrap a bending finish around the goalkeeper from outside the area with the space that De Gea had left open.

De Gea was also criticised for letting in a relatively weak header deep into second-half stoppage time during a 1-1 draw with Cagliari on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season. 

The former Manchester United stopper also made a hash of an attempted claim in his own area in a 2-2 draw against Genoa at the beginning of November, although in fairness to him, had also kept out a penalty earlier on in that game. 

Additionally, the Spaniard also let in goals against Sassuolo and Milan that he would usually be expected to keep out. There were also subtle slip-ups against Como and Juventus, and as a result of these errors, Fiorentina have directly dropped eight points in the Serie A standings according to Firenzeviola.it. 

Juventus saw their value on the stock market surge on Monday morning as a result of Tether’s €1.1bn offer to take over the club from the Agnelli family. 

On Friday evening, Tether announced that they had officially submitted an offer worth around €1.1bn to purchase the 65.4% of the club shares that are currently owned by Exor, the holding company owned and operated by the Agnelli family. 

Tether, who already own just over 10% of Juventus themselves, also announced that they intended to make a public offer to purchase the remaining shares in the club at the same price, which would give them full and exclusive control. 

The Agnelli family, however, have maintained since Friday evening that Juve is not for sale. “Our Juventus, our history, our values, are not for sale,” said John Elkann in a publicly released video on Saturday. 

Juventus increase in value after Tether offer

As a result of the takeover offer, Juventus’s value on the stock market skyrocketed on Monday morning. When the market closed on Friday evening, prior to Tether’s announcement, a single share in the club was worth €2.34, compared to €2.47 on Monday morning. That is an increase of 12.7%.

Tether’s offer was to purchase the remaining Juventus shares at a price of €2.66 per share, which equated to a total cost of around €1.1bn. That was a premium of 20.47% compared to the stocks’ official value before the weekend.  

Juventus supporters at the Stadio Dall’Ara last night paid tribute to an emotional Federico Bernardeschi after the Old Lady’s 1-0 win over Bologna.

Juventus supporters showed respect to their former winger Bernardeschi after an away 1-0 win against Bologna on Sunday.

Bernardeschi reunites with Juventus fans

It was the first time Bernardeschi met with his former fans as he had left the Bianconeri in 2022 for Toronto FC, returning to Italy from Canada last summer.

Videos circulating on X social media show the Italian winger going under the Bianconeri’s Curva at the Dall’Ara to thank the Juventus fans for their chants.

Juventus fans’ tribute to Bernardeschi

“One of us,” the Bianconeri ultras sang while Bernardeschi thanked them and collected some Bianconeri scarves thrown from the stands.

Bernardeschi spent five seasons at Juventus, scoring 12 goals in 183 games.

#Bernardeschi

pic.twitter.com/EbfZ4vO4p0

— BianconeriZone (ESP) (@BianconeriZonEs) December 14, 2025

Giancarlo Marocchi and Beppe Bergomi highlight John Elkann’s ‘sense of belonging’ as Exor rejected an offer for a majority stake in Juventus.

Juventus minority shareholders Tether have seen a €1.1 billion bid rejected by Exor, a decision confirmed by club owner John Elkann in a passionate message released over the weekend.

Sky Sport Italia pundits Marocchi and Bergomi suggested Elkann, cousin of ex-Juventus President Andrea Agnelli, made the right decision, highlighting the strong sense of belonging he conveyed with his statement.

“I’ve spent a few years there, and there was the feeling of being part of the Agnelli family,” Marocchi, a former Juventus midfielder, said live on TV on Sunday.

“This pushed you to make sure the only thing that mattered was the victory. You looked at the past, and it was full of victories. In the present, you had to do the same.”

Inter and Italy legend Bergomi added: “I highlight this important sense of belonging, which the fans, the players and the staff feel. It’s the Juventus tradition.”

Agnelli family tradition at Juventus

The Agnelli family has owned Juventus for over 100 years, while Tether have an 11,52% stake in the club and is represented on the board of directors by Francesco Garino.

Juventus secured a 1-0 win over Bologna on Sunday night, moving just one point below the top four.

Luciano Spalletti was appointed in October to replace Igor Tudor and has collected five wins in the last six matches.

Juventus’ next game is against Roma at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday, December 20.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Milan defender Matteo Gabbia has suffered a ‘hyperextension trauma of the left knee’, but the Rossoneri are relieved that exams have ruled out ‘capsuloligamentous and meniscal injuries.’

Milan defender Gabbia underwent medical checks on Monday morning after being forced to be substituted with a suspected knee injury during a 2-2 draw against Sassuolo on Sunday.

Gabbia injured during Milan-Sassuolo

Sky Sport and Milan News report that Gabbia has avoided a serious injury involving the meniscus or the knee ligaments, having been diagnosed with a hyperextension trauma of the left knee.

When will Gabbia return to action?

According to Sky Sport, the Italian centre-back will likely miss this week’s Supercoppa Italiana semifinal against Napoli, which will be played in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Thursday, December 18.

Milan hope their defender will recover in time for a Serie A match against Verona on December 28 or even the potential Supercoppa Final on December 22.

The player has already begun his rehabilitation program in Milanello.

Former Juventus winger Massimo Mauro insists the Bianconeri still lack a centre-forward and won’t be favourites when Roma visit them in Turin next week.

Juventus secured a massive 1-0 win over Bologna on Sunday, moving just one point below fourth-placed Roma, who have a game in hand and will host Como this evening.

Juventus and Roma will meet at the Allianz Stadium in Turin next week, and Mauro, a former Juventus player, believes the Old Lady won’t be the team to beat.

“They certainly won’t be the favourites, but we’ll see what happens on the pitch,” the ex-winger told Gazzetta.

“That’s the real issue, not cryptocurrencies. I was at the stadium for Juventus-Pafos, and it highlighted the squad’s issue with depth. Not only defensive absences, but also difficulty in finding a replacement for Yildiz, Conceiçao, McKennie and Locatelli. Thank goodness, David scored; otherwise, he would have had to flee Turin. It had been such a hard game for him.”

The January transfer window is just around the corner, but Mauro doesn’t expect big moves to Turin.

“I wouldn’t know where to turn because they didn’t sell good players. I wouldn’t have signed Openda for that kind of money,” he said.

“I would have said there were no players worthy of Juventus. There’s also a lack of important Italian players, something Juve have always had. Without them, you can’t rebuild because Juventus have always had an Italian dressing room leader.”

Ideally, however, the Bianconeri would still need a centre-forward, particularly after Dusan Vlahovic’s injury.

‘Juventus need a Napoli-style Osimhen’

“They need a Napoli-style Osimhen, a driving force who could carry the attack on his own and whom Luciano Spalletti turned into a true leader. Juve are full of solid, above-average players, but they need someone who makes a difference,” he said.

“I would invest in attack where the situation is incredible. If Yildiz plays badly, it’s a tragedy. If he plays well, there’s a chance to create something dangerous, but Yildiz is not a 20-goal striker, unless he becomes Del Piero or plays as a central forward or support striker. Out wide, at best, he can become like Kvaratskhelia.”

Spalletti has won five of the last six matches and Mauro feels he’s one of the best coaches Juventus could hire.

“He’s the best, along with Conte and Gasperini. An elite coach,” concluded the former winger.

“He can’t be the problem. He has to build the team of the future while hoping to finish in the top four, but he doesn’t have a magic wand.”

Spalletti was hired in October and his contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2026.

Safe to say Scamacca has settled in well under the new Atalanta coach, Palladino, as the Italian striker has been scoring consistently over the last month.

As reported by Gazzetta, Scamacca has gone from scoring one goal every 292 minutes under the previous Atalanta coach Ivan Juric to one every 97 minutes under the new boss.

Scamacca shines under Palladino

Scamacca had been dealing with fitness issues during Juric’s tenure, which also prevented him from featuring with the Italy national team, but he only netted once in seven games with the Croatian in charge.

With Palladino, he’s already grabbed five goals and one assist in seven appearances. He scored one goal against Napoli and Verona and two against Cagliari in Serie A, plus one against Chelsea in the Champions League.

The assist he provided in a 4-0 Coppa Italia win against Genoa means Scamacca has contributed to at least one goal in every game he’s played under Palladino except those against Eintracht and Fiorentina, which Atalanta still won.

Italy watching Scamacca

Furthermore, Scamacca has had more shots and touches inside the opposing box under Palladino than under Juric and, overall, he seems much more involved in the play.

Scamacca’s form will surely come as good news for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who watched Scamacca in action at the New Balance Arena two weeks ago before dispatching his assistant Leonardo Bonucci to watch Atalanta-Chelsea.

Scamacca has only scored one goal in 22 appearances with the Italy national team, making two substitute appearances under Gattuso.

With Mike Maignan’s contract expiring in June 2026, Gazzetta warns that Milan could end up losing the Frenchman on a free transfer, as it happened with Gigio Donnarumma in 2021, but the Rossoneri still hope the story will end differently this time.

Milan will continue talks to extend Maignan’s contract in the next few days, but January is just around the corner, which means the French goalkeeper can start negotiations with any other club in just a few days and complete a free transfer at the end of the season.

Milan faced the same situation a few years ago, when lengthy talks to extend with Donnarumma led nowhere, so the Rossoneri signed Maignan from Lille before Gigio’s free move to PSG.

Maignan’s contract extension a priority for Milan

It is no secret that Maignan attracted interest from Chelsea last summer, and according to Gazzetta, the Milan star still has many admirers in the Premier League.

Milan are aware that every suitor of Maignan, especially from England, will outbid them in contract negotiations with the 30-year-old, but the Serie A giants still hope to secure an agreement in the coming weeks.

Maignan’s contract extension is a priority for Milan, and even coach Massimiliano Allegri is trying to persuade the Frenchman to sign a new deal, Football Italia understands.

What Tare said about Maignan

Igli Tare said on Sunday that the club would soon resume negotiations with the Frenchman, who was “happy” to stay at San Siro. Tare, however, denied that Maignan has demanded a new €8m-a-year contract.

“We’ve never discussed the figures, I’ve never heard these numbers, but it’s easy to talk about Mike because he’s a fantastic lad, he’s a leader and a man of the group,” said the Milan sporting director.

“We are happy with him, he likes to stay at Milan and Milan want to extend. Today we have a game we want to win, then we’ll have time to discuss the matter.”

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Fiorentina are considering sacking their coach, Paolo Vanoli, after barely a month from his appointment, as the Tuscans are still winless in Serie A and have lost four matches from seven under the 53-year-old.

Several Italian sources, including Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, claim that Fiorentina coach Vanoli is on the brink and could be sacked just one month after replacing Stefano Pioli at the Stadio Franchi.

Fiorentina could sack Vanoli after latest loss

Fiorentina sit at the bottom of the table and lost at home against 19th-placed Verona on Sunday, prompting the club to impose a media blackout and send the team into an ‘indefinite’ training retreat.

The Tuscans have only collected six points in 15 Serie A matches and are the only winless team in the league.

Fiorentina hired Vanoli on November 7 to replace Pioli, but the appointment of the ex-Torino and Venezia coach clearly hasn’t produced the desired results.

Fiorentina collected draws against Genoa and Juventus under Violi and lost to Sassuolo, Atalanta and Verona. They lost at home against AEK Athens in the Conference League, but at least managed to beat Dynamo Kyiv.

Fiorentina tension skyrockets

According to Corriere dello Sport, ex-Fiorentina coach Giuseppe Iachini has emerged as one of the early options to replace Vanoli, but the club are currently making their assessments.

Tension in town is so high that Gazzetta reports that the team was taken to the training centre Viola Park on black tinted vans rather than on the team bus after the game yesterday.

Fiorentina fans protested inside and outside the stadium, blaming the players and club directors Alessandro Ferrari and Roberto Goretti, who are currently at the Viola training ground where the team has to prepare for the upcoming Conference League match against Lausanne.

Argentine talents Matias Soulé and Nico Paz will face off in a big match between Roma and Como at the Stadio Olimpico this evening.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT), and it’s the final match of Serie A Round 15.

Just three points separate the two teams in the table, with Roma in fourth and Como in seventh.

The Giallorossi are without the injured Artem Dovbyk and Neil El Aynaoui and the suspended Zeki Celik, so Devyne Rensch is expected to start as a right midfielder with Wesley on the opposite flank.

Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini will provide support to Roma’s centre-forward, and according to Tuttosport and Gazzetta, Evan Ferguson is favourite over Paulo Dybala for a starting spot up front.

Como are without the suspended Maximo Perrone and the injured Alberto Dossena, Sergi Roberto, Edoardo Goldaniga and Alvaro Morata.

Anastasios Douvikas is expected to lead the Azzurri’s attack, while Jayden Addai and Assane Diao compete for a starting spot as right winger.

Roma vs. Como – where to watch on TV

The match will be available on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live commentary via a live blog.

Roma vs. Como – probable line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Rensch, Cristante, Koné, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Ferguson.

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Carlos, Valle; Da Cunha, Caqueret; Diao, Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Fiorentina, Serie B hell. Vanoli might leave too

Inter lead

Overtake at the top: Nerazzurri are the leaders alone

Bisseck and Lautaro decide it. Chivu’s pride: ‘Now we want the Supercoppa.’

Juve coup

Golden Cabal. Victory in Bologna with an eye to the Champions League

Little devil

Milan and the nightmare of newly promoted teams, luckily, there’s Bartesaghi

Ahi Napoli

Udinese dominate. Conte: ‘No excuses, we’re struggling.’

Soulé and Nico Paz play for the World Cup too.

Corriere dello Sport

Lauturbo

Chivu’s sprint

Goal and assist: The Toro overtakes Conte and Max, Supercoppa on Thursday.

Inter take the lead. Milan’s draw, Napoli’s stop

Cristian celebrates: 2-1 win at Marassi. Bisseck breaks the deadlock. Laurienté shocks Allegri. Sassuolo’s comeback (2-2). Conte falls in Udine (1-0). Ekkelenkamp scores.

Roma jump: the big chance

Gasp can return in the Scudetto zone: ‘I’ll end my career here, ambition needed to improve.’ Ndicka plays, Wesley returns.

Viola sink: endless training retreat

Shadows on Vanoli: hypothesis Iachini. The Franchi protests: survival is eight points away. Orban’s brace decisive.

Spalletti’s breakthrough

The Bianconeri win again away after 43 days. Cabal scores. Lucio: ‘The best win since I’m here.’ Zortea hits the crossbar on 0-0. Heggem sent off. Supercoppa: on Friday, Italiano against Inter.

Tuttosport

Milan stumble against Sassuolo, Napoli fall in Udine: Chivu’s overtake

Inter put them back in line

On the pitch after the rivals, the Nerazzurri don’t waste their chance: Bisseck and Lautaro sign the blitz in Genoa. The Rossoneri don’t digest the newly promoted sides. Bartesaghi’s brace: 2-2. Palpitation in San Siro after the draw with Pisa and the defeat against Cremonese. Zaniolo sends Conte’s team into a tilt, punished by a super Ekkelenkamp goal. From Thursday, the Supercoppa in Riyadh.

Juve to Cabal

Convincing and heavy win in Bologna: 1-0.

A defender’s header rewards a high-level performance. Rossoblu (who end up with ten men) are overtaken, and a Champions League spot is one point below. Spalletti (five wins in the last six games): ‘It can be a breakthrough.’

Cholito, the leader: ‘Such a good Toro!’

Image of a bomber and a very Granata family: ‘I couldn’t wait to return to action.’ But Baroni’s troubles are not over.

Viola sink, endless training retreat

Juan Cabal explains his goal celebration after giving Juventus victory against Bologna, while Lloyd Kelly admits they ‘had to play our best football’ tonight.

The Bianconeri needed a boost after last week’s 1-0 defeat to Napoli, and knew this was a crucial head-to-head for European places, as they were two points behind Bologna.

It was substitute Cabal who proved decisive with a free header on the Kenan Yildiz short corner routine, followed five minutes later by Torbjorn Heggem seeing red for bringing down Lois Openda.

Cabal and Kelly evaluate Juventus win

“I swapped shirts with Bernardeschi, who played for Juve, so I wanted his shirt. He was at Juventus, I saw him play a lot, and wanted to bring home the shirt as well as the three points. The team gave their all today,” Cabal told DAZN Italia after the final whistle.

He seemed to celebrate by kissing his wrist, so what was the meaning behind that gesture?

“I kissed the tattoo with my son’s name, I got it done recently, and he brought me good luck.”

Cabal has struggled for regular playing time so far this season and Luciano Spalletti wants more consistency from the wing-back.

“The coach wants a lot from me, because he knows I have much to give this team and I work really hard all week.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 0-1 Juventus

Former Newcastle United defender Kelly also spoke to DAZN Italia after the success at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

“It is a very important win, we know it’s a difficult game. We had to play our best football to be able to come away with a win today,” Kelly told DAZN Italia.

Gleison Bremer made his comeback as a substitute this evening, his first appearance since facing Atalanta on September 27, but Teun Koopmeiners was booked and will be suspended next week against Roma.

“It’s nice to have Bremer back, we know he’s an important player for Juventus, and I’m sure he’s happy to be back with the team too.”

Vincenzo Italiano insists the defeat to Juventus ‘does not diminish’ Bologna and their campaign, as they couldn’t recover from the double whammy of goal and red card.

The Rossoblu have really hit problems in Serie A during recent weeks, as this was their second consecutive home defeat after the 3-1 to Cremonese, and they have just one point from the last three rounds.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 0-1 Juventus

It was a free header from Juan Cabal on a short corner that proved decisive, followed five minutes later by the red card for Torbjorn Heggem as he brought down Lois Openda.

Italiano recognises Bologna strengths and weaknesses

“We were up against a strong opponent that found itself ready in the big moments, with the physicality of Thuram, the experience of Locatelli, the dynamism of Cambiaso and McKennie,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.

“In my view we were in the thick of the game, we created chances and lost it on a set play. We then made life complicated for ourselves with the red card, but we were right in it up until then.”

There were some defensive weaknesses on show, not just on the corner for the goal, but also struggling with long balls over the top.

“We should’ve been a bit quicker to isolate Cambiaghi and Orsolini on the wings, but when you are too slow to create those overlaps, McKennie and Cambiaso get back to make it a five-man defence.

“As for the long ball, we can struggle at times, but Heggem got the ball stuck under his feet and wasn’t aggressive enough to clear, so he ended up running into the player. We made too many mistakes overall, a few too many touches and passes,” continued Italiano.

“It can happen when you’ve had this many games, we arrived home on Friday at 5am and had only one training session to prepare. That’s not an alibi, because we had that other times and won, but just being in the game for so long I think was good.

“All those who played on Thursday were struggling, because it was raining so hard in Vigo and the pitch was very heavy, so I had to rotate and preferred to start those who were at 100 per cent.”

Bologna did manage to give their Europa League prospects a significant boost on Thursday with a 2-1 victory away to Celta Vigo, but despite squad rotation this evening, they seemed to lack sharpness.

“We perhaps weren’t as precise as usual, but Juve deserve credit for making us struggle and run hard tonight. Perhaps with these three big games one after another, some fatigue set in, but this result does not diminish the team at all,” added Italiano.

“We’re disappointed to have lost this evening, but we lost against a Juventus side who will challenge for the top spots this season and our journey continues. We are in the Supercoppa Italiana next week and we must be proud of that.”

Now Italiano will travel to Saudi Arabia for the Supercoppa Italiana, where they take on Inter in the semi-final, as they are the Coppa Italia holders and will therefore face the runners-up of the Scudetto.

The other semi-final is between Napoli and AC Milan, with the two winners going head-to-head on December 22.

Luciano Spalletti insists the victory over Bologna was ‘the most important’ of his Juventus career so far, but notes where Juan Cabal, Lois Openda and Jonathan David can improve.

The Bianconeri knew the importance of this fixture, as they were two points behind Bologna in the Serie A table, so it was a head-to-head for European places.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Bologna 0-1 Juventus

Was this the most important victory of Spalletti’s time at the club so far?

“Absolutely, because we were facing a team that has an identity, quality and enthusiasm, they were built well and even down to 10 men made it difficult for us,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

“Having won here means even more for my players, and they must be congratulated this evening. They did really well.”

Spalletti saw Juventus progress

Both sides had chances in the first half, but the game changed in the space of five minutes when first substitute Cabal nodded in a Kenan Yildiz cross on a corner, then Torbjorn Heggem saw red for bringing down Openda.

“I had seen things done well in training, and told the directors that I saw the players energetic and reacting well in training. We needed a performance that could give them confidence, and I hope after this we can continue to improve,” continued Spalletti.

“Aside from the goal, the overall performance needs to be evaluated in football. Juventus were in the heart of the game for 90 minutes tonight, battled for every ball, went beyond these individual duels that Bologna force you into, and this bodes well for the future.

“Cabal must learn to keep some of his emotions in check. He is like a pedigree horse with his strength and ability to sprint repeatedly, he has talent with back-heel flicks, but talent is also repeating the 100 metre runs 20 times. He doesn’t mind being in one-on-one situations, is good in the air, but in the games he played so far he wasn’t precise enough for his talent, so I had to be hard on him.”

Openda was another substitute who made an impact tonight, as he fought hard and got Heggem sent off, but also missed some sitters.

“I liked his performance. Openda is a different player to Jonathan David, who frankly seems more like a second striker to me than a centre-forward, as he combines with teammates. Openda has more power, and probably against teams like Bologna feels more at ease, because he can run at them with sheer pace when those spaces open up,” concluded Spalletti.

This result means Juventus climb above Bologna into fifth place awaiting Como’s trip to Roma tomorrow, while they also steadied the Champions League ship with a midweek 2-0 win over Pafos.

Gleison Bremer made his comeback after two months out, but Teun Koopmeiners was booked and will therefore be suspended next week against Roma.

Juventus have Juan Cabal to thank after picking up a vital three points in a 1-0 victory away against Bologna in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Check out the player ratings below! 

The Colombian scored the only goal of the game from a set-piece, which has sent Juventus above Bologna by one point in the Serie A standings. The Bianconeri sit in fifth place as things stand, one point behind Roma who will host Como at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Bologna 0-1 Juventus: Player ratings! 

Bologna: Ravaglia 6; Zortea 6 (De Silvestri 5.5), Heggem 4, Lucumi 6 (Bernardeschi n/a), Miranda 6; Moro 6 (Holm 6), Pobega 6; Orsolini 6.5, Ferguson 6 (Sulemana 5.5), Cambiaghi 5.5; Dallinga 5.5 (Castro 5.5).

Best Bologna player: Orsolini 6.5 – To little surprise, Bologna’s most threatening outlet on the night. He had more shots and shots on target than any other player in the game, and was a handful for Koopmeiners until the Dutchman came off. 

Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 6 – Statistically, it was a fairly evenly-fought contest at the Dall-Ara. The hosts had 51% of the possession, had one shot fewer than their opponents, but had one more on target. Had it not been for a momentary switch-off from a set-piece, Bologna had done more than enough to earn a draw, which would have suited them better than Juventus.

Juventus: Di Gregorio 6.5; Kalulu 6, Kelly 6.5, Koopmeiners 6 (Bremer 6); McKennie 6, Thuram 6, Locatelli 6, Cambiaso 5.5 (Cabal 7); Conceicao 6.5 (Miretti n/a), Yildiz 7, David 6 (Openda 6.5).

Best Juventus player: Cabal 7 – Two goals in six Serie A appearances for the Colombian now. Immediate impact off the bench on Sunday evening, evading his marker to claim a free header in the middle of the Bologna penalty area. That was a big confidence boost to begin his evening. 

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 6.5 – That was a big six-pointer in the race for Champions League football, and the perfect way to bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Napoli last time out in Serie A. Had Juventus been a touch more clinical, that would have been a slightly more flattering scoreline. Still, managed the game well after going ahead, even if their life was made easier with Heggem’s sending off. 

Juan Cabal came off the bench to snatch all three points for Juventus against 10 men, continuing the dire Bologna record in this fixture, and leapfrogging them into fifth place.

This was a direct battle for position, as the Rossoblu were two points ahead in the table. Juve lost last week to Napoli, but boosted their Champions League chances in a midweek win over Pafos. Daniele Rugani and Gleison Bremer were back on the bench, but Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, Arek Milik and Carlo Pinsiglio were still out. Bologna’s Serie A form stalled with defeat to Cremonese and a draw against 10-man Lazio, but on Thursday they won 2-1 away to Celta Vigo in the Europa League. Nicolò Casale joined Martin Vitik, Remo Freuler and Lukasz Skorupski on the treatment table.

Incredibly, Juve were unbeaten at the Dall’Ara since November 1998 and hadn’t lost to Bologna at all since a 2-0 result in February 2011.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

There was an early double Michele Di Gregorio save, first on Tommaso Pobega’s acrobatic flick from a free kick, then the Riccardo Orsolini follow-up at the back post.

Orsolini’s trademark curler was smothered and Teun Koopmeiners was booked so will be suspended next week against Roma, but David overhit the through ball to Kenan Yildiz after pouncing on a Lewis Ferguson error.

Weston McKennie only grazed his head to the Andrea Cambiaso cross, while David had penalty appeals waved away for going down too easily under a Jhon Lucumi nudge.

Juventus had the ball in the net on 36 minutes when David flicked on a long ball for McKennie, who won the ricochet off on-rushing Ravaglia and generously rolled across for the Canadian to deposit into an empty net. However, McKennie was offside on the initial flick.

Juve kept coming close, but not close enough, as Ravaglia rushed out when Kenan Yildiz found Conceicao with a smart pass, then Lucumi made the crucial interception as Khephren Thuram tried to set up the Portuguese talent.

Yet Bologna had a huge chance on the stroke of half-time, as Orsolini’s inspired disguised pass released Nadir Zortea to thump his finish against the underside of the bar from a tight angle with Di Gregorio just getting his fingertips to it.

Bologna had rather hopeful penalty appeals, but Manuel Locatelli’s hands were clamped behind his back when blocking the Cambiaghi cross.

Juventus finally found a breakthrough when Kenan Yildiz saw his control and strike deflected inches over by Heggem. The resulting corner was taken short for a Kenan Yildiz cross that found substitute Juan Cabal for a totally free header from six yards.

The situation went from bad to worse for the hosts, as soon after Heggem got caught out by a long Di Gregorio ball and bundled Lois Openda over outside the area for a straight red card.

There was more good news for Juventus, as Gleison Bremer made his comeback for the final 15 minutes, the first appearance since the meniscus injury on September 27.

Conceicao had penalty appeals rejected after running into Lucumi’s arm, infuriating the defender, while Federico Bernardeschi’s effort failed to trouble Di Gregorio.

Ravaglia kept the scoreline down with a great one-handed save on Openda’s daisy-cutter from 12 yards on the Cabal lay-off, then Openda fired another promising opportunity over in stoppages.

It is the second consecutive Serie A home defeat for Bologna after the 3-1 with Cremonese.

Bologna 0-1 Juventus

Cabal 64 (J)

Sent off: Heggem 69 (B)

14-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Juventus

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		19'		Teun Koopmeiners
Juan Miranda		24'

2nd half

		64'		Juan Cabal (Assist: Kenan Yıldız)
Torbjørn Heggem		69'
Ibrahim Sulemana		90'
Lorenzo De Silvestri		90+4'

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

12

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

5

3

Corners

4

0

Offsides

2

10

Fouls

11

Bologna

Juventus

Starting lineups

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

81'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

73'

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

66'

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

73'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

66'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

61'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

76'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

88'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

61'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

Substitutes

17

Ciro Immobile

Attacker

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

75

Petar Markovic

Defender

77

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

66'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

66'

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

73'

2

Emil Holm

Defender

73'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

81'

24

Daniele Rugani

Defender

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

25

João Mário

Defender

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

42

Simone Scaglia

Goalkeeper

40

Jonas Rouhi

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

61'

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

61'

3

Bremer

Defender

76'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

88'

Gleison Bremer has marked his return from injury after a spell of 78 days on the sideline, but Luciano Spalletti will now have to do without another one of his centre-back options when the Bianconeri take on Roma in a huge Serie A clash next weekend. 

Bremer started four of Juve’s first five Serie A matches of the season, but has since missed nine league matches in a row, 15 across all competitions, after suffering a meniscus injury in September.

He had not featured for Juventus since Juventus’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta on September 27, but, 78 days later, has come on as a second-half substitute during Juventus’s Serie A match against Bologna. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

One in, one out for Juventus

While Bremer is now back, Teun Koopmeiners, who has regularly filled in at centre-back since Spalletti came in, will not be available to face Roma in Serie A next week. He picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Bologna and will now have to serve a one-match ban. 

Federico Gatti is also out injured, which leaves Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Daniele Rugani, who has only recently returned to training himself as his natural centre-back options for Roma on Saturday. 

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario has come under fire after his performance during Tottenham’s 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon: “Typical Vicario, always blaming someone else,” says Sky Sports’s Jamie Carragher. 

It has been a few weeks to forget for Tottenham, who have slipped to 11th place in the league table and are currently six points outside the Champions League spots. 

The latest disappointment came at the hands of Nottingham Forest; 16th in the Premier League after their 3-0 victory at the City Ground on Sunday. 

Vicario under fire after 3-0 Tottenham loss 

Vicario’s performances have been under particularly intense scrutiny over the last few weeks after his howler in a 2-1 loss against Fulham at the end of November. 

Things went from bad to worse for him against Forest on Sunday. It was his risky pass to midfielder Archie Gray that led to Ibrahim Sangare pinching the ball and Callum Hudson-Odoi finishing from close range that sent Tottenham 1-0 down on Sunday. 

A moment to forget for Archie Gray and Vicario

Ibrahim Sangaré brilliantly dispossesses him and plays it to Callum Hudson-Odoi to tap in and give Forest the lead! pic.twitter.com/N5JQVIgnVc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

Tottenham then conceded another freak goal, again from Hudson-Odoi, who didn’t make any attempts to hide the fact that he had meant to cross rather than shoot from the left touchline.

Callum Hudson-Odoi crosses the ball in but it goes over Vicario and straight in! pic.twitter.com/hxJp4mY9T6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

“Typical Vicario, he’s always blaming someone else. Every time I see him when a goal goes in, he’s throwing his arms at someone else. Just kick it out of play,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher while reviewing the stopper’s recent performances. 

"Typical Vicario, he's always blaming someone else" @Carra23 not impressed with Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pic.twitter.com/30X8ynUxS8

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

Head coach Thomas Frank has come out in defence of his goalkeeper, arguing that there was no correlation between the goals that Vicario conceded against Nottingham Forest and Fulham over the last few weeks: “Two different situations, you can’t even compare them. Simply because the ball was out on the side in one situation, and the other was in the middle of the pitch,” he explained in frustration. 

When asked if Vicario’s decision making should be called into question, Frank said: “I think Archie (Gray) did very well, this is a clear one. You see that every week: Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, all over the world: In, bounce out with the first touch. Unfortunately we took a touch and then we lost the ball.” 

Some supporters have not looked as kindly on Vicario’s recent performances, though. 

“Inter Milan, pls prepare your January Vicario bid,” one fan wrote on X. 

• Read more: Fulham howler, Tottenham support and Inter links: What’s going on with Vicario?
• Read more: Report Vicario wants Inter move

“He’s a great shot stopper, but frightens me when he’s on the ball,” another added. 

“Happily sell Vicario tomorrow, but Gray was clearly asking for the ball,” wrote another Spurs supporter. 

Lautaro Martinez insists that he and his Inter teammates have their sights set on the Serie A title in 2025-26 and took an opportunity to address his colleagues at the end of their 2-1 victory away against Genoa on Sunday: ‘We’re the ones who put in the work’. 

Inter currently sit alone at the top of the Serie A standings thanks to a 2-1 win away against Genoa on Sunday evening. Goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro were enough for the Nerazzurri to hold onto, despite Vitinha pulling one back for Genoa midway through the second half. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Lautaro addresses Inter teammates after Genoa victory

Napoli’s 1-0 loss against Udinese and Milan’s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo earlier on Sunday means that Inter will spend the next week on their own at the top of the Serie A table. There had been four teams separated by just one point at the top of the table a few weeks ago. 

“It means a lot, we’re back at the top because we’ve worked hard, we’ve had to sacrifice ourselves and regardless of what people say about us, we are focussed on ourselves, working hard, improving, hoping to bring joy to these supporters,” Lautaro told DAZN after full-time on Sunday (via fcinternews.it). 

“Everyone’s been talking about Inter for a few years because we’ve been doing well. It’s normal for there to be criticism and compliments. 

“We’re a team that is aware of our strengths, we always try to make sure that Inter is at the top. It seems repetitive, but that’s what we do. The message in the dressing room is clear, we want to do it.” 

Lautaro was asked what the message he wants to send is, and instead of addressing the supporters, the Nerazzurri skipper took an opportunity to rally his teammates instead. 

“It’s a message to ourselves. As I always say, we’re the ones who put in the work and we’re the ones who try to bring Inter back to where it belongs, so it’s to the team that I speak.”

Cristian Chivu is pleased to see his Inter team back at the top of the Serie A standings after claiming that his side had been written off in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, and has explained why he made certain changes during Sunday’s 2-1 victory away against Genoa. 

The Nerazzurri currently sit alone at the top of the Serie A standings thanks to goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez in an eventual 2-1 victory over Genoa on Sunday evening. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Chivu after Genoa 1-2 Inter: ‘I’ll take the three points’

Speaking to DAZN after full-time, Chivu said that he would rather talk about the game itself rather than the impact that it has had on the Serie A table. 

“I like to talk about the game and what I saw on the pitch,” he began. “It was a difficult game tonight, in this atmosphere and against a team that has been strong since De Rossi came in. I’ll take the three points, which are the most important thing.” 

Chivu explained why he decided to make certain changes before and during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Genoa. 

“The changes were made according to energy and form. Originally, at 2-0, Bonny was supposed to come on, but then I opted for Thuram because I needed more speed. I took Zielinski off and moved Akanji up because we needed two midfielders with a strong structure.” 

Chivu was then asked if he feels his Inter side have been underrated at times this season. 

He replied: “A few months ago, they had us finishing eighth or tenth because we looked finished. We’re working hard to show our value. 

“For me, we need a bit of consistency in everything, but we’re aware of what we have to do and how we have to do it. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t.” 

Up next on the schedule is a trip to Saudi Arabia to take on Bologna in the semi-final of the Supercoppa Italiana. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Napoli or Milan a few days later. 

“An important game lies ahead of us in Riyadh. We’re not looking at anything else,” Chivu said.

Bologna director Marco Di Vaio feels they can ‘have our say’ against Juventus and hopes he’ll finally shrug off a shocking Serie A statistic tonight.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is a face-off for European places, because the Rossoblu are currently two points above the Old Lady in the table and would like to take advantage of a general slowdown in the top spots this weekend.

“We have for over two years been doing very well, so the lads and all of us know that we can have our say,” Di Vaio told DAZN Italia.

“Every game is different, Juve have great players, but we are well aware that we’re competitive and can play our game too.”

Bologna history against Juventus is astonishing

An extraordinary statistic is that Bologna have not beaten Juventus in all competition since February 2011, a 2-0 result in Turin decided by a Di Vaio brace.

They haven’t defeated Juve at the Stadio Dall’Ara since a 3-0 result in November 1998.

“I was just telling my daughter in the car on the way here that I am so tired of being told that I was the last Bologna player to score a winner against Juventus,” confessed Di Vaio.

“I look forward to someone else taking my place in that statistic, because it’s been too long. We had great results in recent years beating just about all the big clubs, but not Juventus yet.”

The team slowed down in Serie A recently, with a defeat to Cremonese and draw against 10-man Lazio, but boosted morale with Thursday’s comeback victory away to Celta Vigo in the Europa League.

Federico Bernardeschi scored twice in Spain and he represents a different kind of player to the young and promising prospects that Bologna had focused on before.

“Last season we were in the Champions League and realised we were lacking something in terms of experience at that level, so we approached both Federico and Ciro Immobile too, making the most of their situations to bring them here.

“Having players who starred and won at the highest level was something we had been lacking, as that influences the others,” explained Di Vaio.

Inter once again have Lautaro Martinez to thank for a 2-1 victory away against Genoa in Serie A on Sunday evening, a result which has sent the Nerazzurri to the top of the league table. 

Check out the player ratings below! 

A surprise goal from centre-back Yann Bisseck and a second from captain Lautaro 10 minutes before the end of the first half were enough for Inter to cling onto despite Vitinha pulling one back for Genoa midway through the second half. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Genoa 1-2 Inter: Player ratings!

Genoa: Leali 6; Marcandalli 6, Otoa 6, Vasquez 5.5; Norton-Cuffy 6, Frendrup 5, Malinovskyi 5, Ellertsson 6, Martin 6; Vitinha 6.5, Colombo 5.5.

Best Genoa player: Vitinha 6.5 – Provided the moment of quality that gave the Genoa supporters a brief moment of joy and the belief that they might get something more out of the game in the second half. He had so much work to do to create that goal for himself as well. 

Coach: Daniele De Rossi 6 – It was always going to be a difficult test against Inter, but Genoa weren’t really up to the task aside from their decent opening spell. Another tricky test against Atalanta now awaits them. 

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 7, Akanji 6, Bastoni 6; L.Henrique 6, Barella 6, Zielinski 6.5, Sucic 6.5, C.Augusto 6; L.Martinez 7.5, Esposito 6. 

Best Inter player: Lautaro Martinez 7.5 – A goal, an assist and four shots on target from the Nerazzurri talisman this afternoon. His seventh in Serie A so far this season, the most in the division, and 11 goals including his four in the Champions League. Realistically, the game should have been out of reach for Genoa after his strike went in for 2-0 after 38 minutes. 

Coach: Cristian Chivu 7.5 – It’s been a relentless schedule for the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, and on a weekend where others have tripped up, Chivu got his selections right on Sunday, and is now sitting alone at the top of the Serie A table as a result. Arguably Inter’s most important victory of the season thus far.

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini reassures the Agnelli family and the club are ‘one and the same,’ while Khephren Thuram and Kenan Yildiz are going nowhere.

The trip to Bologna kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Bianconeri went into the weekend in seventh place and sitting two points behind Bologna, so this is a crucial head-to-head for European spots.

Chiellini speaks out on Juventus headline issues

There have been reports that Juventus could swap Khephren Thuram with Inter midfielder Davide Frattesi in the January transfer market.

“I won’t talk about Frattesi, as that’s a lack of respect towards Inter. What I can say without doubt is that Thuram will remain a Juventus player. He has done really well in the year and a half he’s been with us and we have no intention of letting him go,” Chiellini told DAZN Italia.

The big news this week was that cryptocurrency firm Tether, who are already minority shareholders, launched a shock takeover bid to purchase all the remaining shares from the Agnelli family holding company Exor.

It was rejected immediately, with President John Elkann stating the club’s values were ‘not for sale.’

“They were important words, strong words, but for those who know the atmosphere, they were not surprising. When we think of the Agnelli family, we think of Juventus, and vice versa. They are one and the same. That’s how it has always been and that’s how it will be in future,” added Chiellini.

“So there’s nothing more to say other than we will build Juve back to the strength they had in the past and will again in the future. There are values at Juventus that get passed from generation to generation, but we also look to the future.

“It has unfortunately been five years since we last won the Scudetto, we feel the responsibility of that, but it takes nothing away from our confidence going into the future. Above all, the owners and Juventus are a single insoluble entity.”

If the club had been sold, would Chiellini still have been dealing with negotiations for the new Kenan Yildiz contract?

“I haven’t the foggiest idea, but that’s not an issue I will need to think about! Kenan is an important player, he has a long contract, it’s not a situation that gets sorted out in a week. The important thing is that we both want to carry on together, his contract doesn’t expire in six months, so there’s no rush, but we want to improve the contract so it is suited to his status.”

Juve got back on track in the Champions League midweek with a 2-0 victory over Pafos, a much-needed result after last week’s Serie A loss to Napoli.

Inter surged to the top of the Serie A table thanks to Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez, inflicting the first defeat on the Genoa bench for Daniele De Rossi.

The Nerazzurri were shaken by a controversial Champions League defeat to Liverpool, especially as Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi joined Denzel Dumfries, Matteo Darmian, Tomas Palacios and Raffaele Di Gennaro on the treatment table. The Grifone were revitalised since Patrick Vieira’s dismissal, Daniele De Rossi overseeing two draws and two consecutive victories against Verona and Udinese. Leo Ostigard, Junior Messias, Hugo Cuenca, Maxwel Cornet and Benjamin Siegrist missed out, but Morten Frendrup returned.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

As Milan were held 2-2 by Sassuolo and Napoli lost 1-0 to Udinese, Inter knew a win here would leapfrog them to the top of the Serie A table. There was trouble an hour before kick-off when Genoa and Inter fans clashed outside the stadium, setting cars on fire and prompting police to deploy tear gas.

The hosts had a big early chance when Lorenzo Colombo got down the left and his pull-back was just beyond Vitinha sliding in from six yards.

Instead, Inter opened the scoring when Lautaro Martinez kept it in play at the by-line and found Yann Bisseck, as while Nicola Leali was expecting a cross, he was wrong-footed on a low drive drilled into the near bottom corner.

Carlos Augusto nodded wide and Lautaro Martinez tested Leali from the edge of the area, while Francesco Pio Esposito forced a save from the on-rushing goalkeeper when holding off Sebastian Otoa to reach a Nicolò Barella pass.

Inter doubled their lead when Barella’s cross-field pass sent Carlos Augusto down the left, he laid it off for Lautaro Martinez, who used his strength to turn Alessandro Marcandalli and smash the angled drive into the far bottom corner with the inside of the left boot.

Lautaro Martinez also fired straight at Leali after the restart and Bisseck nodded a corner wide, but Genoa got back into the game with a moment of real skill from Vitinha.

The former Olympique Marseille striker gathered from Aaron Martin down the left, flicked it on with his heel to get away from two Inter defenders, cut inside to dribble around Yann Sommer and deposit into an empty net.

Albert Gronbaek’s free kick was easy for Sommer, but far tougher for Leali to parry Marcus Thuram’s header on a corner at the near post.

Sommer was tested more in stoppages, smothering the Caleb Ekuban glancing header on Jeff Ekhator’s cross.

Genoa 1-2 Inter

Bisseck 6 (I), Lautaro Martinez 38 (I), Vitinha 68 (G)

14-12-2025 17:00

MatchDay 15

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Inter

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		6'		Yann Bisseck (Assist: Lautaro Martínez)
		38'		Lautaro Martínez

2nd half

		54'		Manuel Akanji
Vitinha (Assist: Aarón Martín)		68'
		73'		Nicolò Barella
		78'		Yann Bisseck
Jeff Ekhator		90+2'

Match statistic

36

Possession %

64

5

Total shots

18

3

Shots on target

8

2

Shots off target

2

0

Blocked shots

8

1

Corners

6

0

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

20

Genoa

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

15

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

34

Sebastian Otoa

Defender

89'

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

78'

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

58'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

89'

9

Vitinha

Attacker

78'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

74'

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

90'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

74'

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

84'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

Substitutes

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

8

Nicolae Stanciu

Midfielder

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

40

Seydou Fini

Attacker

76

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

35

Ernestas Lysionok

Goalkeeper

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

58'

11

Albert Grønbaek

Midfielder

78'

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

78'

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

89'

23

Valentín Carboni

Midfielder

89'

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

60

Alain Taho

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

50

Simone Cinquegrano

Defender

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

74'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

74'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

84'

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

90'

Fiorentina have taken action after Sunday’s disappointing 2-1 loss at home against Hellas Verona in Serie A, which marked their 15th league match without a win. 

La Viola remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a Gift Orban brace condemned them to their ninth league defeat of the season. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

How Fiorentina responded to 2-1 Verona defeat

Fiorentina are stuck in 20th place in the Serie A table. They have drawn six and lost nine so far in the league this season. This is only the third time ever that they have gone 15 matches without a win in one season, the previous instances occurring in the 1970-71 and 1937-38 seasons. 

In response to their loss on Sunday afternoon, no Fiorentina coaches, players nor officials spoke to the media. 

According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, the Fiorentina management have decided to send the squad for an ‘indefinite’ training camp ahead of their Conference League match against Lausanne on Thursday. 

It remains to be seen what Sunday’s loss means for the future of head coach Paolo Vanoli, who was only appointed to replace Stefano Pioli at the beginning of November, but has not overseen any improvement in form since then. Violanews.com suggests that the picture will be clearer on Monday. 

Francisco Conceicao joins Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David upfront for Juventus in a showdown for position with Riccardo Orsolini’s high-flying Bologna.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Going into this weekend, Bologna are two points ahead of Juve in the table, so it is a big clash for Champions League places.

Both teams are also coming off midweek European victories that boosted their confidence.

Juve really needed it after their Serie A defeat to Napoli, which left them languishing in seventh.

Daniele Rugani and Gleison Bremer returned to the bench in their 2-0 win over Pafos, but Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, Arek Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio are still out.

David scored in Europe and is again chosen to lead the attack with support from Kenan Yildiz and Conceicao.

Bologna stalled their Serie A progress in recent weeks with defeat to Cremonese and a 1-1 draw against 10-man Lazio.

Nicolò Casale limped off with a thigh strain in that game, joining Martin Vitik, Lukasz Skorupski and Remo Freuler on the absentee list.

Thijs Dallinga gets the nod upfront rather than Santiago Castro after Thursday’s 2-1 comeback Europa League success away to Celta Vigo.

Orsolini, Lewis Ferguson in a more advanced role and Nicolò Cambiaghi are in support.

Bologna vs. Juventus line-ups

Bologna: Ravaglia; Zortea, Heggem, Lucumí, Miranda; Pobega, Moro; Orsolini, Ferguson, Cambiaghi; Dallinga

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceiçao, Yildiz; David

14-12-2025 19:45

MatchDay 15

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Juventus

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		19'		Teun Koopmeiners
Juan Miranda		24'

2nd half

		64'		Juan Cabal (Assist: Kenan Yıldız)
Torbjørn Heggem		69'
Ibrahim Sulemana		90'
Lorenzo De Silvestri		90+4'

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

12

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

5

3

Corners

4

0

Offsides

2

10

Fouls

11

Bologna

Juventus

Starting lineups

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

81'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

73'

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

66'

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

73'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

66'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

61'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

76'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

88'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

61'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

Substitutes

17

Ciro Immobile

Attacker

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

75

Petar Markovic

Defender

77

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

66'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

66'

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

73'

2

Emil Holm

Defender

73'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

81'

24

Daniele Rugani

Defender

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

25

João Mário

Defender

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

42

Simone Scaglia

Goalkeeper

40

Jonas Rouhi

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

61'

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

61'

3

Bremer

Defender

76'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

88'

Antonio Conte admits that his players were ‘too worried, too fearful’ and that they have to improve on their record on the road after slipping to their seventh away defeat of the season in a 1-0 Serie A loss against Udinese on Sunday afternoon. 

A lone goal from Udinese’s Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was enough to defeat the reigning Serie A champions, who are now sat in third place and could be two points off the lead of the table by the end of Sunday evening. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Conte: Udinese loss, Napoli injuries and improving away form

Napoli have had a tough time of it with injuries over the last few weeks, with Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Romelu Lukaku, Juan Jesus and Alex Meret all having spent time on the treatment table over the last few weeks, and months in some cases.

Aside from swapping Leonardo Spinazzola for Mathias Olivera on Sunday, Conte has named the same starting XI for three games in a row, within the space of seven days. 

“We didn’t concede any shots on goal in the first half, we could have made better of the chances we had. We struggled at the beginning of the second half, and you could tell there was a bit of fear from there on,” Conte told DAZN while reviewing his side’s performance against Udinese. 

“Two disallowed goals and a crossbar at the start of the second half,” he continued. “We were too worried and too fearful, we needed to work hard. We have to play well, even in the difficult moments. We have to manage situations and we definitely have to improve.

“We have to be better at managing these moments, we have to tackle them with experience. We can’t lose courage or become overwhelmed. If you play like that, you run the risk of conceding, and we conceded. 

“I have nothing negative to say about the guys who are giving their all in this emergency. We have to be better at managing games and bringing out more character away from home. On a psychological level, we try to work on it and find the right way. We can grow, we have great guys here.” 

Conte was asked if he is worried about injuries derailing his side’s season. 

He replied: “I sounded the alarm even after we were winning. There’s not much to say. 

“At the beginning of the season, when you’re playing in a lot of competitions, you worry about building a squad that is up to scratch. (What can you do) when the squad is weakened because of external factors? 

“This year won’t be easy for us. The important thing is to be united and compact, facing challenges while sticking together. The whole club needs to stand together, this year won’t be easy. We want to work and fight. We’ve lost seven away games, we have to improve that a bit.”

There were some ugly scenes outside Marassi this evening ahead of Genoa vs. Inter, when two sets of fans threw objects at each other, attacked police, and cars were set on fire.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also known as Marassi, at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

According to Sky Sport Italia and Sportitalia, there were clashes outside the stadium over an hour before kick-off.

What happened before Genoa vs. Inter

A group of Genoa ultras threw objects including fireworks at some Nerazzurri fans who were preparing to enter the away end of the stadium.

𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬: 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐢 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐝𝐢 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐚-𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

Lancio di petardi e fumogeni dei genoani verso i tifosi nerazzurri

@tancredipalmeri #genoa #inter #sportitalia pic.twitter.com/eZFXBik8OW

— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) December 14, 2025

They responded by attempting to break down the barrier separating them, so police were forced to intervene and the situation degenerated.

At least one car was set on fire, while some fans were seen dealing with the effects of tear gas deployed by the authorities.

Continuano gli scontri prima di Genoa-Inter: macchine in fiamme all’esterno del Ferraris

@tancredipalmeri #GenoaInter #Sportitalia pic.twitter.com/YZqjcdlwhc

— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) December 14, 2025

Once calm was restored, a car, several motorbikes and some bins were left burned to a crisp.

Scontri al Ferraris prima di Genoa-Inter: le immagini dei clamorosi danni

1 camioncino, 1 motorino, 1 macchina e 7 cassonetti dati a fuoco

@tancredipalmeri #GenoaInter #Sportitalia pic.twitter.com/DVfCDfcClL

— Sportitalia (@tvdellosport) December 14, 2025

Davide Bartesaghi scored the first goals of his Milan career in a 2-2 Serie A draw against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, and in doing so, became the youngest Rossoneri defender to net a brace since Paolo Maldini in 1988: ‘It’s a dream’, he said. 

Milan, overall, will be disappointed by their 2-2 draw at home against Sassuolo on Sunday evening, which has left them at risk of being leapfrogged into first place by Inter, but it was certainly a memorable occasion for Bartesaghi, who netted the first and second goals of his senior career. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolds on the Football Italia liveblog.

Bartesaghi on first Milan goals: ‘Goosebumps, but I’m sorry we didn’t win’

With his goals in the 34th and 47th minutes against Sassuolo, Bartesaghi became the youngest defender to score a brace for Milan since Maldini in 1988. Maldini was 19 years and 247 days old at the time, and Bartesaghi is 19 years and 350 days old on the day of his Sassolo double. 

“I’m very happy, it’s a dream come true for me to play and score in these colours,” Bartesaghi told Milan TV after full-time on Sunday. 

“It gives me goosebumps, but I’m also sorry that the team wasn’t able to win, that’s a shame.” 

He continued: “I want to dedicate the goals to (Bernardo) Corradi, who has always believed in me, and also to the whole staff and team. I also want to say thanks to my two best friends who came here to the stadium today. I’m very happy.” 

Liverpool fans were impressed by Federico Chiesa’s selflessness with his attempted assist for Mohamed Salah at the end of their 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon: ‘We need to see more of him’. 

After a relatively slow start to life on Merseyside in 2024-25, Chiesa is becoming somewhat of a cult hero at Anfield in 2025-26. Despite his limited opportunities in the first team, the former Juventus winger has impressed with his brief appearances off the bench, and is winning over Liverpool supporters with his passion, determination and selflessness. 

Chiesa currently has two goals and one assist to his name from 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, all of which have come off the bench. 

He came close to adding another assist to that tally during injury time at the end of Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday afternoon. 

At full sprint in the opposition half, Chiesa latched on to a long ball over the top on the edge of the opposition area and had the space and time in front of him to line up a shot towards the bottom corner of the net. Instead, he looked up and squared to Salah. 

Liverpool fans react to Chiesa’s selflessness

Plenty of Liverpool supporters feel that Chiesa was intentionally trying to get a goal for Salah specifically after a difficult week off the pitch. The Egyptian was dropped for Liverpool’s recent Champions League victory over Inter and had started on the bench against Brighton after his recent outburst and accusations against the club. 

“Moments like this matter. Chiesa could’ve easily shot, but chooses Mo instead. Respect,” wrote The Anfield Buzz on X reacting to the Italian’s attempted assist on Saturday.

One supporter wrote: “Chiesa can do this on both flanks and has some incredible pace in him even after all those injuries and an ACL. With Mo going to AFCON, we need to see more of him.” 

Another added: “Chiesa has played only 15 minutes and really doesn’t deserve to be benched. Now that Salah has gone to play in the AFCON, Federico Chiesa DESERVES to start. He looks very sharp.” 

“Two chances to go alone, which was the better option, but instead opted to pass to Isak and Mo Salah cause he knows they can do with it more. Unselfish, team player. Honestly one of the best signings we’ve had in recent years,” another wrote.

Cristian Chivu is impressed with how Daniele De Rossi transformed Genoa and warns Inter they need ‘quality and intensity’ after surprise results already today.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also known as Marassi, at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

There was some crowd trouble outside the stadium before kick-off, with clashes between sets of supporters and police.

Meanwhile, Inter know a victory could leapfrog them to the top of the table, because AC Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Sassuolo today, while Napoli lost 1-0 away to Udinese.

Chivu concerned about Inter distraction

“We have to focus on ourselves, be ready to play what will not be an easy game, because Genoa are in a great period of form, are on home turf and feeling the energy of enthusiasm,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

Genoa have been revitalised under new coach De Rossi since he replaced Patrick Vieira, so has Chivu spoken to his old Roma teammate this week?

“We haven’t spoken this week, no. De Rossi transmitted character to his squad, but also quality, as they pass it around more and try to open up the opposition defences. Their strikers are doing well, so it’s going to be tough for us too.”

The last week has been a rollercoaster for the Nerazzurri, who had the best performance of the season thumping Como 4-0, but then lost to Liverpool in the Champions League thanks to an extraordinarily soft late penalty.

The biggest problem about that midweek defeat was fresh injuries to Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi, who both limped off during the first half and are therefore absent here.

“I expect to see a team aware of how important and difficult this match is going to be, because there will be moments when we need quality, others where we have to focus more on intensity,” concluded Chivu.

Inter are forced into changes in defence and midfield, while Francesco Pio Esposito partners Lautaro Martinez for the trip to Daniele De Rossi’s revitalised Genoa.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also known as Marassi, at 17.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This has been a difficult few days for Cristian Chivu, as just after an exhilarating 4-0 victory over Como, he had to deal with a second consecutive Champions League defeat, this one to a ridiculously soft Liverpool penalty.

To make matters worse, Hakan Calhanoglu and Francesco Acerbi both limped off during that game and are out of action, along with Denzel Dumfries, Matteo Darmian, Tomas Palacios and Raffaele Di Gennaro.

Changes are therefore forced, including Carlos Augusto stepping in on the left, with Piotr Zielinski and Petar Sucic in midfield.

Francesco Pio Esposito is chosen to partner Lautaro Martinez upfront.

Genoa have been revitalised since Daniele De Rossi replaced Patrick Vieira, earning two draws and back-to-back victories over Verona and Udinese to break out of the relegation zone.

Leo Ostigard, Junior Messias, Hugo Cuenca, Maxwel Cornet and Benjamin Siegrist are still out of action, but Morten Frendrup returns to midfield.

Brooke Norton-Cuffy scored last week and bolstered his transfer value, while Vitinha supports Lorenzo Colombo upfront, leaving Inter-owned Valentin Carboni on the bench.

Genoa vs. Inter line-ups

Genoa: Leali; Marcandalli, Otoa, Vasquez; Norton-Cuffy, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Ellertsson, Martin; Vitinha, Colombo

Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Pio Esposito

14-12-2025 17:00

MatchDay 15

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Inter

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		6'		Yann Bisseck (Assist: Lautaro Martínez)
		38'		Lautaro Martínez

2nd half

		54'		Manuel Akanji
Vitinha (Assist: Aarón Martín)		68'
		73'		Nicolò Barella
		78'		Yann Bisseck
Jeff Ekhator		90+2'

Match statistic

36

Possession %

64

5

Total shots

18

3

Shots on target

8

2

Shots off target

2

0

Blocked shots

8

1

Corners

6

0

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

20

Genoa

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

15

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

34

Sebastian Otoa

Defender

89'

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

78'

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

58'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

89'

9

Vitinha

Attacker

78'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

74'

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

90'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

74'

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

84'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

Substitutes

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

8

Nicolae Stanciu

Midfielder

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

40

Seydou Fini

Attacker

76

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

35

Ernestas Lysionok

Goalkeeper

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

58'

11

Albert Grønbaek

Midfielder

78'

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

78'

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

89'

23

Valentín Carboni

Midfielder

89'

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

60

Alain Taho

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

50

Simone Cinquegrano

Defender

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

74'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

74'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

84'

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

90'

Fiorentina took a big step towards relegation with this shock home defeat to Hellas Verona, as Gift Orban came off the bench and netted twice to decide this dogfight.

The importance of this clash could not be underestimated, as the bottom two went head-to-head. Hellas secured their first win of the season last week by surprising Atalanta, but the Viola were still without a single Serie A victory. Marin Pongracic returned from suspension, with Robin Gosens, Jacopo Fazzini, Abdelhamid Sabiri and Tariq Lamptey still out after Thursday’s Conference League win over Dynamo Kyiv. Verona missed Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro, Domagoj Bradaric and Tomas Suslov.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Hellas nearly took the early lead after six minutes when Antoine Bernede hit a screamer off the underside of the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area.

Moise Kean ran onto a long Nicolò Fagioli ball over the top, let it bounce, and hit the half-volley just over the bar. A very similar move saw the pair combine again, this time the finish forcing a save from on-rushing Lorenzo Montipò.

Cheick Niasse ran a huge risk with a sliding tackle on Luca Ranieri, where he just about managed to get the ball, but Verona lost Giovane to a sprained ankle.

Montipò was also tested with a tricky save under the bar on Rolando Mandragora’s sweeping strike, but it was Hellas who took the lead.

It was a classic counter-attack as Al-Musrati’s inspired through ball sent substitute Gift Orban running from inside his own half and he spotted David De Gea off his line, bending the right-foot finish around the goalkeeper in at the near post.

Fiorentina had an opportunity to equalise in first half stoppages, but Kean found himself in the way of Fagioli’s strike.

After the restart, a free kick was flicked on for Luca Ranieri’s looping header that landed on top of the crossbar, then Montipò pushed away the Fagioli snapshot from the edge of the box.

Verona could easily have been 2-0 up on the hour mark, but Orban turned a free header over from Amin Sarr’s inspired ball.

Kean again ran onto a Fagioli ball over the top and flicked it beyond the on-rushing Montipò, but just wide of the open goal.

Orban also wasted another counter-attack drilling wide for Verona, but Fiorentina equalised with a bit of luck.

The tactic was used repeatedly and eventually paid off, Fagioli’s ball over the top for Kean forcing another Montipò save, but this time it ricocheted off Unai Nunez and back into the net.

De Gea needed a tough save to palm away the ferocious Roberto Gagliardini volley from the edge of the box on a corner.

Just as it seemed to be a point each, Verona snatched the victory. Bernede gathered a throw-in and managed to pull back from the by-line, finding Orban ready to tap in at the near post from six yards.

Fiorentina 1-2 Verona

Orban 42, 93 (V), Unai Nunez og 69 (F)

14-12-2025 14:00

MatchDay 15

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Verona

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		25'		Cheikh Niasse
		32'		Martin Frese
Albert Gudmundsson		36'
		39'		Moatasem Al-Musrati
		42'		Gift Orban (Assist: Moatasem Al-Musrati)

2nd half

Unai Núñez		69'
		85'		Rafik Belghali
		90+3'		Gift Orban (Assist: Antoine Bernede)
		90+5'		Unai Núñez

Match statistic

66

Possession %

34

20

Total shots

13

4

Shots on target

3

9

Shots off target

7

7

Blocked shots

3

9

Corners

4

1

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

22

Fiorentina

Verona

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

87'

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

61'

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

87'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

61'

7

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

69'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

1

Lorenzo Montipò

Goalkeeper

37

Armel Bella-Kotchap

Defender

3

Martin Frese

Defender

75'

7

Rafik Belghali

Defender

5

Unai Núñez

Defender

15

Victor Nelsson

Defender

24

Antoine Bernede

Midfielder

73

Moatasem Al-Musrati

Midfielder

75'

36

Cheikh Niasse

Attacker

46'

25

Daniel Mosquera

Attacker

61'

17

Giovane

Attacker

35'

Substitutes

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

18

Pablo Marí

Defender

14

Hans Nicolussi Caviglia

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

Christian Kouamé

Attacker

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

61'

24

Amir Richardson

Midfielder

61'

9

Edin Dzeko

Attacker

69'

26

Mattia Viti

Defender

87'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

87'

21

Abdou Harroui

Midfielder

20

Grigoris Kastanos

Midfielder

34

Simone Perilli

Goalkeeper

23

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

94

Giacomo Toniolo

Goalkeeper

72

Junior Ajayi

Attacker

2

Daniel Oyegoke

Defender

19

Tobias Slotsager

Defender

4

Yellu Santiago

Midfielder

70

Fallou Cham

Defender

16

Gift Orban

Attacker

35'

63

Roberto Gagliardini

Midfielder

46'

9

Amin Sarr

Attacker

61'

8

Suat Serdar

Midfielder

75'

Nicolás Valentini

Defender

75'

Davide Possanzini is walking on thin ice at Mantova, and Francesco Modesto has emerged as a possible replacement.

Possanzini is once again on the brink at Mantova as the Serie B side’s management is making serious assessments that can lead to the coach’s dismissal.

Surely, the latest defeat against Cesena was not digested as the team had taken a two-goal lead, but then suffered a comeback, eventually losing 3-2.

Mantova directors want to have a proper think on whether to go forward with the current coach, who had already been on the brink a few weeks ago, but then managed to keep his spot.

Now the situation is tricky once again, and there are already some possible candidates to replace Possanzini.

Sources with direct knowledge of the matter exclusively tell me that Francesco Modesto is the leading candidate for the job, but the list also includes Maran and Pagliuca, who are slightly below Modesto.

In the meantime, Possanzini’s future at Mantova is once again uncertain.

Napoli rode their luck for two disallowed goals, but were eventually undone by a Jurgen Ekkelenkamp stunner for Udinese.

The Partenopei looked exhausted in their midweek Champions League defeat to Benfica, but had few alternatives available, as Juan Jesus joined Billy Gilmour, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku on the treatment table. Stanislav Lobotka and Miguel Gutierrez were back on the bench. The Friulani lost Jordan Zemura in the surprise 2-1 home defeat to Genoa, with Arthur Atta and Hassane Kamara already out.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Nicolò Bertola risked an own goal with his decisive interception, as Leonardo Spinazzola got down the left and rolled across for a Noa Lang tap-in. Lang then fired over on the resulting corner.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic pushed away a Jurgen Ekkelenkamp strike from the edge of the area, with the Nicolò Zaniolo follow-up charged down, while Jakub Piotrowski nodded wide.

Udinese came out more aggressive for the restart and had the ball in the net when Milinkovic-Savic’s weak parry on Bertola’s strike from the edge of the box was tapped in by Keinan Davis, but the forward was offside.

The hosts threatened again soon after when Piotrowski smashed his finish onto the underside of the crossbar down the right flank.

Zaniolo really should’ve opened the scoring when firing wide at the end of a well-worked move at the back post. He did get the ball in the net moments later, but it was disallowed when VAR spotted Karlstrom’s foul on Lobotka in the build-up.

Udinese finally scored a goal that counted when Jurgen Ekkelenkamp bent a sensational right-foot finish into the far top corner from the edge of the box, giving Milinkovic-Savic no chance.

Napoli wasted an astonishing opportunity to equalise on 88 minutes when Lorenzo Lucca got down the right and rolled across, but Hojlund off balance stumbled and somehow prodded it off target from a couple of yards.

Lucca went for it himself in stoppages and came sliding in to meet the David Neres cross, volleying it onto the base of the back post.

Udinese 1-0 Napoli

Ekkelenkamp 73 (U)

14-12-2025 14:00

MatchDay 15

Friuli Stadium (Dacia Arena)

Udinese

Napoli

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Nicolò Zaniolo

33'

2nd half

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (Assist: Keinan Davis)

73'

Match statistic

38

Possession %

62

18

Total shots

7

5

Shots on target

6

Shots off target

6

7

Blocked shots

1

1

Corners

3

1

Offsides

1

16

Fouls

9

Udinese

Napoli

Starting lineups

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

Alessandro Zanoli

Defender

90'

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

84'

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

83'

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

90'

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

84'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

75'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

22

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

82'

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

61'

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

82'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

7

David Neres

Attacker

70

Noa Lang

Attacker

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

Substitutes

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

4

Sandi Lovric

Midfielder

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

16

Matteo Palma

Defender

77

Rui Modesto

Midfielder

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

83'

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

84'

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

84'

17

Iker Bravo

Attacker

90'

2

Saba Goglichidze

Defender

90'

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

69

Giuseppe Ambrosino

Attacker

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Mathias Ferrante

Goalkeeper

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

61'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

75'

27

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

82'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

82'

Tijjan Noslin’s winning goal for Lazio against Parma could change the striker’s future at the Stadio Olimpico.

Noslin scored a vital goal for Lazio against Parma, allowing the Biancocelesti to secure three points at the Tardini despite being reduced to nine men.

It was the second goal of the season for the Dutchman, but this was truly a massive one because it kept Lazio fairly close to a European spot.

To some extent, what happened was a miracle when thinking about what has happened since last summer, when Noslin had long been considered a potential asset in the transfer market.

However, Lazio then decided to stick with him also because they had been imposed a transfer embargo.

Until a few weeks ago, Noslin’s future at Lazio might have seemed uncertain, with the possibility of a swap deal or a permanent transfer. However, after his goal at Parma and Maurizio Sarri’s post-match words, the scenario could change.

Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his squad of 23 Juventus players to take on Bologna at the Dall’Ara on Sunday evening, in a game that is already crucial in the race for the Champions League positions in Serie A. 

The Bianconeri sit in seventh place in the Serie A standings ahead of kick-off with 23 points to their name thus far. Bologna are two points and two positions above them in the table as things stand. 

Spalletti’s side were beaten 2-1 away against reigning champions Napoli last time out in Serie A, but have since got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Pafos in the Champions League on Wednesday night. 

Spalletti has named the exact same squad of players that he did against Pafos for this evening’s match against Bologna. 

Defenders Gleison Bremer and Daniele Rugani have returned to the squad against Pafos, and have been selected again for the Bologna trip, but it remains to be seen whether either of them will earn any minutes on this occasion. Pre-match reports suggest that it will be a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly and Teun Koopmeiners again on Sunday. 

Khephren Thuram is expected to return to the midfield after Fabio Miretti’s opportunity midweek, while Francisco Conceicao could come into the team in place of Edon Zhegrova in attack. 

Juventus are without Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, Arkadiusz Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio. 

Confirmed Juventus squad vs. Bologna 

Goalkeepers: Perin, Di Gregorio. 

Defenders: Bremer, Kelly, Kalulu, Rugani, J.Mario, Cambiaso, Cabal, Rouhi, Scaglia. 

Midfielders: Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Adzic, Kostic, Thuram, Miretti, McKennie. 

Forwards: Conceicao, Yildiz, Zhegrova, Openda, David.

La lista dei convocati per la sfida in trasferta di questa sera #BolognaJuve

Powered by @WhiteBit pic.twitter.com/EBsyNfusHU

— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) December 14, 2025

Football Italia’s transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà examines referee controversies from Torino-Cremonese and Parma-Lazio and criticises the reported proposal to reschedule a big game from Round 30 by just 45 minutes.

Pedullà’s latest video for Football Italia on YouTube touches on several issues in Serie A, including referee controversies in Torino-Cremonese and Parma-Lazio.

Cremonese were not given a penalty kick despite a clear Simeone handball, a kind of incident that previously led to opposite decisions from the referee and VAR.

“They need to explain how this works, because it can’t go on like this,” Pedullà said.

“VAR unplagged itself and decided not to intervene; that’s not a penalty! So they need to guide us on all the other situations that, in the same circumstances, should not be penalties either.”

The Italian pundit also praised Cremonese coach Davide Nicola for the sportsmanship shown in post-match interviews.

Pedullà also criticised the latest proposal, which appeared in the Italian media, to potentially postpone a big game of Round 30 by just 45 minutes in order to give Gennaro Gattuso more rested players for the World Cup play-off in March.

DAN referee pundit Luca Marelli claims that Christian Pulisic’s goal for Milan against Sassuolo shouldn’t have been disallowed, but the Neroverdi deserved a penalty kick for a Strahinja Pavlović foul.

Milan’s 2-2 home draw against Sassuolo saw referee Valerio Crezzini in the spotlight as he navigated several tricky incidents, with his decisions coming under criticism from the Italian media.

USMNT international Pulisic had a goal disallowed in the second half, with Milan already leading 2-1.

Referee controversies in Milan vs. Sassuolo

The American put the ball inside an empty net after Arijanet Muric palmed away a Pavlovic header from point-blank range. The referee, however, had spotted a Ruben Loftus-Cheek push in the build-up right behind Pavlovic.

“It’s a field assessment because there was contact. Loftus-Cheek placed his hands, but I don’t see any push,” said DAZN’s referee pundit Luca Marelli (via Calciomercato.com).

“Crezzini barely blew the whistle. This contact is below threshold; there isn’t a real push. This goal shouldn’t have been disallowed.”

Marelli spotted another mistake from the Milan-Sassuolo referee, claiming that the visitors should have been awarded a penalty kick for a Pavlović foul in the dying minutes, with the result set to 2-2.

“Pavlovic didn’t touch the ball, but with his right leg, he hit Cheddira’s left leg. VAR were too hasty. It was a penalty, and VAR should have intervened,” Marelli said.

Milan remain the Serie A table leaders with 32 points, but they will be overtaken by Napoli if the Partenopei beat Udinese away today.

Davide Bartesaghi is Football Italia’s MOTM in Milan’s 2-2 draw against Sassuolo, but Andrea Pinamonti was impressive for the Neroverdi, providing two assists.

Milan 2-2 Sassuolo: Player Ratings

Milan: Maignan 6.5; Tomori 5, Gabbia 5 (60′ De Winter 5), Pavlovic 5.5; Saelemaekers 6.5 (90′ Athekame N/A), Loftus-Cheek 6.5, Modric 5.5, Rabiot 6, Bartesaghi 8 (90′ Estupinan N/A); Pulisic 5.5 (73′ Ricci 5.5), Nkunku 6. Coach: Allegri 5.5.

Best Milan player: Bartesaghi 8 – First two goals in Serie A. A day he’ll not forget, but it wasn’t enough to secure all three points.

Lowest Milan rating: Tomori 5 – Lost track of Laurienté when the Frenchman scored the equaliser, and even later on, when he could have scored the third one for Sassuolo. Gabbia and De Winter were also equally disappointing.

Milan coach: Allegri 5.5 – Milan once again dropped points against a newly promoted side at San Siro. The Rossoneri boss didn’t have many options in attack, which is why Pulisic’s substitution will make people talk in the coming days.

Sassuolo: Muric 6.5; Walukiewicz 5.5, Idzes 5.5, Muharemovic 6, Candé 5.5 (60′ Doig 6.5); Thorstvedt 6, Matic 6.5, Koné 7.5; Volpato 6 (86′ Moro N/A), Pinamonti 7.5 (86′ Cheddira), Fadera 5.5 (60′ Laurienté 7.5). Coach: Grosso (suspended) 7.

Best Sassuolo player: Pinamonti 7.5 – Two fantastic assists to inspire Sassuolo’s big draw at San Siro. He now has four goals and three assists in 15 Serie A matches this term. Still looking for consistency, but also underrated. Koné was also brilliant today, besides his goal.

Lowest Sassuolo rating: Fadera 5.5 – He helped the team defensively, but took a big risk in the first half when he lost possession just outside the box.

Sassuolo coach: Grosso 7 – Just one loss in the last five games. The game plan was excellent, including leaving Laurienté on the bench to hurt Milan in the second part of the match. Sassuolo have 21 points, practically safe already, and it’s not even Christmas. Oh, and don’t forget they were without Berardi today.

Massimiliano Allegri insists he would have replaced Christian Pulisic even if Milan didn’t play in the Supercoppa next week, but feels it was ‘too easy’ for Sassuolo to score goals in a 2-2 draw.

Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by newly promoted side Sassuolo at San Siro on Sunday.

The Rossoneri already dropped points against Cremonese and Pisa, two other teams coming from Serie B, earlier this season.

Davide Bartesaghi scored his first two goals in Serie A, but Ismael Koné and Armand Laurienté helped a brave Sassuolo return home with one point in their pocket.

“I think we played a good game, we attacked well, and Sassuolo are always dangerous because they have quality in attack, so if you don’t recover the ball immediately, you are forced to track back for 90 minutes,” Allegri told DAZN.

“We played a good game, but in the end, we even risked losing it. Now we focus on the Supercoppa.

“The lads played a good game, regardless of the players’ characteristics. For now, we are still the table leaders, and our target is to qualify for the Champions League,” the Italian tactician continued.

“We know there’s a lot of work to do, and obviously, we must start conceding fewer goals. I can’t absolutely blame the lads today.”

Milan will face Napoli in Saudi Arabia in the Supercoppa Italia semifinal next Thursday.

Allegri replaced Pulisic in the second half and said he would have done the same even if Milan didn’t play the Partenopei next week.

“I would have done it anyway. Christian had joined us in Turin after a fever and then trained. He played well for 72 minutes, but at that moment, we needed one more midfielder. Loftus-Cheek held firm up front, but we had to defend better, especially for the second goal. We had to follow Laurienté, and it was too easy for them to score.”

Christopher Nkunku provided the assist for Bartesaghi’s second goal.

Allegri explains Pulisic’s substitution

“Today he played a good game, as in Turin. He was decisive for the second goal; he had a chance in the final minutes,” argued Allegri.

“He was very good. We know the team’s quality, we know we can’t win every game, and we must give consistency to the results. Today, we could have lost the match, but we took home a draw. Today it seems that we’ve thrown two points away, but in the end, it will prove to be useful.”

Matteo Gabbia was subbed off with a suspected knee injury in the second half.

“Let’s see. Hopefully it’s nothing serious. We’ll see tomorrow, but De Winter and Odogu will be ready to play,” concluded Allegri.

Napoli director Giovanni Manna insists they must remain ‘positive’ during an injury crisis after Champions League setbacks, but demands ‘more determination’ from Lorenzo Lucca.

It kicks off at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine at 14.00 GMT.

See how all today’s five Serie A games unfold on the Liveblog.

The Partenopei are flying high in Serie A at the top of the table alongside AC Milan, but the lack of options for squad rotation are starting to take their toll.

They looked exhausted in the midweek Champions League defeat to Benfica, which left them scrambling just to secure a place in the play-offs.

Napoli running out of steam

“Quite simply, we are playing with the same figures repeatedly, because there are few alternatives, it becomes difficult to rotate,” Manna told DAZN Italia.

“We proved that we were superior over our opponents with a series of head-to-head wins, it can happen that you feel fatigued and if you are not at 100 per cent in the Champions League, you will struggle.

“There are many matches, we hope to get as many players back as possible. It is a tough game today, a very physical one, so we must be positive.”

The injury list just keeps growing, as Juan Jesus has joined Billy Gilmour, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku on the treatment table.

At least Stanislav Lobotka and Miguel Gutierrez are back for a spot on the bench, while the only change to the starting XI is Leonardo Spinazzola.

Is there a reason why Napoli give their best in Serie A and yet are struggling so badly in the Champions League?

“If I analyse the Champions League games, the only one we got really badly wrong was in Eindhoven,” insisted Manna of that 6-1 loss.

“We were down to 10 men with Manchester City for over an hour, we deserved more against Eintracht, we beat Qarabag and Sporting. Our energy levels were depleted against Benfica, but we still created scoring opportunities.

“I remain very positive, I feel the work that the coach and players are doing is clear for all to see. Now we’ve got to keep focused and try to bring home the points.”

Despite the injury crisis, ex-Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca can barely get on the pitch, as Rasmus Hojlund is the first choice centre-forward.

There have also been reports that Napoli could try to sign Udinese midfielder Arthur Atta, although he is out of action today.

“I am hardly the first to notice Atta’s talent and everyone knows he’s destined for a great career,” replied the Napoli director when pushed on this player.

“Aside from the transfer gossip, he is a player beyond our range right now. Udinese always had a great scouting network to find talented young players with big prospects.

“As for Lucca, he needs to speed up the process of settling in and show more determination on the field. We are convinced he has the right characteristics to play for Napoli, but he must understand this is a different club to Udinese, he needs to show determination every single day in training and on the pitch.”

Milan talent Davide Bartesaghi scored his first two goals in Serie A, but Sassuolo bravely picked up a point thanks to goals from Ismael Koné and Armand Laurienté in a 2-2 draw.

Milan were held to a 2-2 draw by Sassuolo at San Siro on Sunday.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog. 

The visitors were without their star Domenico Berardi, and Laurienté started on the bench in a defensive 4-3-3 set-up.

The Neroverdi still took the lead with Ismael Koné after winning the ball high up the pitch from a Milan defensive throw-in. Andrea Pinamonti laid it off for the Ivory Coast international who ran into the space to beat Matteo Gabbia with his first touch and Mike Maignan with the outside of his foot.

Adrien Rabiot had a big chance to level the score when he stole the ball from Alieu Fadera at the edge of Sassuolo’s box, but saw Arijanet Muric spread himself brilliantly to deny the equaliser.

It was just a matter of time for Milan anyway, as Bartesaghi scored his first Serie A goal at minute 33 when he headed towards the far post to meet a Ruben Loftus-Cheek driven pass from the right, finding the net at the far post with a left-footed finish.

The Italian left-back doubled Milan’s lead just one minute into the second half. This time around, Christopher Nkunku saw his late run on the left delivering a perfect through ball for Bartesaghi’s finish at the near post.

After scoring his first senior goal in the first half, 19-year-old Davide Bartesaghi gets a brace just a minute into the second half

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/mBMVBpeqpp

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 14, 2025

Matteo Gabbia worringly twisted his knee and was forced to be subbed off around the hour mark.

Sassuolo’s Kristian Thorstvedt had a massive chance to level the score, but was denied by Maignan from point-blank range, and Milan had two goals disallowed.

Pulisic found the net from a corner kick routine, but the referee spotted a foul from Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the build-up. A few minutes later, Adrien Rabiot steered a Loftus-Cheek header into the net, but he was offside.

Sassuolo made attacking substitutions by introducing Armand Laurienté and Josh Doig, and forced the Rossoneri to defend inside their own box.

Laurienté made it 2-2 with an identical move to the first goal, Pinamonti laying it off and the scorer bursting in to finish at the far post.

The Frenchman had two more big chances to win the game for Sassuolo, but first, he didn’t find the net from an excellent position inside the box and then he hit the post from distance.

Milan 2-2 Sassuolo

I Kone 13 (S), Bartesaghi 34, 47 (M), Lauriente 77 (S)

14-12-2025 11:30

MatchDay 15

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Milan

Sassuolo

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		13'		Ismaël Koné (Assist: Andrea Pinamonti)
Ruben Loftus-Cheek		23'
		23'		Alieu Fadera
Davide Bartesaghi (Assist: Ruben Loftus-Cheek)		34'

2nd half

Davide Bartesaghi (Assist: Christopher Nkunku)		47'
		59'		Tarik Muharemovic
		66'		Kristian Thorstvedt
		77'		Armand Lauriente (Assist: Andrea Pinamonti)

Match statistic

59

Possession %

41

13

Total shots

8

5

Shots on target

3

5

Shots off target

2

3

Blocked shots

3

7

Corners

3

2

Offsides

1

12

Fouls

12

Milan

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

90'

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

60'

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

12

Adrien Rabiot

Midfielder

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

90'

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

73'

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

5

Fali Candé

Defender

60'

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

59'

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

87'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

87'

Substitutes

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

30

Ardon Jashari

Midfielder

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

60'

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

73'

2

Pervis Estupiñán

Defender

90'

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

90'

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

77

Nicholas Pierini

Attacker

26

Cas Odenthal

Defender

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

59'

3

Josh Doig

Defender

60'

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

87'

9

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

87'

Gian Piero Gasperini confirms Roma will have Evan Ndicka and potentially Paulo Dybala starting against Como on Monday. ‘We have all the ingredients to do well.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.

The Giallorossi are badly in need of a boost in Serie A after back-to-back defeats against Napoli and Cagliari, both with 1-0 results.

Gasperini forced into some changes

Zeki Celik was sent off in Sardinia and is therefore suspended, which makes holding on to Ndicka for a little longer before Africa Cup of Nations duty all the more important.

“Ndicka is there tomorrow, for the rest we’ll see in the next games. Morocco appealed to FIFA for Neil El Aynaoui, so we await their response,” explained Gasperini in his press conference.

“Those teams who played on Saturday and Sunday could use their players, but seeing as we are scheduled for Monday, we could have a problem, despite the fact it is the same round of fixtures.”

Como are coming off a 4-0 defeat to Inter, yet before that had been flying high in the table and pushing for European places.

“It will certainly be a tense match, as Como are no longer a surprise, both for the investment made and the quality in the squad. They are very pleasant to watch, so tomorrow will be a game between two teams who want the maximum result,” continued Gasperini.

“Cesc Fabregas has given Como a precise identity that aims for results via good football, with attacking wingers who can also cut inside.”

Roma had perhaps a much better start to the campaign than many expected, but have since run into problems, especially with the lack of goals.

Evan Ferguson netted twice in Thursday’s Europa League win away to Celtic, but his Serie A performances remain shaky.

“The start was better than even the rosiest predictions, as I came here with the hope to do well and the belief this was the right atmosphere to do my work.

“We must be ambitious and not arrogant, keep solid and united. We have all the right ingredients to mix together and do well, with the club, the fans, the possibility of building a new stadium and boosting investment.

“As for Ferguson, he needs to be a player who is of use to Roma, that is the most important thing. He was the other day and that is what counts, Roma first and foremost, above everyone and everything.”

Dybala has been used as a False 9 on several occasions, but he continues to struggle with a history of injury problems.

“We’ll see tomorrow if he is there from the start, as he had a positive moment, but today’s football does not all for you to be anything less than 100 per cent. I have no doubts about Paulo when he is in good shape.

“When he has been healthy, he always played whole games, including several in a row.”

His fitness record is believed to be one of the main reasons why Roma are in no rush to renew his contract, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is also in the final seven months of his deal.

“With regards to contract renewals, it is purely an economic issue,” assured Gasperini.

“Therefore, I cannot get involved in that.”

Check the official line-ups from this afternoon’s Serie A games, as Napoli have limited options against Nicolò Zaniolo’s Udinese, while Fiorentina vs. Verona is a huge relegation dogfight.

These two fixtures both kick off at 14.00 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Serie A Week 15 games

Udinese vs. Napoli team news

Napoli need a victory to ensure they stay top of the Serie A table, but after looking exhausted in the midweek Champions League defeat to Benfica, Antonio Conte has few alternatives for squad rotation.

Juan Jesus joins Billy Gilmour, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku on the treatment table.

Udinese lost Jordan Zemura with a muscular lesion, with Arthur Atta and Hassane Kamara already out of action following a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Genoa.

Udinese: Okoye; Kabasele, Kristensen, Solet; Zanoli, Ekkelenkamp, Karlstrom, Piotrowski, Bertola; Zaniolo, Davis

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Di Lorenzo, Elmas, McTominay, Spinazzola; Neres, Lang; Hojlund

14-12-2025 14:00

MatchDay 15

Friuli Stadium (Dacia Arena)

Udinese

Napoli

1 - 0

Udinese

Napoli

Starting lineups

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

Alessandro Zanoli

Defender

90'

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

84'

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

83'

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

90'

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

84'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

75'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

22

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

82'

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

61'

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

82'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

7

David Neres

Attacker

70

Noa Lang

Attacker

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

Substitutes

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

4

Sandi Lovric

Midfielder

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

16

Matteo Palma

Defender

77

Rui Modesto

Midfielder

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

83'

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

84'

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

84'

17

Iker Bravo

Attacker

90'

2

Saba Goglichidze

Defender

90'

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

69

Giuseppe Ambrosino

Attacker

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Mathias Ferrante

Goalkeeper

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

61'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

75'

27

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

82'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

82'