There are three goalkeepers among the top 10 Italian performers in Serie A so far, while Federico Dimarco has been the best Azzurri player in the league so far.

Dimarco is the best Italian performer in Serie A so far, according to average player ratings from Italian sports papers (via Fantacalcio).

Three goalkeepers among to 10 Italy players in Serie A

The Inter defender is a regular in Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy team that will be facing Northern Ireland in the World Cup playoff semifinal in March 2026.

Quite worryingly for Italy, the top-10 Italian performers from week 1 to 16 include three goalkeepers, Lecce’s Wladimiro Falcone (2nd) Cagliari’s Elia Caprile (3rd) and Lazio’s Ivan Provedel (10th).

The lack of eligible Serie A players in the Italy national team is a matter of concern that both Gattuso and FIGC President Gabriele Gravina have highlighted multiple times, but, as the ranking you see below suggests, the options are further reduced when it comes to outfield players.

Surely, one emerging talent in the opening games of the season is Cagliari’s Marco Palestra, who is on loan from Atalanta and features in the top five performers so far.

Top 10 Italian players in Serie A Week 1-16

Dimarco 6,5

Falcone 6,47

Caprile 6,44

Palestra 6,37

Berardi 6,36

Bonazzoli 6,35

Orsolini 6,33

Spinazzola 6,3

Barella 6,3

Provedel 6,28

USMNT international Christian Pulisic is the Serie A player with the highest average player rating, just above his teammate Luka Modric.

Milan star Pulisic is the best player in Serie A so far, according to average player ratings from Italian sports papers (via Fantacalcio).

Nine goal contributions for Pulisic and Nico Paz

Pulisic is the best-placed among the players with at least 50% appearances in Serie A this season, and it’s really not surprising given that the ex-Chelsea star has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 10 league matches.

Como star Nico Paz, the third player in the standings, has also grabbed nine goal contributions so far, five goals and four assists, but he’s done so in 15 appearances.

Two goalkeepers, Mile Svilar of Roma and Wladimiro Falcone of Lecce, make the top 10. Falcone has an average player rating of 6,47, just a tiny bit higher than Milan’s Mike Maignan with 6,46.

Kenan Yildiz is the only Juventus player in the top 10; Napoli have Frank André Zambo Anguissa, while Marcus Thuram and Federico Dimarco are the Inter representatives.

Top 10 Serie A players Round 1-16

Pulisic 6,7

Modric 6,6

Nico Paz 6,57

Svilar 6,53

M.Thuram 6,5

Yildiz 6,5

Zambo Anguissa 6,5

Dimarco 6,5

Saelemaekers 6,5

Falcone 6,47

Roma host Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa on December 29, which could be the last game before big January changes for the Giallorossi.

Roma-Genoa will be the last game of Serie A Week 17, and it will be more meaningful than what the table might suggest.

The Giallorossi have lost three of the last five league games but still sit 4th in the standings, 16 points above the Grifone.

De Rossi returns to the Olimpico

Roma legend De Rossi, now in charge of Genoa, might have lost the last two league matches, but has grabbed eight points from six league outings since taking over from Patrick Vieira in November 2025.

It goes without saying that the return of ‘Capitan Futuro’ to the capital is one of the big events of the Serie A weekend.

De Rossi was also the Roma coach for 30 matches between January and September 2024. His sacking last year sent the team and the club into pure chaos, and only the appointment of Claudio Ranieri two months later, replacing Ivan Juric, saved the Giallorossi’s season.

This will be De Rossi’s first game against Roma since leaving the club over a year ago, and surely it will be an emotional return home for the 2006 Italy World Cup winner.

Gasperini hopes for big January changes

The match, however, is also meaningful because Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini hopes many changes will take place at the club starting in January.

The Italian tactician criticised Evan Ferguson after a defeat against Juventus last week, suggesting that he’d be glad to welcome two new strikers in the January transfer window, ideally Giacomo Raspadori and Joshua Zirkzee.

It remains to be seen if Roma will manage to secure deals for both strikers and how soon Gasperini will receive his January gifts. Surely, the coach hopes sooner rather than later.

Furthermore, according to recent reports, Roma are also interested in Radu Dragusin for the defence and Genoa’s Morten Frendrup in central midfield.

The Danish international is expected to start in Rome on Monday night, one more reason not to miss the Giallorossi’s final game of the year.

Inter will be facing Atalanta on December 28, and Richard Hall examines where the Benamata have improved and where they still have to work ahead of the next big match.

In the shadow of the Madonnina, change rarely whispers; it usually roars. For three seasons, Simone Inzaghi was the conductor of a sleek, rhythmic orchestra at San Siro, one that prioritised the beauty of the transition and the almost telepathic understanding of a veteran core.

But as we sit in the cold light of December 2025, the Nerazzurri are dancing to a different, perhaps more frantic, beat under Cristian Chivu.

The transition from Inzaghi to the Romanian has been less of a revolution and more of a recalibration, but the gears are grinding in ways we didn’t quite expect.

Inzaghi’s Inter was a masterclass in controlled chaos. His 3-5-2 was a safety blanket for the fans—a system where the wing-backs, Federico Dimarco and Denzel Dumfries, weren’t just outlets but primary architects. It was “Inzaghiball”: deep-lying playmaking, inviting pressure, and then slicing through teams like a hot knife through butter.

Chivu, stepping up from the Primavera (after a stint at Parma) with the weight of his own treble-winning history on his shoulders, has kept the 3-5-2 skeleton but has replaced the organs. Where Inzaghi was pragmatic, Chivu is daring—arguably to a fault.

The most jarring difference is the defensive line. Inzaghi was content to let the veteran trio drop deep, trusting their positioning to snuff out danger. Chivu has pushed the line ten yards further up the pitch. He wants a “vertical” Inter, one that suffocates the opposition in their own third.

The High Press

Under Chivu, Inter are pressing with a ferocity we haven’t seen since the early Conte days. The addition of Petar Sučić in the engine room has facilitated this; the youngster offers a “bite” that the ageing legs of Mkhitaryan sometimes lacked.

The Risk Factor

This high line has turned Yann Sommer (and occasionally Josep Martínez) into a de facto sweeper. When it works, it’s a blue-and-black swarm. When it fails—as we saw in the bruising defeats to Udinese and Juventus earlier this term—it leaves the centre-backs exposed in 1-on-1 foot races they simply cannot win.

The biggest “plus” of the Chivu era is the integration of youth. While Inzaghi was often criticised for his “Old Guard” loyalty, Chivu has been “coraggioso”, brave.

Pio Esposito & Bonny

The emergence of Francesco Pio Esposito and the arrival of Ange-Yoan Bonny have added a physical, unpredictable dimension to the attack. They don’t just link play; they disrupt.

Interestingly, Lautaro Martínez seems to have found a second wind. While he was the focal point under Inzaghi, he now operates with more freedom. With Sučić and Barella pushing higher to win the ball, Lautaro is receiving it closer to the goal rather than dropping into the centre circle to help build play.

However, the Nerazzurri in me worry about the soul of this team’s defence. The stats don’t lie: Inter are conceding more goals per game than at any point during Inzaghi’s tenure.

The Rest Defence

The structure of the team while they are in possession is currently Chivu’s Achilles’ heel. By committing so many bodies forward, particularly the wing-backs and Alessandro Bastoni (who Chivu allows to roam even further than Inzaghi did), Inter are incredibly susceptible to the counter-attack. The defeat against Milan in the Derby was a prime example; a single misplaced pass in the final third led to a vertical sprint that left the Inter defence looking like statues.

Is Chivu the right man? He is certainly the “Inter” man. He understands the club’s DNA, and his willingness to bench established stars for the sake of tactical discipline is a breath of fresh air. He has made Inter more exciting, but significantly less stable.

Inzaghi gave us trophies and a sense of “inevitability.” Chivu is giving us a rollercoaster. As we head into the winter break, the Nerazzurri sit within touching distance of the top, but the defensive fragility suggests that if they don’t find a balance between Chivu’s high-pressing ideals and Inzaghi’s structural discipline, the Scudetto might remain a dream.

The romantic in me loves the bravery; the critic in me fears the space behind the back three. San Siro awaits the second half of this experiment with bated breath.

@RichHall80

Serie A returns to San Siro on Sunday lunchtime as second-placed Milan welcome Verona, with kick-off scheduled for 11:30 GMT (12:30 local time).

The two sides come into the fixture with very different objectives. Milan are firmly in the title picture and will be looking to maintain pressure at the top of the table, while Verona arrive in Lombardy hovering just above the relegation zone and searching for a way to arrest a difficult run of results.

Recent meetings favour Milan

History offers little encouragement for Verona. Milan have won each of the last three league meetings between the sides at San Siro, and overall the Rossoneri have claimed victory in 12 of the last 17 encounters. Verona have rarely found success in this fixture, particularly away from home, and recent trends suggest another stern test awaits.

Milan approach the game in respectable form. From their last six league matches they have collected three wins, one draw and two defeats, scoring and conceding at a similar rate during that spell. At home, however, their numbers improve markedly.

The Rossoneri are unbeaten in their last three league matches at San Siro, conceding fewer than a goal per game and generating a high volume of chances. Across the season, Milan have lost just once in 15 Serie A fixtures, conceding only 13 goals, and their long-term home record underlines their reliability in front of their own supporters.

Verona struggling for consistency

Verona arrive with ongoing concerns, particularly away from home. They have managed only two wins from their last six league matches and continue to struggle for control in games, averaging low possession and limited attacking output.

Their overall campaign has been shaped by those issues: just two wins from 15 matches, 13 goals scored, and a negative goal difference. Away from home, results have been especially scarce, with Verona failing to win the vast majority of their recent road fixtures.

Milan vs Verona – Probable line-ups

Milan: Mike Maignan; Fikayo Tomori, Strahinja Pavlović, Koni De Winter; Alexis Saelemaekers, Luka Modrić, Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana, Davide Bartesaghi; Christopher Nkunku, Rafael Leão

Unavailable: Matteo Gabbia, Santiago Gimenez

Verona: Lorenzo Montipò; Unai Núñez, Victor Nelsson, Armel Bella-Kotchap; Antoine Bernede, Cheikh Niasse, Mutassim Al-Musrati, Roberto Gagliardini; Amin Sarr, Daniel Mosquera

Unavailable: Tomas Suslov, Rafik Belghali, Domagoj Bradarić, Martin Frese

Juventus travel to Tuscany on Saturday evening to face Pisa at the Arena Garibaldi, with kick-off scheduled for 19:45 GMT/20:45 CET on December 27.

The fixture represents a daunting task for Pisa, who head into the weekend stuck in 19th place with just 11 points from their opening 16 matches. Juventus, by contrast, arrive in fifth position on 29 points and looking to maintain momentum in the race for Champions League qualification.

Pisa seeking spark amid relegation battle

Pisa’s season has been defined by narrow margins and missed opportunities. They have managed only one league win so far and remain winless in their last five Serie A outings, a run that has intensified pressure as the relegation fight takes shape.

Their most recent result, a 2-2 draw away at Cagliari, captured both sides of their campaign: moments of attacking promise undermined by defensive fragility. At home, results have offered little reassurance, with just one victory recorded at the Arena Garibaldi this season.

Head coach Alberto Gilardino continues to search for balance, with Pisa struggling to convert competitive performances into points. They have scored only 12 goals so far, one of the lowest tallies in the division, while conceding 22. A tendency to settle for draws rather than push for wins has proven costly as the gap to safety remains narrow.

Juventus building momentum under Spalletti

Juventus arrive in stronger condition, having won four of their last five matches across all competitions. Their latest Serie A outing saw them edge past Roma 2-1 in Turin, a result that underlined their growing resilience.

Luciano Spalletti’s side have shown increasing cohesion in recent weeks, combining controlled possession with improved defensive organisation. Juventus boast a positive goal difference and have conceded relatively few goals, reflecting a renewed emphasis on structure and discipline.

Away form has been less convincing, with mixed results on their travels, but this fixture offers an opportunity to address that inconsistency against an opponent fighting near the bottom of the table.

Serie A Round 17 begins tomorrow, Saturday, December 27, with Parma-Fiorentina, but it will be a weekend where relegation candidates will cross paths with title contenders.

Serie A will know no break during the Christmas festive period as the Round 17 will be played between Saturday, December 27 and Monday 29.

Sunday’s big match in Serie A

Table leaders Inter have a big game coming up as they’ll visit Raffaele Palladino’s Atalanta in Bergamo on Sunday evening.

Technically, it’s the only big game of the weekend, which, however, doesn’t mean the Nerazzurri opponents will necessarily have an easy pathway.

On Saturday evening, Juventus will visit relegation candidates Pisa, currently sitting in 19th and with coach Alberto Gilardino on the brink.

On the following day, Milan will face Verona at San Siro (12:30 CET), while Napoli will visit Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese.

Vardy vs. McTominay

The Grigiorossi have had a fantastic start to the season, grabbing 21 points in 11 games and putting nine points between them and the relegation zone. This means they can play with freedom and on a counter-attack against the Partenopei, who will return to the pitch after winning the Supercoppa in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

The first weekend game, Parma-Fiorentina, is a big one in the race for survival, with the Viola still sitting 20th and the Ducali being just two points above the drop zone.

Lecce will be looking to earn points at home against Como, while Cagliari will visit Torino. Udinese and Lazio still hope to get a European placement, while Bologna and Sassuolo will meet in a local derby at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

Lastly, Daniele De Rossi will return to the Olimpico for the last game of the weekend against his beloved Roma.

In the smoke-filled rooms and the sun-drenched piazzas of Rome, the talk has shifted.

For years, the Biancocelesti faithful have lived in a state of perpetual, gritted-teeth patience. But as of late December 2025, the air around Formello feels different. The heavy cloak of financial restriction—that “market embargo” that has felt more like a chokehold—is finally being lifted.

To understand why this matters, one must understand the unique, often maddening purgatory Lazio has inhabited. Under Claudio Lotito, the club became a bastion of “fiscal prudence,” a polite term for a “penny-pinching” regime that saved the club from the abyss in 2004 but often left it gasping for air in the modern era of state-backed giants.

The recent summer was particularly cruel; while rivals spent, Lazio sat under an embargo, their accounts failing the stringent COVISOC liquidity ratios. It was a summer of “what ifs” and “not yets.”

The news breaking this week—that the independent financial commission has cleared Lazio to operate freely in the January window—is more than just a regulatory green light; it is a spiritual release.

Why did this happen? It wasn’t a miracle. It was the result of a gruelling, often ugly process of balancing the books through unpopular sales and the “extraordinary investment plan” of the wider Lazio region.

While Lotito have spent months batting away rumours of Qatari takeovers—labelling them “plots” to manipulate stock prices—the club has quietly repaired its liquidity. The “market blockage” that derailed Maurizio Sarri’s plans in the summer has been dissolved. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, the Sporting Director, Angelo Fabiani, can walk into a room with a chequebook that won’t bounce.

The shackles are off, and the rumour mill is spinning with a frantic energy we haven’t seen since the Cragnotti era. Lazio aren’t just looking for stop-gaps; they are looking for identity.

For the fans, this is the end of “austerity football.” Financial stability in Serie A is often a myth, but for Lazio, it has been a cage. Being “free to operate” means they no longer have to wait for a star like Guendouzi or Nuno Tavares (who is currently being wooed by Saudi’s Al-Ittihad) to leave before they can act.

It allows the club to build a bench. As any Laziale will tell you, the starting XI can compete with anyone in Italy, but the moment a key gear like Taty Castellanos or Alessio Romagnoli breaks, the machine stalls. This newfound freedom allows for the “upgrade of the bench” that has been the missing ingredient for a genuine Scudetto charge.

The future for Lazio looks remarkably robust. The regional budget plans for 2026–2030 show a massive reduction in public debt and a focus on infrastructure. For the club, this translates to a more stable environment to finally push forward with the renovation of the Stadio Flaminio—the holy grail of the Lotito era.

We are seeing a Lazio that is transitioning from a “coma” (as Lotito once called it) to a club with a “path of growth.” The Qatari shadows still linger in the background—the Emir is rumoured to be a fan, after all—but for now, Lazio are masters of their own destiny.

The January window won’t just be about buying players; it will be about buying hope. After years of looking at the price tag first and the talent second, the Eagles are finally ready to spread their wings. The Roman skyline is looking a little more sky-blue today.

@RichHall80

It has been a tough old year for the Azzurri and an even more testing one lies in store. Giancarlo Rinaldi examines what could help the national team return to its former glory.

You certainly can’t fault him for effort. Every time you turn on the television to watch a Serie A game, it seems, you will get a close-up of him in the crowd. If nothing else, Rino Gattuso is hoovering up as much information as he can ahead of one of the most important years in the history of the famous blue colours of his country, which he donned with such distinction.

Italy were put through the wringer in 2025 with two one-sided defeats by Norway, the unwanted highlights of a pretty grim 12 months. There was the rumbustious Nations League elimination by Germany as well, and a madcap match with Israel alongside some more routine victories. In the middle of it all, the Azzurri parted company with Luciano Spalletti and turned to the snappy, snarling former midfielder instead. The results were initially strong enough, but a reality check with Erling Haaland and company suggested that there is much work to be done if they hope to even get to the World Cup in 2026.

For La Nazionale to miss out on the extended party in Mexico, Canada and the USA would be a huge setback and one which would, undoubtedly, provoke more calls for an overhaul in the Italian Football Federation. If they want to get there they will have to first get past Northern Ireland at home and then face a trip to either Wales or Bosnia – neither of which, on current form, look as straightforward as they should be for a country which has, lest we forget, won the World Cup four times in the past.

Part one of Gattuso’s Christmas wish list will undoubtedly be to keep all his key players fit for the vital matches on the horizon. The loss of a midfield stalwart like Sandro Tonali or Nicolò Barella would be a hammer blow ahead of such important fixtures. No wonder he always looks a little edgy whenever he is at a game – he is probably hoping nobody administers one of his own trademark tackles on one of the Azzurri’s more important contributors.

Another thing to get sorted is his defence. There is something that has not functioned for a while with the Italian back line, which seems incredible to think of in a nation where the art form of stopping the opposition from scoring has been revered for generations. Despite having a crop of decent players, something is missing from the rearguard, which he will have to try to solve sooner rather than later. A gentle revolution is needed to allow that unit to evolve into one which strikes fear into the heart of any attacker brave enough to take it on. From that solid base, he could hope to build a team which would not only get to the World Cup but might also progress past the group stages.

The emergence of a few new faces to challenge his old guard would also be welcome. This squad has a solid enough core, but it is definitely in need of rejuvenation and seeing the likes of Francesco Pio Esposito get more game time with Inter would surely be a boost. Italy have done well enough at youth levels of late to suggest that the talent is there but it seems to stall due to lack of playing opportunities in Serie A. Boys who have gone to seek their fortune abroad might well have a part to play.

Up front, all he wants for Christmas is for Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui to thrive. If there has been a positive from Gattuso’s arrival, it has been the commitment to play the two together which has brought goalscoring rewards. He will hope they both keep fit and that Fiorentina start to see a revival in their fortunes in order for their talisman to approach the big matches in March with a degree more confidence than he would right now.

And, finally, there is the Federico Chiesa conundrum. It is now more than four years since his breakout tournament at the delayed Euro 2020 and how Italy could do with that player in that form back in the fold. None of the current wide options offer the drive and attacking threat that he did in his prime, but it is a question of whether he will get many opportunities to show it with Liverpool and how much he feels he can give his country. The phone line between player and manager might well remain open, but the clock is definitely ticking on getting the situation sorted one way or another.

This, and much more, will be racing through Rino’s mind over the festive season, no doubt. He will be itching to get to the play-off games but, at the same time, hope that Serie A – and elsewhere – can throw him up a few solutions. Italy will not go into these games, which will define an era, with any great confidence, but they can use them as a building block to reconstruct their reputation as one of football’s superpowers. Is Gattuso the man to get them there? Two vital tests in springtime will give us an answer to that question one way or another.

@ginkers

There are no Serie A matches on December 26, but there will be no break in Italy with league games on December 27, 28 and 29, January 2, 3 and 4.

There’s no rest for Serie A clubs as Italian football action will continue over the Christmas and New Year period.

Serie A Matchday 17 will begin right after Christmas, on December 27, with Parma hosting Fiorentina in a relegation showdown. On the same day, Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus will visit Pisa, while Napoli, Inter and Milan will take to the pitch on December 28. Roma’s first game after Christmas is against Genoa on Monday, December 29.

On the following weekend, Milan will visit Cagliari in the first game of 2026 in Serie A on Friday, January 2.

Juventus-Lecce and Atalanta-Roma will be played on January 3, while Lazio-Napoli and Inter-Bologna are scheduled for January 4.

There’s also a mid-week round starting on Tuesday, January 6 (public holiday in Italy) with Pisa-Como. That same day, Lecce will host Roma, and Juventus will visit Sassuolo.

Below are all the games scheduled during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Serie A Round 17

Parma-Fiorentina – Saturday, December 27 at 12:30 CET
Torino-Cagliari – Saturday, December 27 at 15:00 CET
Lecce-Como – Saturday, December 27 at 15:00 CET
Udinese-Lazio, Saturday, December 27 at 18:00 CET
Pisa-Juventus, Saturday, December 27 at 20:45 CET
Milan-Verona, Sunday, December 28 at 12:30 CET
Cremonese-Napoli, Sunday, December 28 at 15:00 CET
Bologna-Sassuolo, Sunday, December 28 at 18:00 CET
Atalanta-Inter, Sunday, December 28 at 20:45 CET
Roma-Genoa, Monday, December 29 at 20:45 CET

Serie A Round 18

Cagliari-Milan, Friday, January 2 at 20:45 CET
Como-Udinese, Saturday, January 3 at 12:30 CET
Sassuolo-Parma, Saturday, January 3 at 15:00 CET
Genoa-Pisa, Saturday, January 3 at 15:00 CET
Juventus-Lecce, Saturday, January 3 at 18:00 CET
Atalanta-Roma, Saturday, January 3 at 20:45 CET
Lazio-Napoli, Sunday, January 4 at 12:30 CET
Fiorentina-Cremonese, Sunday, January 4 at 15:00 CET
Verona-Torino, Sunday, January 4 at 18:00 CET
Inter-Bologna, Sunday, January 4 at 20:45 CET

Serie A Round 19

Pisa-Como, Tuesday, January 6 at 15:00 CET
Lecce-Roma, Tuesday, January 6 at 18:00 CET
Sassuolo-Juventus, Tuesday, January 6 at 20:45 CET
Bologna-Atalanta, Wednesday, January 7 at 18:30 CET
Napoli-Verona, Wednesday, January 7 at 18:30 CET
Parma-Inter, Wednesday, January 7 at 20:45 CET
Torino-Udinese, Wednesday, January 7 at 20:45 CET
Cremonese-Cagliari, Thursday, January 8 at 18:30 CET
Milan-Genoa, Thursday, January 8 at 20:45 CET

Everyone at Football Italia wishes our readers around the globe a very Merry Christmas. While we’re taking a short break, Calcio won’t be disappearing completely over the festive period.

There will be no regular news updates on December 25 and 26, but the site will still feature opinion pieces on the current landscape of Italian football, as well as transfer insights, with the January transfer window fast approaching and set to be as hectic as ever.

Serie A will return on December 27, 28 and 29, but the entire festive period will be very busy with three league rounds played across 13 days! Naturally, Football Italia will provide live updates for all those matches.

In the meantime, make the most of this time with your loved ones before the next wave of Serie A action.

Merry Christmas!

Former Lazio midfielder Luis Alberto believes the Biancocelesti are showing clear signs of improvement under Maurizio Sarri, despite the difficulties that have shaped their current campaign.

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Fanpage.it, the Spaniard admitted he was not surprised by Lazio’s struggles, suggesting internal issues were always likely to surface. However, he insisted performances have been more encouraging than results might suggest.

“I’m not surprised,” Luis Alberto said. “I knew something like this could happen. I speak often with Cataldi, with Patric, with Mario Gila, with Pedro. I’ve also spoken to Taty. But as I always say, they can’t do much, the situation is what it is.”

Luis Alberto: ‘Lazio have improved a lot’

Despite that context, the former playmaker pointed to Lazio’s resilience in recent matches as evidence of progress. He highlighted games where Sarri’s side remained competitive even in adversity, underlining a growing mental strength within the squad.

“I’m sure they could easily have won or drawn the match in Milan,” he continued. “Anything could have happened. I also watched them against Parma when they went down to nine men they stayed in the game and in the end they won. Overall, I think they’ve improved a lot.”

Luis Alberto’s comments reflect a broader belief that Lazio’s underlying performances are stronger than their league position suggests, with Sarri’s work beginning to show despite an uneven season and off-field complications.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Atalanta are considering selling Marco Palestra in the January transfer window, with Inter among the clubs interested in the promising right-back.

Palestra has had an excellent start to the season on loan at Cagliari, but Atalanta could still decide to sell him next month.

Atalanta set Palestra asking price

La Dea need to climb the table and already value Palestra at €35m-40m, according to Corriere dello Sport. The defender’s sale would allow the Bergamo-based club to bring in reinforcements for new coach Raffaele Palladino.

Inter are among the clubs interested in the 20-year-old, but according to the report, Atalanta have been approached by other Italian and foreign clubs as well.

More deals between Atalanta and Cagliari

Palestra, however, is on loan at Cagliari until the end of the season, so any early move would need approval from the Sardinians.

This is where Marco Brescianini and Daniel Maldini come to play. Cagliari are interested in the Atalanta pair, and their loan to Sardinia in January would partially compensate for Palestra’s possible departure.

Milan are exploring multiple defensive options ahead of the January transfer window as Massimiliano Allegri looks to add experience and depth at the back.

One of the names under consideration is Federico Gatti, a profile Allegri knows well from their time together at Juventus. The 27-year-old had already turned down a move to Napoli last summer, but his situation in Turin is complicated by injury and by Juventus’ current defensive shortage.

Juventus are operating in near-constant emergency at centre-back, with Daniele Rugani sidelined for several weeks and the club reluctant to weaken an already stretched department. As a result, a January move for Gatti, particularly to a direct rival in the race for the top four, appears highly unlikely.

Former Inter man Skriniar on Milan shopping list

Milan are therefore also monitoring more experienced alternatives.

According to Sky Sport Italia, via GOAL, one suggestion is Milan Skriniar, who spent seven years in Serie A with Sampdoria and Inter before leaving Italy in 2023. However, the Slovak is currently captain at Fenerbahce, making any potential deal difficult to unlock midway through the season.

Another option on Milan’s radar is Eric Dier, who joined Monaco from Bayern Munich last summer. The Englishman has recently returned from a muscle injury, and Milan are still assessing whether there is room to manoeuvre in talks with the Ligue 1 side.

With January approaching, Milan are weighing ambition against realism as they look to reinforce Allegri’s defensive unit without destabilising the market.

Samuel Chukwueze has reflected on his brief spell in Serie A with Milan, admitting he struggled to find space and continuity before moving on loan to Fulham.

Speaking to On Sport while away with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, via Milanista, the winger opened up about his experience in Italy, his current situation in the Premier League, and the possibility of a future return. Although now representing Fulham, Chukwueze remains under contract with AC Milan and insists his connection with the Rossoneri has not been severed.

“I miss Milan,” Chukwueze admitted. “It’s my second home. My family are still there, so of course I miss the city. They are doing well and I wish them all the best, I’m still a Milan player, after all, because I’m only on loan.”

Chukwueze picks Milan to finish top four in Serie A

The Nigerian international also spoke positively about Milan’s title challenge this season, backing his former side to remain firmly in the race. “You can see what Milan are doing, they’re playing very well,” he said. “If they keep pushing like this, I think they can win. I’m sure they’ll finish in the top four because their level has been really high.”

Looking back on his time in Italy, Chukwueze was candid about the difficulties he faced adapting to Serie A. “I don’t think I was given the time or the opportunities I needed,” he explained. “But that’s football. I just have to keep working. Maybe one day I’ll return to Serie A, or La Liga, or stay in the Premier League. English football probably suits my style better than Italian tactics.”

Chukwueze also reserved special praise for new teammate Luka Modrić, calling him “one of the best players I’ve ever played with,” and for Zlatan Ibrahimović, whose influence he described as motivational across the entire Milan dressing room.

Lorenzo Insigne is edging closer to a return to Serie A, with Lazio preparing a short-term contract to bring the former Napoli captain back to Italy.

After three seasons in Canada, the 34-year-old is set to become available following the lifting of Lazio’s transfer restrictions, allowing the Biancocelesti to finally move for a player they were unable to register last summer.

The proposed deal would run for six months, with an option to extend for a further season, as per TuttoMercatoWeb.

The move would reunite Insigne with Maurizio Sarri, the coach under whom he produced the most prolific spell of his career.

Sarri & Insigne reunion at Lazio has promise

During Sarri’s time at Napoli, Insigne consistently delivered double figures, peaking in the 2016-17 campaign when he scored 20 goals across all competitions.

That partnership remains a key factor behind Lazio’s interest, with Sarri convinced Insigne can still offer quality, intelligence and leadership over the second half of the season.

The winger’s best scoring return in Serie A came later, in 2020–21 under Gennaro Gattuso, when he struck 19 league goals, but his overall output under Sarri is widely seen as the benchmark of his prime years.

While questions remain over match sharpness after his MLS experience, Lazio view the deal as a low-risk opportunity to add experience and creativity without long-term financial commitment. If Insigne proves decisive, the option for an extended stay is already in place.

Napoli’s plans for the January transfer window have been complicated by fresh financial constraints, casting doubt over any ambitious moves in the coming weeks.

According to reports from the Corriere dello Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, a recent review of accounts submitted to the FIGC has shown that Napoli have exceeded the permitted threshold for labour costs relative to revenue.

Formal confirmation is still pending, but the club are already working on the assumption that January will effectively be a “zero-balance” window.

Napoli were prepared for the scenario and are expected to operate only through loan deals, with any incoming transfers dependent on player sales. As a result, negotiations for high-profile targets have been placed on hold, including a potential move for Kobbie Mainoo from Manchester United, which has now been effectively frozen.

Napoli move for Mainoo on hold as club weigh departures

Attention is therefore shifting toward departures.

Several squad players are pushing for more regular football and could leave during the winter window, with defenders Luca Marianucci and Pasquale Mazzocchi, midfielder Antonio Vergara and forward Giuseppe Ambrosino all considered candidates to move on.

Napoli are also evaluating the future of Lorenzo Lucca.

The striker has attracted interest from multiple Italian clubs and is now being monitored by West Ham United, adding a Premier League dimension to his situation.

With Napoli fresh from lifting the Supercoppa Italiana in Riyadh, the focus now turns back to balancing the books. Any January business will hinge on outgoing deals, making it increasingly difficult for the club to pursue expensive young talents such as Mainoo this winter.

Gennaro Gattuso confirmed during his latest interview that Marcello Lippi is his role model as Italy’s head coach: ‘I copy and paste what he did.’

Lippi was Italy’s head coach in 2006 when the Azzurri won the World Cup. Gattuso was part of that legendary team, and Lippi remains a role model for the former midfielder.

Gattuso on what he learned from Lippi

“Since I’ve been the Italy coach, I’ve done a copy and paste of what he had done,” Gattuso told Vivo Azzurro via TMW.

“Being true and coherent, there’s just one way if you want to create a group. Give that extra trust to a player when he’s struggling a bit and try to help. Giving a sense of belonging. He was a master at this.”

Full Gattuso interview

Gattuso also spoke about what the Azzurri will need in March next year to avoid another World Cup disappointment, as La Nazionale will be facing Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal.

Click here to read the full interview.

Mario Balotelli’s search for a new club continues, with interest from the Middle East emerging as a possible route back into professional football.

The former Italy international has been without a team since his brief and largely forgettable spell at Genoa, where he managed just a handful of minutes before drifting out of contention.

Despite that disappointment, Balotelli has continued to wait for another opportunity in Serie A, hoping for one last call from Italy’s top flight.

In the meantime, the 35-year-old has been keeping himself fit away from the spotlight, training with amateur side Carpenedolo while weighing up his next move.

Balotelli keeps up search for new club as offers arrive from Middle East

Balotelli has also drawn attention off the pitch in recent weeks, posting a cryptic message on social media following Genoa’s coaching change, a thinly veiled reference to his strained relationship with Patrick Vieira during his short stay at the club.

While a return to Italian football remains his preference, an overseas option is now taking shape.

According to calciomercato.com, via MilanNews24, UAE-based side Al Ittifaq have made contact and are prepared to offer Balotelli a long-term deal running until 2028.

The proposal would represent a clear change of direction for the Italian at this stage of his career, but also a chance to revive his fortunes after a frustrating year on the sidelines. Whether the striker opts to hold out for Serie A or accept an exotic move abroad remains to be seen.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Kenan Yildiz wants to become the highest-paid player at Juventus and receive guarantees about the club’s big ambitions in the coming years.

Juventus are expected to resume talks to extend Yildiz’s contract in the coming weeks, particularly now that the Bianconeri are set to hire a new sporting director, Marco Ottolini.

Juventus set to resume Yildiz contract talks

Yildiz’s contract runs out in June 2029, but the Turkish star has become a key player in Turin, so both parties feel that a new deal is necessary.

Gazzetta reports that Juventus and Yildiz last touched base at the end of October, right before Igor Tudor’s dismissal.

Yildiz’s salary request for Juventus

Yildiz currently earns €1.7m per season, but his target is to become the highest-paid player in the team with a salary of at least €6m, the same as Jonathan David.

The Juventus offer is between €4m and €5m per season, plus bonuses tied to personal and team-related targets.

There’s a gap of circa €1m between the club’s offer and the player’s demands, but Yildiz also wants guarantees regarding the club’s long-term project and ambitions.

The 20-year-old has scored six goals and provided six assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.

Juventus owner John Elkann gave a speech during the team’s Christmas dinner on Tuesday: ‘You are becoming an increasingly strong group.’

The Bianconeri have won six games from the last seven and beat direct rivals Bologna and Roma in the last two Serie A rounds.

On Tuesday night, the players, staff members and the directors met at the J-Museum, just around the corner from the Allianz Stadium, for their Christmas dinner.

What Elkann told Juventus players during Christmas dinner

“It’s nice to be here together, all part of a big family,” Elkann said, according to Italian media including Sky Sport.

“We are here in our museum that celebrates the Juventus history. It’s important for you to know it, because you are now part of it.

“You are becoming an increasingly strong group and team, and you are all crucial in helping Juventus win again,” Elkann continued.

“Victory is the expression of what you do every day together, and for this I want to thank the staff, the team, the captain, the coach, all the directors and your families who are here.”

Elkann won’t sell Juventus

Only a few days ago, Elkann had rejected an offer from minority shareholders Tether to acquire a majority stake in Juventus.

Elkann’s family has owned the Bianconeri for over 100 years, and the strong sense of belonging is one of the reasons why the majority shareholders, Exor, are unwilling to sell the club.

Juventus’ next game is away at Pisa on Saturday, December 27.

The Bianconeri sit 5th in the Serie A table, just one point below fourth-placed Roma.

Roma have submitted the project for their new stadium, featuring a ‘monumental Curva Sud’ and ‘iconic architecture inspired by Roman tradition.’

Roma have delivered the project for their new stadium, the club said in a statement.

Roma unveil plan for new stadium: official statement

“AS Roma is pleased to announce that today, 23 December 2025, the PFTE (Technical and Economic Feasibility Study) for the New Stadium has been delivered, a crucial step that brings the Club closer to implementing one of the most ambitious and modern sports infrastructures in Europe,” the Giallorossi said.

“The submitted project, which precedes the final design phase, represents the result of in-depth work carried out with technical precision, attention to sustainability, and a clear vision: to offer the city of Rome and its fans a facility worthy of their history, passion, and future.

“The new stadium will feature:

• A monumental Curva Sud, the largest in Europe, designed as the beating heart of the stadium and a symbol of Romanista passion.
• Iconic architecture inspired by Roman tradition, with contemporary lines and a strong connection to the local territory.
• Modern, multifunctional spaces designed to experience AS Roma beyond matchdays.
• Targeted initiatives to improve mobility, services, environmental sustainability, and urban integration, with the goal of creating a sports and social hub of reference for the Capital.

“AS Roma wishes to extend a special and personal thanks to Mayor Roberto Gualtieri for his support, availability, and constant collaboration, which have made this crucial step possible.

Where will Roma build their new stadium?

“AS Roma also thanks the institutions of Roma Capitale, local authorities, and all stakeholders involved for their work together, which will also continue in the coming months.The delivery of the definitive project represents a concrete step toward the start of construction and confirms the Club’s determination to provide Rome with a modern, environmentally sustainable, and economically sound facility that can become a source of pride for the city and all its fans.”

The stadium will be built in the Pietralata neighbourhood in East Rome.

“The importance of the project, in terms of its scale, the modernity of the stadium, its potential urban impact and the planned timeline has allowed the Pietralata stadium to be included among the potential venues designated to host UEFA Euro 2032,” the club continued.

“AS Roma continues to work with passion, responsibility, and ambition: the future of our home is getting ever closer. Forza Roma.”

Multiple sources in Italy claim that German striker Niclas Fullkrug has picked the No.9 at Milan.

West Ham striker Fullkrug underwent medical tests in Milan on Tuesday and will be confirmed as a new purchase for the Rossoneri as soon as the January transfer window begins.

Fullkrug to wear Milan’s No.9

The 32-year-old will join the Rossoneri on loan with an option to buy.

According to multiple sources, including DAZN and Sky Sport Italia, Fullkrug will wear the No.9 at Milan in the second part of the season.

It’s expected to be a free loan deal with an option to buy between €11m and €13m.

Milan still interested in Vlahovic

Regardless of Fullkrug’s signature, the Rossoneri are already looking for a new striker for next season.

Football Italia understands that Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic remains a top target at San Siro, especially because the Serbian star is not expected to extend his expiring contract in Turin, becoming available for a free transfer at the end of the season.

Fiorentina have handed the captain’s armband to David De Gea, a symbolic decision aimed at restoring balance and confidence during a delicate phase of the season.

The change was confirmed ahead of Sunday’s match against Udinese, with De Gea taking over from Luca Ranieri, who had previously been named club captain.

The decision was taken by coach Paolo Vanoli in agreement with the club and communicated to the squad following Fiorentina’s recent trip to Lausanne.

Fiorentina reward De Gea with captaincy amid tricky season

According to reports from the Corriere dello Sport, the move was not intended as a punishment for Ranieri.

Instead, it reflects an effort to reset the atmosphere inside the dressing room and relieve pressure on a player who, as a product of the club’s academy, has felt the weight of a difficult campaign more than most.

Ranieri was informed directly and is understood to have accepted the decision without issue.

At the same time, giving the armband to De Gea represents a clear show of trust in the experienced goalkeeper, who has endured a challenging period of form. The club see the gesture as a statement of faith in the Spaniard’s leadership and character, as well as his importance within the squad.

The move follows recent comments from Daniele Pradè’s successor, Roberto Goretti, who had warned that “strong decisions” would be required to steer Fiorentina through their current struggles.

While the comfortable win over Udinese that followed may not be directly linked, the message sent by the captaincy change was unmistakable.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma are interested in Tottenham defender Radu Dragusin and will continue negotiations for Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid) and Joshua Zirkzee (Manchester United) after Christmas.

Roma are determined to strengthen their team in the January transfer window as they aim to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Roma’s strategy for Raspadori and Zirkzee

La Gazzetta reports that the Giallorossi want to sign four new players next month. Two strikers, ideally Giacomo Raspadori and Joshua Zirkzee, one centre-back and, perhaps, one central midfielder.

After Christmas, Roma will resume talks with Atletico Madrid directors, trying to agree on favourable conditions to bring Raspadori back to Italy.

As for Zirkzee, the Giallorossi are pushing for a loan deal with an option to buy, but Manchester United are still not entirely convinced about parting ways with the Dutchman in the winter transfer window.

Gasp an admirer of Dragusin

According to Gazzetta, Dragusin is a top target in defence. The Giallorossi consider signing the ex-Genoa and Juventus defender on loan with an option to buy.

It is reported that Gian Piero Gasperini is an admirer of Dragusin, and the Romania international is tempted to move to the capital to revive his career.

The big target in central midfield is Genoa’s Morten Frendrup. The two clubs might discuss a loan swap deal with Nicolò Pisilli, who would reunite with Daniele De Rossi, a big admirer of the promising Italian midfielder.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, Wednesday, December 24, page 20

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Go with Pio

Inter and national team: why he can flourish

Esposito can overtake Bonny (injured) at the club. He climbs the national team pecking order and dreams of the World Cup.

Yildiz, the condition

Top salary and a more competitive Juve

Roma unleashed

Dragusin in defence, Zirkzee, Raspadori and the stadium breakthrough

Napoli, joy and troubles

Neres to the stars, but only free transfers in the market

Leao, no celebrations

Extra work to guide Milan, Fullkrug picks the No.9.

Crazy league

Serie A dizzy: Three rounds in 13 days from Saturday.

Corriere dello Sport

Napoli have their king

Conte in Napoli’s history: two titles in seven months

Palestra like Lookman

Open pathway: Three at the table with Atalanta and Cagliari: what an intrigue

Inter in the first row

Ausilio is working to sign the full-back in the summer, but La Dea want to bring him back home in January. Negotiation with Giulini, who asks for Brescianini and Maldini’s loans.

Yildiz, Juve prepare the renewal

The Turk dominates: five goals and four assists. Elkann: ‘United to win.’ Sporting director: Here’s Ottolini

Milan, Fullkrug at Max’s school

Zirkzee wants to fly to Gasp

Battle with Manchester United, who don’t want to release him immediately. Zappacosta liked

Lazio’s breakthrough: transfers unlocked

Sarri waits for two or three signings; now it’s up to Lotito. Venturino and Valentin Carboni followed

Tuttosport

John-Lucio: Juventus pact

Elkann’s trust in Spalletti increases: the coach feels more and more involved in the club’s relaunch.

Christmas dinner at the J-Museum. The owner: ‘You are becoming a stronger and stronger group, thank you.’ Ottolini terminates the contract with Genoa. Chiellini is the guarantee for the new coach. Lucca offered for the attack.

Marianucci pushes for Toro

Milan: Kostic to have Vlahovic

The 18-year-old from Partizan is incoming; he has the same agent as Dusan, a target for June.

‘Gattuso, look at me. Inter, we’ll see each other.’

Interview with Pirola, now at Olympiakos:’What a derby here with Calabria.’

Ahi Napoli, only free transfers.

The decision of the new commission that monitors finances is immediately effective. Lazio unlocked.

Mattia Perin’s future at Juventus is increasingly uncertain as the goalkeeper pushes for a return to Genoa in search of regular playing time.

While the 33-year-old remains a respected figure inside the Juventus dressing room, his role behind Michele Di Gregorio has limited his minutes, prompting him to explore an exit in the January window.

Genoa have emerged as his preferred destination, with Daniele De Rossi identifying Perin as his first-choice reinforcement between the posts.

Talks with Genoa underway as Juventus identify shortlist

Juventus are aware of the situation and, despite previously hoping to keep the former Italy international, have accepted his stance.

Discussions with Genoa are already underway, although the Bianconeri are not looking solely at reducing their wage bill.

The club also want a transfer fee as part of any agreement, according to Tuttosport, via TuttoMercatoWeb.

With Perin potentially on the move, Juventus have begun assessing alternative options to bolster their goalkeeping department. Several names are under consideration, including Livakovic, Mandas and Leali, as the club draw up a shortlist to cover a possible departure.

Milan defender Fikayo Tomori insists his World Cup ambition remains alive as he continues to re-establish himself as a key figure at San Siro.

The England international is approaching his fifth anniversary with Milan in January and has rediscovered a regular starting role after a difficult couple of seasons.

His resurgence has coincided with the arrival of Massimiliano Allegri on the Rossoneri bench, with Tomori once again a fixed presence at the heart of defence.

Speaking in an interview with BBC Sport, the defender reflected on his hopes of earning a place at the next World Cup and confirmed recent contact with England coach Thomas Tuchel.

“Do I want to go to the World Cup? Of course,” Tomori said.

“I want it for myself and I know that winning the league will help. I spoke with Tuchel after the last international break in November. We’ve spoken several times and the message has been to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Tomori hopes Milan form leads to England call-up

Tomori is aware of the competition he faces in his position but remains encouraged by Tuchel’s continued attention to Milan.

“The World Cup is six months away and there is still a lot of football to be played. I know he’s watching because he called up Ruben Loftus-Cheek,” he explained. “That gives me confidence that I can make it.”

The defender also revealed that Tuchel closely monitors Milan’s performances. “He came to Milan last season and I know he regularly receives our data and watches our videos. He’s said it’s difficult because there are so many players in my position, and I understand that when you look at players like John Stones, Marc Guéhi, Dan Burn and Ezri Konsa.”

Despite the challenge, Tomori remains clear about his goal. “The World Cup is still a dream and I’m working for it every day,” he concluded.

Milan are already asking themselves questions about Christopher Nkunku, but finding a solution in January will not be easy.

The issue is not only Nkunku himself, but also the role he has been asked to play. He has been required to do things that are not necessarily part of his natural game.

Only a few months after his arrival, in a deal worth around €42 million including bonuses, doubts are already emerging, particularly around the idea of using him as a centre-forward.

Milan have doubts over Nkunku role

Nkunku has never been a striker in the classic sense. At best, he has adapted and tried to meet tactical demands, but that has never been the core of his repertoire. This inevitably fuels debate about whether the operation was correctly framed from the start.

In theory, if Milan were guaranteed to recover a significant part of the investment, selling Nkunku in January would not be a bad idea. The real problem lies elsewhere. When you make such an expensive signing in the summer, you must avoid generating a capital loss just a few months later. That makes any winter exit extremely complicated.

Unless an unexpected buyer emerges, Milan’s room for manoeuvre remains limited. Only under those conditions could the Rossoneri realistically consider alternative attacking solutions, independently of Niclas Füllkrug and including the Gabriel Jesus track mentioned in recent days.

Reports in Italy suggest that Milan and Inter hope to earn circa €180m from stadium revenue once they’ve built their new arena, replacing the iconic Stadio Meazza.

Milan and Inter have bought the San Siro area, including the Stadio Meazza and are about to present their plan for a new stadium in the district.

Moon Hash Smart Cloud Platform Helps Fans Explore New Ways to Automated Earnings

The two Milanese clubs have been sharing the stadium for several years, but it was previously owned by the city council.

“It is a historic moment and a date that will remain in the history books for all of Italian football, as it is the first time two clubs have come together to take such a big step,” Marotta told DAZN Italia in November after signing the deal.

“We must have respect for this structural icon, which was the container for great passion and memories, so our objective is to build a new container that can be the scene for many more wonderful moments.”

Now Milan and Inter hope to build their new home by 2030, and according to Gazzetta, the clubs aim to generate at least €180m per season in matchday revenue.

Fans from all over the world are already visiting the Stadio Meazza, also known as San Siro, for Milan and Inter’s home games, and even more are expected to come to Italy when the new stadium is ready.

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