Cristian Chivu admits Inter’s dismal record in big games ‘weighed’ on them in a hard-fought 3-2 win over Juventus, but denied Alessandro Bastoni dived to get Pierre Kalulu sent off.

The Nerazzurri had failed to beat any of the other big clubs so far this season, but even here they were forced to wait until the 90th minute to finally break 10-man Juve down.

Andrea Cambiaso bizarrely scored at both ends for 1-1 before the controversial Pierre Kalulu red card, then Francesco Pio Esposito’s header was cancelled out by Manuel Locatelli.

It was eventually decided by a Piotr Zielinski shot that wrong-footed Michele Di Gregorio when going through Locatelli’s legs for the 3-2 result.

Chivu balances criticism and praise of Inter

“We wanted to focus on the performance more than the result this season, but as you’ve been reminding me constantly, Inter had not beaten a big club in Serie A for two years, so the lads felt that pressure,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“With heart and character, we did what we needed to in order to bring home the victory. I will take the determination and the desire to always damage a team that has been causing problems for every opponent since Luciano Spalletti arrived. They are an impressive team, both collectively and individually.”

Juventus were so angry over the “unacceptable and embarrassing” refereeing with regards to that Kalulu red card that Spalletti refused to speak to the media, instead sending directors Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli.

Chivu famously tries to avoid discussing the refereeing in any situation, but this was a very difficult incident to ignore.

“I think it is a light touch, but it’s still a touch. When I dealt with similar situations in the Champions League, I told my players not to put themselves in a situation where they force the referee to make the call,” noted the coach.

He was of course referring to the incredibly soft and decisive penalty awarded to Liverpool in their victory over Inter.

“Even if it’s light, and we have to admit it is a light touch, my player still felt the touch and was running at full speed. Kalulu is an experienced player and he ought to know that in these situations, you keep your hands to yourself.”

Chivu evidently knew that Bastoni was at risk, because the defender was already on a yellow card and arguably was just as likely to get sent off for simulation in that move as Kalulu was for the challenge, so he substituted the Italian at half-time.

“I changed Bastoni because I was afraid of Conceicao, but seeing as Conceicao then was substituted, I would’ve left him on,” insisted the Inter boss.

The Romanian was a defender, so how would he have honestly reacted if that red card had been given against him on the field?

“If I am on a yellow card, I don’t put my hands on an opponent, especially on a counter-attack when I am anticipated by the opponent,” insisted Chivu.

Inter were at the top of the Serie A table despite not managing to win a single head-to-head battle, and the coach fully admits this statistic affected them psychologically.

“I hope that tonight’s game is the turning point for the mental and even physical block that this team has. I didn’t like the performance, we didn’t have the legs or sharpness to do what we had prepared or play our football.

“At the end of the day, I will take the victory, and was trying to tell them that they won in Dortmund. You sensed tonight the anxiety of a side that hadn’t been able to win a big game for two years, it was weighing on them,” confessed Chivu.

“We must also give credit to Juventus, who caused us problems with their movement, their quality, and the style of football proposed by Spalletti. They are in good shape, and even down to 10 men managed to equalise. When we were 2-1 up, we should’ve controlled the situation better, the fear set in, but I am glad we pushed to the end for the victory and won it with a great Zielinski goal.”

Juventus directors Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli protested the ‘totally unacceptable’ and ‘embarrassing’ refereeing in their 3-2 defeat to Inter, asking Gianluca Rocchi to resign.

It was a chaotic Derby d’Italia and a controversial one too, with Andrea Cambiaso scoring at both ends, then Manuel Locatelli replying to the Francesco Pio Esposito header.

Even when down to 10 men, Juve kept fighting back for 2-2 and eventually capitulated at the 90^th minute when Piotr Zielinski’s strike went through Locatelli’s legs to wrong-foot an uncertain Michele Di Gregorio.

That Pierre Kalulu red card just before half-time changed the game, as the second yellow was awarded for no contact with Alessandro Bastoni.

Juventus take unprecedented stand against refereeing

Luciano Spalletti therefore did not speak to the media, as Juventus sent directors Chiellini and Comolli instead.

“We cannot talk about football after what happened today,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.

“Something completely unacceptable happened today, it doesn’t matter whether it happens to us or someone else, and from tomorrow presumably VAR will have to change, because this is not acceptable that so many errors keep happening even in big games like this.

“We’ve been trying to say since the start of the season that the level of refereeing is not up to the task, and this unfortunately is the spectacle we showed to the rest of the world today. It happened to many teams this season, we have to change, we cannot keep procrastinating the way we always do in Italian football.”

Kalulu made the ‘VAR’ gesture with his hands, but they could not intervene, as the protocol bans them from getting involved with yellow card situations.

This too is something that might be changed when IFAB re-evaluates the rules going forward, along with giving coaches the option of requesting a certain number of VAR appeals.

“It has been since the start of the season that many clubs have been complaining the infrastructure is just not at the level of Serie A. I don’t know if they’re not trained properly, not up to the task, whatever the reason for it, the fact is the referees are not up to the standard of Serie A football.”

So are Juventus calling for refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi to stand down?

“If you want to make it clear, it is obvious that the group of referees are not working, so if Rocchi keeps saying he’ll go, then we’ll see now if he does go,” added Chiellini.

“Last week De Rossi complained, before that Gasperini and Conte, so we are not the first and not the last. Something clearly isn’t working and one of the first things we can do is change the protocol.

“Look, it’s disappointing, the referees are just like players and coaches, but it is obvious La Penna was not up to this game.”

Spalletti had already complained about refereeing in Serie A and the Coppa Italia last week, so his mood certainly would not have been improved by La Penna’s performance this evening.

“Obviously, as a club we feel today is an embarrassing,” Comolli told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s embarrassing what happened today, and we feel strongly as a club from the ownership, to the fans, to the players, to the coach, it cannot happen again. It’s been happening again and again, again and again, tonight was the summary of what we’ve seen this season.

“For a game like this, with the whole world watching, it’s just embarrassing.”

La rabbia di #Comolli, #Chiellini e #Spalletti urlata in faccia a #LaPenna alla fine del primo tempo di #InterJuventus (video @fedel.96 via TikTok) pic.twitter.com/NOnv5e3xQn

— Giovanni Capuano (@capuanogio) February 14, 2026

There was footage of Chiellini, Comolli and other Juventus figures screaming angrily at referee La Penna in the tunnel going into half-time, so did they speak to him afterwards?

“No, we have not spoken to La Penna after the game,” confirmed Comolli.

“It is very difficult to accept injustice like this, very difficult. We have to say something. We spoke to Luciano, Francois and Giorgio. I didn’t speak to the players, I just told them well done, they fought very well, but I don’t think we can talk about football tonight.

“The coach is extremely frustrated and disappointed, it’s totally unacceptable.”

Join Football Italia editor Lorenzo Bettoni live from San Siro and our writer Giancarlo Rinaldi as they examine Inter’s 3-2 win over Juventus.

It was another amazing Derby d’Italia as, after Juventus’ 4-3 win in September, Inter took home all three points in the reverse fixture at San Siro tonight with a thrilling 3-2 win.

It was intense and controversial as you’d expect in every Derby d’Italia, and Football Italia brought to you the live action straight from San Siro.

Now, it’s time to examine the match, from Pierre Kalulu’s debatable red card to Piotr Zielinski’s late winner. Follow the live show below, starting at 23:20 CET.

Piotr Zielinski and Francesco Pio Esposito are relishing Inter’s 3-2 victory over 10-man Juventus. ‘Nights like this are what you dream of when you start playing football.’

It was another dramatic Derby d’Italia at San Siro, in the same vein as the 4-4 draw from last season and Juve’s 4-3 victory back in September.

Andrea Cambiaso bizarrely scored at both ends before the controversial Pierre Kalulu red card, then Manuel Locatelli replied to Esposito’s header, but Zielinski won it at the death drilling through Locatelli’s legs to wrong-foot Michele Di Gregorio.

Esposito and Zielinski get the Inter party started

“It is very important, but the whole team played well and deserved this, so we will enjoy the victory, it’s a big deal,” Zielinski told Sky Sport Italia.

“We’ve got to avoid situations like the equaliser, as we had taken the lead with a great Pio goal and then showed a lack of concentration, but the important thing is that we won it.”

Inter had famously failed to beat any of the other big clubs so far this season, but this was an important turning point in their campaign, especially as it sees them break away at the top of the table.

“All teams have to face all other teams in the league. Juve are a great team, but even when we didn’t bring home the three points, we still put in strong performances.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Inter 3-2 Juventus

Esposito is a lifelong Inter supporter and his season just keeps going from strength to strength, finding the net in every competition.

“Nights like this are what you dream of when you start playing football as a child,” 20-year-old Esposito told Sky Sport Italia.

“The maximum I could ask for tonight was a victory and a goal, and I got them.”

Inter continue to surge away at the top of the Serie A table, awaiting Milan’s rescheduled clash with Como on Wednesday.

“We can’t talk about reaching the finish line yet, as there is a long way to go, but this is certainly a very important result for us.”

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 6.5, Akanji 5.5, Bastoni 6 (46′ Carlos Augusto 5.5); Luis Henrique 6 (66′ Pio Esposito 7), Barella 5.5 (54′ Calhanoglu 6), Zielinski 7.5, Sucic 6 (66′ Diouf 6), Dimarco 7.5; Lautaro Martinez 6, M Thuram 5.5 (85′ Bonny N/A). Coach: Chivu 7.

Best Inter player: Dimarco and Zielinski 7.5 – Zielinski scored a late winner after another fantastic performance: 96% passing accuracy. Another assist for Dimarco, his 13th in Serie A this season. Outstanding to say the least. A constant threat down the left flank. The number of accurate passes in the opposition half was particularly impressive, 47 out of 52, 90%, as per Sofascore.

Lowest Inter rating: Akanji 5.5 – Often out of position and only won one aerial duel from 7. Pretty solid with the ball at his feet, but should have done much more defensively.

Inter coach: Chivu 7 – Inter had not won any of the previous 14 meetings against Juve, Napoli or Milan in Serie A. The Nerazzurri boss was brave to introduce Pio Esposito in the second half, keeping Lautaro and Thuram on the pitch. It wasn’t a given despite the numerical advantage.

Juventus: Di Gregorio 6; Kalulu 5.5, Bremer 7, Kelly 6.5, Cambiaso 6 (77′ Openda N/A); McKennie 7.5, Locatelli 7, Miretti 5.5 (61′ Koopmeiners 6); Conceicao 5 (46′ Holm 5.5), David 5 (61′ Cabal 5.5), Yildiz 6 (75′ Boga 5.5). Coach: Spalletti 6.

Best Juventus player: McKennie 7.5 – Two assists in a tricky night for the Old Lady. McKennie played as a right winger, central midfielder, attacking midfielder and even striker. Once again, an ideal player for Spalletti, who once again played a key role tonight.

Lowest Juventus ratings: Conceiçao and David 5 – They didn’t create much, even before the red card for Kalulu. David even lost possession in the build-up to Inter’s first goal with a misplaced header.

Juventus coach Spalletti 6 – Could Juventus do much more? Probably not. They did what they could, down to ten men for over 45 minutes. They even reacted to Pio Esposito’s goal, scoring a late goal with Locatelli, but it wasn’t enough. Juventus still have many issues, but at least they have an identity now.

Juventus kept coming back even after a controversial Pierre Kalulu red card, but Inter snatched the dramatic 3-2 win with Francesco Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski.

The Derby d’Italia had seen some chaotic recent clashes, including a 4-4 draw last season and a 4-3 Juve victory back in September. Both Thuram brothers were on target in that game, but Khephren was out injured here with Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik, so the midfield was reshuffled for a new 4-3-3 formation. Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu returned to the squad, leaving only Denzel Dumfries on the treatment table, but the Turkish veteran started from the bench.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

The hosts took the lead in bizarre circumstances, as Luis Henrique was trying to roll across for the return pass to Marcus Thuram, but it took a deflection off Andrea Cambiaso and surprised Michele Di Gregorio, who clumsily tried and failed to kick it away at the near bottom corner with his trailing foot.

Juve threatened moments later, Weston McKennie’s header straight at Yann Sommer on a Pierre Kalulu cross, while Francisco Conceicao curled over from a tricky angle.

Cambiaso made up for the howler by scoring the equaliser in the right net this time, as Jonathan David failed to connect with a McKennie cross, so it kept going to find the full-back to tap in at the far post.

Nine minutes after scoring an own goal, Andrea Cambiaso equalises for Juventus against Inter!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/714MVTyn93

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

Sommer flew to palm away the Kenan Yildiz right-foot curler, then Gleison Bremer had to clear practically off the line from Piotr Zielinski on Thuram’s back-heel flick.

There was chaos on the stroke of half-time and the game changed completely. Di Gregorio flew to parry a Thuram header on a corner, then Alessandro Bastoni tried to prod in the rebound, somehow managing to hit both uprights with the same effort.

Juve then tried to play their way out and Bastoni went down under a Kalulu challenge, with the referee showing a second yellow card. VAR cannot intervene on bookings, so the understandably frustrated Juventus defender couldn’t call on them to confirm there was no contact with Bastoni.

A controversial moment in the Serie A title race as Pierre Kalulu is sent off for Juventus for not a great deal

Inter Milan's players were celebrating the decision

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Hoy3g0IWPp

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

Despite being down to 10 men, Juventus still had a triple chance after the restart, as Sommer parried the Cambiaso strike, then the Kenan Yildiz rebound, and finally smothered a Miretti effort.

Calhanoglu made his first appearance since January 11 and immediately forced a flying save out of Di Gregorio with his rocket from the edge of the box.

McKennie had timid appeals rejected for a Carlos Augusto challenge, while Thuram cut inside from the left for a right-foot scorcher that skimmed the crossbar.

Inter finally broke down the 10 men with Dimarco’s 14^th assist of the season, whipping in a cross from the left for substitute Pio Esposito, who peeled away from Manuel Locatelli for a looping header into the far top corner.

Dimarco could’ve scored another on the Andy Diouf counter-attack, but couldn’t keep his finish down, as the Bianconeri were unbalanced seeking an equaliser.

Locatelli made up for the earlier error to draw Juve level with a first-time sweeping finish from just inside the area on the McKennie roll across from the right.

Incredible celebrations from 10-man Juventus as Manuel Locatelli equalises against Inter

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/s5A4V3Xgpu

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

It remained wide open, Di Gregorio getting across to push a Yann Bisseck towering header off the line, then Zielinski restored Inter’s lead with a strike through Locatelli’s legs from the D to wrong-foot the goalkeeper again.

Inter score in the 90th minute and take a 3-2 win over Juventus

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4rUeIFscVN

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

Teun Koopmeiners had his header plucked out of the air, then sprinted back to make practically a goal-line clearance after Ange-Yoan Bonny’s dummy sent McKennie to ground.

Inter 3-2 Juventus

Cambiaso og 17 (I), Cambiaso 26 (J), Esposito 76 (I), Locatelli 83 (J), Zielinski 90 (I)

Sent off: Kalulu 42 (J)

14-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 25

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Inter

Juventus

3 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Alessandro Bastoni		9'
Andrea Cambiaso		17'
		26'		Andrea Cambiaso (Assist: Weston McKennie)
		32'		Pierre Kalulu
		42'		Pierre Kalulu

2nd half

Nicolò Barella		53'
Pio Esposito (Assist: Federico Dimarco)		76'
Hakan Calhanoglu		79'
		83'		Manuel Locatelli (Assist: Weston McKennie)
Piotr Zielinski (Assist: Yann Bisseck)		90'
Piotr Zielinski		90+1'

Match statistic

60

Possession %

40

21

Total shots

11

9

Shots on target

8

7

Shots off target

2

5

Blocked shots

1

4

Corners

1

1

Offsides

1

15

Fouls

7

Inter

Juventus

Starting lineups

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

46'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

67'

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

54'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

66'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

86'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

78'

3

Bremer

Defender

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

61'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

46'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

61'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

75'

Substitutes

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

46'

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

54'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

66'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

67'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

86'

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

2

Emil Holm

Defender

46'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

61'

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

61'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

75'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

78'

Refereeing experts Luca Marelli and Graziano Cesari both agree Pierre Kalulu’s red card was ‘a very serious error’ in Inter vs. Juventus, and Alessandro Bastoni could’ve been sent off instead, but VAR could not intervene.

Follow all the action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The incident transformed the Derby d’Italia at San Siro this evening, as just before half-time Kalulu was already on a yellow card when he cut across Alessandro Bastoni.

Referee Federico La Penna immediately pulled out the second yellow card and sent the Juventus defender off.

A controversial moment in the Serie A title race as Pierre Kalulu is sent off for Juventus for not a great deal

Inter Milan's players were celebrating the decision

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Hoy3g0IWPp

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

Kalulu was incredulous and made the ‘VAR’ gesture with his hands, but the protocol forbids technology being used in a yellow card situation.

Inter vs. Juventus controversy will drag on

Analysing the footage on television, Italy’s refereeing pundits were in agreement that La Penna was taken in by the Bastoni simulation.

“It is a very serious error from La Penna, but there’s nothing that can be done because VAR can’t intervene on second yellow cards,” said DAZN official Marelli.

“There was no contact between Kalulu and Bastoni.”

Juventus are down to ten men as Pierre Kalulu is sent off after picking up his second yellow card pic.twitter.com/LYzerA9uRV

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 14, 2026

On Sport Mediaset’s coverage, refereeing expert and former official Cesari was even more harsh on La Penna.

“It is a huge mistake. The second yellow card is non-existent. There is no contact between Bastoni and Kalulu, there is clear distance between the players.

“La Penna should have a clear view, but he gets it all wrong. It’s a total howler. In fact, the referee’s error also saves Bastoni from a second yellow card for simulation.”

Cristian Chivu seemed to realise this was a possibility and substituted the Italy international at half-time.

Bastoni’s unsporting behaviour went beyond the yellow card, as he was visibly celebrating behind the distraught Kalulu.

Italy international Sandro Tonali inspired Newcastle’s victory over Aston Villa in the FA Cup with his first two goals this season: ‘Yesterday I was telling him, ‘you never score goals,” said his teammate Nick Woltemade.

Italy star Tonali scored a brace in Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday, inspiring the Magpies’ qualification for the FA Cup fifth round.

As reported by Squawka on X social media, Tonali has now scored three of his nine Newcastle goals against Aston Villa.

“Yesterday I was telling him, ‘you never score goals’, and today he scored two,” Newcastle striker Woltemade, who scored the other goal for the Magpies, said at full-time.

“We are both happy, of course.”

Tonali went on to praise his teammate, too.

“He plays as a midfielder, like an experienced midfielder. He plays very well,” the Italian said.

As reported by Opta, Tonali is the first Newcastle player to score two goals from outside the box in a single game since Mohamed Diamé vs Preston in the League Cup back in October 2016.

“I was saying to Sandro ‘you never score goals’, and today he scored two!”

Nick Woltemade and Sandro Tonali are full of compliments for each other after Newcastle’s 3-1 victory over Aston Villa

@Becky_Ives_ | @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/GpOwdCSUie

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

Sublime from Sandro Tonali

Two quick goals from the midfielder surge @NUFC into the lead.

Watch live on @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and @discoveryplusUK #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/jPVP1h2m49

— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) February 14, 2026

What a hit from Sandro Tonali!

His second strike completes Newcastle’s comeback from a goal down to taking the lead against Aston Villa pic.twitter.com/cP0sROWt87

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 14, 2026

Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu received two yellow cards in the first half of an away game at Inter, and VAR could not intervene when he was given his marching orders.

Juventus visit Inter at San Siro on Saturday, but will have to play the second half down to ten men following a red card shown to Pierre Kalulu in the opening 45 minutes.

Why Kalulu was sent off in Inter vs. Juventus

The French defender was given a second yellow card late in the first half, but replays indicated he made no contact with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, who seemed to go down too easily in an attempt to draw the booking.

Kalulu and Juventus players vehemently protested and the Bianconeri defender even asked to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, but VAR could not intervene, given that technology can only be used in case of a straight red card and not when a second yellow card leads to a sending off.

The first half ended in a 1-1 draw with Juventus’ defender Andrea Cambiaso scoring a goal and an own goal.

Football Italia is among the accredited media at San Siro. You can follow live updates on the liveblog.

Il secondo giallo per #Kalulu è inesistente: il francese sfiora a malapena il braccio di #Bastoni, che crolla a terra, mentre le gambe restano ben distanti
Incredibile come non possa intervenire da regolamento il Var#InterJuventus #Inter #Juve pic.twitter.com/8EY5FfQieM

— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) February 14, 2026

Juventus are down to ten men as Pierre Kalulu is sent off after picking up his second yellow card pic.twitter.com/LYzerA9uRV

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 14, 2026

Watch as Andrea Cambiaso makes Derby d’Italia history by scoring in both nets, as after a Michele Di Gregorio howler, he allowed Juventus to equalise against Inter.

You can follow all the action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The full-back certainly had a complicated start to the big match at San Siro this evening, with the Bianconeri trying out a 4-3-3 formation.

Cambiaso with dubious record in Inter vs. Juventus

Cambiaso was in the wrong place at the wrong time when accidentally deflecting the Luis Henrique roll across from the right for Marcus Thuram, but still assumed Michele Di Gregorio would be able to kick it out of the near bottom corner.

An Andrea Cambiaso own goal gives Inter the lead in the Derby d'Italia pic.twitter.com/seW5y25E6s

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 14, 2026

Unfortunately for him, the Juve goalkeeper decided to go with his trailing foot instead, and made a hash of it.

Just nine minutes later, Cambiaso managed to turn into the correct net at the other end, as Jonathan David failed to connect with a Weston McKennie cross, letting it come through for the full-back at the far post.

Nine minutes after scoring an own goal, Andrea Cambiaso equalises for Juventus against Inter!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/714MVTyn93

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 14, 2026

Before this, no player had ever managed to score at both ends in an edition of the Derby d’Italia, so he has his somewhat unfortunate place in the history books.

Andrea Cambiaso has a goal at both ends of the pitch as he equalizes for Juventus pic.twitter.com/7JKdDOyZAf

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 14, 2026

Raffaele Palladino confirms the Giacomo Raspadori injury issue against Lazio and wants Atalanta to ‘keep our foot on the gas,’ but admits to a future Premier League ambition too.

They emerged from the Stadio Olimpico with a 2-0 victory thanks to the Ederson penalty for a Danilo Cataldi handling offence, and Nicola Zalewski’s wonderful curler into the far bottom corner.

The woodwork came to their rescue twice on Kenneth Taylor and Petar Ratkov in the Eternal City.

Palladino has revitalised Atalanta

La Dea are on a roll with 29 points in 14 rounds since he took over from sacked Ivan Juric, so does a whole new season begin this evening?

“Not tonight, it started three months ago,” assured Palladino in his press conference.

“I always said our objective was to climb the table and we will keep doing that. We’ve achieved some important results, those performances helped us to develop the right mentality and self-belief.

“We faced a Lazio side in good shape today, but we were clinical in an overall balanced encounter. Lazio did better in the first 20 minutes, then we improved and did well to pick up all three points.”

Raspadori was a second half substitute, but he limped off with five minutes to go and all the substitutions completed, leaving Atalanta down to 10 men.

“Raspadori hadn’t been playing regularly in Spain, so he needs consistency on the field and we are trying to give that to him,” noted Palladino.

“He is an important player for us, a young Italian, and a proven winner. He settled in very quickly, today unfortunately he sustained a slight muscular issue and we hope it is nothing serious.”

This result saw Atalanta surge past Como, who have a game in hand, into sixth place, so is their target Europe or a top four finish?

“We mustn’t look at the Champions League zone or anything else, we just have to focus on ourselves. The objective was to climb back up, to have this hunger and mentality, but we must never lose our humility either,” warned Palladino.

“There were many difficulties when I arrived, but we are now in three different competitions, in about 80 hours or so we’ll play in the Champions League, then again Serie A and the Coppa Italia. We’ve got to keep our foot on the gas.”

Curiously, Atalanta will face Lazio again in the Coppa Italia semi-final, with the first leg scheduled for March 4.

“I don’t know what kind of game that will be, but certainly a difficult one against a strong opponent. I was impressed by Lazio today, they have pace in attack and are well-drilled. The Coppa Italia is a very important objective for us.”

Former Juventus coach Igor Tudor has just been hired by Tottenham Hotspur, so does Palladino have ambitions of working in the Premier League too?

“For anyone in our line of work, it is an intriguing style of football. I would like to go there in future and I have been studying the English language lately,” confessed the coach.

“Right now, the objective is to concentrate on Atalanta.”

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini admits Inter ‘have been the strongest squad in the league for many years now’ and stands up for troubled Teun Koopmeiners.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

The Bianconeri won the Derby d’Italia back in September, emerging with a stoppage-time 4-3 victory in Turin, while last season this fixture ended 4-4 at San Siro.

Chiellini ready for Inter vs. Juventus

Can they keep the title race open maybe not for themselves, but for the other teams?

“We do hope to keep the Scudetto battle open, but Inter have been the strongest squad in the league for many years now, the club deserved credit for building such a great team,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s going to be a difficult but fun match to take part in, I hope to see apart from the result, also a confirmation of the performances we’ve seen in recent months.

“We need to make fewer mistakes, as we are paying a heavy price for those lately, but a good performance here against the best team in Serie A would be a confirmation of that form.”

Both Thuram brothers were on target when these sides met earlier in the season, but this time Khephren is out injured, joining Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik on the absentee list.

“Conceicao hasn’t always been available due to injury. Naturally, we have to focus on our quality and pace, because if we try to take Inter on physically, their defenders have considerably more than us on that level,” noted Chiellini.

With Khephren Thuram injured, it was assumed that Koopmeiners would step into the midfield, but he is dropped in favour of Fabio Miretti and Weston McKennie for a change of system to 4-3-3.

“Koop had a very good game against Lazio on Sunday and was unlucky with the offside goal. He is training well, he still needs to show what he did when playing for Atalanta, but he’s not complaining or anything, he’s relaxed and prepared for the game,” insisted Chiellini.

Inter President Beppe Marotta insists they are not that ‘pleasantly surprised’ by Cristian Chivu ahead of tonight’s clash with Juventus, as it was not a decision they made ‘lightly.’

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

The last few editions of the Derby d’Italia have been thrilling battles, including a 4-4 draw last season and 4-3 Juve victory back in September 2025.

The Nerazzurri are on extraordinary form, winning 11 of the last 12 Serie A games interrupted only a 2-2 draw with Napoli.

Inter had faith in relative newcomer Chivu

“It can confirm our recent excellent results and maintain momentum going forward in a tough season. We are also aware that we’re against a strong opponent, and are hoping for a positive result,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“We knew this was a strong team, the performance in Turin was very positive until some late incidents. We always looked more to the performances than the results, and in that sense have seen real progress building on solid foundations.”

Chivu was a bit of a surprise in taking over from Simone Inzaghi last summer with just days to go before the Club World Cup, but he had flourished.

“We didn’t choose Chivu lightly, we pondered it considering the man we had known, the coach he had become, and the player that he was. We didn’t need to think of other candidates, we went straight for him,” assured Marotta.

“Some might be pleasantly surprised by him, but we already expected him to be a protagonist in the world of coaches.”

Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu returned to the squad after several weeks out, so the only remaining absentee is Denzel Dumfries, and he too has been participating in partial training sessions.

“Last season’s experience helped us to realise that we must try to achieve the maximum result in every competition. We are still in all three tournaments and we want to go all the way, but in modern football it’s not just about keeping physical freshness, but psychological too.

“This is why the coach rotates the squad and uses everyone in a very intelligent way,” concluded the Inter President.

Atalanta continue their climb up the Serie A table with this important victory away to Lazio, as Ederson’s penalty and a Nicola Zalewski curler conquered the Olimpico.

These teams will meet again in the Coppa Italia semi-final, with the second leg scheduled for March 4, as the Aquile beat holders Bologna on penalties on Wednesday. Alessio Romagnoli was suspended here, with Pedro, Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot injured, so Daniel Maldini faced his former club. La Dea lost Charles De Ketelaere for at least a month following knee surgery, with Gianluca Scamacca not fully fit either, but Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor returned from bans. The stadium was again mostly empty, as Lazio fans continue their protest.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Ivan Provedel got it very wrong when rushing off his line to close down Lorenzo Bernasconi, who was able to put in the cross for Nikola Krstovic, but Oliver Provstgaard got back for a decisive goal-line clearance in an empty net.

Kenneth Taylor couldn’t get enough power on his acrobatic volley, while Ahanor nodded a corner wide of the far post.

Ahanor was struggling to deal with Gustav Isaksen and already on an early yellow card, so Raffaele Palladino hauled the 17-year-old off after just 25 minutes to introduce Sead Kolasinac.

Lazio remained aggressive and came very close moments later when Daniel Maldini pulled back from the by-line for Taylor, whose strike was fingertipped onto the near post by Marco Carnesecchi.

The game changed just before half-time when Davide Zappacosta completed a give and go to break down the right and his pull-back from the by-line was blocked by Danilo Cataldi’s raised arm as he came sliding in. The referee spotted it in real time without needing VAR, and Ederson sent Provedel the wrong way to put Atalanta in front.

Mario Gila went off with a knock just above the knee and Lazio also had penalty appeals for a potential Zappacosta handball after the restart, but Nuno Tavares was offside in the build-up and therefore irrelevant.

They had a huge double chance moments later, as on a short corner Carnesecchi made a one-handed save on the Tijjani Noslin flicked header, then Adam Marusic couldn’t keep the rebound down at the back post.

Instead, Atalanta doubled their advantage with ex-Roma talent Zalewski, who gathered outside the area and bent a wonderful right-foot strike into the far bottom corner.

Carnesecchi was ready for the Maldini free kick, but Atalanta had a problem when Raspadori hobbled off with a thigh problem at the 86^th minute with all the substitutions completed, so they finished with 10 men.

In this scenario, Lazio threatened to get back into the game with Petar Ratkov’s header from a corner clipping the upright. Ratkov also hit a fresh-air shot from eight yards, although his blushes were spared by Boulaye Dia’s offside.

Atalanta temporarily go into sixth place, although Como have a game in hand.

Lazio 0-2 Atalanta

Ederson pen 41 (A), Zalewski 60 (A)

14-02-2026 17:00

MatchDay 25

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio

Atalanta

0 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		10'		Giorgio Scalvini
		12'		Honest Ahanor
		41'		Éderson

2nd half

		60'		Nicola Zalewski (Assist: Lorenzo Bernasconi)
		74'		Lorenzo Bernasconi
Kenneth Taylor		78'
		90'		Berat Djimsiti

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

18

Total shots

12

5

Shots on target

5

7

Shots off target

4

6

Blocked shots

3

5

Corners

4

3

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

16

Lazio

Atalanta

Starting lineups

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

34

Mario Gila

Defender

46'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

67'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

79'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

88'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

67'

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

83'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

46'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

25'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

46'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

71

Valerio Farcomeni

Midfielder

99

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

4

Patric

Defender

46'

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

67'

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

67'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

79'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

88'

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

4

Isak Hien

Defender

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

25'

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

46'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

46'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

70'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

83'

Inter bring Nicolò Barella back with Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram, but Juventus are forced to change with Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao and Jonathan David.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

This is the Derby d’Italia, a notorious grudge match, not to mention a battle between two of the top five.

The last few editions have been thrilling, including a 4-4 draw at San Siro last season, and a 4-3 Juventus victory in Turin back in September.

Both Thuram brothers were on target that day, but this time around Khephren is out with a bruised leg and not even on the bench.

He joins Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik on the treatment table, so Fabio Miretti and Weston McKennie into a deeper midfield role than usual.

Conceicao shrugs off a knee issue to start with Yildiz and David upfront in what appears to be a 4-3-3 formation.

Inter have big news, as Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu returned to training on Tuesday after several weeks out, leaving just Denzel Dumfries on the absentee list.

Only the Italian is thrown straight into the starting XI with Piotr Zielinski and Petar Sucic, while Marcus Thuram partners Capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez.

They are running away at the top of the Serie A table, winning 11 of the last 12 games.

Inter vs. Juventus line-ups

Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, M Thuram

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; McKennie, Locatelli, Miretti; Conceicao, David, Yildiz

14-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 25

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Inter

Juventus

3 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Alessandro Bastoni		9'
Andrea Cambiaso		17'
		26'		Andrea Cambiaso (Assist: Weston McKennie)
		32'		Pierre Kalulu
		42'		Pierre Kalulu

2nd half

Nicolò Barella		53'
Pio Esposito (Assist: Federico Dimarco)		76'
Hakan Calhanoglu		79'
		83'		Manuel Locatelli (Assist: Weston McKennie)
Piotr Zielinski (Assist: Yann Bisseck)		90'
Piotr Zielinski		90+1'

Match statistic

60

Possession %

40

21

Total shots

11

9

Shots on target

8

7

Shots off target

2

5

Blocked shots

1

4

Corners

1

1

Offsides

1

15

Fouls

7

Inter

Juventus

Starting lineups

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

46'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

67'

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

54'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

66'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

86'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

78'

3

Bremer

Defender

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

61'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

46'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

61'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

75'

Substitutes

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

46'

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

54'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

66'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

67'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

86'

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

2

Emil Holm

Defender

46'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

61'

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

61'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

75'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

78'

Paulo Dybala is reportedly out of the Roma squad to face Napoli on Sunday evening, while Matias Soulé should be at least on the bench.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

Coach Gian Piero Gasperini had already warned in his press conference earlier today that he had concerns about both Argentine talents in his squad.

Dybala out, Soule in doubt for Roma

According to Sky Sport Italia, Dybala is still struggling with persistent pain in his knee and will not be risked for the big match.

Soulé is by no means fully fit either, as he has recurring groin issue, but is at the very least going to make the trip to Naples.

The Giallorossi are already forced to do without Manu Kone, Evan Ferguson, Artem Dovbyk and Stephan El Shaarawy, with Angelino and Robinio Vaz only fit for the bench.

If Soulé is not able to feature from the start, then January signing Bryan Zaragoza will get his full debut.

Edoardo Bove has returned to the field for the first time since the cardiac arrest playing for Fiorentina in December 2024, making his debut for Watford.

The 23-year-old came off the bench for the closing minutes of today’s 2-2 English Championship draw away to Preston North End.

Bove career begins again in England

The midfielder came up through the Roma youth academy and was on loan at Fiorentina when he suddenly collapsed during their Serie A match with Inter at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

He was revived on the field and rushed to the local hospital, where after tests, he received an implanted cardiac defibrillator.

The Italian rules mean that any athlete with this type of implant is banned from participating in professional sport, which is why Christian Eriksen was forced to leave Inter after a similar situation when representing Denmark at EURO 2024.

Last month, Bove terminated his contract with Roma by mutual consent, and signed for Watford as a free agent.

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas did not hold back in his criticism of striker Alvaro Morata, who was sent off at the end of Como’s surprise 2-1 defeat at home against relegation-threatened Fiorentina on Saturday afternoon: ‘Those who can’t live with it should play another sport’. 

Goals from Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean gave Fiorentina, who had been in the relegation zone before kick-off, enough to hold onto at the Stadio Sinigaglia, despite a second-half own goal from Fabiano Parisi. 

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

Fabregas reacts to Como 1-2 Fiorentina

Fabregas cut a frustrated figure during his post-match interview with DAZN, criticising his players for their lack of awareness, and Morata for his lack of self-control in the final minutes, which led to his sending off. 

“I’m annoyed that I wasn’t able to help the boys understand the importance of the game. I showed them my experience as a footballer during the week, maybe too much, but it wasn’t enough. We’re a young team,” Fabregas said after full-time. 

“It wasn’t a football match in the second half. Leaving that aside, the game has to be won with the right motivation and energy. I feel bad as a coach, because I wasn’t able to convey this to my players today. Maybe it was in our heads. We made a mistake in our attitude, we have to show more desire and be better in attack if we want to play our game. 

“I didn’t like the first half very much, the second half, I repeat, wasn’t a game of football.” 

Fabregas believes that Como’s congested fixture schedule is a benefit after a game like today’s. 

“In 72 hours, we’ll play in San Siro and then against Torino, and this is a good thing to look forward to after this game,” he said. 

Fabregas did not hold back when asked to comment on Morata’s late sending off. The Spaniard was shown two yellow cards in quick succession for tussles with Rolando Mandragora and then with Marin Pongracic. 

“Provocation is part of football, those who can’t live with that should play another sport,” Fabregas said. 

“I expect much more from an experienced player like him. We can’t make excuses, though, and we can’t allow for what other people do on the pitch to affect us.”

Paolo Vanoli says that it is ‘not easy for a team like Fiorentina to go from fighting for a European place to fighting for survival, but has expressed his pride at his players after picking up a big 2-1 victory away against Como in Serie A on Saturday afternoon. 

The 2025-26 season has been one to forget for Fiorentina, who have found themselves in the bottom four for the vast majority of the campaign. 

The Viola managed to lift themselves out of the bottom three on  Saturday afternoon thanks to a 2-1 victory away against Como, who had beaten them 3-1 in Tuscany in the Coppa Italia at the end of January. Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean were enough for Vanoli’s side to hold onto, despite a second-half own goal from Fabiano Parisi. 

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

Vanoli reacts to Como 1-2 Fiorentina victory

“I congratulate the guys, we played a great game with a lot of sacrifice and showed that with organisation and intensity, we can beat teams like Como,” Vanoli said in his post-match interview with DAZN.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground, keep our heads down and think about the next one, first in the Conference League and then in the league.” 

Vanoli was asked what he makes of goalscorer Fagioli and the form that he has been on as of late. 

“He has great qualities, he defends well, we are working hard and he is improving a lot, the numbers say so. He made me a bit angry in the first 15 minutes, then he recovered. He has goals in him, he has to arrive with more determination and malice.” 

And on the team in general, Vanoli added: “Since I arrived, I’ve tried to get this message of how to achieve safety across. It’s been a difficult transition, it’s not easy for a team like Fiorentina to go from a goal like fighting for European place to fighting for survival. 

“We have to have courage and everything I have done, I’ve done to try and find new solutions, because this is a team with lots of quality.” 

Raffaele Palladino explains how he worked on revitalising the Atalanta ‘mentality’ and his surprising tweaks for today’s trip to Lazio. ‘I don’t believe in squad rotation.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 GMT.

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

This is an early opportunity to see these teams face off, as they will meet again in the Coppa Italia semi-final, starting with the first leg in the Capital on March 4.

It is also a battle between seventh and eighth in the Serie A table, and with Como stumbling to a defeat at home to Fiorentina earlier today, it’s an opportunity for Atalanta to go sixth.

Palladino has transformed Atalanta

“When I first arrived, the players were upset and we had to work on the mental aspect, revitalising their enthusiasm and finding that self-belief they had perhaps lost along the way,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.

“The rest comes as a consequence of that, as this is a team with a lot of quality, the tactical principles were already clear and similar to the ones I had worked on in the past, so we fit together very quickly.

“We’ve achieved nothing yet, this is the most delicate spell of the season, and we need to face it with the right mentality.”

Charles De Ketelaere had knee surgery for a meniscus tear and is expected to be out of action for at least a month.

Gianluca Scamacca is not fully fit either today, though Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor return from suspension, but it is Nicola Zalewski who starts rather than Giacomo Raspadori.

Is this to rest the Italian ahead of the Champions League play-off with Borussia Dortmund?

“I never rotate the squad, I don’t believe in it, I just focus on picking the best available team for that match. I am fortunate to have 20 players available who are all strong and anyone who steps in is able to give their best,” replied Palladino.

“I feel we have the best XI for the characteristics of this game, the players know what they need to do and we will aim to win, though it won’t be easy against a Lazio side in good shape.”

Delegates from Milan have been in Liverpool to visit and study Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium as part of their fact-finding mission for the new stadium in San Siro. 

Milan visit Everton to take inspiration from new stadium

As of November, Milan and Inter have officially acquired the San Siro site, including the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, which had previously been owned by the city council. Acquiring the stadium was a fundamental step in the journey to building a new ground on the same site. 

According to various reports in Italy, the Milan clubs intend to demolish the vast majority of their stadium in its current form in order to make way for a new, state-of-the-art venue capable of hosting matches at EURO 2032. 

The new stadium is expected to be built nearby, but not in place of the current Stadio Meazza, which means that the construction of the new ground could begin in 2027, and the demolition of the current stadium in 2031. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, a delegation of five representatives from AC Milan have recently been in Liverpool to study Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium, which was officially opened in 2025. 

The 52,769-capacity stadium hosted its first Premier League match on the opening day of the 2025-26 Premier League season, replacing the historic Goodison Park, which had been in operation for 133 years. 

Everton is not the only stop on Milan’s fact-finding mission, though. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there will be visits to other clubs across Europe over the coming months. 

It is understood that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park are also among Milan’s inspirations.

With Charles De Ketelaere out, Atalanta look to Lazar Samardzic and Nikola Krstovic against Lazio’s Daniel Maldini and Tijjani Noslin, before these teams meet in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 17.00 GMT.

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

This is meant to be a head-to-head for European ambitions, although a six-point gap has opened up between these sides in seventh and eighth place.

They will face off again in the Coppa Italia semi-final on March 4, with the second leg in Bergamo in April.

La Dea lost De Ketelaere to a meniscus injury, as he had surgery on Thursday and will be out of action for at least a month.

Gianluca Scamacca is not fully fit either, but Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor return from suspension after the 2-1 win over Cremonese.

Giacomo Raspadori is rested in favour of Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski in support of Krstovic.

Lazio have had a chaotic few weeks, which saw dramatic late goals in a 3-2 win over Genoa and 2-2 draw away to Juventus.

They were in action on Wednesday, eliminating Coppa Italia holders Bologna in a penalty shoot-out at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

Alessio Romagnoli returned from his failed transfer to Al-Sadd only to immediately pick up a Serie A ban, while Pedro sprained his ankle and will be out for a month.

Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot are also injured, leaving Maurizio Sarri with few options.

Daniel Maldini starts against his former club, who he left in January, flanked by Gustav Isaksen and Noslin.

Oliver Provstgaard steps into defence, with Fisayo Dele-Bashiru plugging the midfield gaps.

Lazio vs. Atalanta line-ups

Lazio: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Noslin

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djmsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Krstovic

14-02-2026 17:00

MatchDay 25

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio

Atalanta

0 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		10'		Giorgio Scalvini
		12'		Honest Ahanor
		41'		Éderson

2nd half

		60'		Nicola Zalewski (Assist: Lorenzo Bernasconi)
		74'		Lorenzo Bernasconi
Kenneth Taylor		78'
		90'		Berat Djimsiti

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

18

Total shots

12

5

Shots on target

5

7

Shots off target

4

6

Blocked shots

3

5

Corners

4

3

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

16

Lazio

Atalanta

Starting lineups

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

34

Mario Gila

Defender

46'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

67'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

79'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

88'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

67'

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

83'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

46'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

25'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

46'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

71

Valerio Farcomeni

Midfielder

99

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

4

Patric

Defender

46'

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

67'

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

67'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

79'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

88'

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

4

Isak Hien

Defender

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

25'

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

46'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

46'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

70'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

83'

Fiorentina climbed out of the relegation zone with a shock win away to high-flying Como, as Nicolò Fagioli and Moise Kean’s penalty were decisive, with tension getting to Alvaro Morata.

The Lariani were fresh from a Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Napoli in a sudden death penalty shoot-out, still missing Assane Diao and Edoardo Goldaniga. Albert Gudmundsson, Daniele Rugani and Tariq Lamptey didn’t make the trip for the Viola, whose form stalled again with one point from three rounds. Curiously, these teams met in the Coppa Italia on January 27, Como emerging 3-1 winners at the Stadio Franchi.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Nico Paz tested David De Gea, but it was Fiorentina who broke the deadlock somewhat against the run of play. Niccolò Fagioli was fortunate that both a cleared cross and the rebound from his initial shot fell kindly into his path, so he then dribbled into the box and surprised Jean Butez at the near post.

Nico Paz drilled wide of the near post on a Nicolas Kuhn pull-back, firing a few more efforts off target, along with a Tasos Douvikas header over and Martin Baturina strike from a tricky angle.

Cesc Fabregas made changes at the break and they stepped up a gear, Marin Pongracic preventing a Douvikas tap-in on the Mergim Vojvoda low cross.

However, Maxi Perrone mistimed his challenge on Rolando Mandragora and gave away a penalty, which Kean converted into the near top corner. It was his first Serie A goal away from home in nine months and doubled Fiorentina’s lead.

Jesus Rodriguez dribbled past two to test De Gea, then Baturina’s strike skimmed the far post from the edge of the area.

There was a mad scramble after a Como corner, culminating in the ball grazing both Jacobo Ramon’s head and the far post from five yards.

Como had penalty appeals rejected, as Jesus Rodriguez seemed to suddenly stop so Jack Harrison had to bump into the back of him, but the touchline debate resulted in Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli’s dismissal.

The hosts did get one back when another strong Jesus Rodriguez cross from the left was flicked on by Alvaro Morata, as Fabiano Parisi accidentally prodded into his own net trying to anticipate Ramon.

Como could smell blood and poured forward, pumping crosses into the box, and there were more penalty appeals for potential Mandragora handball, but his arms were around Jacobo Ramon and it was incidental.

The tension was sky high and got to Alvaro Morata, who received two yellow cards in quick succession for ill-tempered tussles with first Mandragora, then Marin Pongracic.

Como 1-2 Fiorentina

Fagioli 26 (F), Kean pen 54 (F), Parisi og 77 (C)

Sent off: Morata 89 (C)

14-02-2026 14:00

MatchDay 25

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Fiorentina

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

26'

Nicolò Fagioli

2nd half

Marc Oliver Kempf		49'
		54'		Moise Kean
Fabiano Parisi		77'
Jesús Rodriguez		82'
Álvaro Morata		88'
		88'		Rolando Mandragora
Álvaro Morata		89'
		90'		Luca Ranieri

Match statistic

67

Possession %

33

16

Total shots

7

3

Shots on target

3

10

Shots off target

2

3

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

2

3

Offsides

2

13

Fouls

10

Como

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

46'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

72'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

57'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

57'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

46'

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

84'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

84'

Substitutes

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

46'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

46'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

57'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

57'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

72'

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

84'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

84'

Luciano Spalletti is expected to reshuffle his tactics ahead of the Derby d’Italia against Inter on Saturday afternoon as Juventus will have to do without key midfielder Khephren Thuram against the Nerazzurri. Here’s who could replace the Frenchman in San Siro. 

Juventus released their squad list for the derby against Inter on Saturday morning, confirming that Thuram as well as Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are unavailable to play. 

Thuram has featured in 23 of Juventus’s 24 league matches so far this season, has started in 20 of them and has provided one goal and two assists from those Serie A outings. That goal came in the reverse fixture against Inter at the Allianz Stadium during the first half of the season. 

Who could start for Juventus against Inter in the absence of Thuram?

With no Thuram available on Saturday evening, it is expected that Spalletti will slightly reshuffle his tactics. 

Spalletti originally deployed a 3-4-2-1 shape during his first weeks in charge of the Bianconeri, before switching to a 4-2-3-1. He reverted to the 3-4-2-1 shape for the 2-2 draw against Lazio last time out, but is likely to swap back to a four-man defence against Inter. 

According to reports from some outlets on Saturday afternoon, Spalletti is likely to deploy a midfield trio of Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie and Fabio Miretti. That would see Francisco Conceicao, Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David as the starting attackers. 

Other outlets, however, suggest that Spalletti could stick with a back three, and that Teun Koopmeiners could be brought in to partner Locatelli in the midfield of a 3-4-2-1. Lloyd Kelly would come back into the team on the left side of the back three if this were to be the case.

Scott McTominay has reportedly not been able to shake off a tendon issue, so will miss Napoli’s showdown with Roma on Sunday.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

McTominay had limped off at half-time during the 3-2 victory away to Genoa last week, having scored one of his team’s decisive goals.

He was then left out of the squad for the Coppa Italia quarter-final, which saw Como eliminate Napoli on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Tuesday.

McTominay absence further limits Napoli options

It was hoped that the Scotland international and last year’s Serie A MVP would be fit enough to feature in this weekend’s clash with Roma.

However, Sky Sport Italia report the latest news from the medical staff is not reassuring, so McTominay might not even be on the bench.

It’s a blow for Antonio Conte, as Juan Jesus is also suspended, with David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Kevin De Bruyne and Billy Gilmour long-term injury absentees.

At least Matteo Politano seems to be back to full fitness and able to start.

With McTominay out, Eljif Elmas should again drop into midfield, leaving room for Giovane in the front three flanking Rasmus Hojlund and Antonio Vergara.

Gian Piero Gasperini has given his pre-match assessment ahead of Roma’s upcoming Serie A clash against reigning champions Napoli, has provided an update on Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule, and has explained that he doesn’t agree with Antonio Conte about the congested fixture schedule: ‘I always prefer to play in cup competitions’. 

Roma currently find themselves in fifth place in the Serie A table, level on points (46) with Juventus in fourth. They will face Napoli at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday in what many have described as a ‘six pointer’ given that the Partenopei sit just three points above the Giallorossi before kick-off. 

Roma are coming in off the back of a 2-0 victory over Cagliari last time out in Serie A, while the Partenopei are looking to bounce back after being knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Como on penalties earlier this week. 

Gasperini on Napoli vs. Roma, Dybala, Soule and fixture schedule

Gasperini began his pre-match press conference with an update on two of his key attackers: “We’ll see with Soule and Dybala today. Soule’s had a more difficult week while Dybala has trained but isn’t 100%,” he said. 

Gasperini was asked about Roma’s recent ‘struggles’ in matches against direct rivals in the league. 

“It’s more than a step in mentality, they need to take a technical step as well. When something repeats over time, there’s obviously still a difference, which has lessened with our performances over the first half of the season. 

“Recently, we’ve had another excellent performance against Milan, at least we didn’t lose there.

“Compared to the beginning of the season, we’ve undoubtedly grown, even if we’re in the middle of an emergency of injuries, like other teams. It’s a problem that bothers us, we’re convinced that we’re competitive when everyone is available. We will have to find another answer to these questions against Napoli.” 

Gasperini was also asked if he thinks that Roma’s Champions League qualification depends on victories in matches like tomorrow’s against Napoli, or the one against Juventus coming up on March 1. 

He replied: “They’re important games, they’re direct clashes and they weigh heavily compared to other games, but matches are always worth three points. The Champions League ‘quota’ doesn’t change year to year. If you lose two and win all the others, nothing changes. But they are still important games in terms of our ability to overcome certain teams and feel superior.” 

Reporters suggested that Roma look and feel like a completely different team compared to the last time they faced Napoli in Serie A. 

Gasperini said: “We’ve always thought about our journey. There have been different periods this season as well. Inter has grown a lot, other teams like Juventus and Milan have as well. Napoli have had great periods, now they’re in a bit of difficulty because of injuries, like us. 

“The fact is that after 24 games, we’re up there with all the others. There are also Como and Atalanta who are climbing strongly. 

“That’s how it is in the league. As far as I’m concerned, results are won point by point. You never achieve your goals days in advance. We have to fight until the very end.” 

Gasperini was asked if he is relieved that Roma qualified directly for the Europa League round of 16, and therefore avoid an extra two matches in the play-off rounds. 

He said: “I’m not concerned by this. When we were playing every three days in October and November, the treatment room was empty and the squad was fine. Now we’ve got a lot of problems in attack. Before, we had them all in defence. That is annoying. 

“I don’t think it’s connected to the number of games. When we played a lot, we were all fine. It’s random. It’s difficult to explain three or four injuries happening in the same department, especially some very specific injuries that we have right now. 

“The only one who had a muscular strain is Kone, but both he and Hermoso, who’s had a sensational blow to his foot, should return next week.” 

Could January signing Bryan Zaragoza be primed to make his full Roma debut at the weekend? 

“He’s definitely settling in better as time goes by. He’s been here for 16 days and he’s improving in terms of his condition and knowledge. He still needs a bit of time to break in, but he will do that by playing and training.” 

Gasperini was also asked if he agrees with Napoli head coach Antonio Conte about the congested fixture schedule. 

He said: “I don’t want to make any controversies. I respect everyone’s opinions. From my experience, I can tell you that playing in the cup has helped me. There is of course a risk of injuries. The vast majority of injuries occur in matches and almost never in training, so that is a risk. 

“Personally, however, it has helped me, especially playing abroad. The players are confronted with other ways of playing and I would always prefer to play in cup competitions, the Champions League even more so.” 

Legendary former Inter and Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga has recommended three Italian goalkeepers the Nerazzurri should turn to after Yann Sommer leaves the club, which could potentially be at the end of the current season. 

Sommer has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons in San Siro. In that time, he has won a Serie A title, is on his way to a second and also appeared in a Champions League final in 2024-25. 

The Switzerland international is now 37 years of age and is into the final year of his contract, which is currently set to expire on June 30, 2026. 

Zenga: Who should replace Sommer in goal for Inter?

Heading into the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus in Serie A on Saturday evening, Zenga gave an in-depth interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, addressing a number of topics including Inter’s future options between the sticks. 

Zenga believes that Sommer has been an excellent servant for the Nerazzurri since 2023, despite criticism of some of his more recent performances in 2025-26. 

“Yann is a performance player, a guarantee. He has experience and quality to spare,” Zenga told La Gazzetta dello Sport. He believes that Sommer’s “self-control” is his best quality: “Nothing scares him.” 

And when asked who he thinks should replace Sommer once he leaves Inter, likely at the end of the season, Zenga said: “An Italian goalkeeper. (Guglielmo) Vicario and (Marco) Carnesecchi would be on the front row, and then (Elia) Caprile.”

Reports suggest that Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere will be sidelined for around four to five weeks after undergoing surgery on his knee earlier this week. 

Atalanta have recently confirmed that De Ketelaere has had a procedure carried out to repair damaged meniscus cartilage in his knee. 

The Belgium international was originally included in the starting line-up for Atalanta’s eventual 2-1 victory over Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening, but felt something in his knee during the warm-up and was forced to drop out of Rafaelle Palladino’s side at the last minute. He was replaced by Lazar Samardzic. 

Now expected to miss around a month of action, Atalanta are likely to be without De Ketelaere for a tough run of fixtures, beginning with Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, a Champions League play-off double against Borussia Dortmund over the next two weeks, and further league matches against Napoli, Sassuolo, Udinese and potentially Inter as well. 

What Atalanta said about De Ketelaere operation 

“Atalanta BC announces that Charles De Ketelaere has undergone arthroscopy of his right knee for selective internal meniscectomy,” read a statement on the club website. 

“The surgery, performed by Professor Ezio Adriani at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS in Rome, was perfectly successful.

“The player will immediately begin the rehabilitation program.”

{rsn-live-v2}

Como look to Anastasios Douvikas while Moise Kean starts in the Fiorentina attack in Saturday’s opening Serie A match.

It kicks off at 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT) at the Stadio Sinigaglia.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao are unavailable for Como, while Fiorentina have travelled up north without Tariq Lamptey, Albert Gudmundsson and Daniele Rugani.

Como are fighting for a European spot and even hope to qualify for the Champions League, being five points below Roma and Juventus with a game in hand.

The Viola, on the other hand, are still stuck in the relegation zone with 18 points, three below safety.

The Tuscans pick Kean up front and with Gudmundsson injured, Jack Harrison starts as a left winger while Fabiano Parisi plays as left-back.

Como look to Douvikas in attack with Nico Paz, Martin Baturina and Nicolas Kuhn behind the Greece international.

Official Como vs. Fiorentina line-ups

Como: Butez; Vojvoda, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Kuhn, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Parisi; Fagioli; Harrison, Mandragora, Brescianini, Solomon; Kean

14-02-2026 14:00

MatchDay 25

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Fiorentina

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

26'

Nicolò Fagioli

2nd half

Marc Oliver Kempf		49'
		54'		Moise Kean
Fabiano Parisi		77'
Jesús Rodriguez		82'
Álvaro Morata		88'
		88'		Rolando Mandragora
Álvaro Morata		89'
		90'		Luca Ranieri

Match statistic

67

Possession %

33

16

Total shots

7

3

Shots on target

3

10

Shots off target

2

3

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

2

3

Offsides

2

13

Fouls

10

Como

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

46'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

72'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

57'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

57'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

46'

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

84'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

84'

Substitutes

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

46'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

46'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

57'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

57'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

72'

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

84'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

84'

Weston McKennie has become a key Juventus player under Luciano Spalletti as the American has contributed to several goals thanks to his versatility.

Juventus midfielder McKennie has become the highest-scoring Serie A midfielder across all competitions since Spalletti was appointed to replace Igor Tudor at the end of October.

Under the previous Juventus coach, McKennie had only provided one assist in 10 games, while with Spalletti in charge, the American has already scored seven goals.

Juventus have climbed the table under Spalletti, returning to the top four and odds from over 20 deposit casino suggest the Old Lady is well positioned to secure a place in the Champions League this term.

Surely, McKennie has played a vital role in Juventus’ recent results and performances, and Spalletti is well aware of the midfielder’s relevance in the team.

“The striker creates the space for McKennie,” the Juventus coach explained at a press conference last week.

“The striker who drops deep to link up with the team gives a numerical advantage and frees up the space. We want to be this kind of team that goes ahead through playing style and movement. A team that perceives what is an advantage and what is a disadvantage. Sometimes we use McKennie in the build-up, other times we use him as a target man because we need to beat the press, and he knows how to do it. Therefore, we use him in different areas.”

McKennie seemed no longer part of the Juventus project just a few months ago, also because his contract expires at the end of the season.

His performances and impressive figures under Spalletti, however, have convinced the Bianconeri to offer the American midfielder a new deal.

According to Calciomercato.com, the Serie A giants are determined to propose a pay rise from €2.5m to €4m per season, but other Serie A clubs, including Milan, Inter and Roma, are said to be interested in the USMNT star.

Surely, McKennie seems to be as happy as ever at Juventus, as he also confirmed during an interview after a 4-1 win over Parma.

“We work on the wall in training, so that’s what the celebration was, taking those steps,” McKennie told DAZN Italia.

“Spalletti is unique, as I have never in my career worked with a coach like this. He is so good, works with the team spirit, I’m really happy, and I think everyone here is happy to be working with him.”

McKennie joined Juventus in the summer of 2020 and has scored 25 goals in 215 appearances with the Bianconeri.

Roma and Fiorentina legend Gabriel Omar Batistuta visited the Giallorossi’s training centre on Friday, returning for the first time in 23 years.

Argentine legend Batistuta is currently in Italy, and he paid a visit to his former club Roma on Friday, meeting coach Gian Piero Gasperini, advisor Claudio Ranieri and all the players, including his compatriot Paulo Dybala.

Batistuta returns to the Roma training centre

Batistuta was part of the last Roma squad that won the Scudetto in 2000-01.

Gabriel Omar Batistuta ospite a Trigoria

L’intervista al Re Leone https://t.co/18OsKy67e5#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/Zm9QTQBsnB

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) February 13, 2026

He spent two and a half years in the capital, scoring 33 goals in 88 matches.

He left Roma in January 2003 to join Inter, where he spent six months.

Batistuta retired in 2005 after spending two seasons at Al-Arabi.

“I haven’t been to Trigoria since I left the club in January 2003 to join Inter. 23 years have gone by – that’s a long time,” Bati told Roma’s official website.

“It’s always nice to return to a place where you’ve had a good time, and I’m happy to see old friends again.”

#ASRoma pic.twitter.com/erp2S3SE2D

— AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) February 13, 2026

“I had a lot of fun here and reaped the rewards of a long career – I managed to win a historic Scudetto for myself and for Roma,” he continued.

“We picked up 75 points and I scored 20 goals. The city exploded with joy – it was hugely satisfying.

“We were a top group of players. There was me, Francesco Totti, Cafu, Walter Samuel, Emerson, Vincenzo Montella, this fella next to me (Candela, ed.) and Marco Delvecchio, to name but a few. We were top of the league for practically the entire season and we sealed it at home, in front of our fans, on what was an unforgettable day.”

Gennaro Gattuso and his coaching staff have been busy speaking and meeting with a long list of players ahead of the World Cup play-offs in March, and according to recent reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are currently around 50 players on the Italy national team radar. Here is a look at all of them. 

Italy have not yet secured their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and must go through the play-offs if they are to avoid missing out on the final tournament for the third cycle in a row. 

The Azzurri will play against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26 in the World Cup play-off semi-final, and should they win that game, they will progress to a one-legged play-off final away against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina a few days later: A one-off knock-out match for a spot at the World Cup. 

Gattuso and his staff had sought to bring the national team squad together once more before the World Cup play-offs in March, given that they have not got together since the end of the November international break. 

This has not been possible, however, largely due to a congested fixture schedule at club level. 

Instead, Gattuso and his staff have arranged a series of meetings and dinners with groups of Italy players and national team hopefuls over the last few months in an attempt to keep the squad somewhat together. 

Here is the long list of players Gattuso has supposedly spoken to ahead of the World Cup play-offs. 

Which Italy players has Gattuso spoken to ahead of World Cup play-offs? 

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Alex Meret (Napoli). 

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Brighton/Paris FC), Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool), Honest Ahanor (Atalanta). 

Wing-backs: Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Marco Palestra (Atalanta/Cagliari), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli). 

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Marco Verratti (Al Duhail), Nicolo Rovella (Lazio), Samuele Ricci (Milan), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma), Fabio Miretti (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna/Fiorentina), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Cesare Casadei (Torino). 

Trequartistas/Wingers: Matteo Politano (Napoli), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta/Lazio), Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Nicolo Zaniolo (Udinese). 

Strikers: Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Pio Esposito (Inter), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds).

Khephren Thuram has been omitted from the Juventus squad list for tonight’s Serie A match against Inter due to an injury.

French midfielder Thuram won’t be available for tonight’s Serie A clash between Inter and Juventus at San Siro.

Italian media already reported on Friday that the Frenchman was at risk of missing the game due to a bone bruise.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti released his squad list on Saturday morning, before the trip to Milan, confirming that the French midfielder is not available for selection.

Juventus strikers Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are also not part of the Old Lady’s squad, as expected.

Thuram has netted two goals and delivered three assists in 31 appearances across all competitions this season.

He scored a goal in the reverse fixture played in Turin in September, which the Bianconeri won 4-3.

Next Tuesday, Juventus will visit Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off.

Juventus squad list vs. Inter

Your squad for #InterJuve

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— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) February 14, 2026

Napoli hope Scott McTominay will be available for a Serie A match against Roma on Sunday, while Billy Gilmour could go on the bench after missing 23 games due to a groin injury.

Napoli are gearing up for a crucial Serie A clash against Roma on Sunday and are hoping their Scottish duo, McTominay and Gilmour, will be available for selection.

Will McTominay be available against Roma?

McTominay missed the latest Coppa Italia match against Como on Tuesday due to a minor muscle problem, and according to Gazzetta, he’s pushing to return to action tomorrow.

Napoli doctors and the coach, Antonio Conte, will assess him today, but McT will do anything he can to be part of the Partenopei’s XI at the Stadio Maradona in 24 hours.

McTominay has played 2846 minutes across 34 appearances this season, scoring ten goals and providing four assists.

How many Napoli games has Gilmour missed due to groin injury?

His compatriot Gilmour is also expected to return to action shortly, as, according to Gazzetta, he’ll be eligible against Roma or in the following match against Atalanta.

Gilmour underwent surgery due to a groin injury at the end of November. He made his last appearance for Napoli on November 1, missing 23 matches with the Partenopei.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, February 14, 2025, page 34.

Former Inter goalkeeper Walter Zenga defends Yann Sommer, but admits he’d sign Guglielmo Vicario or Marco Carnesecchi next summer.

Zenga previewed tonight’s big Serie A game between Inter and Juventus in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former Italy international replied to a question about Sommer, who has had highs and lows this season.

“If we start looking at any goalkeeper’s mistake, we’ll never end. Yann is a guarantee; he has experience and quality,” Zenga said.

Zenga: Vicario and Carnesecchi in ‘first row’ for Inter

Sommer’s contract expires this coming June, and Inter seem reluctant to offer a new deal. Who would Zenga sign to replace him?

“An Italian goalkeeper, Vicario and Carnesecchi in the first row, then Caprile,” the ex-goalkeeper replied.

Juventus have climbed the table under Luciano Spalletti. Is the Italian tactician the real difference maker at the Allianz Stadium?

“They have many, surely he’s one of them,” Zenga admitted.

“I faced him many times as a coach, and I’ve always been struck by his identity. His teams are always recognisable.”

Inter are the Serie A leaders with a five-point lead over second-placed Milan; surely a scenario that Zenga didn’t expect last summer.

“If I were told at the beginning of the season that Inter would be in the top four at this point in the season, I would have settled for it,” he claimed.

“They are even the table leaders! Cristian was good at cancelling the 5-0 defeat in the [Champions League] Final, and a demanding season ended without trophies. He has offered a fluid and vertical football. I like it.”

The Nerazzurri have been practically perfect against teams in the bottom half of the table, but have not beaten Juventus, Napoli or Milan in their last 14 Serie A meetings.

“I hear that Inter have not beaten direct rivals, but does he really need it? Chivu has not beaten Milan, Napoli or Juve. And so? He’s the leader, and I’m certain that the team thinks the same,” Zenga concluded.

“Then, of course, beating Juventus would be important.”

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, February 14, 2026, page 31.

Daniel Maldini will once again start as a false nine for Lazio against Giacomo Raspadori’s Atalanta.

It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico today. The stadium will be practically empty as Lazio fans will continue to protest President Claudio Lotito.

Alessio Romagnoli is suspended for the home side, while Samuel Gigot, Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari, Toma Basic and Pedro are injured.

Charles De Ketelaere is the only unavailable player for Atalanta, who will visit Borussia Dortmund next week in the first leg of the Champions League knockout play-off.

Nuno Tavares and Luca Pellegrini compete for a starting spot as left-back for Lazio, while Danilo Cataldi is favourite over Nicolò Rovella, as reported by Sky Sport Italia.

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino is expected to rotate his squad ahead of next week’s Champions League commitment, starting Lazar Samardzic and Nikola Krstovic in attack, alongside Raspadori.

Lazio vs. Atalanta – where to watch on TV

The match will be shown live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Lazio vs. Atalanta – probable line-ups

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Noslin.

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djmsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Raspadori; Krstovic.

Cesc Fabregas’ Como host strugglers Fiorentina at the Stadio Sinigaglia today.

It kicks off at 15:00 CET (14:00 GMT) in Como.

The home side are chasing a European spot and sit 6th in the standings, five points below a Champions League spot but with a game in hand.

Fiorentina are in the relegation zone, sitting 18th, three points below safety.

Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao are unavailable for Como, while Fiorentina have travelled up north without Tariq Lamptey, Albert Gudmundsson and Daniele Rugani.

Como qualified for the Coppa Italia semis earlier this week and play again in Serie A against Milan this coming Wednesday.

The Azzurri will likely look to Anastasios Douvikas up front, while Fiorentina will reply with Italy international Moise Kean.

Jack Harrison and Fabiano Parisi compete for a starting spot as a left winger, but the Italian is favourite according to several sources, including Tuttosport.

Como vs. Fiorentina – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Como vs. Fiorentina – probable line-ups

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Kempf, Valle; Da Cunha, Perrone; Vojvoda, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.

Fiorentina (4-1-4-1): De Gea; Dodò, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Gosens; Fagioli; Parisi, Mandragora, Brescianini, Solomon; Kean.

Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu return to Inter’s XI for the derby d’Italia against Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie’s Juventus.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) tonight at the Stadio Meazza in San Siro, Milan.

Only Denzel Dumfries is unavailable for the Nerazzurri, while Juventus must cope without Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik.

Khephren Thuram is also expected to be ruled out of the game, but confirmation will come later this morning when Luciano Spalletti releases his squad list ahead of the trip to Milan.

As per Sky Sport, Francisco Conceiçao will start on the bench for Juve, while Gazzetta predicts the Portuguese will get the nod, with Fabio Miretti starting in central midfield.

On the other hand, Inter stars Barella and Calhanoglu resumed training with the rest of the team on Monday and are expected to start in the middle of the park tonight, joining Piotr Zielinski.

Marcus Thuram and Lautaro Martinez will lead Inter’s attack, while the Bianconeri will look to Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David.

Inter vs. Juventus – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 7, and DAZN in the UK and Ireland, as well as on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will be among the accredited media at San Siro, following the game with a liveblog and a live post-match show on our YouTube channel.

Inter vs. Juventus – probable line-ups

Inter (3-5-2):  Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Thuram.

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Koopmeiners; McKennie, Miretti, Yildiz; David.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Genius coup

Modric brings Milan -5 from Inter

Fullkrug misses a penalty, Pisa reply to Loftus, but the Ballon d’Or winner solves it. Rabiot sent off, will miss Como.

Inter-Juve

Heartbeat at Saint Valentin

The Scudetto and the race for Champions: Lautaro-Yildiz and a rich plate

Corriere dello Sport

Chivu’s thesis

Derby d’Italia. Allegri suffers and beats Pisa 2-1, Cris looking for graduation against Lucio (20.45)

Inter risk against Juve. Milan advance, now they are -5

The Romanian coach for the runaway: ‘World challenge. Referees? I don’t see ghosts.’ Chasing the first win against a direct rival. Spalletti relies on Yildiz. Modric pushes Max at minute 85, Fullkrug misses a penalty.

Fabregas scares the Viola out

Maldini, unfinished business

Batistuta charges Malen

Tuttosport

Juve, test for the future

Tonight at San Siro against Inter: Elkann plays too

John and Spalletti at Continassa talk about projects, starting from the common desire of not watching the Nerazzurri from bottom to top. Works for a new contract begin. Locatelli: ‘We are very happy with him.’ Chivu: ‘Lucio is a role model.’ Motivation for Marcus Thuram, but Khephren is in doubt.

Toro-Italiano, double chill

Modric’s class makes Milan dream again

The magic of the Ballon d’Or winner at minute 85 even pushes away the penalty nightmare. Rabiot sent off, but Allegri returns five points below Inter.

Inter could surprise Juventus by throwing Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolò Barella straight back into the starting XI after their recovery from injury.

It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET) on Saturday.

The Derby d’Italia arrives with the Nerazzurri on sparkling form, having picked up 34 out of an available 36 points on their current Serie A run, stumbling only in a 2-2 draw with reigning Champions of Italy Napoli.

They also have almost an empty treatment room, as only Denzel Dumfries remains out of action following ankle surgery.

Inter bring back star midfielders

Calhanoglu returned to training on Tuesday for the first time since spraining his left soleus muscle against Napoli on January 11.

Barella had a right thigh issue just before the Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund on January 28.

Considering the long lay-offs and importance of the match, it had been assumed that both would start on the bench against Juventus.

If anyone was going to step in, then it would be Barella in place of Petar Sucic.

However, Sky Sport Italia are increasingly suggesting that Cristian Chivu could throw both midfielders into the starting XI, keeping hold of Piotr Zielinski.

It would send Sucic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to the sidelines to begin with.

In defence, he seems confident of sticking with Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni.

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, M Thuram

Luka Modric believes his late Milan winner against Pisa was ‘crucial to stay in the battle’ for the Scudetto, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek admits he heard Max Allegri’s furious complaints.

This was a far tougher test than many expected in Pisa, a team that had already held the Rossoneri to a thrilling 2-2 draw at San Siro in October.

Loftus-Cheek had nodded in the opener this evening, with Niclas Fullkrug wasting the chance to double their lead by firing the penalty onto the base of the upright.

Felipe Loyola was able to draw the hosts level, but Modric turned back the years late on, surging into the box combining with Samuele Ricci to turn in the winner.

Modric and Loftus-Cheek keep Milan in Scudetto race

“It was important for us, we couldn’t miss the win today, because we knew these points were crucial to stay in the battle for the league, and we did it,” Modric told DAZN Italia.

“We relaxed a bit in the second half and didn’t pay enough attention, and that is why they scored. So we pressed, went forward, and scored that goal which is very important for us. We are happy for the win.

“Every game is really difficult in Serie A, so we have to continue working, getting better, and focus on the next game.”

The former Real Madrid star becomes the third oldest player to score in Serie A at the age of 40 years and 157 days, fewer only than fellow Milan stars Alessandro Costacurta and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

At one point, the travelling Milan supporters even dedicated a chant to him that had famously been used by Napoli fans towards Diego Armando Maradona.

“It’s a privilege to hear they are singing this song for me. Thank you very much, I am very happy to hear that song for me,” blushed Modric.

Before the opening goal, Allegri had been shouting at Loftus-Cheek to attack that space and be more of a striker than a midfielder, then turned to his bench after the header, noting with one run it immediately paid off.

“There was not too much space between the lines, Pisa were very compact, and it was difficult to play,” smiled Loftus-Cheek on DAZN Italia.

“When the ball was wide, I’m sure you could hear him, he was saying get in the box, attack the box. Zack put a great cross in, and I got on the end of it, so I’m very happy.”

Adrien Rabiot received two yellow cards in stoppages, the first for a foul and then taking his protests too far, and will therefore be suspended against both Como and Inter.

Considering the state of the title race, should Milan be focusing on catching Inter at the top, or keeping the chasing pack behind them for a top four finish?

“I think the most important thing is to focus on us. The games are too difficult to look ahead, we have to take it game by game, as you can see all the matches are so difficult to win. If we take our focus away on other objectives, other teams, it can be detrimental. We’ll see where we are,” concluded Loftus-Cheek.

Oscar Hiljemark admits Pisa ‘fell asleep in two situations, and you will pay for that’ against Milan after a late 2-1 home defeat.

The coach made his debut last week in a 0-0 draw with Hellas Verona, and this was another step in the right direction in terms of performance, albeit not result.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek had been allowed a free header to break the deadlock, and after Niclas Fullkrug fired a penalty onto the upright, Pisa pounced to equalise with Felipe Loyola.

Luka Modric made his mark late on by combining with Samuele Ricci to score the winner, despite Adrien Rabiot seeing red in stoppages.

Hiljemark saw Pisa positives and negatives

“Tactically, we did fantastically well, but fell asleep in two situations, and against a side like Milan you will pay for that,” Hiljemark told DAZN Italia.

“We suffered a little in the first half, did better after the break, created more positive situations and it was going well when we were at 1-1, so accepting the 2-1 defeat is tough.

“I see improvements, stepping up the tempo during the match, but we’ve got to do it more and for longer. We have the quality to play football, if you keep just kicking the ball away, you will spend 90 per cent of your time defending, so we’ve got to do better.”

Curiously, Modric is seven years older than Pisa coach Hiljemark, becoming the third-oldest player to score in Serie A at 40 years and 157 days.

“When facing a team like Milan, they like having possession, so when we win back the ball, we’ve got to go straight into that positive transition. We did it better in the second half, but need to do it more.”

Pisa have just one victory in Serie A all season, earned against Cremonese, and remain rooted to the foot of the table.

However, they had held Milan to a 2-2 draw at San Siro, and very nearly did the same this evening, so they are able to raise their game against the big clubs.

“At this moment, I am already thinking about the next match. There is a long road ahead of us, but I saw a team that wanted to play and could rely on the fans. Resilience is very important right now,” concluded Hiljemark.

Max Allegri hails Luka Modric for his ‘character and humility’ after giving Milan the 2-1 victory away to Pisa. ‘We should all learn’ from the 40-year-old Croatian.

The Rossoneri have dropped more points against the relegation strugglers than anyone else this season, famously scraping a stoppage-time 2-2 draw with Pisa at San Siro in October.

This felt like a repeat, as after Ruben Loftus-Cheek nodded in the opener, Niclas Fullkrug drilled a penalty onto the upright and Felipe Loyola equalised.

Late on, Luka Modric surged into the box to score the winner, hanging on despite an avoidable Adrien Rabiot red card for dissent.

Allegri sees recurring Milan pattern

“It was not easy tonight, because Pisa are an uncomfortable team to play against. They look like they’re sitting back and doing nothing, then can strike on the counter and caught us napping on their goal too. So we take three points, but we really need to improve after this performance,” Allegri told DAZN.

Milan are now unbeaten in 23 Serie A games, the longest current run in Europe’s top five leagues, and are seemingly the only club able to keep up the pace with leaders Inter.

“This team has technical quality, every now and then we get sluggish mentally, so that is where we still need to step up a gear. The whole season could change in the space of a week, this was our sixth away game of the last nine, so it wasn’t to be taken for granted.”

Modric was named Serie A Man of the Match and became the third-oldest player to score in Serie A history, aged 40 years and 157 days.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Pisa 1-2 Milan

“Quite aside from his marvellous technique, he really wanted to go and get this victory at the end. We should all learn from his character and incredible humility. We’re so happy to have him here, the younger players must make the most of working with him,” said Allegri.

After Pisa equalised, Allegri threw on Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao to join Fullkrug, but then replaced the German with Koni De Winter to restore balance when Modric scored.

“Penalties can be missed, it was an important moment, but these things happen. Pulisic and Leao came on with the right attitude, having three strikers like this is great for the team to have options.”

Rabiot was already going to be suspended against Como on Wednesday in the rescheduled Serie A Week 24 fixture for the yellow card, but by taking his protests too far, he received a second booking and will also sit out a ban for the Derby della Madonnina with Inter.

Considering the table, would Allegri rather see Inter or Juventus drop points in tomorrow night’s showdown?

“The important thing is that we got three points, now we are on 53, so we are one win closer to achieving our objective,” replied the Milan coach.

Pisa were unlucky to fall to a 2-1 defeat to Milan this evening, with Massimiliano Allegri’s side scoring a late goal to take all three points home with them.

Milan took the lead in the first half through Ruben Loftus-Cheek before Pisa equalised in the second half, shortly after Niclas Fullkrug missed a penalty to double the Rossoneri’s lead.

Just when Pisa looked on the verge of an important point, Luka Modric scored with five minutes to go – securing the win for the Rossoneri.

Modric was Football Italia’s Man of the Match, for his consistent involvement in Milan’s structural game, match winning goal and tireless effort over the ninety minutes.

Pisa 1-2 Milan – Player Ratings

Pisa: Nicolas 6, Canestrelli 5.5, Caracciolo 6.5, Bozhinov 6; Toure 5.5 (Leris N/A), Aebischer 5.5 (Akinsanmiro 6), Loyola 6.5 (Durosinmi N/A), Angori 5.5; Moreo 6 (Piccinini N/A), Stojilkovic 6, Tramoni 5 (Iling-Junior 6.5)

Best Pisa player: Felipe Loyola – Not often you can say a player who gave away a penalty was a team’s best player but Loyola, who, in fairness, scored Pisa’s equaliser, takes the pick. Aside from his error, which was redeemed by Fullkrug’s miss, he worked hard defensively.

Lowest Pisa rating: Idrissa Toure – To put it quite simply today, he was bodied out of the game. Lost 18 of 27 duels and lost the ball himself on four occasions. Poor performance from the German.

Coach: Oscar Hiljemark 6 – Nearly picked up an impressive point against tough opposition but was unlucky in the end. His team gave Milan a good game and the coach is showing promising signs in his first matches in charge.

Milan: Maignan 6.5; Tomori 6.5, Gabbia 5.5, Pavlovic 6.5; Athekame 6.5 (Pulisic 6), Fofana 5.5 (Ricci 6.5), Modric 7.5, Rabiot 5, Bartesaghi 6.5; Loftus-Cheek 7 (Leao 5.5), Nkunku 5.5 (Fullkrug 4.5 (De Winter N/A))

Best Milan player: Luka Modric – Put in an immense amount of effort over the ninety minutes, both offensively and defensively. Scored the winning goal and moved the ball around nicely in the midfield.

Lowest Milan rating: Niclas Fullkrug – Impressive that the red-carded Rabiot was not the worst performer on the pitch. Fullkrug came on for Nkunku, ruined a good opportunity, missed a penalty and was then substituted off for De Winter to shore things up late on. West Ham laughing all the way to the bank.

Milan scraped a 2-1 victory away to Pisa, despite Niclas Fullkrug missing a penalty and the late Adrien Rabiot red card, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Luka Modric were on target.

The Rossoneri had a game in hand, as the Week 24 fixture with Como was rescheduled to February 18 so San Siro could be used for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic were only fit for the bench, with Alexis Saelemaekers and Santiago Gimenez still out of action. Pisa made their debut under new coach Oscar Hiljemark in last week’s 0-0 draw with Verona. Marius Marin was suspended, with Simone Scuffet, Adrian Semper, Raul Albiol, Daniel Denoon and Isak Vural injured, so third-choice goalkeeper Nicolas had his first Serie A appearance since October 2020.

When these teams met in October 2025, Zachary Athekame snatched a last-gasp 2-2 draw at San Siro, and this was Milan’s first visit to Pisa for 35 years.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Nicolas was rusty and struggled to punch away a Luka Modric free kick, but Pisa had the first real chance when Filip Stojlkovic sprung the offside trap on Stefano Moreo’s through ball, forcing Mike Maignan to rush off his line to parry one-on-one.

Milan took the lead at their first genuine scoring opportunity, as Athekame floated in a cross from the right and found Loftus-Cheek for a free header into the ground from seven yards.

Niclas Fullkrug replaced the ineffective Christopher Nkunku at half-time, and within 60 seconds had knocked the ball down with his arm for Adrien Rabiot’s half-volley, so the goal did not count.

Strahinja Pavlovic ran onto the Davide Bartesaghi pass and was brought down by Loyola for a penalty. Substitute Fullkrug stepped up and drilled it onto the upright, wasting a golden opportunity to double the Rossoneri’s lead.

Stojlkovic blasted over after Samuel Iling-Junior robbed Matteo Gabbia, while Athekame’s effort was charged down after a corner.

The penalty miss gave Pisa hope, and they capitalised on it, as Stojlkovic rolled across from the left for Moreo, with Pavlovic accidentally knocking it into the path of Felipe Loyola, who bent his right-foot finish into the far bottom corner from 12 yards.

Rafael Leao came on and his first touch let him down on a cross from the right, then Fullkrug turned wide of the near post from Samuele Ricci’s assist.

Milan managed to restore their advantage with a great move from Modric, who completed a give and go with Ricci to dribble into the box and dink the finish past Nicolas with the outside of the right boot from seven yards. It was the Croatian veteran’s second Serie A career goal.

It wasn’t over, as Rabiot brought down Piccini on the outside edge of the area and was booked, meaning he’d be suspended for the midweek round with Como. However, the midfielder continued his protests and received a second yellow card, so will also miss the Derby della Madonnina against Inter next week.

Pisa 1-2 Milan

Loftus-Cheek 39 (M), Loyola 71 (P), Modric 85 (M)

Missed penalty: Fullkrug 56 (M)

Sent off: Rabiot 92 (M)

13-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 25

Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani

Pisa

Milan

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Idrissa Touré		16'
		39'		Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Assist: Zachary Athekame)

2nd half

		56'		Niclas Füllkrug
Felipe Loyola		71'
		85'		Luka Modric (Assist: Samuele Ricci)
		88'		Davide Bartesaghi
		90+1'		Adrien Rabiot
		90+1'		Adrien Rabiot

Match statistic

34

Possession %

66

7

Total shots

7

2

Shots on target

2

3

Shots off target

4

2

Blocked shots

1

3

Corners

1

1

Offsides

2

14

Fouls

9

Pisa

Milan

Starting lineups

12

Nicolas

Goalkeeper

4

Antonio Caracciolo

Defender

35

Felipe Loyola

Defender

90'

2

Rosen Bozhinov

Defender

3

Samuele Angori

Defender

5

Simone Canestrelli

Defender

15

Idrissa Touré

Midfielder

86'

10

Matteo Tramoni

Midfielder

57'

20

Michel Aebischer

Midfielder

56'

81

Filip Stojilkovic

Attacker

32

Stefano Moreo

Attacker

87'

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

77'

12

Adrien Rabiot

Midfielder

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

72'

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

72'

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

11

Juan Cuadrado

Midfielder

33

Arturo Calabresi

Defender

23

Calvin Stengs

Attacker

26

Francesco Coppola

Defender

8

Malthe Höjholt

Midfielder

9

Henrik Meister

Attacker

99

Lorran

Midfielder

34

Tommaso Guizzo

Goalkeeper

31

Matteo Luppichini

Goalkeeper

14

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Midfielder

56'

19

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

57'

7

Mehdi Léris

Attacker

86'

36

Gabriele Piccinini

Attacker

87'

17

Rafiu Durosinmi

Attacker

90'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

2

Pervis Estupiñán

Defender

30

Ardon Jashari

Midfielder

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

72'

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

72'

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

77'

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

90'

9

Niclas Füllkrug

Attacker

Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has praised Maurizio Sarri’s renewed determination and expressed confidence in young keeper Motta’s future, as the Biancocelesti prepare for a crucial run of fixtures.

Speaking in Lazio’s official match programme ahead of the clash with Atalanta, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Provedel said the recent penalty shoot-out victory over Bologna provided a vital boost.

“It gave us a lot,” he explained. “It helped us overcome the fatigue from a busy schedule and restored enthusiasm after a period in which we struggled to get positive results.”

Lazio goalkeeper Provedel looks ahead to Atalanta challenge

Looking ahead, he warned of the challenge posed by Atalanta – who the Biancocelesti welcome to the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening.

“They are a very strong team in great form. It will be a difficult match, and it will be different from the Coppa Italia tie because there is still time before the semi-final. We will prepare in the best way to try to win.”

Provedel also praised his counterpart, Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, calling him “one of the strongest” in the role.

On Sarri, he added: “The coach has always been determined and hungry. Time away may have given him even more desire. He transmits his passion to us.”

He also backed young goalkeeper Edoardo Motta, who arrived in Rome in January, saying: “He is talented, serious and, if he keeps working well, he can have a great career.”

Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored to give Milan the lead in Pisa this evening, as the Englishman makes it back-to-back games with a goal.

However, it was not plain sailing for the former Chelsea player, who was criticised by Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri earlier in the match.

Loftus-Cheek heads home! Milan lead! #PisaMilan 0-1 pic.twitter.com/q4AzRxVhXD

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 13, 2026

In the opening minutes, Allegri could be heard shouting ‘He’s walking!’ about Loftus-Cheek, via MilanNews, with the coach unimpressed by the Englishman’s lack of movement.

Allegri slams Loftus-Cheek before opening goal

Loftus-Cheek was not the only target of the coach’s early criticism, though, with the Italian shouting at Youssouf Fofana  to ‘Wake up! You’ve only touched the ball once so far.”

The English midfielder, who is playing in a more advanced role alongside Christopher Nkunku this evening, made a good run to get his head on the end of a ball from Zachary Athekame.

Allegri still managed to find time for a backhanded compliment after the goal, reportedly shouting “The first run he makes and he scores!”

You can follow the second half, and relive all the action from the first, on our Live Blog.

Mauro Icardi fired a warning to Juventus after scoring a hat-trick in Galatasaray’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Eyupspor in the Turkish Super Lig.

The former Inter striker took his tally to 47 league goals for the club, moving three clear of Burak Yilmaz in the all-time scorer charts.

The Argentine led the line with authority as the Istanbul side dominated, capitalising after their opponents were reduced to 10 men.

Former Inter man Icardi sends warning to Juventus

After the match, Icardi turned his attention to the upcoming Champions League showdown with Juventus.

“The team’s objective is to win,” he said. “I’m happy with my goals, but my job is to score. We started well, took the opponent seriously and got what we wanted. We showed we are ready for Juventus.”

Reflecting on his record, he added: “As a striker, you always want to break records. I’m honoured to score for this club. The love from the fans is incredible, they write songs for us and we try to repay them. I’ve had four fantastic years here and I’m very happy.”

Galatasaray hots Juventus in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. The return leg will be held the following Wednesday in Turin.

Lazio have confirmed that Pedro sustained a significant ankle injury during their recent match against Bologna, forcing the veteran forward off in the first half on a stretcher.

The former Barcelona and Spain international twisted his right ankle in an awkward challenge and was unable to continue.

Lazio went on to win the match on penalties.

Subse­quent medical tests revealed a sprain-contusion injury with partial involvement of the external ligaments of the ankle.

Pedro injury a worry for thin Lazio squad

The veteran has already begun a targeted rehabilitation programme and will be monitored daily as doctors assess recovery times. Lazio have not provided a return date, but the injury represents a major setback at a crucial stage of the season.

Pedro’s contract expires this summer, and the timing raises fresh uncertainty over his immediate future and long-term plans.

The forward has remained an important figure for the Biancocelesti thanks to his experience and tactical intelligence, but his age and the severity of the injury could complicate both Lazio’s attacking options and the final months of his distinguished career.

New Pisa coach Oscar Hiljemark has fond memories of facing Milan in his playing career and wants his team to be ‘more aggressive’ this evening.

It kicks off at the Cetilar Arena at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Alberto Gilardino was sacked after managing just one win in the opening 23 Serie A rounds, so the club poached 33-year-old Hiljemark from Elfsborg to take over.

He is no stranger to Serie A, having played for Genoa and Palermo, including bagging a brace against Milan when the Sicilians lost 3-2 at San Siro in September 2015.

Hiljemark has strong history with Milan

“I remember scoring two goals against Milan, but it was many years ago, so I hope to win this evening,” Hiljemark told DAZN Italia.

The new boss made his debut in a 0-0 draw away to fellow relegation strugglers Hellas Verona, but this is his first home game.

“It’s a lovely stadium, the fans are ready, I am very happy to be here and with this team. Matteo Tramoni has different characteristics to some of the players who we had last week, he is able to help out the defence too. I want a player who attacks the space and creates room for the others to push up and support him.

“Pisa had one way of working with their staff before, me and my staff want them to be a bit more aggressive in training. Of course, you can’t change a lot in three days of training, but we are trying some things.”

Gilardino’s Pisa held Milan to a surprising 2-2 draw at San Siro back in October 2025, but the Rossoneri have had a definite improvement in form since then.

“Milan are a strong squad, both as individuals and a group, but there are spaces where we can hurt them, and they have some problems in certain phases. We’ll see what happens when the game starts,” concluded Hiljemark.

Max Allegri explains his Milan choices for the trip to Pisa this evening and won’t hold back from Scudetto talk, even if ‘we must not lose sight of our target’ this season.

It kicks off at the Cetilar Arena at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri have a game in hand, as their Week 24 fixture with Como was rescheduled to February 18 due to San Siro being used for the opening ceremony of the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, but after that will face leaders Inter in a Scudetto showdown next weekend.

Allegri balancing Milan squad for busy week

“All we can do is try to get as many points as possible for our objective, which is the Champions League place, then we’ll see. Inter are coming off an endless run of victories, they are moving fast, and we must not lose sight of our target,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

There are some concerns, as Milan only managed a 2-2 draw the last time they met Pisa back in October.

In fact, they had been trailing 2-1 until a last-gasp Zachary Athekame equaliser at San Siro.

“It is a tough game tonight, as Pisa are a battle for everyone, while they have a new coach with fresh ideas,” added Allegri.

“We need concentration and above all respect, playing with a high percentage of accuracy in our passing, because they will be aggressive and press us.

“We need good crosses, as they have players who are very strong in the air, they went close to a winner late on against Verona, so we must remember that games are to be played on the pitch, not on paper.”

Pisa made their debut last week under new coach Oscar Hiljemark, who held Verona to a 0-0 draw to remain in joint bottom place.

With Como and Inter coming up, Milan are resting some figures ahead of Wednesday’s clash, so Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are only fit for the bench.

“Leao is doing much better, I had a doubt until the last minute on whether to start him or not. Pulisic trained with the team yesterday, so has about 15-20 minutes in his legs. Fullkrug and Jashari are fine, we have some great options to take off the bench,” concluded Allegri.

Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to appoint Igor Tudor as interim head coach has once again highlighted the remarkably strong links between the North London club and Juventus, a relationship that has deepened steadily over the past decade.

Tudor’s arrival reinforces a familiar Italian thread.

The Croatian spent two spells at Juventus as a player, later returned as Andrea Pirlo’s assistant, and briefly led the first team during a turbulent period.

His tactical identity, aggressive pressing, vertical transitions and a back-three structure, mirrors systems previously seen in Turin and later implemented at Spurs under Antonio Conte.

Conte amongst many Juventus & Tottenham Hotspur connections

Conte himself remains one of the most prominent bridges between the clubs.

After winning multiple Serie A titles with Juventus, he took charge at Tottenham in 2021 and brought with him tactical principles and recruitment ideas shaped in Italy.

The connection intensified with the arrival of former Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici in North London.

Appointed in 2021, Paratici quickly turned to familiar markets and contacts, facilitating a series of deals involving Juventus-linked players.

Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur arrived from Juventus in January 2022 and became instant pillars of Tottenham’s rebuild.

Cristian Romero, signed permanently the same summer, had also been on Juventus’ books earlier in his career.

Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini, a Juventus academy product, joined on loan, while defender Radu Drăgușin, another former Juve youth player, arrived in 2024.

The clubs have also found themselves circling similar transfer targets in recent windows, including Randal Kolo Muani and Victor Osimhen, underlining overlapping recruitment profiles and strategic priorities.

Tudor’s appointment therefore feels less like a coincidence and more like the continuation of a well-established pipeline.

Spurs’ modern identity has been shaped in part by Juventus influence, from the boardroom to the dressing room, and the Croatian’s arrival strengthens that connection at a time when the club are again searching for stability and direction.

As Tottenham enter another transitional phase, the Turin link remains as strong as ever.

Cesc Fabregas is ‘surprised’ to see Fiorentina in the relegation zone and insists Como star Nico Paz must learn to ‘live with pressure if he is to play for Real Madrid.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Saturday at 14.00 GMT (15.00 CET).

This is a very busy time for the Lariani, who are fresh off a stunning Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Napoli, which had to be decided in a sudden death penalty shoot-out at the Stadio Maradona.

Coming up on Wednesday is their rescheduled Serie A trip to Milan, which was moved from last weekend due to San Siro being used for the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics.

Fabregas taking Como to new heights

“We know that having extra time affords us the ability to work on certain dynamics that you cannot with just two training sessions per week,” confessed Fabregas in his press conference.

“Everyone studies their opponents in football, we are finding a sense of consistency and doing a few different things too, so the details count, but the whole team has contributed to this success.”

Tomorrow’s opponents Fiorentina had expected to be challenging Como for the European places, but instead find themselves locked in the relegation zone.

“Fiorentina remain a very important club and a great squad, even as a Spaniard I know that Fiorentina are famous. I realise it is a surprise to see where they are in the table, but the same 9-10 players had a great campaign last year,” noted Fabregas.

“It is a fine line between success and failure, the club invested so much and built the Viola Park training complex too. We’ll face them with the mentality of wanting to win, as I am sure they will too.”

The coach had already been approached by Inter last summer and has caught the eye of many more big clubs thanks to Como’s performances, so how satisfied is he with his progress?

“Satisfied is not a word that I have in my dictionary,” he replied.

“You can always do more. I am happy, I see players respond and we are creating something good here. Ahead of the penalties the other day, I felt this energy, everyone was connected and involved, even those who weren’t playing. I am pleased to see the growth of the club in general.”

Just before the penalty shoot-out, Fabregas took Nico Paz off, so was that to spare him the drama of missing another spot-kick after failing three out of three?

“No, I just wanted to avoid counter-attacks for the last 10-15 minutes. I am never afraid, so if Nico misses 10 penalties, I won’t take him off because of that.

“If he is going to play for Real Madrid, he’s going to have to live with a lot more pressure on his shoulders. After all, Ivan Smolcic had never taken a penalty, but he has great strength of character and I see him in training. I liked the idea of changing the characteristics that Milinkovic-Savic was facing.”

Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao are still out of action, while Alvaro Morata is expected to be on the bench.

Milan look to Christopher Nkunku, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot for their trip to Pisa, who are under new coach Oscar Hiljemark.

It kicks off at the Cetilar Arena at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri rested last weekend, as with San Siro out of action for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, their match with Como has been rescheduled for February 18.

With that in mind, Max Allegri rotates the squad to rest some players for midweek, as Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic are carrying knocks.

Alexis Saelemaekers and long-term absentee Santiago Gimenez are on the treatment table.

Instead, Nkunku leads the attack with support from Loftus-Cheek, Rabiot and Modric, while Zachary Athekame gets a rare start out wide.

Pisa are rock bottom of the Serie A table with just one win in their opening 24 games.

That record saw them sack Alberto Gilardino and bring in former Elfsborg coach Hiljemark, who at age 33 is younger than several of the Milan players.

He is no stranger to Italian football, having played for Genoa and Palermo as recently as 2019.

Hiljemark made his debut with a 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Hellas Verona.

Marius Marin is suspended, with both goalkeepers Simone Scuffet and Adrian Semper injured, so 37-year-old Brazilian Nicolas has to step in for his first Serie A appearance since October 2020.

Also out of action are Raul Albiol, Daniel Denoon and Isak Vural.

The club bolstered the squad in January with players like Rosen Bozhinov, Samuel Iling-Junior, Felipe Loyola, Michel Aebischer, Filip Stojlkovic and Rafiu Durosinmi.

Pisa vs. Milan line-ups

Pisa: Nicolas; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Touré, Aebischer, Loyola, Angori; Tramoni, Stojilkovic, Moreo

Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Athekame, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku

13-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 25

Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani

Pisa

Milan

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Idrissa Touré		16'
		39'		Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Assist: Zachary Athekame)

2nd half

		56'		Niclas Füllkrug
Felipe Loyola		71'
		85'		Luka Modric (Assist: Samuele Ricci)
		88'		Davide Bartesaghi
		90+1'		Adrien Rabiot
		90+1'		Adrien Rabiot

Match statistic

34

Possession %

66

7

Total shots

7

2

Shots on target

2

3

Shots off target

4

2

Blocked shots

1

3

Corners

1

1

Offsides

2

14

Fouls

9