Daniel Maldini returns to Lazio’s starting XI for a Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT).

Most Lazio fans will continue their protest against President Claudio Lotito, leaving the stadium practically empty even in such an important match.

The Biancocelesti must cope without Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot, but Mario Gila and Daniel Maldini have returned from injuries and are expected to return to the starting line-up.

On the other hand, Atalanta have travelled to the capital without Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori.

Nikola Krstovic is expected to start up front, according to Gazzetta, while Corriere dello Sport claims that Gianluca Scamacca is the favourite to get the nod.

The other first-leg semifinal was played on Tuesday between Como and Inter, ending in a 0-0 draw.

The deciders will be played on April 21 and 22, but dates and kick-off time have not been established yet.

Lazio vs. Atalanta – where to watch on TV

The game will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1 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, Provstgaard, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares; Belahyane, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni.

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Zalewski, Samardzic; Krstovic.

Il Corriere dello Sport reports that Real Madrid are considering hiring Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri for the 2026-27 season.

La Liga giants Real Madrid could make an attempt to hire Allegri next season, according to Corriere dello Sport.

Third Real Madrid attempt for Allegri?

The Merengues’ president, Florentino Perez, has already replaced Xabi Alonso with Alvaro Arbeloa this season, but the team’s results continue to disappoint, which will likely lead to a new managerial change in the summer.

Allegri already came close to becoming Real Madrid’s coach in 2019 and 2021.

According to the report, Allegri had even reached an agreement with Real Madrid in 2021, but he ultimately changed his mind after a meeting with the then Juventus President Andrea Agnelli, returning to the Allianz Stadium after two years.

Corriere dello Sport adds that Jürgen Klopp is another option for Real Madrid, but the ex-Liverpool coach seems unwilling to step down from his role as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull.

What Allegri said about his future at Milan

Sportitalia reported last week that Allegri was considering his future at Milan, where he’s contracted until 2027.

The Italian tactician, however, quickly played down exit rumours, saying: “There’s total harmony with the club regarding the rumours that came out this week.

“Of course, in any discussion, there can be different points of view. It’s important that everyone works for the good of Milan. I’m very happy to have returned to Milan after 15 years and to have started working with a wonderful group of players. The club is planning and structuring Milan’s future. To do that, we need to achieve the most important result. In March, we’re in a fairly good position. Now we have to see if we’re good enough to stay there or take the final step. There’s harmony between the club and me.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter go to the minimum

Chivu thinks about the derby: return leg on April 21 or 22 at San Siro. Lazio-Atalanta for the dream final at 21:00.

Heart of Leao

Rafa is more and more a devil. Contacts to extend to 2030. Top salary to beat Premier League competition.

Kaka: ‘Scudetto, it’s not over. Modric will decide it on Sunday.’

Lady Spalletti

Even Locatelli is ready to sign for the new Juve

Put Totti for dinner

Meeting with Gasp, Roma return really close.

Corriere dello Sport

Coppa Italia, semifinal first leg: it ends 0-0 in Como

Cesc blocks Inter

Vojvoda and Valle waste two big chances: Darmian hits the post, and boos for Bastoni. Chivu’s rotations for the derby. Return leg on April 22. Lazio challenges Atalanta (21:00). The Olimpico is empty due to the fans’ protest.

Allegri, Real try

Florentino’s target

Third attempt: the president already moved forward in 2019 and 2021.

Max trendy again in Madrid

From Xabi Alonso’s sacking to Arbeloa’s failure. In Champions, they risk elimination against Man City. Manoeuvres to reach the coach tied to Milan to 2027.

Fiorentina, what a blow. Kean is injured.

Still problems in his fibula: he must miss Parma and Rakov. Vanoli relies on Piccoli.

Napoli, Conte has closed the home

The point average at home is 2.33 points per game. Now seven games out of 11 away from home. Lobotka alarm.

Tuttosport

Como boos Bastoni too

Coppa Italia: 0-0 in the semifinal first leg. The defender continues to pay for Inter-Juve

Blasts of disapproval every time he touched the ball. Chivu, massive rotations with a view to the derby. Three chances for Vojvoda, Darmian hits the post, and the cautious prevail. Everything is postponed to April 22 or 23. Lazio-Atalanta tonight: Lotito attacks Sarri and Baroni.

Lucio deals with it

Vlahovic and Juve discuss the renewal: Spalletti pushes

The coach is convinced he can take Dusan to higher levels. It’s his first choice for the attack, to be strengthened by another big signing (Kolo Muani or… Malen). Behind the scenes: Juve view the father’s presence at the negotiating table positively. Locatelli 2030: contract ready. Club’s announcement on LinkedIn: seeking a figure specialised in injury prevention.

Simeone: it won’t be a Buongiorno in Naples

Cholito returns to the Maradona on Friday.

The love for the city, the duty of repeating himself and the duel with a granata heart. History and behind the scenes of a special match.

Matteo Gabbia confirms his surgery ‘went well’ and the Milan defender will be ‘the biggest fan’ cheering on his teammates during the time off the field.

The defender had pulled up during the warm-up of the defeat to Parma at San Siro and it did not seem to be particularly serious.

However, following a consultation with specialists in London, it was decided he should have an operation for a sports hernia.

That was performed today and he is expected to be out of action for circa one month.

Gabbia thanks Milan fans for support

“The operation went very well!!” wrote Gabbia on his Instagram.

“I wanted to thank all those close to me who have shown their support during this period, first and foremost my wife, who is always by my side. THANK you also for all your support.

“I am disappointed not to be there on the pitch to help the team at this important moment, but I will be their biggest fan.

“A special thank you to the club and all the medical staff for the incredible work and professionalism with which they resolved this problem in the best possible way.

“I particularly wish to thank Doctor Mazzoni. Thank you, because over the last two days you have been like a second father to me, and I cannot forget that. I care for you very much.

“Now my mind goes to the recovery. We’ll see each other soon!! Forza Milan always!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Matteo Gabbia (@matteo_gabbia19)

The 26-year-old defender is a product of the Milan youth academy and had some loan spells with Lucchese and Villarreal before truly flourishing at San Siro from 2024.

He had become a regular this season under Max Allegri, making 25 appearances between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

There had also been a brief knee injury in December, but that was less serious than feared, so this sports hernia surgery was rather unexpected.

Cristian Chivu explains his surprising Inter tactical changes for the Coppa Italia semi-final with Como. ‘It’s the first time we played like this, we’ve got to make do with what we have.’

The Nerazzurri are flying high in Serie A with a 10-point lead at the top of the table, but seem to be struggling more with cup competitions.

They crashed out of the Champions League, losing both home and away to Bodo/Glimt, and struggled to create any chances in today’s 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final draw away to Como.

It all therefore goes down to the second leg at San Siro, which will be on April 21 or 22.

Chivu transformed Inter against Como

“I had a few problems to deal with, we were forced into some changes. It’s the first time I played with a pair of creative midfielders supporting the striker,” confessed Chivu to Sport Mediaset.

“We also changed our way of defending, especially in our own half, we tried to attack them man for man, but were a bit slow with our wing-back closing on their left-back. There were two Como strikers who were not strikers, dropping a bit deeper, and causing problems for us.

“They are so good at keeping the ball, passing it around and drawing you out to then attack the space. We did well to understand what we needed to do, and were fortunate in a couple of situations.

“Considering we didn’t have much time to prepare, playing after 72 hours, the lads did well to understand the instructions quickly and give their best, knowing that at times we had to accept Como’s possession play.”

With Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny out of action, and Marcus Thuram not fully fit, Chivu opted for a system with Andy Diouf in a more advanced role to support Francesco Pio Esposito.

There was more squad rotation ahead of this Sunday’s Serie A clash with rivals Milan, which on top of the Derby della Madonnina is also a Scudetto showdown.

“We had two strikers available today, so we decided to share the playing time between them,” explained Chivu.

“We’ve got to make do with what we have, and the lads did well to recognise the difficulty of this match. They had the right approach, even if it wasn’t a real Inter type of game, and not admittedly very entertaining to watch either.”

Could this type of approach be replicated in the Derby against Milan in Serie A on Sunday, or will Inter go back to their usual 3-5-2?

“Both teams tonight were sitting back a bit to wait and see, because Como dropped Vojvoda down for a five-man defence at times, so it wasn’t entertaining because both teams struggled to find the right spaces,” added Chivu.

“They tried to attack our lines and we read those moves well to block them off. It was the first time we tried to build with two playmakers, and had two creative midfielders like Diouf and Frattesi behind the striker. That changes a lot.

“We’ve got four days before the derby, we’ll see who is available, and then decide what to do for that match.”

With former teammates Christian Panucci and Andrea Ranocchia in the studio, Chivu joked that they were being too kind.

“I think I prefer it when they insult me, I got so used to criticism lately,” smiled the Romanian.

Cesc Fabregas feels Como ‘deserved victory’ in the 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final after Inter ‘changed’ to neutralise their strengths. ‘I cannot lie, the dream is to challenge for more.’

Both coaches made some surprising choices for this first leg stalemate, as while the Nerazzurri had just one centre-forward at a time, the Lariani opted to have a False 9 in the form of Nico Paz for most of the match.

The hosts had the best chances with Mergim Vojvoda and particularly an Alex Valle miss from five yards, while Matteo Darmian clipped the upright from a tight angle for Inter.

Fabregas thought Como deserved victory

“The result is what it is. Overall, I feel that perhaps we deserved to score a goal, or at least got closer to scoring one,” Fabregas told Sport Mediaset.

“It was a chess match, very tactical, where against the most dominant team in Serie A, we played the game we wanted to. We were solid, had two or three very good chances, with Alex Valle where it seemed harder to miss than to score, but these things happen.

“Inter have dominated Italian football in the last five years, but they had only one shot on goal today. It leaves a slightly bitter taste in our mouths, because we feel like we could’ve at least won this 1-0.”

Considering some recent criticism, also in the wake of Como’s 4-0 defeat to Inter at San Siro in Serie A in December, does this performance give Fabregas a sense of payback?

“No, payback is for losers. There are people who wait three or six months for you to slip up, they leap up from their beds and can’t wait to attack you. However, intelligent people, those who are hungry and eager to learn, we are humble and open to listening to people’s opinions.

“There are 12 games to go this season, hopefully 13, but we’ve got to keep pushing. Now we’ve again got a game on Saturday afternoon, whereas Inter are scheduled for Sunday evening, so we hope to get some rest in.”

The game ended goalless, so it will all be decided at San Siro in the second leg of this Coppa Italia semi-final.

A firm date has not been set, but it will be April 21 or 22.

“I don’t know if Inter are favourites now, I just know we are Como and they are Inter. There is certainly a different mentality between the clubs and teams right now, at least for the moment. We keep trying to raise the bar,” noted Fabregas.

“We are playing in a Coppa Italia semi-final, so if you had told a Como fan or even me that when we were in Serie B two years ago, I doubt anyone would’ve believed you. There is a long way to go before the second leg, we have a lot of Serie A games to play first, and we have to focus on those.

“I think the real question is for Cristian Chivu, because Inter came here and played differently to how they usually do. They dominate in Serie A, press hard, don’t leave you any spaces, and I think my players put in a great performance today.”

It was put to Fabregas that the project at Como was not dissimilar to the epic Sampdoria of the early 1990s, which won the Scudetto and reached the European Cup Final with a strong investor.

“These are strong words for the future. This is the idea we thought of from Day One, when we started this project, this dream two years ago. It was a team coming from Serie B, we made important changes in January, and after a year we saw great improvement.

“We can continue like this with our feet on the ground. I cannot lie that the dream is to continue growing, and maybe when we are better-prepared, to challenge for something more.

“We must also never forget where we came from, as it is only two years of this project, and we are slowly raising the bar. We’ll see where we end up one day,” concluded Fabregas.

Matteo Darmian confirms Inter ‘showed respect to Como’ with their tactical changes in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg. ‘These ties are played over 180 minutes.’

It was a very evenly-balanced match at the Stadio Sinigaglia on the shores of Lake Como, as the two coaches seemed to cancel each other out with tactical tweaks.

The hosts opted for Nico Paz as a False 9, while the Nerazzurri unusually also had only a single centre-forward, moving Andy Diouf into a more advanced support role.

The best chance for Inter fell to Darmian, whose cross-shot clipped the outside of the near post at the dawn of the second half.

Darmian content with Inter stalemate

“We knew Como’s strengths, the way they hold the ball and can play out from the press, but we had the right attitude,” Darmian told Sport Mediaset.

“We might’ve preferred to bring home a victory, but we have a very important game coming up on Sunday, and then we’ll prepare for the second leg when it comes.”

The Coppa Italia semi-final will go to the second leg at San Siro, which is going to be scheduled for April 21 or 22, to see who goes on to face either Lazio or Atalanta in the Final.

Before that, Inter have the Serie A showdown with rivals Milan on Sunday, in the Derby della Madonnina.

“The important thing was keeping a clean sheet today, we try to do our best both attacking and defending every week. It was good to not concede ahead of the second leg,” added Darmian.

“We showed respect to Como, we knew that these ties are played over 180 minutes, and it was important to leave here with a positive result. When you wear the Inter jersey, your responsibility is to always go for a win, but we didn’t manage it today, and have to look at the big picture.”

Como’s last victory over Inter was 1-0 in December 1985, managing two draws in the next 15 meetings, and they were beaten 4-0 at San Siro when these sides met most recently in December 2025.

Como had the best chances with Mergim Vojvoda and Alex Valle, while Inter’s Matteo Darmian clipped the upright, but the Coppa Italia semi-final will be decided in the second leg at San Siro.

The Stadio Sinigaglia was packed out for their first Coppa Italia semi-final in 40 years, with Cesc Fabregas’ side fifth in Serie A too. Nico Paz returned to the starting XI, but Marc-Oliver Kempf and Jayden Addai were injured, with Assane Diao and Edoardo Goldaniga only fit for the bench.

The Nerazzurri had to reshuffle with Lautaro Martinez, Ange-Yoan Bonny and Marcus Thuram all not fully fit, so Andy Diouf was moved to a more advanced role, along with other squad rotation. Como’s last victory over Inter was 1-0 in December 1985, managing two draws in the next 14 meetings, including a 4-0 defeat at San Siro in December 2025.

The second leg of this semi-final, the only stage of the tournament to be played home and away, will be on April 21 or 22.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Mergim Vojvoda pounced on a Yann Bisseck error to burst into the box, denied by a desperate Carlos Augusto block from eight yards, then moments later was offside when forcing a big Josep Martinez save.

Nico Paz juggled the ball with his back to goal, but Alessandro Bastoni wouldn’t let him turn, then got a shot away from outside the area for a very tricky Martinez push round the far post.

Vojvoda threatened again when sending Francesco Acerbi to ground with a shimmy, drilling the finish across the face of goal and just wide.

Straight after the restart, Inter had their first genuine chance when Darmian’s cross-shot from the tightest of angles clipped the near post.

Moments later, Como wasted the most incredible scoring opportunity when Ivan Smolcic rolled across from the right only for Alex Valle to somehow prod wide from five yards.

Thuram came off the bench and had a shot charged down by Diego Carlos, but neither team managed to find a breakthrough.

It will all be decided at San Siro next month, to see who will face either Lazio or Atalanta in the Final.

Como 0-0 Inter

03-03-2026 20:00

1/2 Final

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Inter

0 - 0

Como

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

79'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

86'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

86'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

70'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

58'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

85'

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

58'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

68'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

58'

Substitutes

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

70'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

79'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

86'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

86'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

53

Matteo Lavelli

Attacker

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

58'

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

58'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

58'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

68'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

85'

Milan will be without defender Matteo Gabbia for circa a month after his injury proved to be more serious, as he had surgery today in London.

The centre-back had pulled up during the warm-up of their defeat to Parma at San Siro.

It was believed to be an inflammation of the hip area, and Max Allegri said only three days ago that he would be back “as soon as possible.”

Milan lose Gabbia for at least four weeks

However, multiple sources this evening including Sky Sport Italia and MilanNews claim that the player underwent a specialist consultation in London.

That recommended a surgical option to resolve the sports hernia, performed by Professor Ernest Schilders at the Mayo Clinic in London.

Gabbia is expected to fly back to Italy tomorrow, as the surgery was a complete success, and begin the rehabilitation process.

His fully recovery is expected to require around a month on the sidelines.

That also means he will not be available for Italy’s World Cup play-off later this month either.

Galatasaray have been fined €40,000 and the club cannot have fans at their next Champions League away fixture as punishment for fan trouble against Juventus.

The fine and ban were both confirmed by a statement on the official Galatasaray website.

These incidents occurred in the second leg of the Champions League play-off, which was at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin on February 25.

Why Galatasaray fans banned after Juventus Stadium incidents

Local sources report circa 50 had tried to enter the stadium without a valid ticket, breaking down a barrier and damaging the buses that ferried them from the city centre to the arena.

Another incident saw fans throw a firework into the Curva Nord section, injuring a man and his daughter, who needed hospital treatment.

The fan responsible was identified and charged as he left the stadium at the final whistle.

Supporters clashed with local police before the match, which saw Juventus wipe out a 5-2 first leg deficit to force extra time even down to 10 men.

They eventually capitulated with a 3-2 victory on the night in extra time, going out 7-5 on aggregate.

Galatasaray therefore cannot have their supporters present for the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Liverpool.

Serie A refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi finds some of the IFAB announcements about changes to the VAR protocol ‘irritating’ and warns this will lead to ‘greater use of technology.’

The AIA (Italian Referees Association) chief has been under fire of late from several different clubs who were infuriated by the lack of consistency in some decisions taken by referees and VAR.

They were also frustrated by a situation where VAR was banned from interfering in a clear and obvious error, specifically the Pierre Kalulu second yellow card for Juventus after Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni simulated much stronger contact than there was in reality.

VAR still adapting to the modern game

This is one of the moments that prompted the IFAB to change the protocol, starting from the 2026 World Cup this summer, so VAR can intervene on a second bookable offence.

“The change is a little irritating really, if we consider what happened recently and what might’ve happened if we had this rule change a couple of weeks ago,” shrugged Rocchi on DAZN’s Open VAR programme.

“A second yellow card can determine a game and if it is a mistake, then you must be able to fix that. At the same time, I also want to point out we didn’t have incidents in Roma-Juventus because the players focused on playing football, and therefore made life easier for the referee.”

The changes to the protocol also affect potentially revoking corner kicks if they are given incorrectly, while the idea of coaches being able to appeal decisions with a VAR review is going to be experimented.

Rocchi warns this all means a change to the role that VAR has in modern football.

“Our objective is to use technology as little as possible. That doesn’t mean we don’t want to use it, but it should only be used when necessary. The concept of ‘clear and obvious error’ was created so that VAR would have a minimal impact on the game. Some say we are using it too much now, others that we need to use it more.

“When VAR was introduced eight years ago, the game has advanced since then, and so should the protocol. You can’t tell people now ‘the decision is wrong, but VAR cannot intervene,’ because while they might’ve accepted it eight years ago, I fully understand they won’t now.

“If you look at the changes that are being introduced, it will mean greater use of technology. If the protocol bans you intervening, I understand fans asking well what is VAR for then?”

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi uses two Parma goals to explain the Serie A approach to impeding the goalkeeper. ‘I don’t want to see situations in other leagues with five players in the six-yard box.’

Every week, the most recent Serie A refereeing incidents are analysed in-depth with footage from the VAR booth as well as audio of their conversations with the officials on the pitch, during a regular programme called Open VAR.

This time, the under-fire designator Rocchi was the guest representing the AIA (Italian Referees Association) for yet more controversy in Week 27.

They included Milan complaints when Parma’s goal was allowed against them the week before, but a similar challenge on the goalkeeper was not penalised when Parma played Cagliari this weekend.

Rocchi rejects Premier League refereeing model

“I reiterate that the goal in Milan-Parma was valid, but I didn’t like the way it was communicated at all,” explained Rocchi.

“With Parma-Cagliari, however, referee Massimi explains the situation to the players before the corner. As long as players are standing still, we have nothing in the rules that forces us to intervene.

“In other leagues, we see up to five players just standing still inside the six-yard box. On the other hand, we should also protect the goalkeeper and allow him freedom of movement. There are some movements that impede the goalkeeper, in which case we can intervene.

“The referee did very well, because he spotted the contact between Valenti and Caprile, and awarded a foul in favour of Cagliari,” insisted Rocchi.

The reference to other leagues was primarily the Premier League, where Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has in particular struggled at Tottenham Hotspur dealing with the kind of set play crowding of the box that has traditionally not been allowed in Serie A.

That tactic is now creeping into Italian football too, and the referees are forced to explain what constitutes a foul on the goalkeeper.

“I don’t want to see situations that I see in other leagues, which would be critical situations for us,” continued Rocchi.

“I am speaking purely for Italian football here, and in my view, we cannot allow that a goalkeeper is not given the freedom to play. That does not take away from the fact that in the rulebook there’s nothing that says a player can’t stand there in the six-yard box. We will be very careful from now on evaluating these moves.”

Inter President Beppe Marotta hopes the Coppa Italia semi-final with Como can bring silverware, rules out Arsenal for Francesco Pio Esposito and hails ‘talent’ Nico Paz.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

This is the only stage of the competition played home and away, with the second leg planned for April 21 or 22, although a firm date has not been set.

Marotta looks to Inter present and future

The Nerazzurri are flying high at the top of the Serie A table with a 10-point gap, but crashed out of the Champions League after losing both home and away to Bodo/Glimt.

“We turned the page in the Champions League, naturally with regret, but we see it as a valuable learning experience,” Marotta told Sport Mediaset.

“Challenging in various different competitions means there are dangers, you can’t win them all. So that left us with bitter disappointment, but we keep going.”

When Inter met Como in Serie A back in December, they ran out 4-0 winners at San Siro, but this is a different competition.

This is an intriguing clash for the transfer market too, as Inter have been linked with a bid for Como starlet Nico Paz.

“Nico Paz is certainly an interesting talent who has a great career ahead of him, but he is owned by Real Madrid, they have a buy-back option with Como. I doubt Real Madrid will let him slip through their fingers, and we’ll hear a lot about him in the years to come.”

There were also reports that Arsenal had made enquiries after Inter centre-forward Pio Esposito, who has flourished this season at age 20.

“Arsenal did not ask for Pio Esposito, but also Inter are not a selling club, we don’t make player trading our main activity. Pio Esposito is a product of our youth academy and we treasure him,” replied Marotta.

“Of course, anything can happen in future, but that would only be very far into the future.”

With the Derby della Madonnina against Milan coming up on Sunday evening, there is some squad rotation, resting Marcus Thuram who is not at 100 per cent, with Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny already out of action.

“It won’t be decisive, there are still many games to go, many dangers, many points still up for grabs. It is important to give consistency, but you can’t just drop points against the big clubs, as the small ones have their dangers too,” concluded the President.

Como director of sport Carlalberto Ludi insists they ‘believe we can win every game’ going into the Coppa Italia semi-final with Inter, and is reassuring on the return of Nico Paz.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

This is the only stage of the competition played home and away, with the second leg planned for April 21 or 22, although a firm date has not been set.

Como have Coppa Italia ambition

“We believe that we can win every game, not that we want to be presumptuous, but that is what we believe,” director of sport Carlalberto Ludi told Sport Mediaset.

“This is our mentality. We won’t manage it every single game, obviously, but this has to be the approach from the club, the coach and the players, so we want to keep that going.”

There is some confusion over precisely how Como are setting out today, because there is no recognised centre-forward on the pitch, so either Nico Paz or Maxence Caqueret can play the False 9 role.

Martin Baturina is only fit for the bench, but Nico Paz returns after he was dropped against Lecce at the weekend, reportedly because he turned up late to a team meal.

“Everything is fine, Nico Paz is our little star, our reference point, our talent, so there’s no problem. He comes back stronger than ever.”

Como beat Juventus recently and held Milan to a draw, eliminating Napoli in the Coppa Italia quarter-final on penalties, but were crushed 4-0 by Inter in Serie A back in December 2025.

Inter are forced to reshuffle in attack with Andy Diouf and Francesco Pio Esposito, while Como bring back Nico Paz with Maxence Caqueret in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

This is the only stage of the competition played home and away, with the second leg planned for April 21 or 22, although a firm date has not been set.

Cesc Fabregas has taken Como from Serie B to challenging for a Champions League spot this season, as well as this their first Coppa Italia semi-final for 40 years.

They eliminated Napoli on penalties in the quarter-final, and are coming off back-to-back wins against Juventus and Lecce to put them fifth in Serie A.

Marc-Oliver Kempf scored at the weekend, but is out with a hip injury, joining Jayden Addai in the stands.

Martin Baturina returns for a spot on the bench, with Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao also recovering from injuries.

The big news is Nico Paz back in the starting XI after he was reportedly dropped against Lecce for turning up late to a team meal.

Diego Carlos steps into defence, but it remains to be seen if Nico Paz or Maxence Caqueret are acting as False 9, with both Lucas Da Cunha and Maxi Perrone potentially in a more advanced role too.

Inter are flying high at the top of the Serie A table, but crashed out of the Champions League to Bodo/Glimt, losing both home and away.

They are also down to the bare bones in attack, as after Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny injuries, Marcus Thuram is struggling too.

It means Pio Esposito is the only available striker, with Diouf moved into a more advanced role, although it’s entirely possible he can share that position with Davide Frattesi at different times of the match.

There is squad rotation for Matteo Darmian, Carlos Augusto, Francesco Acerbi and goalkeeper Josep Martinez.

Not counting the Champions League, Inter have won 12 of their last 13 games between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, drawing 2-2 with Napoli.

They also beat Como 4-0 the last time these sides met at San Siro on December 6.

The Lariani have not won this Lombardy Derby since a 1-0 home result in December 1985, managing two draws in 14 competitive meetings.

Como vs. Inter official line-ups

Como: Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Sergi Roberto; Vojvoda, Da Cunha, Caqueret; Nico Paz

Como bench: Tornqvist, Vigorito, Cavlina, Goldaniga, Morata, Douvikas, Lahdo, Rodriguez, Moreno, Kuhn, Baturina, Diao, Van der Brempt

Inter: J Martinez; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi Sucic, Calhanoglu, Carlos Augusto; Diouf; Esposito

Inter bench: Sommer, Di Gennaro, Dumfries, De Vrij, Zielinski, Thuram, Luis Henrique, Mkhitaryan, Barella, Akanji, Dimarco, Lavelli

Ref: Di Bello

03-03-2026 20:00

1/2 Final

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Inter

0 - 0

Como

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

79'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

79'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

86'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

86'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

70'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

58'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

85'

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

58'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

68'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

58'

Substitutes

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

70'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

79'

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

79'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

86'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

86'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

53

Matteo Lavelli

Attacker

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

58'

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

58'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

58'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

68'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

85'

Raffaele Palladino insists Atalanta see the Coppa Italia semi-final with Lazio as both a chance ‘to lift a trophy, but also guaranteeing access to a European competition.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

The second leg date has not yet been set, but will be April 21 or 22 in Bergamo.

By a curious twist of fate, these teams met in Serie A at the Stadio Olimpico on February 14, with Atalanta emerging 2-0 winners thanks to an Ederson penalty and Nicola Zalewski strike.

Palladino and Atalanta want the Coppa Italia

“We are facing a Lazio side that we know well,” Palladino told Sport Mediaset.

“We only recently played against them in Serie A, we know they will be fired up and still bitter about that, so obviously they are highly-motivated to beat us this time.”

The semi-final is the only stage of the Coppa Italia to be played over two legs, home and away, as all the others are one-off matches.

“It is important to see it over the two legs, even if there is a large gap between the games,” continued the coach.

“This is a competition that we really care about in particular, because Atalanta reached the Coppa Italia Final three times in the last seven years, so we want to make it four and perhaps beyond that.

“This is our dream, the primary objective is for this club to lift a trophy, and I think this is also a way of guaranteeing access to a European competition for next season.

“It is a truly very, very important match, we believe in ourselves, and have the right attitude going in.”

Atalanta are currently pushing for a top four finish, but it is an increasingly tight battle including Roma, Juventus and Como.

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Former Italy star Mario Balotelli is having to reconsider his career path, as he cannot currently fly back to Dubai to play for Al-Ittifaq, so is training with Chievo Verona.

The 35-year-old had been a free agent when his contract with Genoa was allowed to expire, and decided to continue his career in the Middle East when signing for Al-Ittifaq on January 13.

It has been fraught with problems, as he reported receiving racist abuse during a friendly match, which are the only games he has been able to play, as the UAE league is currently on a break.

No Dubai return possible for Balotelli

Balotelli had reportedly been visiting his brother Enock in Italy last week, so was not in Dubai when it got dragged into the spreading unrest in the Middle East.

Now all flights to Dubai are suspended due to security concerns, so he is stuck in Italy.

According to L’Arena newspaper, Balotelli turned up this morning to train with Chievo Verona.

This is because the former Serie A club, which went bankrupt recently and had to start again from the amateur divisions, is also owned by the same patron as Al-Ittifaq.

He is now training with the squad, which includes former Juventus man Douglas Costa and ex-Milan player Alberto Paloschi, to stay in shape.

Balotelli could even be asked to participate in a friendly match on Saturday, but he cannot yet play for Chievo in competitive Serie D games without an official transfer.

Just as Napoli’s treatment room starts to empty out, they have a new problem to deal with, as Stanislav Lobotka was hurt in training today.

The Partenopei have been struggling with a massive injury crisis throughout the entire campaign, at times with an entire XI out of action.

Kevin De Bruyne resumed training yesterday, four months after sustaining a serious hamstring tear, and could be on the bench against Torino on Friday.

Lobotka setback in Napoli training

However, Lobotka picked up a muscular problem during today’s session and Sky Sport Italia report he is a major doubt to feature in the early Serie A Week 28 fixture.

It is a relapse for the Slovak midfielder, who has already been out with injury for quite a few games this term.

The good news is that Scott McTominay and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa ought to be available again, although probably not from the start.

David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani are certainly going to be out of action for this round.

Arsenal and Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has shared his account of the day that his ‘best friend’ Edoardo Bove suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during a Serie A match for Fiorentina, and says that if he is allowed to ‘continue living his dream, then why not?’. 

Just over a year ago, at the beginning of December 2024, the Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter was interrupted during the first-half as Bove, on loan from Roma at the time, collapsed on the pitch. 

It was later confirmed that his heart had briefly stopped beating. Bove was rushed to hospital, was admitted to intensive care and was discharged 12 days later. 

Bove later had a removable defibrillator device fitted. In Italy, players are not permitted to play with a defibrillator, but that is not the case in various other countries across the world, including in England. 

After a long year with no football, Bove has recently joined EFL Championship side Watford, where he is legally allowed to play, and has recently made his first competitive appearance since the unsettling scenes at the Stadio Franchi back in December 2024. 

Calafiori recalls Bove collapse: ‘My mother called me in tears’

Next door to Watford’s training ground is Arsenal’s facility, where Calafiori, one of Bove’s closest friends, is based. 

Calafiori recently appeared on the Supernova podcast, where he discussed the beginning of his career, his move to the Premier League and his daily life living in London. 

Calafiori also discussed his experience of watching the Bove incident unfold. 

“Edo is one of my best friends here. I mean within the football industry.  (We know each other) from Roma, I joined at nine years old, he joined at 10. We’re the same age, actually he was born three days before me,” Calafiori said. 

“I wasn’t watching the game, I remember my mum called me in tears. I turned on the TV and saw that the game had stopped. My mum called me: ‘I think it’s Edo, I think it’s Edo’. My mum wasn’t exactly clear-headed in that moment. It was horrible. 

“I can imagine that for Tanya, his mother, and for his family it was much tougher.” 

Bove is now back in professional football in the English second division with Watford. 

“I have to say that I’ve seen him doing a lot better,” said Calafiori. “Obviously from the outside, you think for the first 10 days you’re just happy to be alive. But I also imagine for him, this was the first time that he was doing really, really well at Fiorentina and was starting to feel like a real player, his first time away from Roma. 

“In the end, we live for football. If you can play football, then why wouldn’t you do it. I’ve seen him looking well, obviously he has to do a lot of tests and everything like that. His whole life changed, obviously, but if he can continue living his dream, then why not? He can play here.” 

Milan legend Demetrio Albertini has praised current Rossoneri star for his stance on the upcoming Derby della Madonnina against rivals and league leaders Inter, suggesting that the Portugal international is beginning to talk and act ‘like a veteran’. 

Albertini praises Leao and warns Milan about Inter clash: ‘Definitely the last call’

The Rossoneri will be the home side for the upcoming derby against Inter in Serie A on Sunday evening. Massimiliano Allegri’s side beat the Nerazzurri 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in November. 

Inter are the current runaway leaders at the top of the Serie A table after 27 matches, with a 10-point advantage over Milan, their next closest challengers. 

Despite the difference between the two sides in the league table, Leao was keen to express the importance of Sunday’s match during his post-match interview following Milan’s 2-0 win over Cremonese in the weekend just gone. The Portugal star described the derby as a matter of ‘life or death’. 

Albertini has since praised Leao for the importance that he has given the derby, and claims that after seven years in San Siro, he is beginning to talk and act like an experienced leader. 

“In my time, there was no need for reminders,” Albertini told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “On one hand, we had Maldini, Baresi, Costacurta, on the other, they had Berhome, Ferri, Berti just to name a few. Those guys didn’t need the meaning of the derby explained to them in public statements. 

“Today, with so many more foreign players and with so much changing in squads, I think Leao wanted to warn his teammates, especially the latest arrivals, about the importance of a game like this. Rafa has been at Milan for nearly seven years and is now rightly speaking like a veteran.” 

Leao also advised his teammates to not go out this week, to stay at home and prepare for the derby as best as possible. 

“Oh, well for a professional, that should always be the case,” Albertini laughed. “Maybe Leao didn’t have the right words, but I endorse the basis of his message.” 

Albertini was asked if the week leading up to the Derby della Madonnina is always a ‘special’ one. 

He said: “For me in training, it wasn’t. But that’s because as a professional, out of respect for your coach and teammates as well, you always maintain a certain standard, week after week. What is different is the fans, the city, you really feel it.

“If we’re talking about tactics and training sessions at Milanello, I really don’t think Allegri will treat the derby any differently to how, for example, he did last week preparing for Cremonese. Or how he will do before going up against Napoli or Juventus. 

Albertini was again asked if Leao was right to label the derby a matter of life or death. 

He said: “Well, it’s definitely the last call. If Inter win on Sunday, they’ll already be able to start sewing the Scudetto on their shirts and prepare for the celebrations. That’s why I think the game is much more important for Milan than for Chivu’s team.” 

Still, even if Milan do win on Sunday, Albertinin feels that it is one step too far to ask them to catch Inter and steal the Scudetto from their grip. 

“For me, now, because seven points is still a lot to make up, especially with this Inter side that is going at 1,000 mph in Serie A. 

“But, the Nerazzurri have to be careful not to have any slip-ups. And in football, never say never. I won a Scudetto from -7 with seven games to go in 1998-99, coming back against a great Lazio side. We won them all, they lost two in a row to Roma and Juventus, and then on the penultimate day of the season, we pulled off the decisive overtake.” 

Inter have no interest in letting go of centre-forward Pio Esposito according to Tuesday’s reports, despite contact between Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta and his Nerazzurro counterpart Piero Ausilio. 

Where Inter and Arsenal stand with Italy talent Esposito

Esposito is enjoying an impressive break-out campaign with the table-topping Inter in 2025-26, and has already established himself as an option in attack for Gennaro Gattuso and the Italy national team at just 20 years of age. 

The Nerazzurro academy graduate has been given an increasingly involved role at club level as well, despite the presence of Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram and summer signing Ange-Yoan Bonny in Cristian Chivu’s squad. 

Esposito’s performances this season have attracted the attention of a number of top clubs across Europe, among whom are Arsenal. 

The 20-year-old left a strong impression on the Gunners supporters following their trip to San Siro in the Champions League earlier this season: “How much do Inter want for Esposito?,” some fans pondered on social media after his impressive showing off the bench that night. 

It is not just the Arsenal supporters who were impressed by Esposito that night. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Mikel Arteta is also a fan and has reportedly discussed the Nerazzurro youngster with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta, who is also from Italy. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Berta has also been in contact with Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio to inquire after Esposito’s availability and to ask how much it would cost to lure him away from San Siro. 

According to Tuesday’s report, Inter remain firm in their stance that Esposito is a key player in the club’s long-term project, that he is still under contract until 2030, and that ultimately, he is not up for sale to any club. 

Esposito has been handed an even bigger role within the Inter squad over the last few weeks following an injury to captain Martinez and the drop-off in Thuram’s form. 

Bonny has also picked up a minor muscular injury, which means that the attacking reins will be handed over to Esposito when the Nerazzurri take on Como in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday night.

Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri feels that there is a lot to learn from Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final opponents, Atalanta, and suggests that La Dea are the clear favourites heading into the midweek cup tie. 

Sarri sat down for his pre-match press conference on Tuesday ahead of the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final between Lazio and Atalanta. 

Lazio have already defeated Milan and Bologna in order to qualify for the Coppa Italia semi-final, and will now have to take on an in-form Atalanta, who beat them 2-0 in Serie A just over two weeks ago, in order to claim a place in the final. 

Sarri on Lazio vs. Atalanta, need for investment and taking inspiration from La Dea

During his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Sarri was keen to make it clear that there is a level in quality between the two Coppa Italia semi-final opponents. 

At the beginning of the season, Sarri described this campaign as being ‘year zero’ for Lazio.

Asked if he still thinks that is the case, Sarri said: “It was clear from the beginning that this is how the situation would be. We have to be patient, on everyone’s part. I’ve done that, it would be nice if everyone did the same.” 

And when asked how important tomorrow’s cup clash against Atalanta is, Sarri said: “It’s not massively important in terms of our future. Next year will have to be ‘year one’ and not ‘year zero’. 

“Tomorrow, we will have to play a very difficult game against a strong, Champions League team. We have to have pride, we’ve reached the semi-finals by eliminating last year’s finalists.” 

Asked what needs to change in order for Lazio to see significant improvement next season, Sarri said: “I spoke with the sporting director just half an hour ago. The decisions are made by the club, but nothing changes. We will have to make investments for ‘year one’. It’s difficult to understand which players will be on the market in a few months’ time, so it’s not easy to plan.” 

Sarri was also asked where the differences between Lazio and Atalanta lie, given that Atalanta seem to perform consistently well year-on-year, while Lazio seem to struggle in that respect. 

“Atalanta has been on a long journey that began 10 years ago, which has led to them conquering Europe and making different levels of investment compared to 10 years ago” said Sarri. 

“Now they can afford players of a certain level and the gap increases. Lazio have to take this path and make investments to return to Europe, with consistency, and have a better economic picture.” 

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus will sit down to discuss a new contract for head coach Luciano Spalletti within the next week, and that his future in Turin is not dependent on qualification for next season’s Champions League. 

Spalletti and Juventus set for new contract talks

Spalletti joined Juventus following the departure of Igor Tudor earlier this season and put pen to paper on an initial contract until the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 

Ever since, Spalletti has insisted that sorting out a longer-term deal is not one of his priorities, especially with the season still underway, however, reports from Corriere dello Sport claim that the coach and the club could sit down to discuss a new deal within the next week: Potentially at the beginning of next week, if not before. 

Corriere dello Sport claims that qualification for next season’s Champions League is not a necessity for Juventus to extend Spalletti’s contract. Instead, the Bianconeri would prefer to have a settled coach and hopefully a settled squad as a result. 

Spalletti and Juventus are reportedly set to negotiate over an annual salary in the region of €4m-€5m.

AFC Bournemouth full-back Alex Jimenez has refused to rule out a potential return to Milan at some stage in the future, despite revealing his frustration at being denied the Rossoneri no.2 shirt during the end of his time in San Siro. 

Jimenez joined Milan on an initial loan deal from Real Madrid in 2023 before having that move made permanent in 2024. The Spaniard made a decent impression during his time in the Rossoneri first-team in 2024-25, but was then sold to AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League during the summer transfer window that followed. 

Jimenez has sat down to give an honest account of his Milan departure in an in-depth interview with Gianluca Di Marzio, released on Tuesday. 

• Read more: Jimenez apologises for calling Allegri a ‘sh** coach’

Jimenez open to Milan return despite shirt number snub

During his talk with Di Marzio, Jimenez revealed that there were several reasons why he decided to leave Milan in the summer of 2025. Among them was the fact that he had asked to wear the no.2 shirt for the 2025-26 but was refused and told that he was not yet mature enough. 

“At the beginning of the season, I asked for the no.2 shirt. I wanted it because of the tradition of great full-backs,” said Jimenez. “They told me no, that I wasn’t ready and that I was too immature. They were wrong. From there, it’s true, I lost concentration and arrived late a few times.” 

Jimenez claims that there were ‘various situations that I didn’t appreciate’ during the end of his Milan spell, and says that he wasn’t given enough ‘responsibility’. 

There was also an unfortunate incident when a screenshot of a text message that Jimenez had sent was leaked online, appearing to show him calling Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri a ‘sh** coach’. 

“It was rubbish, I don’t think Allegri is a ‘sh** coach’ and his history proves that. I was coming out of a game, I hadn’t played and I was angry, I chose the wrong person to send that message to,” Jimenez admitted. 

“From day one, I apologised to Allegri, I didn’t think about what I was writing. He accepted my apology.” 

Still, despite these unfortunate incidents, Jimenez has not ruled out a potential return to San Siro at some stage in the future. 

“I’m focused on Bournemouth now, I’m happy and I’m playing well. But of course, I loved Milan and I will never close the doors to a club that gave me everything. My being here and playing in the Premier League is also thanks to Milan. Only time will tell.” 

Former Milan full-back Alex Jimenez has confirmed that he did send a text message calling Massimiliano Allegri a ‘sh**’ coach’ towards the end of his time with the Rossoneri, has apologised for the incident and has also revealed the reason why he decided to leave San Siro to join Bournemouth in the Premier League over the summer. 

Jimenez sat down for an in-depth interview with Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, released on Tuesday, discussing his start to life in the Premier League and his turbulent exit from Milan during the summer transfer window. 

Jimenez came through the youth system at Real Madrid before being loaned and later signed permanently by Milan in 2023 and 2024 respectively. 

He made 22 appearances in Milan’s final 24 matches of the 2024-25 season, despite the club’s signing of Kyle Walker that January, and had made a solid impression during his time in the Rossoneri first-team, but was then sold to Bournemouth at the end of the following transfer window. 

“It’s a dream for me to play in the Premier League. I’m happy with how things are going at the moment,” Jimenez told Gianluca Di Marzio.  

“It’s true that the Premier League is more physical than Serie A and LaLiga, but I feel good here. My main quality is my speed and this is the right environment to show that.

“I grew up at the two biggest clubs in the world. Life is more calm here in Bournemouth, there’s less pressure. The fans are always by our side, for better or for worse.

“My relationship with Andoni Iraola is excellent, I’m very happy to have a leader like him and I hope to play under him for a long time.” 

Jimenez on Milan departure: ‘There were various situations I didn’t appreciate, I’ll give you an example’ 

Jimenez was asked what he would say if he could say one thing to the Milan supporters, to which he replied: “Thank you.”

He continued: “It’s the club that launched me in the first team, a team that I loved and still love. I had a great time at Milan, I didn’t want to leave. But when the season started I realised that I wouldn’t be a key player, there were various situations that I didn’t appreciate.” 

When asked to elaborate, Jimenez said: “I wasn’t given the responsibility I thought I deserved, they needed to believe in me more. 

“I’ll give you an example. At the beginning of the season, I asked for the no.2 shirt. I wanted it because of the tradition of great full-backs. They told me no, that I wasn’t ready and that I was too immature. They were wrong. From there, it’s true, I lost concentration and arrived late a few times.” 

Towards the end of the summer transfer window, images circulated on social media that appeared to show Jimenez criticising Milan head coach Allegri. The image in question appeared to show Jimenez calling Allegri a ‘sh** coach’ over a text message. 

Six months down the line, Jimenez has accepted full responsibility for that error in judgement. 

“It was rubbish, I don’t think Allegri is a ‘sh** coach’ and his history proves that. I was coming out of a game, I hadn’t played and I was angry, I chose the wrong person to send that message to. 

“From day one, I apologised to Allegri, I didn’t think about what I was writing. He accepted my apology. 

“All these situations took away from my sense of serenity, and I was the one who told the club to look for solutions (on the transfer market). Milan is a club that I love and I didn’t want to feel bad or negatively impact the team with my bad phase.” 

Jimenez played under three different coaches in just over a year during the end of his Milan spell: Stefano Pioli, Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceicao. The 2024-25 campaign was a turbulent one for the Rossoneri, and the team ultimately finished the season in eighth place, missing out on European football altogether for 2025-26. 

“I don’t think it was ever a problem with the coaches, it was a team problem” Jimenez said. “We needed to have more confidence in ourselves. 

“That’s how it is in football, one year you do badly and the next you do well. Look how it is now.” 

The Lega Serie A have confirmed that Roma wing-back Wesley Franca is among the players to be suspended following the conclusion of the 27th round of 2025-26 league fixtures over the weekend just gone. 

Six players have picked up one-match suspensions following the 27th round of Serie A fixtures, including Roma’s Wesley, Fiorentina’s Fabiano Parisi and Bologna’s Remo Freuler. 

Serie A confirm Wesley, Parisi, Freuler, Terracciano, Valenti and Pinamonti bans

Sassuolo striker Andrea Pinamonti was the only player to be shown a straight red card over the weekend, and will now have to serve a one-match ban. That rules him out of Sassuolo’s away trip to face Lazio on Monday night. 

Roma star Wesley picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during Roma’s 3-3 draw with Juventus over the weekend, and will now have to serve a one-match ban when the Giallorossi go up against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa on Sunday. 

Bologna’s Freuler, Fiorentina’s Parisi, Cremonese’s Filippo Terracciano and Parma’s Lautaro Valenti were also shown their fifth yellow cards of the season over the weekend, and like Wesley, have also picked up one-match bans. 

Freuler will be suspended for Bologna vs. Verona, Parisi and Valenti will both be unavailable for the meeting of Fiorentina and Parma on Sunday, while Terracciano will miss out on a key relegation six-pointer between Lecce and Cremonese.

Tuesday’s reports indicate that Juventus are hoping to hand a new and improved contract extension to captain Manuel Locatelli, following the renewal of Weston McKennie, whose new contract was announced on Monday afternoon. 

The Bianconeri have handed new contracts to two of their ‘priority’ players over the last few weeks: First to posterboy Kenan Yildiz, whose wages have more than tripled from €1.7m to around €6m per season, reflecting his star status within the Bianconeri squad. 

McKennie was also into the final year of his contract this season but has since signed a new deal until the summer of 2030, which was announced on Monday. 

Contract extensions continue to be a hot topic of conversation in Juventus circles, as head coach Luciano Spalletti still needs to settle his long-term future and the club’s highest earner, Dusan Vlahovic, will walk away from the club for free at the end of the season unless an agreement over a new deal is found before then. 

Veteran goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio has also been sounded out for an extension to his contract. 

A new Juventus contract for Locatelli?

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus will also seek to agree a new contract with captain Locatelli in the near future. 

Locatelli is currently under contract until the summer of 2028, having penned a five-year extension in 2023. He reportedly earns a net salary of around €3.5m per season on his current deal. 

Locatelli has become an increasingly key player for Juventus this season, particularly following the appointment of Spalletti as head coach, which initially came as a surprise given that Locatelli was regularly overlooked when Spalletti was in charge of the Italy national team

As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, the relationship between Spalletti and Locatelli is said to be in a great place, and both seem keen to extend their long-term futures to Juventus.

Milan are in an uncomfortable state of limbo over the proposed transfer of teenage midfielder André from Corinthians, with a deal that appeared to be done now hanging in the balance due to a sudden change of heart from the Brazilian club’s president.

According to Sky Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Milan and Corinthians had reached a full agreement on the transfer of the 19-year-old, with the fee structured at €15 million plus €2 million in bonuses, covering 70% of the player’s economic rights.

André himself had given his blessing to the move, even agreeing to waive his personal entitlement to the remaining 30% of his own rights, a significant concession that underlined his eagerness to make the switch.

However, after documents had been exchanged and signatures obtained, Corinthians president Osmar Stabile has since asked for more time to consider whether to proceed, throwing the entire operation into doubt.

Milan left frustrated by Corinthians antics over Andre

It is an awkward and frustrating situation for Milan, who believed the deal to be concluded.

The Rossoneri are now monitoring developments closely and awaiting a definitive answer in the coming days.

Should Stabile ultimately decide to pull the plug, Milan are understood to be considering referring the matter to FIFA, given that the club are believed to hold signed documentation from Corinthians’ own legal department.

That route would be pursued not to force the transfer through, but to seek financial compensation should the deal collapse entirely.

For now, Milan wait, with patience running thin.

Inter travel to Como for the first leg of their Coppa Italia semi-final this evening, with Cristian Chivu facing the delicate task of balancing cup ambition with one eye firmly on Sunday’s Milan derby.

Chivu will rotate, but not excessively. The bigger selection headache is in attack, where both Lautaro Martinez and Bonny are unavailable through injury.

The Argentine is targeting a return for the Fiorentina fixture, while Bonny is hoped to be fit in time for the derby. In their absence, Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito are expected to lead the line, though a lone striker option has not been ruled out.

Calhanoglu returns to the starting XI alongside Sucic and either Mkhitaryan or Frattesi in midfield, with Barella and Zielinski among those given a rest.

At the back, Acerbi and Bastoni come back in after suspension, while Carlos Augusto deputises for the rested Dimarco on the left flank.

Fabregas, by contrast, has no desire to rotate.

Nico Paz is expected to return to the starting lineup after being left out against Lecce.

Morata and Addai remain unavailable through injury, while Baturina is expected to feature from the bench after a lengthy absence. Diao is another attacking option in reserve.

Como Vs Inter – Probable Lineups & Where To Watch

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Nico Paz, Jesus Rodriguez; Douvikas.
Inter (3-5-2): Martinez; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Carlos Augusto; Thuram, Esposito.

How to watch: Live on Premier Sports Player in the UK.

Massimiliano Allegri is considering handing Christopher Nkunku a surprise start in Sunday evening’s Milan derby, with Christian Pulisic’s ongoing physical struggles opening the door for the Frenchman to make his mark in one of the season’s biggest fixtures.

The latest news comes via Goal, as preparations continue ahead of Sunday’s huge derby clash.

Pulisic has been hampered by bursitis for several weeks, and the numbers tell a difficult story, the American has not scored since December, is yet to find the net in 2026, and has not completed a full 90 minutes since January.

His appearance at Cremonese left onlookers concerned, with the former Chelsea man visibly drained and deflated as he returned to the bench.

Nkunku, by contrast, has been sharper whenever called upon recently.

Allegri weighs up Milan derby start for Nkunku as form improves

His assist for Rafael Leao’s second goal at Cremonese, a moment of composure and quality that arrived in just a few minutes off the bench, has accelerated Allegri’s thinking considerably.

The Frenchman has grown notably in form and sharpness since the turn of the year, and his developing chemistry with Leao is another factor working in his favour.

Their shared celebration at Cremona was widely read as a symbol of a growing on-pitch connection that could prove significant against Inter.

Allegri will retain his trusted 3-5-2 for the derby, with Modric and Rabiot expected to be central figures in midfield.

There is also positive news from the treatment room, with Davide Bartesaghi’s muscular injury proving less serious than feared, leaving the young defender in contention to start.

Inter Milan have emerged as the leading Italian club in the race to sign Leon Goretzka on a free transfer this summer, though Arsenal are applying significant pressure from the Premier League and could yet complicate the pursuit.

The experienced Bayern Munich midfielder is out of contract at the end of the season and free to sign a pre-contract agreement with any club. January saw him come close to joining Atletico Madrid before those talks collapsed, and his availability has since attracted interest from across Europe.

According to TuttoSport, Milan had been monitoring the situation but have shifted their focus toward Brazilian midfielder André of Corinthians, while Napoli and Juventus are considered interested but not as advanced as Inter in their pursuit.

The move would represent a notable shift in strategy for Oaktree, who had previously mandated a focus on under-23 signings. But the ownership has been persuaded that a different approach is necessary, and the reason is straightforward.

Inter could sign veteran Goretzka to reinforce midfield in summer overhaul

Inter are set to lose between four and five senior players at the end of the season, with Sommer, Acerbi, De Vrij, Darmian and Mkhitaryan all out of contract.

Rebuilding entirely with young prospects risks undermining the squad’s spine, and the club’s sporting directors have made that case convincingly to Oaktree.

The signs of a softening stance were already visible, first in the Pavard-Akanji transition last August, then in January’s attempted moves for Cancelo and Perisic.

Goretzka would address a midfield that faces considerable upheaval.

Frattesi remains eager for a bigger role elsewhere, Calhanoglu is being pursued by Galatasaray with his contract expiring in 2027, and Mkhitaryan’s departure looks certain. Inter have already signed 23-year-old Massolin from Modena, while the buyback of Aleksander Stankovic for €23 million is considered virtually done.

But Goretzka offers something none of those profiles can match: immediate physicality, Champions League pedigree and genuine leadership.

He is seeking a three-year contract worth €6-6.5 million per season, comparable to what Barella, Calhanoglu and Thuram currently earn. His agency, Roof, has an established relationship with Inter, having offered Lookman to the club last summer. Whether this time the deal reaches its conclusion remains to be seen, but the foundations are in place.

Juventus are preparing to make another move for Randal Kolo Muani this summer, with the French striker remaining a firm target despite previous attempts to secure his signature ending in frustration.

The Frenchman made a significant impression during his loan spell in Turin last season, scoring 10 goals in 22 appearances after arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in January on a temporary deal worth €3.6 million.

That form convinced the club’s hierarchy that he is the right profile to lead their attack, and according to Tuttosport, PSG’s asking price of under €50 million is considered achievable, particularly given the improved relationship between the two clubs.

Kolo Muani is currently on loan at Tottenham, where he has managed four goals in 29 appearances and is currently coached by Igor Tudor, the same coach who led him at Juventus after Thiago Motta’s dismissal.

Juventus could cut ties with David & Openda to pursue Kolo Muani deal

His output at Spurs has been modest, but Juventus appear undeterred, with Luciano Spalletti understood to want two quality central strikers at his disposal next season.

That ambition sits alongside the ongoing renewal talks with Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract expires in June.

Rather than viewing the two pursuits as contradictory, Juventus see them as complementary, with Kolo Muani and a renewed Vlahovic potentially forming a potent attacking partnership.

The flip side of that plan, however, is the futures of Jonathan David and Lois Openda, both of whom arrived last summer and have failed to meet expectations.

The Belgian forward in particular has disappointed, and Tuttosport reports that Juventus have no intention of building around either player next season. Finding buyers for two high-profile attacking signings who have underdelivered will be among the club’s most pressing summer challenges.

Tuesday’s Italian sports papers focus on Weston McKennie’s future at Juventus, and Inter’s stance over Arsenal interest in Pio Esposito.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

“Pio not for sale”
Inter say no to Arsenal
Esposito at the centre of the Nerazzurri market and attack
Coppa Italia semi-final at 21:00 against Como: Chivu considering eight changes

The pink paper leads with Inter’s firm stance over young striker Francesco Pio Esposito, insisting the club have rejected interest from Arsenal. The focus remains on the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Como, with Cristian Chivu expected to rotate heavily.

“Allegri’s tricks”
How Milan will try to keep the Scudetto race alive
From De Winter’s height to Nkunku’s creativity

“The most beautiful goal”
Conceição’s strike (100 km/h from 17 metres) goes around the world

“Nightmare Viola”
Fiorentina overwhelmed in Udine
Three goals conceded in the opening 30 minutes

Tuttosport

“Taremi: I’m going to war”
Sport increasingly halted in the Middle East amid the conflict with Iran
The former Inter striker reportedly told Olympiacos he wants to return home: “My country needs me”

In Turin, the spotlight is firmly on Juventus.

“Okoli or Gatti”
And talks underway with Vlahovic
Juventus playing for their future without a true centre-forward

The paper underlines how hopes of a top-four finish – crucial for the market and the club’s ambitions – rely heavily on defensive solidity and Federico Gatti’s leadership. Dusan Vlahovic’s contract situation remains unresolved.

Also featured:

“Inter want the double, and Goretzka”
Coppa Italia semi-final, first leg: Chivu chasing history
The German midfielder could become a summer target

Corriere dello Sport

“Como stir up Inter”
Coppa Italia semi-final first leg: Como seek the upset (21:00)
Fabregas once in Marotta’s plans, now he could deny Chivu the dream of the double
Peace between the clubs over Esposito: special duel

The Rome-based daily previews the Coppa Italia clash, framing it as a potential banana skin for Inter against an ambitious Como side led by Cesc Fabregas.

“Juve, stand firm”
McKennie until 2030
Lucio key to the renewal talks
Turning point in negotiations: the coach wants to stay, but four or five top signings are needed to win
Further contact with Dusan: a €6m salary proposal made, decision imminent

Juventus are reportedly pushing to extend Weston McKennie’s contract until 2030, while discussions continue over Vlahovic’s future.

Elsewhere:

“Bologna magic: Odgaard sinks Pisa”
A stunning strike gives Italiano his fifth straight win

“Viola nightmare continues”
Udinese dominant, defensive collapse costly

Paolo Vanoli hit out at Fiorentina after their 3-0 defeat to Udinese, warning it ‘felt like a continuation’ of their Conference League play-off with Jagiellonia.

The Viola had been on a strong run of form, but lost twice in the space of a few days, even if on Thursday they still scraped into the Conference League Round of 16 past Jagiellonia in extra time, despite fumbling a 3-0 first leg advantage.

That match already showed signs of trouble, which were confirmed in Udine with a 3-0 defeat.

Vanoli sees old Fiorentina problems return

“Udinese are a very physical team, so if we are always late to the knockdowns, we are making life easier for them,” Vanoli told DAZN Italia.

“It felt like a continuation of the game in the Conference League, the mentality was all wrong again. The players need to take a good, hard look at themselves, because it takes a long time to build something up, and a mere moment to destroy it.”

Daniele Rugani was thrown straight into the starting XI for his Fiorentina debut and it was disastrous, because he slipped for the Christian Kabasele free header, gave away the Keinan Davis penalty, and was shrugged off by Adam Buksa for the third goal.

“I knew Rugani would struggle to last 90 minutes after so long out of action, but he did well to get to the end. He can’t find form or fitness if he doesn’t play. I am convinced he will give a strong contribution in the coming weeks,” noted Vanoli.

Instead, the coach turned his ire towards other Fiorentina players and the overall attitude of the squad.

“We never ran into the spaces, we passed the ball around too slowly, and this is not good enough.

“The statistics showed we didn’t have a single shot on target, plus we suffered defending on set plays and showed a lack of concentration.

“We will get nowhere without determination, and clearly in that sense we have not progressed, because we must increase our desire to not concede goals.”

There was also an additional injury concern, as Vanoli confirmed Moise Kean asked to be substituted after a knock to the tibia.

This is the first Fiorentina defeat in Serie A since their 2-1 loss at Napoli on January 31, and it leaves them level on 24 points with Cremonese and Lecce.

The only teams behind them in the table are Pisa and Verona, joint rock bottom on 15 points, so it looks as if there is one more relegation spot still to be assigned.

“The table is tightening up, games are coming along where the mentality is going to make the difference.”

Pisa and Verona look doomed to relegation from Serie A, but it’s wide open for the third slot, as Fiorentina, Cremonese, Lecce and Genoa are crammed into a three-point radius.

The Week 27 fixtures were completed this evening and the results have a big knock-on effect for the fight to avoid relegation.

Serie A has three spots going down out of 20, and it will take a miracle now for Pisa and Hellas Verona to avoid the slide into Serie B.

They are stuck together on just 15 points out of 27 rounds, already nine adrift of the others in this race.

Torino’s win over Lazio might’ve done enough to keep them out of the running, leaving only Genoa on 27 points, then Fiorentina, Cremonese and Lecce all crammed together on 24.

The Viola had broken clear in recent weeks, but are now back in the quagmire, out of the bottom three purely on goal difference.

If two teams are tied at the end of the season for relegation, then they will face off in a specially arranged play-off.

If three or more sides have the same points, then a mini-table is drawn up of their head-to-head results, with the bottom two going into the play-off.

Serie A Table

Kevin De Bruyne was all smiles as he had his first training session with Napoli teammates today, four months after the devastating injury.

The former Manchester City midfielder has not played since suffering a serious hamstring tear while converting a penalty against Inter on October 25, 2025.

It was so damaging that surgery was required, and De Bruyne spent most of that recovery time in his native Belgium.

De Bruyne back for Napoli

He flew back to Italy last week with his family, and today was the first time he had returned to first-team training with his teammates, after 128 days away.

The 34-year-old thoroughly enjoyed the experience and shared his joy with the fans, posting pictures of his smile during the session on social media.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne)

Napoli fans responded with numerous comments celebrating his return, as the Belgian had scored four goals with two assists in 11 competitive games before that injury.

It is also possible that he will be on the bench for this Friday’s Serie A match against Torino.

Udinese ended their negative streak with a badly-needed 3-0 victory sealed by Christian Kabasele, Keinan Davis and Adam Buksa, as Daniele Rugani had a disastrous Fiorentina debut.

The Viola had been transformed in recent weeks with three consecutive victories in all competition, but threw away a 3-0 first leg advantage in the Conference League play-off with Jagiellonia on Thursday, only scraping through in extra time. Dodo was suspended here, but Rolando Mandragora returned from his ban. Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Robin Gosens sustained injuries against Jagiellonia, so Daniele Rugani made his debut. Udinese were collapsing after three straight defeats, missing Arthur Atta, Oumar Solet and Alessandro Zanoli, but Keinan Davis returned after a month out.

There was a musical performance before kick-off, as this week is eight years since the death of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori, in a hotel in Udine in March 2018. Free cardiac checks are also organised in the stadium this month.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took just 10 minutes to open the scoring, as Nicolò Zaniolo whipped a corner into the six-yard box and Christian Kabasele was allowed a free header, because Rugani had slipped.

Mandragora smashed a free kick over the bar, then blasted over from just inside the area, while Albert Gudmundsson hit a fresh-air volley on the dinked Niccolò Fagioli pass over the top.

Davis combined with Zaniolo and cut inside to shoot hard and low from 13 yards, forcing David De Gea to parry with his legs.

After the restart, Jack Harrison’s cross only grazed the head of Moise Kean at the back stick, and De Gea again denied Davis after a run from the centre-circle.

Another strong Davis run from his own half concluded with the Zaniolo effort deflected wide off Fabiano Parisi, and the striker was wrestled to the ground by Rugani as he tried to get on the end of an inspired Jordan Zemura pass. It was an inevitable penalty, which Davis converted himself.

Bertola ran back for a brave block on Kean, spraining his ankle in the process, and Cher Ndour’s header whistled wide on the resulting corner.

Rugani completed his truly disastrous debut by allowing Adam Buksa to shrug off his attempt at a challenge when running onto the Lennon Miller knockdown, curling a left-foot finish into the far corner.

Udinese 3-0 Fiorentina

Kabasele 10 (U), Davis pen 64 (U), Buksa 94 (U)

02-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 27

Friuli Stadium (Dacia Arena)

Udinese

Fiorentina

3 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Christian Kabasele (Assist: Nicolò Zaniolo)		10'
		28'		Marin Pongracic
Kingsley Ehizibue		32'
		32'		Fabiano Parisi

2nd half

		61'		Daniele Rugani
Keinan Davis		63'
		80'		Luca Ranieri
Adam Buksa (Assist: Lennon Miller)		90+4'

Match statistic

35

Possession %

65

10

Total shots

10

7

Shots on target

1

Shots off target

6

2

Blocked shots

4

5

Corners

2

16

Fouls

12

Udinese

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

33

Jordan Zemura

Defender

73'

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

73'

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

73'

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

87'

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

68'

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

3

Daniele Rugani

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

46'

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

46'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

87'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

71'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

71'

Substitutes

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

68'

11

Hassane Kamara

Defender

73'

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

73'

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

73'

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

87'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

46'

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

46'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

71'

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

71'

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

87'

Vincenzo Italiano denies reports Jens Odgaard had been ‘forgotten’ at Bologna after a sensational strike to give them a fifth consecutive victory against Pisa.

The Rossoblu had been in disastrous form to begin 2026, but seem to have really turned a corner of late, as this 1-0 result at the Cetilar Arena this evening was their fifth win on the bounce in all competition.

“Our first half was excellent, and Santiago Castro had two big chances where we could’ve scored,” said Italiano in his press conference.

“After the break, there was some inevitable fatigue, but we also know that everyone has been made to suffer for results here. We’ve got a long way to go, but we hold on to this win, the third in a row in Serie A, and want to continue along this path.”

Bologna were in action on Thursday in the Europa League play-off, where they eliminated SK Brann to set up a Round of 16 showdown with fellow Italians Roma.

Bologna finding their form at last

“With such an intense fixture list, we need everyone in the squad to give their contribution,” continued Italiano.

“Riccardo Orsolini had a good impact off the bench, I liked his attitude. Federico Bernardeschi and Niccolò Cambiaghi both know they can be more effective, but it went alright today.”

There had been reports in recent months that Odgaard was no longer first choice for Italiano, putting his future at Bologna in doubt, but the coach shrugs off these suggestions.

“Odgaard proved once again how decisive he can be in that position. He knows that when he is called upon, he has to give his contribution. I certainly haven’t forgotten about him, we just needed to rest him a little.

“We’re going to have to do the same with Castro soon, I am worried with the amount he is playing, he might get hurt.”

Bologna were forced into two changes today, the first when Martin Vitik was left dazed after charging down a powerful shot with his face.

“Vitik and Joao Mario both had bruises to their knees,” insisted Italiano.

Milan could be forced to appeal to FIFA after Corinthians reportedly tried to block the €17m purchase of 19-year-old midfielder André.

The story emerged in ESPN Brasil over the weekend, suggesting the clubs were very close to a full agreement for July 1.

It would be worth at least €12m plus bonuses, although most reports have the figures at closer to €15m plus €2m in add-ons.

Andre eager for Milan move

However, Brazilian sources continue to warn that Corinthians President Osmar Stabile is stalling and does not seem prepared to sign off on the deal.

Coach Dorival Junior is also publicly against the move, feeling that the price is too low for this talent.

If this drags on, then La Gazzetta dello Sport warn Milan and the player, full name André Luiz Santos Dias, could be forced to appeal to FIFA for a way through.

They maintain the paperwork has already been drawn up by Corinthians lawyers, so if it is to be abandoned, they want some form of compensation.

Dusan Vlahovic met with Juventus directors today and there are multiple reports both sides opened the door to agreeing a new contract.

The striker is only tied to the Turin club until June 30 and can already begin negotiations with other teams in Italy and abroad, where he could go as a free agent from July.

Vlahovic and Juventus want to continue together

However, the Serbian already resisted the attempts to sell him last summer, as he remains determined to stay on with the Bianconeri.

His future was put on the backburner following a serious injury and he is on his way back, also having a crucial meeting today with the Juve hierarchy.

According to multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia and La Gazzetta dello Sport, it was a very positive encounter, with both Vlahovic and Juventus expressing their desire to get a new contract agreed.

It would require a significant pay cut from the deal that he had before, which was worth around €12m per season, but this was still progress.

Vlahovic, 26, has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this season.

A moment of magic from Jens Odgaard gave Bologna all three points, but Pisa were frustrated by Lukasz Skorupski and a goal-line clearance.

The arrival of new Pisa coach Oscar Hiljemark has not steadied the ship with a draw and two defeats, even if they were at least tight results. Daniel Denoon and Simone Scuffet were still out of action. The Rossoblu seemingly ended their crisis run, celebrating back-to-back Serie A victories and setting up a Europa League Round of 16 clash with Roma. Juan Miranda, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Torbjorn Heggem missed the trip.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Martin Vitik charged down a powerful Marius Marin screamer with his face in the opening minutes, and although he tried to continue, it left him dazed and was eventually substituted after 21 minutes.

Mehdi Leris just failed to get on the end of a Stefano Moreo cross at the back post, but Santiago Castro should’ve done better when blasting over after shrugging off Antonio Caracciolo to go clear on goal.

Castro had another massive opportunity when sent through by an inspired Nikola Moro slide-rule pass, but his angled drive beat Nicolas only to bounce off the inside of the far post.

After the restart, Lukasz Skorupski had to make two big saves in quick succession. First he was at full stretch to palm a dangerous cross away as Leris was sliding in unmarked at the back post to tap in, then on the resulting corner he pushed a Moreo free header out from under the bar.

Castro saw his strike deflected onto the side-netting by Francesco Coppola, but Skorupski needed another extraordinary save, getting down to push the Gabriele Piccinini angled drive inches wide of the far post after a well-worked team move.

When Skorupski was finally beaten by a looping Filip Stojilkovic header, he was rescued by the Nadir Zortea goal-line clearance.

Instead, the deadlock was broken by a moment of magic in the final minute of normal time. Jens Odgaard gathered with his back to goal outside the area and turned to smash an unstoppable strike into the near top corner.

Pisa 0-1 Bologna

Odgaard 90 (B)

02-03-2026 17:30

MatchDay 27

Arena Garibaldi – Stadio Romeo Anconetani

Pisa

Bologna

0 - 1

Player statistic

2nd half

		53'		Remo Freuler
		82'		Jhon Lucumí
		90'		Jens Odgaard (Assist: Remo Freuler)

Match statistic

40

Possession %

60

6

Total shots

8

3

Shots on target

1

0

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

2

7

Corners

4

5

Offsides

2

15

Fouls

11

Pisa

Bologna

Starting lineups

12

Nicolas

Goalkeeper

4

Antonio Caracciolo

Defender

90'

33

Arturo Calabresi

Defender

70'

26

Francesco Coppola

Defender

3

Samuele Angori

Defender

63'

8

Malthe Höjholt

Midfielder

70'

6

Marius Marin

Midfielder

20

Michel Aebischer

Midfielder

7

Mehdi Léris

Attacker

17

Rafiu Durosinmi

Attacker

64'

32

Stefano Moreo

Attacker

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

17

João Mário

Defender

74'

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

21'

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

23

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

64'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

64'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

74'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

Substitutes

1

Adrian Šemper

Goalkeeper

10

Matteo Tramoni

Midfielder

15

Idrissa Touré

Midfielder

39

Raúl Albiol

Defender

23

Calvin Stengs

Attacker

14

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Midfielder

9

Henrik Meister

Attacker

35

Felipe Loyola

Defender

2

Rosen Bozhinov

Defender

31

Matteo Luppichini

Goalkeeper

11

Juan Cuadrado

Midfielder

63'

81

Filip Stojilkovic

Attacker

64'

5

Simone Canestrelli

Defender

70'

36

Gabriele Piccinini

Attacker

70'

19

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

90'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

5

Eivind Helland

Defender

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

21'

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

64'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

64'

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

74'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

74'

Cesc Fabregas calls on Como fans to make their stadium ‘a little Bombonera’ for tomorrow’s historic Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter.

It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

The semi-final is the only stage of the competition that is played over two legs, and the second will be at San Siro in April.

This is an historic moment for the club, who eliminated Napoli, Fiorentina and Sassuolo on their way to their first semi-final in 40 years.

Fabregas expects amazing Como atmosphere

“It is a big moment of the season, but we must give this game the importance that it deserves,” Fabregas told Como TV.

The Spaniard took inspiration from Boca Juniors and their iconic stadium in Buenos Aires.

“The stadium has to be like a little Bombonera tomorrow. We hope to have a good game. We’ve got to take it one game at a time, as this is a long season for us, and we’ll see how many we manage to win from here to the end.”

Inter are the favourites, sitting 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, but were eliminated from the Champions League in back-to-back defeats with Bodo/Glimt.

“Inter are the strongest team in the league, they have been for years really, and have great players,” continued Fabregas.

“We will try to put in a great performance, knowing their strengths, and their few weaknesses. We’ll try to hurt them.”

When these teams met in Serie A, Como suffered a 4-0 defeat at San Siro, the sixth consecutive loss against them in all competition.

After links with Juventus, now Inter are also reportedly considering a swoop for Liverpool and Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

It is no secret that the Nerazzurri are seeking a new goalkeeper, as Yann Sommer is 37 years old and his contract only runs to June 30.

Inter see Alisson Becker return to Serie A

The first choice would be current Tottenham shot-stopper Guglielmo Vicario, but there is another intriguing option from the Premier League.

According to the Repubblica newspaper, Inter are also looking at Alisson’s situation, considering he speaks fluent Italian and has a history in Serie A with Roma.

The 33-year-old joined Liverpool in 2018 for a massive fee of €72.5m, just two years after Roma had paid €8m to buy him from Internacional.

His current contract at Anfield only runs to June 2027, so a return to Serie A is entirely possible this summer.

Juventus were already mentioned for the Brazil international, though Inter can fit the bill too.

Alisson would be considerably cheaper than Vicario, whose asking price at Spurs is in the region of €25m.

Como will face Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final on Tuesday, so Cesc Fabregas is trying to gain inspiration from their Champions League victors Bodo/Glimt.

The first leg of the semi-final kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

Inter are the hot favourites, as they sit 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, winning 13 of their last 14 games in the league.

Fabregas wants Como to follow Bodo/Glimt model

However, the Nerazzurri were beaten home and away by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League play-offs, for a final 5-2 aggregate result, with an approach that impressed Como boss Fabregas.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, it prompted the coach to study the Norwegians carefully, including inviting their staff to lunch last week.

Fabregas wanted to meet with their nutritionists and fitness staff, picking their brains on the details of how they get their players in shape.

Both Como and Bodo/Glimt already use an app to help their players log everything they eat during their time off, helping the staff to keep up with nutrition.

Over the last few days, it is reported Fabregas also asked Como to install a big screen at their training ground, so he can show the players their movements in real time using a drone hovering over the pitch.

It is not an entirely new idea, as it was already adopted by Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain, who also crushed Inter 5-0 in the Champions League Final last season.

Following more decisive goals and playing in various different positions, Weston McKennie has signed a new contract with Juventus to June 2030, practically doubling his salary.

Multiple sources are confident his salary will be boosted from the current €2.5m per season net to €4m plus performance-related bonuses.

His previous contract was set to expire on June 30, but McKennie never considered any other options, eager to pen a new deal to 2030.

McKennie built a career at Juventus

The USMNT star came to Turin from Schalke 04 in 2020 and seemed to be on the verge of an exit numerous times during his Bianconeri career.

That included an unsuccessful loan spell at Leeds United, but he always managed to convince the club and coach to give him another chance.

His versatility has been the key to that, as this season alone McKennie has played as a midfielder, a left-back, a support striker, and a False 9.

He scored eight goals and seven assists this term under Igor Tudor and then Luciano Spalletti, one of the most consistent Juventus players in a difficult campaign.

Weston has a message for you pic.twitter.com/zGVaPBA8ZM

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) March 2, 2026

There is reassuring news for Milan, as Davide Bartesaghi’s injury is less serious than previously thought, while Santiago Gimenez is also back for the derby with Inter.

The Rossoneri are the only team keeping up the pace with runaway Serie A leaders Inter, and the two rivals go head-to-head this Sunday in the Derby della Madonnina.

It is possible that Max Allegri will be able to prepare for it with a full squad at his disposal, because the treatment room is emptying out.

Milan injury news is reassuring

Bartesaghi limped off clutching the back of his right thigh during the final minutes of Milan’s win away to Cremonese, an injury he sustained while winning the decisive corner.

According to multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia, today’s tests showed there is no lesion to the flexor in the right thigh.

That means Bartesaghi should be back in full training towards the end of the week, so could in theory even start against Inter on Sunday night.

More positive news also came from Gimenez, the striker who has been out of action since the end of October with an ankle injury that eventually required surgery.

The recovery process has been slower than expected, but a check-up today with his surgeon confirmed the Mexico international has fully healed, and can resume training with the rest of the squad.

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Inter star Piotr Zielinski says that winning the domestic double would be ‘fantastic’ but warns that Cesc Fabregas’ Como, their opponents in the Coppa Italia semis, have ‘outstanding’ quality.

Inter will visit Como on Tuesday in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal. The Nerazzurri boss, Cristian Chivu, didn’t talk to the media on the eve of the game, but sent Poland international Zielinski instead.

Como vs. Inter – Zielinski’s pre-match quotes

“Winning the double would be fantastic, and we’ll do anything to win these important trophies. It’s all in our hands,” Zielinski told Sport Mediaset via FcInter1908.

Zielinski has become a regular starter at the Stadio Meazza this season. This past Saturday, he let Hakan Calhanoglu take a penalty kick in a 2-0 win over Genoa.

It was Inter’s first game after their Champions League elimination at the hands of Bodo/Glimt.

“He [Calhanoglu] has so much quality in his feet, and it was right that he took the penalty against Genoa,” Zielinski said.

“Our fans were fantastic, and they supported us against Genoa. We were disappointed, but we gave an appropriate reply.”

Inter’s next Serie A match is against their city rivals Milan, but before that, they must face Como in Coppa Italia.

“They [Como] have a lot of quality, so we’ll have to pay attention,” Zielinski concluded.

“I was struck by their organisation, they play fantastic football with outstanding quality and have a great coach like Fabregas.

“Nico Paz is an ace; he has great numbers, and we’ll have to pay attention.”

Inter are the Serie A table leaders with a 10-point lead over second-placed Milan.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic will return to group training in the coming days and could be called up for a home game against Pisa next weekend.

Vlahovic will resume group training in the coming days, reports Sky Sport Italia.

When will Vlahovic return to action for Juventus?

The striker could even be called up for a Serie A match against Pisa on March 7, but he’d only start from the bench.

The Juventus star has been sidelined since the end of November, when he suffered a high-degree adductor injury, which forced him to undergo surgery.

His return will boost Luciano Spalletti’s options up front, as Jonathan David has been inconsistent up front for the Old Lady, while Lois Openda was rarely a starter after Vlahovic’s injury.

Following a 3-3 draw against Roma on Sunday, Juventus sit 6th in the Serie A table, four points below the Giallorossi in fourth.

Vlahovic, 26, has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 appearances across all competitions this season.

His future at the club is also a matter of debate as his contract at the Allianz Stadium runs out at the end of the season.

• Read more – Tottenham Hotspur fans rage at struggling Vicario

The Premier League has removed a video from its X and TikTok accounts that appeared to mock Tottenham and Italy goalkeeper Vicario.

Premier League removes controversial Vicario video

Sources in the UK claim that the Premier League decided to remove the video following a complaint from Spurs.

As reported by The Athletic, the clip showed Vicario blsting a free-kick from inside his own half directly out of play during Tottenham’s 2-1 loss away at Fulham on Sunday. The video was captioned as: ‘Just how the play was drawn up.’

It also included an added caption reading: ‘An interesting free-kick from Vicario,’ followed a laughing emoji, then ‘whoops’ with another laughing emoji, before cutting to new Tottenham coach Igor Tudor.

The Athletic reports that the video was viewed almost half million times on X before it was delated.

Vicario, 29, has kept 13 clean sheets in 38 games across all competitions this season, conceding 54 goals.

La Liga giants Barcelona aren’t the only club interested in Inter star Alessandro Bastoni, as Arsenal and Liverpool have also ‘explored’ the Italian defender’s situation, according to Caughtoffside.

Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool have set their sights on Inter and Italy star Bastoni.

According to Caughtoffside, Liverpool see Bastoni as a potential replacement for Virgil Van Dijk, while Arsenal feel the Italian defender would suit Mikel Arteta’s playing style.

Previous reports suggested that Barcelona are also interested in Bastoni, and the Catalans’ defender Pau Cubarsí has even publicly praised the 26-year-old.

Bastoni’s contract at San Siro expires in June 2028 and Inter are willing to offer him a new deal until 2030.

Bastoni’s Inter and Italy career

The Italian defender is a regular starter for the Nerazzurri. He has scored two goals and provided six assists in 33 appearances across all competitions this season.

He has also scored three goals in 41 appearances with the Italy national team, winning the 2020 Euros.

Riccardo Calafiori has named Italian legends Leonardo Bonucci, Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta in his list of players he would use to build the ‘perfect defender’, and has revealed what he thinks his own best quality is on the pitch: ‘It’s not exactly one specific skill.” 

Calafiori was a featured guest on the Supernova podcast, discussing the start of his career with Roma, life in London with Arsenal and his hopes for the Italy national team. 

During his podcast appearance, Calafiori was also asked to build his perfect defender using traits from various different stars he has played with, against or watched over the years. There were no limitations on the defenders that Calafiori was allowed to pick based on the era in which they played. 

Unsurprisingly, Calafiori named Italian players in the majority of the given categories, but did find space for the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Ramos. 

Calafiori’s perfect defender

The physique of: “I would say Virgil van Dijk. Because he’s tall and not exactly slow.” 

The anticipation of: “Nesta, I think. Nesta or Cannavaro.”

The slide tackling of: “Always those two (Nesta and Cannavaro), two maestros.” Calafiori admitted that he was a bit too young to see the best of Paolo Maldini in his prime years, but said that “as an icon, I’d put him above everyone.” 

The positioning of: “Bonucci.” 

The heading of: “Sergio Ramos.” 

Right foot: “I said Bonucci before, who else? I don’t know. Also Van Dijk. I’m definitely forgetting someone.” 

Left foot: “Left foot? I’ll say Bastoni.” 

Calafiori was also asked what he thinks is his own best quality. 

He replied: “I think what I like is that maybe I can do a few different things at the same level. It’s not exactly one specific skill, more like that. I think the energy I bring onto the pitch that kind of changes the team, I think that’s it.” 

“The aura?” the podcast producer asked from behind the camera. “Aura, yeah,” Calafiori somewhat reluctantly replied. 

Roma and Bologna will meet in the Europa League Round of 16, and although the Giallorossi appear slightly favourites to qualify for the quarter-finals, their victory is not guaranteed.

Roma and Bologna, the only two Serie A representatives in the Europa League, will meet in the Round of 16, which is surely no good news for Italian football.

By looking at the Serie A standings, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side looks favourite as the Giallorossi sit fourth, level on 50 points with Napoli, while Bologna are eighth with just 36 points, creating a gap that, on paper, appears as predictable as outcomes calculated by casino platform software.

The first leg will be played in Bologna on March 12, while the decider is scheduled for March 19 at the Stadio Olimpico. The winner will face Aston Villa or Lille in the quarter-finals.

Roma have collected better results than Bologna this season, both domestically and in Europe. The Giallorossi, in fact, finished the Europa League group phase in the top eight, qualifying directly for the next round, whereas Bologna had to go through the knockout play-off, where they beat Norwegian side Brann with a 2-0 aggregate win.

Bologna, however, will prioritise the cup competition, given that they are already quite far away from a Conference League spot in Serie A.

Roma, on the other hand, can’t afford to drop points in the league as they aim to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2017-18.

At the same time, Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano has a special relationship with cup competitions. He has never lifted a European silverware, as Gian Piero Gasperini did with Atalanta in 2023-24, but he has already reached three finals with Fiorentina and one with Bologna.

During Italiano’s spell at the Franchi, Fiorentina reached two Conference League Finals and one Coppa Italia Final, losing all three.

At Bologna, Italiano won the Coppa Italia, beating Milan 1-0 in the 2024-25 Final.

The head-to-head record with Gasperini is also quite balanced, with Italiano winning seven of their previous 15 meetings, drawing three times, and losing five.

As previously mentioned, the Serie A derby between Bologna and Roma is not necessarily good news for Italian football, as directors of both sides have highlighted.

“As a player, I played in an (all-Italian) final with Juventus. We would have preferred to avoid it for a lot of reasons, including the emotional aspect,” said Bologna executive Marco Di Vaio.

“We’ll prepare well. It would have been a great challenge against Freiburg as well. We’ll see what happens.”

Roma’s Frederic Massara seemed to agree with his colleague: “Perhaps, it could lose a bit of the charm coming from a European match, but we know it’s a nice game, with a lot at stake. The regret is for the ranking, as this does not favour Italy.”

Former Lazio goalkeeper Luca Marchegiani feels Antonio Conte should consider starting Romelu Lukaku and Rasmus Hojlund, but Beppe Bergomi hits back: ‘It’s not a tactic I’d use from the start.’

Lukaku and Hojlund scored vital goals for Napoli on Saturday, helping the Partenopei secure a big 2-1 win away at Verona.

It was Lukaku’s first goal of the season, as the Belgian has recently returned to action after suffering a severe muscle injury during pre-season.

Bergomi: Lukaku and Hojlund to play together for Napoli ‘but not from the start’

Sky Sport Italia pundits Bergomi and Marchegiani, both former Italy players, discussed whether Conte should start both strikers in the upcoming matches.

“They’re both [Lukaku and Hojlund] left-footed, both love to start from the right to cut inside,” Bergomi said.

“Hojlund is quick and fast. You can try, but it’s not a tactic I’d use from the start, but rather during the game.”

Marchegiani replied: “It’s a season where the teams that play two strikers seem to be reaching their targets. Inter have scored 20 goals more than the others.

“Torino put two strikers in and won the game against Lazio. Conte is a coach who can find the right chemistry among players who don’t seem to fit well together. He has changed the system many times this season, and right now, Napoli would benefit from such a shock.”

• Read more – Champions League: Five teams for two spots in Serie A – fixture list compared

Reports across Europe claim that Iran are increasingly likely to miss out on the upcoming FIFA World Cup in North America, but what does this mean for Italy, who are yet to secure a spot in the final tournament? 

Over the weekend, the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, which has since led to a series of retaliatory strikes across the Middle East. 

The ongoing conflict makes it unlikely that Iran will feature at the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States. 

“With what happened… and with that attack by the United States, it is unlikely that we can look forward to the World Cup, but the sports chiefs are the ones who must decide on that,” said Mehdi Taj, head of Iran’s football federation (via BBC Sport).

According to updates from the BBC, FIFA still expects Iran to take part in the upcoming World Cup, for which they have already qualified, but rumours of a potential boycott continue to circulate. 

What would happen to Italy if Iran boycotts 2026 World Cup?

Iran have already qualified directly for the 2026 World Cup and have been drawn into Group G along with Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand. 

Italy, meanwhile, have not secured a spot at the upcoming World Cup, and will instead have to go through the play-off system if they are to qualify. 

Gennaro Gattuso’s Azzurri will take on Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26 in the World Cup play-off semi-final, and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia away from home in a one-legged decider for a spot in the final tournament. 

Italy are the highest-ranked nation in the world (13th) that does not have a spot at the World Cup locked down. 

If Iran decides to boycott the World Cup,  a spot in the group stages will open up. If there is a boycott this summer, Italy are not expected to benefit directly, though. 

That is because Iran’s spot would go to the next-best team from the Asian (AFC) qualifying system, instead of the highest-ranked team worldwide. In this scenario, Iraq would claim a spot in the World Cup group stages. 

Iraq are still in with a chance of qualifying of their own right and are currently expected to take part in the intercontinental play-offs at the end of March. If Iraq were handed a spot in the World Cup group stages, the UAE would take their place in the intercontinental play-offs instead. 

Manchester United travel to Tyneside looking to continue their spectacular revival under interim manager Michael Carrick.

BUY NEWCASTLE VS. MAN UNITED TICKETS

Currently sitting 3rd in the Premier League table, the Red Devils have won five of their last six matches.

They most recently fought off a resilient 10-man Crystal Palace with a 2-1 victory, propelled by the red-hot Benjamin Šeško.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United (currently 13th) are desperate to find consistency.

The Magpies are coming off a frustrating 3-2 defeat against Everton and have struggled defensively, failing to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 outings across all competitions.

A win under the lights at St. James’ Park is crucial for Newcastle to keep any late European qualification hopes alive.

BUY NEWCASTLE VS. MAN UNITED TICKETS

How Newcastle United could line up against Man United

The Magpies are facing a severe injury crisis, particularly in the midfield and defence.

Key playmaker Bruno Guimarães is sidelined with a muscle injury, while Fabian Schär, Tino Livramento, Emil Krafth, and Lewis Miley are all ruled out.

Newcastle United Predicted Line Up: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Ramsey, Tonali; Elanga, Woltemade, Joelinton; Gordon.

How Man United could line up against Newcastle United

Carrick has largely relied on a settled starting eleven.

Benjamin Šeško is expected to lead the line ahead of Amad Diallo after a blistering run of form, scoring 7 goals in his last 8 appearances.

At the back, Leny Yoro continues to deputise with Lisandro Martínez ruled out.

Man United Predicted line up: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Šeško.

How to buy Newcastle United tickets

Newcastle United tickets can be purchased via the club’s official website, though availability is often limited for supporters who are not season ticket holders or members.

If you’re looking for a simpler, more competitively priced option, we recommend using our trusted link to find an accessible alternative.

How to buy Man United tickets

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Newcastle United vs Man United Head-to-Head record

Newcastle United and Manchester United have faced each other a total of 183 times across all competitive fixtures.

Manchester United have 94 wins, Newcastle have 48 wins and 41 matches have ended as draws.

The record is much more evenly split when the Magpies have the home advantage in Tyneside.

In 88 matches played at St. James’ Park, Newcastle have 36 wins, while Man United have 33 wins.

Former Roma striker John Carew says Francesco Totti is the ‘strongest’ player he’s ever played with and reveals he started considering an acting career at Aston Villa: ‘At first, I didn’t believe it.’

Ex-Norway international Carew spoke about his career as a footballer and as an actor in his latest interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

A former striker for Roma, Valencia, Besiktas and Aston Villa, among others, Carew retired in 2012 and has now become an actor.

“I work with Panorama, a Scandinavian agency that represents actors. I’ve appeared in about a dozen films, ranging from horror and gangster movies to comedies,” he said.

“One of the best remains Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, shot in London with Angelina Jolie, which was nominated for an Oscar. I also landed on Netflix with the series Home for Christmas, the third season was released in December.”

When did he start considering an acting career?

“It was in 2009. I was playing for Aston Villa and I was 30 years old,” he revealed.

“Some of my friends in London worked in the film industry and one day they told me: ‘John, you have an interesting look to be an actor.’ At first, I didn’t believe it Then I came around and started taking classes. Acting allowed me to create a channel to reach emotions.

“I’d love to act in a beautiful Italian love story. And I’d also like to play the villain in one of the next James Bond movies.”

Carew: Totti the ‘strongest player I’ve ever played with’

Carew spent six months on loan at Roma, playing under legendary Italian coach Fabio Capello.

“Totti is the strongest player I’ve ever played with. Cassano was crazy in the locker room, always pulling pranks on everyone,” Carew said.

“He [Cassano] didn’t understand a word of my English. I was very close to Delvecchio, a big fan of American music, he listened to Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent.

“Capello pushed for my loan move from Valencia, where I had won a La Liga title and played in a Champions League Final.”

Three years later, after playing for Besiktas and Lyon, Carew joined Aston Villa and did so mostly thanks to the most notable Villa fan, Prince William.

“We met in Norway during a dinner with the royal family. I remember we talked only about football and, shortly after, he invited me to England to watch an Aston Villa match, his team,” the former striker revealed.

“He convinced me to move there in 2007: for three consecutive seasons, I sored double digits in the Premier League. He admired me. In 2019, we watched together at Wembley the play-off Final against Derby County, which secured promotion to the Premier League.”

Several media reported that once Carew broke John Arne Riise’s nose during a clash with the Norway national team.

“Many people wrote that, but it’s false,” concluded the ex-striker.

“During a national team training session we had a big of a clash. There were insults and a few shoves, at most a slight slap. That was it. Just things that happen on the pitch. I wasn’t called up for the match against Portugal. Riis and I later apologised to each other.”

It was another eventful week for the Italy internationals in the Premier League as Sandro Tonali registered an assist for Newcastle, Gianluigi Donnarumma kept another clean sheet for Manchester City and Michael Kayode was involved at both ends in a hectic 4-3 match between Brentford and Burnley. 

Here is a look at how the Italy internationals got on in England this weekend. 

Italy internationals in Premier League: Week 28 

League leaders Arsenal kept their five-point buffer over Manchester City intact thanks to a 2-1 victory at home against London rivals Chelsea on Sunday afternoon. Riccardo Calafiori was an unused substitute; Piero Hincapie has been preferred at left-back for the last three league matches. 

• Read more: Calafiori on life with Arsenal and the one thing he doesn’t like about London

Manchester City ensured they kept the pressure on the North Londoners with a tight 1-0 win away against Leeds United on Saturday: Donnarumma played his part by keeping his 11th clean sheet from 25 Premier League matches. Only Arsenal’s David Raya (13) has more in England’s top flight this campaign. 

13-time Italy international Wilfrid Gnonto appeared off the substitutes bench for the final 15 minutes of Leeds’s 1-0 loss against Manchester City. 

Sandro Tonali found himself on the losing side of a 3-2 scoreline when Newcastle faced Everton this weekend, but was still involved in the goals with an assist for Jacob Ramsay half an hour in. 

Tonali earned ratings as high as 8/10 from some outlets in the UK for his performance during Newcastle’s loss, despite the collective result being described as a ‘disaster’. The Magpies have now slipped down to 13th place in the Premier League title, and now sit behind their bitter rivals, Sunderland, who were promoted from the Championship at the end of last season. 

Michael Kayode was involved at both ends as Brentford claimed a last-minuted 4-3 win over Burnley in the most exciting Premier League game of the weekend from a neutral’s perspective. 

The 21-year-old, formerly of Fiorentina, caused chaos again with one of his trademark long-throws, which led to Kevin Schade putting Brentford 3-0 up in the first-half. Unfortunately for the Italy youngster, he also recorded an own goal in an attempt to clear Jaidon Anthony’s low cross into the six-yard box 10 minutes later. 

Kayode will have been relieved to see Mikkel Damsgaard score the winner for 4-3 in the 93rd minute after seeing his side’s 3-0 advantage collapse. Brentford are up to seventh in the Premier League and find themselves pushing for a spot in Europe next season. 

Brentford are just five points off reigning champions Liverpool, currently in fifth. Arne Slot’s side picked up a 5-2 win over struggling West Ham, but Federico Chiesa was an unused substitute for this one. Giovanni Leoni is still recovering from his ACL injury. 

Down in the bottom half of the table, things have gone from bad to worse for Tottenham Hotspur, who are currently under the interim stewardship of former Juventus head coach Igor Tudor. 

Italy’s back-up goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicairo has been part of the side that has lost the last four Premier League matches, including Sunday’s 2-1 defeat by Fulham, while Destiny Udogie has missed the last three with a hamstring injury. 

Things are going from bad to worse for the Italy internationals at Nottingham Forest, who lost 2-1 against Brighton this weekend and are now in 17th place, two points behind Tottenham and two points above West Ham and the relegation zone. 

Nicolo Savona is nursing a knee injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until April, while Lorenzo Lucca, who joined the club from Napoli in January, was dropped out of the matchday squad. 

Lucca was also hooked at half-time of Forest’s 2-1 Europa League defeat against Fenerbahce a few days before the Brighton loss. Forest are highly unlikely to activate their option to buy Lucca for around €35m at the end of the season according to the latest updates in Italy. 

Five Serie A teams battle for two Champions League spots: here’s the fixture list, compared, for Napoli, Roma, Como, Juventus and Atalanta.

With Inter seemingly running alone for the Serie A title and second-placed Milan having built a nine-point lead over fifth-placed Como, two Champions League spots remain vacant, and five Serie A teams are still running for the top four.

Napoli sit third with 53 points in the Serie A standings, Roma follow in fourth with 51, Como have 48, Juventus have 47, and Atalanta have 45.

La Dea are the only team still involved in three competitions, having qualified for the Champions League Round of 16 and the Coppa Italia semifinals.

Roma and Como are involved in the Europa League and Coppa Italia, respectively, while Napoli and Juventus only have Serie A left to play for.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has compared the fixture list of the five Serie A contenders for a Champions League spot, and you can check their schedule below.

Don’t forget that Serie A could still get an extra Champions League spot if they finish in the top two in the UEFA coefficient ranking. Serie A is not far behind second-placed Germany, but it has only four representatives left in European competitions this term.

Champions League race in Serie A – Fixture list compared

Napoli 53 points

• Napoli-Torino (Serie A)
• Napoli-Lecce (Serie A)
• Cagliari-Napoli (Serie A)
• Napoli-Milan (Serie A)
• Parma-Napoli (Serie A)
• Napoli-Lazio (Serie A)
• Napoli-Cremonese (Serie A)
• Como-Napoli (Serie A)
• Napoli-Bologna (Serie A)
• Pisa-Napoli (Serie A)
• Napoli-Udinese (Serie A)

Roma 51 points

• Genoa-Roma (Serie A)
• Bologna-Roma (RO16 Europa League, first leg)
• Como-Roma (Serie A)
• Roma-Bologna (RO16 Europa League, second leg)
• Roma-Lecce (Serie A)
• Inter-Roma (Serie A)
• Roma-Pisa (Serie A)
• Roma-Atalanta (Serie A)
• Bologna-Roma (Serie A)
• Roma-Fiorentina (Serie A)
• Parma-Roma (Serie A)
• Roma-Lazio (Serie A)
• Verona-Roma (Serie A)

Como 48 points

• Como-Inter (semifinal Coppa Italia, first leg)
• Cagliari-Como (Serie A)
• Como-Roma (Serie A)
• Como-Pisa (Serie A)
• Udinese-Como (Serie A)
• Como-Inter (Serie A)
• Sassuolo-Como (Serie A)
• Inter-Como (semifinal Coppa Italia, second leg)
• Genoa-Como (Serie A)
• Como-Napoli (Serie A)
• Verona-Como (Serie A)
• Como-Parma (Serie A)
• Cremonese-Como (Serie A)

Juventus 47 points

• Juventus-Pisa (Serie A)
• Udinese-Juventus (Serie A)
• Juventus-Sassuolo (Serie A)
• Juventus-Genoa (Serie A)
• Atalanta-Juventus (Serie A)
• Juventus-Bologna (Serie A)
• Milan-Juventus (Serie A)
• Juventus-Verona (Serie A)
• Lecce-Juventus (Serie A)
• Juventus-Fiorentina (Serie A)
• Torino-Juventus (Serie A)

Atalanta 45 points

• Lazio-Atalanta (semifinal Coppa Italia, first leg)
• Atalanta-Udinese (Serie A)
• Atalanta-Bayern (RO16 Champions League, first leg)
• Inter-Atalanta (Serie A)
• Bayern-Atalanta (RO16 Champions League, second leg)
• Atalanta-Verona (Serie A)
• Lecce-Atalanta (Serie A)
• Atalanta-Juventus (Serie A)
• Roma-Atalanta (Serie A)
• Atalanta-Lazio (semifinal Coppa Italia, second leg)
• Cagliari-Atalanta (Serie A)
• Atalanta-Genoa (Serie A)
• Milan-Atalanta (Serie A)
• Atalanta-Bologna (Serie A)
• Fiorentina-Atalanta (Serie A)

Serie A table

Arsenal and Italy star Riccardo Calafiori has given a detailed account of his day-to-day life in North London, has spoken about the main differences between life in the Premier League and Serie A and has revealed the one thing that he doesn’t like about living in the UK: ‘I don’t like how they drive here. They follow the rules too much and are a bit slow.’ 

Calafiori was a featured guest on the Supernova podcast, discussing the start of his career with Roma, life in London with Arsenal and his hopes for the Italy national team. 

Calafiori on life with Arsenal, differences between England and Italy

Calafiori has been based in England for the last 18 months following his transfer to Arsenal from Bologna in the summer of 2024. He has gone on to establish himself as one of Mikel Arteta’s first-choice defenders in a season that sees the Gunners sitting at the top of the Premier League table and aiming for a spot in the Champions League final.

“Ever since the gaffer has been there, we’ve always been there or thereabouts, often finishing second by a hair, but I think there’s been improvement every year,” Calafiori told the Supernova podcast. “I hope this is the decisive year.” 

Calafiori went on to discuss the differences between playing in the Premier League compared to Serie A. 

“Obviously everything is done at the highest levels, even at teams that might be a bit smaller.

“This is all a matter of, and it might be a bit ugly to say, but money, media attention, TV networks that broadcast the matches, so of course it’s normal that it’s followed a bit more compared to other leagues, and so more money and things like that. 

“The attention and care for players is quite different to what I was used to in Italy.” 

At Arsenal, it is often the norm for players to meet in a hotel the night before a game, even before home matches, which took a bit of getting used to. 

“You arrive, have dinner, then everyone either goes to their rooms or you hang out with your teammates and play a few games. And then you go to the game. Like I was saying earlier, something that really surprised me is that the stadiums are empty during the warm-ups.”

There are also differences in training methods between Italy and the UK. 

“In terms of time on the pitch, you train less (in England), very little. You spend a lot of time at the training ground, but (not) in terms of the actual time on the pitch, especially when we’re playing all year and want to get to the final in every competition. The best way to train is by playing as I’ve always said.

“They focus a lot on recovery, so when you go on the (training) pitch, the intensity is obviously high but in terms of minutes, maybe for about an hour maximum, maybe not even that.

“Obviously the culture is completely different. Like, if I think about Italy, training sessions are two hours, the tactics, it’s all different. Football is more tactical in Italy and here they think more about attacking.”

Unlike a lot of his Arsenal teammates, Calafiori has decided to live in central London rather than in the quieter outskirts. 

“I don’t know if you know, but London is enormous. So I live quite far away from my teammates, nobody lives where I live. It’s a London thing. Most of them have families and kids and live in houses nearer the training ground. I’m younger and on my own so I prefer living in the city.” 

Calafiori went on to give a detailed account of a typical day of Arsenal training. 

“Normally we check in by 9.15. It takes about 50 minutes to get there. I don’t drive, but I get around by a driver. I prefer not to drive here. I don’t have a car, but I can drive. I’m quite far away and I don’t like how they drive here. They follow the rules too much and are a bit slow.

“Sometimes you see these big traffic jams for no reason. Unfortunately that’s just how it is here. Everyone has their ways. 

“We have treatment and both meals, breakfast and lunch, so then it’s therapy, gym, video, more gym, indoor, on the pitch, then I get home at around three or four o’clock.” 

Calafiori also has regular check-ins from various members of his family: “They’re always available, let’s say once every two months or so, we manage. They live in Rome and I have a younger sister who’s 19, so I think she needs our parents a bit more than I do.” 

During the season, it is often dark by the time that Calafiori returns home, and as a high-profile individual, there isn’t an awful lot to distract himself with: “You get home and it’s dark and it’s not like there’s much to do, so it’s either playing the guitar or reading a book. Once I left school I lost the habit of reading. I started again two years ago. I really like it. Mostly novels more than anything. I don’t like autobiographies as much.” 

Alessandro Florenzi says Rafael Leao is the ‘best player in Serie A’ but Paolo Di Canio argues that Milan are ‘less exposed’ when the Portuguese star doesn’t play.

Leao scored a goal in Milan’s 2-0 win over Cremonese on Sunday, leaving the second-placed Rossoneri 10 points below city rivals Inter.

Sky Sport Italia examined Milan’s performance, focusing specifically on the Portuguese.

Florenzi: ‘Leao the best player in Serie A’

Leao has been struggling with fitness issues this term, but has still scored nine goals and provided two assists in 20 Serie A appearances.

Rather than as a left winger, Leao has been deployed as a centre-forward in Milan’s 3-5-2 system this season.

“I think strong players must take responsibility and must be well-positioned on the pitch,” said Florenzi, an ex-Milan defender who won the Scudetto at Milan alongside Leao in 2021-22.

“They have to play in a certain way to express their football. I don’t know if Milan are giving Leao as much as Leao is giving to Milan right now.

“Milan now play on the counter, which suits him, but I’ve seen him play on a more harmonious team in terms of playing style, and he emerged,” Florenzi continued.

“To me, he remains the best player in Serie A.”

Di Canio: Milan’s dilemma with Leao

Ex-Milan, Lazio and West Ham striker Di Canio hit back: “There’s a dilemma for Allegri as Leao has been decisive in just six games.

“When Leao was subbed off against Torino and Pulisic was introduced, Milan completed the comeback. In six games without Leao, they scored 16 goals and conceded none.

“Tactically, it’s a more solid team, probably less unpredictable, but they are less exposed and get to the goal with strength and technique. It’s not one or two games, it’s six games. This doesn’t mean Leao doesn’t have to play. But what to do with him?”

Di Canio, however, had his stats slightly wrong, as Leao has missed seven Serie A matches this season, not six.

The Rossoneri scored 15 goals and conceded three when the Portuguese was not involved this term.

Goals from Federico Gatti and Jeremie Boga against Roma on Sunday not only preserved Juventus’ push for a top-four finish, but also propelled the Bianconeri into the top three teams in Serie A for goals scored by substitutes.

Boga and Gatti scored late Juventus goals in a 3-3 comeback draw against Roma on Sunday, keeping the Bianconeri four points below the Giallorossi in the Serie A table.

Juventus substitutes’ goals in 2025-26

As reported by Gazzetta, Juventus have now scored eight goals with substitutes this season, the same as Atalanta and Cagliari, putting them in the top three, behind Inter (11).

Filip Kostic already scored a substitute goal against Napoli with Luciano Spalletti in charge.

During Igor Tudor’s tenure, Dusan Vlahovic had netted against Parma and Genoa after being introduced from the bench. Vasilije Adzic did the same against Inter and Juan Cabal against Atalanta.

Boga had already provided the assist for Juventus’ second goal in a 2-2 comeback draw against Lazio.

Last night, the ex-Sassuolo and Atalanta star didn’t have his best performance, with five negative dribbles and possession lost 13 times.

However, he was in the right place at the right time to score his first Serie A goal in three years and keep Juventus’ Champions League qualification hopes alive.

Italy international and Arsenal star Riccardo Calafiori has opened up about the disappointments that he experienced in the early days of his professional career with Roma and the journey that led him to joining Mike Arteta’s table-topping Premier League hopefuls: ‘It was a complicated situation’. 

Calafiori reflects on early stages of his career: ‘Everything was fine during my first year …’

Calafiori is playing a key role in Arsenal’s impressive 2025-26 campaign, in which they lead the Premier League table and are among the favourites to lift the Champions League at the end of the season. 

The Italy international has made 17 starts from a possible 28 in the Premier League, despite missing a big chunk of games over the winter period due to a muscular injury. 

Injuries have been a recurring theme for Calafiori throughout his career. His journey as a professional footballer was almost curtailed as a teenager due to a serious knee issue. 

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Calafiori discussed his early injury issue and the role that it played in his leaving his boyhood club, Roma. 

“Everything was fine during my first year, I scored on my debut wearing the shirt of the team that I loved and after being told at 16 that I could not be a footballer due to a serious injury,” Calafiori told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“I’m still a Roma fan,” he admitted. “Before, I was a die-hard. The only flaw is that it was during Covid, so there were no fans in the stadium, otherwise I would have gone straight over to celebrate in front of the Curva Sud.” 

Despite being a passionate boyhood Roma supporter, Calafiori only managed to make 10 Serie A appearances for the Giallorossi before being moved on by Jose Mourinho. 

“The transition from the Primavera to the first-team is very fast, you don’t even realise it,” said Calafiori. 

“I started the first six games with Mourinho: That was also going well at the beginning, I was playing as a starter and getting some assists. After the 6-1 win over Bodo/Glimt, I didn’t play anymore and wanted more. 

“I went to Genoa on loan. It was a complicated situation and I only made three appearances, one of which was as a starter. I did worse than before and I didn’t understand why. 

“Inside, I never resigned, but that thought stayed in my head. I was really down at that point. Roma won the Conference League and the guys who played in my place did very well, so there was no more space for me. 

“Then, Roma sold me to Basel and I wasn’t happy at first, but when I accepted the gact that I had to take a step back, I realised that it would be the right place for me. For a young man, it was perfect to find continuity there.” 

Fortunately for Calafiori, his time in Switzerland with Basel was short-lived, lasting just one season before being brought back to Serie A by Bologna, where he would go on to help the team secure an historic spot in the Champions League. 

“My eyes still light up when I talk about Bologna. We’re not just talking about the football, but things on a human level as well. What I experienced and what we experienced in Bologna was incredible, but how could you say no to the Premier League?”

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Thibaut Courtois and Rasmus Hojlund are among the stars to have sent a message of congratulations to Napoli star Romelu Lukaku after his goalscoring return in Serie A over the weekend: ‘The King is back’. 

Messages for Lukaku after goalscoring Napoli return

It has been a difficult season for ‘Big Rom’, who suffered a serious injury to his hamstring during Napoli’s final pre-season friendly of the summer, one week before the start of the 2025-26 Serie A season. 

Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer has only recently returned to competitive first-team action in the early stages of 2026 and scored his first goal of the season this weekend: A 97th-minute winner in a 2-1 victory over Hellas Verona. This was his first goal since the final day of the 2024-25 season, 283 days prior to the Verona victory. 

Lukaku celebrated on social media with a picture of his celebration and a picture of his late father, who died in September, along with the caption: ‘For you Papa’. 

Several stars from Serie A and beyond have left comments to congratulate or encourage Lukaku following his return to action, including former Napoli teammate and current PSG star Kvaratskhelia, who wrote: “The King is back.” 

Most of Lukaku’s Napoli teammates have left comments as well, including Hojlund, Billy Gilmour, Alex Meret, Sam Beukema, Pasquale Mazzocchi and Miguel Gutierrez. 

Belgium teammate Courtois is also among the stars to have sent a message to Lukaku.

 

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A post shared by Romelu Lukaku Bolingoli (@romelulukaku)

Napoli star Kevin De Bruyne is finally set to make his return to first-team training on Monday after spending the last four months out nursing a serious hamstring injury. 

De Bruyne finally set to return to Napoli training

De Bruyne was among the most high-profile stars to move to Serie A during the summer transfer window, joining Antonio Conte’s side on a free transfer at the end of his 10-year stint with Manchester City in the Premier League. 

The six-time Premier League winner has been limited to just eight Serie A appearances so far this term, though, due to a hamstring injury that has kept him out of action since October 25. 

De Bruyne pulled up while converting a penalty during Napoli’s 3-1 win over league leaders Inter at the end of October, which turned out to be a high-grade hamstring tear, which required surgery and several months of rehabilitation. 

De Bruyne has spent much of those last few months back in his native Belgium while working on his recovery, but he returned to Italy last week and is expected to return to first-team training on Monday according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, 128 days on from his initial injury. 

According to Monday’s report, there is a chance that De Bruyne is even called up to Conte’s squad to face Torino in Serie A on Friday evening. His physical condition is said to be better than expected. 

Napoli’s injury troubles could finally be starting to clear, as Monday’s report claims that Scott McTominay and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa are both close to making their returns to first-team action as well. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Straderby 

Milan return to -10 and rise to the challenge on Sunday

Leao believes: ‘A question of life or death’

Pavlovic and Rafa settle it in Cremona, a victory at the very end in Allegri style 

Inter 

Chivu and a crazy journey 

After their loss against the Rossoneri, they’ve won 14 out of 15 Serie A games. Against Como in the Coppa Italia tomorrow 

Si signora 

Roma draw and regret 

Champions League show: Juve from 3-1 down to 3-3 in the last five minutes

Toro upset 

D’Aversa, nice debut with Simeone and Zapata

Corriere dello Sport 

Fino alla fine 

From 1-3 to 3-3 

Juve, Champions League fight: Two-goal comeback against Gasp

What a reaction: Lucio draws level in the 93rd minute and stays -4 away from Roma 

A spectacle at the Olimpico. Magic from Wesley and Conceicao, then Ndicka and Malen score. Boga and Gatti come one and settle it. Spalletti: ‘We live for fourth place’ 

Milan, the beauty arrives in the 89th: ‘Now it’s Inter’ 

They narrowly win 2-0 in Cremona: -10 off Chivu

Pavlovic header: Third goal in Serie A. Leao doubles it: ‘I want to take on the derby on Sunday’ 

Insigne fable: Inzaghi sunken 

Protagonist in Serie B

Lorenzo returns to the goals with Pescara after 5041 days and helps with the comeback against Palermo (2-1): Big celebrations at the Adriatico

Goodbye to Marchesi, the gentleman of football 

Has died at 88 years old 

He was Maradona’s first coach at Napoli and the last for Platini at Juve. He made history as a player with Fiorentina 

Tuttosport 

A Juve core 

2-2: Gatti levels against Roma in the 93rd and keeps the Champions League fight open 

After the exchange of goals between Wesley and Conceicao, Ndicka and Malen score. The Bianconeri seemed to be in disarray, but Spalletti got all of his substitutions right: Boga narrowed the gap, Zhegrova sent the goalscoring defender through on goal. Chico: ‘That reaction was better than my goal’. Lucio: ‘With the upsets we’ve had, this draw could mean a lot. I live for fourth place’. 

A Toro response 

D’Aversa reanimates the Granata: Simeone and Zapata smash Lazio 

A couple of simple moves and well-timed substitutions: The attacking pair finally made their mark and the fans delighted the fans, who stayed away to protest against Cairo. Two big shots against the Serie B fears for the new coach: ‘Great match, well done everyone, even those on the bench. I want the lads to understand that I am here. Cholito and Duvan were impressive’. Vlasic: ‘We will give even more’ 

Leao goal, derby delirium: ‘Milan, life or death’

Milan go to -10 in Cremona: And on Sunday, it’s Inter

Rafa strikes an enti-nerazzurro vein: ‘It’s a personal matter. We don’t go out this week, we stay at home’. 

Federico Gatti and Mattia Perin are proud of another Juventus fightback, holding Roma to a 3-3 draw. ‘Nobody can say we lack character.’

It was clear this result could decide the Champions League qualification, so with this much at stake, it was full of quality and drama.

The Giallorossi had taken a 3-1 lead with Wesley’s curler, Evan Ndicka and the Donyell Malen lob, after a temporary Francisco Conceicao volley.

However, two very similar goals with flick-ons to the back post saw Jeremie Boga and Gatti get Juventus back on level terms in a 3-3 thriller.

Juventus don’t know when they are beaten

“I was worried that I would be offside, but it really was a very important goal and it keeps us hanging in there,” Gatti told DAZN Italia.

“There are 11 games to go and we are still in the race. A defeat here would’ve seen Roma go seven points clear, and it really would’ve been difficult then.

“It’s not just Roma, though, because Atalanta and Como are in the running too. We’ve got to improve a few things, but we’ve got our character to build on.”

Roma now slip down to fourth place and Juventus to sixth, as they are leapfrogged by Como in fifth, but the fight for the top four looks as if it will go down to the wire.

It is remarkably the second fightback in a few days for the Old Lady, who wiped out a 5-2 first leg deficit to Galatasaray in the Champions League play-off, despite being down to 10 men.

They won 3-2 on the night in extra time, eventually exiting the competition.

“We are certainly proving that we’ve got heart, soul and character,” added goalkeeper Perin.

“If we manage to convert more of our chances when we’re on top, then we wouldn’t need all these comebacks. People can criticise anything about us, but nobody can say we lack character.”

Luciano Spalletti has reasons to be happy and unhappy with the 3-3 draw at Roma, but above all Juventus believe in Champions League qualification. ‘I live for fourth place.’

The Bianconeri proved on Wednesday they refuse to give in, cancelling out the 5-2 first leg deficit to force Galatasaray to extra time in the Champions League play-off, despite being down to 10 men.

They showed immense character tonight too, as they were 3-1 down until the 78^th minute, when Jeremie Boga and Federico Gatti completed the comeback for a 3-3 thriller at the Stadio Olimpico.

Spalletti sees good and bad for Juventus

“If we are talking about the reaction, then yes I am happy, but if we look at the first season, then I am not very happy,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

“We have to make an objective evaluation here. We go out of the Champions League in that manner after playing 120 minutes and getting a situation back on track that had become a mountain to climb.

“However, we were also too sluggish on the second and third goals. The players believed, they fought back, but we put ourselves in that situation too.”

It is worth noting that the two comeback goals were both scored by substitutes, and the free kick at the end was put in by another sub in Edon Zhegrova.

Did Spalletti believe he could turn this around with his changes off the bench?

“When you are 66 years old like me, you too will realise that you always believe, and that is what you must pass on to the players,” replied the coach.

“There are these flurries of enthusiasm created by moments of quality. Boga has intuition and can create situations out of nothing, so do Kenan Yildiz and Zhegrova. We must always have faith, in sport and in life.”

Although their recent results have been poor, the attitude and determination shown by Juventus inevitably must boost their confidence.

“In the last five games, we were down to 10 men in three of them, and that tires you out even more,” added Spalletti.

“You can try to find the right words to fuel their belief, but at this moment the fans helped too, and when they are behind us, the shirt weighs a little less on their shoulders.”

Defeat here would’ve been disastrous for their ambitions of a top four spot, as although it sees them slide back to sixth place, they are still within four points of Roma in fourth.

The battle for the Champions League qualification looks as if it will go down to the wire this season yet again.

“Of course I believe in this, I live for fourth place,” smiled Spalletti.

“Give it form and I live for that position. We had a moment where too much weighed on us, and we were not too fortunate either, but this team has grown a great deal in many different aspects.

“I believe we will have a splendid final portion of the season.”

Gian Piero Gasperini reveals his bitter regret after Roma fumbled a 3-1 lead to draw 3-3 with Juventus. ‘Our season is full of these situations in the final minutes.’

The Giallorossi have struggled to win the ‘big’ games in Serie A this season, but thought that curse had been broken when leading 3-1 through Wesley, Evan Ndicka and Donyell Malen.

However, they conceded twice in the final 12 minutes plus stoppages, both from crosses knocked on to the back post, as Jeremie Boga and Federico Gatti allowed Juventus to snatch a point.

Gasperini sees where it went wrong for Roma

“The first goal was on a free kick too, we were too passive again,” Gasperini smiled bitterly on DAZN Italia.

“We were in the right positions, but our season is full of these situations in the final minutes, where teams like Juve, Milan, Inter and Napoli manage to get games back on track in the final minutes or even stoppages.

“They throw players forward who are good in the air and on set plays, they picked up a lot of points in these situations. They deserve congratulations for that, but we also could’ve done better, as our defending was too static, when we should’ve been aggressive.”

Yet again, Roma play very well against the top teams, but never quite manage to get a result over the line, despite scoring three goals this time.

“Defending a little deeper is not a bad thing when you have a player like Malen, as that is how he scored the third goal. We should’ve been more physical, so taking Cristante off robbed us of our best player in the air.

“The two goals were very similar, long balls pumped into the box and flicked on to the back post, where we were too passive. That is what we must reproach ourselves for, but not seeking anything else.”

The free kick given away by Neil El Aynaoui on Pierre Kalulu for the equaliser was also avoidable, as Roma have conceded nine of their 19 goals from dead-ball situations this season.

“That’s true, but don’t forget we scored on a corner too. The problem is that a set play was the only way Juve were going to be dangerous, as even when we defended a little deeper, they rarely created chances.”

This result means Roma slide back down to fourth place, now two points behind Napoli, and Como climb into fifth with only a three-point gap from the Giallorossi.

With Inter so far out in front, the fight for those Champions League qualifying spots looks as if it will go down to the wire.

“Obviously, a win here would’ve put us seven points clear of Juventus and represented a big step forward, but we are still up there,” added Gasperini.

“We are in the race, we put in an extraordinary performance, and this result should not knock us down.”

Francisco Conceicao feels ‘if any team deserved to win, then it was’ Juventus after their last-gasp 3-3 equaliser against Roma. ‘I need to score more goals to reach the next level.’

It was a dramatic evening at the Stadio Olimpico, as the Giallorossi had surged into a 3-1 lead with spectacular goals from Wesley, Evan Ndicka and Donyell Malen.

However, after the Francisco Conceicao volley into the top corner, Juve completed the comeback in stoppages with substitutes Jeremie Boga and Federico Gatti for the 3-3 thriller.

Conceicao hit the goal of the game

“It was a good goal, but I am much happier with what we did after going 3-1 down, as it was much more difficult then. The team worked really hard, and I feel if any team deserved to win it, then it was us, as we had some really clear chances,” Conceicao told DAZN Italia.

It was only the Portuguese talent’s fourth goal of the season in 32 competitive games, and he hadn’t found the net since the last meeting with Roma in December.

WHAT A STRIKE FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO

Juventus are back in the game, and it's a screamer from the Portuguese winger

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9lad6dTQWZ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2026

“My brothers sent me the video of the goal as soon as I got into the changing room, they said well done,” revealed Conceicao.

“I like to take risks, I give it a go, as I had some opportunities to score goals before this that I didn’t take, but fortunately today the goal helped the team. That is the most important thing.

“In order to reach the next level, I certainly need to score more goals. I am the first to acknowledge that, I am working hard on it in training, I know that playing for Juve, you need to be more effective in front of goal. I am the first to be upset when I don’t score.”

Luciano Spalletti has also been working with Conceicao on how he can influence the game even when the ball isn’t at his feet.

“I have to be the first defender, start the press, go into challenges. Spalletti asks me to play for the team, tells me my quality will emerge eventually if I do that.”

This result means Roma slip down to fourth place and Juventus to sixth, leapfrogged by Como, but the fight for Champions League qualification has tightened up yet again.

There are now only eight points separating five teams from third to seventh, as Napoli, Roma, Como, Juventus and Atalanta are in the thick of battle.

Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been the topic of much criticism today after a dismal display in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the Premier League.

The former Empoli shot-stopper made a series of errors in his distribution which attracted viral attention on social media.

Spurs fans did not hold back in their criticism of the Italian, with some even going so far as to ask: ‘Is Vicario the worst number one we’ve had in the modern era?’

One fan replied ‘He makes Heurelho Gomes look like Pat Jennings,’ in reference to the club’s former Brazilian goalkeeper and the legendary Northern Irish number one.

Spurs fans clear in criticism of Italian goalkeeper Vicario

Others feel like even his reliable qualities are letting him down: ‘The one redeemable part about Vicario used to be his shot stopping which isn’t that great anymore.’

His poor distribution did not go unnoticed, with some fans bringing up the stats behind his woeful afternoon in London.

how do you miss every single long ball pic.twitter.com/ftVdeJz5cu

— 皿 #FrankSurvivor (@thfcandrej) March 1, 2026

Who from the squad stays next season when we’re playing Championship football?

Vicario and Kinsky, maybe Danso, Souza and Davies. Bissouma, Odobert and Solanke. Everybody else will want to be straight out the door.

It’s frightening how destructive relegation will be for us.

— Ali Bunker (@AliBunker88) March 1, 2026

Was gonna ask if they got these from vicario, but I dont think he had that many to begin with https://t.co/KssAVqzEQL

— InvertTheAffairBaby (@InvertTheBebe) March 1, 2026

Vicario takes a free kick on the edge of his area and kicks the ball straight into The Putney end, and yells at players for not making more of it.

— Gary Chapman (@Gazby77) March 1, 2026

I think Kinsky is cheeks but I’m finally at the point where Vicario needs dropping. He already needs selling but I acc can’t stand seeing him play for us atm. In fact, we should just play Austin at this point for a moment

— Tobs #TouchlineFracas (@tapintobs) March 1, 2026

Roma drew with Juventus 3-3 this evening as the Bianconeri fought back from two goals down to secure a vital point.

The first forty minutes were largely uneventful before Wesley broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. The goals came thick and fast in the second half, with Francisco Conceicao scoring a lovely long range goal before Roma scored twice in the next twenty minutes.

Roma looked home and dry before two goals for the visitors in the last 15 minutes sealed the draw.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli, for his assist and dominant performance in the middle of the park.

Roma 3-3 Juventus – Player Ratings

Roma: Svilar 6; Celik 6, Mancini 6.5, N’Dicka 7; Rensch 6.5 (Ghilardi 6), Kone 6.5, Cristante 5.5 (El Aynaoui 6),  Wesley 7; Pisilli 7.5, Pellegrini 6; Malen 7

Best Roma player: Niccolo Pisilli – The 21-year-old put in a mature performance in midfield tonight, controlling much of the home side’s tempo. Picked up an assist and worked hard both offensively and defensively.

Lowest Roma rating: Bryan Cristante – Lacklustre before his substitution: was all over the pitch but did not really have any impact. His passes were poor and he struggled defensively too.

Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini 6.5 – A lack of substitutes before it was too late disrupted Roma’s rhythm, especially after such a strong display throughout the ninety. The coach did well but failed to react and allowed Juventus back into the match.

Juventus: Perin 5.5; Kalulu 6, Bremer 5.5 (Gatti 6.5), Kelly 5; McKennie 5.5, Thuram 6 (Miretti 6), Koopmeiners 5.5, Cambiaso 5; Conceicao 6.5 (Zhegrova 6), Yildiz 5.5; David 5.5 (Boga 7)

Best Juventus player: Jeremie Boga – Came off the bench to score, keeping up his good start to life in Bianconeri colours. Couldn’t help snatch a late equaliser but looked dangerous in his half an hour on the pitch.

Lowest Juventus rating: Lloyd Kelly – Beaten far too easily, far too often. Looked out of his depth on more than one occasion, but was sold by Wesley’s deft touch for the opener.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 7 – Saved by his substitutions, Spalletti deserves credit for succeeding where his counterpart failed. His set-up struggled in the first half but the coach reacted well to help inspire his side’s comeback.

You can relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Roma had been in control at 3-1 with spectacular Wesley and Donyell Malen goals, only to let Juventus catch them at 3-3 in stoppages for a thrilling comeback.

This was a pure showdown for the top four, as the Giallorossi welcomed back Paulo Dybala and Stephan El Shaarawy, but were still missing Matias Soulé, Mario Hermoso, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson. Juve were in crisis after one draw in five competitive games, then on Wednesday beat Galatasaray 3-2 in extra time, only to be eliminated from the Champions League 7-5 on aggregate. Manuel Locatelli sat out a ban, with Dusan Vlahovic, Emil Holm and Arek Milik out, but Pierre Kalulu and Bremer returned.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

There was a double chance in the third minute, as Niccolò Pisilli intercepted a wayward pass out from the back and forced a tricky Mattia Perin save, then Lorenzo Pellegrini fired the rebound over.

Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao fired over from promising positions, but Perin showed brave goalkeeping when parrying a Donyell Malen effort from point-blank range with his face on the Gianluca Mancini knock-down.

Bryan Cristante charged down a Conceicao curler after good work from Yildiz, while Weston McKennie’s glancing header was inches wide of the far post on a Kalulu cross.

Roma took the lead when Pisilli won a tackle in midfield and threaded through for Wesley, who cut inside to bend a fantastic right-foot finish into the far top corner from the edge of the area, as Perin could only graze his fingertips to it.

What a strike from Wesley Franca He cuts inside and curls beautifully into the far corner to give Roma the lead over Juventus!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/m5q2jbcf2T

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2026

David fired over from the edge of the area, but within moments of the restart it was 1-1 with another sensational strike. A Teun Koopmeiners free kick was cleared to the edge of the box, where Bremer laid it off for Francisco Conceicao’s ferocious left-foot half-volley into the far top corner.

WHAT A STRIKE FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO

Juventus are back in the game, and it's a screamer from the Portuguese winger

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9lad6dTQWZ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2026

Yildiz drilled wide, but Roma restored their advantage when a Lorenzo Pellegrini corner was taken short, the captain’s cross went over Mancini, but found Evan Ndicka to volley in from six yards. It was the second Serie A game in a row on target for the defender.

The Giallorossi added another when Malen sprung the offside trap on the Manu Kone through ball and dinked the finish over the on-rushing Perin with the outside of the right boot.

Donyell Malen is on fire

Another Serie A goal for the on-loan Aston Villa forward gives Roma a 3-1 lead over Juventus!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/S2HOtseICn

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2026

Svilar was right behind a deflected Koopmeiners strike, but it still wasn’t over, as the Edon Zhegrova cross from the right was flicked on for Jeremie Boga to volley at the back post.

Boga’s cross was deflected just over by Ndicka, but Juventus completed the epic comeback from 3-1 down to 3-3 in stoppages. McKennie nodded on the free kick, which grazed Ndicka’s arm, landing kindly for substitute Federico Gatti to fire in from close range.

Roma 3-3 Juventus

Wesley 39 (R), Conceicao 47 (J), Ndicka 53 (R), Malen 65 (R), Boga 78 (J), Gatti 93 (J)

01-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 27

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Juventus

3 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

Wesley		27'
Wesley (Assist: Niccolò Pisilli)		39'

2nd half

		47'		Francisco Conceição (Assist: Bremer)
Evan Ndicka (Assist: Lorenzo Pellegrini)		54'
Donyell Malen (Assist: Manu Koné)		65'
		78'		Jeremie Boga
		90+3'		Federico Gatti

Match statistic

46

Possession %

54

11

Total shots

13

5

Shots on target

5

4

Shots off target

6

2

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

1

2

Offsides

7

Fouls

12

Roma

Juventus

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

74'

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

74'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

90'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

89'

3

Bremer

Defender

88'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

72'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

72'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

62'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

Substitutes

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

21

Paulo Dybala

Attacker

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

70

Giorgio De Marzi

Goalkeeper

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

91

Radoslaw Zelezny

Goalkeeper

68

Antonio Arena

Attacker

78

Robinio Vaz

Attacker

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

74'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

74'

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

90'

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

62'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

72'

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

72'

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

88'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

89'

Watch as Francisco Conceicao hits a scorching finish on the volley into the far top corner, allowing Juventus to cancel out Roma’s opener.

You can follow all the action as it happens from tonight’s big Serie A match on the Liveblog.

#RomaJuve 1-1 pic.twitter.com/uM45G9usFx

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 1, 2026

This is a showdown for a top four slot and the importance of the fixture has been reflected in the sheer quality of the goals.

Wesley had already curled a sensational effort into the far top corner to give Roma the lead, but Francisco Conceicao responded with sheer power from a similar position after the restart.

Conceicao turns on the style for Juventus

WHAT A STRIKE FRANCISCO CONCEIÇÃO

Juventus are back in the game, and it's a screamer from the Portuguese winger

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9lad6dTQWZ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 1, 2026

A Teun Koopmeiners free kick was cleared to the edge of the box, where Gleison Bremer laid it off for the Portuguese winger, who let it bounce and smashed the strike with his left foot.

The 23-year-old is not known for his prowess in finding the net, as this was only his fourth goal of the season in 32 competitive matches.

Bizarrely, the last goal was also against Roma, during a 2-1 win in Turin on December 20.

CHICO CONCEIÇÃO. THAT IS OUTRAGEOUS

With the sweetest strike, Juventus are level pic.twitter.com/vfk90qUwSg

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 1, 2026