Paolo Vanoli was ‘proud’ of Fiorentina after they beat Crystal Palace, but went out of the Conference League. ‘If we had a full squad, we proved we can play at this level.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Viola had given themselves a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park and ultimately that late goal made a big difference in the tie.

They also conceded early into this evening’s match with an Ismaila Sarr counter-attack, but turned it around through the Albert Gudmundsson penalty and Cher Ndour strike.

It wasn’t quite enough, as Fiorentina win on the night 2-1, but go out in the Conference League quarter-finals 4-2 on aggregate.

Vanoli proud of Fiorentina performance

“It was wonderful to see our fans pushing us on in the stands again, and I can only compliment these lads,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

“We all believed going in that we could achieve something remarkable. The early goal knocked the wind out of our sails, but I appreciated the pride shown to try until the very end.

“I feel that since the start of the season, this has been one of our most important performances. We beat a Premier League team, and if you look at the first leg, individual errors were costly, we didn’t keep our heads in the game.”

The Tuscans have managed to balance the Conference League commitments with Serie A, where they had to mount a desperate comeback to clamber off the foot of the table.

That is where they were when Vanoli took over, but are now eight points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Monday’s 1-0 win over Lazio.

“I focus on working every day with these lads, I think you can see the work has paid off, and the club is right behind us,” continued Vanoli.

“I am proud of the team tonight, because to see them fight like this, it means I’ve passed something on to them.”

His future remains in doubt, as Vanoli is not expected to remain beyond the end of this season.

“I feel we are laying the foundations to get Fiorentina back into a more important position. I told them now we must not take a step back, but instead keep going forward, because there’s another fiery atmosphere awaiting us in Lecce and we’ve got to prove to the end that we are developing.”

Ndour seems to have really hit form after playing regularly in recent weeks and it paid off at international level for the Italy Under-21 side too.

“I always admired Ndour and watched him play for the Under-21s, his growth has been exponential this season,” added Vanoli.

“I saw the same for Fagioli and others, they need to keep working. I always said midfielders must take shots from outside the box, and more of them are doing that lately. Sometimes you need a little patience with young players.”

Nicolò Fagioli went off at half-time with an injury, adding to the absentee list.

“We reached this game, but above all the first leg, with a decimated squad. We got Manor Solomon back today, which allowed us also to put Gudmundsson between the lines. We also played three at the back, because I wanted to find him in that position, even if the midfielders tended to drop a bit too often together.

“I think if we’d had a full squad available, we proved that we can play at this level,” concluded Vanoli.

Crystal Palace will now face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Conference League semi-final, while Rayo Vallecano take on Strasbourg.

Vincenzo Italiano explains his surprising tactical adjustments against Aston Villa, but insists Bologna ‘went beyond expectations’ reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Rossoblu knew that it was a tough task after losing the first leg 3-1 at home, especially as they had already been beaten at Villa Park both in the Champions League last season, and in the Europa League group phase back in September 2025.

However, they were hoping for better than a 4-0 mauling in this second leg, especially as Federico Ravaglia also parried a Morgan Rogers penalty, only for Emiliano Buendia to score on the following throw-in.

Ollie Watkins, Rogers and a late acrobatic Ezri Konsa volley completed the rout, eliminating Bologna 7-1 on aggregate.

Bologna experiment didn’t work with Aston Villa

Italiano pulled a few surprises this evening, above all inverting his full-backs from their usual positions.

“Analysing this match is superfluous,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“We made too many mistakes in the first leg, so we tried to do something different with Joao Mario and Juan Miranda on opposite sides, because Villa are so good at defending the box when we get to the by-line. The idea was when defending that we’d cut inside on our stronger feet.

“That’s not the reason why we lost, it’s because Aston Villa are so incredibly clinical that they score with every chance. We hadn’t started badly, but when they score at the first chance and you are 4-1 down on aggregate, it all becomes more difficult.”

Despite the heaviness of the defeats, it must be noted that the only Europa League games Bologna lost this season were all against Aston Villa.

“We must learn lessons from the whole journey, recognise that right now Aston Villa have an extra gear compared to us. They probably belong in the Champions League more than the Europa League, and I believe they will win the trophy,” continued the coach.

“Our performance in the first leg was very strong, but we paid for too many distractions and errors. I don’t know if the difference between the teams is all that big, but all credit to them, they took every opportunity.

“I don’t think it was a tactical issue today, there was a big difference in quality level between the two teams, and we had to just hope they were not firing on all cylinders. You cannot gift them anything, and we did in both legs.”

Bologna are struggling mid-table and out of the Coppa Italia, so it seems frankly unlikely they will be in Europe again next season.

“This team is accustomed to playing regularly, we had over 100 games in the last two seasons. The moment we get to Bologna, we have to prepare for another tough match against Juventus, and hope to add more points in the season, fix those things that went wrong.

“We had hoped to cause Villa problems tonight, but they were ferocious in their pressing and didn’t allow us to do it. We reached the quarter-finals, our objective had been to get through the league phase, so I think our campaign has gone beyond expectations.

“You learn from this, we conceded on a throw-in today, that’s a lesson you cannot gift goals at this level. We reached the quarter-final, I think it was more than positive.”

It is going to be an all-English semi-final for the Europa League, as Nottingham Forest go head-to-head with Aston Villa, while Braga will face Freiburg.

It is now official that Serie A will have four Champions League teams next season, two in the Europa League, and one participating in the Conference League for Italy.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

All the Italian representatives are out of the UEFA tournaments now, as Bologna were eliminated by Aston Villa in the Europa League, while Fiorentina went out of the Conference League to Crystal Palace.

This means their coefficient cannot be further improved, nor can anyone win a trophy to earn qualification for another tournament.

Italy struggling in Europe

It is therefore now set in stone that Italy will only have four teams in the Champions League during the 2026-27 campaign.

The sides who finish fifth and sixth in Serie A will enter the Europa League, as well as whoever wins the Coppa Italia.

There is one club from Italy that can enter the Conference League at the preliminary round.

The Coppa Italia is still a bit of a grey area, as Inter, Atalanta, Como and Lazio are the semi-finalists, so if the victors are already qualified via Serie A, that opens up another slot behind them.

Fiorentina at least managed to beat Crystal Palace 2-1 on the night with Albert Gudmundsson and Cher Ndour, but their Conference League campaign ended in the quarter-finals.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Viola had a huge task if they were to reach a fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, having lost the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park. Moise Kean, Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini were still injured, plus Dodo suspended. Palace welcomed back Jorgen Strand Larsen from his ban, but Evann Guessand, Caleb Kporha and Eddie Nketiah missed out.

Fiorentina wore black armbands and held a minute’s silence before kick-off following this morning’s death of Alex Manninger, who was their goalkeeper in 2001-02.

See how the game unfolded on the Liveblog.

Munoz fired just wide when found in plenty of space down the right in the opening minutes, while Nicolò Fagioli’s strike was charged down by Lacroix.

Ismaïla Sarr gives Palace the lead on the night, and makes it 4-0 on aggregate

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/5jWfdDLbCA

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Crystal Palace opened the scoring on the counter-attack, with Ismaila Sarr spreading it down the right and ready to nod in the Daniel Munoz return pass at the near post.

Sarr almost got another moments later, testing David De Gea on the counter-attack, while Manor Solomon stung the goalkeeper’s gloves.

Fiorentina were awarded a penalty when Canvot was late to a bouncing ball, only kicking Rolando Mandragora as they both stretched to meet it.

Albert Guðmundsson pulls one back for Fiorentina in the tie

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/Px9GNaKyAt

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Gudmundsson had to wait several minutes to take it, as Wharton went off injured, but sent Dean Henderson the wrong way.

Lacroix also sustained an injury and didn’t make it to half-time, but the hosts kept pushing, Henderson palming a Solomon strike out from under the bar.

Nicolò Fagioli went off injured at the break with bruised ribs and Daichi Kamada forced De Gea into a tricky save from the edge of the area.

Tie back on?

Cher Ndour’s long range effort puts Fiorentina 2-1 up, and just two goals behind on aggregate

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/0PD1BRSg4e

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Substitute Cher Ndour put the Viola in front for the first time, drilling hard and low with his right foot through a sea of legs into the near bottom corner.

It was 2-4 on aggregate and Fiorentina were fired up, Gudmundsson stinging Henderson’s gloves at the near stick, but Jack Harrison’s finish was too weak after sprinting forward down the right.

Fiorentina 2-1 Crystal Palace (2-4 agg)

Sarr 17 (C), Gudmundsson pen 30 (F), Ndour 53 (F)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Crystal Palace

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		17'		Ismaïla Sarr (Assist: Daniel Muñoz)
Albert Gudmundsson		30'
Marin Pongracic		40'
		40'		Yéremy Pino
Pietro Comuzzo		45+5'

2nd half

Cher Ndour (Assist: Manor Solomon)		53'
		56'		Ismaïla Sarr
Luca Ranieri		67'
		76'		Chadi Riad
Cher Ndour		87'
Roberto Piccoli		90+1'

Match statistic

67

Possession %

33

16

Total shots

9

6

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

6

Blocked shots

1

6

Corners

1

2

Offsides

2

14

Fouls

14

Fiorentina

Crystal Palace

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

70'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

46'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

70'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

75'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

75'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

1

Dean Henderson

Goalkeeper

26

Chris Richards

Defender

2

Daniel Muñoz

Defender

23

Jaydee Canvot

Defender

5

Maxence Lacroix

Defender

41'

3

Tyrick Mitchell

Defender

20

Adam Wharton

Midfielder

30'

18

Daichi Kamada

Midfielder

7

Ismaïla Sarr

Attacker

14

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Attacker

46'

10

Yéremy Pino

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

46'

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

70'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

70'

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

75'

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

75'

17

Nathaniel Clyne

Defender

44

Walter Benítez

Goalkeeper

24

Borna Sosa

Defender

Brennan Johnson

Attacker

55

Justin Devenny

Midfielder

59

Rio Cardines

Defender

31

Remi Matthews

Goalkeeper

42

Kaden Rodney

Midfielder

8

Jefferson Lerma

Midfielder

30'

34

Chadi Riad

Defender

41'

Jörgen Strand Larsen

Attacker

46'

19

Will Hughes

Midfielder

73'

Bologna continued their disastrous record against Aston Villa, crashing out of the Europa League quarter-final with a 4-0 defeat, 7-1 on aggregate.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Rossoblu had a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-1 at home, meaning the only defeats in the Europa League this season were against Aston Villa, also beaten here 1-0 in the opening league phase fixture on September 25.

Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez were still injured, with Jhon Lucumi suspended, but Martin Vitik returned from his ban. Villa missed Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley and Alysson, with Emiliano Martinez, Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings not at 100 per cent.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

The advantage became 4-1 within 16 minutes in Birmingham, as Aston Villa carved Bologna apart with a well-worked team move, Morgan Rogers rolling across from the left for Ollie Watkins to tap in from three yards.

Federico Bernardeschi stung Martinez’s gloves from distance, but VAR spotted Vitik’s flailing arm as a cross struck it, and Aston Villa received a penalty.

Buendia doubles Aston Villa’s lead

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/G2HeP3XaAh

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Federico Ravaglia parried the Morgan Rogers spot-kick, but while they were still celebrating, Bologna conceded the second goal on a throw-in, as Emiliano Buendia drilled in at the near post from a tricky angle.

Santiago Castro couldn’t get on the end of a Rowe cross to the back post, but Villa were again clinical where Bologna were wasteful.

Aston Villa go 3-0 up and are cruising through this tie

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/e7QFin8Zzy

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

A long Martinez ball was knocked down, John McGinn sent it down the left, where Rogers again beat Ravaglia at the near post.

Vincenzo Italiano made a triple change at half-time and Riccardo Orsolini’s effort was deflected wide, while Martinez smothered the Nikola Moro strike.

Ravaglia prevented a fourth by making the save this time at the near post on Lucas Digne.

Digne was decisive at the other end, as Orsolini was about to bundle the Simon Sohm dinked assist over from five yards, until he was blocked off with Martinez beaten.

Juan Miranda charged down a Leon Bailey strike and Villa did add a fourth on the resulting corner, which was deflected up into the air for a spectacular Ezri Konsa acrobatic volley from five yards.

Aston Villa 4-0 Bologna (7-1 agg)

Watkins 16 (A), Buendia 26 (A), Rogers 39 (A), Konsa 89 (A)

Saved penalty: Rogers 25 (A)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Villa Park

Aston Villa

Bologna

4 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Ollie Watkins (Assist: Morgan Rogers)		16'
Morgan Rogers		25'
Emiliano Buendía (Assist: Lucas Digne)		26'
		29'		Federico Bernardeschi
Morgan Rogers (Assist: John McGinn)		39'

2nd half

Ezri Konsa (Assist: Tammy Abraham)

89'

Match statistic

46

Possession %

54

13

Total shots

11

7

Shots on target

4

1

Shots off target

3

5

Blocked shots

4

4

Corners

2

Offsides

1

13

Fouls

17

Aston Villa

Bologna

Starting lineups

23

Emiliano Martínez

Goalkeeper

4

Ezri Konsa

Defender

12

Lucas Digne

Defender

2

Matty Cash

Defender

14

Pau Torres

Defender

24

Amadou Onana

Midfielder

78'

7

John McGinn

Midfielder

64'

8

Youri Tielemans

Midfielder

74'

10

Emiliano Buendía

Attacker

27

Morgan Rogers

Attacker

74'

11

Ollie Watkins

Attacker

64'

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

João Mário

Defender

46'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

82'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

46'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

46'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

22

Ian Maatsen

Defender

5

Tyrone Mings

Defender

40

Marco Bizot

Goalkeeper

3

Victor Lindelöf

Defender

9

Harvey Elliott

Attacker

64

James Wright

Goalkeeper

16

Andrés García

Defender

Tammy Abraham

Attacker

64'

Leon Bailey

Attacker

64'

19

Jadon Sancho

Attacker

74'

Douglas Luiz

Midfielder

74'

26

Lamare Bogarde

Midfielder

78'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

73

Francesco Castaldo

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

46'

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

46'

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

46'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

76'

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

82'

{rsn-live-v2}

Unai Emery insists Aston Villa are ‘so respectful’ when hosting Bologna again in the Europa League quarter-final, despite winning the first leg 3-1. ‘It is not done.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace on the Liveblog.

Aston Villa have one foot in the Europa League semi-finals after winning the first leg 3-1 away from home.

They beat Bologna all three times in the last 18 months in the Champions League and Europa League.

Emery admires Bologna

“We are so, so respectful with them because they showed us their capacity to go for this title and to go a long way like we are expecting,” Emery told TNT Sports.

“We achieved a good result there, but it is not done and how they are playing and performing, we have massive respect. Today, I know it is going to be difficult and we must play extending our game plan like we did in their stadium and today of course here with our great, great atmosphere here with our supporters, we are confident but so, so respectful.”

Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley and Alysson are still out of action, with Emiliano Martinez starting despite a calf problem, while Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings not at 100 per cent.

It means Emery has chosen the exact same starting XI that played at the Stadio Dall’Ara last Thursday.

“We have our own experiences in Europe. Two years ago, we were doing our debut in Europe in the Conference League and we achieved the semi-final here against Olympiacos and we remind ourselves what we did two years ago, how we lost the semi-final, how we did last year in the Champions League when we lost in the quarter-finals against PSG.

“Everything we are learning in our process, we are trying to remind ourselves and be very demanding and consistent to achieve things. Very difficult match tonight. This is the competitive way we are building here. We are excited, motivated and we are aware of how we can control our emotions.”

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano said repeatedly that Aston Villa are the favourites to win the Europa League this season.

“It is a way to win a trophy and a way to get into the Champions League. It is very difficult to win this trophy. Today is the moment and we must enjoy today. I have won it three times and I know how difficult it is,” insisted specialist Emery.

"Of course Champions League is the best gift we can achieve."

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on today’s tie with Bologna

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/rpRKOU1JqT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Vincenzo Italiano wants Bologna to be ‘more clinical in front of goal’ against Aston Villa and make sure the Europa League quarter-final ‘isn’t a comfortable night for them.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace on the Liveblog.

The situation is extremely difficult after losing the first leg 3-1 at home last week, although once again the performance was considerably better than the result would suggest.

Italiano wants courageous Bologna

“I would love to play five minutes tonight, though I couldn’t manage more than that,” smiled Italiano on Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s a fantastic environment, the team is strong, I expect a different match to the one that we saw on Thursday, but we’ll play our cards. The important thing is to match their intensity, try to cause problems for them when we’ve got the ball, and we’ll see what happens.”

Curiously, Bologna only lost two Europa League matches this season, and they were both against Aston Villa, after the September 25 defeat in Birmingham to open the league phase.

“We must try to keep the ball, as Aston Villa let you keep it for a bit, and we need to quality to attack with everyone we can get into the box, also be wary when we lose the ball, and be more clinical in front of goal than we were in our last two trips here.”

Jhon Lucumi is suspended, with Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez injured, but Martin Vitik returns from his ban.

“Aston Villa will have their usual approach, they even have a two-goal advantage, so will be the same as the previous meetings. When we defend, we’ve got to defend well, but above all must prove that we can hurt them when we’ve got the chance. I believe we can do that.”

There are also some options that Bologna can call from off the bench at Villa Park.

“We have Odgaard, Sohm and Pobega who can attack, Cambiaghi and Orsolini, so we’ll see how the game develops and then evaluate.

“I want to see the maximum desire to cause them problems, to ensure this isn’t a comfortable night for them, try to improve the result and leave here with our heads held high. I think courage is the right word, what we need in this stadium and against this opponent.

“These lads always bring out something extra at the crucial moments, and I believe they’ll do it again tonight,” concluded Italiano.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admits Fiorentina have a ‘more attacking side than we expected’ in the Conference League quarter-final. ‘We know how they’re going to play and what we want to do.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Aston Villa vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

Crystal Palace make only one change from the side that played in London, and that is forced, as Evann Guessand picked up an injury.

“We rotated against Newcastle, so the three players in the front and two midfielders should be fresh. In defence they are doing so well, so it’s all good,” Glasner told TNT Sports.

Glasner notes Fiorentina changes

The Viola have a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park, especially as they are missing suspended Dodo, plus injured Moise Kean, Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini.

With nothing left to lose, Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli has chosen a very attacking 4-2-3-1 formation with two creative midfielders supporting Jack Harrison, Albert Gudmundsson, Manor Solomon and Roberto Piccoli.

“Maybe it’s a bit more attacking than we expected, Solomon is more of a winger than Gudmundsson when he played in that position, he’s more of a Number 10, where we expect him today,” confessed Glasner.

“Comuzzo of course is a centre-back and not as attacking as Dodo. I think in April, you can’t change the way you are playing, so you have to rely on the things you are doing well.

“We know pretty well how they are going to play, and we know what we want to do against them.”

Fiorentina are on home turf with a 3-0 deficit to overturn, so they are going to come flying out of the blocks.

“We expect them to be more aggressive than at Selhurst Park, going man for man, making a lot of pressure, you always try to find the pockets, with flick-ons, one touches, the inverted wingers try to cut in and then deliver the cross, with three players in the box,” noted Glasner.

“That is how they are playing. Similarly, we want to move it to the side quickly and find space, then we will create opportunities.

“When you play two legs, this is the situation, but we trust ourselves and the way we are playing. We saw yesterday in the Champions League, at this stage of the competition they are always tight games, and that is what we expect here as well.”

“We know pretty well how they’re going to play, and we know what we want to do”

Oliver Glasner ahead of tonight’s Conference League second leg against Fiorentina

@msmith850 | Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/bZopKf5sVf

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Paolo Vanoli explains his extremely attacking Fiorentina line-up against Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-final. ‘Of course we believe, and we need players who can score goals.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Aston Villa vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off and Fiorentina are wearing black armbands following the death of Alex Manninger, who was their goalkeeper in 2001-02.

“It’s a tragedy. I found out this afternoon. Alex was an exceptional lad, I was fortunate enough to play with him here in Florence, we are close to his family, it’s hard to find the words,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

Vanoli and Fiorentina face huge hurdle

The Viola are going to need something truly extraordinary to reach their fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, because they were beaten 3-0 in the first leg at Selhurst Park.

“Of course we all believe, so do these fans, who showed once again despite a difficult season that they are behind us. It is a dream, so we must always believe. When it comes to an achievement like this, the players must give 110 per cent.

“We are up against a strong opponent, but have been getting some good results lately in Serie A. As I said in the first leg, what disappointed me was not having a full squad to choose from in this tie.”

Moise Kean is still out injured, with Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini, while Dodo is suspended at right-back.

It is a very attack-minded formation, with four strikers used together, plus creative Nicolò Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora in midfield.

It’s not yet clear whether Marin Pongracic or Pietro Comuzzo will be the makeshift right-back.

“In order to achieve something remarkable, mentality and belief is the most important thing, as the players need to give their best performance of the season,” continued Vanoli.

“We know it’ll be tough, as Crystal Palace showed how they can punish the first mistake, but we’ve got to try something that would remain in the history of Fiorentina during a season that has been complicated from the start.”

The focus this season for Fiorentina was always on avoiding relegation from Serie A, and they have almost done that now after breaking eight points clear of the drop zone.

That was achieved with Monday evening’s 1-0 victory over Lazio, so some of the crippling pressure has been lifted.

“When I made the line-up, I realised if you have to recover this deficit, you need players who can score goals. Robin Gosens is another, as he is very dangerous on set plays and runs to the back post. Everything can become important tonight,” concluded the coach.

Italian teams have shone in European competition in recent years. Current Serie A league leaders Inter have reached two Champions League finals in three seasons, while Fiorentina have two Conference League finals under their belt, and Roma have reached two European finals as well. However, it looks as though no Italian outfit will be reaching a final this term.

All four of the country’s Champions League participants were dumped out by the Round of 16, with reigning champions Napoli eliminated after the initial league phase and last season’s beaten finalists Inter shockingly beaten by Norwegian minnows Bodø/Glimt in the knockout phase playoffs.

It’s a similar story in both the Europa League and the Conference League, with just Bologna remaining in the former and Fiorentina in the latter. And both of them have mountains to climb if they are to reach the semifinals of their respective competitions.

Bologna and Fiorentina Have Mountains to Climb

Bologna were given a tough task when they were drawn to play tournament favourites Aston Villa, and the English outfit duly swept them aside by three goals to one in the first leg in Emilia-Romagna. Two-time finalists Fiorentina find themselves in an even worse position in the Conference League after also losing to a Premier League side, slumping to a 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Online betting sites now make both English teams the clear favourites not just to progress, but also to end the season with continental silverware.

Popular betting outlet Ozoon sportsbook makes Aston Villa a 5/4 favourite to win the Europa League, while Crystal Palace find themselves in the same position in the Conference League. For Bologna and Fiorentina, a quarterfinal exit appears likely, and should that ultimately come to fruition, it would mark the first time in seven years that Italy hasn’t had a semifinalist in any European competition. So, what happened the last time around? Let’s take a look.

2018/19: Cristiano Ronaldo Unable to Bring Glory to Turin

The biggest news in the summer of 2018 was Cristiano Ronaldo’s blockbuster arrival in Turin, with Juventus forking out €112m to sign the Portuguese legend from Real Madrid. CR7 was supposed to finally deliver the Champions League to the Bianconeri at long last, and because he had won the tournament in each of the last three seasons with Los Blancos, the possibility seemed very real. Shockingly, however, Juve wouldn’t even reach the semifinals.

Max Allegri’s men pulled off a stunning comeback against Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16, overturning a two-goal first-leg deficit after Ronaldo’s stunning second-leg hat trick. However, in the quarterfinals, an upstart Ajax would continue their surprising march. The Amsterdam outfit had just knocked off reigning champions Real Madrid in their second round clash, eliminating Los Blancos from the tournament for the first time since 2015. And in the quarters, they would send Juve packing as well, winning 2-1 in the Allianz Stadium despite Ronaldo’s early opener.

But Juventus weren’t the only team to endure misery that term. Both Inter and Napoli would drop into the Europa League after finishing third in their UCL groups, then went on to lose to Eintracht Frankfurt and Arsenal, respectively. Roma did make the Champions League knockout round but were immediately eliminated in the Round of 16 by FC Porto. Milan would exit Europe’s secondary competition at the group stage, while Lazio were handily beaten by Sevilla in the Round of 32.

2015/16: Juventus Can’t Replicate Previous Season’s Heroics

In 2015, three years before Cristiano Ronaldo’s arrival, Juventus reached the Champions League final, becoming the first Italian club to do so in five years. While they were ultimately beaten in the Berlin showpiece by a Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar-powered Barcelona, hopes were still high that the Bianconeri could build upon their shock run to the final. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be the case.

Juve would exit the 2015/16 Champions League at the Round of 16 after losing a thrilling two-legged tie to Bayern Munich. After a 2-2 draw in Turin, it looked as though the Italian giants would get the job done in the second leg in Bavaria, leading by two goals to nil with less than 20 minutes remaining. Then, goals from Robert Lewandowski and a last-gasp Thomas Müller header forced extra time, where the Germans would complete the comeback, winning 4-2.

Roma were also eliminated at the same stage, having been beaten 2-0 home and away by eventual champions Real Madrid. The Giallorossi’s eternal rival, Lazio, meanwhile, didn’t even reach the group stage after losing to Bayer Leverkusen in the playoffs.

That saw the Eagles drop into the Europa League. They would fare somewhat better in the continent’s secondary tournament, but ultimately fell to Slavia Prague in the Round of 16 after a shocking 3-0 home defeat in the Stadio Olimpico. Fiorentina also progressed to the knockout round of that season’s UEL, but their journey was also short-lived, losing to Tottenham Hotspur in the Round of 32.

Fiorentina are forced into yet more changes with Albert Gudmundsson and Manor Solomon starting in the Conference League quarter-final with Crystal Palace.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Aston Villa vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

Fiorentina have a huge task ahead of them to reach a fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, because they lost the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

It is no secret that their focus this season is all on avoiding Serie A relegation, and they took a huge step forward there on Monday with a 1-0 victory over Lazio putting them eight points clear of the drop zone.

However, injuries remain a problem, as Moise Kean is still out injured, with Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini.

On top of that, Dodo is also suspended, so either Marin Pongracic or Pietro Comuzzo becomes a makeshift right-back.

Roberto Piccoli is again the centre-forward, but Manor Solomon is available again and completes the extremely attacking line-up with Jack Harrison and Albert Gudmundsson.

Crystal Palace welcome back Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was suspended for the first leg 3-0 victory, but rest him anyway, so Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the attack again.

Evann Guessand sustained an injury in the first leg and misses out with Caleb Kporha and Eddie Nketiah.

Ex-Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada plays with Yeremi Pino stepping in alongside Ismaila Sarr.

Fiorentina will wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence before kick-off following the death of Alex Manninger, who was their goalkeeper in 2001-02.

Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace line-ups

Fiorentina: De Gea; Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Fagioli, Mandragora; Harrison, Gudmundsson, Solomon; Piccoli

Fiorentina bench: Leonardelli, Christensen, Fazzini, Kospo, Ndour, Kouadio, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli, Fabbian

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Yeremi Pino; Mateta

Crystal Palace bench: Matthews, Benitez, Lerma, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Strand Larsen, Sosa, Riad, Rodney, Devenny, Cardines

Ref: Gil Manzano (ESP)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Crystal Palace

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		17'		Ismaïla Sarr (Assist: Daniel Muñoz)
Albert Gudmundsson		30'
Marin Pongracic		40'
		40'		Yéremy Pino
Pietro Comuzzo		45+5'

2nd half

Cher Ndour (Assist: Manor Solomon)		53'
		56'		Ismaïla Sarr
Luca Ranieri		67'
		76'		Chadi Riad
Cher Ndour		87'
Roberto Piccoli		90+1'

Match statistic

67

Possession %

33

16

Total shots

9

6

Shots on target

3

4

Shots off target

5

6

Blocked shots

1

6

Corners

1

2

Offsides

2

14

Fouls

14

Fiorentina

Crystal Palace

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

70'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

46'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

70'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

75'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

75'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

1

Dean Henderson

Goalkeeper

26

Chris Richards

Defender

2

Daniel Muñoz

Defender

23

Jaydee Canvot

Defender

5

Maxence Lacroix

Defender

41'

3

Tyrick Mitchell

Defender

20

Adam Wharton

Midfielder

30'

18

Daichi Kamada

Midfielder

7

Ismaïla Sarr

Attacker

14

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Attacker

46'

10

Yéremy Pino

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

46'

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

70'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

70'

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

75'

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

75'

17

Nathaniel Clyne

Defender

44

Walter Benítez

Goalkeeper

24

Borna Sosa

Defender

Brennan Johnson

Attacker

55

Justin Devenny

Midfielder

59

Rio Cardines

Defender

31

Remi Matthews

Goalkeeper

42

Kaden Rodney

Midfielder

8

Jefferson Lerma

Midfielder

30'

34

Chadi Riad

Defender

41'

Jörgen Strand Larsen

Attacker

46'

19

Will Hughes

Midfielder

73'

Bologna hope Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bernardeschi can mount a Europa League quarter-final comeback against Aston Villa.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace on the Liveblog.

The Rossoblu have a real mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-1 at home, although as is often the case, the performance was far better than the result would suggest.

That was also the situation when losing here 2-0 in the Champions League last season and 1-0 earlier this term during the league phase.

Injuries continue to pile up, as Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez are still out of action, with Jhon Lucumi suspended.

At least Martin Vitik returns from his ban, with Charalampos Lykogiannis back in the squad too.

Castro remains the only centre-forward available and is being run into the ground lately, flanked this time by Rowe and Bernardeschi, leaving Riccardo Orsolini on the bench.

Vincenzo Italiano’s men have lost only two Europa League games this season, and both were against Aston Villa, as they won their next five away fixtures in a row after that September 25 defeat in Birmingham.

Aston Villa won every single Europa League fixture except for a 2-1 away to Go Ahead Eagles on October 23, making them the hot favourites to lift the trophy, especially with Unai Emery as their coach.

Emiliano Martinez has shaken off a calf injury and returns to take the gloves.

Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings are also carrying knocks, with Boubacar Kamara a long-term absentee, plus Ross Barkley and Alysson left off the Europa League list.

Juventus-owned Douglas Luiz is once again dropped in favour of Emiliano Buendia.

Ollie Watkins continues to lead the attack after his brace in the first leg.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna line-ups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

Aston Villa bench: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Elliott, Andres Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey

Bologna: Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Vitik, Casale, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Moro; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe

Bologna bench: Pessina, Franceschelli, Pobega, Orsolini, Heggem, Zortea, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Sohm, Cambiaghi, Castaldo

Ref: Sanchez (ESP)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Villa Park

Aston Villa

Bologna

4 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Ollie Watkins (Assist: Morgan Rogers)		16'
Morgan Rogers		25'
Emiliano Buendía (Assist: Lucas Digne)		26'
		29'		Federico Bernardeschi
Morgan Rogers (Assist: John McGinn)		39'

2nd half

Ezri Konsa (Assist: Tammy Abraham)

89'

Match statistic

46

Possession %

54

13

Total shots

11

7

Shots on target

4

1

Shots off target

3

5

Blocked shots

4

4

Corners

2

Offsides

1

13

Fouls

17

Aston Villa

Bologna

Starting lineups

23

Emiliano Martínez

Goalkeeper

4

Ezri Konsa

Defender

12

Lucas Digne

Defender

2

Matty Cash

Defender

14

Pau Torres

Defender

24

Amadou Onana

Midfielder

78'

7

John McGinn

Midfielder

64'

8

Youri Tielemans

Midfielder

74'

10

Emiliano Buendía

Attacker

27

Morgan Rogers

Attacker

74'

11

Ollie Watkins

Attacker

64'

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

João Mário

Defender

46'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

82'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

46'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

46'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

22

Ian Maatsen

Defender

5

Tyrone Mings

Defender

40

Marco Bizot

Goalkeeper

3

Victor Lindelöf

Defender

9

Harvey Elliott

Attacker

64

James Wright

Goalkeeper

16

Andrés García

Defender

Tammy Abraham

Attacker

64'

Leon Bailey

Attacker

64'

19

Jadon Sancho

Attacker

74'

Douglas Luiz

Midfielder

74'

26

Lamare Bogarde

Midfielder

78'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

73

Francesco Castaldo

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

46'

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

46'

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

46'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

76'

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

82'

For the first time in 131 years, the Merseyside Derby will not be contested at Goodison Park.

BUY EVERTON VS. LIVERPOOL TICKETS

Instead, Everton will host Liverpool at their magnificent new 52,888-capacity waterfront home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on 19th April.

Adding to the historic weight of the occasion are the massive Premier League stakes.

With both clubs navigating vastly different campaigns, this clash promises to be fiercely competitive.

Everton, revitalised under David Moyes, sit comfortably in 8th place and are eager to win the first-ever Merseyside derby at their new stadium.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool find themselves in 5th place, desperately chasing Champions League qualification amid a highly inconsistent spring.

Everton have been formidable lately, highlighted by a commanding 3-0 demolition of Chelsea and a comfortable 2-0 victory over Burnley. A hard-fought 2-2 draw away at Brentford last time out showcased their newfound defensive resilience.

Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive down the Mersey in desperate need of momentum. Slot’s men recently snapped a bruising losing streak with a 2-0 win over Fulham, but the scars of a heavy 4-0 defeat to Manchester City and a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion remain fresh.

BUY EVERTON VS. LIVERPOOL TICKETS

How Everton could line up against Liverpool

The Toffees will heavily rely on the creative spark of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, who leads the team with seven goals and three assists, alongside goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who boasts an impressive 10 clean sheets this term.

Jack Grealish is out for the season for Moyes’ side and they will miss his creativity against their city rivals.

Everton predicted line-up: Pickford, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, McNeil, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Beto.

How Liverpool could line up against Everton

Liverpool travel to the waterfront with a severely depleted squad. Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Stefan Bajcetic are all ruled out through injury.

In Alisson’s absence, Giorgi Mamardashvili will continue in goal. The Reds’ attack will be spearheaded by striker Hugo Ekitike, who leads the club with 11 league goals, supplied by the creative brilliance of Florian Wirtz and Mohamed Salah.

Liverpool predicted line-up: Mamardashvili, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha, Ekitike.

How to buy Everton tickets

The Everton tickets page can be found on the club’s official website, though it might not be the most convenient option if you don’t hold a season ticket or maintain an active paid membership.

Because of this, it’s worth exploring our recommended link, which provides a reliable and budget-friendly alternative for purchasing match tickets.

BUY EVERTON VS. LIVERPOOL TICKETS

How to buy Liverpool tickets

Liverpool fans usually go directly to the club’s official ticket portal, which can be accessed here, but it’s sensible to review other options as well in case more attractive deals can be found elsewhere.

For example, we recommend using our link if you want to avoid extra membership costs simply to bypass long queues for a big match, while our easy-to-use platform also offers reassurance through a 150% money-back guarantee.

Everton vs Liverpool Head-to-Head Record

This fixture has produced countless dramatic moments over the decades. In the Premier League era, the two sides have now met 66 times.

Historically, Liverpool hold a dominant upper hand with 31 victories compared to Everton’s 9, alongside 26 draws.

As the rivalry officially transitions to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton will be desperate to rewrite the script.

Kostas Tsimikas has dropped a hint that Roma will not make his move a permanent one after the disappointing loan spell from Liverpool.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Greece international had made the transfer on deadline day in August 2025 as a loan to the end of the season.

Tsimikas flopped at Roma

However, he struggled badly under coach Gian Piero Gasperini and made only 24 competitive appearances between Serie A and the Europa League, contributing one assist.

Of those 24 games, the left-back only started 11, as Gasperini largely preferred to shift Wesley over to the left flank rather than use Tsimikas.

This was even after the other choice for that side, Angelino, was ruled out for several months by a bout of pneumonia.

Nobody expected Tsimikas to make it a permanent switch, so it was not entirely surprising when he switched his Instagram profile picture from a Roma jersey back to a Liverpool one.

It is however a little unusual that he would do this when the season is still going.

The Giallorossi haven’t had the best of luck with their loans, sending Leon Bailey back to Aston Villa after just six months, and Evan Ferguson will not be purchased outright from Brighton and Hove Albion either.

Roberto De Zerbi is using a traditional Italian team-building exercise with Tottenham Hotspur, even though a similar approach already failed for Igor Tudor.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Italian coach has become the third different boss at Spurs during this cursed campaign, and with his team in the Premier League relegation zone, is trying everything to get them working together quicker.

De Zerbi takes Tottenham out to dinner

According to Telegraph Sport, De Zerbi took the entire squad out to dinner at Bacchanalia restaurant in Mayfair this week.

This is a common tactic used in Italian football to build team spirit, both during moments of crisis and in general during a season.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso tried it with players when he was not given time for traditional training get togethers.

Former Juventus, Udinese and Lazio coach Tudor learned the approach in Serie A too and tried it with Tottenham in February, but to limited results, as he parted company with the club after failing to win a single Premier League game.

“My job now is not to coach a style, with or without the ball, but try to give the players what they need in terms of mentality,” said De Zerbi after losing on his debut to Sunderland.

“My style is to trust the confidence of the players. During the week, they play better because they are clean in their heads, but in the game it is different. My work must be to get them to show what they are doing during the week in a game.”

Behind the scenes at training as we prepare for Brighton pic.twitter.com/3EblhLAWZ0

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 16, 2026

While reports suggest a frosty rapport between Max Allegri and the club, Matteo Gabbia insists the players ‘all hope he will stay at Milan for a long time, he is a world class coach.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The tactician only took the job last summer and currently has them in third place in Serie A, on track for a Champions League spot.

However, the drop down from second after back-to-back defeats with Napoli and Udinese prompted some question marks over his future, especially if he is offered the Italy bench.

Gabbia and Milan players stand by Allegri

“Allegri is a world class coach,” Gabbia told Sky Sport Italia.

“Everyone in the squad thinks this. He has a way of handling moments, both good and bad, that is just incredible! His experience, his knowledge of what to say, the buttons he has to press, it’s second to none.

“Then it is up to us to go on the field, assimilate what he asked for, and do the best we possibly can. Allegri has been a very important figure for us this season. We are all very happy with him and his staff.”

Gabbia also spoke to MilanNews and was specifically asked how much the team wants the coach to stay at San Siro.

“It is what the whole team wants, not just what I think. I am speaking here on behalf of the entire squad, we are super happy with the coach and hope he can remain with us for a long time.

“Right now, the most important things are the results, which decide everything. We’ve got to follow him 100 per cent, then it will all go the right way.”

The former Juventus boss has taken some sabbaticals in recent years, but the Milan players have been very impressed with his man-management skills.

“His ability to understand the various moments, especially negative ones, means he knows when he has to go in hard, or when to relax the tension,” continued Gabbia.

“I was honestly really surprised by the way he prepares the matches, because often times he will tell us about situations that genuinely do happen, so we can recreate the response perfectly.

“There are many situations where he can keep surprising us with his working method.”

The Lega Serie B has set the dates for the promotion play-offs and relegation playout, so the season will officially come to an end on May 29.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The race is still wide open for the two automatic promotion spots at the top of the table, and a third will be decided via the play-offs.

Those will begin with a one-off match on Tuesday May 12 between fifth and eighth place, and sixth and seventh.

How the Serie B play-offs work

The semi-finals are played over two legs, home and away, on Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, with the return match on May 19 and 20.

The Final is also home and away, with the first leg on Sunday May 24 and the return on Friday May 29.

As for the playouts, those are between 17^th and 16^th placed teams on Friday May 15 and Friday May 22.

As things stand, Venezia are the Serie B leaders on 72 points, followed by Monza and Frosinone both on 69.

Palermo have 65, then there is a big drop to Catanzaro in fifth place on 55, Modena 52, Juve Stabia 48 and Cesena 44.

Tributes continue to pour in from former teammates of Alex Manninger, including Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, while Fiorentina will hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Crystal Palace match.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The football world was shocked by the death of former goalkeeper Manninger when his car was struck by a train on a level crossing in his home country of Austria this morning.

The Austria international spent much of his career in Italy, making 137 Serie A appearances with Juventus, Siena, Fiorentina, Bologna and Torino.

With this in mind, Fiorentina have been given permission by UEFA to hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace.

The Viola will also be wearing black armbands in tribute to Manninger, who died at the age of 48.

Manninger remembered by Juventus teammates

Former Juventus teammate Buffon wrote a touching message on his Instagram alongside a picture of them together.

“Dear Alex, every word seems superfluous. Every tear would only be the latest for the loss of a friend and a person I always admired,” wrote Buffon.

“You chosen to remain independent from the bustle of the football world, going to seek your happiness in the simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.

“In a world that is often curved and prone to genuflection, which rewards overdoing things, careerism and easy gains, you always defended your freedom, holding your back straight, with the pride of a man who knows what he wants.

“You had the strength to walk away from all of this and look at us with your sly smile, as if to say ‘you are all crazy, you’ll never get me.’

“I hope, indeed I am certain, that from up there you will continue to guide your splendid children and your young wife. Rest in peace.”

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon)

There were more messages from Manninger’s old Juventus teammates, such as current club director of football strategy Giorgio Chiellini.

“Today is a very sad day, we say goodbye to an exemplary teammate and a person of great values. Ciao Alex, rest in peace. My thoughts are with your family.”

Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner were also among those who posted messages of condolence.

Juventus pay tribute to their former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who died at 48 in a tragic car accident: ‘A man of rare values.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Juventus honoured their former goalkeeper Manninger with a social media post on Thursday, hours after his tragic death in a car accident in Austria.

“Today is a very sad day,” Juventus wrote on X.

“We have lost not only a great athlete but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism. Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch. Juventus expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Alex Manninger and stands close to his family in this moment of grief.”

A Serie A title winner with the Bianconeri in 2011-12, Manninger spent four seasons in Turin, making 40 appearances during his spell in Turin.

He won the Scudetto in his final season at the club under Antonio Conte.

Manninger also played for Torino, Siena, Bologna and Fiorentina in Serie A, collecting 137 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

A former Austria international, Manninger also won the Premier League title with Arsenal in 1997-98.

The former goalkeeper had given his last interview to Gazzetta dello Sport just a few days ago, recalling his close bond with Italian football and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, and calling Siena his “home.”

Juventus pay tribute to Manninger after tragic death at 48

Today is a very sad day.

We have lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism.

Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch.

Juventus expresses its deepest… pic.twitter.com/QOd2aoP8C3

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 16, 2026

Inter coach Cristian Chivu says Alessandro Bastoni won’t be available for tomorrow’s Serie A match against Cagliari: ‘He’s not well.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Inter will be forced to cope without their star defender Bastoni in Friday’s Serie A match against Cagliari at the Stadio Meazza.

Chivu confirmed the Italian defender’s omission during a press conference on Thursday.

“He should be praised as a person, despite physical and mental difficulties. He put himself on the line and deserves credit,” said the Nerazzurri boss via FcInter1908.

“We should be proud of what he has done. He has a physical problem; his ankle is not 100%. He’s trained very little in the last month, and he’s not fully fit. We thank him for his availability, but he’s not well now. He’ll not be in the squad tomorrow. He will stay out to recover.”

Bastoni has been criticised by part of the media and opposing Inter fans in recent months following a red card incident in the Inter-Juventus match in February, as well as the red card he received at the end of March in Italy’s World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Petar Sucic will serve a one-game ban against Cagliari tomorrow, while both Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez are injured.

“Bisseck has already worked on the pitch. According to the expected timeline, Lauti is on track,” Chivu said.

“Next week, he will return to the pitch to do a bit more than what he’s currently doing. Bisseck should be back in two days, Lautaro in seven or eight. He is improving and doing well.”

Inter are the Serie A table leaders with a nine-point lead over second-placed Napoli. Next week, they’ll host Como in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal.

“We must be proud of what we’ve done and keep the same spirit. We must try to be the best version of ourselves and add three more points to the table,” Chivu continued.

“We’ve always tried to bring it to the pitch. The important thing is to be mentally and physically ready, and to adapt to what the opponent offers. We’ve had ups and downs. We’ve done really well in some games and not so well in others because of a lack of energy and the absence of players who would have shifted the balance.”

Chivu made headlines after a Serie A victory against Como last week, as he appeared to taunt his rivals in the race for the Scudetto, saying that Inter’s main target was to qualify for the Champions League.

“Too many things are taken too seriously,” he argued.

“Many things are distorted by friendship and by the duty to defend one side or the other. Some people took it too seriously. You have to understand. Football is a game; it should be treated as such. There are teams that try to win, but only one wins. You shouldn’t feel bad if your friend or your favourite team doesn’t make it to the end.

Former Juventus and Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic car accident on Thursday morning.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The former Austria international was involved in a fatal collision with a train at around 8:20 at a level crossing without barriers, according to Austrian media, cited by Gazzetta.

Manninger was driving a minivan, and it is still unclear whether the red warning signal at the crossing was active at the time of the crash.

Despite the prompt arrival of emergency services, Manninger was declared dead at the scene.

The local train involved was carrying around 25 passengers, all of whom, along with the driver, were unharmed.

The English FA and RB Salzburg, one of Manninger’s former clubs, have confirmed the death of the former goalkeeper.

“We join in mourning our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically passed away in a road accident,” the club wrote.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”

Manninger gave his last interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport just a few days ago. He had made 137 Serie A appearances, playing for Juventus, Torino, Siena, Bologna and Fiorentina, winning the Scudetto with Juve under Antonio Conte in 2011-12.

He also made 64 appearances with Arsenal, winning the Premier League title in 1997-98.

Giovanni Malagò, one of the likely candidates in the FIGC Presidential elections, hints at the involvement of a former Italian player in his project but refuses to answer a question about Massimiliano Allegri.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are expected to be the only candidates in the FIGC Presidential elections on June 22.

Malagò has been backed by the majority of Lega Serie A clubs and will unveil his program at a meeting with them on April 20.

“I’m making serious and thoughtful assessments,” Malagò said during an event in Milan on Thursday, via TMW.

“Serie A had the idea, but the important thing is to listen to all the others, too.”

Malagò confirmed he had met with the presidents of the Associations of Italian footballers and coaches, who collectively hold 30% of the vote in the FIGC Presidential election.

“I can say it was very positive and proactive. I can say that the premises are positive,” Malagò said.

Italian sources have claimed that Malagò will involve a former Italy national team player if he wins the election and that Milan coach Allegri is his first option for the bench.

“I can swear I have nothing in mind. I feel that, like all Federations, everyone has a former athlete covering a role,” Malagò said.

“Whether that will be applicable or not, we’ll see.

“If I say anything more or less [about Allegri], everything gets taken out of context,” he added.

“I won’t respond to anything, and, believe me, I haven’t spoken to anyone about it.”

According to Corriere dello Sport, Allegri would consider his appointment as Italy’s national team coach, especially because his relationship with part of the Milan management is far from ideal.

Arsenal hope Riccardo Calafiori will be available for Sunday’s big Premier League game against Manchester City, while the Italy star joined his teammates in the dressing room last night to celebrate qualification for the Champions League semis.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at home against Sporting CP in London last night secured the Gunners’ place in the Champions League semi-finals, setting up a meeting with Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.

Calafiori missed the match due to fitness issues. According to The Standard, the Italian defender’s problem remains unknown, but Arsenal likely wanted to manage his minutes to avoid a serious injury.

The Manchester Evening News claims that Calafiori could return to action against Manchester City on Sunday.

The former Bologna star featured for the full 90 minutes in the first leg against Sporting CP last week, but missed the reverse fixture last night as well as the previous Premier League match against Bournemouth.

Naturally, Calafiori still celebrated Arsenal’s qualification for the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday, joining his teammates in the dressing room after the match, as shown by Piero Hincapié’s latest Instagram story.

Calafiori joins Arsenal teammates for dressing room celebration

Juventus have reportedly delayed contract extension talks with Dusan Vlahovic to the end of the season, reopening the door for Milan, who are also hoping to offload Christopher Nkunku to strengthen their position.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Juventus delay Vlahovic contract talks

Juventus are not expected to sit down with Vlahovic’s entourage before the end of the season to discuss a contract extension, according to Gazzetta.

Juventus director Damien Comolli recently claimed that updates on the Serbia international would not come anytime soon, and the pink paper suggests that negotiations won’t resume before the end of the campaign.

Vlahovic’s contract runs out in June, and Juventus will offer a salary below his current €12m wages, including add-ons.

Vlahovic has recently suffered a new muscle injury that will sideline him for at least three weeks, prompting Juventus to put negotiations on hold.

Milan remain interested in the striker, and stalling talks with the Bianconeri will likely boost the Rossoneri’s hopes.

According to Gazzetta, Milan are waiting for offers for French striker Nkunku, who has failed to impress in his first season at San Siro.

Scorer of just six goals in 29 appearances this season, Nkunku’s sale would allow Milan to increase their budget for a contract offer to Vlahovic.

Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly received support from Roma owners in recent days, but the coach’s future at the club remains uncertain following a sudden back-and-forth with Senior Advisor Claudio Ranieri last week.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Tension grows at Roma with multiple sources claiming that either Gasperini or Ranieri will leave the club at the end of the season.

Ranieri hit back at criticism from Gasperini last week, before a match against Pisa, as the coach had previously complained about the club’s transfer activity and the management of some injured players.

According to Gazzetta, Ranieri’s public response to Gasperini was followed by a tense meeting in Trigoria earlier this week, which even involved sporting director Frederic Massara.

The Pink Paper claims that Ranieri even considered resignation following the latest fallout, while Gasperini had a conference call with the club owners.

Dan and Ryan Friedkin, the Roma owners, find themselves in a limbo now, given that they see Ranieri as a central part of their project, but also appreciate what Gasperini has done on the pitch this season.

Nevertheless, they’ll have to make a firm decision on whether to continue with Gasp or Ranieri in 2026-27, since their relationship seems irreparable.

According to Gazzetta, Gasperini is even unhappy that some of the closest collaborators of Ranieri have received a contract extension without his approval, while Ed Shipley, the Friedkins’ right-hand man in Rome, had previously filed reports about Gasperini’s inappropriate behaviour on some occasions.

Roma hired Gasperini last summer, and the Italian tactician’s contract runs until 2028.

Scotland international Lewis Ferguson feels Bologna ‘still believe’ they can qualify for the Europa League semis despite a 3-1 loss against Aston Villa in the first leg and praises English winger Jonathan Rowe: ‘He’s on fire, our best player in the last three months.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Bologna visit Aston Villa in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final this evening, but the Rossoblu must climb back from a 3-1 deficit.

“Anything can happen, and we still believe,” Ferguson told TNT Sports.

“A lot of people on the outside might think at 3-1 it has finished the tie, but there are still 90 minutes to play and we’ve not given up. We’ve got nothing to lose now. We will give it absolutely everything.”

“We definitely have to take the positives,” Ferguson continued.

“Large parts of the game we dominated and that’s not easy against a side like Villa. Especially the first half, we created a good few chances, the one off the bar, the goal disallowed, a goal could have changed the game at that point and then we go in at half-time 1-0 down after conceding from a set piece.

“Overall, we were really frustrated, but at this level it’s fine lines. It’s moments that cost us because over the piece we were good enough to get a decent result.”

English winger Rowe scored Bologna’s only goal in the reverse fixture, and Ferguson was full of praise for the ex-Norwich talent.

“In the last three months, he’s been on fire. He’s been our best player. He’s the sort of guy we look to make the difference in games,” Ferguson said.

“He’s a funny character off the pitch. I’m trying to keep his feet on the ground. He’s been excellent; he’s one of those guys who can win you games, and when I speak about fine margins and moments, he’s the kind of guy who can make the difference.

“He’s such a good out-ball to have on that side because we know when he receives the ball, something is going to happen. He can create, score goals, assist, he’s got everything to be a top player.”

Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee, and Dan Ndoye have moved to the Premier League from Bologna in recent years, but despite rumours of interest from England, Ferguson is convinced that his teammate will solely focus on tonight’s match.

“I know him pretty well and I don’t think it will be in his head knowing he’s playing an English team,” Ferguson said.

“For English fans and Premier League fans who maybe haven’t seen him, that was a good chance for them to get a look at Jonny and see what he can do.

“Obviously, Norwich fans would have known, even though he was still young there coming through and has developed in the last couple of years into a really good player.

“I’m not speaking for him, but I don’t think that will be in his head, knowing Premier League fans and clubs will be watching that game.

“He’s relaxed, he’s funny, when he goes out on the pitch, the one thing on his mind is to try and make the difference, and that’s so important for an attacker. The way we play, we want to get the ball to the winger, and we expect him to create and score for us. He’s certainly been delivering.”

Rowe is in his first season at Bologna, and just a few weeks ago, he said he’d like to return to the Premier League one day.

The ex-Marseille winger, 22, has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions with Bologna this season.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Massimiliano Allegri has a frosty relationship with the Milan management, so the Italian tactician could decide to leave at the end of the season, even if he qualifies for the Champions League.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Allegri’s future at Milan is uncertain due to the coach’s frosty relationship with part of the club’s management, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Rome-based paper claims that Allegri has not always felt the club’s support this season, except for Igli Tare, and that his future at San Siro will depend on the Rossoneri’s plans for next season.

If Milan qualify for the Champions League, Allegri expects appropriate reinforcements to add quality and depth to cope with three competitions; but if the coach were to miss out on qualification, both he and sporting director Igli Tare could leave at Milan’s decision.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano is a candidate Milan would consider if Allegri were to leave, and the same is true of Tony D’Amico (Atalanta) as a sporting director.

Allegri, on the other hand, remains a candidate for the Italy job, but if Antonio Conte were to be picked as the Nazionale’s new coach, then Allegri would be on Aurelio De Laurentiis’ list at the Stadio Maradona.

It’s not the first time Italian media have suggested that Allegri is unhappy with Milan’s management, prompting the Italian tactician to clarify at the end of February: “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.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona want to include 19-year-old full-back Héctor Fort in a deal to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter this summer.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Barcelona remain interested in Italy and Inter centre-back Bastoni, and according to Gazzetta, the Catalans are eager to include one of their defenders in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

Bastoni to Barcelona: latest transfer updates

According to the report, Inter value Bastoni at €60m, but the La Liga giants hope to reduce the Tuscans’ demands by including Héctor Fort in the deal.

Fort, 19, is currently on loan at Elche, but has been sidelined since January due to a shoulder injury.

The versatile full-back scored two goals and provided two assists in the opening 12 games of the season.

Previous reports claimed that Bastoni is open to a move to Barcelona this summer, citing the hostile reception he’s received at Italian stadiums in recent weeks as a reason for his possible departure from Inter.

It was previously reported that Bastoni was already discussing contract details with Barcelona, knowing that Inter wouldn’t let him go on the cheap.

Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio was meant to jokingly headbutt a table on live TV while talking about the crisis of Italian football last night, but actually hurt himself, needing intervention from Fabio Capello.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Former West Ham star Di Canio has made headlines in Italy after hurting himself on live TV on Wednesday night while commenting on the Champions League quarter-finals, Bayern Munich-Real Madrid and Arsenal-Sporting CP.

The host, Federica Masolin, asked Di Canio when Italian football would reach the Premier League’s level, and Di Canio sarcastically replied: “I’ve been good so far, and now you want to provoke me. You want to make me sad!”

At that point, the ex-striker repeatedly headbutted the table in front of him, but he did it too vigorously, so Capello, a fellow Sky Sports pundit, had to stand up and check on him.

“What did you do?” asked the former coach.

Di Canio had already put a tissue on his head and said, “You provoked me, I’m going to smash my head.”

Video: Di Canio’s headbutt on live TV

pic.twitter.com/SwMj0EQkTY

— (@DarmumasTv) April 15, 2026

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, only Giovanni Malago, 67, and Giancarlo Abete, 75, will run to replace Gabriele Gravina as the FIGC President, with no former Italian player in the race.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Malagò and Abete are expected to be the only candidates at the FIGC Presidential election on June 22.

Ex-Italy stars not running for FIGC Presidency

Neither has confirmed their nomination yet, but Malagò is the candidate formally picked by Lega Serie A, while the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND) has chosen its President, Abete.

The latter already served as the FIGC President from 2007 to 2014.

As previously reported, votes from Serie A clubs represent 18% of the FIGC Presidential election, significantly lower than the LND’s 34%.

However, any candidate needs a majority of the votes (51%) to be elected, so Malagò and Abete have already begun talks with other members of the voting panel.

Umberto Calcagno, the President of the Italian Players Association (which accounts for 20% of the votes), and Renzo Ulivieri, President of the Italian Coaches Association (10%), reportedly met with Malagò in Rome on Wednesday, and Abete will do the same today.

Both Abete and Malagò have yet to unveil their official programme for the next four years, but Calcagno and Ulivieri have already made some proposals, including tightening the criteria for national licenses so that only those who can truly afford a season financially are admitted to domestic leagues.

According to Gazzetta, the Italian Players Association (AIC) will not indicate any of its delegates, a former Italian footballer, as a possible contender for the FIGC Presidency. 

Over the last few weeks, the media indicated the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Maldini and Demetrio Albertini as possible contenders for the role.

However, it seemed a bit far-fetched to envision them running for the Presidency, as a former player has never led the Italian FA.

The Gazzetta report claims that AIC would have gladly had one of their representatives involved in the election, but only if he had been picked by one of the other components.

Yet, Abete has confirmed that he wants to run for the FIGC Presidency, so the Players and Coaches’ Associations won’t propose any other candidate, also to facilitate either Abete or Malagò reaching 51%.

Serie B and Lega Pro (Serie C) have also scheduled meetings with Malagò and Abete in the coming days.

Roberto Piccoli will replace the injured Moise Kean in the Fiorentina attack in the second leg of the Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace at the Stadio Franchi tonight.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) in Florence.

The Tuscans lost the reverse fixture 3-0 in England last week, so they need a four-goal victory to progress to the semis, or a three-goal advantage to send the game to extra time.

Italy international Kean is injured and the same is true of Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey, Niccolò Fortini and Luca Lezzerini. Brazilian right-back Dodo will serve a one-game ban, while Daniele Rugani and Marco Brescianini are not part of the Fiorentina UEFA list.

Manor Solomon is expected to return to the starting XI after recovering from an injury, joining Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli, who were suspended in Monday’s Serie A match against Lazio.

Pietro Comuzzo will likely replace Dodo in the right-back position, while Piccoli will start up front.

Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3 and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace – probable line-ups

Fiorentina (4-3-3): De Gea; Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Ndour, Fagioli, Mandragora; Solomon, Piccoli, Gudmundsson. 

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Yeremi Pino; Mateta. 

Bologna will look to Santiago Castro and Jonathan Rowe up front in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals against Aston Villa tonight.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) at Villa Park.

Bologna suffered a 3-1 loss at home in the reverse fixture, so they’ll need a win with a two-goal margin to send the game to extra time and a win by three goals to progress to the semis.

The Rossoblu have travelled to England without the suspended Jhon Lucumí. Lukasz Skorupski, Benjamin Dominguez and Thijs Dallinga are injured. Eivind Helland and Lorenzo De Silvestri are not part of Bologna’s UEFA list.

Several sources, including Sky Sport and Gazzetta, claim that Joao Mario is favourite over Nadir Zortea to start as a right-back. Tommaso Pobega is expected to get the nod alongside Lewis Ferguson and Remo Freuler in central midfield, leaving Nikola Moro on the bench.

English winger Rowe, scorer of a goal in the reverse fixture last week, will start as a left winger with Italy international Federico Bernardeschi on the opposite flank and Castro deployed as a sole striker.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna – probable line-ups

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Onana, Douglas Luiz; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins.

Bologna (4-3-3): Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Heggem, Vitik, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Roma tension, Ranieri could even leave

Gasp wants full trust

Inter, Bastoni takes a break

Chivu changes; the defender is tired and will miss Cagliari.

Devil of a nine

Juve slow down, Milan tempt Vlahovic

Comolli postpones the Serbian’s renewal to the end of the season. The Rossoneri are ready to finance the deal with Nkunku’s sale.

Italiano wants to win at Aston Villa. Viola’s assault to turn Crystal Palace around

Corriere dello Sport

Allegri decides

Frost

Max and Milan are increasingly distant: Where will Cardinale go?

Complicated rapport with Furlani and Ibra: the Champions can clarify the future

First the qualification, then the confrontation on the project: many misunderstandings on the table: Rumours on Italiano and D’Amico. The national team remains the big temptation.

Bologna and Viola: chasing a feat

In Birmingham with Berna, Castro and Rowe to try to turn the 1-3 around. Gud to Crystal Palace’s assault. They restart from 0-3.

Tuttosport

Toro, after the Arabs, the Americans are awaited

Juve, can you make it without Yildiz?

Injections in his knee for the Turkishman: he has to stop.

On Sunday, the first step of the final assault for a Champions League placement: the tendinopathy leaves Kenan in doubt. Spalletti must invent an alternative attack. Milik is out again, muscle injury: it’s the end. Rennes’ idea for Openda.

Bologna, Fiorentina and the impossible assaults on the English

Even Nadia pushes Inter

Our queen of middle-distance running: ‘Inter fan since I was a kid, now, I’m a super Lautaro fan.’

Inter will be without both Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez for Friday evening’s Serie A clash with Cagliari at San Siro, with neither player having recovered sufficiently from their respective injuries to be available for selection.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Bisseck has not yet returned to full group training following the muscle strain that has kept him out since the international break.

According to Sky Sport, via FCInter1908, the German defender is targeting a return somewhere between the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Como on Wednesday and the following weekend’s league fixture against Torino on Sunday.

Inter captain Lautaro expected back for Torino clash

Lautaro, meanwhile, is not even attempting to rush back for the Cagliari game, with the captain setting his sights directly on the Torino match on Sunday 26 April as his target return date.

The Argentine has been sidelined already this year after suffering a soleus muscle injury during the Champions League playoff against Bodo/Glimt in February and this latest setback means the Argentine will have missed a majority of the club’s 2026 fixtures.

With six league games remaining and a nine-point lead at the top of the table, Cristian Chivu has enough of a cushion to manage both players back to fitness carefully, though the sooner Lautaro is available, the better placed the Nerazzurri will be to see out what remains a significant if manageable lead.

Oliver Glasner has revealed he would be open to managing in Serie A in the future, while insisting Crystal Palace will approach Thursday’s Conference League quarter-final second leg at the Stadio Franchi with exactly the same attacking mindset that earned them a 3-0 victory in the first leg.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Austrian coach, speaking at his pre-match press conference in Florence, was asked about the perceived gap between the Premier League and Serie A following a week in which both Palace and Aston Villa dominated their Italian opponents in European competition. His response was measured and respectful.

“I watched both our match and the Bologna-Aston Villa game, Bologna missed several chances,” he said, via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“I don’t think there is much difference between the two leagues. The way teams play is different, but I would not say anything beyond that.”

Crystal Palace boss Glasner ‘open’ to Serie A switch

On the prospect of one day working in Italy, Glasner was equally open. “I follow Serie A closely and I am open to considering the idea of coming to Italy, certainly,” he said. “But what matters to me is the ambition of the club I go to work for. Right now I am not thinking about my future.”

Despite holding a commanding three-goal advantage, Glasner made clear his side will not be parking the bus at the Franchi.

“Nobody here has that mentality,” he said. “Since I arrived in London, our idea has always been to demonstrate our value against any opponent, home or away. Tomorrow our approach will be the same, we will not be defending.”

He also confirmed that the number of players on yellow card warnings will not influence his team selection for the first minute.

The only confirmed absentee is Guessand, who will miss the next two weeks, though Glasner pointed to Palace’s ability to cope without him, citing the Newcastle result as evidence.

Jean-Philippe Mateta returns having recovered from injury, though Glasner acknowledged he is not yet at full fitness. “I hope he can play a good World Cup with France,” the coach added, hinting that the striker’s future at the club beyond this season is uncertain.

Glasner also expressed admiration for what he expects from the Franchi atmosphere, while noting the frustration of seeing part of the stadium closed during the Lazio match. “I am certain the fans will create a great atmosphere,” he said. “And I expect much more aggression from Fiorentina tomorrow.”

Crystal Palace midfielder Daichi Kamada has sent a warm message to Lazio’s supporters ahead of Thursday’s Conference League quarter-final second leg against Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi, while admitting he remains puzzled by the circumstances that led to his departure from the Roman club.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Japanese international was one of the standout performers in Crystal Palace’s 3-0 first-leg victory, and arrives in Florence as one of Oliver Glasner’s most influential figures, a far cry from the uncertainty that surrounded his exit from Lazio, where he had spent a single season before his contract situation was left unresolved.

“At Lazio I had a wonderful year,” Kamada told reporters at his pre-match press conference, via FirenzeViola.

“I also had some difficult moments, but it seemed like everything was in place for me to stay. Then, I repeat, I don’t know what happened between my agent and Lotito. But I send my regards to all the Biancocelesti supporters.”

The diplomatic but pointed comment is unlikely to go unnoticed in Rome, where Claudio Lotito’s handling of player contracts has been a recurring source of controversy.

Crystal Palace man Kamada reflects on continental experience ahead of Fiorentina clash

On the match itself, Kamada was measured about his own experience in European football while acknowledging the difficulty of predicting outcomes.

“I have played many European matches in the past and I have experience, but I don’t know how much that counts tomorrow,” he said. He pointed to the defensive solidity and counter-attacking efficiency that has defined Palace’s run in the competition as the key to their continued progress.

“Myself and Glasner have won trophies in the past, we try to replicate what we have done, defend well and hit on the break. That is why we have done well.”

On his own future, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, Kamada was deliberately vague. “I want to focus on the present and enjoy the moment,” he said.

Jonathan Rowe has insisted Bologna were unfortunate in the first leg defeat and is backing his side to make the most of a second chance at Villa Park on Thursday evening, despite the daunting two-goal deficit they must overturn.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The English winger, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Europa League quarter-final second leg, was candid about the injustice he felt in the first leg at the Dall’Ara.

“We were unlucky in the first game, we deserved to go in at half-time two goals ahead,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb. “But that is football. We were punished and now we have to make the most of this second chance.”

Aston Villa vs Bologna – Rowe: ‘We will give our all’

Rowe acknowledged that nothing short of their best performance of the season will be enough to turn the tie around against a Villa side that has been one of the most consistent teams in the competition.

When asked which Aston Villa player he would most like to remove from the equation, the Bologna forward was diplomatically evasive.

“I know several of them,” he said with a smile. “But I don’t know who will start, so I can’t choose. They are a strong team regardless of who plays. We will give everything, but so will they. Let’s see what happens.”

It is an enormous ask for Italiano’s side, but Rowe’s words suggest a group that has not given up on the possibility of one of European football’s great comebacks.

Vincenzo Italiano arrived at his pre-match press conference ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg at Villa Park with his trademark wit intact, joking that he had asked the club to fly in Tom Cruise to help with what he described as a near-impossible mission, while also outlining a clear and serious tactical plan to give Bologna a genuine chance of completing one of European football’s more remarkable comebacks.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Rossoblù head into the tie trailing 3-1 from the first leg, and Italiano was under no illusions about the scale of the task.

“I’ll drop the percentages this time,” he said, with quotes via TMW, referencing his pre-match 50-50 prediction ahead of the first leg. “This is a mission that is almost impossible. I had asked the club to bring in Tom Cruise, he could give us a hand.”

The laughter subsided quickly, however, as Italiano returned to the serious business of how Bologna might make life uncomfortable for an Aston Villa side that will be looking to manage the game on home soil.

“We ruined the first leg with some lapses of concentration within what was otherwise a very high-level performance,” he said.

“Tomorrow we must make life difficult for them, not let them have a quiet evening. It would be important not to concede. And then we have to try to hurt them: they do give something away, as we saw in both previous matches here.”

Aston Villa vs Bologna – Italiano: ‘Ravaglia will play’

On Unai Emery’s attacking philosophy, Italiano was playful. “Emery’s mantra is attack, attack, attack. Mine, by contrast, is defence, defence, defence,” he said with a smile.

He was more measured on what he genuinely expects from Villa. “I would be surprised if they came at us aggressively given their two-goal lead. But I don’t know how they will approach it, what I do know is that the atmosphere pushes them and raises their level. We must find a way to respond.”

Italiano confirmed that Federico Ravaglia returns in goal, “from the start.”

With Lucumí also absent, he has Casale, Heggem and Vitik available in central defence, though he was deliberately cagey about his selection. “One of the three will be on the bench,” was all he would say.

His message to the squad was straightforward. “I told them to remember the matches we have played here before. We need to dig deep for a truly top-level performance and make our opponents work extremely hard. These games always throw up surprises, and that is our only hope.”

Paolo Vanoli has called on his Fiorentina players to cast aside inhibition and play with complete freedom when Crystal Palace visit the Stadio Franchi on Thursday evening, with the Viola requiring a 3-0 victory to overturn their first-leg deficit and reach the Conference League semi-finals.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It is a tall order by any measure, and Vanoli was not about to pretend otherwise. But the Fiorentina coach, who has overseen one of Serie A’s more remarkable survival stories this season, knows better than most that the impossible can sometimes be achieved when a group of players stops thinking and starts believing.

“We will play with a free head, knowing that we will need something special,” he said, with quotes via AldredoPedulla.com.

“Sometimes what matters is not so much technical quality but desire, doing something that goes beyond what is expected, with courage and freedom. We have to risk, try and dream.”

Vanoli was equally honest about the context of this European run. With four points from their opening 11 league matches this season, survival was the only objective that mattered.

“When we had four points we were talking primarily about the league, that was the priority,” he said. “Then the story says the Conference must be an objective for this club.”

He also pointed to the broader lesson his side can take from facing a Premier League opponent of Palace’s quality. “The strong teams make you grow. When you don’t win, you learn.”

Fiorentina coach Vanoli: ‘I don’t want my future decided by one game’

On his own future, Vanoli was characteristically direct. He expressed genuine ambition to continue but refused to let Thursday’s result define his tenure one way or the other.

“I don’t want my future to be conditioned by one Conference League match,” he said. “I’m not a genius if we go through and I’m not a mediocre coach if we go out. I keep believing, despite the difficulties.”

He also delivered a pointed observation about Italian football’s relationship with courage, fitting given the national conversation currently raging about the men’s team. “In Italy, people say they want courage but then criticise it when they see it.”

On team news, Dodô will miss the match through suspension, while Pongracic is being assessed after carrying a hamstring overload. Rugani, who impressed against Lazio, is available, and Vanoli confirmed Kean is being monitored day by day as the club works to have him fit.

Vincenzo Italiano’s future at Bologna is attracting significant attention from elsewhere in Italian football, with transfer insider Fabrizio Romano warning that several major clubs have the coach firmly on their radar despite his contract running until 2027.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Speaking on his YouTube channel ahead of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final second leg against Aston Villa at Villa Park, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Romano was careful to frame the situation in context. Italiano has publicly committed to Bologna and renewed his deal as recently as May 2025, earning just over €3 million per season.

On paper, there is no immediate reason to question his future in Emilia. However, Romano’s caveat was pointed. “Italiano at Bologna, yes, but with an asterisk,” he said. “He is very well regarded by several important Italian clubs.”

Big Serie A role beckons for Bologna coach Italiano

The key phrase Romano used was “domino effect on managerial positions,” a reference to the considerable upheaval currently rippling through Serie A benches, with multiple top clubs facing uncertainty over their coaching situations heading into the summer. Should that instability create unexpected vacancies, Italiano’s name is among the first that would be considered.

Since taking charge at Bologna in the summer of 2024, the coach has recorded 45 wins, 27 draws and 28 defeats, with his side scoring 144 goals and conceding 119 at an average of 1.62 points per game.

The Europa League quarter-final run alone represents a significant achievement for a club of Bologna’s resources, and it is precisely that kind of overperformance that makes Italiano so appealing to clubs with greater ambitions and deeper pockets.

Napoli have made their first move in the pursuit of Nicolò Zaniolo, with sporting director Giovanni Manna having opened exploratory talks with the Udinese midfielder’s entourage ahead of the summer transfer window.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

According to Kiss Kiss Napoli, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the approach represents a continuation of Manna’s long-standing admiration for the Italian, having previously targeted him during his time at Juventus.

Antonio Conte is also understood to be a fan of the player, though the extent of Napoli’s pursuit will depend heavily on whether the manager remains in charge next season, a question that has yet to be resolved following Aurelio De Laurentiis’ recent public comments from the United States.

Napoli keen on Zaniolo as Udinese man finds form

Zaniolo has rediscovered his best form this season, registering six goals and seven assists in 34 appearances for Udinese, a return that has underlined his quality when fit and in a settled environment.

The Italian international joined on loan from Galatasaray, and Udinese are understood to be ready to trigger their purchase option of approximately €9 million to make the deal permanent.

Manna is aware that other Italian clubs are also monitoring the situation, giving the contact an added urgency. Napoli are not prepared to be caught flat-footed in what promises to be a competitive summer window, and Zaniolo, available at a relatively modest cost given his current form, represents an attractive and attainable target.

Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori has not been included in Arsenal’s starting lineup or bench in Wednesday night’s UEFA Champions League quarter final match against Sporting.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Arsenal won the first leg 1-0 in Portugal and are expected to come out on top at the Emirates Stadium.

Calafiori, however, will play no part in the match – indeed, after missing Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat against Bournemouth.

The Italian’s condition is not likely serious though, and the Italian may be available for the weekend’s huge match against Manchester City.

Arsenal vs Sporting – Official Lineups as Calafiori misses out

Arsenal: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Madueke, Gyokeres, Martinelli

Sporting: Rui Silva; Quaresma, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Hjulman, Morita; Geny, Pedro Goncalves, Trincao; Suarez

Juventus are set to secure the long-term future of Manuel Locatelli, with an agreement in place to extend his contract until 2030.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Italy international’s current deal, which was due to expire in 2028, will be extended by a further two years, while also including a salary increase from €3m to €4m per season, according to CalcioMercato.

The official signing is expected to take place on April 17.

Locatelli renewal is huge boost for Juventus

Locatelli joined Juventus from Sassuolo in 2021 for €37.5m, having previously come through the ranks at AC Milan. Since arriving in Turin, he has made 224 appearances, contributing nine goals and 17 assists, and played a key role in the club’s Coppa Italia triumph in 2024.

At international level, he has earned 36 caps for the Italy national team, scoring three goals and being part of the squad that won Euro 2020.

Locatelli’s renewal is the latest in a series of key extensions for Juventus, following new deals for Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie and head coach Luciano Spalletti.

Attention will now turn to the future of Dusan Vlahovic, whose current contract is due to expire in 2026 and remains unresolved.

There’ll surely be huge demand for Manchester City vs Arsenal tickets as this weekend’s game at the Etihad Stadium looks like potentially deciding the Premier League title.

BUY MAN CITY VS. ARSENAL TICKETS

The Gunners have had a bit of a blip recently, while Man City have looked back to their best, and now they go head-to-head in this huge six-pointer.

If Arsenal win, then defeat in the last game against Bournemouth will quickly be forgotten, and they’ll be major favourites again, but a win for City will confirm what we appear to be seeing now, with Mikel Arteta‘s side perhaps bottling it again. A draw leaves us all guessing.

Years from now you’ll surely wish you’d been there, so read on for our Manchester City vs Arsenal tickets guide.

How to buy Manchester City tickets

Manchester City fans looking for tickets to this game will likely make the official site here their first port of call, but it’s not necessarily the best way to guarantee you’ll grab a seat.

We can also recommend following the link here for another dedicated ticket portal that is easy to navigate, reliable, and backed by a 150% money-back guarantee if, for whatever reason, you’re not satisfied.

How to buy Arsenal tickets

Arsenal’s official ticket page can be found here, but we would again recommend having a backup plan in place, as you’ll struggle to get ahead of season-ticket holders and club members for such an in-demand fixture.

You could also try following our link here for a better chance to make sure you get a seat in the Etihad Stadium away end, for what could end up being an unforgettable game that ends up taking a place alongside Anfield in 1989, Old Trafford in 2002, and White Hart Lane in 2004 in the club’s history books.

How Manchester City could line up vs Arsenal

City are in fine form at the moment, so will surely take the game to Arsenal with an attacking approach and as many of their stars on the pitch at once.

Pep Guardiola can’t fit everyone in, but he has plenty of good options that can cause the Gunners problems, as they did in the Carabao Cup final recently.

Expect something like the below…

Man City predicted line-up: Donnarumma; Nunes, O’Neill, Guehi, Khusanov; Rodri, Silva, Cherki, Semenyo, Doku; Haaland.

How Arsenal could line up vs Manchester City

Injuries continue to be a problem for Arsenal as they have been for so much of the season, with doubts over Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori going into this game.

That makes it hard to predict Arsenal’s starting XI, but based on recent reports it’s probably more likely that Saka and Timber will be back than the other two.

We’ll go with this line-up for now…

Arsenal predicted line-up: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Rice, Zubimendi, Eze; Saka, Trossard, Gyokeres.

Fine line between success and failure

Two wins, or even two draws for Arsenal this week will have them in the Champions League semi-finals and probably as title favourites. Two defeats and it’s likely they’re heading for another trophyless season.

These are the fine margins for Arteta now, whose own future as Arsenal manager will surely come into question if this project once again yields a second-place finish and failure to lift any of the other three trophies despite for so long this season looking like they might genuinely be in the running for a quadruple.

Quite simply, this is an absolutely massive game for Arsenal in their modern history – can their players rise to the occasion or will the pressure get to them again? Give us your predictions in the comments!

Leonardo Bonucci remains part of the Italy national team setup despite the recent overhaul at the Italian Football Federation, as he continues to build towards a future in coaching.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The former Juventus defender is currently working as part of the federation’s technical structure, focusing on scouting and analysing players while completing the required steps to obtain his UEFA Pro licence, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport.

His role is independent of the previous coaching staff and remains valid until June 2026, meaning he has stayed on despite the departures of Gennaro Gattuso, Gabriele Gravina and Gianluigi Buffon.

Bonucci stays on pathway to Serie A coaching

Bonucci began his post-playing path in 2024 as an assistant to Bernardo Corradi with the Italy Under-20 side, before later being integrated into the senior national team environment. His current duties involve monitoring both established and emerging Italian players, compiling detailed reports as part of his coaching education.

This work is essential for completing the hours required to sit the final exams at Coverciano, which would allow him to coach in Serie A. He has already earned his UEFA A licence and is regularly attending matches across Italy and Europe to continue his development.

Bonucci’s contract is set to expire in June, when he will decide together with the federation whether to continue. For now, his focus remains on gaining experience and preparing for a future on the touchline, with several coaches, including Antonio Conte, having already shown interest in bringing him into their staff.

Cesc Fabregas confirms Como are targeting more Real Madrid talents after Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon and hopes to remain at the Stadio Sinigaglia long term: ‘I’m in love with everything I’m doing here.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Como visit Sassuolo in a crucial Serie A match on Friday, as the Azzurri are just two points below a Champions League spot despite last Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Inter.

Como have mostly used a 4-2-3-1 system this term, but Fabregas has also made some tactical twists along the way.

“I don’t like to talk about a structure. There’s always an evolution, and it’s always very hard. We analyse all the time,” he said at a press conference via TMW.

“If you look at PSG, Liverpool, and Barcelona, they are all very dynamic.”

Argentine talent Nico Paz scored a goal and provided one assist in Sunday’s loss to Inter after managing just one goal in the previous four league fixtures.

“I congratulated Nico Paz; we have revived him. He’s the player we used to see,” Fabregas said.

Como remain the least-beaten defence in Serie A despite their recent heavy defeat to Inter.

“Our defence was not in confusion. We recovered possession many times with high pressing,” insisted Fabregas.

“Our defence was incredible, with top-notch pressing. It’s true that we didn’t do well on set pieces, but that had to do with the pressure at that moment, too.

“It’s been a constant growth, thanks to the players, a great staff and the intensity we put in every day. We push hard, we know we are ranked higher than we would have thought, but it all depends on the players and what they learn day by day,” he added.

“We continue to push, hoping to finish as high as possible. When you see the players’ determination, the result goes in the background. There will be moments when only the result is missing, but now we are building an idea.”

Speaking about the defensive attitude he wants to see from his players, Fabregas mentioned Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday: “Yesterday, Eric García consistently anticipated the play and maintained the right positioning, even though he isn’t the most physical or the fastest. It’s exactly what we want.”

Fabregas was asked whether Lucas Da Cunha embodies his playing style, and the coach replied that the Frenchman has completed “96% of the training sessions” at Como over the last two seasons.

“Kolo Touré was somebody who didn’t miss any training sessions. It’s the typical player a scouting team must identify,” added Fabregas.

Fabregas confirmed that his assistant coach has travelled to Madrid twice in recent weeks to watch some Real Madrid Castilla players in action.

Nico Paz and Ramon have joined the Azzurri from the Merengues over the last two years, and Como fans should probably expect more reinforcements from the Spanish capital going forward.

“Yes, we are always on the move. It’s too important to watch players live,” Fabregas said.

“We are looking for players to improve. We know what Nico and Ramon have achieved here.”

Fabregas, a former Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, reiterated that he’s not considering leaving Como at the end of the season, not even of the Italy national team job.

“It’s hard, right now, this is what I feel. I’m in love with everything I’m doing here,” he said.

“This won’t change. My life is about preparing for the Sassuolo game. I experienced it as a player. Today it all goes well, but lose two games and people would not want you anymore. People are accustomed to having a high bar, and I’m the first one who wants it.”

One final question was whether he’d like to replicate Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal career at Como, spending several years at the club and reshaping their identity: “I’d love it,” he concluded.

Gabriele Gravina has admitted regret over his time in charge of the FIGC, acknowledging he may have stayed on too long before stepping down after acknowledging “what had been done could not be improved further.”

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Speaking to Le Iene, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, Gravina said he felt “bitter” about failing to deliver the results fans deserved, particularly in light of Italy’s ongoing struggles on the international stage.

“I’m disappointed for not giving our fans what they deserved,” he said. “Above all, I regret not stepping aside earlier, when I realised that what had been done could not be improved further.”

Gravina pushes back against Italy critics

Gravina also pushed back against criticism of his leadership, highlighting key achievements during his tenure.

“What I cannot accept is being called unworthy,” he added. “Important work was done, especially in terms of financial stability. We secured co-hosting rights for Euro 2032, one of the biggest sporting events in the world. People forget that after 53 years we won the European Championship, and the Under-17 side also lifted their first European title.”

However, Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup remains a major shadow. Gravina pointed to structural issues within Italian football, particularly the limited opportunities for domestic players.

“We produce talent, but it is not used,” he explained. “Around 70% of players are foreign, leaving only 30% eligible for the national team. Clubs operate as businesses, so you cannot force them to make different choices. The only solution is to change the culture and introduce incentives.”

He also clarified previous controversial remarks about other sports, insisting they were misunderstood.

“My comments were about regulations, not a lack of respect,” Gravina said. “I admire athletes from all disciplines and their sacrifices. I never intended to offend anyone.”

Chelsea face Manchester United this weekend in what could be the Blues’ last real chance to keep their Champions League qualification hopes alive.

BUY CHELSEA VS. MAN UNITED TICKETS

Liam Rosenior’s side are on an awful run of form at the moment, winning just one of their last six games in all competitions, and losing three in a row without even scoring a goal in the Premier League.

Still, there are five Champions League places up for grabs now and the gap with Liverpool is not insurmountable just yet, so can Chelsea pick up a vital win against Man Utd this weekend?

The Red Devils have been much-improved under Michael Carrick and are looking reasonably sure of Champions League qualification, but could that mean they end up taking their eye off the ball a little bit?

Either way, it should be an unmissable game between two big clubs who always put on a show when they meet, whether it’s been in title races or in top-four battles like this.

How to buy Chelsea tickets

Chelsea fans can find the club’s official ticket page via the link here, but there can be issues with both affordability and availability if you go down that route.

It’s well worth trying our alternative here as it allows you an easy-to-use site with direct access to the games you care about, without the extra cost and hassle of becoming a season ticket holder or club member.

How to buy Manchester United tickets

Manchester United supporters looking for the club’s official ticket page can use the link here, but we’d again suggest keeping an alternative in mind as well.

To make sure you don’t miss out on this big game and others, our link lets you follow your club without extra costs or getting stuck behind season-ticket holders in the queue.

BUY CHELSEA VS. MAN UNITED TICKETS

How Chelsea could line up vs Manchester United

Chelsea fans will no doubt be keen to see if Enzo Fernandez returns to Rosenior’s line up for this game after the club suspended him for two games.

If the Argentina international does make it back, it should give CFC a much stronger-looking side to take on United, though there are clearly still issues in this team.

It remains to be seen if Rosenior will be tempted to rotate some of the players who performed so poorly against Man City, but one imagines his lack of options probably means there won’t be too much rotation.

Chelsea predicted line-up: Sanchez; Gusto, Cucurella, Fofana, Hato; Caicedo, Fernandez, Palmer; Garnacho, Neto, Pedro.

How Manchester United could line up vs Chelsea

Man United’s team more or less picks itself these days, but Matthijs de Ligt and Patrick Dorgu remain long-term absentees from the squad.

Still others, like Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, should be fit again for this game, while Harry Maguire will be back from suspension and will probably be back in the team.

Man Utd predicted line-up: Lammens; Dalot, Shaw, Maguire, Martinez; Casemiro, Mainoo, Fernandes; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko.

BUY CHELSEA VS. MAN UNITED TICKETS

Chelsea vs Manchester United head-to-head record

This fixture has tended to be quite close down the years, though going further back through history, it’s United who have the upper hand overall.

MUFC have won this fixture 84 times in total, drawing 57, and losing 57.

In more recent history, there’s been very little between them, with Chelsea winning three of their last twelve meetings, United winning the other three, and six draws.

At Stamford Bridge, however, United have a pretty poor record, having failed to win there since February 2020.

Reports in Italy claim that Milan sporting director Igli Tare recently met with Robert Lewandowski’s agent, but the Rossoneri’s CEO, Giorgio Furlani, doesn’t seem inclined to pay a high salary to a player well over 30.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Milan are looking for a new centre-forward for 2026-27, given their strikers’ struggles in the current campaign.

Milan in talks with Lewandowski

Barcelona star Lewandowski, whose contract at the Nou Camp expires in June, has long been a transfer target for the Rossoneri, and according to Calciomercato.com, Tare recently met the striker’s representative, Pini Zahavi, for dinner.

Technically, Milan are interested in Lewandowski, who is said to have also attracted interest from Juventus and received a big-money offer from an unnamed MLS club.

However, according to Calciomercato.com and Corriere della Sera, Milan CEO Furlani is currently reluctant to make a major investment, even in salary terms, for a player who will turn 38 in August.

Milan signed Niclas Fullkrug on loan with an option to buy from West Ham in the January window, but seem eager to send the German back to London at the end of the season.

Former Milan star Marcel Desailly feels Alessandro Bastoni could bring Barcelona to a ‘different level’, but the Inter defender ‘isn’t even half of Paolo Maldini.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Ex-Milan and France defender Desailly spoke to the Italian Football Podcast about two under-fire Serie A stars in recent weeks: Inter’s Bastoni and Milan’s Rafael Leao.

Bastoni has received criticism from fans and media alike in recent months. The Inter star was first involved in a huge controversy during a Serie A match against Juventus in February, when he caused and celebrated a red card for Pierre Kalulu.

A few weeks later, he received a straight red card in Italy’s World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which proved to be a big turning point in the Azzurri’s loss on penalties.

“I think he has been consistent, I think he’s been at Inter for like seven seasons and doing well no matter who the coach is,” Desailly said.

“I don’t think he’s a top international leader, but as you said, he is a player who knows how to adapt to the system. This is his limit.

“He has helped Inter to probably win the league this season by his consistency and understanding of how to read the game. But I think the limit is there, international level, this is it. They don’t play the same system.

Desailly on Bastoni transfer: Barcelona ‘weak at the back’

“He managed to adapt himself again with Gattuso. He is on the left side, if you want to compare him to Maldini, but he isn’t even half of Maldini. But he is who he is.”

Several sources claim that Bastoni, who is under contract with Inter until 2028, is keen to join Barcelona in the summer, and Desailly believes that both the defender and Barça would benefit from such a move.

“Yes I mean it is a good experience to match your level. Same as Leao, I don’t know his winning mentality. He is a defender, he isn’t a creative player,” said Desailly, a 1998 France World Cup winner.

“But maybe he can lift the level to understand and adapt to Barcelona’s level where they are in need of a strong defensive attitude.

“You can see Barcelona, in each position they are just amazing, but they are weak at the back, and that is why they don’t win the Champions League.

“So he could be that player that brings that consistency and that strength on the defensive block to bring Barcelona to another level. Because they definitely need defensive leaders in the squad.”

Milan star Rafael Leao hasn’t scored a goal since March 1, and Gazzetta dello Sport recently argued that the Portuguese winger and the Rossoneri should part ways at the end of the season.

“You said it, you cannot criticise him, because the day you criticise him, he will produce magic on the pitch. And you are stuck, and you don’t know what to say anymore. In five seconds, he will crash out all the negativity you put on him,” argued Desailly.

“But we know 100% that he doesn’t have the consistency. And he isn’t on his own a leader for a full season like Messi was, and Neymar was.

“He doesn’t have that consistency. He is an important player for the team, but he can never be the main man throughout the season. He can be the main man once in a while because he will be on and off.

“And he looks like he has reached the maximum level he can produce. I can’t criticise him because he is earning a lot of money and plays for Milan and the Portuguese national team.

“But I think that he thinks he is everything. He isn’t mentally ready to study where he can improve physically, because he potentially cannot give more physically,” continued the ex-Milan defender.

“Then maybe he can potentially study how to change his diet, training or whatever to have that consistency. He is a bit of a problem in a system because he doesn’t track back. He’ll push forward but when the action is finished, he stops.

“It means he doesn’t have the legs to get back into position. So, there must be a physical and mental approach that could eventually bring him to the level of, because he could be Ballon d’Or.

“But does he really want it? Is his entourage smart enough to be able to tell him, ‘Look, what you’ve done is great, but to get to the next level, you will need to adjust certain things.’

“Because for now this is the maximum we can expect from Leao.”

Diego Simeone tells Italy legends Alessandro Del Piero and Alessandro Costacurta that Atletico Madrid have learned that they must ‘hurt’ Barcelona, ‘otherwise, they will.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Simeone’s Atletico Madrid knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win.

Simeone, a former Catania coach and an ex-midfielder of Pisa, Lazio and Inter, spoke to Sky Sport Italia at full-time.

Simeone examines Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona with Italy legends

Fabio Capello asked whether the Colchoneros should have kept a higher line in the final ten minutes, with Barcelona reduced to ten men.

• Read more – Ruggeri on Italy snub and marking Yamal: ‘Not just me’

“You know well that sometimes what one wants is not what the players can give,” Simeone replied.

“Sometimes the coaches shout, but the players are like: ‘Gaffer, I just can’t get there.’ Even with one man down, they couldn’t get there. We knew we had to keep a higher line. I kept telling Julian: ‘Mark Pedri, go on the right.’ But he said: ‘Mister, I’m dead.’ I was angrier after the first leg, because we played one man up for 45 minutes, so I was angry when I left. If you don’t score against them, you lose, because they are so strong. Even if you play behind the ball, you’ll concede in the end.”

Ex-Italy defender Costacurta praised Simeone for resting all his starters in the previous La Liga match.

“On Saturday, we had made many changes to the lineup; everyone rested, knowing the effort we’d need today,” said Simeone.

“But, Mamma Mia, they play so well, they attack so well, they come from everywhere. Against them, we have understood that we have to hurt them; otherwise, they will.”

Atletico Madrid have reached the Champions League semis four times under Simeone and twice made it to the Final, so Del Piero asked if the Argentine felt “something special” this season.

“Yes, I do. And there is,” Simeone concluded, smiling.

Former Italian striker Antonio Cassano argues he was more ‘creative’ than Francesco Totti and had more physicality than Roberto Baggio: ‘But I never reached my prime.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Former Serie A star Cassano released some bold statements in his latest appearance on the Viva El Football podcast, which he hosts alongside Daniele Adani and Nicola Ventola.

Cassano: I was ‘more creative’ than Totti

A follower asked Cassano whether, in his prime, he was better than legendary strikers Baggio, Del Piero and Totti, and he replied without hesitation: “In my prime, absolutely yes; even though I never actually reached it in my career or in my life. I like myself much more,” he said via FcInter1908.

“Baggio was brilliant; Totti was the greatest No.10 in the history of Italian football; Del Piero was a phenomenal player, but if I had reached 100%, I would have been stronger than all three.

“What did I have more than Totti? I was more creative, more physical than Baggio and more of everything than Del Piero. He scored more than I, but I’m talking about my prime,” he added.

“If I had done what I was meant to, I would have had no rivals. Goals don’t tell the whole story. I was something else.”

Cassano scored 112 goals and provided 100 assists in 400 Serie A appearances with Bari, Roma, Sampdoria, Milan, Inter and Parma.

He also played for Real Madrid but managed only four goals and three assists in 29 appearances.

The former striker scored 10 goals in 39 appearances for the Italy national team, helping the team reach the Euro 2012 Final.

Del Piero and Totti won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, while Baggio finished 3rd with the Azzurri at Italia ’90, 2nd at USA ’94, and was knocked out in the quarter-finals at France ’98.

Paolo Vanoli says Fiorentina are doing ‘everything we can’ to recover Moise Kean for a Conference League game against Crystal Palace, where the Tuscans will need ‘courage’ and ‘heads free’ to try to overturn a three-goal deficit.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Fiorentina host Crytal Palace at the Stadio Franchi on Thursday night in the second leg of the Conference League quarter-finals.

The Tuscans suffered a 3-0 loss in the reverse fixture played in England last week, but hope to see Italy international Kean return to action tomorrow: “We are trying to recover him; we are doing everything we can, including double training sessions with the player,” Fiorentina coach Vanoli told Sky Sport.

“He is keen to try to help us in this final part of the season. It’s a problem that has somewhat interrupted what he did last year, but thanks to the group, we have been able to make up for the absence of an important player.”

Kean has missed the last two games for Fiorentina, including the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park last week.

Fiorentina spent most of the season in the Serie A drop zone, but bounced back in recent months and are now eight points above the bottom three.

On Monday, they secured a crucial 1-0 win over Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

“It was the most important league win of the season, for the group and for how we approached it, especially given all the absences we had,” Vanoli said.

“There were three important points, knowing they bring us closer to something extraordinary, numbers in hand. Now, however, we need to keep our feet on the ground and go to Lecce, thinking we still have to earn the points we need.”

Vanoli is under contract with Fiorentina until the end of the season and his future at the Stadio Franchi is far from certain.

“I’ve been in football for many years, I know how it works, and I move on,” he said.

“I have to look at what we are doing and what the numbers are saying.”

Surely, however, Vanoli would love to remain at the Franchi beyond the summer.

“Absolutely, when I do something, I want to keep going with it,” he insisted.

“The club has always given me trust, and I know the esteem they have for me. I have to look at the present and finish what we started, which may seem little, but is actually a lot.”

During his pre-match press conference, Vanoli shifted his focus on the upcoming European game against Palace, highlighting the approach he expects from his players: “With head free and knowing that we’ll need a feat. Sometimes, for these things, you don’t need technique, but the desire to do something that goes beyond, with courage and with our heads free,” he said via TMW.

“We’ll have to take risks to try to dream. I’m sorry I don’t have the full squad available. Substitutions are helpful, but against Lazio, we proved we are a proper team.

“We know Crystal Palace are one of the favourites to win the Conference League,” continued the Fiorentina coach.

“They got to this game after a comeback against Newcastle, who have a complete team.

“I showed the lads the opening 30 minutes before the penalty kick. It’s not true that we didn’t play well. I think we paid a high price for incidents in which we lacked attention. This must serve as a lesson on how to become a top side. We were unlucky in the draw, but it’s nice because strong opponents make you grow. When you don’t win, you learn.”

• Read more – Mandragora sends warning to Crystal Palace: ‘We believe in the miracle’

Jonathan David has had an opportunity to discuss the criticism he has received in his first season at Juventus, has put to bed any rumours that he hasn’t settled in the dressing room and says that the Old Lady are ‘under more scrutiny than any other club in Italy’. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

David on Juventus struggles, false rumours and failed panenka penalty attempt

The Canada international, who joined Juventus on a free transfer after five successful seasons with Lille in Ligue 1, spoke to TSN in his homeland after what has been a fairly underwhelming first campaign in Serie A. 

David has made 30 appearances in Serie A this term, but has only started 17 times and is only on five league goals for the season, four of which came in a run of five games in January. For reference, David averaged 17.4 league goals per season during his time in France and never scored fewer than 13 in the league during his five seasons with Lille. 

“For me, I think it’s been up and down. I came to a new club with high hopes, high expectations and obviously I wasn’t scoring as regularly as I wanted to,” David told TSN when asked how he thinks his 2025-26 season has gone. 

He feels that playing for a club the size of Juventus also opens players up to wider criticism: “Juventus is the club that is under more scrutiny than any other club in Italy, there’s all these eyes on you and obviously people will talk.” 

There had been rumours earlier in the season that David had not settled into the dressing room at Continassa, and there were some reports that the players had stopped inviting him out to team dinners. 

Head coach Luciano Spalletti had to step in to put the story to bed, joking that the first time David was invited out for dinner with his teammates, he committed the Italian sin of grating parmesan cheese over seafood pasta, which is why his Italian colleagues, supposedly, didn’t take him out again. 

David insists that these rumours were not true in the slightest. 

“I don’t know how or why that rumour came out but obviously I know it wasn’t true because I’m in the dressing room with these guys, we get along very well,” he said. 

David also faced criticism after making a mess of an attempted panenka from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw with Lecce, which ended up costing Juventus a precious two points. 

“I knew what I wanted to do, it didn’t come off right. After that game there was a lot of talk about the way I kicked the penalty, why it was me doing it.”

It was immediately after the Lecce game that David went on his run of scoring four times in five Serie A matches: “It was a very special moment for myself and I think for the team also,” he said. 

“Maybe sometimes people don’t understand you, people don’t really know you so they tend to judge you but that doesn’t really matter because you have people that are close to you, who care for you, who understand the way you are so I’m not really worried about that.” 

PSG star Marquinhos is grateful to Italy and Serie A, saying that his former Roma coach, Zdeněk Zeman, forced him to ‘get out of my comfort zone.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

PSG’s Marquinhos qualified for the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday following a 2-0 away win at Liverpool.

The ex-Roma defender, who played for the Giallorossi in the 2012-13 campaign, spoke to Sky Sport Italia after the match, recalling his only season in Serie A.

Marquinhos: Roma ‘meant a lot’ to me

“I only spent one season in Italy, but it opened the door to Europe for me and meant a lot,” he said, in perfect Italian.

“I had a coach, Zeman. He likes fast defenders who understand the timing: when the ball is covered, when it’s uncovered, and how to execute offside. It taught me so much, and it forced me to get out of my comfort zone, where I was in Brazil, where I was much more comfortable. It taught me so much.

“Here [at PSG], I played with many players who had been in Italy, who helped me understand the tactics and the play. Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Thiago Motta, and many others who passed a lot on to me. So, I’m always grateful to Italy.”

Roma finished 6th in the 2012-13 campaign, and Zeman was sacked after round 23, replaced by Aurelio Andreazzoli until the end of the campaign.

Marquinhos commented on PSG’s win over Liverpool, answering a question from Fabio Capello, one of the Sky Sport Italia pundits, who asked the Brazilian whether Mohamed Salah’s introduction in the second half somehow concerned the Ligue 1 giants.

“I think they had nothing to lose in the second half. They had to use their strength, which is physicality, and played many long balls on the wings to win the second ball,” Marquinhos replied.

“But we are aware of our strengths and weaknesses, so we didn’t want to bring the game where they wanted, corner kicks, first ball, second ball, and we defended smartly. Even if it’s not our main strength, we must be able to defend and take on the pain in these tough moments. Don’t concede and be able to suffer to make the most of our best moments.”

PSG are the defending Champions League title holders, having beaten Serie A giants Inter 5-0 in the 2024-25 Final.

Under ex-Roma coach Luis Henrique, PSG have once again reached the semis, where they’ll face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

Rolando Mandragora is aware that Fiorentina need a ‘perfect game’ to overturn their 3-0 deficit against Crystal Palace in the second leg of their Conference League quarter-final tie, but warns the South Londoners that ‘we believe in the miracle’. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Viola will host Palace at the Stadio Franchi at 20.00 BST on Thursday evening, requiring a statement performance to overturn the 3-0 defeat they suffered at Selhurst Park last week. 

Palace are the bookies’ outright favourites to go on and win this season’s Conference League title, but Fiorentina are two-time finalists themselves and are hoping to make amends for what has been a largely disappointing season across the board. 

Mandragora previews Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace second leg: ‘Difficult, but we believe in it’

“We’ve managed to keep ourselves alive and are still in the running. It will take a big feat but we believe in the miracle,” Mandragora warned during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday (via TMW). 

“We’ve often suffered comebacks in the second leg in the past few years. Now could be the right time to do it ourselves. Of course, we’ll need the perfect game and that Palace will concede against us. It will be difficult, but we believe in it.” 

Mandragora hopes that the support from the home fans at the Stadio Franchi will spur the players on on the night. 

“We can do something special with the support of our fans. We didn’t want to disappoint them with a result like that in the first leg. But for most of the game, the performance was there, there were chances. We’ll try to play our game at home, even if they are strong and complete.” 

Fiorentina are five games unbeaten over in Serie A and are finally starting to look safe from relegation after moving eight points clear of the drop zone after their 1-0 win over Lazio on Monday night. 

“It’s been a one-off year and the celebration the other night was a sort of liberation, even if it’s not over yet,” said Mandragora. 

“We didn’t expect to have a season like this. We started with completely different goals and we needed a lot of humility to change them. It wasn’t obvious we’d be in this situation.” 

Despite the 3-0 defeat at Selhurst Park last week, Mandragora insists that he didn’t feel too much of a difference in quality between the Premier League and the Serie A outfit. 

“I honestly don’t (notice a difference in quality). Of course, the Premier League is elite, as is Serie A with its pros and cons. Every game has its own story and the first leg told us that they were better than us. We’ll see if we’re better than them in the second.” 

Cristian Chivu is on course to win the Scudetto in his first full season as a head coach, and reports on Wednesday indicate that a contract extension is now close and that the Romanian will be given more of a say on Inter’s transfer decisions moving forwards. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Chivu was given his first senior head coach role with Parma last February, but did enough in his short time in charge to convince Inter into appointing him as the replacement for 2023-24 Scudetto winner and two-time Champions League finalist Simone Inzaghi ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. 

Fast forward 10 months later, Chivu and Inter have a nine-point lead at the top of the Serie A table heading into the final six games of the season and it is now widely expected that the Nerazzurri will go on to claim their 21st league title. 

Multiple outlets in Italy indicate that Chivu will be rewarded with a new and improved contract extension at the end of the season, potentially doubling his €2.5m-per-season salary until 2029 or potentially even 2030. 

Chivu and Inter align on transfer strategy

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chivu will also have more of a say over Inter’s potential recruits on the transfer market moving forwards. 

Last summer, Chivu had no say at all in two of the five new signings that the club brought in: Deals for Luis Henrique and Petar Sucic were negotiated by the club long before Chivu was appointed head coach. 

Additionally, there were two high-profile players that Chivu attempted to sign last summer, namely former Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, now with Atletico Madrid, and Roma midfielder Manu Kone, but was unsuccessful on both fronts. 

This time around, however, the club and coach plan to be in complete harmony in their decision making and are aiming to provide Chivu with players with profiles that suit his style of play. They are said to be targeting more physically imposing players, particularly in defence and midfield.

Names that have been linked with Inter ahead of the summer transfer window include Kone again, Atalanta’s Marco Palestra and Sassuolo centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.

Wednesday’s reports claim that Juventus are interested in potential deals for two Italian left-backs in Lorenzo Bernasconi and Leonardo Spinazzola in the event that Andrea Cambiaso, who has been linked with a potential Premier League move, leaves the club this summer. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Juventus could reshuffle left side of defence in summer transfer window

According to reports from Tuttosport, Premier League interest in Cambiaso is hotting up again. The Italy international has on several previous occasions been linked with a move to Manchester City, and now, according to Wednesday’s update, there is interest from Spain and from Milan in Italy as well. 

Juventus had previously cited an asking price of €60m for Manchester City, but this figure could potentially be as low as €40m during the next summer transfer window. 

In the event that Cambaiso does leave in the summer, Tuttosport claims that Juventus could replace him with two relatively affordable options. 

The first is Atalanta’s Bernasconi, who has established himself as a regular Serie A starter for La Dea in the second half of the 2025-26 season, and has also started in 10 Champions League matches this campaign. 

The 22-year-old has been described as an ‘experienced project player’, i.e. one with room to improve but still with a decent level of exposure at the highest level of the game. Wednesday’s report claims that Juventus could strike a deal for a fee in the region of €20m for Bernasconi, who cost Atalanta around €1m to sign from Cremonese in 2024. 

Additionally, Juventus could also make a potential move for the 33-year-old Spinazzola, whose contract with Napoli is due to expire at the end of the season. The Italy international was also linked with a potential move to Milan earlier this week.

Inter and Italy legend Sandro Mazzola believes Alessandro Bastoni should not even consider a move to Barcelona and hopes Lautaro Martinez remains at San Siro forever.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Former Inter and Italy star Mazzola advises Bastoni against joining Barcelona.

The Italian centre-back is said to be eager to join the Catalans in the summer, even though formal talks between the two clubs haven’t even started.

According to Italian sources, one reason for Bastoni’s potential exit over the summer is the hostile reception he receives at Italian stadiums following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu during Inter-Juventus in February.

Mazzola: Bastoni should not join Barcelona from Inter

“What has he done that’s so serious? Mistakes can happen; every player on every team makes them, but only Inter players get this kind of treatment,” Mazzola told Gazzetta.

“The only thing I can say to him is: keep your head up and get back to work straight away.”

Asked on whether Bastoni should consider leaving Inter, the Nerazzurri legend replied: “Where should he go? Milan is even more beautiful than Barcelona. If Luisito [Suarez] were still around, he would have confirmed that too.”

Mazzola went on to say that Italian players in the Inter team “excite” him, “even though we failed to qualify for the World Cup, and that’s a huge pain,” he noted.

“Not so much for me, since I’ve played and seen many of them, but for my grandchildren, who can’t dream like kids used to. This time we were a bit unlucky, especially our Inter defender [Bastoni].”

Just as he hopes Bastoni, who is contracted with Inter until 2028, won’t leave the club in the summer, Mazzola wishes that Lautaro Martinez would stick around until the end of his career.

“We can only hope he stays with us for life,” the 70-year-old concluded.

Argentines sometimes want to return home, but Lautaro shouldn’t get any strange ideas. In time, he’ll surpass Altobelli in the number of goals, and just getting close to Meazza would already be an incredible achievement.”

Wednesday’s reports claim that Roma star Paulo Dybala is keen to play for Milan under his former Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri, and that La Joya could potentially be one of several new arrivals to reshuffle the Rossoneri attack. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Reports Milan could reshuffle attack with Dybala and either Lewandowski or Vlahovic

Wednesday’s reports from Corriere della Sera (via Calciomercato.com) claim that Milan could reshape their attacking department during the summer transfer window and that Dybala could potentially be a part of it, but this still depends on several varying factors. 

Firstly, Milan need to make a decision on Rafael Leao, who has struggled to reach the same heights in 2025-26 as he has done in previous seasons, despite being the club’s top scorer in Serie A this season (with 9) and their joint-top scorer across all competitions (with 10, along with Christian Pulisic). 

This is partly due to a pubalgia issue that has impacted Leao’s fitness, as well as the fact that he has most regularly been playing as a striker in a 3-5-2 as opposed to a left winger in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1. 

Certain Rossoneri supporters have grown impatient with the Portugal international, who was loudly booed during the team’s recent 3-0 loss at home against Udinese. Wednesday’s reports claim that Milan could consider a sale this summer, and while an exact transfer fee has not been specified, it is certain that Leao’s €175m release clause will not be met. 

If Leao is to leave, Milan would be left needing to reinvest in their attacking unit. 

Firstly, a more traditional centre-forward is being sought ahead of the summer transfer window, regardless of Leao’s future. Robert Lewandowski, available on a free transfer at the end of his Barcelona contract, has been linked with a move to San Siro, while Milan are reportedly still monitoring the situation between Juventus and Dusan Vlahovic. 

Also out of contract at the end of the 2025-26 season is Dybala, whose future with Roma remains uncertain at this stage. 

Calciomercato reports that Dybala has not received confirmation either way as to whether his Roma contract will be extended or allowed to expire, but that he is already beginning to receive offers within Europe and South America. 

Wednesday’s report claims that Dybala is not opposed to the idea of staying on with Roma, even with a reduction in salary, but that he also has options in Argentina, Brazil and potentially in Italy as well. 

If his time with Roma were to come to an end this summer, Dybala would reportedly prefer to stay in Europe and ideally in Italy. 

This is where Milan comes back in, as Dybala is said to be keen on the idea of reuniting with his former Juventus head coach, Allegri, at Milan. La Joya had also been linked with a potential move to San Siro before joining Roma at the end of his stay with the Old Lady. 

As the 32-year-old has been hampered by injuries, especially over the last two seasons, it has also been reported that he would be ‘willing’ to accept a performance-based contract, i.e. one that depends on appearances and goal contributions. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport calls Matteo Ruggeri ‘heroic’ after Atlético Madrid’s aggregate win over Barcelona, which sent the Colchoneros to the Champions League semi-finals.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Ruggeri’s Atlético Madrid suffered a 2-1 home defeat to domestic rivals Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, but still managed to progress to the semis with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Italy international Ruggeri played the full game, emerging as one of the best players on the field at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Praise for Ruggeri as Atletico Madrid knock Barcelona out of Champions League

La Gazzetta dello Sport rated Ruggeri 7/10, the same as Antoine Griezmann and ex-Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, only behind his teammates Marcos Llorente and Kone and Barça’s star Yamal (7.5).

“The man from Bergamo had to deal with that demon on Lamine Yamal once again. And he did,” wrote Gazzetta.

“Bloodied and, in the end, heroic.”

Ruggeri was elbowed by Barcelona midfielder Gavi in the final minutes, leaving him with a bleeding head wound and forcing the Italian to finish the match wearing a bandage.

Ruggeri, 23, is in his first season at Atlético Madrid, where he has collected seven assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

Ruggeri was called up to the Italy national team only once, during the March break in 2025, and has yet to make his senior Azzurri debut, despite playing 16 games with Italy U21.

Fabio Capello believes that Antonio Conte is primed and ready to re-claim the Italy national team job, but feels that the need to adapt to international management would not put off Massimiliano Allegri either. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Conte and Allegri are the two leading candidates to take over as Italy national team head coach following the recent resignation of Gennaro Gattuso. Italy are still without an FIGC President as well, with elections scheduled for June 22, and so a decision on the next CT is not expected to arrive before a new head of the football association is in place. 

Despite the uncertainties regarding the leadership of the Italian FA, there are two main candidates for the Italy head coach role, and Fabio Capello, speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, has given his thoughts on both. 

Capello on the next Italy CT: ‘Conte knows what awaits him, Allegri is intelligent’

One of the benefits in appointing Conte is the fact that he has already held the Italy head coach role between 2014 and 2016. 

“That would be a plus point for him,” says Capello. “If he returns to the Azzurri dugout, he would already know what awaits him, even though the scenario has changed compared to 10 years ago.

“It’s practically impossible to get worse than this, we’ve hit rock bottom.” 

For Allegri, however, it would be a first step into international football. 

“You don’t have the daily relationship with the players,” Capello warned. “And that’s not trivial, you have less control over what happens during the season. From injuries to the form of various players, you experience everything from the outside until the players are in training camp at Coverciano.”

But does Capello feel that this would be an issue should Allegri take over the Italy job? 

“I don’t think so, it would just be different. As I said, Max is intelligent and would quickly understand how to go about it. It would still clearly be a novelty for him at the beginning, while for Antonio it would not. 

“Allegri, on the other hand, has something more in terms of communication. Conte has been less diplomatic on some occasions in the past.” 

Capello believes that Conte did a decent job with the Italy national team during his time in charge between 2014 and 2016, but feels that the players he had available back then were of a slightly higher standard than the current crop of Azzurri representatives. 

“He definitely had a European championship that was up to par, but there were also some different players available,” Capello said, referring to the likes of Gianluigi Buffon, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli. 

“And there is no longer a real block of a (club) team in the national side. We have some from Inter, but it’s not as large as we’ve had in the past.” 

This is not the first time that Capello has mentioned the need for a ‘block’ of players who play for the same club to be deployed in the Italy team. 

“Look, the first piece of advice I would give to any coach: You need to create a base of players immediately, possibly focusing on ‘blocking’ a team from the national league.” 

Capello feels that this is easier said than done, though, given the lack of opportunities handed to Italian players in Serie A at the moment. 

“I know it well, our current difficulties stem from here. The level of Italian players has dropped and even the clubs are struggling. So for a recruiter, this is a very complicated task.” 

Capello himself was once offered the Italy national team job but turned down the opportunity: “I received the Azzurri offer, but at the moment I didn’t feel like it and so I refuse. 

“The national team is a matter of feeling and responsibility, and if at that precise moment I didn’t feel I could make myself available and it would have been wrong to do it and accept.

“The Italy job is not to be taken or rejected for the logic of convenience. It’s something you have to feel inside, because when the anthem starts, you are representing your country and you’re not ‘just’ at the service of a club like with other jobs. So I can’t suggest anything either way, it’s all strictly personal.” 

Antonio Conte continues to be linked with a potential move to re-claim the Italy national team head coach job following the recent resignation of Gennaro Gattuso, and Wednesday’s reports claim that Napoli have four potential candidates lined up to replace last season’s Scudetto winner. 

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Who could become Napoli head coach if Conte leaves to take over Italy job?

Conte along with Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri are the two names at the top of the list of potential replacements for Gattuso as head coach of the Italy national team. There have also been mentions of a potential return for Roberto Mancini and suggestions that ex-Inter head coach Simone Inzaghi could be an option as well. 

The Conte option is picking up traction again, especially after an interview given to The Athletic by Napoli President Auurelio De Laurentiis on Tuesday. 

De Laurentiis claimed that Conte ‘will never abandon me at the last minute’, but urged him to decide sooner rather than later regarding his future in order to allow Napoli enough time to line up an adequate replacement. 

According to reports from the Corriere dello Sport, Napoli’s ideal replacement for Conte in the event that he leaves to take over the Italy job is Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. 

Gasperini had also been a candidate to take over at the Stadio Maradona before Conte was given the job in the summer of 2024. His future at Roma has been put in doubt recently as well, following reports of tension between him and Giallorossi advisor Claudio Ranieri. 

There are three other potential options for Napoli as well according to Wednesday’s reports, including Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano, Sassuolo’s Fabio Grosso, and a potential return for former head coach Maurizio Sarri, who had the Napoli job between 2015 and 2018 and is currently in his second stint with Lazio.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Chivu power 

More weight on the transfer market after the Scudetto 

The Inter coach will sign a renewal to open a new cycle. Salary doubled 

Mazzola, the interview: ‘Deserved title, Lautaro will stay for life and surpass Meazza 

Leao 

Playing them all 

Milan continue ahead with Rafa (despite the whistles) 

The CT race 

Nazionale question 

The Diavolo want to tie Allegri down. De Laurentiis: ‘Conte decide now’ 

Spalletti, here’s Kim again 

Only big names for Juve, the Korean colossal if Bremer goes 

Locatelli signs: 2030

Atletico knock Barca and Yamal out, Super PSG, two goals again in Liverpool

Corriere dello Sport 

Conte changes everything 

De Laurentiis: ‘If he wants to go, say it now’

Antonio is the key | ADL’s interview with The Athletic reopens the discourse on Napoli’s future

A meeting is expected between the President and the ‘coach of miracles’, who will decide whether or not to continue. Gasperini, Italiano, Sarri and Grosso on the list of possible replacements 

Cholo, party with Lookman 

Champions League: Atletico in the semi-finals, Barca out 

Simeone loses 2-1 at home, but the goal from the ex-Atalanta man is enough to get through. Brace from Dembele: PSG win 2-0 again in Liverpool and also make it through. This evening, Real Madrid looking for the turnaround at Bayern Munich’s home (20.00)

From Alisson to Hojbjerg: Spalletti’s list 

Juve’s objectives 

Lucio wants an ‘instant team’ to aim for the Scudetto. Bremer alarms: The €54m clause reachable 

Serie A has lost goals and goalscorers 

782 goals scored 

Only eight in double figures up until now. For the first time in 35 years, the top goalscorer could be won by someone with fewer than 20 (The last was Vialli) 

Tuttosport 

Juve reshape the left 

Bernasconi and Spinazzola if Cambiaso leaves 

Premier League clubs (as well as Milan) interested in the Bianconeri left-back, valued at €40m. They like the 23-year-old from Atalanta and the possibility of signing the Napoli wing-back for free is intriguing. Need €30m to come in in June: From Gatti to Kelly, the players who could save the balance sheet 

Cholo masterpiece, bye-bye Barca

Champions League quarter-final second legs: Dembele freezes Liverpool (0-2), PSG through. 

Atletico in the semi-finals despite defeat: Lookman’s goal decisive after going 2-0 down, Ruggeri heroic. Now it’s Arsenal or Sporting (who kick-off at 1-0). This evening, Real looking for a come-back against Bayern after the 1-2 in Madrid 

Vlasic’s promise: ‘Yes, I’m staying at Toro’ 

Meeting between the fans and the Croatian 

Meanwhile, the celebrations for the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Scudetto also involve D’Aversa: ‘Radice was a hero of mine, he coached me at Monza: A great man’ 

‘Lock yourselves in a room and only come out with reforms’ 

FIGC elections and the new CT, interview with Calentini 

Hakan Calhanoglu’s agent has moved to categorically dismiss speculation linking the Inter midfielder with a return to Turkey, insisting there has never been any concrete contact with Galatasaray and that his client remains fully focused on winning the Scudetto with the Nerazzurri.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Gordon Stipic spoke to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to set the record straight after reports of Galatasaray interest resurfaced in recent days, a story that has circulated periodically without ever materialising into anything concrete.

“He has a contract with Inter until 2027 and is very happy both in Italy and at Inter,” Stipic said, via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“Speculation about a possible transfer to Galatasaray has emerged several times in the past and is now being recycled.”

Calhanoglu agent plays down Galatasaray links

The agent was emphatic in his denial of any formal approach. “The facts are clear, there have been no negotiations with Galatasaray, neither last summer nor in January,” he said. “At no point was there any request or concrete enquiry. Calhanoglu remains completely focused on what truly matters at this stage, Inter, the title race and achieving success together with the team.”

Stipic also took the opportunity to highlight his client’s broader ambitions, pointing to the World Cup as a source of additional motivation for the Turkish international.

“Week after week, through his performances, his passion and his sense of responsibility on the pitch, he continues to demonstrate his quality and his importance to the team,” he said.

“He looks ahead to the World Cup with great pride and determination, where he will lead his national team as captain, a responsibility that is a special honour and means everything to him.”

While Italian football’s men’s team grapples with the fallout of a third consecutive World Cup absence, their female counterparts are doing everything in their power to ensure Italy has a presence at the 2027 tournament, and a commanding 6-0 demolition of Serbia has kept that dream very much alive.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Andrea Soncin’s Azzurre were utterly dominant from start to finish, leading 3-0 at half-time through goals from Cristiana Girelli, Oliviero and Lenzini before a blistering second-half display completed the rout.

Caruso added a fourth before Cantore and Greggi wrapped up a thoroughly convincing victory that has breathed new life into Italy’s qualification hopes.

Italy face Denmark decider for World Cup qualification hopes

The context makes Saturday’s fixture against Denmark all the more significant.

With only the group winner qualifying automatically, the remaining sides dropping into the playoffs, the standings are finely poised. Denmark lead the group on seven points, with Italy and Sweden level on four in second and third respectively, and Serbia rooted to the bottom without a win.

A victory for Italy against the Danes on Saturday afternoon would leapfrog them into first place, while a draw could still be enough depending on the outcome of other results.

Then, in June, Italy face Serbia and Sweden, to determine the final standings, with head-to-head record and then goal difference in direct matches serving as the tiebreaker.

The prize at the end of this journey is a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the first South American nation to host the tournament. For a group of players performing with growing confidence and conviction, Saturday represents the biggest match of their qualification campaign.

Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Marcus Mann has revealed that Lazio’s January approach for Petar Ratkov caught him completely off guard, arriving just two days into his tenure at the Austrian club and forcing him to make one of his first major decisions under significant time pressure.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Ratkov had been Salzburg’s top scorer when Lazio came calling in January, offering a replacement for Taty Castellanos who had just departed for West Ham. The timing of the approach, and the speed at which Mann was required to respond, made the decision particularly challenging.

“The offer from Lazio for Ratkov took me a little by surprise, the call came when I had only been here two days,” Mann told Austrian television, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“I had to weigh up both the financial and the sporting aspects. From a sporting perspective, I was already aware that losing your top scorer is always a difficult choice, but in the end we prioritised the financial side. Obviously, though, every now and then you find yourself wondering: ‘How would things have gone if he had stayed?'”

Mann: ‘Salzburg miss Ratkov’ as Lazio struggles continue

Mann was careful not to use Ratkov’s departure as an excuse for Salzburg’s subsequent struggles in front of goal, pointing to the return of Konaté from injury as a factor that kept the attacking numbers broadly balanced on paper.

“Using this sale as an alibi for the few goals we are scoring would be too simple,” he said.

“But the fact remains that Ratkov, with his physicality in the air, would have been very useful to us in certain situations.”

For Lazio, meanwhile, the Serbian striker has found his own adaptation to Serie A a slow process, making his former club’s occasional regrets all the more poignant.

The Serbian forward has made just seven appearances for the Biancocelesti since his arrival in January, scoring zero goals and mainly being used off the bench.

Head coach Maurizio Sarri has claimed language issues are currently the biggest hurdle, as the forward continues to learn Italian.

Jack Harrison has dropped a strong hint about his desire to stay at Fiorentina beyond his current loan spell, telling reporters after the win over Lazio that any player would be happy to represent the club, while stopping short of confirming a permanent deal is imminent.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Leeds winger has grown into an increasingly important figure under Paolo Vanoli, delivering his third Serie A assist of the season against Lazio, a left-footed cross that set up Robin Gosens in the first half.

His deployment on the right flank, not his natural side, has raised eyebrows at times, but Vanoli’s faith in the Englishman has been repaid with reliable, intelligent performances that have made him a key cog in the Viola system. The absence of other wide options through injury has contributed to his prominence, but Harrison has earned his minutes rather than simply inherited them.

“I am very happy in Florence, the city is incredible and so is the club,” Harrison told reporters, via FirenzeViola.

“As for the future, any player would obviously be happy to play here. We will see what happens.”

Fiorentina keen on Harrison stay but finances could complicate deal

The financial picture, however, is complex. Harrison is on loan from Leeds with a purchase option set at €7 million, a fee that is manageable in isolation but must be viewed alongside a series of other potential obligations Fiorentina are already navigating this summer.

Compulsory buyouts for Fabbian (€13 million) and Brescianini (€10 million) are already in the pipeline, with Rugani and Manor Solomon adding further potential expenditure.

Of all these deals, Harrison’s future is arguably the least certain, though one factor could change the calculation significantly. If Vanoli, who is a significant admirer of the player, continues as head coach, the chances of Harrison remaining in Florence increase considerably. The manager’s stance may ultimately prove the decisive variable in what is shaping up to be a fascinating summer for the club.

The numbers make for uncomfortable reading at Milan headquarters as a damning statistical breakdown published by TMW has laid bare the extent to which the club’s two most significant recent attacking investments have failed to justify their price tags, and the figures are stark.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Santiago Gimenez arrived from Feyenoord for €28.5 million plus €6.5 million in bonuses, while Christopher Nkunku cost €37 million plus €5 million in bonuses and a ten percent sell-on clause from Chelsea.

Combined, Milan have committed a potential €77 million on the two forwards, and the return has been deeply underwhelming, as noted by TMW, via MilanNews.

Nkunku & Gimenez costly per goal for Milan

Gimenez has scored seven goals in 32 appearances, though lengthy injury absences have hampered his campaign. Nkunku has managed six in 29 matches.

Together, 13 goals from 61 appearances represents a return that falls well short of what Milan needed from their marquee attacking signings.

The cost-per-goal breakdown is even more sobering, at over €5 million per goal between them, and approaching €1 million per appearance for Gimenez alone.

The summer will force difficult decisions. Selling either player without incurring a significant loss on the books will be challenging, and Milan have made clear they are not prepared to accept a financial hit.

Yet retaining two forwards who have collectively failed to fire raises its own uncomfortable questions about the direction of the club’s transfer strategy heading into what promises to be a pivotal window.

Issa Doumbia has emerged as one of Serie B’s most coveted players this season, with Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma all understood to be monitoring the Venezia midfielder, though Italian clubs face competition from abroad in the race to sign the 22-year-old.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Italy Under-21 international has caught the eye with a series of impressive performances for Venezia, building on the form he showed during his time at AlbinoLeffe.

Across his career he has accumulated 82 appearances and four goals with the Bergamo club and 59 outings and eight goals with Venezia, numbers that, while modest, understate the quality and dynamism he has shown in midfield this season.

Sporting keen on Doumbia as Inter, Napoli & Milan wait in wings

His profile is attractive to clubs for multiple reasons beyond pure football, as noted by TuttoMercatoWeb.

Born in 2003, Doumbia qualifies as a homegrown player under Italian regulations, making him a cost-effective and practically valuable signing for Serie A clubs navigating squad list requirements.

His contract runs until June 2029, giving Venezia a strong negotiating position, one they would look to strengthen further if the club secures promotion to the top flight, which would inevitably push his valuation higher.

Adding urgency to any potential deal is the interest from Sporting CP, who according to Portuguese newspaper Record are considering Doumbia as a potential replacement for Hidemasa Morita should the Japanese international depart this summer. With Champions League football on offer in Lisbon, the Portuguese giants represent a serious rival for the Italian clubs.

The message for Inter, Milan and Napoli is clear, move quickly or risk missing out.

Milan are plotting a creative approach to sign Moise Kean from Fiorentina this summer, with the club exploring the possibility of using Santiago Gimenez as part of a package deal to bring down the cost of a transfer that would otherwise prove prohibitively expensive.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Kean has long been admired by Massimiliano Allegri, who worked with the Italy international during his time at Juventus and considers him the ideal profile to strengthen Milan’s attack for 2026/27.

The feeling is mutual, Kean has previously been linked with a move to San Siro, and with Fiorentina’s European ambitions in serious doubt following their expected Conference League exit at the hands of Crystal Palace, his departure from Florence now looks increasingly likely.

Milan dream of Kean but financial hurdle must be cleared

The obstacle, as ever, is financial.

Kean’s release clause is set at €52 million, a figure Milan have no intention of paying in cash, particularly after a difficult season in which the striker’s value has not appreciably risen.

According to Calciomercato.it, via MilanNews, the solution being considered involves offering Gimenez, whose own debut season at Milan has been underwhelming, plus a cash adjustment of between €10 and €15 million to make up the difference.

For Fiorentina, Gimenez could represent an attractive option as they look to rebuild their squad, while the Mexican striker himself would relish the opportunity for a fresh start after failing to establish himself under Allegri.

The deal is far from straightforward, however, with Gimenez’s high wages and interest from Premier League clubs adding further complexity to negotiations that are still at an early stage.

Simone Inzaghi has moved to quash speculation about a potential return to Italian football, insisting he remains fully committed to Al-Hilal despite the Saudi club’s elimination from the Asian Champions League on penalties at the hands of Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The former Inter head coach, whose name has been linked with the Italy national team vacancy and various Serie A positions following the turbulence of recent weeks, was unequivocal when asked about his future.

“I am staying at Al-Hilal because I am doing my job to the best of my abilities and I am giving everything of myself,” he said, with quotes via FCInter1908.

The defeat to Al-Sadd on penalties will have stung, particularly given the circumstances.

Al-Hilal coach Inzaghi: ‘Luck was not on our side’

Inzaghi felt his side were the superior team on the night, taking the lead on three separate occasions only to be pegged back each time before ultimately losing the shootout.

“I was aiming to reach the quarter-finals but fortune was not on our side,” he said. “We tried with all our strength and created several chances. Al-Sadd held firm and scored three goals, but Al-Hilal were the stronger team and took the lead three times.”

It is a result that will do little to ease the pressure on Inzaghi at a club where expectations remain extraordinarily high. However, his public declaration of commitment to the project suggests he has no intention of using the setback as a reason to seek an exit, at least for now.

Edon Zhegrova’s time at Juventus looks increasingly likely to end after just one season, with Turkish club Besiktas having already made contact with the Kosovo winger’s agent about a potential summer move.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

According to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, via IlBianconero, the Kosovar international has been a significant disappointment since joining from Lille for a potential outlay of up to €18.5 million, comprising a base fee of €14.3 million, €1.2 million in additional costs and €3 million in bonuses, on a contract running until June 2030.

The numbers from his debut season make for grim reading: zero goals, zero assists and just 447 minutes of football across 21 appearances.

Injuries have played a part, but so too has a fundamental failure to convince Luciano Spalletti, who has given him just three outings in the past 11 matches totalling a mere 65 minutes on the pitch.

Besiktas keen to capitalise on Zhegrova unrest at Juventus

His most damaging moment came in the Champions League second leg against Galatasaray, where his errors drew considerable criticism at a time when the tie was still alive. It encapsulated a debut season that has simply never found its footing.

Besiktas are looking to make a statement signing this summer following the expected departure of winger Milot Rashica, and view Zhegrova as an attainable and high-profile addition. Initial contact has been made with his representatives to gauge his interest and availability.

Juventus, who have already secured Spalletti’s renewal until 2028 as they look to build a title-challenging squad, would listen to offers for Zhegrova rather than persist with a player who has clearly not adapted to the demands of the club. Recouping anything close to their original investment, however, will prove challenging given the season he has endured.

Leonardo Spinazzola’s future at Napoli is looking increasingly uncertain, with the experienced left-back yet to receive any indication from the club that they wish to extend his contract beyond its June expiry – and his representatives have begun exploring alternatives, with Milan making contact in recent weeks.

Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News & Content – Free Trial – Click Here

Spinazzola was a key figure in Napoli’s Scudetto triumph last season, offering versatility and energy under Antonio Conte across multiple positions.

This season he has continued to contribute, registering three goals and three assists in 28 appearances. Despite that, the silence from Naples has grown deafening as the weeks pass, with De Laurentiis understood to be keen on rejuvenating the squad, and at 33, Spinazzola does not fit that profile.

His agent has moved proactively in response, approaching Milan about the possibility of signing the Italy international on a free transfer this summer, as per CalcioMercato reports.

Milan eye Spinazzola after Estupinan disappointment

The timing is logical from Milan’s perspective, with Pervis Estupiñán’s brief time at the club expected to end, they will need a left-back option.

However, while Milan have noted the terms being offered, they have not moved further and Spinazzola is not currently considered a priority target.

A more intriguing possibility is a return to Juventus, where Spinazzola came through the youth system before moving on without ever truly establishing himself. Giorgio Chiellini, a close personal friend, has been in contact with the player’s camp in recent days, though at this stage it amounts to nothing more than an exploratory conversation rather than a concrete approach.

Spinazzola himself would prefer to stay at Napoli, particularly if Conte remains in charge. That decision, however, appears increasingly unlikely to be his to make.