Reports in Italy claim that Milan have an agreement in principle with Germany international Niclas Fullkrug heading into the January transfer window, but still have to strike a deal with West Ham United before a transfer can go ahead.
Report Fullkrug agrees to Milan move, West Ham talks pending
It remains to be seen what the future holds for Santiago Gimenez, who joined the Rossoneri from Feyenoord last winter. Massimiliano Allegri, who has deployed a 3-5-2 since taking over in San Siro, only has Christopher Nkunku, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, all of whom have had various injury and fitness struggles this season, as his other options up front.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
It has been suggested over the last few weeks that Milan are keen on a potential opportunity to pick up Fullkrug from West Ham. The Rossoneri are keen to add another natural centre-forward to their ranks, and the German is reportedly keen to move away from East London after a miserable time of it over the last 18 months.
Now, according to reports from Calciomercato.com, Rossoneri sporting director Igli Tare has been in contact with Fullkrug’s agents, and there have been no issues in terms of salary. Milan are willing to cover the €1.5m that Fullkrug is set to earn between January and the end of the 2025-26 season.
Niclas Fullkrug of West Ham United during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and West Ham United FC at The King Power Stadium on December 03, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Monday’s report claims that Fullkrug has told his representatives to hold off on any other offers to prioritise a move to Milan.
Milan are reportedly seeking a straight loan deal until the end of the 2025-26 season, although they still need to come to an agreement with West Ham over the terms of a deal for the German.
Saelemaekers’s new deal is a five-year contract, which will take effect from July 1, 2026. He will continue on his current terms until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
The Belgian had been due to be out of contract in the summer of 2027, which meant that he would have been entering the final 12 months of his deal this summer had a new extension not been agreed.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Saelemaekers will more than double his wages on his new contract as he currently earns a reported €1.2m per season and will soon see that figure rise to €3m per season.
“AC Milan are delighted to announce that Alexis Saelemaekers has renewed his contract with the Club until 30 June 2031, with effect from 1 July 2026,” a statement from the club read.
“Since joining the Rossoneri in January 2020, Alexis has grown each season, standing out for his professionalism, selflessness, and strong sense of belonging, embodying the Club’s values on and off the pitch.
“After 159 appearances and 12 goals in the Rossonero shirt, and playing his part in the 2021/22 Scudetto triumph, AC Milan and Alexis Saelemaekers will continue their journey together, driven by the ambition to reach new milestones and write further chapters in Rossonero history.”
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan performs an overhead kick during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Saelemaekers has been a mainstay in the Milan line-up since the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri this summer. He has started in all 15 league matches so far this term, and has only come off before the 90th minute on four occasions.
Despite his current status as a specialist right wing-back, Saelemaekers also covered in Milan’s front two when required during the early stages of the season.
Monday’s reports claim that Milan have an agreement in place to extend the contract of versatile wing-back Alexis Saelemaekers until the summer of 2030.
Gazzetta: Saelemaekers set to renew Milan contract until 2030
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan and Saelemaekers have an agreement in place over a new contract that will run until 2030, which comes with an increase in wages from around €1.2m per season to roughly €3m per year.
The topic of a contract extension for the Belgian has been on the cards for several months, but Monday’s report suggests that an official announcement could now arrive within the next few days.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Alexis Saelemaekers of AC Milan is challenged by Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Saelemaekers’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, which means that he would be entering the final year of his deal once the current campaign draws to a close.
The 26-year-old originally joined the Rossoneri in the winter of 2020, and though he would go on to make 111 Serie A appearances across his first three-and-a-half seasons in San Siro, he would later be allowed to join Bologna on loan for the 2023-24 campaign.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Alexis Saelemaekers of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on December 07, 2024 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
It looked as though his time with Milan might be over when he was sent out on a second consecutive season-long loan deal to Roma in 2024-25, but after seven league goals from 22 appearances, his numbers convinced Massimiliano Allegri to give him another go in the Milan first-team.
Saelemaekers has gone from strength to strength since then, and has become one of the most dependable performers for the Rossoneri this term. He has started in all 15 of this season’s league fixtures, and has only come off before full-time on four occasions. Now a regular at right wing-back, he has also filled in in the attackiing line on occasion this term.
Things have gone from bad to worse for Fiorentina in 2025-26, and with no wins to their name in Serie A after 15 attempts, the finger has been pointed in numerous directions over the last few weeks. This time it’s the turn of goalkeeper David De Gea, whose errors have cost the Viola up to eight points so far this season.
De Gea under fire for Fiorentina blunders
Fiorentina are already staring at the threat of relegation from Serie A after 15 matches, with just six points to their name so far in the league. They have won none of their 15 league fixtures and have lost nine, the most recent coming in a 2-1 defeat at home against Hellas Verona, also in the relegation zone, on Sunday.
De Gea came under fire after the Verona loss for his positioning error that led to the first goal. Gift Orban looked as though he was going to challenge the Spaniard one-on-one, but was instead able to wrap a bending finish around the goalkeeper from outside the area with the space that De Gea had left open.
De Gea was also criticised for letting in a relatively weak header deep into second-half stoppage time during a 1-1 draw with Cagliari on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season.
The former Manchester United stopper also made a hash of an attempted claim in his own area in a 2-2 draw against Genoa at the beginning of November, although in fairness to him, had also kept out a penalty earlier on in that game.
Additionally, the Spaniard also let in goals against Sassuolo and Milan that he would usually be expected to keep out. There were also subtle slip-ups against Como and Juventus, and as a result of these errors, Fiorentina have directly dropped eight points in the Serie A standings according to Firenzeviola.it.
Juventus saw their value on the stock market surge on Monday morning as a result of Tether’s €1.1bn offer to take over the club from the Agnelli family.
On Friday evening, Tether announced that they had officially submitted an offer worth around €1.1bn to purchase the 65.4% of the club shares that are currently owned by Exor, the holding company owned and operated by the Agnelli family.
Tether, who already own just over 10% of Juventus themselves, also announced that they intended to make a public offer to purchase the remaining shares in the club at the same price, which would give them full and exclusive control.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between against Borussia Dortmund at Juventus Stadium on September 16, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The Agnelli family, however, have maintained since Friday evening that Juve is not for sale. “Our Juventus, our history, our values, are not for sale,” said John Elkann in a publicly released video on Saturday.
Juventus increase in value after Tether offer
Allianz Stadium (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
As a result of the takeover offer, Juventus’s value on the stock market skyrocketed on Monday morning. When the market closed on Friday evening, prior to Tether’s announcement, a single share in the club was worth €2.34, compared to €2.47 on Monday morning. That is an increase of 12.7%.
Tether’s offer was to purchase the remaining Juventus shares at a price of €2.66 per share, which equated to a total cost of around €1.1bn. That was a premium of 20.47% compared to the stocks’ official value before the weekend.
The Colombian scored the only goal of the game from a set-piece, which has sent Juventus above Bologna by one point in the Serie A standings. The Bianconeri sit in fifth place as things stand, one point behind Roma who will host Como at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Juan Cabal of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Best Bologna player: Orsolini 6.5 – To little surprise, Bologna’s most threatening outlet on the night. He had more shots and shots on target than any other player in the game, and was a handful for Koopmeiners until the Dutchman came off.
Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 6 – Statistically, it was a fairly evenly-fought contest at the Dall-Ara. The hosts had 51% of the possession, had one shot fewer than their opponents, but had one more on target. Had it not been for a momentary switch-off from a set-piece, Bologna had done more than enough to earn a draw, which would have suited them better than Juventus.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Manuel Locatelli and Bremer of Juventus celebrate following the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Best Juventus player: Cabal 7 – Two goals in six Serie A appearances for the Colombian now. Immediate impact off the bench on Sunday evening, evading his marker to claim a free header in the middle of the Bologna penalty area. That was a big confidence boost to begin his evening.
Coach: Luciano Spalletti 6.5 – That was a big six-pointer in the race for Champions League football, and the perfect way to bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Napoli last time out in Serie A. Had Juventus been a touch more clinical, that would have been a slightly more flattering scoreline. Still, managed the game well after going ahead, even if their life was made easier with Heggem’s sending off.
Gleison Bremer has marked his return from injury after a spell of 78 days on the sideline, but Luciano Spalletti will now have to do without another one of his centre-back options when the Bianconeri take on Roma in a huge Serie A clash next weekend.
Bremer started four of Juve’s first five Serie A matches of the season, but has since missed nine league matches in a row, 15 across all competitions, after suffering a meniscus injury in September.
He had not featured for Juventus since Juventus’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta on September 27, but, 78 days later, has come on as a second-half substitute during Juventus’s Serie A match against Bologna.
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 27: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC controls the ball whilst under pressure from Bremer of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Atalanta BC at the Allianz Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Riccardo Orsolini is challenged by Teun Koopmeiners during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
While Bremer is now back, Teun Koopmeiners, who has regularly filled in at centre-back since Spalletti came in, will not be available to face Roma in Serie A next week. He picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Bologna and will now have to serve a one-match ban.
Federico Gatti is also out injured, which leaves Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Daniele Rugani, who has only recently returned to training himself as his natural centre-back options for Roma on Saturday.
Italy international Guglielmo Vicario has come under fire after his performance during Tottenham’s 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon: “Typical Vicario, always blaming someone else,” says Sky Sports’s Jamie Carragher.
It has been a few weeks to forget for Tottenham, who have slipped to 11th place in the league table and are currently six points outside the Champions League spots.
The latest disappointment came at the hands of Nottingham Forest; 16th in the Premier League after their 3-0 victory at the City Ground on Sunday.
Vicario under fire after 3-0 Tottenham loss
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 14: Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at City Ground on December 14, 2025 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
Vicario’s performances have been under particularly intense scrutiny over the last few weeks after his howler in a 2-1 loss against Fulham at the end of November.
Things went from bad to worse for him against Forest on Sunday. It was his risky pass to midfielder Archie Gray that led to Ibrahim Sangare pinching the ball and Callum Hudson-Odoi finishing from close range that sent Tottenham 1-0 down on Sunday.
A moment to forget for Archie Gray and Vicario
Ibrahim Sangaré brilliantly dispossesses him and plays it to Callum Hudson-Odoi to tap in and give Forest the lead! pic.twitter.com/N5JQVIgnVc
Tottenham then conceded another freak goal, again from Hudson-Odoi, who didn’t make any attempts to hide the fact that he had meant to cross rather than shoot from the left touchline.
Callum Hudson-Odoi crosses the ball in but it goes over Vicario and straight in! pic.twitter.com/hxJp4mY9T6
“Typical Vicario, he’s always blaming someone else. Every time I see him when a goal goes in, he’s throwing his arms at someone else. Just kick it out of play,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher while reviewing the stopper’s recent performances.
"Typical Vicario, he's always blaming someone else" @Carra23 not impressed with Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pic.twitter.com/30X8ynUxS8
Head coach Thomas Frank has come out in defence of his goalkeeper, arguing that there was no correlation between the goals that Vicario conceded against Nottingham Forest and Fulham over the last few weeks: “Two different situations, you can’t even compare them. Simply because the ball was out on the side in one situation, and the other was in the middle of the pitch,” he explained in frustration.
When asked if Vicario’s decision making should be called into question, Frank said: “I think Archie (Gray) did very well, this is a clear one. You see that every week: Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, all over the world: In, bounce out with the first touch. Unfortunately we took a touch and then we lost the ball.”
Some supporters have not looked as kindly on Vicario’s recent performances, though.
“Inter Milan, pls prepare your January Vicario bid,” one fan wrote on X.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Guglielmo Viacrio of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Raul Jimenez of Fulham during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on November 29, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
“He’s a great shot stopper, but frightens me when he’s on the ball,” another added.
“Happily sell Vicario tomorrow, but Gray was clearly asking for the ball,” wrote another Spurs supporter.
Lautaro Martinez insists that he and his Inter teammates have their sights set on the Serie A title in 2025-26 and took an opportunity to address his colleagues at the end of their 2-1 victory away against Genoa on Sunday: ‘We’re the ones who put in the work’.
Inter currently sit alone at the top of the Serie A standings thanks to a 2-1 win away against Genoa on Sunday evening. Goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro were enough for the Nerazzurri to hold onto, despite Vitinha pulling one back for Genoa midway through the second half.
Lautaro addresses Inter teammates after Genoa victory
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Lautaro Martinez of Inter (right) celebrates with his team-mate Nicolò Barella after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Napoli’s 1-0 loss against Udinese and Milan’s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo earlier on Sunday means that Inter will spend the next week on their own at the top of the Serie A table. There had been four teams separated by just one point at the top of the table a few weeks ago.
“It means a lot, we’re back at the top because we’ve worked hard, we’ve had to sacrifice ourselves and regardless of what people say about us, we are focussed on ourselves, working hard, improving, hoping to bring joy to these supporters,” Lautaro told DAZN after full-time on Sunday (via fcinternews.it).
“Everyone’s been talking about Inter for a few years because we’ve been doing well. It’s normal for there to be criticism and compliments.
“We’re a team that is aware of our strengths, we always try to make sure that Inter is at the top. It seems repetitive, but that’s what we do. The message in the dressing room is clear, we want to do it.”
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Lautaro Martinez of Inter (left) celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Lautaro was asked what the message he wants to send is, and instead of addressing the supporters, the Nerazzurri skipper took an opportunity to rally his teammates instead.
“It’s a message to ourselves. As I always say, we’re the ones who put in the work and we’re the ones who try to bring Inter back to where it belongs, so it’s to the team that I speak.”
Cristian Chivu is pleased to see his Inter team back at the top of the Serie A standings after claiming that his side had been written off in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, and has explained why he made certain changes during Sunday’s 2-1 victory away against Genoa.
The Nerazzurri currently sit alone at the top of the Serie A standings thanks to goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez in an eventual 2-1 victory over Genoa on Sunday evening.
Chivu after Genoa 1-2 Inter: ‘I’ll take the three points’
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Lautaro Martinez of Inter (right) celebrates with his team-mate Nicolò Barella after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Speaking to DAZN after full-time, Chivu said that he would rather talk about the game itself rather than the impact that it has had on the Serie A table.
“I like to talk about the game and what I saw on the pitch,” he began. “It was a difficult game tonight, in this atmosphere and against a team that has been strong since De Rossi came in. I’ll take the three points, which are the most important thing.”
Chivu explained why he decided to make certain changes before and during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Genoa.
“The changes were made according to energy and form. Originally, at 2-0, Bonny was supposed to come on, but then I opted for Thuram because I needed more speed. I took Zielinski off and moved Akanji up because we needed two midfielders with a strong structure.”
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, issues Piotr Zielinski of Inter some instructions during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Chivu was then asked if he feels his Inter side have been underrated at times this season.
He replied: “A few months ago, they had us finishing eighth or tenth because we looked finished. We’re working hard to show our value.
“For me, we need a bit of consistency in everything, but we’re aware of what we have to do and how we have to do it. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t.”
Up next on the schedule is a trip to Saudi Arabia to take on Bologna in the semi-final of the Supercoppa Italiana. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Napoli or Milan a few days later.
“An important game lies ahead of us in Riyadh. We’re not looking at anything else,” Chivu said.
Inter once again have Lautaro Martinez to thank for a 2-1 victory away against Genoa in Serie A on Sunday evening, a result which has sent the Nerazzurri to the top of the league table.
Check out the player ratings below!
A surprise goal from centre-back Yann Bisseck and a second from captain Lautaro 10 minutes before the end of the first half were enough for Inter to cling onto despite Vitinha pulling one back for Genoa midway through the second half.
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Lautaro Martinez of Inter (left) scores a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Best Genoa player: Vitinha 6.5 – Provided the moment of quality that gave the Genoa supporters a brief moment of joy and the belief that they might get something more out of the game in the second half. He had so much work to do to create that goal for himself as well.
Coach: Daniele De Rossi 6 – It was always going to be a difficult test against Inter, but Genoa weren’t really up to the task aside from their decent opening spell. Another tricky test against Atalanta now awaits them.
GENOA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa (R), greets Cristian Chivu, head coach of Inter, prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and FC Internazionale at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Best Inter player: Lautaro Martinez 7.5 – A goal, an assist and four shots on target from the Nerazzurri talisman this afternoon. His seventh in Serie A so far this season, the most in the division, and 11 goals including his four in the Champions League. Realistically, the game should have been out of reach for Genoa after his strike went in for 2-0 after 38 minutes.
Coach: Cristian Chivu 7.5 – It’s been a relentless schedule for the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, and on a weekend where others have tripped up, Chivu got his selections right on Sunday, and is now sitting alone at the top of the Serie A table as a result. Arguably Inter’s most important victory of the season thus far.
Fiorentina have taken action after Sunday’s disappointing 2-1 loss at home against Hellas Verona in Serie A, which marked their 15th league match without a win.
La Viola remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a Gift Orban brace condemned them to their ninth league defeat of the season.
FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Moise Kean battles for the ball with Arnel Bella-Kotchap of Hellas Verona during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Hellas Verona FC at Artemio Franchi on December 14, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina are stuck in 20th place in the Serie A table. They have drawn six and lost nine so far in the league this season. This is only the third time ever that they have gone 15 matches without a win in one season, the previous instances occurring in the 1970-71 and 1937-38 seasons.
In response to their loss on Sunday afternoon, no Fiorentina coaches, players nor officials spoke to the media.
According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, the Fiorentina management have decided to send the squad for an ‘indefinite’ training camp ahead of their Conference League match against Lausanne on Thursday.
It remains to be seen what Sunday’s loss means for the future of head coach Paolo Vanoli, who was only appointed to replace Stefano Pioli at the beginning of November, but has not overseen any improvement in form since then. Violanews.com suggests that the picture will be clearer on Monday.
Antonio Conte admits that his players were ‘too worried, too fearful’ and that they have to improve on their record on the road after slipping to their seventh away defeat of the season in a 1-0 Serie A loss against Udinese on Sunday afternoon.
A lone goal from Udinese’s Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was enough to defeat the reigning Serie A champions, who are now sat in third place and could be two points off the lead of the table by the end of Sunday evening.
Conte: Udinese loss, Napoli injuries and improving away form
UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Manager of Napoli, Antonio Conte, reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Napoli have had a tough time of it with injuries over the last few weeks, with Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Romelu Lukaku, Juan Jesus and Alex Meret all having spent time on the treatment table over the last few weeks, and months in some cases.
Aside from swapping Leonardo Spinazzola for Mathias Olivera on Sunday, Conte has named the same starting XI for three games in a row, within the space of seven days.
“We didn’t concede any shots on goal in the first half, we could have made better of the chances we had. We struggled at the beginning of the second half, and you could tell there was a bit of fear from there on,” Conte told DAZN while reviewing his side’s performance against Udinese.
“Two disallowed goals and a crossbar at the start of the second half,” he continued. “We were too worried and too fearful, we needed to work hard. We have to play well, even in the difficult moments. We have to manage situations and we definitely have to improve.
UDINE, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Eljif Elmas of Napoli goes to ground during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Friuli on December 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
“We have to be better at managing these moments, we have to tackle them with experience. We can’t lose courage or become overwhelmed. If you play like that, you run the risk of conceding, and we conceded.
“I have nothing negative to say about the guys who are giving their all in this emergency. We have to be better at managing games and bringing out more character away from home. On a psychological level, we try to work on it and find the right way. We can grow, we have great guys here.”
Conte was asked if he is worried about injuries derailing his side’s season.
He replied: “I sounded the alarm even after we were winning. There’s not much to say.
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli injured during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“At the beginning of the season, when you’re playing in a lot of competitions, you worry about building a squad that is up to scratch. (What can you do) when the squad is weakened because of external factors?
“This year won’t be easy for us. The important thing is to be united and compact, facing challenges while sticking together. The whole club needs to stand together, this year won’t be easy. We want to work and fight. We’ve lost seven away games, we have to improve that a bit.”
Davide Bartesaghi scored the first goals of his Milan career in a 2-2 Serie A draw against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, and in doing so, became the youngest Rossoneri defender to net a brace since Paolo Maldini in 1988: ‘It’s a dream’, he said.
Milan, overall, will be disappointed by their 2-2 draw at home against Sassuolo on Sunday evening, which has left them at risk of being leapfrogged into first place by Inter, but it was certainly a memorable occasion for Bartesaghi, who netted the first and second goals of his senior career.
Bartesaghi on first Milan goals: ‘Goosebumps, but I’m sorry we didn’t win’
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Sassuolo Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
With his goals in the 34th and 47th minutes against Sassuolo, Bartesaghi became the youngest defender to score a brace for Milan since Maldini in 1988. Maldini was 19 years and 247 days old at the time, and Bartesaghi is 19 years and 350 days old on the day of his Sassolo double.
“I’m very happy, it’s a dream come true for me to play and score in these colours,” Bartesaghi told Milan TV after full-time on Sunday.
“It gives me goosebumps, but I’m also sorry that the team wasn’t able to win, that’s a shame.”
He continued: “I want to dedicate the goals to (Bernardo) Corradi, who has always believed in me, and also to the whole staff and team. I also want to say thanks to my two best friends who came here to the stadium today. I’m very happy.”
Liverpool fans were impressed by Federico Chiesa’s selflessness with his attempted assist for Mohamed Salah at the end of their 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon: ‘We need to see more of him’.
After a relatively slow start to life on Merseyside in 2024-25, Chiesa is becoming somewhat of a cult hero at Anfield in 2025-26. Despite his limited opportunities in the first team, the former Juventus winger has impressed with his brief appearances off the bench, and is winning over Liverpool supporters with his passion, determination and selflessness.
Chiesa currently has two goals and one assist to his name from 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, all of which have come off the bench.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 19: Curtis Jones and Federico Chiesa of Liverpool celebrate after Cody Gakpo of Liverpool (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on October 19, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
He came close to adding another assist to that tally during injury time at the end of Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday afternoon.
At full sprint in the opposition half, Chiesa latched on to a long ball over the top on the edge of the opposition area and had the space and time in front of him to line up a shot towards the bottom corner of the net. Instead, he looked up and squared to Salah.
Liverpool fans react to Chiesa’s selflessness
Plenty of Liverpool supporters feel that Chiesa was intentionally trying to get a goal for Salah specifically after a difficult week off the pitch. The Egyptian was dropped for Liverpool’s recent Champions League victory over Inter and had started on the bench against Brighton after his recent outburst and accusations against the club.
“Moments like this matter. Chiesa could’ve easily shot, but chooses Mo instead. Respect,” wrote The Anfield Buzz on X reacting to the Italian’s attempted assist on Saturday.
One supporter wrote: “Chiesa can do this on both flanks and has some incredible pace in him even after all those injuries and an ACL. With Mo going to AFCON, we need to see more of him.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 15: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield on August 15, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Another added: “Chiesa has played only 15 minutes and really doesn’t deserve to be benched. Now that Salah has gone to play in the AFCON, Federico Chiesa DESERVES to start. He looks very sharp.”
“Two chances to go alone, which was the better option, but instead opted to pass to Isak and Mo Salah cause he knows they can do with it more. Unselfish, team player. Honestly one of the best signings we’ve had in recent years,” another wrote.
Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his squad of 23 Juventus players to take on Bologna at the Dall’Ara on Sunday evening, in a game that is already crucial in the race for the Champions League positions in Serie A.
The Bianconeri sit in seventh place in the Serie A standings ahead of kick-off with 23 points to their name thus far. Bologna are two points and two positions above them in the table as things stand.
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 07: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Juventus FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 07, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Spalletti has named the exact same squad of players that he did against Pafos for this evening’s match against Bologna.
Defenders Gleison Bremer and Daniele Rugani have returned to the squad against Pafos, and have been selected again for the Bologna trip, but it remains to be seen whether either of them will earn any minutes on this occasion. Pre-match reports suggest that it will be a back three of Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly and Teun Koopmeiners again on Sunday.
Khephren Thuram is expected to return to the midfield after Fabio Miretti’s opportunity midweek, while Francisco Conceicao could come into the team in place of Edon Zhegrova in attack.
Juventus are without Dusan Vlahovic, Federico Gatti, Arkadiusz Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio.
Confirmed Juventus squad vs. Bologna
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 02: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie C match between Ternana Calcio and Juventus Next Gen at Allianz Stadium on December 02, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
A spokesperson for the Agnelli family has confirmed that negotiations over a potential takeover of Juventus are ‘not underway’ following a €1.1 billion takeover offer from minority shareholders, Tether.
Tether, who currently own a minority stake of just over 10%, have offered a price of €2.66 per share, which equates to around €1.1 billion for Exor’s 65.4% stake in the club.
Tether has announced that it intends to make a public offer for the remaining shares at the same price.
What Agnelli family says about Tether’s Juventus takeover proposal
Allianz Stadium (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
“Negotiations are not underway regarding the sale of a stake in Juventus,” a spokesperson for the Agnelli family told La Gazzetta dello Sport. The spokesperson also referred to Tether’s takeover proposal as ‘press rumours’.
Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, a lifelong Juventus supporter, insists that the takeover attempt is sincere.
“Today, Tether has sent an official proposal to Exor to purchase their entire stake in Juventus,” he wrote in a tweet on X on Friday.
“From the beginning, our goal has always been to support the team and bring it back to the glory that it deserves. As part of our commitment, if this transaction goes through successfully, Tether will invest €1 billion into the club.”
Lecce have taken a big step clear of the Serie A relegation places after an important 1-0 victory at home against Pisa in an early six-pointed on Friday evening: Nikola Stlic finally claiming his first goal since joining the Salentini from Charleroi over the summer.
Lecce made three alterations to their starting line-up following last week’s 2-0 loss against Cremonese, bringing in Francesco Camarda at centre-forward, Riccardo Sottil on the wing and Corrie Ndaba at left-back. The hosts were without the suspended M’Bala Nzola and replaced him with Stefano Moreo. Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Isak Vural and Mehdi Leris were also called back into the starting XI.
LECCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 12: Tiago Gabriel competes for the ball with Adrian Semper of Pisa SC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Pisa SC at Stadio Via del Mare on December 12, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Eusebio Di Francesco’s game plan didn’t get off to the best of starts when Medon Berisha hit the deck immediately after playing a pass out to the right wing seven minutes in. He was carried off on a stretcher and Mohamed Kaba was called in to replace him after just 10 minutes.
It was Lecce with the larger share of the attacks in the first half: Santiago Pierotti with the best opportunity after a cut-back from Riccardo Sottil on the byline.
The hosts also troubled Pisa from set-pieces in the first half. There were two close efforts from the same corner half an hour in, before Tiago Gabriel managed to head off target from just a few yards out before the interval.
In the end, it was Eusebio Di Francesco’s second-half substitutes that made the difference. Lameck Banda, on for Pierotti, carried the ball down the left flank and almost to the byline before cutting back for Stulic to tap home: His first Serie A goal on his 14th outing.
LECCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 12: Nikola Stulic celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Pisa SC at Stadio Via del Mare on December 12, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Tether, minority shareholders of Juventus, have announced that they have submitted an offer to purchase Exor’s majority stake in the club and that they intend to purchase the remaining shares to assume full ownership.
Tether announce plans to purchase Juventus in full
Tether increased their stake in the club in April, and it was reported at the time that they currently possess 10.12% of the club’s shares and 6.18% of the club’s voting rights.
Tether has announced on Friday evening that they have tabled a ‘binding all-cash proposal’ to purchase Exor’s shares in the club. Exor is the holding company owned and controlled by the Agnelli family, who have owned Juventus since 1923.
Currently, Exor holds 65.4% of the shares in Juventus. According to reports from Calcio e Finanza, Tether has offered a price of €2.66 per share, which equates to a total of around €1.1 billion.
Tether has announced that it intends to make a public offer for the remaining shares at the same price.
What Tether said about Juventus proposal
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Team of Juventus FC line up during the Serie A match against Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“Tether has submitted a binding all cash proposal to Exor to acquire its entire stake in Juventus Football Club,” a statement on Friday evening read.
“Subject to regulatory approvals, Tether intends to make a public offer for the remaining shares at the same price, fully funded with its own capital and supported by a long term commitment to the club.
“This proposal reflects a belief in Juventus as more than a football club. For generations, Juventus has stood for discipline, ambition, and the quiet strength of those who rebuild and move forward, season after season. It is a club that has shaped Italian sporting identity and earned the loyalty of supporters around the world.”
“For me, Juventus has always been part of my life,” said Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether. “I grew up with this team. As a boy, I learned what commitment, resilience, and responsibility meant by watching Juve face success and adversity with dignity. Those lessons stayed with me long after the final whistle.
“Our interest in Juventus comes from deep admiration and respect. Juventus is a symbol of Italian excellence with a truly global presence, built over generations through hard work, ambition, and the unwavering loyalty of its supporters. These values mirror how we have built Tether, with patience, independence, and a focus on long term resilience.
“Tether is in a position of strong financial health and intends to support Juventus with stable capital and a long horizon. Our goal is to contribute positively to the club’s future, to support sporting performance at the highest level.
“This proposal is made with humility and a deep sense of responsibility toward the club, its supporters, and its legacy. We believe Juventus’ story is still being written, and that its next chapters can be defined by strength, continuity, and ambition.”
Tether’s statement continued: “The proposal contemplates the acquisition of Exor’s shareholding, representing 65.4 percent of Juventus’ issued share capital. Completion of the transaction would be subject to Exor’s acceptance, the execution of definitive documentation, and receipt of required regulatory approvals. Following completion, Tether intends to proceed with a public tender offer for the remaining shares at the same price per share.
“In the event that the transaction completes, Tether is prepared to invest 1 billion Euros in the support and development of the Club.
“Tether operates with a long term investment philosophy supported by a strong balance sheet and a focus on building resilient, globally relevant institutions. Further updates will be provided in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.”
Reports in Italy claim that Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek is considering the possibility of a move away from San Siro during the January transfer window to boost his chances of being selected in Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad.
Could Loftus-Cheek leave Milan in January?
The former Chelsea midfielder has been a valuable role player under Massimiliano Allegri this season, featuring in a number of different roles including a brief stint in the attacking line of a 3-5-2 in the absence of Rafael Leao earlier this season.
But, despite being called up to the England national team squad in October, Loftus-Cheek has struggled for opportunities as a starter in Milan following the signings of Luka Modric, Adrien Rabiot and Samuele Ricci over the summer.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and SS Lazio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Englishman started all of Milan’s first three league matches of the season, but has only started one of their 11 league games since then.
With Milan not involved in European competition this season, and having also been knocked out of the Coppa Italia, Serie A is currently Loftus-Cheek’s only chance of minutes in the Milan line-up.
Now, according to reports from Calciomercato.com, Loftus-Cheek is considering the possibility of leaving Milan in January in order to increase his game time ahead of the World Cup in the summer.
MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
There have been suggestions that Napoli could be poised to offer a temporary solution, given that they are in the midst of a midfield injury crisis with Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour all currently unavailable.
Calciomercato claims that there have also been enquiries from a number of unspecified Premier League clubs, and that there could also be potential opportunities for Loftus-Cheek in the Bundesliga.
Francesco Camarda starts up front for Lecce against Alberto Gilardino’s Pisa in an early relegation six-pointer in Serie A on Friday evening.
It is a matter of 17th vs.18th this evening, and with just three points separating the sides, level on goal difference, goals scored and goals against, the loser of tonight’s match will spend the next week in the relegation zone. Pisa will remain in the bottom three if tonight’s game ends level.
Two of Lecce’s league wins this season have come in their last five matches, against Fiorentina and Torino, while Pisa have only won once in Serie A so far this season: A 1-0 victory at home against Cremonese on November 7.
LECCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30:Santiago Pierotti competes for the ball with Kristjan Asllani of Torino FC during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Torino FC at Stadio Via del Mare on November 30, 2025. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Lecce were beaten by Cremonese last time out in the league, and have made three alterations to their starting line-up from that game. Milan loanee Camarda starts at centre-forward in place of Nikola Stulic, with Riccardo Sottil called in to replace Lameck Banda on the wing. Corrie Ndaba starts over Antonino Gallo at left-back.
Pisa are without M’Bala Nzola for three matches after his completely unnecessary sending off against Parma last weekend. He is part of four changes made by Gilardino. Stefano Moreo starts at centre-forward, while Ebenezer Akinsanmiro, Isak Vural and Mehdi Leris come in to start in the midfield.
Evan Ferguson scored his first ever goals in European competition with a brace for Roma against Celtic in the Europa League on Thursday night, but it has not all been smooth sailing for the Brighton loanee in the Italian capital.
From his year-long goal drought to rumours of a potential recall, here’s a look at how things have gone for him at the Stadio Olimpico and what the future might hold for the Republic of Ireland international.
Why has Ferguson struggled for consistency at Roma?
Ferguson joined Roma on loan with an option to buy, rumored to be for a fee in the region of €40m towards the end of the summer transfer window.
Official: Evan Ferguson joins Roma on loan with an option to buy from Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion (picture via www.asroma.com)
This is his second consecutive loan stint away from Brighton after an underwhelming spell with West Ham in the second half of the 2024-25 season, during which he failed to score a single competitive goal.
Roma, whose only other natural option at centre-forward is Artem Dovbyk, had been in dire need of attacking additions during the summer transfer window.
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini made that clear on several occasions: “This is no excuse; it’s just the reality, and we can’t be hypocrites. Take a look at who left and who is missing. It’s just counting,” he said after a pre-season friendly against Kaiserslautern over the summer, just a few weeks before the start of the Serie A season.
In the end, Roma did make more additions before the close of the summer transfer window, Wesley, Daniele Ghilardi, Jan Ziolkowski and a loan deal for Kostas Tsimikas among them, but their only other attacking addition was Leon Bailey on loan from Aston Villa. Due to injury, the Jamaica international has only managed eight competitive appearances since joining Roma in August, only one of which was as a starter.
This means that Ferguson and Dovbyk have been Gasperini’s only natural options at centre-forward this season.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
And with no clear first choice, Gasperini has often rotated his options at centre-forward, with Paulo Dybala, Tommaso Baldanzi and Matias Soule all having been tried in false nine roles at various stages of the 2025-26 season.
It is easy to forget that Ferguson has only recently turned 21, and moving abroad, arriving late in the summer transfer window, and then having to adapt to a new culture, club, league, and style of play, and having the pressure of needing to bounce back after a tough 2024-25 season is not to be underestimated either.
Could Ferguson’s recent goals be the turning point at Roma?
Ferguson finally claimed his first competitive goal in Giallorossi colours on November 23, coming off the bench to grab Roma’s second in an eventual 3-1 win away against Cremonese in Serie A.
This was his first competitive goal in over a year, dating back to Brighton’s 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League on October 26, 2024.
The 21-year-old has since added a European brace to his personal tally for 2025-26, tucking away two very well taken finishes in the first half of a 3-0 Europa League win over Celtic on Thursday night.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It wasn’t just his finishing, but his movement and overall centre-forward play that earned him rave reviews for his performance at Celtic Park.
Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà agrees that Ferguson’s performance against Celtic could be the perfect springboard to revitalise his Roma career.
What to make of the recall rumours?
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler did not deny those rumours when he spoke at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“Evan is our player, that’s why he will always be an option,” he said. “Of course, now at the moment he is on loan but we follow him, we are pleased how he performed yesterday. Of course we all follow him, so definitely he might be an option.”
"Evan Ferguson is a player for us and he is always an option"
Fabian Hurzeler discusses the possibility of recalling Evan Ferguson from his loan at Roma and how he hopes that Mohamed Salah 'is not available' for Brighton's away trip against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/5BNG3BgIrq
So, it remains to be seen whether Ferguson will see out the rest of the 2025-26 campaign at the Stadio Olimpico, or whether he will return to Brighton, or perhaps be sent out on loan elsewhere.
What is becoming clear is that the run-up to Christmas and the January transfer window will be pivotal. If the Irishman is able to add another couple of goals to his record before then, it starts to look like a completely different situation.
And, if goals do start to become more of a regular occurrence, it begs the question, would Roma be able to find a guaranteed improvement, fit and ready to play, during the January transfer window with a tight budget and financial fair play regulations still to adhere to? It would certainly take quite the pull from Gasperini and Ricky Massara.
Arne Slot has confirmed that Federico Chiesa should be in a position to return to the Liverpool squad over the weekend after recovering from a bout of illness that kept him out of his side’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter on Tuesday night.
Will Chiesa feature in Liverpool vs. Brighton?
The former Juventus and Fiorentina winger had been suffering with flu-like symptoms earlier in the week, which kept him out of the travelling Liverpool squad to take on Inter in San Siro. With Mohamed Salah out of the squad for disciplinary reasons and Cody Gakpo also unavailable midweek, many thought there could have been an opportunity for Chiesa to impress on home soil.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 25: Federico Chiesa of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 25, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, head coach Slot confirmed that Chiesa should return to the matchday squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.
“Federico is not ill anymore. He trained yesterday and he trained today again, so I assume he’s ready to be in the squad tomorrow again,” Slot told the press.
He also confirmed that Gakpo is still suffering with a muscular injury, and with Salah not expected to feature, there could still potentially be a chance of increased minutes for the Italian this weekend.
Italy have stepped even further clear of Spain, but are still locked in a battle with Germany for an additional spot in next season’s Champions League after the conclusion of Thursday night’s Europa and Conference League ties.
It was a step in the right direction for Italy’s hopes of securing an additional Champions League spot for 2026-27, as all the Serie A representatives secured victories on Thursday night.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Matias Soule of AS Roma celebrates with teammates, after Liam Scales of Celtic (not pictured) concedes an own goal resulting in the first goal for AS Roma, during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Where Italy stands in race for extra Champions League spot
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 11: The UEFA Champions League trophy is cleaned as it is displayed on a plinth at the side of the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and Feyenoord at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on March 11, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The situation leaves Italy in third place in the UEFA seasonal association coefficient rankings. This is what is used to determine which two nations receive an additional Champions League spot.
The UEFA tables are expected to be officially updated on Friday, but figures provided by Sky Sport Italia show that Italy will be in third place on 11.071 points, behind Germany in second on 11.660 points and England in first with 13.166 points.
Spain are in fourth with 10.609 points, with Portugal slightly behind them in fifth on 10.600 points.
Gian Piero Gasperini insists that patience is the key for Evan Ferguson and Roma’s young players after their 3-0 victory away against Celtic in the Champions League on Thursday evening: ‘You play against different sorts of teams in Europe compared to Italy’.
The Giallorossi got back to winning ways with a 3-0 victory away against Celtic in Europe on Thursday evening: An own goal from Liam Scales sending them ahead after six minutes, which was added to by a first-half brace from Evan Ferguson. Those were the Irishman’s first goals in European competition.
Gasperini reacts to Celtic 0-3 Roma: ‘It’s never easy to win away’
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Matias Soule of AS Roma celebrates with teammates, after Liam Scales of Celtic (not pictured) concedes an own goal resulting in the first goal for AS Roma, during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“It’s never easy to win away, on these beautiful, historic pitches,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia after full-time.
“Pisilli, Ferguson and all the other changes put in good performances. They give us an option to expand the squad. This is a moment in which we need to make important assessments, and we have to make them in games that matter.
“Playing here isn’t easy. They were coming off a series of victories. You have to play against different sorts of teams in Europe compared to in Italy. As a result, you can end up against very strong strikers. It’s a different type of football in Europe.”
Gasperini was asked what he made of Ferguson’s performance. The 21-year-old is on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion with a hefty option to buy, but there have already been suggestions that Roma could look to terminate his deal ahead of schedule. A brace this evening is a step in the right direction, though.
“During the game. he did what he often does in training. He’s a young lad and we have to be patient,” Gasperini said. “His second goal was beautiful. His performance was great, and it’s important that he plays with this spirit and shows his qualities.”
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
And on Roma’s potential business in the January transfer window, Gasperini added: “We have to be patient. These young guys could come good. Maybe it’s better that way rather than relying on the market. We’ll talk about the January window moving forwards, now, we have several important games to play.”
How will Roma cope with losing Neil El Aynaoui and Evan Ndicka for the Africa Cup of Nations?
“We’ll know (when they’ll leave) tomorrow, both for El Aynaoui and Ndicka. We would like to have them with us for the game against Como, but either way, we will have other matches where we’re left without two key figures. We’ve seen tonight that they’re both important. I’m happy for Pisilli in midfield, he’s growing and doing well. I’m happy for him.”
Evan Ferguson and Matias Soule were among the standout performers during Roma’s 3-0 victory over Celtic in Glasgow in the Europa League on Thursday evening, a result which has sent the Giallorossi into 10th place in the league table.
An own-goal from Liam Scales six minutes in followed by a first-half brace from Evan Ferguson were enough for Roma to claim a comfortable victory, despite a missed penalty from Arne Engels and each side having a goal ruled out for offside in the second half.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Liam Scales of Celtic concedes an own goal, resulting in the first goal for AS Roma, during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Best Celtic player: Kelechi Iheanacho 6 – Celtic’s game only really got going in the second half, when they were already 3-0 down and after a triple substitution at the break. Iheanacho, recently returned from injury, was a bright spark for the hosts when he came on and looked determined to get his name on the scoresheet. He will be frustrated to have seen his effort ruled out for offside 65 minutes in. Who knows, there might have been enough time left for Celtic to make Roma start feeling uneasy at that point.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic scores his team a goal as Mile Svilar of AS Roma fails to make a save, which is disallowed following a VAR review during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Coach: Wilfrid Nancy 5 – A night to forget on his first European match in charge of Celtic. Enormously frustrating for him to see his side go 1-0 down through a set-piece six minutes in, and it then seemed difficult for the hosts to match Celtic’s intensity. Too many slip-ups on the ball and in their own half, which Roma were able to punish.
Best Roma player: Evan Ferguson 7.5 – A really well deserved brace for the Irishman, his first ever goals in European competition, who applied two very well-taken finishes to claim his first-half double. It was an energetic and battling performance from the Giallorossi loanee, who now has three goals in his last five appearances across all competitions. Only two of those have been starts.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini 7.5
Despite making wholesale changes and leaving out big names in Paulo Dybala and Manu Kone, Roma were right at it from the off, played with great intensity and did not panic after taking such an early lead in the sixth minute. It was the near-perfect first-half performance, the only fault being the penalty that Mario Hermoso gave away in the dying moments. It was a task in game management in the second half, and Roma will have been relieved to have seen Kelechi Iheanacho’s goal ruled out for offside. Overall, a great response after their disappointment against Cagliari in Serie A over the weekend.
Roma are closing in on a spot in the Europa League knock-out rounds after a largely dominant 3-0 victory away against Celtic in Glasgow on Thursday evening: A Liam Scales own goal and a first-half brace from Evan Ferguson sending Gian Piero Gasperini’s side on their way to victory.
Roma had slipped to two consecutive defeats in Serie A prior to kick-off, their last victory in any competition coming in the 2-1 victory over Midtjylland in November. Gasperini gave Evan Ferguson the nod up front, alongside the club he supported growing up, with Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone and the returning Angelino named among the substitutes.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Liam Scales of Celtic concedes an own goal, resulting in the first goal for AS Roma, during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Zeki Celik won Roma their first corner of the game five minutes in. Gianluca Mancini initially tried to claim that it was his header from Matias Soule’s delivery that took it past Kasper Schmeichel, but replays showed that it was actually a Liam Scales own-goal that sent the Giallorossi into an early lead in Glasgow.
The Giallorossi were the dominant force in the first half, registering eight shots in the opening 45 minutes, three of which were on target. Soule, Stephan El Shaarawy and Nicolo Pisilli all had a go midway through the first period.
Their lead was doubled 10 minutes before the interval, Zeki Celik was freed on the right-hand side of the area and supplied the perfect low ball in for Ferguson, who just had to steer it in inside the six-yard box for 2-0.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma scores his team’s second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Gasperini’s side would claim their third on the stroke of half-time following a wonderful passage of possession in the final third. Soule was involved again, providing a brilliantly improvised ball in from the edge of the area, which Ferguson was able to turn in from 10 yards out.
It looked as though the first half’s action was done after that, only for Mario Hermoso to bring down Arne Engels in the area on the following attack.
There were several minutes of protests and delays from the Giallorossi, which saw El Shaarawy and Soule booked, but that might just have worked out in their favour as Engels struck the left upright when he was finally cleared to take the spot-kick.
The hosts elected to make three changes at half-time, and saw an immediate shift in momentum: Kelechi Iheanacho, recently returned from injury, looked bright and determined.
The Nigerian thought he had clawed one back, prodding home in similar fashion to Ferguson in the first half, but he was eventually flagged for a slight offside. 3-0 Roma it remained.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – DECEMBER 11: Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic scores his team a goal as Mile Svilar of AS Roma fails to make a save, which is disallowed following a VAR review during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Celtic FC and AS Roma at Celtic Park on December 11, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Roma would also see another chalked off before full-time. Leon Bailey thought he had claimed his first Giallorossi goal with a well taken finish into the far corner inside the area, but he was also punished for an offside in the build-up.
Tonight’s result sees Roma climb up to 10th place in the Europa League table, just one point outside the all-important top eight with two games against Stuttgart and Panathinaikos left to play before the end of the league phase.
Fiorentina were able to put their Serie A misfortunes behind them to claim their third Conference League victory of the campaign with a 2-1 win at home against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday evening: Moise Kean, Mykola Mykhaylenko and Albert Gudmundsson with the goals.
Paolo Vanoli and his Viola side were nine games without a win across all competitions ahead of kick-off. He turned to Edin Dzeko to partner Kean at centre-forward, the Bosnian also taking the captain’s armband in the absence of Luca Ranieri. There were also wholesale changes in midfield, with Amir Richardson, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and Cher Ndour coming in to start.
FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Milos Milanovic referee during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Dynamo Kyiv at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 11, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina had their fair share of chances in the opening quarter: Dzeko rose well in the area after six minutes but wasn’t quite able to keep his header under the bar.
The hosts couldn’t believe they hadn’t scored 17 minutes in when Dzeko was allowed to fire off a powerful half-volley in the area following a corner. His effort looked goal-bound but was accidentally blocked by Kean on the edge of the six-yard box. The Italian then saw his shot saved by the feet of goalkeeper Ruslan Neshcheret.
Fiorentina would find the lead a minute later. It was a centre-forward’s dream for Kean, who was unmarked in the area and just had to time his jump and aim his header in the right direction after a perfect delivery in from the right flank from Dodo.
FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Dynamo Kyiv at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 11, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
It took a second-half screamer for Dynamo Kyiv to draw level. Mykhaylenko, afforded slightly too much time from 25 yards out, unleashed a thunderbolt which rocketed past David De Gea and into the right-hand corner of the net.
FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 11: Mykola Mykhaylenko of Dynamo Kyiv celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Dynamo Kyiv at Stadio Artemio Franchi on December 11, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
It was Vanoli’s second-half substitutions that got him out of trouble this evening: He made three of them two thirds of the way through, Gudmundsson, Christian Kouame and Fabiano all introduced.
Gudmundsson’s impact was immediate. He had three shots within the space of a few minutes before putting La Viola back into the lead.
Kean steered Parisi’s cross on goal, drawing a fantastic save out of Neshcheret, but the keeper was still on the floor when the Icelander popped up in the middle of the area to poke home the rebound.
Fiorentina should have put the game beyond any doubt with two minutes of regular time left to play, but Kean’s shot found the goalkeeper’s legs when he burst into the area almost one-on-one.
This evening’s result temporarily sends Fiorentina up to seventh place in the Conference League standings, albeit with the majority of this week’s fixtures still left to play.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Neil El Aynaoui celebrates with his teammates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Ferguson comes in to lead the line alongside Matias Soule and Stephan El Shaarawy against Celtic this evening. Paulo Dybala starts among the substitutes, as do Leon Bailey, Manu Kone and Kostas Tsimikas. Angelino has been declared fit enough for a spot among the substitutes.
Celtic vs. Roma: Confirmed line-ups
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: AS Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Paolo Vanoli turns to Edin Dzeko to accompany Moise Kean in attack for Fiorentina’s Conference League clash at home against Dynamo Kyiv on Thursday evening.
Tonight’s game at the Stadio Artemio Franchi kicks off at the earlier time of 17.45 GMT.
FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Paolo Vanoli reacts during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between ACF Fiorentina and AEK Athens FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 27, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Dzeko is called in to replace Albert Gudmundsson in attack this evening. Wholesale changes have been made in midfield, with Amir Richardson, Hans Nicolussi Caviglia and Cher Ndour coming in for Simon Sohm, Nicolo Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora.
Luca Ranieri and Pablo Mari are also rested at the back, with opportunities for Marin Pongracic and Mattia Viti instead.
Fiorentina vs. Dynamo Kyiv: Confirmed line-ups
FLORENCE, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Edin Dzeko of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between ACF Fiorentina and AEK Athens FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on November 27, 2025 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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