Charles De Ketelaere was initially named in the Atalanta starting line-up to take on Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening, but the Belgium international was forced to drop out at the last minute.
De Ketelaere drops out of Atalanta line-up at the last minute
De Ketelaere felt something in his knee during the warm-up ahead of Monday’s Serie A clash between Atalanta and Cremonese at the New Balance Arena and was unable to take his place in the starting line-up. That made for an opportunity for Lazar Samardzic to play instead.
VERONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta looks on during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and Atalanta BC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on December 06, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Raffaele Palladino already had injuries in mind when naming his starting line-up. Gianluca Scamacca started and scored in the 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Juventus on Thursday, but reported a minor issue in training ahead of the Cremonese match and was also unavailable to start.
Nikola Krstovic started at centre-forward instead and opened the scoring for La Dea within 13 minutes against Cremonese.
Reports in Italy confirm that Torino officially triggered their obligation to buy clause for striker Giovanni Simeone during their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Serie A, which is set to bring in around €5.5m for selling club Napoli.
Official: Torino have triggered Simeone obligation to buy from Napoli
Simeone has spent the 2025-26 on loan with Torino in a deal that also includes an obligation to buy.
According to reports from Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com, the obligation to buy clause kicked in after Torino’s first match in February, which happened to be the 2-2 draw with Fiorentina over the weekend.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Giovanni Simeone of Torino FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
This means that Torino will be obliged to pay Napoli a fee of €5.5m plus up to an extra €1m in easily achievable add-ons. Torino have already paid the Partenopei a reported fee of €1.5m to sign Simeone on loan for the 2025-26 season.
Simeone has scored five goals from 18 outings in Serie A so far this season.
Roma are just one point away from triggering the obligation to buy clause in Daniele Ghilardi’s contract, which will bring a small financial boost for both Hellas Verona and Fiorentina.
Roma one point away from permanent Ghilardi signing: Verona and Fiorentina profit
Ghilardi joined Roma on loan with a potential obligation to buy during the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old has had to bide his time for opportunities at the Stadio Olimpico, but he has since started in four of the last five rounds of Serie A fixtures.
Ghilardi joined Roma with a loan fee reported to be worth €2.5m. The Giallorossi will also have to pay a further €8m plus potentially €1m in bonuses in the event that his transfer is made permanent.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Daniele Ghilardi in action prior the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)
According to reports from Calciomercato.com, the option to buy clause in Ghilardi’s contract will be triggered after the first point that Roma pick up during the month of February. There is a high possibility that that happens on Monday evening, as long as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side avoids defeat at home against Cagliari in Serie A (kicking off at 19.45 GMT).
Ghilardi’s former club, Verona, will not receive the full fee once the transfer is made permanent, though, as Fiorentina are entitled to a 50% sell-on clause.
That means that both Verona and Fiorentina will receive €4m for Ghilardi’s transfer to Roma (plus up to €500,000 each in bonuses). Verona and Fiorentina also split the €2.5m loan fee equally.
Nikola Krstovic is called back in to lead the line for Atalanta, who face off against Jamie Vardy and Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening.
Atalanta are coming in off the back of a 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Juventus on Thursday evening and a 0-0 draw after being reduced to 10 men early on in their away game against Como last time out in Serie A.
Raffaele Palladino’s side sit in seventh place in the league table ahead of kick-off.
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta BC is congratulated by teammates after saving a penalty during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Atalanta BC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 01, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cremonese had started the 2025-26 season in impressive form, but have only picked up two points from their last seven matches in Serie A, which has them tumbling concerningly towards the relegation zone.
Davide Nicola’s side are in 16th place, five points above the drop zone ahead of kick-off.
Atalanta have stuck with the same core of the team that beat Juventus in the cup for tonight’s game against Cremonese, but have swapped Honest Ahanor for Sead Kolasinac at the back, Mario Pasalic for Marten De Roon, Nicola Zalewski in place of Luca Bernasconi and Nikola Krstovic instead of Gianluca Scammaca at centre-forward.
Cremonese once again turn to Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli to lead their attacking line. They have made three changes after their recent 2-0 loss against Inter, with Sebastiano Luperto coming in for Francesco Folino, Tommaso Barbieri instead of Filippo Terracciano and Morten Thorsby instead of Alessio Zerbin.
CREMONA, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Jamie Vardy of US Cremonese reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on January 19, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Inter and Italy star Federico Dimarco has set a new record for the most assists provided by a defender in Serie A after 24 matches after laying on three goals for his teammates during Sunday evening’s 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo.
Dimarco shining for Inter and Italy
Dimarco was the star of the show as Inter picked up a 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo with five different players on the scoresheet: Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique. Dimarco provided assists for three of them on the night.
Sunday’s game means that Dimarco is now up to 11 assists in Serie A in 2025-26. Before the weekend, no defender had ever recorded more than nine assists after the same number of matches in the Italian top flight according to Opta records.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Dimarco is also closing in on the all-time Serie A record for the most assists within a single season. That title is currently held by Papu Gomez, who came up with 16 assists for his Atalanta teammates during the 2019-20 season.
What’s more impressive about Dimarco’s tally is that he has only featured in 22 of the 24 Serie A matches that Inter have played this season. He also has five league goals to his name, plus 11 assists. That totals 16 goal involvements from 22 league appearances from wing-back.
Other sources with looser definitions of what an assist is claim that Dimarco is already up to 13 for the season, rather than 11.
Dimarco also has four assists from six World Cup qualifying appearances with the Italy national team this season as well.
Experts believe that Juventus were wrongly denied a penalty during the first half of their eventual 2-2 draw against Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening.
Should Juventus have been awarded a penalty against Lazio?
The Bianconeri had to fight back through goals from Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu, the latter with 15 seconds of the game remaining, to claim a 2-2 draw after falling behind to goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen on Sunday evening.
During the first half, however, with the scores still at 0-0, Teun Koopmeiners found the back of the net from the edge of the area, but saw his effort ruled out as Khephren Thuram was obstructing the goalkeeper’s view in an offside position.
In the build-up to that incident, though, Juan Cabal went to ground on his way into the area under the clumsy challenge of Lazio defender Mario Gila. He stayed on the deck for the entirety of the following play.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08:Gustav Isaksen of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Cabal of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
A penalty was not awarded in real time, and that decision was upheld after a lengthy VAR check that resulted in Koopmeiners’s goal being ruled out.
However, experts believe that this was the wrong call and that Juventus should have been awarded a spot-kick for Gila’s foul on Cabal.
“This is a negligent intervention,” said refereeing expert Luca Marelli on DAZN after full-time.
“It doesn’t matter that he’s already offloaded the ball, what matters is whether the intervention was regular or irregular. Here, Gila comes in negligently on Cabal, and in my opinion, this is a penalty kick.”
Monday’s reports claim that the sales of the players that Milan currently have out on loan in 2025-26 could be worth around €70m. Here is a look at the players that the Rossoneri could shift to help with their summer spending in a few months’ time.
Which players could Milan sell to raise €70m?
It has recently been confirmed that Alex Jimenez will join Premier League side AFC Bournemouth on a permanent transfer after spending the 2025-26 season on loan on the English south coast.
The Spaniard has triggered the obligation to buy clause in his Bournemouth contract, which means that the Cherries are obliged to pay Milan a fee of €19.5m plus over €5m in potential bonuses. Milan will not receive all of this fee, though, as Jimenez’s former club, Real Madrid, are entitled to a 50% sell-on clause.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Alex Jimenez of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Alvaro Morata’s loan deal to Como also includes a conditional obligation to buy, which, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri expect to be triggered. The sale of the Spaniard will reportedly be worth around €15m for Milan.
Samuel Chukwueze is currently on loan with an option to buy at Premier League side Fulham, and has impressed during his short time in West London so far. If the Cottagers were to make his move permanent, Milan would bring in another €24m.
Lorenzo Colombo is also likely to leave San Siro permanently this summer. He is on loan with Genoa in a deal that includes a conditional obligation to buy for around €10m. In order for his move to be made permanent, Colombo needs at least five Serie A goals, at least 22 appearances and to avoid relegation. He already has six goals from 24 appearances.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Lorenzo Colombo of Genoa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Milan and Bologna have already agreed terms for Tommaso Pobega’s permanent transfer over the summer, which will reportedly be worth around €7m.
Filippo Terracciano will also join Cremonese in a permanent deal should they avoid relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. That will bring in another €3.5m.
CREMONA, ITALY – JANUARY 19: Warren Bondo of US Cremonese and Antoine Bernede of Hellas Verona FC fight for the ball during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Giovanni Zini on January 19, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
If all of these transfers are confirmed, Milan would raise over €70m in fees. That does not include the likes of Ismael Bennacer, Yunus Musah and Warren Bondo, who also have option to buy clauses in their loan contracts that are less likely to be activated.
Gianluigi Donnarumma made a heroic last-gasp save for Manchester City in their Premier League victory over Liverpool, Riccardo Calafiori helped Arsenal to another clean sheet against Sunderland, but it was a weekend to forget for Italy pair Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie at Tottenham.
Here is how the jItaly internationals in the Premier League got on this weekend.
Donnarumma and Calafiori victories
Italy no.1 Donnarumma played a crucial role as Manchester City claimed an important 2-1 victory away against Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Sunday evening. The highlight of his performance was his late save to deny Alexis Mac Allister’s improvised volley from hitting the top corner of the net.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Fellow Italy colleague Federico Chiesa appeared off the bench in the final stages of the Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City match. Giovanni Leoni remains out injured long term.
Calafiori was back in the Arsenal starting line-up for the first time since his recent injury lay-off and helped the Premier League leaders on their way to a 3-0 victory against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – JANUARY 31: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on January 31, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
That was the 11th Premier League clean sheet that Calafiori has been involved in this season. He has featured in the league on 18 occasions so far in 2025-26.
Lucca scores on Forest debut
Lorenzo Lucca was the only Italy international who moved to the Premier League during the January transfer window, joining Nottingham Forest on loan with an option to buy from Napoli after falling down the pecking order under Antonio Conte in the early stages of 2025-26.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Lorenzo Lucca of Nottingham Forest scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on February 06, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
He was given his first Premier League appearance of the season off the bench in Nottingham Forest’s eventual 3-1 loss against Leeds United. It took him just 32 minutes to find the back of the net on his first outing in the English top flight.
How did the other Italy internationals get on this weekend?
It is turning out to be a memorable season for Michael Kayode and his Brentford colleagues. Many tipped the Bees for relegation after the departure of head coach Thomas Frank in the summer, but they are currently on course to record their strongest ever finish in the Premier League, currently sitting in seventh place after a 3-2 win away against Newcastle United.
2026 has not been kind to Vicario and Udogie at Tottenham. Spurs are without a Premier League win in 2026, a run that is now up to seven matches after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United.
Wilfried Gnonto was an unused substitute for Leeds, who beat Lucca’s Nottingham Forest 3–1.
Weston McKennie continues to impress under Luciano Spalletti and was among the star performers as Juventus had to fight back to claim a 2-2 draw at home against Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening.
Maurizio Sarri’s side went 2-0 up shortly after the start of the second half thanks to goals from PEdro and Gustav Isaksen, which were eventually cancelled out by McKennie and then Kalulu in the final minute of injury time.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Weston McKennie of Juventus FC scores a goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Best Juventus player: Weston McKennie 7 – Dusted himself off after an underwhelming first-half performance and was one of the more impressive players on the pitch in the second period. No Serie A midfielder has scored more goals than him since the appointment of Luciano Spalletti.
Coach: Luciano Spalletti – He will have been disappointed with the way in which his team fell two goals behind on home soil, but there is no questioning the mentality of this Juventus side, who fought back and eventually registered 34 shots by full-time as they looked to get themselves back into it (eight on target, 13 off target and 13 blocked). His substitutes played a big role in that second half as well, especially Jeremie Boga and Edon Zhegrova, who wasn’t originally meant to come on at half-time.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Daniel Maldini of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Manuel Locatelli Juventus FC at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Best Lazio player: Gustav Isaksen 7 – What a way to double the advantage for Lazio almost immediately after half-time. It was a wonderful first-time ball from Cataldi that sent him through, but the Dane still had so much work to do before finding the back of the net. An encouraging performance all-round.
Coach: Maurizio Sarri 6.5 – There are some draws that feel like a win and some that feel like a defeat. This one is probably in the latter category for Sarri, who will be furious that his side were not able to hold on for the three points. Until the Juventus siege in the final stages, Lazio had performed well across the board and for a while, it looked like the Biancocelesti were on for a memorable victory on the road.
Luciano Spalletti opted to make a half-time substitution during the interval of Juventus’s Serie A clash against Lazio on Sunday evening, but he was forced into changing his mind at the final minute after it appeared that Francisco Conceicao would be unable to enter.
Juventus hosted Lazio at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening, and surprisingly fell two goals behind after strikes from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen. Weston McKennie brought one back just shy of the hour mark before a last-gasp equualiser from Pierre Kalulu with 15 seconds of injury time remaining.
Why Conceicao couldn’t come on during Juventus vs. Lazio
VERONA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 20: Francisco Conceicao celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match against Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on September 20, 2025 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
With his team trailing 1-0 at the half-time break, Spalletti decided to make an attacking substitution.
He took off full-back Juan Cabal and had originally intended to replace him with Portugal international Conceicao, who was seen receiving detailed instructions from the Juventus coaching staff while warming up at half-time.
However, it soon became apparent that Conceicao had felt something in his knee while warming up, and the Juventus team decided against risking him for the second half against Lazio, which is why they decided to bring on Zhegrova for Cabal instead.
Cristian Chivu insists that Inter are still ‘zero’ percent along the way to the Serie A title despite his side’s 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday, as he believes that the Nerazzurri are just about to head into one of their most crucial runs of the 2025-26 season.
Inter showed why they are the breakaway leaders of the Serie A table during their 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday evening. Five different goalscorers got in on the act at the Mapei: Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram in the first half, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique in the second.
Chivu assesses Sassuolo 0-5 Inter and upcoming Juventus test
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Luis Henrique of FC Internazionale celebrates with Federico Dimarco after scoring his team fifth goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Despite dominating for the majority of the match against Sassuolo, Inter were still threatened early on.
“We’ve understood the moment that we’re in, we suffered from their intensity and once they got hold of the ball, they went straight at the game. We struck at the right time with that corner, then our solidity became an important factor for how we went about the game,” Chivu told DAZN after full-time.
“This team seems more mature now, of how to accept and adapt in certain moments of the game,” he added.
Given that his side currently sits eight points clear at the top of the table after 24 matches, Chivu was asked if there is still room for his team to improve.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazioale celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
He replied: “We can’t forget where we’ve come from. We can’t be afraid of anything, but we have to be aware that we can still improve. There’s no such thing as perfection.
“It isn’t easy because there’s still a long way to go in the league and these are important phases of the season. We’re halfway through the marathon, we have to keep our maturity and be competitive.”
Chivu was asked if this is the point in the season where we start to see more of Davide Frattesi, who was still left out of the starting line-up against Sassuolo despite the absences of Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.
“Frattesi, Diouf, Dimarco, the whole group works hard. We need the whole squad to maintain a certain level so that we stay competitive,” Chivu responded.
Chivu is still unwilling to consider himself the favourite for the Serie A title this year, though. When asked what the probability of Inter winning the league title this year is, the coach replied: “Zero for me. There are fourteen games left to play. Theory’s still work to be done.”
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
And looking ahead to next week’s Derby d’Italia against Juventus, Chivu said: “It’s a game like any other. Expectations are always high, but I want the group to keep their maturity and their awareness.
“This is the first week where we have four training sessions in a row. We have a look at how we present ourselves for that match.”
Federico Dimarco is having an MVP-calibre season and has just recorded three assists from left wing-back in an eventual 5-0 victory for Inter away against Sassuolo, but he insists that he does not currently feel he is the best wide man in world football.
Dimarco was the star of the show as Inter picked up a 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium in Serie A on Sunday evening. He registered three assists in a game that brought five different goalscorers in Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique.
Dimarco reacts after his hat-trick of assists in Sassuolo 0-5 Inter
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Before Sunday, no defender in Serie A history had registered more than eight assists after 24 games of a single season. Dimarco is now up to 11.
Though he continues to post incredible numbers off Inter’s left wing, Dimarco insists that he does not consider himself the best in the world in that position.
“I don’t feel like anything,” Dimarco told DAZN after full-time. “When you’re good, you’re a phenomenon, otherwise, you’re poor. That’s football,” he continued.
He later told Sky: “I’ve had decent moments before now, this might be the one in which I’m the most decisive in terms of numbers, but the team and getting to May at the top of the table is what counts.”
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez heaped praise on his teammate Federico Dimarco after their 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday evening, but insisted that the Nerazzurri still have work to do despite currently sitting eight points clear at the top of the league table.
Cristian Chivu’s side recorded a thumping 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday thanks to goals from five different goalscorers in Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Lautaro’s goal means that he is now the third-highest goalscorer in Inter’s history with 171, level with Roberto Boninsegna. Only the legendary Giuseppe Meazza and Alessandro Altobelli have scored more goals in Nerazzurri colours than the Argentine.
“The important thing, always, is to achieve our collective goals. It was a great goal for us and for everything I went through as a child, for everyone who helped me. This means a lot to me and for my career,” Lautaro told DAZN about his goal after full-time.
The skipper also gave Dimarco his flowers after registering three goals from left wing-back on Sunday. DImarco currently has 11 assists to his name in the league this season. No defender has previously recorded more than eight at this stage of the season.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“He was one of the best. He is deciding games right now. The team is the most important thing, but individual level is also important,” Lautaro said of Dimarco’s display.
And lastly, looking ahead to a tricky run of fixtures in February, which includes derbies against Juventus, Milan and a Champions League play-off against Bodo/Glimt, Lautaro said: “We’ve dropped points in big games, we have to sort out some of the details and get the right results on our side.
“We have to work hard with our heads down, we’re having a great moment and we’re happy with our season so far.”
The table-topping Inter took another step towards the Serie A title with a dominant 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday evening in a game that included a hat-trick of assists from left wing-back Federico Dimarco.
Five different players ended up on the scoresheet at the Mapei Stadium: Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram gave the travelling Nerazzurri the lead at the interval, which was followed by second-half strikes from Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique.
With rivals Milan not involved in league action this week, Inter currently find themselves eight points clear at the top of the Serie A table after 24 matches.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Yann Bisseck of FC Internazionale scores the opening goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Best Sassuolo player: Kristjan Thorstvedt 5.5 – Slim pickings on a night to forget for the Neroverdi. The Dane was unlucky to have his goal ruled out for a very tight offside when Inter were just two goals up. Otherwise, not a great display, like the majority of his teammates.
Coach: Fabio Grosso 4 – Sassuolo started fairly brightly at the Mapei Stadium, but Grosso will be disappointed with what unfolded from there on. Sassuolo were particularly poor at defending set-pieces: They looked like conceding at almost every corner, free-kick and even throw-ins in the final third.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Best Inter player: Federico Dimarco 9 – What a fantastic season the Inter left wing-back is having. There are few players in the world better at delivering the ball into the area off the left flank. Three assists for him today: No defender has ever recorded as many assists as him at this stage of the season (11). The man is having an MVP-calibre season from wing-back.
Coach: Cristian Chivu 9 – A clean sheet and a five-goal display on the road: It doesn’t get much better than that. Sassuolo had been in decent form heading into this game as well, and the Nerazzurri swept them aside with ease.
Reports in the UK claim that Manchester United could target Italy international Sandro Tonali to replace the outgoing Casemiro in their midfield department during the summer transfer window.
Could Manchester United move for Tonali in the summer?
“These transfer talks will be held later on. We’ll see how the season ends and then decide what to do,” Riso said.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JANUARY 07: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Leeds United at St James’ Park on January 07, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
There had been brief reports linking Tonali with a move to Arsenal on the final day of the January transfer window, but given the likely fee and negotiation process, this was never going to be feasible in the final hours of the window. Juventus have also been long-term admirers of the former Milan man.
Now, according to reports from the Telegraph, Tonali is ‘high up’ on Manchester United’s list of midfield recruits for the summer transfer window. United will need a new midfielder to replace Casemiro, who will leave the club at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The Telegraph claims that Tonali, Eliott Anderson and Adam Wharton are among Manchester United’s top targets heading into the summer.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – OCTOBER 01: Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD2 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Newcastle United FC at RSC Anderlecht Stadium on October 01, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Omar Havana/Getty Images)
The Telegraph has not mentioned a specific transfer fee, but has pointed to the transfers of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to Chelsea and the transfer of Declan Rice to Arsenal, all of which surpassed the €100m mark.
Recent reports elsewhere have suggested that Newcastle will seek a fee in the region or potentially above the €100m mark if they are to sell Tonali, who joined for a reported fee of around €70m including add-ons from Milan in 2023.
Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed a travelling squad of 21 players to take on Cagliari in Serie A on Monday evening, but will have to do without Paulo Dybala, Evan Ferguson, Stephan El Shaarawy and Robinio Vaz.
The Giallorossi are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Udinese last time out in Serie A. That result saw them drop out of the top four and into fifth place, two points behind Juventus, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot.
Roma’s attention now turns to an away trip against Cagliari, which kicks off at 19.45 GMT on Monday evening.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Gian Piero Gasperini, manager of AS Roma, looks on before kick off at the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Gasperini will have to navigate the Cagliari match without a few of his key first-team attackers, though. Dybala has been ruled out, but is hoping to return against Napoli next weekend.
Ferguson is also out with an ankle issue, while El Shaarawy and Robinio Vaz remain unavailable. The January signing is also likely to return next weekend. Mario Hermoso is also unavailable in defence.
As was also the case for Roma’s last two matches, Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini are expected to start in attack alongside Donyell Malen. January recruits Bryan Zaragoza and Lorenzo Venturino are also pushing for game time, but are unlikely to start.
16-year-old Antonio Arena will also be among the substitutes against Cagliari.
Confirmed Roma squad vs. Cagliari
Bryan Zaragoza completes his transfer to Roma (asroma.com)
Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed that striker Evan Ferguson’s latest injury came as the result of ‘trying to avoid a photographer’, and has admitted that the Republic of Ireland international has been left feeling ‘very depressed’.
Injuries have been a constant issue for Ferguson in the early stages of his professional career. The 21-year-old missed a major chunk of the 2023-24 season with a cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and then a significant portion of the 2024-25 season with an ankle issue.
The 2025-26 season, on loan at Roma, has also been stop-start due to recurring ankle injuries.
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)
Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Roma’s upcoming Serie A match against Cagliari, head coach Gasperini had an opportunity to discuss Ferguson’s ongoing battles with injuries and his current mental state.
Gasperini on recurring Ferguson injuries: ‘He’s very depressed’
“The problem is his ankle,” Gasperini said. “It’s the fourth sprain he’s suffered. He was out for about a year with an ankle issue last year, so the situation has become a bit complicated. That’s what’s happened.
“We’re working to get him back on his feet, but every time he changes direction, the ankle seems to sprain. It’s one (ankle) or the other, but the one he had an operation on is the most problematic, which hasn’t completely solved the problem.”
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We’re all working to try and fix the situation. From a psychological point of view, he’s not very pleased and is very depressed. We’re trying to help him recover and get him back on his feet. It’s not easy, because it takes 12 weeks each time. Last time he got hurt avoiding a photographer.
“Whenever he’s been available, he’s always played, but that’s part of the problem for this player. It’s gone better for him this year, last year he practically never played.”
Gian Piero Gasperini has credited Roma’s mentality in what he considers a difficult start to the calendar year, but insists that things will start to look brighter for the Giallorossi in a ‘more normal’ month ahead.
Roma have slipped out of the Serie A top four after a 1-0 defeat against Udinese last weekend and have also had a tough time of it with injuries, with Paulo Dybala, Evan Ferguson, Robinio Vaz, Stephan El-Shaarawy and Angelino among those on the treatment table.
The Giallorossi head coach had an opportunity to take stock of the current situation during his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s match against Cagliari on Monday night.
Gasperini on Roma form, mentality and injuries
GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Totti, former captain of Roma, reacts prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Gasperini was asked to comment about Totti at the beginning of his pre-match press conference on Sunday.
He jokingly replied: “Ah, I’ll let him play immediately, no problem. But he has to train, we’ll try to take 15, 20 years off him, we’ll help him grow.”
Instead turning his attention to a question about January signing Bryan Zaragoza, Gasperini said: “He’s already trained with us, he’s been playing well and regularly with Celta, he’s in good shape. Of course, when you come to a new club, you still have to fit in, get to know your teammates, get to know the team. He is available tomorrow, though.
“I’ve not decided whether to play him from the first minute or bring him on during the game. The intention is always to integrate players quickly, to give them more chances and increase the speed in which they settle into the team.”
Gasperini feels that Roma are not just growing on a sporting level, but also in their mentality as well.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal from the penalty-spot during the Serie A match between AS Roma and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on January 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“I’ve never had any doubts about that. This group has always responded strongly. Sometimes there are some aches and pains, a bit of bad luck in some cases, but we have also lost a lot of games by 1-0. Maybe we could be better in the air, that’s a fundamental, because a lot of games are settled like that in the final minutes.
“Of course, we have a few technical aspects we need to get better at, but from a motivational point of view, this group today, as it always has, gives a great response and it will be the same for the next game.”
Roma’s 1-0 loss against Udinese last week means that they have slipped out of the Serie A top four and now sit two points behind Juventus.
“What we try to do is to try and solve the problems that each match presents. I have to point out that we basically played 10 games in the month of January: From December 29 against Genoa until February 2 against Udinese. They were 10 very difficult games, I mean really complicated, and we lost several players in some of them.
“We had to play light: I’m thinking about Athens, but I could mention all the others. In some situations, because of numbers, players like Romano, Arena and Della Rocca had to make their debuts. Bassa played as soon as he came in, Venturino played immediately.
“Despite all of that, we had a run of 10 difficult games and always played with good spirit and desire. Now we have earned the chance to play in the final phase of the Europa League. It’s a more normal month ahead of us in terms of matches, and we’ll try to recover some key players as quickly as possible.”
Gasperini also gave in-depth injury updates on the likes of Evan Ferguson, Mario Hermoso and Robinio Vaz.
“The problem is his ankle,” Gasperini said when discussing Ferguson. “It’s the fourth sprain he’s suffered. He was out for about a year with an ankle issue last year, so the situation has become a bit complicated. That’s what’s happened.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Evan Ferguson of AS Roma is injured during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Sassuolo Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“We’re working to get him back on his feet, but every time he changes direction, the ankle seems to sprain. It’s one (ankle) or the other, but the one he had an operation on is the most problematic, which hasn’t completely solved the problem.
“We’re all working to try and fix the situation. From a psychological point of view, he’s not very pleased and is a bit depressed. We’re trying to help him recover and get him back on his feet. It’s not easy, because it takes 12 weeks each time. Last time he got hurt avoiding a photographer.
“Whenever he’s been available, he’s always played, but that’s part of the problem for this player. It’s gone better for him this year, last year he practically never played.”
And on the other members of Roma’s squad, Gasperini added: “Hermoso’s got a very bad bruise on his foot and is struggling to even get his foot in his shoe. It’s a hematoma and unfortunately that’s quite bad luck.
“Dybala has taken a contusion to the knee, no ligaments or anything else are affected. We hope that he will be available next week, the same with Hermoso.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“Soule has been suffering from pubalgia for a few weeks, but with good spirit, he always manages to recover and play. It often happens to young players when they play this regularly. He played much less in other years. It’s not too serious, but it still affects us. Sometimes he’s better, sometimes he’s worse.
“You’ll have to ask me later about the other situations. Vaz I don’t think is a big problem, I believe that we’ll have him on Tuesday or Wednesday.”
Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu have been unavailable for several weeks, but Sunday’s reports claim that Cristian Chivu is now close to recovering two of his star Inter midfielders.
Barella and Calhanoglu nearing Inter returns
Barella has missed Inter’s last four matches across all competitions, including the last two in Serie A, while Calhanoglu has been unavailable since mid-January, missing out on five Serie A matches, two in the Champions League and one in the Coppa Italia.
However, according to Sunday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, both are just around the corner from a return to first-team action.
MILAN, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on October 29, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Pink Paper claims that both Barella and Calhanoglu could potentially return to group training when the rest of the squad returns to Appiano Gentile on Tuesday. The squad is in league action against Sassuolo on Sunday and is expected to take a day off on Monday.
The hope is that both could be part of the matchday squad to take on archrivals Juventus in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday.
Denzel Dumfries, meanwhile, is still expected to be unavailable for a touch longer, until March, but potentially even sooner.
Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers were both unavailable for Milan’s recent 3-0 victory over Bologna, but reports on Sunday claim that both could be in line to return in time for the upcoming test against Pisa next weekend.
Latest Pulisic and Saelemaekers updates for Milan
Pulisic is Milan’s leading goalscorer in 2025-26 with eight goals to his name from 16 appearances in Serie A this season. He has 10 goals across all competitions so far.
He was unable to play against Bologna last weekend due to Bursitis, but according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan are aiming to have him back out and training on the pitch next week, and hope that he will be available to play against Pisa on Friday evening.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Saelemaekers, meanwhile, was forced to skip the Bologna match due to an adductor issue, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he is in a similar position to Pulisic, hoping to resume full training this week and aiming to play against Pisa on Friday.
Milan are not in action this weekend in the 24th round of Serie A fixtures. That is because their regular home venue in San Siro was busy for the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and they were unable to find an alternative venue to play their scheduled match against Como.
Instead, the Milan vs. Como game will take place in San Siro on Wednesday, February 18.
Kenan Yildiz has recently put pen to paper on a new and improved contract extension at Juventus, but he is not the only one whose Bianconeri future needs to be addressed. Here are the other players that Juventus could look to renew in the near future.
His previous deal had been set to expire in 2029, but that was on a salary of €1.7m. He has been rewarded with a pay increase that reflects his star status within the squad and now takes home a reported €6m per year, which will eventually rise to €7m per year.
Official: Kenan Yildiz signs a new contract extension with Juventus until 2030 (also pictured: Marco Ottolini, Giorgio Chiellini, John Elkann, Damien Comolli and Francois Modesto). Picture via www.juventus.com
Which other Juventus players need new contracts?
For Juventus, one of the most pressing pieces of business is now an extension for USMNT star Weston McKennie, whose current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
According to reports from Calciomercato.com, both the club and the player wish to continue their relationship and there could even be a meeting over a potential new deal as early as next week.
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Weston McKennie celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
According to Sunday’s report, Juventus could potentially look to tie Filip Kostic down to a new deal as well. Like McKennie, his deal is also up at the end of the current season, and the latest updates claim that he is a player that Luciano Spalletti likes and trusts, which could be enough to see him earn a new deal at the Allianz Stadium.
The most significant Juventus player whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season is Dusan Vlahovic, however, the latest reports indicate that an extension for the Serbian remains unlikely at this stage.
Elsewhere, Calciomercato.com suggests that Juventus could potentially look to extend the contracts of Pierre Kalulu, who earns a relatively low salary of €2.5m per season, but is still tied to the club until 2029.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 21: Khephren Thuram greets teammate Pierre Kalulu following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match against SL Benfica at Allianz Stadium on January 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Similarly, Manuel Locatelli, whose deal expires in 2028, could be rewarded with new terms. It is also a similar story for Khephren Thuram, who is currently set to earn around €2m per season until the summer of 2029.
Lastly, Juventus could also look to extend the contract of head coach Luciano Spalletti, however, a final decision on that matter is not expected to be taken until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Gian Piero Gasperini will have to do without another one of his star attackers in Paulo Dybala for Monday evening’s Serie A clash at home against Cagliari, the latest updates confirm.
Dybala ruled out of Roma vs. Cagliari
La Joya has not featured in either of Roma’s last two matches due to a minor issue, which is expected to keep him out of Monday night’s league fixture against Cagliari as well, according to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Sky Sport Italia and others.
The Argentina international had been training individually in the days leading up to the Cagliari clash.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Sunday’s reports claim that Roma have taken the decision not to risk the 32-year-old against Cagliari on precautionary grounds.
As has been the case over the last two matches, Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini are in line to start in Dybala’s absence.
Dybala adds to a considerable injury list at the Stadio Olimpico: Gasperini is also expected to be without Manu Kone, Robinio Vaz, Artem Dovbyk, Stephan El Shaarawy and potentially Mario Hermoso and Evan Ferguson as well.
Alex Jimenez has recently completed his permanent transfer to AFC Bournemouth, but how much will his former club Milan profit from the move?
Alex Jimenez set to join Bournemouth from Milan on permanent deal
Jimenez has spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Premier League side Bournemouth. His deal with the Cherries includes a conditional obligation to buy, which, the club confirmed they have triggered on Saturday.
Milan already received a fee of €2m for Jimenez’s loan deal. According to recent updates, the buyout clause will be worth €19.5m plus an additional €5.5m in bonuses and add-ons.
ITALY – APRIL 20: Alex Jimenez warms up prior to the Serie A match against and Atalanta at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 20, 2025 in San Siro, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
However, the Rossoneri will not receive all of that €19.5m as Jimenez’s former club, Real Madrid, are entitled to a 50% sell-on fee.
So, Real Madrid and Milan will split the €19.5m fee equally, meaning €9.75m each, not including bonuses.
Jimenez is reportedly set to join Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half year contract running until the summer of 2031.
Kenan Yildiz is fresh off signing a new and improved contract with Juventus and is expected to star in attack when the Bianconeri host Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening.
Juventus made it four Serie A wins in a row when they beat Parma 4-1 in the league last weekend. They have scored 13 goals in those four matches and also defeated Napoli 3-0 during that run, but Luciano Spalletti’s side have since slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-final on Wednesday night.
The Old Lady sit in fourth place in the Serie A table ahead of kick-off with 45 points to their name from their first 23 games of the season. They are two clear of Roma in fifth and four shy of Napoli in third having played one game less than Antonio Conte’s side.
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Bremer of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Francisco Conceicao during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Lazio beat Genoa 3-2 last time out in Serie A, bouncing back after a disappointing pair of results against Lecce and Como beforehand. They find themselves in eighth place ahead of kick-off, 13 points off the top four.
Kenan Yildiz was officially rewarded with a new and improved contract on Saturday and is expected to start in attack on Sunday night along with Fabio Miretti, Weston McKennie and Jonathan David.
Maurizio Sarri’s side are without Mattia Zaccagni in attack, but are expected to stick with the same front three as the Genoa match, with Gustav Isaksen, Pedro and Daniel Maldini as a false nine.
Kick-off is expected at 19.45 GMT.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 30: Pedro with his teammates of SS Lazio celebrates after scoring the opening goal from penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on January 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
ROME, ITALY – OCTOBER 26: Weston McKennie of Juventus is shown a yellow card by referee Andrea Colombo during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on October 26, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and through DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
The table-topping Inter are expected to bring back their first-team big hitters when they visit an in-form Sassuolo side in Serie A on Sunday afternoon.
The Nerazzurri are sitting pretty at the top of the Serie A table with 55 points after 23 matches, five clear of their closest competitors, Milan. Cristian Chivu’s side are unbeaten in 11 league matches and have won 10 of those 11 games.
Sassuolo have recorded two consecutive victories in Serie A heading into Sunday’s clash against Inter, which puts them within a point of the top half of the table after 23 matches.
PISA, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Ismael Kone’ of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Arena Garibaldi on January 31, 2026 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fabio Grosso is expected to name a similar side, if not the same starting XI as the one that beat Pisa 3-1 away from home last weekend, with Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente starting across the front three.
After resting the majority of his key first-team players for Wednesday evening’s 2-1 Coppa Italia victory over Torino, Chivu is expected to bring back his big hitters, including the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni, against Sassuolo.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Andy Diouf of FC Internazionale Milano (obscured) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammates during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The travelling Nerazzurri are still without midfielders Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, but Chivu has hinted that they could both return to the squad after the Sassuolo match. Petar Sucic, Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the expected midfield combination on Sunday.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Players of FC Internazionale Milano pose for a team photograph prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Lollobrigida gold in the 3000m speed skating. ‘Beautiful to win with my Tommi’. Silver for Franzoni in the downhill, Paris also on the podium at 36 years old: ‘I’m not stopping’
Napoli, what strength
Inter anti-trap
Conte wins with 10 men, Hojlund settles it in the 95th minute from a contested penalty. Chivu against Sassuolo to return to +8. ThuLa up front again
Yildiz renews until 2030: ‘I love Juve, I want to make history’
Starter against Lazio
Toro draw: Level against Fiorentina through Maripan in the 94th minute
Finishes 2-2 in Florence
Corriere dello Sport
Fourth star
Yildiz 2030: Renewal signed, Kenan celebrates: ‘Fino alla fine’
‘I love Juve, it’s my family’
Salary rises from 1.7 to 7 million. Spalletti: ‘An important day, demonstrates the club’s desire’. The challenge with Lazio at 19.45
Starting with three
Milan-Cortina: Three immediate medals for Italy at the Winter Olympics
Insane Napoli: Stronger than anyone
Success in the 95th minute: 3-2 at Marassi
McT scores then gets injured, brace from Hojlund, Buongiorno shocker. Juan Jesus sent off
Lautaro chases Bonimba and the +8
Inter, Sassuolo at 17.00
ItalRugby, off with a bang: Scotland beaten
What a start in the Six Nations
Viola disappointed with themselves, Torino fight back
Finishes 2-2 at the Franchi
Baroni goes ahead with Casadei. Fiorentina respond with Soloman and Kean. Maripan silences the Franchi in the 94th minute
Tuttosport
Mamma, what a gold!
Triumph and olympic record in the skating: Moving moment for Lollobrigida with the little one, Tommaso
Franzoni & Paris: Fantastic medals
‘Juve, my life’
Yildiz signs until 2030 for six million a year: Up against Lazio this evening
Tuttosport’s anticipation is confirmed: The Turk states his bianconeri ambitions: ‘I love this team, we’ll do great things together’. Elkann also at Continassa for the announcement. Spalletti: ‘Will I renew as well? I have to deserve it, like Kenan’. Gattuso arrives at the Stadium: For Miretti but not just him. Conceicao and Kelly doubts
Maripan saves Toro and Baroni in the 94th
The defender’s header in the final attack of the game sends Fiorentina back down to -9 off the Granata
The Viola fight back through Soloman and Kean after Casadei’s opener, brought up the thought of Serie B for Cairo and the Franchi, but at least there was a proud finish this time. The Chilean: ‘My being left out? Eh, but the team is strong here, there are a lot of good players and the coach always decides’. Obrador, out with a muscular injury
Hojlund and heart, Napoli down to 10 at Genoa, mockery in the 95th minute
Cornet touches Vergara: Penalty
The Dane and McTominay (also injured) relaunch Conte. Buongiorno shock
Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has admitted that ‘it wasn’t a big big surprise’ to see Jean-Philippe Mateta fail a medical with Milan ahead of a proposed deadline day transfer to San Siro, and has explained why it is difficult to predict how long the Frenchman will be unavailable for.
Milan were hoping to secure a late deal for Palace striker Mateta during the final days of the January transfer window. There was an agreement in place with the South London outfit over a fee in the region of €35m, but, on the final day of the window, the Rossoneri decided not to proceed after uncovering a concerning knee issue during Mateta’s medical.
According to recent reports, three different medical experts warned Milan against the signing of Mateta, who may require surgery to fix the knee issue.
Glasner: ‘It wasn’t a big big surprise’ to see Mateta fail his Milan medical
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace runs for the ball during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Crystal Palace FC and AZ Alkmaar at Selhurst Park on November 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Glasner was given an opportunity to reflect on the whole ordeal during his pre-match press conference ahead of Palace’s Premier League match against rivals Brighton.
Glasner explained why he and the club decided to keep playing Mateta if they knew there was an issue with his knee: “I’ve mentioned this often that we have to manage his knee. The most important thing is always the player’s welfare. There were no concerns (so that’s why) that we took a higher risk so that’s why he could always play. Then we rested him in a few games, in a few training sessions.
“To be honest it was not a big big surprise that he could fail (his medical). We always knew that this could happen and he knew it. Of course, if you’re playing for two and a half months with a swollen knee and you have to be managed, we knew and he knew that there is an issue in his knee.
BECKENHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 05: Jean-Philippe Mateta laughs during a Crystal Palace FC training session at Crystal Palace FC Training Ground on November 05, 2025 in Beckenham, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
“He wasn’t really pleased. We all know this from our private lives, when you visit three doctors, you get three opinions and that is what we have right now.
“We have an opinion from an English doctor, one from an Italian, one from a French doctor and we’ll get another one from a German doctor JP trusted when he had surgery when he was a Mainz player. We’ll do further assessments, he’ll see one more doctor on Monday and then we’ll all sit together and make a final decision.”
Part of the reason why Palace and Mateta are taking their time to make a decision on whether or not to have surgery is the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – NOVEMBER 16: 19 Jean-Philippe Mateta of France during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Azerbaijan and France at Tofig Bahramov Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images)
Glasner admitted that there is still a possibility that Mateta goes to the World Cup with the France national team: “There are two ways we can do it: Either manage it, like we did. We can manage the knee until after the World Cup, because this is especially what JP is considering, his dream, playing for France at the World Cup. Or, the other one is that he undergoes the surgery.”
And when asked which option gives Mateta the best possibility of playing at the World Cup this summer, Glasner said: “This is what we don’t know right now.
“There are a few predictions for his surgery, he could be out for two months, he could be out for three months, he could be out for six to nine months. There are many opinions and now it’s about doing the right thing. We don’t know right now, but we will decide next week.”
“The most important thing is the players welfare.”
Oliver Glasner reveals he wasn’t surprised that Jean-Philippe Mateta’s move to AC Milan could not be completed pic.twitter.com/9FrXiyXhBC
Recent rumours claim that Thiago Motta could potentially return to Bologna if the Rossoblu part company with Vincenzo Italiano, but how much would Juventus save if the move went ahead?
Could Thiago Motta return to Bologna and how would it affect Juventus?
Thiago Motta has been out of work since being dismissed as head coach of Juventus in March last year. He lasted less than a year in the job after being called in to replace Massimiliano Allegri for the 2024-25 season.
The 43-year-old has since been linked with several managerial vacancies, including with Real Sociedad, AS Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and Spartak Moscow.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 26: Thiago Motta, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between Juventus FC and Empoli FC at Allianz Stadium on February 26, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Motta is in no particular rush to jump back into coaching and according to Calciomercato.com, he wants to take as much time as possible to evaluate his next steps to ensure that his next job is the right fit.
There have been rumours circulating over the last few days that Motta could potentially return to his former club Bologna should they take the decision to part ways with current head coach, Italiano.
Italiano guided Bologna to their first Coppa Italia title in 51 years last season, gaining a spot in the Europa League in the process, but is currently on a dismal run of form with just one Serie A victory to his name since the beginning of December.
epa12101024 Bologna’s head coach Vincenzo Italiano celebrates with his players after winning the Italian Cup final soccer match between AC Milan and Bologna FC in Rome, Italy, 14 May 2025. EPA-EFE/FEDERICO PROIETTI
The Rossoblu are now 10th in the table and risk slipping into the bottom half of the table if they fail to beat Parma over the weekend.
In the event that Bologna do part company with Italiano in the near future, it is expected that Motta will be among the candidates to replace him.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Thiago Motta, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on ahead of the Serie A match between Juventus and Empoli at Allianz Stadium on February 02, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Though he left Juventus last March, Motta has not yet terminated his contract, which means that he is still entitled to a salary until the end of his contract in the summer of 2027.
According to reports from Calciomercato, Motta still earns a net salary of around €3m per season from Juventus, which costs Juventus roughly €5.5m gross. That salary would be wiped off the Juve balance sheet in the event that Motta takes over at Bologna.
Claudio Ranieri has recently revealed that Francesco Totti could potentially return to his beloved Roma in the near future. Here is everything we know about the potential return of the legendary former Giallorossi skipper.
Could Totti finally be set to return to Roma?
“I know the Friedkins are thinking about it. I hope Francesco can truly be useful to Roma as well, because he really is part of Roma,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia in a recent interview.
Totti retired in 2017 after a 24-year career in Roma’s first team. He was immediately appointed as a technical collaborator after hanging up his boots, a role which was intended to keep Totti involved with the club on a day-to-day basis.
WUHAN, CHINA – NOVEMBER 26: Former Italian football player Francesco Totti reacts during the 2023 World Super-footballer Games between American Star Team and European Star Team at Wuhan Sports Center on November 26, 2023 in Wuhan, China. (Photo by Wang He/Getty Images)
However, it was never particularly clear what his daily duties entailed in his previous role, and eventually, after a breakdown in relations with the former Roma set-up, Totti decided to walk away from the club in 2019.
“I resign, but sooner or later I will return. Definitely under a different ownership,” Totti said at the time of his resignation in 2019.
Since 2020, Roma have been under the ownership of Dan Friedkin and are currently under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri, who is said to have an excellent relationship with Totti.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 22: Francesco Totti( L) and Claudio Ranieri the coach of AS Roma look them during the Serie A match between Roma and Bari at Stadio Olimpico on November 22, 2009 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Totti was recently spotted at the Stadio Olimpico for Roma’s 2-0 Europa League victory over VfB Stuttgart, his first appearance at the stadium in around two years, and as per Corriere dello Sport, this was under this invitation of Ryan Friedkin.
Ranieri is very much the bridge between Totti and the current Roma ownership, though.
Corriere dello Sport claims that talks over a potential return for Totti are ongoing. There is no rush though, and the relevant parties want to make sure that everybody is in agreement over what a return for Totti would look like.
The Friedkins reportedly see Totti as a key, symbolic figure for the club in a potential representative or ambassadorial sort of role, while Totti himself is said to be keen on more of a hands-on operational position somewhere between the sporting director and first team. These are details that still need to be hashed out.
GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Totti, former captain of Roma, reacts prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
As per Corriere dello Sport, Totti’s return could potentially coincide with the club’s centenary year in 2027. The club would also like to have Totti on board for a potential move into a new stadium.
While there are still several details to be sorted out, on a personal level as well – Totti is set to finalise a complicated divorce from his wife in March – reports in Italy claim that a return to the Stadio Olimpico has never been closer than it is right now.
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