Manuel Locatelli will front the media on the eve of Juventus’ showdown with Inter, stepping in for coach Luciano Spalletti at the pre-match press conference.

According to Tuttosport, via FCInterNews, The Bianconeri captain is set to address journalists ahead of the highly anticipated clash, taking on media duties in place of his manager.

The decision is understood to be part of Juventus’ internal communication strategy, allowing Spalletti to focus fully on preparations for one of the most important fixtures of the season.

Locatelli to speak to the press for Juventus to ease pressure on Spalletti

With tensions high and the spotlight firmly on the tactical battle, the club have opted to shield their coach from the traditional pre-match obligations.

Locatelli, as club captain and a key figure in the dressing room, will instead outline Juventus’ mindset and expectations heading into the encounter.

The move underlines the midfielder’s leadership role within the squad, as Juve look to make a statement in a crucial match that could have significant implications in the Serie A title race.

Benjamin Pavard’s future remains uncertain after a difficult spell on loan at Marseille, casting doubt over whether the French club will make his move permanent.

The defender joined Marseille last summer on a loan deal that includes a €15m option to buy, a clause Inter had expected would likely be triggered.

However, Pavard has struggled to convince in Ligue 1 and has reportedly come under increasing criticism from supporters, as per reports from the Corriere dello Sport.

De Zerbi departure offers Inter one last chance to cash in on Pavard

The recent managerial change could yet offer the Frenchman a fresh opportunity to revive his season, but if his performances do not improve, Marseille may decide against activating the purchase option.

Roberto De Zerbi was removed from his post as head coach and a breath of fresh air could be just what the former Bayern defender needs.

However, if Marseille choose not to activate their option, Pavard would return to Inter in the summer – although not necessarily for long.

The Nerazzurri are not believed to have plans to reintegrate him into the squad, meaning a new solution would have to be found.

Inter could also be forced to reassess their valuation of the player if they seek a permanent transfer elsewhere. Sporting director Piero Ausilio would then be tasked with finding a buyer and resolving the situation ahead of the new campaign.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is set to travel to Naples for a dinner meeting with several Napoli players expected to be included in the upcoming national team squad.

According to reports from Nicolo Schira, the Azzurri boss will meet members of the Partenopei contingent ahead of the decisive play-off fixtures, with Antonio Vergara poised to receive his first senior call-up.

The youngster has been in impressive form in recent weeks and is now expected to join Alessandro Buongiorno, Alex Meret and Matteo Politano in the Italy squad.

Gattuso to meet Napoli players as Vergara anticipates first call-up

Vergara’s inclusion would mark a significant milestone in his rapid rise this season, as the youngster continues to establish himself as an important figure at club level.

Vergara earned his opportunity to make an impression at the Maradona after a series of serious injuries to the Napoli squad.

However, since his big break, he has done nothing but impress – and now is set to earn a maiden call-up to the national team.

Gattuso’s visit underlines the growing importance of Napoli’s core within the national team setup, as Italy prepare for crucial matches on the road to major tournament qualification.

Italy found out that they will face France, Belgium and Turkiye in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League, after being drawn into Group A.

The Azzurri were in pot 2 for the draw, and can feel slightly hard done by after what appears to be a difficult draw.

Italy and France have a decades-old rivalry, whilst the Azzurri have triumphed more often than not over Belgium and Turkiye.

However, all these nations are armed with players familiar with Italy – with several Serie A stars among the squads that will prepare to face Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

Who are the Serie A stars ready to face Italy in the Nations League?

France have a number of high-profile players playing in Serie A.

At Milan, Mike Maignan and Christopher Nkunku are both in contention for a place in the squad. Meanwhile, Inter & Juventus brothers Khephren and Marcus Thuram will also likely feature for Les Bleus. Former Rossoneri full-back Theo Hernandez will face many old teammates and rivals, whilst Roma’s Manu Kone is also involved in the French set-up.

Belgium have a handful of stars in Serie A. Kevin De Bruyne will likely feature after he recovers from his injury. Juventus forward Lois Openda is a regular, whilst Milan duo Alexis Saelemaekers and Koni De Winter both also feature. Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere could also potentially play against Italy in the Nations League.

Turkiye, meanwhile, have several influential players currently based in Italy. Kenan Yildiz, arguably one of the best forwards in the league, will no doubt be involved, alongside Roma wing-back Zeki Celik, Inter talisman Hakan Calhanoglu and Pisa midfielder Isak Vural.

Italy discovered their UEFA Nations League fate for the 2026-27 edition of the international tournament, with the Azzurri drawn into Group A alongside France, Belgium and Turkey.

It is a tricky draw for Gennaro Gattuso’s side, with three very competent teams standing in their way.

But how have Italy fared historically against these sides?

Italy & France old rivalry ignites

The Azzurri and France have met many times over the years, with 39 matches between the two nations.

Of course, the most famous of those meetings was the 2006 World Cup final, where Italy won on penalties after the infamous Zinedine Zidane headbutt.

France also knocked the Azzurri out of the 1998 World Cup, after a 0-0 draw resulted in a penalty shootout victory for Les Bleus.

More recently, the two teams met in the Nations League in 2024. The Azzurri won 3-1 in France in September before Didier Deschamps’ side returned the favour two months later with a 3-1 win in Milan.

Azzurri have more luck against Belgium & Turkiye

Italy have lost just four of 26 meetings with Belgium, with the most recent defeat coming in an international friendly in 2015. Italy’s last official defeat to Belgium came in Euro 1972. In the 2024 Nations League, the sides drew 2-2 in Italy before the Azzurri won 1-0 in Brussels thanks to an early goal from Sandro Tonali.

Italy’s record against Turkiye is even more impressive. Of the 14 meetings between the two sides, Italy have never lost – winning 10 times. The sides last met in an international friendly in 2024 that finished 0-0, with the last official match at the postponed Euro 2020, with a 3-0 Azzurri win in the tournament’s opening fixture.

Napoli turned down an approach from Como for rising star Antonio Vergara, with coach Antonio Conte and sporting director Giovanni Manna both blocking a potential transfer.

Vergara has enjoyed a sensational start to the year, scoring three goals in his last four appearances across three different competitions.

He found the net against Chelsea in the Champions League, Fiorentina in Serie A and most recently against Como in the Coppa Italia, despite Napoli’s quarter-final elimination.

His rapid development has strengthened Conte’s faith in the youngster, who is now viewed not merely as a squad option but as a genuine attacking asset capable of adding unpredictability to Napoli’s forward play.

Como failed in pursuit of Napoli sensation Vergara

Como sporting director Carlo Alberto Ludi confirmed his club’s long-standing interest.

“We wanted Vergara last July and even the year before,” Ludi told Kiss Kiss Napoli, via SportItalia.

“Giovanni Manna was very honest with us and said he wanted to develop him at Napoli. We have followed him for a long time and tried to sign him outright, because that is how we work.”

Meanwhile, Vergara’s agent played down talk of a contract renewal.

“There is absolutely nothing at the moment,” he said. “Antonio must only think about playing and helping Napoli reach the Champions League. Then, at the right time, President De Laurentiis will evaluate the situation.”

Italy have discovered their opponents for the UEFA Nations League group stage.

Gennaro Gattuso’s Azzurri side will face France, Belgium  in Group A

France were drawn as the Pot 1 side, before Italy were pulled out of Pot 2 by Portugal and former Real Madrid defender Pepe.

Pot 3 saw Belgium added into their group, before Turkiye were pulled out of Pot 4.

The draw took place in Brussels on Thursday evening, with Italy initially in Pot 2 of League A.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina was present at the draw, alongside former Juventus and Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci.

Last Nations League campaign ended in quarter-final defeat to Germany, losing 5-4 on aggregate with Luciano Spalletti in charge of Italy.

Italy Nations League Draw

Nations League Group A: France, Italy, Belgium, Turkiye

Bologna have confirmed they have signed Argentine forward Santiago Castro to a contract extension, until June 2030.

On their official website, Bologna confirmed the extension with a brief statement: “Bologna FC 1909 announces that it has reached an agreement with striker Santiago Castro for a contract extension until June 30, 2030.”

The 21-year-old has been steadily improving and has eight goals in all competitions for the Rossoblu this season.

He played well in his club’s Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Lazio, scoring the opening goal and being a real thorn in the Biancocelesti defence.

Highly-rated Castro signs new deal with Bologna

Castro has been the topic of much transfer speculation, as so often is the case with young South American talents.

Rumours from the British tabloid press have linked Castro with the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Aston Villa.

Meanwhile, Italian sources claim that Inter are among the clubs interested in Castro’s progress; strange given their surplus of talented forwards.

Regardless, Bologna see the forward as a vital part of the current squad and a player who they see as somewhat of a jewel – whether they keep him long-term or cash in in a year or two.

Fabio Capello insists the Serie A title race is far from over, warning that Inter and Juventus cannot afford to ignore the growing threat of Milan and Roma.

Speaking in his latest column with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the former coach reacted to Antonio Conte’s downbeat comments following Napoli’s recent penalty shoot-out defeat to Como.

Conte had played down his side’s Scudetto chances, pointing to a nine-point gap behind Inter and describing Napoli’s situation as problematic.

Capello, however, believes it is too early to write anyone off.

“The Italian championship is not closed,” he said. “I heard Conte’s words after the defeat and I think they were influenced by the result. There are still many games to play, with plenty of direct clashes. Calm down.”

Capello: ‘More than just Inter in Serie A title race’

While acknowledging that Inter are playing well, Capello stressed that the season still has twists to come.

He also highlighted Milan’s steady improvement under Massimiliano Allegri and suggested Roma could yet enter the conversation if they have finally solved their centre-forward issue.

“There is still a lot to do before we can declare the title race over,” Capello concluded.

Inter currently have an eight point lead at the summit of Serie A, with Milan having a game in hand in second.

Napoli are nine points behind Inter, whilst an improving Juventus have closed the gap between themselves and Conte’s side to just three points.

Roma are tied on points with Juventus and it feels highly probably that one of these five sides will lift the Scudetto in May.

Lazio beat Bologna 4-1 on penalties this evening, after their Coppa Italia quarter-final tie finished 1-1 at full-time.

Football Italia’s Player of the Match was Tijjani Noslin, despite impressive performances from Kenneth Taylor and Bologna striker Santiago Castro.

You can relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Coppa Italia – Bologna 1-1 Lazio – Player Ratings

Bologna: Skorupski 6; Zortea 6.5, Vitik 6.5, Lucumi 6 (Helland N/A), Miranda 6; Moro 7 (Freuler 6), Ferguson 6; Orsolini 7, Odgaard 5.5 (Sohm 6), Cambiaghi 7 (Bernardeschi 6); Castro 7.5 (Dallinga 6)

Best Bologna player: Santiago Castro – Not only did he score Bologna’s only goal but looked a constant menace in and amongst the Lazio back line. In the first half especially, he was a real threat and showed signs of great promise for the future.

Lowest Bologna rating: Jens Odgaard – Did not get much right tonight and struggled to find space in Lazio’s deep midfield line. Was taken off with twenty minutes to go after a quiet evening.

Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 5.5 – Things are not going his way at the moment as the pressure mounts after what can only be described as a dismal run of recent form. He got it all right in the first half but seemed unable to adjust to Lazio’s improved momentum in the second half.

Lazio: Provedel 6.5; Marusic 6, Gila 6.5, Romagnoli 6.5, Pellegrini 6 (Tavares 5.5); Dele-Bashiru 6.5, Rovella 6 (Cataldi 6), Taylor 7; Pedro 7 (Noslin 7.5), Maldini 6 (Dia 5.5), Isaksen 6.5 (Cancellieri N/A)

Best Lazio Player: Tijjani Noslin – The Dutchman’s introduction really unsettled Bologna, who were barely able to cope with Pedro. The runs in between lines caught the hosts out and he found himself practically unmarked in the six yard box to score the equaliser and help send his side into the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

Lowest Lazio rating: Nuno Tavares – Feels a bit harsh for a player who only played ten minutes, scored his penalty in the shoot-out but he did feel like a bull in a china shop after his introduction. Was booked for a reckless challenge and does not feel like the kind of man you want to rely on to hold on to your defensive stability. That being said, Tavares was hardly awful and the most of his teammates were only marginally better.

Coach: Maurizio Sarri 7 – No matter what obstacles get thrown in Sarri’s way, he manages to overcome them. Pedro, who had probably been Lazio’s best player before his injury, gets taken off – Sarri brings Noslin on, tweaks the dynamics in the front line with Maldini and Lazio are back in the game before they know it. Surprisingly flexible performance from a coach known for his rigidity.

Lazio may have emerged victors this evening with a penalty shootout victory against Bologna, but it is not all sunshine and rainbows for the Biancocelesti after they suffered another concerning injury.

Experienced forward Pedro started the match on the wing, and offered some promising glimpses in the early stages of the match.

However, with just a few minutes left of the first half, the Spaniard suffered a nasty injury and had to be taken off.

Pedro in pain as Lazio progress past Bologna on penalties

The stretcher was called onto the pitch but the former Barcelona man refused, only to eventually hop on the stretcher once he was off the pitch.

The Lazio man looked in a serious amount of pain and given his age, this could be a costly blow for an already-thin Lazio squad.

Maurizio Sarri will be hoping that the injury is not as bad as it initially looked.

Tijjani Noslin came on for Pedro in the first half and, if every cloud has a silver lining, helped shift the momentum in the game and scored Lazio’s equaliser.

Bologna and Lazio had to go all the way to penalties to settle their Coppa Italia quarter-final tie tonight after a 1-1 draw in the ninety minutes, with the Biancocelesti holding their nerve to win 4-1 in the shootout.

Santiago Castro opened the scoring for Bologna before Tijjani Noslin equalised for the visitors.

It was a must-win game for both sides, who currently view Coppa Italia success as the easiest route into European football next season.

You can follow all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Bologna came into the game as holders, winning the cup last season, whilst Lazio have struggled with injuries and a transfer embargo last summer that severely hindered head coach Maurizio Sarri’s return to the club.

The first half started cagey as expected, neither team willing to take too many risks. Bologna looked more threatening in the early stages, with more of the ball in Lazio’s third, but the Biancocelesti stayed defensively resilient.

After giving away a clumsy corner around the half-hour mark, Moro whipped in a low corner; Santiago Castro diving to angle the ball past Provedel in the Lazio net.

The last 15 minutes of the first half saw Bologna keep Lazio relatively on a leash, with matters going from bad to worse for Sarri when experienced forward Pedro had to be taken off due to a nasty injury.

Bologna 1-1 Lazio – Noslin changes the game for Lazio

Tijjani Noslin took his place, in a move that ended up benefitting Lazio greatly.

Noslin’s introduction opened up a lot of space for the Biancocelesti in the second half, with his pace immediately throwing off the Bologna defence.

After a nice run from Dele-Bashiru on the right wing, the Nigerian squared a simple ball to Noslin to fire home and tie the game up.

Lazio seemed to gain confidence from the goal, with a lot more forward momentum compared to their rather stagnant first half.

In the final twenty minutes of normal time, the game grew sluggish – despite substitutions from both coaches to inject some pace into the match.

Danilo Cataldi went close with a shot from the edge of the box but the fouls flying in left, right and centre meant that the rest of regulation time played out in a very stop-start manner.

With the score level at the end of the 90 minutes, the tie went to a penalty shootout.

Lazio had no trouble converting their penalties but Provedel made two good saves and Orsolini drove his penalty wide to give the visitors the win.

Lazio will now face Atalanta in the semi-final.

Former England and Arsenal legend David Seaman has criticised modern goalkeeping celebrations, singling out Gianluigi Donnarumma for what he feels are exaggerated reactions to routine saves.

Speaking on the Beast Mode On podcast with Adebayo Akinfenwa, via Goal, the ex-Arsenal and England goalkeeper said he is not a fan of keepers celebrating every stop, even when the effort does not warrant it.

“The ones that really celebrate shots… Donnarumma, who’s one of my favourites at the moment, was doing some massive celebrations after some half-decent saves,” Seaman said.

“When they do that, I’m like: ‘Come on, you’re better than that.’

Seaman annoyed with Donnarumma celebration

Donnarumma signed for Manchester City in the summer after being frozen out of PSG, with the Ligue 1 giants signing Lucas Chevalier to replace him.

“When I see goalkeepers who’ve just signed for a club and they’re giving it all that after a save, and it’s not even a really good one, I think: ‘What are you doing? Celebrate when it really means something.’ That really annoys me.”

Seaman also discussed the evolution of the position and gave his thoughts on current David Raya, who is playing a key role as Arsenal chase Premier League success.

The former England No.1 suggested that while modern keepers are more involved with the ball at their feet, the fundamentals of the role, positioning, decision-making and composure, remain just as important as ever.

Bologna host Lazio at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara this evening in the final Coppa Italia quarter-final, as both sides fight for a place in the semis.

Bologna come into the game off the back of back-to-back defeats at home – with a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Milan followed by the weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Parma.

For a Bologna side who started the season strongly, fatigue has begun to set in – especially given their participation in multiple tournaments – domestically and abroad.

You can follow all the action, as it happens, on our Live Blog.

Lazio, meanwhile, seem to remain at the eye of the storm. Chaos on and off the field has led to a dramatic season for the Biancocelesti but head coach Maurizio Sarri has instilled a sense of calm that has seen the Biancocelesti eke out important results.

At the weekend, they were unlucky to draw 2-2 at Juventus, leading the game by a two goal cushion before a late Bianconeri comeback. Sarri’s side have lost just two of their last twelve games, yet with six draws, they find themselves somewhat off the pace in the race for European football.

For both sides, in fact, winning Coppa Italia would seem to be the most likely route to participating in Europe next season, so there is a lot on the line tonight.

Coppa Italia | Bologna vs Lazio – Official Lineups

Bologna (4-2-3-1): Skorupski; Zortea; Vitik, Lucumi, Miranda; Moro, Ferguson; Orsolini, Odgaard, Cambiaghi; Castro

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Dele-Bashiru, Rovella, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro.

11-02-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Lazio

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		9'		Mario Gila
Santiago Castro (Assist: Nikola Moro)		30'

2nd half

Santiago Castro		47'
		48'		Tijjani Noslin (Assist: Fisayo Dele-Bashiru)
Juan Miranda		74'
		86'		Nuno Tavares
Martin Vitik		90+1'

Penalty shootout

	Event
Lewis Ferguson
Thijs Dallinga
Riccardo Orsolini

Event
	Nuno Tavares
	Boulaye Dia
	Adam Marusic
	Kenneth Taylor

Match statistic

49

Possession %

51

13

Total shots

5

2

Shots on target

2

6

Shots off target

3

5

Blocked shots

5

Corners

2

1

Offsides

1

17

Fouls

12

Bologna

Lazio

Starting lineups

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

80'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

61'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

70'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

70'

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

80'

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

80'

34

Mario Gila

Defender

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

61'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

61'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

80'

9

Pedro

Attacker

45'

Substitutes

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

João Mário

Defender

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

61'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

70'

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

70'

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

80'

Eivind Helland

Defender

80'

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

4

Patric

Defender

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

45'

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

61'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

61'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

80'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

80'

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Mario Balotelli scored his first goal since 2024 when he found the back of the net last Friday for his new club Al-Ittifaq.

The UAE First Division club signed the Italian journeyman in January, after his contract expired with Genoa at the end of last season.

Al-Ittifaq have been struggling so far this season but the Italian scored the second of three goals as the team won 3-1 away at Gulf United.

The club will be hoping that the 35-year-old will score more as they hope to avoid relegation this season.

Watch: Balotelli scores first goal for new club Al-Ittifaq