Raffaele Palladino has given his pre-match thoughts ahead of Atalanta’s Champions League play-off tie against Borussia Dortmund, has commented on the absences of Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori and says that he disagrees with BVB coach Niko Kovac, who claims that both sides have a 50/50 chance of qualifying for the round of 16. 

Atalanta finished the league phase in 15th place on 13 points, three points shy of a spot in the top eight and a guaranteed spot in the Champions League round of 16. 

That set up a tie against Dortmund, who finished two points and two positions behind Atalanta in the Champions League league phase table. 

Atalanta will take on Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday evening before hosting the return leg in Bergamo next week (Wednesday, February 25). 

Palladino previews Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta 

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia before the Dortmund play-off tie gets underway, Palladino discussed the atmosphere that awaits them at the 81,000-capacity Signal Iduna Park. 

“The fans are the most beautiful part of football, even when you’re playing against a strong atmosphere, it’s always a spectacle and that’s good for football,” he said. “We will play in such a beautiful, prestigious and intense stadium. 

“The Champions League gives us an extra bit of motivation as well. We’ve recovered physically and mentally, we hope to put in a great performance. We’ll face a great team.” 

La Dea will be without two of their key attackers in De Ketelaere and Raspadori on Tuesday night. 

“We’re sorry for them, Charles and Jack are very important to us. They’re strong players and give us an element of unpredictability and quality, but injuries and unforeseen events are unfortunately part of football,” Palladino said. 

“We’re a big family, a big group and whoever replaces them will do it in the best possible way. We’ve reached a stage of awareness that whoever plays will do it well.” 

And reflecting on the journey that has led Atalanta into the Champions League knock-out stages, Palladino said: “We have a lot of enthusiasm, there’s a lot of desire to continue growing and getting results, which have been positive. 

“We know that the level is very high in the Champions League. Dortmund have great individuals and are very well coached. We want to try to put them in difficulty, we know we can do it in 180 minutes.” 

Dortmund head coach Niko Kovac claimed that both sides have an equal 50% chance of qualifying for the round of 16. 

Asked if he agrees, Palladino said: “You have to play the game first, I never do the percentages first. I try to bring a sense of light-heartedness and self-confidence. I want maturity and a team that understands how to react to certain moments in the game.” 

Palladino is well familiar with Kovac’s brother, with whom he played at Juuvents. 

“I know Robert, I’ll give him a big hug tomorrow. We shared the dressing room that year in Serie B.” 

Weston McKennie has shared his thoughts ahead of Juventus’s upcoming Champions League play-off round tie against Galatasaray, has commented on his contract status and has joked that he hopes the passionate supporters in Turkey will go easy on the Bianconeri due to the presence of Kenan Yildiz. 

McKennie joined head coach Luciano Spalletti for the customary pre-match press conference on Monday evening ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League play-off first leg against Galatasaray in Istanbul. 

The Bianconeri finished the league phase in 13th place, three points shy of a spot in the top eight and a guaranteed place in the round of 16. That means that they will have to beat Galatasaray over two legs if they are to make it into the hat for the round of 16. 

McKennie: ‘We want to win because we are Juventus’

“It’s a really important game for us, we want to win every game because we are Juventus,” McKennie told the media during his pre-match press conference. 

There have been suggestions that McKennie could play as a false nine on Tuesday evening given that Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are all unavailable. 

“I’m a player who is always available for my team. I play where the coach wants me to play, even in goal,” the American said. 

And on his contract, which is due to expire at the end of the current campaign, McKennie said: “We’ll think about it later because I’m here to win a game. 

“That’s something that’s between Juventus and my agent. I just have to think about the work on the pitch and my agent will think about the renewal.” 

McKennie was also given an opportunity to share his thoughts after the controversial Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter in Serie A over the weekend, but preferred to keep his focus on the task at hand against Galatasaray. 

“It’s a bit difficult when these things happen, We have to just focus on tomorrow and we’re only thinking about winning. We want to give our best.” 

And on the atmosphere that awaits the Old Lady in Istanbul and whether Yildiz has told the squad how to deal with it, McKennie said: “He’s talked about that and I played here many years ago as well, so I know what the atmosphere and the fans are like. We hope they won’t boo us too much because of Kenan.”

Luciano Spalletti has given his pre-match thoughts ahead of Juventus’s Champions League play-off round first leg against Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, has reflected on the controversial Derby d’Italia from Saturday night and has hinted at who could play at centre-forward for the Bianconeri in Istanbul. 

Juventus finished the league phase in 13th place in the Champions League table, three points shy of a spot in the top eight. This means that they will have to play against Galatasaray over two legs in order to qualify for a spot in the round of 16. 

The Bianconeri will take on a Galatasaray side featuring the likes of Victor Osimhen, Mauro Icardi and Noa Lang in Istanbul on Tuesday evening before hosting the return leg at the Allianz Stadium next Wednesday, February 25. 

Spalletti on Juventus vs. Galatasaray: ‘We want to try and win’

Juventus have been linked with moves for both of Galatasaray’s strikers, Icardi and Osimhen, over the last two transfer windows. Spalletti was asked which striker he would ‘prefer’ to have at his disposal. 

“I don’t know who I prefer within my own team, I can’t imagine what my colleagues have to do,” he replied (via TMW). 

“For me, they are both very strong players with different characteristics, and together, their characteristics could make up the encyclopaedia of being a no.9. 

“They are two strikers who know how to move inside the area, one creates chaos and the other knows how to capitalise on the chaos. We have to give them the ball as little as possible and keep it ourselves.” 

And on the importance of tomorrow’s match, Spalletti said: “When it’s a double-header, both matches are important. Any hesitation can cost dearly. I’m proud of the reaction they showed in Milan and I wouldn’t change my team for anyone in the world. 

“We have to play as a team and not suffer from the opponent’s pressure, play our football.”

Jonathan David, Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadsiuz Milik are all unavailable for the Galatasaray match, so Spalletti was asked whether there could be an opportunity for Lois Openda on Tuesday night. 

He replied: “This can be a turning point for anyone. Openda has already had opportunities and others will have them. We’ll see about how and when together.” 

Spalleti was then asked whether the in-form Weston McKennie, known for his versatility, is among the options to play at centre-forward. 

He said: “I’m convinced that he’s already shown it. He’s a player who has the characteristics to play with his back to goal and also knows how to turn things around in a short space of time because he’s fast and technical. 

“He’s shown everything, and we’ve had all the possible problems that have led him to going from a right-back to a left winger. His willingness to help his teammates is an example for everyone.” 

And on the rest of the squad, Spalletti added: “I don’t know because we’ve had one training session and we won’t train before tomorrow night. We have to evaluate Thuram and there are some other situations that we’re carrying. 

“The players have to recover and we have no other choice. Doing the same things repetitively is tiring on the mind as well.” 

And giving his assessment of Galatasaray, Spalletti said: “We have to be ready for Galatasaray’s selections. We’re anticipating decisions that will create confusion and chaos. We have to try and play our game and we can’t be intimidated by their ferocity.” 

And when asked if a victory away in Istanbul will be ‘enough’ for Juventus to qualify for the Champions League round of 16, Spalletti said: “We know the difficulties we’re facing because we’ve watched Galatasaray’s games. They’re a strong team and we’ve come here deserving to play this game. 

“We’re happy to play against opponents like this. We’ll try to play the game in the correct way and we will see what level of quality we’re at, because these stadiums show you what mental strength you need to have as well. We don’t want to hide, we want to play the game and try to win.” 

Spalletti on Inter vs. Juventus controversy 

Spalletti was given the opportunity to share his thoughts after the controversial Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus from Saturday night. The Bianconeri were on the losing side of a 3-2 scoreline, and were left furious after Pierre Kalulu was wrongfully sent off after a dive by Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. 

Spalletti gave his thoughts on the matter, the post-match comments made by Cristian Chivu, the reaction to Bastoni’s dive and what Juventus have to do to combat diving in the sport. 

“I don’t want to speak over the words of Elkann and the directors. I can say that Pierre is a good guy, a decent person and the fact that he had to take a dig from an opposition coach is something I never expected.

“This would put me in a position to talk about Inter’s players and I don’t want to do that.

“Simulation is an offence to football and what I have to do is raise the team to a level where simulation does not allow others to determine games for us. What happens isn’t important, but what you do when something happens to you is. We needed to reverse the situation.

“We have to improve if we don’t want to concede that goal there, and we wanted to go and score again immediately afterwards. These are tests of maturity. Tomorrow will be a test of our maturity.” 

There were some calls after the Inter vs. Juventus match that Bastoni should be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result of his unsportsmanlike behaviour. 

As the former head coach of the Italy national team, Spalletti was asked for his opinion on that thought. 

He came out in defence of Bastoni, arguing that it would not be the right decision to drop him from the Italy squad: “Absolutely, Gattuso has to be free to call up whoever he wants. Unfortunately, I am no longer CT and I will leave that situation with him. We have a strong coach, we have to leave him to be free to do what he wants.” 

Cagliari have reshuffled their personnel to take on an unchanged Lecce side in Monday evening’s Serie A kick-off. 

Cagliari are coming in off the back of a 2-0 defeat away against Roma last time out in Serie A, but had gone on a three-match win streak the weeks prior, including victories over Fiorentina and Juventus. 

Fabio Pisacane’s side find themselves in 13th place in the Serie A table ahead of kick-off, seven points clear of the relegation zone. 

Lecce picked up their first win in nine matches with a 2-1 victory over Udinese last time out in the league. 

Lecce are in 18th place ahead of kick-off with 21 points from 24 matches, but a draw on Monday evening will be enough for them to lift themselves out of the relegation zone at the expense of Fiorentina, who are level on points with Eusebio Di Francesco’s side as things stand. 

Cagliari have made several changes to their starting line-up following last week’s defeat against Roma. 

Yerry Mina and Adam Obert come back into the back three, while Gabriele Zappa comes back in at right wing-back. Marco Palestra is expected to play in a more advanced role on the right wing. There are also opportunities for Ibrahim Sulemana, Riyad Idrissi and Leandro Pavoletti. 

Unsurprisingly, Lecce have stuck with the exact same starting XI that beat Udinese last time out in Serie A, with Santiago Pierotti, Walid Cheddira and Riccardo Sottil leading the attack. 

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT. 

Cagliari vs. Lecce: Confirmed line-ups 

Cagliari (3-4-3): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Obert; Zappa, Adopo, Sulemana, Idrissi; Palestra, Esposito, Pavoletti. 

Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone: Veiga, T.Gabriel, Gaspar, Gallo; Ramadani, Coulibaly; Pierotti, Gandelmann, Sottil; Cheddira.

16-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 25

Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena)

Cagliari

Lecce

Live

0 - 0

Cagliari

Lecce

Starting lineups

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

26

Yerry Mina

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

4

Kialonda Gaspar

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

16

Omri Gandelman

Midfielder

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

23

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

99

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

Substitutes

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

39

Andrea Cogoni

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

36

Filip Marchwinski

Midfielder

18

Gaby Jean

Defender

8

Sadik Fofana

Defender

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

79

Oumar Ngom

Midfielder

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

Luciano Spalletti has criticised Inter head coach Cristian Chivu after his comments on Pierre Kalulu following the eventful Derby d’Italia in Serie A over the weekend, but has defended Alessandro Bastoni despite his role in getting the Juventus man sent off. 

Inter beat Juventus 3-2 in a fiery Derby d’Italia in Serie A over the weekend in a game that was not without its controversies. Most notably, Juventus’s Kalulu was wrongly sent off for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute. 

Newspapers in Italy described the first booking as harsh, and claimed that the second was ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’. 

That is because Inter’s Bastoni was adjudged to have dived in order to get Kalulu sent off. However, as this was a second yellow card incident and not a straight red card, VAR was not able to intervene. 

For a similar reason, Bastoni will not face retrospective punishment despite the fact that he was also carrying a yellow card at the time and would have been sent off had referee Federico La Penna shown him a second yellow card instead. 

Spalletti comments on Inter 3-2 Juventus controversies 

The Juventus camp were enraged at the decision to send Kalulu off. Spalletti along with Juventus CEO Damien Comolli were seen angrily confronting referee La Penna in the tunnel after full-time. 

The Bianconeri sent Comolli and director Giorgio Chiellini to talk to the press after full-time over the weekend, which means that Spalletti did not have the opportunity to give his thoughts immediately after the Inter match. 

Spalletti was finally able to share his opinions on the matter during his pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus’s Champions League play-off match against Galatasaray on Monday evening. 

Spalletti was not best pleased about Chivu’s decision to criticise Kalulu during his post-match interview. 

Chivu had said: “I think it is a light touch, but it’s still a touch. When I dealt with similar situations in the Champions League, I told my players not to put themselves in a situation where they force the referee to make the call.

“Even if it’s light, and we have to admit it is a light touch, my player still felt the touch and was running at full speed. Kalulu is an experienced player and he ought to know that in these situations, you keep your hands to yourself.”

Giving his response on Monday evening, Spalletti replied: “I don’t want to speak over the words of Elkann and the directors. I can say that Pierre is a good guy, a decent person and the fact that he had to take a dig from an opposition coach is something I never expected.

“This would put me in a position to talk about Inter’s players and I don’t want to do that.

“Simulation is an offence to football and what I have to do is raise the team to a level where simulation does not allow others to determine games for us. What happens isn’t important, but what you do when something happens to you is. We needed to reverse the situation.

“We have to improve if we don’t want to concede that goal there, and we wanted to go and score again immediately afterwards. These are tests of maturity. Tomorrow will be a test of our maturity.” 

There were some calls after the Inter vs. Juventus match that Bastoni should be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result of his unsportsmanlike behaviour. 

As the former head coach of the Italy national team, Spalletti was asked for his opinion on that thought. 

He came out in defence of Bastoni, arguing that it would not be the right decision to drop him from the Italy squad: “Absolutely, Gattuso has to be free to call up whoever he wants. Unfortunately, I am no longer CT and I will leave that situation with him. We have a strong coach, we have to leave him to be free to do what he wants.”

Brazil national team head coach Carlo Ancelotti was seen enjoying himself during carnival celebrations in Rio De Janeiro over the weekend, and was spotted drinking a few beers with his former Milan striker Ronaldo: ‘I’m sure he’s loving the experience’. 

Ancelotti was appointed as head coach of the Brazil national team in May last year, and will lead the Selecao into the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America this summer. 

Brazil have already qualified for the World Cup and will next be in action against France and Croatia in a pair of international friendlies on March 26 and April 1 respectively. 

Before then, Ancelotti has been able to take in some of the local culture and traditions at a series of carnival celebrations across the country. He was most recently in Rio along with a number of former Brazil stars including Ronaldo and Denilson. 

As per local outlet ge.globo, Ancelotti and Ronaldo were based in boxes next to each other, and at one stage, Ronaldo passed the former Milan and Real Madrid coach on a float during a parade. They were filmed sipping on beers and waving at each other amidst the vast crowds. 

Valorizem que só o ADM não está assim! #ge #futebol pic.twitter.com/joq7M430uc

— ge (@geglobo) February 16, 2026

What Ronaldo said about Ancelotti during Rio carnival

Ronaldo was later stopped for a brief interview with ge.globo, discussing his relationship with Ancelotti and the prospects for the Italy national team/ 

“We were trying to select the World Cup squad, I included myself in there,” Ronaldo joked. 

“I know him well and from the conversations we’ve had, I’m sure he’s loving the experience of being here and getting to know our people, working in Brazilian football, the most successful winner of World Cups. 

“I’m sure he’s enjoying this energy of the Brazilian people rooting for him, because he’ll need it during the World Cup.”

Genoa head coach Daniele De Rossi has had his say on the controversial decision to send off Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday evening, suggesting that the Frenchman fell victim to ‘the stupidest VAR rule’. 

Inter claimed a 3-2 victory over their arch rivals Juventus on Saturday evening, but the game was not without its controversial talking points. In the 42nd minute, Juve defender Kalulu was sent off for his second bookable offence. Newspapers in Italy described Kalulu’s first booking as harsh, and claimed that the second was ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’. 

For the second yellow card incident, Kalulu was penalised for fouling Alessandro Bastoni near the halfway line, however, replays showed that the Inter centre-back went to ground far too easily. 

Bastoni, who was on a yellow card himself at the time, was seen passionately celebrating the decision to send off Kalulu, which caused further anger among the Bianconeri management and fanbase. 

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has since admitted that a mistake was made, however, the decision was not able to be reviewed by VAR at the time as this was a second yellow card call and not a straight red. 

There have already been suggestions that the IFAB will look to change this rule in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer. 

De Rossi weighs in on Inter 3-2 Juventus and refereeing standards 

De Rossi has not hid his frustrations with referees in recent weeks. Last weekend, his Genoa side were beaten 3-2 by Napoli, largely due to a 95th-minute penalty being awarded in favour of the Partenopei after a VAR review. 

“I already talked last week about penalties. None of us know what a clear and obvious error is anymore. We no longer know if we have to step on a foot or just glance over it,” De Rossi said after the Napoli game. 

“The football that I played in no longer exists. I must tell my players to keep their arms behind their backs and not go into tackles. I don’t know what sport I am coaching.”

De Rossi has since had his chance to comment on the controversial refereeing from the Derby d’Italia. 

He believes that it is a positive that this incident happened in such a high-profile game, given the attention it brings outside Italy, and claims that it would take ‘two days’ to amend the necessary VAR rules

“I was one of the first to celebrate the introduction of VAR and perhaps one of the first to realise that we will always be chasing each other on certain things,” De Rossi said (via Corriere dello Sport).

“The only positive thing about what happened is that it was a match between Juve and Inter, which makes the whole world talk about it. It’s a game that the whole world watches and is massively important in Italy. 

“The stupidest VAR rule, and I have been saying it for three years, is that a second yellow is not as serious as a straight red. It would be easy to change that in two days. Every second yellow, from tomorrow, should be reviewed. 

“I think it would be difficult to find anyone who disagrees that a second yellow is not as serious as a red card after Saturday night, nowadays it changes a game even more than a goal or a penalty.”

Roma can breathe a sigh of relief, as neither Wesley França nor Paulo Dybala are expected to be sidelined for significant periods after recent injury concerns. 

When will Dybala and Wesley return for Roma?

Dybala was ruled out of Sunday evening’s 2-2 draw between Napoli and Roma at the Stadio Maradona, and with Matias Soule only fit enough for a spot on the bench, Gian Piero Gasperini named Lorenzo Pellegrini and January signing Bryan Zaragoza as the supporting attackers behind centre-forward Donyell Malen. 

Dybala has been struggling with a recurring pain in his knee, and according to reports from Corriere dello Sport, the most recent issue was due to a small inflammation in his leg rather than a strain or a tear. 

This means that he could be in contention to feature against Cremonese in Serie A next weekend, but there is a chance that the Giallorossi decide to rest him in order to have him at full fitness in time for an enormous clash against Juventus on March 1. 

Wesley was named as a starter against Napoli on Sunday evening, but his evening was cut short after being brought down by Amir Rrahmani in the penalty area, the incident which led to Malen putting the Giallorosi 2-1 ahead from the spot. 

Both Wesley and Rrahmani were injured in the incident and both had to come off immediately afterwards, the Roma wing-back reporting an issue with his ankle. 

According to Corriere dello Sport, medical tests have shown that there is no fracture or break to the ankle in question. It was an impact injury and there is heavy bruising, but like Dybala, Wesley could be declared fit enough to play against Cremonese next weekend, if not against Juventus the following week if Roma decide to be extra cautious.

Alessandro Bastoni has found himself at the centre of controversy after the Derby d’Italia on Saturday evening, but the Nerazzurri centre-back is not expected to be retrospectively punished for his dive that led to the sending off of Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu. Here’s why. 

What happened with Bastoni and Kalulu in Inter 3-2 Juventus? 

Inter claimed all three points in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday evening after an own-goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski. Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli came up with the goals for the Bianconeri. 

The game was not without its controversies, though. Juventus defender Kalulu was sent off in the 42nd minute for his second bookable offence. 

Newspapers in Italy described Kalulu’s first yellow card as ‘excessive’ and the second as ‘non-existent’ and ‘absurd’. That is because Bastoni dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off, which convinced referee Federico La Penna. 

As this was a second yellow card and not a direct red, VAR was not able to intervene on the matter. Reports on Sunday suggest that this is a rule the IFAB will seek to change at the earliest possibility. 

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has since admitted that La Penna made a mistake, and has apologised for the error. 

To add insult to injury for Juventus, Bastoni was also carrying a booking at the time of Kalulu’s sending off, and had he been punished for simulation, it would have been the Nerazzurri down to 10 men instead of the Bianconeri. 

What didn’t help the situation was the passionate celebration that Bastoni let out when La Penna brandished the yellow and red cards at Kalulu. 

Why will Bastoni not face retrospective punishment? 

Despite calls from some supporters, Bastoni is not expected to face further punishment for his dive. 

That is because of a similar rule to the one that prevented VAR from intervening at the time of the incident: Authorities would have been able to review the incident with the use of TV footage had Bastoni’s dive led to a direct red card, but not for a second yellow. 

As is explained in article 61 of the Code of Sports Justice (Codice di Giustizia Sportiva), the sports judge is able to review TV footage for incidents of unsportsmanlike behaviour in four different circumstances. They are as follows: 

• Simulation leading to a penalty kick being awarded in favour of the team whose player dived.
• Simulation resulting in the direct sending off of an opposition player 
• Scoring a goal by intentionally handling the ball 
• Preventing a goal by intentionally handling the ball

As Kalulu was sent off for a second bookable offence and not a direct card, Bastoni’s act of unsportsmanlike behaviour does not fall under any of the above categories and will therefore not be brought to the sports judge for review.

Reports in Italy claim that work is underway for Scott McTominay to be rewarded with a new and improved contract at Napoli after a fantastic first 18 months in Serie A. 

Napoli hoping to tie McTominay down to new contract

McTominay joined Napoli from Manchester United in a €30.5m deal in the sur of 2024 and immediately established himself as one of the modern-day greats at the Stadio Maradona. In his first season in Naples, the Scotland international helped the Partenopei to their second Scudetto in three years and also claimed the division’s MVP award in the process. 

McTominay signed a four-year contract at the time of his transfer from Manchester United, expiring in the summer of 2028. 

According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, Napoli want to extend that agreement until the summer of 2030. 

Sunday’s report claims that McTominay’s agent has recently arrived in Naples for talks, and that he has already spoken with sporting director Giovanni Manna over the potential terms of a new contract extension. 

Specific salary figures have not yet been mentioned, but it is expected that McTominay would be rewarded with an improved set of personal terms after establishing himself as a Ballon d’Or candidate over the last year and a half. 

McTominay came up with 12 goals and six assists during Napoli’s title-winning campaign last season, and has gone on to provide 10 goals and four assists between Serie A and the Champions League so far this season. 

He has missed the last game and a half for Napoli after pulling up during the 3-2 victory over Genoa last weekend, and will not feature against Roma on Sunday afternoon as he continues his recovery.

A first-half strike from Oumar Solet was not enough for Udinese to hold onto, as two goals within two minutes from Armand Lauriente and Andrea Pinamonti saw Sassuolo leapfrog their opponents into ninth place in the Serie A table on Sunday afternoon. 

Both teams were looking to bounce back after disappointing defeats in the league last weekend: Udinese slipping to a 2-1 defeat away against Lecce and Sassuolo falling on the receiving end of a 5-0 hammering from league leaders Inter. 

Kosta Runjaic opted for a change in shape and brought Nicolo Zaniolo back into his starting line-up, while Fabio Grosso made just one change: Replacing the suspended Nemanja Matic with Luca Lipani in midfield. 

Click here to read more about how the teams lined up.

The hosts broke the deadlock within the first 10 minutes when Josh Doig attempted to play an underhit pass out from left-back. Solet was aggressive in his pressing and did brilliantly to win the ball high up the pitch on the right flank before dribbling inside and firing low into the bottom corner off his toes from the edge of the area. 

It took Sassuolo until the second half to properly dust themselves down. 

10 minutes into the second period, the Neroverdi ran it all the way down the left flank from a goal-kick following an Udinese corner: Laurient, Ulisses Garcia and Pinamonti all combined in a fantastic team move, which ended with the Frenchman dispatching into the far corner from the centre of the area. 

It was a dismal few minutes for Udinese, as Sassuolo went on to steal the lead with their next attack of the game after the re-start. 

The ball was worked down the right flank on this occasion, before Lauriente, Garcia and Pinamonti combined for the second time in two minutes. This time it was Garcia’s cross that was met by the head of Pinamonti in the middle of the area for 2-1. 

This was a big result for Sassuolo, who have managed to leapfrog their opponents into ninth place in the Serie A table: Not a bad achievement for a team fresh off promotion from Serie B. Udinese sit one place below them in 10th palace, level on points on 32 from 25 matches. 

Udinese 1-2 Sassuolo

Solet 10 (U), Lauriente 56 (S), Pinamonti 58 (S)

15-02-2026 11:30

MatchDay 25

Friuli Stadium (Dacia Arena)

Udinese

Sassuolo

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Oumar Solet (Assist: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp)		10'
		16'		Tarik Muharemovic
Arthur Atta		21'

2nd half

		56'		Armand Lauriente (Assist: Andrea Pinamonti)
		58'		Andrea Pinamonti (Assist: Ulisses Garcia)
Jordan Zemura		63'
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp		77'
		83'		Woyo Coulibaly
		90+6'		Alieu Fadera

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

8

Total shots

10

2

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

4

3

Blocked shots

3

7

Corners

6

1

Offsides

4

14

Fouls

14

Udinese

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

33

Jordan Zemura

Defender

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

86'

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

14

Arthur Atta

Midfielder

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

79'

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

79'

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

65'

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

65'

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

3

Josh Doig

Defender

46'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

46'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

72'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

79'

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

84'

Substitutes

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

65'

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

65'

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

79'

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

79'

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

86'

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

13

Stefano Turati

Goalkeeper

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

46'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

46'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

72'

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

79'

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

84'

Alessandro Bastoni has been forced into silencing the fans on his social media platforms after receiving countless insults and threats in the aftermath of the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday night. 

Bastoni blocks supporters after Derby d’Italia insults

The Nerazzurri were victorious in a dramatic 3-2  thriller against their arch rivals on Saturday evening thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski. 

The game was not without its controversies, though, as Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu was wrongly sent off in the 42nd minute for a second bookable offence. 

Bastoni was right in the middle of the drama, as he dived under the apparent challenge of Kalulu in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Referee Federico La Penna immediately reached for his cards and dismissed the Frenchman. 

Bastoni was seen celebrating the decision, despite the fact that replays showed he had clearly dived in order to sell the referee. To make matters worse for Juventus, Bastoni himself had been on a yellow card at the time, which meant that he would have been sent off had he been booked for simulation. 

Bastoni has faced plenty of criticism in the hours since the derby ended, from fans, referees and pundits and even some who have called for him to be dropped from the Italy national team squad.

Some have taken matters one step further and sent insults to Bastoni directly, which has led to his having to turn off the comments on all of the posts on his Instagram profile. The 26-year-old has not commented publicly since the end of the derby. 

Some supporters feel that Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni should be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result of his dive that resulted in the sending off of Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday night. 

Angry fans want Bastoni dropped from Italy national team

Bastoni woke up as a divisive figure in Italy on Sunday morning after being at the centre of controversy during Inter’s 3-2 victory over Juventus in San Siro the night before. 

Bastoni went down under the challenge of Kalulu in the 42nd minute, but it was evident that the Nerazzurri centre-back had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Kalulu was already carrying a yellow card and as this incident was not a direct red card call, VAR could not intervene or overturn the decision. 

This has led to a series of accusations and apologies from Juventus and Serie A officials, while newspapers in Italy on Sunday claimed that the derby was ‘ruined’ as a result of the refereeing error. 

Bastoni has also earned his fair share of criticism on Sunday morning. Alessandro Del Piero was among the television pundits to criticise him for simulation on Saturday evening, and referee designator Gianluca Rocchi also called him out for his conduct. 

Some reporters and supporters online have gone as far as suggesting that Bastoni does not deserve to be called up to the Italy national team squad as a result of his actions on Saturday evening. 

TMW’s Luca Calamai questioned on Sunday whether ‘a player like that’ deserves to represent Italy on the global stage, and has urged Gennaro Gattuso and Gabriele Gravina to consider dropping him from the squad. 

Milan pundit Alessandro Jacobone wrote on X: “Gattuso seriously needs to consider leaving him at home, the anti-sportsmanship shown by Bastoni does not align with Azzurri values.” 

Another supporter wrote: “We’re watching the Olympics, which are bringing pride to the nation. Characters and attitudes like this ruin all the good we’re doing elsewhere. I’d gladly give up on the World Cup, I don’t want to go there feeling ashamed.”

Arbitro #LaPenna da radiare subito e #Bastoni non merita di rappresentare la Nazionale Italiana! Vergogna!#InterJuventus pic.twitter.com/bI6jeuce4E

— DOMENICO ASCIONE (@ASCIONEDOMENICO) February 14, 2026

-Una federazione seria interviene.
-Una federazione seria impedisce a #Bastoni di andare in nazionale.
-Una federazione seria chiede scusa e fa partire una indagine SERIA su questo club.

Per il bene del calcio italiano, tutto questo deve finire.
Basta #InterJuve pic.twitter.com/cT1PBv8AmL

— Milan memories (@MemoriesMilan) February 14, 2026

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has come out in criticism of Inter head coach Cristian Chivu and defender Alessandro Bastoni after the controversial incident and subsequent comments relating to the sending off of Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday night. 

Inter picked up a 3-2 victory over Juventus and extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to eight points in San Siro on Saturday evening, but the biggest talking point from the game was the controversial decision to send off Kalulu for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute. 

Kalulu was shown an early yellow card for a foul on Nicolo Barella, which some have argued was slightly harsh in the first place, and was then shown a second for a supposed foul on Bastoni. 

Replays confirmed that Bastoni had dived, but referee Federico La Penna had already shown Kalulu his second yellow card and was unable to reverse the punishment. VAR was not able to intervene as this was not a straight red card decision. 

Del Piero has a go at Chivu and Bastoni after Inter 3-2 Juventus

Speaking after full-time on Saturday evening, Chivu insisted that there was a ‘light touch’ from Kalulu, that Bastoni felt it while running at full speed and as ‘an experienced player’, Kalulu ‘ought to know that in these situations, you keep your hands to yourself’. 

“I think it is a light touch, but it’s still a touch. When I dealt with similar situations in the Champions League, I told my players not to put themselves in a situation where they force the referee to make the call,” the Inter head coach told Sky Sport Italia on Saturday. 

“Even if it’s light, and we have to admit it is a light touch, my player still felt the touch and was running at full speed. Kalulu is an experienced player and he ought to know that in these situations, you keep your hands to yourself.”

Del Piero, who was on punditry duty in the Sky Sport Italia studios, did not agree with the points that Chivu made and also criticised Bastoni for the way he went down under the challenge of Kalulu

“I think Chivu is doing a great job and has revived a strong, but perhaps slightly ageing Inter team. Tonight, from my point of view, he made a mistake in commenting on the sending off,” Del Piero said (via Corriere dello Sport). 

“I expected something different from his interpretation of what happened. Inter also don’t need this. 

“When you’re a strong team, you want to win well and when an error happens that clearly goes in your favour, you shouldn’t be happy. 

“I hope that in a couple of days, Chivu can say, or at least thing, what happened on the pitch wasn’t a touch for which a player should be sent off, and that Bastoni shouldn’t have gone down like that.” 

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has had his say on the controversial decision to send off Pierre Kalulu during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday evening, and has apologised on behalf of the officiating team. 

Rocchi responds to La Penna mistake in Inter 3-2 Juventus

Referee Federico La Penna has found himself at the centre of controversy after Inter’s 3-2 victory over Juventus on Saturday night after sending off Kalulu for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute. 

Outlets in Italy claim that the first yellow card shown to Kalulu was slightly on the harsh side, and that the second was ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’. Replays confirmed that Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, on a yellow card himself at the time, had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. 

Despite La Penna’s error, VAR could not intervene as this was a second yellow card offence and not a straight red decision. There have already been reports that the IFAB will seek to change this rule at their next annual assembly at the end of February. 

Refereeing chief Rocchi has since had an opportunity to have his say on the matter. 

“We are very sorry about the incident: For La Penna’s decision, which was clearly wrong, and for the fact that we could not use VAR to remedy it,” Rocchi said (via ANSA). 

Rocchi also told ANSA that La Penna is ‘distraught’ by his mistake, and also criticised Bastoni, claiming that the referee was “not the only one who made a mistake, because there was clear simulation yesterday.” 

Nicolo Zaniolo is called back into the Udinese starting line-up to face an almost unchanged Sassuolo side in Serie A, as both teams look to bounce back after disappointing defeats in the league last weekend. 

Both sides are hoping to bounce back after defeats in the league last weekend. Udinese were defeated 2-1 away against Lecce, while Sassuolo were on the receiving end of a 5-0 thrashing by runaway league leaders, Inter. 

Those results leave Udinese sitting in ninth place on 32 points ahead of kick-off, while Sassuolo with two positions below them in the table on 29 points. 

Pre-match reports claim that Kosta Runjaic has gone with a change of shape on Sunday, swapping to a 4-4-2 in stead of the 3-4-2-1 system he used last weekend. Zaniolo is back in the starting XI and is selected to lead the attack alongside Vakoun Bayo. 

Despite the 5-0 hammering by Inter last weekend, Fabio Grosso has opted to make just one change his Neroverdi starting line-up. That is an enforced change as well, as Nemanja Matic is suspended and is replaced by Luca Lipani in midfield. 

Kick-off is due at 11.30 GMT. 

Udinese vs. Sassuolo: Confirmed line-ups 

Udinese (4-4-2): Okoye; Bertola, Solet, Kristensen, Zemura; Ekkelenkamp, Miller, Karlstrom, Atta; Zaniolo, Bayo.

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Lipani, Koné; Berardi, Pinamonti, Laurienté.

15-02-2026 11:30

MatchDay 25

Friuli Stadium (Dacia Arena)

Udinese

Sassuolo

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

Oumar Solet (Assist: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp)		10'
		16'		Tarik Muharemovic
Arthur Atta		21'

2nd half

		56'		Armand Lauriente (Assist: Andrea Pinamonti)
		58'		Andrea Pinamonti (Assist: Ulisses Garcia)
Jordan Zemura		63'
Jurgen Ekkelenkamp		77'
		83'		Woyo Coulibaly
		90+6'		Alieu Fadera

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

8

Total shots

10

2

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

4

3

Blocked shots

3

7

Corners

6

1

Offsides

4

14

Fouls

14

Udinese

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

33

Jordan Zemura

Defender

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

86'

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

14

Arthur Atta

Midfielder

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

79'

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

79'

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

65'

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

65'

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

3

Josh Doig

Defender

46'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

46'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

72'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

79'

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

84'

Substitutes

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

65'

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

65'

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

79'

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

79'

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

86'

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

13

Stefano Turati

Goalkeeper

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

46'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

46'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

72'

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

79'

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

84'

Reports in Italy suggest that the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will move to change a major VAR rule in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America following the controversial scenes during Saturday evening’s Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus. 

Could VAR rules change after Inter 3-2 Juventus controversy?

Inter claimed a 3-2 victory in the derby thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski, but their victory has been somewhat overshadowed by the refereeing controversy that led to the first-half sending off of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu. 

Kalulu was sent off in the 42nd minute for two bookable offences. There have been suggestions that his original yellow, for a foul on Nicolo Barella, was slightly harsh, but the second has been deemed ‘non-existent’ and ‘absurd’ by newspapers in Italy on Sunday. 

That is because Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni was deemed to have dived in an attempt to get Kalulu sent off. Referee Federico La Penna did not hesitate in his decision to show Kalulu his second yellow, and as this was not a straight red card incident, VAR could not intervene. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the IFAB, the body responsible for managing and updating the laws of the game, will review whether or not VAR should be allowed to intervene on second yellow card offences at its next annual assembly. 

This is a topic that was already raised during a recent IFAB meeting on January 20, and will be reviewed at the annual assembly in Cardiff, Wales on February 28. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the signals indicate towards IFAB voting in favour of allowing VAR to intervene on second yellow card offences, and that this new change in rules could come into effect in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

Newspapers in Italy have not looked too kindly on referee Federico La Penna, who was at the centre of controversy after sending off Pierre Kalulu for a questionable second bookable offence during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Sunday night. 

An own goal from Andrea Cambiaso plus individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski gave the Nerazzurri all three points in an eventual 3-2 victory in San Siro on Saturday evening, despite Bianconeri goals from Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli.

The biggest talking point of the game, however, was La Penna’s decision to show a second yellow card to Kalulu for a supposed foul on Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni. 

Kalulu had already been shown a soft yellow card in the first half, and was then sent off in controversial circumstances after it became clear that Bastoni had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Juventus were then made to play the entirety of the second half with 10 men. 

As Kalulu was dismissed for two yellow card offences, VAR was not able to intervene despite La Penna’s error. 

How Italian media reacted to Kalulu sending off in Inter 3-2 Juventus 

La Gazzetta dello Sport gave referee La Penna a rating of 4/10 immediately after full-time. The Pink Paper also highlighted the pressing need to review VAR protocols and allow the video assistants to step in for second yellow card offences, not just for incidents surrounding straight reds. 

Corriere dello Sport rated La Penna at 4.5/10, noting that had VAR been able to intervene on the Kalulu-Bastoni incident, the referee would have been ‘saved’. They also pointed to the fact that Bastoni was also on a yellow card at the time of the incident, which could have led to his own dismissal. 

Unsurprisingly, Turin-based outlet Tuttosport have taken an even harsher stance on the matter, rating La Penna’s performance at 3/10. They write that the Kalulu sending off should not have required assistance from VAR had an ‘attentive’ referee been on the pitch.

Luciano Spalletti and Juventus CEO Damien Comolli were seen furiously arguing with referee Federico La Penna in the tunnel after the controversial sending off of Pierre Kalulu during Saturday night’s Derby d’Italia. 

The table-topping Inter claimed all three points in a controversial derby in San Siro thanks to an own goal from Andrea Cambiaso and individual efforts from Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski, the latter in the 90th minute. Cambiaso and Manuel Locatelli provided the goals for the Bianconeri. 

However, some newspapers in Italy have claimed that the derby was ‘ruined’ after referee La Penna took the decision to send off Kalulu for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute. 

Juventus felt that the first yellow card shown to the Frenchman was soft, and that the second was ‘absurd’, after replays showed that Alessandro Bastoni had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. As this incident was ‘only’ a yellow card offence, VAR could not intervene. 

Bianconeri chiefs have already come out with a strong condemnation of the decision to send off Kalulu, claiming the decision was “unacceptable and embarrassing.”

Spalletti and Comolli go crazy at referee after Inter 3-2 Juventus

Video footage has since emerged online of the Juventus delegation’s immediate post-match reaction. Juve head coach Spalletti and CEO Comolli were seen furiously arguing with referee La Penna as he tried to make his way down the San Siro tunnel. 

At one point, Spalletti can be seen shoving Comolli away from the incident, and goalkeeper Mattia Perin attempting to hold back his head coach.

Spalletti, Comolli e Chiellini infuriati (a fine primo tempo) all’ingresso del tunnel contro La Penna

@fedel.96 #Tuttosport #Inter #Juventus pic.twitter.com/gwfx8CSFIg

— Tuttosport (@tuttosport) February 14, 2026

Napoli are without Scott McTominay, while Roma will have to do without Paulo Dybala for Sunday’s Serie A clash between the sides, which could have major implications on the race for the Champions League positions. 

Napoli sit in third place in the Serie A table ahead of kick-off, three points in front of the fifth-placed Roma. 

Napoli, hosting this evening at the Stadio Maradona, have won their last two matches in Serie A, but have more recently been eliminated from the Coppa Italia after a 1-1 draw against Como in the quarter-finals, resulting in a 7-6 defeat on penalties. 

The Giallorossi picked up a 2-0 victory against Cagliari last time out in Serie A, bouncing back after a disappointing 1-0 loss away against Udinese at the beginning of February. 

McTominay misses out on Sunday with a tendon issue. Antonio Conte is also without Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour in midfield, so Eljif Elmas is expected to keep his place alongside Stanislav Lobotka. 

Juan Jesus is suspended, which means that Sam Beukema is expected to return to the back three alongside Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno. 

David Neres and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are also unavailable through injury. 

Roma, meanwhile, are likely to be without Dybala and Matias Soule remains a doubt as well. Lorenzo Pellegrini and Donyell Malen are expected to keep their places in the Giallorossi attack. 

Gian Piero Gasperini is also without key players in Manu Kone, Mario Hermoso, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Robinio Vaz and Stephan El Shaarawy. 

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT.

Napoli vs. Roma: Probable line-ups

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Gutierrez, Lobotka, Elmas, Spinazzola; Politano, Vergara; Hojlund.

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante,. Pisilli, Wesley; Soule, Pellegrini; Malen. 

Where to watch Napoli vs. Roma

Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and online through DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. The game will be shown on DAZN in Italy. 

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Inter break through, Juventus fury 

Nerazzurri at +8 over Milan, but Kalulu’s red card was an error 

Referee La Penna makes a mistake at 1-1: A non-existent second yellow to the Bianconeri defender. Zielinski scored the winner for 3-2 in the 90th minute. Chiellini and Coolli: ‘Embarrassing’. Chivu: ‘Should keep their hands to themselves’ 

Atalanta push for Europe, Fiorentina victory in Como 

Serie A: 25th round 

Hojlund-Malen (and not only). The calls for the Champions League 

Napoli-Roma at 19.45 

Corriere dello Sport 

The damage 

Kalulu, absurd red. Inter beat Juve. Comolli: ‘Injustice’ 

Derby ruined 

La Penna blunder: Chivu wins 3-2 in the 90th minute. Spalletti and Chiellini, what a fight with the referee 

Own goal and equaliser from Cambiaso. Bastoni dive and a second yellow to the Frenchman: VAR could not intervene. Esposito and Locateli score. Zielinski decides it. Eight-point lead over Milan 

Bove returns to the pitch after 440 days: ‘Indescribable feeling’

Lazio stopped by the pole 

Empty Olimpico: La Dea win 2-0 

Taylor and Ratkov hit the woodwork. Penalty from Ederson. Goal from Zielinski. Revenge in the Cup 

Conte-Gasp uphill battle 

Fighting without McTominay and Dybala (19.45)

Scott doesn’t recover: Inflammation of the tendon. But, the agent is meeting with Napoli over a renewal. Paulo still out, Roma entrust Malen

Fagioli and Kean freeze Fabregas 

Viola victory: 2-1 in Como 

Tuttosport 

It’s easy like that! 

3-2

Inter beat Juve through Zielinski in the 90th, but the sending off of Kalulu in the 42nd, while at 1-1, distorts the game. Bastoni simulates a non-existent foul which results in a second yellow card from the inadequate La Penna: VAR could not intervene. What a tear-up in the tunnel: Spalletti. Chiellini and Comolli target the referee. ‘Unacceptable, the umpteenth injustice against us: We can’t talk about football’. 

Supporters still out for the love of Toro 

Bologna and protests at 17.00

Protests against Cairo’s management continue: The stadium remains half empty. Baroni: ‘I understand it’s passion. The first step is up to us’ 

Como head coach Cesc Fabregas did not hold back in his criticism of striker Alvaro Morata, who was sent off at the end of Como’s surprise 2-1 defeat at home against relegation-threatened Fiorentina on Saturday afternoon: ‘Those who can’t live with it should play another sport’. 

Goals from Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean gave Fiorentina, who had been in the relegation zone before kick-off, enough to hold onto at the Stadio Sinigaglia, despite a second-half own goal from Fabiano Parisi. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Fabregas reacts to Como 1-2 Fiorentina

Fabregas cut a frustrated figure during his post-match interview with DAZN, criticising his players for their lack of awareness, and Morata for his lack of self-control in the final minutes, which led to his sending off. 

“I’m annoyed that I wasn’t able to help the boys understand the importance of the game. I showed them my experience as a footballer during the week, maybe too much, but it wasn’t enough. We’re a young team,” Fabregas said after full-time. 

“It wasn’t a football match in the second half. Leaving that aside, the game has to be won with the right motivation and energy. I feel bad as a coach, because I wasn’t able to convey this to my players today. Maybe it was in our heads. We made a mistake in our attitude, we have to show more desire and be better in attack if we want to play our game. 

“I didn’t like the first half very much, the second half, I repeat, wasn’t a game of football.” 

Fabregas believes that Como’s congested fixture schedule is a benefit after a game like today’s. 

“In 72 hours, we’ll play in San Siro and then against Torino, and this is a good thing to look forward to after this game,” he said. 

Fabregas did not hold back when asked to comment on Morata’s late sending off. The Spaniard was shown two yellow cards in quick succession for tussles with Rolando Mandragora and then with Marin Pongracic. 

“Provocation is part of football, those who can’t live with that should play another sport,” Fabregas said. 

“I expect much more from an experienced player like him. We can’t make excuses, though, and we can’t allow for what other people do on the pitch to affect us.”

Paolo Vanoli says that it is ‘not easy for a team like Fiorentina to go from fighting for a European place to fighting for survival, but has expressed his pride at his players after picking up a big 2-1 victory away against Como in Serie A on Saturday afternoon. 

The 2025-26 season has been one to forget for Fiorentina, who have found themselves in the bottom four for the vast majority of the campaign. 

The Viola managed to lift themselves out of the bottom three on  Saturday afternoon thanks to a 2-1 victory away against Como, who had beaten them 3-1 in Tuscany in the Coppa Italia at the end of January. Nicolo Fagioli and Moise Kean were enough for Vanoli’s side to hold onto, despite a second-half own goal from Fabiano Parisi. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Vanoli reacts to Como 1-2 Fiorentina victory

“I congratulate the guys, we played a great game with a lot of sacrifice and showed that with organisation and intensity, we can beat teams like Como,” Vanoli said in his post-match interview with DAZN.

“We have to keep our feet on the ground, keep our heads down and think about the next one, first in the Conference League and then in the league.” 

Vanoli was asked what he makes of goalscorer Fagioli and the form that he has been on as of late. 

“He has great qualities, he defends well, we are working hard and he is improving a lot, the numbers say so. He made me a bit angry in the first 15 minutes, then he recovered. He has goals in him, he has to arrive with more determination and malice.” 

And on the team in general, Vanoli added: “Since I arrived, I’ve tried to get this message of how to achieve safety across. It’s been a difficult transition, it’s not easy for a team like Fiorentina to go from a goal like fighting for European place to fighting for survival. 

“We have to have courage and everything I have done, I’ve done to try and find new solutions, because this is a team with lots of quality.” 

Delegates from Milan have been in Liverpool to visit and study Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium as part of their fact-finding mission for the new stadium in San Siro. 

Milan visit Everton to take inspiration from new stadium

As of November, Milan and Inter have officially acquired the San Siro site, including the iconic Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, which had previously been owned by the city council. Acquiring the stadium was a fundamental step in the journey to building a new ground on the same site. 

According to various reports in Italy, the Milan clubs intend to demolish the vast majority of their stadium in its current form in order to make way for a new, state-of-the-art venue capable of hosting matches at EURO 2032. 

The new stadium is expected to be built nearby, but not in place of the current Stadio Meazza, which means that the construction of the new ground could begin in 2027, and the demolition of the current stadium in 2031. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, a delegation of five representatives from AC Milan have recently been in Liverpool to study Everton’s new Hill Dickinson stadium, which was officially opened in 2025. 

The 52,769-capacity stadium hosted its first Premier League match on the opening day of the 2025-26 Premier League season, replacing the historic Goodison Park, which had been in operation for 133 years. 

Everton is not the only stop on Milan’s fact-finding mission, though. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that there will be visits to other clubs across Europe over the coming months. 

It is understood that the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park are also among Milan’s inspirations.

Luciano Spalletti is expected to reshuffle his tactics ahead of the Derby d’Italia against Inter on Saturday afternoon as Juventus will have to do without key midfielder Khephren Thuram against the Nerazzurri. Here’s who could replace the Frenchman in San Siro. 

Juventus released their squad list for the derby against Inter on Saturday morning, confirming that Thuram as well as Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik are unavailable to play. 

Thuram has featured in 23 of Juventus’s 24 league matches so far this season, has started in 20 of them and has provided one goal and two assists from those Serie A outings. That goal came in the reverse fixture against Inter at the Allianz Stadium during the first half of the season. 

Who could start for Juventus against Inter in the absence of Thuram?

With no Thuram available on Saturday evening, it is expected that Spalletti will slightly reshuffle his tactics. 

Spalletti originally deployed a 3-4-2-1 shape during his first weeks in charge of the Bianconeri, before switching to a 4-2-3-1. He reverted to the 3-4-2-1 shape for the 2-2 draw against Lazio last time out, but is likely to swap back to a four-man defence against Inter. 

According to reports from some outlets on Saturday afternoon, Spalletti is likely to deploy a midfield trio of Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie and Fabio Miretti. That would see Francisco Conceicao, Kenan Yildiz and Jonathan David as the starting attackers. 

Other outlets, however, suggest that Spalletti could stick with a back three, and that Teun Koopmeiners could be brought in to partner Locatelli in the midfield of a 3-4-2-1. Lloyd Kelly would come back into the team on the left side of the back three if this were to be the case.

Gian Piero Gasperini has given his pre-match assessment ahead of Roma’s upcoming Serie A clash against reigning champions Napoli, has provided an update on Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule, and has explained that he doesn’t agree with Antonio Conte about the congested fixture schedule: ‘I always prefer to play in cup competitions’. 

Roma currently find themselves in fifth place in the Serie A table, level on points (46) with Juventus in fourth. They will face Napoli at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday in what many have described as a ‘six pointer’ given that the Partenopei sit just three points above the Giallorossi before kick-off. 

Roma are coming in off the back of a 2-0 victory over Cagliari last time out in Serie A, while the Partenopei are looking to bounce back after being knocked out of the Coppa Italia by Como on penalties earlier this week. 

Gasperini on Napoli vs. Roma, Dybala, Soule and fixture schedule

Gasperini began his pre-match press conference with an update on two of his key attackers: “We’ll see with Soule and Dybala today. Soule’s had a more difficult week while Dybala has trained but isn’t 100%,” he said. 

Gasperini was asked about Roma’s recent ‘struggles’ in matches against direct rivals in the league. 

“It’s more than a step in mentality, they need to take a technical step as well. When something repeats over time, there’s obviously still a difference, which has lessened with our performances over the first half of the season. 

“Recently, we’ve had another excellent performance against Milan, at least we didn’t lose there.

“Compared to the beginning of the season, we’ve undoubtedly grown, even if we’re in the middle of an emergency of injuries, like other teams. It’s a problem that bothers us, we’re convinced that we’re competitive when everyone is available. We will have to find another answer to these questions against Napoli.” 

Gasperini was also asked if he thinks that Roma’s Champions League qualification depends on victories in matches like tomorrow’s against Napoli, or the one against Juventus coming up on March 1. 

He replied: “They’re important games, they’re direct clashes and they weigh heavily compared to other games, but matches are always worth three points. The Champions League ‘quota’ doesn’t change year to year. If you lose two and win all the others, nothing changes. But they are still important games in terms of our ability to overcome certain teams and feel superior.” 

Reporters suggested that Roma look and feel like a completely different team compared to the last time they faced Napoli in Serie A. 

Gasperini said: “We’ve always thought about our journey. There have been different periods this season as well. Inter has grown a lot, other teams like Juventus and Milan have as well. Napoli have had great periods, now they’re in a bit of difficulty because of injuries, like us. 

“The fact is that after 24 games, we’re up there with all the others. There are also Como and Atalanta who are climbing strongly. 

“That’s how it is in the league. As far as I’m concerned, results are won point by point. You never achieve your goals days in advance. We have to fight until the very end.” 

Gasperini was asked if he is relieved that Roma qualified directly for the Europa League round of 16, and therefore avoid an extra two matches in the play-off rounds. 

He said: “I’m not concerned by this. When we were playing every three days in October and November, the treatment room was empty and the squad was fine. Now we’ve got a lot of problems in attack. Before, we had them all in defence. That is annoying. 

“I don’t think it’s connected to the number of games. When we played a lot, we were all fine. It’s random. It’s difficult to explain three or four injuries happening in the same department, especially some very specific injuries that we have right now. 

“The only one who had a muscular strain is Kone, but both he and Hermoso, who’s had a sensational blow to his foot, should return next week.” 

Could January signing Bryan Zaragoza be primed to make his full Roma debut at the weekend? 

“He’s definitely settling in better as time goes by. He’s been here for 16 days and he’s improving in terms of his condition and knowledge. He still needs a bit of time to break in, but he will do that by playing and training.” 

Gasperini was also asked if he agrees with Napoli head coach Antonio Conte about the congested fixture schedule. 

He said: “I don’t want to make any controversies. I respect everyone’s opinions. From my experience, I can tell you that playing in the cup has helped me. There is of course a risk of injuries. The vast majority of injuries occur in matches and almost never in training, so that is a risk. 

“Personally, however, it has helped me, especially playing abroad. The players are confronted with other ways of playing and I would always prefer to play in cup competitions, the Champions League even more so.” 

Legendary former Inter and Italy goalkeeper Walter Zenga has recommended three Italian goalkeepers the Nerazzurri should turn to after Yann Sommer leaves the club, which could potentially be at the end of the current season. 

Sommer has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons in San Siro. In that time, he has won a Serie A title, is on his way to a second and also appeared in a Champions League final in 2024-25. 

The Switzerland international is now 37 years of age and is into the final year of his contract, which is currently set to expire on June 30, 2026. 

Zenga: Who should replace Sommer in goal for Inter?

Heading into the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus in Serie A on Saturday evening, Zenga gave an in-depth interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport, addressing a number of topics including Inter’s future options between the sticks. 

Zenga believes that Sommer has been an excellent servant for the Nerazzurri since 2023, despite criticism of some of his more recent performances in 2025-26. 

“Yann is a performance player, a guarantee. He has experience and quality to spare,” Zenga told La Gazzetta dello Sport. He believes that Sommer’s “self-control” is his best quality: “Nothing scares him.” 

And when asked who he thinks should replace Sommer once he leaves Inter, likely at the end of the season, Zenga said: “An Italian goalkeeper. (Guglielmo) Vicario and (Marco) Carnesecchi would be on the front row, and then (Elia) Caprile.”

Reports suggest that Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere will be sidelined for around four to five weeks after undergoing surgery on his knee earlier this week. 

Atalanta have recently confirmed that De Ketelaere has had a procedure carried out to repair damaged meniscus cartilage in his knee. 

The Belgium international was originally included in the starting line-up for Atalanta’s eventual 2-1 victory over Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening, but felt something in his knee during the warm-up and was forced to drop out of Rafaelle Palladino’s side at the last minute. He was replaced by Lazar Samardzic. 

Now expected to miss around a month of action, Atalanta are likely to be without De Ketelaere for a tough run of fixtures, beginning with Lazio in Serie A on Saturday, a Champions League play-off double against Borussia Dortmund over the next two weeks, and further league matches against Napoli, Sassuolo, Udinese and potentially Inter as well. 

What Atalanta said about De Ketelaere operation 

“Atalanta BC announces that Charles De Ketelaere has undergone arthroscopy of his right knee for selective internal meniscectomy,” read a statement on the club website. 

“The surgery, performed by Professor Ezio Adriani at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital Foundation IRCCS in Rome, was perfectly successful.

“The player will immediately begin the rehabilitation program.”

Gennaro Gattuso and his coaching staff have been busy speaking and meeting with a long list of players ahead of the World Cup play-offs in March, and according to recent reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are currently around 50 players on the Italy national team radar. Here is a look at all of them. 

Italy have not yet secured their spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and must go through the play-offs if they are to avoid missing out on the final tournament for the third cycle in a row. 

The Azzurri will play against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26 in the World Cup play-off semi-final, and should they win that game, they will progress to a one-legged play-off final away against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina a few days later: A one-off knock-out match for a spot at the World Cup. 

Gattuso and his staff had sought to bring the national team squad together once more before the World Cup play-offs in March, given that they have not got together since the end of the November international break. 

This has not been possible, however, largely due to a congested fixture schedule at club level. 

Instead, Gattuso and his staff have arranged a series of meetings and dinners with groups of Italy players and national team hopefuls over the last few months in an attempt to keep the squad somewhat together. 

Here is the long list of players Gattuso has supposedly spoken to ahead of the World Cup play-offs. 

Which Italy players has Gattuso spoken to ahead of World Cup play-offs? 

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Alex Meret (Napoli). 

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Diego Coppola (Brighton/Paris FC), Giovanni Leoni (Liverpool), Honest Ahanor (Atalanta). 

Wing-backs: Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Marco Palestra (Atalanta/Cagliari), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham), Leonardo Spinazzola (Napoli). 

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Marco Verratti (Al Duhail), Nicolo Rovella (Lazio), Samuele Ricci (Milan), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma), Fabio Miretti (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Giovanni Fabbian (Bologna/Fiorentina), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Cesare Casadei (Torino). 

Trequartistas/Wingers: Matteo Politano (Napoli), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Federico Chiesa (Liverpool), Daniel Maldini (Atalanta/Lazio), Nicolo Cambiaghi (Bologna), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Nicolo Zaniolo (Udinese). 

Strikers: Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Pio Esposito (Inter), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Wilfried Gnonto (Leeds).