Juventus CEO Damien Comolli has apologised and admitted that his reaction after the fiery Derby d’Italia against Inter was excessive, but insists that he was ‘trying to defend my club’. 

Comolli has been given a fine of €15,000 and has been handed a Serie A ban until the end of March as a result of his comments and actions during and after the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday evening. 

Inter’s victory in the derby was largely overshadowed by the incorrect decision to send off Pierre Kalulu in the 42nd minute. Comolli angrily confronted the referee Federico La Penna in the tunnel at half-time, and later made calls for refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi to resign after full-time. 

Comolli, speaking ahead of Juventus’s Champions League match against Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, apologised for the way in which he behaved in San Siro on Saturday. 

“I always respect the decisions of the authorities, whatever the decision, I will comply to it,” Comolli told Sky Sport Italia. 

“My passion was excessive, my reaction was excessive, I am sorry if I offended people, but I am here to defend my club, I felt it was an injustice, we reacted the wrong way and were excessive, but we still were on the wrong end of an injustice. 

“I don’t want to respond to other clubs, as we don’t want to talk about the past, we want to focus on the future and what happens on the pitch.”

Alessandro Bastoni, largely responsible for getting Kalulu sent off, has since offered his apologies for the way in which he celebrated the dismissal. Bastoni has avoided punishment from the league, but Kalulu remains suspended. 

“I can’t comment, we are very sorry for Pierre Kalulu, he is the one who is going to be suspended, we think it is very unfair. I saw him in the tunnel after the game, he is extremely frustrated. Our thoughts are all with Kalulu at this moment.”

Comolli and Chiellini protested about referees in general and not just errors against Juventus, calling for Rocchi to stand down.

“We just want to help, to collaborate with the authorities, the FIGC and Lega Serie A, it is not about Rocchi or any one person. We just want to work with all the clubs to improve a system that does not work, that is defective. We never said it was a person, but the system that is the problem, and we want it to be better for the good of Italian football.”

And reflecting on Giorgo Chiellini’s role in the debacle, Comolli said: “I just want to say that as good as he was on the pitch, Chiellini is an even better executive off it. He represents the present and future of Juventus. 

“The more young executives we have, the better it will be for Italian football. I’ve been around a long time, and I have seen few executives as talented as Giorgio in his role. We think about the present and the future, we are not interested in people who live in the past.”

And finally getting around to the topic of the Champions League match against Galatasaray, Comolli said: “I think we need to show personality, which we did at San Siro on Saturday. I asked Kostic to explain the game between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, he said it was impossible, we had to just experience it.”

Cristian Chivu has shared his thoughts ahead of the Champions League play-off match between Bodo/Glimt and Inter on Wednesday evening, and has also been forced to return to the topic of the Derby d’Italia against Juventus in Serie A over the weekend. 

The Nerazzurri have arrived in the arctic circle and are preparing to take on Bodo/Glimt in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on Wednesday evening. The two teams will meet again in San Siro next Tuesday. 

Juventus and Atalanta are both in Champions League action on Tuesday night. You can follow the action from those games on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Chivu on Bodo Glimt vs. Inter, Spalletti response and artificial pitch

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, Chivu had an opportunity to reflect on Inter’s journey in the Champions League thus far and the task that lies ahead of them in Serie A. 

“This is a different competition and we know how important it is and how far we’ve come,” he said. We’ve done quite well without, unfortunately, qualifying for the round of 16. Bodo is a tough team, the club has made great progress.” 

There were, to little surprise, more questions asked about the controversial Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus on Saturday afternoon. Inter won 3-2, but their victory was marred by a major refereeing error which led to the wrongful sending off of Pierre Kalulu. 

There have been plenty of takes, comments and apologies since the incident occurred on Saturday. Alessandro Bastoni, largely responsible for getting Kalulu sent off, sat next to Chivu for the press conference and apologised for the way in which he celebrated the red card decision. 

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti spoke to the press on Monday, defending Bastoni but criticising Chivu for the comments he made about Kalulu after full-time. 

Chivu was asked if he had a response for Spalletti on Tuesday evening. 

He said: “I don’t want to reply to what others say. I say what I say and what I think. I talked about the experiences of my team, and I don’t care what they have to say. The team at the top is always the most hated and criticised. 

“Incidents happen for and against everyone, we were wronged in Naples and I’m saying that for the first time. We moved on. The season is long and we want to be competitive without forgetting about the way we’ve been portrayed.” 

Returning his focus to the task at hand against Bodo/Glimt, Chivu proceeded to give an update on his players’ availability. 

“Everyone wants the formation in Italy, I’ve never told you,” he laughed. I know who will play but I won’t say it. Calhanoglu has a small problem, that could be a matter of days, a week at most.” 

And on Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch, which has caused problems for a number of Italian sides in recent seasons, Chivu said: “The concern is always for the safety of the players.

“Bodo have been achieving great results home and away and the club is ambitious. They will want to give it their all. We are also ready to do the same and adapt to this pitch and climate.” 

And on the star players within Bodo/Glimt’s squad and the current quality of Norwegian football, Chivu added: “They have a lot of great players, Norwegian football has grown and Norway will be at the World Cup. We know it won’t be easy, we have to be ready for the intensity and their quality on the flanks, the power of their players. We’re ready to adapt.”

Turkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella has had his say on Kenan Yildiz ahead of Juventus’s Champions League play-off match away against Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, and has aimed a friendly dig at Bianconeri head coach Luciano Spalletti: ‘I’ve known him for 30 years … unfortunately’. 

Juventus finished the Champions League league phase in 13th place, three points shy of a spot in the top eight and a guaranteed place in the round of 16. They have been drawn against Galatasaray in the play-off round, and will begin the first leg of that tie at 17.45 GMT on Tuesday evening. 

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

Montella on Galatasaray vs. Juventus, Yildiz and Spalletti 

Montella, currently head coach of the Turkiye national team, knows full well what the atmosphere can be like at Galatasaray’s Rams Park. 

“The stadium and atmosphere is marvellous, which is true of many places in Turkiye. As a former player, I can tell you this is the kind of atmosphere that inspires you stepping onto the pitch,” Montella told Sky Sport Italia.

And on his current role with the Turkiye national team, he added: “I am very happy, I’ve been here for four years, two at club level and two for the national team. I was welcomed very warmly, I really do feel at home, they care for me quite apart from my role as a coach, and that is the most satisfying thing for me.

There was plenty of praise for Juventus posterboy Yildiz as well, “He is mature enough to play under pressure, both for the national team and Juventus, so I imagine he is super motivated, but the performance of an individual also depends on that of the team, and vice versa.

Lastly, Montella added: “I visited the Continassa training camp last week, it’s always a pleasure to talk to Spalletti about football. We’ve known each other for over 30 years now… unfortunately!”

Alessandro Bastoni has apologised for the manner in which he celebrated Pierre Kalulu’s red card during the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus, has revealed that he has received death threats as a result and has expressed his sympathies with referee Federico La Penna: ‘I thank those who just called me ‘stupid’ and left it at that’. 

Bastoni found himself at the centre of controversy for his involvement in Kalulu’s sending off in the 42nd minute of the Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday evening, which ended 3-2 in favour of the Nerazzurri thanks to a 90th minute winner from Piotr Zielinski. 

Kalulu was sent off for two bookable offences, the latter of which was described as ‘absurd’ and ‘non-existent’ by newspapers in Italy. Bastoni was adjudged to have dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. 

To add insult to injury for Juventus, Bastoni was carrying a booking himself at the time and would have been sent off had he been shown a second yellow card for simulation. 

Bastoni also came under criticism for the manner in which he celebrated Kalulu’s sending off. There have even been calls from some supporters for him to be dropped from the Italy national team squad as a result. 

Bastoni on Kalulu red car, death threats and Wirtz comparison 

Bastoni has kept silent since the incident occured on Saturday, until Tuesday afternoon when he joined Cristian Chivu for the pre-match press conferences ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off match away against Bodo/Glimt. 

The Nerazzurri defender spoke to both Sky Sport Italia and the wider media at the press conference on Tuesday afternoon, apologising for the way he celebrated, but not for the way he went down. 

He compared the situation to the incredibly soft penalty that Liverpool were awarded against Inter in the Champions League league phase earlier this season. 

“I wanted to come here because a lot, a lot more has happened than I would have thought or imagined after Saturday. I waited a few days to review what happened,” Bastoni told Sky Sport Italia (via TMW). 

“What I felt was a contact with my arm, which was emphasised when I watched it back. I’m here to take responsibility. What I regret is my subsequent behaviour. A human being has the right to make mistakes but equally the duty to recognise them. That’s why I’m here.” 

He repeated a similar statement at the beginning of his pre-match press conference: “A human being has the right to make mistakes, but also the duty to recognise them, so I’m here for that reason. I’m sorry I reacted like that, it’s right to hold my hands up to that. 

“But, my career and character shouldn’t be defined by an incident like this. I didn’t think I would create so much of an uproar, I noticed a lot of hypocrisy, I heard insiders say things that shouldn’t be said in heaven or earth. I thank those who just called me ‘stupid’ and left it at that.” 

Bastoni was asked whether he thinks he should have come out and made a statement earlier than Tuesday, given the abuse that he has received to which he replied: “No, it didn’t affect me that much. We’re exposed as people. Accustomed to this type of media pile-on and the (club) President rightly explained that. 

“I’m able to handle the situation, I’m more sorry for my wife and daughter who have found themselves on the receiving end of death threats. I also feel sorry for the referee, La Penna, for everyone less used to being exposed like that.” 

And on his current mindset heading into the Bodo/Glimt match on Wednesday, Bastoni said: “Mentally I’m doing very well, the same thing happened in reverse when Liverpool were awarded a penalty against us. Wirtz didn’t have the same trial that I did. 

“Chivu has been consistent. Now I really want to get out onto the pitch. I’m not compromised physically or mentally, so I’m ready to play.” 

Juventus directors Damien Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini have both earned bans after the controversial Derby d’Italia in Serie A over the weekend, so what are they allowed to do and what are they prohibited from doing during their suspensions? 

Why were Juventus directors Comolli and Chiellini banned? 

CEO Comolli has been handed a fine of €15,000 and has been given a ban until the end of March as a result of his actions towards the match officials during the Derby d’Italia against Inter on Saturday evening. Chiellini has been banned until the end of February. 

Comolli was punished by the sports judge in Italy “for having adopted an aggressive and seriously intimidating attitude towards the match official in the tunnel at the end of the first half, seeking physical contact with him, which was prevented thanks to the intervention of the Juventus coach and other members of the coaching staff.” 

Comolli also made “seriously insulting remarks towards the match official and repeated such behaviour outside the referees’ dressing room.”

Chiellini was sanctioned “for having disrespectfully challenged the referee’s actions in the tunnel at the end of the first half and also repeating this behaviour outside the referees’ dressing room.”

He also “made offensive and critical remarks towards the match officials. This latter violation was reported by an assistant.” 

The Juventus directors’ remarks and actions towards referee Federico La Penna and his team came after the 42nd-minute decision to send off Pierre Kalulu for a second bookable offence. 

It has since been confirmed by refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi that a mistake was made by sending off Kalulu, given that Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni, who was carrying a yellow card himself at the time, had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. 

What are Comolli and Chiellini allowed to do during bans? 

According to article 9 in the sporting code of justice (Codice di Giustizia Sportiva), banned directors are prohibited from representing their clubs in national and international events, are prohibited from interacting with federal bodies, are prohibited from entering the dressing room on matchdays and are prohibited from holding meetings with players, club members or agents. 

The latter of those prohibitions would have been particularly damning had the transfer window still been open, as neither Comolli nor Chiellini would have been able to sign off on incoming signings. 

For now, Comolli and Chiellini will not be able to hold talks with players’ agents over potential contract extensions either, which means that a renewal for Weston McKennie, whose current deal will expire at the end of the 2026-27, could be temporarily put on hold. 

As explained by La Gazzetta dello Sport, these sanctions currently apply within Italy, and it is unlikely that the FIGC will push for the bans to be upheld by UEFA or FIFA, as was done when Fabio Paratici earned a 30-month suspension in 2023. 

Comolli and Chiellini are still allowed to carry out administrative tasks within the club, and are still permitted to represent the club and, where applicable, exercise their right to vote in meetings between the club and the league.

Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti was not among the Bianconeri representatives to receive a ban after the Derby d’Italia against Inter on Saturday evening, and was instead credited for breaking up a heated confrontation between CEO Damien Comolli and referee Federico La Penna in the tunnel. 

The Derby d’Italia was marred by a first-half refereeing error when Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu was wrongly sent off for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute despite replays showing that Alessandro Bastoni, who was on a yellow card himself at the time, had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. 

The game ended 3-2 in favour of Inter, who found the eventual winner through Piotr Zielinski in the 90th minute against the 10-man Bianconeri. 

Spalletti: ‘prevented’ physical confrontation between Comolli and La Penna

Juventus officials were not best pleased by the events that unfolded on the pitch. Comolli and Giorgio Chiellini were sent to address the media instead of head coach Spalletti, and Comolli was also seen angrily confronting the referee, La Penna, in the tunnel during the half-time break. 

For his actions on Saturday, Comolli has been handed a €15,000 fine and has also been banned until the end of March. Chiellini has been banned until the end of February. 

Kalulu will also have to serve a one-match ban despite being wrongly sent off, and Inter midfielders Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella have also earned one-match suspensions after picking up their fifth yellow cards in the league on Saturday. 

Spalletti has not been given any punishment by the sports judge, whose report was released on Tuesday. 

The only mention of Spalletti, in fact, came in the explanation of Comolli’s ban. The coach was credited with pulling the club CEO away from La Penna in an attempt to diffuse the situation. 

The report noted that Comolli earned his fine and suspension: “For having adopted an aggressive and seriously intimidating attitude towards the match official in the tunnel at the end of the first half, seeking physical contact with him, which was prevented thanks to the intervention of the Juventus coach and other members of the coaching staff.” 

Comolli also made “seriously insulting remarks towards the match official and repeated such behaviour outside the referees’ dressing room.”

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

Massimiliano Allegri has had his say on the diving debate that has cropped up in Serie A since the weekend and has also pointed out an offside rule that he feels needs to be changed: ‘It’s subjectivity, at the discretion of the referee’. 

Allegri sat down for his pre-match press conference on Monday afternoon, ahead of the rearranged Serie A match between Milan and Como which will be played on Tuesday night. The game was originally scheduled to take place last weekend, but was postponed due to a clash with the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in San Siro. 

During his chat with the media, Allegri was asked for his thoughts after the controversial Derby d’Italia between his former side Inter and his former side Juventus, which was overshadowed by the wrongful decision to send off Pierre Kalulu for a second bookable offence in the 42nd minute. 

Replays showed that Alessandro Bastoni had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi has since admitted that a mistake was made and has apologised on behalf of referee Federico La Penna. 

Allegri comments on Inter 3-2 Juventus, diving and offside rules

Allegri was unwilling to go into too many details about the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus, but had plenty to say on the topic of diving, the state of refereeing and the protocols that are currently in place. 

“Lots of people have already spoken [about the Derby], so it’s useless for us to continue doing so. We have to keep the energy on ourselves, not waste it on what happens to others,” he said (via TMW)

“The most important thing is that there are competent people who work to improve the objectivity of VAR, because those situations are not debatable.”

And when asked how he would combat diving in top-level football, Allegri said: “Football has become very quick, it’s not easy for the referees. The speed of the ball, the game, the physicality of the players is different to how it was 30-40 years ago. 

“We need to improve VAR and find solutions, as I’m sure they will be doing. It’s not as if that happens overnight. Let’s try and achieve objectivity.” 

Allegri also called for a change in rules regarding potential offsides that result in corner kicks. 

“In my opinion, one thing that absolutely needs to change is when there is an offside and the action results in a corner. The corner shouldn’t be given at all.” 

And when pushed again on the topic of diving, he added: “It’s subjectivity, at the discretion of the referee. There’s nothing we can do about that. I struggle to select the team, let alone say what the VAR should be doing. The game of football is not easy to explain, we can’t indoctrinate everyone.

“What happened on Saturday is disappointing to everyone, but I think the most disappointed are the protagonists of the event.” 

Juventus directors Damien Comolli and Giorgio Cheillini, plus players Pierre Kalulu, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu are among those to have been fined and banned after the fiery Derby d’Italia in Serie A on Saturday evening. 

Juventus directors given lengthy punishments after Derby d’Italia

The decisions of the sports judge have arrived following the completion of the 25th round of Serie A fixtures. 

The harshest punishment has been handed to Juventus CEO Comolli, who has been banned until March 31 and has been given a fine of €15,000 for adopting an ‘aggressive and seriously intimidating attitude’ towards referee Federico La Penna in the tunnel at half-time following the sending off of defender Pierre Kalulu. 

The report from the sports judge adds that Comolli sought to make physical contact with the referee, which ‘was prevented thanks to the intervention of the Juventus coach and other members and coaches’. This behaviour also continued outside the referees’ dressing room. 

Chiellini has also been punished for protesting ‘in an agitated and disrespectful manner’ in the tunnel and outside the referees’ dressing room. He has been handed a ban until the end of February (27th). 

Elsewhere, Milan sporting director Igli Tare has also been fined €10,000 for ‘aggressively’ protesting the referee’s decision after entering the field of play following Milan’s 2-1 victory away against Pisa. 

Which players have been banned after Serie A Week 25? 

Gift Orban has been handed the most severe punishment of any player after the conclusion of the 25th round of fixtures. He has been handed a two-match ban for his comments towards the match official during Hellas Verona’s 2-1 loss against Parma. 

It has been confirmed that Pierre Kalulu will have to serve a one-match suspension, despite being wrongly sent off in the 42nd minute of the Derby d’Italia between Juventus and Inter. 

Como’s Alvaro Morata will also have to serve a one-match suspension after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession at the end of Saturday’s 2-1 loss against Fiorentina. 

Adrien Rabiot was also shown two yellow cards during Milan’s win over Pisa and will also have to serve a one-match suspension. 

Several players also picked up their fifth bookings of the season during the 25th round of Serie A fixtures and will have to serve a one-match suspension as a result.

They are: Inter’s Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, Hellas Verona’s Jean Daniel Akpa Akpro, Parma’s Alessandro Circati, Fiorentina’s Rolando Mandragora and Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic.

Referee Federico La Penna has reported to the police and public prosecutor’s office after receiving multiple death threats in the aftermath of the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus in Serie A over the weekend. 

What happened between Inter and Juventus in the Derby d’Italia?

La Penna was the man in the middle for the fiery derby between Inter and Juventus in San Siro on Saturday evening. The game ended 3-2 in favour of the hosts, but the Bianconeri were left furious after Pierre Kalulu was wrongly sent off in the 42nd minute. 

The Juventus defender was shown a yellow card in the 32nd minute for a foul on Nicolo Barella, which some deemed to have been harsh in the first place, and was then given his marching orders 10 minutes later for a supposed foul on Alessandro Bastoni. Replays confirmed that the Inter defender had dived in an attempt to get his opponent sent off. 

As this was a second yellow card decision and not a straight red, VAR was not able to review the incident. For similar reasons, the sporting authorities will not be able to take retrospective action. 

To add insult to injury for Juventus, Bastoni was also carrying a booking at the time of the incident and would have been sent off himself had the referee decided to book him for simulation. 

Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi later admitted that a mistake was made during the Derby d’Italia and said that La Penna was ‘distraught’ with his error. 

Now, according to reports from Corriere dello Sport, La Penna has had to report to the police and the public prosecutor’s office after receiving multiple death threats online in the days following the Derby d’Italia. La Penna has reportedly received personal threats and threats to his family as well. 

An investigation was immediately opened, the results of which are pending. 

La Penna is not expected to be involved in any Serie A matches this coming weekend, but Tuesday’s report suggests that he could be back for the following round of fixtures, either as a fourth official or as a VAR.

Lecce picked up a massively important 2-0 victory away against Cagliari in Serie A on Monday evening, which has lifted them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Fiorentina and has also drawn Genoa and Cremonses back into the dogfight: Omri Gandelman and Ylber Ramadani with the goals at the Unipol Domus. 

Click here to see how the teams lined up.

Riccardo Sottil came close after 28 minutes when the ball bounced up for him inside the penalty area, but the former Fiorentina man saw his shot sail over the crossbar. 

Gabriele Zappa also had an opportunity on the half volley inside the area down at the other end. The ball set up kinder for him than it did for Sottil, but he too blazed over the crossbar with his effort. 

The eventual Lecce opener couldn’t have come in much simpler circumstances. Sottil stood over a free kick just off the right flank, he lofted one into the area where January signing Gandelman rose and powered in a header from the edge of the six-yard box. 

That was the Israel international’s second goal in as many matches for the Salentini. 

It was another set-piece that indirectly led to Lecce doubling their advantage 10 minutes later. 

Another Sottil free-kick off the right was aimed at Gandelman again, but he was unable to get his head on it this time. Cagliari struggled to clear their lines, Ramadani found himself on the left corner of the penalty area and managed to squeeze a shot past Elia Caprile. 

The Cagliari stopper presumably saw the shot late, but will have been disappointed to have been beaten from that angle and range.  

This is an enormous three points for Lecce in their bid to avoid relegation to Serie B. They move out of the relegation zone and move three points above Fiorentina, and are now level on points with Genoa and Cremonese in 15th and 16th respectively.  

Cagliari now sit just four points above Lecce and have a seven-point cushion between themselves and the bottom three. 

Cagliari 0-2 Lecce

Gandelman 64’, Ramadani 76’. 

16-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 25

Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena)

Cagliari

Lecce

0 - 2

Player statistic

2nd half

		64'		Omri Gandelman (Assist: Riccardo Sottil)
		76'		Ylber Ramadani (Assist: Lassana Coulibaly)

Match statistic

59

Possession %

41

11

Total shots

13

0

Shots on target

4

8

Shots off target

3

3

Blocked shots

6

8

Corners

2

0

Offsides

0

16

Fouls

14

Cagliari

Lecce

Starting lineups

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

79'

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

57'

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

57'

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

90'

16

Omri Gandelman

Midfielder

86'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

23

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

80'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

86'

99

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

80'

Substitutes

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

39

Andrea Cogoni

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

57'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

57'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

79'

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

36

Filip Marchwinski

Midfielder

18

Gaby Jean

Defender

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

80'

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

80'

79

Oumar Ngom

Midfielder

86'

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

86'

8

Sadik Fofana

Defender

90'

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

0 - 2

Player statistic

2nd half

		64'		Omri Gandelman (Assist: Riccardo Sottil)
		76'		Ylber Ramadani (Assist: Lassana Coulibaly)

Match statistic

59

Possession %

41

11

Total shots

13

0

Shots on target

4

8

Shots off target

3

3

Blocked shots

6

8

Corners

2

0

Offsides

0

16

Fouls

14

Cagliari

Lecce

Starting lineups

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

79'

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

57'

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

57'

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

90'

16

Omri Gandelman

Midfielder

86'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

23

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

80'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

86'

99

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

80'

Substitutes

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

39

Andrea Cogoni

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

57'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

57'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

79'

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

36

Filip Marchwinski

Midfielder

18

Gaby Jean

Defender

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

80'

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

80'

79

Oumar Ngom

Midfielder

86'

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

86'

8

Sadik Fofana

Defender

90'

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.