Referee chief Dino Tommasi admits Napoli’s second goal against Atalanta should have stood, but it was correct to revoke a penalty kick for the Partenopei following a VAR check.

Dino Tommasi, a member of the Italian referee-appointing committee, has issued a verdict on the controversial incidents that occurred during Napoli’s 2-1 loss against Atalanta on Sunday.

Referee chief gives verdict on Atalanta vs. Napoli incidents

The Partenopei had a penalty kick revoked in the first half following a VAR check, and referee Daniele Chiffi also ruled out their second goal scored by Miguel Gutierrez after the break.

The referee’s decision infuriated the Partenopei, who sent director Giovanni Manna in front of the media to complain.

Tommasi, however, believes that the penalty kick in the first half was rightfully revoked.

“It’s a correct decision; it’s not a foul. Hojlund goes for the contact while Hien stands still,” Tommasi told DAZN via Gianluca Di Marzio.

“Chiffi was very well positioned but had the wrong feeling. Then he corrected himself with the review. Aureliano and Di Paolo at VAR worked well.”

On the other hand, the decision to rule out Napoli’s second goal for Hojlund’s foul on Hien was deemed incorrect.

“Hojlund steals a march on Hien; it’s too little to consider it a foul,” Tommasi said via ANSA.

“It’s an on-field mistake, but the referee’s central role is important. With a correct decision on the pitch, everything would have been different. In this match, Chiffi maintained a very high technical threshold, blowing the whistle very little, even on significant challenges. He let the play continue, whereas he noticed that in the first stance, the penalty incident and this one, he lowered the threshold considerably.”

Napoli’s loss to Atalanta leaves the Partenopei in third position in Serie A, level on 50 points with Roma.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan reportedly turned down an offer from Juventus, despite the Bianconeri proposing a higher salary than Milan.

Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports that Juventus opened talks with Milan goalkeeper Maignan at the end of 2025 to sound out a possible free transfer in the summer.

Maignan prioritised Milan over Juventus

According to the report, Juventus directors contacted Maignan’s entourage between November and December and were ready to offer a salary slightly higher than the one he earns at Milan.

Maignan, however, took his time, reiterating that his priority was to stay with Milan, and ultimately signed a new deal through 2031.

According to Moretto, the new Maignan deal is technically valid until 2030, with an option for a further campaign that Milan can activate.

Bayern Munich contacted Maignan between September and October, but didn’t make another attempt afterwards, while Chelsea had held talks in the summer.

It remains to be seen whether Juventus will make changes between the sticks next season, as Michele Di Gregorio has been highly criticised in recent weeks.

The Bianconeri have suffered 13 goals this season from the first shot on target.

Second-choice goalkeeper Mattia Perin was very close to returning to Genoa in January, but Juventus refused to let him go, also because there was a gap between their demand and Genoa’s offer.

Perin has remained in Turin until the end of the season, but there are “concrete” chances to see him leave the club at the end of the season, Moretto said.

Matteo Moretto reports that Paulo Dybala’s entourage is in talks with Boca Juniors, as Roma haven’t yet offered the Argentine a new deal, while Marcos Senesi’s free transfer to the Olimpico from Bournemouth appears unlikely.

Transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports that Roma star Dybala is in talks with Boca Juniors through his entourage.

Roma’s uncertain Roma future

La Joya’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Roma have yet to decide whether to offer the Argentine a new deal.

According to the report, Roma are considering a contract extension at a lower salary, but the two parties haven’t yet begun talks. Both sides are taking time to assess future options.

Dybala’s future at the club is highly uncertain, with an exit more likely than an extension at this stage, according to Moretto.

The player’s camp has been in talks with Boca Juniors directors for several weeks, and the feeling is that the Argentine has entered the final months of his spell at Roma with a return to Argentina on the cards.

Senesi’s Roma move unlikely

Roma and Dybala will meet in the coming weeks to make a mutual decision about the future.

There’s also an update on Bournemouth defender Senesi, who is available for a free transfer at the end of his contract in June.

Roma are among the clubs interested, but according to Moretto, there is “no chance” of the Giallorossi signing Senesi, who has received offers from other clubs as well.

Kevin De Bruyne has returned to Naples to continue his recovery and told Napoli fans he’d return to action ‘soon.’

Napoli star De Bruyne returned to Naples on Sunday, February 22, after spending the last few months abroad, where he completed the initial phase of his rehabilitation from a severe muscle injury.

De Bruyne returns to Naples

The Belgium internatinal underwent surgery in Antwerp at the end of October after suffering a high-grade tear of the biceps femoris in the right thigh.

As reported by CalcioNapoli24, De Bruyne landed at Naples’ Capodichino Airport on Sunday.

Napoli confirmed De Bruyne’s return to the training centre on Monday “to continue and complete his recovery.”

Upon arriving in Naples yesterday, De Bruyne reportedly told Napoli fans that he felt “well” and that he would “be back soon.”

When will De Bruyne return to action?

The 34-year-old will now continue his recovery in Naples, but is not expected to return to action before April.

The former Manchester City star has scored four goals and provided two assists in 11 appearances across all competitions this season.

Bodo/Glimt coach Kjetil Knutsen ignores Inter’s complaints about the Norwegian side’s home turf: ‘Manchester City didn’t even mention it.’

Bodo/Glimt have travelled to Milan for the second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off against Inter.

The Norwegian side earned a 3-1 win over the Nerazzurri last week, so they’ve come to Milan to defend a two-goal lead in the decider.

Inter had complained about Bodo/Glimt’s artificial turf even before last week’s match. The Serie A table leaders not only lost their game last week but also saw their captain and top scorer, Lautaro Martinez, suffer a muscle injury that will sideline him for a month.

“There’s nothing I can do about it. We must only focus on what we can control,” Knutsen said at a pre-match press conference on Monday via TMW.

“City didn’t even mention the field, and neither are we accustomed to the San Siro turf. I keep the focus on something else. To me, it’s not smart to talk about other contexts that don’t concern football, but what others do is not important to me.”

Back in January, Gigio Donnarumma’s Manchester City had lost 3-1 away to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League group stage.

Bodo/Glimt also beat Atletico Madrid in the previous stage of the competition and recently received praise from ex-Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp.

“Klopp is a great man and coach, I’m happy with his compliments, but I think about Bodo/Glimt,” said Knutsen.

“I want the players to focus on the game, and I must do the same.”

Federico Dimarco feels ‘obliged’ to help Inter qualify for the Champions League Round of 16, but he’d prefer to qualify for the World Cup with Italy rather than win the European Cup with the Nerazzurri.

Inter host Bodo/Glimt at San Siro in the second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off on Tuesday.

The Nerazzurri must come back from two goals down, having suffered a 3-1 away loss in Norway last week.

Inter vs. Bodo/Glimt – Dimarco’s pre-match interviews

During his pre-match press conference (via FcInter1908), Dimarco discussed Inter’s tactical approach for tomorrow’s match.

“Obviously, quite attacking,” he said.

“We are down two goals. We must pay attention to their counterattacks as they’ve been lethal in other Champions League games this season.

“First of all, we must think about scoring, then we’ll see how the game goes. The first thought will be to make the comeback as soon as possible.”

Dimarco has contributed to 21 goals across all competitions this season, scoring six times and providing 15 assists and praised his coach Cristian Chivu: “He’s given me a lot of advice since the start of the year.

“We must try, we are Inter. We must play this match as we have in other Champions League matches we’ve played in recent years,” Dimarco continued.

“The same goes for the national team. We’ve missed the last two World Cups, and we are obliged to try.”

The national team was also mentioned during Dimarco’s interview with Sky Sport Italia when the Italy star was asked to choose between winning the Scudetto or the Champions League with Inter or qualifying for the World Cup with the Azzurri.

The left wing-back smiled and replied: “Please, let me pick two: Scudetto and qualification for the World Cup.”

Inter coach Cristian Chivu hit back at a Norwegian journalist during a pre-match press conference today: ‘We respect Bodo/Glimt, you don’t respect us.’

Inter coach Chivu was not happy with the attitude of a Norwegian reporter who asked him whether Inter should feel ashamed if they are eliminated by Bodo/Glimt from the Champions League knockout play-off.

Chivu appeared irritated as he quickly responded to the journalist, removing his headphones to hear the translation.

Chivu hits back at Norwegian reporter

“Yeah, you even laugh. Congratulations,” Chivu said.

“Nothing is shameful in football. In football, there’s work from a club and a team, on one side and the other, and we have to accept and respect the opponent, given that you don’t respect us by calling us this way, saying that we must be ashamed to lose against such a team, against a city with 50,000 citizens.

“We have great respect for what Bodo has done against us, but also in Madrid and against City and Dortmund. We respect our opponents and congratulate them on the good things they’ve built in recent times.

“When you have clear ideas, you can bring something nice forward. But we are not ashamed, because we tried to be the best version of ourselves last week, when they were better than us, and we congratulated them.”

Chivu already said during his pre-match interview with Sky Sport Italia that his players should not feel pressured to score more than two goals tomorrow.

The Nerazzurri lost 3-1 away in Norway last week and will be looking to turn the result around on Tuesday at San Siro.

During his press conference, Chivu also spoke about Alessandro Bastoni’s state of mind following recent controversies.

“We had a bad week, but I’m proud of what the lad did on the pitch,” said the Inter coach.

“It was not easy to play that game without being influenced. Now we are focused on the future and on the next match.”

Asked whether Inter players would need extra motivation for tomorrow’s match, Chivu replied: “I didn’t listen to my coaches, neither before nor after a game. I relied on my thoughts, my sense of responsibility, and my confidence. I was more worried about not letting my teammates down. Had I listened to my coaches more, I’d have earned something more. There’s no need to motivate them; they know how important this game is.”

Thiago Motta had a better record than his successors, Igor Tudor and Luciano Spalletti, at Juventus after 26 Serie A rounds in 2024-25 as the Bianconeri have now hit their lowest point in 15 years.

Juventus’ 2-0 loss to Como on Saturday left the Bianconeri fifth in the standings, with 46 points, four points behind a Champions League spot.

As reported by Gazzetta, it’s Juventus’ worst record since 2010-11 when they had collected just 41 points in the opening 26 league games under Luigi Delneri.

Thiago Motta was sacked in March last year, but his Juventus side had earned 49 points after 26 Serie A matches. Juventus had scored the same number of goals, 43, and had a more solid defence, conceding 21 goals compared to this season’s 25.

Motta collected 13 draws in his opening 26 games in charge of Juventus, but had only lost once, while the Bianconeri had suffered six defeats in 2025-26.

Motta was sacked after 29 games with Juventus in March last year. The Bianconeri had suffered heavy Serie A defeats against Atalanta and Fiorentina; they sat fifth in the Serie A table and had been eliminated from the Champions League knockout play-off.

Motta’s successor, Tudor, was also sacked at the end of October last year. The Croad averaged 1,50 points per game at Juventus earlier this season, while Spalletti has averaged 1,82.

Juventus have lost four of their five games across all competitions, including two defeats and one draw in their last three Serie A encounters.

• Read more – Comolli and Spalletti under scrutiny as Juventus enter decisive week – report

Inter coach Cristian Chivu says his players must ‘not feel the pressure’ to score two or three goals against Bodo/Glimt: ‘We know we can turn a negative result around.’

Inter are preparing for the second leg of the Champions League knockout play-off against Bodo/Glimt. The Nerazzurri suffered a 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture in Norway last week. Therefore, they need a win by two goals to send the game to extra time and a three-goal margin to qualify for the Round of 16.

Inter vs. Bodo/Glimt – Chivu’s pre-match interview

Hakan Calhanoglu has missed the last two games, but Chivu didn’t provide any update on whether the Turkish midfielder would return to action tomorrow: “We’ll see,” the Inter coach told Sky Sport Italia via TMW.

Chivu was asked how he’s been preparing the team for the match: “Nothing changes; we must go out on the field to win and be aware that we can. We must not feel the pressure to score two or three goals to qualify. We must do our best, being clear-headed to understand the moments in the game, knowing that we are a team that can turn a negative result around. We must be aware that we need to stay balanced because Bodo are very dangerous in transitions.”

The Nerazzurri’s defeat in the first leg was quite unexpected, especially given their dominance in Serie A.

“There was a lot of bitterness because we could have done more. We had to do more. In the end, we deserved the result,” he said.

“We immediately focused on Saturday’s match, which was just as important. And, since Saturday, we’ve been thinking about this. We’ll play just 72 hours after the last game. In Lecce, it was even less than 72 hours from the previous match, including the return to Milan and the flight to Lecce.”

Inter beat Lecce 2-0 away in Serie A on Saturday and extended their lead over second-placed Milan to ten points as the Rossoneri lost 1-0 at home against Parma.

“We are a team that can turn a result around, we are all confident, and we’ll do our best,” Chivu continued.

“From the beginning, we’ve been taking one game at a time without planning too far ahead. We are ready; we can both physically and mentally handle all competitions and games at our best.

“What I care about is the approach, the mental preparation for the game and the trust—being our best version, being aware that we can turn it around. It could last 120 minutes, plus penalties, and we must be ready on all fronts.”

Former Juventus and Italy goalkeeper Stefano Tacconi admits he’d be ‘happy’ if the Bianconeri miss out on Champions League qualification this season: ‘They could get rid of many players.’

Juventus lost four of their last five games across all competitions, collecting just one point in the last three Serie A matches.

The Bianconeri are four points below Napoli and Roma and will visit the Giallorossi in their next Serie A match. Juventus risk missing out on the top four, but Tacconi would not be concerned.

“I’d even be happy. At that point, the club could get rid of many players and have more room for high-level players,” he told reporters via TMW.

“But there’s another matter: who wants these players?

“It’s very hard, but everything has to change. After such a failure, it would be fair; I’d be happy not to see some of these faces on the field.

“Aside from the financial part, it would be a total failure. I repeat the same issue: who wants these players? Perhaps somebody will have to learn a bit less. Nowadays, agents hold the power; nobody moves alone; there isn’t the same personality there used to be.”

• Read more – Comolli and Spalletti under scrutiny as Juventus enter decisive week – report

Christian Pulisic has had a tough start to the year as the Milan star hasn’t yet scored a goal in 2026, while the Rossoneri have fallen ten points behind table leaders Inter.

Milan star Pulisic has gone two months without scoring, with his last goal coming in a 3-0 win over Verona on December 28, 2025.

Pulisic’s issues in 2026

The 27-year-old had had a fantastic start to the season, netting eight times and providing two assists in his first 11 Serie A games this term.

His season, however, has been affected by fitness issues that, in recent weeks, have drastically reduced his playing time.

Pulisic made a strong return to action after spending a month on the sidelines in October due to a hamstring injury suffered while on USMNT international duty.

A more recent bursitis, however, has proved trickier for the American star, who has started only two Serie A games since January.

Pulisic’s missed chances

As highlighted by Calciomercato.com, aside from his fitness issues, Pulisic hasn’t been as ruthless as in the first part of the campaign, wasting some big chances in games against Parma and Fiorentina.

Pulisic is under contract with Milan until 2027, but the club hold an option to extend for a further campaign.

Sunday’s 1-0 home defeat against Parma leaves the Rossoneri second in the Serie A table, 10 points behind their city rivals, Inter.

• Read more – Report Pulisic waits for Milan contract offer as Liverpool and Arsenal loom

Check out the latest team news and probable line-ups for today’s Serie A games, Fiorentina-Pisa and Bologna-Udinese, which end Round 26.

Serie A Round 26 ends today with two games: the Tuscan derby between Fiorentina and Pisa at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) and Bologna’s home game against Udinese at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT).

Fiorentina and Pisa are in the relegation zone, but a win would allow the Viola to catch Lecce and Cremonese with 24 points outside the danger zone. Pisa sit at the bottom of the table, level on 15 points with Verona.

Bologna lead Udinese by just one point in 10th position, with a Conference League spot eight points away from the Rossoblu.

Both games will be broadcast on DAZN in the UK and Ireland, and on Paramount+ in the USA.

Fiorentina vs. Pisa team news

Rolando Mandragora is suspended for the Tuscans, and so is their head coach, Paolo Vanoli. Tariq Lamptey is injured. Pisa have travelled to Florence without the injured Simone Scuffet, Daniel Denoon, Isak Vural and Stengs.

Fiorentina vs. Pisa probable line-ups

Fiorentina (4-1-4-): De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Parisi; Fagioli; Harrison, Brescianini, Ndour, Solomon; Kean.

Pisa (3-5-2): Nicolas; Canestrelli, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Touré, Loyola, Aebischer, Marin, Angori; Moreo, Stojilkovic.

Bologna vs. Udinese team news

Charalampos Lykogiannis and Benjamin Dominguez are injured for Bologna and Vincenzo Italiano is expected to rotate heavily ahead of next week’s Europa League match against Brann. Udinese are without the injured Razvan Sava, Alessandro Zanoli, Keinan Davis and Hannase Kamara.

Bologna vs. Udinese – probable line-ups

Bologna (4-3-3): Skorupski; De Silvestri, Casale, Heggem, Miranda; Pobega, Sohm, Odgaard; Orsolini, Dallinga, Rowe.

Udinese (3-5-1-1): Okoye; Bertola, Solet, Kabasele; Ehizibue, Ekkelenkamp, Karlstrom, Atta, Zemura; Zaniolo: Bayo.

Third-choice Napoli Nikita Contini voices his discontent over referee decisions on social media after a 2-1 loss against Atalanta: ‘What a farce today’s football is.’

Napoli suffered a 2-1 away defeat at Atalanta on Sunday, but were outraged by the referee’s decisions, sending their director, Giovanni Manna, to the media to complain after the match.

The Partenopei had a penalty kick revoked in the first half after a VAR check, while referee Daniele Chiffi ruled out their second goal for a Rasmus Hojlund foul on Isak Hien.

Contini: ‘How beautiful real football was’

“Night thought. How beautiful real football was,” Contini wrote in an Instagram story.

“Real clashes, real hits, insults, real tackles, real refereeing, and fans who could travel everywhere. And the list goes on. I could keep going, and not just a little.

“What a farce today’s football is. Football is a serious matter; otherwise, we might as well take up dancing.”

Napoli fans were not allowed to buy tickets for the game in Bergamo as they’ve been banned from away games until the end of the season, like those of Lazio, Roma and Fiorentina, for security reasons.

Earlier this year, their fans clashed while travelling for away games, prompting Italian authorities to impose a ban on them.

Napoli’s defeat against Atalanta leaves the Partenopei third in the standings, level on 50 points with Roma and four points above fifth-placed Juventus.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus owner John Elkann will make assessments on director Damien Comolli and coach Luciano Spalletti, especially if the Bianconeri fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Juventus enter a decisive week, facing Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday and Roma in Serie A on Sunday.

Following a 2-0 home loss against Como, the Bianconeri are four points below a Champions League spot occupied by Roma and Napoli in Serie A.

Things look even less rosy in the Champions League as the Old Lady suffered a 5-2 away defeat against Galatasaray last week in the first leg of the knockout play-off.

It goes without saying that the next two games will be vital for Juventus, and according to Gazzetta, negative results could have consequences for Comolli and Spalletti at the end of the season.

Spalletti’s contract expires in June, and even if the Italian tactician and club directors have said that they’re very much willing to continue together beyond the summer, failing to finish in the top four could lead to different scenarios.

Juventus owner John Elkann is said to be on good terms with Spalletti and to be in regular contact with the Italian tactician.

Comolli was appointed as Juventus’ General Manager last summer and promoted to CEO in November.

Comolli’s transfer decisions at Juventus

Transfer decisions made by the French director have raised eyebrows as new acquisitions have failed to have an impact in Turin, especially Edon Zhegrova and Lois Openda.

The latter has only scored twice in 34 appearances across all competitions, and Juventus will have to make his move permanent at the end of the season for €45m.

As reported by Fabrizio Romano in November, Juventus have an obligation to sign the Belgian striker next summer if they finish in the top 10 in Serie A this season.

Milan star Rafael Leao didn’t hide his frustration over Parma’s winning goal at San Siro on Sunday, sharing an image from December’s match against Sassuolo, when the Rossoneri had a goal ruled out for a similar incident.

Parma’s winning goal against Milan on Sunday has infuriated the Rossoneri, and Rafael Leao has taken to social media to highlight the inconsistency of referee decisions this season.

Following Milan’s 1-0 loss against Parma on Sunday, Leao posted two different pictures in his Instagram stories.

The first one showed an incident from a December match against Sassuolo, when the Rossoneri had a goal disallowed for a Ruben Loftus-Cheek foul.

The English midfielder undermined an opponent in the air in the build-up to Christian Pulisic’s goal, which was then disallowed.

The second picture showed Mariano Triolo’s winning goal for Parma on Sunday, in which the Ducali defender appeared to make illegal contact with a Milan defender.

Leao added three dots on the second image, subtly emphasising his frustration with the referee’s call.

Milan’s defeat against Parma is only their second in Serie A this season, but it leaves the Rossoneri ten points below table leaders Inter.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

The Devil lose against Parma and attack the referee

Milan rage, Inter +10

Foul on Loftus-Cheek and goal conceded: Piccini and VAR on the Rossoneri’s target. Nerazzurri have a Scudetto breakthrough.

Juve collapse, worse than Motta

The numbers don’t add up anymore; the fourth placement is at -4

Super Roma, Napoli caught

Gasp, three goals to Cremonese. The champions are furious after Atalanta’s comeback

Toro beaten by Genoa, assessments on Baroni

Corriere dello Sport

Milan, gift to Inter

Defeat against Parma at San Siro (0-1). Chivu stays +10.

Allegri’s unbeaten run stops after 24 games. Leao hits the post. Loftus-Cheek has a mandibular fracture. Troilo-goal: third consecutive win for Cuesta.

Referees, another flop

Disastrous Chiffi and VAR: Atalanta win 2-1 but Manna shouts: ‘Enough!’

Napoli’s 2-0 cancelled out: ‘It’s a disgrace.’

Roma jump: they are third

Cremonese beaten 3-0, Napoli caught

Juve, five days in or out

Future at stake between Wednesday and Sunday. Spalletti talks to the fans: a pact to save the season

De Rossi, what a tris. Baroni set to leave.

Tuttosport

Juve, everything is in question

Even the coach, who remains a cornerstone in the club’s plans, must make assessments on his future. From mea culpa to a day off, he’s tried anything to give a charge ahead of Galaasaray.

Toro, D’Aversa to avoid Serie B

Baroni’s sacking is expected today. Cairo already has an agreement with the ex-Empoli coach, who is open to staying until June, given his excellent rapport with Petrachi. Protests grow stronger.

Roma, overwhelming Champions party

Napoli, VAR doesn’t work: ‘We are not stupid.’

Ahi Milan, Cuesta hurts: Inter go +10.