Alessandro Renica has sparked debate by laying the blame for Napoli’s lengthy injury list squarely at the door of Antonio Conte, arguing that the head coach’s demanding training methods have taken a significant physical toll on the squad.

The former Napoli defender, who spent six years at the club between 1985 and 1991 winning two Serie A titles, a Coppa Italia and the UEFA Cup, made his comments on Stile TV, and they are unlikely to go down well in certain quarters.

Napoli have been badly hampered by injuries this season, with Kevin De Bruyne, Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Amir Rrahmani among the high-profile absentees at various points.

Renica: ‘Conte’s methods to blame for Napoli injuries’

Renica believes the volume and nature of Conte’s training sessions at Castel Volturno is a root cause.

“I believe all these injuries are linked to Conte’s training methods,” he said, with quotes via CalcioMercato.

“I have never attended his sessions, but you only need to listen to what the players say. De Bruyne, for example, said that in ten years at Manchester City he never ran as much as he did in three months at Napoli. Excessive dry work tends to stress the muscles, and that is when injuries occur. I have my coaching badge and have tried both methodologies, but when I worked with heavy dry training I had a lot of muscular problems.”

Rrahmani’s situation particularly concerned Renica.

“He is on his third muscular injury and has become practically irreplaceable in this defence. Having him available only intermittently really hurts.”

Renica was careful to acknowledge Conte’s broader qualities, describing him as tactically impeccable and a proven winner. But he added a pointed caveat.

“From a physical standpoint, it is a shame he does not seek to improve. Not progressing past the Champions League group stage this season against those opponents was significant, I think it is a genuine limitation.”

On Napoli’s squad quality, Renica was effusive, rating it alongside Inter as the strongest in Serie A.

“But when eight players of that calibre are missing,” he concluded, “it becomes extremely complicated, and this season, between the Champions League exit and the distance from the top of the table, more could have been done.”

Sunday evening’s clash between Roma and Juventus at the Stadio Olimpico carries enormous weight in the race for Champions League football, and both sides have received welcome fitness news ahead of what promises to be a compelling encounter.

Juventus will be boosted by the return of Gleison Bremer, who is expected to start at the heart of defence alongside Lloyd Kelly.

The Brazilian centre-back’s presence will be a significant lift for Luciano Spalletti, whose side head to Rome looking to close the gap on the top four after a difficult run of results.

With Manuel Locatelli suspended, Teun Koopmeiners is the likeliest candidate to fill the midfield void, while Jonathan David is expected to lead the attack once again, supported by Francisco Conceição, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz behind him.

Roma vs Juventus – Dybala & Bremer fit again

For Roma, the headline team news is Paulo Dybala’s return to fitness, with the latest updates courtesy of Sky Sport Italia.

The Argentine forward has trained fully with the group and is available to face his former club, a fixture that always carries personal significance for ‘La Joya’.

However, a start from the first minute looks unlikely given the time he has spent on the sidelines, with Gian Piero Gasperini expected to use him from the bench. Donyell Malen is set to lead the Roma attack, with Manu Koné and Bryan Cristante providing the midfield backbone.

There is less positive news elsewhere in the Roma camp, with both Matias Soulé and Mario Hermoso ruled out of the match, leaving Gasperini with limited options as he prepares his side for a fixture that could prove pivotal in determining who secures Champions League football next season.

Simone Inzaghi arrived in Saudi Arabia as one of the hottest coaching properties in world football, fresh from back-to-back Champions League finals with Inter Milan and a contract worth a reported €26 million per season, making him the second highest-paid manager on the planet behind only Diego Simeone.

Right now, however, his golden seat is beginning to feel considerably less comfortable, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

What began as a dream appointment for Al-Hilal has unravelled at an alarming pace. The Riyadh club had stormed to the top of the Saudi Pro League with a seven-point cushion over their rivals, the kind of dominant early-season form that suggested Inzaghi had taken to his new surroundings seamlessly.

Then January arrived, and with it, the signing of Karim Benzema, a move Inzaghi himself had pushed for.

The results since have been deeply concerning.

Five draws from their last seven matches have seen Al-Hilal slip to third in the table, now four points behind leaders Al-Ahli, who count Franck Kessié and Merih Demiral among their ranks, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr also above them.

Al-Hilal dissatisfied with Inzaghi performance

According to Arabic media, the club’s ownership is far from satisfied, and supporters have begun openly calling for Inzaghi’s dismissal. Sacking a manager on his salary would represent an enormous financial commitment, but the reports suggest it is far from an impossible outcome.

There is a painfully familiar precedent for Inzaghi here. In his first season at Inter, his side held a seven-point lead in Serie A only to be overhauled in the final weeks by Stefano Pioli’s Milan, a collapse that still stings. Now he finds himself needing to reverse a similar deficit, this time against Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus’ Al-Nassr.

The next two fixtures will be decisive.

Al-Hilal face Al-Shabab, currently twelfth in the table, before turning their attention to the Asian Champions League last 16 against Al-Saad, managed by Inzaghi’s former Italy teammate Roberto Mancini.

Win both and the pressure eases. Anything less and the questions surrounding his future will grow considerably louder.

Parma welcome Cagliari to the Stadio Ennio Tardini tonight, as Carlos Cuesta’s side look to make it four consecutive victories against a fellow mid-table team.

The Gialloblu have picked up back-to-back-to-back wins against Bologna, then Verona, then Milan at San Siro.

Carlos Cuesta has significantly improved the club’s fortune and his pragmatic approach to tactics and team selection see them sit in 12th place, on 32 points. This gives them an eight point gap on the relegation zone and safety should be on the cards this campaign.

Cagliari, meanwhile, sit a place below Parma in 13th. The Sardinians are three points behind tonight’s opposition and they can go level on points, therefore, with a victory.

Parma vs Cagliari – Official Lineups

Parma: Corvi, Del Prato, Troilo, Valenti, Britscghi, Bernabe, Keita, Ordonez, Valeri, Strefezza, Pellegrino.

Cagliari: Caprile, Ze Pedro, Dossena, Rodriguez, Obert, Adopo, Liteta, Sulemana, Palestra, Esposito, Kilicsoy.

27-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 27

Parma Store (Stadio Ennio Tardini)

Parma

Cagliari

Live

0 - 0

Parma

Cagliari

Starting lineups

40

Edoardo Corvi

Goalkeeper

14

Emanuele Valeri

Defender

15

Enrico Delprato

Defender

5

Lautaro Valenti

Defender

37

Mariano Troilo

Defender

27

Sascha Britschgi

Defender

10

Adrián Bernabé

Midfielder

24

Christian Ordoñez

Midfielder

16

Mandela Keita

Midfielder

7

Gabriel Strefezza

Attacker

9

Mateo Pellegrino

Attacker

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

Substitutes

41

Hans Nicolussi Caviglia

Midfielder

29

Franco Carboni

Defender

66

Filippo Rinaldi

Goalkeeper

39

Alessandro Circati

Defender

8

Nahuel Estévez

Midfielder

22

Oliver Sörensen

Midfielder

21

Gaetano Oristanio

Midfielder

17

Jacob Ondrejka

Attacker

31

Zion Suzuki

Goalkeeper

25

Benja Cremaschi

Midfielder

23

Nesta Elphege

Attacker

63

Marlon Mena Martinez

Defender

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

90

Michael Folorunsho

Midfielder

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

38

Ivan Sulev

Midfielder

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

40

Roberto Malfitano

Midfielder

Lorenzo Lucca’s difficult season shows no sign of turning around at Nottingham Forest, raising serious questions about whether the English club will take up their option to sign him permanently this summer, and leaving Napoli facing a potentially costly headache.

The Italian striker joined Forest on loan in January, with the Premier League side holding an option to purchase him outright for €35 million.

On current evidence, that clause looks unlikely to be exercised, according to the latest reports from CalcioMercato.

Lucca has managed just 120 minutes of Premier League football since arriving in England, starting only once, against Wolverhampton, and has done little to impress in two Europa League appearances against Fenerbahce, being substituted at half-time in the second leg to widespread criticism from supporters online.

Napoli could pocket €35m from Lucca sale but Forest buyout unlikely

It represents a continuation of the miserable form that defined his six months under Antonio Conte at Napoli, where the chemistry between player and manager never materialised. Despite costing the club close to €40 million following his impressive 12-goal campaign at Udinese, Lucca started just four Serie A matches for Napoli and is perhaps best remembered for his red card during the 2-6 humiliation in Eindhoven.

Conte raised no objection to his January departure, and Forest’s managerial instability, four different managers already this season, has done Lucca no favours either.

Should Forest decline to trigger the purchase option, Napoli will find themselves with a striker who still has a contract until 2030 but whose market value has fallen considerably.

Recouping anything close to their original investment looks increasingly improbable, leaving the club with a significant financial problem to solve in the summer window.

A simmering dispute between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund has spilled into the open, with the Italian club having filed a formal complaint to FIFA over the departure of teenage forward Samuele Inacio.

The 17-year-old, son of former Atalanta and Napoli striker Pià, left Bergamo for Dortmund in 2024 without any transfer fee or compensation changing hands, with reports via CalcioMercato.

Under FIFA’s regulations governing the movement of minor players, clubs are not entitled to a fee when a player under the age of 18 moves abroad, and Dortmund used that framework to acquire the youngster without entering into any financial agreement with Atalanta.

Atalanta upset with Dortmund over nature of Inacio deal

It is a move that has left a bitter taste in Bergamo. Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi has made his feelings abundantly clear, pointedly snubbing the UEFA lunch at both the home and away legs of the clubs’ recent European encounter in what amounted to a public statement of displeasure. His words on the matter were measured but damning.

“For me it is a very serious matter that Dortmund never made themselves available to sit down with us to clarify and resolve this issue, which we have consequently taken to FIFA,” Percassi said.

“From a legal standpoint, we are convinced we are in the right. From a moral standpoint, I will let everyone judge for themselves.”

Atalanta’s grievance centres not on the legality of the move, which technically complied with FIFA’s minor player regulations, but on what they see as a failure of professional courtesy and good faith from the German club.

The fact that Dortmund never sought to negotiate any form of agreement, however informal, is what appears to have caused the most damage to the relationship between the two clubs.

Inacio himself is considered one of the more exciting young Italian talents of his generation, making the manner of his departure all the more frustrating for Atalanta, who had invested significantly in his development.

With the FIFA complaint now formally lodged, the dispute looks set to run considerably longer before any resolution is reached.

Damien Comolli cut a bruised but defiant figure at the Financial Times Football Summit, speaking publicly for the first time since Juventus’ heartbreaking Champions League elimination at the hands of Galatasaray, a night he admits will take years to process.

“It will take years for me to get over it,” the Juventus CEO said plainly, with quotes via GianlucaDiMarzio.com, setting the tone for a candid address that touched on refereeing controversies, ownership stability, and the strategic roadmap he believes will eventually return the club to the summit of European football.

Comolli wasted little time in addressing the Lloyd Kelly red card that effectively ended Juventus’ hopes of completing a remarkable comeback. His frustration was barely concealed. “There was another very frustrating refereeing decision,” he said.

“I don’t understand how, for a game of this magnitude, they sent a referee who has only taken charge of ten Champions League matches in his entire career. Another incredibly frustrating red card that was never a red card, and we end up out of the Champions League. That game will hurt for many, many years, without doubt.”

He added a wry reference to a previous incident involving Inter, joking that he would try to avoid a UEFA suspension to go alongside the one he had already received from the FIGC.

Yet despite the raw emotion, Comolli was keen to emphasise that one result, however painful, would not alter the club’s decision-making philosophy. It is a stance that speaks to something deeper about how he believes elite sport should be run.

“A single game should not change the way we think,” he said. “We use data because data helps us make rational decisions in an incredibly emotional and irrational environment. I always tell people, we are paid to provide emotions, paid to create emotions, and paid to have no emotions when we make decisions.”

Juventus CEO Comolli: ‘Juventus must keep Spalletti’

On the question of what Juventus need to do to return to winning ways, Comolli’s answer was unequivocal, and pointed directly at Spalletti.

“If I had to answer today, I would say continuity,” he said. “It is important that we keep the same manager, the same strategy, the same style of play. This club has had six, seven, eight different coaches over two or three years. The team is finding its identity under Luciano Spalletti. Continuity, in alignment, in style, in the players who are showing their quality, is probably what we need if we want to succeed.”

The CEO also offered a revealing insight into his relationship with owner John Elkann, who works for the Agnelli family who have owned Juventus since 1923, the longest continuous ownership of any sports franchise in the world, as Comolli proudly noted.

He described a formative early conversation in which Elkann distilled the club’s values into three words, words Comolli says he intends to take to his grave.

“I use them constantly as a reference point,” he said.

“To stay aligned with him, and to align the rest of the club with the family’s values.”

On the subject of Tether’s minority stake and any speculation about a potential sale, Comolli was emphatic.

“John has been very clear, he will never sell the club. He was in the dressing room on Wednesday night to personally thank the players and the manager. He is incredibly involved, financially, emotionally, strategically.”

Comolli closed with a reflection on the weight of the job itself, one he clearly feels with intensity.

“What keeps me awake at night? Juventus,” he said.

“575 million fans globally, 200 million followers. I go to sleep thinking about Juventus, I dream about Juventus, I wake up Juventus. The responsibility to do things the right way is immense. I want to make the whole thing perfect and bring the club higher every single day.”

Piero Ausilio has offered a rare and candid glimpse behind the curtain at Inter Milan, addressing everything from the club’s appointment of Cristian Chivu to a long-forgotten pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, as a player, not a coach, in a wide-ranging interview with YouTube channel Colpi da Maestro.

The sporting director, who has been a central figure at Inter through multiple ownership regimes, was reflective on the club’s journey.

“We grew, I think that is the word that best represents my story here,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, acknowledging the difficult years operating under UEFA’s Financial Fair Play restrictions before Oaktree’s arrival helped stabilise the club’s finances.

One of the more surprising revelations concerned Fabregas, now impressing as Como’s head coach. Ausilio confirmed that Inter had indeed tried to sign the Spaniard, before he had even signed his first Barcelona contract – on the recommendation of former scout Pierluigi Casiraghi.

“He perhaps never even knew about it,” Ausilio said with a smile.

“Casiraghi kept pushing me. We tried, but he went to Arsenal, and given the career he had, that’s fine.”

Inter SD Ausilio: ‘Fabregas never close as coach, Chivu was the first call’

As for Fabregas the manager, Ausilio is an admirer, but was keen to set the record straight on reports linking him with the Inter job before Chivu was appointed.

“There was never really an Inter close to Fabregas as coach,” he said firmly.

“The first call was Chivu. When we faced the decision after Inzaghi, Chivu was the main idea, the one we believed in most. We knew him from his time with our Primavera, and his decision to take the Parma job showed real courage. We went straight to him and today we are absolutely delighted with that choice.”

Ausilio also revisited one of his most celebrated pieces of transfer business, the signing of Lautaro Martinez. He flew to Argentina personally to secure the deal at a time when the striker was on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid, and the negotiation very nearly collapsed.

“We had actually agreed a fee of less than what we ended up paying, around €20 million, but that evening he scored three goals and the next morning we had to start again,” Ausilio recalled.

The perseverance paid off handsomely. Lautaro is now club captain and one of Serie A’s finest strikers.

Looking back across his tenure, Ausilio singled out the wave of high-profile free transfers, Calhanoglu, Thuram, Mkhitaryan, De Vrij, Acerbi, as a defining strategic move during a financially constrained period.

“They gave quality on and off the pitch and are still relevant today,” he said. “We took advantage of a favourable situation.”

On Inter’s current standing, Ausilio pushed back against any suggestion that the club’s ambitions have been scaled back.

“When you start a season at Inter, you always think about winning everything,” he said.

“I never believe those who say fourth place is fine. With this mentality you build your squad and set your objectives, and Chivu is no different from those who came before him.”

Inter Milan’s shock elimination by Bodo/Glimt at the Champions League playoff stage has left a significant dent in the club’s finances, but the path to recovery may lie closer to home than expected.

The exit cost Inter dearly, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, UEFA’s €15 million prize for reaching the last 16, plus matchday revenue at San Siro, represented meaningful income for Oaktree’s balance sheet. Cristian Chivu’s side had entered the competition as reigning runners-up, making the defeat all the more damaging in terms of both image and finances.

Inter look to recoup UCL losses through Scudetto & Coppa double

Yet the response from within the club has been measured rather than panicked, and for good reason.

Inter remain in a commanding position to deliver a domestic double for the first time since José Mourinho’s treble-winning season of 2009-10.

In Serie A, Chivu has established a ten-point lead over second-placed Milan, a record points tally through 26 games for a first-time Inter manager. In Coppa Italia, they face Como in the semi-finals, with Atalanta or Lazio awaiting in the final at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on 13 May.

The financial reward for achieving both would help offset the European exit. The Serie A title brings approximately €16 million in television revenue distribution, while Coppa Italia winners pocket just over €7 million.

It will not fully replace Champions League income, but combined with potential player sales, a domestic double would go a long way, and make Chivu a permanent part of Inter’s history in the process.

Pervis Estupiñán’s time at Milan appears to be drawing to a close after just one disappointing season, with the club’s hierarchy understood to have made the decision to listen to offers for the Ecuadorian left-back this summer.

The former Brighton man arrived carrying the considerable weight of replacing Theo Hernández – a task that has proven beyond him.

According to CalcioMercato, via MilanNews, the Rossoneri are ready to cash in.

He has struggled to adapt to Massimiliano Allegri’s system and has gradually lost his place to young academy product Bartesaghi.

His numbers tell the story plainly: 16 appearances in total, just ten from the start, with no goals and a single assist to his name.

Milan want to recoup €14m from Estupiñán

Sporting director Igli Tare and CEO Giorgio Furlani have placed him on the list of players available for sale, and the financial parameters of any deal have already been established.

Milan paid Brighton €17 million plus €2 million in bonuses for Estupiñán, and with his contract running until 2030, the club need to recoup at least €14 million to avoid a damaging loss on their books.

To help achieve that figure, Milan are pinning their hopes partly on the 2026 World Cup.

Ecuador have been drawn in a group alongside Germany, Ivory Coast and Curaçao, and a series of strong performances on the international stage could significantly raise Estupiñán’s market value and reignite interest from clubs in Spain and England, where he still carries a solid reputation from his time at Villarreal and Brighton.

Despite reported interest from Bologna, the Rossoneri’s preference is a permanent sale abroad rather than a domestic move.

Paulo Dybala is pushing to be involved in one of the most personal fixtures in his calendar, with the Argentine forward determined to feature in Roma’s Serie A clash against his former club Juventus.

Dybala has been absent from Gian Piero Gasperini’s matchday squads for over a month, but according to Corriere dello Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Argentine stepped up his workload during training at Trigoria on Thursday, using the session to test the condition of his troublesome left knee.

He remains on an individual programme for now, but his determination to be involved, even from the bench, against the club where he made his name in Italian football is clear.

Roma team news: Dybala & Soule fight to start against Juventus

Friday’s training session will be the decisive test, with the medical staff closely monitoring his response before any decision is made on his inclusion.

Fellow Argentine and ex-Juventus man Matias Soulé is in a similar race against time, dealing with a pubic inflammation that has also kept him on the sidelines in recent weeks. Like Dybala, he is targeting a return for the Juventus fixture.

Should Dybala make it, his presence would be a significant boost for Roma both technically and emotionally.

The former Juventus forward has always reserved some of his best performances for the Bianconeri, and even a cameo from the bench could prove decisive in what promises to be a crucial encounter in the race for Champions League football.

Fiorentina welcome Polish side Jagiellonia Bialystok to the Stadio Artemio Franchi this evening, as the Viola look to book their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Conference League.

The Viola won the first leg in Poland with an impressive 3-0 victory, as they look to put their poor domestic form behind them to succeed in Europe’s third tier competition.

The Serie A side have been improving lately, including an impressive 2-1 win away at Como on Valentines Day and only having lost three matches out of eleven in 2026.

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

Fiorentina vs Jagiellonia Bialystok – Official Lineups

Fiorentina: Lezzerini; Fortini, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Gosens; Ndour, Mandragora, Fabbian; Dodo, Piccoli, Fazzini

Jagiellonia: Abramowicz; Wojtuszek, Vital, Pelmard, Wdowik; Romanczuk, Mazurek; Pozo, Imaz, Jozwiak; Pululu

26-02-2026 17:45

1/16 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Jagiellonia Białystok

2 1

2 - 4

Player statistic

1st half

Pietro Comuzzo		7'
		17'		Kamil Jozwiak
		23'		Bartosz Mazurek
		45+3'		Bartosz Mazurek

2nd half

		49'		Bartosz Mazurek (Assist: Afimico Pululu)
		75'		Samed Bazdar
Marin Pongracic		77'

Extra time

		94'		Álex Pozo
Dodô		101'
		105+1'		Taras Romanczuk
Nicolò Fagioli		107'
		110'		Bernardo Vital
Taras Romanczuk		114'
		118'		Jesús Imaz (Assist: Andy Pelmard)
		120'		Bernardo Vital

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

22

Total shots

15

8

Shots on target

10

9

Shots off target

5

5

Blocked shots

0

6

Corners

3

0

Offsides

1

20

Fouls

22

Fiorentina

Jagiellonia Białystok

Starting lineups

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

46'

2

Dodô

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

62'

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

46'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

62'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

89'

50

Slawomir Abramowicz

Goalkeeper

70

Andy Pelmard

Defender

27

Bartlomiej Wdowik

Defender

13

Bernardo Vital

Defender

7

Álex Pozo

Midfielder

117'

86

Bartosz Mazurek

Midfielder

106'

11

Jesús Imaz

Midfielder

15

Norbert Wojtuszek

Midfielder

66'

6

Taras Romanczuk

Midfielder

10

Afimico Pululu

Attacker

72

Kamil Jozwiak

Attacker

36'

Substitutes

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

100'

Manor Solomon

Attacker

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

46'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

46'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

62'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

89'

66

Adrian Damasiewicz

Goalkeeper

85

Eryk Kozlowski

Midfielder

17

Youssuf Sylla

Attacker

9

Dimitris Rallis

Attacker

106'

4

Yuki Kobayashi

Defender

117'

14

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

66'

8

Dawid Drachal

Midfielder

31

Leon Flach

Midfielder

89'

Antonio Conte has received mixed injury news ahead of Napoli’s Serie A trip to Verona, with one significant return offset by a continued absence in midfield.

The unwelcome news is that Scott McTominay will miss the fixture after failing to fully recover from a gluteal inflammation, according to Tuttosport.

The Scottish international has not been able to train at full intensity and will sit out the journey to Verona, with Conte hoping to have him available for the following home match against Torino at the Maradona.

Napoli team news: McTominay still out as Zambo Anguissa returns

The positive update comes in the form of Frank Zambo Anguissa, who has returned to full group training and even featured for a spell in a joint training session with Giugliano.

The Cameroonian is set to be named in the squad and could come off the bench in the second half if the situation calls for it.

In Anguissa’s absence from the starting lineup, the midfield partnership of Stanislav Lobotka and Eljif Elmas is expected to continue from the off.

Up front, Conte looks set to retain the same attacking trio that started in Bergamo, with Rasmus Højlund leading the line flanked by Antonio Vergara and Alisson, who has quickly demonstrated an understanding of Conte’s system since arriving at the club.

On the flanks, Matteo Politano is expected to edge out Mazzocchi on the right, while Miguel Gutiérrez continues to grow in influence on the left. At the back, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic should again start in goal, protected by a defensive three of Sam Beukema, Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus.

Napoli will travel to Verona following Friday morning’s training session, with Conte opting against holding a pre-match press conference.

UEFA have issued an official explanation for the red card shown to Lloyd Kelly during Juventus’ Champions League last-16 second leg against Galatasaray, after the decision sparked considerable controversy on a dramatic night at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus had produced a remarkable comeback to lead 3-0 on the night, level on aggregate, before the tie ultimately slipped away in extra time, with Victor Osimhen and Yilmaz scoring to send Galatasaray through.

But the pivotal moment arrived just three minutes into the second half, when Kelly was dismissed after referee João Pinheiro was called to the pitchside monitor by VAR.

UEFA: Juventus defender Kelly made ‘strong unfair contact’

The defender had originally been shown a second yellow card for the challenge, but following the VAR review, the booking was upgraded to a straight red, meaning Kelly will serve a two-match European ban rather than one.

The incident itself saw Kelly jump to contest a header and, upon landing, make contact with Yilmaz’s left ankle with his studs in what appeared to many observers to be an accidental collision in real time.

UEFA’s disciplinary note, however, left little room for debate.

“Using his studs, the Juventus player made a strong unfair contact with the opponent’s left ankle which clearly endangered the safety of his opponent,” the governing body stated.

Juventus Director of Football Strategy Giorgio Chiellini addressed the decision after the final whistle, though his words reflected a broader frustration with the club’s luck in recent weeks. “The team showed real character and sent a message,” he told Prime Video.

“There is regret and disappointment. We are not having much luck with these moments right now. Kelly’s red card? There is little to say about it.”

Inter Milan are monitoring the situation of Tottenham Hotspur right-back Pedro Porro as they begin planning for a potential departure of Denzel Dumfries.

According to reports from L’Interista, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Dutch international’s future at the San Siro remains uncertain, and that’s where Porro comes in.

While the possibility of a contract extension has been discussed, the current picture suggests the coming months could realistically be his last in Milan.

Should Dumfries choose to stay, Inter are understood to be interested in younger option Palestra as a long-term successor who could develop in his shadow, though the cost of that deal remains a consideration.

However, if Dumfries does move on, Inter’s hierarchy have identified Porro as their preferred solution.

Porro impresses Inter as club weigh up Dumfries successors

The Spanish international has impressed consistently at Spurs since joining from Sporting Lisbon, establishing himself as one of the more dynamic right-backs in the Premier League with his forward-thinking style and delivery from wide areas.

Tottenham are under no pressure to sell and have set their asking price at a minimum of €25 million, a figure that reflects both Porro’s age and the years remaining on his contract in north London.

The Nerazzurri will need to balance any potential outlay against their broader summer plans, particularly given the financial discipline the club have operated under in recent windows.

Nevertheless, with the right flank potentially requiring significant investment this summer, Porro has emerged as a concrete target should the Dumfries situation resolve itself in the direction of a departure.

Victor Osimhen marked his return to Turin with a goal as Galatasaray eliminated Juventus from the Champions League, but the romantic notion of the Nigerian striker one day pulling on a Juventus shirt is considerably more complicated than the warm words exchanged before the match might suggest.

When Napoli sold Osimhen to Galatasaray in the summer of 2025 for €75 million, they inserted a contractual clause specifically designed to block his return to Italian football, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Napoli clause hinders Juventus’ Osimhen dream

The clause runs for 24 months, meaning Osimhen could not move to a Serie A club until 1 September 2027 at the earliest, and carries a penalty fee of €70 million in the first year, reducing to €50 million in the second.

Any Italian club wishing to sign him would either need to trigger that penalty themselves or negotiate directly with Napoli to waive it, while Galatasaray would separately need to recoup their own investment.

De Laurentiis’ club also retain a ten percent sell-on fee, further complicating any potential deal.

Even setting aside the clause, the financial reality is daunting.

Osimhen earns a base salary of €15 million net per year, rising to as much as €21 million with bonuses, a figure no current Serie A club comes close to matching, and one that can no longer be offset by Italy’s Decreto Crescita tax incentive.

The irony is that Osimhen himself did little to dampen Juventus supporters’ hopes. He had previously admitted a move to the club “would be a privilege,” spoke glowingly of Spalletti, and notably declined to celebrate his goal at the Allianz Stadium out of respect for his former manager.

Juventus and Italy legend Alessandro Del Piero has delivered a frank assessment of Inter’s shock Champions League elimination at the hands of Bodo/Glimt, while issuing a rallying call to the Bianconeri ahead of their own daunting second leg against Galatasaray.

Speaking on Sky Sport, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Juventus legend was generous in his praise for the Norwegian side, but pulled no punches when it came to analysing Inter’s performance.

“Bodo played an exceptional game, their teamwork, desire and passion for the sport made the difference,” he said.

“But Inter were too passive. These are matches you win by doing something more than average, and tonight Inter played an average game. Often that is enough for them, but tonight everything went wrong.”

Del Piero: ‘Inter average, Juventus face titanic challenge’

Del Piero was particularly struck by the atmosphere inside the stadium and felt Inter failed to rise to the occasion.

“There were 80,000 people there, it only takes a moment to ignite a crowd like that,” he said.

“Their performance, not exactly lifeless but without that something extra, gives you pause for thought. It is a shame, because Inter had the tools to go through.”

Attention then turned to Juventus, who face Galatasaray on Wednesday holding a 5-2 deficit from the first leg, a mountain Del Piero described in stark terms.

“Juventus face a titanic challenge, far greater than the one Inter had,” he said.

“They need to give a response of pride, win the game and produce a superior performance. They need a spark to change the current trend, because they have lost several matches recently. It will be extremely difficult for them to go through, even if we all hope they do.”

Sandro Tonali was on the scoresheet today as the Italian midfielder helped Newcastle qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, as the first batch of play-off matches played out their second legs.

Matteo Ruggeri picked up an assist for Atletico Madrid, helping Los Colchoneros beat Club Brugge 4-1 to qualify for the Champions League round of 16.

“We’ll take ANYONE on”

Newcastle aren’t afraid of any team in the Champions League pic.twitter.com/doMmBjGz3t

— Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) February 24, 2026

Tonali scored within five minutes against Qarabag, as Newcastle breezed to a comfortable 9-3 win on aggregate – and the Azzurri midfielder was named as UEFA’s Player of the Match.

The UEFA Technical Observer Group said: “Tonali retained possession a lot, controlled the centre, made good passes, had lots of energy and scored his goal at an important time.”

Ruggeri, meanwhile, helped Atletico to a 7-4 aggregate victory in the day’s early kick-off.

Pirola out as Tonali & Ruggeri progress in Champions League

24-year-old defender Lorenzo Pirola was also in action, playing ninety minutes as Olympiacos drew 0-0 away at Bayer Leverkusen.

The draw, however, was not enough for Pirola and his Greek side to progress, having lost 2-0 at home in the first leg.

The rest of the Italians in action today were of course playing as Inter crashed out of the Champions League for the earliest time since the group-stage exit in 2020/21.

The Nerazzurri lost 2-1 to Bodo/Glimt at San Siro, losing 5-2 on aggregate. Bastoni, Dimarco, Barella, Frattesi and Pio Esposito were the Azzurri contingent who featured.

Inter’s Champions League dreams came to abrupt halt this evening as they were defeated 2-1 by Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt on the night, and 5-2 on aggregate.

It is an extremely disappointing result for the Nerazzurri, despite a spirited performance from Italian wing-back Federico Dimarco.

Football Italia’s Player of The Match was Bodo/Glimt forward Jens Petter Hauge – for his goal and assist that propelled his side into the last 16 of the Champions League.

Inter 1-2 Bodo/Glimt – Player Ratings

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 5.5, Akanji 5.5, Bastoni 7; Luis Henrique 6 (Diouf 6), Frattesi 6, (Sucic 6), Zielinski 6.5 (Bonny 7), Barella 7, Dimarco 7.5 (Dumfries N/A); Esposito 6, Thuram 6

Best Inter player: Federico Dimarco – Once again standing out as one of the Nerazzurri’s best players, Dimarco put in a stellar display from the left flank but was ultimately let down by his teammates. He created overwhelming chances and managed several attempts on goal himself.

Lowest Inter rating: Manuel Akanji – Shocking mistake to gift Bodo/Glimt their opener and it looked like an uphill struggle from that point for the Nerazzurri after dominating for most of the match. Wasn’t much better in the rest of the match.

Coach: Cristian Chivu 5.5 – Some may say this tie was lost in the first leg but defeat at San Siro with the stakes as high as they were is simply unacceptable. The team look lost without the likes of Calhanoglu and Lautaro and the coach’s tweaks and substitutions show he’s still learning.

Bodo/Glimt: Haikin 6.5; Sjøvold 6.5, Bjørtuft 6.5, Gundersen 6, Bjørkan 6 (Aleesami N/A); Evjen 7 (Saltnes N/A), Berg 6, Fet 6; Blomberg 6.5 (Helmersen 6), Høgh 6, Hauge 8

Best Bodo/Glimt player: Jens-Petter Hauge – The winger covered a lot of ground tonight, got himself on the scoresheet and picked up an assist. The former Milan man will have put a smile on the faces of his old supporters tonight with another excellent game.

Lowest Bodo/Glimt rating: Kasper Høgh – Hard to single out a worst performer for the visitors today, as they worked as such a team unit there was nobody who stuck out as poor. However, the MOTM from the first leg, Høgh, was much quieter today in comparison.

Coach: Kjetil Knutsen 8 – Once again had his team soak up Inter pressure and then hit them where it hurts with lethal counter attacks. Substitutions helped the overall gameplan, excellent night for the Bodo coach.

Manuel Akanji gifted Bodo/Glimt the lead against Inter at San Siro, moments after coming back onto the pitch after receiving treatment for a head injury.

Akanji took a blow to the head and came off the pitch to receive medical attention, before returning to the field after a couple of minutes.

No more than five minutes later, the away team had a surprise lead after the Swiss defender tried to carry the ball forward, got himself into trouble with Bodo’s front line, lost possession and gifted former Milan forward Jens Petter Hauge a goal.

The goal helped put an end to Inter’s Champions League hopes, and you can relive all the drama from the play-off clash on our Live Blog.

Watch: Akanji howler gifts Bodo/Glimt lead at Inter

A sloppy mistake at the back and Bodo/Glimt extend their aggregate lead at the San Siro @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/avPJZduFFw

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 24, 2026

BODØ/GLIMT STUN THE SAN SIRO

Former AC Milan striker Jens Petter Hauge cashes in on a gift of a mistake from Manuel Akanji to put the Norwegian side in total control pic.twitter.com/UoQUjDwz1q

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 24, 2026

The end of Kevin De Bruyne’s long injury nightmare is finally in sight, with the Belgian midfielder making a significant step forward in his recovery this week.

De Bruyne has been absent since late October, when he suffered a serious high-grade bicep femoris tear during Napoli’s match against Inter on 25 October.

The injury, sustained in his right thigh shortly after scoring a penalty, has kept him sidelined for almost four months, a frustrating spell for both player and club during a crucial phase of the season.

On Monday 23 February, De Bruyne returned to Napoli’s Castel Volturno training ground, working in the gym in what represents a meaningful sign that the worst is firmly behind him. Napoli are in no rush, however, with the club determined not to risk a setback by accelerating his return before he is fully fit.

De Bruyne ready to return for Napoli in March

De Bruyne himself offered a brief but encouraging message when he landed at Naples’ Capodichino airport on Sunday, greeted by waiting journalists.

According to Sky Sport, via CalcioMercato, De Bruyne could rejoin full group training as early as next week, the final step before Antonio Conte can consider calling him up for a competitive fixture.

Should everything go to plan, the most likely matches to target for his return are Napoli’s home clash with Torino on the weekend of 8 March, or alternatively the home fixture against Lecce the following weekend. Cagliari away, scheduled for 21-22 March, represents a third possible target date.

After four months on the sidelines, Napoli fans may not have to wait much longer.

Okan Buruk has urged Galatasaray not to assume their place in the Champions League quarter-finals is already secured, despite his side carrying a commanding 5-2 aggregate lead into Tuesday’s second leg at the Allianz Stadium.

The Turkish coach, who played in Italy during the 2002/03 season and retains fond memories of the country, was in a reflective mood ahead of what promises to be a charged atmosphere in Turin. But sentiment aside, his message to his players was clear, complacency is the enemy.

“We haven’t gone through yet,” Buruk said plainly, with quotes via TuttoSport.

“We feel the same enthusiasm as the first game and we must take to the pitch with the same desire to win. Juventus is an important club and they will have the backing of their supporters, we cannot think we are already in the next round.”

On the tactical approach, Buruk was equally straightforward, insisting there is no need for wholesale changes.

“We don’t need to do many things differently from the first game,” he said.

“We need enthusiasm, dedication and concentration. If you rely too heavily on the first-leg result, you will find the second leg more difficult.”

Galatasaray coach Buruk warns against underestimating Juventus

He also warned against underestimating a Juventus side desperate to turn their form around on home soil.

“They have strong players: Yildiz, Conceição, David,” he said.

“They didn’t play very well in the first game but now they are at home. Spalletti is a great coach. We are not relaxed, we need to be even stronger than in the first match.”

Buruk drew a personal parallel with Juventus’ current difficulties, suggesting the adversity his own squad have navigated over recent years has been key to their growth.

“The reason we have consolidated our strength,” he concluded, “is the confidence that excellent result gave us.”

Victor Osimhen has admitted that a move to Juventus could appeal to him in the future, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg at the Allianz Stadium, a tie in which his Galatasaray side hold a commanding 5-2 advantage from the first leg.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, with quotes via TuttoSport, the Nigerian striker was asked about his long-standing links with Juventus, having been heavily linked with the club in previous transfer windows before his move to Galatasaray materialised instead.

His response was candid.

“Juventus is one of the most important clubs, rich in history with so many legends,” he said.

“When they spoke to me at the time, I was eager to join before Galatasaray came along, but there were some obstacles and the transfer didn’t happen. If opportunities arise in the future, there are several clubs I would like to play for, playing here would be a privilege. But 90% of footballers in the world would want to play for Juventus.”

Osimhen refuses to take lead for granted as Galatasaray look to eliminate Juventus

Osimhen was equally forthright on the match itself, insisting Galatasaray will not be taking their lead for granted.

“It won’t be an easy game, especially for them, but we want to win,” he said, adding that his side intend to replicate their first-leg performance.

Galatasaray won the first leg with a comfortable 5-2 scoreline, putting all the pressure on Juventus to turn around the deficit in Turin on Wednesday.

The Nigerian also reflected on the mentality that has defined his career.

“I have never been satisfied enough with my performance,” he said. “I want to work hard, push the team to give their best. I don’t like to lose.”

Gianluigi Buffon has commented on Michele Di Gregorio’s difficult recent spell at Juventus, urging the club to rally around their goalkeeper rather than pile on the pressure during a challenging period.

Writing in La Gazzetta dello Sport, via CalcioMercato, the Juventus legend and current Italy national team delegation chief was measured but supportive in his assessment of the former Monza stopper, who has come under intense scrutiny, including on social media, following a string of unconvincing performances.

“Last season he was a pleasant surprise, decisive in securing Champions League qualification,” Buffon said. “Lately things haven’t been going as expected, but these are phases that can happen to anyone.”

Rather than calling for Di Gregorio to be dropped, Buffon framed any potential rest as a tool rather than a punishment.

“The manager and the club must close ranks, stay close to him and work out the best thing to do,” he said. “If a goalkeeper is given a break, it doesn’t mean he’s being written off, it can help him rediscover his composure and distance himself from certain pressures.”

Buffon: ‘I see myself in Carnesecchi’

Buffon then turned his attention to the broader landscape of Italian goalkeeping, and his verdict was emphatic.

With the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Guglielmo Vicario, Alex Meret, Marco Carnesecchi and Elia Caprile all operating at the highest level, he believes the Azzurri are uniquely well-stocked between the posts.

“The only problem Italy won’t have is the goalkeeper position, we have three or four among the best twenty in the world,” he said.

It was Carnesecchi, currently at Atalanta and a name repeatedly linked with Juventus in recent transfer windows, who drew the most personal praise. “I see myself in him in the way he approaches a game,” Buffon said. “He is bold, a bit swashbuckling. But everyone must make their own path.”

Manchester United have firmly distanced themselves from reports linking them with a sensational move to re-sign Scott McTominay as Napoli look to wrap up a contract extension before the 2026 World Cup begins.

TEAMtalk are reporting, via IlNapolista, that the Scottish midfielder’s name has never even been raised in internal discussions at Old Trafford, despite speculation from Spain suggesting the Red Devils were weighing up an £70 million move for their former player.

The reports had gathered momentum given McTominay’s outstanding form since his £25 million move to Napoli, where he has established himself as one of the most influential midfielders in Serie A.

Napoli look to extend McTominay contract

While United’s interest has been categorically denied, the more significant development is what is happening at Napoli’s end.

According to TEAMtalk, McTominay’s entourage has already opened talks over a contract extension, with the club keen to tie him down well beyond his current deal, which runs until 2028.

Crucially, Napoli are said to want the renewal wrapped up before McTominay departs for North America this summer for the World Cup, a timeline that underlines just how highly Antonio Conte’s club regard him.

McTominay himself has done little to fuel any exit talk. Speaking to Corriere dello Sport, he was unequivocal.

“My agent has not spoken to anyone about my future,” he said, before adding that he could see himself staying at Napoli for a long time.

For a player who has reinvented himself so emphatically since leaving English football, there appears to be little appetite for a return, and Napoli are doing everything they can to make sure it stays that way.

Luciano Spalletti has offered a glimpse into his thinking ahead of Juventus’ Champions League last-16 second leg against Galatasaray, with selection decisions across several key positions still yet to be finalised.

The Juventus head coach spoke to Sky Sport in the build-up to the tie, with his side needing to overturn a 5-2 deficit in the return fixture.

The contest promises to be a tense affair, and Spalletti’s team news will be closely scrutinised given the stakes involved and a number of fitness doubts hanging over the squad.

Juventus vs Galatasaray – ‘Yildiz wants to play’ – Spalletti

Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated update concerned Kenan Yildiz, and Spalletti’s words will delight supporters.

“Yildiz wants to be involved, all the signals he has sent point in that direction,” he said, with quotes via Alfredo Pedulla.

“He could start from the first minute.”

The Turkish forward has been one of Juventus’ most important players this season, and his potential return to the starting lineup will provide a significant lift ahead of such a crucial European night.

At the back, however, there is more uncertainty.

Spalletti confirmed that Gleison Bremer remains a doubt, with a final assessment planned for the morning of the match.

“There is a degree of risk with Bremer, we will evaluate carefully tomorrow morning,” he said, leaving his defensive options open.

In midfield, Spalletti indicated that either Teun Koopmeiners or Weston McKennie could operate on the left side, describing it as one of the likely options without fully committing to either.

There was also the suggestion that Mattia Perin could start in goal, potentially ahead of regular number one Michele Di Gregorio.

“There is a need to protect certain situations, but in this case it could be that way,” Spalletti said carefully.

Whatever the starting eleven, Spalletti left no doubt about what he demands from his players. “I will never be satisfied if we do not qualify,” he said plainly.

Parma’s late 1-0 victory against Milan at San Siro has continued to generate significant debate in the days that followed, with the goal that settled the match, scored by Troilo in the closing stages, at the centre of a storm of controversy.

Milan were upset, pointing to what they believed was obstruction by Valenti on goalkeeper Mike Maignan, as well as a foul by Troilo on Bartesaghi in the build-up.

The incident was reviewed at length by VAR, with referee Piccinini eventually reversing his original decision to disallow the goal, a call that has divided opinion sharply among analysts and former officials.

Tommasi plays down Milan v Parma controversy

One of the most respected voices in Italian refereeing, Dino Tommasi, addressed both incidents on Open VAR, and his assessment largely vindicated the officials on the day.

On the question of Valenti’s positioning in front of Maignan, Tommasi was clear, with quotes via Di Marzio.

“Piccinini initially whistled for obstruction by Valenti on Maignan, but in reality the Parma player does not move toward Maignan,” he said.

“Not whistling was the correct decision.” It is a view that contrasts sharply with Luca Marelli, who argued earlier in the week that Valenti’s block was deliberate and in breach of Rule 12.

On Troilo’s challenge on Bartesaghi, Tommasi was equally unconcerned. “Troilo does not foul, he simply wins the jump before Bartesaghi,” he said.

“He leans on him, but that is a natural, physiological movement.”

Tommasi also weighed in on the collision between Corvi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, which resulted in the Milan midfielder suffering a fractured alveolar bone, an injury that required surgery.

Despite the seriousness of the outcome, Tommasi maintained there was nothing untoward about the challenge.

“The on-field decision was correct. It was an accidental clash. Corvi was going for the ball but was beaten to it by his own teammate.”

His comments are unlikely to fully satisfy Milan supporters, for whom the defeat, and the manner of it, remains a deeply contentious subject.

But from an officiating standpoint, Tommasi’s verdict is clear: the right calls were made.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Serie A Matchday 26 concluded with Bologna’s 1-0 victory over Udinese at the Dall’Ara on Monday night, and attention now turns to Matchday 27, which gets underway on Friday 28 February with Parma hosting Cagliari at 20:45 CET (21:45).

The Italian Football Federation’s sporting judge has confirmed eight players will serve suspensions for the upcoming round of fixtures, with Alessandro Bastoni and Manuel Locatelli the most prominent names on the list.

Bastoni & Locatelli suspended for Inter & Juventus

Both players had been on yellow card warnings going into the weekend and were booked during Matchday 26, triggering automatic one-match bans.

Bastoni’s absence will be a blow for Inter, who are chasing a record-breaking title, while Locatelli’s suspension leaves Juventus short in midfield during a crucial period of the season.

Inter host Genoa whilst Juventus travel to Roma. However, both teams have the added challenge of must-win midweek games.

Juventus lost 5-2 to Galatasaray in their first leg whilst Inter lost 3-1 in Norway to Bodo/Glimt.

Fiorentina’s Dodo and Sassuolo’s Walukiewicz find themselves in the same boat, also picking up bookings while on final warnings.

Three players were dismissed during Matchday 26 and will each serve one-game bans as a result.

Cagliari’s Mina and Verona’s Al-Musrati were both shown second yellow cards, while Torino’s Ilkhan received a straight red and will also sit out one match.

Finally, Verona’s Orban remains suspended, still serving the second of a two-match ban handed down following Matchday 25.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​