Giuseppe Marotta has acknowledged the growing pressure of Milan’s pursuit in the Serie A title race while insisting Inter remain fully confident of holding on to claim the Scudetto.

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Speaking via video link at the Motore Italia event in Milan, with quotes via FCInter1908, the Inter president used a vivid metaphor to describe his club’s position at the top of the table.

“We are the hare that has to be stopped, it is the most difficult position to be in,” he said, when asked whether he felt Milan breathing down his neck.

“It is easier to be the hunter. But we are competitive and convinced we can do it. I want to transmit optimism to the squad and to our supporters.”

Marotta calm as Inter look to wrap up Scudetto title

The comments come at a pivotal stage of the season, with Milan having closed the gap following their derby victory and now applying genuine pressure on Cristian Chivu’s side in the closing weeks of the campaign.

Marotta’s measured but confident tone suggests there is no panic at Viale della Liberazione, though the acknowledgement that leading from the front carries its own unique pressures was notably candid for a club president.

Marotta also touched briefly on the long-running new stadium project, describing it as a necessity for both Inter and Milan to meet international standards.

“It means creating employment, wellbeing and commercial activity,” he said. “Sport is an asset for our nation just like tourism, we must also thank the Olympic machinery for what it has generated.”

Alessandro Nesta has paid warm tribute to his former AC Milan teammates Paolo Maldini and Andrea Pirlo, while also offering a revealing assessment of Massimiliano Allegri’s evolution as a manager, speaking to Corriere della Sera to mark his 50th birthday.

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The former Italy international, who won two Champions League titles during his time at San Siro, was asked to reflect on the teammates who left the deepest impression on him.

On Pirlo, his admiration was immediate and genuine. “I knew he was good, but only when I was able to work with him did I realise he was a genius,” he said, with quotes via MilanNews.

Nesta full of praise for Milan teammates Maldini & Pirlo

For sheer professionalism, though, it was Maldini who set the standard that shaped Nesta’s understanding of what it meant to be a winner.

“When I arrived at Milan and saw that, despite not being a youngster anymore, he was always giving everything at full speed, I understood why Milan always won,” he said. “At Lazio we clung to a lot of excuses to justify our failures.”

His most cherished memory? The 2003 Champions League final in Manchester against Juventus. “It was my first. From that moment, reaching the final became an obligation.”

On Allegri, Nesta was candid about a rocky start to their relationship. The pair clashed over Pirlo’s role when Allegri arrived at Milan from Cagliari, Nesta found it inconceivable that his friend was not the fulcrum of the team.

“For Max, walking into a dressing room of champions who had won everything and were at the end of a cycle was not easy,” he said. The Nesta of today, however, sees a very different coach. “Now he is much more determined, stronger for all the experiences and victories he has accumulated.”

Inter forward Ange-Yoan Bonny has opened up on one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged moments of his young life, the day a failed medical at Juventus nearly ended his football career before it had truly begun.

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Speaking exclusively to L’Équipe, with quotes via Goal, the Inter forward recalled the moment at just 17 years old when doctors detected a cardiac irregularity during what should have been a routine pre-signing examination.

“I went from joining Juventus to nothing,” he said. “The doctors told me that, in their view, playing football would be complicated. It is a hard blow for a boy full of dreams.”

Bonny bounces back from Juventus snub to star for Inter years later

What followed was a moment of raw human connection that Bonny still treasures.

He returned home to Tours and went straight to a car park in the heart of his neighbourhood, an unglamorous but deeply meaningful meeting spot for him and his closest friends.

“My friends were in the same emotional state as I was, as if it had happened to them,” he said. “I understood who I could count on. I will never forget that.”

It is the same car park where, years later, he announced his signing for Inter. The symmetry was clearly not lost on him.

Bonny’s career subsequently took a different path, a spell in Serie B with Parma, promotion to the top flight, and eventually a move to Inter, but the Juventus episode remains a defining chapter.

His mother played her own pivotal role too, threatening to withhold her signature on his first professional contract unless he passed his school exams.

“She told me: if you don’t bring home that diploma, I promise the contract doesn’t get signed,” he laughed. He passed at the resit.

Now firmly established at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, Bonny’s journey from that car park in Tours to San Siro is quite the story.

Juventus are monitoring the situation of Leonardo Spinazzola as the experienced left winger approaches the end of his contract at Napoli.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, via IlNapolista, the Italian’s deal expires in June, and with negotiations over an extension yet to reach a conclusion, Juventus have made an approach to explore the possibility of signing him on a free transfer.

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It is a move that would represent a return to the club where Spinazzola began his career.

Juventus offer Spinazzola two-year deal but Italian gives priority to Napoli

The sticking point appears to be contract length.

Napoli have offered a one-year extension with an option for a second, while Juventus are prepared to guarantee two years outright, matching what Spinazzola is understood to be seeking.

It is a meaningful difference, and one that gives the Bianconeri a clear advantage in any potential tug of war.

For now, however, Spinazzola is keen to handle the situation with respect towards Napoli, and is giving the club the opportunity to match his demands before making any decision.

Whether Antonio Conte’s side are willing to improve their offer to meet the player’s terms remains to be seen.

Should Spinazzola ultimately opt for the Juventus move, it would be a shrewd piece of free transfer business by CEO Damien Comolli, adding an experienced and versatile wide option without a transfer fee at a time when the club are managing their finances carefully.

Paulo Dybala’s time at Roma appears to be drawing to a close, with Argentina’s leading sports newspaper Olè reporting that a return to his homeland with Boca Juniors is increasingly likely once his contract expires on 30 June.

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The Argentine has endured another injury-disrupted season at the Stadio Olimpico and is not expected to return to action until late April at the earliest, leaving him with only a handful of matches to make any case for a renewal.

That case, according to reports on both sides of the Atlantic, looks weaker by the day.

Contract extension talks have stalled to the point where they are now described as a distant prospect, with the gap between Dybala’s current €6 million salary and what Roma are willing to offer proving difficult to bridge.

Boca Juniors close in on Dybala move as Roma talks stall

Boca Juniors, meanwhile, are increasingly confident of securing his signature, via IlBianconero.

Olè went as far as splashing ‘Joya Libertadores’ across their front page, a headline that will set pulses racing among supporters of the club who have lifted the Copa Libertadores six times and are eager to add a seventh.

The Argentine giants are counting on Dybala’s yes, and the personal factors are working heavily in their favour.

Family considerations appear to be the driving force behind any potential move. A return to Argentina would allow Dybala to be closer to his parents, while his wife Oriana Sabatini, who has never concealed her desire to return home, has recently announced her involvement in an Argentine television programme.

The couple’s first child, Gia, adds another layer of personal motivation to what is becoming an increasingly compelling case for a homecoming.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina has moved to ease concerns over Sandro Tonali’s fitness ahead of Italy’s World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland, while issuing a passionate rallying cry for the nation to get behind Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

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Speaking at a press conference following the federal council meeting, with quotes via the Corriere dello Sport, Gravina offered cautious but genuine optimism over the Newcastle midfielder’s condition after he was forced off during a recent club match.

“I am rather calm,” he said. “I am in close contact with Gattuso and last night I spoke with Sandro alongside the coach and our doctor De Carli. He was calmer than he was when he left the pitch, there is a concern, but it is at a very moderate level. This morning’s tests were reassuring. We will do everything possible to get him fit, working alongside Newcastle with whom we are in continuous contact.”

Gravina: ‘Italy must push these players to America… even if they have to swim!’

With a World Cup place on the line, Gravina drew explicit parallels with Italy’s triumphant Euro 2020 campaign, invoking the spirit of that summer to galvanise supporters ahead of what he described as a defining week for Italian football.

“Back then I described us as a normal team that could become special if we all felt the pride and belonging of the Azzurri shirt together,” he said. “Our fans helped those players overcome some formidable opponents. We need that same call to arms now, the push from this country must carry these players to America, even if they have to swim there.”

The FIGC president also revealed his own emotional investment in the coming days.

“I am tense, emotions feed me and it is impossible to be indifferent before an appointment this important,” he admitted.

“I will join the squad from the very first moment of their training camp and I will not leave their side for a second. The message will be: let us live this together, as a moment of freedom and serenity, knowing that if we are good the reward will be extraordinary.”

He ended on a note of genuine surprise and delight, confirming that tickets for the playoff had sold out within an hour, something he described as unprecedented in Italian football history.

Gianluigi Donnarumma played ninety minutes tonight as Manchester City crashed out of the Champions League, with a 5-1 defeat on aggregate but a modest 2-1 defeat on the night.

City went into the game as strong favourites, needing to overturn the 3-0 loss in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the visitors making a number of changes, including leaving a number of key personnel out of the team.

However, Donnarumma’s side had a nightmare start when Bernardo Silva was given a straight red card for preventing a goal with his hand just 21 minutes into the match, and Vinicius Jr scoring the resulting penalty.

Donnarumma makes huge save but can’t stop City exit

Erling Haaland scored in the 41st minute to give the hosts a lifeline but, a man down, the task became much more difficult.

In the second half, City pushed, despite their man disadvantage.

Real Madrid had their fair share of chances too and Italian Donnarumma pulled off an impressive save to deny Tchouameni with twenty minutes to play.

After a whipped corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold, Tchouameni got his head to it, forcing an acrobat save out of the Azzurri shot-stopper.

City’s remaining efforts were in vain and Vinicius Jr doubled his tally to put the icing on the cake in stoppage time.

Donnarumma will be disappointed to exit the tournament he won less than twelve months ago with PSG but must recover his focus ahead of an important month for club and country.

Inter Milan and AC Milan sit jointly at the top of Serie A’s shirt sponsorship earnings table, but the gap between the division’s biggest clubs and the rest remains stark, and for one club, the commercial silence is deafening.

Both Milan clubs currently earn €30 million per season from their respective shirt partners, according to reports gathered by CalcioMercato.

Inter receive their fee from Bettson, whose logo appears as Bettson.sport on the jersey, a workaround required under Italian laws prohibiting direct betting sponsorship.

Milan’s deal with Emirates is worth the same figure this season, though a recently signed renewal will see that rise to €35 million from 2026/27 onwards.

Serie A shirt sponsors: Juventus, Napoli & Roma rise as Lazio go sponsorless

Juventus, meanwhile, have seen a dramatic fall in commercial income in this area.

Having gone a full season without a shirt sponsor, Save the Children carried no financial value, the club have returned Jeep to their jersey, but through an internal Exor arrangement worth just €19 million this season, rising to €23 million next year.

It is a far cry from the €45 million the previous Jeep deal delivered at its peak. Napoli’s MSC Crociere deal is worth €9 million this season and is also set to increase in the coming campaign.

Roma have just unveiled a new shirt partner of their own, Eurobet.live, another betting-adjacent workaround, worth €8 million this season and €13 million from next.

Across the city, however, Lazio remain the only club in Serie A without a shirt sponsor, with Claudio Lotito yet to secure any commercial partnership for the jersey.

Some of the most eye-catching figures come from family-owned clubs with internal sponsorship arrangements. Fiorentina receive €25 million from Mediacom, a company connected to the late Rocco Commisso’s family, while Sassuolo’s Mapei deal is worth €18 million.

At the other end of the scale, the numbers are considerably more modest. Bologna receive €3 million from owner Joey Saputo’s business, Atalanta earn €5 million from Lete, and Cagliari pick up €3.6 million from the Sardinian regional government.

Torino (Suzuki, €2.35m), Parma (Prometeon, €1.5m), Udinese (Friuli Venezia Giulia region, €1.5m) and Genoa (Pulsee, €1.2m) follow, with Verona, Lecce and Como all on €1 million.

Pisa bring up the rear with €700,000 from Cetilar, who also sponsor the stadium.

Raffaele Palladino has called on Atalanta to produce a performance worthy of their remarkable journey as they prepare to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 second leg at the Allianz Arena, knowing that overturning a 6-1 first-leg deficit represents one of the most daunting tasks in European football.

The occasion carries additional historical significance. Tomorrow’s match will be Atalanta’s 100th game in UEFA competition, and also the fixture in which Marten De Roon could equal a club appearance record.

Palladino confirmed the Dutchman will be involved, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, adding with a smile that the milestone is “a great satisfaction, a historic result for him and for Atalanta.”

Atalanta boss Palladino gives updates on Raspadori & De Ketelaere

The head coach was also able to deliver positive team news, confirming that Giacomo Raspadori trained with the squad on Tuesday and will be available, while Charles De Ketelaere and Ederson have also returned to fitness after injury absences.

“We have missed these players enormously and we are delighted to have them back,” Palladino said. “We will try to build up their minutes carefully.”

On the match itself, Palladino’s message was simple and unambiguous.

“Tomorrow the team must play with pride,” he said.

“We have nothing to lose and everything to prove. We must be focused on ourselves, as we showed in the first leg, the details make the difference.”

He also pointed to the growth his side have shown since that heavy defeat, arguing that Atalanta’s response against Inter demonstrated a resilience that bodes well.

“Despite conceding six goals we managed to mature and react like a great team.”

Palladino was equally clear that the result is secondary to the performance.

“Recovering five goals is always a mountain to climb,” he acknowledged.

“But I want a match worthy of this club and this occasion. We are proud to be the last Italian side standing in the Champions League, and tomorrow we will fight until the very end.”

Francesco Pio Esposito’s agent has moved to dismiss speculation linking the young Inter striker with a move to the Premier League, insisting the Italian starlet is fully committed to his future at San Siro despite reported interest from Arsenal and Newcastle.

Mario Giuffredi, speaking on Radio CRC, was emphatic on his client’s stance, with quotes via Nico Schira on X.

“Pio Esposito is happy at Inter and will be the club’s future for the next ten years,” he said. “The boy is in love with Inter right now.”

He also pushed back on comparisons being made between Esposito and former Inter striker Christian Vieri, arguing that such parallels only create unnecessary pressure for a player still finding his own identity.

“He needs to develop his own way of playing, comparisons like that serve no purpose.”

The agent’s words come amid growing interest from England, with both Arsenal and Newcastle understood to be monitoring Esposito’s situation ahead of the summer.

Inter & Pio Esposito destined for one another as parties shrug off Arsenal & Newcastle interest

Inter, however, are not believed to be open to a sale unless a truly extraordinary offer arrives, and Giuffredi’s comments suggest the player himself has no desire to leave, with his contract running until June 2030.

The numbers back up the excitement surrounding him.

Esposito has already made 39 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing eight goals and six assists, a remarkable return for a player of his age operating at the highest level.

He has also caught the eye of Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who is expected to call on him for the World Cup playoff semi-final against Northern Ireland and a potential final on 31 March.

It has been a rapid rise for a player who came through Inter’s academy alongside brothers Salvatore and Sebastiano, before a standout loan season at Spezia, where he scored 20 goals and helped the club reach the Serie B playoff final, convinced Inter he was ready for the first team.

Gianluigi Donnarumma haș been named in the starting lineup for Manchester City this evening, as they welcome Real Madrid to the Etihad Stadium with a 3-goal deficit to overturn from the first leg.

The Italian shot-stopper has been Pep Guardiola’s number one since he arrived last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.

He will need to be at his best tonight, with every goal the Premier League giants conceding tonight having a massive impact on their potential comeback.

Donnarumma starts, Calafiori on the bench in UCL action

Meanwhile, Arsenal host Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates Stadium after the first leg finished all square at 1-1 in Germany.

Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori is not included in Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup, with former Leverkusen man Piero Hincapie playing at left-back.

Calafiori received praise in the Premier League at the weekend after a tremendous scorpion block to deny Everton a first half opener.

The former Bologna man is, however, on the bench for the Gunners and may be deployed by Arteta later in the match.

Roma’s attempt to overturn Wesley’s red card suspension has failed, with the sporting judge rejecting their appeal and confirming the Brazilian will miss the club’s next Serie A fixture against Lecce.

Roma had argued the second yellow card shown to Wesley during Sunday’s 2-1 defeat at Como was the result of mistaken identity, claiming the foul on Diao had actually been committed by Rensch rather than Wesley.

Under VAR protocol, a case of mistaken identity would be grounds for intervention, but the sporting judge ruled that no such error had occurred, stating there were no grounds to apply the relevant article of the regulations, according to CalcioMercato.

Blow for Roma as no grounds for Wesley suspension being overturned

The VAR analysis, as detailed on DAZN’s Open VAR programme, supports that conclusion.

Officials Fabbri and Gariglio reviewed the incident immediately and confirmed without doubt that Wesley, not Rensch, made the challenge, with his right leg clearly making contact.

The on-field referee also clarified that he had initially played advantage following a separate Pellegrini challenge before whistling for Wesley’s foul, which VAR confirmed was not on the ball.

The 2-1 result stands, Wesley’s suspension is upheld, and Gasperini will be without the wide man for the Lecce game.

The silver lining for Roma is that he will be able to give his all in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Bologna, a match that carries enormous importance with the tie level at 1-1, with Tsimikas likely to cover against Lecce when the Brazilian takes his place in the stands.

Lazio picked up three points in an impressive 1-0 victory over Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday night, with a first half goal from Gustav Isaksen separating the two teams as the Rossoneri fail to close the gap on league leaders Inter.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Mario Gila, for an impeccable defensive performance that helped thwart the Milan attack time and time again.

Lazio 1-0 Milan – Player Ratings

Lazio: Motta 7; Marusic 6.5, Gila 7.5, Provstgaard 6.5, Tavares 6.5; Dele-Bashiru 6, Patric 6, Taylor 6.5 (Belahyane N/A); Isaksen 7 (Pedro 6), Maldini 6.5 (Dia 5.5), Zaccagni 6 (Cancellieri N/A)

Best Lazio player: Mario Gila – Continues to shine as a core element of the Biancocelesti’s team, made a number of huge defensive interventions and gave the Rossoneri front line no room to breathe.

Lowest Lazio rating: Boulaye Dia – Despite playing nearly thirty minutes, the Senegalese forward had next to no involvement, touching the ball less than 10 times – more or less just there to complete the numbers and help secure the three points.

Coach: Maurizio Sarri 7.5 – An impressive hit-and-run performance saw the coach pick up what will feel like a well-earned win against tough opposition. Sarri’s influence and tactics helped shape the game and keep his team in the lead until the final whistle.

Milan: Maignan 6; Tomori 6 (Athekame 6), De Winter 5.5, Pavlovic 6; Saelemaekers 6 (Ricci N/A), Fofana 6 (Nkunku 5.5), Modric 6, Jashari 5.5, Estupinan 5 (Bartesaghi 6), Pulisic 6, Leao 5 (Fullkrug 5.5)

Best Milan player: Alexis Saelemaekers – Definitely offered the most threat of Milan’s ‘attackers’, creating six chances for his team and working hard to track back defensively.

Lowest Milan rating: Pervis Estupinan – Whilst Leao is a dishonourable mention, the Ecuadorian continues his poor form in red and black, and was entirely to blame for Lazio’s winner. The Biancocelesti identified him as a weak point early on and the wing-back caused several other problems for his defence in his 57 minutes on the pitch.

Coach: Massimiliano Allegri 5.5 – Brought back down to earth after the impressive Milan derby victory last weekend. This will be a disappointing one for the coach to take, as he was able to close the gap on Inter further with a win today. His substitutions offered little, even though Allegri deserves credit for taking Leao off after his lacklustre performance.

Milan forward Rafael Leao looked quite the unhappy man after he was substituted in Milan’s match against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening.

Lazio took the lead in the first half thanks to a goal from Danish winger Gustav Isaksen and Leao had little impact in helping his side get back into the game.

Therefore, with 25 minutes to play, Rossoneri head coach Massimiliano Allegri decided to replace the Portuguese star and midfielder Youssouf Fofana with two more traditional strikers in Fullkrug and Nkunku.

Relive all the action from today’s Serie A matches on our Live Blog.

Leao frustrated after being taken off in Milan trip to Lazio

Leao was not happy to be taken off and took his time exiting the field.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan rushed over to the forward to encourage him to leave the pitch faster, before being embraced by Allegri, who he quickly pushed off to go and take his place on the bench.

Shortly after, the former Lille man was spotted kicking bottles in frustrating on the touchline.

Whilst his frustration is understandable, the forward demonstrated an arrogance at a critical point for his team in what was a must-win game to keep in the Scudetto chase.

Gian Piero Gasperini has fired back at Cesc Fabregas following the post-match handshake controversy that emerged after Como’s 2-1 victory over Roma, delivering a blunt and unambiguous response to the Como head coach’s public comments.

Speaking to ANSA, via the Corriere dello Sport, Gasperini showed little interest in diplomatic language.

“Como are a strong team, but I do not respect their behaviour, on the pitch or on the touchline,” he said plainly.

The exchange follows Fabregas’ pointed but measured comments to Sky Sport after the final whistle, in which the Como coach expressed disappointment at Gasperini’s failure to shake his hand, describing it as a matter of basic sporting respect.

You can read Fabregas’ full reaction here.

Gasperini furious with Como behaviour ‘on the pitch & the touchline’

Gasperini’s response suggests the ill-feeling runs considerably deeper than a missed handshake.

His reference to behaviour “on the pitch and on the touchline” implies broader grievances with Como’s conduct throughout the match, likely connected to the Wesley’s second yellow card that prompted his furious post-match reaction about simulation.

With Roma still harbouring Europa League ambitions and facing Bologna in the second leg on Thursday, Gasperini will be eager to channel his frustration into a result at the Olimpico.

But the war of words with Fabregas has added an extra layer of intrigue to what is already a fascinating final stretch of the season for both clubs.

Cesc Fabregas was riding a wave of emotion after Como’s victory over Roma, describing the performance as “epic” while taking a pointed but measured swipe at Gian Piero Gasperini for failing to shake his hand at the final whistle.

The Como head coach was effusive in his praise for his players, who he felt demonstrated exactly the identity and character he has been building since taking charge.

“It was a beautiful match and I enjoyed every moment of it,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“You could say the victory was epic, but it cost a lot. It was a very intense game and yet from the first minute we always sought our own game. That gives enormous credit to this squad.”

Fabregas was equally clear about what underpins Como’s remarkable season. “When you build a squad you implement an idea, you study your players carefully, their character, their identity. Learning to handle the result and the game in a certain way is a question of solidity, courage and trust. That takes months to develop, not weeks. Games like this show it is becoming natural, not forced.”

But it was his comments on Gasperini that will generate the most headlines.

Como 2-1 Roma – Fabregas slams lack of Gasperini respect

The Roma coach notably failed to seek out Fabregas for the customary post-match handshake, and the Spaniard did not shy away from addressing it directly.

“In two years I do not think there has been a single occasion where I have not gone to shake a colleague’s hand, whether I have lost, been sent off, been angry or been happy,” he said. “I think it is a question of respect. When the match ends you go and shake hands, even if you have been beaten in circumstances you feel were unjust. When he left without doing so, it saddened me a little, but then I thought it was nothing.”

He added that he had moved towards the tunnel believing Gasperini was heading that way, and was careful not to escalate the situation further.

“I can only speak about my own experience, I simply went to say hello.”

With nine league games remaining plus the Coppa Italia, Fabregas was keen to keep feet firmly on the ground despite Como sitting fourth. “We must maintain humility, naturalness and keep working. We go step by step.”

Gian Piero Gasperini cut a frustrated figure after Roma’s defeat at Como, directing his anger at the decision to send off Wesley for a second yellow card and lamenting what he described as a growing problem with simulation in the modern game.

The Roma head coach was in no mood to hold back when speaking to DAZN, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“I have already seen the Wesley incident, today it is pointless to comment on this trend in football, especially regarding dives,” he said.

“It was unfortunately a decisive episode, just like the one for their equaliser. We defended the cutbacks well but in that moment we were not good enough. Some of it is down to us, and it is not a great moment, but these are glaring episodes that are hard to ignore.”

Gasperini shakes off defeat to focus on Europa League

Gasperini also acknowledged that the absence of Donyell Malen significantly reduces Roma’s attacking threat, though he was keen to frame it as a broader team issue rather than an individual dependency.

The Dutchman scored from the spot to give Roma the lead but was replaced with twenty five minutes left.

“We do rely on him, understandably, given how many goals we score,” he said. “He creates clear, clean chances every match, that means the team is working well and building correctly.”

His tactical assessment of the match itself was candid.

Roma had the tools to turn the game around after the break, he argued, but Como’s half-time changes, introducing key players before Wesley’s dismissal altered the contest, proved decisive.

With Thursday’s Europa League second leg against Bologna now looming large, Gasperini acknowledged there is little time to dwell.

“The players are young and some have experience, they must recover their energy quickly. The suspensions disrupt our continuity, but Thursday is an important match and we must be ready.”

Como came back from a goal down to defeat 10-man Roma at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia this evening, with a 2-1 victory seeing the hosts leapfrog Juventus into fourth place in Serie A.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Como attacking midfielder Martin Baturina, for his impressive work rate, chance creation and brightness on the ball.

Como 2-1 Roma – Player Ratings

Como: Butez 6; Ramon 6.5, Diego Carlos 7, Kempf 6 (Douvikas 7); Smolcic 6.5, Sergi Roberto 5 (Diao 7), Da Cunha 7, Valle 6.5; Caqueret 5.5 (Perrone 6), Baturina 7.5; Nico Paz 5.5 (Rodriguez N/A)

Best Como player: Martin Baturina – Despite not finding the back of the net himself, the Croatian created six chances, more than anyone else on the pitch, and was a constant menace – especially when the visitors went down to 10 men.

Lowest Como rating: Sergi Roberto – Playing in midfield once again, the Spaniard had a rough day today before being replaced by Diao as Fabregas switched his strategy up at half-time. Really struggled to have any impact on the game in his 45 minutes on the pitch.

Coach: Cesc Fabregas 7.5 – Helped in part by Wesley’s red card, the coach masterminded an impressive comeback, with Douvikas being subbed on to score and Diao coming on to greatly improve the team’s danger going forward.

Roma: Svilar 6; Ghilardi 5.5, Mancini 6, Hermoso 5 (Ziolkowski 6); Celik 6 (Tsimikas 5.5), Cristante 5.5, Kone 5.5, Wesley 5.5; Pellegrini 6.5 (Pisilli 6), El Shaarawy 6.5 (Rensch 5.5); Malen 6.5 (Vaz 6)

Best Roma player: Stephan El Shaarawy – Impressive performance tonight from the 33-year-old, who continued to prove he is not getting lazier with age. A hard working performance from the Italian, who won the penalty early on to give Roma the lead.

Lowest Roma rating: Kostas Tsimikas/Wesley – Not entirely sure who was worse. Wesley was perhaps unlucky to pick up two yellow cards but ultimately it was his fault the team lost. Tsimikas, meanwhile, was brought on for an injured Zeki Celik with twenty minutes left and put in another disastrous cameo.

Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini 5.5 – His substitutes offered very little when he needed them most. The coach was let down by Wesley’s sending off but his side were being outplayed, even in the first half with the teams at eleven apiece.

The 2026 Finalissima between Argentina and Spain has been cancelled, with the Argentine Football Association confirming that a proposed alternative venue in Italy was rejected by UEFA following the original host city of Doha becoming untenable due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

AFA president Claudio Tapia explained that Argentina had pushed for the match to be moved to Italy and played on 31 March, but UEFA deemed the rescheduling unfeasible.

“We could have played it in Italy, but UEFA did not accept the proposal to change the date,” Tapia said, via FCInterNews.

“We always maintained that the match should be played on neutral ground and the proposal of Madrid did not respect that principle. The Italy option was presented, but we had requested a postponement to 31 March. UEFA considered the move unworkable and the match was cancelled.”

The proposed alternate location was Milan’s San Siro, which would’ve marked a special homecoming for Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez.

Inter relief as no pressure for Lautaro to star in Finalissima after UEFA snub San Siro

The decision therefore has a notable knock-on effect for Inter, aside from San Siro being rejected as a possible location.

Captain Lautaro Martinez had been pushing to accelerate his recovery from injury with the Finalissima in mind, but with that incentive now removed, Inter can take a more measured approach to his rehabilitation without the pressure of an international fixture looming.

According to Sky Sport, the club are relieved to have more breathing room and are unwilling to take any risks with their captain ahead of the season’s crucial final weeks.

Whether Lautaro will be fit for Inter’s trip to Fiorentina remains to be seen, with further assessment expected in the coming days.

Ciro Immobile has revealed that AC Milan made a serious attempt to sign him during his peak years at Lazio, with the Italian striker admitting it was no easy decision to turn them down, even if his heart ultimately made the choice for him.

The former Lazio captain, who joined Paris FC on a free transfer in January after spending the first half of the season with Bologna, spoke exclusively to MilanNews.it ahead of tonight’s Lazio-Milan clash at the Stadio Olimpico.

“It is true, there was interest, even when Gattuso was the manager,” Immobile confirmed.

“But that was a strong Lazio side, at the same level as Milan at the time. It was a decision made with the heart, because it is difficult to say no to a club of that importance. Would I have liked it? Well, who wouldn’t?” he laughed. “But at that moment I was happy at Lazio.”

Lazio vs Milan – Immobile: ‘Lazio can cause problems for anyone’

On tonight’s fixture, Immobile was enthusiastic, predicting a lively atmosphere with supporters returning to the Olimpico in full voice.

“I know how much the fans love the club, I will watch it very willingly if I can,” he said. “Lazio can cause problems for anyone, especially with the crowd behind them. They are well organised and well coached.”

Asked about his fondest memories of facing Milan, Immobile singled out two figures who left a lasting impression. “Donnarumma and Ibrahimovic, in terms of personality and making themselves felt on the pitch, it was those two.”

Tonight’s match kicks off at 19:45 GMT (20:45 local time) and you can follow all the action, as it happens, on our Live Blog.