Cagliari fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Napoli this evening, with Scott McTominay scoring the only goal in Sardinia as Antonio Conte’s side picked up a valuable three points.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was McTominay, for his early winner and hard-working performance throughout.

Cagliari 0-1 Napoli – Player Ratings

Cagliari: Caprile 6; Ze Pedro 5.5 (Mendy 6), Mina 6, Dossena 6; Palestra 6, Adopo 5.5 (Deiola 6), Gaetano 6, Sulemana 6, Rodriguez 5 (Raterink N/A); Esposito 6 (Trepy N/A), Folorunsho 6 (Kilicsoy 5.5)

Best Cagliari player: Yerry Mina – Still an average night at the office for the menacing centre-back, but did a good enough to job to keep Napoli at bay for lengths of the match.

Lowest Cagliari rating: Juan Rodriguez – Really struggled to have any impact whatsoever on the left flank and was as worrying in defence as he was going forwards.

Coach: Fabio Pisacane 6 – Gave it a good go and set up his team fairly well to nullify Napoli’s threat. Was unlucky to get caught out early as the team looked solid for most of the match.

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic 6; Beukema 6.5, Buongiorno 6, Olivera 5.5 (Juan Jesus N/A); Politano 6.5, (Spinazzola N/A), Gilmour 5.5 (Zambo Anguissa N/A), Lobotka 6 (Alisson Santos 6), Gutierrez 6.5; McTominay 7, De Bruyne 6; Hojlund 6

Best Napoli player: Scott McTominay – Scored the decisive goal and worked hard throughout the ninety minutes. Hardly a show-stopping performance but was the best amongst a very modestly performing Napoli side.

Lowest Napoli rating: Mathias Olivera – Played at centre-back, outside of his natural positioning, and struggled as a result. Made a couple of sloppy fouls, picked up a yellow card and overall contributed nothing of particular value to his team’s victory.

Coach: Antonio Conte 6.5 – Marginally better than his counterpart, and picked up the three points accordingly. His side did not inspire with their victory but the coach will be delighted to come away with the three points.

Genoa host Udinese this evening as both sides look to reinforce their place in the mid-table and keep their head below the parapet of relegation.

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Genoa come into the game with three wins from their last five games, as Daniele De Rossi continues to make his mark on the Rossoblu club.

Udinese, meanwhile, have won just one of their last five games and will be looking to recover their form this evening.

Currently, the Bianconeri sit in 11th place in Serie A, whilst tonight’s hosts sit in 13th – and therefore a win for the home side could see them leapfrog their opposition.

Genoa vs Udinese – Official Lineups

Genoa: Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Ellertsson, Frendrup, Malinovskyi, Norton-Cuffy; Messias, Vitinha; Colombo

Udinese: Okoye; Solet, Kabasele, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Ekkelenkamp, ​​Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Davis

20-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 30

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Udinese

vs

Season Analytics

Genoa

Positions

Udinese

SEASON TOTAL

GEN HOME

5

4

6

8

9

12

Last matches

15-03-2026		Verona	W	0 - 2
08-03-2026		Roma	W	2 - 1
28-02-2026		Inter	L	2 - 0
22-02-2026		Torino	W	3 - 0
15-02-2026		Cremonese	D	0 - 0

08-03-2026		Roma	W	2 - 1
22-02-2026		Torino	W	3 - 0
07-02-2026		Napoli	L	2 - 3
25-01-2026		Bologna	W	3 - 2
12-01-2026		Cagliari	W	3 - 0

13

11

Position

SEASON TOTAL

UDI AWAY

5

2

7

10

6

13

Last matches

	0 - 1	L	Juventus		14-03-2026
	2 - 2	D	Atalanta		07-03-2026
	3 - 0	W	Fiorentina		02-03-2026
	1 - 0	L	Bologna		23-02-2026
	1 - 2	L	Sassuolo		15-02-2026

	2 - 2	D	Atalanta		07-03-2026
	1 - 0	L	Bologna		23-02-2026
	2 - 1	L	Lecce		08-02-2026
	1 - 3	W	Verona		26-01-2026
	1 - 2	W	Torino		07-01-2026

Genoa

Udinese

Starting lineups

16

Justin Bijlow

Goalkeeper

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

15

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

5

Leo Östigard

Defender

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

10

Junior Messias

Attacker

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

9

Vitinha

Attacker

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

11

Hassane Kamara

Defender

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

14

Arthur Atta

Midfielder

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

Substitutes

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

8

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

13

Nils Zätterström

Defender

34

Sebastian Otoa

Defender

4

Amorim

Midfielder

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

Rafael Leao will miss Milan’s Serie A clash with Torino on Saturday after failing to train due to a recurrence of pain in his right adductor.

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The Portuguese winger will undergo further assessment on Saturday to determine the full extent of the muscular problem, with the club keen to establish how long he is likely to be sidelined before making any further announcements, according to reports via FCInter1908.

Milan team news: Fullkrug to start alongside Pulisic in Leao absence

In his absence, Niklas Füllkrug is expected to be handed a starting role alongside Christian Pulisic, with the German striker likely to lead the line as Massimiliano Allegri looks to reshuffle his attacking options.

It is a significant blow for Milan at a crucial stage of the season, with the title race against Inter still just about alive and every point now carrying enormous weight.

Leao has been one of Milan’s most important players this season and his absence will be felt, though the hope within the club is that the injury is not serious enough to keep him out for an extended period.

Few players in recent Serie A history have had their careers so dramatically derailed by a single transfer as Juventus man Arthur Melo.

The Brazilian arrived at Juventus from Barcelona in 2020 amid enormous fanfare, only to endure five deeply frustrating years in Turin that yielded little of the elegance that had made him one of Europe’s most coveted midfielders.

Now, on loan at boyhood club Gremio, the Brazilian looks reborn, and he has his sights set on convincing Luciano Spalletti to give him one final chance at the Allianz Stadium.

The numbers from his return to Brazil have been striking.

Eleven appearances, a goal, and a pass completion rate of 95% in 2026 alone, capped by helping Gremio win the Gaucho, the Rio Grande do Sul state championship.

A minor muscular injury in the final against Internacional has been the only blemish.

Juventus Outcast Arthur Aiming To Convince Head Coach Spalletti

His self-assessment is characteristically bold, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Luciano likes to have an organising midfielder, a fulcrum of the team, and I love that role,” he said. “Pizarro and Lobotka both flourished under Spalletti with possession-based, tactically intelligent football. It is not absurd to think I could adapt well. We will see.”

On his troubled spell in Turin, Arthur was thoughtful rather than bitter.

“I arrived during a period of transition at the club with many changes, and that probably affected everyone, including me,” he said. “I have the regret of not being able to show at Juventus what I am demonstrating at Gremio. But I learned a lot in Italy.”

He was equally philosophical about leaving Barcelona.

“It leaves a bittersweet taste, I was happy there. But Juventus allowed me to discover another culture and grow as a man, even through difficulties. Lessons I perhaps would never have learned staying in my comfort zone.”

Arthur also addressed his hopes of a Brazil World Cup call-up under Carlo Ancelotti, and took the opportunity to recommend two Gremio youngsters, 18-year-old defender Luis Guedes and 17-year-old winger Gabriel Mec, as future stars to monitor.

On playing alongside both Messi and Ronaldo, his verdict was suitably poetic. “Leo is magic. Cristiano is work, hunger, ambition: a winning mentality that pushes everyone around him. I feel privileged to have played with both.”

Luciano Spalletti held his pre-match press conference ahead of Juventus’ Serie A clash with Sassuolo, addressing a number of pressing topics including Dusan Vlahovic’s potential return, his own contract situation and the race for Champions League qualification with eight games remaining.

On Vlahovic, Spalletti was deliberately coy, directing reporters to the official squad list for confirmation.

“There are a couple of players with some discomfort to assess, we will have the final picture by tomorrow morning,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

The Serbian striker has been absent through injury and his return would be a timely boost for a side still pushing hard for a top-four finish.

Juventus coach Spalletti plays up renewal talks

Spalletti was more forthcoming on the subject of his own renewal, suggesting the international break provided an ideal window for productive discussions with the club.

“It seems like a correct moment, there is less stress and the necessary time,” he said. “On my part there is complete availability to hear what the club wants to say to me.”

He was careful, however, not to discuss potential signings, joking that talking about players he might want to bring in while his own contract is unsigned would make him “feel like an idiot.”

The Juventus coach also delivered a passionate defence of his squad’s motivation, dismissing any suggestion that missing the Champions League would be straightforward to absorb.

“Pressure is a privilege that belongs only to those who have a history to honour,” he said. “Our fans travelled to Bodo, overcoming all the costs and difficulties just to be there. We owe them everything.”

On the number nine debate that has followed Juventus all season, Spalletti was characteristically direct.

“It is the moment, the episodic decisions inside a game, that decides things, not a profile. We are not inferior to Galatasaray. The red cards decided that tie, not the level of football.”

Roma came back from 3-1 down to draw 3-3 with Bologna in normal time, before an extra time goal from Rossoblu substitute Nicolo Cambiaghi sent the visitors through into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

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Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Bologna forward Jonathan Rowe, for his delightful strike from the edge of the box to put the visitors 1-0 up, assist for his side’s third and threatening chance creation all evening, whilst Lorenzo Pellegrini also deserves credit for inspiring the Giallorossi’s comeback in the second half.

Roma 3-3 Bologna (3-4 A.E.T) – Player Ratings

Roma: Svilar 5.5; Mancini 6, N’Dicka 7, Hermoso 6; Celik 7 (Zaragoza 6), Pisilli 6.5 (El Aynaoui 5.5), Cristante 6.5, Kone N/A (Pellegrini 8), Wesley 7; Malen 7.5, El Shaarawy 5.5 (Vaz 6)

Best Roma player: Lorenzo Pellegrini – Came off the bench to inspire Roma’s second half comeback with a goal and an assist but it was ultimately not enough. Was called into action after Manu Kone’s injury in the 20th minute and helped his side in a way only an experienced player can.

Lowest Roma rating: Mile Svilar – Lacked a lot tonight in both his distribution and his shot-stopping. Conceded four times, albeit one from the penalty spot, and perhaps could have done better with at least one or two of them.

Coach: Gian Piero Gaspeirni 6 – No referee excuses to hide behind tonight, the coach was outclassed by his counterpart – despite introducing some excellent substitutes. Kone’s injury could have defined the tie but Pellegrini’s introduction was a real boon for the Giallorossi. However, ultimately beaten on the day by a more clinical team.

Bologna: Ravaglia 5.5; Zortea 6.5, Vitik 6 (Casale 6), Lucumi 7, Joao Mario 6; Freuler 5.5, Ferguson 6.5, Pobega 7 (Moro 6.5); Bernardeschi 7.5 (Orsolini 6), Castro 7.5 (Dallinga 6.5), Rowe 8 (Cambiaghi 7.5)

Best Bologna player: Jonathan Rowe – An electric performance from the Englishman before he was replaced with roughly twenty minutes to play. Picked up a goal and an assist today and was a real threat in-between the Roma lines. Gave his all and the coach rightly took him off when he looked out of steam.

Lowest Bologna rating: Remo Freuler – Gave away the penalty that inspired Roma’s comeback and will be relieved his side progressed in spite of it. Looked a little lacklustre aside from that, and was eventually taken off with six minutes left of extra-time after, to his credit, giving his all.

Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 7.5 – Outclassed Gasperini tonight, despite the second half scare. Took his team to the Stadio Olimpico, where they famously won the Coppa Italia last season, and helped inspire his side to a victory of nearly-equal importance.

Paolo Vanoli took Moise Kean’s angry reaction to being substituted during Fiorentina’s 2-1 Conference League win over Rakow as a positive sign rather than a disciplinary concern, insisting the striker’s frustration simply reflected how desperately he wanted to help his side reach the quarter-finals.

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“I am happy because he is an important player,” Vanoli told Sky Sport after the match, with quotes via CalcioMercato.

“When there is that anger and that desire to play, it means he wanted to be there and to help. But I am the coach, and I also have to understand that he is a key player and that we still have nine finals and a passage through the round to think about.”

Vanoli concedes tough game for Fiorentina at Rakow but focuses on challenges ahead

Vanoli was also candid about a difficult first half in which Fiorentina struggled to find their rhythm on a heavy pitch.

“We wanted to play but the surface did not allow it, we were arriving late to second balls and were slow to understand how to get the qualification over the line,” he admitted.

The second half, however, told a very different story, with the Viola coming from behind to seal the win. “This team now has a plus, they know how to react.”

On Kean’s broader value, Vanoli was unequivocal, and his words carry obvious relevance for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso ahead of the World Cup playoffs.

“The national team coach is better than me, he knows perfectly well that Moise is an important player who wants to help both Fiorentina and the national team. He is a player Italy will need.”

Former Arsenal, Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole has said his first words as the new head coach of Serie B side Cesena.

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Speaking at his unveiling, the Englishman said:

“The values aligned together and I was very enthusiastic when I got the call and the opportunity to come to, as I mentioned, a very good, honest respectful club and I still am enthusiastic for the future.”

Ashley Cole – First words as Cesena head coach

Ashley Cole was announced as the Serie B side’s head coach earlier this week, in what is his first job in a managerial capacity.

It comes as a surprise to many but reports indicated that the Italian club wanted a recognisable figure from world football and Cole is familiar with club co-owner Mike Melby, from their time at LA Galaxy.

“More importantly, for me, my background, my beginning is just like the Cesena fans: very humble, good values, good loyalty and at the moment they’re giving everything for the club and I need to give something back.”

For Cole, it is a surprise opportunity to jump start a managerial career that looked as though it was never destined to arrive. He seems enthusiastic about the challenge, but once again stressed the most important thing is to reflect the fans.

“The minute I heard about this opportunity, I jumped at the chance to come here. My team needs to reflect not me, always, it needs to reflect the club, its fans and the values of these fans.”

Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has hailed the ‘wonderful journey’ his side have taken through the Europa League as they prepare for a vital second leg against Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.

Di Vaio also singled out experienced forward Federico Bernardeschi as a source of inspiration for his younger teammates in what promises to be an exciting contest.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Rakow vs. Fiorentina on the Liveblog.

Di Vaio: ‘Bernardeschi can inspire Bologna’

Speaking about Italian winger Bernardeschi, Di Vaio said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb:

“He has experience with Juventus in these types of matches, where he performed very well, and so he can inspire his teammates in the crucial moments of the game. Those who have played in them, like him and Freuler, can help the younger players handle the pressure. Roma are a strong team.”

The first leg ended 1-1 at the Stadio Dall’Ara, so a place in the Europa League quarter-final will all be decided this evening.

Whoever wins will go through to face either Aston Villa or Lille.

The Stadio Olimpico holds fond memories for Bologna, because this is where they beat Milan last season to win the Coppa Italia. It was the club’s first piece of silverware for 51 years and allowed them to qualify for the Europa League too.

Commenting on that match, Di Vaio said “We know it’s a completely different match, we have wonderful memories and we hope to relive them tonight.”

Bologna are coming off a morale-boosting 1-0 Serie A victory away to local rivals Sassuolo, but in that game lost goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski to injury. It means Federico Ravaglia steps in to take the gloves this evening.

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.