Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso thanks FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon for allowing him to choose the venue for the World Cup semi-final play-off against Northern Ireland: ‘We hope to create a real cauldron-like atmosphere.’

Italy will host Northern Ireland in Bergamo in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday, March 26.

Why Italy vs. Northern Ireland played in Bergamo, not San Siro

The match will be played at Atalanta’s New Balance Arena, a 25,000-seat stadium that already hosted Gattuso’s first game as Italy’s head coach against Estonia this past September.

“I chose the stadium. I want to thank the President and Buffon for letting me decide,” Gattuso said at a press conference attended by Football Italia on Monday.

“I believe that when you go to a 60,000-seat stadium like San Siro, there are Inter and Milan fans, and they might start booing after a few wrong passes. Playing in a smaller stadium will likely give us a better atmosphere.

“They did so in my first game as Italy’s coach, despite finishing the first half with a 0-0 draw. We hope to create a real cauldron-like atmosphere and that we haven’t messed things up.

“Thursday’s game is the only target. All the rest is the past, and I think we have a great chance.”

Click here to read the full Gattuso press conference.

Gennaro Gattuso explains why Federico Chiesa returned to Liverpool and didn’t remain in Coverciano like other injured Italian players and reveals Riccardo Calafiori felt ‘a little discomfort’ during Arsenal’s loss against Manchester City on Sunday.

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Italy World Cup play-off: latest injury updates

Italy are preparing for Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland.

Gattuso held a press conference on Monday, before Italy’s first training session.

Gianluca Scamacca, Alessandro Bastoni and Gianluca Mancini are injured, while Sandro Tonali and Calafiori are not fully fit.

Bastoni has missed the last two games with Inter; Scamacca was absent from Atalanta’s 1-0 win over Verona on Sunday; and Mancini was subbed off during Roma’s victory against Lecce.

“Scamacca has an adductor problem; we evaluate him day by day, same as Bastoni,” Gattuso said at a press conference attended by Football Italia.

“Tonali will train with a low workload today. Mancini has fatigue; no issues were seen from exams. Calafiori felt a little discomfort yesterday, but we hope he’ll be there.

“Chiesa arrived yesterday. He had a few physical problems, and we decided it was useless for him to stay here.”

Contrary to his injured teammates, the Liverpool winger returned to his club on Monday morning, and Gattuso was asked to explain his decision.

“They are not all the same; the players’ heads are not the same,” the coach said.

“When I heard that he had problems and doubts, I had to make a decision. He didn’t feel up for it, so he decided to return home, and I had to accept it. Rapports are important, besides a game. I don’t have great medical knowledge, but I’ve understood that one can’t insist much. I don’t push. When one wants to return home, it’s right to let him do it.”

Italy will play Northern Ireland in Bergamo in the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday. If they progress to the Final, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy international Riccardo Calafiori reacted to Arsenal’s 2-0 loss against Manchester City on Sunday with a three-word message on social media: ‘We go again.’

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Calafiori’s Arsenal lost the EFL Cup Final against Manchester City on Sunday, seeing Italy captain Gigio Donnarumma lift his first trophy with the Citizens.

Calafiori was also chasing his first trophy in England, but he still has a chance to lift his first piece of silverware with the Gunners, as Arsenal are still involved in the Champions League and the FA Cup and are the Premier League table leaders.

Calafiori reacted to Arsenal‘s loss with a social media message on Monday morning: “We go again,” wrote the Italian defender.

Calafiori is now at Coverciano preparing for Italy’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.

• Read more – Calafiori: I ‘probably disappointed’ Mourinho, but I ‘need to win’ at Arsenal

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La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Gian Piero Gasperini ‘raised his voice’ in the dressing room after a 1-0 win over Lecce on Sunday, yet the Italian tactician refused to speak to the media, allegedly because he had lost his voice.

Roma coach Gasperini didn’t hold a post-match interview after a 1-0 win against Lecce yesterday, officially because he had lost his voice during the match.

Gasperini’s outburst after Roma 1-0 Lecce

According to Gazzetta, however, the Italian tactician did make his voice heard in the dressing room at full-time, but was in no mood to face questions from the media afterwards.

Previous reports in Italy claimed that Gasperini’s future at Roma is uncertain as the Giallorossi have lost 14 games across all competitions this season and are once again struggling to secure a top-four finish.

There was a confrontation with co-owner Ryan Friedkin, director Frederic Massara and advisor Claudio Ranieri on Friday, in the aftermath of the Europa League exit to Bologna, and, according to various sources, either Massara, Ranieri or Gasp will leave at the end of the season.

Italy’s Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon admits the Azzurri feel ‘people’s scepticism’ but is confident that players are ‘used to handling every kind of pressure.’

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Italy begin preparations for the 2026 World Cup play-off in Coverciano today.

Buffon: Italy must respect Northern Ireland

Gennaro Gattuso’s men will face Northern Ireland in Bergamo on March 26, and if they progress to the final, they’ll visit Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Buffon spoke to Domenica Sportiva on Sunday night: “Now it’s the moment of the verdict. These 120 days have been an ordeal, but they have also helped bring something extra, a deep spirit and understanding that will be needed,” he said via TMW.

Italy have not qualified for the last two editions of the World Cup and have not played a knockout game in the tournament since 2006 when they went on to lift the trophy.

“It’s true, we can feel people’s scepticism, but I’m convinced that even the harshest critics will support Italy when the whistle blows,” Buffon said.

“Right now, above all, we need to send ourselves a message to make them change their minds.

“They are all very solid guys, used to handling every kind of pressure. The magic that the Italian national team can create goes beyond the current difficulties.

“We must respect Northern Ireland, but I also believe that our team giving 100% will be enough to reach the Final. The players must be aware of their qualities,” Buffon concluded.

Alessandro Bastoni, Gianluca Mancini and Gianluca Scamacca will be assessed by Italian doctors today, while Federico Chiesa has already pulled out of the team as he was “deemed unavailable for the next two matches.”

The Liverpool winger has not played for Italy for almost two years, making his last international appearance in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 against Switzerland.

Rafael Leao won’t fly to Portugal to be assessed by the national team doctors as he remains in Milan to recover from an adductor injury.

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Milan star Leao will remain in Italy during the March break to recover from an adductor injury.

The Portuguese winger missed Saturday’s 3-2 win over Torino but was still expected to join his national team to be assessed by the national team doctors.

However, Italian sources, including Calciomercato.com, claim that his trip to Portugal has been cancelled, so the 26-year-old will remain at Milanello to continue his recovery.

Leao underwent medical tests on Saturday, which ruled out a lesion.

The Portugal international has been dealing with an adductor injury since the reverse fixture against Torino on December 8, when he was forced to be subbed off.

According to Calciomercato.com, Leao also has discomfort in the pubic area.

Milan will return to the pitch after the break in a crucial Serie A match against third-placed Napoli.

The FIGC explains that Federico Chiesa ‘has been deemed unavailable for the next two matches’ following an assessment of his physical condition, so the 28-year-old has already returned to Liverpool.

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Chiesa left Italy’s training centre Coverciano on Monday to return to Liverpool and won’t be available for the World Cup play-off this week.

Official: Why Chiesa pulled out of Italy squad for 2026 World Cup play-off

The Italian FA explained Gennaro Gattuso’s decision with an official statement on Monday morning: “Federico Chiesa, after his physical condition was assessed upon arrival at the federal technical centre, has been deemed unavailable for the next two matches and, in agreement with his club, has left the national team training camp.”

The FIGC confirmed that Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi was included in the Azzurri squad to replace Chiesa.

The Liverpool winger had not featured for the Italy national team since the 2024 Euros and had previously rejected the chance to play for the Azzurri under Gattuso.

A Euro 2020 winner, Chiesa has scored seven goals in 51 appearances with the Italy national team.

He has made 32 appearances across all competitions with Liverpool this season, scoring three goals and providing three assists, but has only played 673 minutes with the Reds in 2025-26.

Cambiaghi, 25, has only played once for the Azzurri but has four goals and six assists in 37 Bologna games this term.

The 25-year-old has played over 2,000 minutes with the Rossoblu in 2025-26.

Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has already left Italy’s training ground and won’t be available for the World Cup play-off, being replaced by Bologna’s Nicolò Cambiaghi.

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Chiesa unavailable for Italy’s World Cup play-off

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Liverpool winger Chiesa won’t be available for Italy’s World Cup play-off this week as the 28-year-old has already left the Azzurri’s training ground in Coverciano, Florence.

Chiesa was included in the Italy squad for the first time in nearly two years, but according to the report, he left Coverciano on Monday morning and will be replaced by Bologna’s Cambiaghi.

It remains unclear whether Chiesa has suffered an injury or pulled out of the squad for other reasons, especially given that he had previously declined the chance to play for the Azzurri under Gennaro Gattuso.

There are more injury concerns in the Azzurri squad. Roma’s Gianluca Mancini suffered an injury during a Serie A match against Lecce on Sunday.

Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni has missed the last two matches at a club level due to a bruised fibula, while Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca has suffered an adductor injury and was not available for La Dea’s Serie A match against Verona on Sunday.

Contrary to Chiesa, however, all three players are still in Coverciano to be assessed by the national team doctors.

Today, Gattuso will hold a press conference at 14:00 CET (13:00 GMT).

• JUST IN: FIGC explains Chiesa’s omission from Italy squad

Fabio Capello believes Juventus are right to extend Luciano Spalletti’s contract regardless of Champions League qualification, but argues that ‘it won’t be easy’ to catch Cesc Fabregas’ Como and finish in the top four.

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Juventus’ 1-1 draw against Sassuolo over the weekend pushed the Bianconeri three points below fourth-placed Como, who secured a comfortable 5-0 win against Pisa.

Capello examined the Bianconeri’s performance in his latest interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, highlighting what didn’t work for the Old Lady.

“First of all, Yildiz. He scored okay, but he lacked consistency, especially in the second half,” said the ex-coach.

“Unlike usual, he didn’t take responsibility for getting the team out of trouble. Juventus attacked more on the right, where Conceiçao did have a good game, but it wasn’t enough to win.”

Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik were introduced in the dying minutes, while Lois Openda and Jonathan David spent the whole game on the bench.

“The false nine is fashionable. Anyway, the first two were coming back from long injuries, while evidently, the other two are not considered up to the level required by the coach at the moment,” Capello said.

Juventus are expected to offer Spalletti a contract extension before the end of the season, regardless of whether they qualify for the Champions League.

“Obviously, it’s more complicated. There’s no denying that Luciano has given something to Juve, despite a few unlucky results, and for this reason, the club has decided to continue with him without waiting for the end of the season,” noted Capello.

“In my opinion, it’s the right choice, even if there’s no signature yet. Not finishing in the top four, however, would limit possibilities in the transfer market and have repercussions on the whole environment.”

Juventus are level on 54 points with Roma, three points behind Como, but Atalanta are also still in the race for the top four despite sitting 7th with 50 points.

“Como are riding a wave of enthusiasm. They win, play well, and score easily. Fabregas is very good, but sometimes overcomplicates things with some overly elaborate ideas,” concluded Capello.

“However, it won’t be easy to catch them, especially since they have the advantage over Juve in head-to-head matches, and that +3 is practically a +4. Roma are not in great form, and against Lecce, you could see they were still feeling the effects of their Europa League elimination. They’re also paying for absences, especially those of quality players such as Soulé and Dybala. They struggled, but still managed to take all three points and remain in contention for a Champions League spot. Atalanta also won and are chasing from a bit further back. There are still many matches left; it’s too early to make predictions, but they all have the duty to believe.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter have lost themselves

Chivu can no longer win. Another draw in Florence

Milan -6, Napoli -7 and they believe

Pio right away, 1-1 scored by Ndour. Nerazzurri deflated. Thuram is a case.

The magician of sprints

Allegri and Conte, Scudetto specialists. Napoli-Milan the day after Easter

Paz & Vaz Eurogoal

Como scored five and ran away. Roma, one is enough.

Juve under accusation

-3 from Champions League, everyone guilty (including Spalletti).

Italy: Bastoni, Mancini and Scamacca. World Cup doubts

Corriere dello Sport

Faded

Inter’s anxiety

Viola comeback: Milan go -6, Napoli -7.

Immediate lead with Esposito (6th goal), but lost momentum in the second half. Sommer protagonist. Ndour scores the equaliser. Eight games to go: there’s Roma after the break.

Napoli, another pause for Conte

Antonio won’t be with the team. A break to refresh.

Allegri cancels Fonseca and Conceiçao

In 30 games, he has already earned as many points as last season.

Bologna blackout: Lazio make the leap

Baby Motta saves Orso’s penalty: Double Taylor: 0-2 and 8th spot.

Roma, the reply

Reaction after the Europa League defeat and relaunch in the Champions League race. Robinio decides it. Hermoso avoids the 1-1 in the dying minutes. Gasp remains silent. Fabregas fourth, 5th consecutive win +3 on Spalletti and the Giallorossi.

Tuttosport

Spalletti’s future, champions needed

It’s the week of renewal and there are many things to be clarified

Anatomy of choices, common vision on the market and a team immediately able to compete at the top: these are the needs of the coach that come before the contract’s length. There’s a need to set misunderstandings aside, despite a limited budget, if they miss out on the top four. The cases Openda and David, too many wastes and the penalty issues.

Pio illusion, Inter tremble

Esposito scored a goal after 40 seconds, but it’s another lead not managed. Ndour scores the 1-1. Two points in three games, it’s all open again for the Scudetto. Napoli dream too.

Not only can Simeone leave the Granata

Vlasic causes concern for Torino.

FantaComo: 5 goals for the +3, Roma Vaz.

Inter’s 1-1 draw against Fiorentina leaves Milan six points behind the Nerazzurri with eight games to play, but it’s all left to play for in Serie A, from the race for a Champions League spot to the fight for survival.

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Serie A Round 30 came to a close on Sunday night with Inter’s 1-1 draw against Fiorentina.

Milan and Napoli had beaten Torino and Cagliari earlier this weekend, so both sides have earned two points over the table leaders.

Inter are now winless in their last three league matches, and their advantage over second-placed Milan has been reduced to six points, while Napoli sit third, seven points below the Nerazzurri.

Como sit fourth in the standings following a commanding 5-0 win over Pisa. Juventus and Roma are level on 54 points, three below Cesc Fabregas’ side.

The race for survival also remains wide open with Lecce and Cremonese level on 27 points, Fiorentina sitting 16th with 29, and Cagliari in 15th with 30.

Updated Serie A table after Round 30

Nicolò Fagioli and Francesco Pio Esposito are the highest-rated players in Fiorentina’s 1-1 draw against Inter at the Stadio Franchi.

Fiorentina 1-1 Inter – player ratings

Fiorentina: De Gea 6.5; Dodo 6.5, Pongracic 6, Ranieri 5, Gosens 5.5; Fagioli 7 (90′ Fabbian N/A); Parisi 6 (68′ Harrison 6), Brescianini 6, Ndour 6.5, Gudmundsson 6 (90′ Comuzzo N/A); Kean 5 (85′ Piccoli N/A). Coach: Vanoli 6.5.

Best Fiorentina player: Fagioli 7 – He always had clear ideas with the ball at his feet. His passing accuracy (per Sofascore) was above 90%. Not all his teammates were as quick or sharp, but every time Fagioli had the ball, the Tuscans felt in a safe place. 

Lowest Fiorentina ratings: Kean and Ranieri 5 –  Kean is supposed to be the added value in attack for Fiorentina, yet he even struggled to find the right position on the field tonight. He spent most of the second half wide on the left flank and missed the best chance for the Viola in the first half. Ranieri was caught out by Pio Esposito early on, with Inter’s most dangerous chances consistently coming down his flank.

Fiorentina coach: Vanoli 6.5 – The start was shocking, with a goal conceded after less than one minute, and Inter could even have scored more. However, the Tuscans reacted and had a few chances to score, especially with Kean, before the break. Solid performance in the second half and a deserved draw scored by Ndour.

Inter: Sommer 5.5; Bisseck 6.5, Akanji 6, Carlos Augusto 5.5 (46′ Acerbi 5.5); Dumfries 6 (85′ Luis Henrique N/A), Barella 6 (83′ Sucic), Calhanoglu 6 (68′ Frattesi 5.5), Zielinski 6, Dimarco 5.5; Thuram 5 (68′ Bonny 5.5), Esposito 7. Coach: Kolarov 5.5 (Chivu banned).

Best Inter player: Pio Esposito 7 – The 20-year-old made an immediate impact, opening the scoring inside the first minute and delivering far more throughout the match. He used his strength effectively to hold the ball and showed sharp awareness in his touches, helping drive the Nerazzurri’s attacks. Positive signs for the Italy national team as well. Based on his and Kean’s performances tonight, there’s no doubt about who should start for Italy in the play-off.

Lowest Inter rating: Thuram 5 – The Frenchman has now gone eight consecutive games across all competitions without scoring a goal. The difference with Pio Esposito was evident tonight. The Italian moved all over the final third; Thuram was quite static and never really dangerous. Another disappointing night.

Inter coach: Kolarov (Chivu banned) 5.5 – Another draw and another sloppy performance, aside from the opening 20 minutes. The Nerazzurri are not sharp enough to be consistent throughout the game, and tonight they lost control of the midfield when Calhanoglu was inevitably replaced (the Turkish star was returning from an injury). Now Milan are once again six points below the Nerazzurri.

Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma won his first title with Manchester City today, lifting the EFL Cup after a 2-0 win over Arsenal at Wembley Stadium.

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Italy star Donnarumma has lifted another piece of silverware at Wembley Stadium after Euro 2020 with the Azzurri.

Today, his Manchester City side beat Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup Final, giving Gigio his first trophy with the Premier League giants.

Gigio didn’t play as Pep Guardiola picked second-choice keeper James Trafford, who had featured in all previous games in the competition.

Donnarumma celebrated his first trophy with Manchester City on social media, showing himself holding the trophy and celebrating with his teammate.

The Italy captain added a simple one-word caption to his social media post: ‘Winners.’

Donnarumma is now heading to Italy’s training centre Coverciano, where he’ll prepare for the Azzurri’s World Cup play-off.

Donnarumma has made 79 appearances with the Italy national team.

On Thursday, March 26, Italy will host Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal.

He has kept 14 clean sheets in 36 appearances with Manchester City this season.

Donnarumma celebrates first trophy with Manchester City

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Italy international Jorginho alleges that security guards of pop singer Chappell Roan reduced his daughter to tears after a casual encounter in a hotel in Sao Paulo.

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Former Napoli and Verona star Jorginho hit out at Chappell Roan on social media, saying that security guards of the pop singer reduced his daughter to tears in a hotel in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Jorginho’s family and the Pink Pony Club singer were having breakfast at the same hotel in the Brazilian city, and the midfielder’s daughter allegedly passed by Roan’s table and smiled at the singer without saying anything.

Jorginho hits out at pop singer Chappell Roan

“What happened next was completely disproportionate,” Jorginho wrote in an Instagram story, as quoted by the BBC.

“A large security guard came over to their table while they were still having breakfast and began speaking in an extremely aggressive manner to both my wife [Catherine Harding] and my daughter, saying that she shouldn’t allow my daughter to ‘disrespect’ or ‘harass’ other people.”

“He even said he would file a complaint against them with the hotel, while my 11-year-old daughter was sitting there in tears. My daughter was extremely shaken and cried a lot.

“I understand very well what respect and boundaries are. What happened there was not that. It was just a child admiring someone.

“It’s sad to see this kind of treatment coming from those who should understand the importance of fans. At the end of the day, they are the ones who build all of this.

“I sincerely hope this serves as a moment of reflection. No one should have to go through this, especially not a child.

“WITHOUT YOUR FANS, YOU WOULD BE NOTHING. AND TO THE FANS, SHE DOES NOT DESERVE YOUR AFFECTION.”

Roan responded to Jorginho’s claims, saying that she was “sad for the mother and child,” who “didn’t deserve” such treatment, but argued the incident did not involve her own personal security.

“I was just sitting at breakfast in my hotel…I did not ask the security guard to go up and talk to this mother and child,” she added.

“They did not come up to me. They weren’t doing anything. It’s unfair for security to just assume someone doesn’t have good intentions when they have no reason to believe that, because there is no action taken.

“I do not hate people who are fans of my music. I do not hate children, that is crazy.

“I am sorry to the mother and child that someone was assuming something, that you were doing something. If you felt uncomfortable, that makes me really sad. You did not deserve that.”

Jorginho is a former Napoli and Verona star, now playing for Brazilian side Flamengo.

The 34-year-old was born in Brazil but holds an Italian passport and has made 57 appearances for the Azzurri, scoring five goals and winning the 2020 European Championship.

Roma midfielder Nicolò Pisilli comments on a 1-0 win over Lecce and looks to Italy’s upcoming World Cup play-off: ‘We must not be afraid.’

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Pisilli had a goal disallowed against Lecce, but his Roma side still managed to secure a 1-0 win thanks to Robinio Vaz’s first goal with the club.

“It was a very difficult game,” Pisilli told Sky.

“We had lost a lot of mental energy on Thursday, but we were still good at taking the result home.”

Spanish full-back Angelino returned to action after several months today. He had been diagnosed with asthmatic bronchitis at the beginning of the season and had not made a competitive appearance since September 28.

“We are all happy he’s back. He’s such a nice guy, and he’s always tried to work at his best,” Pisilli said.

“We are so happy he has returned, and we hope he can put more minutes in his legs in the final part of the campaign.”

Pisilli is part of the Italy squad playing in the World Cup play-off next week.

“We must be confident. We are Italy, and we must not be afraid,” said the 21-year-old midfielder.

“We deserve to play in the World Cup. I’m accustomed to seeing Italy at the World Cup, and I hope that happens this summer.”

Gian Piero Gasperini lost his voice during Roma’s win over Lecce, so the Giallorossi boss did not release any post-match interview.

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Roma coach Gasperini won’t speak to the media about the Giallorossi’s win over Lecce on Sunday, having lost his voice during the game, according to Italian sources, including TMW.

Why Gasperini didn’t talk to the media after Roma 1-0 Lecce

Gasperini didn’t show up for interviews with DAZN and Sky Sport Italia and won’t even hold a post-match press conference.

Robinio Vaz’s first goal with Roma allowed Gasperini’s side to secure a much-needed win in the race for the top four.

Roma had collected two defeats and one draw in Serie A prior to today’s fixture.

Gasperini didn’t even hold a pre-match press conference on the eve of the game.

According to Italian sources, his future at the Stadio Olimpico is uncertain, due in part to disagreements with sporting director Frederic Massara.

Roma have lost 14 games across all competitions this season, but they are level on 54 points with Juventus in the Serie A table, three below fourth-placed Como.