Former Milan, Roma and Juventus coach Fabio Capello saw the ‘usual flows’ of Italian football in the Azzurri’s 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, but enjoyed the ‘reaction’ and the contribution of Francesco Pio Esposito.

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Italy are off to Zenica today, on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Azzurri trained at Coverciano on Monday morning, before taking a private flight to Bosnia. Later today, coach Gennaro Gattuso and captain Gigio Donnarumma will preview the Final during a pre-match press conference.

The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo last week with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in the second half.

“Having overcome that obstacle with a shy first half and a second half in which we found ourselves again was psychologically very important,” Capello told Gazzetta.

“It certainly helped the players understand our real value, and I believe that Gattuso, ahead of the match with Bosnia, will also work on this.”

The Azzurri were not let down by a mediocre first-half performance in Bergamo last week and, after the break, created several goal-scoring opportunities, securing a deserved victory.

Capello examined the positives and negatives of the latest Azzurri performance.

“Starting with the negatives, I’d say the usual flaws we often see in Italian football. Sideway passing, slowness, little vertical play and a lack of personality when in possession,” he said.

“As for the positives, the reaction was important, and I also liked the introduction of Pio Esposito, who brought a certain balance. All three attacking options are good, but Retegui and Kean are a bit too similar. Pio, on the other hand, especially in key moments, has that strength and aerial ability that can become fundamental, along with excellent vision.”

Capello: ‘Italy have good defenders, but…’

The Azzurri will likely face a hostile environment, but Capello is more worried about what might happen on the pitch.

“I’m concerned about corner kicks and free kicks, particularly how we’ll defend inside the penalty area,” he said.

“We have very good defenders with the ball at their feet, but they are less suited to marking. Bosnia relies heavily on this, and just on Thursday night, Dzeko managed to get the better of players strong in the air, like those from Wales. We’ll be facing a national team with quality and personality, starting with that 18-year-old who took the last penalty, Alajbegovic.”

Surely, the ex-Italian tactician will follow the match with the same passion he had as a coach: “I suffer for the national team. I suffer too much…I scream,” he said. Just as an ordinary fan.

Nicolò Zaniolo’s  Claudio Vigorelli admits his client hoped for an Italy call-up, but ‘appreciates the transparency and the words of Gennaro Gattuso.’

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Udinese ‘ideal’ for Zaniolo

Zaniolo’s ten-goal contributions for Udinese (five goals and five assists) in 26 Serie A games this season have not been enough to earn a spot in the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-off.

“We’ve always been convinced that Udine would be an ideal place to help him revive his career,” his agent Vigorelli told Gazzettino del Friuli via TMW.

“The context has granted the utmost stability and tranquillity, and that has been the result of collaboration between director Nanni and President Pozzo on a matter that was not simple. It’s no coincidence that we reached an agreement on the very final day. Nicolò strongly wanted this move, and he was right.”

Italy coach Gattuso has admitted that Zaniolo deserved an Italy call-up, but ultimately chose to rely on the team’s established core.

“It’s useless to deny that he hoped for it [a call-up]; the national team is an objective for all footballers,” concluded Vigorelli.

“We’ve accepted it, but it doesn’t mean he won’t get a call-up sooner or later. We appreciate the transparency and the words of Gattuso; in the future, we’ll see.”

The Azzurri are ready to fly to Bosnia for the World Cup play-off Final, while the two line-ups that Gennaro Gattuso tested during a morning training session have been revealed.

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Italy trained at Coverciano on Monday morning before leaving for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, they’ll play in the World Cup play-off Final.

The opening 15 minutes of today’s training session were open to the media, and, as reported by TMW, the Azzurri warmed up with a rondo before a test match.

Italy line-ups before World Cup play-off

Gattuso rotated the goalkeepers, and the line-ups at Coverciano were the following:

White team: Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Cristante, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.

Yellow team: Mancini, Gatti, Buongiorno; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Pisilli, Spinazzola; Raspadori, Esposito.

The white team, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean in attack, seems the most likely to start, although there should be a few tweaks: Gianluca Mancini in place of Giorgio Scalvini, Matteo Politano for Andrea Cambiaso, Manuel Locatelli for Bryan Cristante, and Nicolò Barella for Davide Frattesi.

According to several sources, in fact, Gattuso seems unwilling to change the XI that beat Northern Ireland in the semis last week.

All the players trained on the pitch today, so Gattuso will have a full squad available for the game against Bosnia on Tuesday.

Yet, the Azzurri boss will name five players who will go to the stands on the morning of the game.

For last week’s semis against Northern Ireland, the likes of Elia Caprile, Diego Coppola, Andrea Cambiaso, Gianluca Scamacca and Nicolò Cambiaghi were not part of the squad list and didn’t even go to the bench.

• Read more – World Cup play-off Final: Italy’s plan on eve of Bosnia clash

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham have issued an ultimatum to Roberto De Zerbi, giving the Italian tactician two days to respond to their offer.

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Tottenham are in a hurry to reach an agreement with De Zerbi, who is available on the market after his contract with Marseille was terminated by mutual agreement in February.

Tottenham in a hurry for agreement with De Zerbi

De Zerbi is Tottenham’s leading target to replace Igor Tudor, who won just one of his seven games in charge, before leaving by mutual consent on Sunday.

Sky Sport’s Gianluca Di Marzio claimed the “next few hours” would be decisive in determining whether De Zerbi accepts Tottenham’s offer, while Gazzetta offers a more precise time frame.

According to the report, Tottenham have given De Zerbi 24-48 hours of time to respond to their offer.

Just a few days ago, the Italian tactician seemed willing to wait until the start of the new season for a new club, but Tottenham’s persistence has made the ex-Sassuolo boss reconsider their offer.

• Read more – Tottenham fans already boycotted Gattuso, but De Zerbi situation differs

Mateo Retegui is the Italy outfield player with the most minutes under Gennaro Gattuso, which helps explain why the coach is not expected to change the Azzurri’s attack in the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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Italy will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final on Tuesday, March 31.

Retegui a regular Italy starter under Gattuso

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Gattuso won’t change the XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semis last week. This means Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui will get the nod up front.

The latter has been criticised for missing a big chance in the second half of the Northern Ireland match, just minutes before Sandro Tonali’s opener.

Francesco Pio Esposito, on the other hand, had a big impact as a substitute, so the Inter talent was expected to challenge Retegui for a starting spot.

As TWM highlights, Gattuso’s trust in Retegui is well-explained by the striker’s stats under the new Italy coach.

Retegui, in fact, is the outfield player with the most minutes played since September, when Gattuso made his debut as La Nazionale’s boss.

Since then, Retegui has played 525 minutes with the Azzurri, twice as many as Kean.

Retegui, a former Atalanta and Genoa star, has scored five goals and provided four assists in seven appearances under Gattuso.

Pio Esposito made his senior Italy debut under Gattuso this past September and has collected six appearances, two as a starter, and scored three goals.

Bologna are reportedly interested in Napoli-owned striker Lorenzo Lucca, who is expected to return to the Stadio Maradona from a six-month loan at Nottingham Forest.

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Bologna target Lucca for 2026-27

Bologna have resumed their interest in Italian striker Lucca, according to Gazzetta.

The Rossoblu already targeted the ex-Udinese striker four years ago, and during the January transfer window.

Back in 2022, Lucca joined Ajax from Pisa despite an offer from the Stadio Dall’Ara, while last January, Forest made the most convincing offer to bring him on loan from Napoli.

According to Gazzetta, Bologna will be listening to offers for Thijs Dallinga next summer, and Lucca is one of the Dutchman’s possible replacements.

Lucca has only scored one goal in seven appearances with Nottingham Forest since his loan move in the January window.

He had managed the same in 23 Napoli games in the first part of the campaign.

According to Gazzetta, Lucca’s future at Nottingham Forest remains uncertain, but previous reports claimed that the Premier League side would not make his move permanent at the end of the season.

Italian sources claim that exams confirmed a muscle-tendon injury for Roma defender Wesley, who will be sidelined for one month.

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Roma will be forced to cope without their versatile wing-back Wesley for the next four weeks.

Roma star Wesley sidelined for a month after Brazil injury

The Brazilian was released early from international duty last week due to an injury.

According to Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia and Rome-based ReteSport, exams conducted in Rome this morning have confirmed a muscle-tendon lesion that will sideline the Brazilian for four weeks.

Wesley is in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico, but has quickly become a key player for Gian Piero Gasperini, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.

Roma are fighting for a Champions League spot and are currently level on 54 points with Juventus, three behind fourth-placed Como.

After the break, Roma will visit table leaders Inter at the Stadio Meazza in Milan, but over the next month, they’ll also play against Atalanta, Bologna, Fiorentina and Pisa.

Sky Sport Italia reports that Roberto De Zerbi is open to taking the Tottenham job immediately following Igor Tudor’s departure, but some Spurs fans have already voiced their discontent at the Italian’s possible appointment.

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De Zerbi to Tottenham: latest updates

Former Sassuolo and Brighton coach De Zerbi is open to discussing a possible appointment with Tottenham to replace Igor Tudor.

The Croatian left the club by mutual consent on Sunday, and the North Londoners have made De Zerbi their primary target.

Tudor won just one of his seven games in charge at Tottenham, drawing once and losing five times.

Spurs are currently fighting for survival, being just one point above the drop zone in the Premier League.

According to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Di Marzio, De Zerbi is open to talks with Tottenham, who have outlined their long-term project to the Italian coach, including top-level signings, provided they remain in the Premier League.

Di Marzio claims that the “next few hours will be decisive” to learn whether De Zerbi will accept the Tottenham offer.

De Zerbi’s possible appointment, however, has upset some Tottenham fans, who have urged the club to reconsider his hiring.

This was due to De Zerbi’s public defence of Mason Greenwood, whom he coached at Marseille from July 2024 until last February, when De Zerbi left the French club by mutual consent.

Tottenham fan groups, including Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, argued that De Zerbi minimised the severity of male violence, going against the club’s values.

Sport.es reports that Barcelona are determined to retain Robert Lewandowski, a target for Juventus and Milan, for one season and will offer the Poland international a new contract.

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Barcelona ready to send contract offer to Lewandowski

Barcelona are set to offer their striker Lewandowski a new contract until 2027, according to Sport.es.

The 37-year-old’s current deal at the Camp Nou expires at the end of the season and the Spanish newspaper confirms he has attracted interest from Juventus and Milan in Serie A.

Reports from Italy last week claimed that Juventus had sent one of their representatives to watch the experienced centre-forward during the March break with the Poland national team.

Juventus are currently in talks to extend the contract of Dusan Vlahovic, but the Bianconeri will be looking for a new centre-forward regardless of the Serbian’s stay.

Milan signed Niclas Fullkrug on loan with an option to buy from West Ham in January, but are unsure on whether to make his move permanent at the end of the season. Yet again, the Rossoneri are expected to chase a new centre-forward for 2026-27.

According to Sport.es, Lewandowski is still uncertain about his future at Barcelona and has taken time to consider his options.

The striker’s representative has an excellent relationship with Barcelona, and so has Lewandowski.

Juventus and Milan aren’t the only clubs interested, as Lewandowski has also been targeted by Turkish clubs and Chicago Fire in the MLS, while the Barcelona star seems uninterested in a move to the Saudi Pro League.

According to Opta, Como are favourites to qualify for the Champions League this season, ahead of Juventus and Roma, with a 60.87% chance of finishing in the top four.

Como sit fourth in the Serie A table with eight games remaining and are also the favourite to earn a Champions League spot, according to Opta.

The Opta algorithm confirms the scenario outlined by statistics and the betting calculator website, Winsports Online.

According to Opta, via Tuttosport, Cesc Fabregas’ side has a 60.87% chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season, against Juventus’ 24.48% and Roma’s 17.15%.

Bianconeri and Giallorossi are both three points below Como in the Serie A table.

Tension is running high at Roma, where Gian Piero Gasperini’s future seems uncertain, mostly due to disagreements with the club director, Frederic Massara.

Gasperini did not talk to the media after a 1-0 win over Lecce before the March international break. Officially, Gasp remained silent because he had lost his voice during the match, but according to Gazzetta and other Italian media outlets, the Giallorossi boss was in no mood to face reporters’ questions.

Juventus seem to have improved their playing style and appear to have a clearer identity under Luciano Spalletti, yet the Bianconeri are still struggling for consistency, as shown by a recent 1-1 home draw against Sassuolo.

Fabregas’ Como, on the other hand, have won each of their last five league games and have a decent fixture list ahead with a home game against Inter and an away match at Napoli emerging as the most difficult encounters in the final stretch of the campaign.

Opta has also made predictions for the title race, identifying a clear favourite for the Scudetto.

Inter have an 89.48% chance of lifting the title, compared to Milan’s 6.16% and Napoli’s 4.19%.

Cristian Chivu was suspended for a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina last week, so his assistant, Aleksandar Kolarov, led the team from the touchline and spoke to the media after the match.

“It wasn’t our best game and we are not in our best period of the season, but we are still six points clear at the top of the table, so it is all in our hands,” said the former defender.

“We are lacking some determination and perhaps sharpness too, as fatigue is accumulated over the many games. It is not our best spell of the season, we are used to seeing Inter dominate matches, but we are still six points clear and it is up to us to kill off the title race.”

Inter have collected only two points in their last three Serie A matches, but still have a six-point lead over second-placed Milan and seven points more than Napoli.

Rossoneri and Partenopei will meet at the Stadio Maradona after the March break.

Former Milan and Fiorentina midfielder Cristian Brocchi is happy with the attitude Italian players showed against Northern Ireland and feels the Azzurri won’t need ‘Baggio or Del Piero’ to qualify for the World Cup, regardless of a fiery atmosphere in Bosnia.

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Brocchi enjoyed Italy’s attitude in World Cup play-off semifinal

Italy will fly to Bosnia today on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final against Edin Dzeko’s Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Brocchi, a two-time Champions League winner with Milan and a former teammate of Gennaro Gattuso, spoke about the upcoming Final in an interview with Sport Mediaset.

“I liked the personalities of the key players. They proved to be aware of the importance of the game. Hopefully, they can have the same attitude [in the Final],” he said via TMW.

“I think Gattuso has hit the right spots. I liked the press conference where he established the core values that became the foundations of success throughout our careers. Italy no longer has Baggio or Del Piero, but they have strong players for this match.”

The Azzurri expect a hostile reception in Zenica, even if FIFA cut the stadium’s capacity by 20% following incidents in Bosnia’s most recent home game in November 2025.

“Everywhere’s the same. Everywhere you go, you find passionate fans,” Brocchi concluded.

“There’s everything at stake for both them and us. In Bergamo, we had an added value: the home fans. Now we must endure difficulties.”

The Italy national team will train at Coverciano this morning and fly from Florence to Bosnia in the afternoon, before Gennaro Gattuso’s pre-match press conference.

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Italy are preparing for a massive World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31.

Italy’s plan on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final

As reported by Gazzetta, the Azzurri have slightly changed their plans on the eve of the game, as they’ll fly to Bosnia later than expected due to bad weather there.

Azzurri CT Gennaro Gattuso has decided to let his players train in Coverciano rather than on the heavy pitch at the Bilino Polje Stadium today.

Italy will train at their training centre on Monday morning, before leaving for Bosnia with a private flight at 16:30 CET (15:30 BST). The Nazionale is expected to arrive in Zenica at around 19:00 CET.

Once Gattuso and the players arrive at the venue for tomorrow’s match, they’ll undergo a pitch inspection, while the coach and captain, Gigio Donnarumma, will preview the Final at a pre-match press conference.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

The golden boys launch the national team

Kimi of Italy

It’s always super Sinner

Azzurri, now it’s only you missing

Corriere dello Sport

Italents

Waiting for the Azzurri, we are dominating in every other sport: tomorrow it’s Gattuso’s turn in Bosnia.

Kimi, Sinner and Bezzecchi, there’s an Italy that rules

Tuttosport

Who catches me?

Antonelli triumphs in Suzuka too and becomes the World Championship leader

Bezzecchi, magical tris!

‘Listen Lewa, go to Juve!’

Exclusive Douglas Costa: ‘I know Robert well, he’s the striker they need. He scores in every way, and if I had had a Yildiz in my team…’ Kolo, new Bianconeri signals. Waiting for Spalletti and Vlahovic.

Torino stadium, the City Council waits and hopes.

Bosnia-Italy, Turpin things

The Frenchman is a top referee, but is the same one as the infamous play-off against North Macedonia.

According to Marca, Inter star Alessandro Bastoni is open to joining Barcelona in the summer, yet club-to-club negotiations have not begun.

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Bastoni’s green light to Barcelona move

Inter defender Bastoni is reportedly open to discussing a summer move to Barcelona, according to Spanish newspaper Marca.

Bastoni is said to have already informed Barcelona that he’d consider a move to Camp Nou in 2026-27.

According to the report, even Inter are open to offers for their star defender, but Barcelona have not yet made a formal approach to the Serie A table leaders.

Bastoni has been linked with a summer move to Barcelona for several weeks. This past February, the Italian received praise from the Catalans’ defender, Pau Cubarsì, who described Bastoni as a “spectacular centre-back.”

Marca adds that Barcelona will be looking for a left-footed central defender who is dominant in the air for next season and that Bastoni is their primary target for 2026-27.

Inter, however, are unwilling to negotiate a sale for less than €70m.

Bastoni, 26, has proved his ability on both ends, scoring two goals and providing six assists in 35 appearances with Inter this season.

• More Inter transfers – Tottenham’s Vicario joins Inter and Juventus stars for Italy dinner amid transfer speculation

Italy players enjoyed an evening off on Friday, and Inter target Guglielmo Vicario, who has joined the national team despite a recent surgery, was spotted at dinner with four Nerazzurri stars.

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Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso gave his players a Friday evening off after a day of training at Coverciano, the day after a 2-0 win over Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final.

As reported by Gazzetta, a group of Azzurri players, including Inter’s Federico Dimarco, Nicolò Barella, Alessandro Bastoni, and Francesco Pio Esposito, went out for dinner at a restaurant not too far from the Azzurri training centre.

Juventus’ Manuel Locatelli and Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario were also at the table and posed for photos with the restaurant owner, who later shared them on social media.

Several sources have been reporting for weeks that Vicario is Inter’s top goalkeeping target for next season, so his private dinner with some of the most influential Nerazzurri players has fuelled transfer speculation in Italy.

Tuttosport reported earlier this month that even Juventus had begun preliminary talks with the goalkeeper’s entourage.

Vicario recently underwent hernia surgery, so he’s not available for the World Cup play-off, but he still joined his teammates in Coverciano last week.

Italy players enjoy an evening out in Florence

Miralem Pjanic, a former Juventus and Roma star, says he doesn’t understand why Italy celebrated Bosnia and Herzegovina’s win over Wales: ‘They’ll need personality in Zenica.’

Ex-Serie A star Pjanic commented on Italy’s celebration of Bosnia’s victory against Wales in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

Pjanic: ‘I don’t understand’ Italy’s celebration

“I don’t understand why,” said the ex-midfielder.

“Bosnia is waiting for them with open arms,” he added, smiling.

“We’ll see how it ends, anyway. Italy is Italy, and we have the utmost respect, but who knows?

“They’ll have to be good at playing a game in a terrible environment. They’ll need personality to leave Zenica with a victory.”

Pjanic also spoke to Sky Sport Italia, warning the Azzurri that the atmosphere in his country will be far from friendly on Tuesday.

Italy secured a home 2-0 win over Northern Ireland on Thursday to qualify for the World Cup play-off Final, while Bosnia and Herzegovina needed penalties to beat Wales away.

Some Italian players, including Federico Dimarco, were caught on camera celebrating Bosnia’s victory, and the video has quickly gone viral on social media.

Dimarco explained his reaction at a press conference on Saturday, insisting that he was not arrogant and that it was “disrespectful” to show the Azzurri’s celebration on live TV.

Pjanic scored 42 goals in 281 Serie A appearances with Roma and Juventus.

He won four Serie A titles with the Bianconeri and retired last year.

The World Cup play-off Final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina will be played in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31 at 20:45 CET.

Italy have an allocation of 500 tickets for the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday.

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Sky Sport Italia reports that only 500 Italian fans will be allowed in the away sector at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday for the World Cup play-off Final between the Azzurri and the home side, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A draw determined the home side in December.

The stadium has a capacity of 15,600, which, however, has been reduced by 2,100 seats by FIFA following incidents during Bosnia’s most recent home match against Romania in November 2025.

The Bosnian Football Federation has already confirmed that all the tickets available for the Final against Italy were sold just a few hours after their victory on penalties against Wales in the semis on Thursday.

Date and time for World Cup play-off final

On the same day, Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean.

The World Cup play-off Final will be next Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT).

Kevin De Bruyne admits Romelu Lukaku is ‘not in a good situation’ but feels that whatever happens at Napoli ‘gets amplified.’

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Belgium star De Bruyne commented on the latest incident involving his compatriot and Napoli teammate Lukaku during a press conference on Saturday.

De Bruyne comments on Lukaku’s Napoli row

Lukaku has remained in Belgium without Napoli’s consent as he aims to train individually to regain full fitness ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The Partenopei are furious with the 32-year-old and will freeze him out of the team if he fails to return to the club’s training centre by next Tuesday.

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia sided with Lukaku and said he hopes the striker will get more playing time at Napoli after the break.

“There’s always a lot of noise around Napoli. If something happens, it gets amplified. I don’t know the details or what exactly happened,” De Bruyne added, via Gazzetta, while on Belgium international duty.

“But it’s not a good situation for Romelu. There was a long-lasting injury, and I just hope he returns as soon as possible.”

Lukaku is currently in Antwerp, training at the same clinic where De Bruyne was treated for a high-degree muscle injury over the last few months.

De Bruyne has recently returned to action for the Partenopei, while Lukaku has only made seven appearances across all competitions, playing barely 60 minutes and scoring one goal.

“Romelu and I followed a similar path after our injuries. I did a full rehabilitation [in Belgium], Romelu partially in Antwerp and partially in Naples,” concluded De Bruyne.

“When there are two different views, it’s hard to work together. There have been differences, and this is not ideal if you aim to get back in shape.”

Belgium coach Rudi Garcia sides with Romelu Lukaku, who has to follow a ‘specific program’ to get back in shape and hopes the 32-year-old will get ‘more playing time’ when he returns to Napoli.

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Belgium coach Garcia, a former Napoli tactician, appeared to back Lukaku despite the striker’s decision to cancel his return to Naples to train individually in Belgium during the break.

Belgium coach defends Lukaku after Napoli row

Lukaku broke the internal rules at Napoli and will be fined by the club. According to several sources, the Partenopei will even freeze him out of the team if he fails to return by next Tuesday.

Lukaku initially joined the Belgian national team during the March break, but was soon left out because of his poor form.

“Lukaku was not 100% fit, and he had to follow a specific program to recover,” Garcia explained at a press conference on Saturday, via Gazzetta.

“It’s normal for him to want to be at the top. When you are not, the mental aspect plays a significant role because there’s a fear of getting injured again. We understand him. Totti had the same injury, and we know it takes time to recover from something like that.”

Lukaku sustained a severe muscle injury during the pre-season and has played barely 60 minutes across all competitions this season, scoring one goal in seven appearances.

“I hope Lukaku can return to Napoli soon and get more playing time there,” continued Garcia.

“It’s important for the club and for us that he returns to full fitness as soon as possible. We must convince everyone that Romelu needs to do what he thinks is best to get in his best shape, physically and mentally.”

A former Napoli coach, Garcia, is not on good terms with President Aurelio De Laurentiis. Last year, the coach said he had enjoyed “everything” of his time at the club, except for the owner.

Read more – De Bruyne admits: ‘Not a good situation’ for Lukaku at Napoli

During his press conference at Coverciano today, Italy star Federico Dimarco said the Azzurri would mostly need ‘mental strength’ in the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina next week.

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Dimarco met reporters at Coverciano on Saturday, three days before the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Dimarco’s Italy press conference ahead of World Cup play-off Final

“We expect a fiery atmosphere and a team that has the same desire to qualify for the World Cup,” said the Inter defender via TMW.

“We need a bit of everything. We’ve been missing at the World Cup for too long, and we absolutely want to earn qualification because we deserve it.

“This is a group that has fun together. We must take it. We must be mentally strong. We know the environment, but if we stay in the game for the full 95 minutes, I believe we’ll take it home.”

When asked about the “best quality” the Azzurri will need to show in Zenica on Tuesday, Dimarco replied: “Mental strength. After a somewhat tense first half and Retegui’s missed opportunity, we didn’t get discouraged.

“One might have started seeing the ghosts, but instead, we stayed there; we scored the first goal and then killed it off with Moise. We remained focused for the whole 90 minutes.

“In the end, it’s the head that controls the legs; we know we’ll face a strong team,” he continued.

“They have a few players from our league, and we’ll have to be good in every aspect. They’ll attack strongly, and we’ll have to hit back.”

During his press conference, Dimarco explained his reaction to Bosnia’s win over Wales on Thursday, saying it was disrespectful to show it live on TV.

Dimarco also confirmed that he texted his former Inter teammate and Bosnia captain, Edin Dzeko, after the video went viral.

“He’s such a great person; you had to provide assists to him to make him happy,” Dimarco said.

“I also met him on holiday last summer, and I know him really well.”

Dimarco has contributed to 22 Inter goals in 38 appearances this season, and one of his Nerazzurri teammates, Francesco Pio Esposito, is tipped to start against Bosnia next week.

“I’m having a good season, but as I’ve always said, personal achievements count little. The results are what matter; otherwise, numbers are meaningless,” Dimarco concluded.

“Pio is in this group because he deserves it; but the coach decides whether he plays or not.

“He’s truly a special lad because, despite his age, he’s ahead mentally. It’s really hard to get angry with him because he always gives 100% in games and training sessions. This explains his growth in the last six or seven months. There is little advice to give him, because it’s useless to put more pressure on him.”

Dimarco, 28, has scored three goals in 37 appearances with the Italy national team, making his senior debut in June 2022.

Italy defender Federico Dimarco insists he respects Bosnia and Herzegovina and confirms he texted Edin Dzeko, but believes it was ‘disrespectful’ to show his celebration on TV.

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Dimarco made headlines following Italy’s win over Northern Ireland on Thursday as he and other Italy players were caught on camera while celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s win on penalties against Wales.

The Azzurri had just beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 and were following the outcome of the penalty shootout in the other World Cup play-off semifinal on their phones.

Dimarco spoke for the first time about the incident during a press conference in Coveciano on Saturday: “I’m here, given that after the game against Northern Ireland, I was the protagonist of an incident. I respect every club and every country; it was an instinctive reaction,” the Inter star explained via TMW.

“I was simply watching the penalty shootout with my teammates. Dzeko also plays for Bosnia. I played with him for two years, and I texted him. He replied to me, and I’m happy to see him in the final.”

Dzeko is the Bosnia and Herzegovina captain, and his late goal against Wales on Thursday night forced the game to extra time and then penalties.

Two other Serie A players, Tarik Muharemovic of Sassuolo and Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta, are part of the Bosnia squad and are expected to start against Italy next Tuesday.

“I didn’t lack respect for Bosnia or the Bosnian people,” concluded Dimarco.

“It was said I was arrogant; with what right, since we haven’t been at the World Cup since 2014? How could I be arrogant? That said, I believe it was disrespectful to be filmed in a context where there were also friends, family, and children present.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Roma’s Manu Koné remains a top Inter target for next season, and the Nerazzurri could offer Davide Frattesi in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

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Inter will make a new attempt to sign Roma midfielder Koné next summer, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports.

Inter’s new attempt for Koné next summer

The Serie A leaders already tempted the Giallorossi and the France international with a formal offer last summer, but the Roma owners blocked the midfielder’s exit.

According to Gazzetta, the Nerazzurri are determined to add physical strength to their midfield in 2026-27, so Koné remains very high on their summer agenda.

The Pink Paper claims that Inter would even be ready to invest up to €50m to sign the Frenchman, but one way to potentially reduce costs would be to include Italy international Frattesi in the deal.

Roma will face strong interest in Koné next summer, and the Giallorossi might be forced to sell one of their stars for financial reasons if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.

Frattesi has been struggling for playing time under Cristian Chivu this season, and he has already played in Roma’s youth sector from 2014 to 2017.

The Italian midfielder has provided only three assists in 29 appearances across all competitions with Inter this season, without scoring.

The capacity of Zenica’s Bilino Polje Stadium, the venue of the World Cup play-off Final between Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina, was reduced by 20% by a FIFA ruling this past January, so over 2,100 seats will be unavailable for the match against the Azzurri.

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Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina will meet in the World Cup play-off Final on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Why World Cup play-off Stadium final has limited capacity

The stadium chosen by the Bosnian federation is Bilino Polje in Zenica, with a capacity of 15,600. 

The World Cup play-off Final against Italy, however, will be played with fewer fans in the stands due to a FIFA decision dating back to this past January.

FIFA reported several incidents during the most recent Bosnia and Herzegovina home match against Romania on November 15, 2025, so the Bosnian federation received a fine and a warning, and was ordered to play the following home match with a reduced capacity.

FIFA reported “Team misconduct, discrimination and racist abuse, lighting of fireworks or any other objects causing a disturbance during national anthems and a lack of order or discipline in or around the stadium.”

The Bosnian federation confirmed FIFA’s decision in a statement in January: “Due to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee decision (No. FDD-26056) dated January 9 2026, ordering partial stadium closure for the next qualifying match, FFBiH must reduce the number of commercial tickets for the playoff in Zenica on March 31 2026.

“The sanction was imposed following incidents at the FIFA World Cup qualifier Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Romania match. The ruling requires closure of at least 20% of available seats, primarily behind the goals. As a result, the South stand blocks B, C, and D will be fully closed (1508 seats), along with part of the West stand (first three rows, 592 seats), totalling 2100 seats unavailable for this crucial match.”

The Bosnian Federation announced on Friday that all tickets for the World Cup final against Italy had sold out just hours after a penalty shootout victory over Wales in the semis.

Italy’s Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, believes that the Azzurri’s celebration of Bosnia’s victory over Wales has been overemphasised: ‘There doesn’t seem to be anything provocative.’

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Minister for Sport: No ‘excessive enthusiasm’ in Italy’s celebration

A group of Italian players was caught on camera on Thursday night while briefly celebrating Bosnia and Herzegovina’s penalty shootout win over Wales in the World Cup play-off semifinal.

The victory sent Bosnia to the Final against Italy as the Azzurri had beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo.

The celebration by Italian players upset a few fans on social media and even prompted one of the players involved, Federico Dimarco, to text his former Inter teammate and Bosnia captain Edin Dzeko, according to Gazzetta.

Italy’s Minister for Sport Abodi, however, defended the Azzurri, arguing that the players did not want to provoke or mock their next opponents.

“It doesn’t seem to me that there was excessive enthusiasm,” Abodi told Gazzetta.

“I don’t even know what they were thinking at that moment. I don’t understand why that celebration was given so much importance. We’re talking about guys who had just finished a match, and there doesn’t seem to be anything provocative. Let’s try to move on. We already have plenty of objectively complicated things, and this is a controversy that doesn’t make any sense.”

Italy have returned to Florence to prepare for the World Cup play-off Final, which will be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, on Tuesday, March 31.

• Read more – Dimarco unwise to celebrate, but televising incident only harms Italy