There are reports Lazio have decided not to offer Toma Basic a new contract after all, despite previously seeming to agree a deal until 2030, so he’ll leave for free.

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The midfielder is one of several players whose contracts are running down at the Stadio Olimpico, but the club is pulling the purse strings tight and trying to lower the wage bill.

That means quite a few of them are going to be allowed to just walk away at the end of the season.

Lazio cool on Basic idea

Basic had been the one most likely to sign an extension, with multiple rumours an agreement until June 2030 had been worked out with the salary at €2.5m per season.

However, LaLazioSiamoNoi report that the club hierarchy changed their minds and are now ready to let the 29-year-old’s deal expire on June 30.

An injury in February saw him drop out of the squad and that lost the momentum he was building under coach Maurizio Sarri.

Basic joined Lazio in 2021 from Girondins de Bordeaux for €7.1m and so far this season had made 17 competitive appearances, scoring one goal and providing two assists.

An audacious name has been suggested for the Italy job next summer, because Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City and has a love for Italian football.

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Gennaro Gattuso is widely expected to leave the role after failing to secure World Cup qualification, after FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon both tended their resignations today.

The names mentioned as potential candidates are current Milan boss Max Allegri, plus former Azzurri coaches Roberto Mancini and Antonio Conte, who are at Al-Sadd and Napoli respectively.

Guardiola dream for the Nazionale

An intriguing alternative was put forward by the Gazzetta dello Sport, specifically that of Guardiola, who is likely to walk away from Manchester City at the end of the season.

The Spaniard has been in that job since 2016, before that winning silverware with Bayern Munich and Barcelona.

It would be an interesting challenge for a coach with a very specific style of football that is in many ways the antithesis of Calcio tradition.

However, that doesn’t mean Guardiola is a stranger to Italy, far from it.

He played for two Serie A clubs, Brescia and Roma, still speaks excellent Italian, and regularly returns to these shores as a tourist.

Guardiola is also full of praise for several Italian coaches, such as Gian Piero Gasperini of Roma and Lazio’s Maurizio Sarri.

The last time Italy had a foreign CT was Helenio Herrera, but that was sharing the role with Giulio Valcareggi for only four games in the 1960s.

If Carlo Ancelotti can leave Real Madrid to take on the Brazil job, why not Guardiola in charge of the Azzurri?

Fabio Capello has urged Gennaro Gattuso to ‘wait for the next two games’ before deciding if he will quit as Italy coach. ‘We paid the price for an individual player error.’

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The failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup has seen an inevitable run of resignations at the top of Italian football, starting with FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon.

Gattuso is widely expected to follow suit, but former England and Russia national team manager Capello is encouraging him to postpone that decision until June.

Capello would like to see more of Gattuso

“I would wait for the next two games before making any decision on Gattuso,” Capello told Sky Sport Italia.

“Let us not forget he took over the team with the qualifying campaign already begun under Luciano Spalletti, and he managed to bring character and determination to the side.

“Unfortunately, and it is sad to say this, but we paid the price for an individual player error that was elementary, otherwise we probably would’ve taken home the result.”

Italy were leading 1-0 in the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for an ill-timed lunge.

When down to 10 men for over an hour, they scraped a 1-1 draw after extra time, losing the penalty shoot-out.

Gattuso had only eight games in charge for Italy, overseeing six victories, one defeat, and one draw with loss on penalties.

There are several names being mentioned to take over from Gattuso, including Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini, who had the job before.

“We’ll have to see not just what they won in the past, but also the way that some of them left the role. There are many things to be evaluated here,” warned Capello.

Buffon confessed he wanted to resign on the night in Zenica, but was asked to stall for time by Gravina.

“Gigi is very direct and is not someone who will lead you down the garden path. As they didn’t achieve their objective, he stood up and handed in his resignation. That is to be respected.”

As different names are put forward to take over from Gabriele Gravina as FIGC President, a big problem becomes self-evident in Italian football.

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Gravina has tended his resignation as President of the Italian Football Federation following the third consecutive failure to qualify for a World Cup.

New elections will be held on June 22 to find his replacement, ending a tenure that had lasted since October 2018, the wake of the first time the Azzurri lost the play-offs.

Italy coach will be chosen by new FIGC President

Gravina is 72 years old, and has been in and around Italian football for several decades, as he was also the Lega Pro President from 2015 to 2018.

He replaced Carlo Tavecchio, who died in January 2023 at the age of 79.

The President of the Italian Coaches Association (AIAC) Renzo Ulivieri confessed he had wanted Gravina to remain at the helm, and he is just turned 85.

The favourite to take over as FIGC President is Giovanni Malagò, who is a sprightly 67 and has been President of the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) since 2013.

Another likely option is current Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (Amateur League) President Giancarlo Abete, who will be 76 in August.

Only today, Italy legend Gianni Rivera announced he was putting his name forward as a candidate to lead the FIGC, and he is 82 years old.

Dusan Vlahovic will be a free agent on July 1 unless he agrees a new contract with Juventus, but there are two big problems stalling negotiations.

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The striker recently returned from a long injury lay-off and remains eager to extend his stay in Turin, despite no shortage of other clubs interested in his services.

Those include Milan, where he’d reunite with Max Allegri, Arsenal and potentially also teams in Spain.

What Vlahovic wants from Juventus

According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, initial talks are on the right track, but there are still some significant blockages in the process, with another meeting planned next week.

It is hoped they can do a deal for a reduced salary of €6-7m per season from the current €12m including add-ons.

The biggest issue seems to be that agent Darko Ristic wants a significant commission if he is to organise this contract, seeing as he would earn a lot more if shopping Vlahovic to other clubs.

Juventus hope that the arrival of father Milos Vlahovic at the negotiating table will help smooth things over and reach a compromise.

Lega Serie A President Ezio Maria Simonelli warns the top flight clubs ‘must have a primary role’ in reforms after Italy’s World Cup flop and Gabriele Gravina’s resignation.

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The failure to beat Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off and therefore miss a third consecutive edition of the World Cup is prompting an inevitable earthquake in the Italian football authorities.

Federation President Gravina resigned today, followed by Italy delegation chief Gigi Buffon, and coach Gennaro Gattuso is expected to follow.

An election has been scheduled for June 22 to appoint a new FIGC President, and the 274 delegates will vote with a system that gives Serie A 18 per cent of the power in this decision.

There is also 6 per cent to Serie B, 12 per cent Lega Pro, 34 per cent for the Amateur League (LND), 20 per cent the Players’ Association, and 10 per cent the Coaches’ Association.

Lega Serie A wants to take charge

“As the Lega Serie A, we must have a primary role, acting as a guide for all the teams,” Simonelli told reporters.

“Like all fans, we are disappointed, but we need to work on reforms, youth, reinforcing the governance and patrimony of the clubs, so we can get back to the past glories.”

The Lega Serie A had fought the main reform proposed by Gravina, which was to reduce the top flight from 20 clubs to 18.

Several names have been mentioned to become the new FIGC President, but the favourite would seem to be ex-CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) chief Giovanni Malagò.

“We didn’t even talk about names during the meeting,” insisted the Lega Serie A President.

Gabriele Gravina resigned as FIGC President today and assured it was ‘a personal, convinced and carefully meditated’ decision after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

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The head of the Federation had been expected to hand in his resignation straight after the penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday night, but he waited until today’s emergency meeting of the Italian football authorities.

He was swiftly followed by delegation chief Gigi Buffon, and coach Gennaro Gattuso is widely expected to follow, as the failure to reach a third consecutive World Cup inevitably sparks an earthquake in Calcio.

Gravina explains resignation

“After many years, there is a feeling of sadness, but also of calm,” Gravina told reporters as he left the Federation headquarters.

“I have to thank all the elements of the Federation, who again today showed great support, great respect, affection, and also insisted that I should continue, but I made my decision, it was a personal and carefully meditated one.

“You will be able to read the rest in a statement. We’ll see each other over the next few days, Happy Easter to everyone.”

Gravina had been the FIGC President since October 2018.

There was also a great deal of confusion, as just minutes after the FIGC announced that a planned presentation to the Government would go ahead on April 8, the Commission for Sport instead confirmed that the event had been cancelled.

Elections will be held on June 22 to elect a new President of the Federation, and only after that will Italy likely choose a new coach too.

There are 274 delegates who choose the new President, with 18 per cent of the vote going to Serie A representatives, 6 per cent Serie B, 12 per cent Lega Pro, 34 per cent for the Amateur League (LND), 20 per cent the Players’ Association, and 10 per cent the Coaches’ Association.

There are growing reports that Al-Sadd tactician Roberto Mancini is confident he’ll be called back as Italy coach, especially if Giovanni Malagò becomes FIGC President.

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The failure to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup is prompting a radical reshuffle of the authorities in Italian football, with Federation President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon tending their resignations today.

Gennaro Gattuso is widely expected to follow suit, so the search is on for both a new coach and a new President of the FIGC.

Mancini eager for Italy return

According to Calciomercato, figures close to Mancini say he is confident of being at the top of the list, especially if Malagò is chosen to lead the Federation.

Currently under contract with Al-Sadd after a brief experience as coach of the Saudi Arabia team, Mancini had won the EURO 2020 tournament during his spell with Italy.

That ran from 2018 to 2023, when he abruptly resigned just a couple of weeks before the EURO 2024 qualifying campaign began.

The presence of Malagò would be crucial, as he was President of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) when he had to take temporary control over the FIGC because it was unable to elect a new President in 2018.

Politician Ignazio La Russa has a revolutionary idea to revive the Italy squad. ‘If Brazil can hire Carlo Ancelotti, why can’t we get a foreign coach like Jose Mourinho?’

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The failure to qualify for the third consecutive World Cup means that there will be a transformation of the Nazionale behind the scenes.

We have already seen FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and delegation chief Gigi Buffon hand in their resignation, with Gennaro Gattuso widely expected to follow suit.

Mourinho thrown into mix for Italy coach

Now the search is on for who will start the new era of the Italy squad, with names like Antonio Conte, Max Allegri, Roberto Mancini and Simone Inzaghi all mentioned.

“If Brazil can hire a great and foreign coach like Ancelotti, why can’t we get someone like Mourinho?” asked politician and Inter supporter Ignazio La Russa in the Corriere della Sera newspaper.

Mourinho has been linked with the Portugal job over the years, but is currently the coach of Benfica, having split with Fenerbahce in August 2025.

He had two experiences in Serie A with Inter and Roma, but was sacked from the latter role in January 2024.

La Russa was extremely critical of the ‘incredible’ failure to get past Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-offs, losing on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

The fact they were down to 10 men for much of it due to Alessandro Bastoni’s red card was also blamed on Gattuso.

“How can you let a youngster like Pio Esposito take the first penalty, when he doesn’t even take them for Inter? And why was Bastoni played out of position to accommodate Calafiori in centre-left of defence? This in turn penalised Dimarco on the same flank.”

Atletico Madrid have agreed personal terms with Atalanta midfielder Ederson, claims transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano, with a reported €40m fee wanted for the Manchester United and Manchester City target.

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The Brazil international has gone from strength to strength since the move from Salernitana to Atalanta in 2022, as he was instrumental in the Europa League triumph, and sorely missed this season during an injury lay-off.

His contract only runs to June 2027, so for some time it has seemed inevitable that a sale would arrive this summer, when the player will mark his 27^th birthday.

Ederson expected to leave Atalanta

There is no shortage of interested clubs, as Inter and Juventus had seen offers rejected in the past, while Manchester United and Manchester City both remain ready to make a bid.

However, Romano claims that Ederson considers Atletico Madrid to be his favoured destination, and has already agreed personal terms.

The Colchoneros still need to work out a deal with Atalanta, but the contract situation means the fee is going to be no more than €35-40m.

These two clubs already did business several times in recent months, doing deals for Ademola Lookman, Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Ruggeri.

The representatives of the Players’ Association (AIC) and Coaches’ Association (AIAC) express hope Gabriele Gravina’s resignation can finally spark reforms to revive the Italy squad.

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Gravina handed in his resignation this afternoon during the emergency meeting, which was organised in the wake of Italy’s failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup.

Coach Gennaro Gattuso and team manager Gigi Buffon are widely expected to follow suit, prompting a radical overhaul of the way Italian football is run, with elections for a new President of the Federation (FIGC) on June 22.

Meanwhile, Gravina will be heard in the Commission for Culture, Science and Instruction to give the Government an update on the health of Italian football.

Italy reforms expected after new election

“Finally there is talk about something we’ve been pushing for a long time, which is that Italians don’t get much playing time,” President of the Italian Players’ Association Umberto Calcagno told reporters outside the meeting.

“The Federation does not have the legal groundwork to impose a number of Italians on the field, so we hope politicians can study suitable norms to relaunch Italian football.”

Not everyone was entirely happy about Gravina’s resignation, even if it seemed inevitable after these failures.

“Gravina still has the trust and respect of the federal components, but we are aware of the difficult moment and that we must all roll our sleeves up. We’ve got to transform disappointment into positivity,” insisted Calcagno.

“Football is the biggest sport in Italy, but we are not able to get sufficient value out of all that we do. This is not a war against foreign players, as other countries with the same rules like Spain still manage to get homegrown players making up 60 per cent of the team.

“We must also teach football in a different way to kids, but ultimately the refinement of talent is not the job of the Federation, but of the clubs.”

Renzo Ulivieri, former Bologna coach and President of the Italian Coaches’ Association (AIAC) also commented that he was sad to see Gravina go.

“It was his personal decision, we expressed our solidarity, now we will try to start fresh with the elections on June 22. It is too early to say who will take over, the same goes for Gattuso and the Italy coach. If asked, we’ll give our opinion.

“It was a very sad meeting, because it’s the end of an era, but also the results were disappointing. We’ve been struggling since 2006, it’s not a new problem, so we’ll see what can be done.”

Gigi Buffon hinted that he and Gennaro Gattuso will remain on the Italy bench ‘until June’ to perhaps give the Federation time to find a new coach after World Cup failure.

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The Azzurri had beaten Northern Ireland 2-0 in the play-off semi-final and were leading in Bosnia and Herzegovina this evening through Moise Kean’s goal, but Alessandro Bastoni saw red and the game changed.

After the Haris Tabakovic equaliser and extra time, Bosnia won the penalty shoot-out with Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante misses.

Buffon hesitant on Italy future

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina confirmed he asked Gattuso and Buffon to remain in charge of the Italy staff, but it seems the situation is still fluid.

“This is a delicate moment, and we need to take the necessary time to make the right evaluations,” said Buffon in the press conference.

“Clearly, the sporting season ends in June, so until then it is only right and fair for us to be available to the Federation, the President, and all those who had faith in me.”

Italian football has been going through a crisis that is difficult to ignore after missing three consecutive editions of the World Cup and struggling at club level too.

At least this evening there was some real fight in the Azzurri after going down to 10 men, as they had the chances to win it.

“If you realised something is changing and improving, then I am very happy, because that was one of the objectives we set, but clearly the most important objective was to go to the World Cup,” replied Buffon to compliments from the Italian media.

“This is something that truly hurts and that means we run the risk of not thinking clearly, so I will stop there. We’ll be here until June, then we’ll see for the rest how the whole thing is tackled.”

Federation President Gravina hinted he will call elections next week, so if there is a new chief of the FIGC, then it could also prompt a change of management for the Italy squad.

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina confirms he has asked Gennaro Gattuso and Gigi Buffon to remain in the Italy staff, and is not tending his resignation after missing another World Cup.

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The President was in the stands with the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President Luigi Bonfiglio and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin in Zenica.

Italy had taken the lead through Moise Kean, but after Alessandro Bastoni saw red for a last man foul on 41 minutes, Bosnia and Herzegovina equalised through a Haris Tabakovic tap-in.

They held on throughout extra time, and even had the chances to win it, but were heavily beaten in a penalty shoot-out when Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed the target.

Gravina resists calls to start from scratch

“Our state of mind is fairly self-evident, especially considering the way the result developed,” said Gravina in a press conference.

“Allow me to compliment the lads, who have grown in leaps and bounds over the last few months. Many of you were unable to fully appreciate the atmosphere created lately.

“We wanted to give our fans joy, and I want to compliment Rino Gattuso. He is a great coach, I asked him to remain along with Gigi Buffon, in charge of this team.”

Gravina was in the tiny locker room after the match during Gattuso’s team talk to the players.

“You missed a moment of great unity in the locker room. You all saw the match, the players were heroic in the circumstances. After that, I understand there are evaluations to be made.”

People had already called for Gravina’s resignation after disappointing Italy results, so can he really hang on to his spot after missing a third consecutive edition of the World Cup?

“There is a Federal Counsel, I already decided to call a meeting next week, and that is when there will be evaluations. I understand that people will call for my resignation, but there is a suitable situation to do that.

“Next week we will make much deeper reflections on the situation, because the questions you ask require the right place to respond. The FIGC has to decide how to choose and build its team. We can only do with what we have at our disposal in the league.”

Gravina is expected to call an immediate election for a new President of the Football Federation.

There was some controversy during the match, as while Bastoni’s red card was inarguable, there was a not dissimilar situation in extra time on Marco Palestra that only warranted a yellow card.

Italian media have also focused on a potential Edin Dzeko handling offence in the build-up to the equaliser.

“There were some choices and applications of the rules that left us somewhat perplexed,” replied Gravina.

“There were some incidents that could’ve required further investigation.”

Gennaro Gattuso insists this is ‘not the time’ to talk about his future after Italy lost the World Cup play-off to Bosnia and Herzegovina, but he hints Calcio has deeper problems.

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The game had been going well in Zenica, taking the lead through Moise Kean, until Alessandro Bastoni was sent off for taking down Amar Memic clear on goal before half-time.

The Azzurri managed to hang on until the 79^th minute when Haris Tabakovic bundled over the line from point-blank range after another big Gianluigi Donnarumma save on Edin Dzeko.

They also had chances to win it in extra time, despite being down to 10 men for an hour, but capitulated in the penalty shoot-out when Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missed the target.

Gattuso not thinking about his Italy future

“I just finished speaking to the team. I can only thank them, as it had been years since I’d seen the Nazionale play with such heart,” Gattuso told Sky Sport Italia.

“It hurts, it really hurts, but we must accept it. I don’t want to talk about referees or anything else, we could’ve scored a second goal and didn’t, we suffered with all those crosses, we gave everything.

“I am proud of them, it hurts to accept this verdict. It will take time. On a personal level, it’s a heavy blow.”

The situation was already difficult when Gattuso took over from Luciano Spalletti, as they lost the opening qualifier of the group 3-0 in Norway.

“When you are in a stadium with the fans pushing, we made a mistake and went down to 10 men, even then we had the chances to score a second goal. The team did what it had to do today.

“People had been asking for an Italy side that cared about the shirt for years, well they got that tonight, but the incidents went against us.”

What happens next for Gattuso after failing to make it to the World Cup in 2026?

“We’ll see, but I don’t think this is the time to talk about my future or anyone else’s. This is football, sometimes it makes you celebrate, sometimes it makes you suffer.”

This is the latest in a long line of difficulties for Italian football, as all the clubs were out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals.

“I won’t get into this controversy, I am a coach. We all know that it has been a struggle for a few years, I am not the right person to say what we need to improve, there are people who know more than me. So we’ll see,” concluded Gattuso.

Gennaro Gattuso apologised to the Italy fans because ‘I didn’t make it’ to the World Cup, but insists he was ‘surprised’ by how well his team played down to 10 men against Bosnia.

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The Azzurri had taken the lead in Zenica through Moise Kean and seemed largely in control, but the game changed when Alessandro Bastoni was sent off.

Despite that situation, they conceded late on with Haris Tabakovic after another fine Gianluigi Donnarumma save, and continued throughout extra time.

They capitulated on a penalty shoot-out, with Francesco Pio Esposito and Bryan Cristante missing the target, while Bosnia scored all their attempts.

Gattuso tears in eyes at Italy exit

“These lads didn’t deserve this, for the effort, the love, the determination. We had three chances, and most of their crosses were barely tickling us,” Gattuso told RAI Sport.

“I am still proud of my lads. If you poke me with a dagger today, nothing will come out, my blood is all gone. It was important for the Italian football movement and it feels bad to go out like this.”

There was controversy in extra time, as Marco Palestra was brought down clear on goal, but that only warranted a yellow card from referee Clement Turpin.

“I don’t want to talk about the referee or anything, but it’s fair today, this is football. I’ve been in football for many years, I celebrated and I got thumped, like today, but it’s hard to swallow this,” replied Gattuso.

“I was surprised too by the sheer heart and determination they showed today. We were there under siege, in the trenches. Yet here we are talking about not making it to the World Cup again.

“I personally apologise for not having made it, but these lads gave absolutely everything.”

Will Gattuso continue in the role of Italy coach or step aside?

“I think talking about my future today is not important. What was important was going to the World Cup. We take the performance, but it hurts. We’re disappointed.”

Italy battled through extra time down to 10 men after Alessandro Bastoni’s red card and a Moise Kean goal, but capitulated to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, so miss a third consecutive World Cup.

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The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final with Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean goals, so stuck with the same starting XI in Zenica. Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser forced extra time and Bosnia eventually beat Wales on penalties, but the only change was Ivan Basic for Benjamin Tahirovic. Familiar faces included Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac and Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

There were a couple of early scares with Riccardo Calafiori’s clearance taking a double ricochet to go over for a corner, then Ermedin Demirovic firing straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma on the counter-attack.

Italy took the lead with their first genuine opportunity, as Mateo Retegui harassed the goalkeeper into an error, so his pass was intercepted by Nicolò Barella, rolling across for Kean to sweep it first-time into the top corner with the inside of the right boot from the edge of the area. Kean became only the fourth player to score in six consecutive Italy appearances after Adolfo Balonceri in 1928, Gigi Riva in 1969 and Roberto Bettega in 1977, netting eight in that period.

Katic nodded wide and Dzeko fired over, but Donnarumma had his gloves stung by a ferocious Basic strike following a corner, while Retegui’s weak finish was smothered.

Demirovic’s glancing header flashed wide from a Bajraktarevic cross, but the game had a turning point when Donnarumma’s poor goal kick was intercepted by Amar Memic, who was surging on goal when brought down from behind by Bastoni. The red card was inevitable, and Federico Gatti came on for Retegui to bolster the defence.

Bosnia poured forward, Memic nodding wide of the back post, and they threw on 18-year-old sensation Kerim Alajbegovic for the second half, while Italy responded with full-back Marco Palestra for the more attack-minded Matteo Politano.

Demirovic just failed to get his head to a dangerous cross and Alajbegovic stung Donnarumma’s gloves from the edge of the area, but Kean nearly doubled Italy’s lead when he intercepted a ball inside his own half and sprinted forward, firing over past the on-rushing goalkeeper.

Memic went off injured, but Donnarumma got down for a sensational save to fingertip the Benjamin Tahirovic low drive round the base of the near post.

Moments later, substitute Francesco Pio Esposito fired over from the edge of the box on a smart Palestra pull-back.

Federico Dimarco also scuffed wide from a Barella pull-back, but Bosnia got their equaliser when Donnarumma made a sensational save on Dzeko’s header at the back post from Dedic’s cross, but could do nothing on the Haris Tabakovic tap-in on the rebound.

Donnarumma made another crucial save on the Demirovic header to force extra time.

Palestra ran onto a Sandro Tonali through ball and was brought down on the edge of the area by Muharemovic, but this was only a yellow card and not a red, despite being closer to goal and in a more central position than Memic in the Bastoni situation.

Palestra also stood up a cross for Esposito’s header at the back post, forcing a tough reaction save from Nikola Vasilj.

Esposito also turned Muharemovic and the finish was deflected wide off the defender’s shoulder, while Davide Frattesi charged down the Alajbegovic scorcher.

Tahirovic also drilled wide from the D after a short corner in the final minutes of extra time, so it went to a penalty shoot-out.

Esposito ballooned the first Italy kick over the bar, then Bryan Cristante blasted his onto the underside of the crossbar, allowing Bajrakterovic to maintain the perfect record against Donnarumma and send Bosnia to the World Cup.

Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-1 Italy (aet)

Kean 15 (I), Tabakovic 79 (B)

Sent off: Bastoni 41 (I)

Penalties: Tahirovic (B, goal), Esposito (I, miss), Tabakovic (B, goal), Tonali (I, goal), Alajbegovic (B, goal), Cristante (I, miss), Bajrakterovic (B, goal)

31-03-2026 19:45

Final

Bilino Polje Stadium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Italy

0 0

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		15'		Moise Kean (Assist: Nicolò Barella)
		41'		Alessandro Bastoni

2nd half

Benjamin Tahirovic		54'
Haris Tabakovic		79'
		81'		Gianluigi Donnarumma

Extra time

Tarik Muharemovic		102'
Nikola Katic		114'

Match statistic

65

Possession %

35

30

Total shots

9

11

Shots on target

3

12

Shots off target

4

7

Blocked shots

2

10

Corners

4

2

Offsides

0

18

Fouls

9

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Italy

Starting lineups

1

Nikola Vasilj

Goalkeeper

7

Amar Dedic

Defender

18

Nikola Katic

Defender

5

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

46'

4

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

13

Ivan Basic

Midfielder

71'

14

Ivan Sunjic

Midfielder

46'

15

Amar Memic

Attacker

71'

11

Edin Dzeko

Attacker

10

Ermedin Demirovic

Attacker

115'

20

Esmir Bajraktarevic

Attacker

1

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Goalkeeper

21

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

3

Federico Dimarco

Defender

91'

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

13

Riccardo Calafiori

Defender

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

71'

18

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

85'

8

Sandro Tonali

Midfielder

9

Mateo Retegui

Attacker

44'

7

Matteo Politano

Attacker

46'

11

Moise Kean

Attacker

71'

Substitutes

21

Stjepan Radeljic

Defender

9

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

8

Armin Gigovic

Midfielder

2

Nihad Mujakic

Defender

12

Osman Hadzikic

Goalkeeper

22

Martin Zlomislic

Goalkeeper

3

Nidal Celik

Defender

16

Amir Hadziahmetovic

Midfielder

115'

6

Benjamin Tahirovic

Midfielder

46'

19

Kerim Alajbegović

Attacker

46'

23

Haris Tabakovic

Attacker

71'

17

Dzenis Burnic

Midfielder

71'

19

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

22

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

6

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

10

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

12

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

14

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

19

Federico Gatti

Defender

44'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

46'

16

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

71'

15

Pio Esposito

Attacker

71'

17

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

85'

4

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

91'

Italy swept Sweden aside 4-0 away from home to consolidate second place in the European Under-21 Championship qualifiers, as Luca Koleosho scored twice and assisted another.

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The Azzurrini were coming off a 4-0 victory against North Macedonia, but remained second in the group due to a 2-1 defeat to leaders Poland. The only changes from Thursday’s game were Seydou Fini and Michael Kayode stepping in.

Sweden had the first big chance with Nils Zatterstrom’s header fortunately straight at Lorenzo Palmisani on a corner, but the visitors received a penalty when Luca Lipani was brought down by Zatterstrom. It was converted successfully by Luca Koleosho into the near bottom corner.

The floodgates opened, as Koleosho added a second from open play moments later when pouncing on a loose ball in the final third, forcing the Hampus Skoglund error with his high press.

Cher Ndour nearly made it 3-0 on the half-hour mark, prodding wide from six yards on a ball over the top.

The third goal did arrive after the restart, with Koleosho this time threading through to send Ndour clear to beat the goalkeeper one-on-one.

Pietro Comuzzo’s header from a corner whistled just wide, then Lipani got on the end of Davide Bartesaghi’s free kick at the near post.

Luigi Cherubini scuffed his finish wide on the Ndour pull-back, but this has still boosted their goal difference.

Sweden 0-4 Italy

Koleosho pen 19, 22 (I), Ndour 50 (I), Lipani 63 (I)

Sweden U21: Bishesari; Skoglund, Amoran, Zatterstrom, Tolf (Sjostrand 59); Antwi, Karlsson (Kanga 84), Bjorklund, Sonko (Njie 67); Omorowa (Kusi-Asare 67), Rafferty (Thorell 67)

Italy U21: Palmisani; Kayode, Comuzzo (Calvani 82), Chiarodia, Bartesaghi (Ahanor 68); Ndour, Lipani, Dagasso (Venturino 57); Fini (Cherubini 57), Ekhator (Faticanti 82), Koleosho

Goalkeeper Alex Meret assures Italy ‘are ready’ for tonight’s World Cup play-off final with Bosnia and Herzegovina. ‘Every moment could be decisive.’

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean were on target in the 2-0 semi-final victory over Northern Ireland, and Gennaro Gattuso has decided to stick with the same starting XI here.

Meret sees right Italy attitude

“The moment has arrived, we are ready, and we know it won’t be easy against a tough Bosnia team,” Meret told RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s a difficult match, but we are ready and want to bring home a very important result. Every moment could be decisive, so the attitude and focus on details is essential. We’ve got to start strong and earn this result.”

Bosnia and Herzegovina had to play a full 120 minutes in Cardiff on Thursday, as Edin Dzeko’s late equaliser forced extra time and an eventual penalty shoot-out victory to eliminate Wales.

Their one and only World Cup participation was in 2014.

“We feel the right focus and desire to help each other out. We are all united for this objective, and I think we’ve got the right atmosphere,” added Meret.

“I’ve been in the Nazionale a long time, so I’ve seen a lot here, but we’ve never had such an important match as this. Bosnia have two very dangerous wingers and good strikers, we all know Edin Dzeko, but we feel ready.”

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.

Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Leonardo Bonucci urges Italy to call on ‘quality and heart’ in the World Cup play-off final, as he expects Bosnia and Herzegovina to ‘start strong, then try to go on the counter.’

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The tension is palpable for a Nazionale that failed at the play-offs for the last two editions of the World Cup, missing out in both 2018 and 2022.

Bonucci has faith in Italy

“The fans will create a warm atmosphere, but the match is played ultimately between the players on the pitch,” Bonucci told RAI Sport.

“We must put quality and heart onto the field tonight, because we deserve this opportunity.”

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.

Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

“We are sure Bosnia will start strong, fired up and enthusiastic on home turf, but after that they’ll sit in midfield and try to go on the counter-attack. That is what we expect to see,” added Bonucci, a member of Gennaro Gattuso’s coaching staff.

Coach Gattuso has chosen the same starting XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final on Thursday, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean upfront.

“They all absolutely deserved to play again. The idea we want to get across is that everyone is participating here, even if they are in the stands.”

Italy stick with Mateo Retegui, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali for the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic.

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It kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes, or through extra time and even a penalty shoot-out if needed.

Whoever goes through will be placed in World Cup group B with Canada, Switzerland and Qatar.

Italy beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final with goals from Tonali and Kean, so despite the possibility of Francesco Pio Esposito and Marco Palestra coming in, Gennaro Gattuso has decided to stick with the same starting XI.

That means Retegui alongside Kean in a 3-5-2 formation, with Manuel Locatelli pulling the midfield strings, and Matteo Politano out wide on the right.

Bosnia and Herzegovina needed a late Dzeko equaliser in Cardiff to force extra time on Thursday evening, eventually winning a penalty shoot-out.

The player who came off the bench and transformed that match was 18-year-old sensation Kerim Alajbegovic, but despite reports to the contrary, he does not replace Esmir Bajraktarevic.

On the other side of the age spectrum is former Roma, Inter and Fiorentina striker Dzeko, who is still spearheading the attack at age 40, partnered by Ermedin Demirovic.

Familiar faces include Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac, who shrugged off a knock to play, and Sassuolo’s Tarik Muharemovic.

Bosnia have only ever beaten Italy once, the very first friendly the new nation ever played at home in November 1996, followed by a 1-1 draw and four defeats.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Italy line-ups

Bosnia: Vasilj; Dedic, Muharemovic, Katic, Kolasinac; Bajraktarevic, Sunjic, Basic, Memic; Demirovic, Dzeko

Bosnia bench: Hadzikic, Zlomislic, Mujakic, Celik, Tahirovic, Gigovic, Bazdar, Hadziahmetovic, Burnic, Alajbegovic, Radeljic, Tabakovic

Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui

Italy bench: Carnesecchi, Meret, Palestra, Spinazzola, Buongiorno, Raspadori, Pisilli, Pio Esposito, Cristante, Frattesi, Gatti, Cambiaso

Ref: Turpin (FRA)

31-03-2026 19:45

Final

Bilino Polje Stadium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Italy

0 0

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		15'		Moise Kean (Assist: Nicolò Barella)
		41'		Alessandro Bastoni

2nd half

Benjamin Tahirovic		54'
Haris Tabakovic		79'
		81'		Gianluigi Donnarumma

Extra time

Tarik Muharemovic		102'
Nikola Katic		114'

Match statistic

65

Possession %

35

30

Total shots

9

11

Shots on target

3

12

Shots off target

4

7

Blocked shots

2

10

Corners

4

2

Offsides

0

18

Fouls

9

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Italy

Starting lineups

1

Nikola Vasilj

Goalkeeper

7

Amar Dedic

Defender

18

Nikola Katic

Defender

5

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

46'

4

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

13

Ivan Basic

Midfielder

71'

14

Ivan Sunjic

Midfielder

46'

15

Amar Memic

Attacker

71'

11

Edin Dzeko

Attacker

10

Ermedin Demirovic

Attacker

115'

20

Esmir Bajraktarevic

Attacker

1

Gianluigi Donnarumma

Goalkeeper

21

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

3

Federico Dimarco

Defender

91'

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

13

Riccardo Calafiori

Defender

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

71'

18

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

85'

8

Sandro Tonali

Midfielder

9

Mateo Retegui

Attacker

44'

7

Matteo Politano

Attacker

46'

11

Moise Kean

Attacker

71'

Substitutes

21

Stjepan Radeljic

Defender

9

Samed Bazdar

Attacker

8

Armin Gigovic

Midfielder

2

Nihad Mujakic

Defender

12

Osman Hadzikic

Goalkeeper

22

Martin Zlomislic

Goalkeeper

3

Nidal Celik

Defender

16

Amir Hadziahmetovic

Midfielder

115'

6

Benjamin Tahirovic

Midfielder

46'

19

Kerim Alajbegović

Attacker

46'

23

Haris Tabakovic

Attacker

71'

17

Dzenis Burnic

Midfielder

71'

19

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

22

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

6

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

10

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

12

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

14

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

19

Federico Gatti

Defender

44'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

46'

16

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

71'

15

Pio Esposito

Attacker

71'

17

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

85'

4

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

91'

Italy have qualified for the top eight final tournament of the European Under-19 Championship after a 1-1 draw with Turkiye.

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Today’s match was a head-to-head at the top of Group 6, as both went in on six points each, ahead of Hungary and Slovakia.

It ended 1-1 thanks to the Samuele Inacio strike, despite a Darvin Soylu equaliser, so the Azzurrini won the group thanks to a superior goal difference of +6 compared to the Turkish tally of +2.

Coach Alberto Bollini’s side won 3-0 against both Hungary and Slovakia in the Elite Round.

The winners of the groups go through to join hosts Wales in the final tournament, and the draw will be held for that in Wrexham on April 16.

This competition will run from June 28 to July 11, and also decide the European qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan.

Italy last won the European Under-19 Championship in 2023, adding to their only other triumph in 2003.

Turkiye 1-1 Italy

Inacio 33 (I), Soylu 62 (T)

Italy U19: Pessina; Nardin, Reggiani, Natali, Cocchi; Coletta (Comotto 72), Mantini, Liberali; Idele, Mosconi, Inacio

The sale of San Siro to Inter and Milan has run into yet more controversy after Italian financial police raided the Milan city council’s offices when investigating the €200m deal.

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The two clubs had been trying for a decade to purchase the land under the existing Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to build their own arena, but after multiple attempts and failed other projects, they eventually got the go-ahead in November 2025.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t still problems, because many in the local authorities and politics are still trying to block the demolition of the stadium.

San Siro sale subject of new investigation

This morning, officials from the Italian financial police raided the Milan city council’s offices as part of an investigation on suspicion of bid-rigging and collusion.

Computers and mobile phones were among the items seized, with nine individuals under investigation including ex-Inter CEO Alessandro Antonelli and Giuseppe Bonomi, president of Sport Life City, which is run by AC Milan.

The suggestion is that they passed on secret information and worked behind the scenes to favour the purchase by Inter and Milan, creating unfair competition with other options.

Milan and Inter are not under investigation, but there were searches at M-I, the company jointly owned by the two clubs that was set up to manage the stadium.