Cesc Fabregas confirms Como are targeting more Real Madrid talents after Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon and hopes to remain at the Stadio Sinigaglia long term: ‘I’m in love with everything I’m doing here.’

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Como visit Sassuolo in a crucial Serie A match on Friday, as the Azzurri are just two points below a Champions League spot despite last Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Inter.

Como have mostly used a 4-2-3-1 system this term, but Fabregas has also made some tactical twists along the way.

“I don’t like to talk about a structure. There’s always an evolution, and it’s always very hard. We analyse all the time,” he said at a press conference via TMW.

“If you look at PSG, Liverpool, and Barcelona, they are all very dynamic.”

Argentine talent Nico Paz scored a goal and provided one assist in Sunday’s loss to Inter after managing just one goal in the previous four league fixtures.

“I congratulated Nico Paz; we have revived him. He’s the player we used to see,” Fabregas said.

Como remain the least-beaten defence in Serie A despite their recent heavy defeat to Inter.

“Our defence was not in confusion. We recovered possession many times with high pressing,” insisted Fabregas.

“Our defence was incredible, with top-notch pressing. It’s true that we didn’t do well on set pieces, but that had to do with the pressure at that moment, too.

“It’s been a constant growth, thanks to the players, a great staff and the intensity we put in every day. We push hard, we know we are ranked higher than we would have thought, but it all depends on the players and what they learn day by day,” he added.

“We continue to push, hoping to finish as high as possible. When you see the players’ determination, the result goes in the background. There will be moments when only the result is missing, but now we are building an idea.”

Speaking about the defensive attitude he wants to see from his players, Fabregas mentioned Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday: “Yesterday, Eric García consistently anticipated the play and maintained the right positioning, even though he isn’t the most physical or the fastest. It’s exactly what we want.”

Fabregas was asked whether Lucas Da Cunha embodies his playing style, and the coach replied that the Frenchman has completed “96% of the training sessions” at Como over the last two seasons.

“Kolo Touré was somebody who didn’t miss any training sessions. It’s the typical player a scouting team must identify,” added Fabregas.

Fabregas confirmed that his assistant coach has travelled to Madrid twice in recent weeks to watch some Real Madrid Castilla players in action.

Nico Paz and Ramon have joined the Azzurri from the Merengues over the last two years, and Como fans should probably expect more reinforcements from the Spanish capital going forward.

“Yes, we are always on the move. It’s too important to watch players live,” Fabregas said.

“We are looking for players to improve. We know what Nico and Ramon have achieved here.”

Fabregas, a former Chelsea, Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, reiterated that he’s not considering leaving Como at the end of the season, not even of the Italy national team job.

“It’s hard, right now, this is what I feel. I’m in love with everything I’m doing here,” he said.

“This won’t change. My life is about preparing for the Sassuolo game. I experienced it as a player. Today it all goes well, but lose two games and people would not want you anymore. People are accustomed to having a high bar, and I’m the first one who wants it.”

One final question was whether he’d like to replicate Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal career at Como, spending several years at the club and reshaping their identity: “I’d love it,” he concluded.

Reports in Italy claim that Milan sporting director Igli Tare recently met with Robert Lewandowski’s agent, but the Rossoneri’s CEO, Giorgio Furlani, doesn’t seem inclined to pay a high salary to a player well over 30.

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Milan are looking for a new centre-forward for 2026-27, given their strikers’ struggles in the current campaign.

Milan in talks with Lewandowski

Barcelona star Lewandowski, whose contract at the Nou Camp expires in June, has long been a transfer target for the Rossoneri, and according to Calciomercato.com, Tare recently met the striker’s representative, Pini Zahavi, for dinner.

Technically, Milan are interested in Lewandowski, who is said to have also attracted interest from Juventus and received a big-money offer from an unnamed MLS club.

However, according to Calciomercato.com and Corriere della Sera, Milan CEO Furlani is currently reluctant to make a major investment, even in salary terms, for a player who will turn 38 in August.

Milan signed Niclas Fullkrug on loan with an option to buy from West Ham in the January window, but seem eager to send the German back to London at the end of the season.

Former Milan star Marcel Desailly feels Alessandro Bastoni could bring Barcelona to a ‘different level’, but the Inter defender ‘isn’t even half of Paolo Maldini.’

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Ex-Milan and France defender Desailly spoke to the Italian Football Podcast about two under-fire Serie A stars in recent weeks: Inter’s Bastoni and Milan’s Rafael Leao.

Bastoni has received criticism from fans and media alike in recent months. The Inter star was first involved in a huge controversy during a Serie A match against Juventus in February, when he caused and celebrated a red card for Pierre Kalulu.

A few weeks later, he received a straight red card in Italy’s World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which proved to be a big turning point in the Azzurri’s loss on penalties.

“I think he has been consistent, I think he’s been at Inter for like seven seasons and doing well no matter who the coach is,” Desailly said.

“I don’t think he’s a top international leader, but as you said, he is a player who knows how to adapt to the system. This is his limit.

“He has helped Inter to probably win the league this season by his consistency and understanding of how to read the game. But I think the limit is there, international level, this is it. They don’t play the same system.

Desailly on Bastoni transfer: Barcelona ‘weak at the back’

“He managed to adapt himself again with Gattuso. He is on the left side, if you want to compare him to Maldini, but he isn’t even half of Maldini. But he is who he is.”

Several sources claim that Bastoni, who is under contract with Inter until 2028, is keen to join Barcelona in the summer, and Desailly believes that both the defender and Barça would benefit from such a move.

“Yes I mean it is a good experience to match your level. Same as Leao, I don’t know his winning mentality. He is a defender, he isn’t a creative player,” said Desailly, a 1998 France World Cup winner.

“But maybe he can lift the level to understand and adapt to Barcelona’s level where they are in need of a strong defensive attitude.

“You can see Barcelona, in each position they are just amazing, but they are weak at the back, and that is why they don’t win the Champions League.

“So he could be that player that brings that consistency and that strength on the defensive block to bring Barcelona to another level. Because they definitely need defensive leaders in the squad.”

Milan star Rafael Leao hasn’t scored a goal since March 1, and Gazzetta dello Sport recently argued that the Portuguese winger and the Rossoneri should part ways at the end of the season.

“You said it, you cannot criticise him, because the day you criticise him, he will produce magic on the pitch. And you are stuck, and you don’t know what to say anymore. In five seconds, he will crash out all the negativity you put on him,” argued Desailly.

“But we know 100% that he doesn’t have the consistency. And he isn’t on his own a leader for a full season like Messi was, and Neymar was.

“He doesn’t have that consistency. He is an important player for the team, but he can never be the main man throughout the season. He can be the main man once in a while because he will be on and off.

“And he looks like he has reached the maximum level he can produce. I can’t criticise him because he is earning a lot of money and plays for Milan and the Portuguese national team.

“But I think that he thinks he is everything. He isn’t mentally ready to study where he can improve physically, because he potentially cannot give more physically,” continued the ex-Milan defender.

“Then maybe he can potentially study how to change his diet, training or whatever to have that consistency. He is a bit of a problem in a system because he doesn’t track back. He’ll push forward but when the action is finished, he stops.

“It means he doesn’t have the legs to get back into position. So, there must be a physical and mental approach that could eventually bring him to the level of, because he could be Ballon d’Or.

“But does he really want it? Is his entourage smart enough to be able to tell him, ‘Look, what you’ve done is great, but to get to the next level, you will need to adjust certain things.’

“Because for now this is the maximum we can expect from Leao.”

Diego Simeone tells Italy legends Alessandro Del Piero and Alessandro Costacurta that Atletico Madrid have learned that they must ‘hurt’ Barcelona, ‘otherwise, they will.’

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Simeone’s Atletico Madrid knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League quarter-finals with a 3-2 aggregate win.

Simeone, a former Catania coach and an ex-midfielder of Pisa, Lazio and Inter, spoke to Sky Sport Italia at full-time.

Simeone examines Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona with Italy legends

Fabio Capello asked whether the Colchoneros should have kept a higher line in the final ten minutes, with Barcelona reduced to ten men.

• Read more – Ruggeri on Italy snub and marking Yamal: ‘Not just me’

“You know well that sometimes what one wants is not what the players can give,” Simeone replied.

“Sometimes the coaches shout, but the players are like: ‘Gaffer, I just can’t get there.’ Even with one man down, they couldn’t get there. We knew we had to keep a higher line. I kept telling Julian: ‘Mark Pedri, go on the right.’ But he said: ‘Mister, I’m dead.’ I was angrier after the first leg, because we played one man up for 45 minutes, so I was angry when I left. If you don’t score against them, you lose, because they are so strong. Even if you play behind the ball, you’ll concede in the end.”

Ex-Italy defender Costacurta praised Simeone for resting all his starters in the previous La Liga match.

“On Saturday, we had made many changes to the lineup; everyone rested, knowing the effort we’d need today,” said Simeone.

“But, Mamma Mia, they play so well, they attack so well, they come from everywhere. Against them, we have understood that we have to hurt them; otherwise, they will.”

Atletico Madrid have reached the Champions League semis four times under Simeone and twice made it to the Final, so Del Piero asked if the Argentine felt “something special” this season.

“Yes, I do. And there is,” Simeone concluded, smiling.

Former Italian striker Antonio Cassano argues he was more ‘creative’ than Francesco Totti and had more physicality than Roberto Baggio: ‘But I never reached my prime.’

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Former Serie A star Cassano released some bold statements in his latest appearance on the Viva El Football podcast, which he hosts alongside Daniele Adani and Nicola Ventola.

Cassano: I was ‘more creative’ than Totti

A follower asked Cassano whether, in his prime, he was better than legendary strikers Baggio, Del Piero and Totti, and he replied without hesitation: “In my prime, absolutely yes; even though I never actually reached it in my career or in my life. I like myself much more,” he said via FcInter1908.

“Baggio was brilliant; Totti was the greatest No.10 in the history of Italian football; Del Piero was a phenomenal player, but if I had reached 100%, I would have been stronger than all three.

“What did I have more than Totti? I was more creative, more physical than Baggio and more of everything than Del Piero. He scored more than I, but I’m talking about my prime,” he added.

“If I had done what I was meant to, I would have had no rivals. Goals don’t tell the whole story. I was something else.”

Cassano scored 112 goals and provided 100 assists in 400 Serie A appearances with Bari, Roma, Sampdoria, Milan, Inter and Parma.

He also played for Real Madrid but managed only four goals and three assists in 29 appearances.

The former striker scored 10 goals in 39 appearances for the Italy national team, helping the team reach the Euro 2012 Final.

Del Piero and Totti won the World Cup with Italy in 2006, while Baggio finished 3rd with the Azzurri at Italia ’90, 2nd at USA ’94, and was knocked out in the quarter-finals at France ’98.

Paolo Vanoli says Fiorentina are doing ‘everything we can’ to recover Moise Kean for a Conference League game against Crystal Palace, where the Tuscans will need ‘courage’ and ‘heads free’ to try to overturn a three-goal deficit.

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Fiorentina host Crytal Palace at the Stadio Franchi on Thursday night in the second leg of the Conference League quarter-finals.

The Tuscans suffered a 3-0 loss in the reverse fixture played in England last week, but hope to see Italy international Kean return to action tomorrow: “We are trying to recover him; we are doing everything we can, including double training sessions with the player,” Fiorentina coach Vanoli told Sky Sport.

“He is keen to try to help us in this final part of the season. It’s a problem that has somewhat interrupted what he did last year, but thanks to the group, we have been able to make up for the absence of an important player.”

Kean has missed the last two games for Fiorentina, including the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park last week.

Fiorentina spent most of the season in the Serie A drop zone, but bounced back in recent months and are now eight points above the bottom three.

On Monday, they secured a crucial 1-0 win over Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

“It was the most important league win of the season, for the group and for how we approached it, especially given all the absences we had,” Vanoli said.

“There were three important points, knowing they bring us closer to something extraordinary, numbers in hand. Now, however, we need to keep our feet on the ground and go to Lecce, thinking we still have to earn the points we need.”

Vanoli is under contract with Fiorentina until the end of the season and his future at the Stadio Franchi is far from certain.

“I’ve been in football for many years, I know how it works, and I move on,” he said.

“I have to look at what we are doing and what the numbers are saying.”

Surely, however, Vanoli would love to remain at the Franchi beyond the summer.

“Absolutely, when I do something, I want to keep going with it,” he insisted.

“The club has always given me trust, and I know the esteem they have for me. I have to look at the present and finish what we started, which may seem little, but is actually a lot.”

During his pre-match press conference, Vanoli shifted his focus on the upcoming European game against Palace, highlighting the approach he expects from his players: “With head free and knowing that we’ll need a feat. Sometimes, for these things, you don’t need technique, but the desire to do something that goes beyond, with courage and with our heads free,” he said via TMW.

“We’ll have to take risks to try to dream. I’m sorry I don’t have the full squad available. Substitutions are helpful, but against Lazio, we proved we are a proper team.

“We know Crystal Palace are one of the favourites to win the Conference League,” continued the Fiorentina coach.

“They got to this game after a comeback against Newcastle, who have a complete team.

“I showed the lads the opening 30 minutes before the penalty kick. It’s not true that we didn’t play well. I think we paid a high price for incidents in which we lacked attention. This must serve as a lesson on how to become a top side. We were unlucky in the draw, but it’s nice because strong opponents make you grow. When you don’t win, you learn.”

• Read more – Mandragora sends warning to Crystal Palace: ‘We believe in the miracle’

PSG star Marquinhos is grateful to Italy and Serie A, saying that his former Roma coach, Zdeněk Zeman, forced him to ‘get out of my comfort zone.’

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PSG’s Marquinhos qualified for the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday following a 2-0 away win at Liverpool.

The ex-Roma defender, who played for the Giallorossi in the 2012-13 campaign, spoke to Sky Sport Italia after the match, recalling his only season in Serie A.

Marquinhos: Roma ‘meant a lot’ to me

“I only spent one season in Italy, but it opened the door to Europe for me and meant a lot,” he said, in perfect Italian.

“I had a coach, Zeman. He likes fast defenders who understand the timing: when the ball is covered, when it’s uncovered, and how to execute offside. It taught me so much, and it forced me to get out of my comfort zone, where I was in Brazil, where I was much more comfortable. It taught me so much.

“Here [at PSG], I played with many players who had been in Italy, who helped me understand the tactics and the play. Thiago Silva, Maxwell, Thiago Motta, and many others who passed a lot on to me. So, I’m always grateful to Italy.”

Roma finished 6th in the 2012-13 campaign, and Zeman was sacked after round 23, replaced by Aurelio Andreazzoli until the end of the campaign.

Marquinhos commented on PSG’s win over Liverpool, answering a question from Fabio Capello, one of the Sky Sport Italia pundits, who asked the Brazilian whether Mohamed Salah’s introduction in the second half somehow concerned the Ligue 1 giants.

“I think they had nothing to lose in the second half. They had to use their strength, which is physicality, and played many long balls on the wings to win the second ball,” Marquinhos replied.

“But we are aware of our strengths and weaknesses, so we didn’t want to bring the game where they wanted, corner kicks, first ball, second ball, and we defended smartly. Even if it’s not our main strength, we must be able to defend and take on the pain in these tough moments. Don’t concede and be able to suffer to make the most of our best moments.”

PSG are the defending Champions League title holders, having beaten Serie A giants Inter 5-0 in the 2024-25 Final.

Under ex-Roma coach Luis Henrique, PSG have once again reached the semis, where they’ll face Bayern Munich or Real Madrid.

Inter and Italy legend Sandro Mazzola believes Alessandro Bastoni should not even consider a move to Barcelona and hopes Lautaro Martinez remains at San Siro forever.

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Former Inter and Italy star Mazzola advises Bastoni against joining Barcelona.

The Italian centre-back is said to be eager to join the Catalans in the summer, even though formal talks between the two clubs haven’t even started.

According to Italian sources, one reason for Bastoni’s potential exit over the summer is the hostile reception he receives at Italian stadiums following an incident that led to a red card for Pierre Kalulu during Inter-Juventus in February.

Mazzola: Bastoni should not join Barcelona from Inter

“What has he done that’s so serious? Mistakes can happen; every player on every team makes them, but only Inter players get this kind of treatment,” Mazzola told Gazzetta.

“The only thing I can say to him is: keep your head up and get back to work straight away.”

Asked on whether Bastoni should consider leaving Inter, the Nerazzurri legend replied: “Where should he go? Milan is even more beautiful than Barcelona. If Luisito [Suarez] were still around, he would have confirmed that too.”

Mazzola went on to say that Italian players in the Inter team “excite” him, “even though we failed to qualify for the World Cup, and that’s a huge pain,” he noted.

“Not so much for me, since I’ve played and seen many of them, but for my grandchildren, who can’t dream like kids used to. This time we were a bit unlucky, especially our Inter defender [Bastoni].”

Just as he hopes Bastoni, who is contracted with Inter until 2028, won’t leave the club in the summer, Mazzola wishes that Lautaro Martinez would stick around until the end of his career.

“We can only hope he stays with us for life,” the 70-year-old concluded.

Argentines sometimes want to return home, but Lautaro shouldn’t get any strange ideas. In time, he’ll surpass Altobelli in the number of goals, and just getting close to Meazza would already be an incredible achievement.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport calls Matteo Ruggeri ‘heroic’ after Atlético Madrid’s aggregate win over Barcelona, which sent the Colchoneros to the Champions League semi-finals.

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Ruggeri’s Atlético Madrid suffered a 2-1 home defeat to domestic rivals Barcelona in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, but still managed to progress to the semis with a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Italy international Ruggeri played the full game, emerging as one of the best players on the field at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Praise for Ruggeri as Atletico Madrid knock Barcelona out of Champions League

La Gazzetta dello Sport rated Ruggeri 7/10, the same as Antoine Griezmann and ex-Atalanta star Ademola Lookman, only behind his teammates Marcos Llorente and Kone and Barça’s star Yamal (7.5).

“The man from Bergamo had to deal with that demon on Lamine Yamal once again. And he did,” wrote Gazzetta.

“Bloodied and, in the end, heroic.”

Ruggeri was elbowed by Barcelona midfielder Gavi in the final minutes, leaving him with a bleeding head wound and forcing the Italian to finish the match wearing a bandage.

Ruggeri, 23, is in his first season at Atlético Madrid, where he has collected seven assists in 39 appearances across all competitions.

Ruggeri was called up to the Italy national team only once, during the March break in 2025, and has yet to make his senior Azzurri debut, despite playing 16 games with Italy U21.

Giancarlo Abete confirms he’ll run for the FIGC Presidency after Lega Serie A backed Giovanni Malagò but notes: ‘A different method would have been better.’

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It’s been an eventful day in Italian football, with the first two potential candidates for the FIGC Presidential election emerging today.

The majority of Serie A clubs chose Malagò, a former CONI President, as their candidate during a general Lega Serie A meeting in Milan on Monday.

Malagò was picked by Serie A clubs before even presenting his project, which is why Lazio and Hellas Verona have abstained from backing him.

Abete, a former FIGC President from 2007 to 2014 and the current President of Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND), later confirmed that he’d also run for the FIGC Presidency.

Abete ‘available’ to return as FIGC President

“I will ask the Board of Directors of the National Amateur League (LND) to grant me the same authority that was granted to President Malagò by the Serie A clubs,” he said during the Premio Bearzot in Rome.

“If this is the approach, we’ll follow it. I have already convened the governing bodies of the LND, and I will ask for approval to put forward my availability so that when we come to the table, there are situations in which a plurality of positions is expressed.

“I will go further, and the invitation is for the same to be done by the technical components and other leagues, because we need contributions from all components.”

Votes from the LND account for 34% of the total in the FIGC Presidential election, against Serie A’s 18%, but any candidate needs the 50% plus one vote to get elected.

While announcing his candidacy, Abete stated that the selection method used by Lega Serie A, which led to Malagò’s nomination, was flawed.

“A different method would have been better. Obviously, a prestigious candidate has been identified, such as Malagò,” he said.

“But we must first talk about the issues and then about the people. Because one person alone is not enough to solve the problems of Italian football, whoever that may be. Therefore, we will address the issues and send an initial signal: this candidacy will not remain isolated.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Milan will listen to offers for Rafael Leao in the summer, claiming that ‘it’s never been so easy’ to sign the Portuguese winger: ‘Manchester United might be an option.’

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Milan will listen to offers for their attacker, Rafael Leao, in the summer, Gazzetta confirms.

Leao has a €175m release clause

The Portuguese was booed by his own fans when subbed off during a 3-0 home loss to Udinese on Saturday and hasn’t scored a goal since March 1.

Leao has a €175m clause that can be activated from July 1 to 15, but the Rossoneri are aware that no club would pay such a fee for the 26-year-old after another inconsistent season.

The only big variable could come from the 2026 World Cup, even if Leao last found the net with his national team in November 2024.

Previous reports claimed that Milan would listen to offers of at least €50m next summer, and Gazzetta argues that it’s ‘never been so easy’ to convince the Rossoneri to sell the winger.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona recently showed interest in the striker but have never entered advanced talks with either Milan or the player’s camp.

Chelsea offered €80m a few years back and might still be interested, but watch out for Manchester United too, as the Red Devils ‘can be an option more than other clubs,’ according to Gazzetta.

Leao’s contract at San Siro expires in June 2028. He has scored ten goals and provided two assists in 26 appearances across all competitions this season.

Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli confirms the support for Giovanni Malagò in the FIGC Presidential election and outlines the following steps, starting with a meeting on April 20.

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Former CONI President Malagò is the candidate chosen by the majority of Serie A clubs for the FIGC Presidential election taking place on June 22.

Serie A pick Malagò: the next steps

“What happened today is that 18 of our member clubs chose to support Giovanni Malagò, who has met the requirements of the FIGC electoral regulations regarding eligibility as a potential candidate,” Lega Serie A president Simonelli said at a press conference on Monday, via Sky Sport Italia.

“The two who did not do so are Lazio and Verona, not because of a lack of trust in Malagò, but for methodological reasons. At this point, the ball is in Malagò’s court, and once he has completed his assessment, he will formalise his candidacy.

“As Lega Serie A, I extend my best wishes to Malagò and express our hopes for the success of the electoral contest. We will invite him on April 20 to present the programme we have already outlined, which we will then integrate with his ideas.

“After that, Malagò will conduct his own assessments of the other components, make his final decision, and submit his candidacy.”

Votes from Serie A clubs account for 18% of the total in the FIGC Presidential election, so Malagò will necessarily need support from other components to replace Gabriele Gravina, who has stepped down after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

• Read more – FIGC Presidential election: Key dates and voting process explained

Italy international Moise Kean is not available for Fiorentina’s home game against Lazio, while Mattia Zaccagni is available for the Biancocelesti, but will start on the bench.

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Serie A Round 32 ends tonight with Fiorentina hosting Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio at the Stadio Franchi.

The home side, currently sitting five points above the drop zone, have several starters unavailable, including the suspended Nicolò Fagioli and Albert Gudmundsson.

Kean is also not available for selection due to an injury, as Fiorentina confirmed on Monday afternoon, and the same is true of Tariq Lamptey, Niccolò Fortini, Fabiano Parisi and Marco Brescianini.

Manor Solomon returns from an injury, but might start on the bench with Jacopo Fazzini picked as a left winger for the Tuscans.

Lazio’s list of absentees is also quite long, including the injured Samuel Gigot, Nicolò Rovella, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Adam Marusic, and Daniel Maldini.

The good news is that Italian winger Zaccagni has travelled with the team and might be involved as a substitute in the second half.

Fiorentina vs. Lazio – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Fiorentina vs. Lazio – probable line-ups

Fiorentina (4-3-3): De Gea; Dodò, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Fabbian, Mandragora, Ndour; Harrison, Piccoli, Fazzini.

Lazio (4-3-3): Motta; Lazzari, Romagnoli, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Dia, Noslin. 

Paolo Di Canio argues that Rafael Leao’s movements are not suited to a centre-forward and insists the Portuguese star’s priority ‘has almost become something else.’

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Leao has attracted criticism from Milan fans who loudly booed him when he was subbed off during a 3-0 home loss to Udinese on Saturday.

Leao has been mostly deployed as a centre-forward this season, including in the last match when Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri switched to a 4-3-3 system from 3-5-2.

Sky Sport examined Leao’s issues this season, with ex-Rossoneri striker Di Canio still very critical of the Portuguese.

Di Canio argued that Leao plays as a centre-forward because if he played on the wings, Milan would be even more vulnerable in defence.

Di Canio: Leao’s ‘physical and mental energy gets drained’

“We are talking about a player who should make 50 movements to receive the ball, but doesn’t even make half unless he’s certain he’ll receive it,” Di Canio added.

“He didn’t even make a movement to open the space for his teammates, because he wasn’t sure he’d receive the pass.

“Any striker, in any league, must work so hard. It’s difficult even for natural centre-forwards; imagine for a player who seems lazy almost every time he doesn’t have the ball.”

Leao was named the best Serie A player in 2021-22 when the massively contributed to Milan’s Serie A title victory, but the 26-year-old hasn’t developed much since.

“He relaxed; he’s been cuddled, and he hasn’t had the determination or desire to keep improving,” continued Di Canio.

• Read more – Milan shifts Rafael Leao transfer strategy as price drops

“The priority has almost become something else. Over the years, I don’t remember seeing so many fashion show videos or eight-hour recording sessions with record labels. You always say we should look at the players’ private lives, but if someone spends four or five hours doing other things, their physical and mental energy gets drained.

“It’s not like playing PlayStation for half an hour. If you’re spending six or seven hours with a record label and going to fashion shows, how are you supposed to regenerate the mental energy to play at this level?”

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested that Leao and Milan should part ways at the end of the season, but Inter legend Beppe Bergomi is confident that the Portuguese can regain the fans’ trust.

“He can easily recover. I experienced even more difficult years; other players, too,” said the ex-defender.

• Read more – Capello: Milan’s issues go beyond new system, Leao the ‘symbol’

Sky Sport Italia reports that the majority of Serie A clubs back Giovanni Malagò as the candidate for the FIGC presidency, with only Lazio and Hellas Verona abstaining.

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A Lega Serie A meeting is taking place in Milan this morning with clubs from Italy’s top flight called to name their candidate for the FIGC presidential election.

The new FIGC President will be elected on June 22, and votes from Lega Serie A account for 18% of the total.

Ex-CONI President Malagò is expected to be the candidate proposed by Lega Serie A, as the 67-year-old is backed by 18 clubs in Italy’s top flight.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Lazio and Verona did not express a view on the name during today’s meeting, as they want to review the regulatory framework first, but they are not opposed to Malagò.

Juventus and Milan have also backed Malagò, despite reportedly proposing Adriano Galliani in place of the ex-CONI President, who is strongly supported by Inter President Beppe Marotta and Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.

• Read more – First meeting scheduled between Serie A and Malagò: ‘The ball is in his court’

Juventus are unbeaten in their last six Serie A games, and Federico Gatti’s late goal in a 3-3 draw against Roma in March proved to be the turning point for the Old Lady and the Giallorossi.

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Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus have climbed the table and are currently fourth in the standings with a two-point lead over Como and just three behind third-placed Milan.

Gatti’s goal inspired Juventus’ comeback

As Gazzetta highlights, the Bianconeri are unbeaten since February 25, when they secured a 3-2 win over Galatasaray, which was not enough to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16.

The Juventus comeback in Serie A, however, started with that useless win against the Turkish side, before which Spalletti’s men had collected four losses and one draw across all competitions.

Just a few days after the victory against Galatasaray, Juventus recovered from two goals down against Roma, securing a 3-3 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.

Italy international Gatti scored a late leveller for the Bianconeri, inspiring their fightback.

After that game, Juventus collected four wins and one draw, collecting 13 points.

In the last four rounds, Juventus have earned seven points more than Milan, three more than Como and four more than Roma. 

With six games left to play, Juventus have the fate in their hands despite some difficult matches coming up, including home meetings with Bologna and Fiorentina, an away game at Milan and the final game of the season against city rivals Torino.

Due to a better head-to-head record, Juventus will finish ahead of Roma if they end up level on points with the Giallorossi, but the Old Lady will need one more point than Como, as the Azzurri have won both their games against Juve this term.

Ahn Jung-hwan was the first South Korea international to play in Serie A, but Perugia refused to make his move permanent in 2002, after he had eliminated Italy from the World Cup with a famous ‘Golden Goal.’

To date, only three South Korean players have featured in Italy’s Serie A, but the first to do so, Ahn Jung-hwan, surely left his mark on the league.

Scorer of five goals in 30 appearances with Perugia, the Serie A side decided against making his move permanent in 2022, as Ahn had scored the goal that eliminated Italy from the World Cup that summer.

The result shocked the Azzurri and allowed South Korea to advance to the World Cup quarter-final, in a match also remembered for the many controversial decisions by referee Byron Moreno that affected the Nazionale, including a red card for Francesco Totti.

This summer, it will be much easier to watch World Cup games live, even abroad, thanks to 해외축구중계, but you won’t need an internet connection to remember the outrage that Ahn’s goal caused in Italy.

That Azzurri team was one of the strongest of its generation, with players such as Paolo Maldini, Christian Vieri, Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Cannavaro, Filippo Inzaghi, Francesco Totti, and many more.

Vieri had given the Azzurri the lead at minute 18, but South Korea levelled the score at minute 88 with Seol Kihyeon, and Ahn killed it off with a Golden Goal in the 117th minute.

That was also the last game Maldini played at the international level, as he announced his retirement from the Azzurri in the wake of the elimination by South Korea.

Just a few hours after Ahn’s Golden Goal against the Azzurri, which marked South Korea’s 2-1 win, Perugia President Luciano Gaucci called live the Processo di Biscardi, one of the most popular TV football shows in Italy at the time, to reveal that he wouldn’t retain the Korean striker.

“I have absolutely no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football,” Gaucci said.

Twenty years after his goal against Italy, Ahn told FIFA.com: “It was a really special match for me and my country. No one believed we could beat Italy. I think you just need to look at our preparation and the way we played. Hiddink made us a strong side, both physically and mentally, and we weren’t afraid of anyone.”

Only two other players from South Korea have played in Serie A: Lee Seung-woo at Hellas Verona and Kim Min-jae at Napoli. The latter made history at the Stadio Maradona, being one of the cornerstones of the Napoli side that won the Scudetto in 2022-23, the first one in the post-Maradona era.

Inter star Nicolò Barella smiled and sarcastically waved at Como fans whistling him while being substituted during a Serie A match at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday.

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Italy international Barella sarcastically reacted to boos from Como fans on Sunday while being subbed off in the 77th minute of Inter’s away game at the Stadio Sinigaglia.

The Inter star smiled and ironically waved at the home crowd while leaving the field, with the Nerazzurri up 4-2.

Inter ultimately secured a 4-3 victory in Como, moving nine points clear of second-placed Napoli.

Video: Barella reacts to boos from Como fans

Barella risponde ai fischi dei tifosi del Como #ComoInter pic.twitter.com/h9NbTF6AWq

— zhang non muore mai (@Zhanglimmortale) April 12, 2026

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter’s big comeback in Como

Scudetto view

Nerazzurri from 2-0 to 3-4: Thuram and Dumfries score a brace each. Napoli pull the brake in Parma (1-1), and the advantage keeps increasing.

Corriere dello Sport

Inter, Scudetto in the pocket.

Thuram and Dumfries’ braces: a new runaway. McT avoids Conte’s defeat

Tuttosport

Inter tie the Scudetto down and leave Juve in fourth

Thuram and Dumfries’ braces punish Fabregas’ team, distracted after Valle and Paz’s goals, but into the game until the end with Da Cunha’s penalty. Spalletti enjoys the praise and closeness from Elkann. Yildiz’s anxiety. Licina, a bi goal.

‘Well done D’Aversa, but let’s see.’

The President takes time, and the possible sale of the club is among the reasons.

Milan have lost four of their last seven Serie A games and are slipping dangerously close to fifth place.

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Milan’s 3-0 home loss to Udinese on Saturday marked the Rossoneri’s second consecutive defeat in Serie A.

As reported by Milannews, only one month ago, Milan were celebrating a 1-0 win over Inter, which brought them within seven points of the Nerazzurri at the top of the table and nine points above the fifth spot.

However, the following poor run of results has not only pushed Milan out of the Scudetto battle but also forced them into the race for the top four.

Milan have suffered three of their five-season losses in their last four games, losing four times in the last seven.

The Rossoneri have not scored in any of their last four defeats, and that’s a further reason for concern.

Until the loss to Parma on February 22, Massimiliano Allegri’s team had only lost once and scored in every match except one, an away goalless stalemate at Juventus.

Milan are currently five points above fifth-placed Como, but Cesc Fabregas’ men have a game in hand, to be played against Inter tonight.

Milan’s advantage over Juventus is only reduced to three points, and the two sides will meet at San Siro in two weeks, on April 26.

• Read more – Leao reflects Milan’s downfall, summer exit seen as best for everyone

Adriano Galliani will not run for the FIGC Presidency, despite requests from Milan and Juventus, who had reportedly tried to boycott Giovanni Malagò, backed by Inter President Beppe Marotta.

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Ex-CONI President Malagò is expected to represent Serie A clubs in the FIGC Presidential election on June 22.

According to Corriere della Sera, Juventus and Milan were eager to propose a different candidate, picking Galliani as the Serie A representative for elections.

The ex-Milan CEO, however, officially confirmed on Sunday that he would not run for the FIGC President role.

“I’ve long thought about it, and I’m honoured and grateful to those clubs that considered me for the FIGC Presidency, but I won’t accept the invitation,” Galliani said.

“Some directors had sounded me out about my availability a few days ago. I’ve never accepted, and I’ve clarified that I would make assessments to see how the situation would evolve. In the end, I believe that the best possible FIGC President, and not just as the expression of Lega Serie A desire, is Giovanni Malagò.”

Votes from Serie A clubs account for 18% of the total, expressed by 20 delegates, and Malagò seems to have received approval from the majority of clubs in Italy’s top flight.

Corriere della Sera highlights that Malagò is being backed by Inter President Marotta, who has actively lobbied other Serie A clubs for support.

According to Corriere, Marotta has told people close to him that he’s done so “just do it for the good of football.”

Serie A clubs are expected to confirm their candidate for the FIGC Presidential election following a general meeting tomorrow, Monday, April 13.