Unai Emery insists Aston Villa are ‘so respectful’ when hosting Bologna again in the Europa League quarter-final, despite winning the first leg 3-1. ‘It is not done.’

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It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

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

Aston Villa have one foot in the Europa League semi-finals after winning the first leg 3-1 away from home.

They beat Bologna all three times in the last 18 months in the Champions League and Europa League.

Emery admires Bologna

“We are so, so respectful with them because they showed us their capacity to go for this title and to go a long way like we are expecting,” Emery told TNT Sports.

“We achieved a good result there, but it is not done and how they are playing and performing, we have massive respect. Today, I know it is going to be difficult and we must play extending our game plan like we did in their stadium and today of course here with our great, great atmosphere here with our supporters, we are confident but so, so respectful.”

Boubacar Kamara, Ross Barkley and Alysson are still out of action, with Emiliano Martinez starting despite a calf problem, while Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings not at 100 per cent.

It means Emery has chosen the exact same starting XI that played at the Stadio Dall’Ara last Thursday.

“We have our own experiences in Europe. Two years ago, we were doing our debut in Europe in the Conference League and we achieved the semi-final here against Olympiacos and we remind ourselves what we did two years ago, how we lost the semi-final, how we did last year in the Champions League when we lost in the quarter-finals against PSG.

“Everything we are learning in our process, we are trying to remind ourselves and be very demanding and consistent to achieve things. Very difficult match tonight. This is the competitive way we are building here. We are excited, motivated and we are aware of how we can control our emotions.”

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano said repeatedly that Aston Villa are the favourites to win the Europa League this season.

“It is a way to win a trophy and a way to get into the Champions League. It is very difficult to win this trophy. Today is the moment and we must enjoy today. I have won it three times and I know how difficult it is,” insisted specialist Emery.

"Of course Champions League is the best gift we can achieve."

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery on today’s tie with Bologna

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/rpRKOU1JqT

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Vincenzo Italiano wants Bologna to be ‘more clinical in front of goal’ against Aston Villa and make sure the Europa League quarter-final ‘isn’t a comfortable night for them.’

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It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

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

The situation is extremely difficult after losing the first leg 3-1 at home last week, although once again the performance was considerably better than the result would suggest.

Italiano wants courageous Bologna

“I would love to play five minutes tonight, though I couldn’t manage more than that,” smiled Italiano on Sky Sport Italia.

“It’s a fantastic environment, the team is strong, I expect a different match to the one that we saw on Thursday, but we’ll play our cards. The important thing is to match their intensity, try to cause problems for them when we’ve got the ball, and we’ll see what happens.”

Curiously, Bologna only lost two Europa League matches this season, and they were both against Aston Villa, after the September 25 defeat in Birmingham to open the league phase.

“We must try to keep the ball, as Aston Villa let you keep it for a bit, and we need to quality to attack with everyone we can get into the box, also be wary when we lose the ball, and be more clinical in front of goal than we were in our last two trips here.”

Jhon Lucumi is suspended, with Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez injured, but Martin Vitik returns from his ban.

“Aston Villa will have their usual approach, they even have a two-goal advantage, so will be the same as the previous meetings. When we defend, we’ve got to defend well, but above all must prove that we can hurt them when we’ve got the chance. I believe we can do that.”

There are also some options that Bologna can call from off the bench at Villa Park.

“We have Odgaard, Sohm and Pobega who can attack, Cambiaghi and Orsolini, so we’ll see how the game develops and then evaluate.

“I want to see the maximum desire to cause them problems, to ensure this isn’t a comfortable night for them, try to improve the result and leave here with our heads held high. I think courage is the right word, what we need in this stadium and against this opponent.

“These lads always bring out something extra at the crucial moments, and I believe they’ll do it again tonight,” concluded Italiano.

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admits Fiorentina have a ‘more attacking side than we expected’ in the Conference League quarter-final. ‘We know how they’re going to play and what we want to do.’

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It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

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

Crystal Palace make only one change from the side that played in London, and that is forced, as Evann Guessand picked up an injury.

“We rotated against Newcastle, so the three players in the front and two midfielders should be fresh. In defence they are doing so well, so it’s all good,” Glasner told TNT Sports.

Glasner notes Fiorentina changes

The Viola have a mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park, especially as they are missing suspended Dodo, plus injured Moise Kean, Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini.

With nothing left to lose, Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli has chosen a very attacking 4-2-3-1 formation with two creative midfielders supporting Jack Harrison, Albert Gudmundsson, Manor Solomon and Roberto Piccoli.

“Maybe it’s a bit more attacking than we expected, Solomon is more of a winger than Gudmundsson when he played in that position, he’s more of a Number 10, where we expect him today,” confessed Glasner.

“Comuzzo of course is a centre-back and not as attacking as Dodo. I think in April, you can’t change the way you are playing, so you have to rely on the things you are doing well.

“We know pretty well how they are going to play, and we know what we want to do against them.”

Fiorentina are on home turf with a 3-0 deficit to overturn, so they are going to come flying out of the blocks.

“We expect them to be more aggressive than at Selhurst Park, going man for man, making a lot of pressure, you always try to find the pockets, with flick-ons, one touches, the inverted wingers try to cut in and then deliver the cross, with three players in the box,” noted Glasner.

“That is how they are playing. Similarly, we want to move it to the side quickly and find space, then we will create opportunities.

“When you play two legs, this is the situation, but we trust ourselves and the way we are playing. We saw yesterday in the Champions League, at this stage of the competition they are always tight games, and that is what we expect here as well.”

“We know pretty well how they’re going to play, and we know what we want to do”

Oliver Glasner ahead of tonight’s Conference League second leg against Fiorentina

@msmith850 | Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/bZopKf5sVf

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 16, 2026

Paolo Vanoli explains his extremely attacking Fiorentina line-up against Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-final. ‘Of course we believe, and we need players who can score goals.’

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It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

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

A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off and Fiorentina are wearing black armbands following the death of Alex Manninger, who was their goalkeeper in 2001-02.

“It’s a tragedy. I found out this afternoon. Alex was an exceptional lad, I was fortunate enough to play with him here in Florence, we are close to his family, it’s hard to find the words,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

Vanoli and Fiorentina face huge hurdle

The Viola are going to need something truly extraordinary to reach their fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, because they were beaten 3-0 in the first leg at Selhurst Park.

“Of course we all believe, so do these fans, who showed once again despite a difficult season that they are behind us. It is a dream, so we must always believe. When it comes to an achievement like this, the players must give 110 per cent.

“We are up against a strong opponent, but have been getting some good results lately in Serie A. As I said in the first leg, what disappointed me was not having a full squad to choose from in this tie.”

Moise Kean is still out injured, with Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini, while Dodo is suspended at right-back.

It is a very attack-minded formation, with four strikers used together, plus creative Nicolò Fagioli and Rolando Mandragora in midfield.

It’s not yet clear whether Marin Pongracic or Pietro Comuzzo will be the makeshift right-back.

“In order to achieve something remarkable, mentality and belief is the most important thing, as the players need to give their best performance of the season,” continued Vanoli.

“We know it’ll be tough, as Crystal Palace showed how they can punish the first mistake, but we’ve got to try something that would remain in the history of Fiorentina during a season that has been complicated from the start.”

The focus this season for Fiorentina was always on avoiding relegation from Serie A, and they have almost done that now after breaking eight points clear of the drop zone.

That was achieved with Monday evening’s 1-0 victory over Lazio, so some of the crippling pressure has been lifted.

“When I made the line-up, I realised if you have to recover this deficit, you need players who can score goals. Robin Gosens is another, as he is very dangerous on set plays and runs to the back post. Everything can become important tonight,” concluded the coach.

Fiorentina are forced into yet more changes with Albert Gudmundsson and Manor Solomon starting in the Conference League quarter-final with Crystal Palace.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

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

Fiorentina have a huge task ahead of them to reach a fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, because they lost the first leg 3-0 at Selhurst Park.

It is no secret that their focus this season is all on avoiding Serie A relegation, and they took a huge step forward there on Monday with a 1-0 victory over Lazio putting them eight points clear of the drop zone.

However, injuries remain a problem, as Moise Kean is still out injured, with Marco Brescianini, Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey and Niccolò Fortini.

On top of that, Dodo is also suspended, so either Marin Pongracic or Pietro Comuzzo becomes a makeshift right-back.

Roberto Piccoli is again the centre-forward, but Manor Solomon is available again and completes the extremely attacking line-up with Jack Harrison and Albert Gudmundsson.

Crystal Palace welcome back Jorgen Strand Larsen, who was suspended for the first leg 3-0 victory, but rest him anyway, so Jean-Philippe Mateta leads the attack again.

Evann Guessand sustained an injury in the first leg and misses out with Caleb Kporha and Eddie Nketiah.

Ex-Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada plays with Yeremi Pino stepping in alongside Ismaila Sarr.

Fiorentina will wear black armbands and hold a minute’s silence before kick-off following the death of Alex Manninger, who was their goalkeeper in 2001-02.

Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace line-ups

Fiorentina: De Gea; Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Fagioli, Mandragora; Harrison, Gudmundsson, Solomon; Piccoli

Fiorentina bench: Leonardelli, Christensen, Fazzini, Kospo, Ndour, Kouadio, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli, Fabbian

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Yeremi Pino; Mateta

Crystal Palace bench: Matthews, Benitez, Lerma, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Strand Larsen, Sosa, Riad, Rodney, Devenny, Cardines

Ref: Gil Manzano (ESP)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Crystal Palace

Live

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		17'		Ismaïla Sarr (Assist: Daniel Muñoz)
Albert Gudmundsson		30'
Marin Pongracic		40'
		40'		Yéremy Pino
Pietro Comuzzo		45+5'

2nd half

Cher Ndour (Assist: Manor Solomon)		53'
		56'		Ismaïla Sarr
Luca Ranieri		67'

Fiorentina

Crystal Palace

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

70'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

46'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

70'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

1

Dean Henderson

Goalkeeper

26

Chris Richards

Defender

2

Daniel Muñoz

Defender

23

Jaydee Canvot

Defender

5

Maxence Lacroix

Defender

41'

3

Tyrick Mitchell

Defender

20

Adam Wharton

Midfielder

30'

18

Daichi Kamada

Midfielder

7

Ismaïla Sarr

Attacker

14

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Attacker

46'

10

Yéremy Pino

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

46'

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

70'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

70'

17

Nathaniel Clyne

Defender

44

Walter Benítez

Goalkeeper

24

Borna Sosa

Defender

Brennan Johnson

Attacker

55

Justin Devenny

Midfielder

59

Rio Cardines

Defender

31

Remi Matthews

Goalkeeper

42

Kaden Rodney

Midfielder

8

Jefferson Lerma

Midfielder

30'

34

Chadi Riad

Defender

41'

Jörgen Strand Larsen

Attacker

46'

19

Will Hughes

Midfielder

73'

Bologna hope Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bernardeschi can mount a Europa League quarter-final comeback against Aston Villa.

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It kicks off at Villa Park in Birmingham at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

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

The Rossoblu have a real mountain to climb after losing the first leg 3-1 at home, although as is often the case, the performance was far better than the result would suggest.

That was also the situation when losing here 2-0 in the Champions League last season and 1-0 earlier this term during the league phase.

Injuries continue to pile up, as Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga and Benjamin Dominguez are still out of action, with Jhon Lucumi suspended.

At least Martin Vitik returns from his ban, with Charalampos Lykogiannis back in the squad too.

Castro remains the only centre-forward available and is being run into the ground lately, flanked this time by Rowe and Bernardeschi, leaving Riccardo Orsolini on the bench.

Vincenzo Italiano’s men have lost only two Europa League games this season, and both were against Aston Villa, as they won their next five away fixtures in a row after that September 25 defeat in Birmingham.

Aston Villa won every single Europa League fixture except for a 2-1 away to Go Ahead Eagles on October 23, making them the hot favourites to lift the trophy, especially with Unai Emery as their coach.

Emiliano Martinez has shaken off a calf injury and returns to take the gloves.

Jadon Sancho and Tyrone Mings are also carrying knocks, with Boubacar Kamara a long-term absentee, plus Ross Barkley and Alysson left off the Europa League list.

Juventus-owned Douglas Luiz is once again dropped in favour of Emiliano Buendia.

Ollie Watkins continues to lead the attack after his brace in the first leg.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna line-ups

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Onana; McGinn, Rogers, Buendia; Watkins

Aston Villa bench: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Elliott, Andres Garcia, Abraham, Sancho, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey

Bologna: Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Vitik, Casale, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Moro; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe

Bologna bench: Pessina, Franceschelli, Pobega, Orsolini, Heggem, Zortea, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Sohm, Cambiaghi, Castaldo

Ref: Sanchez (ESP)

16-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Villa Park

Aston Villa

Bologna

Live

3 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Ollie Watkins (Assist: Morgan Rogers)		16'
Morgan Rogers		25'
Emiliano Buendía (Assist: Lucas Digne)		26'
		29'		Federico Bernardeschi
Morgan Rogers (Assist: John McGinn)		39'

Aston Villa

Bologna

Starting lineups

23

Emiliano Martínez

Goalkeeper

4

Ezri Konsa

Defender

12

Lucas Digne

Defender

2

Matty Cash

Defender

14

Pau Torres

Defender

24

Amadou Onana

Midfielder

78'

7

John McGinn

Midfielder

64'

8

Youri Tielemans

Midfielder

74'

10

Emiliano Buendía

Attacker

27

Morgan Rogers

Attacker

74'

11

Ollie Watkins

Attacker

64'

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

João Mário

Defender

46'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

46'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

46'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

22

Ian Maatsen

Defender

5

Tyrone Mings

Defender

40

Marco Bizot

Goalkeeper

3

Victor Lindelöf

Defender

9

Harvey Elliott

Attacker

64

James Wright

Goalkeeper

16

Andrés García

Defender

Tammy Abraham

Attacker

64'

Leon Bailey

Attacker

64'

19

Jadon Sancho

Attacker

74'

Douglas Luiz

Midfielder

74'

26

Lamare Bogarde

Midfielder

78'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

73

Francesco Castaldo

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

46'

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

46'

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

46'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

76'

Kostas Tsimikas has dropped a hint that Roma will not make his move a permanent one after the disappointing loan spell from Liverpool.

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The Greece international had made the transfer on deadline day in August 2025 as a loan to the end of the season.

Tsimikas flopped at Roma

However, he struggled badly under coach Gian Piero Gasperini and made only 24 competitive appearances between Serie A and the Europa League, contributing one assist.

Of those 24 games, the left-back only started 11, as Gasperini largely preferred to shift Wesley over to the left flank rather than use Tsimikas.

This was even after the other choice for that side, Angelino, was ruled out for several months by a bout of pneumonia.

Nobody expected Tsimikas to make it a permanent switch, so it was not entirely surprising when he switched his Instagram profile picture from a Roma jersey back to a Liverpool one.

It is however a little unusual that he would do this when the season is still going.

The Giallorossi haven’t had the best of luck with their loans, sending Leon Bailey back to Aston Villa after just six months, and Evan Ferguson will not be purchased outright from Brighton and Hove Albion either.

Roberto De Zerbi is using a traditional Italian team-building exercise with Tottenham Hotspur, even though a similar approach already failed for Igor Tudor.

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The Italian coach has become the third different boss at Spurs during this cursed campaign, and with his team in the Premier League relegation zone, is trying everything to get them working together quicker.

De Zerbi takes Tottenham out to dinner

According to Telegraph Sport, De Zerbi took the entire squad out to dinner at Bacchanalia restaurant in Mayfair this week.

This is a common tactic used in Italian football to build team spirit, both during moments of crisis and in general during a season.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso tried it with players when he was not given time for traditional training get togethers.

Former Juventus, Udinese and Lazio coach Tudor learned the approach in Serie A too and tried it with Tottenham in February, but to limited results, as he parted company with the club after failing to win a single Premier League game.

“My job now is not to coach a style, with or without the ball, but try to give the players what they need in terms of mentality,” said De Zerbi after losing on his debut to Sunderland.

“My style is to trust the confidence of the players. During the week, they play better because they are clean in their heads, but in the game it is different. My work must be to get them to show what they are doing during the week in a game.”

Behind the scenes at training as we prepare for Brighton pic.twitter.com/3EblhLAWZ0

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) April 16, 2026

While reports suggest a frosty rapport between Max Allegri and the club, Matteo Gabbia insists the players ‘all hope he will stay at Milan for a long time, he is a world class coach.’

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The tactician only took the job last summer and currently has them in third place in Serie A, on track for a Champions League spot.

However, the drop down from second after back-to-back defeats with Napoli and Udinese prompted some question marks over his future, especially if he is offered the Italy bench.

Gabbia and Milan players stand by Allegri

“Allegri is a world class coach,” Gabbia told Sky Sport Italia.

“Everyone in the squad thinks this. He has a way of handling moments, both good and bad, that is just incredible! His experience, his knowledge of what to say, the buttons he has to press, it’s second to none.

“Then it is up to us to go on the field, assimilate what he asked for, and do the best we possibly can. Allegri has been a very important figure for us this season. We are all very happy with him and his staff.”

Gabbia also spoke to MilanNews and was specifically asked how much the team wants the coach to stay at San Siro.

“It is what the whole team wants, not just what I think. I am speaking here on behalf of the entire squad, we are super happy with the coach and hope he can remain with us for a long time.

“Right now, the most important things are the results, which decide everything. We’ve got to follow him 100 per cent, then it will all go the right way.”

The former Juventus boss has taken some sabbaticals in recent years, but the Milan players have been very impressed with his man-management skills.

“His ability to understand the various moments, especially negative ones, means he knows when he has to go in hard, or when to relax the tension,” continued Gabbia.

“I was honestly really surprised by the way he prepares the matches, because often times he will tell us about situations that genuinely do happen, so we can recreate the response perfectly.

“There are many situations where he can keep surprising us with his working method.”

The Lega Serie B has set the dates for the promotion play-offs and relegation playout, so the season will officially come to an end on May 29.

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The race is still wide open for the two automatic promotion spots at the top of the table, and a third will be decided via the play-offs.

Those will begin with a one-off match on Tuesday May 12 between fifth and eighth place, and sixth and seventh.

How the Serie B play-offs work

The semi-finals are played over two legs, home and away, on Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17, with the return match on May 19 and 20.

The Final is also home and away, with the first leg on Sunday May 24 and the return on Friday May 29.

As for the playouts, those are between 17^th and 16^th placed teams on Friday May 15 and Friday May 22.

As things stand, Venezia are the Serie B leaders on 72 points, followed by Monza and Frosinone both on 69.

Palermo have 65, then there is a big drop to Catanzaro in fifth place on 55, Modena 52, Juve Stabia 48 and Cesena 44.

Tributes continue to pour in from former teammates of Alex Manninger, including Gigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini, while Fiorentina will hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Crystal Palace match.

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The football world was shocked by the death of former goalkeeper Manninger when his car was struck by a train on a level crossing in his home country of Austria this morning.

The Austria international spent much of his career in Italy, making 137 Serie A appearances with Juventus, Siena, Fiorentina, Bologna and Torino.

With this in mind, Fiorentina have been given permission by UEFA to hold a minute’s silence before tonight’s Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace.

The Viola will also be wearing black armbands in tribute to Manninger, who died at the age of 48.

Manninger remembered by Juventus teammates

Former Juventus teammate Buffon wrote a touching message on his Instagram alongside a picture of them together.

“Dear Alex, every word seems superfluous. Every tear would only be the latest for the loss of a friend and a person I always admired,” wrote Buffon.

“You chosen to remain independent from the bustle of the football world, going to seek your happiness in the simple things: a healthy life in the woods, fishing, nature, family. This was your credo.

“In a world that is often curved and prone to genuflection, which rewards overdoing things, careerism and easy gains, you always defended your freedom, holding your back straight, with the pride of a man who knows what he wants.

“You had the strength to walk away from all of this and look at us with your sly smile, as if to say ‘you are all crazy, you’ll never get me.’

“I hope, indeed I am certain, that from up there you will continue to guide your splendid children and your young wife. Rest in peace.”

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Gianluigi Buffon (@gianluigibuffon)

There were more messages from Manninger’s old Juventus teammates, such as current club director of football strategy Giorgio Chiellini.

“Today is a very sad day, we say goodbye to an exemplary teammate and a person of great values. Ciao Alex, rest in peace. My thoughts are with your family.”

Claudio Marchisio and Stephan Lichtsteiner were also among those who posted messages of condolence.

Roberto Mancini had double reason to celebrate tonight, as his Al Sadd both won the Qatar Stars League and knocked Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal out of the Asian Champions League.

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The former Italy coach is back in club football, having quit the Nazionale to take the Saudi Arabia job in August 2023, then appointed Al Sadd boss in November 2025.

Mancini double celebration for Al Sadd

It was a very special day indeed for Mancini, because this afternoon he learned that due to Al Shamal’s 2-0 defeat to Qatar SC, the Qatar Stars League title had been mathematically guaranteed without even needing to set foot on the pitch.

Just a few hours later, his team was in action for the AFC Asian Champions League Round of 16, facing Inzaghi’s Al Hilal in Jeddah.

It was a 3-3 thriller and ultimately had to be decided in a penalty shoot-out after extra time, with Mancini’s Al Sadd emerging victorious 4-2.

His side came back three times from a goal down to set up a quarter-final clash with Japan’s Vissel Kobe, which will be on Thursday.

Mancini has been suggested for a potential return to the Italy job.

Maurizio Sarri feels the Lazio defeat to Fiorentina was ‘frankly harsh when we kept the initiative throughout,’ but raised doubts on his future. ‘We’ll see what the club has in mind.’

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The Aquile were unbeaten in four going into the Stadio Artemio Franchi, albeit dealing with an injury crisis that saw Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic and Patric thrown straight back into the starting XI.

Robin Gosens got his head to the Jack Harrison cross to give Fiorentina victory, but David De Gea denied Zaccagni and Petar Ratkov with big saves.

Sarri frustrated with Lazio loss

“The goal was fortuitous, as until that moment and frankly for a while afterwards too, we were largely in control,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

“What we must take responsibility for is allowing them a few too many counter-attacks, but we kept the initiative throughout and the defeat feels frankly harsh considering the performances of the two teams.

“A centre-forward figure inside the penalty area is something we’ve been lacking all season, we don’t get those runs into the box to meet the crosses. Ratkov had a chance late on with a header, but we do lack those characteristics.”

Meanwhile, their primary focus is on the Coppa Italia semi-final, having drawn the first leg 2-2 with Atalanta.

“I hope to get players back, but it depends what condition they are in, because just being clinically healed is not enough. We want to finish the season with good performances, and for long periods we did that tonight too.”

Lazio are now in ninth place and four points adrift of Bologna, but also only one clear of Udinese in 10^th.

A top eight finish means missing the first round of the Coppa Italia in August next season, but Sarri reacted with irritation when the panel started a question about ‘yet another defeat’ away from home.

“Hold it there, only six teams have lost more than we have this season. If it was the first defeat, we’d be top of the table,” replied the coach.

How worried is Sarri about his own future and that of Lazio?

“I am not worried about my future, for Lazio we’ll see what the plans are. I honestly don’t know what the plans are for the future, I can only say this season has been devastating for me. Just preparing tonight’s game we were missing 10 players, so we had to use some who were nowhere near fully fit.

“There have been many problems this season. We’ll see what the club has in mind for the future, and then we’ll see what I think as a consequence of that.”

Sarri famously grew up in the shadow of the Stadio Franchi and has been mentioned as a potential new Fiorentina coach for next season.

With this in mind, he received a warm welcome from the Viola supporters before kick-off.

Paolo Vanoli warns ‘the job is not yet done’ for Fiorentina after beating Lazio to break eight points clear of the bottom three. ‘Now we will try to dream against Crystal Palace.’

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The mood in the Viola camp was poor after Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, but it was no secret that their focus this season had to be on securing Serie A safety.

With Cremonese and Lecce losing this weekend, they knew a victory with Lazio would put them eight points clear of the drop zone with six rounds left to play.

It was a slender win, decided by the Robin Gosens header at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, as well as some big David De Gea saves on Mattia Zaccagni and Petar Ratkov.

Vanoli keeps Fiorentina focused

“It is nice to look at the table now, but the job is not done yet,” Vanoli told DAZN Italia.

“I want to thank the lads, who prepared well with character, sacrifice and a team spirit to the end through seven minutes of added time. We could’ve scored a second goal with a bit more quality in the final third, but I couldn’t really have asked for more.”

Fiorentina now try to overturn a massive 3-0 deficit when hosting Crystal Palace in the second leg of the Conference League quarter-final on Thursday evening.

“Now we must recharge the batteries and try to dream all over again in the Conference League. We are in front of our fans, so we have to believe,” added Vanoli.

“A team like this was not accustomed to being in the relegation zone. Now hopefully we can have a bit more freedom and be less frenetic, because many errors are caused by that too. We owe it to ourselves and our fans to give it our all in the Conference League too.”

The surge has been undeniable, as in the last nine Serie A rounds, Fiorentina picked up 18 points, fewer only than Inter and Napoli’s 20 in that same period.

Considering those results, does Vanoli believe he could put his name forward to stay on next season?

“I always had faith in the club and when I arrived here, I knew we needed something remarkable. I never thought about the future, I just focused on the good of Fiorentina, and the words of the President when I signed the contract, and sadly he has since died.

“My job is not yet done.”

Another big change in February was the arrival of director Fabio Paratici, who has helped bring some stability to the Viola.

“His curriculum speaks for him, he has won a great deal in many international clubs. He is a great professional and we are all very happy to have him here.”

A Robin Gosens header proved enough to give Fiorentina victory and surge eight points clear of the relegation zone, but Lazio were furious after a controversial refereeing decision.

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The Viola had a huge opportunity to open up a significant lead from the relegation zone, but had the strain of Thursday’s Conference League quarter-final 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, with the second leg coming up. Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli sat out bans, with Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey still injured.

The Biancocelesti won three of their last four games, despite an injury crisis including Adam Marusic, Daniel Maldini, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella, but Mattia Zaccagni and Patric were thrown straight back into the starting XI.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Zaccagni very nearly scored in the third minute, as Boulaye Dia’s slide-rule pass sent him unmarked down the left, the angled drive fingertipped inches wide by David De Gea.

Matteo Cancellieri also tested De Gea at the near post, but Roberto Piccoli fired just over from the edge of the area after a well-worked counter-attack.

Fiorentina took the lead when Jack Harrison stood up a cross from the right for Robin Gosens, who outjumped Manuel Lazzari at the back post for a header into the ground from seven yards.

Cancellieri sprinted back in time to stop Cher Ndour on the counter with a decisive block, while Zaccagni’s snapshot was straight at De Gea.

Tijjani Noslin fired over after the restart and Harrison had a double attempt charged down at the near post, the second parried by Edoardo Motta.

There was a controversial incident on 64 minutes when Tijjani Noslin went down acrobatically in the box after a coming together with Rolando Mandragora. Referee Michael Fabbri booked the Lazio player for simulation and stuck with his original decision even after the VAR review showed there had been contact, as he considered it insufficient for a penalty.

Fiorentina were also angry that a free kick was given for the Gosens challenge on Gustav Isaksen, but Nuno Tavares ballooned it over the bar.

Noslin couldn’t keep his header on target from six yards on an Isaksen cross, while De Gea needed a big save to deny the Petar Ratkov header within moments of his introduction.

Giovanni Fabbian nodded the Dodo cross over too and Ndour drilled just wide from the edge of the area in stoppages, but the last kick of the game was an acrobatic Pedro volley into De Gea’s arms.

Fiorentina 1-0 Lazio

Gosens 28 (F)

13-04-2026 19:45

MatchDay 32

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Lazio

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Robin Gosens (Assist: Jack Harrison)		28'
Daniele Rugani		31'

2nd half

		63'		Tijjani Noslin
Dodô		80'
Roberto Piccoli		90+1'
		90+4'		Pedro

Match statistic

34

Possession %

66

8

Total shots

13

2

Shots on target

6

4

Shots off target

3

2

Blocked shots

4

5

Corners

6

10

Fouls

10

Fiorentina

Lazio

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

3

Daniele Rugani

Defender

71'

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

84'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

80'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

40

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

4

Patric

Defender

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

79'

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

46'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

67'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

67'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

71

Salvatore Cianciulli

Midfielder

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

71'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

80'

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

84'

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

28

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

99

Giacomo Giacomone

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

46'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

9

Pedro

Attacker

67'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

67'

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

79'

Napoli defender Juan Jesus has issued a formal apology to fans and his teammates after his performance against Parma was ‘not up to my standards.’

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The Partenopei effectively said goodbye to their Scudetto ambitions after a disappointing 1-1 draw away to Parma on Sunday afternoon.

That result and Inter’s 4-3 victory in Como opened up a nine-point gap at the top of the Serie A table.

Juan Jesus had a dismal showing at the Stadio Tardini, making a significant error to concede the opening goal after just 33 seconds, and he was substituted by Antonio Conte at half-time.

The Brazilian took to social media to send a message to the Napoli fans after this setback.

Juan Jesus sorry for Napoli error

“This too is football, making mistakes and having the courage to keep going,” wrote Juan Jesus.

“Yesterday I was not up to my standards, so I take responsibility for that. I also know that overall this has been one the best seasons of my career. This is precisely why I demand more from myself.

“Errors are painful, but they are part of the journey. We work, we grow, we come back stronger. Always with our minds on the objective. Forza Napoli always.”

The central defender turns 35 in June and is in the final weeks of his current contract with Napoli.

He joined as a free agent from Roma in 2021 and has been in Italian football since January 2012 for Inter, Roma and Napoli.

According to reports, Max Allegri would be first choice for new Italy coach if Giovanni Malagò became FIGC President, as his rapport with Milan is getting tense.

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The search is on for a new President of the Federation, who in turn would have the job of choosing the new Italy CT to replace Gennaro Gattuso in the summer.

The first steps were taken today for the former, as a meeting of the Lega Serie A reached a majority of 18 out of 20 clubs voting for ex-CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) chief Malagò as their candidate for the election on June 22.

Allegri first pick for Malagò’s Italy

Calciomercato claim that if Malagò is given the reins, his first choice for new Italy coach would be Allegri.

In turn, this is more likely than it would’ve been only a couple of weeks ago, as the tension is reportedly growing behind the scenes at Milan.

They are sliding down the standings after two consecutive Serie A defeats and Champions League qualification is no longer to be taken for granted.

Allegri only took the job last summer for his second spell at San Siro, and Sportitalia suggest that Milan directors might not be too upset at another change of management for next season.

In turn the coach is not too fond of the transfer strategy shown by the club, so an offer to lead Italy would be genuinely tempting for all concerned.

Maurizio Sarri explains why Mattia Zaccagni starts for Lazio against Fiorentina despite ‘not being at 100 per cent’ with Patric again picked in a surprising midfield role.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

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

There are some surprises in the starting XI this evening, because Zaccagni and Patric were only expected to be fit enough for the bench, yet they are thrown straight into the line-up.

Sarri outlines Lazio decisions

“Zaccagni is not at 100 per cent yet,” confessed Sarri to DAZN Italia.

“In fact, introducing him during the second half might’ve created us some problems in measuring out the substitutions, so we decided to start him and see how long he can last.”

Patric is a defender, but has in recent weeks become the first choice midfielder in the absence of players like Adam Marusic, Daniel Maldini, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella.

“Danilo Cataldi is not in great shape, so we preferred to use Patric and allow Cataldi the time to make a full recovery. Hopefully he will be back next week,” added Sarri.

This is a very big game for Fiorentina, as with a win they would open up an eight-point lead over the relegation zone with six rounds left to play.

“That is of no interest to us, we’ve just got to focus on continuing along our path, giving everything to the last minute of the last game. I hope the team will show that attitude again this evening.”

Sarri is notoriously a fan of cycling, so did he watch the iconic Paris-Roubaix race yesterday?

“I had training in the morning, which was very tough with 10 players out of action, but I watched the end on the train.”

Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici gives a worrying injury update on Moise Kean ahead of tonight’s game with Lazio and confirms Under-23 teams are ‘fundamental’ for reforms.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

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

The Viola go into this match after Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace and they have an injury crisis on their hands.

Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey are injured, with Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli suspended.

Paratici gives Fiorentina updates

“Kean is giving his all to recover as quickly as possible, but we are not sure what the timing is for a full recovery, because his condition tends to go up and down,” Paratici told DAZN Italia.

“I would prefer to focus on those who are present, as Piccoli is doing very well and we have a lot of faith in him.”

Paratici arrived in February after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, so has he managed to identify what problems Fiorentina had to cause their struggles?

“When a club does not live up to expectations, there are many different problems, but we want to focus on the solutions. We rolled our sleeves up and are working hard, we know it will be a struggle to the end, and point by point, we’ll earn our place in Serie A,” said Paratici.

Italian football is trying to transform itself following the failed World Cup qualification campaign, so today 18 out of 20 clubs gave their backing to Giovanni Malagò as new FIGC President.

“Malagò is someone who has already had a very prestigious role with excellent results. He is a charismatic figure who can represent us at a certain level, with new ideas that we should all together help to propose and enact as Italian football as a whole,” continued Paratici.

“The Under-23 team is in my view a fundamental part of the reforms, as more clubs should set up the Under-23 team. When Fiorentina are organised enough to set it up, then we will, as we have a strong youth academy and believe this is a necessary step for the young players.”

This is a reunion this evening between Paratici and Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, who had a brief experience together at Juventus.

“I have not yet run into Sarri, I wish to underline that he was with us for a year at Juve and everyone talked about it as if this was not positive, yet we won the Scudetto, lost he Coppa Italia Final on penalties and the Supercoppa Italiana, so I’d say that was a very strong campaign.”

Fiorentina have the opportunity to go eight points clear of the relegation zone, but the injury crisis intensifies as Lazio welcome back Mattia Zaccagni and Patric.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

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

With the other games already played and negative results for Cremonese and Lecce, it means a victory here would send Fiorentina flying into 15^th place, above all creating an eight-point gap from the drop zone.

However, the team is stretched thin by the strain of the Conference League, losing the quarter-final 3-0 to Crystal Palace on Thursday night at Selhurst Park.

The second leg is coming up this week, with Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey still out injured.

Paolo Vanoli also cannot count on suspended Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli, while Manor Solomon and Rolando Mandragora are not at 100 per cent.

Roberto Piccoli therefore has to lead the attack once more, with Cher Ndour in midfield, Jacopo Fazzini and Jack Harrison in support.

Lazio had won three games in a row before their 1-1 draw with Parma, and are still aiming to close within a point of Bologna in eighth place.

Maurizio Sarri also has a lot of problems to deal with, because Daniel Maldini and Adam Marusic are the latest additions to the absentee list, joining Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella.

The surprise is that Zaccagni, Toma Basic and Patric are thrown straight back into the starting XI after recovery, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is back on the bench.

Matteo Cancellieri is also preferred to Gustav Isaksen.

Fiorentina vs. Lazio line-ups

Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodò, Rugani, Ranieri, Gosens; Ndour, Mandragora, Fabbian; Fazzini, Harrison; Piccoli

Lazio: Motta; Lazzari, Romagnoli, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Taylor, Patric, Basic; Cancellieri, Dia, Zaccagni

13-04-2026 19:45

MatchDay 32

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Lazio

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Robin Gosens (Assist: Jack Harrison)		28'
Daniele Rugani		31'

2nd half

		63'		Tijjani Noslin
Dodô		80'
Roberto Piccoli		90+1'
		90+4'		Pedro

Match statistic

34

Possession %

66

8

Total shots

13

2

Shots on target

6

4

Shots off target

3

2

Blocked shots

4

5

Corners

6

10

Fouls

10

Fiorentina

Lazio

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

3

Daniele Rugani

Defender

71'

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

84'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

80'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

40

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

4

Patric

Defender

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

79'

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

46'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

67'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

67'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

71

Salvatore Cianciulli

Midfielder

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

71'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

80'

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

84'

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

28

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

99

Giacomo Giacomone

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

46'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

9

Pedro

Attacker

67'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

67'

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

79'

Damien Comolli insists players are ‘eager to come to Juventus’ even without Champions League football, but warns ‘do not expect’ Dusan Vlahovic news before the season ends.

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The Bianconeri climbed into fourth place this weekend thanks to their 1-0 victory away to Atalanta, and Como’s 4-3 defeat to Inter.

Now there are six games remaining in the Serie A season to hang on to that precious spot, which is a ticket to the lucrative Champions League next term.

With finances tight, this could make a big difference on just how Juventus plan to proceed on the transfer market.

Comolli confident Juventus will be ambitious

“I think our transfer strategy will be ambitious regardless,” insisted general manager Comolli at the opening of the Juventus One project.

“I don’t know where we’ll end up, there is talk of fourth place, but it could even be better than that. The Serie A table is tight and we are very ambitious going into the final matches.”

The Old Lady is now only three points behind Milan in third and six adrift of Napoli in second place.

At the same time, looking over their shoulders, they are two clear of Como in fifth and three ahead of Roma in sixth position.

“What we do know is that Juventus are negotiating with many players, and the players we are talking to are not saying ‘I am only interested in Juventus if they qualify for the Champions League.’

“These are players eager to come to Juventus without knowing if we are in the Champions League or not. Obviously, on a financial level it is much better to be in the Champions League than the Europa League.

“However, in terms of ambition, it doesn’t matter which European competition we are in next season, we will still build an ambitious team to have success in the future.”

Among the negotiations, Juve are also discussing a potential new contract with Vlahovic, whose current deal only runs to June 30.

“I will stick to what I’ve said since the start for Dusan, which is that we’ll talk it over at the end of the season, so do not expect anything new before then,” insisted Comolli.

“There are six weeks to go, I know our director Marco Ottolini had contact with Dusan, but do not expect anything before the end of the season. We hope to have good news on the contract renewals at some point, even before the campaign is over, with regards to other players.”

Not all 20 Serie A clubs back Giovanni Malagò as candidate for new FIGC President, as Lazio owner Claudio Lotito insists ‘we need a total restructuring of the system.’

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The crisis in Italian football that culminated in the failure to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup prompted the resignation of Federation President Gabriele Gravina.

Now the search is on for a new chief who can in turn pick the next Italy coach to begin the EURO 2028 and Nations League campaigns in September.

Lotito resists Serie A majority on FIGC

Today’s Lega Serie A meeting in Milan saw 18 of the 20 clubs back former CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Malagò, but Lazio and Hellas Verona abstained.

“The problem with Malagò is not the name, that is irrelevant,” insisted Lazio President Lotito when speaking to reporters outside the meeting.

“If something isn’t working, it has to be restructured, right? This system was built on a law set in stone 45 years ago, so as long as that law and that system is in place…

“We need to redesign everything from top to bottom, which means we need to nominate a special commissioner.”

This would effectively place the FIGC under receivership, giving that person the power to make decisions on radical changes without requiring a majority support.

Curiously, this is a role that Malagò has held before, when in 2018 the FIGC and Lega Serie A were unable to agree on electing new leaders.

He remained as special commissioner from February to May 2018, by which point they had managed to elect replacements.

Beppe Marotta delights in Cristian Chivu’s joke because Inter must be ‘ambitious without being arrogant,’ but daren’t imagine the controversy if that Como penalty had been decisive.

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The Nerazzurri extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to nine points with last night’s thrilling comeback from 2-0 down at the Stadio Sinigaglia to win 4-3.

Inter thriller put Scudetto marker down

“Como vs. Inter was first and foremost a wonderful advertisement for Italian football,” Marotta told reporters outside the Lega Serie A meeting in Milan.

“Inter deservedly won thanks to the qualify expressed by a team that proved itself worthy of the role of protagonist in this season.”

When asked if the title race was over, Chivu aimed a sideswipe at Napoli’s Antonio Conte and Max Allegri of Milan by noting that, like them, he would only ever say that Champions League qualification was the real objective.

“It was a joke to show that in Italy lately there is this fear of courageous targets,” noted Marotta.

“Instead, Inter must be courageous and always aim for the maximum result. This is part of the DNA of a winning club, we must be ambitious without being arrogant.”

Inter had been leading 4-2 when Lucas Da Cunha converted a late penalty to set up a tense finale, but there was controversy around that incident.

The referee had awarded a free kick for the Ange-Yoan Bonny sliding block on Nico Paz on the edge of the area, only to be informed by VAR that the contact was inside the box.

What many refereeing pundits pointed out was that VAR should also have sent the referee to view it again on the monitor, because it was Nico Paz who on the follow-through kicked Bonny rather than the other way round.

“I think everyone agreed that was not a penalty, and we didn’t get upset because we won anyway, but imagine what would’ve happened if that penalty had led to a different result,” said Marotta.

“We’d be here recriminating. There are mistakes over the course of a campaign, and this season there seem to be quite a lot more than usual. I hope it can push people to reflect on creating a symbiosis between the VAR and referee.”

Inter President Beppe Marotta explains why Giovanni Malagò would be the best choice as new FIGC President. ‘We need an interpreter’ to work with politicians.

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The search is on for a new Federation chief after Gabriele Gravina resigned in the wake of failure to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup.

A vote today saw 18 out of 20 Serie A clubs back former CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Malagò as their candidate.

Marotta glad to see Serie A united

“This is one of the best results we’ve seen in recent years, finding some genuine consensus to pave the way for the future of both the Nazionale and reforms,” Inter President Marotta told reporters outside the Lega Serie A meeting.

“We cannot avoid dealing with politicians, who are a very important reference point.”

Not everyone is happy with the idea of Malagò being in charge of Italian football, as the current Government would lean more towards Abete.

“I don’t know if I am disappointed with that, to be honest,” replied Marotta.

“Malagò was picked precisely because he has the profile of a sporting manager who has been in our world for many years, as we need an interpreter who can take lessons from Serie A to improve our football as a whole. Our sport is an ill patient that needs treatment.”

Abete has the backing of the LND (Lega Nazionale Dilettanti), the amateur league that has 34 per cent of the vote for an overall decision.

“We want to take back the role of protagonist for Serie A, which has been somewhat lost recently. We maintain that we are the locomotive driving the Italian system, even though naturally we also have to look at the situations in Serie B, C, the amateur league, and above all the youth system,” added Marotta.

“I don’t know what Abete wants to do exactly, but he gave a great deal to football over the years, so it is his right to submit his name as a candidate.

“Whoever gets the most votes will win. These are two very important directors, and clearly Serie A has made its choice.”

Cesc Fabregas admits he ‘was contacted’ by other clubs last summer, but finds it ‘very difficult’ to see himself at a Serie A side other than Como in future.

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The coach had already impressed in his debut top flight campaign with Como, and is going from strength to strength with his team challenging for a Champions League spot, as well as being in the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Fabregas approached by Serie A clubs

He was awarded the Trofeo Bearzot award today for management, and spoke to reporters at the event, when he was asked if he could see himself at a different Italian club.

“That would seem very unlikely, because I am very involved and attached to Como,” replied Fabregas.

“It is true that I was contacted last year, but I decided to stay because I love this club. I am very happy with what I can do and what we are achieving at Como.

“The project is very important to me. I don’t want to seem presumptuous here, but I do this work purely for the passion, so I need to feel that I can do something new.”

Fabregas had famously been linked with a potential role taking over at Inter and Roma, though when Como insisted he was under contract and not going anywhere, they instead turned to Cristian Chivu and Gian Piero Gasperini respectively.

The Bearzot award is named after Enzo Bearzot, the coach who took Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup.

“When they told me I had won this award, I immediately started to study Bearzot’s history. This is an award for the city, for the owners and the whole club. We are a family, I mean that, and feel honoured to receive this award,” concluded Fabregas.

Cristian Chivu admits Inter ‘suffered’ to beat Como 4-3 and saw ‘maturity’ from his team at 2-0 down, but aimed a cheeky Scudetto sideswipe at Antonio Conte and Max Allegri.

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The Nerazzurri really proved their Scudetto credentials this evening, because they were trailing 2-0 at the Stadio Sinigaglia to goals from Alex Valle and Nico Paz.

However, braces by Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries turned it around to lead 4-2, then they held on under pressure after a late Lucas Da Cunha penalty for the final 4-3 result.

Chivu hails Inter comeback from 2-0 down

“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, we were up against a team that is challenging for something important, and they proved it in the first half with mobility, pace, pressing and intensity,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“We were struggling and went 2-0 down, but we got a goal back and that gave us confidence. After the restart, we stepped up a gear, showed a bit of character, and we turned it around, though it was certainly not easy.”

Inter had already faced Como here last month in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, and were held to a 0-0 draw.

Even without injured Lautaro Martinez, who asked to be on the bench this evening to be close to his teammates, Inter scored 102 goals in 46 competitive games this season.

“We trained only on set plays this morning, knowing they would be a good opportunity to score goals here,” revealed Chivu.

“It is down to the hard work of my staff and the players that we are so prolific in these situations. We have great free kick takers and players who are strong in the air, so it would be a shame not to make the most of that.”

Considering how well the hosts had started, it was a remarkable turnaround, the second time they managed to a victory after going 2-0 down, although the other side was Pisa.

“This was a victory of maturity, where we understood the moments of the match,” continued Chivu.

“With seven rounds to go, we must raise our ambitions, understand how important it is to get onto that field and extend our advantage over second place.

“We were surprised by the intensity of Como in the first half, but we reacted like a mature team.”

With Napoli held 1-1 by Parma and Milan losing to Udinese this weekend, it means Inter go nine points clear at the top of the table with six rounds left to play.

However, when asked whether they had the Scudetto in hand, Chivu aimed a jibe at Napoli boss Conte and Milan’s Allegri.

“I’ll do like my colleagues who only talk about Champions League qualification and I’ll say that we are happy to get closer to that target. Mathematically, we’re not there yet.”

Dumfries scored twice this evening, and it is easy to forget just how much he was missed during his injury over the last couple of months.

“We did miss him, as obviously with him we have a different option to attack the space, including on set plays,” admitted Chivu.

“Luis Henrique is perhaps better at keeping the ball, but Denzel has more power, he is a presence in the box and knows how to time runs to the back post, as we saw today.”

Cesc Fabregas insists Como gave Inter a real scare in tonight’s 4-3 thriller and was ‘so proud’ of their ‘courage to compete against anyone we are up against,’ but he is not checking the table.

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It was the perfect start for Fabregas at the Stadio Sinigaglia, as his team was 2-0 up against Serie A leaders Inter with goals from Alex Valle and Nico Paz.

However, the Nerazzurri proved themselves absolutely clinical, converting practically all their chances to win 4-3 in the second half with a brace each from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries.

Lucas Da Cunha’s late penalty was not enough to turn it around, even if Alberto Moreno hit the crossbar in stoppages.

Fabregas proud of Como fight

“I don’t know what position we are in the table, because I haven’t checked since the start of the season and I’m not going to now,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“My team once again proved it is courageous, eager, and even in defeat showed character. It’s true we made mistakes, but this is a young team and we were up against an opponent that will penalise you for every error.

“I think talking about tactics today is not appetising to me, because we did our talking on the pitch. I like to look at statistics, and not many sides manage 20 shots on goal against Inter.

“If you had told me two years ago that we’d be challenging Inter like this, I’d have assumed we had organised a friendly match, but we are fighting them on an even playing field.”

It was not tactics, but emotional momentum that changed the game when Thuram pulled one back in first half stoppages, giving Inter some hope.

“That’s what I mean, you can talk about tactics all you want, but ultimately the mentality makes the difference,” agreed Fabregas.

“It was a lack of communication between Valle and Perrone, they found a way through, it was practically half-time. My message at half-time was that regardless of the result, we needed to keep playing like this.

“The 2-2 was not a dangerous situation and we didn’t deal with it well, but after that Inter are so strong. We created some good counter-attacks, but they are so incredible on set plays, not just against us. As I said, being competitive against Inter today was an important step in our growth process.”

This was a surprisingly attack-minded line-up from Fabregas and Como, who in the first half had Sergi Roberto drawing Piotr Zielinski out of position to attack Alessandro Bastoni.

“We have another game to play against Inter in 10 days, we prepare matches in different ways, so I don’t want to explain our ideas too much right now,” noted Fabregas when pushed on how he had tried to hurt Inter.

“I am so proud of my players, I was here the first day when we started work two and a half years ago, and I see where we are now. I see the desire to improve and the courage to compete against anyone we are up against.”

Fabregas had held Inter to a 0-0 draw here in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final last month, with the decider scheduled at San Siro on April 21.

However, they lost 4-0 in Serie A back in December, so this was a significant improvement.

“Mistakes are part of the game, they can often help you grow faster, because they force you to take a good look and not just keep coasting along. That is true of life as well as of football,” explained Fabregas.

“The team gave everything, the result is a pity. I too want to learn from my mistakes, as against Milan I talked about the focus being on results rather than performance, so I won’t be saying that again.

“I just say that it was a good performance and we don’t stop now, there are six rounds to play plus the Coppa Italia, and we’ll see where we end up.”

This result knocks Como down to fifth place, two points behind Juventus, but it remains extraordinarily tight for those Champions League spots.

Only six points now separate Milan in third from Roma in sixth, with six rounds left to play and several head-to-head clashes.

Marcus Thuram admits scoring for France gave him ‘a confidence booster’ that revitalised his Inter form, but won’t say the Scudetto is won yet even after the 4-3 victory over Como.

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This was a dramatic evening at the Stadio Sinigaglia, as Como had taken a 2-0 lead with Alex Valle and Nico Paz just before half-time.

However, a pair of braces from Thuram and Denzel Dumfries turned it around to lead 4-2, eventually forced to suffer in the final minutes following a Lucas Da Cunha penalty.

Thuram reaches double figures

“It was important to score just before half-time, it gave us the right spirit going into the restart,” Thuram told DAZN Italia.

The striker had struggled to find the net, but seems to have found a new lease of life after scoring on international duty for France, which he hadn’t done since 2023.

“It was good to have a change of scenery, but above all to score for France, that gave me a confidence booster, and I’ve taken it with me to Inter. Did I really score 10 goals? I usually do it a bit earlier in the season, but I got there eventually!”

With Napoli held 1-1 by Parma this afternoon and Milan losing heavily to Udinese, it puts Inter nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table with six rounds left to play.

“Being able to suffer and react as a team is a great sign, and this is a very important victory for us. However, until it is mathematically official, we cannot say anything has been achieved yet,” noted Tikus.

Inter will have to face Como again on April 21 for the Coppa Italia semi-final, as the first leg ended 0-0 here last month.

Inter completed an extraordinary comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-3 in Como with Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries doubles, going nine points clear and knocking Cesc Fabregas down to fifth.

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These sides already drew here 0-0 in the Coppa Italia semi-final, with the second leg scheduled for April 21. Lautaro Martinez and Yann Bisseck were out injured, even though the captain insisted on accompanying his teammates, so Francesco Pio Esposito and Francesco Acerbi stepped in. Como got Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez back, leaving only Jayden Addai unavailable, but chose an all-attack formation.

With Juventus winning last night, they needed a victory to keep hold of fourth place after last week’s draw with Udinese, but the Nerazzurri had the chance to go nine points clear after Napoli’s draw in Parma.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Assane Diao dribbled past two to burst into the box and his shot was charged down, but Alex Valle’s acrobatic attempt on the rebound accidentally kicked Manuel Akanji in the head, while Martin Baturina blasted over from distance.

There was a triple Como opportunity on 31 minutes, as first Denzel Dumfries made a spectacular sliding tackle to stop Douvikas tapping in the Diao roll across from six yards, then another two attempts from Maxi Perrone and Alex Valle were charged down by Francesco Acerbi and Dumfries.

It was only a warning, as the hosts took the lead soon after. Diao’s back-heel flick send Nico Paz on a mazy run into the box, where his low finish off the inside of the left foot was parried one-handed by Yann Sommer, with Alex Valle quickest to react on the rebound from 12 yards.

Dumfries tested Jean Butez with a header on a corner at the back post, and the Nico Paz free kick skimmed the bar.

On the stroke of half-time, Nico Paz ran onto the long Butez ball and bent a snooker shot into the far bottom corner with the inside of the left foot, despite Sommer getting his fingertips to it.

In stoppages, Inter got one back, Marcus Thuram holding off Ignace van der Brempt to get his studs to a Nicolò Barella cross from the right, prodding it in from seven yards.

The comeback was completed after the restart, as Marc-Oliver Kempf intercepted a Barella ball over the top, not realising how close Thuram was with Butez well off his line, so the Frenchman lobbed score into an empty net.

INTER ARE BACK IN IT! pic.twitter.com/BBLHv0e2tQ

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2026

Substitute Jacobo Ramon nodded straight at Sommer from close range after a free kick, but instead it was Inter who scored in a very similar situation, with Dumfries meeting the Hakan Calhanoglu set play at the back post.

Baturina bent his finish just wide moments later, then Sommer had his gloves stung by a screamer of a Nico Paz free kick, but instead Inter added a fourth.

Akanji nodded down a Calhanoglu free kick at the back post, finding Dumfries to sweep in relatively undisturbed first-time from 12 yards.

What a second half performance this is

Denzel Dumfries scores Inter’s fourth goal!

TNT Sports and HBO Max pic.twitter.com/kyGseJhpVv

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2026

Ange-Yoan Bonny was penalised for a lunge on Nico Paz right on the edge of the area, but VAR confirmed the contact was inside the box. Lucas Da Cunha fired into the near bottom corner, despite Sommer getting his fingertips to the penalty.

It wasn’t over, as Alberto Moreno had two huge chances to equalise, first a free header off target from the Nico Paz cross, then prodding the finish onto the crossbar from close range.

Como 3-4 Inter

Valle 36 (C), Nico Paz 44 (C), Thuram 45+1, 49 (I), Dumfries 58, 72 (I), Da Cunha pen 89 (C)

12-04-2026 19:45

MatchDay 32

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Inter

3 - 4

Player statistic

1st half

Álex Valle		24'
Álex Valle		36'
Nico Paz (Assist: Jean Butez)		45'
		45+1'		Marcus Thuram (Assist: Nicolò Barella)

2nd half

		49'		Marcus Thuram
		53'		Piotr Zielinski
Assane Diao		55'
		58'		Denzel Dumfries (Assist: Hakan Calhanoglu)
		69'		Hakan Calhanoglu
		72'		Denzel Dumfries
		77'		Petar Sucic
		79'		Francesco Acerbi
		83'		Carlos Augusto
		87'		Ange-Yoan Bonny
Lucas Da Cunha		89'
Jacobo Ramón		90+1'
		90+1'		Manuel Akanji

Match statistic

60

Possession %

40

24

Total shots

7

8

Shots on target

5

9

Shots off target

1

7

Blocked shots

1

1

Corners

1

2

Offsides

4

12

Fouls

17

Como

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

80'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

46'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

67'

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

46'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

79'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

46'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

56'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

78'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

56'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

56'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

Substitutes

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

56

Cristiano De Paoli

Defender

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

46'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

46'

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

67'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

79'

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

80'

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

48

Mattia Mosconi

Attacker

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

46'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

56'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

56'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

56'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

78'

Antonio Conte has clarified his position on a potential return to the Italy job, reiterating he has ‘another year on my contract with Napoli.’

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The coach was mentioned as one of the primary candidates to take over the Nazionale after Gennaro Gattuso resigned, having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

Last week, Conte had said he would put himself on the list to be the new Azzurri boss, if he was in the position of the Federation President.

However, he reacted angrily today when told he had given his availability to the FIGC.

Conte open to Italy, but also to Napoli

“I did not say I was available for anything,” insisted Conte on Rai Radio 1.

“I have another year on my contract with Napoli, then at the end of the season I will speak to the President. I would urge you to interpret my words correctly, because if they are going to be twisted, then I won’t speak at all anymore.”

The 56-year-old had already been on the Italy bench from 2014 to 2016, where he oversaw 14 victories, six draws and five defeats.

He walked away after they lost on penalties to Germany in the EURO 2016 quarter-finals, returning to club football for Chelsea.

Since then, he has worked at Inter, Tottenham and since 2024 at Napoli.

Lautaro Martinez was named on the Inter bench for tonight’s Serie A trip to Como, despite being ruled out for two weeks by a new injury problem.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Lautaro Martinez showing Inter leadership

The centre-forward had only just made his comeback from six weeks out with a calf strain that was sustained during the Champions League play-off defeat to Bodo/Glimt in mid-February.

He sustained a new setback and was diagnosed with a strain in the soleus muscle of his left leg, so is expected to be sidelined for another 15 days.

It was therefore surprising to see Lautaro Martinez on the bench at the Stadio Sinigaglia for this evening’s match against Como.

Although he is present, the Argentina international has no chance of playing for Inter tonight, but he wanted to be close to his teammates both on the touchline and in the locker room.

This is not the first time that Lautaro Martinez has insisted on making this gesture, as he was also on the bench when Inter lost to Milan, despite his injury.

Cesc Fabregas gives some clues as to his new tactical approach when Como host Inter tonight and reveals he hopes to ‘pass on’ ideas he picked up watching Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The pressure is on the Lariani now, as after their run of five straight wins was ended by a 0-0 draw with Udinese, Juventus have temporarily leapfrogged them into fourth with a victory away to Atalanta.

Fabregas wants an ambitious Como approach

“The lads proved to me that they had courage, character, focus, so I am very proud as a coach, because the most difficult thing is to convince the players, and they have given me their all,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“In football, one team wins and the other loses, all you can do is give everything you’ve got, and they make me proud.”

Como already hosted Inter on March 3 for the Coppa Italia semi-final, and that 0-0 draw left it wide open going into the second leg on April 21.

While Fabregas usually opts for Nico Paz as a False 9 in the big games, he goes all-attack here with Tasos Douvikas, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Assane Diao together.

“Every game is different, I think that we are at a stage of the season where a young team with many players in their first season still have a lot to learn. We picked up a lot of confidence, know each other much better, have certain dynamics drilled in now,” said Fabregas.

“In the Coppa Italia over two legs, the first match is always a little different with an eye on the full 180 minutes, whereas tonight it’s a one-off Serie A game, one of 38 in total, and we cannot look beyond that.

“We always took it one game at a time this season in Serie A, our identity has always been to be attacking. Sergi Roberto brings experience and solidity to midfield, and we also have a different role for Diao that you will see when the game starts.

“We need to have devastating confidence on the ball to take on a team that dominates most games, we’ll see then by halftime whether we want to make a change or not.”

Fabregas was at the Bernabeu earlier this week to watch Real Madrid and Bayern Munich play in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. Did he pick up any tips?

“I am seeing a lot of matches lately, I went to Atalanta-Bayern Munich and Arsenal-Bayer Leverkusen too, because I like to see these high quality players live. Just the first touch, the control, how they play when pressed, these are the levels I’d love to see my teams play at one day. It helps me understand various dynamics, I love to see the ideas of these coaches, and hope to pass some of those on to my young players.”

Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez are both back in the squad after injury problems, so Jayden Addai remains the only absentee.

Cristian Chivu tries to keep Inter fully focused despite the change of Como approach this evening and Napoli result. ‘This changes nothing as far as we are concerned’

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It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This could become a crossroads in the Scudetto race, because Napoli were held to a 1-1 draw by Parma this afternoon, so a victory would send the leaders nine points clear at the top of the table.

Chivu won’t let Inter get distracted

“We are focused on our own competitiveness, knowing it will not be easy against an ambitious team that is aiming for the Champions League,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“We know full well that we are going to require a very strong performance to get the points here today.”

Inter were held to a 0-0 draw here back on March 3 in the Coppa Italia semi-final, and the second leg will be at San Siro on April 21.

Cesc Fabregas has somewhat surprisingly gone for a very attack-minded formation this evening, with Tasos Douvikas, Nico Paz, Martin Baturina and Assane Diao together.

“I told my team we mustn’t change our shape, we have to follow what we prepared in training and understand the various moments of the match,” said Chivu.

“This changes nothing as far as we are concerned, we need to build on what we have done recently, showing courage and confidence.”

The Nerazzurri had only recently welcomed Lautaro Martinez back from a calf strain, but the captain has been ruled out by a fresh muscular injury along with Yann Bisseck.

Nonetheless, the striker is going to be on the bench to be close to his teammates.

“Lautaro was on the field last week, but I won’t forget the performances of Thuram, Esposito, Calhanoglu, all those who showed leadership, determination and character, they can do the same today,” assured Chivu.

Como know only a victory tonight will keep them in fourth place, as Juventus already beat Atalanta 1-0 last night to leapfrog them in the Serie A table.

Remo Freuler’s tap-in and a stoppage-time Riccardo Orsolini goal ultimately proved enough for Bologna to beat Lecce, who remain in the relegation zone.

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The Rossoblu were shaken by Thursday’s heavy 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final, so with the second leg coming up next week, had to turn their focus back to Serie A. Lewis Ferguson sat out a ban, with Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Lukasz Skorupski, Benjamin Dominguez and Eivind Helland injured. Goalkeeper Massimo Pessina was given his first Serie A start. Lecce were in crisis after three consecutive losses and dropped into the relegation zone. Antonino Gallo returned to the squad, but Riccardo Sottil, Francesco Camarda, Kialonda Gaspar and Medon Berisha were still sidelined.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Tiago Gabriel at full stretch prevented Santiago Castro tapping in the Riccardo Orsolini cross from six yards, but Nikola Stulic went clear on the counter-attack only to be denied by a fantastic one-handed save from 18-year-old Pessina.

Ylber Ramadani blasted just over, but Bologna took the lead in somewhat chaotic fashion.

Jhon Lucumi’s ball over the top was ignored by Castro in an offside position, allowing Orsolini to run onto it and smash onto the underside of the bar with a lob, but Remo Freuler was ready to turn in the rebound.

Bologna started to put together a run of chances, as Nicolò Casale couldn’t keep his header down on a Nikola Moro free kick, then Orsolini tested Wladimiro Falcone at the near post after a series of stepovers.

Lecce were dangerous on the counter after the restart, Moro needing a desperate tackle to prevent Santiago Pierotti meeting the Stulic pull-back. On the resulting corner, Antonino Gallo was penalised because when trying to keep the ball from going out, he accidental clattered into the linesman.

Bologna kept pushing, as Castro’s shot was charged down by Jamil Siebert, then he just failed to get on the end of a cross from six yards, while Falcone stuck out a boot to deny Orsolini at the near post.

Orsolini took too long to get the Juan Miranda pull-back under control and it was eventually blocked off by a defender inside the penalty area.

Castro had the ball in the net on 82 minutes, but the referee had already stopped play for a soft Orsolini nudge when robbing Ramadani at the by-line.

Orsolini desperately wanted to end his goal drought and he got it in stoppages. Ramadani was clumsy when firing a free kick onto the back of Miranda, so Federico Bernardeschi pounced on the ricochet and immediately sent Orsolini down the right to score.

Bologna 2-0 Lecce

Freuler 26 (B), Orsolini 92 (B)

12-04-2026 17:00

MatchDay 32

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Lecce

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Remo Freuler		26'
		36'		Oumar Ngom
		38'		Jamil Siebert

2nd half

Riccardo Orsolini (Assist: Federico Bernardeschi)

90+2'

Match statistic

64

Possession %

36

12

Total shots

6

4

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

3

3

Blocked shots

2

8

Corners

6

4

Offsides

15

Fouls

19

Bologna

Lecce

Starting lineups

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

17

João Mário

Defender

66'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

85'

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

23

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

74'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

74'

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

85'

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

46'

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

79

Oumar Ngom

Midfielder

46'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

64'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

64'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

83'

Substitutes

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

73

Francesco Castaldo

Attacker

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

66'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

74'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

74'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

85'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

85'

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

36

Filip Marchwinski

Midfielder

18

Gaby Jean

Defender

8

Sadik Fofana

Defender

13

Matías Pérez

Defender

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

46'

16

Omri Gandelman

Midfielder

46'

99

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

64'

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

64'

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

83'

Leaders Inter must do without Lautaro Martinez, so Francesco Pio Esposito partners Marcus Thuram, as Como rely on Nico Paz and Martin Baturina.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Sinigaglia at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

These teams already met here on March 3 in the Coppa Italia semi-final, the 0-0 draw leaving it all open for the second leg at San Siro on April 21.

Meanwhile, this is a crucial game for the top spots, as Como need a victory to keep hold of fourth after Juventus won last night, while leaders Inter have the chance to go nine points clear of Napoli.

Lautaro Martinez had just made his comeback from six weeks out when he suffered another injury setback and will be on the sidelines for a while longer.

Yann Bisseck is also still struggling with a muscular issue, so Pio Esposito steps in to partner Thuram, with Francesco Acerbi in the back three.

Alessandro Bastoni was jeered mercilessly here last time and it remains to be seen how he will be greeted by opposition fans for the first time since the World Cup play-off.

Como had won five Serie A games on the bounce to surge into fourth place, but the 0-0 draw with Udinese stalled their progress.

With Juventus already winning last night against Atalanta, it means anything less than a victory will drop Cesc Fabregas and his team down to fifth.

The good news is that both Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez have shaken off injuries, leaving only long-term absentee Jayden Addai on the absentee list.

Fabregas usually prefers using Nico Paz as a False 9 in the big games, with support from Martin Baturina and Assane Diao.

Instead, he goes all attack tonight with Tasos Douvikas and a trio behind him, leaving out Lucas Da Cunha.

Sergi Roberto and former Manchester City midfielder Maximo Perrone pull the midfield strings.

Como vs. Inter line-ups

Como: Butez; Van der Brempt, Kempf, Diego Carlos, Valle; Sergi Roberto, Perrone; Diao, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas

Inter: Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito

12-04-2026 19:45

MatchDay 32

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Inter

3 - 4

Player statistic

1st half

Álex Valle		24'
Álex Valle		36'
Nico Paz (Assist: Jean Butez)		45'
		45+1'		Marcus Thuram (Assist: Nicolò Barella)

2nd half

		49'		Marcus Thuram
		53'		Piotr Zielinski
Assane Diao		55'
		58'		Denzel Dumfries (Assist: Hakan Calhanoglu)
		69'		Hakan Calhanoglu
		72'		Denzel Dumfries
		77'		Petar Sucic
		79'		Francesco Acerbi
		83'		Carlos Augusto
		87'		Ange-Yoan Bonny
Lucas Da Cunha		89'
Jacobo Ramón		90+1'
		90+1'		Manuel Akanji

Match statistic

60

Possession %

40

24

Total shots

7

8

Shots on target

5

9

Shots off target

1

7

Blocked shots

1

1

Corners

1

2

Offsides

4

12

Fouls

17

Como

Inter

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

80'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

46'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

67'

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

46'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

79'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

46'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

56'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

78'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

56'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

56'

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

Substitutes

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

56

Cristiano De Paoli

Defender

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

46'

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

46'

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

67'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

79'

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

80'

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

48

Mattia Mosconi

Attacker

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

46'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

56'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

56'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

56'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

78'

Scott McTominay insists ‘nothing’s finished’ for the Scudetto race and at the same time Napoli are ‘not going to cry about’ their injury crisis or think of what could’ve been.

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The Partenopei were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Tardini today, conceding a goal scored by Parma after just 33 seconds with Gabriel Strefezza, until the Scotland international’s equaliser.

It means the gap at the top of the table is right now six points, although Inter could expand it to nine if they beat Como this evening.

McTominay has faith in Napoli title

“Obviously, we know nothing’s ever finished and it’s important to keep going,” McTominay told DAZN Italia when asked if the Scudetto dream was over.

“Today was a very difficult game, we had chances with Elmas and Hojlund as well. This is football, you’re going to get results you don’t like and this is one of them.

“We’ve got to play the next six games at a high level and try to get maximum points.”

It was a nightmare start for Napoli, who conceded the opener after just 33 seconds when a long ball was flicked on for Strefezza’s angled drive.

“These games are difficult, it’s not easy if we gift them a goal at the beginning, but that’s football. The crowd is emotional, the atmosphere is intense, but I thought we had matched their spirit and intensity, we just had to find a way to break them down and score a goal.

“We have to look back at the video and take accountability, because these are games where you have to show up and you have to win.”

McTominay went viral in Italy a few months ago when he listed all the big players who were out injured, so does he ever think about what might’ve been this season with a full Napoli squad at their disposal?

“Interviews after a game can be emotional, you say things that are true, and it is true we’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of games where we had players missing. This is the key, with all those competitions, you need players available, which we didn’t really have,” added McTominay.

“It was nobody’s fault, it was just a fact, and we have to accept this and those who are there strive to do more. Eljif Elmas did so well, he didn’t play much at the start and then stepped in, everyone has to be ready to work.

“We’re not going to cry about it, we’re not getting upset at the way the season has gone, we have to continue as men and see what happens at the end of the season.”

Parma coach Carlos Cuesta hailed his team’s ‘incredible sacrifice and team spirit’ to battle their way to a 1-1 draw with Napoli. ‘We’ll take the point.’

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It was the perfect start for Parma at the Stadio Tardini, as surprise pick Nesta Elphege flicked on the long Zion Suzuki ball for Gabriel Strefezza to score after 33 seconds.

Despite being pinned back for long periods, Parma were rarely forced into difficult saves, held to a 1-1 draw by the Scott McTominay low drive.

Cuesta and Parma a real problem for Napoli

“I want to thank my players for all the hard work they do on the field, but also the incredible help from the fans, who gave us the strength to run that extra bit to get to the ball first,” Cuesta told DAZN Italia.

“We wanted to make the fans happy with a victory, we didn’t manage it, but we’ll take the point. We are here to defend the Parma shirt with honour and know we have not achieved our objective yet, but we’re all in this together.”

This is the third consecutive draw between Parma and Napoli, denying Antonio Conte a sixth Serie A victory on the bounce and potentially handing the Scudetto to Cuesta’s predecessor Cristian Chivu at Inter.

It also keeps the Ducali further away from the relegation zone, as they are currently nine points clear of the bottom three.

“I said from the first day I arrived that I didn’t have expectations, I just wanted to raise the bar. We know there are six games to go, but we’ve got to keep pushing. I saw incredible sacrifice, defending, team spirit, everyone helps each other out to bring home the result as a team,” continued the former Arsenal assistant manager.

“We know that at times we must adapt to the context of the match, usually we prefer to keep more of the ball and stay in the opposition half, but we do our best.”

Elphege was an unexpected choice for his first Serie A start, replacing the suspended Mateo Pellegrino, and made an immediate impact with the assist.

“He’s a good lad, everyone likes him, it was a very positive performance and we cannot ask him to simply replace Pellegrino, as they have different characteristics, but we hope he can have more consistency in future,” explained Cuesta.

There were penalty appeals late on when Leonardo Spinazzola kicked the ball onto the arm of teammate Alessandro Buongiorno, but it was evaluated as being in a natural position.

“I haven’t seen the footage, but they told us it was not a penalty,” noted Cuesta.

Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi lost his debut on the Tottenham Hotspur bench, leaving them in the Premier League relegation zone.

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The former Sassuolo, Benevento, Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique Marseille boss was drafted in during the break for international duty following the dismissal of Igor Tudor.

De Zerbi is the third manager of the season at Spurs, which shows the extent of the task at hand to turn this situation around, but signed a long-term contract as a show of faith in their prospects.

Tottenham defeat on De Zerbi debut

It was the worst possible start to his Tottenham career, suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Sunderland, decided by Nordi Mukiele’s impressive strike.

https://twitter.com/SkySportsPL/status/2043336922232156206

The team is now without victory in 14 Premier League games, since beating Crystal Palace on December 28, and the club’s longest winless streak since 1935.

 “I can be a big brother, father, they don’t need a coach,” De Zerbi told BBC Sport.

“They don’t need to improve football. They can play better and they will play better once we reach a different level of confidence.

“I‘m sure if we are able to win a game then everything will change.”

"I'm sorry for the result, I'm sorry for the Romero injury…We didn't deserve to lose the game"

Roberto De Zerbi says his players showed real fight against Sunderland but were unlucky to come away with nothing pic.twitter.com/SQG9599yHA

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 12, 2026

To add insult to literal injury, former Serie A defender Cristian Romero went off in tears with a fitness issue and that could well be the end of his season.

Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have struggled here before, now De Zerbi is the latest coach to take on a club with seemingly endemic problems.

Antonio Conte and Napoli have regrets after the 1-1 draw at Parma, insisting there is ‘a fine line’ between success and failure, but the Scudetto dream ‘is not extinguished.’

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The Partenopei saw this as a precious opportunity to further close on leaders Inter, who face a tricky trip to Como this evening.

However, Parma proved themselves to once again be a big problem for them, as this was the third consecutive Serie A draw between these teams.

Gabriel Strefezza opened the scoring after just 33 seconds, and although Napoli poured forward throughout, they rarely tested Zion Suzuki other than the Scott McTominay equaliser.

Conte frustrated at avoidable Parma goal

“It is so obvious that there’s no need to comment,” Conte told DAZN Italia viewing the goal when Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus both went for the same long ball.

“We practice these situations over and over again in training, the match situation can be a bit more emotional and the wrong choices are made, but we have worked on this. It’s a pity, because we knew that Parma would sit very deep in the final third, we saw they also put Delprato as a wingback, when usually he’s a defender, so it was more of five at the back.”

Napoli had 74.5 per cent possession and put in 37 crosses, but rarely tested goalkeeper Suzuki.

“I told the lads at the end of the match, there are such fine margins between the team that wins and the team that doesn’t. We should’ve been more focused, instead we conceded that goal after 33 seconds.

“It was already going to be attack against defence anyway, after that goal, they set up the barricades. It was an uphill struggle from the very start, it is not easy to dominate to that degree and then not allow any counter-attacks,” continued Conte.

“We scored, we had chances to win the game, especially with the Elmas header that was incredible. A point here moves us up the table, we know that we need to secure a Champions League spot, the lads gave it their all, but it’s such a fine line between success and a draw.

“It was always going to be a mountain to climb, we tried everything to the very end.”

This result means that Napoli are right now six points off leaders Inter, but so much depends on what happens at the Stadio Sinigaglia this evening.

“The dream is not extinguished, there are still six games for us to play. It was a dream tied exclusively to what those ahead of us do, and looking at Inter’s statistics so far, it was always going to be an audacious dream.

“We will continue doing what we are doing, we won five in a row, played well away to Parma, it’s just a pity we could’ve had an extra two points today. That start was a punch in the face that could’ve been a knockout blow, but we recovered and got this point, now we keep going,” concluded Conte.

Scott McTominay managed to claw back a point for Napoli after Gabriel Strefezza put Parma in front within 33 seconds, but this result damages their Scudetto ambitions.

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The Partenopei climbed into second place with a 1-0 victory over Milan and were seeking a sixth straight Serie A win. Rasmus Hojlund returned after a stomach bug, but David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku were still out of action. The Ducali had just three draws in the last five rounds, and top scorer Mateo Pellegrino was suspended, with Benja Cremaschi and Matija Frigan also absent.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took an incredible 33 seconds to break the deadlock, as in his first start for the club, Nesta Elphege jumped to flick on the long Zion Suzuki ball, allowing Gabriel Strefezza to run into the box and bend the finish in off the far post with the inside of the right boot.

Despite pouring forward, Antonio Conte’s men struggled to create any genuine chances, as Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa nodded wide with a Hojlund foul in the build-up.

Instead, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had to rush out into midfield to clear from Enrico Delprato.

On the stroke of half-time, Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was flicked on for Hojlund, finding Delprato ready to clear practically on the line.

Juan Jesus was struggling to deal with Strefezza, so he was replaced by Sam Beukema for the restart in the Napoli defence.

Matteo Politano blasted over from the edge of the area, while Alisson Santos came off the bench and fired so far wide that it went for a throw-in.

Napoli finally equalised with one of their first shots on target, as Stanislav Lobotka’s first-time through ball was laid off by Hojlund for McTominay to drill home from the edge of the area.

The visitors continued to pour forward, Suzuki right behind the Alisson Santos low drive, then Politano’s cross flashing all the way across the face of goal without a tap-in.

Suzuki was ready for the acrobatic McTominay overhead kick on a corner, but Parma also threatened with a ball flashed across the six-yard box and two players sliding in failing to connect.

Alisson Santos skimmed the near post from a tricky angle and there were Parma penalty appeals for handball, but Alessandro Buongiorno’s arm was in a natural position when Leonardo Spinazzola kicked it onto his teammate from point-blank range.

Milinkovic-Savic had to fingertip the Mandela Keita scorcher out from under the bar, while Eljif Elmas really should’ve done better with a free header over the bar from the Miguel Gutierrez cross.

Alisson Santos also stung Suzuki’s gloves in stoppages, but Parma have for the third game in a row held Napoli to a potentially costly stalemate in the Scudetto race.

Parma 1-1 Napoli

Strefezza 1 (P), McTominay 60 (N)

12-04-2026 14:00

MatchDay 32

Parma Store (Stadio Ennio Tardini)

Parma

Napoli

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Gabriel Strefezza (Assist: Nesta Elphege)

1'

2nd half

		60'		Scott McTominay (Assist: Rasmus Højlund)
Alessandro Circati		83'

Match statistic

26

Possession %

74

3

Total shots

20

2

Shots on target

6

0

Shots off target

6

1

Blocked shots

8

3

Corners

7

2

Offsides

2

4

Fouls

8

Parma

Napoli

Starting lineups

31

Zion Suzuki

Goalkeeper

39

Alessandro Circati

Defender

14

Emanuele Valeri

Defender

15

Enrico Delprato

Defender

5

Lautaro Valenti

Defender

37

Mariano Troilo

Defender

10

Adrián Bernabé

Midfielder

67'

41

Hans Nicolussi Caviglia

Midfielder

66'

16

Mandela Keita

Midfielder

7

Gabriel Strefezza

Attacker

72'

23

Nesta Elphege

Attacker

59'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

46'

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

56'

11

Kevin De Bruyne

Midfielder

78'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

78'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

66'

Substitutes

29

Franco Carboni

Defender

66

Filippo Rinaldi

Goalkeeper

40

Edoardo Corvi

Goalkeeper

11

Pontus Almqvist

Attacker

21

Gaetano Oristanio

Midfielder

17

Jacob Ondrejka

Attacker

3

Abdoulaye Ndiaye

Defender

27

Sascha Britschgi

Defender

22

Oliver Sörensen

Midfielder

59'

8

Nahuel Estévez

Midfielder

66'

24

Christian Ordoñez

Midfielder

67'

76

Daniel Mikolajewski

Defender

72'

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

23

Giovane

Attacker

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

46'

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

56'

23

Giovane Nascimento

Attacker

66'

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

78'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

78'

Kevin De Bruyne gives an important update on his fitness levels after injury and gives Napoli advice on the Scudetto race. ‘I’ve been in situations where I’ve been ahead or behind.’

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The trip to Parma kicks off at the Stadio Tardini at 14.00 UK time (15.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Rasmus Hojlund missed the 1-0 victory over Milan with a stomach bug, but has made a full recovery, though David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku are still out of action.

De Bruyne was out for over four months following a serious thigh tear, but made his return on March 6 and started the last two games.

Napoli can finally enjoy De Bruyne again

“I feel good, obviously I’ve been away for a long time, but I worked hard to come back in the right way,” De Bruyne told DAZN Italia.

“Having a big surgery like this is never easy, but I’ve been through some injuries in my career before and tried to come back as good as possible. I feel good for the moment, that’s the most important thing.”

Inter have a tricky trip to Como this evening, while Milan already lost 3-0 at home to Udinese yesterday, so can this be a crossroads to take Napoli closer to the Scudetto?

“We just have to keep concentrating on what you need to do, we cannot think about what’s going to happen to Inter, we need to try to win our games,” replied De Bruyne.

“I’ve been in situations where I’ve been ahead or behind, in some situations we’ve done it and sometimes we didn’t. All we can really do is do our job and hope Inter will make mistakes. We’ll try to win every game and see what happens.”

Antonio Conte confirms Napoli have not lost hope of the Scudetto, but also warns they ‘always had trouble with Parma’ and expect a very tough test today.

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It kicks off at the Stadio Tardini at 14.00 UK time (15.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Partenopei are in second place after five consecutive victories and want to keep the pressure on leaders Inter, who face a tricky trip to Como this evening.

Conte keeps Napoli options open

“We need the right mentality, which is that we have an objective of Champions League qualification to achieve,” Conte told DAZN Italia.

“We are second right now, it is inevitable we will look not only over our shoulders, but also at those in front of us. Naturally, those in front have their fate in their hands.”

Rasmus Hojlund missed the 1-0 victory over Milan with a stomach bug, but has made a full recovery and starts here with Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne.

However, David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku are still out of action.

“We must have patience and quality when we’re on the ball, to break down those blocks and find the spaces. We worked on that a lot in training, how to get through those small spaces. Balance is essential, as sometimes you can pour too many men forward and leave yourselves open to lethal counter-attacks.”

In theory, this is a kind weekend for Napoli, because Inter are up against high-flying Como this evening, while Milan suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Udinese.

However, Conte is eager to point out that Parma have proved themselves a tricky obstacle.

“This is one of the seven remaining games, so whatever result we get, we’ll be in a similar situation next week. What I can say is that in my two years at Napoli, we always had trouble with Parma.

“We drew 0-0 here last season, then 0-0 at home earlier this term. We have struggled to score goals against them, so I expect this to be a tough test,” warned Conte.