Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row, and Football Italia looks at the favourite teams to lift the coveted cup this summer.

Italy have once again suffered a World Cup heartbreak, losing the play-off Final on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy miss out on World Cup qualification once again

The Azzurri last played in the World Cup in 2014 and, next summer, they’ll be forced to watch the competition from home for the third time in a row.

Odds comparison from the best offshore sportsbooks shows defending Euro champions Spain as the favourite side to lift the 2026 World Cup.

However, competition is stiff, as La Roja is followed by England, France, Argentina, and Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil.

France reached the Final in the last two editions, first beating Croatia in 2018 and then losing to Lionel Messi’s Argentina in 2022.

England, on the other hand, reached the European Championship Final in the last two editions, losing to both Italy and Spain.

Only eight countries have ever won the World Cup, and despite the frequent shocks over the last decade, Italy remain one of the most successful countries in the competition with four victories, the same as Germany, and just one less than Brazil.

Arguably, the most prominent Italian at next summer’s 2026 World Cup will be Brazil coach Ancelotti, who took over the South American national team less than a year ago.

Ancelotti is already the most successful coach in the Champions League and the only manager to have won the domestic title in each of the top five European leagues: Italy, England, Spain, Germany and France.

“Brazilians want to see the national team win the World Cup. Of course, if you play well, you have better chances of going far, but in 1994 and 2002, they had great forwards yet won thanks to a very solid defence. I think it will be the same in the next World Cup,” Ancelotti said in a recent interview.

“We have high-level veterans and talented youngsters. We’re surrounded by incredible passion. They ask us to win the World Cup, and that’s what we’ll try to do. Brazil has been waiting far too long; they want the sixth title.”

The Italian tactician also named the favourite teams to win the World Cup and warned about possible surprises.

“France, Spain, England, Germany, Argentina, Portugal. The usual ones,” he said.

“But be careful. With 48 teams, there will surely be surprises. Tomorrow we play Senegal, who beat England 3-1. They’re very strong. Same for Morocco, they’re doing great. You have to be ready and prepared.”

Riccardo Calafiori’s Arsenal are fighting for the Champions League title, but the Italian defender’s return to action remains unknown, according to UK sources.

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Latest Calafiori injury update

Italy international Calafiori missed Arsenal’s 2-1 loss against Manchester City on Sunday, and it remains uncertain whether he will be available when the Gunners host Sando Tonali’s Newcastle at the Emirates Stadium next Saturday.

While The Standard reports that the nature of Calafiori’s injury remains unclear, Football London claims that the ex-Roma and Bologna defender is dealing with a foot injury.

Calafiori has missed the last three games across all competitions with Arsenal, making his most recent appearance in the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Sporting CP on April 7, when he played the full 90 minutes.

Calafiori has made 31 appearances across all competitions with Arsenal this season, but has missed 12 matches due to injury.

The versatile defender also missed Italy’s national team games against Moldova and Norway in November 2025 due to a hip problem.

Juventus and Inter confirm they’ll participate in the Hong Kong Football Festival next summer, with the Bianconeri facing Chelsea and the Nerazzurri taking on Manchester City.

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Juventus will meet Chelsea, and Inter will face Manchester City in pre-season friendlies in Hong Kong this coming August, the two Serie A giants confirmed on Tuesday.

Both games will be played at the Kai Tak Stadium. Inter-Manchester City is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, while Juventus-Chelsea will be played four days later, on Wednesday 5, 2026.

Both Juventus and Inter will then travel to Perth, Australia, for an all-Italian tournament that also involves Milan and Serie B side Palermo.

“The match between Inter and Manchester City will be one of the fixtures of the Hong Kong Football Festival,” the Nerazzurri said.

“The prestigious football event, presented in Hong Kong in the presence of Inter legend Christian Vieri, will take place in the Asian city between 31 July and 5 August and will be organised by TEG Sports, a global producer and promoter of major sporting events, under the patronage of the Football Association of Hong Kong, China.

“The friendly match is scheduled to take place at the Kai-Tak Stadium, a 50,000-seat venue located within the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park, a complex inaugurated in 2025 and built on the site previously occupied by the airport of the same name.

“It will be the first of three international fixtures that Inter will play overseas next summer. After the match against Manchester City, the Nerazzurri will travel to Perth, Australia, for friendly matches against Milan on Wednesday, 5 August and Juventus on Saturday, 8 August.”

Inter are the runaway Serie A leaders with a 12-point lead over second-placed Napoli, which means they can be crowned Italian champions as early as next weekend.

Juventus sit fourth in the standings with a five-point lead over Roma and Como. The Bianconeri will visit Milan in their next Serie A match on Sunday, April 26.

Former Milan director Ariedo Braida reveals he tried ‘many times’ to sign Francesco Totti and admits the Rossoneri ‘made a mistake’ by selling Patrick Vieira to Arsenal in 1996.

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Former Milan director Braida reveals Roma and Italy legend Totti repeatedly rejected the chance to join the Rossoneri during his playing career.

Braida tried to sign Totti ‘many times’ at Milan

“I tried to sign him many times. Both when he was a youngster and after he had already become an established champion,” Braida told Tuttosport.

Totti scored 307 goals in 785 competitive matches for Roma, where he spent his entire career.

“But he always kept his word. He didn’t want to leave Roma, and in fact, he stayed there his entire career. I respect him a lot for that, even though every time we meet, I tell him: ‘Francesco, it’s a shame you didn’t listen to me. You would have won the Ballon d’Or.”

Braida contributed to building some of the most successful and exciting teams in the history of the game at San Siro, but naturally, there were some errors too.

When asked which player did not live up to expectations, the ex-Milan director replied: “Easy. Patrick Vieira. A formidable midfielder.

“We signed him in November 1995 when he was only 19. In that Milan full of champions, he struggled to find space, and we made a mistake by not waiting for him. I’m pleased that a few years ago, he said I’m his Italian father. I was sure he would become a great player, but the competition in Milan was extremely high.”

Vieira only played two games at Milan in 1995-96 before joining Arsenal, where he’d spent the following nine seasons.

The French legend returned to Serie A in 2005 to play for Juventus and then moved to Inter, where he played from 2006 until January 2010.

Vieira ended his career after an 18-month spell at Manchester City.

Lazio strikers Tijjani Noslin, Daniel Maldini and Boulaye Dia are not fully fit for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta: ‘It’s not easy to pick a line-up in these conditions,’ said the Biancocelesti coach Maurizio Sarri.

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Lazio will visit Atalanta in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals on Wednesday, and the Biancocelesti’s coach Sarri previewed the game at a pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

Atalanta vs. Lazio: Sarri’s pre-match press conference

Lazio will be without  Ivan Provedel, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot, while Adam Marusic returned to group training this morning.

“There isn’t a match worth the whole season, because it is assessed across all the games. It’s a single match, which is important,” Sarri said via TMW.

“One single game doesn’t change my judgment on the whole season. Atalanta are similar to Napoli; there are similarities, but there are also different individual players.

The Lazio boss provided the latest team news too: “Noslin has a slight knock; we’ll see if he improves before tomorrow,” he said.

“The same goes for Maldini. He is clinically healed, but it’s more difficult for him because he has a chronic tendinopathy. He has some positive moments, but at other times the inflammation affects him. We are talking about a lad who has trained once in 20 days. I don’t know how much he can play, but he can play tomorrow.

“Dia is feeling quite well; when you are unsure whether a player can play 90 minutes, it would be ideal to start them so you don’t waste a slot. But I’m limited to three or four players; otherwise, I have to use all the slots in the first half. It’s not easy to pick a line-up in these conditions.

“Marusic trained with the rest of the team for a good part. We have a new training session tomorrow morning, and we’ll see. He’s been on the sidelines for a couple of weeks and has trained with us for the first time since then,” Sarri added.

“Four or five players are out already, so I can’t take risks with everyone. Rovella seems to have received the green light from doctors to make contact with the operated shoulder. He’ll train separately for one more week and then resume group training.

“Basic struggled a lot in Florence, but did much better against Napoli. I’m happy to play this semi-final. I’ve lost two finals on penalties, and I’d like to play the next one.”

Lazio trained in front of their fans on Tuesday morning, but the majority of the Bianconcelesti supporters, including their ultras groups, have boycotted home games in recent months to protest against club President Claudio Lotito.

“It was a nice morning, demanding, because preparing for such a game would require a different kind of tranquillity,” Sarri noted.

“But we are happy with it, it was a morning full of families and kids, and when the kids are close to a football pitch, it’s always something important. Now, we’d like to see them at the stadium as we’ve had some difficult months.”

Lega Serie A clubs met their candidate for the FIGC Presidency, Giovanni Malagò, on Monday to discuss their priorities for the future of Italian football and identify five key areas.

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Ex-CONI President Malagò has been selected as the candidate for the FIGC presidential election by Serie A clubs, with an initial meeting between the two parties taking place yesterday.

Malagò hasn’t yet confirmed that he’ll run for the presidency, as he’s still due to meet with all the components involved in the vote on June 22.

FIGC President election: five priorities from Serie A clubs

As reported by Gazzetta, Serie A clubs outlined five priorities during their meeting with Malagò: financial sustainability, development of Italian players, political-structural measures, development of sporting activity and government measures.

Lega Serie A hopes Malagò will accept the clubs’ request and include them in his program, but believes these are crucial points to consider regardless of who the future FIGC President will be.

To start with, clubs from Italy’s top flight are pushing for incentives or tax-relief measures to support investments in U23 Italian players, but also want to lift bans on direct and indirect betting advertising.

Former FIGC President Gabriele Gravina highlighted the same in a document he published a few days after his resignation earlier in April.

Furthermore, Serie A clubs have also requested that a percentage of betting revenues be allocated to football.

Incentives for new stadiums through a streamlined bureaucratic process are clearly a priority, as are financial measures for youth academies, ideally funded by betting revenues.

Last but not least, Serie A clubs have demanded financial or tax aid support for investment in coach education, as well as changes to the youth leagues’ formats, including Primavera.

This last part could see youth leagues remove standings, promotions, and relegations to prioritise players’ development over result-oriented tactics at a young age.

Jonathan David’s future at Juventus remains uncertain, but according to Tuttosport, coach Luciano Spalletti is willing to give the Canadian star a second chance, making further assessments during the summer pre-season.

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Tuttosport reports that Juventus coach Spalletti remains uncertain about David’s future at the Allianz Stadium.

The Canada international has not met expectations in his first season at Juventus, having scored eight goals in 42 appearances in Turin.

However, he’s shown improvement in recent games, not only scoring against Bologna in the Bianconeri’s latest match, but also showing better link-up play and helping the team defensively.

Therefore, while Belgium international Openda is destined to leave Juventus at the end of the season, Spalletti might give David a second chance by assessing him further during the pre-season.

David, 26, joined Juventus on a free transfer from Lille last summer, and any future sale would give Juventus a consistent capital gain.

According to Tuttosport, Juventus are open to offers for the ex-Lille striker, who is valued between 20m and 30m, but Spalletti’s view will also determine the club’s decision on David’s future.

Clearly, performances at the World Cup in the summer will affect the striker’s price tag, for better or worse, for Juve.

Antoine Semenyo reveals that his former Bournemouth teammate, Dean Huijsen, predicted his move to Real Madrid as soon as he joined the English club from Juventus in 2024.

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Safe to say former Juventus defender Huijsen was quite confident about his footballing ability as the Spain international predicted he would join Real Madrid in 2025, right after joining Bournemouth.

Semenyo played for the English club with Huijsen in 2024-25 before joining Manchester City in the 2026 January transfer window.

Speaking to All Out Football, the Ghana international said: “When he [Huijsen] signed for Bournemouth, he said: ‘I’m going to sign for Real Madrid next year.’ I was like, What are you talking about?

“You need to start building up in the Prem. It wasn’t like that for me, so I don’t think it’s going to be that for you, but, again, he said, ‘I’ll sign for Real Madrid next summer.’

“He called it, and we were like, “What are you talking about?”

Real Madrid secured a deal to sign Hujsen even before the beginning of the 2024-25 summer transfer window.

“When the talks started happening, I was thinking: ‘Oh my God, this is madness if it goes through,” Semenyo concluded.

Huijsen, 21, has made 35 appearances in his first season at Real Madrid, scoring two goals.

He played for Juventus and Roma in Serie A, making just one appearance for the Bianconeri and 14 with the Giallorossi, while on loan at the Stadio Olimpico in the second part of the 2023-24 campaign.

Huijsen joined Real Madrid for circa €62m last summer, and his contract in the Spanish capital expires in June 2030.

Scott McTominay has scored 20 Serie A goals in his first two seasons at Napoli, making up for the Partenopei strikers’ struggles under Antonio Conte.

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Napoli have spent over 140m for attackers under Conte

Napoli have only scored 48 Serie A goals this season, with their top scorer in the league being ex-Manchester United star Rasmus Hojlund, who has 10 goals in 28 matches.

Napoli’s attacking production has not been the same as in the past, especially during Maurizio Sarri and Luciano Spalletti’s tenures.

The Partenopei have averaged 1.45 goals per game this season, 0.10 fewer than in the previous campaign, despite some big investments in attacking players across the last two years, including €50m for Hojlund, € 30m each for Romelu Lukaku and David Neres, €35m for Lorenzo Lucca, and € 28m for Noa Lang.

• Read more – Napoli fine for Lukaku revealed as summer exit looms

Gazzetta reports that Napoli have spent €143.5m for new players in attack, centre-forwards and wingers, but their contribution in terms of goals has not matched the amount paid for their signings.

On the other hand, Scotland international McTominay has been in fantastic goal-scoring form since moving to the Stadio Maradona from Manchester United in 2024, scoring 20 goals in Serie A: 12 in 2024-25 and eight in the current campaign.

Leonardo Bonucci insists Pep Guardiola would be ‘very important’ for the Italy national team, but regardless of the new coach, the Azzurri need to start ‘a new chapter.’

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Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time and will hire a new coach after June 22.

On that day, a new FIGC President will be elected, leading to the appointment of a new Azzurri boss.

Friendly games at the beginning of June against Greece and Luxembourg will be managed by Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini.

“I read in the newspapers that Guardiola is a possibility, as is Conte or Allegri,” Bonucci told Sky Sports UK.

“The most important [thing] is that there’s a new chapter for Italian football and players. I love him, I think he’s one of the best coaches in the world, so he could be very important for us.”

Bonucci had already spoken about Guardiola’s potential appointment as the Italy national team coach, saying: “I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything.”

Bonucci: Guardiola could be ‘very important’ for Italy

“I love him”

Leonardo Bonucci is backing Pep Guardiola to be the new Italy boss pic.twitter.com/ZHjxi3n0bt

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 21, 2026

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Romelu Lukaku has received a €150,000 fine from Napoli, equivalent to 20% of his gross monthly salary, as the Belgian’s summer exit appears inevitable.

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Lukaku has received a €150,000 fine from his club Napoli, 20% of his gross monthly salary, according to Gazzetta.

Lukaku returned to Naples from Belgium after over two weeks and met club director Giovanni Manna on Monday.

The Partenopei allowed Lukaku to return to Antwerp but retained 20% of his monthly gross salary, as the striker had spent the previous two weeks away from the club without consent.

As several sources, including TMW, claim, Lukaku’s summer exit now seems inevitable.

The striker’s agent, Federico Pastorello, was also involved in the meeting on Monday and will be tasked with finding a new club for his client, who has one more year left in his contract at the Stadio Maradona.

Lukaku, 32, suffered a serious muscle injury at the beginning of the season, which forced him to the sidelines in the first part of the campaign.

Lukaku has only scored one goal in seven appearances this season, none as a starter.

According to various sources, Lukaku didn’t meet Antonio Conte on Monday, but the striker hopes to be fit for the last three Serie A games of the season and will spend the next two weeks in Belgium to regain full fitness.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Atletico Madrid’s Alexander Sorloth is the latest striker targeted by Milan for next summer, as the Rossoneri have received hefty salary demands from Dusan Vlahovic and Robert Lewandowski.

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Latest Milan transfer updates: Sorloth

Milan will be looking for a new centre-forward in the 2026-27 campaign, and several strikers have already been linked with a move to San Siro in recent months.

According to Gazzetta, the latest Rossoneri target is Atletico Madrid forward Sorloth, 30, who has scored 17 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions this season.

The pink paper claims that Atletico Madrid’s asking price is €40m including add-ons, but their demands will likely be lowered to circa €25m if the experienced striker fails to impress in the final games of the season and during the World Cup.

Gazzetta confirms that Milan directors had held talks with Lewandowski’s agent, but the Poland international’s salary demands are too high for the Rossoneri.

The same is true of Juventus’ forward Vlahovic, even if, in this case, the gap between the striker’s request and the club’s potential offer is not that big.

Both Vlahovic and Lewandowski are available on free transfers as their contracts expire this coming June.

Gazzetta reports that Chelsea-owned Nicolas Jackson and Club Brugges’ Nicolò Tresoldi, a U21 Germany international, are also on the Rossoneri’s agenda.

Marcus Thuram’s Inter and Nico Paz’s Como meet at San Siro for the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals tonight.

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It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) at San Siro. The first leg played in Como in March ended in a 0-0 draw so tonight’s winner will qualify for the final against Atalanta or Lazio.

Inter must cope without Lautaro Martinez and Alessandro Bastoni, while Sergi Roberto and Jayden Addai are unavailable for Como.

Josep Martinez is expected to start in goal for the Nerazzurri, making his second consective appearance, with Francesco Acerbi, Carlos Augusto and Manuel Akanji at the back.

As per Sky and Gazzetta, Ange-Yoan Bonny is favourite oevr Francesco Pio Esposito for a starting spot in the Inter attack alongside Thuram.

Como will likely switch to a three-man defence, starting Jacobo Ramon Diego Carlos and Marc-Oliver Kempf at the back. Cesc Fabregas will look to Anastasios Douvikas and Nico Paz up front.

Inter vs. Como – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on Premier Sports 2 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Inter vs. Como – probable line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Martinez; Akanji, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Bonny, Thuram.

Como (3-4-2-1): Butez; Ramon, Diego Carlos, Kempf; Diao, Perrone, Da Cunha, Valle; Paz, Baturina; Douvikas.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Lewandowski is increasingly difficult, new target

Milan, overtake for Sorloth

Inter-Como: Goal for history

Desire for a great final

Chivu wants the Scudetto and the cup: a double only made by top sides. Fabregas dreams of bringing the club where it has never arrived.

Serie A Red light

Escorts in the movida of Milan.Footballers among the clients.

Corriere dello Sport

Operation double

Scudetto and Coppa: Como arrive at San Siro (21:00) after the 0-0 in the first leg

Inter, total chase: if he beats Fabregas, he’ll take the final.

In the two Serie A matches, Chivu scored eight goals to Cesc. Bonny to partner with Thuram. Ausilio: ‘Bastoni? Who wants him must call.’ Atalanta-Lazio tomorrow.

DeLa: ‘Abete not a good fit for FIGC.’

Record Mou: now he’s in pole for Real Madrid

Juve, Lucio is Spalletti again

Team revived: the Champions League is near

Pulisic’s mystery: goal drought in 2026

Last goal in December: he’s unrecognisable.

Harrison’s magic: survival sealed

Tiago Gabriel keeps Di Francesco alive.

Tuttosport

Pulici, Toro legend, explains why he has worn an anti-Cairo bandage

‘I’m the fans’ spokesperson.’

Pellegrini votes for Spalletti

Juve, desire for second place and Lucio ‘attracts’

The Roma midfielder has a contract expiring and is a Bianconeri target: ‘Out-of-the-ordinary coach and a great relationship with him.’ The coach has even solved the over-reliance on Yildiz, and he wants David in the pre-season to better assess him.

Inter for the glory, Como for history

San Siro sold out: start again from 0-0. Chivu aims for the double with the Scudetto, Cesc to never-reached target. Thuram-Paz, what a duel!

Fiorentina nearly safe, but Lecce don’t give up.

Lorenzo Pellegrini confirms he has a ‘great relationship’ with Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti, but Roma director Frederic Massara leaves the door open for the midfielder’s contract extension.

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Pellegrini’s Roma contract expires this coming June, and the same is true of Paulo Dybala, Stephan El Shaarawy and Zeki Celik.

Official Roma updates on 2026 contract extensions

“There’s an open dialogue with all four players and their agents,” Roma director Massara said during the event Inside The Sport 2026 via Calciomercato.com.

“It’s a matter we’ve been dealing with in the last few weeks. We’ll assess whether there are the conditions and the mutual desire to continue together. All situations are open.”

Pellegrini has had ups and downs at the Stadio Olimpico this season, but has still made 33 appearances across all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing four assists.

Roma are once again fighting for a Champions League spot, but are now five points below fourth-placed Juventus.

“My happiness would be to finish in the top four with Roma. What we’ve been doing since the start of the season is just thinking about ourselves without looking at the table much,” Pellegrini said.

“It doesn’t depend on us alone right now, so what we can do is focus on ourselves, try to win all the remaining games, and then see at the end.”

The public dispute between Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini has only further motivated the Giallorossi boss, said Pellegrini: “The coach is even more pumped up than before; we must focus on these last games.

“What matters to us is being in the best possible condition on the field to win the challenges, then we’ll see what happens.”

Pellegrini has been linked with a move to Juventus, as the Bianconeri look to add quality and depth to their midfield.

Certainly, the Italy international built a solid bond with Spalletti during the Tuscan tactician’s second spell at the Stadio Olimpico.

“I have a great relationship with the coach,” Pellegrini concluded.

“We experienced fantastic moments together, and I appreciated the good person he is, as well as an out-of-the-ordinary coach.”

Inter director Piero Ausilio confirms Barcelona haven’t yet opened talks for Alessandro Bastoni, but ‘if there’s an interest, they know the telephone numbers…’

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La Liga giants Barcelona have set their sights on Inter and Italy star defender Bastoni.

Multiple sources have reported that negotiations between the player’s agent and the Catalans have already begun, but club-to-club talks have not yet taken place.

“Bastoni has a contract with Inter and, as of today, I don’t think any circumstances would suggest Bastoni moving away from Inter,” Ausilio told reporters from Coverciano on Monday, via TMW.

Monday’s report from Mundo Deportivo suggested that Bastoni would either move to Barcelona or stay at Inter in the summer, despite interest from other big clubs in Europe, including Liverpool.

According to Spanish sources, Bastoni is Barcelona’s top target for their defence in 2026-27.

“I don’t know what they say. I know we are happy with Bastoni and what he has given to Inter. I’m sure he has much more to give to Inter,” Ausilio said.

“Then, if there’s an interest in Bastoni, they know the telephone numbers [to call]; they should do that instead of talking.”

Inter are close to winning the Scudetto, having a 12-point lead over second-placed Napoli with just five games remaining. The Nerazzurri are already looking for some potential reinforcements for next season, including Atalanta-owned wing-back Marco Palestra.

“He’s an excellent footballer. He could fit into many teams, but currently, there’s a strong club with a vision and a project, like Atalanta,” Ausilio said.

“I’m sure he’ll become an important player, firstly for Atalanta, then it will depend on what the market says and the future of this lad, who surely has great quality.”

Italy World Cup winner Dino Zoff comments on Gigio Donnarumma’s howler in Manchester City-Arsenal, arguing that ‘something is wrong’ when ‘a goalkeeper has more touches than a striker.’

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Manchester City star and Italy captain Donnarumma has made headlines for the wrong reasons as he gifted Arsenal a goal in a big match in the Premier League title race on Sunday.

Manchester City still managed to secure a 2-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium, also thanks to some vital interventions from the Azzurri star in the second half, but the mistake with the ball at his feet still got people talking.

Italy 1982 World Cup winner Zoff, a former Azzurri coach, spoke about Donnarumma’s mistake in an interview with Affidabile.org.

“Playing with the feet is a bonus, but you shouldn’t overdo it. If a goalkeeper has more touches than a striker, something is wrong,” he said.

“If a goalkeeper plays well with his feet, but doesn’t come out on crosses, that’s not good either. It’s always excess that is the problem. The same applies to VAR. It’s useful for clear incidents, but if it interferes with everything, it becomes negative and slows the game down.”

Zoff: Italy ‘must adapt’

Zoff won the World Cup in 1982 as a player, and in 2000, he led Italy to the European Championship Final as a coach.

Now that the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup for three consecutive times, what action should be taken to rebuild Italian football?

“First of all, you have to play according to your own strength,” Zoff replied.

“If someone isn’t that strong and tries to play as if they were, they lose. You need to adapt to the historical moment we’re living in. Without immediately aiming for big things, but instead taking smaller steps.”

The new FIGC President will be elected on June 22, 2026, and a new Italy head coach will be hired only after that, with Napoli coach Antonio Conte among the possible contenders.

“Certainly, Cone is one of the candidates, a coach with great experience, like others,” Zoff concluded.

“I didn’t want to rank them: we’re talking about high-level profiles in any case.”

Leonardo Bonucci admits it’s ‘very hard’ to see Pep Guardiola as the Italy national team coach, but ‘dreaming doesn’t cost anything.’

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Former Italy defender Bonucci dreams of Guardiola’s appointment as the Azzurri head coach.

Bonucci wants Guardiola as new Italy coach

“Following the list of names that have emerged these days, if there’s a genuine desire to start again, I’d do so with the rumoured possibility of having Pep Guardiola, because bringing him would mean making a drastic change from the past,” Bonucci said in Madrid, via Gazzetta, while attending the 2026 Laureus World Sports Awards.

“I think it’s very hard, but dreaming doesn’t cost anything.”

Bonucci was one of Gennaro Gattuso’s assistants but didn’t step down in the wake of Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination, contrary to the coach and Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon.

Bonucci is part of the federation’s technical structure and was independent of the previous coaching staff. His contract expires in June 2026.

“I was asked to stay to link the scouting part of young players who could be called up for the June games,” he confirmed.

As the new FIGC President will only be elected on June 22, Italy’s international friendlies at the start of the same month, against Greece and Luxembourg, will be managed by U21 Italy coach Silvio Baldini.

A former Bari, Juventus and Milan defender, Bonucci played 121 games with the Italy national team, scoring eight goals.

He was part of the Azzurri squad that won the 2020 Euros and scored the equaliser in the final against England at Wembley Stadium.

Burglars broke into Nicolò Zaniolo’s house last night: ‘If you wanted a few handbags, you could have simply asked me,’ wrote the Udinese star, ‘I wish I had been at home.’

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The home of Udinese star Zaniolo was robbed last night, while the Italian striker was away.

It was the ex-Roma and Aston Villa man who revealed the break-in through his social media.

“To the cowards who last night dared to break into my home in Udine, knowing that I was inside,” Zaniolo wrote in an Instagram story via SportMediaset.

“I just want to say things went very badly for you. If you wanted a few handbags, you could have simply asked me, and I would have given them to you.”

The 26-year-old probably wanted to say that he was not at home when the burglars broke into his house; in fact, he later clarified in a second Instagram story: “I wasn’t at home. I wish I had been.”

Zaniolo joined Udinese on loan from Galatasaray last summer and has had a very positive season on the pitch at the Bluenergy Stadium, scoring five goals and providing six assists in 29 Serie A appearances.

Zaniolo has scored two goals in 19 appearances for the Italy national team but has not played an international match since a friendly against Ecuador in March 2024.

Reports in Italy claim that Romelu Lukaku hopes to be available for Napoli’s last three games of the season, but the Belgian striker only met club director Giovanni Manna today, not coach Antonio Conte.

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Napoli striker Lukaku briefly returned to Naples to meet club directors on Monday morning, but then returned to Belgium, with the club’s consent, where he had spent the last two weeks to train individually to regain full fitness.

Lukaku hopes to play for Napoli again

Several sources, inluding Sky Sport Italia and TMW, report that today’s meeting did not involve Napoli coach Conte, but only sporting director Giovanni Manna and Lukaku’s agent Federico Pastorello.

Sky Sport claims that Lukaku didn’t even cross paths with his teammates at the team’s training centre.

Napoli informed Lukaku about the disciplinary action taken for missing training with the team in the last two weeks.

Lukaku has been fined and frozen out of the team as he refused to return to Naples during the break in order to remain in Belgium to accellerate his recovery.

After the meeting, the club agreed that Lukaku could return to Belgium to continue training individually.

According to TMW, Lukaku is expected to return to Naples in two weeks and, by then the ex-Roma and Inter star hopes to be fit for the last three games of the season against Bologna, Pisa and Udinese and, naturally, the World Cup with the Belgium national team.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Italy international Alessandro Bastoni will only consider two options in the summer: staying at Inter or joining Barcelona, despite interest from Premier League clubs, including Liverpool.

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Inter star Bastoni is keen to move to Barcelona, and according to several sources, informal talks between the Italian centre-back’s camp and the Catalans are already underway.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Italian defender will only consider two options in the summer: staying at Inter, where he’s under contract to 2028, or moving to Barcelona.

Bastoni is said to be fascinated by the Blaugrana and the city of Barcelona, but this doesn’t mean he’ll push to leave Inter.

Mundo Deportivo confirms that Bastoni is Barcelona’s priority target to strengthen their defence in 2026-27, even if coach Hansi Flick has yet to give his final green light before club-to-club talks begin.

Inter are unwilling to sell Bastoni on the cheap, and there have been mixed reports about the Nerazzurri’s asking price, which is not expected to be below €60m.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the Nerazzurri’s demands will be even higher at €70m-80m.

Romelu Lukaku has already returned to Belgium to continue individual training, but this time with Napoli’s approval.

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Napoli striker Lukaku has returned to Belgium after a meeting with club directors, according to Italian sources, including Repubblica.

Lukaku returns to Belgium again

Lukaku had remained in Belgium without his club’s consent during the March break, receiving a fine and being frozen out of the team.

He returned to Naples on Sunday after more than two weeks abroad and, according to Repubblica, met with the club’s directors on Monday morning. 

According to the report, the meeting between the two parties was amicable and resulted in the striker receiving the green light to return to Belgium for individual training sessions.

Lukaku’s 2025-26 campaign was marred by a severe muscle injury suffered during the pre-season, which forced him to the sidelines for the first part of the campaign.

Lukaku spent seven months on the sidelines, starting no games with the Partenopei this season and scoring just one goal.

According to Italian reporter Nicolò Schira, Lukaku will be available again for Napoli in two weeks.

Massimo Ambrosini sees a positive environment around Jonathan David at Juventus, but no ‘ruthlessness’ from the Canada international, while Weston McKennie ‘has the ability to position himself wherever he’s needed.’

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Former Milan and Italy midfielder Ambrosini commented on Juventus’ 2-0 win over Bologna on Sunday.

David scored the opening goal in the first half, while McKennie provided the assist for Kehphren Thuram’s strike after the break: “I think David was more involved in other games than in this one, but he’s well-liked by the group, and his teammates defended him,” Ambrosini told DAZN via Tuttosport.

“Spalletti has said he needs a striker who can do different things, but he has improved. I don’t see in him the ruthlessness of a penalty-box killer, something he had before arriving here. He’s always done it throughout his career, but he hasn’t shown it here yet.”

McKennie has become a key player under Spalletti, scoring nine goals and providing eight assists in 32 appearances.

“In Spalletti’s fluid style of football, McKennie has the ability to position himself wherever he’s needed,” noted Ambrosini.

“In the penalty area, he’s more present than the strikers. He plays as a right winger, but in possession, he doesn’t stay there; he acts as an attacking midfielder or box-to-box, even as a forward.”

Diego Coppola, Ciro Immobile and Luca Koleosho started in Paris FC’s win over Metz on Sunday, prompting the Parisiens’ coach, Antoine Kombouaré, to claim: ‘ There are more Italians here than there are Juventus or Milan. That’s why they’re not going to the World Cup.’

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Paris FC coach taunts the Azzurri: ‘There are more Italians here…’

Three Italian players, Coppola, Koloesho and Immobile started in Paris FC’s 3-1 away victory at Metz on Sunday.

Immobile and Coppola contributed to the victory with one assist each, while Koleosho, on loan from Burnley, has scored twice in 12 appearances since moving to Paris in the January window.

Paris FC’s coach Kombouaré sarcastically commented on his team’s victory, saying (via GFNF): “Today, there are more Italians playing for Paris FC than there are at Juventus or AC Milan. That’s why they’re not going to the World Cup.”

Italy have not qualified for the World Cup for the third time in a row, making their last appearance in the competition in 2014.

Furthermore, the Azzurri have not played in the knockout phase of the competition since 2006, when they went on to lift the cup after beating France on penalties in the final.

Les Blues have won the World Cup twice in their history, compared to Italy’s four, but have reached the Final in the last two editions.

Coach Antoine Kombouaré, en roue libre, en pleine forme avec ses trois italiens titulaires ! pic.twitter.com/WFKym1RocJ

— L1+ (@ligue1plus) April 19, 2026

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists Giovanni Malagò is the most-suited candidate to become the FIGC President and ‘rebuild’ Italian football, while Giancarlo Abete ‘is a dear friend, but is not a good fit.’

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Malagò and Abete are expected to be the only two candidates at the FIGC Presidential election taking place on June 22, 2026.

Malagò, a former CONI President, is the candidate picked by Lega Serie A, and today representatives of clubs in Italy’s top flight will meet the 67-year-old to outline their project.

Abete, on the other hand, already served as the FIGC President from 2007 to 2014 and is backed by Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND), which accounts for 34% of the vote, compared to Serie A’s 18%.

Any candidate, however, needs to secure 51% of the vote to be elected, so Malagò and Abete need to win over other members of the voting panel to win the election.

Napoli President De Laurentiis once again backed Malagò just before the beginning of the Lega Serie A meeting in Milan today.

“I called Malagò, telling him to take charge of the situation because no one can do this better than him,” De Laurentiis said via TMW.

“He’s an entrepreneur and a sportsman with plenty of experience. The only flaw is that he’s in love with Roma, but we’ll put up with that, too,” he added, smiling.

“We are tired of being led by people who have institutional roles just for personal prestige. The most important thing in life is to work, but to do that, you need knowledge. Nobody more than an entrepreneur who does business can fix things that don’t work. From my perspective, Mr Malagò is welcome.

“Abete is a dear friend and a person I truly respect. His brother is a business partner in one of my companies, but he’s not a good fit for this job,” De Laurentiis continued.

“Perhaps, he’ll be upset, but we are accustomed to expressing our thoughts in a democracy, even if Italians, by nature, are cowards.

“We wait for Malagò and hope his ideas match ours. Football in Italy has to be rebuilt. They say I’m a visionary, but I came from the world of cinema in 2004, and I’ve been annoyingly saying since then that everything’s old and that kids wouldn’t watch matches anymore. But nobody is there to listen because everyone is just thinking about their seats.”

Sky Sport Italia reports that Croatian midfielder Luka Modric has set three conditions for staying at Milan beyond the summer, one of which is that Massimiliano Allegri continues as manager.

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Latest Modric transfer updates

Modric’s Milan contract expires at the end of the season, and even if the Rossoneri have an option to extend until 2027, they’ll activate their clause only if the Croat is happy to stay for a second campaign.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Modric has outlined three conditions for remaining at San Siro: Champions League qualification, Massimiliano Allegri’s stay, and a competitive project.

Modric, a former Real Madrid star, joined Milan on a free transfer last summer and has been a regular starter under Allegri this season, beginning 30 Serie A matches out of 32.

Allegri has recently been linked with the Italy job and hasn’t yet confirmed that he’ll stay at Milan beyond the summer.

However, during a press conference on Saturday, the Italian tactician noted that he’s not been accustomed to frequent changes in his coaching career, suggesting that he might remain at the club for at least one more season.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti addressed Italian players in the dressing room after the Azzurri’s World Cup play-off elimination: ‘He knew what we were going through,’ said Manuel Locatelli.

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Juventus midfielder Locatelli held a press conference on Saturday to comment on his contract extension until 2030.

Click here to read the full press conference.

The Italian midfielder also answered a question about his coach Spalletti, who was appointed at the end of October and has recently signed a new deal until 2028.

Locatelli was part of the Italy squad last month, alongside his Juventus teammates Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Gatti.

“The weeks after the penalty [against Sassuolo] and the missed World Cup were better,” he said.

“The coach immediately spoke to us Italians and said he was sorry. He knew what we were going through. He knows what it means to represent the national team.

“But he told us we had to put it behind us right away. The thing about football is that the next match gives you the chance to react, and we tried to do that.

“I think with the national team, we didn’t know each other very well, even on a personal level. When he [Spalletti] arrived, I made myself fully available,” continued Locatelli.

“When he arrived, he spoke to me in his office on the first day, and what he said was very meaningful. He knew I had become important for Juventus, he asked different things of me, and I’m at his disposal. The nice thing is that he showed trust in me right away.”

Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.

Spalletti had been the Italy coach from 2023 until last June, when he was sacked after a 3-0 defeat against Norway in the first match of the World Cup qualifiers.

According to Tuttosport, Juventus are the only Serie A side to have proposed a project to Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva, but Barcelona remain the Bianconeri’s biggest rival.

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Juventus are pushing to sign Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, and according to Tuttosport, Bianconeri directors hold weekly talks with the 31-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Latest Bernardo Silva transfer updates

Bernardo Silva confirmed earlier this week that he’d leave Manchester City at the end of his contract in June, so he’s available for a free transfer at the end of the season.

The player is reportedly tempted to join Juventus but has taken time to make an assessment.

According to Tuttospor, Juventus are the only Serie A side to have proposed a convincing project to the Portugal international, but Spanish giants Barcelona represent the biggest threat to the Old Lady, given that Bernardo Silva is fascinated by the Catalans.

Juventus are reportedly open to making an exception, offering Bernardo more than €7m per season. That is the sum that Kenan Yildiz will earn next season, more than any player at the Allianz Stadium.

Bernardo Silva earns €10m per season, and according to the report, he won’t consider offers below €8m- €9m per season.

• Read more – Bernardo Silva comments fuel transfer speculation amid Juventus interest

Corriere dello Sport reports that Napoli President De Laurentiis has accelerated a meeting with Antonio Conte to discuss the coach’s future at the Stadio Maradona.

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Conte’s future at Napoli is uncertain, largely because the Italian tactician has emerged as one of the leading candidates for the Italy job.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli owner De Laurentiis has moved up a meeting with the Italian tactician, which was originally scheduled for the end of the season.

The Rome-based paper claims that the summit will take place sometime next week, either before or after a Serie A match against Cremonese.

The meeting will also involve Napoli’s sporting director, Giovanni Manna, and the club’s CEO, Andrea Chiavelli.

Conte has one year left in his contract with Napoli, which expires in June 2027.

De Laurentiis has returned from the USA and is expected to be at the Stadio Maradona later today for a Serie A match against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

De Laurentiis recently admitted that he would not stand in the way of Conte’s return to the Italy bench, but the coach’s appointment depends on who the next FIGC President will be, with elections taking place on June 22.

Moise Kean is still ‘shocked’ by Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination, and his tibia is ‘in really bad condition’, says the Fiorentina star’s brother Giovanni.

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Italy striker Kean is having a hard time on and off the pitch, not just because he’s missed the last few games at the club level due to a tibia injury, but also because of an ugly brawl with a content creator that went viral in Italy this week.

Kean ‘shocked’ after Italy’s World Cup qualification fiasco

“There are things people talk about without knowing the real conditions,” his brother Giovanni said on Twitch via TMW.

“Moise’s tibia is in really bad condition. To recover fully, he should stop playing for two or three months, but instead, he plays with injections because he wants to help and do his part.

“Furthermore, he is still shocked by the missed qualification for the World Cup. He’s feeling a lot of bitterness as it’s a dream he’s had since he was a child.”

Kean has missed the last three games for Fiorentina, including two against Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-finals.

“He is keen to try to help us in this final part of the season,” Fiorentina coach Vanoli said before the second leg at the Stadio Franchi on Thursday.

“It’s a problem that has somewhat interrupted what he did last year, but thanks to the group, we have been able to make up for the absence of an important player.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri insists he’s not accustomed to frequent ‘changes’ amid growing speculation over his future at the club, claims that boos from Rossoneri fans for Rafael Leao were ‘probably useful.’

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Allegri’s Milan visit Verona at the Stadio Bentegodi tomorrow after three defeats in the last five league games.

The Italian tactician previewed the game at a press conference on Saturday, as quoted by Milannews.

“It’s an important match because we need to get back to winning against a team that plays on the counterattack and is still very much alive,” Allegri said.

“It will take a team performance. There are six matches left, and tomorrow is an important game for our objective. We simply need to play football calmly, with great unity and order.”

It’s been a tough week for Milan as the Rossoneri lost their most recent match 3-0 at home against Udinese last week. Raafael Leao was booed by his own fans when subbed off against the Bianconeri last week.

“Those boos were probably useful for Leao. He understood that in life, things don’t always go well,” Allegri said.

“He’ll react well. He’s had a good week of training, like everyone. I’m convinced the forwards will start scoring again. The team will need to go back to approaching matches in order. Against Udinese, we weren’t properly set up defensively for even a minute. We were too disorganised.”

There has been a lot of speculation over Allegri’s future, with several sources claiming that the Italian tactician is not on good terms with part of the management and that the Tuscan is one of the candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy’s national team coach.

“I don’t know. The only thing I know is that our energy must be focused on the final objective,” Allegri said.

“Club, players, coaches, staff, we all work for the club. Milan, the club, is always above everything. Players, presidents and coaches come and go, the only thing that remains is the club. We all have to work for the club.

“I’ve always been close to the players. For me, my players are the best of all. They must be supported, and they must support me, as they have done. I think the club worked very well this summer,” he continued.

“We have some excellent players, and some are outstanding. It’s a good foundation. We need to qualify for the Champions League to strengthen this place. There are two steps: first, qualify for the Champions League, then plan for the future.

“Everyone has been talking this week; the only ones who don’t talk are my friends back in Livorno. My coaching history speaks clearly. I spent four years at Milan, eight at Juventus, then I returned to Milan. Frequent changes are not part of my DNA. I like working in a club that is a company, and that must be managed as such. It has to be both competitive and sustainable. We need to plan, analyse, look at the mistakes made, and keep going.”

Allegri also confirmed meeting CEO Giorgio Furlani at lunch on Friday.

“At lunch, we discuss the situation, and it’s normal after three defeats in four matches,” said the Milan boss.

“The players have had a good week, and in these moments, you might lose some of your certainties, but that must not happen.”

Italy and Newcastle star Sandro Tonali admits he must ‘deal with the transfer rumours’ but is ‘100%’ focused on his game and adds: ‘I don’t look at social media, I don’t like it.’

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Italy and Newcastle midfielder Tonali released an interview with Sky Sports UK following weeks of speculation of a possible move away from St. James’ Park in the summer.

Tonali’s latest interview

“I don’t look at social media, I don’t like it. After my ban, I changed everything with social media, I just go to training and then go home and be with my family. My life is much better now,” said the ex-Milan star. 

“In football, if you play well, you have to deal with the transfer rumours, but if you concentrate 100% on your game, and you’re happy, you don’t have to think about anything or speak about anything.”

Tonali’s contract with Newcastle expires in June 2028 and several clubs have been linked with securing his services in the summer, including Juventus, Arsenal and Manchester United.

Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto reported in March that Newcastle would demand circa €90m for Tonali in the summer, which, if confirmed, would force Juventus to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcement.

The Italian midfielder has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 48 appearances across all competitions with Newcastle this season.

A 2021-22 Serie A title winner with Milan, Tonali has played 130 games in Italy’s top-flight, scoring eight goals and providing 17 assists.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri met CEO Giorgio Furlani on Friday to discuss the club’s future plans.

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Allegri’s Milan future: meeting with Furlani on Friday

Milan CEO Furlani reportedly met Allegri at lunch on Friday, after a morning training session at Milanello.

The meeting came after weeks of speculation about Allegri’s future at Milan, with reputable sources, including Corriere dello Sport, reporting that the Tuscan tactician is unhappy with parts of the management.

The Rossoneri sit third in the Serie A table, so they are well-positioned to earn a Champions League spot, especially after Como’s 2-1 away defeat at Sassuolo on Friday.

Allegri expects a few big signings over the summer if Milan qualify for the Champions League, and, according to Gazzetta, the club is eager to meet the coach’s demands.

According to the report, Milan agrees that the team will need a top-class centre-forward, a big signing in central defence and a new central midfielder.

The pink paper adds that the club’s management is even open to having Allegri more involved in the decision-making process and hope to have more meetings with the Tuscan tactician going forward to plan for the future.

Allegri’s contract with Milan expires in 2027, but there’s a clause allowing an extension to 2028. The Tuscan tactician recently emerged as one of the candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy’s national team coach.

Italy legend Alessandro Nesta jokes that he punished his son for supporting Chelsea: ‘Mason Mount is his absolute idol.’

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Italy legend Nesta, a 2006 World Cup winner and a two-time Champions League winner with Milan, spoke about his son supporting Chelsea in an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio.

One of the best defenders of his generation, Nesta also won the Scudetto three times during his playing career and retired in 2014 after three years abroad: two years with Montreal Impact and one year with Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League.

His kids were raised in the USA, where one of them has become a Chelsea fan.

“I even grounded him! My kids grew up in the USA, and over there they watch the Premier League,” Nesta said.

“In his class, there were Arsenal fans, Manchester United fans…and he’s a huge Chelsea supporter, to the point it actually gets to me.

“When I was not coaching three or four years ago, I worked for Prime, covering Milan in the Champions League. My son called me and said, ‘If Chelsea-Milan comes up, I’ll come with you.’ Of course, that’s exactly the matchup that happened,” continued the ex-defender.

“The day before the game, I interviewed Thiago Silva, and my son wanted to come with me. On his phone screen, he has Mason Mount, his absolute idol. I told Thiago, so he went inside, called Mount, and he came out to hug my son, who was about to cry.

“I was like: Mason Mount? I mean, with all due respect, your father played….But I got emotional too, because I saw how emotional my son was, and I thought: ‘Yeah, he’s never changing his team.’

“Now that he’s turned 18, as a gift, he’s going from Miami to London with a friend for three days to watch a Chelsea game.”

A former Chelsea midfielder, Mount joined Manchester United in 2023.

Nesta and Thiago Silva spent three seasons together at Milan, from 2009 to 2012. Nesta played 417 Serie A matches with Milan and Lazio, scoring eight goals.

The 50-year-old also won a Club World Cup, three UEFA Super Cups, one Club Winners’ Cup, and a UEFA U21 European Championship.

After hanging up his boots, he coached Miami FC, Perugia, Frosinone, Reggiana and Monza.

Inter can win the 2025-26 Serie A title next weekend, but they must beat Torino away and hope for favourable results from Napoli and Milan.

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Inter’s 3-0 win over Cagliari on Friday allowed the Nerazzurri to cement their lead at the top of the Serie A standings.

Cristian Chivu’s men now enjoy a 12-point lead over second-placed Napoli, who have a game in hand to be played against Lazio today.

Milan, also with a game in hand, are 15 points below the Nerazzurri in third and will visit strugglers Verona on Sunday.

Inter have five games remaining, and their title victory this season is now just a matter of time.

As reported by Gazzetta, the Nerazzurri could even claim their 21st Scudetto next weekend, but they’ll have to beat Torino away and hope Napoli and Milan drop points in their next matches.

For Inter to win the Scudetto on April 26, Napoli must not earn more than two points in the next two games against Lazio and Cremonese, while Milan must not win their next two against Verona and Juventus.

Roma host Gian Piero Gasperini’s ex-club Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico this evening in a key match in the race for a European spot in Serie A.

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It kicks off at 20:45 (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Tension is mounting in the capital with a public dispute between Roma coach Gasperini and senior advisor Claudio Ranieri.

Gasperini said on Friday that he was surprised by Ranieri’s remarks, then ended his press conference in tears while talking about his time at Atalanta.

The likes of Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson, Paulo Dybala, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Manu Konè and Wesley are still unavailable for Roma, while Atalanta have travelled to the capital without Isak Hien and Francesco Rossi.

Niccolò Pisilli is not fully fit for the Giallorossi, so Stephan El Shaarawy is expected to start as an attacking midfielder alongside Matias Soulé.

Scorer of 10 goals in 12 Serie A matches since his move from Aston Villa in January, Donyell Malen will start as a sole striker in the Roma attack.

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino has some doubts up front, with either Gianluca Scamacca or Nikola Krstovic set to get the nod, and Giacomo Raspadori potentially returning to the starting XI in place of Nicola Zalewski.

Roma vs. Atalanta – where to watch on TV

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

Roma vs. Atalanta – probable line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Hermoso; Çelik, Cristante, El Aynaoui, Rensch; Soulé, El Shaarawy; Malen.

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, de Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Scamacca. 

Antonio Conte will look to Kevin De Bruyne, Scott McTominay and Rasmus Hojlund for Napoli’s home Serie A clash against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

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It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 BST) at the Stadio Maradona in Naples.

The home side is without the injured David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Antonio Vergara, while Romelu Lukaku is still frozen out of the team after remaining in Belgium to train individually during the March break.

Lazio have travelled to Naples without Samuel Gigot, Nicolò Rovella, Ivan Provedel, Adam Marusic and Alessio Furlanetto, and Sarri might rotate his team a bit, given that the Biancocelesti will play in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal against Atalanta next Wednesday.

Sky Sport and other reputable Italian media outlets claim that Napoli coach Conte will look to De Bruyne and McTominay as attacking midfielders, with Hojlund as the sole striker.

Sam Beukema will get the nod in central defence, joining Alessandro Buongiorno and Mathias Olivera.

Lazio have Daniel Maldini and Mario Gila available on the bench. Kenneth Taylor will start in central midfield, according to Gazzetta, but Sky argues that the Dutchman could rest ahead of next week’s Coppa Italia semifinal.

Napoli vs. Lazio – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 8, DAZN and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Napoli vs. Lazio – probable line-ups

Napoli (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Lobotka, Anguissa, Spinazzola; De Bruyne, McTominay; Hojlund. 

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

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Assist to Juve

Sassuolo beat Como; now Spalletti can sprint.

Inter the dominant

Advantage to +12: Scudetto close

Thuram, Barella and Zielinski: three goals to Cagliari and a big celebration at San Siro. Sunday, 26, is the first possible date for the title. Chivu: ‘We’ve left the last season behind.’

There’s Dea, Gasp cries

He names Percassi and gets moved: ‘Ranieri? Surprised by the tones.’

The new Milan is being made here

Allegri’s lunch with Furlani: Champions and future in the menu.

Corriere dello Sport

Inter, Game over

Cagliari crushed (3-0) and Scudetto in sight: +12 over Napoli

Third consecutive win for Chvu and 25th win in 33 matches. First half without flashes, but the story changes in the second half: Thuram hits again (fourth goal in the last three games). Barella and Zielinski score too: five games to go, the party is close.

Rage and tears

Roma face off Atalanta at 20.45 Gian Piero gets moved while talking about the Percassi.

Gasp gets melted

‘Surprised by Ranieri’s tones, I’m not a bad person.’

‘I didn’t expect those words, never such an aggressive confrontation between us. I won’t reply to avoid damage. Wesley? He’d like to play, but the doctors said no. Dea? A club united with the coach. We were always in sync on the market.’

Como have disappeared, beaten by Sassuolo too (2-1): one point in three games.

Juve, last call for David

Tomorrow he’ll be a starter again vs. Bologna. Spalletti flies: 45 points in 23 games, like Napoli and Milan.

Milan, 220m wasted

It’s the sum invested from 2015 in search of a hitman: only Giroud and Bacca have left a mark.

Conte-Mau: the show

Antonio is ready to lock the second spot and the Champions League qualification. With nine points in the next three, he can reach the target on May 2. FabFor confirmed. News in defence: Beukema in, Juan Jesus out. Zaccagni’s test ahead of the Coppa Italia semis on Wednesday in Bergamo.

Corvino: ‘Lack of respect towards Lecce.’

Tuttosport

Inter prepare the party: 12

Thuram, Barella and Zielinski: Cagliari crushed

The Nerazzurri romp in the second half: now they wait for Napoli, who face Lazio today, but fewer points are needed for the Scudetto. San Siro chants: ‘The leaders run away…’ Barella: ‘Goal dedicated to Gattuso.’ On Tuesday, against Como for the Coppa Italia semi-final.

Champions closer, Silva too!

Sassuolo beat Como, and fourth spot was cemented. The Man City ace sends new signals to Juve.

The Bianconeri are the only Serie A side to have presented a convincing project to the Portuguese attacking midfielder. Jorge Mendes is working. Barça’s threat. Kessié heats up. Locatelli’s extension until 2030 is official: ‘What I pride! A dream came true.’ Yildiz still in doubt for Bologna.

Higher costs and fewer revenue: Toro running at a loss again

Atalanta make Gasperini cry

Dida: ‘Leao has given and will continue to give a lot to Milan.’

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is far from certain about his future at the club: ‘This question creates problems.’

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Roma are still running for a top-four finish in Serie A, sitting three points behind third-placed Juventus in the Serie A table.

On Saturday, they host Gasperini’s ex-club Atalanta at the Stadio Olimpico, with La Dea also looking for points in the race for a European spot.

Gasperini left his pre-match press conference in tears, while talking about his time at Atalanta, but before that, he had faced a question about his future at the Stadio Olimpico.

Question about Gasperini’s Roma future ‘creates problems’

“You keep asking me about other things, but I want to talk about the match,” he replied.

“I said I don’t want to create problems, and this question creates problems, so ask a question about the team or tomorrow’s game.”

Gasperini is under contract with Roma until June 2028, but growing tension with the club’s management, especially Claudio Ranieri, will likely force the club owners to choose between the Italian tactician and the Senior Advisor for 2026-27.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted he was ‘surprised’ by Claudio Ranieri’s comments last week and became emotional, ending his pre-match press conference in tears as he reflected on his time at Atalanta.

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Gasperini will face his former club, Atalanta, at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, in a key game for a Champions League placement in Serie A.

Roma have approached the game amid growing internal pressure, especially after Claudio Ranieri made strong remarks against the coach prior to last week’s league game against Pisa.

Ranieri said Gasperini was the fourth pick for Roma last summer, as the top three candidates had turned down an offer from the club and insisted that the Italian tactician had approved all transfer moves this season.

“There was an interview on Friday, in which Ranieri created some situations, but to me it was an incredible surprise,” Gasperini said via Gazzetta.

“There had never been a different tone between Ranieri and me. Both in the press conference and between us. I didn’t expect it. And in many years, I had never been subject to such tones. From that moment, I’ve avoided any comment, first of all, not to hurt the club, the team or the Roma fans further.

“We have an important game tomorrow, as we still have a chance for Europe,” Gasperini continued.

“That’s the important thing. I’d be glad if we could only talk about the match.

“I’ve had to deal with this media impact. But there will be no excuses for the team and me. It’s Round 33, the final rush, and it’s extremely important for both sides, even more for us. I’ve shifted the focus entirely to the technical side. I repeat: for me, the priority was not to cause any harm to the team. I expect people to understand this and support the team even more.”

Gasperini confirmed that the handling of some injured players, including Wesley, has contributed to the tension with part of the club’s management.

“Sometimes yes, and it’s also a topic of internal discussion. But that’s normal,” said the Roma boss.

“Wesley currently feels he can play, but the medical staff believes there are risks. This also leads to issues and discussions. We’ll see what happens tomorrow, but if the doctors say no, I can only follow that. Everything depends on medical clearance. It’s a shame to have lost Pellegrini. Pisilli picked up an ankle sprain at the start of the week. He seems to have recovered; we’ll assess him today.”

As expected, Gasp didn’t face many questions about the game, and at some point, he was asked about his future at the club.

“You keep asking me about other things, but I want to talk about the match,” he replied.

“I said I don’t want to create problems, and this question creates problems.

“The club and Ranieri have been very clear. I’ve always believed that with a little, we could reach the Champions League, and I’ve always pushed in that direction despite the significant absences we’ve had in recent months. Now we’re here, and we play knowing we’re facing a strong team. When I was a Atalanta, I saw Roma as a benchmark. If we beat Roma, we reach Europe. Now I see it the other way around: if we beat Atalanta, we deserve to play in the Champions League.”

Gasperini ends Roma press conference in tears

Gasperini couldn’t hold back the tears while replying to the last question about his time at Atalanta.

“In Rome, there’s everything you need to do well. In Bergamo, I succeeded because the environment around me was united, and the club’s work was extraordinary,” he said.

“The small city also created an ideal atmosphere. We worked and built things together. There were young players and more, a strong core group. Think about the transfers made and how the money was reinvested. The anomaly of Atalanta was that it was playing in Europe while still making a profit.

“It was not just thanks to me, but above all to a very capable club, which worked in harmony with the coach. Then things changed a bit, partly because ownership changed, and partly because of the ‘father figure’ I was very close to [Antonio Percassi]…” Gasperini was visibly emotional and left the press conference, unable to contain his tears.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu has earned comparisons to his former manager, José Mourinho, after his remarks at his latest press conference: ‘I’m not a fool.’

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Today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport has drawn a comparison between Chivu and Mourinho after the Inter coach’s latest press conference.

The main title in today’s front page was “Special Chivu,” recalling Mourinho’s nickname “Special One.”

During his pre-match press conference on the eve of a Serie A match against Cagliari, Chivu hit back at doubters, especially those who had predicted he would be sacked early in the season, due to his inexperience.

“I can be many things, but I’m not a fool,” Chivu said.

Mourinho had used a similar expression during his unveiling press conference at Inter in 2008, saying, “I’m not a ‘pirla,’ which is typical Milanese slang meaning idiot or fool.

Surely, Mourinho has had a significant influence on Chivu, both as a player and as a coach. The former defender, in fact, played 59 games at Inter under Mourinho, winning the Treble in 2009-10.

Italy’s Minister for Sport, Andrea Abodi, gives a ‘respectful but firm response’ to UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin, who has threatened to remove Italy as co-host of Euro 2032: ‘In other countries, infrastructure development has not been the result of public funding.’

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UEFA President Čeferin claimed two weeks ago that Italy would lose its role as co-host of the 2032 Euros if stadiums do not meet the requirements and previously called the country’s infrastructure “a shame.”

Speaking to Italian reporters during an event on Thursday, as quoted by Gazzetta, Abodi replied by suggesting that politics has fewer responsibilities than clubs that have lacked investment in new stadiums over the years.

“I give a respectful but firm response to President Čeferin,” Abodi said.

“In other countries, infrastructure development has not been the result of public funding but of the initiative of clubs from an administrative standpoint, as well as of a culture of high-level sports facilities that differs from that in our country. Milan is a clear example of this.”

Abodi also spoke about the FIGC Presidential elections taking place on June 22, with Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete expected to be the only candidates to replace Gabriele Gravina: “More than leadership, we need governance rules that allow decisions to be made,” Abodi said.

“Gravina is not the only one responsible; the system, as a whole, in its various components, has failed to take a step forward.”

• Read more – UEFA Executive reassures Italy over Euro 2032, but warns Milan and Naples

Michele Uva, the UEFA Executive Director for the 2032 Euros, is confident that Italy will not lose its role as co-host of the 2032 Euros, but warns Milan and Naples: If they don’t ‘meet the requirements’, they won’t be among the host cities.

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UEFA Executive Director for the 2032 Euros Michele Uva spoke about the state of Italian stadiums during an event in Milan on Thursday, as quoted by Gazzetta.

Just a few weeks ago, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin threatened to remove Italy as a co-host of the competition due to the country’s poor infrastructure.

“I hope infrastructure will be ready,” Ceferin told Gazzetta on April 2. “Otherwise, the tournament will not be played in Italy.”

Uva commented on Ceferin’s claims during the event Il Foglio a San Siro: “He is right, and he’s sent a clear message. We are working intensively, and I am convinced that Italy will host the European Championship with five stadiums.

“There are no delays, and we are perfectly in line with the planned roadmap. No alarmism,” Uva continued.

“We just need to keep working all together. After a strong acceleration over the last six months, eight venues have timelines that allow their candidacy. By mid-September, the FIGC will choose the five to submit to UEFA, and in the first week of October, the host cities will be ratified. There is ongoing, close dialogue with the Government. We cannot afford to lose the European Championship. By working together, we’ll not lose it.”

As recently reported by Italian media, only Juventus’ Allianz Stadium in Turin currently meets the requirements to host European Championship games without further construction or redevelopment.

The Bianconeri’s Allianz Stadium has a capacity of 40,000, while the Stadio Meazza in San Siro, Milan, has failed a UEFA inspection, meaning the city will only host the tournament if Inter and Milan build a new stadium in time.

“If Milan does not build a new stadium, we’ll host the event without Milan. Inter and Milan went to UEFA 15 days ago to present the timeline and the project,” Uva said.

“If, in the meantime, the process slows down and if Milan, like Naples, does not meet the requirements, they will not be included in the bid dossier.”

Milan and Inter officially acquired the San Siro area, including the Stadio Meazza, just a few months ago, but the deal is now under investigation from Italian authorities.

Former Chelsea midfielders Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic reunite for a Serie A match between Sassuolo and Como, with the Spaniard leading the Azzurri from the touchline and the Serbian starting in central midfield for the Neroverdi.

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It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 BST) at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia.

It’s the opening match of Serie A Week 33, followed by Inter-Cagliari at 20:45 CET.

The Serie A weekend starts with two early Friday games as the Coppa Italia semis are scheduled next week, with Inter and Como meeting at San Siro in the second leg next Tuesday.

Domenico Berardi and Josh Doig are suspended for Sassuolo, who have many other players out of action due to injury: Candè, Pieragnolo, Boloca, Romagna, Garcia, Vranckx and Bakola.

Como, on the other hand, must cope without Addai, Lahdo and Sergi Roberto.

Fabregas’ men are just two points below fourth-placed Juventus, so a win would allow them to temporarily move into a Champions League place, pending the Bianconeri’s home match against Bologna on Sunday.

Sassuolo vs. Como – where to watch on TV

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

Sassuolo vs. Como – probable line-ups

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Garcia; Kone, Matic, Thorstvedt; Volpato, Pinamonti, Laurienté.

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Smolcic, Ramón, Diego Carlos, Alberto Moreno; Perrone, Da Cunha; Vojvoda, Nico Paz, Baturina; Diao. 

A group of Crystal Palace players joined their fans for celebrations in Florence city centre last night, after progressing to the Conference League semi-finals at the expense of Fiorentina.

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Crystal Palace players, including Dean Henderson, Adam Wharton, Will Hughes and Chris Richards, were spotted in the Florence city centre on Thursday night, hours after their 2-1 loss against Fiorentina at the Stadio Franchi.

It was a meaningless defeat for the Premier League side, who still qualified for the semi-finals with a 4-2 aggregate win.

A video shared on X by a Palace fan in Florence showed the players celebrating the historic feat alongside their supporters right in front of Palazzo Strozzi, near Piazza della Repubblica.

Video: Crystal Palace players and fans celebrate in Florence

Up the fucking palace #cpfc pic.twitter.com/1t1Onw0HXU

— Louie Terry (@louieterry95) April 16, 2026

Carlo Ancelotti argues that Italian football has lost ‘pace’ and warns that the Azzurri ‘must recover defenders’ as the game ‘is not only about scoring more goals than your opponent.’

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Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti examines the Italian football crisis in an interview with Il Giornale.

The Azzurri have missed out on World Cup qualification for the third time in a row, and no Serie A clubs will be involved in European cups’ semi-finals this season.

Ancelotti started by examining the gap between Serie A and Champions League matches.

Ancelotti: Italy and Serie A have ‘lost pace’

“The fundamental difference is the pace,” he said.

“Not just the physical running, but the mental pace, the constant involvement, the intensity, which is not an empty word and cannot be applied only in certain phases of the match. Italian football has lost exactly that.

“It has also lost solidity,” Ancelotti continued.

“We already lack talent in other areas of the pitch, but the excessive focus on tactics has distorted our characteristics, the ones on which we have always built our history.”

José Mourinho’s Inter were the last Serie A club to win the Champions League in 2009-10, and only Atalanta made it to the Round of 16 of Europe’s elite competition this season, with Inter and Juventus eliminated in the knockout-playoff and Napoli in the league phase.

“The great foreign players no longer come to Italy. Abroad, with substantial TV rights and powerful investors, a more attractive market is formed,” Ancelotti said.

“So in Serie A, there are no longer internationally outstanding players like Falcao, Maradona, Platini, Krol, Rummenigge, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and all the others from a distant era. Who do young Italian players learn from?”

Como is one of the most exciting emerging clubs in Serie A, but Ancelotti feels they are not making a significant contribution to Italian football.

“I don’t see many Italian players there,” argued the Brazil coach.

“But talking about defensive fragility, Atalanta play aggressive one-on-one football and, for this reason, they take enormous risks. Just watch their match against Bayern again.”

Lastly, Ancelotti added: “Either we recover defenders, or rather the defensive mentality that has brought us club and national team success, or we will continue to suffer. Football is not only about scoring more goals than your opponent, but also about conceding fewer. That’s not a trivial statement.”

• More from Ancelotti’s interview – Ancelotti names ‘best’ World Cup team, predicts Champions League winner

The Esposito brothers, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano, are expected to start in a Serie A match between Inter and Cagliari this evening, with Carlos Augusto replacing Alessandro Bastoni in the Nerazzurri’s defence.

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It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Meazza in San Siro, Milan.

The Nerazzurri are the Serie A table leaders with a nine-point lead over second-placed Napoli, but come to this match without the injured Lautaro Martinez and Yann Bisseck, while Bastoni will be rested to regain full fitness, and Petar Sucic is suspended.

Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia, claim that Italy international Pio Esposito is favourite over Ange-Yoan Bonny for a starting spot in attack alongside Thuram.

There’s a doubt in central midfield as well, with Piotr Zielinski or Henrikh Mkhitaryan starting alongside Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.

Mattia Felici, Riyad Idrissi, Leonardo Pavoletti and Luca Mazzitelli are unavailable for Cagliari, where Gennaro Borrelli or Semih Kılıçsoy will start alongside Sebastiano Esposito, Pio Esposito’s brother, in attack.

Inter vs. Cagliari – where to watch on TV

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

Inter vs. Cagliari – probable line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, De Vrij, Carlos Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Pio Esposito, Thuram.

Cagliari (3-5-2): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Obert; Palestra, Adopo, Gaetano, Folorunsho, Deiola; Borrelli, S. Esposito.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Everyone out

European Cup semis without Italians: all the reasons behind the crisis.

Euro League: Bologna nightmare at Aston Villa’s home (4-0).

Conference: Fiorentina beat Palace 2-1, but it’s not enough.

Scudetto fever

Special Chivu

The Inter coach like Mou: ‘I’m not a fool.’

Power and reinforcements: Milan want to keep Allegri

Gasp believes in the Champions League and challenges Ranieri

Struck by a train: Farewell to Manninger, Buffon’s backup at Juve.

Due to a journalists’ strike in Italy on Thursday, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport are not out today.

Juventus pay tribute to their former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who died at 48 in a tragic car accident: ‘A man of rare values.’

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Juventus honoured their former goalkeeper Manninger with a social media post on Thursday, hours after his tragic death in a car accident in Austria.

“Today is a very sad day,” Juventus wrote on X.

“We have lost not only a great athlete but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism. Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch. Juventus expresses its deepest condolences on the passing of Alex Manninger and stands close to his family in this moment of grief.”

A Serie A title winner with the Bianconeri in 2011-12, Manninger spent four seasons in Turin, making 40 appearances during his spell in Turin.

He won the Scudetto in his final season at the club under Antonio Conte.

Manninger also played for Torino, Siena, Bologna and Fiorentina in Serie A, collecting 137 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

A former Austria international, Manninger also won the Premier League title with Arsenal in 1997-98.

The former goalkeeper had given his last interview to Gazzetta dello Sport just a few days ago, recalling his close bond with Italian football and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, and calling Siena his “home.”

Juventus pay tribute to Manninger after tragic death at 48

Today is a very sad day.

We have lost not only a great athlete, but a man of rare values: humility, dedication, and an exceptional sense of professionalism.

Alex Manninger will be remembered for the example he set, on and off the pitch.

Juventus expresses its deepest… pic.twitter.com/QOd2aoP8C3

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) April 16, 2026

Inter coach Cristian Chivu says Alessandro Bastoni won’t be available for tomorrow’s Serie A match against Cagliari: ‘He’s not well.’

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Inter will be forced to cope without their star defender Bastoni in Friday’s Serie A match against Cagliari at the Stadio Meazza.

Chivu confirmed the Italian defender’s omission during a press conference on Thursday.

“He should be praised as a person, despite physical and mental difficulties. He put himself on the line and deserves credit,” said the Nerazzurri boss via FcInter1908.

“We should be proud of what he has done. He has a physical problem; his ankle is not 100%. He’s trained very little in the last month, and he’s not fully fit. We thank him for his availability, but he’s not well now. He’ll not be in the squad tomorrow. He will stay out to recover.”

Bastoni has been criticised by part of the media and opposing Inter fans in recent months following a red card incident in the Inter-Juventus match in February, as well as the red card he received at the end of March in Italy’s World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Petar Sucic will serve a one-game ban against Cagliari tomorrow, while both Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez are injured.

“Bisseck has already worked on the pitch. According to the expected timeline, Lauti is on track,” Chivu said.

“Next week, he will return to the pitch to do a bit more than what he’s currently doing. Bisseck should be back in two days, Lautaro in seven or eight. He is improving and doing well.”

Inter are the Serie A table leaders with a nine-point lead over second-placed Napoli. Next week, they’ll host Como in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal.

“We must be proud of what we’ve done and keep the same spirit. We must try to be the best version of ourselves and add three more points to the table,” Chivu continued.

“We’ve always tried to bring it to the pitch. The important thing is to be mentally and physically ready, and to adapt to what the opponent offers. We’ve had ups and downs. We’ve done really well in some games and not so well in others because of a lack of energy and the absence of players who would have shifted the balance.”

Chivu made headlines after a Serie A victory against Como last week, as he appeared to taunt his rivals in the race for the Scudetto, saying that Inter’s main target was to qualify for the Champions League.

“Too many things are taken too seriously,” he argued.

“Many things are distorted by friendship and by the duty to defend one side or the other. Some people took it too seriously. You have to understand. Football is a game; it should be treated as such. There are teams that try to win, but only one wins. You shouldn’t feel bad if your friend or your favourite team doesn’t make it to the end.

Former Juventus and Arsenal goalkeeper Alexander Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic car accident on Thursday morning.

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The former Austria international was involved in a fatal collision with a train at around 8:20 at a level crossing without barriers, according to Austrian media, cited by Gazzetta.

Manninger was driving a minivan, and it is still unclear whether the red warning signal at the crossing was active at the time of the crash.

Despite the prompt arrival of emergency services, Manninger was declared dead at the scene.

The local train involved was carrying around 25 passengers, all of whom, along with the driver, were unharmed.

The English FA and RB Salzburg, one of Manninger’s former clubs, have confirmed the death of the former goalkeeper.

“We join in mourning our former goalkeeper Alexander Manninger, who tragically passed away in a road accident,” the club wrote.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Rest in peace, Alexander.”

Manninger gave his last interview to La Gazzetta dello Sport just a few days ago. He had made 137 Serie A appearances, playing for Juventus, Torino, Siena, Bologna and Fiorentina, winning the Scudetto with Juve under Antonio Conte in 2011-12.

He also made 64 appearances with Arsenal, winning the Premier League title in 1997-98.

Giovanni Malagò, one of the likely candidates in the FIGC Presidential elections, hints at the involvement of a former Italian player in his project but refuses to answer a question about Massimiliano Allegri.

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Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are expected to be the only candidates in the FIGC Presidential elections on June 22.

Malagò has been backed by the majority of Lega Serie A clubs and will unveil his program at a meeting with them on April 20.

“I’m making serious and thoughtful assessments,” Malagò said during an event in Milan on Thursday, via TMW.

“Serie A had the idea, but the important thing is to listen to all the others, too.”

Malagò confirmed he had met with the presidents of the Associations of Italian footballers and coaches, who collectively hold 30% of the vote in the FIGC Presidential election.

“I can say it was very positive and proactive. I can say that the premises are positive,” Malagò said.

Italian sources have claimed that Malagò will involve a former Italy national team player if he wins the election and that Milan coach Allegri is his first option for the bench.

“I can swear I have nothing in mind. I feel that, like all Federations, everyone has a former athlete covering a role,” Malagò said.

“Whether that will be applicable or not, we’ll see.

“If I say anything more or less [about Allegri], everything gets taken out of context,” he added.

“I won’t respond to anything, and, believe me, I haven’t spoken to anyone about it.”

According to Corriere dello Sport, Allegri would consider his appointment as Italy’s national team coach, especially because his relationship with part of the Milan management is far from ideal.

Arsenal hope Riccardo Calafiori will be available for Sunday’s big Premier League game against Manchester City, while the Italy star joined his teammates in the dressing room last night to celebrate qualification for the Champions League semis.

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Arsenal’s 0-0 draw at home against Sporting CP in London last night secured the Gunners’ place in the Champions League semi-finals, setting up a meeting with Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid.

Calafiori missed the match due to fitness issues. According to The Standard, the Italian defender’s problem remains unknown, but Arsenal likely wanted to manage his minutes to avoid a serious injury.

The Manchester Evening News claims that Calafiori could return to action against Manchester City on Sunday.

The former Bologna star featured for the full 90 minutes in the first leg against Sporting CP last week, but missed the reverse fixture last night as well as the previous Premier League match against Bournemouth.

Naturally, Calafiori still celebrated Arsenal’s qualification for the Champions League semi-finals on Wednesday, joining his teammates in the dressing room after the match, as shown by Piero Hincapié’s latest Instagram story.

Calafiori joins Arsenal teammates for dressing room celebration

Juventus have reportedly delayed contract extension talks with Dusan Vlahovic to the end of the season, reopening the door for Milan, who are also hoping to offload Christopher Nkunku to strengthen their position.

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Juventus delay Vlahovic contract talks

Juventus are not expected to sit down with Vlahovic’s entourage before the end of the season to discuss a contract extension, according to Gazzetta.

Juventus director Damien Comolli recently claimed that updates on the Serbia international would not come anytime soon, and the pink paper suggests that negotiations won’t resume before the end of the campaign.

Vlahovic’s contract runs out in June, and Juventus will offer a salary below his current €12m wages, including add-ons.

Vlahovic has recently suffered a new muscle injury that will sideline him for at least three weeks, prompting Juventus to put negotiations on hold.

Milan remain interested in the striker, and stalling talks with the Bianconeri will likely boost the Rossoneri’s hopes.

According to Gazzetta, Milan are waiting for offers for French striker Nkunku, who has failed to impress in his first season at San Siro.

Scorer of just six goals in 29 appearances this season, Nkunku’s sale would allow Milan to increase their budget for a contract offer to Vlahovic.

Gian Piero Gasperini has reportedly received support from Roma owners in recent days, but the coach’s future at the club remains uncertain following a sudden back-and-forth with Senior Advisor Claudio Ranieri last week.

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Tension grows at Roma with multiple sources claiming that either Gasperini or Ranieri will leave the club at the end of the season.

Ranieri hit back at criticism from Gasperini last week, before a match against Pisa, as the coach had previously complained about the club’s transfer activity and the management of some injured players.

According to Gazzetta, Ranieri’s public response to Gasperini was followed by a tense meeting in Trigoria earlier this week, which even involved sporting director Frederic Massara.

The Pink Paper claims that Ranieri even considered resignation following the latest fallout, while Gasperini had a conference call with the club owners.

Dan and Ryan Friedkin, the Roma owners, find themselves in a limbo now, given that they see Ranieri as a central part of their project, but also appreciate what Gasperini has done on the pitch this season.

Nevertheless, they’ll have to make a firm decision on whether to continue with Gasp or Ranieri in 2026-27, since their relationship seems irreparable.

According to Gazzetta, Gasperini is even unhappy that some of the closest collaborators of Ranieri have received a contract extension without his approval, while Ed Shipley, the Friedkins’ right-hand man in Rome, had previously filed reports about Gasperini’s inappropriate behaviour on some occasions.

Roma hired Gasperini last summer, and the Italian tactician’s contract runs until 2028.

Scotland international Lewis Ferguson feels Bologna ‘still believe’ they can qualify for the Europa League semis despite a 3-1 loss against Aston Villa in the first leg and praises English winger Jonathan Rowe: ‘He’s on fire, our best player in the last three months.’

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Bologna visit Aston Villa in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-final this evening, but the Rossoblu must climb back from a 3-1 deficit.

“Anything can happen, and we still believe,” Ferguson told TNT Sports.

“A lot of people on the outside might think at 3-1 it has finished the tie, but there are still 90 minutes to play and we’ve not given up. We’ve got nothing to lose now. We will give it absolutely everything.”

“We definitely have to take the positives,” Ferguson continued.

“Large parts of the game we dominated and that’s not easy against a side like Villa. Especially the first half, we created a good few chances, the one off the bar, the goal disallowed, a goal could have changed the game at that point and then we go in at half-time 1-0 down after conceding from a set piece.

“Overall, we were really frustrated, but at this level it’s fine lines. It’s moments that cost us because over the piece we were good enough to get a decent result.”

English winger Rowe scored Bologna’s only goal in the reverse fixture, and Ferguson was full of praise for the ex-Norwich talent.

“In the last three months, he’s been on fire. He’s been our best player. He’s the sort of guy we look to make the difference in games,” Ferguson said.

“He’s a funny character off the pitch. I’m trying to keep his feet on the ground. He’s been excellent; he’s one of those guys who can win you games, and when I speak about fine margins and moments, he’s the kind of guy who can make the difference.

“He’s such a good out-ball to have on that side because we know when he receives the ball, something is going to happen. He can create, score goals, assist, he’s got everything to be a top player.”

Riccardo Calafiori, Joshua Zirkzee, and Dan Ndoye have moved to the Premier League from Bologna in recent years, but despite rumours of interest from England, Ferguson is convinced that his teammate will solely focus on tonight’s match.

“I know him pretty well and I don’t think it will be in his head knowing he’s playing an English team,” Ferguson said.

“For English fans and Premier League fans who maybe haven’t seen him, that was a good chance for them to get a look at Jonny and see what he can do.

“Obviously, Norwich fans would have known, even though he was still young there coming through and has developed in the last couple of years into a really good player.

“I’m not speaking for him, but I don’t think that will be in his head, knowing Premier League fans and clubs will be watching that game.

“He’s relaxed, he’s funny, when he goes out on the pitch, the one thing on his mind is to try and make the difference, and that’s so important for an attacker. The way we play, we want to get the ball to the winger, and we expect him to create and score for us. He’s certainly been delivering.”

Rowe is in his first season at Bologna, and just a few weeks ago, he said he’d like to return to the Premier League one day.

The ex-Marseille winger, 22, has scored seven goals and provided four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions with Bologna this season.

Corriere dello Sport reports that Massimiliano Allegri has a frosty relationship with the Milan management, so the Italian tactician could decide to leave at the end of the season, even if he qualifies for the Champions League.

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Allegri’s future at Milan is uncertain due to the coach’s frosty relationship with part of the club’s management, according to Corriere dello Sport.

The Rome-based paper claims that Allegri has not always felt the club’s support this season, except for Igli Tare, and that his future at San Siro will depend on the Rossoneri’s plans for next season.

If Milan qualify for the Champions League, Allegri expects appropriate reinforcements to add quality and depth to cope with three competitions; but if the coach were to miss out on qualification, both he and sporting director Igli Tare could leave at Milan’s decision.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Bologna’s Vincenzo Italiano is a candidate Milan would consider if Allegri were to leave, and the same is true of Tony D’Amico (Atalanta) as a sporting director.

Allegri, on the other hand, remains a candidate for the Italy job, but if Antonio Conte were to be picked as the Nazionale’s new coach, then Allegri would be on Aurelio De Laurentiis’ list at the Stadio Maradona.

It’s not the first time Italian media have suggested that Allegri is unhappy with Milan’s management, prompting the Italian tactician to clarify at the end of February: “There’s total harmony with the club regarding the rumours that came out this week.

“Of course, in any discussion, there can be different points of view. It’s important that everyone works for the good of Milan. I’m very happy to have returned to Milan after 15 years and to have started working with a wonderful group of players. The club is planning and structuring Milan’s future.

“To do that, we need to achieve the most important result. In March, we’re in a fairly good position. Now we have to see if we’re good enough to stay there or take the final step. There’s harmony between the club and me.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Barcelona want to include 19-year-old full-back Héctor Fort in a deal to sign Alessandro Bastoni from Inter this summer.

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Barcelona remain interested in Italy and Inter centre-back Bastoni, and according to Gazzetta, the Catalans are eager to include one of their defenders in a player-plus-cash swap deal.

Bastoni to Barcelona: latest transfer updates

According to the report, Inter value Bastoni at €60m, but the La Liga giants hope to reduce the Tuscans’ demands by including Héctor Fort in the deal.

Fort, 19, is currently on loan at Elche, but has been sidelined since January due to a shoulder injury.

The versatile full-back scored two goals and provided two assists in the opening 12 games of the season.

Previous reports claimed that Bastoni is open to a move to Barcelona this summer, citing the hostile reception he’s received at Italian stadiums in recent weeks as a reason for his possible departure from Inter.

It was previously reported that Bastoni was already discussing contract details with Barcelona, knowing that Inter wouldn’t let him go on the cheap.

Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio was meant to jokingly headbutt a table on live TV while talking about the crisis of Italian football last night, but actually hurt himself, needing intervention from Fabio Capello.

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Former West Ham star Di Canio has made headlines in Italy after hurting himself on live TV on Wednesday night while commenting on the Champions League quarter-finals, Bayern Munich-Real Madrid and Arsenal-Sporting CP.

The host, Federica Masolin, asked Di Canio when Italian football would reach the Premier League’s level, and Di Canio sarcastically replied: “I’ve been good so far, and now you want to provoke me. You want to make me sad!”

At that point, the ex-striker repeatedly headbutted the table in front of him, but he did it too vigorously, so Capello, a fellow Sky Sports pundit, had to stand up and check on him.

“What did you do?” asked the former coach.

Di Canio had already put a tissue on his head and said, “You provoked me, I’m going to smash my head.”

Video: Di Canio’s headbutt on live TV

pic.twitter.com/SwMj0EQkTY

— (@DarmumasTv) April 15, 2026

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, only Giovanni Malago, 67, and Giancarlo Abete, 75, will run to replace Gabriele Gravina as the FIGC President, with no former Italian player in the race.

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Malagò and Abete are expected to be the only candidates at the FIGC Presidential election on June 22.

Ex-Italy stars not running for FIGC Presidency

Neither has confirmed their nomination yet, but Malagò is the candidate formally picked by Lega Serie A, while the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND) has chosen its President, Abete.

The latter already served as the FIGC President from 2007 to 2014.

As previously reported, votes from Serie A clubs represent 18% of the FIGC Presidential election, significantly lower than the LND’s 34%.

However, any candidate needs a majority of the votes (51%) to be elected, so Malagò and Abete have already begun talks with other members of the voting panel.

Umberto Calcagno, the President of the Italian Players Association (which accounts for 20% of the votes), and Renzo Ulivieri, President of the Italian Coaches Association (10%), reportedly met with Malagò in Rome on Wednesday, and Abete will do the same today.

Both Abete and Malagò have yet to unveil their official programme for the next four years, but Calcagno and Ulivieri have already made some proposals, including tightening the criteria for national licenses so that only those who can truly afford a season financially are admitted to domestic leagues.

According to Gazzetta, the Italian Players Association (AIC) will not indicate any of its delegates, a former Italian footballer, as a possible contender for the FIGC Presidency. 

Over the last few weeks, the media indicated the likes of Alessandro Del Piero, Paolo Maldini and Demetrio Albertini as possible contenders for the role.

However, it seemed a bit far-fetched to envision them running for the Presidency, as a former player has never led the Italian FA.

The Gazzetta report claims that AIC would have gladly had one of their representatives involved in the election, but only if he had been picked by one of the other components.

Yet, Abete has confirmed that he wants to run for the FIGC Presidency, so the Players and Coaches’ Associations won’t propose any other candidate, also to facilitate either Abete or Malagò reaching 51%.

Serie B and Lega Pro (Serie C) have also scheduled meetings with Malagò and Abete in the coming days.

Roberto Piccoli will replace the injured Moise Kean in the Fiorentina attack in the second leg of the Conference League quarter-final against Crystal Palace at the Stadio Franchi tonight.

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It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) in Florence.

The Tuscans lost the reverse fixture 3-0 in England last week, so they need a four-goal victory to progress to the semis, or a three-goal advantage to send the game to extra time.

Italy international Kean is injured and the same is true of Fabiano Parisi, Tariq Lamptey, Niccolò Fortini and Luca Lezzerini. Brazilian right-back Dodo will serve a one-game ban, while Daniele Rugani and Marco Brescianini are not part of the Fiorentina UEFA list.

Manor Solomon is expected to return to the starting XI after recovering from an injury, joining Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli, who were suspended in Monday’s Serie A match against Lazio.

Pietro Comuzzo will likely replace Dodo in the right-back position, while Piccoli will start up front.

Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 3 and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Fiorentina vs. Crystal Palace – probable line-ups

Fiorentina (4-3-3): De Gea; Comuzzo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Ndour, Fagioli, Mandragora; Solomon, Piccoli, Gudmundsson. 

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Yeremi Pino; Mateta. 

Bologna will look to Santiago Castro and Jonathan Rowe up front in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals against Aston Villa tonight.

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It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST) at Villa Park.

Bologna suffered a 3-1 loss at home in the reverse fixture, so they’ll need a win with a two-goal margin to send the game to extra time and a win by three goals to progress to the semis.

The Rossoblu have travelled to England without the suspended Jhon Lucumí. Lukasz Skorupski, Benjamin Dominguez and Thijs Dallinga are injured. Eivind Helland and Lorenzo De Silvestri are not part of Bologna’s UEFA list.

Several sources, including Sky Sport and Gazzetta, claim that Joao Mario is favourite over Nadir Zortea to start as a right-back. Tommaso Pobega is expected to get the nod alongside Lewis Ferguson and Remo Freuler in central midfield, leaving Nikola Moro on the bench.

English winger Rowe, scorer of a goal in the reverse fixture last week, will start as a left winger with Italy international Federico Bernardeschi on the opposite flank and Castro deployed as a sole striker.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2 and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Aston Villa vs. Bologna – probable line-ups

Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Onana, Douglas Luiz; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins.

Bologna (4-3-3): Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Heggem, Vitik, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Roma tension, Ranieri could even leave

Gasp wants full trust

Inter, Bastoni takes a break

Chivu changes; the defender is tired and will miss Cagliari.

Devil of a nine

Juve slow down, Milan tempt Vlahovic

Comolli postpones the Serbian’s renewal to the end of the season. The Rossoneri are ready to finance the deal with Nkunku’s sale.

Italiano wants to win at Aston Villa. Viola’s assault to turn Crystal Palace around

Corriere dello Sport

Allegri decides

Frost

Max and Milan are increasingly distant: Where will Cardinale go?

Complicated rapport with Furlani and Ibra: the Champions can clarify the future

First the qualification, then the confrontation on the project: many misunderstandings on the table: Rumours on Italiano and D’Amico. The national team remains the big temptation.

Bologna and Viola: chasing a feat

In Birmingham with Berna, Castro and Rowe to try to turn the 1-3 around. Gud to Crystal Palace’s assault. They restart from 0-3.

Tuttosport

Toro, after the Arabs, the Americans are awaited

Juve, can you make it without Yildiz?

Injections in his knee for the Turkishman: he has to stop.

On Sunday, the first step of the final assault for a Champions League placement: the tendinopathy leaves Kenan in doubt. Spalletti must invent an alternative attack. Milik is out again, muscle injury: it’s the end. Rennes’ idea for Openda.

Bologna, Fiorentina and the impossible assaults on the English

Even Nadia pushes Inter

Our queen of middle-distance running: ‘Inter fan since I was a kid, now, I’m a super Lautaro fan.’

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Milan in talks with Lewandowski

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Simeone examines Atletico Madrid 1-2 Barcelona with Italy legends

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cassano: I was ‘more creative’ than Totti

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Marquinhos: Roma ‘meant a lot’ to me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mazzola: Bastoni should not join Barcelona from Inter

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Bloodied and, in the end, heroic.”

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

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

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