Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici has delivered a blunt assessment of Italian football, admitting he is “angry” at the current state of the system and warning that too few Italian players are making an impact abroad.

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Speaking at a panel on youth development in Milan, Paratici urged a collective rethink across the game. “I am very angry with myself for the period we are going through,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“We should all be angry and reflect. We are not doing enough. Otherwise, we would not only be at the World Cup, but we would also see more Italians in the Premier League. Portugal, for example, has many more.”

He stressed that the issue runs deeper than simple structural reforms.

“It’s a sense of responsibility we should have, not just individually but as a system. I’m not talking about changing leagues, but about training methodology, infrastructure and the education of people. We must be better.”

Paratici slams lack of mental coaching in Italian youth

Paratici also revisited his experience with Juventus’ Under-23 side, but warned against treating it as a cure-all.

“It’s only the final step in the youth sector. In Italy we rarely talk about ‘post-training’, but every profession has an apprenticeship phase, so why shouldn’t footballers? The gap between Primavera and the first team is huge.”

He added that development in Italy remains too narrow in focus.

“We always evaluate technical and physical aspects, but I never hear about the cognitive side. Is the player intelligent? Does he have personality? Does he really want to succeed? These factors matter just as much.”

Despite his criticism, Paratici insisted the raw talent is still there. “Our players are not inferior to others. Our national teams prove that. The difference lies in how we train and develop them.”

Malta coach Emilio De Leo has paid a heartfelt tribute to the late Sinisa Mihajlovic, while also sharing a series of revealing anecdotes from his decade working alongside the Serbian, including a bizarre encounter involving Samuel Eto’o.

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De Leo, who is now in charge of the Maltese national team, spent ten years as Mihajlovic’s trusted assistant across multiple clubs in Italy. Reflecting on that period, he made clear the profound impact the former coach had on both his career and personal outlook.

“He showed us what it means to fight,” De Leo explained, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Even during the most difficult moments, he was stronger than everyone else. You would feel small next to him, almost overwhelmed, because while others felt emotion and compassion, he was the one giving strength to us.”

De Leo: ‘Mihajlovic would call us from the hospital to criticise!’

Recalling Mihajlovic’s battle with illness, De Leo added: “He would call the team from the hospital and still criticise performances. After one comeback win, he said the first half had been awful. That was his mentality, always demanding more.”

De Leo also offered a glimpse into Mihajlovic’s intense management style. “After a 3-0 defeat, he made the squad watch the match three times over three days. Nobody could leave. On the fourth day, the captain told him they had understood.”

Alongside the emotional memories, there was also room for lighter moments, including one involving former Inter striker Eto’o. “He would show up with a different car every day and sometimes skip training,” De Leo recalled. “One day he introduced a woman as his wife. A few days later, he introduced another woman, again saying she was his wife.”

Despite the humour, De Leo returned to Mihajlovic’s legacy in closing: “He taught me that what you need is already inside you. He didn’t leave as a defeated man, but as a winner.”

Former Italy striker Alessandro Melli has launched a scathing criticism of modern football following the thrilling 5-4 Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

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While many praised the spectacle, Melli took the opposite view, arguing that the game has lost its tactical balance, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I’ll go against the grain, but between VAR and a style of play that no longer includes defending, marking or midfield protection, this football literally makes me sick,” he wrote on social media.

The ex-Parma, Sampdoria and Milan forward suggested that the current product is driven more by entertainment than substance.

“Do you know who loves this kind of football? Television companies, commentators and fans who just want to see goals but don’t understand anything about the game,” he added. “Modern football has become the new NBA.”

Melli: ‘I still prefer PSG-Bayern to Milan-Juventus’

Melli later clarified his stance after facing criticism, insisting his comments were not a defence of Italian football but rather a warning about the sport’s direction.

“I didn’t say I prefer Milan-Juventus to PSG-Bayern, I’d choose the second every time,” he explained. “I just mean that with this trend, where the culture of defending no longer exists and rules and VAR influence every episode, we will start seeing matches ending 7-5 or 6-6.”

He also pointed to a broader cultural shift in how football is consumed. “Once, scoring was difficult, you had to earn it,” Melli continued. “Even the best players had to work incredibly hard for every goal. Now there is this idea that every attack can lead to a goal.”

In his view, this evolution benefits broadcasters and commercial interests.

“It helps television sell the product and clubs to sell tickets at crazy prices,” he concluded, stressing that his remarks reflected a personal opinion rather than an absolute truth.

Sassuolo are lining up a move for former Milan defender Ignazio Abate as a potential replacement for Fabio Grosso ahead of next season.

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The Neroverdi are expected to face strong interest in Grosso, with clubs such as Fiorentina and Bologna monitoring his situation, and have already begun identifying possible successors.

According to SassuoloNews, via MilanNews24, Abate has emerged as a leading candidate after impressing in his early coaching career.

The coach enjoyed a highly successful spell with Milan’s Primavera side, guiding them to strong results in youth competitions, before continuing his development at Juve Stabia.

This season, he has led the Serie B side into the play-off race, further enhancing his reputation as one of Italy’s most promising young coaches.

Sassuolo keen on Abate to succeed Grosso

Despite being under contract until 2027, the opportunity to step up to Serie A could prove decisive. Sassuolo are believed to have already held initial talks with Abate, with a positive response and a two-year contract discussed as part of the project.

A key factor in Sassuolo’s interest is Abate’s track record in developing young talent, something that aligns closely with the club’s long-standing philosophy. His work at youth level, particularly in European competitions, has marked him out as a coach capable of building and improving emerging players.

His arrival could also influence transfer strategy, potentially opening the door to players he has previously worked with and trusts.

For Abate, the move would represent a major step in his managerial career, offering the chance to establish himself at the top level and continue the pathway from promising coach to a permanent figure in Serie A dugouts.

Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella has revealed he came close to quitting football during the COVID-19 pandemic, while also praising Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu as a rare and vital presence.

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Montella admitted that the uncertainty of that period left him questioning his future in the game. “During COVID I wanted to stop,” he said, with quotes via La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I was well with my family and didn’t have offers that excited me. Going to Adana, a completely different world, reignited me.”

That decision ultimately reshaped his career, leading him to the Turkey national football team job and a historic World Cup qualification. “An entire people is happy and for me that is the greatest reward,” he noted.

Turning to Calhanoglu, Montella highlighted the Inter playmaker’s importance to both club and country. “Calha is one of those deep-lying playmakers who are becoming rare,” he explained. “He is a champion you miss when he is not there. With him next to you, you feel safer because in difficult moments you can give him the ball knowing you are handing it to a bank.”

Montella: ‘Roma breakup a shame’

Montella refused to be drawn into transfer speculation surrounding the midfielder, adding: “I never get involved in personal choices. For me, it is enough that he is happy, wherever he decides to play.”

The former Roma forward also addressed the situation at his old club, declining to judge the reported tensions involving Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini. “It is delicate to judge from the outside,” he said. “I have great respect for both and I don’t know what led to this ending. It’s a shame, because the fans believed in this project.”

Montella also spoke about Italy’s wider struggles, suggesting structural issues remain. “The national team is not as poor as it is made out to be,” he argued. “But perhaps we need to go back to basics, teaching young players technique rather than overwhelming them with tactics.”

For Montella, the journey from uncertainty to renewed purpose has been clear. “Here I have rediscovered the flame of passion,” he said, a stark contrast to the moment he once considered walking away from football altogether.

Milan have taken significant steps forward in their pursuit of Lazio defender Mario Gila, with the Rossoneri now understood to have met the player’s wage demands ahead of a potential summer move.

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The Spanish centre-back is one of the club’s primary defensive targets, with coach Massimiliano Allegri keen to strengthen his back line.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan are prepared to offer Gila a four-year contract with an option for a fifth, starting at around €3m per season plus bonuses, with incremental increases built into the deal.

However, negotiations with Lazio are yet to begin formally and are expected only after the Coppa Italia final in mid-May. The Biancocelesti are likely to demand a fee in excess of €30m, and President Claudio Lotito is not expected to lower his valuation easily, particularly given Real Madrid’s 50% sell-on clause.

Competition also remains fierce, with Juventus, Napoli and Inter all tracking the Spaniard, though Milan are determined to avoid a bidding war while maintaining a strong position.

Milan pushing hard for Goretzka as well as Gila

In midfield, Milan are also pushing to secure Leon Goretzka on a free transfer when his Bayern Munich contract expires at the end of June. The German international is viewed as a key addition in terms of experience and leadership, especially with the club planning a reshuffle in the middle of the park.

Both Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could depart if suitable offers arrive, creating space for reinforcements. Goretzka has received interest from the Premier League but is believed to be open to a Serie A move, with Milan currently leading the race.

The Rossoneri are expected to accelerate talks once the season concludes, as they look to reshape the squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Italy’s ongoing refereeing scandal is beginning to cast a wider shadow across the football pyramid, with fresh controversy now emerging in Serie C involving former top-flight referee Daniele Orsato.

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According to reports from arbitiri.com, via CalcioMercato, a formal complaint has been submitted to the FIGC Federal Prosecutor following the Serie C clash between Ascoli and Vis Pesaro on April 4. The focus of the complaint is Orsato, currently serving as the league’s official designator, and an alleged post-match phone call made to the officiating team.

The concern centres on the manner of that communication. Orsato is said to have contacted referee Giorgio Di Cicco after the game, with the call placed on loudspeaker in the presence of other match officials and observers. Critics argue that such a scenario could potentially influence how the referee’s performance is assessed, raising questions about impartiality and evaluation processes.

Complaint filed but no evidence of malintent from ex-Serie A referee Orsato

There is, however, an alternative and more benign interpretation. It is suggested that Orsato simply wished to congratulate the referee and his team for their display, asking for the call to be shared so the praise could be delivered collectively. Whether the intent was harmless or inappropriate will likely be determined by any investigation that follows.

This latest development comes at a delicate moment for Italian football, as scrutiny intensifies around refereeing structures in the wake of the high-profile case involving Serie A and B designator Gianluca Rocchi. While the situations are separate, the timing inevitably fuels broader concerns about governance, transparency, and consistency within officiating bodies.

As the FIGC continues to assess multiple issues across different levels of the game, the outcome of this complaint could prove significant in shaping trust and accountability within Italy’s refereeing system.

Comments made by Jose Mourinho during his time at Roma have taken on fresh relevance amid the latest controversy surrounding refereeing in Serie A.

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Following a 1-1 draw with Monza in 2023, Mourinho launched a remarkable attack on referee Daniele Chiffi, describing him as “the worst referee I have encountered in my entire career.” At the time, the outburst was seen as another example of the Portuguese coach’s fiery touchline persona.

However, one particular line now stands out more than ever.

Mourinho suggested Roma lacked the influence of other clubs when it came to referee appointments, claiming some teams had the power to effectively reject certain officials.

“Unfortunately, this too is a sign of Roma’s weakness as a club, because we do not have the strength of other clubs who can say we don’t want this referee.”

He also admitted he restrained himself late in the match because he expected to be sent off for even minor protests.

Mourinho comments take on new relevance amid Rocchi scandal

Those remarks have resurfaced in the wake of an investigation involving former referee designator Gianluca Rocchi. Rocchi is under scrutiny as part of a wider probe into alleged manipulation in the assignment of referees, an issue that strikes at the credibility of the system.

While there is no suggestion Mourinho had knowledge of any wrongdoing, his comments appear to echo concerns now being debated across Italian football. Questions around transparency, influence and consistency in officiating have once again come to the forefront.

At the time, Mourinho insisted his criticism was not about a single decision but about a broader lack of connection and authority from the referee. Now, with Italian football facing renewed scrutiny, those words read less like a post-match rant and more like an early warning sign of deeper structural concerns.

Dino Tommasi used his first appearance as interim referees’ designator to publicly back his predecessor Gianluca Rocchi following the controversy that has shaken Italian officiating.

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Tommasi, recently appointed by the national referees’ committee to oversee Serie A and Serie B appointments, made his debut in the role during a broadcast of Open VAR.

The former official stepped in after Rocchi and his assistant Andrea Gervasoni chose to suspend themselves amid an ongoing investigation by the Milan prosecutor’s office.

Stand-in Designator Tommasi: ‘Message of solidarity to Rocchi & Gervasoni’

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, Tommasi sought to calm tensions and reinforce unity within the refereeing body. He made it clear that the group remains focused on maintaining consistency and professionalism during a crucial phase of the season.

He opened with a direct show of support, via TuttoMercatoWeb, explaining that “I want to send a message of solidarity to Gianluca and Andrea on behalf of the entire refereeing group, a strong message of closeness.”

Tommasi also stressed the importance of stability as the campaign approaches its decisive weeks, adding that “we are calm and we want to finish the season with stability and determination.”

The statement reflects an effort to protect the integrity of Italian refereeing at a delicate moment, while ensuring that on-field operations continue without disruption.

Alessandro Del Piero believes the Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich feels more like a final, given the quality and balance of both sides.

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Speaking ahead of the first leg, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the former Juventus and Italy star highlighted how closely matched the teams are from a tactical perspective, while suggesting PSG may hold a slight advantage due to their adaptability and pace in transition.

He noted that “these are two teams with many similarities in how they play, but for me PSG have something a little extra. Luis Enrique has adapted well, improving their defensive phase and making great use of counter-attacks. I haven’t seen Bayern play with that same level of explosiveness.”

Del Piero: ‘Both teams are so strong, it could be 0-0’

Del Piero also pointed out the contrast in attacking profiles, with Bayern relying on Harry Kane as both a focal point and finisher, while PSG possess greater speed across the frontline.

“Up front there’s Kane, who can both organise and finish moves, while the French side have pure speed everywhere,” he said. “Bayern might make more of set-pieces, but fundamentally these are two teams without real weaknesses. It would have been nice to see them meet in the final.”

Despite the attacking talent on display, Del Piero warned the game could still be shaped by caution and tension.

“I don’t even know what to expect,” he admitted. “They are so strong that the game could open up at any moment, or it could even end 0-0 because of the tension and the way they cancel each other out.”

Kenneth Taylor has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Xavi Simons in the Netherlands squad for the upcoming World Cup.

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Simons, currently at Tottenham Hotspur, is expected to miss the tournament after suffering a serious knee injury, forcing Dutch coach Ronald Koeman to consider alternatives.

Taylor, who joined Lazio in January, is reportedly among the most credible options, as per TuttoMercatoWeb.

The midfielder has adapted well to Serie A and offers versatility between midfield and attacking roles, making him a strong fit to fill the gap left by Simons.

Taylor faces competition from Til, Lang & Summerville for Netherlands spot

Several players are already assured of their place in the squad, including Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo, leaving limited spots available for those on the fringes.

Taylor faces competition from a number of other attacking and midfield options. Names under consideration include Justin Kluivert, Crysencio Summerville, Guus Til, Noa Lang and Georginio Wijnaldum.

A call-up for Taylor would mark a return to the national team after more than a year, with his last appearance coming in March 2025 in a Nations League fixture against Spain.

With Simons’ absence leaving a significant gap, Taylor’s performances in Italy could prove decisive in securing him a place on the plane.

Niclas Fullkrug is expected to leave AC Milan at the end of the season, but the striker could still continue his career in Serie A.

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The Rossoneri have decided not to exercise their €5m option to sign the German permanently from West Ham United, bringing his short spell at San Siro to a close.

However, interest is already emerging from within Italy. Fiorentina are reportedly considering a move, with sporting director Fabio Paratici keen on adding experience to the squad.

Fiorentina keen on Fullkrug after Milan flop

The Viola are expected to reshape their attack in the summer, particularly if both Moise Kean and Roberto Piccoli depart.

In that scenario, Fullkrug could arrive as a reliable, low-cost option to lead the line or support a younger forward.

Paratici is believed to value the 1993-born striker’s leadership and international experience, viewing him as an ideal figure to guide emerging talent within the squad.

Meanwhile, Milan are planning changes of their own in attack, freeing up space to target higher-profile options such as Alexander Sorloth or Goncalo Ramos.

Fullkrug’s next move remains open, but a stay in Italy is now a realistic possibility as Fiorentina explore the conditions of a potential deal.

AC Milan are considering a move for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa as they look to strengthen their midfield ahead of next season.

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The Napoli midfielder is increasingly viewed as a potential departure at the end of the campaign, with the Partenopei expected to listen to suitable offers, as per MilanNews24.

At this stage, there are no formal negotiations between the clubs, but Milan’s interest is understood to be genuine. The Rossoneri are assessing profiles that can add physicality and experience to their midfield, and Anguissa fits that brief.

Milan coach Allegri a big fan of Zambo Anguissa

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri is said to appreciate the Cameroon international’s strength, work rate and tactical awareness, qualities seen as key to improving balance in the middle of the park.

While interest from abroad remains a possibility, a move within Serie A cannot be ruled out, particularly given Milan’s need to reinforce the position with a proven presence.

Much will depend on Napoli’s valuation of the player and whether Milan decide to turn their initial interest into a concrete approach in the coming months.

Nicolas Gonzalez is expected to return to Juventus this summer, with Atletico Madrid unlikely to activate the clause that would make his move permanent.

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The winger joined Atletico on loan until June 2026 in a deal worth €1m, potentially rising with bonuses. The agreement also included an obligation to buy for €32m, payable in instalments, but only if certain conditions were met during the season.

One of those conditions relates to appearances, requiring Gonzalez to feature in at least 60% of matches for a minimum of 45 minutes.

Due to a combination of injuries and rotation, that threshold is now unlikely to be reached, as per TuttoMercatoWeb.

Atletico look for discount to sign Gonzalez permanently from Juventus

Despite this, Atletico remain satisfied with the player’s performances when available.

However, rather than triggering the original clause, the Spanish side are expected to explore the possibility of negotiating a lower fee.

Gonzalez had been one of Juventus’ most expensive acquisitions last summer, with the Bianconeri committing over €28m to secure him before deciding to send him out on loan. His departure made room for further attacking reinforcements, including Edon Zhegrova.

As it stands, the situation remains open, but a return to Turin appears the most likely outcome unless Atletico can reach a new agreement with Juventus in the coming months.