Gianluigi Donnarumma was desperate to see Everton’s second goal ruled out on Monday, even kneeling before referee Michael Oliver, a gesture that earned him his seventh yellow card of the season, the most of any goalkeeper in Europe.
Italy captain Donnarumma received his seventh yellow card of the season on Monday, during Manchester City’s 3-3 draw against Everton.
As reported by Goal.com, Gigio has received more yellow cards than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top ten leagues.
Donnarumma believed he had been fouled in the build-up to Everton’s second goal, which stemmed from a corner kick routine. However, his protests to the referee did not yield the desired outcome.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 04: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City speaks with referee Michael Oliver during the Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on May 04, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
The Italian goalkeeper had previously produced a couple of decisive saves and somehow contributed to Manchester City’s late equaliser by rushing inside the Everton box for a late corner kick which led to Jeremy Doku’s goal.
Donnarumma is in his first season at Manchester City, where he has conceded 40 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions and kept 16 clean sheets.
Donnarumma’s ups and downs in Everton 3-3 Man City
Mbappé’s recent trip to Italy has raised concerns at Real Madrid, as the French superstar is reportedly on bad terms with some members of the Merengues’ dressing room.
According to Marca, Mbappé’s trip to Cagliari, Italy, last week has further worsened his standing with his club and teammates.
Mbappé is recovering from an injury, but Marca has described his trip to Italy as ‘controversial.’
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Bremer of Brazil runs with the ball against Kylian Mbappé of France during the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Although the Frenchman is recovering from an injury and other players in the same situation travelled abroad last week, his short trip to Sardinia has raised further concerns at the Bernabeu, affecting his status inside the dressing room.
The Spanish newspaper reports that Mbappé has distanced himself from the team in recent weeks, and not only because of his injuries.
The Frenchman is reported to be on bad terms with parts of the dressing room, including Vinicius Junior, and his attitude, on and off the pitch, is not appreciated by most of his Real Madrid teammates.
His recent trip to Italy with his girlfriend, Ester Exposito, has increased dissatisfaction within the team and the club.
Kylian Mbappé, İtalya’nın Cagliari şehrinde Ester Exposito ile birlikte zamanının tadını çıkarıyor. pic.twitter.com/Do3nJkPU75
Once again the ridiculously cheap Leapmotor T03 ranks #3 in Italy.
Outstanding month for new car sales in Italy at +11.6% year-on-year in April to 155,210 units, leading to a year-to-date volume up 9.8% to 640,083. Strikingly, private sales are up 19.3% to 78,583 and 50.3% share vs. 47% a year ago (+10.2% to 52.5% share YTD), the sign of a healthier market. Self registrations are up 14.7% to 16,105 and 10.3% share vs. 10% in April 2025 (+18.5% to 9.5% share YTD), Long term leases are down -7.2% to 33,112 and 21.2% share vs. 25.5% (down -4% to 21.1% share YTD), short term rentals soar 22.9% to 20,469 and 13.1% share vs. 11.9% (up 42% to 11.8% share YTD) and company sales edge up 4% to 8,079 and 5.2% share vs. 5.6% (up 1.5% to 5.1% share YTD).
HEV sales are up 24% to 76,808 and 49.1% share vs. 44.2% a year ago, including 25,851 full hybrids (+45.1%) and 50,957 mild hybrids (+15.5%), PHEVs surge 75.3% to 14,184 and 9.1% share vs. 5.7% in April 2025 and BEVs double their sales year-on-year (+98.6%) to 8.5% share vs. 4.8%. This means rechargeable vehicles are up 85.8% to 27,422 and 17.6% share vs. 10.5% a year ago.
In the brands ranking, Fiat (+31%) continues to catch up on poor year-ago results but can only muster a 10.3% share, by far its lowest this year. It holds 12.1% of its home market year-to-date. Toyota (+7.3%) returns to the 2nd spot it holds year-to-date ahead of Volkswagen (+1%). Peugeot (-7.5%) is up three ranks on last month to #4 and despite a YoY loss. Dacia (-2.3%) stabilises its sales at #5 but is still down -22% YTD. Audi (+15.5%) performs very well in the remainder of the Top 10 but drops to #8. Mercedes (+32%) is also strong at #12 while BYD (+171.7%) is up to #14, Leapmotor (+1300.6%) stays at #16 and Omoda+Jaecoo (+310.8%) breaks all its records at #18 with 3,857 sales and 2.5% share.
As for models, the Fiat Panda (-3%) falls further to 5.5% share, its lowest since last November, compared with 7.1% YTD. The Jeep Avenger (-19%) confirms it is now a solid 2nd best-seller despite a harsh YoY fall. Once again the event of the month is the third place of the €4,900 Leapmotor T03 (+1725.9%), “cheaper than a bike” says the advertising campaign, and having accumulated almost 15,000 sales since the start of the year (#4). Below the Dacia Sandero (+5.3%), the MG ZS (+38.7%) rallies back up nine spots on March to land at #5, simply the model’s highest ever monthly ranking in Italy. The Fiat Grande Panda (+3093.1%) falls again month-on-month to #6, could it have peaked already?
Italy legend Fulvio Collovati insists that seeing the Azzurri replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup would be ‘humiliating.’
Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, but there are reports that the Azzurri could still be heading to the tournament to replace Iran, especially after Paolo Zampolli’s recent claims.
BERLIN – JULY 9: General view of the World Cup trophy prior to the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Final match between Italy and France at the Olympic Stadium on July 9, 2006 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“Some people pushed these ideas more on a political level than a sporting one. Honestly, I never even considered them,” Collovati told Scommesse.io.
Collovati: ‘Humiliating’ to see Italy at World Cup
“It would be humiliating from a sporting perspective. In sport, what matters is the field and the result. You can’t get there through shortcuts. Italy have not qualified for the last three World Cups, and that’s no coincidence. It can happen once, even twice, but the third time means there are serious problems. Before those three missed qualifications, we had been knocked out in the first round twice in a row. It’s a crisis that has lasted for 20 years, since 2006. Before thinking about being admitted to the World Cup, we need to think about reforms.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina competes for the ball with Marco Palestra of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
“You can change all the people you want, but without reforms, nothing will change,” continued the 1982 Italy World Cup winner.
“We need to intervene in youth development, invest in young players, and require clubs to include them in the squads and actually play them in Serie A. Otherwise, we’ll keep standing still in the same place.”
Inter star Federico Dimarco admits the 2025-26 Serie A title ‘means so much’ after last season’s disappointments and dedicates the Scudetto to ‘those who said I was finished.’
“It’s an amazing feeling. To see Milan coloured in black and blue is special,” the Italian defender told InterTV via FcInter1908.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 17: Federico Dimarco of Inter talks with Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Cagliari Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 17, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It tastes like a restart after the bad disappointments of last season. We have restarted with the team and staff members. We have worked hard and crowned the dream of the 21st Scudetto.
“We are a united team, and we were united in difficult moments too, when we were being beaten from every direction. We always showed up, and now we enjoy this title. It means so much after what happened last year. I dedicate it to all the people who are close to me, especially those who said I was finished at the end of last season.”
Dimarco was among the Inter stars who headed to Piazza Duomo at late light on Sunday to celebrate with the Inter supporters in the city’s main square.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Inter have won the Scudetto with three games to spare, securing 26 victories in 35 league matches this term.
Last night, they needed just one point to put their hands on the Scudetto, but still secured a 2-0 victory with goals courtesy of Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Italy international Riccardo Calafiori returned to action after nearly a month for Arsenal on Saturday, prompting reactions from some of his teammates, including Declan Rice, on Instagram.
Calafiori played the full 90 minutes in Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday, making his first appearance since April 7 when he had played the full match in a 1-0 away victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League.
Since then, the ex-Roma and Bologna defender had not featured for the Gunners until yesterday due to an unspecified injury.
Calafiori’s celebrated Arsenal’s latest victory on social media, sharing a series of photos on Instagram, accompanied by a caption in both English and Spanish.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 17: Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Declan Rice during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on August 17, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
“No pares, sigues, sigues,” wrote the Italian defender. A Spanish message that means “Don’t stop, continue, continue.”
Calafiori’s social media post after Arsenal win and return from injury
Calafiori’s post received nearly 2,000 comments in less than 24 hours, including those of his teammates Leandro Trossard, Rice and Jurrien Timber as well as Calafiori’s agents at World Soccer Agency.
Rice used what appears to be a Calafiori nickname: “Calafiorio,” while Trossard used a heart face emonji to celebrate the Italian’s return to action.
This evening’s 1-0 victory over Alverca was enough to open up the nine-point gap at the top of the table, after Benfica were held to a 2-2 draw by Famalicao.
With only two rounds to go, it means they are impossible to catch and FC Porto can celebrate the title four years after their most recent success.
Benfica had won, followed by back-to-back Sporting successes, but this is FC Porto’s 31st victory.
First trophy for Farioli
Official: Farioli appointed head coach of FC Porto.
Farioli is an Italian coach who started out as a goalkeeping trainer and assistant manager, working closely with Roberto De Zerbi for Benevento and Sassuolo.
He branched out on his own in Turkish football with Fatih Karagumruk in 2021 and Alanyaspor, then had spells with OGC Nice and Ajax.
FC Porto hired him in July 2025 and he oversaw 38 victories, eight draws and five defeats in all competition this season, also reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.
This is the first trophy of Farioli’s coaching career and he celebrated his 37th birthday last month.
Italy international and Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma jokingly announced he got married as if it was a transfer. ‘Long-term contract signed.’
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 08: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on February 08, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
He published photographs of them together in their wedding outfits surrounded by flowers, complete with the comment: ‘Long-term contract signed.’
The shot-stopper and his partner Alessia Elefante had been childhood sweethearts when going to school together in Castellammare di Stabia.
They have officially been together since 2016, when he was already playing for Milan and she moved to the city to join him, working as an interior designer.
Although this relationship has been solid for many years, and they were engaged since 2024 in Paris when he was playing for Paris Saint-Germain, they only tied the knot this week.
The couple also welcomed son Leo to the world in September 2024.
Riccardo Calafiori has returned to the starting XI for Arsenal against Fulham, marking his comeback after a recent injury absence as Mikel Arteta rotates his side.
The Italy international had been expected to feature against Newcastle but was ultimately left out of the matchday squad, despite nearing full fitness. Arteta was forced into selection decisions due to squad limitations, with Calafiori among those to miss out.
“Because these guys have been exceptional, I understand that,” Arteta explained. “We had to leave two players out of the squad at the end… there were Christian and Richi [Calafiori], so that’s going to happen.”
He added: “If the Premier League allows us to have 20 or 22 players, we can have everybody involved and hopefully next season that will be the case.”
UDINE, ITALY – OCTOBER 14: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Israel at Stadio Friuli on October 14, 2025 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Calafiori return a welcome boost for Arsenal
Calafiori’s return now offers a timely boost, particularly with Arsenal balancing domestic commitments and their upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. Arteta has made several changes from the side that started in Madrid, but the inclusion of the former Roma defender is the standout.
Prior to the match, speaking to Sky Sport, Arteta revealed the importance of
Arsenal continue to chase the Premier League title, though their focus is inevitably split given the importance of their European campaign. Calafiori’s presence at left-back adds defensive stability and tactical flexibility, especially alongside a settled back line featuring William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.
His return will be closely monitored, but it represents a positive step as Arsenal head into a decisive period of the season.
Claudio Ranieri looks back a decade on from the iconic Leicester City Premier League victory, as the Foxes drop into the third tier. ‘I tweaked things, and from there a legend was born.’
WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 26: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Leicester City FC at Molineux on April 26, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
It is a decade on since Ranieri made football history by winning the Premier League title with minnows Leicester City, leaving behind clubs with far bigger budgets and glorious trophy cabinets.
As a sign of quite what a sporting miracle that was, Leicester City will play in League One next season, the English equivalent of Serie C, after back-to-back relegations.
To commemorate the anniversary, Ranieri sat down with singer-songwriter Sayf, who made headlines when saying his unexpected hit made him feel like Leicester City.
Ranieri remembers Leicester City success
ROME, ITALY – MAY 04: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on May 04, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“There was an incredible positive energy behind the team at that time, but I was only convinced that I would win the Premier League when I actually won the Premier League,” Ranieri told Sky Sport Italia.
“This was considered a yo-yo team, they’d go up and down the divisions, and have just now dropped into the English third tier. When the President hired me, he asked to get 40 points and secure safety from relegation as early as possible. From there, a legend was born.
“I arrived, the team was in a training retreat because they’d sacked the coach, I had two days to prepare watching games from previous seasons. I changed a few things, as they were accustomed to a different system, saw some players who I felt it was right to change, and then the team really started to push.”
When asked if there was a moment or game when he saw the situation change, Ranieri insisted there wasn’t a specific turning point in that remarkable season.
“I started tweaking things because we conceded too many goals. I changed the two wide defenders, and from there the team conceded fewer goals.
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter Final match between AC Milan and AS Roma at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 05, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Another potential moment was a series of three games against Manchester City away, Liverpool at home, and Arsenal away, before the break for international duty.
“Jamie Vardy said to me: ‘Mister, shall we get nine points?’ I replied that if they picked up nine points, I’d give them the whole week off for a vacation. We won 3-1 in Manchester, we beat Liverpool, were 1-0 up over Arsenal until going down to 10 men and losing at the 93rd minute.
“Everyone was so sad in the dressing room, so I told them: ‘I always asked you for the maximum in every game. We lost today, but you gave your best, so in my mind you earned three points. So you can have the whole week off.’ That might’ve been another building block in the victory.”
Ranieri also famously did the ‘dilly-ding dilly-dong’ gesture in training, his version of ringing a bell as a wake-up call to his Leicester City players.
“In all my experiences, I tried to keep everyone involved with a smile,” said the coach.
Leonardo Hotels Strengthens Italy Expansion with Appointment of Luca De Giorgi as New Regional DirectorLeonardo Hotels Strengthens Italy Expansion with...
Login
