The race for supremacy in the Saudi Pro League has become one of the most compelling storylines of the season, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Ivan Toney emerging as the central figures in a fierce Golden Boot battle. As Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli continue their push for the league title, the two prolific strikers have also been locked in a tight race to finish the campaign as the competition’s top scorer.

Yet the drama surrounding this rivalry has recently extended beyond the pitch. A controversial moment following one of the league’s most heated derbies suddenly placed Toney under scrutiny, raising questions about whether disciplinary action might affect the remainder of the season. With crucial matches approaching, the situation has drawn widespread attention, not least from Ronaldo, whose pursuit of another scoring crown could be directly influenced by the outcome.

The controversy stems from the latest edition of the Jeddah Derby, where Al-Ahli faced Al-Ittihad at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium. The match delivered both excitement and tension. Al-Ahli ultimately secured a convincing 3-1 victory, temporarily lifting the club to the top of the league standings and strengthening its title ambitions. Toney played a decisive role in the win. The English striker opened the scoring early in the match, finishing from close range. What’s more, the result not only secured derby bragging rights but also had major implications for the Golden Boot race.

Toney’s opening goal proved particularly significant on an individual level. The strike took his tally to 24 league goals this season, reinforcing his position at the top of the Golden Boot standings. By comparison, Cristiano Ronaldo currently sits on 21 goals, leaving the Portuguese legend two behind his rival with nine matches remaining in the campaign.

With both players leading their teams’ attacking lines, the battle between Ronaldo and Toney has become one of the defining narratives of the Saudi Pro League season. But the celebration that followed Toney’s goal soon overshadowed the performance itself.

The complaint that triggered an investigation

Following the derby, Al-Ittihad lodged an official complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). The club accused the English striker of performing inappropriate gestures toward Al-Ittihad supporters during his goal celebration and requested disciplinary action from the league’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee.

The complaint reportedly cited Article 1/72 of the competition’s regulations, which addresses misconduct during matches. If the allegations are upheld, Toney could face a suspension of at least six matches, a punishment that would have dramatically altered the title race and the Golden Boot contest.

For Ronaldo, such a scenario could have opened the door to reclaim the scoring lead during the final weeks of the season. However, the disciplinary process would ultimately produce a different outcome.

The Disciplinary Committee’s final decision

After reviewing the case, the Saudi federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee delivered its official ruling. The committee rejected the complaint filed by Al-Ittihad against Ivan Toney. According to the official statement, the complaint was accepted procedurally but dismissed after examining the evidence and reports related to the incident.

“The committee clarified that it has completed the regulatory procedures related to the complaint… On the other hand, the committee decided to reject the complaint on substantive grounds after reviewing the facts and reports related to the incident.” The ruling means that Toney will not face disciplinary punishment for his celebration.

One key factor in the decision appears to have been the referee’s official match report. According to reports from Al-Riyadiyah, the referee’s documentation did not mention any inappropriate behavior by Toney during the match. “Ivan Toney will not be punished by the Disciplinary Committee because the match referee’s report did not include any note about him.”

Few players command the spotlight on UEFA Champions League nights quite like Thibaut Courtois, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper delivered a moment this season that stunned even seasoned observers of European soccer. In a campaign filled with elite attacking talent — including stars like Kylian Mbappe, Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, and Erling Haaland — Courtois has quietly achieved something none of them have managed so far.

The Belgian goalkeeper has remarkably moved ahead of several of the competition’s most prolific forwards in one key statistical category, creating one of the most unusual storylines of the 2025-26 Champions League season. It is rare enough for a goalkeeper to influence a match beyond shot-stopping, but what Courtois accomplished has placed him firmly in the history books. And the milestone itself is even more extraordinary once the details are revealed.

The historic moment arrived during the Round of 16 first-leg clash between Real Madrid and Manchester City. The Spanish club entered the match determined to seize control of the tie, and the breakthrough came from an unlikely source.

In the 20th minute, the Belgian shot-stopper launched a long, pinpoint pass from his own penalty area toward the right flank. The ball traveled the length of the field before finding Federico Valverde, who controlled it with precision.

Valverde quickly accelerated past the Citizens’ defense, rounded the goalkeeper, and calmly slotted the ball into the net to give Real Madrid a 1-0 lead. The goal would become the first of three first-half strikes for the Spanish giant, setting the tone for a dominant performance. Yet beyond the immediate impact on the match, the assist carried historic significance.

The record-breaking milestone explained

The pass to Valverde marked Courtois’s second assist of the 2025-26 Champions League season, a feat that had never been achieved by a goalkeeper before. With that moment, Courtois became the first goalkeeper in Champions League history to record multiple assists in a single season.

The achievement is extraordinary considering the traditional role of goalkeepers in soccer. Their responsibilities focus almost entirely on defensive duties, meaning opportunities to contribute to attacking statistics such as assists are extremely rare.

Courtois’s earlier assist came in a group-stage match against Kairat Almaty, when a long clearance from his own area reached Kylian Mbappe, who converted the chance during a 5-0 victory for Real Madrid. Together, those two contributions created a unique statistical milestone in the competition.

Outperforming Europe’s elite strikers

Perhaps the most surprising element of Courtois’s milestone is how it compares to some of the Champions League’s most feared attacking players. Despite their reputation as elite goal scorers, several of the tournament’s biggest stars currently trail the Real Madrid goalkeeper in the assist column.

While these players dominate headlines for their goals, Courtois has quietly surpassed them in terms of playmaking contributions this season. The statistic underlines just how unusual his achievement truly is.

Zlatan Ibrahimović stands as one of the biggest names ever to grace Major League Soccer, leaving a lasting legacy in the league before Lionel Messi‘s arrival redefined it entirely. Now that the Inter Miami star has reached the same 56-game milestone as the LA Galaxy icon, the numbers tell a clear story about who has been the more prolific presence in front of goal.

When Ibrahimović departed Manchester United to join LA Galaxy on a free transfer in March 2018, it sent shockwaves through the soccer world. Although he never won a trophy with the Galaxy, the Swedish legend wrote his own chapter in the club’s history, finishing as their fifth all-time leading scorer with 53 goals in 58 games and posting a remarkable ratio of 0.91 goals per game, the best of any player in franchise history.

Yet when stacked against what Messi has produced in the same number of appearances, Ibrahimović falls just short. In 56 MLS games, Messi has scored 53 goals, compared to the 52 Ibrahimović managed for the Galaxy across the same number of matches, meaning the Argentine edges his predecessor by a single goal.

Fittingly, Messi‘s 56th MLS appearance came last weekend against D.C. United, where he scored the second goal in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win in Baltimore, surpassing Ibrahimović’s mark on the very last opportunity available to him at that stage.

The gap is even more pronounced when assists are factored in. Messi has contributed 28 assists for Inter Miami, taking his total goal contributions to 81 in 56 games. Ibrahimović, by comparison, registered 14 assists with the Galaxy, for a combined total of 66 goal contributions across his 56 MLS appearances.

What about trophies and accolades?

Despite Messi joining Inter Miami midway through the 2023 season, the first full MLS campaign for both legends ended with a similar outcome, as neither made the playoffs. In 2018, LA Galaxy finished seventh in the Western Conference with 48 points, while Inter Miami sat 14th in the overall standings in 2023, rock bottom before Messi’s arrival transformed the franchise.

The similarities ended there. In his second season, Messi elevated Inter Miami to the summit of the league, delivering the 2024 Supporters’ Shield before capping it with the MLS Cup triumph in 2025. Ibrahimović’s second and final MLS season in 2019 ended in disappointment, with the Galaxy finishing fifth in the regular season before being eliminated in the playoff quarterfinals by city rivals LAFC.

On the individual front, the gap is equally telling. Messi became the first player in league history to claim the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award in back-to-back seasons, winning it in both 2024 and 2025, and also took home the Golden Boot in his most recent campaign. Ibrahimović, for all his brilliance, never won the MVP, and even his finest statistical season in 2019, when he scored 30 goals in 29 regular-season games, was not enough to claim the Golden Boot, as Carlos Vela’s extraordinary haul of 34 goals eclipsed him.

Match Overview

An early-season Western Conference showdown is on deck in Major League Soccer as the red-hot Vancouver Whitecaps travel to meet the Seattle Sounders. Vancouver arrive with the momentum, opening the campaign with three straight victories while dominating opponents by an impressive 8–1 margin.

Seattle, meanwhile, have also begun the year in solid fashion, picking up six points from their first three league outings as they look to continue climbing the conference table. With both Western Conference contenders showing strong early form and plenty of attacking quality, this rivalry matchup promises an intense battle.

On Wednesday, Real Madrid secured a decisive win against Manchester City thanks to a hat trick from Federico Valverde, putting them in a strong position ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. Vinicius also made his contribution to the result, matching a record held by Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Brazilian winger started the play for Valverde’s second goal, dribbling from the left wing toward the center and delivering a pass to his teammate, who then scored with a precise left-footed shot.

With that goal contribution, Vinicius became the player with the most assists for Real Madrid in Champions League history, matching Cristiano Ronaldo. The two stars now share the top spot in the ranking with 31 assists in the European competition while playing for Los Blancos.

The advantage Vinicius holds in this comparison is his efficiency. He has played significantly fewer Champions League matches for Real Madrid than Ronaldo did during his years at the club. The Brazilian player has recorded 31 assists in 79 matches, an average of 0.39 per game, while CR7 needed 101 matches to reach the same total, an average of 0.30.

Where does Vinicius rank in the all-time Champions League assist table?

Vinicius’ numbers have not only allowed him to match Cristiano Ronaldo in Real Madrid’s historical statistics—and likely surpass him in the near future—but they have also placed him among the elite in the competition’s rankings.

At the moment, Vini sits fifth on the Champions League’s all-time assist list. His 31 assists leave him just behind Neymar, who recorded 33. The top three spots belong to Lionel Messi (40), Angel Di Maria (41), and Cristiano Ronaldo, who leads the ranking with 42 assists.

Other Vinicius numbers in the Champions League

At just 25 years old, Vinicius has already earned a central role in world soccer, and the Champions League is where he seems to produce some of his best performances. In addition to being one of the five players with the most assists in the tournament’s history, he is also climbing other rankings.

The Brazilian winger ranks 30th among the top scorers in Champions League history with 32 goals, tied with David Trezeguet and Arjen Robben. He is also the 14th active player with the most goals in the competition. And despite his young age, he already has two Champions League titles, with strong prospects of adding more in the years ahead of his professional career.

Throughout the 2025-26 season, AC Milan have managed to remain one of the best teams in Serie A. Relying on a solid defensive strategy, they have managed to recover from multiple injuries and inconsistencies, becoming the team with the fewest goals conceded in Europe’s top five leagues, as per One Football. However, they are reportedly looking to reinforce Christian Pulisic with a Bundesliga defensive star.

According to Alessandra Gozzini in La Gazzetta dello Sport, AC Milan have decided to expand their list of defensive targets and are now eyeing Kim Min-Jae from Bayern Munich. Although the Korean once excelled in Serie A, he has not met expectations in the Bundesliga. Moreover, he has become a regular substitute, overtaken by Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano, making him available for €30 million.

While Kim may not be at his peak in the Bundesliga, the Rossoneri could make a great decision by pursuing his signing. Not only is he a very physical defender, but he also shined at SSC Napoli, even being considered one of the best in the world. Because of this, the Korean would not have a difficult adaptation to the Serie A, facilitating his arrival. In addition, he would bring extensive experience, becoming a differential player for Massimiliano Allegri.

AC Milan not only keep Kim Min-Jae among their priority options, but they are also monitoring a Serie A star. Mario Gila from SS Lazio remains one of coach Massimiliano Allegri’s priorities due to his youth, potential, and strong current form, as per Alessandra Gozzini in La Gazzetta dello Sport. Nevertheless, the Spaniard has attracted interest from Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, which could complicate his arrival, giving the Korean more momentum.

Report: Pulisic’s AC Milan may keep reinforcing the roster

Massimiliano Allegri could face a very challenging 2026–27 season, as Luka Modrić is nearing the end of his contract and some players might be transferred to chase reinforcements. Additionally, the Rossoneri continue to struggle offensively, with Christian Pulisic yet to regain his best form and the strikers failing to make an impact. As a result, they are reportedly looking not only to strengthen the defense but also to bring in more players.

Given the uncertainty surrounding Modric, AC Milan could pursue a world-class reinforcement in midfield, with Bernardo Silva and Leon Goretzka being the favorites according to Italian media. In addition, Santiago Gimenez’s future seems to be in the Premier League. In light of this, Alessandra Gozzini reveals in La Gazzetta dello Sport that Serhou Guirassy and Moise Kean are emerging as the priorities in attack due to their speed and strength.

Alongside this, coach Allegri would look to recover the best version of Pulisic, who has gone without scoring in 2026, halting his upward progression. In addition, Christopher Nkunku could remain in the squad due to his versatility. Because of this, the arrival of Guirassy or Kean would only aim to complement the attack, with the goal of being competitive in the Champions League, as they appear to be securing their spot for the 2026–27 season.

Santiago Gimenez has been a significant absentee for AC Milan for much of the 2025-26 season, a prolonged absence that has cast doubt over his future at the club. With reports now surfacing of Premier League interest and a price tag attached to the Mexican striker, Gimenez is finally approaching a return to action for the Rossoneri.

When Massimiliano Allegri was appointed head coach ahead of the season, it was clear that Gimenez did not fit the profile of striker the Italian typically favors, and he was set to battle for his place alongside Christopher Nkunku. Sidelined since October, Milan moved to address the void by signing Niclas Füllkrug as their first-choice center forward to suit Allegri’s system, leaving Gimenez’s standing at the club in significant doubt after an absence of nearly five months.

Against that uncertain backdrop, journalist Marco Varini has reported that Gimenez has attracted interest from Premier League sides Sunderland AFC and Leeds United. The Black Cats made contact with the Mexican’s camp in recent months but have yet to table a formal offer, with their interest now resurfacing as the summer transfer window draws closer.

Varini also reports that Milan have set a price tag of 30 million euros for any club looking to sign Gimenez in the upcoming window. The Rossoneri paid 30.2 million euros to Feyenoord for the striker in early 2025, and are determined to recoup at least that figure if he departs, with no willingness to accept anything less.

The final call will rest largely with Gimenez himself, who is contracted to AC Milan through June 2029, with any move also dependent on the club’s plans for next season. Sunderland have had a solid Premier League campaign and currently sit 11th with 40 points, while Leeds United find themselves in murkier waters, placed 15th with 31 points and just three clear of the relegation zone. Should Leeds go down, the pursuit for Gimenez would effectively become a one-horse race.

Santiago Gimenez nearing his return to AC Milan

Milan’s attempts to manage Gimenez’s right ankle injury proved complicated, with an initial conservative treatment failing to resolve the issue before the club opted for surgery on December 19. His last appearance came on October 28 in a 1-1 draw against Atalanta, and since then he has been absent for 21 matches across all competitions.

Though still some way from peak form, Gimenez is expected to be available for Milan’s upcoming Serie A fixture against Lazio on Sunday. Whether Allegri includes him in the squad will depend on how the striker responds in training over the coming days.

In what has been a frustrating and disrupted campaign, Gimenez has managed just 11 appearances for Milan, contributing one goal and two assists while spending far more time on the treatment table than on the pitch. With the season entering its final stretch, however, the striker now has ten remaining Serie A games to rediscover his best form and make his case, with the 2026 World Cup looming large on the horizon.

Fiorentina have a narrow lead in the Conference League with Rakow after Albert Gudmundsson converted a stoppage-time penalty, as Cher Ndour’s volley replied to Jonatan Braut Brunes.

The Viola scraped through to the Round of 16 after an extraordinary play-off with Jagiellonia, where they won the first leg 3-0 away, lost the second by the same result at home, just managing to get through in extra time, 5-4 on aggregate. That was the start of a slide in form, consisting of one draw in three competitive games, with Moise Kean, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey injured, plus Marin Pongracic suspended. Rakow won the Polish title in 2023 and finished second in the league phase.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Oliver Christensen made his Europa League debut for this season and immediately made a save at the near post when Fabiano Parisi anticipated Tomasz Pienko, risking an own goal.

Robin Gosens almost scored a stunning strike with his aerial back-heel flick on Jacopo Fazzini’s free kick, forcing Oliwier Zych to fingertip it out from under the crossbar.

A Gosens header was also straight at the goalkeeper and Pietro Comuzzo hit the bar only after the corner had already gone out of play.

Fazzini had a huge opportunity when he volleyed over from eight yards at the back post after good work to stand up the cross from Parisi. His scuffed finish also tested Zych on the stroke of half-time.

Jonatan Braut Brunes fired over straight after the restart and Cher Ndour nodded wide, but it was only a warning.

Rakow took the lead when they caught the Viola defenders napping on a bouncing ball, so Brunes got down the left and beat Christensen at the near post from close range.

From kick off to goal in 20 seconds

Fiorentina with an INSTANT response after going 1-0 down against Rakow

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/uxDSTjarjP

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

It lasted only two minutes until Fiorentina equalised, Rolando Mandragora knocking on a ball for Ndour’s half-volley off the outside of the right boot from the edge of the area, giving it a strange swerve into the top corner.

Roberto Piccoli robbed Bogdan Racovitan in midfield to surge forward by himself, shrugging off defenders only to blast onto the crossbar.

Fiorentina youth team top scorer Riccardo Braschi came on for his senior debut in the final minutes.

Just as it seemed to be over, there was a dramatic twist, as Michael Ameyaw stuck up a hand to charge down the Dodo cross and he was leaning backwards, so the contact was inside the penalty area. Gudmundsson stepped up and kept his cool to insouciantly roll into the near bottom corner, sending Zych the wrong way to give Fiorentina a stoppage-time advantage.

Fiorentina 2-1 Rakow

Brunes 60 (R), Ndour 62 (F), Gudmundsson pen 93 (F)

12-03-2026 20:00

1/8 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Raków Częstochowa

Live

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

32'

Karol Struski

2nd half

Luca Ranieri		48'
		60'		Jonatan Braut Brunes (Assist: Patryk Makuch)
Cher Ndour (Assist: Rolando Mandragora)		62'
		80'		Fran Tudor
Fabiano Parisi		85'
Albert Gudmundsson		90+3'

Fiorentina

Raków Częstochowa

Starting lineups

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

59'

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

68'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

59'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

82'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

82'

48

Oliwier Zych

Goalkeeper

25

Bogdan Racovițan

Defender

7

Fran Tudor

Defender

4

Stratos Svarnas

Defender

23

Karol Struski

Midfielder

70'

6

Oskar Repka

Midfielder

10

Ivi López

Attacker

60'

18

Jonatan Braut Brunes

Attacker

80'

19

Michael Ameyaw

Attacker

9

Patryk Makuch

Attacker

8

Tomasz Pienko

Attacker

60'

Substitutes

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

67

Edoardo Sadotti

Defender

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

59'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

59'

2

Dodô

Defender

68'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

82'

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

82'

11

Adriano

Attacker

1

Kacper Trelowski

Goalkeeper

2

Ariel Mosor

Defender

44

Bogdan Mirčetić

Midfielder

35

Mitja Ilenic

31

Dominik Czeremski

21

Jerzy Napieraj

24

Zoran Arsenic

Defender

60'

80

Lamine Diaby-Fadiga

Attacker

60'

5

Marko Bulat

Midfielder

70'

17

Leonardo Rocha

80'

Gian Piero Gasperini lashed out at reporters in his press conference after Roma’s 1-1 Europa League draw with Bologna, urging them to ‘leave Lorenzo Pellegrini alone.’

The midfielder came off the bench during today’s Round of 16 tie at the Stadio Dall’Ara and scored the potentially decisive equaliser, cancelling out a Federico Bernardeschi opener.

It came just a few days after a disappointing performance against Genoa, so when Gasperini was pressed on the former captain’s situation, he showed irritation.

Gasperini stands up for Pellegrini

“Poor lad, leave him alone,” replied the coach.

“Some games he plays well, others less so, the same as everyone. It’s not that because he scored today that changes how we evaluate him.

“One must always be objective.”

Pellegrini is only under contract to June 30, and it seems unlikely that Roma will be able to agree a new deal with the midfielder, who spent almost his entire career at the Stadio Olimpico.

Gasperini was also questioned on the injury situations for Manu Koné and Matias Soulé, as they were not even on the bench today.

“Realistically, I think Soulé won’t be back until after the break for international duty, but even then it’s difficult to make predictions.

“As for Koné, this is the first time he has missed a European match with us. He was struggling to fully recover after the game with Genoa, and we preferred not to take risks, seeing as we’ve got Como coming up and then the second leg with Bologna.”

Roberto Mancini has been forced to temporarily stand down as Al-Sadd head coach after being unable to return to Qatar due to the ongoing regional conflict that has resulted in a flight ban over the country.

The former Italy and Manchester City manager had been given permission to leave Qatar last week for a family medical matter, with his departure pre-arranged in coordination with the club’s management ahead of their AFC Champions League Elite first leg.

However, the deteriorating situation in the Gulf region has since grounded flights into the country, leaving Mancini stranded and unable to fulfil his coaching duties.

Al-Sadd confirm temporary Mancini change due to airspace restrictions

Al-Sadd confirmed the news in an official statement on social media, announcing that assistant coach Sergio Alegre will take charge of the team for tomorrow’s match against Umm Salal.

The club added that they are working to facilitate Mancini’s return at the earliest available opportunity.

The Italian has been in charge of Al-Sadd since November, having previously managed the Saudi Arabia national team following his controversial departure from the Italy job in 2023. The situation remains fluid and entirely dependent on developments in the wider regional conflict.

Vincenzo Italiano was in upbeat mood after Bologna held Roma to a 1-1 draw in the Europa League round of 16 first leg at the Renato Dall’Ara, insisting the tie remains very much alive and praising his side’s attitude throughout a performance that reminded him of their best football earlier in the season.

Federico Bernardeschi was the standout figure for the hosts, opening the scoring with a fine goal and causing Roma problems throughout. “He played a great match, you could see it from the very first minute when he made that burst down the right,” Italiano said, via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He scored a beautiful goal and could have hurt them on other occasions too, but Svilar pulled off a miracle save.”

Bologna 1-1 Roma – Italiano: ‘We had more chances than them’

Lorenzo Pellegrini’s equaliser threatened to knock the wind from Bologna’s sails, but Italiano insisted his side remained composed and continued to create.

A Vitik effort that struck the crossbar was the closest they came to a second, and the Italian felt his team deserved more from the evening.

“We had more chances than them but were unlucky,” he said. “I was pleased with the attitude and application, I congratulated the players afterwards.”

On the tie’s prospects, Italiano was honest about the challenge awaiting at the Olimpico, though he refused to concede any ground. “I would say 51% Roma and 49% us, only because of the atmosphere they will have at home,” he said. “We wanted a more open result and a win would have given us a slight edge, but a draw is fine. We will go there and give everything.”

Italiano also took aim at the referee’s handling of N’Dicka, claiming the Roma defender consistently held and shirt-pulled Santiago Castro without punishment. “Had he been booked, Castro could have found more solutions for us,” he said pointedly.

His admiration for opposite number Gasperini, however, was genuine. “I respect him enormously for the identity he gives his teams,” he said. “It will be a pleasure to face him again.”

Gian Piero Gasperini insisted a 1-1 draw was a fair reflection of the contest after Roma were held by Bologna in the Europa League round of 16 first leg at the Renato Dall’Ara, leaving the tie perfectly poised ahead of next week’s return at the Olimpico.

It was a physical, demanding evening for the visitors, with Bologna’s intensity and the atmospheric backdrop of a packed Dall’Ara making life uncomfortable for a youthful Roma side.

Gasperini acknowledged as much after the final whistle, though he was broadly satisfied with what his team produced in difficult circumstances.

“It was a match where they put a lot into the physical side, a bit like at Genoa,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“We adapted well, created dangerous situations in the first half, though we were slightly under them at times and the stadium played its part too.”

Federico Bernardeschi’s role caused Roma some problems, though Gasperini was reluctant to single it out as the defining factor.

“Bernardeschi always plays in that zone, he did excellent things and Bologna have strong players,” he said. “The result is probably fair because we also had plenty of dangerous chances.”

Roma coach Gasperini looks forward to second leg against Bologna

On Roma’s equaliser, Gasperini dismissed any suggestion of elaborate planning.

“It was not a set piece we had specifically worked on,” he said, before offering a broader observation about the nature of modern football.

“Second balls have become decisive, the pressing forces you to play long, and you end up playing this rugby-football. I think it is partly a seasonal thing, as temperatures change and games open up, you tend to see more technical football.”

With the second leg to come at the Olimpico, Gasperini is confident the dynamic will shift in Roma’s favour.

“At our stadium it will be decisive, and both teams can play a different game,” he said.

“The home crowd will not allow this kind of approach, we will need to build something more on the technical side.”

He was also quick to defend his players’ attitude, pushing back on any criticism. “The courage and desire were not lacking, we created four or five chances. There was a quality opponent in front of us and Roma’s performance was absolutely not negative.”

Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Murillo from Nottingham Forest.

The 23-year-old has been exceptional for the Premier League club, and he is on the radar of top teams. According to a report from INews, the defender is not pushing for a move away from the English club, but his stance could change if a top club like Liverpool or Chelsea comes calling.

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The defender could have his head turned by the interest from top teams, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool or Chelsea follow up on their interest with an official offer to sign him. Both clubs need a quality central defender, and the Brazilian would be ideal. He has established himself as a reliable performer in the Premier League, and he could improve both teams.

At Liverpool, he could be the ideal long-term replacement for Ibrahima Konate, who will be a free agent soon. As for Chelsea, he could replace players like Benoit Badiashile or Axel Disasi.

Nottingham Forest is unlikely to sanction his departure easily, and they could demand a premium. That said, Liverpool and Chelsea have the financial muscle to be top-dollar for the player. They have shown that they are willing to invest big money in players with high potential.

Meanwhile, joining a big club would be ideal for Murillo as well. He deserves to compete at a higher level and fight for trophies. Liverpool and Chelsea will be able to provide him with the platform. He needs. Joining a bigger club could also improve his chances of playing regularly for the Brazilian national team.

It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually. Murillo is also a target for Manchester United.

The post Liverpool and Chelsea receive major boost in their pursuit of 23-year-old Brazilian star appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are interested in signing the Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old has been exceptional for the German club since joining them, and he’s currently one of the best left-backs in the game. According to Sports Boom, Manchester United want to secure his signature, and they would have to pay around £70 million in order to get the deal done.

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Davies has proven himself to be a reliable defender, and he is equally effective going forward. He has 14 goals and 37 assists during his time at the German club. He could add a new dimension to the Manchester United attack. It will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done.

Convincing the Canadian International to join the club will not be easy. He is playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world, and he’s consistently fighting for League titles. Manchester United must convince him they can help him fulfil his ambitions.

They have the resources to get the deal across the line, and it remains to be seen whether they can secure an agreement with the player.

The opportunity to move to England could be an exciting one for him at this stage of his career. He has proven himself in Germany and might be open to a new challenge now. He is at the peak of his career, and he could make an immediate impact in English football.

There is no doubt that he would be a major upgrade on players like Patrick Dorgu and Luke Shaw. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United can wrap up the move quickly.

The post Man United plot £70m move for lightning-quick star with 14 goals & 37 assists appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing Marco Palestra from Atalanta. 

The 20-year-old full-back has done well for the Italian outfit Cagliari during his loan spell, and he has attracted the attention of the two Premier League clubs. According to Sports Boom, he could cost around €50 million, and it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal or Tottenham come forward with an offer to sign him.

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Palestra has proved himself to be a reliable defender, and he can be quite effective going forward. He could add a new dimension to the Arsenal or Tottenham defence.

Ben White has been linked with a move away from Arsenal, and they need to replace him properly. The 20-year-old could be the ideal acquisition for them. The asking price is quite steep, and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal can negotiate a more reasonable deal to sign the player.

On the other hand, Pedro Porro has been linked with a move away from Tottenham. They will need to replace the Spaniard properly if he decides to move on. Signing Palestra could prove to be a wise decision. The 20-year-old certainly has the technical attributes for English football, and he could be an important player for Arsenal or Tottenham in the long term.

The defender is quite young, and he has plenty of room for development. Arsenal or Tottenham could nurture him into a future star. The opportunity to move to England will be tempting for the young defender, and he will hope to sort out his future quickly so that he can focus on his football once again.

Other clubs are monitoring the young defender as well, and the London clubs should look to move quickly if they want to win the race for his signature.

The post Report: Arsenal & Tottenham line up move for €50m-rated Serie A wide player appeared first on CaughtOffside.

An unexpected twist has emerged in the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot race, as Cristiano Ronaldo battles a hamstring injury while two rivals surge forward in the scoring charts. The Portuguese legend, who continues to lead the line for Al-Nassr, now faces mounting pressure in a race that also features prolific strikers Julian Quinones and Ivan Toney.

Ronaldo’s injury has temporarily sidelined him at a crucial point in the season, just as the competition for the league’s top scorer award intensifies. While the Portuguese star works on his recovery in Spain, both Quinones and Toney continue to make headlines with their goals, transforming the scoring race into one of the most intriguing battles of the campaign.

For the Portuguese veteran, who has spent the last several years rewriting scoring records, the timing of the setback could not have come at a more delicate moment. The injury occurred on February 28, when Ronaldo suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh during Al-Nassr’s 3-1 victory over Al-Fayha.

Since then, the Portuguese captain has been undergoing rehabilitation in Madrid, working closely with a personal physiotherapist to accelerate his recovery. Although early assessments suggested the injury might be minor, Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al-Nassr, later revealed that the problem was more serious than initially expected. Speaking about the situation, the Portuguese manager explained that Ronaldo required specialized treatment.

“After undergoing tests, it became clear that the injury was more serious than anticipated, requiring rest and recovery,” Jesus said. “The injury requires treatment in Madrid with the professional who works with Cristiano. We hope he returns quickly to help the team.” Medical estimates suggest Ronaldo could need between two and four weeks to recover fully, meaning he may miss several matches before returning to action.

Injury complicates Ronaldo’s historic Golden Boot ambition

The injury has significant implications beyond Al-Nassr’s immediate fixtures. Ronaldo had entered the season chasing a historic achievement: becoming the first European player to win the Saudi Pro League Golden Boot in three consecutive seasons.

The Portuguese forward already secured the award in 2024 with 31 goals and again in 2025 with 30 goals, cementing his dominance in the league despite being in the later stages of his career. However, the current campaign has proven far more competitive.

Ivan Toney, who leads the line for Al-Ahli, has emerged as one of Ronaldo’s biggest challengers. Meanwhile, Julian Quinones, representing Al-Qadsiah, has surged into the spotlight with a series of impressive performances. In fact, Quinones has now drawn level with Toney in the Golden Boot standings with 24 goals each, dramatically reshaping the race for the league’s top scorer title. With Ronaldo currently sidelined, the momentum appears to be shifting toward his rivals.

When could Ronaldo return?

Ronaldo has already scored 21 league goals this season, keeping him firmly among the league’s most dangerous attackers. However, his absence during key fixtures, including Al-Nassr’s Matchday 26 clash against Al-Khaleej, has opened the door for competitors to close the gap.

If Quinones and Toney continue their strong scoring form, the race could become even tighter before Ronaldo returns. Despite the setback, optimism remains that Ronaldo will be back on the pitch soon. According to Saudi outlet Asharq Al-Awsat, if his recovery stays on schedule, he could make his comeback in the league fixture against Al-Najma on April 3.

After several months of trying to reach an agreement, UEFA and CONMEBOL had chosen Lusail Stadium in Qatar as the official venue for the Finalissima on March 27. However, the conflict in the Middle East has altered the situation, as neither Argentina nor Spain wants the match to be played there due to security concerns. While a new venue seemed like a possible solution, Lionel Messi vs. Lamine Yamal clash could reportedly be suspended for a compelling reason.

According to Marcos Duran in RNE Deportes, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and CONMEBOL are quite upset with UEFA and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for leaking that only their approval was still pending to play at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Because of this, the Finalissima could end up being suspended, as tensions between the parties continue to rise.

Far from being an isolated issue, the Finalissima has been consistently surrounded by significant concerns regarding the venue. Moreover, Argentina and Spain have expressed their dissatisfaction with the clash, as its proximity to the 2026 World Cup could potentially jeopardize players’ health. For that reason, the clash between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi could be at risk, as the event is widely viewed as more of a marketing tournament than a competitive one.

Despite this risk of suspension, UEFA and CONMEBOL maintain serious alternatives for a more neutral venue, seeking to ensure the safety of both national teams. Both the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, and the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy emerge as candidates amid the tension, as they would not favor Argentina or Spain. In addition, Qatar continues pushing to keep the venue, creating further uncertainty.

AFA’s Claudio Tapia publicly proposes a new venue for Finalissima

Just weeks before the scheduled date for the Finalissima, several uncertainties remain, including the situation in the Middle East and the event’s venue. While the RFEF and UEFA want the anticipated clash to be played in Europe, AFA’s president Claudio Tapia is pushing back, making a new public proposal for the event and further widening the differences as time runs out.

Following the announcement about a meeting with CONMEBOL’s Alejandro Dominguez, Claudio Tapia announced, via X, that they consider the ideal scenario for the match to be the Estadio Monumental, home of River Plate. With this, he proposes a similar stance to the RFEF by suggesting the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as the venue. With these differences, the Finalissima could end up being suspended due to the lack of agreement.

The professional paths of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Jesus could remain closely connected in the coming years, both at club level and potentially on the international stage. The veteran striker continues to lead the line for Al-Nassr, while the experienced Portuguese manager is currently guiding the same club from the sidelines. Yet beyond their present collaboration in the Saudi Pro League, speculation is growing about how their futures may intersect once the 2026 World Cup concludes.

Reports from the Middle East and Portugal suggest that a major strategic decision, both for Al-Nassr and potentially the Portuguese national team, could revolve around Ronaldo’s next career steps. The situation involves several key figures in European soccer management and could even trigger a high-profile contest between some of Portugal’s most accomplished coaches.

While Jesus remains under contract with Al-Nassr until June 2026, reports suggest the veteran coach has already mapped out his long-term ambitions. According to a recent ESPN Brasil report, his primary goal after the 2026 World Cup is to take charge of Portugal.

The national team is currently managed by Roberto Martinez, whose tenure is expected to run through the upcoming World Cup. After that tournament, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) is widely expected to reassess the coaching position. After decades of coaching at club level in multiple countries, managing the national team would offer the Portuguese tactician a new challenge and the chance to guide the nation’s best players in international competition.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on the situation

While Jesus has ambitions beyond Al-Nassr, the club’s immediate future is closely linked to Ronaldo’s own plans. According to Arriyadiyah, the Riyadh side’s strategy for the upcoming season revolves heavily around the Portuguese superstar.

“Al-Nassr’s summer plans hinge entirely on Cristiano Ronaldo,” the report states. If Cristiano Ronaldo remains at Al-Nassr next season, Jorge Jesus is expected to stay on as the club’s manager. The same report indicates that club executives Jose Semedo and Simao Coutinho would also gain greater authority within the organization if Ronaldo continues with the team.

This scenario would keep the current structure intact while allowing the club to pursue new trophies and long-term ambitions. However, if Ronaldo were to depart, the situation could change dramatically, potentially influencing Jesus’s own career trajectory.

Ronaldo’s influence extends beyond the pitch

The connection between Ronaldo and Al-Nassr’s leadership has been evident in several recent developments at the club. Earlier in 2026, tensions emerged between Ronaldo and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), which holds significant influence over multiple Saudi clubs.

The Portuguese superstar briefly refused to participate in matches amid concerns about investment decisions and club management. According to reports, Ronaldo believed Al-Nassr had been placed at a competitive disadvantage during the transfer window compared to rivals such as Al-Hilal. The situation eventually eased after discussions between the player, club officials, and the league.

Match Overview

A high-stakes showdown arrives in the Round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup as FC Cincinnati welcome Tigres UANL in a matchup that pits two clubs eager to change their recent momentum. Cincinnati have stumbled early in the Major League Soccer season with two defeats in their first three matches

Meanwhile, Tigres come from an inconsistent run in Liga MX but carry valuable international experience into the series, making this clash a crucial opportunity for both teams to send a message on the continental stage—don’t miss what promises to be an intense battle.

Barcelona will hold presidential elections this Sunday, with Victor Font competing against Joan Laporta for control of the club. In the days leading up to the vote, the potential battle with Real Madrid to sign Erling Haaland in the future has become a major talking point.

“Erling loves Spain. I know Real Madrid want him too. We are working so that he ends up with us and we are looking for a preferential option for the future. I am convinced we will achieve it,” Font said during an interview with SER Catalunya.

“Real Madrid won’t be able to sign Haaland, we will,” the Barcelona presidential candidate later added. To justify his claim, he pointed to the close relationship between the Norwegian striker and Carles Planchart, one of the members of Font’s technical team who would be responsible for decisions related to soccer.

“Haaland considers Planchart his second father. They saw each other before the match,” Font revealed, referring to the hours before Wednesday’s clash between Manchester City and Real Madrid in Spain, which ended in a 3–0 victory for Los Blancos in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16.

Font acknowledges it will not be easy to take Haaland from Manchester City

Despite the optimism he showed regarding the potential signing of Erling Haaland if he is elected Barcelona president, Victor Font admitted negotiations with Manchester City would not be simple. “They do not want to sell Haaland, but they recognize it will be difficult to keep him in the medium or long term,” the candidate began.

“We look beyond Barça in the short term. We are talking about one of the best strikers in the world. In the short term he cannot be signed, but these ten-year contracts are difficult to fulfill,” Font added.

Indeed, Erling Haaland signed an unusually long contract extension with Manchester City in January 2025, extending his relationship with the English side until June 30, 2034. By then, the striker will be nearly 34 years old, so it is reasonable to think that a move to another top club would likely occur before that date.

Barcelona need a center forward

That Erling Haaland has become a topic of discussion in the days leading up to Barcelona’s elections is no coincidence. For months, signing a new center forward has been a key issue for the Catalan side, considering that Robert Lewandowski’s contract expires this summer and that, even if he renews, his advanced age forces the club to begin thinking about a replacement.

In addition to Haaland, the other name frequently mentioned is Julian Alvarez. Rumors about his possible arrival at Barcelona date back years, but they have intensified considerably recently. And the Argentine striker’s own response when asked about his future has only fueled those speculations.

“Maybe yes, maybe no, you never know,” Alvarez said this week when asked about his future with Atletico Madrid. “I’m very happy here. It’s a question that keeps coming up, but I’m happy… I never said anything bad about the club. I’m very grateful. The people showed me their affection, and I’m very happy.”

Defender Pietro Comuzzo warns Fiorentina ‘cannot make the mistake of underestimating’ Rakow in the Conference League, nor getting distracted by their Serie A commitments.

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

The Viola scraped through to the Round of 16 after an extraordinary play-off with Jagiellonia, where they won the first leg 3-0 away, lost the second by the same result at home, just managing to get through in extra time, 5-4 on aggregate.

It was followed by a heavy 3-0 Serie A defeat to Udinese and disappointing 0-0 draw against Parma, so confidence is dipping lately.

Comuzzo keeps Fiorentina on their toes

“We cannot make the mistake of underestimating this match,” Comuzzo told Sky Sport Italia.

“Rakow are a strong side, they are unbeaten in the Conference League, so we must get out there with the right attitude from the start. It’s important to keep a clean sheet today.”

Moise Kean, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey are all injured, plus Marin Pongracic sits out a ban in the Fiorentina defence.

There is a huge and potentially decisive relegation battle with Cremonese coming up in Serie A, so there has to be some squad rotation to be ready for that appointment.

“We’ve got to be focused, we can think about Serie A and Cremonese from tomorrow, right now is the Conference League,” warned Comuzzo.

It has not just been a difficult campaign for Fiorentina overall, but also the young defender who had been linked with a move to Napoli.

“It’s only natural expectations around me were raised after last season, and that there are some ups and downs, but I am convinced that with hard work we can all continue improving.”

Bologna drew 1-1 with Roma this evening in their Europa League Round of 16 first leg, with goals in the second half from Federico Bernardeschi and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Rossoblu goalscorer Bernardeschi, for his well-taken strike, chance creation and work tracking back defensively.

Bologna 1-1 Roma – Player Ratings

Bologna: Skorupski 6; Mario 6 (Zortea N/A), Casale 6 (Vitik N/A), Lucumi 7, Miranda 6.5 (Lykogiannis N/A); Ferguson 6.5, Freuler 6, Pobega 6.5; Bernardeschi 7.5, Castro 5.5 (Dallinga N/A), Rowe 7 (Cambiaghi 6)

Best Bologna player: Federico Bernardeschi – Was both a threat offensively, shown with his goal and plenty of chances created, and defensively, tracking back and working hard to support his defence. Showed a lot of leadership today.

Lowest Bologna rating: Santiago Castro – Never really found his groove, didn’t manage a single shot and was much less effective than his supporting forwards.

Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 7 – Can’t really be faulted in what was a very close game – and one where his Bologna side were probably the better of the two teams on the night. His substitutions added little, however.

Roma: Svilar 6.5; Celik 6 (Hermoso 6), N’Dicka 6.5, Ghilardi 7; Rensch 6.5 (Tsimikas 5.5), El Aynaoui 6 (Pellegrini 7.5), Pisilli 6, Wesley 6; Cristante 6.5; Malen 6.5, Zaragoza 6 (Vaz 6)

Best Roma player: Lorenzo Pellegrini – Came off the bench to score the equaliser, helping to secure a vital draw on the road in this first leg, putting the team in a good position for the second leg at the Stadio Olimpico.

Lowest Roma rating: Kostas Tsimikas – Unlike Pellegrini, Tsimikas came off the bench to once again disappoint. He has never really found momentum with the Roman side, and hardly had any involvement in his 35 minutes on the pitch.

Coach: Gian Piero Gasperini 6.5 – Made some good adjustments after Bologna scored and was rewarded with Pellegrini’s goal. However, Roma were arguably the worse of the two sides tonight and Gasperini will not be entirely pleased with his squad.

Lorenzo Pellegrini cancelled out the Federico Bernardeschi curler, while both Bologna and Roma rattled the woodwork, as the Europa League Round of 16 will be decided in the second leg.

This all-Italian derby means only one will represent Calcio in the quarter-finals. Gianluca Mancini was suspended, with Manu Koné, Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson injured, plus Mario Hermoso not at 100 per cent, after finishing eighth in the league phase. The Rossoblu eliminated SK Brann in the play-offs, but after five straight wins suffered a surprise 2-1 home defeat to Verona at the weekend. Torbjorn Heggem and Charalampos Lykogiannis were carrying knocks.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Federico Bernardeschi couldn’t quite get on the end of a Jonathan Rowe through ball in the opening 90 seconds, while Juan Miranda was booked for a foul on Bryan Zaragoza, so will be suspended for the second leg next week.

Zaragoza scuffed the angled drive wide from a promising position and Mile Svilar got a glove to the Bernardeschi pull-back from the by-line, but the Roma goalkeeper needed a fantastic save to fingertip the Bernardeschi left-foot curler out from under the bar.

On the resulting corner to close out half-time, Nicolò Casale and then Tommaso Pobega couldn’t quite steer their headers on target at the back post.

Robinio Vaz replaced Zaragoza and immediately got Joao Mario booked for stopping a counter-attack, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock.

Jonathan Rowe controlled a loose ball in midfield and rode two tackles, spreading it down the right where Bernardeschi swept first-time with the left boot into the far top corner from 13 yards. It was the Italian veteran’s fourth Europa League goal of the season.

Moments later, Malen controlled a Devyne Rensch pass and clipped the outside of the near post from a tricky angle.

Bernardeschi’s assist sent Pobega clear on goal only for Svilar to sprint off his line for a decisive block, while Hermoso made his comeback after five games out injured.

Bologna paid for a howler from Joao Mario, who failed to control a loose ball and was robbed by Bryan Cristante, then Malen shrugged off Jhon Lucumi and Remo Freuler to roll across for Lorenzo Pellegrini to prod into the empty net from seven yards.

Roma nearly turned it around when Malen slalomed through the defence, but his finish took a double deflection off Casale and Lucumi to bounce off the base of the upright.

Bologna also rattled the frame of the goal at the 89^th minute when Martin Vitik got his head to the Lykogiannis free kick, thumping the crossbar.

The hosts pushed throughout stoppages to make home advantage count, but Pobega and Freuler strikes were off target.

Bologna 1-1 Roma

Bernardeschi 50 (B), Pellegrini 71 (R)

12-03-2026 17:45

1/8 Final

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Roma

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Juan Miranda		13'
		15'		Wesley

2nd half

João Mário		47'
Federico Bernardeschi (Assist: Jonathan Rowe)		50'
Nicolò Casale		57'
		67'		Bryan Cristante
		71'		Lorenzo Pellegrini

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

13

Total shots

8

4

Shots on target

2

6

Shots off target

4

3

Blocked shots

2

7

Corners

3

1

Offsides

4

13

Fouls

18

Bologna

Roma

Starting lineups

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

João Mário

Defender

85'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

79'

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

84'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

71'

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

79'

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

58'

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

65'

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

66'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

46'

Donyell Malen

Attacker

Substitutes

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

71'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

79'

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

79'

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

84'

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

85'

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

70

Giorgio De Marzi

Goalkeeper

Robinio Vaz

Attacker

46'

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

58'

22

Mario Hermoso

Defender

65'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

66'

Riccardo Calafiori’s future at Arsenal is in doubt, with Chelsea reportedly monitoring the Italy international’s situation as the defender grows increasingly frustrated with his lack of regular first-team football at the Emirates.

The former Bologna man has found himself marginalised since returning from a muscle injury in late January, with Piero Hincapie having established himself as Mikel Arteta’s preferred left-sided centre-back.

Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen is set to become permanent for around £40 million this summer, effectively pushing Calafiori further down the pecking order, and when Arteta has deployed the Italian, it has largely been at left-back rather than his preferred central defensive role.

Chelsea keen on Calafiori after limited Arsenal role

According to journalist Si Phillips, who specialises in Chelsea coverage, via TeamTalk, Liam Rosenior’s side are ready to move if any opportunity presents itself, describing the potential transfer as “not as impossible as you might expect.”

Calafiori, it is claimed, is eager for both regular football and a return to playing in his natural position.

Any deal would be far from straightforward. Arsenal paid €44 million to sign Calafiori from Bologna and would demand considerably more from a direct London rival, particularly given his age, his contract running until 2029, and his established Premier League pedigree.

For Italy fans, however, ensuring one of the Azzurri’s most promising defenders is playing regularly ahead of the World Cup will feel like the most pressing concern of all.

Fiorentina believe Roberto Piccoli and Jacopo Fazzini can inspire them in the Conference League Round of 16 with Polish side Rakow Czestochowa.

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

The Viola scraped through to the Round of 16 after an extraordinary play-off with Jagiellonia, where they won the first leg 3-0 away, lost the second by the same result at home, just managing to get through in extra time, 5-4 on aggregate.

They had been on such good form until that game, which proved to be the start of a downward trend of two defeats and a 0-0 draw with Parma.

Coach Paolo Vanoli is missing suspended Marin Pongracic, injured Moise Kean, Manor Solomon, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey.

He also faces the pressure of resting players for the upcoming crucial Serie A relegation battle with Cremonese.

With that in mind, Piccoli leads the attack flanked by Jacopo Fazzini and in a more advanced role than usual Fabiano Parisi.

David De Gea is rested in favour of Oliver Christensen, with Rolando Mandragora and Giovanni Fabbian in midfield.

Rakow are currently fourth in the Polish top flight, but finished second in the Conference League opening phase thanks to four victories and two draws.

They are above all else solid, conceding just two goals in those six league phase matches.

This club won the Polish title for the first time in 2023 and faced Atalanta in the Champions League the following season.

Their star striker is Norwegian Jonatan Braut Brunes, who is a cousin of Erling Haaland and scored 20 goals in all competition this term.

However, their top scorer in the Conference League is Lamine Diaby-Fadiga on six goals, thanks largely to his hat-trick against Rapid Vienna.

Another odd Serie A link is defender Fran Tudor, nephew of ex-Juventus and current Tottenham Hotspur coach Igor Tudor.

Fiorentina vs. Rakow line-ups

Fiorentina: Christensen; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Fabbian, Mandragora, Ndour; Parisi, Piccoli, Fazzini

Fiorentina bench: De Gea, Leonardelli, Dodo, Gudmundsson, Harrison, Fagioli, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Bonanno, Sadotti

Rakow: Zych; Tudor, Racovitan, Svarnas; Ameyaw, Repka, Struski, Plenkp; Makuch, Brunes, Lopez

Rakow bench: Trelowski, Czeremski, Mosor, Bulat, Amorim, Leonardo Rocha, Napieraj, Arsenic, Ilenic, Mircetic, Diaby-Fadiga

Ref: Kabakov (BUL)

12-03-2026 20:00

1/8 Final

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Raków Częstochowa

Live

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

32'

Karol Struski

2nd half

Luca Ranieri		48'
		60'		Jonatan Braut Brunes (Assist: Patryk Makuch)
Cher Ndour (Assist: Rolando Mandragora)		62'
		80'		Fran Tudor
Fabiano Parisi		85'
Albert Gudmundsson		90+3'

Fiorentina

Raków Częstochowa

Starting lineups

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

59'

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

68'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

59'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

82'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

82'

48

Oliwier Zych

Goalkeeper

25

Bogdan Racovițan

Defender

7

Fran Tudor

Defender

4

Stratos Svarnas

Defender

23

Karol Struski

Midfielder

70'

6

Oskar Repka

Midfielder

10

Ivi López

Attacker

60'

18

Jonatan Braut Brunes

Attacker

80'

19

Michael Ameyaw

Attacker

9

Patryk Makuch

Attacker

8

Tomasz Pienko

Attacker

60'

Substitutes

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

63

Piergiorgio Bonanno

Midfielder

67

Edoardo Sadotti

Defender

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

59'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

59'

2

Dodô

Defender

68'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

82'

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

82'

11

Adriano

Attacker

1

Kacper Trelowski

Goalkeeper

2

Ariel Mosor

Defender

44

Bogdan Mirčetić

Midfielder

35

Mitja Ilenic

31

Dominik Czeremski

21

Jerzy Napieraj

24

Zoran Arsenic

Defender

60'

80

Lamine Diaby-Fadiga

Attacker

60'

5

Marko Bulat

Midfielder

70'

17

Leonardo Rocha

80'

Milan are set to open contract talks with Francesco Camarda this summer, with the striker’s 18th birthday earlier this month unlocking the possibility of a long-term deal that could secure one of Italian football’s most coveted young talents for the foreseeable future.

The Rossoneri are keen to extend Camarda’s current deal, according to MilanNews24, which runs until 2028, into a five-year contract, a move that would send a clear message about his place in the club’s plans while fending off the foreign clubs that have taken a keen interest in his progress.

Camarda at Milan crossroads as young forward focuses on recovery

Whether he is ready to challenge for a place in Allegri’s first-team plans, however, remains another question entirely.

His loan spell at Lecce has been a sobering introduction to senior football, physically demanding and occasionally difficult, with just one goal in 17 appearances before a shoulder operation in January ended his season prematurely.

He is expected to return to fitness before the campaign ends.

The most likely outcome this summer is another loan, with Milan content to follow the blueprint successfully applied to Pio Esposito, gradual, pressure-free development in the Serie A environment before the inevitable step up to San Siro.

Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in signing Adri Mehmeti from the New York Red Bulls academy at the end of the season. 

The 16-year-old midfielder is highly rated, and the two Premier League clubs are keeping tabs on his development. He is currently valued at €20 million, but the valuation could rise to €50 million if he continues to impress. Arsenal and Chelsea could look to sign him before his value explodes, and it will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

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According to Sports Boom, Arsenal or Chelsea could look to sign the player and loan him back, allowing him to continue his development with regular opportunities. The deal would be lucrative for the selling club as well.

The player has been described as a “complete midfielder” for his ability to operate as both a central and defensive midfielder. He has the physicality for English football as well, and it will be interesting to see if Arsenal or Chelsea manage to secure his signature.

The opportunity to join a Premier League club will be quite exciting for the young midfielder. It would be a major step in his career, and he would get to test himself at the highest level. He is unlikely to start in the Premier League right now, but he could be an important part of the youth team at Arsenal or Chelsea.

Both clubs have exceptional youth facilities, and they could help the 16-year-old fulfil his potential. He will look to establish himself as an important first-team player for either club in future.

Whoever signs him could have a future star on their hands. If they can sign him for €20 million, the deal could look like a bargain in future.

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Manchester United are interested in signing the Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero at the end of the season. 

The 27-year-old has been linked with a move away from the London club, and he wants to join a team where he can regularly compete at the highest level. Manchester United are pushing for Champions League qualification, and they have shown great improvement in recent weeks. They could be an attractive destination for the South American.

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According to reports from Spain, the player could cost around £60 million, and Manchester United are prepared to offer him a lucrative contract in order to convince him to join the club. They need more quality and depth in the defensive unit, and the 27-year-old could be the ideal acquisition for them. He would be the ideal replacement for Harry Maguire.

Apart from his defensive qualities, his leadership skills and winning experience could prove invaluable. He has helped his country win the World Cup and Copa America. He helped Tottenham win the UEFA Europa League last season. The defender put on a man-of-the-match performance against Manchester United in the final, as his team won the European trophy last season.

Manchester United need a player of his quality, and it will be interesting to see if they can get the deal done. The defender has been linked with clubs from across Europe. He is one of the best players in his position, and it is unlikely that there will be any shortage of clubs keen on him. It will be interesting to see if Manchester United can win the race for his signature.

The player can justify the £60 million price tag, and the investment could look like a shrewd one.

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Nico Williams has been linked with a move away from Athletic Club Bilbao in recent months.

The 23-year-old has been linked with multiple English clubs, and it appears that the Spanish outfit sanctioned his departure in the summer. According to reports from Spain, Manchester United are keen on securing his signature, but they will face competition from Chelsea and Arsenal as well. The player has a €95 million release clause in his contract, but the La Liga club is willing to accept offers below the clause.

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Williams has been a player for club country in recent seasons, and he could prove to be a very useful acquisition for the Premier League club. Manchester United could use more depth on the flanks. The 23-year-old will add explosive pace and flair in the final third. He will help create opportunities for his teammates and add some much-needed unpredictability to the team.

Chelsea needs more quality on the flanks as well. Players like Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens have not been able to live up to the expectations. Chelsea needs more cutting-edge in the final third, and the 23-year-old could be ideal. The Spanish International has shown his quality in La Liga at the international level. He has the quality to succeed in the Premier League as well.

Finally, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has urged the club to keep tabs on his situation. Arsenal signed Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze at the start of the season, but the two players have been quite mediocre. They could use more quality on the flanks. It will be interesting to see if they are prepared to break the Bank for Williams in the summer.

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Liverpool are interested in signing the Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo at the end of the season.

The Spanish club is willing to sanction his departure for a fee of €30 million. According to reports from Spain, Liverpool is keen to secure his signature and has already made preliminary enquiries about a potential move. It will be interesting to see if they come forward with an official offer to get the deal done.

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Clubs like Inter Milan and Bayern Munich are keeping tabs on his situation as well. Liverpool will face intense competition for his signature, and they must act quickly to win the race. They need more quality and depth in central defence. Ibrahima Konate has been linked with a move away from the club. He will be a free agent in the summer, and Joe Gomez could be on his way out of the club as well.

Signing a reliable central defender should be an absolute priority for Liverpool this summer.

Araujo has proven himself at Barcelona and for his national team. The Uruguayan International could be the ideal acquisition for Liverpool. The opportunity to sign a player of his quality for just €30 million cannot be passed up on. It would be a bargain for Liverpool if they manage to get the deal done.

The 27-year-old can operate as a central defender or a full-back. His versatility will be an added bonus for Liverpool.

The opportunity to play in the Premier League at this stage of his career could be exciting for the South American. He has shown his quality in La Liga, and he will look to make his mark in the Premier League now.

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Manchester United are interested in signing the RB Leipzig midfielder Eljif Elmas at the end of the season. 

The 26-year-old playmaker is currently on loan at Napoli, and they have an option to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

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According to a report from TMW, Napoli will be able to secure his signature for €16 million in the summer. It will be interesting to see if they are willing to take up the option. The North Macedonian international has done quite well for them, and he could be a very useful player for them in the coming seasons as well.

Manchester United are looking to add more depth and quality in the middle of the park, and they believe that the 26-year-old could be very useful for them. However, Napoli are clearly in the driving seat when it comes to securing his signature. It remains to be seen with Italian club is willing to sign him and sell him for a quick profit. Manchester United need more control, composure and technical ability in the middle of the park. The 26-year-old can operate as an attacking midfielder or a central midfielder.

The opportunity to play in the Premier League can be quite exciting, and it will be interesting to see if Elmas is tempted to join Manchester United. Napoli is a big club as well, and the opportunity to join them permanently could be tempting. It remains to be seen how the situation develops. The player will look to sort out his future quickly and focus on his football.

Manchester United have the finances to pay a premium for him, and it remains to be seen whether they follow up on their interest with an offer in the summer.

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The Finalissima has been at the center of the global soccer stage for days, ever since the conflicts in the Middle East seriously called into question the viability of hosting the match in Qatar, as was originally planned. In this context, Spain and Argentina have different ideas regarding the new venue to be selected.

Details have recently emerged about the idea that UEFA and Spain proposed during meetings aimed at reaching a solution. Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, home of Real Madrid, is the venue preferred by the Europeans, but Argentina and CONMEBOL reportedly rejected that option because it would not be a neutral venue.

In this scenario, the president of the Argentine Football Association spoke about the issue during an interview with the media on Thursday in Buenos Aires. “We’re going to get to work because Spain want the Finalissima to be played in Spain, and I want it to be played at the Monumental,” said Claudio Tapia.

The Monumental is the stadium of River Plate, one of Argentina’s most important clubs. Located in Buenos Aires, it is usually the home of the national team—most of their World Cup qualifier matches were played there—and it has a capacity of 85,000 spectators.

Is Buenos Aires a possible venue for the Finalissima?

Since the chance of playing in Qatar began to be questioned, there has been much speculation about potential alternatives to host the Finalissima. Aside from Miami, most rumors pointed to European cities. Madrid progressed the most in those negotiations, but other cities such as Paris, Rome, and London were also mentioned.

Until Thursday, when Claudio Tapia brought it up, Buenos Aires had not been considered among the options. This would involve a complete logistical change for the match, considering that almost all players from Spain and Argentina play in Europe and would need to organize a long trip to South America for the game.

At the same time, this would require finding alternatives for the second friendly that both national teams will play during the March international break. These logistical challenges suggest that Tapia’s comments may not express a genuine desire but rather serve as a method to apply pressure in negotiations and definitively rule out the idea of playing the Finalissima in Madrid.

Argentina’s current priority

Amid speculation and proposals regarding the venue for facing Spain, the Argentine staff’s priority was revealed by Pablo Aimar, an icon of the national team and assistant to head coach Lionel Scaloni.

“We still don’t know,” Aimar admitted regarding the location of the Finalissima, during a recent interview with Cadena 3. However, the former Valencia midfielder made clear Argentina’s main concern at the moment: “Wherever it is safe. We want to play it, as long as it can happen.”

Pedro Neto found himself at the center of controversy during Chelsea‘s UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, after the forward pushed a ball-boy while attempting to retrieve the ball and restart play, sparking a brief altercation between the two sides. In the aftermath, UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Chelsea star, putting his availability for the second leg in serious jeopardy.

PSG hosted Chelsea at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday in the first leg of the Round of 16, with the home side running out comfortable 5-2 winners. The flashpoint came in the 90th-plus-first minute, with the score still 4-2, when a ball rolled to the sideline for a Chelsea throw-in. With a ball-boy holding a spare ball and showing no willingness to hand it to the away side, Neto stepped in and pushed the youngster, sending him to the ground.

The incident sparked a brief confrontation, with PSG players immediately surrounding Neto over his actions, while referee Alejandro Hernández opted not to book the Portuguese forward. After the final whistle, Neto addressed the incident in an interview with TNT Sports:

“I want to come out and say the situation that happened on the pitch, I want to apologise to the ball boy. I already spoke with him, the emotions of the game with us losing, I want to pick up the ball, and I gave him a little push. I saw that I hurt him and straight away I apologised, I am not like this. I gave him my shirt as well. He was happy that I gave him the shirt and said sorry like, 35 times.“

Despite the apology, and despite neither the referee nor VAR intervening to issue a sanction on the night, UEFA has decided to step in and open disciplinary proceedings against the Chelsea forward. No decision has been reached yet, with a ruling expected in the coming days.

Could Neto miss the second leg against PSG?

With 42 appearances, 10 goals and six assists to his name this season, Pedro Neto is one of Chelsea’s most important players, and with the Blues needing to overturn a three-goal deficit at Stamford Bridge, losing him for the Champions League game would be a significant blow. That said, at first glance, the likely severity of any UEFA sanction may not be as harsh as it could have been.

In their statement, UEFA confirmed that proceedings have been opened for “unsporting behaviour,” a classification that already limits the potential punishment. Had the incident been framed as “assaulting another player or another person present at the match,” Neto could have faced a three-match ban.

Under Article 15 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, which covers misconduct of players and officials, the standard sanction for unsporting conduct is a suspension of one competition match or a specified period. While UEFA noted that its disciplinary bodies “will take a decision on this case in due course,” the prospect of Neto being ruled out of the second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, March 17, is looking increasingly likely.

Along the 2025-26 season, Barcelona have had several problems in the scoring side, leaving Robert Lewandowski’s future in doubt. While Ferran Torres seemed to impress, he has decreased his impact. In light of this, they have supposedly decided to chase a world-class striker to reinforce Lamine Yamal. Nonetheless, the Blaugranas have reportedly settled a limit price tag, creating a difficult path ahead the next season.

According to Fernando Polo in Mundo Deportivo, the Blaugranas have decided to set a €100 million limit to pursue a world-class striker. While they are satisfied with Julian Álvarez’s statements, they will not exceed their limit to chase him. Nonetheless, Barcelona are still interested in his signing, but the Argentine will need to pressure Atlético Madrid to allow his departure towards Hansi Flick’s side.

While Julián Álvarez opened the door to a summer exit, Atlético Madrid are not open to letting him join FC Barcelona under any circumstances, reports Luis Miguel Sanz in Diario Sport. Nevertheless, they would be open to letting him move to the Premier League, where Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC are pursuing his signing. Because of this, the Blaugranas could depend only on pressure from Julián, complicating his arrival.

Barcelona miss out on possible signing of Haaland and Kane

Faced with the difficulty of securing the arrival of Julián Álvarez, Barcelona have decided to keep several alternatives open. Due to his contractual situation, they have reportedly shown interest in Dusan Vlahovic. However, the Serbian’s arrival is not a priority, bringing him closer to a possible renewal with Juventus. In addition to this, they are losing out on the possible arrival of Erling Haaland or Harry Kane, their main targets.

According to Max Eberl, sporting director of Bayern Munich, via The Independent, Harry Kane is close to renewing his contract until 2028 or 2029, ruling out his arrival to the Blaugranas. Because of this, Erling Haaland emerged as the ideal name for coach Hansi Flick, with rumors of a negotiation for a preferential purchase reaching presidential candidate Victor Font. Nevertheless, the Norwegian’s agent has ruled out this possibility.

“I have said many times that we have a lot of respect and admiration for FC Barcelona, but there has been no contact, neither with Erling Haaland nor with the board of FC Barcelona, regarding possible signings… In addition, since the player renewed his contract a few months ago, he is very happy at Manchester City… we really have nothing to discuss about a transfer,” revealed Rafaela Pimienta, via El Chiringuito TV.

Barcelona’s Hansi Flick faces uncertainty in the striker spot

While Ferran Torres seemed to emerge as the ideal solution for FC Barcelona, the Spaniard has once again been inconsistent, leading the front office to reconsider their options. While Julián Álvarez appears to be the only ideal option, the tough negotiations with Atlético Madrid could complicate his arrival. In addition, the Blaugranas do not seem to have found another target, as Omar Marmoush and Dušan Vlahović do not fully convince.

Amid this uncertainty, Robert Lewandowski’s renewal emerges as a strong possibility, as he is open to taking on a secondary role and reduce his salary income, reports Diario Sport. Although he is no longer in his prime, the Pole continues to guarantee goals season after season. Nevertheless, coach Hansi Flick is reportedly seeking a young, world-class striker, creating uncertainty ahead of next season.

With less than three months remaining before the start of the 2026 World Cup, uncertainty has emerged around the participation of Iran. The tournament, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, could face an unprecedented situation in modern soccer if Iran ultimately decides not to participate.

The debate intensified after remarks from Iran’s Sports Minister, Ahmad Donyamali, who questioned the feasibility of sending the national team to compete amid escalating geopolitical tensions. His comments have triggered discussions inside the world soccer governing body, FIFA, about what could happen next.

For now, the situation remains unresolved. However, the possibility that the Iranian national team might withdraw from the 2026 World Cup raises several questions: How would FIFA react, and what consequences might the federation face?

The potential withdrawal stems from escalating tensions between Iran and the United States following recent military developments in the region. The political situation dramatically changed after the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader during a series of attacks in late February.

According to the Iranian sports minister, the current environment makes it impossible for the national team to participate in the tournament. These remarks came only hours after Gianni Infantino said that the U.S. president, Donald Trump, had assured him that the Iranian team would be welcomed to compete in the tournament.

What FIFA regulations say about a withdrawal

If Iran officially withdraws, FIFA’s tournament regulations provide the governing body with broad authority to respond. Under Article 6 of the 2026 World Cup regulations, FIFA has the power to determine how to proceed if a participating federation withdraws. “If a participating federation withdraws or is excluded from the FIFA 26 World Cup, FIFA will decide at its sole discretion in this regard and will take whatever actions it deems necessary,” the regulation states.

The rules also clarify that the governing body may choose to replace the withdrawing team with another national association, although it is not strictly required to do so. Former FIFA regulatory director James Kitching explained that the governing body has wide flexibility in this scenario. “There’s no modern precedent for this and, according to FIFA’s own tournament regulations, they have full discretion to do whatever they want in the case of a team withdrawing,” Kitching told Reuters.

Possible penalties if Iran withdraws

Although the introduction of a withdrawal scenario might seem primarily sporting, the financial and regulatory consequences could also be significant. According to the World Cup regulations, a federation that withdraws from the tournament may face multiple sanctions:

• A financial fine of roughly 250,000 Swiss francs ($319,000)
• The obligation to repay preparation funds and participation grants already received from FIFA, totaling about $12 million
• Possible disciplinary measures, including exclusion from future competitions

In addition, the governing body could impose further sanctions depending on the circumstances of the withdrawal. However, some experts believe FIFA might show flexibility given the extraordinary geopolitical situation. As Kitching suggested, sanctions might not necessarily be applied if the withdrawal is clearly linked to the ongoing conflict.

Roma were dealt a midfield blow ahead of tonight’s Europa League quarter-final first leg against Bologna, with Manu Koné ruled out of the squad entirely after failing to recover from a muscle strain.

The French midfielder will not even make the bench, instead watching from the stands as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side look to establish an advantage in what promises to be a fiercely contested all-Italian tie.

Bologna vs Roma – Kone misses out with muscle strain

He was initially named by UEFA as being on the bench but that quickly changed, and he will sit the match out completely.

Koné has been an important figure in Roma’s midfield this season, and his absence will require Gasperini to reshuffle his options in the centre of the park for a match that carries enormous weight in the Europa League.

You can follow all the action, as it happens, on our Live Blog.

The coach will be hoping the setback is minor enough to allow the midfielder to return swiftly, with the second leg to follow and a potentially lengthy European run still ahead.

Gian Piero Gasperini is confident Bryan Zaragoza will ‘give us a hand’ as Roma play Bologna in the Europa League Round of 16, and is not worried by recent defensive leaks.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

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

The second leg is at the Stadio Olimpico next Thursday, as it means there will be just one Italian entry into the Europa League quarter-finals.

Gasperini makes changes for Roma in Europe

Roma finished eighth in the league phase of the Europa League and therefore earned direct access to the Round of 16.

That was despite not having January signings Donyell Malen and Bryan Zaragoza available, so they make their UEFA debuts in the Giallorossi jersey this evening.

“Zaragoza arrived on transfer deadline day, so naturally he needs a little time to settle in. He already participated in the few games we played since he arrived, had a very important contribution to Malen’s goal against Napoli, so naturally we expect him to give us a hand today,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

There is the temptation to split their focus, as after a 3-3 draw with Juventus and 2-1 defeat at Genoa, the upcoming showdown for fourth place in Serie A with Como could take the priority.

On the other hand, there’s no room for squad rotation, as Gianluca Mancini is suspended, with Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson injured, plus Manu Koné and Mario Hermoso not at 100 per cent.

“We conceded more goals lately, but also scored more against tough opponents like Juventus and Napoli. We were missing Hermoso for a long time, Mancini is suspended today, so there were some difficulties to be expected over the course of a campaign,” added Gasperini.

Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli can rotate for who supports the centre-forward, as they can both take that role or drop into a deeper midfield position.

Lazio have two training sessions remaining before Sunday’s clash with Milan, and Maurizio Sarri still has several fitness questions to resolve before finalising his squad.

The most significant concern is Alessio Romagnoli, who has been absent from training but is expected to undergo a fitness test on Friday afternoon, according to LaLazioSiamoNoi reports.

If he passes, he could return to the starting lineup for the weekend, but if he does not, Danish defender Provstgaard is already on standby to partner Gila at the heart of defence.

Toma Basic has made a small step forward, rejoining the group for the initial activation phase and the customary rondo exercise, though he sat out the final practice match. The next two sessions will be decisive in determining whether he is available. Should he not make it, Patric is expected to fill the regista role.

Lazio continue to struggle through injury woes

The Romagnoli and Basic situations are compounded by the confirmed absence of Danilo Cataldi, who has suffered a minor calf injury and is unlikely to return until after the international break.

Elsewhere, the picture is clearer. Nuno Tavares holds the advantage over Luca Pellegrini at left back, with Marusic certain to start on the right.

In goal, youngster Edoardo Motta will continue between the posts following Ivan Provedel’s shoulder surgery.

Dele-Bashiru is ahead of Belahyane for a spot alongside Taylor in midfield, who was also tried in a deeper role during Thursday’s session. Up front, Sarri is not expected to make any changes, with Isaksen, Maldini and Zaccagni set to continue as the attacking trio.

Vincenzo Italiano explains his tactical choices for Bologna in the Europa League Round of 16 with Roma. ‘We are going three against three in their midfield.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

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

The second leg is at the Stadio Olimpico next Thursday, as it means there will be just one Italian entry into the Europa League quarter-finals.

Although UEFA have them set out as a 4-2-3-1 formation, it would seem to be more of a 4-3-3.

Italiano outlines Bologna choices

“We didn’t change in the last Serie A match either, because Odgaard is starting to learn a different approach in the middle, but this system gives us guarantees, so we are going three against three in their midfield,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“Even though Roma are without Manu Koné, they still have dynamism and quality in the middle. With Tommaso Pobega and Lewis Ferguson, we can have our say too.”

Juan Miranda, Torbjorn Heggem and Charalampos Lykogiannis are not at 100 per cent, but there is no rest for Santiago Castro, who starts his eighth match in a row.

“Thijs Dallinga is not at 100 per cent, I talked to him today and told him he hasn’t played for a while, so against a tough opponent like Evan Ndicka and such an important match, it is better than Santi keeps his strong form going.

“I preferred Castro, but there are still 10 Serie A games to go and I hope more in Europe too, there will be room for Dallinga.”

Unlike Roma, the Rossoblu had to go through the play-offs to reach this phase, eliminating SK Brann with victories home and away.

That was part of a positive run of five straight wins, ended surprisingly at the weekend by a 2-1 home defeat to Hellas Verona in Serie A.

“We have players who can take men on, cut inside and shoot, so when those wingers light up, they can change the course of a game. We have many wide players with these characteristics, including those who can come off the bench, and we hope they can make their mark tonight,” concluded Italiano.

Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing Taras Mykhavko from Dynamo Kyiv, according to TEAMtalk.

The 20-year-old central defender is highly rated across Europe, and he has a bright future. He could develop into a long-term asset for all three clubs, and it will be interesting to see if they are prepared to follow up on their interest with an offer to sign the player.

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Manchester United need more depth in the defensive unit, and Mykhavko could be a long-term acquisition for them. Harry Maguire is in the twilight stages of his career, and they will need to replace him properly. The young defender could prove to be the ideal acquisition.

Similarly, Chelsea will need to replace multiple defenders in the summer. They have looked vulnerable at the back, and they need to improve in that area of the pitch. Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are expected to leave the club permanently.

As for Tottenham, Cristian Romero has been linked with top clubs, and he could be on his way out. Radu Dragusin has struggled for regular opportunities, and he might push for an exit as well. Tottenham might need to invest in multiple defenders in the summer. The 20-year-old could be a quality acquisition for them.

Mykhavko will be excited about the possibility of playing in the Premier League. It would be a major step up in his career. Regular opportunities in England could accelerate his development and help him fulfil his potential.

However, he should look to join a club that offers ample opportunities. Sitting on the bench at a big club will not benefit him. It remains to be seen whether he can find a suitable destination in the summer.

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Uncertainty briefly surrounded Cristiano Ronaldo after the Portuguese superstar suffered a muscle injury at the end of February, but a new update has provided hope ahead of important international friendlies. With Portugal preparing for key matches as part of its build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the fitness of the captain has become a major talking point, particularly with a high-profile meeting looming against Christian Pulisic and the United States men’s national soccer team.

Ronaldo’s injury came during his campaign with Al‑Nassr, where he remains the central figure in the club’s push for the Saudi Pro League title. The 41-year-old forward immediately began treatment and rehabilitation in Spain, prompting concern about whether he would be able to return in time for Portugal’s upcoming fixtures.

The injury occurred on February 28 during Al-Nassr’s match against Al‑Fayha, when Ronaldo suffered a muscle problem in his right thigh. Following the incident, the superstar traveled to Madrid to continue his recovery with a personal physiotherapist. Images published by the Portuguese sports newspaper A Bola showed Ronaldo using a specialized recovery device designed to accelerate muscle healing.

The device — a Cryo Sport boot produced by the recovery technology brand AVACR7, which Ronaldo invested in back in 2022 — covers the entire leg and combines cryotherapy with compression therapy.

Injury more serious than anticipated

Despite early hopes that the injury was minor, Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al-Nassr, confirmed that the problem turned out to be more significant than initially expected. Speaking about the situation, the Portuguese manager explained why Ronaldo had traveled to Spain for treatment. “Cristiano’s injury is more serious than we first thought,” Jesus said. “The injury requires treatment in Madrid with the professional who works with Cristiano. We hope he returns quickly to help the team.”

Saudi medical specialists noted on X (formerly Twitter) that muscle injuries of this type can vary significantly in recovery time. A mild strain may require one to three weeks, while a more serious tear can sideline a player for four to eight weeks. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano suggested that Ronaldo could miss up to four weeks, which raised concerns about his availability for Portugal’s international schedule.

Portugal recieves positive update

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his recovery timeline, Ronaldo is reportedly determined to return in time to represent Portugal during the upcoming international break. According to A Bola’s report, his objective is to join the Portugal national team’s training camp at the end of March, a development that would allow him to participate in the preparation for Portugal’s upcoming friendlies.

This update is considered an encouraging sign for the Selecao’s coaching staff, who are closely monitoring the captain’s condition as they prepare for matches that form part of the team’s long-term preparation for the 2026 World Cup. If Ronaldo successfully rejoins the squad, it would significantly boost Roberto Martinez’s attacking options and also set up a potential clash with the United States and their star winger Christian Pulisic.

Portugal is scheduled to face Mexico and the United States during the March international window. The latter match carries particular intrigue, as it would pit Ronaldo against Pulisic, the captain of the American side and one of the most recognizable players in the country’s soccer history.

After leading a historic campaign with Paris Saint-Germain, Ousmane Dembélé established himself as the brilliant winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2025, surpassing Lamine Yamal. While this seemed to secure his professional future, the Frenchman does not appear to have his contract renewal well on track, with reported salary differences. Because of this, the 28-year-old star is reportedly looking toward the Premier League.

According to Diario Sport, Moussa Sissoko, agent of Ousmane Dembélé, recently had a meeting with Hugo Viana, the sporting director of Manchester City. With these approaches, the future of the Frenchman appears to be away from Paris Saint‑Germain despite being the reigning winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2025. Nevertheless, this meeting remained only as initial contact, and there is still a long way to go before defining his future.

While Dembélé opens the door to a possible departure, Manchester City may not have an easy path to secure his arrival. With a contract running until 2028, Paris Saint-Germain could demand a high fee for his transfer, as he remains a regular for coach Luis Enrique. The Frenchman has even managed to reverse his slow start, leading the team as its top scorer, ahead of Gonçalo Ramos, Bradley Barcola, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Not only would the Citizens have to pay a high transfer fee to Paris Saint-Germain, but they might also need to offer Ousmane Dembélé a huge salary. With this, he would approach the salary received by Erling Haaland, something that could destabilize the club’s wage structure. In addition, the Frenchman could clash with Antoine Semenyo, who holds a similar profile, potentially complicating his adaptation.

Report: PSG chase Dembélé’s renewal amid huge salary requests

Throughout the 2025–26 season, Paris Saint-Germain have decided to keep the contract renewal of Ousmane Dembélé as an absolute priority. Despite this, both parties reportedly maintain differences regarding salary demands. While the Frenchman is already exploring options in the Premier League, the Parisians remain positive about reaching an agreement, open to a salary boost.

According to Foot Mercato, Paris Saint-Germain are open to offering a salary increase to Ousmane, giving him a contract worth €30 million per season. Nevertheless, he is seeking a salary around €60 million per season. While the French side is not willing to reach that figure, they are open to increasing the offer through variables and bonuses, leaving part of that income tied to the player’s performance.

At the start of the 2026 season for Inter Miami, they have been filled with challenges, struggling to find their best version. Despite the new signings, the absence of Luis Suárez continues to be noticeable in the attack, leaving the Herons without their scoring power. Nevertheless, Lionel Messi could soon receive the Uruguayan back, as coach Javier Mascherano gave to Bolavip key details about his physical condition for the upcoming matches.

Following the latest tie vs. Nashville SC. press conference, Inter Miami head coach revealed key details about Luis Suarez’s status to Bolavip: “Yes, he’s fine. He’s training normally, and yes, he’s available to play. Today, due to various circumstances, we felt he shouldn’t go in… But it’s not like he has any discomfort or anything like that. He’s already 100% recovered, and will surely get minutes in the upcoming games,” Mascherano said.

With the imminent return of Luis Suárez, Inter Miami CF recover a key scoring piece, as he is coming off a season with 17 goals and 17 assists. Nevertheless, he suffered a foot injury that complicated his participation, weakening Lionel Messi‘s offense at the start of the season. Although they paid €12.6 million for Germán Berterame, he has not managed to establish himself as a scoring leader, making the return of the Uruguayan is highly anticipated.

Playing only eight minutes in the loss against Los Angeles FC, Luis Suárez may have to gradually regain his physical rhythm in competition, so he might not start. Despite this, the Uruguayan could revive the offense of Inter Miami CF, which is coming off a rather unconvincing draw but could change ahead of the match against Charlotte FC, where they are seeking a victory that brings them closer to the top of the MLS Eastern Conference.

Luis Suárez could hold a different role within Inter Miami

After shining in the historic season of Inter Miami CF, Luis Suárez renewed his contract until December 2026, which is expected to be his final season as a professional. Despite this, coach Javier Mascherano has decided to keep him as a key piece of the roster, though he could have a very different role, aiming to prioritize his physical condition and extend his best version on the field.

Unlike previous seasons, the Herons have strongly backed Germán Berterame, seeking for him to lead the attack in the coming years while occupying a Designated Player (DP) slot. With this, Suárez could play an important role in the Mexican striker’s adaptation to the roster, while also being key in the rotation. In addition, the Uruguayan’s versatility could even allow him to play alongside him in the attack, giving rest to Lionel Messi.

What’s next for Inter Miami?

Inter Miami face a demanding competitive schedule. Seeking to move closer to the top of the Major League Soccer Eastern Conference, they will visit Charlotte FC on March 14th. Afterwards, they will play the second leg of the Round of 16 in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, facing Nashville SC on March 18th. Because of this, the return of the duo Luis Suárez and Lionel Messi could be key.

Days are passing and the calendar is beginning to create pressure regarding the selection of the venue for the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina. In that context, Pablo Aimar, Lionel Scaloni’s assistant, shared details about the main concern the staff have regarding the staging of the match.

The Finalissima was originally scheduled to be played on Friday, March 27 at Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar. However, the political conflicts in the Middle East in recent weeks have cast doubt on the viability of organizing a sporting event of that magnitude there right now.

Amid speculation about a possible change of venue, Aimar gave an interview to Cadena 3 during an Argentine Football Association event and was asked about where the clash with Spain will be played.

“We still don’t know,” admitted the former midfielder and current Scaloni assistant. Regarding Argentina’s preference among the potential venues, Aimar delivered a clear message: “Wherever it is safe. We want to play it, as long as it can happen.”

Those comments reveal Argentina’s main concern at the moment: the safety of both national teams, as well as the fans who attend the match, is above any other consideration, even sporting ones, that might be made right now.

Argentina reportedly rejected a possible venue

Beyond Pablo Aimar’s comments, negotiations between Argentina and Spain, which obviously also involve CONMEBOL and UEFA, have been complicated so far. With Qatar now almost ruled out for the reasons mentioned earlier, Europe appears to be the main alternative.

In particular, the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium is the proposed option with the best chance of hosting the match. However, reports indicate that Argentina have rejected the possibility of playing Spain at Real Madrid’s stadium. The reason seems clear: it would not be a neutral venue, so they prefer other options outside Spain.

Aimar says it’s not time to think about the World Cup yet

During the same interview with Cadena 3, Pablo Aimar was asked whether Argentina already have their minds set on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in three months in North America and will see them face Algeria, Austria and Jordan in the group stage.

“There’s still time for that,” Aimar admitted. “There are matches, leagues and things happening minute by minute in soccer. So nobody is thinking about anything else. Things keep happening and, when the World Cup comes around, it will come.”

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Roma hope Donyell Malen and Bryan Zaragoza can inspire them to Europa League success in the all-Italian derby with Bologna’s Federico Bernardeschi and Santiago Castro.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

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

The second leg is at the Stadio Olimpico next Thursday, as it means there will be just one Italian entry into the Europa League quarter-finals.

Roma went directly into the Round of 16 as one of the top eight in the league phase, but are decimated in attack by injuries to Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson.

Gianluca Mancini also sits out a ban in defence, with Manu Koné and Mario Hermoso carrying knocks.

The French midfielder had originally been named on the bench, but was then sent to the stands at the last minute.

January signings Malen and Zaragoza finally get to play in the Europa League, as they were cup-tied for the last couple of league phase matches, with Bryan Cristante and Niccolò Pisilli providing support from midfield.

There is temptation to focus on the upcoming showdown with Como for fourth place in Serie A, coming off a 3-3 draw with Juventus and 2-1 defeat at Genoa.

Bologna have almost a complete squad to deal with after eliminating SK Brann in the play-offs, though Juan Miranda, Torbjorn Heggem and Charalampos Lykogiannis are not at 100 per cent.

Castro keeps hold of the centre-forward role, flanked by Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bernardeschi.

Tommaso Pobega also gets the nod in midfield.

The Rossoblu have had a very odd 2026, as after a crisis run of poor results, they put together five consecutive victories in all competition.

That was halted at the weekend with a shock 2-1 home defeat to rock bottom Hellas Verona in Serie A.

Bologna vs. Roma official line-ups

Bologna: Skorupski; Joao Mario, Casale, Lucumi, Miranda; Freuler, Ferguson, Pobega; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe

Bologna bench: Ravaglia, Moro, Orsolini, Heggem, Zortea, Odgaard, Lykogiannis, Sohm, Dallinga, Cambiaghi, Dominguez, Vitik

Roma: Svilar; Celik, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Rensch, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante; Zaragoza, Malen

Roma bench: De Marzi, Gollini, Pellegrini, Tsimikas, Hermoso, Ziolkowski, Vaz, El Shaarawy

Ref: Jablonski (GER)

12-03-2026 17:45

1/8 Final

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Roma

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Juan Miranda		13'
		15'		Wesley

2nd half

João Mário		47'
Federico Bernardeschi (Assist: Jonathan Rowe)		50'
Nicolò Casale		57'
		67'		Bryan Cristante
		71'		Lorenzo Pellegrini

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

13

Total shots

8

4

Shots on target

2

6

Shots off target

4

3

Blocked shots

2

7

Corners

3

1

Offsides

4

13

Fouls

18

Bologna

Roma

Starting lineups

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

João Mário

Defender

85'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

79'

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

84'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

71'

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

79'

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

58'

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

65'

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

66'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

46'

Donyell Malen

Attacker

Substitutes

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

71'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

79'

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

79'

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

84'

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

85'

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

70

Giorgio De Marzi

Goalkeeper

Robinio Vaz

Attacker

46'

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

58'

22

Mario Hermoso

Defender

65'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

66'

Roberto D’Aversa has described Friday’s home fixture against Parma as “a first match point to move closer to safety,” with the Torino head coach facing a wealth of selection decisions ahead of what he considers a pivotal Serie A clash.

The most eagerly awaited update concerned Che Adams, with D’Aversa confirming the Scottish forward is in contention to start despite not yet being able to last a full 90 minutes.

“By his characteristics he is very technical and could be vital in a game like tomorrow’s,” D’Aversa said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He doesn’t have 90 minutes in his legs, but that doesn’t mean he won’t start, within a match there are multiple phases, and my choice doesn’t depend solely on his fitness levels.”

Torino coach D’Aversa provides Adams & Nkounkou updates

D’Aversa was equally upbeat about Nkounkou, who has trained normally despite a minor complaint, and offered an interesting tactical distinction between two of his wider options.

“Njie is an attacking wide player who works best on the opposite flank,” he noted, suggesting the two are not direct rivals for the same position.

Cesare Casadei was identified as a player with enormous potential who has yet to fully harness it on a consistent basis.

“When he realises the quality he has, he will need to find consistency in his weekly work,” D’Aversa said, acknowledging that the midfielder has also been hampered by physical problems.

One particularly touching moment came in the coach’s assessment of Faustino Anjorin, who lost his grandmother this week but chose to remain with the squad and train throughout.

“In the space of two weeks he has grown enormously, I am starting to see the Anjorin from last season at Empoli,” D’Aversa said warmly.

With only Aboukhlal ruled out through injury, Torino go into the match with a near-fully fit squad — and a coach who, for once, has too many options rather than too few.

Giampaolo Pazzini has hailed Massimiliano Allegri’s tactical preparation after Milan’s derby victory over Inter, while insisting the title race remains firmly in Inter’s hands despite the gap narrowing to seven points.

The former Milan striker, who spent three seasons at San Siro between 2012 and 2015, spoke to Aura Sport, via PianetaMilan, in the aftermath of a result that has breathed new life into a Serie A campaign that had appeared all but settled.

Allegri himself was characteristically measured in his post-match assessment, describing the win as simply “one fewer victory needed to secure Champions League qualification,” but supporters could be forgiven for dreaming of something greater.

Pazzini hails Allegri preparation in Milan derby victories

Pazzini was generous in his praise for both sides. On Inter’s defeat, he acknowledged that Cristian Chivu had struggled tactically, something the Inter coach himself admitted in his post-match press conference.

“Inter’s last defeat before this was also in the derby against Milan, after which they went on a run of 14 wins and one draw,” Pazzini noted. “There is no doubt Chivu got the game wrong.”

The sharper focus of his analysis, however, was reserved for Allegri.

“You have to give credit to Milan, Allegri prepares matches perfectly,” he said. “It is no surprise that he has won both derbies this season.”

On the title race, Pazzini was clear-eyed. With Inter no longer competing in the Champions League and therefore able to dedicate full focus to the league, clawing back a seven-point deficit over the final ten matches would require something truly unexpected.

“I think the Scudetto conversation is still closed,” he said plainly.

Alessandro Bastoni could leave Inter Milan this summer, with Barcelona making initial contact over a potential move for the Italy international, according to reports in Spain and Italy.

Sporting director Deco has already held preliminary discussions with Bastoni’s entourage to sound out the possibility of a deal, according to Sport, with La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting that Inter are prepared to listen to offers, albeit only at a price they deem appropriate.

The Nerazzurri have set a minimum valuation of €70 million for the 25-year-old, who is contracted at San Siro until June 2028.

Inter open to selling key players like Bastoni in the summer

The broader context is important.

Inter’s hierarchy are understood to believe that a cycle has run its course and that a significant squad overhaul is required this summer, and that mentality extends even to key figures previously considered untouchable.

Bastoni, one of the finest left-sided centre-backs in European football and a cornerstone of Inter’s strong teams in recent years, falls into that category.

Any Barcelona move is closely tied to next week’s presidential election at the Catalan club, with current president Joan Laporta standing for re-election. Deco is a Laporta loyalist, meaning the viability of this pursuit depends heavily on the election outcome.

Bastoni is said to have not been entirely cold to the initial approach, though he remains strongly attached to Inter and has not ruled out extending his stay. Should no offer arrive that truly tests Oaktree’s resolve, the club may instead look to open contract extension talks with one of their most important players.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in signing the PSG attacker Lee Kang-In at the end of the season.

They will face competition from clubs like Arsenal and Chelsea, who have been monitoring the 25-year-old South Korean attacker for quite some time.

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The player has struggled to secure regular opportunities at the French club and needs to move on to play more often. Spurs could provide him with the platform he needs.

According to a report by TEAMtalk, Tottenham made a serious attempt to sign the player in January. It will be interesting to see if they can win the race for his signature in the summer. They need more quality and depth in the attacking unit, and the South Korean could be ideal for them. The 25 year old capable of operating on either flank and centrally. He will add goals and creativity to the team.

The opportunity to move to the Premier League will be exciting for him, especially if he gets regular opportunities. However, Tottenham are fighting for survival in the Premier League. They must keep their status as a Premier League club intact if they want to attract quality players. The South Korean will not want to compete in the Championship next season.

Arsenal and Chelsea could also use more depth in the final third. They need someone who will add pace, flair and unpredictability to the team. The South Korean could be a useful acquisition for them if he is available at a reasonable price. It will be interesting to see which of the three clubs can get the deal done.

The post Tottenham ready to revive move for PSG ace as Arsenal and Chelsea lurk in shadows appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in signing the VfB Stuttgart defender Finn Jeltsch. 

The 19-year-old has done quite well in Germany, and he has attracted the attention of Arsenal and Liverpool scouts. They have been monitoring his progress, and they are leading the race for his signature. According to a report from TEAMtalk, he could cost around €50 million.

The report further claims that it would take an “exceptionally high” sum of money to get the deal done. It will be interesting to see if Liverpool or Arsenal come forward with an official offer to sign him. 

Jeltsch has proven himself to be a reliable defender in the Bundesliga, and he has the physicality and technical attributes for English football as well. Apart from his qualities as a defender, he is calm and composed on the ball, and his distribution would add a new dimension to Arsenal and Liverpool.

The asking price seems quite expensive for a young talent like him. Arsenal and Liverpool might prefer to sign him for a more reasonable fee. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops.

The defender has been likened to Mats Hummels due to stylistic similarities. He has a bright future ahead of himself, and he could prove to be a quality long-term acquisition for the two English clubs.

The possibility of moving to the Premier League will be exciting for Jeltsch, and he will look to sort out his future quickly so that he can focus on his football. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. Both clubs could groom him into a star. They could also provide him with a platform to fight for trophies.

The post Arsenal and Liverpool lead race for Bundesliga gem with “exceptionally high” price tag appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are keeping an eye on the situation around Tino Livramento and considering a move for the Newcastle fullback. Livramento has reportedly been an subject of strong interest from Manchester City for a while now, but Newcastle have been fighting to keep hold of the 23-year-old for the long-term future. However, […]

The post Arsenal consider Livramento move appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Arsenal consider Livramento move appeared first on Soccer News.

With just a few months to go until the 2026 World Cup, the Finalissima stands out as the most anticipated event, as it is not only a clash between Argentina and Spain, but also a Lamine Yamal vs. Lionel Messi encounter. Prioritizing a neutral venue, Lusail Stadium emerged as the ideal location. However, the unstable situation in the Middle East has changed things, supposedly making an iconic stadium the new favorite host, but it reportedly faces a backlash.

According to José Félix Díaz in Diario AS, Santiago Bernabéu Stadium emerges as the favorite venue to host the Finalissima between Spain and Argentina. While UEFA considers it the best alternative, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) and CONMEBOL have not yet confirmed whether they will accept this option. In addition, Juan Felipe Sanz reported on El Chiringuito de Jugones that, if the conditions are accepted, the match would take place on March 27.

In case this venue is confirmed, the iconic clash between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi would occur in a stadium familiar to both, boosting the event’s visibility. This would not be the first time both teams played in Spain, as they faced each other in March 2018 at Metropolitano Stadium, now known as Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Nonetheless, Argentina may not be entirely inclined to accept the proposed venue.

As reported by Gaston Edul, the AFA has decided to reject Santiago Bernabéu Stadium as the venue for the Finalissima and will soon communicate this decision to UEFA. The original idea was for the match to be played on neutral territory, which would not be the case if it took place at Real Madrid’s stadium, putting Lionel Messi’s team in a potentially hostile scenario. With this in mind, UEFA and CONMEBOL may soon consider other alternatives.

Finalissima’s Argentina vs. Spain clash reportedly hold other venues

While the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium stands as one of the most innovative and historically rich venues globally, its lack of neutrality could pose complications. For that reason, Lionel Messi’s Argentina may force to chase other alternatives. As a result, UEFA and CONMEBOL are reportedly exploring additional venues for the Finalissima, with Europe emerging as the favored location.

According to RNE Deportes, Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal, and Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, have emerged as other alternatives. These venues offer a neutral setting for Spain and Argentina while still being modern and capacious. Even though Wembley Stadium in London was also in consideration, the upcoming Uruguay vs. England match on March 27, ruling it out from the list of potential candidates.

While new venues are being debated for the Finalissima between Argentina and, Qatar are reportedly pushing to keep the Lusail Stadium as the venue, as they have paid a large sum and signed a contract, according to Aritz Gabilondo via Cadena SER. In addition, they aim to resume their domestic league soon and reopen the airspace, seeking to ensure there are no excuses. Because of this, just a few weeks before the match, the venue is still not clear.

Gennaro Gattuso and his staff are preparing for the crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March, but the latest news regarding Marco Verratti means that Italy now have seven players currently unavailable through injury. 

Which Italy players are currently unavailable through injury?

Italy will take on Northern Ireland in Bergamo in the World Cup play-off semi-final on March 26, and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the final on March 31: A one-off decider for a spot in the final tournament. 

Should the Azzurri fail to win both matches, they will miss out on the World Cup for the third consecutive tournament cycle. 

To make matters even more complicated for Gattuso and his staff, the last international break was four months ago, in November, and there has not been an opportunity for the squad to get together and train as a team since then. 

Gattuso also has seven players who might have been included in the play-off squad currently unavailable through injury. They are the aforementioned Verratti, Giovanni Leoni, Matteo Gabbia, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Destiny Udogie, Nicolo Rovella and Antonio Vergara. 

There had also been brief concerns over Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori over the last week, but Cristian Chivu has confirmed that the Inter man suffered a knock and is not expected to be unavailable long-term, while the Arsenal defender has already returned to training with his teammates. 

There is still a chance that Di Lorenzo, who has 53 caps to his name, returns in time for the play-offs. Reports in the UK indicate that Udogie could potentially return to action for Tottenham before the international break as well. It remains to be seen whether either will be called up. 

Gabbia, Leoni, Rovella, Verratti and Vergara are not expected to return in time for the play-offs, though.

Moise Kean’s future at Fiorentina looks increasingly uncertain, and Milan are firmly positioned to take advantage, with Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri understood to be the driving force behind the club’s renewed interest in the Italian striker.

The Italian signed a new contract with Fiorentina last summer through to 2029, rejecting several approaches in a show of commitment to the Viola project.

Seven months on, that project has faltered considerably, and with a likely restructuring ahead at the club, the suitors who were rebuffed last summer are circling once more.

According to Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto, via CalcioMercato, Milan have never truly moved on from their interest, with Allegri personally requesting in January that the club make a move, a request that was ultimately impossible to fulfil at the time given squad constraints and Fiorentina’s precarious league position.

Three factors that could lead to Milan move for Kean

Three specific factors could prove decisive in convincing Kean to make the move to San Siro.

The first is personal, his close friendship with Rafael Leao, with whom he shares a passion for rap music and has even collaborated on tracks.

The second is Allegri himself, who has consistently rated Kean highly even during the striker’s most difficult periods at Juventus, and whose presence could be a significant pull. The third, and perhaps most compelling, is Champions League football, something Fiorentina simply cannot offer, with their only route to Europe running through the Conference League.

The obstacle, as ever, is financial.

Fiorentina are using a €62 million release clause as their opening valuation, a figure Milan currently consider excessive and have no intention of meeting in full. Bridging that gap will be the central challenge of what promises to be a complicated but fascinating summer negotiation.

Emiliano Martinez is among the potential goalkeeping options for Juventus approaching the summer transfer window, and the Bianconeri could reportedly seek to include loanee Douglas Luiz in negotiations with Aston Villa. 

Juventus, and Inter, are both looking to address their goalkeeping situations over the summer transfer window. Michele Di Gregorio has had a disappointing season between the sticks for the Bianconeri, and is no longer the club’s guaranteed first choice, with Mattia Perin returning for opportunities over the last few weeks. 

According to reports from Tuttosport and various others, Juventus will look to bring in a new stopper over the next summer transfer window. 

Could Juventus snatch Emiliano Martinez away from Aston Villa?

Juve have already been linked with several Premier League stoppers over the last few weeks, including Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario, also of interest to Inter, and Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, who has Serie A experience from his time with Roma. 

According to Thursday’s reports from Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com, Aston Villa’s Martinez is also an option for the Bianconeri heading into the summer transfer window. 

The 33-year-old World Cup winner and two-time Yashin Trophy recipient remains under contract until the summer of 2029 at Villa Park, but with financial restrictions still weighing over the Premier League side, Juventus hope there is a chance they will consider a sale under the right conditions. 

Martinez reportedly earns a net salary in the region of €5m per season at Aston Villa, and he would reportedly request a three-year contract if he were to leave Villa Park this summer. 

Juventus and Villa could also seek to include Douglas Luiz in potential negotiations for Martinez. 

The Brazilian midfielder is currently on loan at Villa with an option to buy from Juventus for €25m, and Thursday’s reports claim that the possibility of a ‘double deal’ can’t be ruled out at this stage. 

Thursday’s reports indicate that Marco Verratti will be unavailable for Italy’s upcoming World Cup play-off campaign through injury, so who could replace the 33-year-old midfielder, and how is CT Gennaro Gattuso planning to line up in the middle of the park? 

Verratti, who last played for the national team in Nations League finals in the summer of 2023, has been in line for a surprise return to the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on March 26, and for the final, which will be played away against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31 should Italy qualify. 

There were reports that the former PSG and current Al-Duhail midfielder was on Gattuso’s preliminary squad list, and that he was in line to make the final cut at the end of this month. 

Those rumours have been put to bed on Thursday, as reports from various outlets claim that Verratti is still struggling with a knee injury that has kept him out of club action since January 15 and will not be included in the World Cup play-off squad at the end of this month. 

Thursday’s reports indicate that 21-year-old Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli is the most likely candidate to replace Verratti in Gattuso’s squad. 

Fortunately for Gattuso, the injury to Verratti is unlikely to impact plans on his first-choice starting XI. That is because Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali are widely expected to be the go-to ‘number 8s’ this month, and Juventus’s Manuel Locatelli is highly likely to be the man at the base of the Azzuurri midfield. 

Which midfielders are on Italy’s radar? 

Nicolo Barella (Inter), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Nicolo Rovella (Lazio), Samuele Ricci (Milan), Niccolo Pisilli (Roma), Fabio Miretti (Juventus), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Giovanni Fabbian (Fiorentina), Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina), Cesare Casadei (Torino).

Arsenal recently handed Bukayo Saka a bumper new contract – the problem is, he’s no longer performing like the star player his pay packet suggests he is.

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The England international is not having his best season, and it was notable how much better Arsenal looked when they subbed him off for Noni Madueke in last night’s Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen.

While goals and assists aren’t everything, they’re pretty important currency for the star attacker of a top club, and those numbers only seem to be going in the wrong direction for Saka.

Bukayo Saka’s G/A numbers continue to decline

See below as a quite clear pattern has emerged showing that Saka peaked with his output two years ago, with injuries clearly seeming to take a toll since then…

So far in 2025/26, Saka is on nine goals and five assists in 39 games in all competitions – a distinctly average return, and perhaps more concerning as the season goes on, with the 24-year-old on just two goals and two assists in 2026 so far.

The presence of Saka means Madueke has had limited minutes, but he’s still managed seven goals and one assist in 29 appearances, only 19 of which have been in the starting XI.

Bukayo Saka not justifying huge new Arsenal contract

According to the Guardian, Saka is now on a contract until 2031, with Arsenal set to pay him £15m a year until that time, amounting to roughly a £75m investment.

If Arsenal had agreed that kind of deal a year or two ago, no one would bat an eyelid, but at the moment it looks like the club may have walked into a major mistake.

Saka’s fitness has been patchy, and it’s starting to look like it’s having an effect with his on-pitch displays.

For someone who’s played so much football already at a relatively young age, it wouldn’t be surprising if we saw Saka suffer in much the same way as other explosive young forwards did.

Names like Michael Owen and Marcus Rashford come to mind as players who peaked far earlier than the standard 25-28 age bracket due to becoming important first-team regulars as teenagers.

Bukayo Saka needs a rest, but when will it come?

It looks like Saka just needs a rest right now after such a gruelling schedule in the last few years, with the winger playing at a high level every three days pretty much constantly.

Unfortunately, Mikel Arteta needs his star man to be ready to fight for the Premier League title, Carabao Cup final, and continued runs in the FA Cup and the Champions League.

While Madueke is showing himself to be a fine alternative, it seems unlikely that Arsenal are going to bench their highest earner any time soon, with every game at this stage of the season looking hugely important.

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And after that, there’s the World Cup with England to think about, with Saka almost certain to be on the plane to North America, and likely to be in Thomas Tuchel’s first XI at the tournament.

Arsenal know they have an elite talent on their hands, hence the big pay day and the frequent minutes, but as time goes on it increasingly seems like those two things can’t go hand in hand comfortably together.

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Having gone down to Robert Andrich’s opener, Arsenal avoided defeat in their first-leg clash with Bayer in Leverkusen through a late penalty. Referee Halil Meler from Turkey deemed this contact between substitutes Malik Tillman and Noni Madueke worthy of a spot-kick in the final minutes of the game, and it was converted for Arsenal by […]

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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored twice and assisted another late on as Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-2 win over Chelsea left them in control of their Champions League last-16 tie. Liam Rosenior’s side will have to overturn a three-goal deficit in Tuesday’s return meeting at Stamford Bridge, after substitute Kvaratskhelia stole the show off the bench at Parc des […]

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The Champions League round-of‑16 first legs played on March 10 and 11 offered the kind of drama only Europe’s premier competition can deliver. Some matches reaffirmed the quality of traditional giants, others exposed fragile foundations, and a few left us wondering how certain teams will recover in time for next week’s decisive second legs. Newcastle […]

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The post Champions League Round-Up: High Stakes, Harsh Lessons, Defining Week Ahead appeared first on Soccer News.

According to the Telegraph, Arsenal are keeping an eye on the situation around Tino Livramento and considering a move for the Newcastle fullback. Livramento has reportedly been an subject of strong interest from Manchester City for a while now, but Newcastle have been fighting to keep hold of the 23-year-old for the long-term future. However, […]

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Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are also among the list of clubs interested in a potential free transfer for 37-year-old centre-forward Robert Lewandowski once his contract with Barcelona expires at the end of the 2025-26 season. 

Could Juventus rival Milan for Lewandowski signing?

Lewandowski has spent just shy of four years with Barcelona, having joined the LaLiga giants in a €50m deal from Bayern Munich during that summer transfer window. 

He signed a four-year contract at the time, which is due to expire this summer, and though there is reportedly an option to extend the agreement by an additional 12 months, that option is unlikely to be exercised according to the latest reports from Tuttosport. 

Tuttosport claims that Juventus are among the interested sides in Lewandowski approaching the summer transfer window. The Polish legend has also been linked with a potential move to Milan at various stages of the 2025-26 season, following the successful signing of veteran midfielder Luka Modric. 

Tuttosport claims that Juventus director Damien Comolli is studying a potential deal and that he hopes to pull off a similar deal to the one that Milan achieved with Modric, potentially on a two-year contract. 

The feeling is that like Modric, Lewandowski has the class and ability to make an immediate impact in Serie A despite his age, and with his experience, he would be a valuable addition to the senior members of the club’s dressing room. 

The main obstacle for Juventus relates to salary, given that Lewandowski earns a reported €13m per season after tax on his current deal with Barcelona. That would make him comfortably the highest-paid player in Serie A, even higher than current Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. Juventus would need to convince Lewandowski to take some sort of pay cut in order to facilitate the move according to Tuttosport. 

The Old Lady are not the only interested party either. Milan have already been mentioned and there is also plenty of interest from MLS as well according to Thursday’s report. 

Star Roma midfielder Manu Kone is expected to be unavailable through injury for Thursday evening’s Europa League round of 16 first leg clash against Serie A rivals Bologna according to the latest updates in Italy. 

The two Serie A sides left standing in the Europa League will go head-to-head over two legs of the round of 16 over the next week, beginning on Thursday evening at the Dall’Ara.

Roma confirmed their squad of players on Wednesday evening, including Kone among the selections, but according to reports from Corriere dello Sport on Thursday, the Frenchman is struggling with a muscular issue. 

According to Corriere dello Sport, Kone was already feeling fatigued after Roma’s recent 2-1 loss against Genoa in Serie A. He was given a run-out on Thursday morning ahead of the Bologna match, but this mini-session has only confirmed that he is not in a condition to play this evening. 

Thursday’s report claims that Kone is likely to miss out on Roma’s massive Serie A clash against top-four rivals Como coming up this weekend, as well as the Bologna match in the Europa League. 

Neil El Aynaoui and Niccolo Pisilli are expected to start in midfield for the Giallorossi against Bologna instead according to the latest updates. 

Meanwhile, reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday morning claimed that Kone is still of interest to Serie A leaders Inter heading into the summer transfer window. 

Click here to read more.

Roma squad to face Bologna

Goalkeepers: Svilar, Gollini, De Marzi.

Defenders: Rensch, Ndicka, Tsimikas, Celik, Hermoso, Ziolkowski, Wesley, Ghilardi.

Midfielders: Cristante, Pellegrini, El Aynaoui, Pisilli

Forwards: Malen, Vaz, El Shaarawy, Zaragoza.

Predicted line-up (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, El Aynaoui, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, Zaragoza; Malen

Former Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia said that the first goal he scored for Paris Saint-Germain against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night reminded him of a goal he once scored for the Partenopei against Monza in Serie A. Here is a look at the two wonderful strikes from the Georgian. 

Watch: Kvaratskhelia’s PSG and Napoli goals compared

Kvaratskhelia started among the substitutes, but emerged off the bench to change the game in PSG’s eventual 5-2 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday night. 

The scores were level at 2-2 at the time of Kvaratskhelia’s introduction, but the Georgian came on to change the game, providing two goals and an assist to help his side to a convincing 5-2 scoreline. 

The first goal that Kvaratskhelia scored on the night was a particularly special finish, cutting in off the left flank onto his preferred right foot before slamming a bending effort right into the side netting. 

“My first goal tonight reminded me of the one I scored at the Maradona against Monza,” Kvaratskhelia noted after full-time. “It was essential to win,” he continued. “I’m happy with the brace but now I’m looking forward to the next game.” 

The goal that ‘Kvara’ was referring to came in a 4-0 against Monza at the Stadio Maradona during Napoli’s 2022-23 Scudetto-winning campaign. 

Reports in Italy claim that talks over a new contract for Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti are progressing and that the Bianconeri have drawn up two different proposals for the former CT to choose between. 

Spalletti was appointed as the head coach of Juventus on October 30, signing a short-term contract until the end of the 2025-26 season following the dismissal of current Tottenham Hotspur boss Igor Tudor. 

Since then, Spalletti has overseen a largely encouraging upturn in results, despite the club’s recent exit from the Champions League at the hands of Galatasaray. Juventus are currently fighting it out with Roma and Como for a spot in next season’s Champions League, but Spalletti’s future is not likely to be dependent on a top four finish according to recent reports. 

Where to Juventus and Spalletti stand in contract talks?

According to Thursday’s updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, talks over a contract extension for Spalletti are progressing, and as things stand, there are currently two options on the table for the head coach. 

The first option would be for an initial 12-month contract until the end of the 2026-27 season with an option to renew for a further year. This would reportedly come with a salary offer of around €6m plus around €1m in bonuses. 

The other option would be for a straight, two-year deal, albeit on slightly lower wages in the region of €5m per season. This option would effectively give Spalletti an extra year of job and salary security. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that as things stand, the parties are leaning towards the first of these two options.

Arsenal are exploring the market for wingers this summer, and Brentford’s Kevin Schade is understood to be one name being discussed internally.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye in the Premier League, weighing in with seven goals and three assists this season, following on from 12 goals in all competitions last term.

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As reported here recently, Schade’s form has seen him become a target for Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United, though Brentford shut down any interest in the Germany international in January.

My understanding is the summer could be different, however, with Arsenal now also showing an interest in Schade as one of the options to replace Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.

Arsenal need a new left winger – Kevin Schade could be the answer

Schade looks ready to make the step up to a higher level, just as many other players from Brentford have in recent times.

The Bees have sold big names like Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa in recent times, as well as David Raya and Christian Norgaard to Arsenal.

“Arsenal and Brentford have a good relationship, so that could help with Schade,” one source said. “He’s been on the radar of a few clubs for some time now, but Arsenal’s interest is growing.”

Having strengthened with attacking players like Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke last summer, it now looks like AFC just need one more addition to give them something different on the left, with Schade perhaps an ideal pick.

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Kevin Schade transfer looks a good fit for Arsenal, but could they do better?

Schade has shown plenty of promise, but his numbers at the moment are perhaps a bit short of what a club like Arsenal need.

He’s young enough that he could still improve, particularly with better players around him, and he has that good blend of experience as well, having been in the Premier League since he was a youngster.

We’ve previously been informed that Schade would likely cost around €60m, however, and even if it’s a difficult market for attacking players right now, there are probably some better value-for-money options out there.

That’s why we’ve only given the Schade to Arsenal transfer a 15/25 – very much a medium score on our Transfer Fit rating system.

The post Exclusive: Arsenal considering 10 G/A star for important transfer upgrade appeared first on CaughtOffside.

This summer will round off a decade since Pep Guardiola took charge at Manchester City, and many believe his time at the Etihad is coming to an end. The 55-year-old tactician, who also had very successful spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, says he’ll miss some stadiums in England. “I’ll miss Selhurst Park as well!” […]

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The post “I adore the Premier League for that” – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola (Video) appeared first on Soccer News.

Prediction: Manchester City to win 3-0 Best Odds: 12/1 Bookmaker: Zetbet West Ham United and Manchester City will lock horns with each other in the Premier League this weekend. The match between Nuno’s side and Pep Guardiola’s team will be held at London Stadium and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on […]

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The post Prediction: West Ham United vs Manchester City appeared first on Soccer News.

Prediction: Fulham to win 2-1 Best Odds: 9/1 Bookmaker: Zetbet Nottingham Forest and Fulham will lock horns with each other in the Premier League this weekend. The match between the Tricky Tress and the Cottagers will be held at the City Ground on Sunday and is scheduled to kick off at 2pm UK time on […]

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Robert Andrich was left disappointed with the late penalty awarded to Arsenal as Bayer Leverkusen were pegged back in a 1-1 Champions League draw. Andrich headed Leverkusen in front early in the second half on Wednesday, only for Malik Tillman to concede a late spot-kick for a foul on Noni Madueke, with Kai Havertz converting […]

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic says that there is a need for ‘balance’ in Italian youth teams, and believes that coaches of Primavera and U23 sides are too ‘focused on results’ as things stand. 

The RedBird advisor addressed the topic of youth team cultures in a recent feature interview with CBS Sports.

• Read more: Ibrahimovic names biggest Milan role model: ‘They compared me with him at Ajax’ 

Ibrahimovic on Italy’s youth, relationship with Allegri, Maignan and Rabiot

During his chat with CBS, Ibrahimovic was asked for his thoughts on the current state of youth teams in Italy and the apparent struggle to field promising young Italian players in competitive matches. 

“The culture of Italy is that everybody is focused on results,” said Ibrahimovic. 

“The youth coaches (say): ‘I want to win, so If I want to win, I put a ready player. But then I have a potential player, he will not play. I will play the ready player because he will make me win’. We take that out from Milan. 

“We’re changing the philosophy because first of all we want to give them game time. Because when you’re young, I believe in game time. If you’re not playing in Milan Futuro, you’ll play with the Primavera, 100%. So everybody will get game time. Then after a while, you move up again. It’s like a balance, like a scale that goes up and down.” 

Ibrahimovic tried to explain why promoting young players to the first team seems to be such a big issue, particularly at a ‘big’ club like Milan. 

“But then when you come in the first team, it’s only based on results. So now we need results. We’re trying to bring out the youth, which we want, but at the same time, we’re haunted by the history of the club. 

“I mean seven Champions Leagues, 19 Scudettos, all the Golden Ball players that won, all the international cups we won, fans are used to that. If we don’t give them that, we’re not giving them Milan. And we need to give them Milan.” 

Ibrahimovic also discussed his working relationship with head coach Massimiliano Allegri, with whom he has worked as a player and as an advisor to the club’s ownership. 

“He’s a character. I had him as a coach also. Even at that time he handled the players very well,” Ibrahimovic said. “He’s very good at the relationships with the players, he’s managing the group fantastically. And obviously he’s a character. 

“It wasn’t easy because we had Seedorf, we had me, Cassano, all of these big characters that weren’t afraid to say things. But Allegri has to think collectively, he can’t only think about one. He has to do what’s best for the time. 

“From then, he had to work on the big characters. But he handled it well. We won in the first year and he’s bringing that to the team today, he transmits it to the team. Obviously the players he had before are different to these ones. Maybe now he’s missing the ‘characters’ that he would like to have more of.

“Working with Allegri is very easy. He’s the expert. He has big experience, he’s been at big clubs. He’s a winner and to be at Milan isn’t for everyone. It’s difficult to be the coach of Milan. It’s very demanding and he understands what it means to be at Milan, so he brings the whole package. He just has to bring that to the players now.”

Ibrahimovic is also familiar with a number of Milan’s current first-team stars from his own playing days. 

“We have Rabiot also, who is also for me, on a different level. In this team, we have Mike the goalie, Nkunku, who came this season and Rabiot. I played with them when they were 17 years old at PSG. Now they’re here at Milan. And I played with Mike obviously here, and Rabiot chose a different path.”

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has named former Netherlands international Marco van Basten as the Milan player he most looked up to growing up, and says that he struggled initially to handle the comparisons between himself and the former Rossoneri star. 

Ibrahimovic on biggest Milan inspirations: ‘He remains in history’

Ibrahimovic recently appeared in a feature with CBS Sports, talking all things Rossonero during a tour of the club’s training ground, Milanello. 

At the beginning of his interview, Ibrahimovic was asked which Milan player he most looked up to growing up. 

“I have Marco van Basten,” said Ibarhimovic. “When I came to Ajax, he was also playing there and they compared me with him at Ajax. And already there the pressure was too high for me because I was not ready to handle that pressure on that level because obviously Van Basten is an icon, a legend. 

“And at this club, he’s part of the trio: van Basten, Gullit, Rijkaard. They’re the three from Holland that made history with the club. And I was compared with him because I was a striker, the way I was playing. So he was my symbolic ‘logo’ of Milan. 

“He was amazing. He only had a short career, but for what he did, he remains in history, and not only at Milan, in global football.”

Thursday’s reports claim that Atalanta are hoping to hand a new and improved contract extension to head coach Raffaele Palladino, despite his side’s 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich earlier this week. 

Palladino set for Atalanta contract talks despite Champions League thrashing

Palladino was appointed head coach of La Dea in November following the dismissal of Ivan Juric. At the time, he put pen to paper over a contract that runs until the end of the 2026-27 season, but Atalanta are now considering handing him a new, longer-term deal, potentially until the summer of 2029. 

That is because the club is pleased with the work that Palladino has done so far. 

Despite the recent thumping by Bayern Munich, La Dea appreciate the fact that Atalanta were able to overcome Borussia Dortmund in a particularly memorable Champions League victory in February, and the fact that the club are now back in the mix for a potential spot in Europe next season after an underwhelming start to the 2025-26 Serie A campaign. 

Atalanta are also still involved in the Coppa Italia semi-finals, which means that they are the only Italian side left standing in Serie A, the cup and the Champions League, even if their round of 16 tie against Bayern Munich has practically already been settled. 

Palladino was also named as the Serie A coach of the month for February following a string of victories against Cremonese, Lazio and Napoli. 

According to reports from TMW, Atalanta are now hoping to sit down with Palladino to discuss a potential extension of his deal until 1019 as a sign that they trust him as the right man to take the project forwards.

Despite being tipped with a surprise return to the Italy national team set-up after almost three years, it appears that Marco Verratti will not be available for the crucial World Cup play-off campaign at the end of the month after all. 

Verratti had been tipped with a return to the Italy national team squad for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland coming up on March 26, and recent reports claimed that he was on Gennaro Gattuso’s preliminary squad list.

The 33-year-old last played for the Azzurri during the Nations League finals in the summer of 2023. 

Verratti is currently on the books of Al-Duhail of the Qatar Stars League, but has not featured for his club since January 15 due to recurring injury issues. Those problems are expected to keep him out of action for the play-offs with Italy later this month according to reports from various outlets on Thursday. 

Instead, Gattuso looks set to stick with a first-choice midfield of Nicolo Barella, Sandro Tonali and Juventus’s Manuel Locatelli at the base. Thursday’s reports suggest that Roma’s Niccolo Pisilli is increasingly likely to be included in the squad now that Verratti has been ruled out. 

When do Italy play next? 

The Azzurri will next be in action against Northern Ireland for the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on Thursday, March 26. 

The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on March 31 depending on the result of the other semi-final.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told that he may have a “brave decision” to make on Bukayo Saka after Noni Madueke played a lot better than him against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners were far from at their best in last night’s 1-1 draw in the Champions League, with Saka in particular struggling to provide the spark he normally does.

Madueke was subbed on to replace his fellow England winger, and it quickly became apparent that he was offering more of a threat.

The former Chelsea man then ended up winning the penalty for Arsenal late on, with Kai Havertz stepping up to equalise from the spot.

Should Mikel Arteta start Noni Madueke over Bukayo Saka?

Discussing how this all unfolded, former Premier League striker Charlie Austin said on Sky Sports News that Arteta may now have a brave decision to make.

Austin felt that Saka didn’t really perform, despite being the club’s star player, while Madueke changed the game when he came on.

“It’s a tough one,” he said. “I think when he’s come on, the performances he’s put in have warranted starting.

"What more can Madueke do" ?

Charlie Austin looks at whether Noni Madueke should be starting over Bukayo Saka for Arsenal and believes Mikel Arteta will be satisfied with the 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen ? pic.twitter.com/YxcpU5tB9E

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 12, 2026

“The issue that he has, unfortunately, is that Arsenal’s star boy plays in the same position as him, so it’s going to take the manager to make a brave decision to make that change.”

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He added: “If I’m Noni Madueke, I’m asking the question: ‘What more can I do?’ because when he came on last night he changed the game…

“He got the ball, he ran at defenders, made things happen. In the 58, 59 minutes that Saka was on the pitch, he didn’t.”

Bukayo Saka vs Noni Madueke stats

Here’s a look at how Saka and Madueke’s stats compare so far this season…

Clearly, Saka still offers a lot, even if he isn’t passing the so-called ‘eye test’ at the moment in the same way as he has in the past.

At the same time, it’s also worth remembering that Saka has had a lot more minutes than Madueke, so perhaps the latter is showing signs that he could do a better job overall if he had more time on the pitch and more opportunities to develop better chemistry with his teammates.

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Tottenham are reportedly continuing to monitor Andy Robertson’s situation at Liverpool as the summer transfer window approaches.

According to Football Insider, Spurs remain interested in signing the experienced left-back as a free agent should he ultimately leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Tottenham previously attempted to explore a move for the Scotland international during the January transfer window, but the deal did not materialize.

The north London club are still keeping a close watch on developments, hoping another opportunity could arise in the coming months.

Robertson has an illustrious legacy at Liverpool

Robertson has been one of Liverpool’s most influential players since joining the club from Hull City in 2017.

Over the past decade, the 32-year-old has played a central role in one of the most successful periods in Liverpool’s modern history.

Under former manager Jürgen Klopp, Robertson formed a formidable full-back partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold, helping redefine the attacking responsibilities of defenders in modern football.

His relentless energy, crossing ability, and leadership qualities have made him a fan favourite at Anfield.

Robertson has also been part of Liverpool’s most important achievements in recent years, contributing to the club’s Premier League title, UEFA Champions League triumph, FA Cup victory, and domestic cup successes.

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Tottenham are looking for experience in defense

Tottenham’s continued interest in Robertson shows their desire to strengthen the left side of their defence.

The club has been exploring options to add experience and leadership to the squad as they plan for the next stage of their project.

A player with Robertson’s experience in high-pressure matches and European competitions would represent a valuable addition for Spurs, particularly if he were available without a transfer fee.

The left-back has clearly no future at Liverpool after the arrival of Milos Kerkez last summer.

European giants determined to keep 41 G/A attacker Liverpool are eyeing to replace Salah

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Bayern Munich are determined to retain Michael Olise this summer despite growing speculation linking the French international with a move to Liverpool, according to Fabrizio Romano.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Bundesliga champions have no intention of allowing the winger to leave and are attempting to quieten rumours surrounding his future.

Olise has been one of Bayern’s standout performers this season, making him an integral part of the club’s long-term plans.

While Liverpool are expected to strengthen their attacking options in the upcoming transfer window, Bayern’s stance suggests that a deal for the 24-year-old could prove extremely difficult to negotiate.

Olise has been performing at a high level at Bayern

Olise has scored 15 goals for the German club this season and provided 26 assists in all competitions this season.

His ability to create chances, beat defenders in one-on-one situations, and contribute consistently in the final third has made him a key figure in Bayern’s attack.

In the Champions League this week, Olise scored twice against Atalanta in a 6-1 win.

Olise typically operates as a right-sided winger but is capable of drifting inside to create scoring opportunities or linking with attacking midfielders in tight spaces.

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Liverpool continue to monitor the French attacker

Liverpool’s interest in Olise is believed to be connected with the club’s succession plan for Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian attacker is facing an uncertain future at Anfield and he could be replaced at Anfield as early as this summer.

Several reports in England have suggested Liverpool may target a winger capable of adding creativity and goal contributions from wide areas.

Olise would be the ideal Salah replacement at Anfield but as expected, Bayern Munich have no intention to entertain offers for one of their best players.

Report: Liverpool alerted as Premier League star made available in tempting £60m transfer 

The post European giants determined to keep 41 G/A attacker Liverpool are eyeing to replace Salah appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana reportedly met recently with the agent of Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele.

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The France international’s representative, Moussa Sissoko, recently met with Viana in what is being described as a routine contact, the kind of which often takes place between high-level club officials and player agents.

Still, as reported by Sport, this has led to speculation about Dembele’s future, and it would certainly make sense if the former Barcelona man had interest from another top club like Man City.

This is not the first time recently that we’ve heard murmurings about Dembele’s situation, with TEAMtalk reporting on him being unhappy at PSG.

Ousmane Dembele transfer could transform Manchester City’s attack

Dembele is one of the very best players in the world on his day, as he showed last season when he put in some of the best form of his career to fire PSG to Champions League glory.

The 28-year-old won the Ballon d’Or for his efforts, and with his ability to play anywhere across the forward line, he could be a hugely important addition to this City squad.

See below for our Transfer Fit rating score (find out how it works here)…

Dembele probably wouldn’t come cheap and is clearly not someone with that long left at the very highest level, even if he’s been a bit of a late bloomer in his career.

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Still, it’s hard not to give this deal a higher end of medium score overall, as Dembele could provide MCFC with an alternative to the out-of-form Erling Haaland, as well as an upgrade on inconsistent attacking players like Phil Foden, Omar Marmoush, Savinho, and Jeremy Doku.

City haven’t quite looked themselves this season, so injecting a proven attacking talent who can play a variety of roles looks like just what they need to get back to their best.

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Liverpool are reportedly one of the clubs to have been alerted to the availability of Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento this summer.

There have been a lot of recent transfer reports about Livramento, who is coming up to the final two years of his contract at St James’ Park.

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Just yesterday, the Telegraph reported that Arsenal were weighing up a summer bid for the former Chelsea youngster, while TEAMtalk now has further insight into his situation.

It seems Newcastle are open to letting Livramento go for around £60m this summer, and a host of clubs have been informed about his potential availability.

One of those is Liverpool, according to TEAMtalk, though they also suggest the strongest interest may be coming from Manchester City.

Tino Livramento could be an important signing for Liverpool

Liverpool signed both Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez last summer to give them a new right-back and left-back, respectively.

However, it would be fair to say neither player has exactly hit the ground running, even if Kerkez has improved a bit as the season has gone on.

Livramento can play right-back or left-back to a high standard, so even if he wouldn’t come cheap, he’d clearly do a job for Arne Slot’s side, whilst bringing a good amount of Premier League experience…

Overall, we give him a 17/25 Transfer Fit rating, which is the higher end of medium, as he looks a little overpriced, even if he otherwise ticks a few boxes. For that kind of fee, however, there could surely be better options out there.

Liverpool to raid Newcastle again?

Liverpool might not be too keen to enter into a protracted transfer saga with Newcastle again after how long it took them to eventually get Alexander Isak through the door last summer.

It might mean relations between the two clubs are strained, even if Livramento’s situation is admittedly quite different.

The post Report: Liverpool alerted as Premier League star made available in tempting £60m transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal have reportedly taken early steps toward a potential move for RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba, as the club continues to evaluate defensive reinforcements ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to French outlet L’Équipe, the Gunners have already held initial discussions with Leipzig regarding the highly rated French centre-back.

Lukeba has become one of the most sought-after young defenders in European football.

Arsenal are believed to be among several clubs tracking his progress, while Bayern Munich are also reportedly monitoring the situation closely.

Lukeba has impressed Arsenal and Bayern Munich

Lukeba has steadily built a reputation as one of the most promising young defenders in Europe.

The 23-year-old France international joined RB Leipzig after developing through the academy at Olympique Lyonnais, where he first showcased his defensive intelligence and composure on the ball.

His performances in the Bundesliga and European competitions have highlighted his ability to combine defensive solidity with strong technical skills, a profile that modern top clubs increasingly value.

Standing out for his pace, positioning, and confidence in possession, Lukeba has often been deployed as a left-sided centre-back, a role that allows him to step forward into midfield and help initiate attacking moves from the back.

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Arteta wants to invest more money in his defense

Arteta has a habit of focusing more on his defense and his transfer business in recent windows shows that.

The Gunners have placed considerable emphasis on signing players capable of fitting into a possession-based system while maintaining defensive stability.

Although Arsenal already possess several quality centre-backs, the club is believed to be evaluating options to strengthen depth and prepare for the future, especially with the demands of competing across multiple competitions.

Lukeba’s age, playing style, and potential make him an attractive option for Arsenal’s recruitment team.

‘You never know’ – Arsenal attacking target ignites speculation over his future 

The post Arsenal hold initial talks with €60 million defender on the radar of Bayern Munich appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are reportedly exploring a surprise potential transfer move for Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori, who could be open to leaving the Emirates Stadium.

That’s according to Simon Phillips, who has stated that Chelsea were keen on Calafiori before he joined the Gunners, while the Italy international is now keen to get more playing time and specifically play more often at centre-back than at left-back.

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Calafiori has impressed at Arsenal in his two seasons in north London, but he now seems to have fallen behind Piero Hincapie in the pecking order after some injury problems.

It remains to be seen if this could mean the 23-year-old will move this summer, with Arsenal surely likely to be keen to keep the player.

Riccardo Calafiori transfer still makes sense for Chelsea

Calafiori probably wouldn’t come cheap due to being a player at a rival club who’s yet to reach his peak, but apart from that this seems like a strong deal for Chelsea to be going after.

See below for the score we gave Calafiori to Chelsea with our Transfer Fit rating system, and find out more about how it works here…

Chelsea really could have done well to sign Calafiori before Arsenal a couple of years ago, but he’d still surely have a positive impact for Liam Rosenior’s side.

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If Calafiori wants to play centre-back, that’s probably ideal, as he’d represent a clear upgrade on unconvincing performers like Trevoh Chalobah and Tosin Adarabioyo in that position.

At left-back, it’s less clear if he’d play regularly due to the presence of Marc Cucurella and Jorrel Hato.

The post Chelsea explore surprise transfer raid for Arsenal star who’s unsettled for two reasons appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Verdict: Barcelona to score in both halves Best Odds: 17/20 Bookmaker: Luckster Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Sunday afternoon, Barcelona will welcome Sevilla to Catalonia this weekend. Barcelona Starting with the hosts, snatching a dramatic last-gasp equaliser away at Newcastle earlier in the week as they eventually left St. James’ Park […]

The post Prediction: Barcelona vs Sevilla – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Prediction: Barcelona vs Sevilla – Betting Tips, Team News, Key Facts appeared first on Soccer News.

Inter could let go of several long-term first-team servants and are targeting a summer move for Roma midfielder Manu Kone according to Thursday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The Nerazzurri are sitting seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 10 league matches of the season left to go, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, there could soon be a transfer ‘revolution’ on the horizon. 

Inter have several senior players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the 2025-26 season and are not currently expected to be renewed, including the likes of goalkeeper Yann Sommer, defenders Matteo Darmian, Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi, and a decision is yet to be made on midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. 

The Nerazzurri are also hoping to supply Cristian Chivu with ‘fresh blood’ ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Roma’s Manu Kone was a target in the summer transfer window of 2025, and according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter are likely to make another attempt for the Frenchman this coming window.  

Thursday’s report indicates that Inter are also inclined to activate their buy-back option for 20-year-old Club Brugge midfielder Aleksandar Stankovic, son of former Nerazzurri star, Dejan. 

Departures can’t be ruled out, and La Gazzetta dello Sport argues that none of Inter’s first team stars are particularly ‘untouchable’ at this stage, aside from perhaps Lautaro Martinez and Pio Esposito. 

Even an Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella or a Marcus Thuram could theoretically be allowed to leave if a particularly enticing offer were to come in. Galatasaray are also reportedly persisting with their interest in Hakan Calhanoglu. 

Yann BIsseck is said to have interest from the Premier League and Denzel Dumfries reportedly has a release clause option in his contract valid this summer. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport maintains that these suggestions are purely hypothetical at this stage. But if a big name or two were to leave this summer, Kone, who is likely to cost in excess of €40m would be the primary target. 

Robeto Piccoli is expected to start at centre-forward for Fiorentina in the absence of Italy international Moise Kean as the Viola prepare to take on Rakow Czestochowa in the Conference League on Thursday evening. 

The Conference League has been a rare source of victories for Fiorentina in 2025-26. Paolo Vanoli’s side beat Polish opposition in Jagiellonia Białystok by a 5-4 scoreline over two legs of the play-offs in order to qualify for tonight’s round of 16 tie. 

Rakow Czestochowa finished the league phase in second place and qualified directly for the round of 16 as a result. 

Fiorentina are without Kean in attack. The Italy man is in contention to return against Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening instead. Compatriot Piccoli is expected to start at centre-forward instead. 

Vanoli is expected to rest Dodo, Nicolo Fagioli and give an opportunity to goalkeeper Oliver Christensen instead of David De Gea. 

According to Sky Sport Italia, Fabiano Parisi and Jacopo Fazzini could also start in attack in a fairly heavily rotated Viola side.

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT. 

Fiorentina vs. Rakow Czestochowa: Probable line-ups 

Fiorentina (4-3-3): Christensen; Fortini, Comuzzo, Ranieri, Gosens; Fabbian, Mandragora, Ndour; Parisi, Piccoli, Fazzini. 

Rakow (3-4-2-1): Zych; Mozor, Svarnas, Racovitan; Tudor, Repka, Struski, Ameyaw; Ibid, Makuch; Brunes.

Where to watch Fiorentina vs. Rakow Czestochowa

Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 6 and online through Discovery+. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. 

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game commentary and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Inter gets a shake-up

Scudetto, and then there will be a revolution

The club wants a side with more characters, even Barella and Bastoni up for discussion. And, on the market place, Kone and Vicario primary objectives 

Milan’s plans for the Champions League

Kean for the attack

Italy sink 

Our sides a disaster in the Champions League

No team reaches the quarter-finals. The bottom  of the barrel. Look how many points they’ve suffered: The reasons behind the crisis 

Real lessons 

Super Valverde (three goals) to overwhelm City

Rino, you think about it 

The locations of the training bases have already been chosen: Toronto and then Utah 

It’s Bologna-Roma. Gasp plays for a lot, Italiano for everything 

And in the Conference, Fiorentina take on Rakow 

Corriere dello Sport 

A place for one 

The Euroleague derby 

At the Dall’Ara (17.45) the first of two battles for a spot in the quarter-finals

Bologna with Castro, Roma have SuperMalen 

A route to the Champions League also comes up in this competition: One of Italiano or Gasp could save the honor of Italian football

Valverde humiliates Pep 

Champions League: City overwhelmed with three goals from the Uruguayan 

Guardiola, what a lesson in Madrid. Donnarumma saves a penalty from Vinicis (3-0). Psg, five against Chelsea, brace from Kvara (5-2), Arsenal save themselves in Leverkusen (1-1), Bodo continue to amaze: Sporting also capitulate in Norway (3-0)

Fiorentina, the uncomfortable cup 

Survival is the most important thing, but need to get past Rakow in the Conference League to save any further embarrassments 

Spalletti, here’s Vlahovic again 

Returning in Udine 

Dusan back after three months. Senesi intrigue: Juve are also there 

Conte, Mister 600 

He has 597 points in Serie A

Could reach a landmark figure in Napoli-Lecce 

Inter, Alisson or Vicario 

Goalkeepers in the distance 

Sommer heading for farewell: The replacement will arrive from the Premier League

Iran, no World Cup 

The announcement from the minister 

‘The conditions are not there’. Infantino’s gaffe 

Tuttosport 

Juve, the bonus Vlahovic 

DV9 returns in Udine: They need his goals for the Champions League comeback and the new contract … 

Dusan scores right away in a training match: After 105 days of absence, he will start again from the bench, but everyone is waiting for him on the pitch. Contacts over his renewal are intensifying: The salary reaches 6 million with bonuses and objectives, Spalletti lifts the tension. Boga sees himself as a starter, more doubts in goal: And for the future, looking at Martinez from Villa. Inquiry for Lewandowski

The war affects the World Cup. Iran forfeit

The consequence of the conflict and FIFA’s embarrassment 

From Tehran: ‘We can’t play in the United States like this’. The logic would be to replace them with another Asian side (Iraq or the UAE), but with fears of other renunciations, a decision based on overall ranking can’t be ruled out. Sport in Palestine: The Italian parliament writes to the IOC and FIFA. Meanwhile, Verratti is out: Gattuso puts the trust in Locatelli and thinks about Pisilli

Valverde, Real magic. PSG, what a spectacle! 

Fantasy hat-trick from the Uruguayan, City destroyed 

Chelse\ hold them off in Paris, but then Vitinha and the brace from Kvara make it 5-2. Fantastic Bodo: 3-0 against Sporting, looking at the quarter-finals and history 

Bologna and Roma to feel like we’re in Europe 

At 17.45: The derby in the round of 16. Italiano: ‘We want to get through to the end’. Gasp: ‘I’m not thinking about Como.’. Conference League: Fiorentina-Rakow 

D’Aversa studies Serie B and … Juric 

The Serbian’s return looms over safety. The scathing letter from Marengo to Cairo 

West Ham United have been given a boost as Axel Disasi has spoken about how happy he is with life at the London Stadium.

The Frenchman spent the second half of last season on loan at Aston Villa, and then spent a few months back at Chelsea before sealing a loan move to West Ham this January.

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It remains to be seen how realistic it will be for the Hammers to keep Disasi if they end up getting relegated, but so far he’s performing well and has made it clear he’s enjoying life under Nuno Espirito Santo.

That surely gives West Ham a good chance of making Disasi’s move from Chelsea permanent if they can still offer Premier League football next season.

Axel Disasi on life at West Ham

“I needed to play, and especially in my position,” Disasi said. “Because it’s something that I missed last season [with Villa], when I was playing out of position.

“The manager has allowed me to express myself.”

Disasi looks back to his best since joining WHUFC and this could be a good move for him, though he’ll understandably prioritise continuing in the top flight if possible.

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Chelsea will also surely be keen to offload the 28-year-old, but it will still also be important for them to get a good offer for him.

The Blues spent big money on bringing in Disasi from Monaco, and though he’s flopped at Stamford Bridge, there could still be decent money to make from his sale, which could mean inviting rival bidders to compete with West Ham for this signing.

The post Premier League star claims he prefers West Ham over Villa appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal have been linked with a move for Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and his latest comments will surely encourage Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners have invested heavily in their attacking department in recent windows.

Viktor Gyokeres joined the club last summer and he is the current leader of their attack but his form has been shaky throughout the season.

In 28 Premier League appearances this season, Gyokeres has just scored ten goals, which is clearly a poor return for a striker who plays for a club who regularly competes for the league title.

Alvarez is a player who has been constantly linked with a move back to the Premier League after impressing at Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone.

Arsenal given hope of signing Julian Alvarez

As reported by the Mirror, Alvarez has refused to rule out a move away from Atletico Madrid.

“I don’t know, I don’t know, but maybe yes, maybe no. You never know,” the former Man City striker said.

“But I’m very happy here. You ask me a question that will end up all over the place, but I’m happy.

“I’m thinking about the day-to-day, I’m working to improve, to give my best here, I never said anything bad about the club, I’m very grateful, the people also showed me their affection, so I’m very happy.”

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Gunners will face intense competition for the attacker

Arsenal will not be the only club looking to sign him if Alvarez becomes available in the near future.

Barcelona have been constantly linked with a move for him and they see him as a long term replacement of Robert Lewandowski.

There have been murmurs in the media of Chelsea joining the race to sign the former Manchester City attacker as well.

Considering his quality, pedigree and his potential to get even better, the biggest clubs will be invilved in the race to sign him.

Aston Villa rival Arsenal for bargain transfer of classy 14 G/A star

The post ‘You never know’ – Arsenal attacking target ignites speculation over his future appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Newcastle United attacker Anthony Gordon is being linked with a move away from St. James’ Park.

Clubs like Liverpool and Arsenal have been recently linked with a move for the England international.

Gordon has been a revelation in the Champions League this season, scoring ten goals for the Magpies.

Liverpool and Arsenal, who have monitored Gordon for a long time, must be impressed with his performances this season.

The Newcastle attacker has not only played in the wide attacking positions but also up front when Eddie Howe has used him as a no.9.

Gordon could be tempted to leave Newcastle United

With Newcastle United struggling to qualify for the Champions League next season, players like Gordon could be tempted by other clubs who are regulars in the biggest competition in Europe.

Keith Wyness has discussed the future of Gordon on Football Insider and the expert has tipped him to join Liverpool in the near future.

He said: “Well, certainly, he was nailed on to go to Liverpool just a few months ago, and then it’s now switched to Arsenal.

“I think that Liverpool may still be the destination for him, I think, given he is from the area. I still think there’s an attraction for him to come down there.

“I think Liverpool, I don’t know, it depends on the Isak injury as well. We’ve got to see how their forward line stacks up. But I do think he’s more unhappy at Newcastle.”

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Liverpool may hold advantage over Arsenal in Gordon race

Gordon is a boyhood Liverpool fan and if both the teams make a move for him, the Reds may become the attacker’s preferred destination.

Two years ago, Gordon was close to joining the Merseyside club when the Magpies were struggling with PSR implications but Howe’s side sold other players to make their finances right and Gordon eventually stayed at the club.

With top clubs closely monitoring him and Newcastle struggling to keep up with the bigger clubs in England, it is highly likely that Liverpool, or perhaps Arsenal, make a move for him sooner rather than later.

Barcelona confident of beating Liverpool to the signing of Van Dijk replacement

The post ‘Liverpool may still be the destination for him’ – Expert tips English attaker to make Anfield move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

West Ham United are being tipped to have to sell Crysencio Summerville this summer, especially if they end up getting relegated from the Premier League.

The Hammers are on a slightly improved run of just one defeat from their last five league matches, but they remain in 18th place on goal difference.

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It won’t be easy for West Ham to stay up, and that surely means a talent like Summerville is going to attract interest this summer.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown has weighed in on the saga, suggesting he can see there being a lot of interest in the talented 24-year-old, and pressure on WHUFC to let him go.

Crysencio Summerville transfer warning for West Ham

Speaking to Football Insider, Brown said: “A lot of clubs will be interested in Summerville.

“He was always one of those players who I thought would be in and out, show you a bit of quality and then fade away in the game, I didn’t know if he was consistent enough.

“But I have to give him credit, whether it’s been as a substitute or from the start, he’s done more for West Ham this season than most of their other players.

“He’s been their go-to player in recent weeks and has taken a bit of responsibility off of Bowen.

“The big problem, as we always say, is that when a player is performing above the level of his team, it always attracts interest from rival clubs.

“If West Ham get relegated, or if these financial issues prove to be a problem, they will probably be forced to sell him as one of their more valuable assets.

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“If that’s the case, there will be no shortage of suitors for him and it wouldn’t surprise me if he was allowed to move on.”

Can West Ham stay up?

West Ham remain in real danger, but they’ve improved slightly in recent games, while Tottenham in particular are going through an awful run of form.

That could give Nuno Espirito Santo’s side some hope, but they also face some very tough-looking fixtures in their run-in.

As well as facing title-chasers Arsenal and Manchester City, they also face potential six-pointers against fellow strugglers Wolves and Leeds.

Summerville is certainly one player they could use in this period to get them out of the bottom three, but it may well be that we’re about to see the Dutchman’s final few appearances in a West Ham shirt.

The post “A lot of clubs” tipped to pursue West Ham United transfer raid, club could be “forced to sell” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Barcelona are reportedly confident of winning the race to sign Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, despite strong interest from several Premier League clubs.

According to TEAMtalk, the Catalan giants believe they are currently leading the pursuit of the Italian centre-back, who has also attracted attention from Liverpool, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

Bastoni has become one of the most sought-after defenders in European football due to his consistent performances for Inter Milan.

However, the Serie A club are determined to retain one of their most valuable players and are reportedly preparing a new contract offer that could extend his stay at the San Siro until 2030.

Bastoni has impressed top European clubs

Bastoni has developed into a cornerstone of Inter Milan’s defence since joining the club earlier in his career.

The 26-year-old Italy international is widely regarded as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in Europe, known for his composure under pressure and his ability to start attacking moves from deep.

Operating primarily as the left-sided centre-back in Inter’s defensive system, Bastoni has been crucial to the team’s tactical structure.

His combination of defensive awareness, passing range, and positional intelligence allows Inter to build attacks effectively from the back.

In recent seasons, Bastoni has also gained valuable experience in European competitions and has become a regular member of the Italian national team, further enhancing his reputation across the continent.

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Liverpool eye Bastoni as Van Dijk’s replacement

Despite Barcelona’s reported confidence, the competition for Bastoni’s signature is expected to be intense.

Liverpool have identified him as a potential long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, whose leadership has been central to the club’s defensive success in recent years.

Meanwhile, Manchester United and Arsenal are also believed to be monitoring the situation as they consider defensive reinforcements.

While Barcelona currently appear to be leading the race, Inter Milan’s plans to offer a long-term contract demonstrate their determination to keep one of their most important players.

Sources: “Very positive” update as Liverpool expected to step up pursuit of Man Utd target

The post Barcelona confident of beating Liverpool to the signing of Van Dijk replacement appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool are expected to step up their pursuit of Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu, who has also been monitored by Manchester United.

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As first reported via my exclusive here for the Daily Briefing, the France international is attracting a lot of interest from the Premier League after impressing in Serie A.

Both Liverpool and Man Utd have scouted Kalulu closely, with the feedback being “very positive” so far, though Juventus understandably want to keep him.

It remains to be seen how likely a deal is while Kalulu has a contract that runs until 2029, but he’d likely be able to earn significantly more money at a top English club like Liverpool or United.

Pierre Kalulu transfer interest from the Premier League

As well as LFC and MUFC, there is also understood to be some interest from Tottenham, Newcastle United, and Aston Villa.

However, the Reds really need a top defensive signing amid doubts over Ibrahima Konate’s future, and with Virgil van Dijk set to turn 35 this summer.

“United and Liverpool have had scouts watch Kalulu play recently and the feedback has been very positive,” one source told me.

“United are looking at a long list of options and Kalulu is one they really like,” another source said. “We can also expect Liverpool to step up their interest, whether or not they lose Ibrahima Konate.”

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Pierre Kalulu vs other top defenders

We’ll likely see a lot of similar players being linked with Liverpool and United in the weeks and months ahead, so how does Kalulu compare?

Here’s a neat graphic below from DataMB, with Kalulu coming out very well compared to other defenders linked with big clubs in recent weeks…

Kalulu has that ball-playing and ball-carrying ability that top clubs will be looking for, but there is perhaps also room for improvement when it comes to winning his aerial duels.

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Verdict: Real Madrid to score in both halves Best Odds: 4/5 Bookmaker: Dachbet Turning their attention back to La Liga action on Saturday night, Real Madrid will travel to the Spanish capital this weekend. Real Madrid Starting with the hosts, while Real Madrid might have an almighty job on their hands in the race to […]

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