Atalanta held Milan to a closely-fought 1-1 draw on Tuesday evening, with Croatian attacking midfielder Mario Pasalic Football Italia’s Man of the Match.

Atalanta 1-1 Milan – Player Ratings

Atalanta: Carnesecchi 6; Kossounou 6, Hien 6.5, Ahanor 5.5 (Djimsiti 6), Zappacosta 6; Ederson 6, De Roon 6 (Bresciani 6); Bernasconi 6.5 (Bellanova 6), Pasalic 7.5 (Musah N/A), Lookman 7, De Ketelaere 6 (Samardzic N/A)

Best Atalanta player: Pasalic – The Croatian playmaker had a ball out there tonight, creating plenty of chances for his side, including the assist for Lookman’s equaliser, and being a constant menace for the Rossoneri defence to deal with. His passing was near-perfect and today the 30-year-old outshone his compatriot Luka Modric.

Lowest Atalanta rating: Ahanor – Fairly poor performance from the teenager tonight, although feels harsh to judge him too much as he is a young player with an important role in this Atalanta side. However, He did not look as solid as his defensive teammates and was eventually substituted off with twenty minutes to play.

Coach: Ivan Juric 7 – Subs had a good impact on the game and he set up his side in such a way to make life very difficult for Allegri’s Milan. The Rossoneri have only lost once so far this season and it could have so nearly been two, with La Dea the more dominant side this evening. Juric needs to find a way to turn these close draws into victories moving forward.

Milan: Maignan 6; Tomori 5.5, Gabbia 6, Pavlovic 6.5; Saelemaekers 5, Fofana 6, Modric 6, Ricci 7, Bartesaghi 6; Leao 5.5 (Nkunku 6), Gimenez 5 (Loftus-Cheek 6.5)

Best Milan player: Ricci – After spending his first months in Milan hardly touching the pitch, with the Rossoneri preferring Modric, Fofana and Rabiot as a midfield three, Ricci is now settling in. He picked up an assist in his last match and a goal against Atalanta today was his first in Rossoneri colours.

Lowest Milan rating: Gimenez – A yellow card and an injury marred an already flat performance from the Mexican forward. Needs to sort himself out at Milan before the Rossoneri sign a replacement.

Coach: Allegri 6 – Another evening of making the right decisions on paper but his squad letting him down. Made just the essential substitutions and seems to be sorely lacking in any sort of back-up plan for when his side are struggling.

Relive all the action as it happened in today’s Serie A matches on our Live Blog.

AC Milan dropped points again, as Atalanta earned their fifth consecutive Serie A stalemate with the first Ademola Lookman goal since his summer drama cancelling out a Samuele Ricci strike.

La Dea were the only unbeaten side in Serie A, but with just two victories, including four consecutive stalemates. Giorgio Scalvini and Mitchel Bakker were still out of action, but they opted for Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere supported by Mario Pasalic. The Rossoneri were reeling after losing top spot with a 2-2 draw against Pisa, as Ruben Loftus-Cheek returned to the bench, with Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Milan took an early lead, as Honest Ahanor cleared a corner to the edge of the area where Samuele Ricci let it bounce and hit the half-volley into the ground, a deflection off Ederson completely wrong-footing Marco Carnesecchi.

Isak Hien nodded a corner just wide, but Atalanta lost captain Marten de Roon to a muscular problem, replaced by ex-Milan midfielder Marco Brescianini.

Ederson tested Mike Maignan from the edge of the box, while Ahanor nodded a Charles De Ketelaere cross wide at the back post, but Ahanor missed a sitter when his first touch was heavy and at full stretch he prodded over the bar from nine yards.

Atalanta did get back on level terms with the first goal Lookman has scored since his summer transfer rebellion. He ran onto the Mario Pasalic through ball and took a touch before smashing the unstoppable left-foot finish into the roof of the net from a tricky angle.

Christopher Nkunku replaced a quiet Rafael Leao for the restart, with Lookman and Bernasconi seeing attempts charged down, while Santiago Gimenez went off with an ankle knock.

Alexis Saelemaekers found himself in an ideal position after combining with Youssouf Fofana, but instead of going for goal, he tried to set up Nkunku and it fell apart.

Odilon Kossounou showed impressive calm to chest a Loftus-Cheek header back to Carnesecchi, anticipating Nkunku from a couple of yards in front of goal.

Bernasconi also threw himself in the path of a Saelemaekers volley after the Luka Modric corner was punched away, then Fofana scuffed a volley wide on the Bartesaghi knockdown at the back post.

Atalanta thought they had taken the lead on 85 minutes when Davide Zappacosta shrugged off a challenge and launched a curler from distance that Maignan flew to fingertip over the bar with one hand. On the resulting corner, Zappacosta also drilled wide of the near post.

Matteo Gabbia made a decisive block on former teammate Yunus Musah at the near post on a Berat Djimsiti assist.

Atalanta 1-1 Milan

Ricci 4 (M), Lookman 36 (A)

28-10-2025 19:45

MatchDay 9

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Milan

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		4'		Samuele Ricci
		9'		Santiago Giménez
Ademola Lookman (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		35'

2nd half

		77'		Luka Modric
Marco Brescianini		90+3'
		90+3'		Matteo Gabbia

Atalanta

Milan

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

82'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

72'

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

71'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

82'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

20'

11

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

90'

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

46'

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

62'

Substitutes

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

Relja Obric

Defender

44

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

20'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

71'

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

72'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

82'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

82'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

46'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

62'

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

90'

Antonio Conte has not forgotten Inter protests about the refereeing and hopes the Lecce penalty against Napoli today was not ‘moaning influencing the referees.’

The tension was over the weekend when Napoli beat Inter 3-1 including a penalty that was awarded by the assistant referee with minimal contact between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Giovanni Di Lorenzo.

Many pundits suggested that the spot-kick should’ve been overturned with a VAR review, and that the referee should not have blindly accepted the verdict of his assistant.

Inter protested at that decision, sending President Beppe Marotta to the press room, so Conte referenced this after Lecce received a penalty for Juan Jesus handball.

Conte not letting go of Inter controversy

“It is not right for me to come here and complain, as too few days have passed since the last game with a very different type of behaviour from others,” said Conte in his press conference.

“We remain hopeful that the moaning is not influencing Rocchi and the referees. When Presidents arrive to speak to the media, they think that they are sending a strong message and influencing the narrative.

“We are not here to whine, but we’re not stupid either.”

The referee had not initially awarded the penalty to Lecce this evening at the Stadio Via del Mare, but it was given following a VAR On-Field Review.

It took quite a few minutes to find the footage from an angle that showed the hand bent back by the Kialonda Gaspar header.

Luciano Spalletti is ready to put pen to paper at Juventus, but the decisive element was his acceptance of a contract to June with automatic renewal for Champions League qualification.

As we had explained already, Spalletti was always the first choice for the job after the club decided to pull the plug on Igor Tudor not even three months into the season.

Roberto Mancini had already been on the outskirts from yesterday and was never really a Plan B, while Raffaele Palladino was only kept warm as an alternative in case the negotiations didn’t go well.

Spalletti only ever the first choice for Juventus

The former Italy boss was always the main focus and only an extraordinary change of strategy would see them drift away from that candidacy.

Today was delicate and the meeting with Spalletti laid the groundwork for the agreement, confirming it was never really a two-horse race.

Ultimately, what we suggested yesterday afternoon may well prove to be decisive, because he immediately accepted the proposal of a contract until June, with option for automatic renewal for another season in case of Champions League qualification.

Once that hurdle was out of the way, he was always leading the race and just hurtling towards the signature.

Watch as Ademola Lookman scores his first goal since the summer transfer chaos with Atalanta, blasting a ferocious strike into the roof of the AC Milan net.

The Nigeria international and African Player of the Year had tried to force through an exit to Inter, even going AWOL from training for several weeks, but eventually had to return and accept the situation.

It took a while for him to get back into the squad and find his form, but this evening he reminded people what he can do with a fantastic goal to surprise Mike Maignan.

He ran onto the Mario Pasalic assist, took a touch and then smashed the left-foot finish into the roof of the net from a tricky angle.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

Lookman had not found the back of the net in an Atalanta jersey since May 12 during a 2-1 Serie A win against Roma in Bergamo.

This allowed Atalanta to equalise after Samuele Ricci had given Milan the lead with an effort deflected off Ederson.

Lookman goal marks new Atalanta era

There’s no stopping that

Ademola Lookman opens his account for the season with a thunderous strike

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/deye49zHA4

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 28, 2025

Ademola Lookman that is some strike

The Atalanta man scores his first goal of the Serie A season pic.twitter.com/9a5J9C9OXV

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 28, 2025

Antonio Conte raged against the ‘completely absurd’ treatment of the Napoli injury crisis after they scraped a 1-0 victory away to Lecce with a saved penalty.

The Partenopei were feeling the pressure at the Stadio Via del Mare after failing to win in their last four competitive away fixtures.

It went from bad to worse when Noa Lang limped off with a knock to the thigh just above his left knee, then Lecce were awarded a penalty for Juan Jesus handball.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic came to the rescue by saving the Francesco Camarda penalty, then Frank Andre Zambo Anguissa nodded in a David Neres free kick for the 1-0 victory.

Conte taking nothing for granted at Napoli

“These games are never easy, especially after a match like the one with Inter that used up so much energy,” Conte told DAZN Italia.

“We played against a very good team, it is always tough to play here in Lecce. I think we should’ve controlled the final stages better, even if we didn’t run many big risks. Mentality is first and foremost.

“It was a very good first half, then this penalty could’ve changed the course of the game, but our goalkeeper did well and we went on to deserve the victory.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lecce 0-1 Napoli

Rasmus Hojlund made his return as a substitute after a few weeks out injured, but it is now confirmed that Kevin De Bruyne will be out for three to four months after a high grade lesion to the thigh.

Scott McTominay was rested today, moving Napoli back to the 4-3-3 formation that had seen them win the Scudetto last season.

“People forget that we are having to make do. People talk about these big reinforcements, now some even try to suggest we are benefiting from the injuries to Lukaku and De Bruyne. It’s completely absurd,” raged Conte.

“All we’ve got in goal now is Milinkovic-Savic, but some over the summer were asking why we had invested so much in a quality goalkeeper.”

Anguissa scored the goal today, but then had a bit of an odd exchange with Conte in the final minutes when urging the coach to ‘calm down’ after a particularly loud scream in his direction.

“I honestly didn’t see it, but in these moments you need guts, not calm. I am very happy for Frank, if he’s constantly switched on then there are few players like him, but he still needs to improve his finishing. We need to score goals from everyone, it doesn’t matter if they are strikers, midfielders or defenders.”

Lang limped off within 60 seconds of the restart, so why was that problem not identified during half-time to avoid wasting a substitution slot?

“Lang had two knocks in the same spot, so I think his muscle hardened. It is not a serious problem. I am glad for him too, having his first start, as we need everyone in this difficult moment. The important thing is that we never lack the right spirit,” concluded Conte.

This means that Napoli will go into the weekend top of the table, potentially alone if Roma drop points at home to Parma tomorrow evening.

Aaron Martin has lost some of the visibility he previously had in recent matches, despite an undeniably high level of performance.

Many have linked this situation to his contract expiring in June.

Genoa push for Aaron Martin renewal

Genoa want to resolve the matter as soon as possible, in order to avoid the risk of losing the 1997-born left-back on a free transfer.

As we reported back on June 10, Martin’s profile is greatly appreciated by Lazio, and there have already been inquiries to understand the position of the Spanish specialist.

At the moment Lazio cannot make moves in the market, but in the future several issues will need to be defined (starting with Tavares), and the club will continue to monitor Martin. In the meantime, Genoa will continue to push for a renewal, as we have now entered an increasingly delicate phase.

The 28-year-old signed for Genoa in 2023 from Bundesliga outfit Mainz and has since made close to 70 appearances for the club in all competitions.

Atalanta director Luca Percassi will not be drawn on the row between coach Ivan Juric and goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, as they prepare to face AC Milan. ‘This is the start of a new era.’

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Napoli on the Liveblog.

La Dea are the only side in Serie A still to taste defeat so far this season, but it has not necessarily translated into success, because they managed just two victories in eight rounds.

That includes a run of four consecutive stalemates, having wasted numerous scoring opportunities.

Atalanta try to smooth over tension

There was tension when coach Juric reacted angrily to goalkeeper Carnesecchi commenting that Atalanta would ‘get nowhere’ with their current form, so how does the club mediate?

“I am very fond of both, so I’ll just limit myself to saying we need to keep working one day at a time,” Percassi told DAZN Italia.

“This is the start of a new era, it takes patience and belief to get stronger every day, then we’ll see where we end up, but we’re not even halfway through the season yet.”

Some time to adapt is inevitable after nine years under the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who left for a new challenge with Roma.

Atalanta have created numerous scoring opportunities during these eight rounds so far, but struggled to finish them off with goals.

“Considering the chances that we created, I think we deserved more points, but I couldn’t say how many,” added Percassi.

“We will keep working and the team will be able to express itself better with time. Tonight is a big game against a very strong Milan side who have a great coach in Max Allegri. It’s going to be an exciting match.”

Juventus are moving closer towards the appointment of Luciano Spalletti as head coach, with reports from Italy claiming an official announcement and presentation could be made as early as Thursday.

According to Sky Sport, Spalletti has nearly reached an agreement to take over the Bianconeri, shortly after Igor Tudor was sacked yesterday after a poor run of results.

After a strong start to the campaign, the Old Lady have struggled and a winless, scoreless run sped up Tudor’s exit from the club.

Spalletti set to take charge at Juventus

It will be Spalletti’s first club job since 2023, when he left Napoli after two years in charge.

For the following two years, the Italian would lead the Azzurri, taking over the Italian national team after the surprise resignation of Roberto Mancini.

In June, following a 3-0 loss to Norway, Spalletti was sacked by the Azzurri and led his final match in charge against Moldova.

AC Milan director of sport Igli Tare warns they ‘had not planned’ for six simultaneous injuries, but reassures Santiago Gimenez during his goal drought ahead of tonight’s trip to Atalanta.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Napoli on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri fumbled the leadership of Serie A with a disappointing 2-2 home draw against newly-promoted Pisa on Friday, a result they snatched thanks to a last-gasp equaliser.

Tare and AC Milan not losing faith

“We started this new project with great enthusiasm, the fans are behind us and we are going through a positive spell, so must try to find some consistency in this moment,” Tare told DAZN Italia.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek returns to the bench, but Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari are still out of action.

With the squad stretched thin, but no European competition to worry about, are Milan planning on investing in the January transfer window?

“We had not planned for six players to get injured during the break for international duty, that doesn’t happen every day,” replied the director of sport.

“When these moments happen, we must be aware that we have a strong squad, which the lads proved on the field. We’ve got to keep going until the start of December, then evaluate with the coach for the future.”

Santiago Gimenez starts this evening, but he had been on the market in the summer with links to Roma and has been going through a lengthy goal drought.

“He needs to relax, this is part of the journey for all strikers. I know full well, I played in the same role,” said the former Lazio centre-forward.

“Everyone has faith in him, the club, the coach, but above all his teammates, and tonight is an opportunity to prove himself a great striker.

“Gimenez has always scored lots of goals in his career, so this is just a bad spell, but at the same time he works so hard for the team and this is why the coach keeps faith in him.”

Napoli defeated Lecce 1-0 this evening, in a fine margin that Antonio Conte would have liked to see larger. Whilst Vanja Milinkovic-Savic pulled off a strong save to deny Francesco Camarda from the penalty spot, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa continues his run of good form with a winning goal and is Football Italia’s Man of the Match.

Lecce 0-1 Napoli – Player Ratings

Lecce: Falcone 6; Veiga 6, Gaspar 6, Gabriel 7, Gallo 6; Coulibaly 6 (Maleh N/A), Ramadani 6, Berisha 6 (Pierret N/A); Pierotti 5.5 (Morente 6), Camarda 5 (Stulic 6), Banda 6.5 (N’Dri 5.5)

Best Lecce player: Gabriel – The Portuguese defender put in a solid shift in defence for Lecce today, constantly causing Napoli’s attack difficulties. Deserved a clean sheet for his performance but the 20-year-old continues to impress.

Lowest Lecce rating: Camarda – The 17-year-old has been a breakthrough star so far this season for Lecce but unfortunately had an evening to forget against an experienced Napoli tonight. The youngster had the opportunity to give his side the lead from the penalty spot but his effort was saved by Partenopei keeper Milinkovic-Savic.

Coach: Di Francesco 6.5 – Set up his team well this evening but was unfortunate not to get a result. If it were not for Milinkovic-Savic’s penalty save, the coach could have come away with at least a point but he should not be too disheartened about his efforts tonight.

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic 7; Di Lorenzo 6, Buongiorno 6, Juan Jesus 5, Olivera 6 (Spinazzola 6.5); Zambo Anguissa 7.5, Gilmour 6.5, Elmas 5.5 (Gutierrez N/A); Politano 5.5 (McTominay 6), Lucca 5.5 (Hojlund 5.5), Lang 6.5 (Neres 6.5)

Best Napoli player: Anguissa – Although Milinkovic-Savic deserves plaudits for a strong penalty save, Anguissa has once again continued his run of good form with a decisive goal to give his team all three points. Looked confident all evening, despite the absence of McTominay and De Bruyne in the starting lineup.

Lowest Napoli rating: Lucca – The towering target man was once again ineffectual before being substituted around the hour mark. Hojlund’s return from injury marks another setback for the Italian striker.

Coach: Conte 6 – Coped well against a plucky Lecce but can consider himself lucky to come away with all three points.

Relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Napoli scraped a victory away to Lecce thanks to another Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa goal, but also Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saving the Francesco Camarda penalty.

The Partenopei were back on top of the table after the dramatic 3-1 win over Inter, but it came at a cost, as Kevin De Bruyne will be out for several months with a serious thigh strain. Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret and Romelu Lukaku were also still on the treatment table, but Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani were back on the bench. The 4-3-3 formation returned, with Scott McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola rested. Lecce missed Riccardo Sottil, Matias Perez, Gaby Jean and Filip Marchwinski after the 3-2 defeat to Udinese.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Napoli wore their special edition Halloween kit and Billy Gilmour saw his snapshot deflected wide, but Lorenzo Lucca accidentally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.

The hosts also threatened with Medon Berisha drilling wide from the edge of the area, while Politano turned over from six yards on the Matias Olivera pull-back.

Wladimiro Falcone made a huge save using his legs at the near post to deny Olivera, who had been sent clear by a smart Gilmour first-touch lay-off.

Francesco Camarda’s chest and half-volley was inches wide on the stroke of half-time, but wouldn’t have counted over handball.

Noa Lang hobbled off with a knock to the thigh just above the left knee moments after the restart, adding to the growing list of Napoli absentees.

There was a double chance to open the scoring when Lucca ran onto a long ball that Falcone rushed out to nod clear, then Politano’s follow-up was charged down with the goalkeeper off his line.

Kialonda Gaspar’s header on a corner seemed to strike the hand of Juan Jesus, which bent back on impact, so the Lecce penalty was awarded following a VAR review. Camarda stepped up, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic confirmed his status as a specialist by parrying the spot-kick, meaning he has saved five of the last nine Serie A penalties faced.

Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola strengthening the squad from the bench for the final half-hour.

It paid off, as Napoli took the lead when a David Neres free kick was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards.

Elmas blasted wide and Nikola Stulic was too sluggish to make the most of a Danilo Veiga pull-back, while in stoppages Hojlund failed to meet the Neres assist.

Lecce 0-1 Napoli

Anguissa 69 (N)

Saved penalty: Camarda 56 (L)

28-10-2025 17:30

MatchDay 9

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Napoli

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

26'

Mathías Olivera

2nd half

Francesco Camarda		56'
Ylber Ramadani		62'
		69'		Frank Anguissa (Assist: David Neres)
Konan N’Dri		88'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

7

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

5

2

Blocked shots

6

3

Corners

5

1

Offsides

0

10

Fouls

14

Lecce

Napoli

Starting lineups

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

4

Kialonda Gaspar

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

77'

10

Medon Berisha

Midfielder

77'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

22

Francesco Camarda

Attacker

70'

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

65'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

46'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

22

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

61'

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

85'

27

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

61'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

70

Noa Lang

Attacker

48'

Substitutes

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

77

Mohamed Kaba

Midfielder

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

21

Christ-Owen Kouassi

Defender

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

7

Tete Morente

Attacker

46'

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

65'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

70'

93

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

77'

75

Balthazar Pierret

Midfielder

77'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

69

Giuseppe Ambrosino

Attacker

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Mathias Ferrante

Goalkeeper

7

David Neres

Attacker

48'

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

61'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

61'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

85'

Napoli faced another injury blow this evening in their match against Lecce, with Noa Lang having to come off just after the start of the second half.

After a foul from Danilo Veiga in the first half, Lang appeared to suffer a bruise just above his left knee. The Dutchman attempted to play on and started the second half but only lasted a minute before signalling to the bench he needed to come off.

Lang was replaced by David Neres, you can follow all the action as it happens on our Live Blog.

Some good news for Napoli as Hojlund returns

It was not all bad news for the Partenopei, however, with Danish forward Rasmus Hojlund making his return from injury.

The forward, on loan from Manchester United with an obligation-to-buy, was brought on for struggling summer signing Lorenzo Lucca just after the hour mark.

It marks Hojlund’s first appearance since before the international break, when he scored in a 2-1 win over Genoa. In fact, the striker was on a run of six goals in four games for club and country before the injury forced a setback.

Rafael Leao, Luka Modric and Santiago Gimenez start for Milan, who try to end Atalanta’s unbeaten record with Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Lecce-Napoli on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri had been on top of the Serie A table until their surprising 2-2 draw with Pisa at San Siro.

Christian Pulisic, Adrien Rabiot, Pervis Estupinan and Ardon Jashari are still out of action.

Leao is partnered by Gimenez rather than Christopher Nkunku, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is back on the bench after shaking off a muscular problem.

Fikayo Tomori returns to the defence after being dropped in favour of Koni De Winter.

Atalanta are the only Serie A side to remain unbeaten so far this season, but that doesn’t translate to a successful run, because only two of those were victories and they’ve drawn four on the bounce.

With Nikola Krstovic and Gianluca Scamacca struggling for goals, coach Ivan Juric opts for De Ketelaere and Lookman together supported by Mario Pasalic.

These are familiar faces, as both De Ketelaere and Pasalic are former Milan players, so are Yunus Musah and Daniel Maldini on the bench.

Giorgio Scalvini and Mitchel Bakker are the only remaining absentees.

Atalanta-Milan official line-ups

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Ahanor; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Lookman

Milan: Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Leao

28-10-2025 19:45

MatchDay 9

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Milan

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		4'		Samuele Ricci
		9'		Santiago Giménez
Ademola Lookman (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		35'

2nd half

		77'		Luka Modric
Marco Brescianini		90+3'
		90+3'		Matteo Gabbia

Atalanta

Milan

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

82'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

72'

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

71'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

13

Éderson

Midfielder

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

82'

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

20'

11

Ademola Lookman

Attacker

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

90'

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

46'

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

62'

Substitutes

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

Relja Obric

Defender

44

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

20'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

71'

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

72'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

82'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

82'

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

46'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

62'

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

90'

Remo Freuler’s future is back in the spotlight as Bologna work to secure a contract extension for the experienced midfielder.

The 33-year-old is tied to the Rossoblù until June 2026, and initial discussions have already taken place in recent weeks.

However, progress has been slow, and another club may now be considering an approach.

Gasperini seeks Freuler reunion at Roma

According to reports from Il Resto del Carlino, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Roma boss Gian Piero Gasperini has made an exploratory call to Freuler to understand the player’s openness to a future move to the capital.

The two know each other extremely well, with Freuler having made 254 appearances under Gasperini during their long spell together at Atalanta, the most he has played for any coach in his career.

For now, concrete steps are yet to be taken, but Roma’s interest could increase pressure on Bologna to accelerate renewal talks and avoid letting the situation drift.

Luciano Spalletti has made it clear this is not a matter of salary or contract length. During the meeting with Juventus, after the contacts we reported already yesterday afternoon, Spalletti reaffirmed his strong desire to take charge in Turin.

He is open to every formula: a deal until June with a two-year option, or a straight contract until 2027. The idea of reaching the club’s minimum target of Champions League qualification and then being one year away from expiry does not concern him now; that would be a matter to evaluate later.

Spalletti wants Juventus & Juventus want Spalletti

Spalletti is convinced that through his work he can put the ship back on course after the recent wrecks.

Now, the next move belongs to Damien Comolli and his timing. One could say that after dismissing a coach, the club should already have the replacement ready.

But Comolli identified Spalletti as his target since Saturday, the eve of the defeat to Lazio, and it is up to him to assess the financial side of the operation.

There is no doubt inside the club regarding Spalletti being the most suitable candidate to pull Juventus from this situation. From this point, it is simply a matter of moving from theory to execution.

Palladino remains plan B for Juventus

Raffaele Palladino remains the plan B only in the case of sudden changes of direction, second thoughts or unforeseen developments in the coming hours.

From yesterday afternoon onward, Roberto Mancini has been removed even as a plan C, not just as plan B. The expectation now is to finalise talks with the man who has always been the first choice.

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Napoli team manager Gabriele Oriali has spoken to the press before the Partenopei’s trip to Lecce in Serie A on Tuesday evening. Oriali discussed several topics, including the 6-2 defeat to PSV last week, as well as the injuries of both Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.

Speaking to DAZN Italia, Oriali said “There are always three points up for grabs in every game. We need to keep the Eindhoven defeat in our minds always as a warning of what can happen when we don’t play with that focus and unity,”

Napoli were expected to meet a resistant PSV in Eindhoven last week but nobody forecasted such a heavy defeat for Antonio Conte’s side. However, the Partenopei bounced back at the weekend with a 3-1 win over Inter in a game that may carry additional significance as we get further through the campaign.

“We were coming off a heavy defeat that was unexpected, so everyone’s mood was bad going into the Inter game, not just Conte.”

Napoli team manager Oriali provides update on Lukaku & De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne was taken off with an injury in the win over Inter and early forecasts predict that the Belgian will not return until a couple of months into 2026.

On the former Manchester City man’s condition, Oriali said “We don’t know yet how long he will be out for, as the surgery is meant to be tomorrow, but we’ll have a better idea then. It is going to be 3-4 months unfortunately, as he had settled in very well and was giving a big hand to the team.”

Finally, the Napoli man discussed Romelu Lukaku’s recovery. The forward suffered an injury in pre-season that saw him miss the start to the campaign, and led to the Partenopei signing Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United.

“However, Lukaku is on his way back this week and we hope to get him ready soon. I won’t stand here listing all the injuries we’ve had, but we got through it anyway, and those who replaced them did very well.”

Teun Koopmeiners’ difficult start to life at Juventus is increasingly becoming a talking point in Turin. The Dutch midfielder arrived with the expectation of becoming a key part of the new project, but performances so far have fallen short of the level shown at Atalanta.

Used in multiple roles under Igor Tudor, he has yet to find continuity or influence matches in the way the club envisioned.

Koopmeiners has made clear his preference to play deeper in midfield rather than as an advanced playmaker, and his future will be re-evaluated in the winter window.

Juventus eye Dortmund star Nmecha as Koopmeiners upgrade

While the club have shown faith, there is an acceptance that the balance in midfield is still lacking and reinforcements could be required.

Among the profiles Juventus continue to monitor is Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, via CalcioMercato. The Germany international impressed against the Bianconeri in the Champions League and was observed again recently during Dortmund’s European win in Copenhagen.

However, competition from Premier League and La Liga sides, plus a valuation approaching €50m, makes any January move complex.

Lecce host Napoli at the Via del mare this evening as Antonio Conte’s side look to go temporarily three points clear at the top of Serie A.

Follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta vs. Milan on the Liveblog.

After an impressive victory at the Stadio Maradona against Scudetto rivals Inter at the weekend, Napoli appear to be getting their momentum back on track following a brutal week before.

After a disappointing 1-0 loss to Torino and heavy 6-2 thumping at the hands of PSV last week, Conte’s side bounced back with a convincing 3-1 win over Inter.

Unfortunately for Conte and the Partenopei, talismanic midfielder Kevin De Bruyne suffered an injury in the win and the Partenopei must now deal without the Belgian midfielder for some time.

Lecce vs Napoli – McTominay back in the heart of midfield after De Bruyne injury

Furthermore, Scott McTominay heads to the bench as Conte opts for a midfield triad of Billy Gilmour, Eljif Elmas and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa.

Additionally, Lorenzo Lucca starts up front, with Politano and Noa Lang working from the flanks. This marks Conte’s return to his 4-3-3, after utilising a 4-1-4-1 for a majority of the season so far.

Lecce vs Napoli – Starting Lineups

Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone; Gallo, Gabriel, Gaspar, Veiga; Berisha, Ramadani, Coulibaly; Banda, Camarda, Pierotti

Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Gilmour, Elmas; Politano, Lucca, Lang

28-10-2025 17:30

MatchDay 9

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Napoli

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

26'

Mathías Olivera

2nd half

Francesco Camarda		56'
Ylber Ramadani		62'
		69'		Frank Anguissa (Assist: David Neres)
Konan N’Dri		88'

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

7

Total shots

14

2

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

5

2

Blocked shots

6

3

Corners

5

1

Offsides

0

10

Fouls

14

Lecce

Napoli

Starting lineups

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

4

Kialonda Gaspar

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

77'

10

Medon Berisha

Midfielder

77'

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

22

Francesco Camarda

Attacker

70'

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

65'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

46'

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

22

Giovanni Di Lorenzo

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

61'

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

85'

27

Lorenzo Lucca

Attacker

61'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

70

Noa Lang

Attacker

48'

Substitutes

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

77

Mohamed Kaba

Midfielder

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

21

Christ-Owen Kouassi

Defender

80

Niko Kovač

Midfielder

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

7

Tete Morente

Attacker

46'

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

65'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

70'

93

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

77'

75

Balthazar Pierret

Midfielder

77'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

69

Giuseppe Ambrosino

Attacker

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Mathias Ferrante

Goalkeeper

7

David Neres

Attacker

48'

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

61'

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

61'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

85'

The penalty awarded to Napoli during their 3-1 win over Inter continues to provoke debate, as newly released RefCam audio has shed fresh light on how the decision was reached.

The incident, involving a coming together between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, broke the deadlock at the Stadio Maradona and significantly shifted the momentum of the match.

The footage, published by Serie A, shows referee Maurizio Mariani well-positioned and initially inclined to let play continue, as per CalcioNews24.

Assistant intervention led to penalty for Napoli against Inter

However, the audio captures intervention from his assistant Daniele Bindoni, who suggests the contact may be sufficient for a penalty. Mariani is heard asking, “Are you sure?”, before reversing his judgment and pointing to the spot after a brief pause.

Kevin De Bruyne converted to give Napoli the lead.

The sequence has reignited frustration among Inter supporters and raised broader concerns about consistency, communication protocols, and perceived external pressure on match officials.

It is surprising to see Juventus signings Jonathan David and Loïs Openda suddenly being written off as “flops”, when they are clearly nothing of the sort.

And if someone wanted to say it, it would have been more credible to do so on September 2nd – not at the end of October. What is certain, however, is that those two, especially those two, were the core of the disagreement between Tudor and Comolli.

The coach had pushed to keep Kolo Muani, both for tactical continuity and because his adaptation to the system was already complete. Instead, he did not appreciate the repeated delays in negotiations, accepted David without enthusiasm, almost endured Openda’s arrival, and expressed strong doubts about Zhegrova.

Juventus expected summer signings to flourish

Once Comolli had acted, the club expected those investments, significant investments, to be valued, rather than constant tactical resets and formation changes born out of improvisation.

The change of coach at Juventus is not only about stopping the negative run of three consecutive defeats and four games without scoring. It must also redirect the club’s transfer strategy.

That does not mean forcing the new manager to rely blindly on the attackers signed in July and August. But it also cannot mean discarding them on principle or using them without a clear and coherent plan.

Roma remain joint-top of Serie A, but the lack of a reliable goalscorer at centre-forward has become a clear concern.

Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson have scored just once between them in the league, and the club are evaluating solutions ahead of January.

Joshua Zirkzee is the primary idea, as per reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The former Bologna striker has had limited minutes since joining Manchester United and is open to a return to Italy.

Roma like his ability to combine and work between the lines, but the costs of any deal remain significant.

Roma eye alternatives to Man Utd forward Zirkzee

Other names are also under consideration. Arnaud Kalimuendo (Nottingham Forest) and Promise David (Union Saint-Gilloise) are being followed abroad.

Meanwhile two profiles closer to home are gaining attention: Parma’s Mateo Pellegrino and Genoa’s Jeff Ekhator, both viewed as promising long-term talents.

The final plan will depend on outgoings. If one striker leaves, Roma will likely sign one replacement; if both depart, a double move is possible.

Roma legend Francesco Totti believes Paulo Dybala can make a difference ‘consistently’ but insists the Giallorossi must score more goals to fight for the title: ‘Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk still need to get up to speed.’

Totti joined Luciano Spalletti for an event in Milan on Tuesday, where he spoke about Roma’s season so far.

• Read more – Totti: Spalletti would be a ‘great acquisition’ for Juventus

The Giallorossi are the joint-table leaders alongside Napoli, so can they aim for the Scudetto?

“It’s not easy because two or three better-equipped teams,” Totti said, via Corriere dello Sport.

“The main objective is the Champions League. When we won the Scudetto, we used to score three or four goals per game. This year, there are different players. Ferguson and Dovbyk still need to get up to speed, but they are great players and I hope they can make Roma great and become great themselves.”

Paulo Dybala scored his first Serie A goal this season on Sunday, giving Roma a 1-0 win over Sassuolo.

“Paulo is one of the best Roma players, and he has to make a difference consistently,” Totti concluded.

The debate over late evening kick-off times in Serie A has resurfaced, with the league reportedly pushing to bring forward prime-time matches.

According to Corriere della Sera, via TuttoMercatoWeb, Lega Serie A is pressuring broadcast partner DAZN to trial a 20:00 kick-off slot in place of the current 20:45, potentially as early as this season.

The league’s argument is twofold.

Firstly, earlier starts could encourage younger fans and families to return to stadiums, something many clubs have struggled with in recent years.

Secondly, coaches and medical staff have highlighted the impact of late finishes on player recovery during an increasingly congested calendar.

Allegri backs earlier Serie A kick-offs

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has been one of the most vocal supporters of the shift.

Speaking recently, he argued that “matches finishing later means less time to sleep and to rest. Even three extra hours of recovery would make a difference.” Allegri suggested earlier kick-offs could help reduce the strain placed on players competing twice per week.

Discussions between the league and DAZN are ongoing, and no formal decision has been taken. The broadcaster’s scheduling commitments, including international feeds, pose potential logistical challenges. However, the possibility of a “test run” match later this season remains in play.

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano has been discharged from hospital, the club said in a statement.

The 47-year-old was hospitalised due to pneumonia last week, missing games against FCSB in the Europa League and Fiorentina in Serie A.

Italiano discharged from hospital – Bologna statement

“This morning, Vincenzo Italian was discharged from the Policlinico S. Orsola-Malpighi,” Bologna said in a statement on Tuesday.

“His clinical condition is good, the coach will return to work tomorrow and will remain under observation by the club’s medical staff.

“Bologna sincerely thanks Prof. Stefano Nava, Director of the Pulmonology Department at the Policlinico, Prof. Lara Pisani, and all the staff of the department for their professionalism, kindness and availability shown toward the coach.”

Bologna host Torino at the Stadio Dall’Ara tomorrow, but it’s not guaranteed that Italiano will return to the bench right away.

Francesco Totti believes Luciano Spalletti would be a ‘great acquisition’ for Juventus as the Italian tactician prepares to meet with the Bianconeri.

Spalletti has emerged as Juventus’ leading candidate to replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked on Monday following three consecutive defeats and an eight-game winless streak.

Spalletti is due to meet with Juventus’ director Damien Comolli later today, but on Tuesday morning, he reunited with his ex-Roma star Totti.

Spalletti and Totti teamed up for the new commercial of Amaro Montenegro in Italy, and the company unveiled their latest advertisement at an event in Milan.

Totti comments on Spalletti’s possible appointment as Juventus coach

Talking about rumours linking Spalletti with the Juventus job, Totti said (via Corriere dello Sport): “From what is being rumoured, he’s one of the candidates, and I think Juventus would make a great acquisition if they were to hire him. Whenever he’s gone, he’s always done well.”

Totti and Spalletti openly argued at the end of the 2016-17 campaign when the former striker accused the coach of forcing his retirement. Nevertheless, the duo seems to have cleared the air in recent years.

Totti: ‘Great friendship’ with Spalletti

“Many years have passed, and some things just need to be put aside,” said Totti.

“There has been a great friendship, and it’s a pleasure to have met again on this occasion. We revisited and discussed things, and we were very happy with what we accomplished.”

Spalletti also spoke during the event, praising ex-Juventus coach Tudor and saying that whoever will replace him “will be lucky.”

Calcio&Finanza reports that Juventus will have to pay almost €30m to cover the salaries of their former coaches Thiago Motta and Igor Tudor, who remain under contract until June 2027.

Juventus are expected to pay almost €30m to cover the wages of sacked coaches Thiago Motta and Tudor, according to Calcio&Finanza.

How much will Motta cost Juventus until 2027?

Tudor was hired in March 2025 to replace Motta and signed a contract through 2027 after leading the club to Champions League qualification last season.

Juventus’ latest balance sheet for the financial year ending June 30, 2025, signals that the club has already set aside €16.3m to cover the salary of Motta and his staff members until June 2027.

How much Tudor’s sacking will cost Juventus

The figures regarding Tudor’s salary are not official, but it is believed that the Croat signed a €3m-a-year contract until 2027, circa €5.5m gross, which brings the spending to €11m plus wages of his staff members.

This means Juventus will have to pay over €27.3m to their ex-coaches, unless they reach an agreement to end their contracts or unless Motta and Tudor find a new club before their deals expire in 2027.

Juventus have now identified Luciano Spalletti as the ideal replacement for Tudor, and according to various sources, the Bianconeri director Damien Comolli will meet the ex-Italy boss today.

Antonio Conte and Gian Piero Gasperini were Juventus’ primary options at the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and while Igor Tudor has already been sacked by the Bianconeri, the Italian coaches are now at the top of the Serie A table.

Juventus are expected to hold talks with Luciano Spalletti today as the Serie A giants seek a replacement for Tudor.

The Croatian tactician was hired in March 2025 to replace Thiago Motta and remained at the helm after leading the team to a Champions League qualification and with the Club World Cup just around the corner.

Tudor signed a contract until 2027 in June, but Juventus had considered different options before that.

Conte chased Conte and Gasperini in the summer

As reported by Gazzetta, it is no secret that Juventus’ top priority for the bench in May was their former coach and midfielder Conte.

The Napoli boss had been contacted by ex-Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli, but eventually decided to remain at the Stadio Maradona after winning the Scudetto.

According to Gazzetta, Giuntoli had approached Conte even before appointing Tudor in March, working for a possible agreement for the 2025-26 campaign.

The pink paper claims that Giuntoli had also contacted Gasperini, who had no agreement with Roma and was preparing to leave Atalanta.

Gasperini picked Roma over Juventus

However, Napoli convinced Conte to stay, and Giuntoli was fired by Juventus, so when Damien Comolli arrived as the new Juventus General Manager, the club’s strategy partially changed.

There was still contact between Comolli and Gasperini, but the Italian tactician was already in advanced talks with Roma, and Comolli was not entirely convinced about hiring the Grugliasco-born coach.

Giorgio Chiellini had reportedly suggested hiring Gasperini, but the now Roma coach felt Comolli was sceptical about appointing him, so he closed the deal with Roma.

Ironically, while Juventus are now looking for a new coach, Conte and Gasperini share the top spot of the table in Serie A ahead of a mid-week round.

Fabio Capello refuses to solely blame Igor Tudor for Juventus’ poor results as he feels the Croatian tactician has paid ‘for everyone’ and believes Luciano Spalletti is an ideal candidate for the job at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus sacked their coach, Igor Tudor, on Monday following three consecutive defeats and a winless streak of eight matches.

Capello ‘not sure’ about who’s in charge at Juventus

“Tudor pays for everyone. At Juventus, eight matches without a win and three consecutive defeats are too many, but the responsibility doesn’t lie solely with the coach,” Capello told Gazzetta.

“The original sin was the half-hearted trust the club placed in Tudor. Last summer, the directors looked at other coaches too, and only late did they confirm Igor by renewing his contract. Players can sense these things and look for excuses in such situations. But the real question is: Did Tudor build his team, or did somebody else?

“I’m not entirely sure who’s really in charge at the club,” Capello continued.

“Certainly, someone with Giorgio Chiellini’s experience and stature would be useful alongside the team, just like Paolo Maldini was for Pioli’s title-winning Milan. Chiellini, however, seems to be busy with political and institutional matters.”

As reported by Football Italia, Tudor paid a high price not just for Juventus’ poor results, but also for a frosty relationship with Damien Comolli. Juventus directors were not impressed by Tudor’s communication style, but Capello agreed with the former Bianconeri boss.

“I’ve always liked Tudor’s communication style,” he said.

“When he spoke about the lack of top players, he was right. That’s the problem for Italian football in general, not just for Juventus.

“It’s not like it used to be. Nowadays, top players rarely choose Serie A. As a result, the clubs are forced to rely on reinforcements who can help, but not all of them can handle the pressure that comes with playing for the biggest teams.”

Capello feels Spalletti is the right option to replace Tudor at Juventus

The Bianconeri have identified Spalletti as the number one choice to replace Tudor, and a meeting between the ex-Italy coach and Comolli is expected to take place today.

“Luciano is a coach of great quality and experience; he’s already managed top clubs and won. After the disappointment with Italy, he’ll have a desire for redemption inside him that could be an added value in a situation like this,” noted Capello.

“What could be better than restarting from a historic and prestigious club like Juventus? Spalletti has the right charisma to lift the Bianconeri back up. Paradoxically, the most positive aspect is the standings. Despite a poor start, Juventus are only six points behind leaders Napoli and Roma.

“Any coach will have to restart from Yildiz and from getting the strikers scoring again.”

Capello, however, warned that: “if you don’t have superstars like Messi or Yamal, players who can score on their own, you need to get the ball into the box for your forwards.

“Even a phenomenon like Haaland needs to be supplied. Beyond Spalletti’s ability, you need midfielders and quality players to deliver those balls so that Vlahovic, David and Openda can score.”

Spalletti has been without a team since June 2026 when he was sacked by the Italian Federation following a 3-0 loss against Norway in the World Cup qualifiers.

Luciano Spalletti opens up about rumours linking him with the Juventus job, saying that ‘whoever will replace Igor Tudor will be lucky.’

Spalletti is the leading candidate for the Juventus job, as multiple sources in Italy claim that he and Bianconeri director Damien Comolli will sit down today to discuss contract details with him today.

Ironically, Spalletti had already planned a meeting with the media on Tuesday morning to unveil a new advertisement in which he features alongside his former Roma star Francesco Totti.

Spalletti comments on possible Juventus appointment

The ad was released earlier this week, and Spalletti didn’t only talk about his latest sponsorship commitment.

“I feel well, I wait with serenity. I have the ambition to set things right,” the ex-Italy coach told Sky Sport via Gazzetta.

“I can only speak highly of Tudor, a serious and passionate person. Whoever will replace him will be lucky because he’ll find a well-trained team.”

Juventus confirmed Tudor’s sacking on Monday after the team lost three consecutive matches and failed to score in the last four.

Spalletti on the reunion with Totti

Spalletti also spoke about his reunion with Totti, which has made headlines in Italy because of their public dispute during the coach’s second spell at the Stadio Olimpico.

“It feels so good to sit next to Totti,” Spalletti said.

“There were some risky choices, but we spent some marvellous years together, so when Ramazzotti put us back together, I was very happy and he was quite relaxed.”

An 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair was fatally struck this morning by a car driven by Inter‘s second-choice goalkeeper Josep Martinez, reports in Italy claim.

There’s tragic news from Italy this morning, as according to several sources, including Gazzetta, Inter’s second-choice keeper Josep Martinez was involved in a car accident that killed an 81-year-old man in an electric wheelchair.

Inter goalkeeper Martinez involved in car accident that killed 81-year-old man

It happened at around 9:40 am local time on Via Bergamo in Fenegrò, in the province of Como, near Inter’s training centre Appiano Gentile.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene despite the prompt arrival of an ambulance and an air ambulance.

The Italian Police is carrying out investigations to reconstruct the dynamics of the accident.

Inter cancel Chivu’s press conference

According to Gazzetta, the initial hypothesis is that the elderly man may have suffered a sudden illness and veered into the lane where Martinez was driving.

The Nerazzurri goalkeeper immediately stopped and provided first aid to the man.

Following the tragic news and as a sign of mourning, Inter decided to cancel Cristian Chivu’s press conference, which was scheduled for 14:00 CET today.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Kevin De Bruyne will undergo surgery in Antwerp tomorrow and will only return to action in February 2026.

Napoli star De Bruyne is set to miss several months of action after suffering a severe lesion to the thigh muscle in a Serie A game against Inter on Saturday.

De Bruyne set to undergo surgery after latest injury

Corriere dello Sport, Gazzetta and Tuttosport report that the Belgium international will be forced to undergo surgery in Antwerp. The operation will be carried out tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29.

According to reports, De Bruyne will miss from three to four months of action, returning on the pitch around February 2026.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the ex-Manchester City star has already landed in Belgium to prepare for the surgery.

De Bruyne suffered the same injury with Manchester City in 2023

De Bruyne sustained an injury to the same muscle in August 2023, which sidelined him for five months. During that period, he missed 28 matches for Manchester City and one for the Belgium national team.

De Bruyne underwent surgery two years ago as well, while his teammate and compatriot Romelu Lukaku, who sustained a similar injury this past August, has opted for conservative therapy.

Juventus sacked Igor Tudor because of poor results and performances in recent games, but the frosty relationship between the Croat and club director Damien Comolli also played a role in the coach’s dismissal.

Juventus announced Tudor’s sacking on Monday and Juventus General Manager Comolli is set to meet Luciano Spalletti today to offer him the job at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus have been winless since September 13, they’ve lost three games in a row and have not scored in the last four.

Naturally, results and performances in recent weeks led to Tudor’s dismissal, but there’s more behind Juventus’ decision to part ways with the Croatian tactician.

Behind Tudor and Comolli’s frosty relationship

Juventus’ transfer activity surely affected the relationship between Comolli and Tudor, given that the coach’s requests were largely ignored by the Old Lady’s general manager. Juventus didn’t sign a new central midfielder over the summer but signed instead two attacking players, Lois Openda and Edon Zhegrova, on deadline day. Furthermore, Tudor was eager to keep Alberto Costa in the team, especially after some positive performances in the Club World Cup, but Juventus still decided to swap the Portuguese right-back with his compatriot Joao Mario, who has only collected 330 minutes on the pitch across all competitions since moving to Turin.

Director of Performance

The appointment of a new Director of Performance, Darren Burgess, in September, was another decision that the club did not share with the coach. The welcome from Tudor surely wasn’t a warm one, as the Croat said “This gentleman hasn’t yet arrived at the club” when asked about Burgess’ appointment last month. Juventus had welcomed Burgess, stating that the ex-Arsenal and Liverpool staff member would “work closely with Damien Comolli, Giorgio Chiellini, François Modesto, Igor Tudor and across all the technical areas and every age group of the Club to form a high-level team dedicated to promoting excellence in performance, innovation and athlete wellbeing.” Furthermore, as first reported by Tuttosport, in recent weeks, club directors also discussed Tudor’s tactics, suggesting in one-on-one meetings that he should have considered switching to a four-man defence, a step into Tudor’s territory that the coach didn’t particularly appreciate.

Communication

Aside from results, Juventus were also not impressed by Tudor’s communication, including frequent protests towards referees. Tudor’s first complaint came after a 1-1 draw at Hellas Verona, in which the Bianconeri protested for a penalty kick in favour of their opponents and a potential red card for the Gialloblu striker Gift Orban. On that occasion, Tudor labelled the penalty kick decision as “shameful.” Tudor’s communication strategy didn’t change in the following weeks as he kept complaining about referees, and even the fixture list, before a Champions League game against Real Madrid last week, with Giorgio Chiellini, Comolli and François Modesto sitting in front of him in the first row of the press room of the Estadio Bernabeu. Ultimately, on and off-the-field issues led to the coach’s dismissal, and Juventus are now on the verge of starting a new era, with their third coach in seven months.

Santiago Gimenez will partner with Rafael Leao in Milan’s away game at Atalanta this evening, while Ivan Juric will look to Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the New Balance Stadium in Bergamo.

It’s a mid-week Serie A round, and the game will kick off after Lecce-Napoli.

Atalanta are the only unbeaten team in Serie A this season, but have also collected six draws in eight matches.

They host Milan without the injured Giorgio Scalvini, while the Rossoneri have travelled to Bergamo without Adrien Rabiot, Ardon Jashari, Christian Pulisic and Pervis Estupinan.

Multiple sources, including Gazzetta, claim that Atalanta coach Juric will pick Lookman and De Ketelaere in attack, with Mario Pasalic playing as an attacking midfielder.

Massimiliano Allegri is expected to reply with Leao and Gimenez up front. The Mexico international has yet to score a goal in Serie A this season.

Davide Bartesaghi will replace Estupinan on the left wing, and Fikayo Tomori will return to the starting XI after resting against Pisa in the previous round.

Atalanta vs. Milan – where to watch on TV

The game will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK and Ireland, but is also available to stream on DAZN. Fans in the USA can stream it live on Paramount+.

Atalanta vs. Milan – probable line-ups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Kossounou, Hien, Djimsiti; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Zalewski; Pasalic; De Ketelaere, Lookman.

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, Gabbia, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Ricci, Bartesaghi; Gimenez, Leao.

Lorenzo Lucca is expected to return to the Napoli XI against Lecce today, but Scott McTominay might start on the bench.

It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) at the Stadio Via del Mare in Lecce.

Napoli see Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani return to action, but neither is fit to start, so Antonio Conte is expected to pick Lucca in attack, Sam Beukema and Juan Jesus at centre-back.

Lucca was benched against Inter on Saturday and had received a red card in his latest game as a starter against PSV last week.

Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Meret and Stanislav Lobotka are injured.

Several sources, including Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, report that Scotland international McTominay is expected to rest so Eljif Elmas will join Billy Gilmour and Zambo Anguissa in the middle of the park.

Noa Lang is expected to start for the first time in Serie A this season, completing a three-man attack with Lucca and Matteo Politano.

Milan loanee Francesco Camarda is expected to start for Lecce.

Lecce vs. Napoli – where to watch on TV

The match is available on TNT Sports 1 and DAZN in the UK and Paramount+ in the USA.

Lecce vs. Napoli – probable line-ups

Lecce (4-3-3): Falcone, Veiga, Gaspar, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani, Maleh; Pierotti, Stulic, Banda.

Napoli (4-3-3): Milinkovic-Savic, Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Juan Jesus, Olivera; Anguissa, Gilmour, Elmas; Politano, Lucca, Lang.

Juventus director Damien Comolli is set to meet with ex-Italy coach Luciano Spalletti today to offer him a contract as a replacement for Igor Tudor.

• Read more – How Juventus could line up under former Italy CT Spalletti

Multiple sources in Italy, including Gazzetta, claim that Juventus will meet with Spalletti today to discuss the contract details and the technical project following Tudor’s dismissal.

Juventus to meet Spalletti today

Football Italia exclusively reported on Monday that Juventus had established contact with Spalletti right after Tudor’s departure.

The Bianconeri have gone eight consecutive games without victories and have not scored a goal in the last four matches.

Spalletti, a Napoli Scudetto winner in 2022-23, has been without a team since June, when he was sacked by the Italian federation.

Juventus to offer Spalletti a contract until June 2026

According to Tuttosport, Spalletti will be offered a contract until the end of the season, with an option to extend in case of Champions League qualification.

Gazzetta claims that Spalletti has rejected offers from Saudi and Turkish clubs and is eager to accept the Juventus job. However, if the two parties fail to reach an agreement, Roberto Mancini and Raffaele Palladino remain possible candidates for the Old Lady.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Juventus sack Tudor

Spalletti ahead

Comolli meets the ex-CT today. Green light expected. Eight months and renewal in case of Champions League. Palladino and Mancini the alternatives. Brambilla on the bench tomorrow.

Lookman-Leao full speed

De Bruyne has to undergo surgery, Napoli for the sprint

Inter, with three defeats in eight games, the Scudetto is a feat.

Corriere dello Sport

Tudor sacked

Yesterday the dismissal and negotiations with the ex-CT

Juve to Lucio

Spalletti is ready to say yes, today the meeting for the signature.

Buffon: ‘This is the ideal solution.’ If he doesn’t sign, Mancini is the alternative. Fatal defeat against Lazio for Tudor. Brambilla on the bench against Udinese tomorrow.

Napoli want to win for KDB

Allegri: ‘Leao is worth 25 goals.’

Tuttosport

Juve, why Spalletti

Tudor out! Today the meeting with the ex-CT

Comolli has gone all the way for Luciano, already contacted in June: all the reasons. A missed agreement would reopen other options, from Mancini to Palladino. Igor sacked after the last outburst in Rome: he pays for results, communication and dislikes in the dressing room. Tomorrow Brambilla on the bench.

Baroni knows how to change and improve Toro

Leao on fire. Allegri’s push: ‘He can score 20 goals.0

De Bruyne choc, Conte will welcome him back in February

Sky Sport Italia suggests that Juventus could meet face-to-face with Luciano Spalletti to discuss a potential appointment as Bianconeri head coach on Tuesday, and that the Old Lady are planning to offer a short-term contract with an option to renew. 

Juventus are on the lookout for a new head coach to replace Tudor, who was relieved of his duties on Monday. 

The Croatian had gone eight matches without a win in any competition and his team had not scored in any of their last four matches. He becomes the first Serie A head coach to lose their job in 2025-26, lasting for just eight league matches. 

Sky: Spalletti inclined to accept Juventus terms

According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio and Sky Sport Italia, Juventus could hold face-to-face talks with Spalletti as early as Tuesday. As Football Italia reported on Monday, the former Napoli and Italy head coach is the current frontrunner to replace Tudor. 

According to the latest updates, Juventus are prepared to offer Spalletti a contract until the end of the 2025-26 season with an obligation to renew if the Old Lady qualify for next season’s Champions League. 

As per Gianluca Di Marzio, it remains to be seen whether that automatic contract extension will be for another 12 months, or for another two years. Monday evening’s report indicates that Spalletti is already inclined to accept either way. 

Sky also adds that Spalletti has recently rejected potential opportunities abroad, including Fenerbahce and to some lucrative proposals from Qatar, in order to focus on a return to Serie A. 

Kenan Yildiz has sent his best wishes to Igor Tudor, who was sacked from his position as head coach of Juventus on Monday: ‘All the best for the future’. 

Juventus officially announced the departure of Tudor as head coach on Monday following a run of eight matches without a win across Serie A and the Champions League. The Bianconeri had not won since the 4-3 victory over Inter on September 13, and had not scored in any of Tudor’s last four matches in charge. 

The Croatian is the first head coach to lose his job in Serie A in 2025-26, receiving his marching orders just eight league games into the campaign. 

Juventus players thank Tudor after Juventus sacking

Gleison Bremer was the first of the Juve players to publicly express their gratitude to Tudor following the news of his departure on Monday. “Thank you for everything, gaffer, best of luck for the future,” he wrote in his story on Instagram. 

Yildiz, the most recent of the Juventus players to thank Tudor, wrote the same message as Bremer, but in English: “Thank you for everything, Mister. All the best for the future.” 

Mattia Perin has also sent a message to Tudor on his Instagram story, simply writing: “Thank you, mister.”

Juventus and Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon has expressed his support for his former colleague Luciano Spalletti, who is the current frontrunner to replace Igor Tudor as head coach of the Bianconeri. 

Juventus announced on Monday that Tudor has been relieved from his duties as head coach following a run of eight matches without a win and four games without scoring. The Old Lady have not won in any competition since the 4-3 Derby d’Italia victory over Inter on September 13. 

Several names have already been linked with a move to take over at the Allianz Stadium, including Roberto Mancini and Raffaele Palladino, but Spalletti is the current frontrunner, and is already in direct contact with the club. 

Buffon on Spalletti and Juventus: ‘The best around in terms of experience’

Buffon, speaking at the closing ceremony of the Corriere dello Sport centenary event in Naples on Monday evening, expressed his support for Spalletti becoming the next head coach of his beloved Juventus. 

“For me, Luciano is the right profile for any big club who wants to remain ambitious. You won’t lose many with Luciano,” Buffon said. 

Buffon and Spalletti have worked together previously as part of the Italy national team set-up. Spalletti was CT from the end of the summer in 2023 until the start of the summer in 2025, while Buffon served as delegation chief, a role that he still holds today. 

“It would be a great professional choice,” Buffon said of Juventus’s links with Spalletti. “He’s a football man, he’s a great person and a great coach. 

“Spalletti is the best around in terms of experience, charisma and authority. He’s the right person for ambitious clubs who want to remain ambitious. It’s a shame seeing him not in the dugout.” 

Jose Mourinho had an opportunity to discuss his time with Inter, and his rivalries with Milan and Juventus alongside Adriano Galliani and Gianluigi Buffon during a special event on Monday evening: ‘I have so much respect for him’. 

Mourinho, Galliani and Buffon were all among the star guests at an event organised by Corriere dello Sport, celebrating the paper’s 100th anniversary on Monday evening. 

Mourinho, who was appointed head coach of Benfica in September, was unable to attend in-person, but joined the special guests on a video call midway through the event on Monday. 

Mourinho, Galliani and Buffon discuss Inter, Milan and Juventus rivalries

Mourinho had a brief opportunity to discuss Inter’s rivalries with Milan and Juventus with Galliani and Buffon, insisting that he always had ‘respect’ for the former, and considers the latter ‘one of the greatest, if not the greatest’. 

Galliani, speaking about his experiences going up against Mourinho during his Milan days, said: “I’ve never felt like an opponent of Jose Mourinho. I respect him and I hope that this feeling will be reciprocated.” 

Mourinho, meanwhile, replied: “I always remember that during my time with Inter, I both won and lost against Milan. But, Galliani and (Silvio) Berlusconi would always come into the dressing room to congratulate us, and for this, I have so much respect for Adriano.” 

Buffon interjected, and insisted that the rivalry between Inter and Juventus was not always as pleasant. 

“There was no ‘good’ blood between Juve and Inter,” Buffon said. “At the time, we wanted to kill them, but then you’d meet Jose, who’d make a joke or say something to you that meant that you couldn’t hate him.” 

Mourinho was then able to exchange pleasantries with Buffon, adding: “I’ve always seen Juve as Juve, even if they were coming back up from Serie B at the time. And Gigi was always among the best, if not the best.” 

Gian Piero is bringing a clear identity to Roma, despite an up-and-down start to the season that has brought four home defeats across Serie A and the Europa League. The victory against Sassuolo over the weekend, however, rounded off by a Paulo Dybala winner, is a platform to build on from a technical and mental standpoint. 

Gasperini doesn’t need the transfer window, Roma are increasingly strong

Despite the fact that he is lacking the strikers and wingers needed to play his way, Gasperini has led Roma to the top of the Serie A standings along with Napoli, with six wins from their first eight league matches of the season. 

This achievement comes from Gasperini’s ability to adapt, his ability to make do with what he has, and his ability to stay competitive, even in times of trouble. 

The Roma side that we see today doesn’t quite line up with the coach’s philosophy: That would be impossible given the squad’s shortcomings, but they’re picking up valuable points and are becoming increasingly solid. 

It’s a solid team, one that is working hard on a daily basis rather than talking too much or making too many complaints. 

And, if this journey results in a return to the Champions League, it will be an impressive achievement, a sign that the project is finding form and continuity. For now, the transfer window can wait. 

Only two Serie A players have been included on the 26-player shortlist for the 2025 edition of the FIFPRO World XI, as voted for by players across the globe. 

The FIFPRO World XI has been running for 20 years, and acknowledges the 11 most successful players each calendar year. The nominees are voted for by players across the world. 

A 26-player shortlist has been revealed, and that will be whittled down to a final 11, which will be announced on November 3. 

The goalkeeper, three defenders, three midfielders and three attackers with the most votes will be included, and the remaining spot is assigned to the outfield player with the next highest number of votes. 

Which Serie A and Italy players are nominated for 2025 FIFPRO XI

Two Serie A representatives have been included on the 26-player shortlist for 2025, namely Luka Modric of Milan and Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli. 

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma has been included among the goalkeepers, and is a strong candidate to be included in the final XI given his victory in the Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year. 

2021 was the last time that either an Italian or a Serie A player was included in the final XI. That came a few months after the EURO 2020 final, which had been delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Donnarumma was included on that occasion, as was Juventus’s Leonardo Bonucci, Chelsea’s Jorginho, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who was still with Juve for the first half of that year. 

Gianluigi Buffon (2017) is the only other Italian to have been included in the FIFPRO World XI over the last 10 years. He and Matthijs De Ligt (also 2017), Dani Alves (2017, 2016) and Paul Pogba (2015) are the only other Serie A players to have been included in the last 10 years. 

2025 FIFPRO World XI Shortlist

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG/Manchester City), Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool/Real Madrid), Pau Cubarsi (Barcelona), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Achraf Hakimi (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Nuno Mendes (PSG), William Saliba (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City/Napoli), Luka Modric (Real Madrid/Milan), Joao Neves (PSG), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Pedri (Barcelona), Federico Valverde (Real Madrid), Vitinha (PSG).

Forwards: Ousmane Dembele (PSG), Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Raphinha (Barcelona), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Lamine Yamal (Barcelona).

The 26-player shortlist for the 2025 FIFPRO Men's World 11 – as voted by players worldwide.

The team will be revealed on 03.11.2025. pic.twitter.com/bnu1umSCKw

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) October 27, 2025

The latest updates suggest that Luciano Spalletti is the current frontrunner to become the new head coach of Juventus following the sacking of Igor Tudor, but how would the former Italy CT line up with the Bianconeri, and which tactics would he look to deploy? 

Juventus confirmed the sacking of head coach Tudor on Monday following a run of eight games without a win across Serie A and the Champions League. The Old Lady had also gone four games without scoring. Their last victory came in a 4-3 win over Inter in the Derby d’Italia on September 13. 

Several coaches have already been linked with a move to the Allianz Stadium, including Raffaele Palladino and Roberto Mancini, but Spalletti is considered the current frontrunner, and has already been in direct talks with the club. 

How Spalletti could line up with Juventus 

Spalletti has deployed a number of different formations across his recent spells in charge of the Italy national team, Napoli and Inter. 

Most recently, Spalletti played with a 3-5-1-1 during his final matches in charge of the Italy national team, given that he had plenty of midfielders but hardly any options to choose from at centre-forward or on the wings. He had also used a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 in the build-up to and during EURO 2024. 

With Napoli, a 4-3-3 built around centre-forward Victor Osimhen and left winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was the norm during Spalletti’s Scudetto-winning season in 2022-23. 

With Inter, a 4-2-3-1 was Spalletti’s usual go-to, and, given the options currently available at Juventus, it would make sense if he deployed that same system in Turin. 

Under Tudor, Juventus had often lined up with a back three, but following the injury to Gleison Bremer, the Bianconeri have been left with just four centre-back options to select from, which does not leave them with much cover, or possibilities to rotate. 

Given that the current Juventus squad is not blessed with an abundance of central midfield options, it would make sense to see Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram keep their places in a double-pivot. 

There would then be several options to deploy in the no.10 role, including posterboy Kenan Yildiz, summer signing Jonathan David and the out-of-favour Teun Koopmeiners, all of whom offer different qualities. 

Possible Juventus XI under Spalletti 

(4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Joao Mario, Kalulu, Bremer, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceicao, David, Yildiz; Vlahvoic. 

Massimiliano Allegri insists Milan remain equipped to keep winning despite a growing injury list, as the Rossoneri prepare for a difficult away match against Atalanta.

Speaking on the eve of the Bergamo trip, the coach confirmed that several key players are close to returning but also stressed that the squad must stay focused and avoid excuses.

Allegri optimistic about Loftus-Cheek and Pulisic

Allegri revealed positive news on the recovery front.

“Tomorrow we will have Loftus-Cheek back. Before the match against Parma we hope to have Pulisic on the bench, while we expect Estupiñán to return for the Roma game after the international break,” he said, with quotes via MilanNews.

The coach also noted that “Jashari should begin rejoining the group from Wednesday, but he will need time.”

Despite the absences, Allegri refused to dwell on who is unavailable. “We have a small squad, but it is enough to face the games between now and the break,” he insisted.

Milan are strong but injuries can happen – Allegri

“The Milan squad is strong. These injuries can happen, but we are in good physical condition and have played some good technical matches. We must not think about who is missing, we have other very good players who can play.”

The Rossoneri boss also pushed back against the idea that missing Pulisic, Estupiñán or others would define the team’s results. “It’s not as if we win or lose just because five players are out,” Allegri continued.

“When we are back at full strength, we will only improve – this is a strong Milan squad.”

Milan travel to Bergamo with little margin for error, facing one of Serie A’s most intense and physical opponents. Allegri’s message, however, is clear: no alibis, no fear – just continuity and focus.

Watch and listen to the latest news updates from the world of Calcio courtesy of Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà.

Today’s focus is on the sacking of Igor Tudor by Juventus, who was let go from his role as head coach of the Bianconeri this morning.

The Old Lady suffered a 1-0 defeat to Lazio in the Capital last night and this was the straw that broke the camel’s back for the Juventus coach.

Pedullà discusses how this decision was inevitable, especially after last night painted a portrait of a fractured and disheartened Juventus.

Watch: Pedullà on aftermath of Tudor dismissal at Juventus

A group of Juventus ultras have expressed their support for recently-sacked head coach Igor Tudor, just a few hours after his departure was officially confirmed by the club: ‘One of us’. 

Juventus announced on Monday that they had parted company with head coach Tudor, who had gone eight games without a win in all competitions and four games without a goal, ending with a 1-0 defeat away against Lazio on Sunday evening. 

Football Italia understands that the Bianconeri have already been in direct contact with former Italy national team head coach Luciano Spalletti, who is considered the first-choice candidate to replace Tudor at the Allianz Stadium. 

Juventus banner shows support for Tudor: ‘One of us’ 

Just a few hours after Tudor’s sacking was officially announced, Juventus ultras from the Curva Sud erected a banner outside the Allianz Stadium, expressing their support for the recently-departed Tudor. 

“Tudor one of us, the fish stinks from the head,” the banner outside the Juventus stadium read. 

Striscione comparso fuori dall’#AllianzStadium. #Juventus #Tudor pic.twitter.com/0IRlxJEbQ0

— Ale Cibien (@_cibi99_) October 27, 2025

Tudor was given a run of 24 competitive matches in charge of Juventus, including his stint as interim head coach at the end of the 2024-25 season. He recorded an average of 1.58 points per game over that period. 

He is the third Bianconeri head coach to depart in 18 months, following the dismissals of Thiago Motta and Massimiliano Allegri in March 2025 and May 2024 respectively. 

Luciano Spalletti is the name at the top of Juventus’s shortlist of potential replacements for Igor Tudor, who was dismissed from his role as head coach on Monday, and Football Italia can reveal that there has now been direct contact between the Bianconeri and the former Italy national team head coach. 

Juventus parted company with Tudor on Monday morning following a run of eight games without a win in any competition and a run of four matches without scoring a goal. The Croatian’s final match in charge ended in a 1-0 defeat away against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday evening. 

Juventus in direct contact with Spalletti

The latest news is that there has now been direct contact between Spalletti and representatives from Juventus. An intermediary is involved and the club approve of the decision to move forwards in negotiations with Spalletti. 

Spalletti has given his full availability to taking over at Juve, and is seeking an 18-month contract. He would, however, be willing to accept a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season with an option to extend for a further year. 

Other coaches who have been linked with the job, namely Raffaele Palladino and Roberto Mancini, remain alternative options for the Old Lady for now. 

Juventus are hoping to close a deal with Spalletti, but they still need to reach an agreement.

Aldredo Pedullà analyses Juventus’ 1-0 loss against Lazio on Sunday, highlighting Igor Tudor’s mistakes, which eventually led to his dismissal, and Maurizio Sarri’s breakthrough.

Tudor’s final game as the Juventus coach saw the Croat tactician make several tactical changes that, in the end, created a hybrid and increased confusion for the players.

Juventus have not scored in the last four games and are without a win since September 13.

On the other hand, Lazio coach Sarri silenced his critics despite having many starters forced to the sidelines and despite having a team without new signings, due to a transfer embargo imposed on the club in the summer.

Watch the full analysis in the video below.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Tottenham and Bayern Munich are showing ‘real interest’ in struggling Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.

The Serbia international remains Juventus’ best scorer this season with four goals in 11 appearances across all competitions, but has not found the net since September 16.

Last night, he started in a 1-0 loss against Lazio, which marked Juventus’ third consecutive loss and Igor Tudor’s dismissal.

Juventus have not scored in four consecutive matches for the first time since 1991 and have gone eight games without winning for the first time since 2009.

Tudor had replaced Thiago Motta in March 2025, but it would be a mistake to consider him as only responsible for Juventus’ downfall in recent weeks.

Gazzetta noted that Juventus lack high-level players in the team and analysed the Vlahovic case.

Tottenham and Bayern Munich interested in Vlahovic

“Tudor changes the factors, but the product remains the same,” wrote Gazzetta dello Sport vice-editor Stefano Agresti.

“Juventus haven’t seen similar numbers since the Maifredi era in 1991.

“Vlahovic has lost the magic that had brought him back in harmony with the black-and-white world.

“The Serbian striker neither scores nor helps the team, sending the coach into a tailspin when it comes to choosing the formation and the focal point in attack.

“He could leave in January as Tottenham and Bayern Munich are showing real interest.”

Vlahovic set to leave Juventus in June 2026

Vlahovic’s contract at the Allianz Stadium expires at the end of the season, so the Bianconeri will be willing to listen to offers in the winter transfer window.

Parma coach Carlos Cuesta says his side will need humility, intensity and complete collective focus as they prepare to face Roma at the Stadio Olimpico in Tuesday’s midweek Serie A round.

With the league immediately returning after the weekend fixtures, the Crociati now face one of the toughest away matches on the calendar – and will have to do so without most of their travelling fans, following restrictions on away ticket sales to Parma residents.

Parma coach Cuesta has respect for Roma

Cuesta was full of respect for the Giallorossi when speaking in his pre-match press conference. “Roma are a very strong, solid team with clear ideas,” he said, via TMW.

“Their coach is a reference point in this league for what he has done and what he has inspired. It will be a difficult match that we must approach with humility and confidence.”

On the coaching duel, Cuesta smiled at the contrast in experience: “I want to learn from everyone, and he is certainly a major reference. Roma transform quickly under his guidance. We go there with the will to play our football and to play well.”

Cuesta: Rotation vital – matches last more than 90 minutes

Rotation could be a factor, but Cuesta stressed mentality over names. “We will always choose the players who are most ready. Matches last more than 90 minutes – everyone must be ready to make a positive impact.”

Roma’s threat is no mystery to him. “We expect a Roma side that wants to play in our half, attack space and press without the ball. They are solid, aggressive and flexible. We must be ready for every scenario.”

Despite Parma’s goal struggles, Cuesta remains calm. “We are convinced the goals will come. When you give everything, there is nothing more you can ask.”

Former Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli believes Igor Tudor has been made a scapegoat by the club and argues the team’s structural problems come from above, after the coach was sacked earlier this week.

Speaking to TMW, the ex-chairman said the situation in Turin is “complicated to explain” and goes well beyond the dugout.

‘Tudor deserved more credit’ – Gigli

Cobolli Gigli insisted Tudor had earned more credit than he was given.

“Tudor proved he was capable of doing good things,” he said.

“He miraculously brought Juventus to fourth last year and he also produced almost glorious performances, like the match against Inter. Something is not working in the club’s mechanisms more than Tudor’s.”

He criticised Juventus’ recent planning and mercato strategy, suggesting the coach was let down rather than supported. “The transfer campaign looked promising, but it turned out to be dysfunctional. The responsibility lies with the club, and the first one to pay is always the coach.”

Juventus should take Mancini over Spalletti – Gigli

Cobolli Gigli also pointed to strained internal dynamics, especially with management. “Tudor has a strong character and likely clashed with Comolli. But I cannot forget he took Juventus in a complicated moment and brought exciting football. I would have kept him, but the club wanted a shock.”

Asked about potential successors, he gave a clear preference: “Between the options, the most relevant name is Mancini – although I have my reservations about him. I would exclude Spalletti.”

He was more cautious on Raffaele Palladino, arguing the former Monza and Fiorentina coach remains “full of good will but without much experience.”

Finally, he dismissed any regret over Thiago Motta, concluding that Juventus must “restart from zero” to win back their identity.

Juventus sacked head coach Igor Tudor today and now the Bianconeri will seek their third permanent head coach appointment since Summer 2024.

In March of this year, Juventus parted ways with Thiago Motta and hired Tudor to replace him and see out the remainder of the 2024-25 season.

The Croatian performed well in the closing stages of the campaign, helping the Bianconeri achieve a top four finish on the final day of the season.

Therefore, and after a string of alternative targets were deemed unattainable, Juventus opted to hand Tudor a new contract on June 13, 2025.

Tudor sacking compounds financial misery for struggling Juventus

After Tudor’s contract extension, Juventus currently have two head coaches, in Tudor and Motta, who are due to collect a salary until 2027, after both of their spells at the helm were cut short prematurely.

This represents a major blunder for the Bianconeri who, when they hire a permanent replacement for Tudor, will technically have the salaries of 3 head coaches on their books for the next two years.

Juventus have seen two gambles on relatively inexperienced coaches fail to pay off. The Bianconeri’s decision to hire Motta and Tudor was born out of good intentions, wanting a younger coach to lead the club into a new golden era, but has shown glaring weaknesses when compared to Conte at Napoli and Gapserini at Roma, for example, two coaches who have been linked with the Bianconeri in the past year.

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Ivan Juric says Atalanta must raise their level in every department as they prepare for a crucial clash with Milan, while also expressing sympathy for Igor Tudor after the Croatian coach was sacked by Juventus.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Juric opened by reacting to events in Turin. “I feel sorry for Tudor because he was a Juventus man,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“But this is our job. When you have a period where you play well but don’t win, you must improve in every area.”

Atalanta coach Juric: ‘Everything is fine with Carnesecchi’

The coach also addressed his recent public friction with goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi, insisting the issue is closed. “Everything is absolutely fine,” Juric stressed.

“The words were said in the heat of the moment. I’m very satisfied with his performances.”

Juric confirmed that Marten de Roon’s selection in defence was a deliberate tactical choice and not a stop-gap. “It’s not a surprise,” he said. “He does that role well.”

He also discussed squad fitness, noting that Sead Kolašinac is not yet ready to start, while “Scamacca needs calm, but I’d like to get him playing soon.”

Juric on tough schedule ahead of Milan clash

Despite a run of draws and missed opportunities, Juric remains positive. “We’ve created a lot, but we haven’t turned it into goals. The team is alive. Lookman is fully involved and only missing the finish,” he explained.

Kossounou, meanwhile, is expected to start: “I’m pleased with his progress and I think he will play from the beginning.”

Juric acknowledged the challenge of facing Milan, especially with a demanding schedule. “Playing every 2-3 days is difficult. We analyse things day by day. To contain Milan, we need rhythm and compactness.”

Atalanta have not won in Serie A since September 21, and Tuesday night offers a crucial opportunity to restart their campaign.

After a dreadful run of games, Juventus sacked Igor Tudor this morning and for the meantime, Massimo Brambilla will step in as interim head coach.

Last night, the Bianconeri lost 1-0 to Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico and that was the last straw for Croatian coach Tudor.

Juventus are without a win in eight games and pressure had been mounting on Tudor for some time. Today, the Bianconeri management decided that enough is enough and fired the coach.

Who is Juventus interim coach Brambilla?

Massimo Brambilla will temporarily take the reins for Juventus, but who exactly is the 52-year-old former player?

During his playing career, Brambilla was somewhat of an Italian journeyman, playing for ten different clubs around Italy. He also made several youth appearances for the Azzurri but was never selected to play for the senior Italian national team.

After he retired, in 2010, he spent 12 years working in the youth systems at Pergocrema, Novara and Atalanta.

In 2022, Brambilla was appointed as head coach for the Juventus Next Gen team in Serie C. After two seasons with the Bianconeri B team, Brambilla took over at fellow Serie C outfit Foggia. He spent just a few months at Foggia before being dismissed for poor results in September 2024.

Two months later, he returned as head coach of Juventus Next Gen, where he has remained since. Now, he will get his chance to lead the first team while the club search for a suitable long-term replacement for the fired Tudor.

Inter have confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan sustained a muscular injury, but it is not as serious as first feared for the veteran midfielder.

He limped off during the first half of Saturday’s 3-1 Serie A defeat to Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, right after giving away a penalty.

Extent of Mkhitaryan injury confirmed

Tests were performed today and a formal statement from the Nerazzurri medical staff confirms a strain to the semitendinosus muscle in the left thigh.

Crucially, there is no lesion, which means it is not as serious as first thought.

The official club website merely states the situation will be re-evaluated next week, meaning Mkhitaryan will miss at least the midweek round against Fiorentina and Sunday’s trip to Hellas Verona.

There is some hope that the Armenia international might be back in action for the clash with Lazio on November 9, but it is more likely that he’ll return for the Derby della Madonnina against Milan on November 23, after the break for international duty.

Multiple sources claim that Luciano Spalletti and Raffaele Palladino are the leading candidates to replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked by Juventus this morning.

Spalletti and Palladino are the frontrunners for the Juventus job, according to various sources, including Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto.

Palladino and Spalletti linked with Juventus job

Spalletti was sacked by the Italy national team in June, while Palladino left Fiorentina by mutual consent at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.

Juventus confirmed Tudor’s sacking with an official statement on Monday morning after the team had lost three consecutive matches and failed to score in the last four.

Juventus have interim coach for Udinese game

Juventus also confirmed that Massimiliano Brambilla, the NextGen coach, will lead the team in the next two days and be in charge when the Old Lady host Udinese in the next Serie A game on Tuesday.

Tudor has won 10 of his 24 matches as Juventus coach. He was appointed in March 2025 to replace Thiago Motta.

Both coaches remain under contract at the Allianz Stadium until June 2027.

Napoli have confirmed the worst fears, as Kevin De Bruyne has been diagnosed with a severe lesion to the thigh muscle and is expected to be out for several months.

The midfielder pulled up clutching the back of his right thigh after successfully converting a penalty during the 3-1 victory over Inter on Saturday evening.

That result allowed them to go top of the table, alongside Roma, but it came at a heavy cost.

Napoli confirm serious De Bruyne injury

De Bruyne immediately seemed to be distraught when holding his leg and Napoli medical staff confirmed in a statement today that he had been diagnosed with a ‘high grade lesion to the femoral bicep in the right thigh.’

There was no official word on the time it will take to recover from this injury, but it is not dissimilar to the one sustained by Romelu Lukaku during a pre-season friendly in August.

That setback forced the striker to be out for circa four months, and it is entirely possible there will be a similar timeframe for his fellow Belgium international.

De Bruyne has a history of muscular problems, as a similar issue saw him ruled out for three months at Manchester City.

Juventus confirm that Igor Tudor has been sacked and that NextGen coach Massimo Brambilla will lead the team in the next Serie A match against Udinese.

Juventus have officially sacked the coach Tudor after three consecutive defeats.

The Bianconeri have confirmed their decision with an official statement published on Monday morning.

The Serie A giants also said that NextGen coach Brambilla will lead the team in the next two days, ahead of a Serie A match against Udinese at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus winless in the last eight games

Juventus have lost three games in a row and have not scored in the last four matches.

They are without a victory since September 13, when they beat Inter 4-3 at the Allianz Stadium.

Tudor replaced Thiago Motta in March 2025 and won 10 of his 24 matches in charge of the Bianconeri.

The Croatian tactician remains under contract until June 2027, just like his predecessor.

Juventus have collected 12 points in eight Serie A matches and sit 8th in the Serie A table.

Juventus sack Tudor: the official statement

Juventus have already informed Igor Tudor that he’ll be sacked, but the coach’s destiny has been written since the start of October.

Juventus have decided to sack their coach Tudor, and the club directors have already informed the Croatian tactician. An official statement in the coming hours will formally put an end to Tudor’s reign, which began in March 2025 and ended with three consecutive losses against Como, Real Madrid and Lazio.

Tudor’s situation was already clear

The situation at Juventus has been clear since October 6, when I reported that, without tactical clarity, the coach would pay a high price.

This is exactly what happened today, as Juventus have not even waited for the next Serie A match against Udinese on Wednesday.

Tudor doesn’t pay just for lack of results

Juventus’ poor results and the lack of trust in new summer signgins have made the difference in determining the coach’s fate.

Tudor took charge of 24 Juventus matches across all competitions, grabbing 10 wins, eight draws and six losses.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus have sacked their coach, Igor Tudor, with an official statement expected later today.

• Official statement: Juventus have sacked Tudor

Tudor is no longer the Juventus coach, and the Croatian tactician has already been informed about the club’s decision, according to Gazzetta.

Juventus sack Tudor

The pink paper claims that Juventus will confirm Tudor’s sacking with an official statement later today.

According to the report, Juventus NextGen boss Massimo Brambilla will likely lead the team as an interim coach in a Serie A game against Udinese in just two days.

Reports in Italy on Monday morning suggested Juventus would wait until the next match to sack Tudor, but the situation has evolved since.

Tudor’s poor results at Juventus

Juventus have lost their last three games and have not scored in their last four outings.

Furthermore, they have gone eight consecutive matches without winning.

Fabrizio Romano confirms that Juventus have already decided to sack Tudor and will now make the formal steps forward to relieve him from his duties.

Tudor was appointed in March 2025 to replace Thiago Motta. Both Motta and Tudor are under contract with Juventus until 2027.

Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Massimiliano Allegri could leave Santiago Gimenez on the bench against Atalanta as the Mexico international hasn’t yet scored in Serie A this season.

Milan visit Atalanta in a mid-week Serie A round on Tuesday, and according to Gazzetta, the Rossoneri coach Allegri could leave Gimenez on the bench at the New Balance Stadium.

Disappointing Gimenez at Milan

Gimenez has only scored one goal in 10 appearances across all competitions this season, but none in Serie A.

Gazzetta reports that Allegri was unhappy with the striker’s performance against Pisa on Friday and, at some point during the game, he even shouted towards the Mexican: “Wake up, wake up! Are you sleeping?”

Allegri’s options without Gimenez

Christian Pulisic won’t be available against Atalanta, which means that if Gimenez is dropped, then Allegri will pick Christopher Nkunku close to Rafael Leao or pick one between Alexis Saelamaekers or Ruben Loftus-Cheek to play as an attacking midfielder.

Milan have collected 17 points in eight Serie A games this term and are one point below the leaders Roma and Napoli.

Christian Pulisic is expected to return to action before the international break in November, but Milan director Giorgio Furlani is reportedly in talks with the United States Soccer Federation, hoping that Mauricio Pochettino will not include the star winger in the USMNT squad.

Milan hope Pulisic will not be called up to the USMNT squad in November.

When will Pulisic return from injury?

The American winger sustained a hamstring injury during a friendly match against Australia earlier in October, irritating his club.

Pulisic has not featured for Milan since, but according to Gazzetta, his recovery is going ahead smoothly.

The American star will miss tomorrow’s game against Atalanta and has little chance to make it for the Roma match next Sunday, but Milan hope he’ll return to action against Parma on November 8, right before the next international break.

If Pulisic is eligible for that match, then he’ll automatically become available for selection for USMNT, but Milan want to avoid another long trip and more games for the ex-Chelsea star.

Milan talks with US Soccer

Therefore, according to the report (via Milannews) CEO Furlani has already initiated talks with the US Soccer, hoping that Pulisic will be allowed to remain in Milanello during the November break to fully get back in shape.

The USMNT will meet Paraguay and Uruguay in friendly encounters next month, while Milan will face city rivals Inter on November 23, in the first game after the November break.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Inter are ‘still irritated’ by Antonio Conte’s claims after Napoli’s 3-1 win at the Stadio Maradona on Saturday.

Tension erupted in Naples over the weekend, both during and after a Serie A match between the Partenopei and Inter.

As reported by Gazzetta, the Nerazzurri are not bothered by the on-pitch argument between Lautaro Martinez and Conte, but are rather annoyed by what happened after the final whistle.

During his post-match interviews, Conte criticised Inter’s decision to send their president, Beppe Marotta, to talk to the media to complain about a penalty kick given to the Partenopei.

What Conte said about Inter

“A team has to evaluate and realise why they lost, doing this, they just create alibis for the players and coach. I would not have allowed it. Now Marotta is President, but it’s not right that he has to come here and make these statements,” Conte said.

“I say with all due respect for the director, leave these things to the people who actually participated in the match, because it is diminishing the role of the coach too.”

Inter also found ‘inappropriate and serious’, according to Gazzetta, that Conte said Inter have been “The best team” in Serie A and “could have won more in the last four years.”

Inter irritated by Conte

Gazzetta notes that Conte behaved differently during his time at Inter, as he publicly requested the directors’ intervention after some disappointing results or debatable referee decisions.

Conte won the 2020-21 Serie A title at Inter, but his relationship with club directors deteriorated at the end of the campaign as the Italian tactician pushed to leave, knowing that the club would need to sell Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi over the summer for financial reasons.

Inter and Conte eventually parted ways by mutual agreement, seeing the Italian tactician get a €7m net severance pay.

Alessandro Del Piero and Beppe Bergomi got into an argument about Inter on Sunday as the Juventus legend insisted that the Nerazzurri have been ‘the best team in Serie A in the last four years.’

Juventus and Inter legends Del Piero and Bergomi showed diverging opinions on Cristian Chivu’s side on Sunday evening as Sky Sport Italia analysed the latest Serie A weekend, in which the Nerazzurri suffered a 3-1 loss at Napoli.

Inter had complained about a penalty kick that gave Napoli the lead in the first half, but Del Piero and Bergomi did not focus on referee controversies.

Del Piero: Inter the best team in Serie A

“Inter have been the best team in Serie A in the last four years. Others who won instead of them were better, but Inter are the best team,” Del Piero said.

Bergomi, however, didn’t agree: “No, why do they never win games against direct rivals?”

Del Piero replied: “For other reasons, but if you look at the Inter team, it’s undoubtedly better than Napoli, Juventus, Milan and Roma.”

The argument continued with Bergomi, who hit back: “No, Ale. I’ve been saying this for four years.”

Bergomi hits back at Del Piero over Inter claims

The Nerazzurri legend continued: “Remember that those who shout more are not necessarily right…You can raise your voice all the time, and respect what I’m saying, too. Especially because I’ve been saying this for four years, and the results are there. But when they lose, then the others are better. So, who is better? The winners or the losers?”

The Italian World Cup winners were unable to find a common ground.

“I respect it, but what I said is the same, with different words. The better one is the one that wins, the best one is another,” argued Del Piero.

“Inter were able to do certain things and reach certain results, winning titles, cups and reaching Champions League Finals,” concluded Bergomi.

“Even beating clubs like Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who are better than Inter.”

The Nerazzurri have lost three of their opening eight Serie A matches this season and are three points below the leading pair Napoli and Roma.

Sources in Italy claim that Wednesday’s Serie A game against Udinese may end Igor Tudor’s spell at Juventus, regardless of the result, as the Bianconeri have gone eight consecutive games without a win.

Juventus’ 1-0 loss against Lazio on Sunday marked their third consecutive defeat across all competitions, extending the Old Lady’s winless streak to eight games.

The last time Tudor’s men collected all three points was on September 13 against Inter and the Croatian tactician’s job is inevitably under scrutiny.

Will Juventus sack Tudor now?

A new Serie A round is just around the corner, as Week 9 will be played mid-week. Juventus will host Udinese at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday and according to reports, that could be Tudor’s last game in charge of the Bianconeri.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Tudor might be sacked even if Juventus win, and Gazzetta confirms that the Croat is expected to be given time until the next match.

Possible Tudor replacements revealed

The pink paper reports on Monday (page 6) that not all Juventus directors are convinced to sack Tudor with immediate effect; therefore, the Croat is expected to sit on the Juventus bench in the next game in just two days.

As for the possible replacements, Italian media mention the same candidates named just a few days ago: Luciano Spalletti, Roberto Mancini, Raffaele Palladino and even Thiago Motta, who was sacked in March 2025, but remains under contract with the club until 2027.

• Update: It escalated quickly at the Allianz Stadium, as according to various sources, Juventus have decided to sack Tudor today.

• Juventus sack Tudor – Read the official statement here

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Lazio put Tudor in trouble: now he risks

Juve to the ground

Basic-goal: it’s the third consecutive defeat. The coach: ‘I don’t leave.’ But the club makes assessments

Toro is here

Maripan great final, Granata comeback.

Inter against Conte

Club irritated. Mkhitaryan out for at least one month

Dybala reaches the top

Roma with Napoli. Gasp: ‘Scudetto? If we grow…’

Corriere dello Sport

Top spot and first, decisive, Dybala goal

Roma, double Joya

They won 1-0 at Sassuolo’s home and caught Napoli with 18 points. Fourth consecutive victory away: +8 in the table compared to 2024. Gasperini: ‘Paulo is extraordinary in every role.’

Tudor at the end

Juve in crisis. Third consecutive loss (1-0). Tudor’s future under scrutiny

Lazio sink the Croat

On Wednesday against Udinese, a win might not be enough for the coach. ‘Everyone is responsible. My future? I’m not concerned.’ Decisive Basic, Isaksen close to the 2-0.

Electric Chivu and Chivu’s cure

After Marotta’s protests for the soft penalty to the irritability of a team struggling to cope with difficulties.

De Bruyne risks a long stop

Milan, Gimenez is an issue

Tuttosport

It’s no longer Juve

Basic scores after nine minutes (incredible David assist), sending the Bianconeri into a tilt. Confused reaction and can only complain about a penalty denied to Conceiçao. Eight games without victories. The coach: ‘My future? I don’t care about it at all.’

Maripam-Paleari, ‘Toro happiness’

The super goal from the captain under the Curva completes the comeback at minute 90 after the early Thorsby goal and Sabelli’s own goal, then miraculous saves in the stoppages. Baroni: ‘I scolded my players at halftime.’

Roma, Joya for the top spot

Dybala knocks Sassuolo down

Lashed out by Gasp, he responded like a champion. Napoli reached. The coach: ‘Extraordinary Paulo.’

Napoli-Inter: Rocchi stops the coach, the assistant and VAR referee.

Viola, penalty comeback, but Bologna are furious

Alessandro Del Piero insists Igor Tudor is ‘not the problem’ at Juventus and ‘it’s not as if with another coach this squad would win the Scudetto.’

The Bianconeri are now in a full-blown crisis after three consecutive defeats against Como, Real Madrid and Lazio, going 394 minutes without scoring a goal.

They are on their longest winless streak in all competition since 2009, as after five draws in a row between Serie A and the Champions League, they lost three on the bounce.

Del Piero takes Juventus blame off Tudor

With Tudor continually chopping and changing the line-up and tactics, is there too much confusion on the bench?

“I wouldn’t say confusion is the right word,” said Del Piero on Sky Sport Italia when analysing his beloved Juventus.

“The coach is not the problem, it’s more complicated than that, and includes how the team has struggled to come together so far this season.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lazio 1-0 Juventus

Although there were 1-0 defeats to Real Madrid and Lazio, Del Piero still saw some signs of improvement.

“The team was alive and did not deserve to lose tonight, perhaps a draw was the right result. They weren’t bad against Madrid either, the problem was the performance against Como.

“In any case, it’s not as if with another coach this team would win the Scudetto.”

Another issue that he did not necessarily put the blame on Tudor for was the absence of a core to this side.

“He doesn’t yet have a first choice XI, but it’s not because Tudor doesn’t want to find it, it’s because aside from a few individuals, the others have struggled to perform consistently.

“If you look at the best teams in Italy and Europe, they more or less all have a regular XI that will start the big games.”

Mattia Perin urged Juventus to stay united and rediscover their identity after a damaging 1-0 defeat away to Lazio, a result that deepens the pressure on Igor Tudor and extends the Bianconeri’s winless run.

Speaking to DAZN after the match, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, the goalkeeper did not hide his frustration and admitted Juventus are far from the standard expected of them.

Juventus goalkeeper Perin: ‘We feel sadness and frustration’

Perin stressed that the mood in the dressing room is one of disappointment rather than resignation. “We feel a lot of sadness and frustration,” he said.

“We train well during the week, but we’re not showing that in matches. It’s difficult to find a single answer, but we must stay united and compact, because right now we are not proving to be at the level we should be.”

The 31-year-old confirmed he knew in advance he would start in place of Michele Di Gregorio, but said personal satisfaction means little in the current situation. “I already knew before Madrid that I would play,” Perin revealed.

“But I can’t be happy when results aren’t coming. We believe in the coach’s ideas, and emotionally we like what he transmits to us. It’s difficult to understand why things aren’t working, but I’m sure we’ll raise our level.”

Perin: ‘We have to desire to get out of this’

Perin also described a post-match discussion between the squad and Tudor aimed at stopping the slide. “We spoke to understand why these defeats are happening,” he explained.

“There is the desire from everyone to get out of this as soon as possible. Fortunately, we play again in three days and that could help us turn this moment around.”

Juventus, once heralded for resilience and clarity of purpose, now find themselves looking for basic reference points. Their next match will already feel like a crossroads – not for the table, but to prove they still have a pulse.

Lazio emerged as 1-0 victors over Juventus this evening as the pressure continues to pile on Bianconeri head coach Igor Tudor.

A goal from midfielder Toma Basic was enough to secure the three points for Maurizio Sarri’s side, whilst his counterpart faces increasingly demanding questions about his suitability at the helm of Juventus.

For Igor Tudor, an initially strong start to the season has quickly eroded and now it seems as though his days are numbered in Turin.

Grim night of stats for Tudor and Juventus

Juventus have had an unfortunately record-breaking evening.

As per Opta, it is the first time that the Old Lady have gone four games consecutively, in all competitions, without scoring, since 1991.

Furthermore, it is the Bianconeri’s longest winless streak since 2009 when Claudio Ranieri was in charge.

To add insult to injury, it was Lazio’s fastest goal against Juventus since Giuseppe Favalli’s third-minute goal in March 1996.

Overall, a dismal evening for Juventus as Tudor continues to break records, for all the wrong reasons.

Maurizio Sarri admits he was ‘surprised’ by the level of performance from Toma Basic and Gustav Isaksen against Juventus, but Lazio have been on the right track for a while.

The Aquile were in dire need of a boost and received it with Basic firing in after Danilo Cataldi gratefully received the poor Jonathan David back pass.

Both sides were angry about the refereeing of Andrea Colombo, as Weston McKennie was very fortunate to avoid a second yellow card, while VAR did not intervene when Mario Gila appeared to stamp on Francisco Conciecao’s foot inside the penalty area.

Nuno Tavares, Matteo Cancellieri, Taty Castellanos, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru were out of action, so it was a remarkable victory in the circumstances.

Sarri had already seen Lazio improvement

“We suffered, but not really that much today, so we played with sacrifice, but also quality. I am happy for the players and for our fans,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

Basic had been cut from the Lazio squad list at the start of the season and put on the transfer market, but was welcomed back only due to the injury crisis, and quickly became a key figure in their midfield.

“He had rather lost his way and was left off the squad list, but we needed him and he did really well to step up,” noted Sarri.

“I think he has really grown in terms of character and is giving us a big hand at the moment. We all thank him for that.”

Another player who had been out for a while was Isaksen, who spent much of the summer locked away with glandular fever for fear of being contagious to his teammates.

This was his first start of the season and he was named Football Italia’s Man of the Match in the Player Ratings.

“You could tell in training that he was improving his fitness levels, but frankly not to this degree. His performance today was a surprise for us too,” confessed Sarri.

Lazio are now unbeaten in four, having defeated Genoa and Juventus, interrupted by stalemates against Torino and Atalanta.

They are just one point behind Juventus in the Serie A standings now and have a midweek round with Pisa coming up.

“Missing an average of seven players per game, we’ve put together eight points in four matches, so the team has been doing well for a month, not just tonight,” insisted the coach.

He was asked how the meeting had gone with President Claudio Lotito and director of sport Angelo Maria Fabiani this week.

“I have no problems with the President or the director of sport. If something was written otherwise, then that is fake news. It was a perfectly normal meeting.”

Igor Tudor was critical of Andrea Cambiaso and Jonathan David after Juventus suffered a third straight defeat to Lazio, but insisted he ‘doesn’t care about my future.’

Jonathan David made his first start alongside Dusan Vlahovic today, but it was his poor header back that sparked the Lazio goal, handing it straight to Danilo Cataldi for Toma Basic to fire in from outside the area.

Tudor evidently wasn’t happy, as within 10 minutes he had Filip Kostic warming up and was shouting at Cambiaso, who was eventually replaced at half-time.

“Kostic was warming up because I saw Cambiaso was not doing well, but in general the team had the right attitude from the start, apart from Johnny’s error and that goal,” Tudor told DAZN Italia.

“It is a bad moment, a difficult moment, we need to stay united and all work together. There is disappointment, because I think we prepared it the right way, but we are always missing something. We get to the penalty area and then don’t put the ball in the net.

“We also keep telling ourselves don’t make mistakes, but there is always a mistake, and we lose games. We feel terrible, but we have to stick together.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Lazio 1-0 Juventus

Tudor identifies Juventus problem in attack

Their biggest problem would seem to be clear, as this was Juve’s fourth consecutive match without scoring a goal, something they hadn’t seen since March 1991 under legendary flop Gigi Maifredi.

“We tried with two strikers from the start, then four attacking players, we tried everything, but are certainly missing something upfront,” confessed Tudor.

The Bianconeri are now without a victory in eight competitive games, having drawn five in a row, followed by three consecutive defeats to Como, Real Madrid and Lazio, their longest negative streak since May 2009.

“We are all responsible. We must try to do better and stay united, we have another game in a couple of days, I think a victory will get us on the right track. It’s a problem if we need four strikers to score and 10 midfielders when defending. It is a problem if someone always makes a mistake.

“As I said, there’s no need to make a drama out of it, we play again soon and need to stay focused.”

Tudor had tried to change things today with Vlahovic and David together, plus Francisco Conceicao out wide, then added Kenan Yildiz at half-time too.

“It was a decision because Kenan needed rest. Johnny and Dusan have goals in their blood, but we put the crosses in and in the final third someone has to put it in the net, otherwise nothing happens and you get punished for every tiny error at the back.”

Cambiaso swapped places with Weston McKennie after 25 minutes, putting the USMNT player in the attacking wing-back role.

“I saw Andrea was struggling with Isaksen and when attacking we wanted him to cover the whole wing, but I didn’t like the way Andrea was interpreting the role. McKennie can cover the wing and Andrea can be a mezz’ala, so I swapped them.”

Juventus have repeatedly said they are backing Tudor, but how long can the coach realistically continue with such poor results, especially as they seem to be deteriorating rather than improving?

“People keep asking me if I feel safe or worried, but I don’t think about myself. I don’t care about my future, what I care about is doing what I can, being aware of all the problems and trying to improve things. My future is of zero interest.”

Lazio defeated Juventus 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening, with Croatian midfielder Toma Basic scoring the only goal. After the game, the match winner urged his side to remain focused, as the “table remains very tight”, whilst captain Mattia Zaccagni hailed the victory as an “extraordinary game.”

The Biancocelesti needed a boost after back-to-back stalemates with Torino and Atalanta, so they were grateful when Jonathan David’s misplaced back pass was intercepted by Danilo Cataldi, setting up Basic for the early goal.

They held on to the lead from there, although both teams were angry with the officiating of referee Andrea Colombo.
Weston McKennie was very fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for his foul on Matteo Guendouzi, while Mario Gila appeared to tread on Francisco Conceicao’s boot inside the penalty area moments later.

Lazio captain Zaccagni: ‘An extraordinary game’

“It was an extraordinary game in every way, we faced this with humility and character, we remained united during difficult moments, and at times managed to play good football too,” Zaccagni told DAZN Italia.

“Toma has to be seen as an example, because even when he was left out of the squad list, he trained with real humility and made sure he was ready. He’s a great professional. Now we look to Thursday’s game against Pisa, because we are still lagging behind in the league and want to climb further up.”

Basic: ‘I feel happy but exhausted’

Basic was not even on the Lazio squad list going into this season, as he was on the transfer market and failed to find a new club.

He was brought back into the fold due to an injury crisis, and has since become a key figure in the midfield, starting every match and even scoring tonight’s decisive goal.

“I feel happy, but also exhausted, because the whole team gave our all to the very end. I don’t want to talk about me, there’s no time for euphoria, because the table remains very tight, so there are other games where we must give 100 per cent in the same way,” Basic told DAZN Italia.

“I don’t know if people think I was somewhere else, but I was always training with the team and working with them throughout.”

Lazio beat Juventus 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico this evening and Gustav Isaksen is Football Italia’s Man of the Match.

Lazio 1-0 Juventus – Isaksen MOTM in huge win for Biancocelesti

Lazio: Provedel 6; Lazzari 6 (Pellegrini 6), Gila 6, Romagnoli 6.5, Marusic 5.5; Guendouzi 6, Cataldi 6.5, Basic 7 (Vecino 5.5); Isaksen 7.5 (Pedro N/A), Dia 5.5, Zaccagni 6

Best Lazio player: Isaksen – After an inconsistent start to the campaign, the Dane really came to life today and was a constant menace for the Juventus defence to reckon with. He was fouled a number of times, testament to his agility and dribbling down the flank.

Lowest Lazio Rating: Dia – Makes Lazio miss Castellanos more but fortunately his side were still able to win the three points despite another tame and biteless performance.

Coach: Sarri 7 – Set up well against a strong Juventus and did just enough to secure the three points. His side are showing more signs of settling back into his tactical demands and the coach will be delighted with a huge victory against a top club.

Juventus: Perin 6; Kalulu 6, Gatti 5.5 (Joao Mario N/A), Lloyd Kelly 5.5,;Cambiaso 6 (Yildiz 6); Conceicao 6.5, Koopmeiners 6 (Thuram 6), Locatelli 6.5, McKennie 5.5 (Openda N/A); Vlahovic 5.5, David 5

Best Juventus player: Conceicao – Despite not being able to get his team a point, the Portuguese winger was effective in his duties this evening. Potentially should have been awarded a penalty after a foul from Mario Gila in the box and was fairly lucid in an otherwise tame performance from the Bianconeri.

Lowest Juventus rating: David – Involved in a goal tonight, but not in the way he would’ve liked. At fault for Lazio’s opener, the Canadian struggled to redeem himself and was eventually hooked just after the hour mark. Life has not started well for the former Lille man in Turin.

Coach: Tudor 5 – Showing the signs of a coach under immense pressure, Tudor took risks today and they failed to pay off. His front two of Vlahovic and David continue to struggle to develop any sort of chemistry together and his decision to bring on Kenan Yildiz at half-time was too little too late.

Juventus fell to a third consecutive defeat in all competition, as Toma Basic made the most of Jonathan David’s error for a Lazio victory, but both sides were furious with controversial refereeing.

The Bianconeri were without a win in seven competitive games, fresh from back-to-back defeats to Como and Real Madrid. Kenan Yildiz was struggling with a knee issue, so was rested with Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arek Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio injured, but Jonathan David formed a new partnership with Dusan Vlahovic and Mattia Perin took the gloves. Maurizio Sarri had to do without Nuno Tavares, Matteo Cancellieri, Taty Castellanos, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, so Gustav Isaksen got his first start of the season after recovering from glandular fever.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Isaksen squirmed between three to pull back at the by-line, forcing Federico Gatti into a panicked clearance from five yards, and the deadlock was broken soon after.

David got his back-pass header completely wrong, giving it straight to Danilo Cataldi, and Toma Basic saw his strike from outside the area deflected off Gatti to totally wrong-foot Perin.

Andrea Cambiaso’s cushioned volley from a Francisco Conceicao cross hit the side-netting at the back post, but Juve almost paid for another howler.

It was Manuel Locatelli this time who laid it off for Matteo Guendouzi on the edge of the box, forcing a Gatti block in front of goal, then Lloyd Kelly charging down the Isaksen follow-up.

David almost made up for his earlier error when running onto an inspired Teun Koopmeiners pass, but Ivan Provedel rushed off his line to parry the dinked finish.

Francisco Conceicao also blasted over from a promising position, then whipped in a cross that Vlahovic scuffed from 12 yards.

Kenan Yildiz replaced Cambiaso for the restart in a very attacking Juve formation, but Vlahovic’s blushes were spared by the offside flag for Kelly after firing onto the crossbar from 12 yards on his assist.

Locatelli’s strike was smothered by Provedel and Weston McKennie was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card in the space of three minutes, as referee Andrea Colombo didn’t even give a foul for his barge on Guendouzi.

There was even more controversy on the hour mark when Mario Gila appeared to tread on Conceicao’s foot, but the referee waved play on and VAR did not intervene for a penalty either.

Boulaye Dia tested Perin at the base of the near post after squirming between two, while Vlahovic nodded McKennie’s cross wide and Kenan Yildiz at full stretch couldn’t get control of the Pierre Kalulu ball over the top.

Provedel flew to palm away the Khephren Thuram header on a corner, but Isaksen sprinted from midfield, cut inside and bent a left-foot finish just past the far post.

Pedro blasted wide with his first touch on a Zaccagni pull-back and in stoppages Gila threw himself in the path of a Locatelli scorcher from the edge of the box.

Lazio 1-0 Juventus

Basic 9 (L)

26-10-2025 19:45

MatchDay 8

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio

Juventus

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Toma Basic (Assist: Danilo Cataldi)		9'
		30'		Teun Koopmeiners
Manuel Lazzari		33'

2nd half

		52'		Manuel Locatelli
		54'		Weston McKennie
		64'		Lloyd Kelly
Mattéo Guendouzi		90+1'

Match statistic

40

Possession %

60

13

Total shots

14

3

Shots on target

5

6

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

4

2

Corners

5

0

Offsides

2

11

Fouls

18

Lazio

Juventus

Starting lineups

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

55'

34

Mario Gila

Defender

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

8

Mattéo Guendouzi

Midfielder

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

68'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

82'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

83'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

46'

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

86'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

66'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

78'

9

Dusan Vlahovic

Attacker

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

66'

Substitutes

4

Patric

Defender

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

35

Christos Mandas

Goalkeeper

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

55'

5

Matías Vecino

Midfielder

68'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

82'

9

Pedro

Attacker

83'

24

Daniele Rugani

Defender

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

43

Matteo Fuscaldo

Goalkeeper

44

Pedro Felipe

Defender

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

46'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

66'

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

66'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

78'

25

João Mário

Defender

86'

After refereeing controversy in Napoli’s 3-1 win over Inter, tonight’s game between Lazio and Juventus has also had several key incidents that continue to shine negative light on officiating in Serie A.

The first major incident involved a potential second yellow card that should have been shown to Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie.

The American, who was already on a booking after an earlier incident, brought down Matteo Guendouzi in midfield, with the Biancocelesti urging the referee to issue the Juventus man with a red card.

However, Colombo kept his cards in his pocket and decided not to dismiss the Bianconeri midfielder.

Colombo & Assistants Miss Penalty Call in Lazio vs Juventus

The second incident involved a potential penalty for Juventus, after Mario Gila was judged to have stood on the foot of Bianconeri winger Francisco Conceicao.

The Juventus man went down and Gila immediately looked sheepish, anticipating a spot-kick for the visitors.

However, after VAR review, the referee’s on-field decision stood and no penalty was given.

You can follow the remainder of the match, as it happens, on our Live Blog.

David De Gea called for calm and unity after Fiorentina’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Bologna at the Stadio Franchi, insisting the Viola must stay mentally strong to overcome their current difficulties.

Despite fighting back from 2-0 down thanks to two late penalties, the mood around the club remains tense, with Stefano Pioli’s side still struggling for consistency in Serie A.

Speaking to DAZN after the match, via TuttoMercatoWeb, De Gea backed the message of goalscorer Moise Kean, who had urged the squad to believe in themselves. “As Moise said, we have to believe,” the Spanish goalkeeper stressed.

“It’s difficult when the victories don’t arrive, but we must stay positive. Even if we didn’t play a great game and we are in a difficult moment, we still came back in a tough match. We need to work hard and go in the same direction for the good of Fiorentina.”

De Gea: ‘We could have lost 6-0…’

The former Manchester United keeper also highlighted the difference in level between domestic and European competition. “The Conference League is different,” he noted.

“The opponents we’ve faced there are of a lower level compared to Serie A. Here it’s not easy, but if we keep working and focus on each match, we can do better.”

De Gea admitted that the atmosphere inside the stadium briefly shook the team after Bologna’s disallowed third goal. “In that moment, I thought we could lose 6-0,” he confessed.

“But then we gained confidence and almost won the match. We must do more and stay positive, for the fans too. We all need to be united and move in the same direction.”

Jonathan David’s wayward header gifted Lazio the opening goal against Juventus, as Toma Basic pounced with the aid of a deflection.

See how the game unfolds on the Liveblog.

The Canada international was meant to make an impact on the goals in this game in a new partnership with Dusan Vlahovic, but he ended up being the provider at the wrong end.

His terrible header back was straight to Danilo Cataldi, who wasted no time setting up Basic for a strike from outside the area that took a deflection off Federico Gatti to wrong-foot Mattia Perin.

It was Basic’s first goal of the season, having started the campaign being left off the squad list, welcomed back only due to other injuries.

Lazio take the lead against Juventus

Lazio punish a poor Juventus header as Toma Bašić puts the hosts in front

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1bLsg7iHa6

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) October 26, 2025

Lazio take an early lead!

Toma Bašić fires one from range into the far corner pic.twitter.com/6a48Evfub2

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) October 26, 2025

Stefano Pioli believes Fiorentina showed character in their dramatic 2-2 draw with Bologna, fighting back from 2-0 down thanks to late penalties from Guðmundsson and Moise Kean.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, via TuttoMercatoWeb, the Viola coach admitted his side still have plenty to fix, but praised the team’s refusal to collapse.

“I don’t think we deserved to lose, but certain episodes were punishing us too harshly,” Pioli said.

“We didn’t develop our play well in the first half, but with Bologna that can happen. We had chances with Ranieri and Moise, and the important thing is that the team didn’t give up.”

Pioli accepts protests after Fiorentina 2-2 Bologna

The coach also accepted the criticism that arrived from the Curva Fiesole. “The fans have always supported us and they have the right to protest if they feel it is necessary. They always have the final say,” he noted.

Looking at the tactical issues, Pioli admitted Fiorentina must find better balance in midfield. “Bologna don’t let you play comfortably, and in some positions Fagioli needed to be found more. We must improve our structure and find better equilibrium,” he said.

On refereeing and VAR, Pioli was blunt: “Right now everything is confused. You can’t understand who is truly making the decisions. For me, the referee must decide more and the VAR less.”

The coach underlined that the table remains disappointing, but insisted the team will continue to work. “We are not satisfied, but we go forward trying to grow,” he concluded.

Moise Kean urged Fiorentina to show greater character and take responsibility for their season after the Viola battled back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Bologna at the Stadio Franchi.

Two second-half penalties, including Kean’s equaliser in the fourth minute of stoppage time, snatched a point and prevented a damaging home defeat.

Speaking to DAZN after the game, the striker was clear about what must change: “Only we can turn our season around – it’s up to us to show some balls and step up,” he said, with quotes via FiorentinaNews, insisting the team must raise their mentality if they want different results.

Kean calm in equalising goal for Fiorentina against Bologna

Kean also explained that he felt calm when stepping up for the decisive penalty: “I didn’t feel any pressure. My teammates believed in me and I just tried to stay positive,” he added.

Looking ahead, the forward stressed that Fiorentina owe more to the city and their supporters: “Fiorentina deserves a lot, and so do my teammates. We’re a good group and we can achieve great things. We need to stay positive ahead of Milan against Inter.”

Fiorentina leave the pitch with mixed emotions: proud of their comeback, but aware that dropped points at home continue to complicate their already shaky start to the campaign.

Lazio President Claudio Lotito insists they ‘have what it takes to turn this around’ after a rough start to the season, as Maurizio Sarri’s men host Juventus.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

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

The injury crisis keeps getting worse for the Biancocelesti, who go into tonight’s match without Nuno Tavares, Matteo Cancellieri, Taty Castellanos, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

Fans are losing patience and there has been criticism of the way the team has been constructed.

Lotito tries to calm frustration around Lazio

“Constructive criticism is right when results aren’t arriving, even if for a series of reasons that are beyond our control, but it is a team sport and we must all work in the same direction,” Lotito told DAZN Italia.

“I am convinced it is dictated by a series of imponderable factors that completely changed the results we expected. I urge everyone to have faith, because we are building a solid club, we are continuing the process of taking over the Stadio Flaminio and building the new training ground.”

Lazio were unable to make any new signings over the summer, as after failing three different financial stress tests, they received a transfer embargo.

Coach Sarri admitted he was unaware of this when accepting the job, and would’ve walked away from any other club but Lazio.

Will Lotito at least be able to promise reinforcements in the January transfer window?

“I have a rapport of respect and affection with Sarri, there is no clashing of roles, as everyone wants what is best for the club and the fans. The club was prevented from acting over the summer, we are ready to do whatever is necessary,” replied the President.

“I’ve never seen so many injuries and other situations that penalised us. We understand the mood of the fans, who are passionate about this side and feel upset when certain results are not achieved. There is sadness, irritation and at times criticism, but always remember unity is strength, we have what it takes to turn this situation around.

“If we stick together, the players, club, staff and fans, then you’ll see we will get great results.”

Lotito was asked about his view on the controversy that erupted after last night’s game, when Napoli beat Inter 3-1 with debate over the penalty and role of the assistant referee.

“I believe a system must be watched over, but not destabilised. There is a new generation of referees and when things don’t work, we need to point it out, but only trying to make it better, otherwise we risk making the situation worse. We need utmost transparency to bring through a generational shift of referees,” noted Lotito.

Juventus technical director Francois Modesto insists they ‘have a lot of faith’ in coach Igor Tudor, and are confident Lois Openda and Jonathan David will flourish eventually.

The trip to Lazio kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

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

The pressure is growing on the Old Lady after a dire run of nine competitive matches without a victory, including back to back defeats to Como and Real Madrid.

“Igor is our coach, we are very happy with him, have a lot of faith in his work, and want to focus on getting the win this evening,” Modesto told DAZN Italia.

New Juventus faces struggling to make their mark

David and Openda have struggled to make any kind of impact since their transfers to Juventus, so how long will it take for them to flourish in this new league?

“It is a very difficult league in Italy, there are some very well-organised coaches and teams, which makes it tough for those who come here from other divisions. If we look to the past, we’ll see many great champions who struggled at the beginning in Serie A,” warned Modesto.

“The positive thing is that they have settled well into the group, and of course they have always scored lots of goals in their careers, so we think it’s just a matter of time. We hope that they will start scoring from tonight.”

Dusan Vlahovic starts tonight and is still taking a strong role at Juventus, despite the fact he has refused to sign a new contract and will be a free agent at the end of the season.

“There are absolutely no issues. Dusan is a great professional, a leader of this team, he is helping David and Openda off the field too, and we are very happy,” added Modesto.

“We have leaders in this squad, like Bremer who unfortunately is injured, Gatti and Kenan Yildiz, so we have no lack of leaders.”

Teun Koopmeiners was a big investment at over €50m from Atalanta last summer, but never quite lived up to those expectations, and made comments on playing in his preferred role.

“Koopmeiners works hard, he had difficulties like many who first come to Juve, but he is improving, the coach has put him in a few different positions, and we hope he can show what he has always done with Atalanta and in some games at Juventus,” concluded the director.

Watch and listen to the latest news updates from the world of Calcio courtesy of Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà.

Today’s focus is on the aftermath of Napoli’s 3-1 win against Inter on Saturday evening.

Pedullà discusses the opposite fortunes between the two head coaches: Cristian Chivu and Antonio Conte.

Whilst Conte took home the three points, Chivu’s actions off the field gave him an advantage over his counterpart, who was drawn into a clash of words with Nerazzurri Captain Lautaro Martinez.

Watch: Pedullà talks Napoli 3-1 Inter

Fiorentina completed the comeback from 2-0 down to hold Bologna 2-2 in stoppages with Albert Gudmundsson and Moise Kean penalties, after Emil Holm was sent off.

Both teams were fresh from UEFA victories on Thursday, but while the Viola had a 3-0 win away to Rapid Vienna, they were still without a single success in Serie A. Moise Kean and Robin Gosens returned after being rested, with Tariq Lamptey and Christian Kouame long-term absentees. The Rossoblu lost Jens Odgaard to a knock during the 2-1 win at Steaua Bucharest, joining Ciro Immobile on the treatment table. Coach Vincenzo Italiano missed the trip back to the Stadio Franchi, as he was still undergoing treatment for pneumonia.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Kean drilled inches wide when clear on goal in the opening minutes, but had been caught offside to spare his blushes, while David De Gea fingertipped a looping Santiago Castro strike out from under the crossbar.

Bologna had penalty appeals rejected for a possible Dodo handball, as the footage did not clearly show contact, but they did take the lead.

A corner was not cleared properly and the Pablo Mari header floated into the path of Santiago Castro, who performed a spectacular volley into the far top corner from 12 yards. It was his first Serie A goal outside the Dall’Ara since January.

Fiorentina should’ve equalised moments later when Rolando Mandragora flicked on a corner to the back post, but Luca Ranieri shinned it over from point-blank range.

Nicolò Cambiaghi curled wide and Lukasz Skorupski palmed away a long-range Mandragora free kick.

There was chaos straight after the restart, as the referee awarded a Fiorentina penalty for handball, but it was Skorupski who got his hand to it rather than Jhon Lucumi, and Kean handled too during the two charged down attempts, so it was revoked following a VAR review.

Instead, Bologna doubled their lead when Emil Holm got down the right and pulled across the face of goal, with Cambiaghi getting there first to toe-poke in from six yards.

Kean stung Skorupski’s gloves after a run from midfield, but again the Rossoblu were more clinical and pounced when De Gea parried the Riccardo Orsolini free header at the back post, but could do nothing on the Thijs Dallinga follow-up. However, this goal was disallowed for Orsolini’s offside position.

Nonetheless, many Fiorentina fans started leaving the stadium in protest at their current Serie A form and chanting insults towards the club and squad.

The Viola finally did get their penalty, as after a Juan Miranda goal-line clearance on Edin Dzeko, Lewis Ferguson charged down the Dodo cross with his arm. Albert Gudmundsson rolled a precise snooker shot beyond Skorupski’s fingertips into the near bottom corner for his first Serie A goal of the season.

This suddenly changed the game and after Federico Bernardeschi had penalty appeals rejected for a coming together with Sabiri, Emil Holm received his second yellow card for bringing down Fortini.

The tension also got to Jonathan Rowe, who was substituted to bring on a defender and was booked after his exit for kicking the ball into the stands.

Kean’s acrobatic scissor-kick volley on a Dodo cross was charged down by Bernardeschi’s arms in front of his face, but considered to be in an unnatural position following a VAR review. Kean insisted on stepping up this time and sent Skorupski the wrong way to equalise in stoppages.

A scuffle broke out between Dzeko and Lucumi, then Fiorentina thought they had to win it with the last kick of the game when Skorupski only palmed a Roberto Piccoli header into the path of Dodo, but the Brazilian prodded the rebound onto the side-netting.

Fiorentina 2-2 Bologna

Castro 25 (B), Cambiaghi 52 (B), Gudmundsson pen 74 (F), Kean pen 94 (F)

Sent off: Holm 83 (B)

26-10-2025 17:00

MatchDay 8

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Bologna

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		25'		Santiago Castro
Robin Gosens		36'
		39'		Remo Freuler

2nd half

		52'		Nicolò Cambiaghi (Assist: Emil Holm)
Albert Gudmundsson		58'
		71'		Emil Holm
Albert Gudmundsson		73'
		83'		Emil Holm
Moise Kean		90+4'
Edin Dzeko		90+6'
		90+6'		Jhon Lucumí

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

19

Total shots

6

7

Shots on target

3

7

Shots off target

2

5

Blocked shots

1

5

Corners

6

5

Offsides

3

13

Fouls

20

Fiorentina

Bologna

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

85'

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

18

Pablo Marí

Defender

14

Hans Nicolussi Caviglia

Midfielder

64'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

54'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

53'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

54'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

2

Emil Holm

Defender

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

77'

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

64'

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

77'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

64'

Substitutes

26

Mattia Viti

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

7

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

30

Tommaso Martinelli

Goalkeeper

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

24

Amir Richardson

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

53'

9

Edin Dzeko

Attacker

54'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

54'

11

Abdelhamid Sabiri

Attacker

64'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

85'

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

29

Lorenzo De Silvestri

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

64'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

77'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

77'

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

86'

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

Juventus try to end their nine-match winless streak with Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David together, leaving Kenan Yildiz on the bench, as Lazio look to Mattia Zaccagni and Boulaye Dia.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.

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

It is a poor period of form for the Bianconeri, who are without a single victory in nine games between Serie A and the Champions League.

There were at least improvements in the performance when falling 1-0 to Real Madrid midweek, but Igor Tudor reshuffles the squad against his former club.

Some of those decisions are forced upon him, as Kenan Yildiz is struggling with a knee issue and finally gets some rest.

Gleison Bremer, Juan Cabal, Arek Milik and Carlo Pinsoglio are still out of action, but Manuel Locatelli and Francisco Conceicao return to the starting XI.

The biggest change is having two centre-forwards together, Vlahovic and David, while Mattia Perin makes his return in goal.

Lazio have their fair share of problems too, as although they are unbeaten in three, that included back-to-back stalemates against Torino and Atalanta.

Maurizio Sarri has a crowded treatment room, missing Nuno Tavares, Matteo Cancellieri, Taty Castellanos, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru.

Having to make do, Adam Marusic and Manuel Lazzari are the full-backs, with Toma Basic going from unwanted player to permanent midfield presence.

Gustav Isaksen completes the attack with Dia and Zaccagni.

Lazio vs. Juventus line-ups

Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Gila, Romagnoli, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Dia, Zaccagni

Juventus: Perin; Kalulu, Gatti, Kelly; Conceiçao, Koopmeiners, Locatelli, McKennie, Cambiaso; Vlahovic, David

26-10-2025 19:45

MatchDay 8

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio

Juventus

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Toma Basic (Assist: Danilo Cataldi)		9'
		30'		Teun Koopmeiners
Manuel Lazzari		33'

2nd half

		52'		Manuel Locatelli
		54'		Weston McKennie
		64'		Lloyd Kelly
Mattéo Guendouzi		90+1'

Match statistic

40

Possession %

60

13

Total shots

14

3

Shots on target

5

6

Shots off target

5

4

Blocked shots

4

2

Corners

5

0

Offsides

2

11

Fouls

18

Lazio

Juventus

Starting lineups

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

55'

34

Mario Gila

Defender

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

8

Mattéo Guendouzi

Midfielder

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

68'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

82'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

83'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

46'

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

86'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

66'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

78'

9

Dusan Vlahovic

Attacker

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

66'

Substitutes

4

Patric

Defender

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

35

Christos Mandas

Goalkeeper

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

55'

5

Matías Vecino

Midfielder

68'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

82'

9

Pedro

Attacker

83'

24

Daniele Rugani

Defender

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

43

Matteo Fuscaldo

Goalkeeper

44

Pedro Felipe

Defender

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

46'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

66'

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

66'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

78'

25

João Mário

Defender

86'