Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti went on a lengthy rant demanding referees be made professional, which culminated in him kissing the interviewer to prove a point. ‘Contact is not impact.’

The Bianconeri boss was fired up after the chaotic 2-2 draw with Lazio, which saw his team fight back from 2-0 down with Pedro and Gustav Isaksen goals, to equalise through Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu headers.

There was some controversy when Teun Koopmeiners had a goal disallowed for Khephren Thuram’s offside position at 0-0, but there was also a potential Mario Gila foul on Juan Cabal in the build-up to that effort, which DAZN Italia refereeing analyst Luca Marelli said should’ve been a penalty.

This sparked a lengthy Spalletti rant that spiralled somewhat out of control.

Spalletti wants reform for referees

“The referee can interpret it the way he wants, because the defender is imprudent when going into that sliding tackle, so he takes a risk. I am not here to say if it is a penalty or not. He could’ve run back onto the ball, but I would take a wider view,” Spalletti noted.

“Everyone now goes to protest about the rules, but there is always an interpretation. The pressure of a step on foot, handball that nobody sees in the stadium but they zoom in with the camera, it is all open to interpretation. You cannot generalise that every contact is a penalty.”

He turned back to an incident in the game against Atalanta when a penalty was awarded for handball that even Ederson making the cross hadn’t noticed.

“I never talked about referees when decisions went against me or in favour. In the game against Atalanta the VAR called the referee to view the handball a minute and a half later, when nobody including Raffaele Palladino who was right next to me on the touchline, had any idea what this was even for.

“The rules are too rigid right now, it is the rigidity that I find to be the problem. If nobody even realises it hit a hand, who is damaged by that? The analysts keep saying ‘there was contact,’ but that doesn’t mean anything, does it? May I kiss you, here, this is contact,” said Spalletti when giving the female interviewer a peck on the cheek.

“It’s about context, contact is not the same thing as impact. There will always be difficulty if there are rules where every touch of the hand is a penalty, every step on foot is a penalty. This is what VAR is for, you can evaluate the context in its totality.

“If we stick to the rules, then that is definitely a penalty, because Gila goes into a sliding tackle and takes responsibility for that gesture when he doesn’t get the ball.”

Spalletti believes he has the solution to help referees focus on the job at hand, which is to make it a job.

“The referee is the only one out of 23 on the pitch who is not a professional. That should be changed, in my view, as they are too important for the sport.

“When he gets home at night, he has to think about other things, whether or not to keep doing this, balancing his other work. That’s not right when you consider how important referees are in this game. I am confident about this, he has to be professional.”

Luciano Spalletti urges Juventus to ‘live within pressure, relish testing yourself to see if you can handle difficult situations’ after their fightback for a 2-2 draw with Lazio.

The Bianconeri were coming off a 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta midweek where they had more possession and chances, so were getting a sense of déjà vu here when trailing 2-0 to Pedro and Gustav Isaksen goals against the run of play.

However, Weston McKennie’s header and a last-gasp Pierre Kalulu finish from close range managed to claw their way back for a 2-2 draw with Lazio.

There were 33 shots from the Old Lady compared to just eight for Lazio, but curiously all season in Serie A they are also the team with the most errors leading to conceded goals.

Spalletti defends Juventus players after errors

“It is probably the fault of the demands we put upon these players,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

“In this period, I asked them to immediately play every ball that they win back, not to kick it away, so we must try to play our way out under pressure, and add more quality to our football.

“When you make that many requests, it means anticipating dangerous situations, seeing both the positive and negative potential of any scenario at the same time.

“Mistakes can happen, Locatelli has been one of our best players this season, so losing the ball once doesn’t ruin anything. Even after that, there was the way we defended, how we closed down the shot, the bad luck of the deflection. That’s football.

“What we must build on is the reaction of the team, the performance overall. When the tempo steps up and we are fighting back from two goals down, we mustn’t turn that up to the degree it’s frenetic. We need to speed things up, but not be chaotic, whereas again today we were a bit too frenetic in situations we could’ve developed better.

“Speeding up the tempo does not mean spilling over into chaos.”

Spalletti outlined his vision of the game further, insisting Juventus must learn to enjoy it when the going gets tough.

“We have to live within pressure, that is the joy of football, when you have to overturn a 2-0 result at the start of the second half, when it wasn’t what we had planned at all. That is when you test yourself and see if you can handle the tension at the top level, that is what we must relish, seeing if we deserve to be at this level or not.

“Character means when everything is going wrong and you need the clear head to make choices. That’s what makes the difference. This team overturned a very difficult situation, put in a great performance, so we go forward feeling reassured.”

There was an odd incident during the half-time break, as Francisco Conceicao was warming up and ready to come on when he felt a twinge, so instead Edon Zhegrova had to rush his preparations and come on.

Maurizio Sarri admits he is torn between feeling regret at Lazio’s 2-2 draw with Juventus and noting ‘a point is always a positive result’ in Turin.

The Aquile had come to Turin as the underdogs, as they were missing Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari, Samuel Gigot and suspended Luca Pellegrini, while Alessio Romagnoli was only on the bench after a failed transfer to Al-Sadd.

Nonetheless, they were leading 2-0 with goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen, also wasting the chances to further extend their advantage with Tijjani Noslin.

Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu headers got Juventus back on track for a last-gasp 2-2 draw.

Sarri torn between Lazio moods after 2-2 thriller

“There was a long way to go when we scored the second goal, so we clearly didn’t feel that it was done, as Juventus were attacking with vigour,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

“If we have any regrets, it that in the last 10 minutes, we had two chances to make it 3-1 and didn’t take them. There was always the evident feeling Juventus could equalise, so the regret is that we wasted those opportunities, rather than conceding at the end.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-2 Lazio

Juventus had 33 shots on goal to just eight from Lazio, but the coach admits he was not expecting much.

“When you come away from this stadium with a point, that is always a positive result,” continued Sarri.

“Clearly, there are some small regrets, but more than anything else I bring home the knowledge these lads are hard to destroy. They reacted to everything, they never let their heads drop when faced with any difficulty, so that is reassuring.”

Lazio were also forced to make more changes during the second half, as Toma Basic, Mario Gila and Oliver Provstgaard all had physical problems.

Nuno Tavares also seemed to be on the verge of an exit, but he remained and was in the starting XI this evening.

The push for Romagnoli and Tavares to leave also contributed to the tension between Lazio fans and President Claudio Lotito, having boycotted the most recent home match.

“I understand that seeing us from the outside, you might get a different idea, but within the squad there is a positive mood. The lads work with such enthusiasm and passion,” insisted Sarri.

“Naturally, playing at an empty Stadio Olimpico is a horrible feeling and we’d prefer for certain diatribes between the owners of the club and the Lazio fans to end now, because we badly need our supporters around us.”

Former Juventus winger Douglas Costa was in the DAZN Italia studio, having returned to Italy to play for Chievo Verona.

“He was world class, and unfortunately for many reasons, including his and those of us who coached him, he never pulled out that potential. He really had what it took to be one of the best in the world.”

Teun Koopmeiners admits Juventus feel ‘angry’ more than relieved after a 2-2 draw with Lazio, because while they enjoy the attacking approach, it is leaving them unbalanced.

It was a dramatic evening in Turin, as the Aquile had surged into a surprising 2-0 lead with goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen.

However, the headers from Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu at the 96^th minute allowed Juve to claw their way back to a 2-2 draw.

Despite getting it back from 2-0 down, Juve players seemed more irritated than celebratory at the final whistle.

Koopmeiners and Juventus must find balance

“We are angry, because we had so many chances to score, but were lacking something in the final ball, we weren’t precise enough in our finishing,” Koopmeiners told DAZN Italia.

Luciano Spalletti has a very attack-minded approach and that can leave them rather unbalanced in defence, leaking quite a few goals lately.

“We want to attack all the time, and I like that, so does Spalletti. It’s a wonderful approach for Juve and we entertain the fans, but we must do better with our preventative marking. When the opponents win back the ball, we’ve got to get back into shape quicker to avoid the counter-attacks,” confessed Koopmeiners.

“Perhaps we need more concentration, a bit more communication in the way we defend and attack. When you see today’s game, we certainly need to do better in these situations.”

Juventus had 33 shots on goal to just eight this evening from Lazio.

Koopmeiners had the ball in the net when it was 0-0, but the goal was disallowed because Khephren Thuram was offside and got out of the way to let it through, so was inevitably interfering with play.

“I thought it was a great moment, we would’ve gone 1-0 up, but I didn’t see Thuram, I just tried to drill the shot through some legs, I thought they belonged to defenders and not him,” noted the Dutchman.

Weston McKennie continues to impress under Luciano Spalletti and was among the star performers as Juventus had to fight back to claim a 2-2 draw at home against Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Maurizio Sarri’s side went 2-0 up shortly after the start of the second half thanks to goals from PEdro and Gustav Isaksen, which were eventually cancelled out by McKennie and then Kalulu in the final minute of injury time. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Juventus 2-2 Lazio: Player ratings!

Juventus: Di Gregorio 5; Kalulu 7, Bremer 6, Koopmeiners 6 (Kelly 6); Cambiaso 5.5 (Boga 6.5), Locatelli 5 (Miretti n/a), Thuram 5.5, Cabal 5.5 (Zhegrova 6.5); McKennie 7 (Openda n/a), Yildiz 6; David 5. 

Best Juventus player: Weston McKennie 7 – Dusted himself off after an underwhelming first-half performance and was one of the more impressive players on the pitch in the second period. No Serie A midfielder has scored more goals than him since the appointment of Luciano Spalletti. 

Coach: Luciano Spalletti – He will have been disappointed with the way in which his team fell two goals behind on home soil, but there is no questioning the mentality of this Juventus side, who fought back and eventually registered 34 shots by full-time as they looked to get themselves back into it (eight on target, 13 off target and 13 blocked). His substitutes played a big role in that second half as well, especially Jeremie Boga and Edon Zhegrova, who wasn’t originally meant to come on at half-time. 

Lazio: Provedel 6.5; Marusic 6, Gila 6.5 (Romagnoli 5.5), Provstgaard 6 (Patric n/a), Tavares 6; Basic (Dele-Bashiru 6), Cataldi 6.5, Taylor 6; Isaksen 7(Cancellieri 6), Maldini 6, Pedro 7 (Noslin 5). 

Best Lazio player: Gustav Isaksen 7 – What a way to double the advantage for Lazio almost immediately after half-time. It was a wonderful first-time ball from Cataldi that sent him through, but the Dane still had so much work to do before finding the back of the net. An encouraging performance all-round. 

Coach: Maurizio Sarri 6.5 – There are some draws that feel like a win and some that feel like a defeat. This one is probably in the latter category for Sarri, who will be furious that his side were not able to hold on for the three points. Until the Juventus siege in the final stages, Lazio had performed well across the board and for a while, it looked like the Biancocelesti were on for a memorable victory on the road.

Juventus clawed their way back from 2-0 down to Pedro and Gustav Isaksen goals to snatch a 2-2 draw with Lazio thanks to Weston McKennie and a last-gasp Pierre Kalulu header.

The Bianconeri had been on fine form until a surprisingly heavy 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta on Thursday, but they had reason to celebrate, as Kenan Yildiz signed a new contract and shook off a knock to return to the starting XI, which shifted to a back four. Lazio welcomed Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares back to the fold after failed January transfers, but Luca Pellegrini was suspended, with Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

The first big scoring opportunity came after a corner when Pierre Kalulu’s cross found a Gleison Bremer bullet header, forcing a flying Ivan Provedel reaction save to tip it out from under the crossbar.

There was a chaotic situation when Juan Cabal went down under a Mario Gila challenge inside the area, play continued and Teun Koopmeiners drilled in from the edge of the box. However, Khephren Thuram was offside and interfering with play, as he got out of the ball’s path to let it through.

Koopmeiners, who was playing as part of a back four, threatened again with a volley that skimmed the upright from distance.

Gustav Isaksen just failed to get on the end of a dangerous Nuno Tavares low ball flashed across from the left, while David’s free header was over from seven yards on the Kalulu cross.

It was Lazio who took the lead in first half stoppages, as Daniel Maldini robbed Manuel Locatelli in midfield and spread it down the left for Pedro, whose angled drive took a deflection off Bremer to wrong-foot Michele Di Gregorio at the near post.

Lazio take the lead in Turin and it's Pedro rolling back the years with it

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Toma Basic went off injured, while Edon Zhegrova was introduced because Francisco Conceicao felt a knee twinge during the warm-up at half-time.

Lazio doubled their advantage within moments of the restart, as Danilo Cataldi’s long ball sent Isaksen sprinting down the right, holding off Cambiaso to blast under the bar from a tricky angle with his right foot.

Double trouble for Juventus, as Lazio make it 2! Gustav Isaksen races clear of the defence and finishes brilliantly

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Provedel palmed away a Kenan Yildiz curler, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s heavy first touch ruined a great chance set up by Nuno Tavares.

Juve did get back into it when Provedel was at full stretch to parry the Zhegrova strike, but could do nothing as the move continued with Cambiaso standing up a cross for Wes McKennie’s header from six yards.

Is the comeback on?

Weston McKennie rises highest in the box to pull one back for Juventus… 2-1!

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2026

The hosts poured forward, McKennie grazing his head to another Cambiaso cross, taking it away from Bremer at the back post.

Locatelli’s daisy-cutter skimmed the far post, with Kenneth Taylor also drilling just wide on the counter-attack at the other end.

David completed a give and go with Thuram to roll across from the left beyond Provedel, but as Bremer came sliding in, Nuno Tavares made a decisive defensive block in front of the open goal.

Mario Gila also picked up a muscular problem, allowing Romagnoli to make his comeback after that failed transfer to Al-Sadd.

Kenan Yildiz stung Provedel’s gloves with a ferocious volley on the edge of the box, and McKennie knew he was offside when deflecting a Kalulu cross into the net from point-blank range.

Lazio really should’ve added a third at the 86^th minute when Nuno Tavares went on the counter and rolled across, it was laid off by Dele-Bashiru only for Tijjani Noslin to incredibly balloon over when undisturbed from 14 yards.

A Zhegrova curler flashed just wide of the far post, while Provedel fingertipped a Yildiz strike onto the side-netting.

At the 96th minute, Jeremie Boga stood up a cross from the left and found Kalulu ready to nod in the equaliser from close range.

JUVENTUS LEVEL LATE ON

From 2-0 down, to 2-2 and it's Pierre Kalulu who emphatically heads home! Some turnaround!

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2026

It still wasn’t over, as Lois Openda’s header went wide with the last kick of the game from another Boga cross.

Juventus 2-2 Lazio

Pedro 45+1 (L), Isaksen 48 (L), McKennie 59 (J), Kalulu 96 (J)

08-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Lazio

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		33'		Kenneth Taylor
		45+2'		Pedro (Assist: Daniel Maldini)

2nd half

		47'		Gustav Isaksen (Assist: Danilo Cataldi)
Weston McKennie (Assist: Andrea Cambiaso)		59'
		81'		Alessio Romagnoli
Pierre Kalulu (Assist: Jeremie Boga)		90+6'

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

34

Total shots

9

8

Shots on target

2

13

Shots off target

5

13

Blocked shots

2

8

Corners

1

7

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

4

Juventus

Lazio

Starting lineups

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

76'

3

Bremer

Defender

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

46'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

84'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

77'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

84'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

34

Mario Gila

Defender

77'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

83'

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

46'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

65'

9

Pedro

Attacker

64'

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

2

Emil Holm

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

46'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

76'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

77'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

84'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

84'

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

99

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

64'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

65'

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

77'

4

Patric

Defender

83'

Luciano Spalletti opted to make a half-time substitution during the interval of Juventus’s Serie A clash against Lazio on Sunday evening, but he was forced into changing his mind at the final minute after it appeared that Francisco Conceicao would be unable to enter. 

Juventus hosted Lazio at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening, and surprisingly fell two goals behind after strikes from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen. Weston McKennie brought one back just shy of the hour mark before a last-gasp equualiser from Pierre Kalulu with 15 seconds of injury time remaining. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Why Conceicao couldn’t come on during Juventus vs. Lazio 

With his team trailing 1-0 at the half-time break, Spalletti decided to make an attacking substitution. 

He took off full-back Juan Cabal and had originally intended to replace him with Portugal international Conceicao, who was seen receiving detailed instructions from the Juventus coaching staff while warming up at half-time. 

However, it soon became apparent that Conceicao had felt something in his knee while warming up, and the Juventus team decided against risking him for the second half against Lazio, which is why they decided to bring on Zhegrova for Cabal instead. 

Cristian Chivu insists that Inter are still ‘zero’ percent along the way to the Serie A title despite his side’s 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday, as he believes that the Nerazzurri are just about to head into one of their most crucial runs of the 2025-26 season. 

Inter showed why they are the breakaway leaders of the Serie A table during their 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday evening. Five different goalscorers got in on the act at the Mapei: Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram in the first half, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique in the second. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog. 

• Read more: Sassuolo 0-5 Inter – Player ratings!

Chivu assesses Sassuolo 0-5 Inter and upcoming Juventus test 

Despite dominating for the majority of the match against Sassuolo, Inter were still threatened early on. 

“We’ve understood the moment that we’re in, we suffered from their intensity and once they got hold of the ball, they went straight at the game. We struck at the right time with that corner, then our solidity became an important factor for how we went about the game,” Chivu told DAZN after full-time. 

“This team seems more mature now, of how to accept and adapt in certain moments of the game,” he added. 

Given that his side currently sits eight points clear at the top of the table after 24 matches, Chivu was asked if there is still room for his team to improve. 

He replied: “We can’t forget where we’ve come from. We can’t be afraid of anything, but we have to be aware that we can still improve. There’s no such thing as perfection. 

“It isn’t easy because there’s still a long way to go in the league and these are important phases of the season. We’re halfway through the marathon, we have to keep our maturity and be competitive.” 

Chivu was asked if this is the point in the season where we start to see more of Davide Frattesi, who was still left out of the starting line-up against Sassuolo despite the absences of Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu. 

“Frattesi, Diouf, Dimarco, the whole group works hard. We need the whole squad to maintain a certain level so that we stay competitive,” Chivu responded. 

Chivu is still unwilling to consider himself the favourite for the Serie A title this year, though. When asked what the probability of Inter winning the league title this year is, the coach replied: “Zero for me. There are fourteen games left to play. Theory’s still work to be done.” 

And looking ahead to next week’s Derby d’Italia against Juventus, Chivu said: “It’s a game like any other. Expectations are always high, but I want the group to keep their maturity and their awareness. 

“This is the first week where we have four training sessions in a row. We have a look at how we present ourselves for that match.” 

Federico Dimarco is having an MVP-calibre season and has just recorded three assists from left wing-back in an eventual 5-0 victory for Inter away against Sassuolo, but he insists that he does not currently feel he is the best wide man in world football. 

Dimarco was the star of the show as Inter picked up a 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium in Serie A on Sunday evening. He registered three assists in a game that brought five different goalscorers in Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Dimarco reacts after his hat-trick of assists in Sassuolo 0-5 Inter

Before Sunday, no defender in Serie A history had registered more than eight assists after 24 games of a single season. Dimarco is now up to 11. 

Though he continues to post incredible numbers off Inter’s left wing, Dimarco insists that he does not consider himself the best in the world in that position. 

“I don’t feel like anything,” Dimarco told DAZN after full-time. “When you’re good, you’re a phenomenon, otherwise, you’re poor. That’s football,” he continued. 

He later told Sky: “I’ve had decent moments before now, this might be the one in which I’m the most decisive in terms of numbers, but the team and getting to May at the top of the table is what counts.” 

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini insists there is ‘no rush, but also no doubt’ over locking Luciano Spalletti down to a new contract ahead of tonight’s clash with Lazio.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

The Bianconeri have surged up the standings in recent weeks, but were on the end of a heavy 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta on Thursday evening.

Chiellini calm on Spalletti deal

Coach Spalletti’s contract only runs to June 30, so are there plans to draw up an extension?

“We are very happy with Spalletti and what he is achieving, I think he too is enjoying his time at Juventus. There is no rush, but also no doubt,” Chiellini told DAZN Italia.

“Luciano arrived here with great enthusiasm at Juventus, and he signed a contract with no guarantees precisely because he wanted to challenge himself. He is doing very well, he is part of the present and the future of this team.”

The good news this week was that Kenan Yildiz has signed a new contract, casting aside the interest from big clubs all over the world in this Turkish talent.

He also returns to the starting XI after a muscular issue, forming the attack with Jonathan David and Weston McKennie, while Teun Koopmeiners drops into defence.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez heaped praise on his teammate Federico Dimarco after their 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday evening, but insisted that the Nerazzurri still have work to do despite currently sitting eight points clear at the top of the league table. 

Cristian Chivu’s side recorded a thumping 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday thanks to goals from five different goalscorers in Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique. 

You can see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

• Read more: Sassuolo 0-5 Inter – Player ratings!

Lautaro Martinez reacts to Sassuolo 0-5 Inter

Lautaro’s goal means that he is now the third-highest goalscorer in Inter’s history with 171, level with Roberto Boninsegna. Only the legendary Giuseppe Meazza and Alessandro Altobelli have scored more goals in Nerazzurri colours than the Argentine. 

“The important thing, always, is to achieve our collective goals. It was a great goal for us and for everything I went through as a child, for everyone who helped me. This means a lot to me and for my career,” Lautaro told DAZN about his goal after full-time. 

The skipper also gave Dimarco his flowers after registering three goals from left wing-back on Sunday. DImarco currently has 11 assists to his name in the league this season. No defender has previously recorded more than eight at this stage of the season. 

“He was one of the best. He is deciding games right now. The team is the most important thing, but individual level is also important,” Lautaro said of Dimarco’s display. 

And lastly, looking ahead to a tricky run of fixtures in February, which includes derbies against Juventus, Milan and a Champions League play-off against Bodo/Glimt, Lautaro said: “We’ve dropped points in big games, we have to sort out some of the details and get the right results on our side. 

“We have to work hard with our heads down, we’re having a great moment and we’re happy with our season so far.”

Maurizio Sarri explains why Lazio leave Alessio Romagnoli on the bench against Juventus, and admits it is tricky to draw out Daniel Maldini’s ‘huge potential.’

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

This was a tense January transfer window, as Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares seemed to be on the verge of moves, only to remain and tonight return, with the Portugal international in the starting XI for the first time since December 7.

Sarri reshuffles Lazio against Juventus

“It is a big test, Juventus are in great shape, they are very aggressive, intense, in good shape, so we must express ourselves at the highest level we’ve seen yet this season,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.

While Nuno Tavares starts, Romagnoli is only on the bench, so what prompted that decision?

“Romagnoli has always been an important player for us. He’s on the bench because we have three games in six days, so we prefer to let him train another couple of days before we throw him back in.”

The injury crisis drags on, missing Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot, plus suspended Luca Pellegrini.

New arrival Daniel Maldini is used as a False 9 with support from Gustav Isaksen and veteran Pedro.

“Maldini has huge potential, we’ll see if we can actually draw it out of him, because a few have tried before, it depends on when the player matures,” noted Sarri.

“Kenneth Taylor was not in great physical shape when he arrived, but he is the most experienced of those who arrived in January, so he is the most ‘ready’ for action.”

The table-topping Inter took another step towards the Serie A title with a dominant 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo on Sunday evening in a game that included a hat-trick of assists from left wing-back Federico Dimarco. 

Five different players ended up on the scoresheet at the Mapei Stadium: Yann Bisseck and Marcus Thuram gave the travelling Nerazzurri the lead at the interval, which was followed by second-half strikes from Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique. 

With rivals Milan not involved in league action this week, Inter currently find themselves eight points clear at the top of the Serie A table after 24 matches. 

You can see how the action from today’s game unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Sassuolo 0-5 Inter: Player ratings! 

Sassuolo: Muric 4; Walukiewicz 4, Idzes 4, Muharemovic 4.5, Doig 5 (Garcia 5.5); Thorstvedt 5.5, Matic 4, Kone 5.5; Berardi 5 (Coulibaly 5.5), Pinamonti 5 (Nzola 5.5), Lauriente 5.5 (Lipani 5). 

Best Sassuolo player: Kristjan Thorstvedt 5.5 – Slim pickings on a night to forget for the Neroverdi. The Dane was unlucky to have his goal ruled out for a very tight offside when Inter were just two goals up. Otherwise, not a great display, like the majority of his teammates. 

Coach: Fabio Grosso 4 – Sassuolo started fairly brightly at the Mapei Stadium, but Grosso will be disappointed with what unfolded from there on. Sassuolo were particularly poor at defending set-pieces: They looked like conceding at almost every corner, free-kick and even throw-ins in the final third. 

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 7, Akanji 7. Bastoni 6.5 (Darmian 6); L.Henrique 7, Sucic 6.5, Zielinski 6 (Frattesi 6), Mkhitaryan 6.5 (Diouf 6.5), Dimarco 9; Thuram (Bonny 6), L.Martinez (Esposito 6). 

Best Inter player: Federico Dimarco 9 – What a fantastic season the Inter left wing-back is having. There are few players in the world better at delivering the ball into the area off the left flank. Three assists for him today: No defender has ever recorded as many assists as him at this stage of the season (11). The man is having an MVP-calibre season from wing-back. 

Coach: Cristian Chivu 9 – A clean sheet and a five-goal display on the road: It doesn’t get much better than that. Sassuolo had been in decent form heading into this game as well, and the Nerazzurri swept them aside with ease.

Inter unleashed a Manita on 10-man Sassuolo, including an historic Lautaro Martinez strike, first goals for Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique, and a hat-trick of Federico Dimarco assists.

The Nerazzurri were on sparkling form, winning 10 of their last 11 Serie A games, and coming off Wednesday’s 2-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Torino. Nicolò Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries were still out of action, and away fans limited following the Emil Audero firework incident. The return of Domenico Berardi had revitalised Sassuolo, who earned back-to-back wins over Cremonese and Pisa, but Fali Cande and Edoardo Pieragnolo are out for the season.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Sassuolo nearly scored in the opening 60 seconds, as Ismael Kone got away on the Armand Laurienté lay-off and his curler beat Yann Sommer, but Federico Dimarco got back for a decisive goal-line clearance.

Luis Henrique tested Arijanet Muric at the near post, and from the resulting corner, Dimarco floated the ball to the back post for the Yann Bisseck header, giving Inter the lead.

Dimarco spotted Muric off his line and tried to float a free kick over him, only managing to thump the crossbar, while Lauriente’s cross-shot turned into an accidental assist for Berardi to flick wide with his heel.

Inter doubled their advantage with another Dimarco assist, bending the cross from the left around the defenders and swinging back in for Thuram to sweep first-time from six yards, ending a month-long Serie A drought.

Muric kept the scoreline down with his gloves stung by Piotr Zielinski, then Sassuolo got the ball in the net just before half-time when Berardi’s wayward volley on a Laurienté cross turned into an assist for Kristian Thorstvedt to cushion it over the line from six yards. However, it was disallowed because Laurienté had his kneecap offside at the start of the move.

After the restart, Dimarco’s effort was charged down and the Henrikh Mkhitaryan follow-up stung Muric’s gloves. On the resulting throw-in, a poor clearance allowed Lautaro Martinez to control with his chest and sweep in first time from 12 yards. It was a special moment, equalling Roberto Boninsegna’s tally to become the third all-time top scorer for Inter.

Sassuolo fell apart, as Muric was again very weak on another Dimarco corner, which Manuel Akanji nodded in relatively undisturbed for 4-0. The Neroverdi claimed there had been a foul, with Nemanja Matic booked for dissent, immediately escalating his protests, to warrant a red card.

Muric was once more all at sea, so Josh Doig had to clear off the line when Mkhitaryan curled towards an empty net, then the goalkeeper was decisive to push a Thuram tap-in onto the upright after a strong Bisseck run.

Sassuolo introduced January buys Ulysses Garcia and M’Bala Nzola, but Muric was again caught rushing off his line at the wrong time, so Luis Henrique let it bounce, controlled with his chest, and smashed the half-volley into the roof of the net from a tricky angle for 5-0.

It was almost 6-0, as in stoppages Kone cleared a looping Akanji header off the line.

Sassuolo 0-5 Inter

Bisseck 11 (I), Thuram 28 (I), Lautaro Martinez 50 (I), Akanji 54 (I), Luis Henrique 89 (I)

Sent off: Matic 55 (S)

08-02-2026 17:00

MatchDay 24

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Inter

0 - 5

Player statistic

1st half

		11'		Yann Bisseck (Assist: Federico Dimarco)
		28'		Marcus Thuram (Assist: Federico Dimarco)

2nd half

		50'		Lautaro Martínez
		53'		Manuel Akanji (Assist: Federico Dimarco)
Nemanja Matic		55'
Nemanja Matic		55'
		82'		Federico Dimarco
		89'		Luis Henrique

Match statistic

38

Possession %

62

7

Total shots

23

2

Shots on target

11

2

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

7

5

Corners

6

3

Offsides

1

6

Fouls

10

Sassuolo

Inter

Starting lineups

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

3

Josh Doig

Defender

70'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

71'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

59'

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

59'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

63'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

69'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

63'

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

76'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

11

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

59'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

59'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

70'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

71'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

41

Issiaka Kamate

Midfielder

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

63'

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

63'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

69'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

76'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

76'

Kenan Yildiz hopes to celebrate his new Juventus contract by leading the attack with Jonathan David against Lazio, who start Daniel Maldini and returning Nuno Tavares.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

The Bianconeri had been on excellent form until a surprisingly heavy 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta on Thursday evening.

At least there was good news yesterday, when Kenan Yildiz formally signed a new contract to continue his experience in Turin.

He also returns to the starting XI after muscular issues, supporting centre-forward Jonathan David.

Weston McKennie is picked in support rather than Francisco Conceicao, Fabio Miretti, or January signing Jeremie Boga, as Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik remain long-term absentees.

Teun Koopmeiners is returned to the defence after a spell in midfield.

Lazio constantly seem to be dealing with a crisis, both on and off the field, and this weekend is no different.

Following the chaotic 3-2 win over Genoa, Luca Pellegrini is suspended, with Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot injured.

The positive news is that Alessio Romagnoli is available again in defence, after failing to force through a January transfer to Al-Sadd, but he is on the bench.

New signing Maldini starts in attack with veteran Pedro preferred to Petar Ratkov, Tijjani Noslin and Boulaye Dia.

Gustav Isaksen and Kenneth Taylor also provide support, while Nuno Tavares is another player brought back into the squad after a mid-season exit failed to materialise.

Juventus vs. Lazio official line-ups

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners; Cabal, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; McKennie, Yildiz; David

Lazio: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro

08-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Lazio

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		33'		Kenneth Taylor
		45+2'		Pedro (Assist: Daniel Maldini)

2nd half

		47'		Gustav Isaksen (Assist: Danilo Cataldi)
Weston McKennie (Assist: Andrea Cambiaso)		59'
		81'		Alessio Romagnoli
Pierre Kalulu (Assist: Jeremie Boga)		90+6'

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

34

Total shots

9

8

Shots on target

2

13

Shots off target

5

13

Blocked shots

2

8

Corners

1

7

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

4

Juventus

Lazio

Starting lineups

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

76'

3

Bremer

Defender

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

46'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

84'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

77'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

84'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

34

Mario Gila

Defender

77'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

83'

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

46'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

65'

9

Pedro

Attacker

64'

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

2

Emil Holm

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

46'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

76'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

77'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

84'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

84'

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

99

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

64'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

65'

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

77'

4

Patric

Defender

83'

Reports in the UK claim that Manchester United could target Italy international Sandro Tonali to replace the outgoing Casemiro in their midfield department during the summer transfer window. 

Could Manchester United move for Tonali in the summer?

Tonali’s agent, Beppe Riso, has recently sparked transfer speculation after giving an interview to Tuttosport, hinting that his client could potentially be on the way out of Newcastle at some stage in the near future.

“These transfer talks will be held later on. We’ll see how the season ends and then decide what to do,” Riso said. 

There had been brief reports linking Tonali with a move to Arsenal on the final day of the January transfer window, but given the likely fee and negotiation process, this was never going to be feasible in the final hours of the window. Juventus have also been long-term admirers of the former Milan man. 

Now, according to reports from the Telegraph, Tonali is ‘high up’ on Manchester United’s list of midfield recruits for the summer transfer window. United will need a new midfielder to replace Casemiro, who will leave the club at the end of the 2025-26 season. 

The Telegraph claims that Tonali, Eliott Anderson and Adam Wharton are among Manchester United’s top targets heading into the summer. 

The Telegraph has not mentioned a specific transfer fee, but has pointed to the transfers of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo to Chelsea and the transfer of Declan Rice to Arsenal, all of which surpassed the €100m mark. 

Recent reports elsewhere have suggested that Newcastle will seek a fee in the region or potentially above the €100m mark if they are to sell Tonali, who joined for a reported fee of around €70m including add-ons from Milan in 2023. 

Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed a travelling squad of 21 players to take on Cagliari in Serie A on Monday evening, but will have to do without Paulo Dybala, Evan Ferguson, Stephan El Shaarawy and Robinio Vaz. 

The Giallorossi are hoping to bounce back after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Udinese last time out in Serie A. That result saw them drop out of the top four and into fifth place, two points behind Juventus, who currently occupy the final Champions League spot. 

Roma’s attention now turns to an away trip against Cagliari, which kicks off at 19.45 GMT on Monday evening. 

Gasperini will have to navigate the Cagliari match without a few of his key first-team attackers, though. Dybala has been ruled out, but is hoping to return against Napoli next weekend. 

Ferguson is also out with an ankle issue, while El Shaarawy and Robinio Vaz remain unavailable. The January signing is also likely to return next weekend. Mario Hermoso is also unavailable in defence. 

As was also the case for Roma’s last two matches, Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini are expected to start in attack alongside Donyell Malen. January recruits Bryan Zaragoza and Lorenzo Venturino are also pushing for game time, but are unlikely to start. 

16-year-old Antonio Arena will also be among the substitutes against Cagliari. 

Confirmed Roma squad vs. Cagliari 

Goalkeepers: Svilar, Gollini, Zelezny. 

Defenders: Wesley, Rensch, Celik, Ndicka, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi, Angelino, Tsimikas. 

Midfielders: Cristante, El-Aynaoui, Pellegrini, Pisilli. 

Forwards: Malen, Soule, Zaragoza, Venturino, Arena.

Napoli fans have reacted with fury and insults after Lorenzo Lucca seemed to bait them with an Instagram post after scoring his first Nottingham Forest goal.

The Italy international had a dismal first six months at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, managing just two goals in 23 competitive games.

It wasn’t much of a tally for someone who cost €35m to purchase from Udinese, so after dropping down the pecking order, he was loaned to Nottingham Forest with option to buy for €35m.

Lucca scored on his debut for the Premier League side, in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United, and celebrated on Instagram with a post that stirred up a strong reaction.

Napoli fans angry at Lucca provocation

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LL (@lorenzolucca17)

“Forgive them, for they do not know,” he wrote in English.

This was seen as a dig at his critics back in Italy, but the Napoli fans responded with irritation.

Some pointed out “this kind of thing is why it didn’t work at Napoli,” while another noted “you only scored a consolation goal” and “you’ve made more Instagram posts than goals in the last four months.”

It seems to be the reaction he was looking for, as Lucca clicked ‘like’ on most of the insulting comments from Napoli supporters.

Mostly the Napoli fans reacted with sarcasm, hoping he scores many more goals so Nottingham Forest will be tempted to buy him outright.

Cristian Chivu explains the importance of squad rotation as Inter make nine changes for the trip to Sassuolo, noting Lautaro Martinez is ‘a pleasure to watch for those who love football.’

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

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

The Nerazzurri are threatening to run away with the Scudetto race, winning 10 of the last 11 matches in the league and drawing the other.

They are also preparing for the Champions League play-offs against Bodo/Glimt, and on Wednesday beat Torino 2-1 in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

Chivu using all the Inter resources

“We need concentration, the right attitude, understanding the approach we need and winning the individual duels,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

It is always a tricky test against Sassuolo, who have been revitalised by the return of club icon Domenico Berardi, winning back-to-back games.

“Sassuolo caused a lot of problems for Inter over the years, and this season are doing very well, especially for a newly-promoted side.”

In a packed schedule, Inter have seen squad rotation be their greatest strength, including first starts for youth team products Matteo Cocchi and Issiaka Kamate midweek.

There are nine changes to the starting XI this evening from that Coppa Italia tie.

“What matters is that we have a full squad that is ready to step up and contribute to the common cause,” explained Chivu.

“It is a long season, we know that we need consistency and ambition, because we are Inter, a team that made history and plays at the highest level, domestically and internationally.”

Lautaro Martinez has 170 goals in 366 games for Inter, so is just one shy of matching Roberto Boninsegna as the third all-time top scorer for this club.

As someone who sees him every day in training, what stands out about the Argentina international?

“His hunger, that desire to be decisive and to win, to always be himself and work constantly to keep improving. He has so many great qualities shared by the great strikers, he is a pleasure to watch for those who love football,” replied Chivu.

Lecce ended their goal drought in style with Omri Gandelman and a late Lameck Banda free kick to defeat Udinese and break clear of the relegation zone.

The Salentini were sliding perilously after a run of just two points in eight rounds, though oddly those were against Juventus and Lazio. It was no secret where the problems lay, scoring only two goals in the last nine matches. Francesco Camarda and Medon Berisha were injured. The Friulani were fresh off back-to-back wins over Verona and Roma, so while Keinan Davis, Hassane Kamara, Adam Buksa, Jabuk Piotrowski and Alessandro Zanoli missed out, Nicolò Zaniolo was only fit for the bench after knee surgery.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

January signing Walid Cheddira got his first start for Lecce and should’ve done better when nodding a Riccardo Sottil cross off target from six yards.

Lecce finally broke their goal drought after more than 430 minutes of football, with a gift from Udinese. They gave it away twice during that move, as Jesper Karlstrom slipped when trying to control the Cheddira roll across and allowed Omri Gandelman to sweep in undisturbed from 12 yards for his debut Serie A goal.

Sottil’s free kick skimmed the top of the crossbar, but Jordan Zemura ran onto the inspired Arthur Atta disguised pass off the outside of the boot, brought down by Kialonda Gaspar for a penalty. Unusually, defender Oumar Solet stepped up to take it and converted with a stuttering run-up to draw Udinese level.

Tiago Gabriel nodded a Sottil corner over, then Danilo Veiga’s scorcher was fingertipped over the bar by Maduka Okoye.

With very little in the way of threat and this being a must-win game, the crowd turned angrily on coach Eusebio Di Francesco for his substitutions, as they wanted more forwards to be playing together rather than simply refreshing the existing roles.

Ylber Ramadani tested Okoye from distance, while Zaniolo and Konan N’Dri drilled wide from promising positions.

Lecce were unlucky not to restore their advantage at the 87^th minute when Gandelman’s effort inside the area took a deflection and looped up, bouncing off the top of the crossbar.

Moments later, Banda was brought down just outside the area and converted the sensational free kick himself, bending it into the near top corner to send the crowd wild at the Stadio Via del Mare. It sealed their first victory of 2026.

Lecce 2-1 Udinese

Gandelman 5 (L), Solet pen 26 (U), Banda 90 (L)

08-02-2026 14:00

MatchDay 24

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Udinese

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Omri Gandelman		5'
		26'		Oumar Solet

2nd half

		64'		Nicolò Bertola
Lameck Banda		83'
		89'		Idrissa Gueye
Lameck Banda		90'

Match statistic

53

Possession %

47

16

Total shots

6

5

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

4

6

Blocked shots

1

7

Corners

0

3

Offsides

2

9

Fouls

21

Inter hope Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram can break impressive Sassuolo’s form, as Domenico Berardi and Andrea Pinamonti are fired up.

It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

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

The Nerazzurri are on sparkling form and threatening to run away at the top of the table, winning 10 of their last 11 Serie A games, drawing 2-2 with Napoli.

They rotated the squad for Wednesday’s 2-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Torino, so bring back the classic front pairing of Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.

Still missing injured Nicolò Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries, it means Petar Sucic and Piotr Zielinski take the midfield reins.

Sassuolo are in good shape too, coming off back-to-back wins over Cremonese and Pisa to sit comfortably mid-table.

It is perhaps no coincidence their form improved with the return of club legend Berardi from injury, and he again leads the trident attack with Armand Laurienté and former Inter youth product Pinamonti.

Fali Cande and Edoardo Pieragnolo are long-term absentees, as their season is over following ACL tears.

Tarik Muharemovic has been repeatedly linked with a possible move to the Nerazzurri, but his own goal allowed Inter to beat Sassuolo 2-1 at San Siro back in September.

Sassuolo vs. Inter line-ups

Sassuolo: Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Koné, Matic, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Pinamonti, Laurienté

Inter: Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Sucic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro Martinez

08-02-2026 17:00

MatchDay 24

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Inter

0 - 5

Player statistic

1st half

		11'		Yann Bisseck (Assist: Federico Dimarco)
		28'		Marcus Thuram (Assist: Federico Dimarco)

2nd half

		50'		Lautaro Martínez
		53'		Manuel Akanji (Assist: Federico Dimarco)
Nemanja Matic		55'
Nemanja Matic		55'
		82'		Federico Dimarco
		89'		Luis Henrique

Sassuolo

Inter

Starting lineups

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

3

Josh Doig

Defender

70'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

71'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

59'

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

59'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

63'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

69'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

63'

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

76'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

11

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

59'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

59'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

70'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

71'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

41

Issiaka Kamate

Midfielder

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

63'

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

63'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

69'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

76'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

76'

Timothy Weah admits he was ‘broken and totally lacking in confidence’ after his Juventus experience, but an unusual Roberto De Zerbi call at 4am brought him to Olympique Marseille.

The son of former Milan legend George Weah had joined Juve with great expectations from Lille at a cost of €11m in the summer of 2023.

However, the USMNT star failed to make much of an impact, with seven goals and seven assists in 78 games for the club.

There was also controversy when he refused a move to Nottingham Forest, which he claims was agreed by the club without informing him.

Weah ‘broken’ during Juventus experience

“Olympique Marseille picked up a player who was broken, totally lacking in confidence,” he told Telefoot.

“It was difficult for me to even get up in the morning to go to training, because things were just not going well for me. Marseille really took a gamble.”

Italian coach De Zerbi spotted the potential for a return to Ligue 1 and convinced Weah with his rather unique charm.

“The coach called me at 4am, on Facetime,” laughed the player.

“He was wearing his pyjamas and smoking. He said: ‘Tim, you’ve got to come here. You’ll see, this is your home.’ And when I arrived at the airport, I was greeted as if I was home.”

« J’étais un joueur cassé… et Marseille m’a fait confiance ! »

Timothy Weah se montre très reconnaissant envers l’OM et De Zerbi et espère une longue histoire avec le club. @SaberDesfa pic.twitter.com/RLgf1vhaTn

— Téléfoot (@telefoot_TF1) February 8, 2026

The transfer is a €1m loan with obligation to buy at the end of the season for a further €14.4m plus bonuses of up to another €4.1m.

Juve will also retain a 10 per cent cut of the future sale fee.

“I hope to stay here for a long time, if possible.”

Weah has rediscovered his form in France, scoring three goals with four assists in 28 competitive appearances for the club so far this season.

Vincenzo Italiano was incredulous after Bologna’s ‘undeserved’ stoppage-time home defeat to Parma and raged at VAR. ‘That was not a red card, it wasn’t even a challenge.’

The Rossoblu have been struggling badly of late, especially in Serie A, where they have just one win and three draws in the last 12 rounds.

They had started strong today, until Tommaso Pobega was sent off for ‘serious foul play’ just 22 minutes into the Derby d’Emilia Romagna, a harsh decision suggested by the VAR review after the referee had initially only booked the midfielder.

Italiano stunned by Bologna bad luck

“The only thing we did badly wrong today was lose the game, because that was not a red card, it wasn’t even a challenge,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.

Despite being down to 10 men for over an hour, and with Parma later also seeing Mariano Troilo sent off, it was decided deep into stoppages by a Christian Ordonez snapshot.

“Putting in a performance like this when down to 10 men says everything,” insisted Italiano.

“Even after they scored, we still created another three scoring opportunities of our own. This is one of those spells where the moment we make a mistake, we are punished for it, and whoever comes here ends up taking away three undeserved points.”

It was the fourth consecutive defeat for Bologna in Serie A, who are now without a win on home turf in the league since beating Napoli 2-0 at the Stadio Dall’Ara on November 9.

“Our priority today was to put in a good performance, and we did that. Aside from the defeat to Milan, I have seen improvements. Today we were back playing like the team that won the Coppa Italia eight months ago.”

Nonetheless, this result will increase the already existing rumours that Bologna could fire Italiano to recall Thiago Motta, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Juventus.

Scott McTominay is unlikely to feature in Napoli’s upcoming Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como, as they hope to get him fully fit for the big Serie A match with Roma.

The Scotland international scored a long-range scorcher in yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Genoa, but pulled up clutching the back of his thigh.

He was substituted at half-time and Antonio Conte said that it was not a new injury, but rather the recurring inflammation of a tendon.

McTominay recurring injury identified

According to Il Mattino newspaper and Calciomercato.com, the inflammation regards the femoral bicep, the semi-tendon and the semi-membrane in that area.

Considering it is an inflammation, the best course of action is rest, so it is very unlikely McTominay will be risked for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como.

That kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

There aren’t many alternatives available, but Conte could simply drop Eljif Elmas into a midfield role instead, packing the trident attack with January signings Giovane and Alisson Santos.

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, David Neres and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are all out of action, with Matteo Politano, Pasquale Mazzocchi and Romelu Lukaku not fully fit.

Napoli need to focus their attention on Serie A, where next weekend there is a head-to-head with Roma, and Juan Jesus will be suspended for that tie.

Christian Ordonez gave Parma victory deep into stoppages, along with a pair of incredible Edoardo Corvi saves, as Bologna were frustrated in a fiery derby with two red cards.

Both teams were in poor form going into this local derby. The hosts had a pitiful one win and three draws in their last 11 Serie A games, culminating in a 3-0 hammering by Milan. Lukasz Skorupski returned from suspension and the treatment table was finally empty, so new buy Joao Mario went into the starting XI for his debut. The Ducali missed Nahuel Estevez, Zion Suzuki, Pontus Almqvist, Lautaro Valenti, Abdoulaye Ndiaye and Matija Frigan. Following 0-0 draws with Napoli and Genoa, they lost heavily 4-0 to Atalanta and 4-1 to Juventus.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

The hosts had the better start with Charalampos Lykogiannis and Jhon Lucumi firing over from distance, but the game changed on 22 minutes.

Mandela Keita won it back in midfield and surged forward, clipped from behind by Tommaso Pobega for a yellow card. The decision was changed to red following a VAR On-Field Review, as he was off balance and grazed the studs on the back of the calf almost at the knee, which looked considerably worse in slow motion.

Adrian Bernabé saw a free kick flash just wide, while Thijs Dallinga didn’t get enough power on the header to surprise Edoardo Corvi.

The dismissal seemed to make little difference to the approach of either team, though on the stroke of half-time Gaetano Oristanio robbed Torbjorn Heggem to set up Keita, his strike from the edge of the area charged down by Lewis Ferguson.

Bologna had a huge opportunity to take the lead after the restart, as Federico Bernardeschi knocked down the Ferguson cross only for Dallinga to balloon over the bar from seven yards.

The problems continued to pile up, as Lykogiannis limped off with a suspected thigh strain.

Moments later, Parma broke the deadlock when Francesco Delprato and Mateo Pellegrino at full stretch did not make contact with the Adrian Bernabé free kick, but did mean Santiago Castro was unsighted and accidentally nodded into his own net. As Pellegrino was offside, the goal was disallowed because he was interfering with play.

Moments later, Rowe’s header was deflected inches wide by Mariano Troilo’s arm, but it was flush to the body.

Rowe bent a right-foot finish past the far post too from the edge of the area, but Parma were also reduced to 10 men and again it was a little harsh. Mariano Troilo received a second yellow card for jumping leading with an arm on Castro’s head.

Bernardeschi’s free kick skimmed the near top corner, but Riccardo Orsolini almost scored within a minute of coming off the bench, his acrobatic volley bouncing off the turf and then off the upright.

Just as Bologna were pushing for victory after playing down to 10 men for over an hour, they were punished at the 94^th minute by a sudden Christian Ordonez snapshot that went through Lucumi’s legs, meaning Lukasz Skorupski couldn’t see it until late as it slotted into the near bottom corner.

Even then, it wasn’t over, as Edoardo Corvi had to make two sensational reaction saves in the space of 60 seconds. First he was almost stunned by teammate Delprato’s bullet header from point-blank range, then he flew to fingertip an Orsolini volley out from under the crossbar.

Bologna 0-1 Parma

Ordonez 94 (P)

Sent off: Pobega 22 (B), Troilo 80 (P)

08-02-2026 11:30

MatchDay 24

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Parma

0 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Tommaso Pobega

22'

2nd half

		49'		Sascha Britschgi
		61'		Mariano Troilo
Jhon Lucumí		76'
		79'		Mariano Troilo
		90+4'		Christian Ordoñez (Assist: Hans Nicolussi Caviglia)

Match statistic

51

Possession %

49

16

Total shots

5

2

Shots on target

1

9

Shots off target

1

5

Blocked shots

3

4

Corners

5

3

Offsides

4

10

Fouls

14

Bologna

Parma

Starting lineups

1

Lukasz Skorupski

Goalkeeper

22

Charalampos Lykogiannis

Defender

68'

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

17

João Mário

Defender

46'

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

87'

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

87'

24

Thijs Dallinga

Attacker

57'

40

Edoardo Corvi

Goalkeeper

39

Alessandro Circati

Defender

14

Emanuele Valeri

Defender

15

Enrico Delprato

Defender

37

Mariano Troilo

Defender

27

Sascha Britschgi

Defender

10

Adrián Bernabé

Midfielder

87'

21

Gaetano Oristanio

Midfielder

54'

16

Mandela Keita

Midfielder

87'

22

Oliver Sörensen

Midfielder

79'

9

Mateo Pellegrino

Attacker

Substitutes

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

23

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

41

Martin Vitik

Defender

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

30

Benja Domínguez

Attacker

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

5

Eivind Helland

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

46'

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

57'

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

68'

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

87'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

87'

66

Filippo Rinaldi

Goalkeeper

17

Jacob Ondrejka

Attacker

76

Daniel Mikolajewski

Defender

25

Benja Cremaschi

Midfielder

61

Dominik Drobnic

Defender

67

Gabriele Casentini

Goalkeeper

23

Nesta Elphege

Attacker

7

Gabriel Strefezza

Attacker

54'

24

Christian Ordoñez

Midfielder

79'

41

Hans Nicolussi Caviglia

Midfielder

87'

29

Franco Carboni

Defender

87'

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has revealed that striker Evan Ferguson’s latest injury came as the result of ‘trying to avoid a photographer’, and has admitted that the Republic of Ireland international has been left feeling ‘very depressed’. 

Injuries have been a constant issue for Ferguson in the early stages of his professional career. The 21-year-old missed a major chunk of the 2023-24 season with a cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and then a significant portion of the 2024-25 season with an ankle issue. 

The 2025-26 season, on loan at Roma, has also been stop-start due to recurring ankle injuries. 

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Roma’s upcoming Serie A match against Cagliari, head coach Gasperini had an opportunity to discuss Ferguson’s ongoing battles with injuries and his current mental state. 

Gasperini on recurring Ferguson injuries: ‘He’s very depressed’

“The problem is his ankle,” Gasperini said. “It’s the fourth sprain he’s suffered. He was out for about a year with an ankle issue last year, so the situation has become a bit complicated. That’s what’s happened.

“We’re working to get him back on his feet, but every time he changes direction, the ankle seems to sprain. It’s one (ankle) or the other, but the one he had an operation on is the most problematic, which hasn’t completely solved the problem.”

Gasperini has previously called Ferguson unlucky with his injury record. There was certainly an element of misfortune with the way that Ferguson’s most recent ankle injury came about.  

“We’re all working to try and fix the situation. From a psychological point of view, he’s not very pleased and is very depressed. We’re trying to help him recover and get him back on his feet. It’s not easy, because it takes 12 weeks each time. Last time he got hurt avoiding a photographer. 

“Whenever he’s been available, he’s always played, but that’s part of the problem for this player. It’s gone better for him this year, last year he practically never played.”

Gian Piero Gasperini has credited Roma’s mentality in what he considers a difficult start to the calendar year, but insists that things will start to look brighter for the Giallorossi in a ‘more normal’ month ahead. 

Roma have slipped out of the Serie A top four after a 1-0 defeat against Udinese last weekend and have also had a tough time of it with injuries, with Paulo Dybala, Evan Ferguson, Robinio Vaz, Stephan El-Shaarawy and Angelino among those on the treatment table. 

The Giallorossi head coach had an opportunity to take stock of the current situation during his pre-match press conference ahead of his side’s match against Cagliari on Monday night. 

Gasperini on Roma form, mentality and injuries

Reports this week have suggested that Francesco Totti could be primed to return to the Stadio Olimpico in a backroom role in the near future. 

Gasperini was asked to comment about Totti at the beginning of his pre-match press conference on Sunday. 

He jokingly replied: “Ah, I’ll let him play immediately, no problem. But he has to train, we’ll try to take 15, 20 years off him, we’ll help him grow.” 

Instead turning his attention to a question about January signing Bryan Zaragoza, Gasperini said: “He’s already trained with us, he’s been playing well and regularly with Celta, he’s in good shape. Of course, when you come to a new club, you still have to fit in, get to know your teammates, get to know the team. He is available tomorrow, though. 

“I’ve not decided whether to play him from the first minute or bring him on during the game. The intention is always to integrate players quickly, to give them more chances and increase the speed in which they settle into the team.” 

Gasperini feels that Roma are not just growing on a sporting level, but also in their mentality as well. 

“I’ve never had any doubts about that. This group has always responded strongly. Sometimes there are some aches and pains, a bit of bad luck in some cases, but we have also lost a lot of games by 1-0. Maybe we could be better in the air, that’s a fundamental, because a lot of games are settled like that in the final minutes. 

“Of course, we have a few technical aspects we need to get better at, but from a motivational point of view, this group today, as it always has, gives a great response and it will be the same for the next game.” 

Roma’s 1-0 loss against Udinese last week means that they have slipped out of the Serie A top four and now sit two points behind Juventus. 

“What we try to do is to try and solve the problems that each match presents. I have to point out that we basically played 10 games in the month of January: From December 29 against Genoa until February 2 against Udinese. They were 10 very difficult games, I mean really complicated, and we lost several players in some of them. 

“We had to play light: I’m thinking about Athens, but I could mention all the others. In some situations, because of numbers, players like Romano, Arena and Della Rocca had to make their debuts. Bassa played as soon as he came in, Venturino played immediately. 

“Despite all of that, we had a run of 10 difficult games and always played with good spirit and desire. Now we have earned the chance to play in the final phase of the Europa League. It’s a more normal month ahead of us in terms of matches, and we’ll try to recover some key players as quickly as possible.” 

Gasperini also gave in-depth injury updates on the likes of Evan Ferguson, Mario Hermoso and Robinio Vaz. 

“The problem is his ankle,” Gasperini said when discussing Ferguson. “It’s the fourth sprain he’s suffered. He was out for about a year with an ankle issue last year, so the situation has become a bit complicated. That’s what’s happened.

“We’re working to get him back on his feet, but every time he changes direction, the ankle seems to sprain. It’s one (ankle) or the other, but the one he had an operation on is the most problematic, which hasn’t completely solved the problem.

“We’re all working to try and fix the situation. From a psychological point of view, he’s not very pleased and is a bit depressed. We’re trying to help him recover and get him back on his feet. It’s not easy, because it takes 12 weeks each time. Last time he got hurt avoiding a photographer. 

“Whenever he’s been available, he’s always played, but that’s part of the problem for this player. It’s gone better for him this year, last year he practically never played.” 

And on the other members of Roma’s squad, Gasperini added: “Hermoso’s got a very bad bruise on his foot and is struggling to even get his foot in his shoe. It’s a hematoma and unfortunately that’s quite bad luck. 

“Dybala has taken a contusion to the knee, no ligaments or anything else are affected. We hope that he will be available next week, the same with Hermoso.

“Soule has been suffering from pubalgia for a few weeks, but with good spirit, he always manages to recover and play. It often happens to young players when they play this regularly. He played much less in other years. It’s not too serious, but it still affects us. Sometimes he’s better, sometimes he’s worse.

“You’ll have to ask me later about the other situations. Vaz I don’t think is a big problem, I believe that we’ll have him on Tuesday or Wednesday.” 

Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu have been unavailable for several weeks, but Sunday’s reports claim that Cristian Chivu is now close to recovering two of his star Inter midfielders. 

Barella and Calhanoglu nearing Inter returns

Barella has missed Inter’s last four matches across all competitions, including the last two in Serie A, while Calhanoglu has been unavailable since mid-January, missing out on five Serie A matches, two in the Champions League and one in the Coppa Italia. 

However, according to Sunday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, both are just around the corner from a return to first-team action. 

The Pink Paper claims that both Barella and Calhanoglu could potentially return to group training when the rest of the squad returns to Appiano Gentile on Tuesday. The squad is in league action against Sassuolo on Sunday and is expected to take a day off on Monday. 

The hope is that both could be part of the matchday squad to take on archrivals Juventus in the Derby d’Italia on Saturday. 

Denzel Dumfries, meanwhile, is still expected to be unavailable for a touch longer, until March, but potentially even sooner. 

Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers were both unavailable for Milan’s recent 3-0 victory over Bologna, but reports on Sunday claim that both could be in line to return in time for the upcoming test against Pisa next weekend. 

Latest Pulisic and Saelemaekers updates for Milan

Pulisic is Milan’s leading goalscorer in 2025-26 with eight goals to his name from 16 appearances in Serie A this season. He has 10 goals across all competitions so far. 

He was unable to play against Bologna last weekend due to Bursitis, but according to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan are aiming to have him back out and training on the pitch next week, and hope that he will be available to play against Pisa on Friday evening. 

Saelemaekers, meanwhile, was forced to skip the Bologna match due to an adductor issue, but according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, he is in a similar position to  Pulisic, hoping to resume full training this week and aiming to play against Pisa on Friday. 

Milan are not in action this weekend in the 24th round of Serie A fixtures. That is because their regular home venue in San Siro was busy for the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and they were unable to find an alternative venue to play their scheduled match against Como. 

Instead, the Milan vs. Como game will take place in San Siro on Wednesday, February 18.

{rsn-live-v2}

Kenan Yildiz has recently put pen to paper on a new and improved contract extension at Juventus, but he is not the only one whose Bianconeri future needs to be addressed. Here are the other players that Juventus could look to renew in the near future. 

Juventus officially announced on Saturday that Yildiz has signed a new contract extension running until the summer of 2030. 

His previous deal had been set to expire in 2029, but that was on a salary of €1.7m. He has been rewarded with a pay increase that reflects his star status within the squad and now takes home a reported €6m per year, which will eventually rise to €7m per year. 

Which other Juventus players need new contracts? 

For Juventus, one of the most pressing pieces of business is now an extension for USMNT star Weston McKennie, whose current deal is set to expire at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, both the club and the player wish to continue their relationship and there could even be a meeting over a potential new deal as early as next week. 

According to Sunday’s report, Juventus could potentially look to tie Filip Kostic down to a new deal as well. Like McKennie, his deal is also up at the end of the current season, and the latest updates claim that he is a player that Luciano Spalletti likes and trusts, which could be enough to see him earn a new deal at the Allianz Stadium. 

The most significant Juventus player whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season is Dusan Vlahovic, however, the latest reports indicate that an extension for the Serbian remains unlikely at this stage. 

Elsewhere, Calciomercato.com suggests that Juventus could potentially look to extend the contracts of Pierre Kalulu, who earns a relatively low salary of €2.5m per season, but is still tied to the club until 2029. 

Similarly, Manuel Locatelli, whose deal expires in 2028, could be rewarded with new terms. It is also a similar story for Khephren Thuram, who is currently set to earn around €2m per season until the summer of 2029. 

Lastly, Juventus could also look to extend the contract of head coach Luciano Spalletti, however, a final decision on that matter is not expected to be taken until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

Gian Piero Gasperini will have to do without another one of his star attackers in Paulo Dybala for Monday evening’s Serie A clash at home against Cagliari, the latest updates confirm. 

Dybala ruled out of Roma vs. Cagliari

La Joya has not featured in either of Roma’s last two matches due to a minor issue, which is expected to keep him out of Monday night’s league fixture against Cagliari as well, according to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Sky Sport Italia and others. 

The Argentina international had been training individually in the days leading up to the Cagliari clash. 

Sunday’s reports claim that Roma have taken the decision not to risk the 32-year-old against Cagliari on precautionary grounds. 

As has been the case over the last two matches, Matias Soule and Lorenzo Pellegrini are in line to start in Dybala’s absence.

Dybala adds to a considerable injury list at the Stadio Olimpico: Gasperini is also expected to be without Manu Kone, Robinio Vaz, Artem Dovbyk, Stephan El Shaarawy and potentially Mario Hermoso and Evan Ferguson as well. 

Alex Jimenez has recently completed his permanent transfer to AFC Bournemouth, but how much will his former club Milan profit from the move?

Alex Jimenez set to join Bournemouth from Milan on permanent deal

Jimenez has spent the 2025-26 season on loan at Premier League side Bournemouth. His deal with the Cherries includes a conditional obligation to buy, which, the club confirmed they have triggered on Saturday. 

Milan already received a fee of €2m for Jimenez’s loan deal. According to recent updates, the buyout clause will be worth €19.5m plus an additional €5.5m in bonuses and add-ons. 

However, the Rossoneri will not receive all of that €19.5m as Jimenez’s former club, Real Madrid, are entitled to a 50% sell-on fee. 

So, Real Madrid and Milan will split the €19.5m fee equally, meaning €9.75m each, not including bonuses. 

Jimenez is reportedly set to join Bournemouth on a five-and-a-half year contract running until the summer of 2031.

Kenan Yildiz is fresh off signing a new and improved contract with Juventus and is expected to star in attack when the Bianconeri host Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Juventus made it four Serie A wins in a row when they beat Parma 4-1 in the league last weekend. They have scored 13 goals in those four matches and also defeated Napoli 3-0 during that run, but Luciano Spalletti’s side have since slipped to a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in the Coppa Italia quarter-final on Wednesday night. 

The Old Lady sit in fourth place in the Serie A table ahead of kick-off with 45 points to their name from their first 23 games of the season. They are two clear of Roma in fifth and four shy of Napoli in third having played one game less than Antonio Conte’s side. 

Lazio beat Genoa 3-2 last time out in Serie A, bouncing back after a disappointing pair of results against Lecce and Como beforehand. They find themselves in eighth place ahead of kick-off, 13 points off the top four.

Kenan Yildiz was officially rewarded with a new and improved contract on Saturday and is expected to start in attack on Sunday night along with Fabio Miretti, Weston McKennie and Jonathan David. 

Maurizio Sarri’s side are without Mattia Zaccagni in attack, but are expected to stick with the same front three as the Genoa match, with Gustav Isaksen, Pedro and Daniel Maldini as a false nine. 

Kick-off is expected at 19.45 GMT. 

Juventus vs. Lazio: Probable line-ups

Juventus (4-2-3-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; McKennie, Miretti, Yildiz; David. 

Lazio (4-3-3): Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Tavares; Taylor, Cataldi, Basic; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro.

Where to watch Juventus vs. Lazio 

Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and through DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. 

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

The table-topping Inter are expected to bring back their first-team big hitters when they visit an in-form Sassuolo side in Serie A on Sunday afternoon. 

The Nerazzurri are sitting pretty at the top of the Serie A table with 55 points after 23 matches, five clear of their closest competitors, Milan. Cristian Chivu’s side are unbeaten in 11 league matches and have won 10 of those 11 games. 

Sassuolo have recorded two consecutive victories in Serie A heading into Sunday’s clash against Inter, which puts them within a point of the top half of the table after 23 matches. 

Fabio Grosso is expected to name a similar side, if not the same starting XI as the one that beat Pisa 3-1 away from home last weekend, with Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente starting across the front three. 

After resting the majority of his key first-team players for Wednesday evening’s 2-1 Coppa Italia victory over Torino, Chivu is expected to bring back his big hitters, including the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni, against Sassuolo.

The travelling Nerazzurri are still without midfielders Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu, but Chivu has hinted that they could both return to the squad after the Sassuolo match. Petar Sucic, Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the expected midfield combination on Sunday. 

Kick-off is due at 17.00 GMT. 

Sassuolo vs. Inter: Probable line-ups

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Walukiewicz, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Thorstvedt, Matic, Kone; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente 

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; L.Henrique, Sucic, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; L.Martinez, Thuram. 

Where to watch Sassuolo vs. Inter 

Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. 

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

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Mamma, how about Italy

Winter Olympics: An unforgettable first day

Lollobrigida gold in the 3000m speed skating. ‘Beautiful to win with my Tommi’. Silver for Franzoni in the downhill, Paris also on the podium at 36 years old: ‘I’m not stopping’ 

Napoli, what strength 

Inter anti-trap

Conte wins with 10 men, Hojlund settles it in the 95th minute from a contested penalty. Chivu against Sassuolo to return to +8. ThuLa up front again

Yildiz renews until 2030: ‘I love Juve, I want to make history’

Starter against Lazio

Toro draw: Level against Fiorentina through Maripan in the 94th minute

Finishes 2-2 in Florence

Corriere dello Sport 

Fourth star 

Yildiz 2030: Renewal signed, Kenan celebrates: ‘Fino alla fine’ 

‘I love Juve, it’s my family’ 

Salary rises from 1.7 to 7 million. Spalletti: ‘An important day, demonstrates the club’s desire’. The challenge with Lazio at 19.45 

Starting with three 

Milan-Cortina: Three immediate medals for Italy at the Winter Olympics 

Insane Napoli: Stronger than anyone 

Success in the 95th minute: 3-2 at Marassi 

McT scores then gets injured, brace from Hojlund, Buongiorno shocker. Juan Jesus sent off 

Lautaro chases Bonimba and the +8 

Inter, Sassuolo at 17.00

ItalRugby, off with a bang: Scotland beaten 

What a start in the Six Nations 

Viola disappointed with themselves, Torino fight back 

Finishes 2-2 at the Franchi 

Baroni goes ahead with Casadei. Fiorentina respond with Soloman and Kean. Maripan silences the Franchi in the 94th minute 

Tuttosport 

Mamma, what a gold! 

Triumph and olympic record in the skating: Moving moment for Lollobrigida with the little one, Tommaso

Franzoni & Paris: Fantastic medals 

‘Juve, my life’ 

Yildiz signs until 2030 for six million a year: Up against Lazio this evening 

Tuttosport’s anticipation is confirmed: The Turk states his bianconeri ambitions: ‘I love this team, we’ll do great things together’. Elkann also at Continassa for the announcement. Spalletti: ‘Will I renew as well? I have to deserve it, like Kenan’. Gattuso arrives at the Stadium: For Miretti but not just him. Conceicao and Kelly doubts

Maripan saves Toro and Baroni in the 94th 

The defender’s header in the final attack of the game sends Fiorentina back down to -9 off the Granata 

The Viola fight back through Soloman and Kean after Casadei’s opener, brought up the thought of Serie B for Cairo and the Franchi, but at least there was a proud finish this time. The Chilean: ‘My being left out? Eh, but the team is strong here, there are a lot of good players and the coach always decides’. Obrador, out with a muscular injury

Hojlund and heart, Napoli down to 10 at Genoa, mockery in the 95th minute 

Cornet touches Vergara: Penalty 

The Dane and McTominay (also injured) relaunch Conte. Buongiorno shock

Moise Kean admits Fiorentina must do more after their 2-2 draw with Torino, but hits back at criticism. ‘I even came in during my days off.’

The Viola had been trailing 1-0 to a Cesare Casadei free header when the offside trap failed, but turned it around to lead 2-1 through Manor Solomon’s long-range strike and the Kean finish.

However, deep into stoppages the marking was again slack on a free kick, allowing Guillermo Maripan to nod in the equaliser.

Kean stands up for his Fiorentina performances

“We have conceded far too many late goals, dropping points that would’ve taken us out of the relegation zone,” confessed Kean in his press conference.

“We’ve got to keep working, working, working. The one thing we cannot do is let our heads drop, because that would kill us right now.

“I am optimistic for the future of Fiorentina. We’ll work on defending those late goals and set plays, as we can’t afford to keep doing it.

“We need the support of everyone in Florence, as only if we all work together can we get out of this situation.”

This was the first time they had Kean back in the starting XI after three matches, as he is struggling to shake off a recurring ankle issue.

“I feel better, and I’m trying to get stronger every day,” said the Italy international.

There had been some criticism in recent weeks, including rumours in the media that he would arrive late to training.

“Who said that? It’s not true, I was always at Viola Park during the difficult moments, and even when I had the day off. I also had a family situation that I had to go and deal with, so I needed to be with them, but for the rest I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Kean is still the joint Fiorentina top scorer this season with seven goals in 26 competitive games, while Alberto Gudmundsson is also on seven, but with 30 appearances.

Paolo Vanoli admits it is ‘frustrating to see the same mistakes made over and over again’ by Fiorentina in a 2-2 draw with Torino, as their weakness in the air is becoming a problem.

The Viola had managed to turn the game around after Cesare Casadei sprung the offside trap for a free header, as Manor Solomon’s screamer and a Moise Kean effort put them in front.

However, deep into stoppages Guillermo Maripan’s glancing header on a Gvidas Gineitis free kick allowed Toro to grab a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Franchi.

Vanoli tries to think positive for Fiorentina

“The desire to bring home a result at all costs can make you anxious. We knew that Torino had players who are very strong in the air, so we shouldn’t have allowed them that free kick at the end,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

“It is frustrating to see the same mistakes made over and over again. We threw away points late on against Lazio, today we would’ve deserved a victory and didn’t take it.”

Fiorentina have conceded an astonishing 38 goals in 24 Serie A matches this season.

“I still say we are on the right track, but need to improve our defending. We cannot always start from a goal down, even if we saw a strong reaction from a great team today to turn it around,” continued Vanoli.

“We must try to stay positive, as we’re fighting to the end. It’s a pity for the lads, who gave their all tonight, but we need to do more.”

There was an odd moment when Albert Gudmundsson limped off at the dawn of the second half, having seemingly sprained his left ankle.

“We started to struggle in the final five minutes because we didn’t close down their crosses from the right, we should’ve pushed our own wingers up to keep them busy, keep it three against three,” said the coach.

“It’s a season like this, but again today we created many chances, turned it around to lead, and until the final couple of minutes were in great shape to bring home the result.”

Fiorentina have conceded 10 goals this season from corners and free kicks, so what is the cause of that weakness?

“More often than not, it’s distraction and a lack of determination in stopping the crosses from coming in. We’re working on dealing with set plays, but we again need to have a positive approach, get more communication between the players.

“We make naïve mistakes and when you use up a lot of energy to fight back from those situations, it leaves you vulnerable at the end.”

New Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici was in the stands, and the January signings are beginning to have a real impact, but they remain at least in the bottom four with this result, awaiting Lecce’s game tomorrow.

Torino coach Marco Baroni admires the ‘determination to get back into’ their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, and is looking forward to ‘a normal week’ of training.

The Granata had gone in front when Cesare Casadei sprung the offside trap for a free header, but two goals in six minutes turned it around from Manor Solomon and Moise Kean.

Just as the Viola felt they had done enough for all three points, Toro kept pushing and Guillermo Maripan popped up with the glancing header in stoppages, converting the Gvidas Gineitis free kick.

Baroni saw strong Torino response

“The team did very well in the first half and went close to a second goal, but at the start of the second, we made a mistake to gift the goal,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.

“I must congratulate the lads, as we were coming off a midweek game in the Coppa Italia, so it was not easy to prepare this with so little time. We had an emergency situation missing players and others who only had one training session with the rest of the team.

“I liked the determination shown to get back into this match.”

Toro are trying to find their feet after a disastrous run of four consecutive Serie A defeats, as they beat Lecce 1-0 last week and this evening grabbed a last-gasp draw.

They were in action midweek too, losing the Coppa Italia quarter-final 2-1 to Inter.

On top of injuries, they were also missing suspended Nikola Vlasic and Matteo Prati, so Torino had to reshuffle their midfield.

“Vlasic is an irreplaceable player for us, but today the team managed to cover him and put everything we had onto the pitch, that is the most important thing,” continued Baroni.

“Tino Anjorin has a lot of quality, but he had some physical problems and he needs to play. The same goes for Ilkhan, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, so it took some time to get him into shape, and he too is unaccustomed to playing twice in a week after that injury.”

With a defeat here, there was the very real risk of Torino being sucked back into the danger zone, but they maintain a nine-point buffer from the bottom three.

“Now we need to work hard, as we want to improve our position in the table, and finally we’ll have a normal week to prepare in training, as we had six games in 21 days with the Coppa Italia, so we weren’t used to that.”

It was a chaotic day for Italians in the Premier League on Saturday, with Guglielmo Vicario, Riccardo Calafiori and Sandro Tonali all in action.

Destiny Udogie and Michael Kayode were also in action on a busy day of Premier League football.

Vicario put in a spectacular performance in goal for Tottenham Hotspur despite the 2-0 defeat to in-form Manchester United. The Italian made a number of good saves and the scoreline would have been much heavier without his presence in between the posts.

Busy day for Vicario, Calafiori & Tonali

Riccardo Calafiori, meanwhile, made his first Premier League start of 2026, after suffering an injury in the festive period. The left-back played over an hour for the Gunners as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over Sunderland.

Tonali has been dominating the headlines over the past week, having been linked suddenly with a late deadline day move to Arsenal. However, the Italian was out of the Gunners’ price range for a winter move and discussions appear to have been postponed until the summer.

Tonali played 87 minutes for Newcastle in their 3-2 defeat to Brentford, in a chaotic topsy-turvy clash at St. James Park. Kayode featured on the Brentford team, playing 90 minutes and doing a good job to nullify the threat of Newcastle’s wingers.

Fiorentina thought they had done enough with Manor Solomon’s scorcher and Moise Kean, but Torino snatched a stoppage-time equaliser with Guillermo Maripan.

The Viola were still in the relegation zone after three consecutive defeats between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, but Moise Kean returned to the starting XI, with only Tariq Lamptey out of action. New director Fabio Paratici took his seat in the stands. Toro ended their run of four straight Serie A losses with a slender 1-0 win over Lecce. Nikola Vlasic and Matteo Prati were both suspended, with Ardian Ismajli and Zanos Savva injured. Sandro Kulenovic got his full league debut after scoring in Wednesday’s 2-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Inter.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Kean made an immediate impact, his header on a corner fumbled by Alberto Paleari on the line, then Valentino Lazaro’s curler skimmed the crossbar at the other end.

Kean also fired over when springing the offside trap on a long Niccolò Fagioli pass, while Saul Coco’s header flashed wide of the far post on another corner.

Torino took the lead when Dodo mistimed the run back and kept Cesare Casadei onside, allowing him a free header at the back post on Emirhan Ilkhan’s cross.

The Viola fought back, as Paleari stuck out a boot to parry the Marco Brescianini half-volley at the near post, then flew to palm away the Rolando Mandragora long-range strike.

Albert Gudmundsson’s sudden curler grazed a coat of paint off the far top corner, as did the Pietro Comuzzo towering header on a corner.

Fiorentina were forced into a change when Gudmundsson sprained his left ankle from the kick-off for the second half.

Nonetheless, they equalised with a moment of magic from Manor Solomon, who curled the right-foot strike into the top corner from just outside the box, after Mandragora robbed Gvidas Gineitis.

They turned it around completely within six minutes, as Solomon sent Jack Harrison down the right, who rolled low across for Kean to sweep in first time into the near bottom corner from 12 yards.

Mandragora’s free kick whistled just over and Toro struggled to get back into the game, creating a big chance at the 86^th minute when Duvan Zapata forced David De Gea to parry with his legs from 12 yards.

Deep into stoppages, Torino equalised when the Gineitis free kick was whipped in for a glancing Guillermo Maripan header into the far bottom corner, leaving De Gea rooted to the spot.

Fiorentina 2-2 Torino

Casadei 26 (T), Solomon 51 (F), Kean 57 (F), Maripan 94 (T)

07-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Torino

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		26'		Cesare Casadei (Assist: Emirhan Ilkhan)
		31'		Valentino Lazaro
Dodô		40'

2nd half

Manor Solomon (Assist: Rolando Mandragora)		51'
Moise Kean (Assist: Jack Harrison)		57'
		64'		Guillermo Maripán
		66'		Luca Marianucci
Pietro Comuzzo		90+3'
		90'		Gvidas Gineitis
		90+4'		Guillermo Maripán (Assist: Gvidas Gineitis)
		90+5'		Zakaria Aboukhlal

Match statistic

55

Possession %

45

21

Total shots

12

5

Shots on target

4

10

Shots off target

2

6

Blocked shots

6

9

Corners

4

3

Offsides

1

6

Fouls

23

Fiorentina

Torino

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

73'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

73'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

48'

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

85'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

85'

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

46'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

69'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

59'

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

83'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

59'

Substitutes

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

Jack Harrison

Attacker

48'

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

73'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

73'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

85'

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

85'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

83

Sergiu Perciun

Midfielder

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

46'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

59'

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

59'

7

Zakaria Aboukhlal

Midfielder

69'

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

83'

Bournemouth have triggered their buy option in the loan contract of Milan winger Alex Jimenez, according to the latest reports from Italy.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio broke the news this evening, confirming that Milan will receive €19 million plus €5 million in bonuses for the Spaniard’s services.

Life in Italy did not go to plan for Jimenez, who struggled to integrate fully into the Rossoneri squad.

However, things have been much better for him in England, where he has become a first team regular for Premier League side Bournemouth, playing in a number of different roles on the flank.

Jimenez sale a huge boost for Milan

With a potential landfall of €24 million heading into the Rossoneri coffers, the club will have greater ability to invest in the summer.

Milan were linked with a number of transfer targets over the winter window, and were close to securing Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta.

However, the Frenchman failed Milan’s notoriously rigorous medical examinations and the Rossoneri abandoned the deal.

Instead, with a hefty payday from the South of England, the club can prepare to sign the proper reinforcements in the summer.

Roma are still waiting on Paulo Dybala as they prepare for Monday night’s Serie A meeting with Cagliari at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Giallorossi are looking to bounce back after defeat to Udinese, a result that pushed them out of the top four and dented their hopes of securing a Champions League place, the club’s primary objective this season under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Several players are already sidelined.

Manu Koné, Robinio Vaz, Stephan El Shaarawy and Artem Dovbyk are unavailable, while Evan Ferguson and Mario Hermoso have been training separately from the main group.

Dybala touch-and-go ahead of Cagliari showdown

Dybala remains the biggest question mark.

The Argentine has missed Roma’s last two outings, staying on the bench against Panathinaikos and not being called up at all for the Udinese match, due to a knee problem.

According to Sky Sport, via CalcioMercato, he trained individually again today.

The final decision on his availability will be made after Sunday’s training session, the last before the match. If Dybala returns to group training, he could be included in the squad.

Otherwise, he risks missing a second consecutive Serie A fixture, and a third in all competitions.

Former Serie A referee Luca Marelli has questioned the decisive penalty awarded to Napoli in their dramatic 3-2 victory over Genoa, arguing the contact on Antonio Vergara was too minimal to justify the spot-kick.

Speaking on DAZN, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, Marelli analysed the key incidents in a match packed with controversy.

On Napoli’s penalty, he felt the decision itself was correct but the disciplinary action was not.

“Buongiorno makes a mistake, Vitinha gets in and there is contact with Meret,” Marelli said.

“At first I didn’t think it was a penalty, because the attacker drags his foot before the impact, but we have to consider that Meret obstructs the player. The infringement is there. The yellow card, however, was wrong. The ball was heading towards the byline, so it should have been only a penalty, without a booking.”

Marelli critical of Vergara penalty that gave Napoli late win at Genoa

He also commented on Juan Jesus’ dismissal.

“Massa hadn’t seen the first incident. The booking was given for unsporting behaviour while play was stopped, which in my opinion was a bit excessive. No doubts about the second yellow, though, for holding.”

Marelli was most critical of the late penalty that decided the match, when Antonio Vergara was brought down in the box by Maxwell Cornet.

“I don’t agree with the decision or with the on-field review. From the first angle it looked like a clear penalty, but Cornet’s foot never really comes down on Vergara’s. There is contact, but it’s very light. Too light for a penalty.”

Rasmus Hojlund and Antonio Vergara hailed each other after Napoli snatched a dramatic late victory away to Genoa, sealing the win with a nervy stoppage-time penalty despite being down to 10 men.

Højlund converted from the spot and admitted it was far from perfect, but praised the impact of Vergara, who won the decisive penalty.

“Obviously, we worked to the last minute, it was nerve-wracking and a big responsibility,” Højlund said to DAZN.

“I was glad to see it go in, but I probably need to train a bit more on penalties.

“I was very lucky, but in the end we got the goal and I’m happy that we won with one man less. We fought to the last second. Vergara won the penalty, he’s been amazing in the last month and a half and he’s getting more and more confident.”

Napoli hero Vergara dreams of Italy call-up

Vergara, for his part, had no doubts about the decision.

“I felt the touch, I was certain it was a penalty, and I thought: how wonderful!” he said. “These points feel like they were worth double.

“We never give up, we won’t give up even a millimetre. When Ale came off, we were all there to comfort him, because we know he’s a fantastic player.”

The youngster also admitted he is dreaming of an international breakthrough.

After Napoli have been reduced to a barebones squad through injury, Vergara has seen more minutes as of late.

After scoring his first goal for the club against Chelsea, he followed it up with a goal and an assist against Fiorentina. This evening, he won the penalty for Napoli’s winner.

“I really hope for an Italy call-up. I’m sorry I didn’t play the way I wanted to today, but if we win, then I’m happy.”

Antonio Conte is frustrated at the ‘absurd’ number of Napoli injuries, hailing the team’s ‘heart’ to beat Genoa 3-2 down to 10 men, and explaining the Scott McTominay setback.

It seemed to be going in the worst possible way for the Partenopei at Marassi, as Genoa earned a penalty after 15 seconds, then when Rasmus Hojlund and McTominay had turned it around, the Scotland international went off injured.

“McTominay has been carrying this problem since the start of the year, it gets inflamed around the tendon, every now and then it hurts and he has to play at a lower gear. He could’ve continued, but this is a player who I’d rather have at 100 per cent rather than take stupid risks,” Conte told DAZN Italia.

A second Alessandro Buongiorno howler gifted the Lorenzo Colombo equaliser and Juan Jesus saw red, but the 10 men snatched the 3-2 victory in stoppages when Hojlund converted the penalty, earned by Antonio Vergara.

Conte frustrated at endless Napoli problems

“I think the victory goes beyond what we showed, we basically gave away two goals to Genoa, but getting back on our feet after that was not easy. We did it, we had this other setback of the red card, but we never stopped pushing and trying to get the win.

“This shows the team never gives in. Every Sunday seems to bring a new obstacle, I was curious to see how the team would react without Di Lorenzo, who is such an important figure for his quality and charisma. I saw a strong response from everyone.

“These are lads who are overcoming everything with pure heart. I had to make some decisions in the moment, in all honesty it was a match we deserved to win, but congratulations to Genoa and Daniele De Rossi, this is a team that won’t have problems staying in Serie A. The atmosphere at Marassi was like being in the Premier League.”

At one stage when McTominay was hurt, clutching the back of the right thigh, Conte turned towards the bench and declared in exasperated fashion that he’d have to play in a minute.

“I always tell the lads, whether we win or lose, we must end the game with heads held high, having given our all, made the fans proud, and honoured the badge on the shirt.

“After that, let’s be clear, it is so difficult. Players make the history of a match, a coach can only do so much when he doesn’t have many players.”

Conte was asked if this has been the most draining and difficult season of his management career.

“It is an absurd season, certainly. If we are intelligent people, we all ought to reflect on the construction of the squad, on the transfer strategy that we did, because compared to other teams, we have a very reduced squad. We can’t even look to the youth academy,” replied the coach.

“We have players like Anguissa, who cannot seem to make a full recovery, Gilmour had surgery and still has problems, so did De Bruyne, Lukaku was out for a long time, Di Lorenzo will be out for two months, we don’t know what’s going to happen with McTominay.”

There were some curious decisions from the coach, who took off Buongiorno straight after the second howler, then when Juan Jesus saw red, opted to remove substitute Giovane to introduce a new defender, meaning the Brazilian was only on for 22 minutes.

Juan Jesus will be suspended against Roma next week, and it remains to be seen what is wrong with McTominay.

“Look here, we can list all we want, I congratulate these lads and those like Vergara who made the most of the opportunity and grew over the last six months. Ambrosino had too, but he preferred to go and play in Serie B,” concluded Conte.

“All we can do is pick up the remaining pieces, prepare for Como in the Coppa Italia, who even rested this weekend as their game against Milan was postponed. I don’t know if McTominay can recover for that, but he’d be a big loss if he didn’t.”

Daniele De Rossi blasted modern officiating after Genoa suffered a second consecutive 3-2 defeat decided by a stoppage-time penalty, this time against Napoli.

The Rossoblu had fought back bravely and matched the Partenopei for long spells, but their resistance was broken deep into added time, leaving the coach furious with the decision-making around spot-kicks.

“I don’t know what to say anymore,” De Rossi told DAZN. “I already talked last week about penalties. None of us know what a clear and obvious error is anymore. We no longer know if we have to step on a foot or just glance over it.

“The football that I played in no longer exists. I must tell my players to keep their arms behind their backs and not go into tackles. I don’t know what sport I am coaching.”

De Rossi: ‘We need courage and heart’

Genoa had come into the defeat to Lazio on a five-game unbeaten run, only to now lose back-to-back thrillers in identical fashion after late penalties against Lazio and Napoli.

“We need courage and heart, and we have that,” De Rossi continued. “Looking at the last two matches, losing in the 95th minute to penalties, it drives you crazy. I have to go into that dressing room and tell them they did well, because we didn’t deserve to lose again.

“Mistakes are part of football, but we stayed in the game. We were dealing with Højlund, one of the best strikers in the world when he has space to run. I’ve seen many teams take points off Napoli without playing as well as we did.

“We just have to gather ourselves and keep going.”

Genoa and Napoli played out a tight 3-2 affair as Antonio Conte’s side picked up all three points despite a spirited Genoa performance.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Scott McTominay, for his dominant performance in midfield, and goal, before having to come off to add to Napoli’s growing injury list.

Genoa 2-3 Napoli – Player Ratings

Genoa: Bijlow 5.5; Marcandalli 6.5, Ostigard 5.5, Vasquez 6; Norton-Cuffy 6, Malinovsky 7 (Messias 6), Frendrup 5.5, Ellertsson 6, Martin 5.5 (Masini 6); Colombo 7 (Ekuban 6.5), Vitina 6.5 (Cornet N/A)

Best Genoa Player: Lorenzo Colombo – Took his goal well and was one of the more dangerous elements of Genoa’s front line.

Lowest Genoa rating: Bijlow – Has been decent since his arrival at the club but had one of his poorer performances tonight. Could have done better for the first goal, did not look convincing.

Coach: Daniele De Rossi – 6.5 – Credit has to go to the Genoa coach who has really turned things around since his appointment. Was unlucky to be denied a point after setting up his team well to counter the champions.

Napoli: Meret 5.5; Rrahmani 7, Buongiorno 4.5 (Beukema 6), Juan Jesus 4.5; Gutierrez 5.5, Lobotka 6.5, McTominay 7.5 (Giovane 5.5), Spinazzola 6; Vergara 6.5, Elmas 6.5; Hojlund 7.5

Best Napoli player: Scott McTominay – Could have been Hojlund for his brace but, before he came off injured, the Scottish midfielder really demonstrated his value once more, controlling the midfield and scoring a delightful goal to give Napoli the lead before half-time.

Coach: Antonio Conte 6.5 – Still working with a barebones squad, McTominay the latest of a growing infirmary, but managed to avoid a potential banana skin thanks to a bit of good fortune on the day.

Napoli survived a penalty after 15 seconds, Scott McTominay injury and Juan Jesus red card to snatch a last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Genoa with Rasmus Hojlund’s brace.

The injury crisis dragged on for Antonio Conte, who was still missing Giovanni Di Lorenzo, David Neres, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour, while Matteo Politano and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic were only fit for the bench, but at least Amir Rrahmani returned to the starting XI. The Grifone saw their five-match unbeaten run ended by a chaotic 3-2 defeat to Lazio. Tommaso Baldanzi and Benjamin Siegrist missed out, and Leo Ostigard faced his former club.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It was a dramatic start, as within 15 seconds Alessandro Buongiorno panicked and hacked at a long ball, allowing Vitinha to run into the box, where he went down under an Alex Meret challenge. The referee awarded a penalty following the VAR review, so Ruslan Malinovskyi converted the spot-kick centrally.

Scott McTominay shinned an effort over from the edge of the box, but Napoli turned it around with an astonishing few minutes.

First McTominay’s angled drive was parried by Justin Bijlow into the path of Hojlund to tap in for his first Serie A goal of 2026.

Play had barely resumed when McTominay won a tackle in midfield and thumped a right-foot scorcher into the near bottom corner from 25 metres out.

Curiously, in those few seconds between the two goals, the Scotland international had gone to the touchline to get some magic spray on his right ankle. He was then visibly hobbling after the goal with a muscular issue at the back of the right leg.

Malinovskyi’s long-range screamer forced a flying Meret save out from under the bar on the stroke of half-time.

McTominay was replaced by Giovane, with Eljif Elmas dropping into midfield and Antonio Vergara shifting over to the left flank.

Genoa got back on level terms, and it was another howler from Buongiorno, who was caught napping in midfield and robbed by Lorenzo Colombo, who surges forward to drill into the far bottom corner.

Napoli fought back, Spinazzola scuffing the finish after a give and go with Hojlund, then a double chance where Miguel Gutierrez saw his finish charged down and Stanislav Lobotka ballooned over.

Malinovskyi and Vitinha also turned over from promising positions, but Napoli went down to 10 men when Juan Jesus pulled back Caleb Ekuban by the jersey for a second yellow card. It also means he’ll be suspended against his old club Roma next week.

There was drama deep into stoppages when Maxwel Cornet trod on Vergara’s foot during a Napoli corner. Just like in the opening minute, Massa had to be called to the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty. Hojlund slightly scuffed the spot-kick, his first ever in Serie A, and it squirmed under Justin Bijlow’s hand to give 10-man Napoli the victory.

Genoa 2-3 Napoli

Malinovskyi pen 3 (G), Hojlund 20, pen 95 (N), McTominay 22 (N), Colombo 57 (G)

Sent off: Juan Jesus 76 (N)

07-02-2026 17:00

MatchDay 24

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Napoli

2 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

		2'		Alex Meret
Ruslan Malinovskyi		3'
		20'		Rasmus Højlund
		21'		Scott McTominay (Assist: Amir Rrahmani)

2nd half

Johan Vásquez		50'
Lorenzo Colombo		57'
		59'		Juan Jesus
		76'		Juan Jesus
Alessandro Marcandalli		82'
		90+2'		Leonardo Spinazzola
		90+5'		Rasmus Højlund

Match statistic

40

Possession %

60

12

Total shots

14

3

Shots on target

5

8

Shots off target

7

1

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

3

1

Offsides

1

16

Fouls

12

Genoa

Napoli

Starting lineups

16

Justin Bijlow

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

74'

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

15

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

5

Leo Östigard

Defender

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

74'

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

64'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

9

Vitinha

Attacker

89'

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

60'

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

8

Scott McTominay

Midfielder

46'

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

Substitutes

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

13

Nils Zätterström

Defender

34

Sebastian Otoa

Defender

Amorim

Midfielder

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

64'

10

Junior Messias

Attacker

74'

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

74'

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

89'

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

98

Emmanuele De Chiara

Midfielder

95

Vincenzo Prisco

Midfielder

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

60'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

77'

23

Giovane

Attacker

Moise Kean returns to lead the Fiorentina attack Albert Gudmundsson and Manor Solomon, as Torino start Che Adams and Sandro Kulenovic.

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

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

The Viola remain in the relegation zone and their recent upturn in form hit another snag with three consecutive defeats between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.

It is perhaps no coincidence that Kean did not start any of those three games, but now makes his return after treatment for a recurring ankle injury.

Tariq Lamptey is the only remaining absentee, with January signings Marco Brescianini, Giovanni Fabbian, Solomon and Jack Harrison eager to make an impact.

Daniele Rugani gets his debut on the bench after the deadline day move from Juventus.

Torino ended their run of four consecutive Serie A defeats with a hard-fought and slender 1-0 win over Lecce.

They were also in action midweek in the Coppa Italia, losing the quarter-final 2-1 to Inter.

Coach Marco Baroni is forced into changes, as Nikola Vlasic and Matteo Prati are both suspended, with Ardian Ismajli and Zanos Savva injured.

Kulenovic scored on his debut for the Granata against Inter on Wednesday, and he starts here with Adams, who has shaken off a knock.

Fellow January signings Rafa Obrador and Luca Marianucci play in defence.

Fiorentina vs. Torino line-ups

Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodo, Comuzzo, Pongracic, Parisi; Fagioli; Solomon, Brescianini, Mandragora, Gudmundsson; Kean

Torino: Paleari; Marianucci, Maripan, Coco; Lazaro, Gineitis, Ilkhan, Casadei, Obrador; Kulenovic, Adams

07-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Artemio Franchi Stadium

Fiorentina

Torino

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		26'		Cesare Casadei (Assist: Emirhan Ilkhan)
		31'		Valentino Lazaro
Dodô		40'

2nd half

Manor Solomon (Assist: Rolando Mandragora)		51'
Moise Kean (Assist: Jack Harrison)		57'
		64'		Guillermo Maripán
		66'		Luca Marianucci
Pietro Comuzzo		90+3'
		90'		Gvidas Gineitis
		90+4'		Guillermo Maripán (Assist: Gvidas Gineitis)
		90+5'		Zakaria Aboukhlal

Match statistic

55

Possession %

45

21

Total shots

12

5

Shots on target

4

10

Shots off target

2

6

Blocked shots

6

9

Corners

4

3

Offsides

1

6

Fouls

23

Fiorentina

Torino

Starting lineups

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

65

Fabiano Parisi

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

4

Marco Brescianini

Midfielder

73'

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

73'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

48'

19

Manor Solomon

Attacker

85'

20

Moise Kean

Attacker

85'

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

46'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

69'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

59'

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

83'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

59'

Substitutes

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

1

Luca Lezzerini

Goalkeeper

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

29

Niccolò Fortini

Midfielder

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

Jack Harrison

Attacker

48'

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

73'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

73'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

85'

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

85'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

83

Sergiu Perciun

Midfielder

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

46'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

59'

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

59'

7

Zakaria Aboukhlal

Midfielder

69'

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

83'