New Juventus director Marco Ottolini confirms they ‘had tried’ to sign a striker in January, but are ‘proceeding with meetings’ for Luciano Spalletti and Weston McKennie contracts.

The Bianconeri did surprisingly little in the January transfer window, as although there were advanced negotiations with several forwards, including Randal Kolo Muani at Tottenham Hotspur via Paris Saint-Germain and Youssef En-Nesyri at Besiktas, nobody arrived.

Ottolini outlines Juventus strategy

“We had certain parameters that we had to stay within, so if there had been the right conditions, we would’ve done a deal,” director of sport Ottolini told Sport Mediaset.

“That was not the case for various reasons, but we are happy with the players we have, and we have faith in them.”

Last week was a celebratory one for Juventus, who locked talent Kenan Yildiz down to a new and improved contract.

Now the focus can turn to others who are running down their current deals, including the coach and prolific midfielder McKennie.

“Now that the transfer window is closed, we can look at those issues of contract renewals, and that is what we are doing,” assured Ottolini.

“We are very happy with the Yildiz deal, with regards to McKennie we are proceeding with meetings, while we are very happy with the coach and will sit down with him over the next few weeks.”

Juventus are up against Inter in the fiery Derby d’Italia on Saturday, trying to take down the runaway Serie A leaders, but Roma caught them in fourth place after a 2-2 draw with Lazio.

“At times results come, at others they don’t, but we are extremely happy with the way the team is performing, and we must keep going with conviction.”

After that, Juventus will also be gearing up for the Champions League play-off against Galatasaray.

“The extremely important objective for us is a top four finish, then we’ll concentrate on Istanbul, and hope to go through to the next round,” concluded Ottolini.

Cagliari talent Marco Palestra, on loan from Atalanta, is likely to be called up by Gennaro Gattuso for Italy’s World Cup play-offs next month.

It would be the first senior call for the winger, who will celebrate his 21^st birthday on March 3.

He was only one year old when Italy last won the World Cup in 2006, but he could help the Nazionale to qualify for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer, after missing the last two editions.

Palestra ready for senior Italy debut

According to Sky Sport Italia, Palestra will be in the squad named by Gattuso for the play-offs, which start against Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on March 26.

If they win, then the Final of the play-off will be against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.

A product of the Atalanta youth academy, Palestra plays on the right side of Cagliari’s 3-5-2 formation, but can also be a right-back.

He contributed one goal and four assists in 23 Serie A games for the Sardinians so far this season.

The possible absence of Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the right further boosts Palestra’s chances of featuring.

Gian Piero Gasperini cannot hide his joy at Donyell Malen’s arrival for Roma after the brace to beat Cagliari. ‘He is in the Gianluca Vialli mould, he will score a ton of goals.’

The Giallorossi knew that this was a big opportunity to recapture fourth place after Juventus were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.

They certainly took it, as Malen bagged a goal either side of half-time to secure the 2-0 victory, beating a Cagliari side who were coming off three consecutive wins, yet had just one shot on target.

Gasperini feels Malen brings ‘vast repertoire’ to Roma

“Undoubtedly it was a very good performance, the first half especially was played at a strong tempo,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.

“We were coming off a defeat to Udinese, but the team showed great strength of character to react to those difficulties, and also played some very good football. It’s a pity we didn’t score more goals, as it left the game somewhat open, but it was good.”

Malen really was the striker that the coach had been looking for, having criticised the movements of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, which the former Aston Villa man seems to already understand so well.

“I am convinced he will score a ton of goals this season, so we must know how to give him the right service for his characteristics. We’ve got quality in the attack that is difficult to contain now, as he has a vast repertoire,” smiled Gasperini.

In the post-match interview, Malen had been asked if he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Serie A’s ultimate Dutch legend Marco van Basten, and blushed at the comparison.

“Van Basten was physically very different too, but I do see more similarities with Vialli, in his power, the movement to shake off markers, diagonal runs attacking the space, there is something in the Vialli mould,” insisted Gasperini.

There was also a debut for January signing Bryan Zaragoza, who seemed considerably more impressive going forward than when defending.

Now that the transfer window has closed, did Gasperini get all the characteristics he was looking for to challenge the others in the fight for the top four?

“We always try to be up to the standards of our rivals. We have caught Juventus, while Napoli and Milan are there, Inter have gone by now I think, Atalanta and Como are not far behind us. If we are up there after 24 rounds, that is important, but we want to keep growing in attack.

“The arrival of Malen certainly gives us much more. Now we hope to get some of the players back from injury, but it’s undeniable you need a prolific and efficient set of forwards, otherwise you will not achieve the prestigious targets.”

Cagliari only really threatened Roma with the attacks of wing-back Marco Palestra, who Gasperini had launched into the Atalanta squad last season.

“Palestra was born in 2005, so he’s a kid, but already a top player. We started training him with the youth team at the age of 17, but seeing as Atalanta had an Under-23 team set up by then, and we had a lot of alternatives in the role, he played for them.

“He played a bit in Serie A and the Champions League last season, so it helped, but he is now really flourishing at a young age.”

In an unusually good mood, this was also a rare match without a single VAR intervention.

“It was wonderful, it’s the best! It means everything went smoothly, we didn’t see a lot of stoppages either, so we got to see more football. When the referee sees it all and is able to judge without cameras, that’s the perfect match.”

Donyell Malen blushed at Marco van Basten comparisons after scoring three goals in his first four Serie A games for Roma. ‘I’m very happy, it was a good day.’

It was a great night for the Giallorossi, and by no means to be taken for granted considering Cagliari were coming off three consecutive victories.

Malen had scored on his Serie A debut against Torino on January 18, but these were his first goals at the Stadio Olimpico, and his first brace.

The former Aston Villa striker first beat Elia Caprile from the tightest of angles with a delicate dink, then got between defenders to slide onto the Zeki Celik roll across from the right.

Malen having ideal start at Roma

Inevitably, he was the Lega Serie A Man of the Match, so is the Dutchman looking to follow in the footsteps of Milan legend Marco van Basten in Italian football?

“Van Basten was a very special player, no!” blushed Malen on Sky Sport Italia.

“I’m very happy, a good win, I’m happy with the goals, nice assist, everybody played well, so it was a good day.”

Malen arrived on loan from Aston Villa at a cost of €2m, with option to buy for €25m that can become an obligation of Roma qualify for European football at the end of this season.

He now has an impressive three goals in just four Serie A games.

Standing next to Roma youth academy product Niccolò Pisilli, Malen was asked for a verdict on the midfielder.

“He’s amazing, I always talk to him in training, we need players with his kind of energy, and he brings that to the team.”

The Giallorossi knew that a victory would allow them to catch Juventus in joint fourth place, after the Bianconeri were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.

“It was a good performance, I tried to give my contribution, we played with a lot of intensity, and at times some quality football,” added Pisilli to Sky Sport Italia.

“A modern football player must be able to do everything, especially in midfield.”

Donyell Malen bagged his first brace in the Roma jersey to beat on-form Cagliari, allowing them to catch Juventus in fourth place, with Bryan Zaragoza also making his debut.

The Giallorossi missed Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz, Mario Hermoso, Manu Koné, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy, while Gianluca Mancini played with a protective mask after surgery on a broken nose, but deadline day signing Bryan Zaragoza was on the bench. The Sardinians had won three on the bounce against Juventus, Fiorentina and Verona, and beat Roma 1-0 back on December 7 after Zeki Celik saw red. Yerry Mina, Alessandro Deiola, Michael Folorunsho, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti missed the trip.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Malen was denied by a desperate Juan Rodriguez block from six yards, then Elia Caprile almost got into a terrible tangle controlling a back-pass, forced to sprint back and clear it before the ball completely crossed the line of an empty net.

Matias Soulé curled just wide of the far post, while Niccolò Pisilli rode two tackles to test Caprile at the base of the near post.

Roma took the lead with a moment of rare skill, as Malen ran onto the Mancini through ball down the right and dinked up a delicate finish over the on-rushing Caprile to score from the tightest of angles with his right foot. It was the ex-Aston Villa striker’s first goal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Donyell Malen hits a perfect chip to give Roma the lead over Cagliari

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aG8KVFaLaE

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

Malen threatened again with a header off target at the back stick, while Daniele Ghilardi nodded a Lorenzo Pellegrini cross just wide.

Zaragoza made his debut and immediately stood up a cross for the audacious Malen scissor-kick volley at the back post, but it was Zeki Celik who provided the assist for the second Malen goal, rolling it across from the right for the tap-in from point-blank range, getting between defenders.

Donyell Malen at the double to extend Roma's lead

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bmMS8LxMNG

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

There was almost a third moments later, but this time Malen sliding in couldn’t connect with the Soulé ball across the six-yard box.

Zaragoza also tested Caprile at the base of the near post, but his error allowed Marco Palestra to break down the right and force a tricky Mile Svilar save.

Cagliari threatened to get back into it at the 79^th minute when a sudden long-range Ibrahim Sulemana scorcher clipped the top of the crossbar.

They also went close when Alberto Dossena at full stretch flicked inches wide of the back stick on a free kick.

Neil El Aynaoui came off the bench and immediately tested Caprile with a powerful volley.

Roma 2-0 Cagliari

Malen 25, 65 (R)

09-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Cagliari

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		5'		Alberto Dossena
Donyell Malen (Assist: Gianluca Mancini)		25'
		40'		Marco Palestra

2nd half

Gianluca Mancini		58'
		61'		Gianluca Gaetano
Donyell Malen (Assist: Zeki Celik)		65'
Bryan Zaragoza		82'
		89'		Riyad Idrissi

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

15

Total shots

3

5

Shots on target

1

6

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

0

7

Corners

1

3

Offsides

0

18

Fouls

14

Roma

Cagliari

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

84'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

57'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

84'

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

84'

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

87'

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

87'

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

59'

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

73'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

91

Radoslaw Zelezny

Goalkeeper

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

57'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

84'

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

84'

68

Antonio Arena

Attacker

84'

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

59'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

73'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

73'

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

87'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

87'

Raffaele Palladino saw the kind of ‘maturity’ he was looking for in Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Cremonese, and admits they ‘wanted Giacomo Raspadori at all costs.’

La Dea were feeling confident after last week’s 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus, but knew they had struggled against the newly-promoted clubs in Serie A.

That issue was resolved this evening thanks to goals from Nikola Krstovic and Davide Zappacosta, although it was once again a tense finale despite their overall domination, when Morten Thorsby got one back late on.

Palladino sees Atalanta progress

“It was an important response from the squad, including those who haven’t played as much, like Mario Pasalic, and Lazar Samardzic, who had to step in at the last second,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.

The late change was because Charles De Ketelaere pulled out in the warm-up with a knee issue, having already lost Gianluca Scamacca earlier in the day.

Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor were also suspended, further limiting the options available.

“Sead Kolasinac hadn’t started for a while either, Krstovic had a great performance, so they all had the right spirit today. I like that whoever plays, they step up and give the best of their abilities.

“They give their all and sweat for the jersey. That must be the spirit of this team, it is what our fans need to see.”

When Palladino took the job from Ivan Juric, Atalanta were in 13^th place and just one point ahead of Cremonese, but the situation has been transformed and they qualified for the Coppa Italia semi-final, and the Champions League play-offs too.

“We are happy and proud, but must also remember we’ve done nothing yet, because we’re still lagging behind in the Serie A table,” warned the coach.

“I said this game would be a test of our maturity, and I saw a very mature team.”

The arrival of Raspadori from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, with Ademola Lookman going the other way, also added a different dimension to the Atalanta attack.

“Jack is a player we wanted at all costs,” explained Palladino.

“The club did really well to make him understand this was the right project for him. He’s young, Italian, and a winner, so he brought the right mentality and settled in straight away. He’s got to play as much as possible to find his best form, as he’s still lacking a bit of sharpness, but I’m very happy with what he’s doing.”

Cagliari director Guido Angelozzi reveals how they got to secure the Semih Kilicsoy bargain from Besiktas, noting they’d be ‘crazy not to’ buy him. ‘He can be worth €40m.’

The Sardinians are in action at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome this evening for their Serie A Week 24 fixture against Roma.

You can follow the action as it happens from that game on the Liveblog.

Kilicsoy has flourished at Cagliari

Few knew who Kilicsoy was when he arrived in Cagliari over the summer from Besiktas, on loan for €1m with an option to buy for a further €12m.

There are also another €2m in add-ons, and Besiktas are owed a 10 per cent cut of any future sale fee.

“He is a great talent and there are many teams around Europe who are watching him,” Angelozzi told Sky Sport Italia.

There were reports last week that Cagliari tried to activate the purchase option early in order to save money, but that Besiktas refused to change the terms of the agreement.

That makes it clear that the Serie A club will use the option for €12m, though.

“How can we not? We’d be crazy not to buy him,” explained the director.

Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella is in Italy at the moment and has been visiting some of his players who are in Serie A, including Kilicsoy.

“He is a young and extraordinary player, who scored some remarkable goals. Montella visited us and said he is a very interesting player,” added Angelozzi.

“If he keeps going like this, he can be worth €40m.”

How did Cagliari manage to beat everyone to sign this young talent, who was only 19 when he joined?

“Agent Federico Pastorello suggested him to our President, so we started tracking him, sent a scout to Turkiye, and then called Montella’s assistant manager, who spoke highly of the player.”

Watch as former Aston Villa striker Donyell Malen scores his first Roma goal at the Stadio Olimpico with a delicate chipped finish from a tight angle against Cagliari.

You can follow the action as it happens from that Serie A match on the Liveblog.

The centre-forward has really flourished since his January transfer to Italy, on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.

He broke the deadlock this evening in the Eternal City when running onto a Gianluca Mancini pass and dinking the finish over on-rushing goalkeeper Elia Caprile from the tightest of angles.

The Dutchman had also scored on his Roma debut, a 2-0 result away to Torino on January 18, but this was his first goal at the Stadio Olimpico.

Malen on target for Roma

Donyell Malen hits a perfect chip to give Roma the lead over Cagliari

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aG8KVFaLaE

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

WHAT A CHIP FROM DONYELL MALEN

Two goals in his first four matches at Roma pic.twitter.com/iyeG0xJveI

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 9, 2026

Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella visited the Juventus training camp today and assured Kenan Yildiz ‘has immense potential and some similarities’ to Alessandro Del Piero.

The former Roma boss is taking the Turkish team to the 2026 World Cup this summer, so is visiting his home country to speak with some of the players available for selection.

You can read his comments on Cagliari talent Semih Kilicsoy here.

Montella visits Turkish talent in Serie A

Montella was present at the Continassa training camp in Turin today, where he was a guest of Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti.

Of course, he was there to see Kenan Yildiz, who just signed a new contract with the Bianconeri until June 2030.

“I am very happy, Kenan was already part of the national team when he was still in the Next Gen Juventus team,” Montella told Il Messaggero newspaper via Tuttomercatoweb.

“He is a player with immense potential and is still developing. Kenan manages to combine natural talent with the right mentality, as he really wants to keep improving himself.

“I predict a future for him at the highest level for many years to come.”

Kenan Yildiz adores Del Piero

There were some references to Del Piero in the announcement of a new contract for Kenan Yildiz, who never disguised that Pinturicchio was his hero.

Wearing the Number 10 jersey, can he follow in Del Piero’s footsteps at Juve?

“There are some similarities, for example the way he shoots, and he has already scored some goals that are very similar to ones netted by Alex, but in terms of general characteristics, they are different,” noted Montella.

Roma director Ricky Massara admits it is time for ‘definitive’ decisions on new contracts for Paulo Dybala and others, while Francesco Totti is again present. ‘We want what is best for Roma.’

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

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

New signing Bryan Zaragoza is on the bench ready for his debut, but Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz, Mario Hermoso, Manu Koné, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy are out of action.

Gianluca Mancini had surgery last week for a broken nose, so he is able to play with a protective mask this evening.

Roma looking to future beyond this season

“Zaragoza was an opportunity that presented itself at the end of the transfer market, a strong player who has the characteristics that we were specifically lacking in our attack,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.

There are reports that Dybala and Pellegrino will need to take pay cuts if they are to be given new contracts at the Stadio Olimpico, while Zeki Celik and El Shaarawy are also only tied to the club until June 30.

“This is the moment to make some definitive reflections,” confessed the Roma director.

“We have always had a good rapport with the agents of these players, so we need to sit down around a table and understand if there is the possibility of an agreement.

“All the players whose contracts are running down have never lacked in their commitment and professionalism.”

Director Claudio Ranieri suggested last week that the Friedkin family are thinking about bringing club icon Totti into the fold, so is it a coincidence that the former captain is in the stands again this evening?

“Totti is the history of this club,” replied Massara.

“He has a very good rapport with the Friedkins, and this kind of evaluation is entirely down to the club, whose objective is to do what is best for Roma.

“They will know if and when it is opportune to start working together.”

This is a big opportunity for the Giallorossi to climb back into joint fourth place with Juventus, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.

It won’t be easy, as Cagliari are on a run of three consecutive victories against Juve, Fiorentina and Hellas Verona, also beating Roma 1-0 back on December 7 when Zeki Celik was sent off.

Atalanta secured a 2-1 victory with Nikola Krstovic and Davide Zappacosta goals, though Morten Thorsby finally ended Cremonese’s goal drought on his debut.

La Dea were fresh off a 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus, but in Serie A had drawn two of the last three. Marten De Roon and Honest Ahanor sat out bans, but Gianluca Scamacca was not fully fit and Charles De Ketelaere pulled out in the warm-up, replaced by Lazar Samardzic. Cremonese missed Matteo Bianchetti, Warren Bondo, Michele Collocolo and Jari Vandeputte, but had new buys Morten Thorsby and Youssef Maleh. They were without a win since December 7, managing three draws and six defeats.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Federico Baschirotto charged down an early effort from his former Lecce teammate Nikola Krstovic, while Emil Audero palmed a Giacomo Raspadori strike out from under the bar. On the resulting corner, he fingertipped a Berat Djimsiti header onto the upright.

The early siege paid off when Krstovic hooked a Raspadori cross with his back to goal, turned his marker and immediately smashed the finish in at the near bottom corner.

It was nearly 2-0 when Raspadori sent Nicola Zalewski down the left, his cross found Samardzic on the edge of the area to rattle the crossbar with a ferocious strike.

That did come eventually, as Davide Zappacosta sprinted down the right, cut inside Giuseppe Pezzella and bent the left-foot finish across Audero into the far bottom corner from a tight angle. It was his first goal of the season.

Cremonese saw Tommaso Barbieri and Thorsby attempts go off target, but then lost Federico Ceccherini to a muscular problem.

Zalewski’s daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the upright, while Thorsby couldn’t keep his free header on target from a Baschirotto cross.

Samardzic drilled just wide of the far post on a Zalewski pull-back, then Raspadori fired over from Ederson’s cross after a Lorenzo Bernasconi back-heel flick.

Ederson was a little hesitant when sent clear and allowed Baschirotto to make the last-ditch tackle, while Kamaldeen Sulemana fired straight at Audero after squirming away from two defenders.

Milan Djuric thought he’d ended Cremonese’s goal drought in the final minute with a header at the back post on Alessio Zerbin’s cross, but Marco Carnesecchi clawed it off the line.

In stoppages, there was a mad scramble on a corner until Berat Djimsiti prodded it over the line from six yards, but it was disallowed because Sulemana was offside in one of those attempts.

Instead, Cremonese ended their goal drought after almost a full five games without finding the net. New signing Thorsby controlled a Sebastiano Luperto cross from the left, juggled it off his head, and hit the volley off balance to surprise Carnesecchi.

Atalanta 2-1 Cremonese

Krstovic 13 (A), Zappacosta 25 (A), Thorsby 94 (C)

09-02-2026 17:30

MatchDay 24

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Cremonese

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Nikola Krstovic (Assist: Giacomo Raspadori)		13'
Davide Zappacosta (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		25'

2nd half

Sead Kolasinac		49'
Odilon Kossounou		82'
		90+4'		Morten Thorsby (Assist: Sebastiano Luperto)

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

29

Total shots

12

9

Shots on target

2

10

Shots off target

7

10

Blocked shots

3

13

Corners

2

2

Offsides

4

11

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Cremonese

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

59'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

59'

13

Éderson

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

70'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70'

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

78'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

6

Federico Baschirotto

Defender

23

Federico Ceccherini

Defender

40'

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

5

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

4

Tommaso Barbieri

Defender

84'

33

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

63'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

29

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

90

Federico Bonazzoli

Attacker

46'

10

Jamie Vardy

Attacker

63'

Substitutes

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

4

Isak Hien

Defender

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

59'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

59'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

70'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

70'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

78'

69

Lapo Nava

Goalkeeper

16

Marco Silvestri

Goalkeeper

14

Faris Moumbagna

Attacker

55

Francesco Folino

Defender

22

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Defender

25

Davide Pavesi

Defender

24

Filippo Terracciano

Midfielder

40'

9

Milan Djuric

Attacker

46'

99

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

63'

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

63'

7

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

84'

Roma start Donyell Malen, Matias Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini against Semih Kilicsoy’s on-form Cagliari, as a victory would put them in joint fourth spot.

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

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

The injury crisis drags on for the Giallorossi, even after they had the rare treat of a whole week to prepare for this match.

Form has been stuttering of late, managing only draws with Milan and Panathinaikos, then defeated 1-0 at Udinese last Monday.

Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz and Mario Hermoso were added to the injury list, which already included Artem Dovbyk, Manu Koné, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy.

Gianluca Mancini had surgery for a broken nose and therefore has to play with a protective mask.

Gian Piero Gasperini was tempted to launch deadline day signing Bryan Zaragoza directly into the starting XI with fellow January buy Malen, backed by Soulé, but instead opts for Pellegrini.

As Juventus were held 2-2 by Lazio last night, it means a win here would put Roma back in joint fourth place.

Cagliari are on sparkling form after three consecutive Serie A victories against Juventus, Fiorentina and Verona, which saw them climb to mid-table comfort.

They also remember beating Roma 1-0 in Sardinia back on December 7 after Zeki Celik was sent off.

Coach Fabio Pisacane is missing some big players too, as Yerry Mina, Alessandro Deiola, Michael Folorunsho, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti are out of action.

Turkish talent Semih Kilicsoy is flourishing, with Sebastiano Esposito and Atalanta-owned Marco Palestra.

Alberto Dossena was added to the squad on deadline day from Como.

Roma vs. Cagliari line-ups

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen

Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Dossena, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gaetano, Mazzitelli; Palestra, Kilicsoy, Esposito

09-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Cagliari

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		5'		Alberto Dossena
Donyell Malen (Assist: Gianluca Mancini)		25'
		40'		Marco Palestra

2nd half

Gianluca Mancini		58'
		61'		Gianluca Gaetano
Donyell Malen (Assist: Zeki Celik)		65'
Bryan Zaragoza		82'
		89'		Riyad Idrissi

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

15

Total shots

3

5

Shots on target

1

6

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

0

7

Corners

1

3

Offsides

0

18

Fouls

14

Roma

Cagliari

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

84'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

57'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

84'

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

84'

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

87'

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

87'

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

59'

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

73'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

91

Radoslaw Zelezny

Goalkeeper

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

57'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

84'

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

84'

68

Antonio Arena

Attacker

84'

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

59'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

73'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

73'

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

87'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

87'

Cesc Fabregas insists Como will face Napoli with ‘our usual mindset’ in tomorrow’s Coppa Italia quarter-final in an ‘iconic stadium.’

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

The winners will then go on to face Inter in the two-legged semi-final.

However, tomorrow victory is to be decided after 90 minutes, or go directly to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time.

Fabregas and Como ambitious in Coppa Italia

“Tomorrow we have a huge game ahead of us,” warned Fabregas to the official Como website.

“It is a knockout match against the reigning Italian champions, playing in an iconic stadium. We will go out there with our usual mindset and keep our focus sharp.”

When these sides met here earlier in the season in Serie A, it ended 0-0 on November 1, a very positive result for the Lariani.

Assane Diao is the only remaining injury absentee, but it remains to be seen if Fabregas will impose any squad rotation for this test.

They had crushed Lazio 3-0 and Torino 6-0 before the Coppa Italia Round of 16 victory away to Fiorentina, 3-1.

However, last Sunday the team failed to break down 10-man Atalanta in a goalless draw, with Marco Carnesecchi saving the last-gasp Nico Paz penalty.

They didn’t play at the weekend, as their game with Milan was postponed for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at San Siro.

Our team for the Coppa Italia match against Napoli pic.twitter.com/aWyclDJVAX

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) February 9, 2026

Charles De Ketelaere was initially named in the Atalanta starting line-up to take on Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening, but the Belgium international was forced to drop out at the last minute. 

De Ketelaere drops out of Atalanta line-up at the last minute

De Ketelaere felt something in his knee during the warm-up ahead of Monday’s Serie A clash between Atalanta and Cremonese at the New Balance Arena and was unable to take his place in the starting line-up. That made for an opportunity for Lazar Samardzic to play instead. 

You can follow the action from Monday evening’s Serie A matches on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Raffaele Palladino already had injuries in mind when naming his starting line-up. Gianluca Scamacca started and scored in the 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Juventus on Thursday, but reported a minor issue in training ahead of the Cremonese match and was also unavailable to start. 

Nikola Krstovic started at centre-forward instead and opened the scoring for La Dea within 13 minutes against Cremonese.

Reports in Italy confirm that Torino officially triggered their obligation to buy clause for striker Giovanni Simeone during their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina in Serie A, which is set to bring in around €5.5m for selling club Napoli. 

Official: Torino have triggered Simeone obligation to buy from Napoli

Simeone has spent the 2025-26 on loan with Torino in a deal that also includes an obligation to buy. 

According to reports from Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com, the obligation to buy clause kicked in after Torino’s first match in February, which happened to be the 2-2 draw with Fiorentina over the weekend. 

This means that Torino will be obliged to pay Napoli a fee of €5.5m plus up to an extra €1m in easily achievable add-ons. Torino have already paid the Partenopei a reported fee of €1.5m to sign Simeone on loan for the 2025-26 season. 

Simeone has scored five goals from 18 outings in Serie A so far this season. 

Roma are just one point away from triggering the obligation to buy clause in Daniele Ghilardi’s contract, which will bring a small financial boost for both Hellas Verona and Fiorentina. 

Roma one point away from permanent Ghilardi signing: Verona and Fiorentina profit

Ghilardi joined Roma on loan with a potential obligation to buy during the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old has had to bide his time for opportunities at the Stadio Olimpico, but he has since started in four of the last five rounds of Serie A fixtures. 

Ghilardi joined Roma with a loan fee reported to be worth €2.5m. The Giallorossi will also have to pay a further €8m plus potentially €1m in bonuses in the event that his transfer is made permanent. 

According to reports from Calciomercato.com, the option to buy clause in Ghilardi’s contract will be triggered after the first point that Roma pick up during the month of February. There is a high possibility that that happens on Monday evening, as long as Gian Piero Gasperini’s side avoids defeat at home against Cagliari in Serie A (kicking off at 19.45 GMT). 

You can follow the action from Monday night’s Serie A matches on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Ghilardi’s former club, Verona, will not receive the full fee once the transfer is made permanent, though, as Fiorentina are entitled to a 50% sell-on clause. 

That means that both Verona and Fiorentina will receive €4m for Ghilardi’s transfer to Roma (plus up to €500,000 each in bonuses). Verona and Fiorentina also split the €2.5m loan fee equally.

Nikola Krstovic is called back in to lead the line for Atalanta, who face off against Jamie Vardy and Cremonese in Serie A on Monday evening. 

Atalanta are coming in off the back of a 3-0 Coppa Italia victory over Juventus on Thursday evening and a 0-0 draw after being reduced to 10 men early on in their away game against Como last time out in Serie A. 

Raffaele Palladino’s side sit in seventh place in the league table ahead of kick-off. 

Cremonese had started the 2025-26 season in impressive form, but have only picked up two points from their last seven matches in Serie A, which has them tumbling concerningly towards the relegation zone. 

Davide Nicola’s side are in 16th place, five points above the drop zone ahead of kick-off. 

Atalanta have stuck with the same core of the team that beat Juventus in the cup for tonight’s game against Cremonese, but have swapped Honest Ahanor for Sead Kolasinac at the back, Mario Pasalic for Marten De Roon, Nicola Zalewski in place of Luca Bernasconi and Nikola Krstovic instead of Gianluca Scammaca at centre-forward. 

Cremonese once again turn to Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli to lead their attacking line. They have made three changes after their recent 2-0 loss against Inter, with Sebastiano Luperto coming in for Francesco Folino, Tommaso Barbieri instead of Filippo Terracciano and Morten Thorsby instead of Alessio Zerbin. 

Kick-off is due at 17.30 GMT. 

Atalanta vs. Cremonese: Confirmed line-ups 

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Krstovic.

Cremonese (3-5-2): Audero; Ceccherini, Baschirotto, Luperto; Barbieri, Thorsby, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella; Vardy, Bonazzoli.

09-02-2026 17:30

MatchDay 24

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Cremonese

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Nikola Krstovic (Assist: Giacomo Raspadori)		13'
Davide Zappacosta (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		25'

2nd half

Sead Kolasinac		49'
Odilon Kossounou		82'
		90+4'		Morten Thorsby (Assist: Sebastiano Luperto)

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

29

Total shots

12

9

Shots on target

2

10

Shots off target

7

10

Blocked shots

3

13

Corners

2

2

Offsides

4

11

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Cremonese

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

59'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

59'

13

Éderson

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

70'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70'

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

78'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

6

Federico Baschirotto

Defender

23

Federico Ceccherini

Defender

40'

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

5

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

4

Tommaso Barbieri

Defender

84'

33

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

63'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

29

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

90

Federico Bonazzoli

Attacker

46'

10

Jamie Vardy

Attacker

63'

Substitutes

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

4

Isak Hien

Defender

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

59'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

59'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

70'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

70'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

78'

69

Lapo Nava

Goalkeeper

16

Marco Silvestri

Goalkeeper

14

Faris Moumbagna

Attacker

55

Francesco Folino

Defender

22

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Defender

25

Davide Pavesi

Defender

24

Filippo Terracciano

Midfielder

40'

9

Milan Djuric

Attacker

46'

99

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

63'

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

63'

7

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

84'

{rsn-live-v2}

Italy and Juventus legend Marco Tardelli was highly critical of Bianconeri owner John Elkann, saying that he doesn’t follow the team enough: ‘I hope they find a new owner.’

Tardelli did not hold back his criticism of Juventus owner Elkann while attending the premiere of the documentary film ‘Juventus, Primo Amore’, which recounts Juventus’ sporting achievements between 1975 and 1985.

When the 1982 Italy World Cup winner was asked what Juventus are lacking currently, he replied (via Gazzetta): “Somebody who loves Juventus.

Tardelli: ‘Perhaps I miss Andrea Agnelli’

“The Avvocato [ex-Juventus President Gianni Agnelli] didn’t use Juventus as a business, but he enjoyed being with the players. Nowadays, the owners don’t follow it much. I’ve never really been on good terms with him, but perhaps I miss Andrea Agnelli. He was on the pitch. Back then, there was somebody you could talk to.

“Now the Frenchmen have arrived, and despite having made a mess of things, they’re still there,” concluded Tardelli.

“I hope Juventus find a new owner.”

Comolli only arrived at Juventus last summer as the Bianconeri sacked sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli after two seasons.

Following Comolli’s appointment, Juventus also promoted their legend Giorgio Chiellini as the Director of Football Strategy, François Modesto as the Technical Director and Marco Ottolini as the Sporting Director.

Comolli was initially Juventus’ General Manager, but was promoted to the club’s CEO this past November.

Juventus recently announced Kenan Yildiz’s contract extension until 2030. They currently sit fourth in the standings, 12 points below leaders Inter.

Inter and Italy star Federico Dimarco has set a new record for the most assists provided by a defender in Serie A after 24 matches after laying on three goals for his teammates during Sunday evening’s 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo. 

Dimarco shining for Inter and Italy

Dimarco was the star of the show as Inter picked up a 5-0 victory away against Sassuolo with five different players on the scoresheet: Yann Bisseck, Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique. Dimarco provided assists for three of them on the night. 

Sunday’s game means that Dimarco is now up to 11 assists in Serie A in 2025-26. Before the weekend, no defender had ever recorded more than nine assists after the same number of matches in the Italian top flight according to Opta records. 

Dimarco is also closing in on the all-time Serie A record for the most assists within a single season. That title is currently held by Papu Gomez, who came up with 16 assists for his Atalanta teammates during the 2019-20 season. 

What’s more impressive about Dimarco’s tally is that he has only featured in 22 of the 24 Serie A matches that Inter have played this season. He also has five league goals to his name, plus 11 assists. That totals 16 goal involvements from 22 league appearances from wing-back.

Other sources with looser definitions of what an assist is claim that Dimarco is already up to 13 for the season, rather than 11.

Dimarco also has four assists from six World Cup qualifying appearances with the Italy national team this season as well.

Inter were so deadly from corner kicks against Sassuolo that Cristian Chivu told his staff members: ‘It’s like a penalty.’

Inter secured a convincing 5-0 win over Sassuolo on Sunday, scoring the opening two goals from corner kicks taken by Federico Dimarco.

How Chivu reacted to Inter’s corner kick goals

The Italian has already provided nine assists in Serie A this season.

As reported by Sky Sport Italia (via FcInter1908), when Inter scored their second goal with their second corner kick, everyone celebrated with Inter’s set-piece coach Angelo Palombo, a former Inter and Sampdoria midfielder.

The Nerazzurri boss, Cristian Chivu, was so impressed with the outcome that he jokingly told his staff members: “That’s not a corner kick, it’s a penalty kick.”

Inter have the best attack in Serie A

Inter have the best attack in Serie A with 57 goals, including 13 scored from corner kicks, in 24 games.

They are the table leaders with an eight-point lead over their city rivals Milan, who sit second, but the Rossoneri have a game in hand, to be played against Como at San Siro on February 18.

Weston McKennie has scored seven goals since Juventus appointed Luciano Spalletti at the end of October, resulting in the highest-scoring Serie A midfielder across all competitions.

USMNT international McKennie has proved to be a real added value for Juventus over the last three months.

Seven McKennie goals under Spalletti

As reported by Opta on X social media, the American is the Serie A midfielder with the most goals scored across all competitions since the end of October. McKennie has netted seven times for Juventus under Spalletti.

McKennie had only provided one assist in 10 appearances under Luciano Spalletti’s predecessor, Igor Tudor, in the first part of 2025-26, making five appearances as a starter.

McKennie’s Juventus future remains uncertain as his contract expires in June 2026.

McKennie contributed to 11 Juventus goals under Spalletti

Recent reports in Italy, however, suggest that the two parties are open to reaching an agreement over a new deal, particularly after McKennie’s impressive performances under the new Juventus coach.

McKennie has also provided four assists under Spalletti, contributing to 11 goals in 22 appearances with the Tuscan in charge.

Napoli defender Juan Jesus feels VAR is creating more confusion than before, so it ‘becomes hard for everyone to remain passionate about football.’

Napoli defender Juan Jesus has strongly criticised the recent use of VAR in Serie A.

Juan Jesus: ‘We’ve taken a step backwards’ with VAR

During an interview with Sport Mediaset on the eve of a Coppa Italia match against Como, the Brazilian said: “I’ve lived through two different eras, like De Rossi. I’ve spent 15 years in Italy, even when there was a referee behind the goal line. If there are tools to help referees make fewer mistakes, that’s great, but from what I see, there’s a debate about everything: penalties, free kicks, yellow or red cards. We know the referee is a human being. Today, I don’t see any improvement in anything. There’s nothing but controversy, with us and with any other team. I think we’ve taken a step backwards instead of forward.”

Napoli secured a 3-2 win over De Rossi’s Genoa thanks to a late penalty kick earned by Antonio Vergara.

De Rossi was highly critical of the decision, saying: “The football that I played in no longer exists.”

Juan Jesus seemed to agree with his former Roma teammate: “There’s a bit of confusion. If there’s a line, you follow it. Otherwise, you leave things as they were before,” said the Napoli defender.

“There has to be room for a human being to make mistakes, whether it’s the referee or the linesman. I remember my handball against Lecce. I couldn’t do anything. My arm was tucked in; there was no opponent behind me. On the freeze-frame, they saw that I touched it. The same goes for a stamp. Football is played with your feet, not with your hands. If every time there’s a contact on the attacker’s foot, even in midfield, it should always be a foul. If it turns into the kind of confusion we’ve been seeing lately, unfortunately, it becomes hard for everyone to remain passionate about football.

“I heard what De Rossi said, and we are sorry. Maybe players will start training to hit the ball onto an opponent’s hand to win a penalty, or go to look for contact inside the box. It becomes a bad advert for the game.”

Juan Jesus has played for Inter, Roma and Napoli in Serie A. He arrived in Italy from Internacional in 2012, joining Inter, where he spent the following four seasons.

The experienced Brazilian centre-back has crossed paths with some legendary Serie A defenders over the last 15 years.

“I played in an era with defenders like Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci. I had the pleasure to play alongside Walter Samuel, Cristian Chivu and Lucio,” he concluded.

“They were all physical defenders who enjoyed contact. If they played today, they’d play one match and miss the next.”

There will surely be vast numbers of fans looking for Scotland World Cup tickets, so we’ve put together this handy guide for how to buy Scotland World Cup tickets for the summer 2026 tournament in North America.

BUY SCOTLAND TICKETS FOR 2026 WORLD CUP

It’s the first time since all the way back in 1998 that Scotland have qualified for the World Cup, so this truly could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a lot of fans to see their team play live at this level.

After a thrilling qualifying campaign, Scotland are now preparing for what could be a memorable summer as they hope to make the most of this chance to make history for themselves, with big names like Scott McTominay and Andrew Robertson sure to be particularly keen to show that they deserve to be at this level.

How to buy Scotland World Cup tickets

Scotland World Cup tickets will surely be selling fast as fans head to the official link to find out more information about how to buy them here.

However, we’d also highly recommend trying an alternative and following our link here to give yourself a better chance of an affordable and reliable route to Scotland’s games.

BUY SCOTLAND TICKETS FOR 2026 WORLD CUP

Who are Scotland playing in the group stage?

Scotland have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Morocco and Haiti – not a bad way to return to the World Cup after 28 years!

The game against Brazil will be particularly intriguing to follow, with Scotland likely to relish their tag as underdogs against the five-time winners of this prestigious competition.

Meanwhile, Steve Clarke’s side will surely fancy themselves against Morocco and Haiti, even if they can obviously take no opponent for granted.

Scotland had a strong qualifying campaign, though, including beating Denmark 4-2 in their final game to clinch their World Cup place, so there’s no reason for them to fear Morocco and Haiti and possibly aim to get through this group.

BUY SCOTLAND TICKETS FOR 2026 WORLD CUP

How Scotland could line up at the World Cup

Clarke has a decent list of options for his Scotland World Cup squad, but overall it’s probably fair likely we’ll see mostly familiar faces making his first XI.

McTominay has shone for Napoli so seems like one of the first names on the team sheet for his country these days, while Liverpool left-back Robertson is another who will surely have a key role.

Another Napoli player, Billy Gilmour, also seems like a decent bet to start, as does Aston Villa captain John McGinn, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon may be 43 years of age but is still going strong and surely deserves to start.

Scotland predicted line up: Gordon; Hickey, Robertson, Hanley, McKenna; McGinn, Gilmour, McTominay; Adams, Doak, Dykes

Experts believe that Juventus were wrongly denied a penalty during the first half of their eventual 2-2 draw against Lazio in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Should Juventus have been awarded a penalty against Lazio?

The Bianconeri had to fight back through goals from Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu, the latter with 15 seconds of the game remaining, to claim a 2-2 draw after falling behind to goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen on Sunday evening. 

During the first half, however, with the scores still at 0-0, Teun Koopmeiners found the back of the net from the edge of the area, but saw his effort ruled out as Khephren Thuram was obstructing the goalkeeper’s view in an offside position.

In the build-up to that incident, though, Juan Cabal went to ground on his way into the area under the clumsy challenge of Lazio defender Mario Gila. He stayed on the deck for the entirety of the following play.  

A penalty was not awarded in real time, and that decision was upheld after a lengthy VAR check that resulted in Koopmeiners’s goal being ruled out. 

However, experts believe that this was the wrong call and that Juventus should have been awarded a spot-kick for Gila’s foul on Cabal. 

“This is a negligent intervention,” said refereeing expert Luca Marelli on DAZN after full-time. 

“It doesn’t matter that he’s already offloaded the ball, what matters is whether the intervention was regular or irregular. Here, Gila comes in negligently on Cabal, and in my opinion, this is a penalty kick.” 

Monday’s reports claim that the sales of the players that Milan currently have out on loan in 2025-26 could be worth around €70m. Here is a look at the players that the Rossoneri could shift to help with their summer spending in a few months’ time. 

Which players could Milan sell to raise €70m?

It has recently been confirmed that Alex Jimenez will join Premier League side AFC Bournemouth on a permanent transfer after spending the 2025-26 season on loan on the English south coast. 

The Spaniard has triggered the obligation to buy clause in his Bournemouth contract, which means that the Cherries are obliged to pay Milan a fee of €19.5m plus over €5m in potential bonuses. Milan will not receive all of this fee, though, as Jimenez’s former club, Real Madrid, are entitled to a 50% sell-on clause. 

Alvaro Morata’s loan deal to Como also includes a conditional obligation to buy, which, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Rossoneri expect to be triggered. The sale of the Spaniard will reportedly be worth around €15m for Milan. 

Samuel Chukwueze is currently on loan with an option to buy at Premier League side Fulham, and has impressed during his short time in West London so far. If the Cottagers were to make his move permanent, Milan would bring in another €24m. 

Lorenzo Colombo is also likely to leave San Siro permanently this summer. He is on loan with Genoa in a deal that includes a conditional obligation to buy for around €10m. In order for his move to be made permanent, Colombo needs at least five Serie A goals, at least 22 appearances and to avoid relegation. He already has six goals from 24 appearances. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Milan and Bologna have already agreed terms for Tommaso Pobega’s permanent transfer over the summer, which will reportedly be worth around €7m. 

Filippo Terracciano will also join Cremonese in a permanent deal should they avoid relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2025-26 campaign. That will bring in another €3.5m. 

If all of these transfers are confirmed, Milan would raise over €70m in fees. That does not include the likes of Ismael Bennacer, Yunus Musah and Warren Bondo, who also have option to buy clauses in their loan contracts that are less likely to be activated.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has made headlines thanks to a fantastic late save that inspired Manchester City’s 2-1 away win against Liverpool: ‘It shows why he’s the best in the world,’ said Erling Haaland.

• Read more – Italy players in Premier League: Donnarumma heroics, another Calafiori clean sheet

Reactions to Donnarumma’s massive save vs. Liverpool

Donnarumma’s big save against Liverpool on Sunday sparked plenty of reactions, including the one from his Manchester City teammate Haaland.

“Look at Gigio with an incredible save from Mac Allister,” the Norway international said at full-time.

“For me, it was out of this world. It shows why he’s the best in the world.”

This crucial save from Gigi Donnarumma (26) against Liverpool…

Guardiola’s reaction says it all. pic.twitter.com/NsL6y3q100

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 9, 2026

Donnarumma has kept 12 clean sheets in 29 games with Manchester City this season, conceding 27 goals.

The Italy captain was also praised by English football legend Gary Neville, who argued that thanks to Gigio, Guardiola and Haaland, City can aim for the Premier League title.

“If Man City are going to win the league, they’re going to need something really special,” Neville said on The Gary Neville Podcast.

“For once, [they’re] not the best team. Arsenal are the best team and they have got the best squad. Arsenal are playing the best football, they’re the most consistent and they’re the most solid.

“But what you can never do is write off Pep Guardiola, and the likes of Donnarumma and Haaland, because they’ve got it in them.”

Donnarumma joined Manchester City last summer after winning a treble with PSG in 2025-26.

The 26-year-old didn’t only leave Paris as a Champions League winner, but also as a four-time French champion.

Donnarumma was only 17 when he made his senior Italy debut in 2016, replacing Gigi Buffon in a friendly against France.

He has now collected 79 appearances with the Azzurri and won the Euros in 2021.

Guardiola couldn’t believe Donnarumma pulled off that save in the 99th minute against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/IsgrsR0ENz

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

Gianluigi Donnarumma. pic.twitter.com/i05ex1Hfr3

— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 8, 2026

Pep Guardiola enjoyed Gianluigi Donnarumma’s 98th minute save vs. Liverpool so much he had to imitate it pic.twitter.com/OUkbZpPPvx

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 9, 2026

Donnarumma, you reflex monster. I love you, man.pic.twitter.com/3wdhKMfv3l

— Geronimo Morgans (@GeronimoMorgans) February 8, 2026

Donnarumma! you can’t be real #LIVMCI | @ManCity pic.twitter.com/PUYAY6YEZn

— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) February 8, 2026

Stop that Donnarumma. pic.twitter.com/Puy6TL9O3C

— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) February 8, 2026

Donnarumma, a game changer pic.twitter.com/bVbO38LtFy

— Real Talk Manchester City (@RealTalkMCFC) February 8, 2026

Ex-Italy and Milan midfielder Demetrio Albertini says two Azzurri, playing for Inter and Milan, ‘hid behind the bench’ to avoid taking a penalty kick in the 1994 World Cup Final against Brazil.

Milan legend Albertini revealed that two of his Italy teammates were unwilling to step up for a penalty in the shootout of the 1994 World Cup Final against Brazil, which the Azzurri went on to lose.

“I was 22 and had my whole career ahead of me. I had the recklessmess and, carefree attitude of the youngest in the group. Sacchi asked me if I felt up to taking a penalty, and I went without thinking,” Albertini told Gazzetta, via Calciomercato.com.

“While there were those who hid behind the bench just to avoid taking one. I’ll never say their names, but one played for Milan and the other for Inter.”

Nicola Berti was the only Inter player in that team, while Milan had two, Paolo Maldini and Roberto Donadoni. The latter had already missed a penalty in a World Cup semifinal defeat against Argentina four years earlier, during Italia 90.

Another painful moment in Albertini’s career came less than ten years later, also with the Azzurri: “The worst moment was losing the Euro 2000 Final against France with the golden goal. It really hurt to see the last real chance to win something with the national team slip away like that,” he said.

A former midfielder for Milan, Barcelona, Lazio, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid, Albertini won the Serie A title five times and the Champions League three times at Milan.

Albertini made 79 appearances with the Italy national team, the last one in a friendly against England in 2002. The former midfielder scored three goals with the Azzurri.

Turkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella is delighted with Semih Kılıçsoy’s recent improvement at Cagliari: ‘Fabio Pisacane will help him.’

Turkiye international Kılıçsoy has scored four goals since the end of December, becoming a regular starter at Cagliari.

Tonight, he’ll lead the Sardinians’ attack in an away game at Roma.

Montella continues to ‘follow’ Kılıçsoy’s growth

“He was already involved in the Euros, and now we continue to follow his growth,” Montella, a former Roma striker, told Il Messaggero (via TMW).

“His impact in Serie A wasn’t easy, but he has made incredible improvements in the last two months. He needs to keep this balance to confirm himself and improve.”

A top-Serie A striker in the 90s, does Montella see any similarity between him and the Turkish striker?

“We are a bit different. He’s very technical, and he has a goal-scoring instinct,” Montella replied.

“He must increase his consistency in the game to remain at certain levels, but I’ve seen him focused and motivated. I really hope he continues on this way. Cagliari and Pisacane will help him in this journey. I have an excellent relationship with Fabio. We just spoke about Semih.”

Gianluigi Donnarumma made a heroic last-gasp save for Manchester City in their Premier League victory over Liverpool, Riccardo Calafiori helped Arsenal to another clean sheet against Sunderland, but it was a weekend to forget for Italy pair Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie at Tottenham. 

Here is how the jItaly internationals in the Premier League got on this weekend. 

Donnarumma and Calafiori victories 

Italy no.1 Donnarumma played a crucial role as Manchester City claimed an important 2-1 victory away against Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Sunday evening. The highlight of his performance was his late save to deny Alexis Mac Allister’s improvised volley from hitting the top corner of the net. 

• Read more: Guardiola’s touchline reaction to Donnarumma’s save

Fellow Italy colleague Federico Chiesa appeared off the bench in the final stages of the Liverpool 1-2 Manchester City match. Giovanni Leoni remains out injured long term. 

Calafiori was back in the Arsenal starting line-up for the first time since his recent injury lay-off and helped the Premier League leaders on their way to a 3-0 victory against Sunderland at the Emirates Stadium. 

That was the 11th Premier League clean sheet that Calafiori has been involved in this season. He has featured in the league on 18 occasions so far in 2025-26. 

Lucca scores on Forest debut 

Lorenzo Lucca was the only Italy international who moved to the Premier League during the January transfer window, joining Nottingham Forest on loan with an option to buy from Napoli after falling down the pecking order under Antonio Conte in the early stages of 2025-26. 

He was given his first Premier League appearance of the season off the bench in Nottingham Forest’s eventual 3-1 loss against Leeds United. It took him just 32 minutes to find the back of the net on his first outing in the English top flight. 

How did the other Italy internationals get on this weekend? 

It is turning out to be a memorable season for Michael Kayode and his Brentford colleagues. Many tipped the Bees for relegation after the departure of head coach Thomas Frank in the summer, but they are currently on course to record their strongest ever finish in the Premier League, currently sitting in seventh place after a 3-2 win away against Newcastle United. 

Sandro Tonali, who is beginning to attract more and more transfer interest, was a starter in the Newcastle side that lost 3-2 to Brentford. 

2026 has not been kind to Vicario and Udogie at Tottenham. Spurs are without a Premier League win in 2026, a run that is now up to seven matches after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United. 

Wilfried Gnonto was an unused substitute for Leeds, who beat Lucca’s Nottingham Forest 3–1. 

Pep Guardiola was left in awe by a stunning late save from Gigio Donnarumma, which helped Manchester City secure a 2-1 victory over Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

Italy international Donnarumma massively contributed to Manchester City’s away win at Liverpool on Sunday, producing a sensational last-minute save.

Gigio Donnarumma’s fantastic save vs. Liverpool

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola from the Anfield touchline instantly reacted to Donnarumma’s stop as the Spaniard put his hands on his head in disbelief and looked at his staff, saying: ‘What a save!’

Italy captain Donnarumma has kept 12 clean sheets in 29 Manchester City appearances this season, conceding 27 goals.

Former Inter defender Beppe Bergomi argues that Juventus were ‘unlucky’ in a 2-2 home draw against Lazio, but their latest match highlighted that they ‘can’t do without’ two attacking wingers.

Juventus were held to a 2-2 home draw by Lazio on Sunday, but came back from two goals down, securing one point thanks to goals from Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu.

Juventus ‘unlucky’ against Lazio

“Juventus were a bit unlucky. I looked at the stats, and the figures are amazing. In favour of Juventus,” Bergomi told Sky Sport Italia.

“The way it’s been built, I think Juventus can’t do without two wingers who dribble past opponents. They conceded some counterattacks in the second half, but the danger index was high. The goals come from there. Cross, McKennie’s goal, cross Kalulu’s goal.”

Andrea Cambiaso started the match as a right winger, but then dropped to left-back after Edon Zhegrova was introduced in the second half.

Cambiaso provided the assist for McKennie, while January signing Jeremie Boga delivered the cross for Kalulu’s late leveller.

McKennie has now scored seven goals in 22 games under Luciano Spalletti.

Juventus are now three points above fifth-placed Roma, but the Giallorossi have a game in hand to be played against Cagliari tonight.

Juventus’ next match is one of the biggest of the season, away against Inter.

Former Inter and Italy striker Roberto Boninsegna admits he would have loved to play alongside Lautaro Martinez: ‘We would have been a terrific strike partnership.’

Lautaro Martinez scored a goal in a 5-0 win over Sassuolo on Sunday, becoming the third-highest goalscorer in Inter’s history with 171, level with Boninsegna.

“Congratulations to Lautaro Martinez. I’m an ex-striker, but mostly a big Inter fan, so I can only be happy with a season where he’s scoring consistently,” the former Italian striker told Gazzetta.

“It was predictable that he would catch me, but not so predictable that he’d do it so quickly. Better this way. After all, the team is marching towards the Scudetto, and he’s a worthy captain of this group.

“He has the character of a leader and the attitude of somebody who knows how important it is to earn the teammates’ trust through facts.”

Boninsegna scored nine goals in 22 Italy appearances, including one in a legendary World Cup semifinal against Germany in 1970.

Only Giuseppe Meazza with 284 and Alessandro Altobelli with 209 have scored more goals than Boninsegna and Lautaro at Inter.

Boninsegna: Lautaro and I, a ‘terrific strike partnership’

“I can say that it’s a pleasure to sit alongside him in this prestigious ranking, but I regret not playing with him, as we would have been a terrific strike partnership,” said Boninsegna.

“I would have placed myself in the middle of the box, and he’d run around to link up. I would have created space for him so he could quickly pounce on the ball in the danger zone, as he loves doing. We would have posed a big concern to the opposing defenders.”

Inter are the Serie A table leaders with an eight-point lead over city rivals Milan, who have a game in hand.

“We are strong in the Champions League, and we’ll continue to prove it against Milan and Juventus,” Bonimba concluded.

“The Champions League is different because the balance of power inevitably changes. But I believe we can go fairly ahead. Now there’s an ideal atmosphere in the dressing room to face the toughest encounters. I’m confident.”

Dusan Vlahovic followed the final minutes of Juventus’ 2-2 draw against Lazio from the Allianz Stadium touchline and energetically celebrated Pierre Kalulu’s late leveller.

Juventus were held to a 2-2 home draw by Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio.

However, the Bianconeri can still be happy with the result, as they recovered from a two-goal deficit, scoring the equaliser in the stoppage time thanks to a goal from Kalulu.

Bianconeri star Vlahovic has been out of action since December and is not expected to make his return until next month.

Vlahovic’s reaction to Kalulu’s goal

Even if the Serbian seems destined to leave the Allianz Stadium as a free agent in June, he’s still very much involved in the team, as his reaction to Kalulu’s goal highlighted.

Vlahovic’s reaction to Kalulu’s goal. pic.twitter.com/E862NOiEfk

— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) February 8, 2026

Gianluca Scamacca, Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere are expected to start in the Atalanta attack in a home Serie A match against regional rivals Cremonese.

It kicks off at 18:30 CET (17:30 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.

The Nerazzurri are in good mood, having recently eliminated Juventus from the Coppa Italia, but they are also climbing the Serie A table, being undefeated in the last five matches with three wins and two draws.

Cremonese, on the other hand, are still five points above the relegation zone, but they haven’t won since December 7 and haven’t scored in the last four league games.

Atalanta must cope without the suspended Honest Ahanor and Marten De Roon, while David Okereke, Warrne Bondo, Michele Collocolo, Jari Vandeputte, Matteo Bianchetti and Mikayil Faye are injured for Cremonese.

According to Tuttosport and Gazzetta, Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino will field Scamacca, De Ketelaere and Raspadori in attack, while Cremonese’s Davide Nicola will reply with Jamie Vardy and Federico Bonazzoli, but Antonio Sanabria and January signing Milan Djuric are available on the bench.

Atalanta vs. Cremonese – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. You can also follow a live commentary on Football Italia’s liveblog.

Atalanta vs. Cremonese – probable line-ups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, Ederson, Pasalic, Zalewski; De Ketelaere, Raspadori; Scamacca.

Cremonese (3-5-2): Audero; Terracciano, Baschirotto, Luperto; Barbieri, Thorsby, Grassi, Maleh, Pezzella; Bonazzoli, Vardy.

Bryan Zaragoza and Lorenzo Pellegrini compete for a starting spot in the Roma XI for a home Serie A match against Cagliari tonight.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

A win would allow the Giallorossi to catch Juventus in fourth place after the Bianconeri’s 2-2 home draw against Lazio on Sunday.

Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini must cope with an injury crisis that leaves him short of options in attack and midfield for this fixture.

Manu Konè, Artem Dovbyk, Stephan El Shaarawy, Robinio Vaz, Paulo Dybala, Evan Ferguson and Mario Hermoso have not been called up due to physical issues.

According to Sky and Gazzetta, January signing Zaragoza competes with Roma veteran Pellegrini for a starting spot as an attacking midfielder, behind the sole striker Donyell Malen.

Cagliari also have a few players out of action as Andrea Belotti, Michael Folorunsho, Alessandro Deiola, Yerry Mina and Gennaro Borrelli are unavailable.

The Sardinians have won three games in a row and will look to Semih Kılıçsoy and Sebastiano Esposito in attack.

Roma vs. Cagliari – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on DAZN and TNT Sports 1 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Roma vs. Cagliari – probable line-ups

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, El Aynaoui, Cristante, Wesley; Soulè, Pellegrini; Malen.

Cagliari (4-3-3): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Dossena, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gaetano, Mazzitelli; Palestra, Kilicsoy, Esposito.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Inter’s boom

Half team scores, super Dimarco: three assists and one clearance. Lautaro reaches Boninsegna among the great Nerazzurri goal scorers. Chivu goes +8 on Milan (who have a game in hand) and +9 from Napoli.

Juve stop

McKennie and Kalulu at ’96 complete the comeback over Lazio. Roma might catch them today.

Napoli relief, McTominay will only miss Como

Bologna collapse against Parma. Lecce’s coup for survival.

Corriere dello Sport

Unplayable

Inter run away: +8

Lautaro like the legend Bonimba. Juve save themselves

171st goal for the Argentine. Stunning Dimarco: 3 assists. Goals from Bisseck, Thuram, Akanji and Luis Henrique. On Saturday, a game against Lucio, who avoided defeat at minute 96 thanks to Kalulu.

Gasp: no more divers, we must react

McTominay, love for Napoli.

Tuttosport

Juve heart and rage

From 0-2 to 2-2 at ’96 against Lazio.

Pedro and Isaksen score. McKennie initiates the comeback and Kalulu completes it in the stoppages (Boga’s assist), but it doesn’t cancel the frustration for the result nor the disappointment for a penalty not given on Cabal on 0-0. Napoli go +3 and Roma can catch the Bianconeri in fourth.

Dimarco makes everyone score

Bisseck, Thuram, Lautaro, Akanji and Luis Henrique sign the +8. The captain equals Boninsegna: 171 goals with the Nerazzurri.

The defender saved Baroni in Florence and would like to extend, but not with a pay cut.

Toro-Maripan, tension on the renewal.

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

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bBDhm6LBL9

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

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

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h79wLxsGLa

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

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!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fDo6R5m1I5

— 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!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/kboDNNZs6U

— 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'