Luciano Spalletti seemed to send a message to Juventus about the future of Jonathan David and Lois Openda. ‘Kenan Yildiz would do even better if he had a Number 9 near him.’

The Bianconeri ended their dismal run of results with the first Serie A victory since February 1, crushing Pisa 4-0 with all the goals in the second half scored by Andrea Cambiaso, Khephren Thuram, Kenan Yildiz and Jeremie Boga.

It is notable that the breakthrough and vast improvement only came after the break, when David and Federico Gatti had been substituted by Boga and Lloyd Kelly.

Yildiz was moved to the False 9 role and found his goal, but Spalletti’s comments felt like a pointed reminder of his January transfer requests.

Spalletti wanted a new striker at Juventus

“A centre-forward needs to have either a physical impact, or great technical quality,” the coach told DAZN Italia.

“There aren’t many spaces against sides like Pisa, so you must be able to weight the pass correctly, we showed that we did have the situations to cause problems.

“It becomes more difficult for Yildiz to play like this, because these are not his characteristics, he is not at ease with his back to goal.”

Speaking to Sky Sport Italia, Spalletti was even clearer with his messaging on what he wanted from the attack, which David and Openda simply do not provide.

“Yildiz would do even better if he had a Number 9 near him.”

The tactician made no secret of his desire to sign a real centre-forward during the January transfer window, but negotiations for players like Randal Kolo-Muani and Youssef En-Nesyri faltered.

We may well soon see more of what Spalletti had envisaged, because Dusan Vlahovic is back in training after an adductor tear in November 2025.

The Serbian has the kind of characteristics that are not provided by Canada international David, who could be back on the market this summer.

The statistics point to a worrying strength on one side and weakness on the other, suggesting set plays could be decisive for Milan and Inter in the Derby della Madonnina.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

This is a Scudetto showdown as well as bitter local rivalry, because Inter are top of the Serie A table and Milan trail in second place, a full 10 points behind.

That in itself is rather remarkable, considering that the Rossoneri have amassed 57 points after 27 rounds, the exact same number that they had at this stage in 2021-22 on their way to winning the title.

At that time, it was enough to put them joint top with Napoli, two points clear of Inter, but now it has them floundering in second place.

Milan weakness is Inter strength

Looking at the statistics, a pattern emerges that makes a goal from dead ball situations a very distinct possibility in this big match.

That is because Inter scored 21 Serie A goals this season from set plays, including 15 alone on corner kicks.

Only Arsenal have been more effective from these situations in Europe’s top five leagues this term.

On the other hand, Inter’s strength also represents Milan’s biggest weakness, because Max Allegri’s side have conceded 50 per cent of all their goals from set plays.

His team let in 20 goals in 27 games, 10 of them were from dead ball situations, five on corners.

Luciano Spalletti celebrates his 67^th birthday, explains his changes that transformed Juventus to beat Pisa 4-0 and warns Jeremie Boga ‘is a bit too sluggish at times.’

It proved to be a very happy birthday indeed for the coach, who had not been able to celebrate a real victory since February 1 after a run of two points in four Serie A rounds, Champions League and Coppa Italia elimination.

They took a while to break Pisa down, but ran riot in the second half with Andrea Cambiaso, Khephren Thuram, Kenan Yildiz and Jeremie Boga goals for a 4-0 result.

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 4-0 Pisa

Spalletti has a happy Juventus birthday

After Thuram’s goal, players ran over to celebrate on the touchline with their tactician on his special day.

“I have many years on me, but hopefully I only show the good ones,” smiled Spalletti on Sky Sport Italia.

Spalletti realised that his team was struggling in the early stages and made a tactical adjustment, moving them from 4-2-3-1 into a 3-4-3 formation, aided by the versatility of players like Cambiaso, Yildiz and Weston McKennie.

Another important change was the removal of misfiring Jonathan David at half-time, replaced by the lively Boga.

“There are different moments of the match, as Yildiz scored, but the spaces had already opened up because we were in the lead,” explained Spalletti.

“The density of the first half was very different, so if Kenan starts from out wide, which he enjoys because he can see everything in front of him, and it is also a very different type of marking that he has to deal with.

“It is a slightly different type of work for a striker to be in the centre. Of course, once Pisa were trailing, they couldn’t maintain that solidity with the long ball for the two physical strikers, forcing you to chase back. It’s not easy to play through that density, we have difficulties in those situations.

“If Yildiz had a centre-forward next to him, it’d be better, because that figure can take some of the physical impact of dealing with the defenders and ease the pressure on Yildiz. In the first half, we couldn’t find the spaces or go around them by moving the ball quickly.”

It wasn’t just David who was substituted at half-time, because Lloyd Kelly also replaced Federico Gatti.

“Everything improved after the break, the speed of movement, we talked about a few things. I took Federico off too not because he hadn’t done well, but because you need someone with better feet to play out from the back when there’s that packed midfield in front of you,” continued Spalletti.

“I felt bad taking Gatti off, it was between him and Bremer, I might choose differently next time.”

Boga has proved to be quite a good investment in January and again was a livewire off the bench, this time also scoring a goal.

“Boga has that quality, we all know that, but he’s a bit too sluggish at times. He needs to be more determined, grittier, because we know he has that pace to shock opposition defenders, but he has to give it that fire too.

“The bench is not a waiting area, it is an extra part of the team. In modern football, you pick players who can do damage in certain moments of the match, who provide something unexpected. Those on the bench are watching, they can see where the spaces are and what spots they can attack, they are participating and learning throughout,” concluded Spalletti.

The race for a Champions League spot looks as if it will go down to the wire, as Como won away to Cagliari today and remain in fifth place, waiting for Roma’s trip to Genoa on Sunday.

Kenan Yildiz insists he is happy to play anywhere for Juventus, while Khephren Thuram explained the special Luciano Spalletti celebration. ‘We’ve got to believe in ourselves.’

The Bianconeri had been showing some good performances and spirit to fight back from difficult situations, but hadn’t celebrated a Serie A victory since February 1.

They ended a run of two points from four rounds, along with Champions League and Coppa Italia elimination, by sweeping Pisa aside 4-0 in Turin.

It took a while to break the newly-promoted strugglers down, then the floodgates opened with Andrea Cambiaso, Thuram, Kenan Yildiz and Jeremie Boga on target.

Juventus back on track in Serie A

“I am happy for the victory, as we did well in the first half too, but much better in the second half. I believe we had some very good performances in recent games, we didn’t manage to win them, but are on the right track,” Yildiz told Sky Sport Italia.

Yildiz had not found himself on the scoresheet since January 25, so this was a significant breakthrough for the Turkish talent, along with his assist for Cambiaso’s header.

The breakthrough seemed to be when Jonathan David was substituted by Boga, moving Yildiz to a False 9 role.

“I am here to help the team, it doesn’t matter where, if the coach tells me to play centre-forward or on the left, that’s fine. I had some knocks today, including on my head, it hurt a bit, but I’m fine,” smiled Yildiz.

Today was coach Spalletti’s birthday, and after the Thuram goal, the players ran over to hug the tactician on the touchline.

“I am not exactly a hitman, but it is good to score goals and it was a little gift for the coach to celebrate his birthday,” Thuram told Sky Sport Italia.

It seems as if the race for a top four finish will go down to the wire, as Como won today away to Cagliari to stay in fifth place.

“We believe, because we’ve got the team that can do it, so we must have belief. That’s where it all starts, we want to get into the Champions League and we’ve got to believe in ourselves.”

Juventus put in a competent second half performance to beat Pisa 4-0 this evening, with goals from Andrea Cambiaso, Khephren Thuram, Kenan Yildiz and Jeremie Boga sealing the win.

Football Italia’s Man of the Match was Yildiz, however, for his electric performance, assist for Cambiaso’s opener and scoring the Bianconeri’s third goal.

You can relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Juventus 4-0 Pisa – Player Ratings

Juventus: Perin 6.5; Kalulu 6.5, Bremer 6, Gatti 6 (Kelly 6), Cambiaso 7; Thuram 7 (Koopmeiners N/A), Locatelli 6.5, Conceicao 7 (Miretti N/A); McKennie 6, Yildiz 7.5 (Kostic N/A), David 5 (Boga 7)

Best Juventus player: Kenan Yildiz – Once again very good tonight and proving truly talismanic in Juventus’ attack. Led the charge more than once, picking up a goal and an assist on the way to victory.

Lowest Juventus rating: Jonathan David – Taken off at half-time after a poor half of football, the Canadian is still yet to hit his best levels at Juventus.

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 7.5 – On his birthday, the coach picks up a confident victory and will be happy with the way his team reacted to a difficult first half. Bringing on Boga for David helped significantly as the coach unwraps three points to celebrate.

Pisa: Nicolas 6; Calabresi 5.5 (Iling Junior N/A), Caracciolo 6, Coppola 5; Leris 6 (Cuadrado 6), Aebischer 5.5, Marin 6 (Loyola 5.5), Hojholt 6 (Piccinini 6), Angori 5.5; Moreo 6, Durosinmi 5.5 (Stojilkovic N/A)

Best Pisa player: Stefano Moreo – To give credit to the Pisa forward, he gave it his best shot. Fashioned a couple of good chances and could have scored on another day. Was strong in the air, putting some of his teammates to shame.

Lowest Pisa rating: Francesco Coppola – Was poor today, beaten far too often by Juventus’ front line and completely ineffective in the build-up.

Coach: Oscar Hiljemark 5.5 – Was a game of two halves for the coach who is still fairly new to the club. He will be proud of his team’s display in the first half but perhaps let down by the second.

Juventus took a while to break Pisa down, but eventually ran out 4-0 winners with Andrea Cambiaso, Khephren Thuram, Kenan Yildiz and Jeremie Boga goals to end their negative streak.

The Bianconeri were fresh off another determined comeback from 3-1 down to hold Roma 3-3, but had just two points from the last four Serie A rounds, along with Champions League and Coppa Italia exits. Manuel Locatelli returned from suspension, but Dusan Vlahovic, Emil Holm and Arek Milik were still out of action on Luciano Spalletti’s 67^th birthday.

Pisa had one point from Oscar Hiljemark’s four games in charge, missing Simone Scuffet, Daniel Denoon, Isak Vural and Lorran, with Arturo Calabresi back in the starting XI.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It was Pisa who had a big chance after four minutes, when Stefano Moreo’s glancing header at the near post on an Angori cross forced a tricky save out of Mattia Perin.

Khephren Thuram fired over and Francisco Conceicao tested goalkeeper Nicolas with a low drive, while Caracciolo threw himself in the path of a Jonathan David effort.

David also couldn’t keep a header down on Andrea Cambiaso’s assist, so the striker was substituted at half-time after a disappointing performance.

Jeremie Boga came on instead and made an immediate impact, brought down by Mehdi Leris for a yellow card within 120 seconds.

Juventus finally took the lead when Kenan Yildiz was sent down the right by Conceicao and stood up the cross for Cambiaso’s free header at the back post. It was a totally empty net, as Nicolas had been drawn to the near post and was not expecting the cross.

They doubled their lead when Weston McKennie won it back on the edge of the area, Locatelli’s angled drive bounced off the far post, allowing Thuram to turn in the rebound from 12 yards. The players rushed over to celebrate with Spalletti on his birthday.

Boga fired over from a tricky angle on the Yildiz assist, then hit the side-netting after Conceicao harassed Nicolas into an error.

Yildiz got the third when he gathered from Conceicao on the edge of the area, committed Coppola with a shimmy, and blasted into the far bottom corner. It was his first Serie A goal since mid-January.

Cambiaso’s curler flashed just wide of the far top corner from the edge of the box. With the last kick of the game, Locatelli’s inspired slide-rule pass sent Boga through without breaking his stride to dribble around Nicolas and deposit into an empty net from a tricky angle.

Juventus 4-0 Pisa

Cambiaso 54 (J), Thuram 65 (J), Yildiz 75 (J), Boga 93 (J)

07-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Pisa

4 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

40'

Marius Marin

2nd half

		48'		Mehdi Léris
Andrea Cambiaso (Assist: Kenan Yıldız)		54'
Khéphren Thuram		65'
		70'		Antonio Caracciolo
Bremer		72'
Kenan Yıldız (Assist: Francisco Conceição)		75'
Jeremie Boga (Assist: Manuel Locatelli)		90+3'

Match statistic

59

Possession %

41

25

Total shots

7

7

Shots on target

2

9

Shots off target

1

9

Blocked shots

4

4

Corners

4

0

Offsides

0

7

Fouls

7

Juventus

Pisa

Starting lineups

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

3

Bremer

Defender

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

46'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

77'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

77'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

46'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

83'

12

Nicolas

Goalkeeper

4

Antonio Caracciolo

Defender

33

Arturo Calabresi

Defender

78'

26

Francesco Coppola

Defender

3

Samuele Angori

Defender

8

Malthe Höjholt

Midfielder

60'

6

Marius Marin

Midfielder

60'

20

Michel Aebischer

Midfielder

7

Mehdi Léris

Attacker

60'

17

Rafiu Durosinmi

Attacker

76'

32

Stefano Moreo

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

46'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

46'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

77'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

77'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

83'

1

Adrian Šemper

Goalkeeper

5

Simone Canestrelli

Defender

10

Matteo Tramoni

Midfielder

15

Idrissa Touré

Midfielder

39

Raúl Albiol

Defender

23

Calvin Stengs

Attacker

14

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Midfielder

9

Henrik Meister

Attacker

2

Rosen Bozhinov

Defender

34

Tommaso Guizzo

Goalkeeper

11

Juan Cuadrado

Midfielder

60'

36

Gabriele Piccinini

Attacker

60'

35

Felipe Loyola

Defender

60'

19

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

76'

81

Filip Stojilkovic

Attacker

78'

Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram scored the club’s second goal in their match against Pisa in Serie A this evening, as the Bianconeri look to stroll to a comfortable victory to keep their top four hopes very much alive.

The French midfielder scored Juventus’ second in the second half, not long after Andrea Cambiaso’s opener.

You can follow the rest of the match, or relive all the action as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Celebrating his goal, the Frenchman ran over to head coach Luciano Spalletti, who celebrates his 66th birthday today.

The rest of the team followed Thuram in involving the coach with the celebrations.

Video: Thuram celebrates Juventus goal with Spalletti

Thuram doubles the lead! #JuvePisa 2-0 pic.twitter.com/3TVFvD0ohp

— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) March 7, 2026

Nico Gonzalez marked another impressive display in Spain with a match-winning brace for Atletico Madrid against Real Sociedad on Saturday, further underlining his growing importance to Diego Simeone’s side, and edging Juventus closer to triggering a crucial financial windfall.

The Argentine winger came off the bench in the 54th minute with Atletico trailing 2-1, and produced a decisive impact, netting twice to seal a dramatic 3-2 victory in LaLiga’s 27th matchday.

It was exactly the kind of performance that is making his permanent move to the Spanish capital look increasingly inevitable, as noted by CalcioMercato.

Nico Gonzalez edges closer to permanent Juventus departure

The details of his transfer structure make for interesting reading from a Juventus perspective. Nico Gonzalez joined Atletico on an initial loan of €1 million, rising by a further million subject to certain sporting objectives, with a purchase option of €32 million that converts into an obligation under specific conditions.

The key trigger is appearance-based: Atletico must sign him permanently if he reaches 60% of Liga matches played, featuring for at least 45 minutes per game, equivalent to 21 qualifying appearances across the season.

Saturday’s outing counts as his 13th qualifying appearance in the league, with 18 total Liga appearances to his name so far this season, and 26 across all competitions.

With eleven games left this season, he requires eight more qualifying matches to trigger the obligation, a target that looks very much within reach given his increasing involvement under Simeone.

For Juventus, the €32 million fee would represent a welcome injection of cash ahead of what promises to be a busy and expensive summer transfer window.

Alexis Saelemaekers has offered a warm and revealing insight into life under Massimiliano Allegri ahead of Sunday’s Milan derby, describing his manager as “special” and “unique”, and letting slip the nickname the coach has given him in recognition of his relentless work rate.

Speaking to DAZN, via MilanNews, the Belgian winger explained that Allegri calls him “scheggia”, literally translating to splinter or shrapnel but figuratively a nod to the explosive pace he brings every time he takes to the pitch.

“He calls me ‘scheggia’ because I always give one hundred percent,” Saelemaekers said.

“He is special to me, he is unique. The way he sees football, his attitude, he is one of the best I have had as a human being. The way he treats us, the way he jokes, the way he is serious when he needs to be. He manages that balance perfectly.”

Saelemaekers looks forward to Milan derby against Inter

Saelemaekers also captured the unique atmosphere that descends on the Milan squad in derby week, a mixture of intense focus and barely contained anticipation.

“The Milan-Inter rivalry will always be there,” he said. “As soon as the derby week begins, you are always thinking about it. Before a game like this, there is so much concentration that nobody speaks. What you eat, how much you sleep, it can all make a difference. You try to do everything at one hundred percent to arrive ready.”

With the title race finely poised and both clubs desperate for the points, Sunday’s clash at San Siro carries enormous weight. If Saelemaekers brings even a fraction of that relentless energy to the occasion, Milan will have a valuable weapon at their disposal.

Raffaele Palladino hails Atalanta for ‘never giving up’ after a fightback from 2-0 down to hold Udinese 2-2. ‘Now we are looking forward to the Champions League’ and Bayern Munich.

La Dea have been stretched a little thin in recent weeks, as they were coming off the Coppa Italia semi-final 2-2 draw with Lazio on Wednesday, and are preparing for next week’s European Round of 16 clash.

“I want to publicly thank my players for all they are giving during this packed season,” Palladino told DAZN.

“We could’ve crumbled when going 2-0 down, instead these lads showed the reaction of a great team, with energy and determination, refusing to give in.”

Palladino changed Atalanta after difficult start

When trailing to the goals from Thomas Kristensen and Keinan Davis against the run of play, the coach switched Atalanta to a 4-4-2 formation, using Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic together.

It paid off, as Scamacca scored two headers in five minutes to equalise, although they also left themselves unbalanced and at risk of conceding another in stoppages.

“When you prepare a match, you always need to have two or three solutions in mind. Playing against a 3-5-2, you have different ways of opening them up,” explained Palladino.

There was tension at the final whistle when the referee ended the match without letting Atalanta take a corner, so Palladino stormed over to the fourth official to check the timer.

“I never protest with referees, I try to help them, so I went to the locker room afterwards and apologised to the referee and assistants for my tone. I also gave an explanation for my reaction, which was that Udinese had started wasting time since they first took the lead.

“We’ve got to improve this in Italy, we can’t let them get away with taking 40 seconds to take a throw-in. I expected a little more time at the end. The fans and the players want to see more football on the pitch.”

Atalanta are the only side still competing in Serie A, the Coppa Italia semi-finals and the Champions League Round of 16, where they will host Bayern Munich in the first leg on Tuesday evening.

“I liked the spirit above all else. We are fighting in three competitions, and even if we are playing lots of games, we won’t complain,” continued Palladino.

“There are some who do complain, but my team enjoys playing football, and we are looking forward to the Champions League.

“It’s not easy to go two goals down after a good performance to the only shots on target, but these lads never give in, they always want to prove themselves. We must face everyone with this attitude, with nothing to lose, starting in the Champions League next week.”

Fabio Capello has offered a ringing endorsement of both head coaches ahead of Sunday’s Milan derby, backing Cristian Chivu and Massimiliano Allegri as two of the finest coaching minds currently operating in Italian football.

Speaking on Milan Vibes, via MilanNews24, the former Roma, Milan and Real Madrid coach drew on his own experience as a young coach to defend Chivu against any criticism of his relative inexperience.

“Chivu was placed there without much experience, but neither did I have much, with only five matches as a coach at the time,” Capello said.

“I know Christian well, I signed him as a player at Roma. He is an intelligent, sharp and successful person. He came in quietly and made the squad understand that they were still strong and capable of winning.”

Capello: ‘Allegri is still one of the best around’

Capello was also keen to credit the Inter hierarchy for the boldness of the appointment. “Betting on a young coach like Chivu means that whoever chose him knew what they were doing, that is a credit to the president and the directors,” he said, adding with a wry smile that critics once dismissed him as a yes-man early in his own managerial career.

On Allegri, Capello was equally effusive, pushing back firmly against any suggestion that the Milan coach’s best days are behind him.

“What Allegri is doing demonstrates that he is still one of the best around, an excellent coach, not a spent force,” he said. “He understands the material he has at his disposal. He knows the value of his players, which many young coaches simply cannot do, they cannot bring out the best in the human material available to them and just copy others.”

Capello also dismissed the tired debate between so-called ‘results men’ and ‘football philosophers’ with characteristic bluntness. “The story of pragmatists versus purists simply does not exist,” he said.

Luciano Spalletti outlined what he wants from Juventus on his birthday as they host Pisa in Serie A and explains why ‘the fans are our best barometer’ of form more than statistics.

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 Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Today is coach Spalletti’s 67^th birthday, so he is hoping for a gift not only on the field, but also potentially off it with a contract extension beyond June 30.

“I’ve had birthdays all over the world and with very different people, because I am at my age now very experienced with having birthdays.

“I am happy to spend this one here with my players, and seeing as they didn’t give me a present, I’d love to have a picture of them singing at the final whistle with our fans, celebrating,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

Juventus are fighters under Spalletti

The Bianconeri have been impressing the supporters with their sheer determination lately, fighting back repeatedly from almost impossible situations, but that hasn’t necessarily translated to results.

They are out of the Champions League and Coppa Italia, scraping only two points from the last four Serie A matches, including the epic comeback from 3-1 down to hold Roma 3-3.

“When you look at the statistics, it’s about numbers, but not how those numbers arrived. The fact the fans are so close to us at this moment, despite not bringing home the results, that means we sent signals. They are our best barometer.

“We’ve got to win every game first within ourselves, and then on the field. This match tests you, and seeing as I am dealing with intelligent lads, I know they feel that, because these are the games that seem easy and really aren’t. This is not about the future, it’s about the details of every match, your mentality, self-discipline moment by moment, not looking too far into the future.”

Federico Gatti scored the last-gasp equaliser against Roma and is rewarded with a place in defence today, while Manuel Locatelli returns from suspension, but Michele Di Gregorio is again dropped in favour of Mattia Perin.

“With Perin, I didn’t want to keep chopping and changing, so I told them that we’d give Di Gregorio time off and a chance for Perin to have a run of games. We’ll see from the next game what happens.”

Despite still being out injured, Dusan Vlahovic is on the touchline talking to his teammates. Will he be available for next week?

“As for Vlahovic, you know more than me,” smiled Spalletti.

Vincenzo Italiano has delivered a glowing assessment of January arrival Joao Mario ahead of Bologna’s Serie A clash with Verona, with the Juventus loanee continuing to impress since his move to the Emilia-Romagna club.

The Portuguese midfielder, who joined on loan from Juventus in the winter window, has settled quickly into Italiano’s system.

“He is recovering well from the knock he picked up against Pisa,” the Bologna head coach confirmed, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He is loosening up more and more, he is smiling, and he has made himself available to play on the left as well, which was not straightforward for him. He has played two great matches and I am very happy.”

Bologna coach Italiano positive ahead of Verona test

Italiano was in a broadly positive mood at his pre-match press conference, pleased with the direction his squad is heading after a period in which their league position had given cause for concern.

Riccardo Orsolini was another player singled out for encouragement, despite a recent dip in form.

“He needs to rediscover his sharpness, but I am convinced that at the first good opportunity he will find his rhythm again,” Italiano said. “He is already in double figures this season despite the difficult spell, and in training today he was scoring some great goals.”

On the subject of the upcoming Europa League quarter-final against Roma, Italiano was emphatic that full focus remains on Verona. “We are thinking only about tomorrow,” he said. “We have put right a league position that we were not happy with, and we want to keep collecting points. Roma can wait until Monday.”

Dallinga returned to training on the eve of the match after managing a tendon issue, while Lykogiannis also appears to have shaken off his own tendon complaint.

Dominguez is another option in reserve, with Italiano praising the midfielder’s impact whenever called upon from the bench.

Gianluca Scamacca scored two headers in five minutes for Atalanta to claw back a point against Udinese, after Thomas Kristensen and Keinan Davis efforts.

La Dea were stretched thin by being the only team still in three tournaments, as they held Lazio 2-2 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday, and were preparing for the Champions League Round of 16 with Bayern Munich. Their Serie A form suffered with a 2-1 loss at Sassuolo, but they remained in the race for the top four. Ederson and Giorgio Scalvini were struggling, with Charles De Ketelaere still out, but Giacomo Raspadori returned to the bench. Udinese ended their run of three straight defeats by crushing Fiorentina 3-0, but missed Oumar Solet, Nicolò Bertola and Alessandro Zanoli, so Branimir Mlacic got his first Serie A start just days before his 18^th birthday.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Kingsley Ehizibue’s strike flashed just wide, as did the Gianluca Scamacca strike, while Marco Carnesecchi was alert on the looping Nicolò Zaniolo cross-shot that was going into the far top corner.

There were appeals for a potential Mlacic handling offence, but the Kamaldeen Sulemana cross hit his elbow, with the arm behind his back.

Lorenzo Bernasconi gave away an avoidable corner and it proved costly, because Thomas Kristensen shrugged off Odilon Kossounou for a glancing header from six yards on Zaniolo’s set play, giving Udinese the lead against the run of play.

Scamacca was unlucky not to equalise at the dawn of the second half, his low drive from the edge of the box thumping the base of the upright.

Instead, Udinese doubled their lead in chaotic fashion. Sead Kolasinac acrobatically intercepted a Zaniolo low cross from the left inside the six-yard box, and charged down the Oier Zarraga effort, but could do nothing as Davis bent the finish around him and Carnesecchi into the far bottom corner.

Atalanta switched to 4-4-2 and Sulemana’s diving header was off target from a Bernasconi cross, while Nikola Krstovic drilled wide on a Davide Zappacosta assist.

The siege eventually paid off when Nicola Zalewski swung a cross from the left for a Scamacca free header from six yards.

Udinese crumbled, as Maduka Okoye’s poor pass out from the back under pressure was intercepted, he made the save on Lazar Samardzic, but could do nothing when Scamacca nodded in the rebound to complete the comeback in just five minutes.

La Dea wanted all three points, Okoye getting down to fingertip a Krstovic daisy-cutter round the post for a corner.

Udinese also threatened, as Arthur Atta’s long-range thunderbolt grazed the crossbar, and Carnesecchi rushed out to smother at the feet of Adam Buksa.

Deep into stoppages, Jurgen Ekkelenkamp wasted a golden opportunity with a finish charged down from 13 yards.

There was controversy, as Atalanta had a corner with the last kick of the game, but the referee blew for full time before they could take it. Raffaele Palladino was furious and went over to check the timer held by the fourth official.

Atalanta 2-2 Udinese

Kristensen 39 (U), Davis 55 (U), Scamacca 75, 79 (A)

07-03-2026 17:00

MatchDay 28

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Udinese

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		20'		Branimir Mlacic
		39'		Thomas Kristensen (Assist: Nicolò Zaniolo)

2nd half

Marten de Roon		52'
		55'		Keinan Davis
		66'		Maduka Okoye
Gianluca Scamacca (Assist: Nicola Zalewski)		75'
Gianluca Scamacca		79'

Match statistic

68

Possession %

32

22

Total shots

8

4

Shots on target

2

13

Shots off target

4

5

Blocked shots

2

11

Corners

3

7

Fouls

10

Atalanta

Udinese

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

57'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

57'

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

87'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

57'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

46'

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

46'

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

11

Hassane Kamara

Defender

80'

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

63'

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

62'

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

45

Dominic Vavassori

Midfielder

46

Sergej Levak

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

46'

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

57'

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

57'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

57'

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

87'

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

46'

14

Arthur Atta

Midfielder

62'

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

63'

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

76'

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

80'

Juventus badly need to improve their Serie A form, so hope Jonathan David, Kenan Yildiz and Weston McKennie can inspire them against struggling Pisa.

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 Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Bianconeri performances have impressed the fans, above all the refusal to give in when fighting back from disastrous situations, but the results are starting to worry them too.

Out of the Champions League and Coppa Italia, they came back from 3-1 down to grab a last-gasp 3-3 draw against Roma last week.

It means in Serie A they managed only two points in the last four rounds, and with Como winning earlier today, they risk falling well behind in the fight for Champions League qualification.

Today is Luciano Spalletti’s 67th birthday, so he is hoping for a win as a gift.

Dusan Vlahovic returned to training over the last few days after three months out, but is not available today, along with Emil Holm and Arek Milik.

Manuel Locatelli returns from suspension to bolster the midfield, while Federico Gatti starts after his last-gasp equaliser with Roma.

David leads the attack with support from Kenan Yildiz, Francisco Conceicao and unexpected goal hero McKennie, the USMNT star fresh from signing a new contract.

It was reported Michele Di Gregorio would return in goal after he was dropped for a couple of matches due to some remarkable howlers, but instead Mattia Perin keeps the gloves.

Pisa are rock bottom of the Serie A table and seemingly doomed to relegation along with Hellas Verona.

New coach Oscar Hiljemark has done little to turn the tide, as after his debut draw with Verona, there were three consecutive defeats to Milan, Fiorentina and Bologna.

The visitors are still without Simone Scuffet, Daniel Denoon, Isak Vural and Lorran, with Arturo Calabresi returning to the starting XI.

Former Juve players Juan Cuadrado and Samuel Iling-Junior are in the squad.

Stefano Moreo and January signing Rafiu Durosinmi lead the attack.

Juventus vs. Pisa line-ups

Juventus: Perin; Kalulu, Bremer, Gatti, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; Conceiçao, McKennie, Yildiz; David

Pisa: Nicolas; Calabresi, Caracciolo, Coppola; Leris, Aebischer, Hojholt, Marin, Angori; Moreo, Durosinmi

07-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Pisa

4 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

40'

Marius Marin

2nd half

		48'		Mehdi Léris
Andrea Cambiaso (Assist: Kenan Yıldız)		54'
Khéphren Thuram		65'
		70'		Antonio Caracciolo
Bremer		72'
Kenan Yıldız (Assist: Francisco Conceição)		75'
Jeremie Boga (Assist: Manuel Locatelli)		90+3'

Match statistic

59

Possession %

41

25

Total shots

7

7

Shots on target

2

9

Shots off target

1

9

Blocked shots

4

4

Corners

4

0

Offsides

0

7

Fouls

7

Juventus

Pisa

Starting lineups

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

3

Bremer

Defender

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

46'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

77'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

77'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

46'

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

83'

12

Nicolas

Goalkeeper

4

Antonio Caracciolo

Defender

33

Arturo Calabresi

Defender

78'

26

Francesco Coppola

Defender

3

Samuele Angori

Defender

8

Malthe Höjholt

Midfielder

60'

6

Marius Marin

Midfielder

60'

20

Michel Aebischer

Midfielder

7

Mehdi Léris

Attacker

60'

17

Rafiu Durosinmi

Attacker

76'

32

Stefano Moreo

Attacker

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

46'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

46'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

77'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

77'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

83'

1

Adrian Šemper

Goalkeeper

5

Simone Canestrelli

Defender

10

Matteo Tramoni

Midfielder

15

Idrissa Touré

Midfielder

39

Raúl Albiol

Defender

23

Calvin Stengs

Attacker

14

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Midfielder

9

Henrik Meister

Attacker

2

Rosen Bozhinov

Defender

34

Tommaso Guizzo

Goalkeeper

11

Juan Cuadrado

Midfielder

60'

36

Gabriele Piccinini

Attacker

60'

35

Felipe Loyola

Defender

60'

19

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

76'

81

Filip Stojilkovic

Attacker

78'

Lazio have confirmed that goalkeeper Ivan Provedel will undergo surgery on his shoulder in the coming days, with Sky Sport Italia reporting the injury is likely to bring his season to a premature end, a significant blow for a club already navigating a turbulent campaign.

The club’s official statement revealed that persistent shoulder pain, linked to a previous match injury, prompted further investigation.

An MRI scan carried out at the Villa Mafalda clinic identified a lesion of the glenohumeral ligament alongside involvement of the glenoid labrum. Provedel will undergo arthroscopic stabilisation surgery in the coming days.

Provedel surgery a major blow for Lazio in end-of-season run-in

The timing could hardly be worse for Maurizio Sarri, whose side still have a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Atalanta to navigate, as well as a demanding run of Serie A fixtures in the closing weeks of the season.

What makes the situation particularly concerning is the state of Lazio’s goalkeeping options.

The club sold Christos Mandas to Bournemouth on loan with an obligation to buy in January, leaving them with limited cover behind Provedel.

His likely replacement is 21-year-old Edoardo Motta, signed from Reggiana for €1.2 million earlier this year, a promising youngster, but one who arrives with considerably more development ahead of him than behind him.

The only other option available is 24-year-old Alessio Furlanetto, who has come through Lazio’s own academy but is yet to make a single first-team appearance for the club.

It is a precarious situation, and one that Lazio’s hierarchy will be acutely aware of as they attempt to salvage something meaningful from what has already been a deeply frustrating season.

Cesc Fabregas insists the 2-1 Como victory away to Cagliari was ‘the win I am most satisfied with this season’ due to their exhaustion after the Coppa Italia. ‘Jean Butez is ready for international duty.’

The Lariani were in Serie B only two seasons ago, yet now find themselves playing every three days in Serie A to challenge for a top four spot, and in the Coppa Italia semi-finals.

They held Inter to a 0-0 draw on Tuesday evening and today didn’t drop a single point, winning 2-1 in Sardinia with Martin Baturina and Lucas Da Cunha.

Fabregas proud of Como progress

“I liked the way the lads reacted today, as this performance proves what the team is made of, they have great mentality that is growing game by game,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.

“We were all exhausted today, there were so many matches in a row, we were so tired. That is why this is the win I am most satisfied with this season. It is genuinely a major step forward for the team.”

It was far from a simple task, because Sebastiano Esposito’s diving header had temporarily drawn Cagliari level, and Como had to thank a Butez fingertip save on Michel Adopo.

“Como invested in young players and some of them, even if they didn’t cost very much, are world class,” insisted Fabregas.

“Since he arrived, Butez has worked like an animal. He always wants to learn more, and he knows everything depends on how much you want it. He is a leader not just for his qualities, but also in the locker room. I think he is ready to make the step up for international duty with France.”

This result puts Como temporarily in joint fourth place alongside Roma, who have a difficult trip to Genoa tomorrow evening and the distraction of the Europa League.

Are the minnows genuinely contenders for a Champions League spot?

“We are not there yet. We are on the right track, but there are many games still to go. I saw definite progress in the team today, it was one of the most difficult matches of the season, and the credit for that also goes to Fabio Pisacane for giving his identity to the Cagliari squad,” concluded Fabregas.

Raffaele Palladino insists Atalanta won’t hold back against Udinese, even with Bayern Munich coming up. ‘Going all out is in our DNA, we must attack and be aggressive.’

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

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

La Dea are stretched thin by being the only team still in three tournaments, as they held Lazio 2-2 in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final on Wednesday, and are preparing for the Champions League Round of 16 with Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

However, do not expect Atalanta to take their foot off the gas for today’s Serie A match with Udinese.

Palladino will never leash Atalanta potential

“I cannot tell my team to hold back. Going all out is in our DNA, it has been long before I arrived at Atalanta, our mentality must be to attack and be aggressive,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.

“We’ve seen against Sassuolo, for example, that the moment we don’t do that, we slip up.”

Last week, Atalanta fell to a surprising 2-1 Serie A defeat to Sassuolo, damaging their prospects of a top four finish and Champions League qualification.

“We know playing is also a way of training, so we try to give 100 per cent in every match. It doesn’t always work, but our idea must be to go on the attack.”

There are some changes, as USMNT midfielder Yunus Musah receives a rare start in the Atalanta jersey following his move from Milan.

“He has some characteristics we need right now, especially against one of the most physically strong teams in the league. He can give us intensity, he scored two goals in his last two games, and I ask him to defend well. With Ederson out, there are only three midfielders, so he is making the most of the opportunity to make his mark.”

Palladino also outlined his changes based on neutralising the strengths of an Udinese side who beat Fiorentina 3-0 last week.

“I make my choices based on the characteristics of the squad and the opponents. Kolasinac is good at reading the spaces, Udinese play 3-5-1-1 with Zaniolo behind the striker, Ekkelenkamp will attack the space and try to get behind our defenders, so we are prepared.

“It’s going to be a game decided by the individual duels, whoever wins those will have the best chances of winning the match.”

Before kick-off, Palladino will receive his award as Serie A Coach of the Month for Februrary.

“I might be banal, but this prize belongs to everyone, because I can do zero by myself. The club chose me and supported me, the directors and staff shared all the preparation with me, and naturally the biggest credit for results goes to the players on the field. I share the prize with everyone.”

Roma are down to the bare bones for tomorrow’s match with Genoa, as Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Mario Hermoso and Wesley miss out.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

Gian Piero Gasperini is struggling with a decimated squad and discovered this week it will be that way for a while, because both Dybala and Evan Ferguson required surgery.

Wesley Franca is suspended, while both Soulé and Hermoso have not yet recovered and are left behind in the Capital.

It is hoped that they can at least be on the bench for next week’s Europa League Round of 16 clash with fellow Italians Bologna.

Artem Dovbyk is another long-term absentee, so we could see Roma start Bryan Zaragoza with Lorenzo Pellegrini in support of Donyell Malen.

Roma squad for Genoa

Svilar, De Marzi, Gollini; Rensch, Angelino, Ndicka, Tsimikas, Celik, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi; Cristante, Pellegrini, El Aynaoui, Kone, Pisilli; Malen, Venturino, Vaz, El Shaarawy, Zaragoza

Como continue their march on the Champions League places with a hard-fought 2-1 win away to Como, thanks to Martin Baturina and a Lucas Da Cunha stunner.

The Lariani climbed into fifth place with back-to-back victories over Juventus and Lecce, then held Inter to a 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg draw on Tuesday. Jayden Addai was the only long-term absentee, whereas the Sardinians were decimated by injuries to Yerry Mina, Luca Mazzitelli, Gianluca Gaetano, Alessandro Deiola, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti, so Michael Folorunsho was a False 9.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Como took the lead with their first chance of the game, winning it back in midfield, then Lucas Da Cunha’s scuffed finish turned into an assist for Martin Baturina to sweep home from close range.

Cagliari should’ve equalised on the half-hour mark, as first Michael Folorunsho’s strike was charged down, then the move continued and Ibrahim Sulemana hit a fresh-air shot on Marco Palestra’s roll across from 12 yards.

Como lost Maxi Perrone to a bruised thigh, replaced by Mergim Vojvoda and dropping Baturina into midfield.

The hosts did equalise when Palestra surged up the right from his own half and put in a cross, the Adam Obert scuffed volley turned into an accidental assist for Sebastiano Esposito’s diving header from seven yards.

Ze Pedro provided brave defending by charging down a Nico Paz screamer with his face, Juan Rodriguez doing the same on an acrobatic Alvaro Morata attempt.

Palestra was booked for simulation after squirming between two and losing his balance, but Como restored their lead thanks to a sensational strike from Lucas Da Cunha. He gathered 20 metres from goal and unleashed an unstoppable effort off the outside of the left boot, swerving into the far top corner.

A corner was flicked on by Gabriele Zappa for Semih Kilicsoy at the back post, cleared with difficulty by Marc-Oliver Kempf.

Jean Butez needed a fantastic fingertip save to push the Michel Adopo strike round the base of the near post.

Cagliari 1-2 Como

Baturina 14 (Co), Esposito 56 (Ca), Da Cunha 76 (Co)

07-03-2026 14:00

MatchDay 28

Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena)

Cagliari

Como

1 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

14'

Martin Baturina

2nd half

Sebastiano Esposito (Assist: Adam Obert)		56'
Marco Palestra		65'
Sebastiano Esposito		71'
		76'		Lucas Da Cunha (Assist: Ignace Van Der Brempt)
		83'		Jacobo Ramón
Alberto Dossena		89'

Match statistic

43

Possession %

57

8

Total shots

8

3

Shots on target

2

1

Shots off target

3

4

Blocked shots

3

2

Corners

3

7

Offsides

2

17

Fouls

18

Cagliari

Como

Starting lineups

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

79'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

73'

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

79'

90

Michael Folorunsho

Midfielder

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

78'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

81'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

81'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

36'

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

81'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

62'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

39

Andrea Cogoni

Defender

38

Ivan Sulev

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

40

Roberto Malfitano

Midfielder

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

73'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

78'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

79'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

87'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

36'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

62'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

81'

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

81'

3

Álex Valle

Defender

81'

There are increasing reports Marcus Thuram won’t be fit to start against Milan, so there are various different ways Inter could set out their attack.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

The Rossoneri are the only side within reach of the Serie A leaders, albeit with a 10-point gap, so this fixture could very well decide the Scudetto race.

Inter are however already without Capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez due to a calf strain, and Thuram is now a major doubt to start.

Thuram could force Inter reshuffle

Cristian Chivu confirmed the France international had not trained today due to flu symptoms and a fever, but Sky Sport Italia are increasingly reporting that he won’t be ready to play tomorrow evening.

The most predictable option is to see Francesco Pio Esposito partnered by Ange-Yoan Bonny, which would be the first time they had started a Serie A match together.

However, Chivu already showed in Tuesday’s 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Como that he has other ideas to draw upon.

In that match, he started a centre-forward with dual support from Davide Frattesi and Andy Diouf in a 3-4-2-1 formation.

While Diouf struggled in that role, there are other options who can play there, like Henrikh Mkhitaryan or even Nicolò Barella.

It is not just Harry Kane who is nursing an injury ahead of Bayern Munich’s Champions League clash with Atalanta, as Manuel Neuer is ruled out by a calf strain.

The first leg in the Round of 16 tie kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

La Dea are the only Italian competitors left in the tournament going into the last 16, and undoubtedly are the underdogs when facing the German giants.

It therefore is reassuring when they learn that Bayern Munich are dealing with quite a few injury worries going into the match.

Bayern Munich face injury concerns with Atalanta

Kane was ruled out of last night’s 4-1 Bundesliga victory over Borussia Monchengladbach, the team’s sixth consecutive win in all competition.

He is still nursing a calf injury and it remains to be seen if he will play against Atalanta.

Now it is reported that goalkeeper Neuer is also struggling after picking up a minor calf strain yesterday, and is expected to be out for two weeks, so could miss the second leg too.

He was replaced on the night by Jonas Urbig and the 22-year-old should take the gloves in Bergamo.

Urbig has played 11 games for Bayern Munich this season, keeping four clean sheets and conceding 11 goals.

Alphonso Davies, Hiroki Ito and Leon Klanac are already long-term absentees.

Massimo Ambrosini believes that Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina will be won in midfield, and suggests that Youssouf Fofana could be the ‘surprise’ player to settle the crunch match between Milan and Inter. 

Ambrosini spent 18 years with Milan, turning out a total of 489 times across all competitions for the Rossoneri. He was also involved in his fair share of derbies, 29 different matches against Inter to be precise, with a record of 11 wins, six draws and 12 defeats. 

The 35-time Italy international was among the former players to give his thoughts ahead of Sunday’s derby in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

• Read more: Kaka picks one Inter player he would steal for Milan and predicts derby MVP
• Read more: Vieri previews Inter and Milan derby and Scudetto chances: ‘I think we’re there, aren’t we?’

Ambrosini previews Milan vs. Inter and makes ‘surprise’ Fofana prediction

During his talk with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ambrosini was asked which of those derbies was his favourite to take part in. 

“The two in the Champions League in 2003. But in general, every derby was an incredible experience. The two Curvas, the noise of the stadium, the adrenaline,” he said. 

Milan talisman Rafael Leao has recently described this derby as a matter of ‘life or death’ for the Rossoneri. “Sportingly speaking, it is,” Ambrosini agrees. “At least for Milan who are chasing. Winning would mean getting back to -7 from the top and putting some pressure back on Inter.” 

Still, closing down a seven point margin with 10 matches of the season left to play is one step too far for this current Milan side, Ambrosini concedes. 

“I say no, even if you always have to dream in football. My Milan side made up seven points against Lazio within seven matches in 1999. But, if they’d asked me back then how much I believed in a comeback, I probably would have said the same as I’m saying now.

“Max has given Milan its soul back, starting with defensive solidity, which was the priority. That’s why I don’t think he’ll move from the 3-5-2. The mission to return to the Champions League is getting closer.” 

Inter on the other hand, are on their way to winning their 21st league title in what is Cristian Chivu’s first full season in senior management. 

“Cristian’s changed his register recently,” Ambrosini noted. “He’s chosen a bit more of a8 protective line of communication compared to what he did at the start. His work has been exceptional and shouldn’t be taken for granted. The only drawback is the (Champions League) elimination against Bodo.” 

How does Ambrosini see this upcoming derby being settled? 

“In midfield,” he replied. “I don’t expect a very open game, but a big battle especially in the middle, maybe decided by a surprise player.” 

When asked who, he said: “Fofana. He’s been unlucky so far. I like his attitude and it shouldn’t be forgotten that he’s had to adapt as a midfielder.” 

Lastly, Ambrosini had his say on emerging Inter and Italy talent Pio Esposito. He said: “He’s a serious and strong guy. I think everyone appreciates him because he conveys that desire to improve. I like him.” 

Christian Vieri says that young players like Pio Esposito need protecting, but argues that the 20-year-old is still strong enough to be competing for a starting spot at Inter despite his age: “The fact that we still don’t know how to manage young players in Italy hasn’t changed.” 

Vieri praises and protects Esposito: ‘We still don’t know how to manage young players in Italy’

Esposito is in contention for a starting spot in the Derby della Madonnina between the league leading Nerazzurri and their city rivals, Milan on Sunday evening. 

The 20-year-old has impressed in his first full season in the Inter first team and will be going in search of his eighth goal of the season against Milan. He has also featured in 25 of Inter’s 27 matches of the Serie A season, as Cristian Chivu’s side look to go 13+ points clear in their hunt for a 21st league title. 

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Vieri spoke of the need to protect young talents like Esposito, but insists that he is already proving why he is good enough to compete with the likes of Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram. 

Lautaro is injured and unavailable for Sunday’s derby. Vieri described the Argentine as “the strongest centre-forward in Italy. He’s Inter’s engine. They miss everything he does in games, and he can unlock it at any time. Only Hojlund has been as strong as him this season.” 

Vieri believes that it is players like Esposito and summer signing Ange-Yoan Bonny that have made the difference this season, though. 

“This year, Inter have what they have been lacking in the past: Non-starting centre-forwards who are still up to scratch.” 

One of the standouts has been Esposito: “The fact that we still don’t know how to manage young players in Italy hasn’t changed,” Vieri argues. 

“One day he’s amazing and the next he’s disappointing: ‘Why didn’t you score that goal’, or whatever. Pio isn’t even 21 years old yet, and it’s not been long since his journey from Spezia to Inter. Not many have done that.”

Despite the need to ‘protect’ youngsters like Esposito, Vieri believes that he is more than old enough to compete with Inter’s most senior players: “Otherwise he wouldn’t have been able to hold his own on a physical level in Europe,” he says. 

“If you train against strong guys, you improve. And they tell me that he has a lot of desire to improve. Now when he gets the ball, he plays with it a lot more than he did before. He also has the touch that you need to send your teammate through on goal.”

Click here to read the full interview with Christian Vieri.

Cristian Chivu warns Inter ‘cannot lose our identity’ even if a draw would suffice against Milan in the Scudetto race, and insists ‘we can all learn’ from Max Allegri.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

The Nerazzurri are having an oddly mixed season, as while they crashed out of the Champions League play-offs to Bodo/Glimt and played a defensive 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final first leg draw with Como on Tuesday, they are 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table.

A victory tomorrow night against second-placed Milan could practically lock down the Scudetto with two months to spare.

Chivu wants a positive Inter approach

“It is a derby, we all know what it means for two strong teams in their own city, with big ambitions,” said Chivu in his press conference.

“We’ve got to keep the good run going, trying to be competitive and seeking those variations that can allow us to express ourselves even better on the pitch.”

Considering the vast advantage, even a draw could be treated like a success in this fixture, but the coach won’t hear of it.

“We cannot change our identity, the one we have had since the start. We’ve just got to understand the various moments of the match, without losing the approach that got us these results so far.”

Inter are unbeaten in Serie A since the last derby with rivals Milan, a 1-0 result on November 23, followed by a 2-2 draw with Napoli and 14 victories.

“Since the start of this year, we’ve improved and have a different approach to games, because we don’t underestimate or over-estimate anyone,” insisted Chivu.

“What matters is what we want to do, how we control the game, and I think that the ambitions we built for ourselves deservedly this season allow us to be without pressure, aware we are facing a strong opponent.

“Milan have top individual players, but we must be the best version of ourselves. I expect consistency on all the good things we’ve done so far, and the way we reacted to a few defeats and disappointments, such as Bodo.

“This team has the kind of belief that allows it to face every match in the same way. We’ve got to also avoid errors that can play to Milan’s strengths, but that doesn’t mean being passive.”

Did the defeat to Milan provide the switch in Inter’s season, considering they are unbeaten since then including eight consecutive victories?

“I don’t think that was what did it,” replied Chivu. “The switch was after the 3-1 defeat to Napoli. The derby was just down to an unfortunate incident that went against us, but the improvement was already evident before that.”

Max Allegri was impressed with Chivu in his press conference, so how does the Romanian see his rival?

“I am the last person who can talk about Max, because he won six league titles and other trophies. We can all only learn from him as a coach and a person. We know each other and had spoken when I was at Parma.

“I am always happy to deal with someone who understands football, who knows what to do in certain situations. He can teach us so much.”

Marcus Thuram is a doubt with flu symptoms and did not train today, while Lautaro Martinez is injured, so Francesco Pio Esposito seems to be the only guaranteed starter in attack for Inter.

“Pio is fortunate to have teammates who help keep him relaxed, but he is also helped by his work ethic. It’s not a fluke he is doing so well this season, he knows how to handle pressure.

“He doesn’t have the pace of Marcus or Bonny, but he’s so good in knocking down the ball, helping hold the ball up, playing in the penalty area.”

Lautaro Martinez might be out of action, but he is still playing a key role in the preparation for the derby.

“Lautaro is there with us every day and always ready with the right words. You can see the leadership of a captain who cares about this squad,” added Chivu.

Denzel Dumfries made his comeback with a couple of substitute appearances after ankle surgery and could potentially even start with Milan.

“He lacks match fitness, but is working well every day after three months out. Obviously, training is not the same as a match situation, so he needs more minutes, but I’m glad to have him at my disposal.”

Alessandro Bastoni has been loudly jeered by opposition fans in his last two games since the controversial Juventus incident, where he got Pierre Kalulu sent off with a simulation.

“This is something that he and I cannot control,” concluded Chivu.

“It is a consequence of what happened, I think it will probably last a while. It’s a pity, because we need football to remain just a game. Ale is a person, he knows how much his teammates count on and need him. This gives him comfort and strength, our daily respect and embraces help him.

“His performances against Lecce and Como were, despite the jeers, very good. This is to his credit that he can express himself at a high level even in these circumstances.”

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Evan Ferguson’s season is likely over, that Artem Dovbyk is unlikely to feature until May and has also denied rumours of any meetings with Giallorossi legend Francesco Totti. 

The Roma head coach sat down for his pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A match against Genoa, who are under the guidance of former Giallorossi captain and manager Daniele De Rossi. 

News broke on Saturday morning that Brighton loanee Ferguson is expected to undergo surgery on an ankle issue that has kept him out of action for the last few weeks, and that the procedure is likely to spell the end of his season. 

The 21-year-old is unlikely to feature for Roma again, as the Giallorossi are extremely unlikely to activate the €40m option to buy clause in their deal with Brighton. 

“If we include Dovbyk and Ferguson, we’re in a really difficult situation,” Gasperini told the press on Saturday.

“Dovbyk’s been out for many months. The surgery’s been done, if all goes well, he could return at the end of April, maybe the beginning of May. We continue to consider him among the absentees. 

“The same goes for Ferguson at this point, because this is probably where his season ends to have surgery on his ankle, so he won’t have time to recover, even at the end of the season. So they’re now crossed off the list. 

“But then there is Malen, there is Vaz, there is Venturino, there are others. We’ve got El Shaarawy and Pellegrini back, we have the numbers to continue playing.” 

It was suggested to Gasperini that some of Roma’s medical diagnoses have not been particularly accurate this season. 

He replied: “No, but it would be presumptuous of me to talk about medicine. It’s not a topic on which we can discuss on the level with the doctors and professionals. It’s true that they’ve had to deal with lots of cases though, isn’t it. 

“Starting with Ferguson, who arrived a year after an operation with great initial difficulties in getting back to his best with the few games he played last year. Then he had an excellent period around December, then there was this relapse, but this was a different case. 

“Then there’s been the Angelino matter, there was Bailey, there was Dovbyk, and now Dybala. Undoubtedly this is quite rare in football because they aren’t even muscular injuries, they’re all quite specific, each one different from the other. 

“It’s definitely had an effect having to give up these players for such a long time. However, despite that, we’ve come this far, we have to continue and move forwards with our best intentions.” 

Gasperini denies Totti rumours: ‘Never met with him’ 

Gasperini has denied any knowledge of any meetings or talks with Roma legend Totti, who has been rumoured to be eyeing a return to the club in some sort of backroom role. 

“I’m not in a position to talk about these situations,” said Gasperini. “I’ve been in Rome for eight or nine months. I’ve never met with Totti, it’s not a topic that I’ve brought up. It came out a month ago, not from me.” 

There have been reports that Roma have discussed potential roles and further details with Totti, but Gasperini denies any knowledge of this. 

Gasperini on Genoa vs Roma 

Gasperini went on to give his thoughts about the upcoming clash with Genoa in Serie A and his team’s successes so far this season. 

“I continue to look ahead, I continue to look to the match against Genoa. We’ll have Genoa, then Bologna, Como, Bologna again, and then before the break we have Lecce. It’s two good weeks, but not decisive. The decisive things will happen in May. The goal for now is to stay in the mix.

“Tomorrow we play in Genoa. I know well what the stadium is like when it’s full. A team that is strong at home, dragged and pushed on by its supporters. We have to think about the team and our performances.”

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Cristian Chivu reveals new concerns for Inter ahead of tomorrow’s Derby della Madonnina with Milan, as Marcus Thuram ‘did not train today’ because of illness.

It kicks off at San Siro on Sunday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

The Nerazzurri were already forced to do without captain and Capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez, who has been out of action since suffering a calf strain during the first leg of their Champions League play-off with Bodo/Glimt last month.

Chivu struggling with Thuram fitness

Now Thuram is a doubt to start in attack too for one of the biggest matches of the season, as revealed by Chivu in his press conference this afternoon.

“The lads are doing pretty well, they trained well after the Coppa Italia game with Como,” said the coach.

“We had a few problems today with Marcus, who has a fever and did not manage to do the training session. We can only hope that tomorrow he will be at 100 per cent and at our disposal.”

There is a boost with the return of Hakan Calhanoglu, who on Tuesday in the 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final draw against Como had his first start in six weeks.

“Calhanoglu is fine, he is at our disposal tomorrow. Playing an hour in Como helped him, and we’ll see for tomorrow.”

Ange-Yoan Bonny had missed the previous Serie A round due to a muscular issue, but he returned as a substitute against Como.

Francesco Pio Esposito therefore seems the only guaranteed starter in attack for Inter.

Luciano Spalletti has confirmed his squad of 22 Juventus players to take on Pisa in Serie A this evening, but centre-forward Dusan Vlahovic is not included on this occasion. 

The Bianconeri are preparing to take on Pisa in Serie A on Saturday afternoon. Spalletti’s side will be aiming for three points, which they hope will push them further towards the Serie A top four after slipping behind Como and Roma in recent weeks. 

The Bianconeri are without a win across their last four matches, but did record an encouraging 3-3 comeback draw away against Roma last time out in the league. Saturday’s opponents, Pisa, have only won one of their 37 Serie A matches all season and have lost three on the bounce heading into the Juve clash. 

Vlahovic has recently returned to training after suffering a high-grade adductor injury earlier this season, which has required three months of rehabilitation. 

There had been some hopes at the beginning of the week that Vlahovic would be included in the matchday squad to face Pisa, but this has come one too soon. Spalletti confirmed on Friday that Vlahovic is in contention to face Udinese next week instead. 

Instead, Jonathan David looks set to lead the line for Juventus against Pisa, with support likely to come from Francisco Conceicao, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz. 

Confirmed Juventus squad for Pisa

Goalkeepers: Di Gregorio, Perin, Pinsoglio. 

Defenders: Bremer, Gatti, Kelly, Kalulu, Cambiaso, Cabal. 

Midfielders: Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Boga, Adzic, Kostic, Thuram, Miretti, McKennie. 

Forwards: Conceicao, Yildiz, Zhegrova, Openda, David. 

I convocati da mister Spalletti per la gara di questa sera all'Allianz Stadium #JuvePisa

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— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) March 7, 2026

Former Inter and Italy striker Christian Vieri argues that Alessandro Bastoni has ‘apologised, knows that he was wrong and that should be enough’, as the Nerazzurri defender continues to earn boos around grounds in Italy following his involvement in the sending off of Juventus’s Pierre Kalulu in the Derby d’Italia last month. 

Bastoni continues to cut a divisive figure in Italy after Inter’s 3-2 victory over rivals Juventus in Serie A in February. 

The Nerazzurri centre-back was involved in a controversial incident that saw Juventus defender Kalulu wrongly sent off for a second bookable offence. 

With the scores level at 1-1 in the first half, Bastoni took an obvious tumble to the floor under the soft challenge of Kalulu, which resulted in referee Federico La Penna sending the Juventus man off for his second yellow card. Bastoni was then seen passionately celebrating as the red card was shown to Kalulu. Inter went on to win 3-2 against the 10-man Bianconeri. 

Bastoni apologised for the way that he celebrated the decision to send Kalulu off a few days after the incident, but condemned the abuse that he and his family had suffered in the aftermath. 

The ordeal has upset not just upset Juventus supporters, as the Italy international has since been treated to boos at various grounds across Serie A.

There had even been calls from certain supporters for the Nerazzurri defender to be dropped from Gennaro Gattuso’s Italy squad ahead of the crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up at the end of March. 

Former Italy players defend Bastoni

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the upcoming Derby della Madonnina between Inter and Milan, former Italy striker Vieri has come out in defence of Bastoni. 

“What he did, everyone does. Come on,” Vieri said. “The cameras are unforgiving and social media is terrible. They take out all the context. 

“We’ve seen videos of those who celebrate, even those who pretend to be hurt on the pitch, those who get up as soon as their opponent is booked. Bastoni went into the press room, apologised, he knows it was wrong and that should be enough. The Milan fans will all boo, but not just him.” 

• Click here to read the full interview with Christian Vieri

Former Juventus winger Massimo Mauro has also come out in defence of Bastoni ahead of the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on March 26. 

“The fact that Bastoni gets booed everywhere is a bit ridiculous. At this point, you’d have to boo 60-70% of footballers,” he said in a recent interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“The issue got blown out of proportion because Kalulu was sent off. Then Bastoni celebrated, and you shouldn’t do that, of course, but you can’t pay for it for the rest of your life either. That’s ridiculous.”

Thiago Motta is reportedly among the potential candidates to replace Igor Tudor as head coach of Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, less than a year after the Italian was replaced by the Croatian at Juventus. 

Could Tottenham replace Tudor with another former Juventus head coach?

It has been just shy of a year since Motta was dismissed from his position as head coach of Juventus. The former Bologna tactician did not last the full year with the Old Lady after a summer of heavy spending and a long series of unconvincing results thereafter. 

Motta was let go from his position on March 23 last year, and Tudor was announced as his replacement later on the same day. 

Tudor was initially appointed Juventus head coach on a short-term contract until the end of the 2024-25 season, but was later handed a contract extension until the summer of 2028 after impressing with his short run of fixtures towards the end of the campaign. 

Tudor did not last long, though, and was replaced by current incumbent Luciano Spalletti at the end of October. 

Tudor has since been appointed as the head coach of Premier League strugglers Tottenham, again on a short-term contract until the end of the season, but has gone on to lose his first three matches in charge, which leaves Spurs just one point above the relegation zone with nine league matches of the season left to play. 

Reports in the UK indicate that Juventus are considering sacking Tudor just three games into his tenure, and according to reports in Italy, Motta is among the potential candidates to replace him. 

As per Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com, Tottenham have two potential Italian head coaches in mind in Motta and former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. There are other alternatives in Sean Dyche, Robbie Keane and Ryan Mason.

Massimilano Allegri has had the opportunity to comment on his future after a week of rumours linking him to the Real Madrid job, less than a year into his tenure with Milan: ‘We haven’t achieved anything yet’. 

Reports in Italy this week have claimed that Allegri has been the long-term subject of a courtship from Real Madrid President Florentino Perez, and that the LaLiga giants could be poised to make a move for the Milan head coach to replace Alvaro Arbeola. 

There have even been suggestions that Allegri would be keen to bring trusted Milan and former Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot with him to the Bernabeu, as well as Luka Modric in some sort of coaching capacity.

Updates claim that Milan are now keen to offer Allegri an extension to his contract, potentially until 2028, as a result of the Real Madrid interest. 

Allegri comments on Madrid rumours and Milan future

Allegri has since had a chance to address the recent rumours regarding his future during his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina against city rivals and league leaders, Inter. 

“I’m linked to Milan until 2027. My future is tomorrow. I’m fine at Milan and I’m very happy,” the Milan head coach told the press on Saturday. 

“We only started the journey in July. The club is working for the future. But until we reach our goal, we will have to stay focused on the present. We haven’t achieved anything yet.” 

Click here to read more from Allegri’s pre-Inter press conference

Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri says that ‘you never know’ in football, but insists that his side’s only goal this season is to finish in the Champions League positions, not a Scudetto fight with their city rivals, Inter. 

Milan, currently second in Serie A after 27 matches, will take on the table-topping Inter in San Siro in a highly-anticipated Derby della Madonnina on Sunday evening. 

If the Nerazzurri claim victory, they will move 13 points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 10 league matches of the season left to go. If Milan win, they will cut the deficit to seven points, a margin they have previously chased down, albeit against Lazio in the 1998-99 season. 

Allegri previews Milan derby: ‘It’s always special’

Allegri sat down for his pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of tomorrow’s crunch match. The Rossoneri head coach discussed his side’s form, the reality of Milan’s situation in Serie A and the ‘special, special’ feeling heading into a derby. 

“The derby is always a special, special game. It’s beautiful to play and experience. It will definitely be a great evening of sport. But, the three points in the derby are worth the same as the three points next Sunday,” Allegri said (via TMW).

“It’s important to pick up points tomorrow, it won’t be easy against a strong team. We know the importance of the game but we will try to get a result.

“The only thing we have left to do is play it, then we’ll see how it ends. After the game we’ll see if we’re left at -10, at -7 or at -13. Regardless of tomorrow’s result, we know that 57 points isn’t enough to achieve our goal, which is to return to playing in the Champions League. Our schedule is tough and we’re still a few victories away.” 

Allegri went on to provide a medical update ahead of Sunday’s derby: “Everyone is fine apart from Gabbia, Loftus-Cheek and Gimenez, who will soon be with the team,” he said. “Bartesaghi trained yesterday, I’ll decide if he or Estupinan, who’s doing very well, will play tomorrow.” 

Looking at tomorrow’s opposition, Allegri said: “Inter score goals in lots of different ways. They’re good shooters from outside the box, they have great strength inside it. It depends on who plays tomorrow, if Dumfries will play. They have a lot of different solutions in front of goal. We also have great qualities to be able to play a good game and score against Inter.” 

There have been reports this week linking Allegri with a big move to Real Madrid. For now, he insists that he is focused on the task at hand with the Rossoneri. 

“I’m linked to Milan until 2027. My future is tomorrow. I’m fine at Milan and I’m very happy. We only started the journey in July. The club is working for the future. But until we reach our goal, we will have to stay focused on the present. We haven’t achieved anything yet.” 

Allegri was also asked what he makes of the recent booing that Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni has been subjected to following his involvement in the sending off of Pierre Kalulu during last month’s Derby d’Italia. 

“I don’t want to make any appeals. All I can say is that the Milan fans will have to help us and support us as they have done from day one. The thing they will have to do first and foremost is support Milan.” 

Allegri was asked if he thinks Milan will be able to catch Inter if they win on Sunday. He said: “You never know what happens in football. In the meantime, we’ll just play tomorrow. I don’t know if we’ll re-open the race for the Scudetto, but we’re five wins away from the Champions League, so if we win tomorrow, we’ll be missing one less.” 

Milan have had a full week to prepare for Sunday’s derby, while Inter have only had a matter of days given their midweek involvement in the Coppa Italia. 

Allegri was asked if he feels he has had too much time to prepare compared to Cristian Chivu and his team. 

“Let’s see how it goes. Puulisic is growing in terms of his condition, Leao as well, Estupinan also on a mental level. The guys are all fine. Fullkrug is also doing better. He played for a month suffering with his toe, now he’s better too. Rabiot was stopped through suspension, Jashari’s growing in condition. We’ll play and hope to get a result tomorrow.” 

Michael Kayode is having an impressive 2025-26 campaign in the Premier League with Brentford, is in contention for a potential Italy national team call-up and has now caught the eye of Juventus according to the latest reports in Italy. 

The 21-year-old right-back has played a key role for under Keith Andrews in 2025-26, starting at right-back in 28 of a possible 29 Premier League matches this season after joining Brentford from Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy in January last year. 

Kayode and his Brentford teammates currently find themselves in seventh place in the Premier League table, fighting for a spot in Europe despite being tipped for relegation by many at the beginning of the season. 

There have also been suggestions that Kayode could be in line for a call up to the Italy national team squad in the near future. The former Fiorentina man has represented the Azzurri at U18, U19 and U21 levels and has eight caps for the latter. 

Kayode was also among the players that Italy’s delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon singled out for praise in a recent interview ahead of the World Cup play-off campaign at the end of the month. 

“A big surprise has been Palestra; he’s shown something extraordinary. Another one who’s doing well is Kayode. Vergara, too, definitely catches your attention,” said Buffon. 

Reports Juventus interested in Italy prospect Kayode 

Now, according to reports from Tuttosport, Kayode is also of interest to Juventus ahead of the summer transfer window. 

The Turin-based outlet lauds Kayode as a player who could star at right-back for the Old Lady ‘for the next 10 years’. Saturday’s report claims that Juve will continue to monitor the 21-year-old’s progress with great interest for the rest of the season. 

Kayode is also capable of playing at right-back in a back four and as a wing-back in a three or five-man defence, which would make him a decent fit for Bianconeri head coach Luciano Spalletti, who does like to occasionally tinker with his system. 

Tuttosport claims that Juventus would have to pay around €30m to snatch the Italy talent away from Brentford, who paid a fee in the region of €18m to activate the option to buy in Kayode’s original loan contract. 

Kayode also spent four years in Juventus’s youth academy as a youngster. 

Christian Vieri believes that four Milan players would get into Inter’s best starting XI ahead of the Derby della Madonnina between the two sides in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

The former Italy striker, who scored 103 Serie A goals for Inter and also had a brief spell with Milan immediately after, spoke in-depth with La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Sunday’s derby. 

• Read more: Vieri previews Inter and Milan derby and Scudetto chances: ‘I think we’re there, aren’t we?’

Ahead of kick-off, the Nerazzurri have a 10-point advantage at the top of the Serie A table, and should they win on Sunday, they will go 13 points clear of their city rivals with 10 league games of the season left to play. 

Vieri believes that Inter are well on their way to claiming their 21st Serie A title, regardless of the result in tomorrow’s derby. 

“No Inter player wants to say anything because they don’t want to bring any bad luck, but with 10 games to go, there would be no team capable of catching up with this side, which practically always wins against the smaller sides by the way.” Vieri told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

If Milan were to win on Sunday, they would move within seven points of Inter with 10 games left to go. 

Vieri believes that Cristian Chivu’s side have already created a large enough buffer to see off the Rossoneri threat, though: “I don’t do ifs, buts and maybes. The seven point margin would still count for a lot.” he said. 

“Inter would have to lose three and Milan would always have to win. Also, Inter have to play against Atalanta, Roma and Como. Milan against Napoli, Juventus and Atalanta, even Sassuolo. I think we’re there aren’t we?” 

Which Milan players would start for Inter?

When Vieri spoke to La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the derby this time last year, he said that Inter would probably be keen to sign Rafael Leao from Milan and that Milan would probably like to sign eight or nine players from Inter. 

“Today, I’d say Leao, Modric, Rabiot and Maignan. And it would be seven or eight Inter guys. Lautaro’s injury takes him out of it.”

Vieri was also asked how ‘amazed’ he has been by the form of the 40-year-old Luka Modric following his move to Milan from Real Madrid over the summer. 

“Only in Italy is there as much talk about a player’s age,” he said. “He was at Real and was playing last year, it’s not as if it was 10 years ago. If I were Milan, I would renew his contract. I’d give him a five-year deal.” 

Click here to read the full interview with Vieri.

The upcoming Derby della Madonnina between Milan and Inter in Serie A on Sunday evening is expected to set a new league record for matchday takings according to the latest reports in Italy. 

Sunday’s Serie A headliner will be the battle of second-placed Milan and the league leading Inter, who have a 10-point advantage healing over their city rivals ahead of kick-off. Should Cristian Chivu’s side claim victory, they will move 13 points clear at the top of the table with 10 league games left to go. 

There has been much anticipation for Sunday’s derby, which, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, will set a new record for the highest ever takings on a Serie A matchday. 

• Read more: Vieri previews Inter and Milan derby and Scudetto chances: ‘I think we’re there’
• Read more: Kaka picks one Inter player he would steal for Milan

How much will Sunday’s derby between Milan and Inter bring in?

According to Saturday’s report, the upcoming derby is set to bring in more than €8.7m in revenues, which will surpass the previous record of €8.65m that was set during the first leg of this fixture earlier this season. 

A sold-out capacity crowd in excess of 75,500 will be in attendance in San Siro tomorrow. 

As calculated by Calcio e Finanza, here are the five most financially profitable Serie A matches ever: 

1. AC Milan v Inter, 8 March 2026, San Siro – €8,700,000 (75,500 expected spectators)
2. Inter v AC Milan, 23 November 2025, San Siro – €8,649,494 (75,562 spectators)
3. Inter vs. Juventus, 14 February 2026, San Siro – €8,587,129 (75,515 spectators)
4. Inter v AC Milan, 22 September 2024, San Siro – €7,626,430 (75,366 spectators)
5. Inter vs. Juventus, 27 October 2024, San Siro – €7,614,585 (75,056 spectators)

Former Rossoneri star Kaka has named the one Inter player he would like to ‘steal’ for Milan and has no doubts as to who will have the biggest impact in the upcoming Derby della Madonnina: ‘Modric will make the difference’. 

Ahead of the Derby della Madonnina between Milan and Inter in San Siro this coming Sunday, Kaka sat down for an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, discussing all things Rossoneri, Brazil and the upcoming World Cup.

Ahead of Sunday’s highly-anticipated derby, Inter sit at the top of the Serie A table with a 10-point advantage over their next closest rivals, Milan. 

Kaka insists that with 11 league matches of the 2025-26 season left to play, Milan still have everything left to play for. 

“We’re 10 points off them, but I will say that it can be done, and in terms of the Scudetto as well. Of course it looks like a very difficult task looking at the standings, but I’ve seen a lot in football and I will repeat, I believe in it.” 

Which Inter player would Kaka steal for Milan?

Kaka was asked which Inter player he would pick to steal and have play for the Rossoneri instead. 

He said: “Lautaro, but since he’s injured I’ll go with Thuram.” 

And when asked which Milan player he thinks will have the biggest influence in this upcoming derby, Kaka said: “Modric, without a doubt. He’ll make the difference with his experience but also his class. I also like Pulisic a lot and there’s always Leao.”

Evan Ferguson’s career at Roma is likely over, as the Republic of Ireland international is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season through injury according to reports in Italy. 

It has been a miserable few seasons for the 21-year-old Brighton loanee, who had been tipped for very top during his teenage years in the Premier League. 

His 2023-24 campaign was curtailed with a cruciate ligament tear, which also affected his start to the 2024-25 season. He also suffered an ankle injury later that season, before being sent on a fairly underwhelming loan spell to West Ham. 

He had hoped to relaunch his career in Serie A with Roma, who brought him on loan with a €40m option to buy from Brighton during the summer transfer window. 

However, despite the occasional glimpse of promise during his time with the Rossoneri, scoring five goals and providing two assists from 22 appearances across Serie A and the Europa League, Ferguson has struggled to win over Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and has also continued to do battle with ankle injuries. 

Ferguson surgery brings end of Roma career

Despite scoring twice and providing an assist in a run of three consecutive Serie A starts over the new-year period, Ferguson has missed most of 2026 with a new ankle injury, which has kept him out of the last seven Serie A matches. 

According to recent reports, Ferguson has recently returned to the UK for a consultation with a specialist, and now, according to updates from Corriere dello Sport, the decision has been made for the 21-year-old to have surgery. 

According to Saturday’s report, Ferguson will have the operation in the UK at some stage next week and this is expected to bring the end of his 2025-26 season. 

This is also likely to spell the end of Ferguson’s Roma days, as the Giallorossi are extremely unlikely to activate the buy option in their loan agreement with Brighton. 

With Artem Dovbyk and Paulo Dybala also unavailable through injury and with Matias Soule still struggling, Gasperini now finds himself increasingly reliant on Serie A’s player of the month for February, Donyell Malen, plus youngsters Robinio Vaz and Antonio Arena in attack.

Dusan Vlahovic is close to being back in contention for Juventus selection, but Jonathan David is expected to lead the line when Pisa visit the Allianz Stadium in Serie A on Saturday evening. 

The Bianconeri are without a win over their last four Serie A matches, but were able to fight back to claim a 3-3 draw away against Roma last weekend in a huge match in the race for the Champions League positions. 

The Bianconeri find themselves in sixth place ahead of kick-off against Pisa, one point off the fifth-placed Como and four behind Roma in the top four. 

Luciano Spalletti’s biggest toss-up in terms of his personnel is in goal: Either Michele Di Gregorio or Mattia Perin could start, but pre-match reports indicate that it will be the former Monza stopper starting against Pisa, coming back in after spending the last two matches on the bench. 

Juventus are not expected to make any changes in defence: Pierre Kalulu, Gleison Bremer, Lloyd Kelly and Andrea Cambiaso are the preferred options. Captain Manuel Locatelli is back from suspension and is intended to start in midfield alongside Khpehren Thuram with Teun Koopmeiners likely to drop to the bench. 

Vlahovic is back in training with the Juventus squad after having surgery on his adductor, which has required more than three months of rehabilitation, but Spalletti has confirmed that the Serbian is instead targeting a return against Udinese next weekend. 

David is expected to lead the line, with support likely to come from Francisco Conceicao, Weston McKennie and Kenan Yildiz. 

Pisa have still only won once across their 27 Serie A matches this season and have lost their last three in a row approaching Saturday’s match against Juventus. Bologna beat them 1-0 at the Garibaldi on Monday night. 

Filip Stojilkovic could return to the attack for Oscar Hiljemark’s side, as could Felipe Loyola in midfield. Arturo Calabresi is still unavailable in defence through injury.

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT. 

Juventus vs. Pisa: Probable line-ups 

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

Pisa (3-5-2): Nicolas; Coppola, Caracciolo, Bozhinov; Leris, Loyola, Aebischer, Marin, Angori; Moreo, Stojilkovic. 

Where to watch Juventus vs. Pisa

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

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

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Remaking the Devil

Pulisic the bomber for the derby 

Already has three goals, Milan win if he scores. The last time in the first leg … Record takings in Serie A tomorrow 

Vieri: ‘Inter, what strength Pio has, give him crosses’ 

The interview 

Spalletti stays at Juve

The signing of the renewal after the game against Pisa 

Napoli get going now, here’s De Bruyne again. Toro score at the end 

Elmas and Alisson on target (2-1) 

Conte +8 above fifth place

Corriere dello Sport 

A derby for Pio 

Inter do the maths | Beat Milan to go +13 ahead: Chivu reserves the 21st title 

Esposito: Time for the Scudetto

In tandem with Thuram tomorrow, looking for his eighth goal of the season. Cristian flying: 43 points from 15 games. Rabiot spurs on Pulisic and Leao 

EmozioNapoli

Won 2-1 against Torino: -1 behind Allegri 

Second consecutive victory for Conte, who close in on Milan and recover two of their Fab 4: Anguissa and De Bruyne. Alisson Santos score: Elmas doubles. Casadei’s goal from a header useless at the end

Spalletti and Juve, renewal getting closer 

Taking on Pisa today (19.45)

Lucio: ‘I’ve already spoken with the club. I’m going to live in the same apartment building as Comolli and Chiellini’. Vlahovic out, Yildiz will be there

Dybala out for a month and a half 

Operation on his knee 

The Roma star has a partial tear of the meniscus. Malen voted player of the month for February 

Tuttosport 

‘In Spalletti, I see Lippi again’

Interview with Ravanelli

One of the Champions League heroes from ‘96 won over by the Bianconeri coach: ‘He could start a new cycle at Juve, like Marcello did. He’s the right man: Some things need to be fixed, but he offers great football. Me, the lawyer and Gorbachev’. In Pisa this evening: Yildiz starts. Lucio’s joke about the renewal: ‘Now I live in the same apartment building as Comolli’

Napoli, Santos in paradise, D’Aversa doesn’t pull off miracles 

The Brazilian opens, Elmas doubles. Casadei goal but only at the end: Toro beaten 

The Granata pay the price for their limitations and fragility: Paleari mistake for 1-0, defence collapsed on the second goal. The reaction was too late, but Adams wasted the chance for 2-0.  Conte celebrates going +8 clear of fifth palace and the returns of Anguissa and De Bruyne. Even the Maradona chants: ‘Urbano Cairo you need to sell’

From Retegui to Guler, the Derby that could have been 

Milan-Inter tomorrow

Tudor, what a flop. Tottenham thinking about Motta! 

Three games, three defeats 

Como, Europe to keep Paz. Villa looking at Caprile 

Taking on Cagliari today 

Napoli moved a step closer to securing Champions League football with a commanding home victory over Torino at the Maradona, with goals from Alisson Santos and Eljif Elmas doing the damage against a Torino side that threatened briefly but were ultimately well beaten.

Antonio Conte’s men were in the ascendancy from the off, and it took only seven minutes for the opener to arrive.

Alisson Santos, the Brazilian who has quickly become a fan favourite at the Maradona, collected a pass on the edge of the box and without hesitation rifled an unstoppable effort into the bottom left corner.

It was a goal of genuine quality, the kind that silences any doubts about whether a player belongs at this level.

Torino were not without their moments in the first half.

You can relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was called into action on a couple of occasions, producing a sensational stop to deny Nikola Vlasic from close range after a rebound fell invitingly on the edge of the box, while Duvan Zapata tested the defence with a powerful effort that cannoned to safety.

But Napoli’s control was evident, their passing crisp and purposeful as they managed the game comfortably until the break.

Napoli 2-1 Torino – Zambo Anguissa & De Bruyne return from injury

Zambo Anguissa made his comeback from injury at half-time, replacing Vergara in a moment that drew warm applause from a sell-out crowd, the Cameroonian’s return another welcome boost for a squad stretched thin by a lengthy injury list.

Kevin De Bruyne followed him off the bench in the 79th minute, the Belgian’s first involvement since October greeted with enormous excitement from the stands.

The points were sealed on 68 minutes when Elmas, having been played in smartly by Matteo Politano, jinked inside his marker and buried an unstoppable low drive into the bottom left corner. It was a goal of composure and conviction, and one that gave the result its definitive shape.

Torino did manage to deny Napoli a clean sheet, when Cesare Casadei scored with just two minutes left of normal time. However, the Partenopei managed to hold on to their lead and secure the three points.

Napoli’s fortress remains intact.

The Maradona is still an unbeaten turf in Serie A this season, and with De Bruyne and Anguissa edging closer to full fitness, Conte’s side are gathering momentum at exactly the right time.

06-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli

Torino

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Alisson Santos (Assist: Leonardo Spinazzola)

7'

2nd half

		63'		Gvidas Gineitis
		64'		Ardian Ismajli
Eljif Elmas (Assist: Matteo Politano)		68'
		73'		Valentino Lazaro
		87'		Cesare Casadei (Assist: Ché Adams)

Match statistic

64

Possession %

36

14

Total shots

7

9

Shots on target

4

3

Shots off target

0

2

Blocked shots

3

11

Corners

2

1

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

11

Napoli

Torino

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

69'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

46'

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

79'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

84'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

84'

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

44

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

57'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

67'

98

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

78'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

57'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

67'

Substitutes

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

23

Giovane

Attacker

23

Giovane Nascimento

Attacker

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

46'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

69'

11

Kevin De Bruyne

Midfielder

79'

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

84'

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

84'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

57'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

57'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

67'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

67'

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

78'

Antonio Conte spoke to DAZN in the moments before kick-off between Napoli and Torino at the Maradona, addressing the most pressing questions surrounding his team selection, and offering the most detailed update yet on when supporters might see Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa making a meaningful contribution.

The Belgian and the Cameroonian are both named on the bench this evening, their first involvement in a matchday squad since their respective injuries in the autumn.

But Conte was measured in managing expectations, explaining that the timing of the fixture had complicated their preparation.

“This is the first week they have worked with us,” he said, with quotes via IlNapolista.

“Making assessments about how much they can play is difficult, especially because in previous weeks we organised friendlies to help with the integration of new arrivals like Lukaku. This week that was not possible, a practice match would have been useful. If I have brought them to the bench, it means they are available. We will see how the game goes, whether we need them and how much.”

Napoli vs Torino – Conte defends selection choices

The selection of three left-footed central defenders raised eyebrows, with Sam Beukema notably absent from the starting lineup.

Conte was typically brief when pressed on the matter.

“These are technical choices, I pick those in the best condition. It is not the first time this has happened,” he said, declining to elaborate further.

With 11 matches remaining, Conte was equally direct about the stakes involved.

Asked about the difficulty of facing a Torino side who have returned to a two-striker system under Roberto D’Aversa, he refused to single out any individual opponent.

“For us every match is important,” he said.

“In these eleven games we will determine what kind of European competition we play next season. Tonight matters, just as Lecce and Cagliari will matter. We must take it game by game and draw conclusions at the end.”

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

Roma forward Paulo Dybala underwent knee surgery today at the Villa Stuart medical facility in Rome, as surgeons seek to correct a repeating issue in his meniscus.

According to reports from TuttoMercatoWeb, via FirenzeViola, the Argentine was subject to a diagnostic arthroscopy on his left knee, which revealed a small tear in his external meniscus.

During the procedure, surgeons fixed the tear, led by Professor Mariani at Villa Stuart.

Dybala is now expected to sit out for around six weeks, due to return around mid-April.

This means that the Argentine will miss most of the remainder of the season and with his Roma future hanging in the balance, he will want to return before the campaign is over in case it is his last chance to play in Giallorossi colours.

Watch: Dybala leaves Villa Stuart after knee surgery

.@OfficialASRoma, Paulo Dybala ha lasciato Villa Stuart dopo l’intervento al ginocchio pic.twitter.com/CEDsXMNUJP

— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) March 6, 2026

Napoli host Torino at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this evening, as Antonio Conte’s side look to bounce back from recent wobbles to ensure they do not lose further ground in the race for the top four.

Conte’s Partenopei currently sit in third place but have lost much ground on league leaders Inter over the past couple of months.

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

An injury crisis in Naples has left Conte fairly short-staffed and they now sit 14 points off of the Nerazzurri. Therefore, the Scudetto dream is quickly fading away but it is still all to play for in the exciting race for Champions League football.

Napoli have a five point lead over 5th placed Como, with Juventus one point behind Fabregas’ side and Atalanta two points behind the Bianconeri.

Torino, meanwhile, come into this game off the back of a first win under Roberto D’Aversa, winning 2-0 at home to Lazio after three consecutive games without a win that saw Marco Baroni sacked.

Napoli vs Torino – Official Lineups

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Gilmour, Elmas, Spinazzola; Vergara, Hojlund, Alisson

Torino: Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Lazaro, Prati, Gineitis, Obrador; Vlasic, Simeone; Zapata

06-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli

Torino

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Alisson Santos (Assist: Leonardo Spinazzola)

7'

2nd half

		63'		Gvidas Gineitis
		64'		Ardian Ismajli
Eljif Elmas (Assist: Matteo Politano)		68'
		73'		Valentino Lazaro
		87'		Cesare Casadei (Assist: Ché Adams)

Match statistic

64

Possession %

36

14

Total shots

7

9

Shots on target

4

3

Shots off target

0

2

Blocked shots

3

11

Corners

2

1

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

11

Napoli

Torino

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

69'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

46'

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

79'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

84'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

84'

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

44

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

57'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

67'

98

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

78'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

57'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

67'

Substitutes

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

23

Giovane

Attacker

23

Giovane Nascimento

Attacker

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

46'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

69'

11

Kevin De Bruyne

Midfielder

79'

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

84'

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

84'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

57'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

57'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

67'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

67'

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

78'

{rsn-live-v2}

Lois Openda’s difficult debut season at Juventus has taken another unusual turn, with the Belgian striker sharing images on social media of himself undergoing an extensive cupping therapy session, covered from head to toe in the traditional Chinese medicine cups in a photo that, as Tuttosport put it, looked more like a torture scene than a recovery treatment.

While athletes occasionally use cupping to aid muscle recovery, the sheer extent of Openda’s session left supporters and observers genuinely taken aback.

It is a striking image of a player trying everything to turn his fortunes around, and the numbers make clear just how badly that turnaround is needed.

Openda struggles as Juventus could seek to cash in early

Juventus signed Openda for €40.6 million on a compulsory purchase obligation after an initial €3.3 million loan, with gross annual wages of €7.4 million running until 2030.

The total outlay makes for uncomfortable reading when set against his output.

Across all competitions, 23 Serie A appearances totalling 684 minutes, plus two Coppa Italia and eight Champions League outings, the former RB Leipzig striker has scored just one goal, against Roma in a 2-1 win on 20 December.

The arithmetic, as Tuttosport calculates, is brutal.

His total cost works out at approximately €51,661 per minute played across all competitions. Restricting the calculation to Serie A alone, the figure rises to a staggering €75,000 per minute when factoring in both transfer fee and wages.

Juventus will face enormous difficulty recouping anything close to their investment should they choose to move him on this summer, and with the club already planning significant attacking reinforcements, Openda’s time in Turin looks increasingly limited.

Former Roma star Daniele De Rossi, now the Genoa coach, has a ‘desire for redemption’ against the Giallorossi after December’s 3-1 loss at the Olimpico.

Roma visit De Rossi’s Genoa on Sunday, and the former midfielder previewed the game at a press conference on Friday.

Genoa vs. Roma – De Rossi’s pre-match press conference

“On Sunday, there will be many people I care about, and I’ll want to hug. In the meantime, I send a hug to Dybala, but Roma are very strong even without him,” De Rossi said via Corriere dello Sport.

Dybala underwent arthroscopic surgery today and is expected to remain out of action for nearly two months.

“I hug him as I did when he became a father,” De Rossi said.

Sebastian Otoa and Brooke Norton-Cuffy remain in doubt for Genoa.

“I still don’t know if they’ll be called up. The positive news is that they’re doing much better, and we have great confidence regarding all the injured players,” De Rossi said.

“Baldanzi surely won’t be there, but he also gives us hope. We’ve lost him, but I don’t think for very long.”

Roma and Genoa already met recently, with the Grifone suffering a 3-1 away loss in late December.

“The reverse fixture was our worst match since I’ve been here, despite mistakes made in other games as well and despite the opponent’s strength,” noted De Rossi.

“Roma’s value is unquestionable; what we lacked was the reaction. We’ve played against teams that dominated us like Napoli or Atalanta, but the reaction was always there.

“On Sunday, we’ll have to be ready for anything. We’ve always done well at home, and the crowd is positive and really pushes us. I always tell my friends to come and watch Genoa here to understand.

“We know what kind of match we need to play. There’s also a bit of desire for redemption on our part for what we did in the reverse fixture. That was the only time I’ve looked at myself in the mirror and not been proud of myself; the only time I went home and asked a couple of questions.”

Reports in Italy claim that Milan left-back Davide Bartesaghi trained with the rest of the team on Friday, so he’s expected to be available for Sunday’s Serie A derby against Inter.

Milan left-back Bartesaghi trained with the rest of his teammates this morning, giving coach Massimiliano Allegri a much-needed boost for Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter.

Bartesaghi resumes training with Milan ahead of derby

Bartesaghi was subbed off during last week’s away game at Cremonese, but exams undergone earlier this week didn’t highlight any lesion in the flexor of his right thigh.

As reported by Milannews and Sky Sport Italia, Bartesaghi returned to group training on Friday, so he should be eligible for the next Serie A match.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the Italian defender will start against Inter or if Allegri will pick Pervis Estupinan as a left wing-back.

Bartesaghi, 20, has scored two goals and provided one assist in 24 appearances across all competitions this season.

Milan sit second in the Serie A table, ten points below their next rivals Inter.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti says Dusan Vlahovic is still unavailable, but hopes to return against Udinese, while Weston McKennie’s contract extension proves the club is preparing for the future ‘properly.’

Juventus striker Vlahovic won’t be eligible for Saturday’s Serie A match against Pisa.

The Serbia international returned to training earlier this week after undergoing surgery in December, but he’s still not fit to be part of the squad.

Vlahovic not available for Juventus vs. Pisa

“Not tomorrow, he’s focusing on Udinese,” Spalletti said at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

During his meeting with the media, Spalletti confirmed that he’d continue talks with the club over a new contract in the coming days and then commented on McKennie’s recent contract extension.

“Juventus are showing that it’s preparing properly for the future through scouting and planning. McKennie is a strong player, a very strong one,” the coach said.

“The club did everything it needed to do without me having to say anything.”

Surely, however, working under Spalletti has benefited the American midfielder, who has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 27 appearances under the Tuscan tactician.

Mattia Perin started the last two games for Juventus, replacing under-fire Michele Di Gregorio, but will Juventus’ first-choice keeper return to the XI against Pisa?

“I’ll announce the line-up tomorrow,” Spalletti said.

“They are both doing very well, and I was sorry to hear certain things about Di Gregorio, because it’s pointless to single out individuals when the difficulties are collective.

“It will be a very difficult match. The whole environment considers it an easy game to win; everyone thinks they are already relegated, but I’m sure Gilardino was already giving them certain messages, and Oscar Hiljemark as well. Teams always find ways to create motivation. Sometimes it’s even easier in those moments than in others. When a player thinks the game is easy, he becomes more superficial. I’m convinced my players will evaluate the match properly. When you become superficial, you get knocked down, and we absolutely must not let that happen.”

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti says he’ll continue talks with the club over a new contract in the coming days and reveals he’ll move into the same building as club director Damien Comolli: ‘So we’ll run into each other when we go downstairs.’

• More from Spalletti’s press conference – Vlahovic still out, McKennie’s Juventus extension proves one thing

Juventus coach Spalletti provided an update on his future at the Allianz Stadium during a press conference on Friday.

The Italian tactician previewed tomorrow’s Serie A match against Pisa, but inevitably faced a question about his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

“The numbers say that we’re not where we would like to be, and we have to remember that,” Spalletti said.

“But we also see how close the fans are to the team, and their message is coming through loud and clear because of their attachment to the shirt and what the players are doing. That’s what gives us the most pleasure and what drives us forward.”

Most of the Juventus fans seem to be fully backing Spalletti, while club directors Giorgio Chiellini and Comolli have reiterated that they want to continue with the Italian coach beyond the summer.

“We have to play out this final part of the season. We are all focused and oriented in that direction,” the coach added.

“The group is what matters. As for the future, we’ll talk about it this week, but right now we are tied to this moment, to everything that’s happening. We’ll calmly discuss what the future will be, mine and Juventus’s, without pressure or stress.

Spalletti: ‘Having a contract to show off’ doesn’t matter

“What matters is what the team is doing, the desire the team will show in these matches. Results matter too, but so does planning for the future. My contract has already been discussed with the club because we are close. In fact, I’m about to move into the same building as Comolli, so we’ll run into each other when we go downstairs.

“What matters is doing well, not having a contract to show off. We need to perceive the space ahead of us, and there is still space ahead; we have to be careful to recognise that space.”

Juventus sit sixth in the Serie A table, but just four points below fourth-placed Roma.

Spalletti was hired at the end of October to replace Igor Tudor, and Juventus have won 14 of 27 games under the Tuscan tactician.

Surgeon Pier Paolo Marini, who performed arthroscopy surgery on Paulo Dybala’s meniscus today, says the Argentine star be forced to the sidelines for at least 45 days.

Dybala underwent surgery on Friday after an injury setback.

The Argentine continued to experience knee discomfort on Thursday and, alongside the club, decided to undergo surgery.

Dybala underwent meniscus surgery

“It was decided after a consultation yesterday,” Mariani, the doctor who performed the operation, told Sky Sport Italia.

“The initial diagnosis was a meniscal injury, although there were no clear signs on the MRI. Yesterday, together with Dr Petrucci, we decided to perform a diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy.

“We found a tear in the lateral meniscus. From an orthopaedic standpoint, the recovery time is about 45 days,” the doctor continued.

“After that, I hope the return to the pitch will be quick, but it will be decided by the Roma medical staff, the trainers and the coach.”

Dybala has scored three goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.

The Argentine striker’s contract at the Stadio Olimpico expires this coming June. Dybala made his last competitive appearance for Roma on January 25.

This latest injury casts even more doubts about his future at the Stadio Olimpico. According to Italian sources, Boca Juniors directors have already opened talks with the former Juventus star, who is available for a free transfer in June.

Roma currently sit fourth in the Serie A table with 51 points, three above fifth-placed Como.

The Giallorossi have also qualified for the Europa League Round of 16, where they’ll meet their Serie A opponents, Bologna.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan will offer Massimiliano Allegri a new contract until 2028 as the Rossoneri see the Italian tactician as the cornerstone of their project.

Milan’s likely qualification for the 2026-27 Champions League has prompted the Rossoneri directors to prepare a contract extension offer for their coach, Allegri.

Milan to offer Allegri a new contract

According to Gazzetta, Allegri remains a key part of the Milan project, so the club will offer the Italian tactician a one-year contract extension until June 2028 with an option for a further campaign.

Qualification for the Champions League will also allow Milan to offer Allegri a pay rise from the current €5m-a-year salary to €6m per season.

Previous reports in Italy, however, suggested that Allegri’s future at Milan beyond the summer was uncertain.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Real Madrid see Allegri as a potential candidate for their bench in 2026-27, while Sportitalia has claimed that the Livorno-born tactician is considering his future at San Siro due to concerns over the club’s management.

Questioned about the matter at a recent press conference, Allegri said: “There’s total harmony with the club regarding the rumours that came out this week.

“Of course, in any discussion, there can be different points of view. It’s important that everyone works for the good of Milan. I’m very happy to have returned to Milan after 15 years and to have started working with a wonderful group of players. The club is planning and structuring Milan’s future. To do that, we need to achieve the most important result. In March, we’re in a fairly good position. Now we have to see if we’re good enough to stay there or take the final step. There’s harmony between the club and me.”

Barcelona don’t see Dusan Vlahovic as a primary option to replace Robert Lewandowski next season, and Juventus are reported to be increasingly confident of reaching an agreement with their striker over a new contract.

Juventus hope to convince Vlahovic to extend his contract as the striker’s deal at the Allianz Stadium runs out this coming June.

Latest on Vlahovic contract extension

According to Matteo Moretto and Fabrizio Romano (via Calciomercato.com), there have been direct talks between the two parties in recent days.

The Bianconeri are determined to make an offer between €6m and €7m per season. Vlahovic earns €12m, including add-ons, in his final year at the Allianz Stadium.

Juventus are increasingly confident of reaching an agreement, as Vlahovic hasn’t yet shaken hands with any other club.

Moretto reports that Vlahovic has been offered by his entourage to Barcelona, but the Catalans don’t see the Serbia international as a primary option for now.

Vlahovic has missed over three months of action after undergoing surgery in December 2025.

He has scored six goals and provided two assists in 17 games across all competitions this season.

Lega Serie A has confirmed the dates and kick-off times for the second legs of the Coppa Italia semifinals and Serie A Week 31, including Inter-Roma on Easter.

Lega Serie A has provided the dates and kick-off times for Serie A matches to be played over the Easter weekend in April.

Serie A Week 31 will unfold from Saturday, April 4, to Monday, April 6.

Lecce-Atalanta is scheduled for Saturday, 4, at 15:00 CET, but if Atalanta progress to the Champions League quarter-finals, the match will be moved to April 6 at 15:00.

At the same time, the Udinese-Como match scheduled for April 6 at 15:00 CET will be moved to 12:30 CET, but only if Atalanta progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

As for the second legs of the Coppa Italia semifinals, Inter-Como will be played on Tuesday, April 21, at 21:00 CET. Atalanta-Lazio is scheduled for the following day, Wednesday, April 22, at 21:00 CET.

Inter and Como drew 0-0 in the first leg played at the Stadio Sinigaglia earlier this week, while Atalanta and Lazio picked up a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

Serie A Week 31 times and dates (CET time)

Inter will reportedly offer Henrikh Mkhitaryan a new contract, but Yann Sommer, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian and Stefan de Vrij will leave in June, opening the door to a defensive overhaul at the Stadio Meazza.

Inter are already preparing for some big changes at the back as three of their defenders, Darmian, Acerbi and De Vrij, won’t be offered a new contract, leaving the club on a free transfer in June, reports TMW.

Latest Inter transfer updates

The summer overhaul will also include the goalkeeper role, as Sommer is expected to leave the club at the end of his contract in June.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has emerged as Inter’s main target to replace Sommer next summer, with the Italy international eager to return to Serie A from North London.

Other goalkeepers linked with a move to Inter are Liverpool’s Alisson and Marco Carnesecchi, even though the latter is expected to sign a new deal with Atalanta.

As TMW reports, central midfielder Mkhitaryan is the only Inter player who will receive an offer to extend his expiring contract.

The Nerazzurri’s proposal, however, will include a 30% pay cut, from €3.8m per season to €2.5m for 2026-27.

Milan defender Fikayo Tomori says his teammate Christian Pulisic is ‘underestimated’ and recalls his first Derby della Madonnina: ‘I thought, this is a different derby.’

The Milan derby is just around the corner, with Milan and Inter meeting at San Siro this coming Sunday at 20:45 CET.

Tomori has entered his fifth year in Milan and spoke to The Athletic about his first match against Inter and the Rossoneri’s season so far.

Tomori on Milan derby and Allegri

“It was Covid but the fans came to the training ground. That doesn’t happen in England. They’re waving flags. They’ve got banners and everything,” said the Milan defender.

“Immediately, that happens and you think: ‘This is a different game. This is a different derby’. Then you come to the stadium. You’re on the bus and you hear the fans banging on it. At first I was like: ‘Hold on, what’s going on here’.

“Having these ultra passionate fans who just sing for 90 minutes. Not even 90 minutes,” Tomori continued.

“They’re there before we’re out warming up. They’re there after the game. Even that in itself is another nuanced thing that makes it so special. I feel like, even my friends, I used to tell them about it but they never really understood what I was saying until they actually came to the stadium.”

Milan sit second in Serie A, ten points below their city rivals and table leaders Inter.

They don’t play in any European competition after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, but new coach Massimiliano Allegri seems to have turned things around.

Tomori recalled one of the first meetings with the Italian tactician: “He said: ‘Last season, we scored, I don’t know, 80-something goals. That’s Champions League statistics. However, we conceded 40-something. That’s sixth place or maybe in a good year fourth’. He said: ‘That’s not to say the defenders are bad and the defenders aren’t doing their job, the goalkeeper’s not doing his job. It’s to say the whole team needs to have the mentality that we cannot concede this many goals because if we don’t concede that many, we’ll be top of the table, especially with the players we have up front.”

Rafael Leao has scored ten goals and provided two assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season, but missed several games, especially at the start of the campaign, due to a calf injury.

“It was almost like he didn’t know how good he was,” Tomori said about the Portuguese, “because everything came so naturally to him. He came out of the womb and this is just how he knew to play football. He just didn’t know how to use what he had. Everyone saw it the year we won the Scudetto, almost like he realised: ‘Wow. I can do this! I can do this!’.”

Christian Pulisic, on the other hand, has had a fantastic start to the season, but is now struggling with injuries and hasn’t yet scored in 2026.

“People underestimate him,” Tomori said.

“People don’t realise how fast he is. They don’t realise how sharp he is with the ball, how good he is with the ball, how intelligent he is. You only realise it when he’s scored a goal against you. I knew him from Chelsea.

“Puli’s a top, top professional. A really top guy. He always wants to improve. If he misses a shot in training, he’s like: ‘Why did I do that?’. But he’s really calm and nice to be around, very level-headed even, you know, (as) the best player America’s had in god knows how long. But he’s very calm, level-headed, very simple, I’d say.”

Tomori hasn’t played for the England national team since 2023, but hopes to convince Thomas Tuchel for the 2026 World Cup.

“We spoke a few months ago and he kind of said what I said. That I’m close and there’s not a lot in it, just to keep going,” Tomori concluded.

“In football (and) in life anything can happen. I’m focused on myself, doing the best I can to help myself, to help Milan. And then, like I said, hopefully I’m on the plane in June.”

Roma star Paulo Dybala is undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee, reports in Italy claim.

Roma striker Dybala is undergoing exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, according to Italian sources, including Sky Sport’s Roma correspondent Angelo Mangiante.

Dybala undergoes arthroscopic surgery in Rome

The Argentine has not made a competitive appearance since the end of January, missing four of the last five games due to an inflammation in the lateral capsule of his left knee.

He was back in the squad against Juventus on Sunday, spending the entire game on the bench, but on Thursday, he suffered another injury setback in training.

According to reports, Dybala arrived at Rome’s Villa Stuard on Friday morning and, in agreement with the club, decided to undergo surgery, performed by Professor Piero Paolo Mariani.

Dybala’s contract with Roma expires at the end of the season. The Argentine has scored three goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.

• Read more – Surgeon confirms Dybala’s recovery time after meniscus surgery

Luciano Spalletti’s contract with Juventus expires at the end of the season, and the Italian tactician has already convinced the club to offer him a new deal, but is it enough to continue together beyond the summer?

Spalletti was appointed in October 2025 to replace Igor Tudor, and the Bianconeri have shown steady signs of improvement since.

Although the Serie A giants still sit 6th in the standings, four points below fourth-placed Roma, the team has shown a strong identity, both domestically and in Europe, and it’s no coincidence that Australian online casino bookmakers still place them among the favourites to secure a Champions League spot this term.

When does Spalletti’s contract expire?

Spalletti signed a contract until the end of the season, and Tuttosport reported last week that club directors are already convinced to offer Spalletti a new deal beyond the summer.

The Italian tactician has publicly said that he’s happy to sign a contract extension, but according to reports, he still has to reach an agreement with the club.

Juventus and Spalletti will sit down in the coming weeks, but the coach has reportedly demanded at least three big signings, one in each department, for the 2026-27 campaign.

According to Tuttosport, the agreement between Juventus and Spalletti does not hinge on the Italian tactician’s salary, but rather on the club’s plans for next season and the long-term future.

“I’m looking for a football pitch, a ball, and players to coach, preferably intelligent ones, and I have that because my players are like that. If that were the necessity, it could be sorted out immediately,” Spalletti said in February, while director Giorgio Chiellini confirmed the club’s desire to extend.

“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,” said the ex-defender, now the Director of Football Strategy at the Allianz Stadium.

“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.”

Even if Juventus are far from securing a Champions League spot this season, even former Bianconeri stars such as Miralem Pjanic believe Juventus must look to Spalletti for a long-term project.

“In Rome, I was coached for six months by Luciano. He’s a top manager,” the former midfielder told Gazzetta.

“Spalletti has given the team a clear identity, and the club now needs stability to start winning again. Spalletti is the right man to begin a new cycle, but obviously, he’s not enough. At least three top-level signings will be needed, one for each department.”

Italy’s Delegation Chief Gigi Buffon says Marco Palestra and Michael Kayode have impressed him this season and hits at Marco Verratti’s return: ‘His call-up wouldn’t upset the players.’

Italy’s Delegation Chief Buffon gave a lengthy interview to Il Messaggero, in which he confirmed he’ll step aside if the Azzurri miss out on World Cup qualification.

Buffon, Italy’s Delegation Chief since 2023, played a role in appointing Gennaro Gattuso as Italy’s head coach in June last year.

Buffon confident ahead of Italy’s World Cup play-off

“There are coaches who are suited to certain historical moments. Rino was the right person at that moment: he’s empathetic,” Buffon said.

“He knows how to build relationships with players in an authentic, immediate way. He can foster a sense of belonging and group identity, which is always the best thing. The thing that helps you overcome obstacles, especially in the national team. The players well receive every opinion, judgment, and every thought of his, because he has experience in the dressing room.”

Italy have missed out on World Cup qualification in 2018 and 2022 and are once again involved in the play-off to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

On March 26, they’ll face Northern Ireland in the play-off semifinal, with the potential final against Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Italy will play the semifinal at home in Bergamo and the final away in Wales or Bosnia.

Buffon hit back at criticism and looked confident ahead of the play-offs.

“Let’s write down some names: we are an ultra-competitive group for levels higher than what a play-off should be. We’ll go into a playoffplay-offeople like Donnarumma, Dimarco, Bastoni, Calafiori, Barella, Tonali, Retegui, Kean and Pio Esposito. I mean, how can Italy not go through? I struggle to see it,” he said.

“Then, maybe, it could happen for a third time, but at least I’d get there feeling calm, knowing that this is the reality. Then the pitch might prove us wrong, because once you are out there, a lot of other things can happen.”

Some young Italian players, including Niccolò Pisilli, Marco Palestra and Antonio Vergara, are having a good season in Serie A, but will they find a spot in the team for such crucial games this month?

“If there’s something he [Gattuso] doesn’t lack, it’s courage,” Buffon replied.

“Regardless of age, the national team is for those who deserve it. Of course, you need a certain core group; you get nowhere without one. You have to know how to use young players without burdening them with responsibilities. You must take fearlessness from young players. No one can talk about this more than I. My first appearance for Italy was in a World Cup play-off. But if you asked me now: ‘Did you realise how important the match was?’ I didn’t know a damn thing! I walked onto the field in the snow, and I was just happy to play. I told myself: go out there and enjoy it.

“A big surprise has been Palestra; he’s shown something extraordinary. Another one who’s doing well is Kayode. Vergara, too, definitely catches your attention.”

On the other hand, Italy veteran Verratti, 33, is expected to be called up, returning to the national team for the first time in nearly three years.

“Marco has always been someone who is highly appreciated in the dressing room; everyone has always had a soft spot for him,” Buffon said.

“His call-up wouldn’t upset the players. Also, because his technical quality is so high that everyone immediately recognises his unique leadership.”

Lastly, Buffon spoke about the recent incident involving Alessandro Bastoni in the Inter-Juventus match and the use of VAR.

“We spoke, and I found the whole thing a bit excessive; inevitably, the situation will die down. He’s paying far more than his actual share of the blame,” Buffon said.

“Inter-Juve confirmed that VAR is indispensable and makes you realise it must intervene in precise situations like the Kalulu incident. How can it not intervene in such a serious mistake? Who could have come up with something like that? It’s a procedure that drives you crazy. If you prevent a huge mistake, you’re helping the game of football, not harming it.

“Whoever came up with such a rule certainly isn’t a genius. There’s also something to review about physical contact: not every touch is a foul. People who have played football can help referees. There has to be a dialogue between the parties. If you blow the whistle for every contact, players realise it immediately and won’t help you; they’ll just throw themselves to the ground.”

Former Juventus and Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli was seen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday during Spurs’ 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace.

Several Italian sources, including Tuttosport, report that ex-Napoli and Juventus director Giuntoli was in London on Thursday, where he watched Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Giuntoli’s ties with Tudor

Giuntoli was sacked by Juventus at the end of the 2024-25 season and replaced by Damien Comolli.

In his second season at Juventus, Giuntoli had replaced Massimiliano Allegri with Thiago Motta, but then sacked the latter in March 2025, hiring Igor Tudor.

The Croatian tactician is now in charge of Tottenham, but the start of his tenure in North London has been terrible, as Spurs have suffered three defeats in his first three games.

Tudor risks being sacked already

According to reports in England, Tudor already risks being sacked, less than a month after his appointment, which was confirmed on February 14.

Tottenham are now fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League, with only a one-point lead over 18th-placed West Ham.

Tuttosport newspaper reports that Juventus have opened preliminary talks with Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who wants to return to Serie A this summer.

Juventus are among the clubs interested in Tottenham goalkeeper Vicario, and according to Tuttosport, the Bianconeri have already opened preliminary talks with the player’s entourage.

Vicario wants Serie A return

Vicario is eager to return to Serie A in the summer, according to various sources, and his price tag is around €20m.

His salary in North London is also quite affordable for Juventus as the Italy international earns €2.6m at Tottenham.

Juventus, however, are not the only club to have established contact with Vicario’s representatives.

Matteo Moretto has reported that Inter are currently leading the race for the ex-Empoli and Cagliari goalkeeper.

Juventus are expected to change their starting goalkeeper in 2026-27, with Mattia Perin and Michele Di Gregorio both available for transfer.

Tuttosport also mentions Liverpool’s Alisson and Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi among the Juventus targets, but the latter is expected to sign a contract extension with La Dea in the coming weeks.

Billy Gilmour will start in central midfield for Napoli in a home Serie A match against Torino tonight.

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

Scott McTominay and Stanislav Lobotka are still unavailable for the Partenopei, so Gilmour will partner Eljif Elmas in central midfield. Kevin De Bruyne and André Frank-Zambo Anguissa are back in the squad for the first time in four months and will start from the bench.

David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani are also unavailable for Napoli, while Torino have travelled to Naples without the injured Zakaria Aboukhlal.

According to Sky, Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will return between the sticks for Napoli, while Mathias Olivera will complete a three-man backline with Juan Jesus and Alessandro Buongiorno.

Duvan Zapata is favourite over Sandro Kulenović for a starting spot in attack for Torino. Enzo Ebosse is expected to start the second consecutive match for the Granata, pushing Napoli loanee Luca Marianucci to the bench.

Napoli vs. Torino – where to watch on TV

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

Napoli vs. Torino – probable line-ups

Napoli (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Gilmour, Elmas, Spinazzola; Vergara, Hojlund, Alisson. 

Torino (3-4-1-2): Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Lazaro, Prati, Gineitis, Obrador; Vlasic; Simeone; Zapata. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Scudetto derby, the super challenge in midfield

Inter want Barellik back

Chivu needs the real Nicolò to stop Rabiot and kill off the league

More and more Allegri

Max, the project continues: renewal and pay rise ready

Napoli for the Champions, Toro for the comeback

Corriere dello Sport

Max saves it?

Decisive derby

The league asks Milan to stop runaway Inter

Chivu can close it: Allegri is the last obstacle

Leao and Pulisic dream of the coup to go to -7. Bartesaghi doubts: Estupinan is ready on the left. Thuram and Pio Esposito to extend the lead to 13 points. Calhanoglu favourite over Mkhitaryan in central midfield.

Napoli must win

Hojlund makes his 30th consecutive appearance, chasing 10 Serie A goals for the first time. Sal Da Vinci’s show at the Maradona, coming from the Sanremo triumph

Spalletti waits for Yildiz’s goals

Decisive Kenan contribution in the race for the Champions League. Vlahovic still in doubt for Pisa

Dybala stops: 3/4 of Roma

Stop for La Joya. Pellegrini and Pisilli behind Malen at Marassi. Gasp: ‘My most difficult challenge here.’

Tuttosport

Juventus call Vicario

First contact with the Tottenham goalkeeper

The Italian wants to leave Spurs, who value him at 20-25m. Inter and Roma also in the race. Intrview to Rampulla: ‘I like Guglielmo, but Di Gregorio deserves trust. I think rotations in goal don’t work.’ Defence: acceleration for Senesi.

D’Aversa is looking for a miracle and a contract

The Granata coach aims to secure survival and to be confirmed for next season. The Maradona continues to protest against Cairo: ‘Out of the stadium until the end of the season.’

Stramaccioni plays Milan-Inter

‘Another Leao with Max. Barella, do a Lautaro.’

The coach and pundit: ‘Allegri has brought the mentality of a top side and with Rabiot and Modric…Chivu respects everyone but follows his pathway.’

Lautaro Martinez has opened up on his ambitions, his love for Inter’s supporters, and the personal difficulties he has overcome during a wide-ranging virtual Q&A with fans organised by theresidency.io.

The Argentine striker was characteristically direct when asked about his ultimate footballing dream, and it is one that has so far eluded him despite an already decorated career.

“Winning the World Cup is the most important thing in football,” he said, via TuttoMercatoWeb. “But the dream I still want to achieve is winning the Champions League.”

Inter captain Lautaro Martínez reflects on career so far

Lautaro also reflected on his remarkable goalscoring record for the club, having recently climbed to third in Inter’s all-time scoring charts.

“I never imagined reaching this,” he admitted.

“But with work and sacrifice, everything is achievable. Inter is passion. Wearing the captain’s armband for the first time was an indescribable emotion, just like every goal I score at San Siro.”

The Argentine was particularly warm when discussing the Nerazzurri faithful, who have embraced him unconditionally since his arrival from Racing Club.

“From the very first day I felt loved by the people here,” he said. “I feel proud of that.” He also acknowledged that his journey has not always been straightforward, citing personal difficulties alongside physical setbacks, including a metatarsal injury during his time at Racing and an ankle problem sustained during the World Cup triumph with Argentina, as moments that have shaped his character.

Currently sidelined with a muscular injury, Lautaro will be eager to return to full fitness and continue writing his name into Inter’s history books.

Napoli welcome back two long-absent midfielders for Friday evening’s home clash with Torino, with both Kevin De Bruyne and Frank Zambo Anguissa named in Antonio Conte’s squad after months on the sidelines, although neither will start.

The Belgian and the Cameroonian, out since 25 October and 11 November respectively, are included purely as bench options, with Conte managing their returns carefully, as per La Repubblica.

A shortened preparation week due to the Friday fixture meant the training match he typically uses to sharpen recovering players could not take place.

Lobotka injured as De Bruyne & Zambo Anguissa return for Napoli

The positive news is tempered considerably by fresh midfield casualties.

Stanislav Lobotka has joined Scott McTominay on the treatment table with a muscular complaint sustained after the Verona win, meaning all four of Conte’s preferred central midfielders are simultaneously unavailable for the first time this season.

Rrahmani, Di Lorenzo and David Neres remain longer-term absentees.

Billy Gilmour and Eljif Elmas will start in midfield, with Romelu Lukaku among the substitutes alongside De Bruyne and Anguissa. Up front, a youthful attacking trio of Antonio Vergara, Rasmus Højlund and Alisson Santos will lead the line.

Napoli remain unbeaten at home in Serie A this season, and with 50,000 fans expected, plus the added subplot of Giovanni Simeone returning as opposition, the atmosphere should be suitably charged. Three points are essential for Napoli’s Champions League ambitions, and Conte will be determined to make home advantage count.

Cesc Fabregas has dismissed any suggestion that Como’s 0-0 draw with Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg represented a missed opportunity, insisting his side performed well enough to have won the tie, and that the second leg in seven weeks’ time remains very much alive.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s Serie A clash with Cagliari, the Como head coach was characteristically detailed and passionate in his defence of his side’s display against the league leaders.

“Was it a missed opportunity? Sincerely, no,” he said, with quotes via CalcioMercato.

“We had three great chances to score, including Nico Paz, and they barely threatened our goal. I would like to know how many times in recent years Inter have managed just 0.07 expected goals.”

Fabregas proud of Como performance against Inter

Fabregas was equally pointed in pushing back against any criticism of his tactical approach in the closing stages, when Como sat deep rather than chasing a winner.

“If we had gone all-out and conceded a late goal, I would not have slept,” he said.

“We controlled Inter very well. For anyone used to watching teams do that against Inter, well, good for you.”

His only genuine regret was a lack of quality in the final third, with Valle and Vojvoda both failing to convert when well-placed.

“It was not attitude or tactics, it was quality in the last moment,” he conceded. “But after 40 years, we go to Milan in seven weeks to play for a final. Is it impossible? Nothing is impossible.”

The broader context is equally remarkable. Fabregas also reflected on an extraordinary run of fixtures, nine wins, four draws and two defeats across a gruelling 63-day stretch in which Como played every four days. Only the defeat to Fiorentina, he argued, was deserved.

Saturday’s visit of Cagliari offers a chance to maintain the momentum, and Fabregas is expecting another tight affair against a well-organised side.

“I know Pisacane very well, he is doing a tremendous job,” he said. “We want to play our game and bring home three points.”

Radja Nainggolan has never been short of an opinion, and the former Roma midfielder was in characteristically outspoken form in a wide-ranging interview with Sportium.fun, taking aim at Juventus, the VAR system, and even Paul Pogba along the way.

The Belgian, who resisted several opportunities to join Juventus during his career, explained his reluctance in the most Nainggolan way imaginable.

“I used to play Football Manager and I never picked the strongest team,” he said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“When a club like Roma wins the title, it is a celebration for twenty years. At Juventus you have to win it every year, it is a completely different feeling.”

Nainggolan on Juventus referee bias and VAR

He then ventured into more controversial territory, citing what he described as personal experience of referee bias at the Allianz Stadium.

“When they inaugurated the Juventus Stadium, I played there with Cagliari and we drew 1-1 thanks to a non-existent penalty given to Juventus,” he said.

“Then I arrived at Roma, first game at the same stadium, we lost 3-2 with two penalties that were given outside the box. Everyone saw it. It is the truth, only not everyone can bring themselves to say it.”

On VAR, Nainggolan’s verdict was equally blunt.

“Football should be like it used to be,” he said. “If mistakes are still being made with VAR, then it is right to remove it and just let referees make errors naturally. Real football is something else.”

Perhaps most eyebrow-raising was his assessment of his midfield contemporaries. “In my era in Serie A, only Vidal and De Rossi were as strong as me,” he claimed. “Pogba? I was better than him, he only had three good years in his entire career.”

Now contemplating his next move, Nainggolan revealed he is considering taking his coaching badges. “Looking at what is out there,” he said with typical modesty, “I think I could do it.”

Juan Cuadrado faces one of the most emotionally charged fixtures of his season on Saturday, when Pisa travel to the Allianz Stadium to face Juventus, the club where the Colombian winger spent eight defining seasons of his career.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, via IlBianconero, Cuadrado was warm and reflective about his time in Turin, while making clear that sentiment will not get in the way of his desire to help Pisa take something from the game.

“It will be a beautiful match, full of emotions, against a club like Juventus who helped me grow as a professional and as a man,” he said.

“It will be a special evening. But it is a difficult match and we want to play well and take points.”

Cuadrado ‘feeling much better now’ ahead of Juventus return

Cuadrado also addressed the injury that has kept him away from the club in recent weeks, revealing he had travelled abroad to receive specialist treatment, a decision made jointly with Pisa’s medical staff.

“I am much better now and trying to give my best for the team,” he said, adding that he had remained close to his teammates throughout the difficult period. “I have always had the team in my head.”

On the match itself, the 37-year-old was candid about Pisa’s approach, urging his side to go to Turin with freedom and confidence. “Many of our players have never played in that stadium,” he said.

“We must go there with responsibility but also without fear, and try to shoot, like Aebischer did against Sassuolo.”

As for his future beyond this season, Cuadrado was deliberately vague, though his affection for Pisa was evident.

“I feel good here, I love the passion of the supporters,” he said. “But it is not yet the moment to make decisions.”

Sunday’s Milan derby carries enormous weight at both ends of the table, but Inter will be without their captain as Lautaro Martinez continues his recovery from the muscular injury sustained during the Champions League playoff first leg against Bodo/Glimt on 18 February.

Inter’s official medical bulletin confirmed the Argentine suffered a soleus muscle problem in his left leg, and he has not featured since.

The most optimistic scenario points to a return for the Serie A trip to Fiorentina on 22 March, meaning he would also miss next week’s Inter-Atalanta fixture.

Should his recovery take longer, the earliest he could feature is the Inter-Roma clash on 4 April, according to Goal.

His availability for Argentina’s Finalissima against Spain on 27 March also remains uncertain and will depend entirely on his progress in the coming weeks.

Dumfries returns to Inter XI for Milan derby

There is, however, a significant positive for Cristian Chivu ahead of the derby, via IlMilanista.

Denzel Dumfries is back in contention for a starting role after four months on the sidelines, and the Inter head coach is seriously considering handing the Dutchman his first start since returning from injury.

Luis Henrique’s performances on the right flank have been inconsistent, and with no reinforcements arriving in January, Chivu had been managing the situation carefully while waiting for Dumfries to regain full fitness.

That patience now appears ready to be rewarded, with the former PSV man set to reclaim his place as the undisputed first choice on Inter’s right side for one of the season’s most important fixtures.

Adrien Rabiot has established himself as one of Milan’s most important players this season, and in a wide-ranging interview with Rivista Undici, the French midfielder opened up on life at San Siro, his admiration for Luka Modric, and his personal ambitions in the red and black half of Milan.

The former Juventus and PSG man arrived at Milan following a difficult end to his time at Marseille, but has wasted little time in making his mark.

His mental resilience, he says, has always been his greatest asset, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“Not everything can go the right way, sometimes negative things happen, but it is precisely in those moments that you learn and grow stronger,” he said. “Self-belief has always been part of my character, and with time and experience it has grown. That is something I want to transmit here at Milan.”

Rabiot: ‘Modric’s stamina surprised me!’

It is Modric, though, who has perhaps impressed Rabiot most since his arrival.

The Croatian legend, now 40, continues to defy the laws of time, and his new teammate have noticed.

“His quality we already knew,” Rabiot said. “What surprised me was his ability to run for ninety minutes, up and down, at forty years old. That is not something you take for granted, he has an extraordinary physique.”

He also highlighted the importance of leadership figures in the dressing room, naming Maignan and recent arrival Fullkrug alongside Modric as players who set the tone for the group.

On Allegri’s influence, Rabiot was equally warm. “With him there is the ambition to do well, to give everything, to train at one hundred percent and to play every match as if it were the last.”

He also credited the manager for creating a calm, focused environment, one in which younger players are thriving.

“He gives tranquillity to the group, he lets us do things properly, without rush, without nerves. The attitude of the younger players is impeccable, and that is also down to the manager.”

Rabiot’s personal goals are characteristically ambitious. He wants to leave his mark on every club he represents, something he achieved at PSG and Juventus, and Milan is next on that list.

“I want to write my name in the history of this club,” he said plainly, before adding that the World Cup remains the ultimate prize. “Winning it is the most beautiful objective in a footballer’s career.”

Lazio president Claudio Lotito’s latest phone call with a supporter went viral on social media on the eve of Tuesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final first leg against Atalanta, and his comments will have done little to ease tensions at a club already under considerable strain.

The tie ended 2-2, leaving everything to play for in the second leg.

Lotito spent ten minutes in a heated conversation that touched on everything from his coach’s squad management to a pointed swipe at former manager Marco Baroni.

On Sarri, the president was barely concealed in his frustration, with quotes courtesy of Tuttosport.

“The club has a name and a surname: Claudio Lotito. It doesn’t belong to Sarri. If he wants it, he can buy it,” he said.

“A manager must take the players available and make them play, if he’s a good coach.”

Lazio president Lotito: ‘Sarri must use his players’

He then rattled off a list of grievances.

Taty Castellanos, sold for €30 million, was barely used. Guendouzi, played out of position in a back three, grew so frustrated he forced his way out.

Noslin and Belahyane were blocked from leaving, yet neither features regularly.

“If you can’t create the right chemistry in the dressing room,” Lotito warned, “people end up telling you where to go.”

Baroni, Sarri’s predecessor, also came in for criticism, with Lotito describing him as “that idiot” and blaming him for last season’s Europa League elimination by Bodo/Glimt, claiming he had instructed the injured Castellanos to take a decisive penalty.

With the second leg still to come and Sarri’s position at the club increasingly precarious, the fallout from Lotito’s latest outburst looks set to rumble on for some time yet.

Former Italy defender Marco Materazzi reveals what Zinedine Zidane told him before giving him a headbutt in the 2006 World Cup Final between Italy and France: ‘If you want my shirt, I’ll give it to you afterwards.’

• Read more – Buffon confirms he’ll ‘step aside’ if Italy don’t qualify for World Cup

Ex-Italy and Inter defender Materazzi reflected on the famous incident involving Zidane during the 2006 World Cup Final, which led to a red card for the French icon in the last game of his career.

Zidane to Materazzi: ‘If you want my shirt…’

During his interview with Vivo Azzurro, Materazzi described the moments before Zidane’s headbutt and what the former French star told him before the incident.

“When Buffon made that save on Zidane’s header, Gattuso wanted to kill me because I hadn’t marked him,” Zidane said.

“In reality, I was marking Trezeguet, but in certain situations, it was better not to argue with Rino about what had happened.

“Shortly afterwards, in a similar situation, I held him [Zidane] by the shirt for a bit. I wanted to make sure he couldn’t jump. I apologised twice, then the third time he repeated ‘if you want my shirt, I’ll give it to you afterwards,’ I said something back to him…but nothing more than the kind of things we used to say to each other as kids when I played on the seafront in Bari.”

During the same interview, Materazzi revealed that Gattuso and Vincenzo Iaquinta were among the Italian players who seemed unwilling to take a penalty kick in the shootout.

The Azzurri, including Materazzi, scored five from five, while David Trezeguet missed a penalty for France, giving Italy their fourth World Cup title.

Materazzi played 41 games with Italy, scoring two goals, both during the 2006 World Cup.

Roma’s January signing, Donyell Malen, is the Serie A Player of the Month for February.

Dutch striker Malen was the best player in Serie A last month.

Malen wins Serie A player of the month – official statement

“The EA SPORTS FC Player Of The Month award for February has been assigned to Roma player Donyell Malen. The trophy will be presented during the pre-match of Roma vs Lecce, scheduled for Sunday 22nd March 2026 at 6.00pm at the “Olimpico” stadium in Rome,” Lega Serie A said in a statement on Friday.

“The fans’ votes online, combined with individual statistical data, determined Lautaro Martinez as the winner, beating champions like Berardi (Sassuolo), Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Dimarco (Inter), Kean (Fiorentina), McKennie (Juventus).

Lega Serie A CEO Luigi De Siervo said: “Donyell Malen’s impact on the Italian league has been simply perfect. The Dutch forward immediately adapted to Mister Gasperini’s tactical schemes, proving himself to be a relentless striker in front of goal, but also capable of linking up the team’s attacking play. Arriving in the winter transfer window, Malen took a few weeks to establish himself as a key player, immediately winning the award for best player of February with four goals in as many games and immediately proving himself worthy of Roma’s Champions League ambitions”.

Malen has become the second-best scorer in Europe’s top five leagues after Harry Kane since joining Roma on an initial loan deal from Aston Villa in mid-February.

Malen has scored six goals in his first seven Roma appearances in Serie A. Only Abel Balbo (seven) and Gabriel Omar Batistuta (nine) have managed more in the club’s history.

Malen is technically on loan from Aston Villa, but the Giallorossi have an option to buy to make his move permanent for €25m at the end of the season.

Roma’s option to buy becomes mandatory if they qualify for the Champions League or the Europa League this season.

The Giallorossi currently sit fourth in the Serie A table, three points above fifth-placed Como and four points above Juventus, who sit sixth.

Roma’s next Serie A match is against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa at Marassi.

Roma star Paulo Dybala once again felt discomfort in his knee during today’s training session, and according to Sky Sport, he’ll miss Sunday’s game against Genoa.

Roma striker Dybala will miss Sunday’s Serie A match against Genoa as the Argentine didn’t complete today’s training session due to knee problems.

Dybala to miss Genoa vs. Roma

As reported by Il Tempo reporter Filippo Biafora on X, the Argentine was forced to end the workout after just a few minutes because he felt pain in his knee again.

The 32-year-old was available against Juventus on Sunday, but spent the whole game against his former club on the bench.

He had missed the previous four league games due to knee problems. Dybala’s last competitive appearance was on January 25, 2026.

As reported by Sky Sport Italia, this latest setback will force Dybala to miss Sunday’s away game against Roma, where Daniele De Rossi is in charge.

Ferguson to undergo second ankle surgery?

Matias Soulé, Mario Hermoso and Evan Ferguson will also miss the next Serie A match, and the latter has even flown to Brighton for a specialist visit on his injured ankle.

According to Sky, Ferguson, who already had ankle surgery in March 2024, may need to undergo another operation.

Como ambassador Raphael Varane says that his former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has been the most influential person across his career, and has revealed what Zizou told him to do during training sessions as a youngster. 

Varane spoke in-depth in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport on Thursday, 18 months after he retired at Como. 

• Read more: Varane breaks silence 18 months after shock Como retirement: ‘Difficult journey’

The four-time Champions League winner had joined Cesc Fabregas’s side on a free transfer following the end of his Manchester United tenure in the summer of 2024, but picked up a serious injury to his knee just 23 minutes into his first competitive appearance with the club in the first round of the Coppa Italia that same summer. 

Varane was then left off Como’s Serie A squad list for the 2024-25 campaign and ultimately announced his retirement, less than two months after he had originally joined the club. 

Despite retiring at the age of 31, Varane decided to stay on with Como and is currently serving as an ambassador, sits on the club’s development board and has a hands-on role overseeing the management of the youth sector. 

What Zidane told Varane at Real Madrid

During his own teenage years, Varane left his boyhood club Lens in order to join Real Madrid, where he would go on to play under the likes of Jose Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Zidane.  

“When I moved to Real Madrid from Lens, everything was bigger, newer, different. More than anything, the perception of time is different. You don’t play for a month and it feels like a year,” Varane told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“You have to stay focused, stay on track, be resilient and train in the same way that you play.” 

Varane also revealed which individual had the biggest impact on his career: “Zidane,” he said. 

“He advised me to focus on one specific thing during each session. A long ball, a different touch, a new move. A small thing, not lots of things, not everything. Add things and improve day by day.”

Click here to read the full interview with Varane

Marco Carnesecchi has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to extend his contract with Atalanta.

Matteo Moretto reports that Italy international Carnesecchi will soon sign a contract extension with Atalanta.

Carnesecchi ready to sign Atalanta contract extension

“Atalanta will extend his contract with a pay rise; there’s already a verbal agreement, and only the signature is missing,” Moretto said on YouTube.

Carnesecchi’s current deal in Bergamo runs out in June 2028.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper has kept14 clean sheets in 38 appearances across all competitions this season, conceding 38 goals.

He has been linked to Inter and Juventus, while Manchester United attempted to sign him last summer.

Football Italia exclusively reported in June that the Red Devils proposed €40m to sign the Italian goalkeeper, but Atalanta turned down the offer.

Inter and Juventus will indeed look for a new starting goalkeeper in 2026-27, but the Nerazzurri’s main target seems to be another Italy international, Guglielmo Vicario, who is willing to return to Serie A from Tottenham.

According to Moretto, Inter and Vicario’s representative will be involved in a new round of talks this month.

Carnesecchi was part of the Italy squad in October and November under new coach Gennaro Gattuso, but has yet to make his senior Azzurri debut.

Douglas Luiz has finally returned to playing regular top-flight football during his loan spell with Aston Villa, but how much will it cost the Premier League outfit to sign the Brazilian on a permanent transfer from Juventus? 

How much will Aston Villa have to pay Juventus to sign Douglas Luiz permanently?

It has been a strange few years for Douglas Luiz, who earned rave reviews towards the end of his first stint with Villa, which began in 2019 and ended in 2024. His performances, particularly during the 2023-24 season, earned him a big-money move away from Villa, joining Juventus in a deal worth €50m. 

Despite his promising Premier League performances, Douglas Luiz failed to hit the ground running in Serie A, and soon became somewhat of an outcast in the Bianconeri first-team. In the end, he made just 19 Serie A appearances during his first season in Italy, and only three of those came as a starter. 

The Old Lady decided to cut their losses during the most recent summer transfer window, sending Douglas Luiz on a season-long loan deal to Nottingham Forest with a conditional obligation to buy. 

Still, largely due to injuries, Douglas Luiz struggled to make an impact at the City Ground and was limited to just eight league appearances during the first half of the 2025-26 season. 

His loan deal was terminated in January, which facilitated a return to Aston Villa, this time on loan with an option to buy. 

Since then, Douglas Luiz has gone on to make six consecutive starts and is looking increasingly settled back in his familiar environment at Villa Park. He added his first league goal of the season with his second-minute strike in an eventual 4-1 loss against Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday night. 

If Aston Villa were to activate their option to buy clause this season, Juventus would receive a €25m fee, which is payable over three financial years. The Bianconeri could also claim bonuses of up to €3.5m, the club confirmed in January.

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who has been linked with Juventus and Inter, reportedly wants to stay at Anfield until the end of his contract in 2027, while the Nerazzurri are preparing for a new round of talks for Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario.

Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto report the latest updates on two Premier League goalkeepers, Alisson and Vicario, who have been linked with a return to Serie A.

Latest Alisson transfer updates

Both Inter and Juventus are looking for a goalkeeper for next season, Romano confirmed, but Alisson wants to stay at Liverpool for another season.

The Brazilian’s contract at Anfield expires in June 2027, and the player is planning to remain at the club for one more year.

Nevertheless, his future at the club remains uncertain, as it’s unclear whether Liverpool will put him on the market at the end of the current campaign. The Reds will decide in this regard only in the coming months.

Vicario eyes Serie A return

Vicario, on the other hand, would be glad to return to Serie A, and Inter are already in talks with the Tottenham goalkeeper.

Moretto reported that Inter are currently the ‘closest team’ as negotiations with the goalkeeper’s entourage have already begun and will continue in March with a new round of talks between the two parties.