Roma are expected to use Donyell Malen, Bryan Zaragoza and Niccolò Pisilli in the Europa League Round of 16, while Bologna look to Thijs Dallinga and Federico Bernardeschi.

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET) on Thursday, with the second leg next week at the Stadio Olimpico.

The draw means Italy will have only one representative in the Europa League quarter-finals, as the two Serie A competitors go head-to-head.

Hosts Bologna have Juan Miranda, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Torbjorn Heggem not fully fit, while Lorenzo De Silvestri is not on the UEFA squad list.

Santiago Castro has looked exhausted lately after a run of games in the starting XI, so it seems likely that Dallinga will step into the centre-forward role instead.

He should be flanked by Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe, leaving Riccardo Orsolini on the bench.

Coach Vincenzo Italiano confirmed that Tommaso Pobega has a good chance of starting in midfield.

Roma are forced to do without suspended Gianluca Mancini in defence, while Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson are all injured.

It leaves limited options in attack, but January signings Malen and Zaragoza can finally play in the Europa League, having been cup-tied for the final league phase matches.

Mario Hermoso took part in training today and could make his comeback in defence, while Bryan Cristante is tipped to take the more advanced role in support of the strikers.

This is a position he can swap around with Pisilli, giving the opposition defenders few reference points.

It might be an all-Italian game, but it is still a UEFA fixture, so the referee is German Sven Jablonski, with Bastian Dankert in the VAR booth.

Bologna vs. Roma probable line-ups

Bologna (4-3-3): Skorupski; Joao Mario, Lucumi, Vitik, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega; Bernardeschi, Dallinga, Rowe

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Ghilardi, Ndicka, Hermoso; Celik, Koné, Pisilli, Wesley; Cristante, Zaragoza; Malen

Ref: Jablonski (GER)

Remo Freuler could be Bologna’s secret weapon in the Europa League meeting with Roma. ‘I know how Gian Piero Gasperini plays off by heart.’

The first leg of this Round of 16 tie kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

It is safe to say the two teams have few surprises in store, considering this is an all-Italian derby on the UEFA stage, but some are even more tuned in.

Gasperini and Freuler are old friends

Freuler made 254 appearances under Roma coach Gasperini when they worked together at Atalanta from 2016 to 2022, scoring 20 goals and providing 23 assists.

“I know how Gasperini plays off by heart, even if he too has changed some things in his style over recent years,” Freuler told Sky Sport Italia.

“The foundations are still more or less the same, and I will be very happy to see him again tomorrow.”

Gasperini is keeping a few decisions to the last minute, and now uses two players in the trequartista role supporting a centre-forward, especially as there are so many injuries in attack.

“I know the adjustments he makes too, whether he plays with three upfront or an extra midfielder, I know the thoughts he has in his mind. We’ll see what happens.”

Freuler left Atalanta in 2022 for Nottingham Forest, but returned within a year to Serie A, where he is enjoying a new lease of life with Bologna.

This means he had already departed by the time Atalanta won the Europa League trophy, but he did experience some European success there.

“I remember how we danced after the game against Shakhtar Donetsk, when we qualified for the Champions League Round of 16. I still feel that joy, just as I do our super rapport both on and off the field,” said the Switzerland international.

“The first leg is always an important result so we can go into the decider with confidence. We want to keep going in the Europa League.

“Unfortunately, we picked Roma in the draw, who with all due respect to the others are more difficult to play against than KRC Genk.”

Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma confirmed his remarkable record on penalties after parrying the Vinicius Junior effort, but what the Manchester City goalkeeper said before the Real Madrid spot-kick was also indicative.

Tonight’s Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu had seen Manchester City go in as favourites, but they found themselves 3-0 down by half-time.

Donnarumma had pulled out of a potential penalty challenge on Federico Valverde on the opening goal, so when Vinicius went clear after the restart, this time he went for the ball.

It proved an incorrect decision, as he caught the player’s ankle instead and gave away the penalty with a yellow card.

Donnarumma duel with Vinicius

Just before the Brazilian stepped up, Donnarumma was caught on camera complaining in Italian, repeatedly saying the same phrase: “Ha fatto il fenomeno.”

This translates in a few different ways, as it can be an expression of being impressed with how ‘phenomenal’ a player is being, but more often it’s sarcastic and a complaint that someone is trying too hard to show off, for example when he’s doing step-overs.

This seemingly played out moments later, because Vinicius took a slow and excessively confident run-up, seeing the penalty parried by Donnarumma.

The 27-year-old was entirely the wrong person to do that against, seeing as Donnarumma has now saved 17 out of the 61 spot-kicks faced in normal time.

Donnarumma denies Viní Jr from the penalty spot @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/HFyGgRNOCp

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 11, 2026

That does not include shoot-outs, which of course is how he helped Italy win the EURO 2020 Final against England.

This time, he might’ve kept City in the tie, as they were already 3-0 down and about to concede a fourth.

Gianluigi Donnarumma keeps Man City in this tie with a huge penalty save pic.twitter.com/ENgDYzdWFg

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

Henrikh Mkhitaryan is only under contract with Inter until June 30, but the decision on his future is reportedly entirely in his own hands.

The midfielder recently celebrated his 37^th birthday in January and remains a key figure within Cristian Chivu’s squad, contributing two goals and three assists in 29 appearances between the Champions League, Serie A, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana this season.

Mkhitaryan given opportunity to choose by Inter

He will be a free agent at the end of June, and Inter are reportedly open to discussing a new deal to extend that contract until June 2027.

However, it won’t be until the final weeks of the campaign, largely because Mkhitaryan has not made a decision on where he sees his future.

It is still possible the former Roma, Arsenal and Manchester United man could hang up his boots before turning 38.

If he does continue his playing career, it might not necessarily be at Inter, but in a less taxing league where he can pick up one final payday.

Both FCInterNews and transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano maintain the decision is entirely in the Armenia international’s hands.

If he was to sign a new deal with Inter, then it would mean a significant wage cut by circa 20 per cent.

Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma found himself in a split-second quandary for Manchester City against Real Madrid, seemingly preferring to give up the goal.

The shot-stopper started tonight’s Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Bernabeu, but was caught out by the opener scored by Federico Valverde.

It was very route one football, as Thibaut Courtois punted a long ball forward, controlled brilliantly by Valverde to go clear on goal.

Donnarumma behaviour explained

As Donnarumma came rushing out to narrow the angle, he seemed to pull his arm away at the last second, so Valverde went around him and managed to steer it into the net from a tricky position.

Former Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart on TNT Sport confirmed the suspicion many had that Donnarumma thought he wasn’t going to get there in time, and that he may well be sliding his way out of the penalty area in the process.

A brilliant assist from Courtois is finished off by Valverde to give Real Madrid the lead against Manchester City @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/hS6f3Pe7Vj

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 11, 2026

That and the fear of giving away a penalty even if it wasn’t a red card, along with the narrowing angle making it a tough finish, prompted the Italian to withdraw his arm and let Valverde through.

It is also not entirely a surprise, considering this was the second assist Courtois has registered in the Champions League this season for Real Madrid.

Thibaut Courtois assist

The Belgian keeper plays a lovely ball out to Fede Valverde who gives Real Madrid the lead pic.twitter.com/EX93BvXlk9

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

Atletico Madrid are the latest club heavily linked with a potential €30m summer swoop for Lazio defender Mario Gila, after strong interest from Milan.

The centre-back is only under contract with the Aquile until June 2027 and therefore is expected to move on at a big profit at the end of this season.

He was purchased from Real Madrid in 2022 for €6m, having come up through their youth academy, although he is originally from Barcelona.

Mario Gila attracting Atletico Madrid interest

According to Spanish newspaper Diario As, Atletico Madrid have set their sights firmly on Gila as a reinforcement for their defence next term.

They are aware of the competition from Milan, which is particularly strong considering their transfer strategy is now run by former Lazio director of sport Igli Tare.

However, Atletico Madrid have greater financial capabilities and may well be prepared to pay up to €30m for the player, compared to the Rossoneri’s €20m proposal.

They are also cleaning out the ranks in defence, as Clement Lenglet and Jose Maria Gimenez are both tipped to move on in the summer.

The Colchoneros do enjoy shopping in Italy, already picking up Matteo Ruggeri and Ademola Lookman from Atalanta, Nico Gonzalez from Juventus, and Giacomo Raspadori from Napoli, in recent months.

Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar has sent a message of solidarity with Tottenham Hotspur’s Antonin Kinsky. ‘A similar thing happened to me on my Champions League debut.’

The Giallorossi are preparing for the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16 against fellow Italians Bologna, which kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

Ahead of that clash, Svilar wanted to take a moment to reassure a colleague who was hauled off the pitch just 16 minutes into a disastrous performance against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last night.

Svilar latest to reassure Kinsky

“A similar thing happened to me eight years ago, I too made a mistake in my Champions League debut, and it took quite a few years for me to get over it,” Svilar told Sky Sport Italia.

“I feel bad for him, but I’ve seen him play many times, and in my view he will become a great goalkeeper. This incident will only help him to reach that level.”

Of course, Svilar was not taken off the pitch after just 16 minutes of the tie, which is what coach Igor Tudor did to Kinsky last night, replacing him with Italy international Guglielmo Vicario.

He was also only 18 years old when making that Champions League bow for Benfica in a 1-0 group stage home defeat to Manchester United in October 2017, and stayed on for the entire match.

Meanwhile, the Roma shot-stopper is focused on the Europa League tie with Bologna, hoping to shore up the defence after conceding five goals in the last two Serie A games.

“It can happen over a long season. On the other side, we are scoring more goals recently, and our defence was solid for such a long time, it will go back to that.”

The team had already been ticking up the results at the end of last season and only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification under Claudio Ranieri.

How have things changed for the Giallorossi with Gian Piero Gasperini at the helm?

“He likes a more direct approach, without too many passes in defence, as we want to make our quality count going forward.”

A legend of the Napoli locker room who goes back to the Diego Maradona days has anointed Scott McTominay as a ‘Neapolitan-Scotsman’ now he ‘can’t do without our coffee.’

The Scotland international has flourished in Italy since making the move from Manchester United in 2024, as he won the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana, being named Player of the Year in Italy’s top league.

Now the 29-year-old has become a true member of the local family, embraced by an icon of the club’s history, kit man Tommy Starace.

The figure has been part of the staff since the days when Diego Armando Maradona was the star man, and one of his main jobs is keeping everyone busy with a steady supply of freshly made espresso.

Even McTominay convinced by Napoli habit

“McTominay didn’t like our coffee when he arrived, but now he can’t do without it,” Starace told Radio Kiss Kiss.

“He is not Scottish. He’s a Neapolitan-Scotsman.”

Starace is also famous because former Napoli star Dries Mertens used to copy his dance moves as a goal celebration.

“I have a friendship built over the years not only with Mertens, but also Insigne, McTominay and many others.”

A big part of that is the gesture of carrying around the coffee, pouring it fresh from the Moka stovetop pot, sometimes even for television presenters and pundits who happen to be on the pitch during the warm-up.

Che grande il nostro Tommaso Starace! Questa è la nostra Napoli! pic.twitter.com/peR2Qn0sMT

— Francesco (@Francesco_abyss) March 11, 2023

“Coffee is not just coffee, it is love, it means respect for a person, that we are grateful to have you with us,” he added.

“We Neapolitans have a good heart, so we like to welcome everyone with the same perfume of coffee in the air.”

It is not the only Italian habit that McTominay has picked up, because he also confessed that he used to hate eating tomatoes because they “tasted like red water,” but changed his mind after trying the Neapolitan version.

Gian Piero Gasperini insists Roma are not prioritising Serie A ahead of the Europa League clash with Bologna, despite an injury crisis in attack. ‘Donyell Malen’s situation is very rare.’

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

The second leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico next week, as we know only one Italian team will make it to the quarter-finals of the tournament.

It is confirmed that the Giallorossi will be without suspended Gianluca Mancini, plus injured Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, but Mario Hermoso is included in the list.

Gasperini has reduced Roma options

“We’ll see tomorrow, at the moment Hermoso is available and could play, but he’s been out for a while, so we’ll see if it’s from the start or off the bench,” explained Gasperini in his press conference.

“At least one Italian team will get through for sure. It’s true the trend for Italian teams in Europe has not been good this season, even worse if we add in the Nazionale struggles, so evidently it’s not a coincidence.

“We all need to dig deep and explain what the problem is, the coaches, clubs, and probably the media too. It’s not about a tactical issue, there’s something deeper that probably stems from the youth academies and the way teams are built.”

Considering he has won the Europa League with Atalanta, but also that Roma have a Serie A battle with Como this weekend for fourth place, which is the priority for them?

“Every game is important, we cannot make calculations, but take them one at a time trying to give our best in each one,” replied the coach.

“The priority is both competitions, perhaps a few weeks ago we also had the Coppa Italia and therefore saw Serie A as the priority, but we never thought about just letting anything go.

“I don’t see any way of giving less in a match situation. It’s possible we won’t play as well in some games as others, but it won’t be by choice.”

The January signings have made a big impact, most notably striker Malen, who will finally get to play in the Europa League with Roma after he was cup-tied for the league phase due to his time with Aston Villa.

“We are scoring more goals, the trend is positive thanks also to the arrival of Malen, who has made us more dangerous in attack,” confirmed Gasperini.

“We have certainly lost several important players in attack, but Malen has given us something extra. Bryan Zaragoza needs time to adapt, he’s only been here for a month, so the situations like Malen who hit the ground running in a new team are very rare.

“With both Dybala and Soulé out, we have had to rotate players in those support roles. Lorenzo Pellegrini has played there most consistently, but Lorenzo Venturino, Robinio Vaz and Stephan El Shaarawy can all play there.”

Has Gasperini spoken to Pellegrini about his future, with the contract running down?

“No, this is not something we need to discuss now, as it’s a fundamental stage of the season, and we need to focus on the pitch.”

Could Malen and Vaz even start together tomorrow?

“Anything is possible,” smiled the coach.

Lazio goalkeeper Ivan Provedel has been released from hospital, as the surgeon who operated on his shoulder warns ‘this is the equivalent of an anterior cruciate ligament tear for a midfielder.’

The shot-stopper sustained the injury in training and it was identified by an MRI scan as a lesion of the glenohumeral ligament alongside involvement of the glenoid labrum.

He went under the knife and has now been released from hospital, as confirmed by a statement on the official Lazio website.

Recovery process begins for Provedel

Provedel must wear a brace stabilising his movements for at least a month, after which he can begin the rehabilitation treatment.

This is expected to be a long process, with reports it will require four to five months on the sidelines, ending his season early.

“We must not rush this, there are some biological steps that have to be taken, so nature must take its course,” surgeon Giovanni Di Giacomo told the Corriere dello Sport via Tuttomercatoweb after performing the operation.

“Provedel was highly motivated and eager to get back on the field. However, this is a serious injury. For a goalkeeper, a shoulder issue like this is the equivalent of a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the knee for a midfielder.”

Lazio have been forced to use their second choice goalkeeper, Edoardo Motta, who was signed from Reggina in January.

He made his Serie A debut in Monday evening’s 2-1 victory over Sassuolo and only turned 21 in January.

There are strong reports of a significant change behind the scenes for Roma’s business model, but Francesco Totti is only asked to be a brand ambassador without powers.

Over the last few weeks, there have been growing rumours that the club icon could return to the Stadio Olimpico with a directorial role.

Roma not prepared to hand Totti powers

These were boosted when he was spotted back in the stands for some home games, something he had largely tried to avoid after his ill-tempered exit from the club in the summer of 2019.

That was under previous owners, so it was suggested the Friedkin family with help from Claudio Ranieri and coach Gian Piero Gasperini were talking to Totti about a return.

However, Sky Sport Italia now report Roma do want Totti to have a purely ceremonial role as brand ambassador, with no decision-making powers.

This was the kind of thing he had rejected in the past, but might be more amenable towards now.

Meanwhile, there are bigger changes afoot, as Calcio e Finanza claim exclusively that Roma have decided to purchase the Centro Sportivo Fulvio Bernardini training ground in Trigoria, after leasing the land for 20 years.

The structure had originally been sold for €30m in December 2005 as a way of balancing the books.

Davide Massa has been assigned to the Como vs. Roma Serie A fight for fourth place, while Gianluca Manganiello gets Inter-Atalanta, but Daniele Doveri drops to Serie B after the Derby della Madonnina.

The AIA (Italian Referees Association) has confirmed the referees chosen for this weekend’s Serie A matches.

The biggest game of the round is arguably the showdown for Champions League qualification, as Como and Roma are locked together in the table and go head-to-head at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday.

That has been handed to experienced official Massa.

Leaders Inter try to get back on track against Atalanta, which will be officiated by Gianluca Manganiello in another top seven duel.

Notably, there is no Serie A fixture this weekend for Doveri after his work in the Derby della Madonnina, but this does not mean it is a demotion.

Instead, he is trusted with the extremely difficult and important Serie B promotion clash between Monza and Palermo, which could prove decisive for who gets to be in the top flight next season.

Serie A Week 29 referees

Torino vs. Parma (Maresca, VAR Ghersini)

Inter vs. Atalanta (Manganiello, VAR Gariglio)

Napoli vs. Lecce (Abisso, VAR Nasca)

Udinese vs. Juventus (Mariani, VAR Maggioni)

Verona vs. Genoa (Marchetti, VAR Marini)

Pisa vs. Cagliari (La Penna, VAR Paterna)

Sassuolo vs. Bologna (Bonacina, VAR Serra)

Como vs. Roma (Massa, VAR Fabbri)

Lazio vs. Milan (Guida, VAR Chiffi)

Cremonese vs. Fiorentina (Di Bello, VAR Aureliano)

Dusan Vlahovic completed the entire training session with his Juventus teammates and is ready for his comeback after nearly four months out.

The striker pulled up during the Serie A match against Cagliari on November 29, 2025, and it was immediately apparent this was a very serious injury.

It was diagnosed as a high-grade lesion to the muscle-tendon junction of the left adductor longus.

Vlahovic all set for Juventus return

There were fears he could be out of action for as much as five months, but it seems as if the Serbian could be on the pitch this weekend.

Vlahovic took part in the entire training session with his Juventus teammates at the Continassa camp near Turin today and is widely expected to be in the squad for the trip to Udinese.

He even scored a goal in today’s game between ranks, confirming his condition is good.

Al lavoro pic.twitter.com/3hjTWW4lm9

— JuventusFC (@juventusfc) March 11, 2026

He had scored six goals and provided two assists in his 17 competitive appearances this season before that setback.

His performances in the remaining 10 matches of the campaign could well decide whether or not he signs a new contract with Juventus, seeing as the current deal expires on June 30.

Cagliari have suffered yet another devastating anterior cruciate ligament injury, as left-back Riyad Idrissi is the latest to be ruled out for six months.

The 20-year-old, who has three caps for Italy at Under-21 level, is a product of the Sardinian youth academy and had impressed this season with two goals and an assist in 26 competitive appearances.

Idrissi only latest Cagliari casualty

He featured in the 2-1 Serie A defeat to Como over the weekend, and tests showed his injury was worse than previously thought.

A club statement confirms Idrissi has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The player will go under the knife with a specialist over the next few days, but this type of injury generally requires four to six months on the sidelines.

It is something of an epidemic at Cagliari, as this season alone they have lost Andrea Belotti, Mattia Felici and Idrissi all to ACL tears.

Roma have named their squad list for the Europa League Round of 16 against Bologna, missing big names like Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala and Gianluca Mancini, but Mario Hermoso is included.

The first leg kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday at 17.45 GMT (18.45 CET).

The Giallorossi have been dealing with a lengthy injury crisis for some time now, and many of the problems are localised in the attack.

Good and bad news for Roma

This means Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson are long-term absentees, while Soulé has again not been included, as he struggles to recover from an inflammation.

The good news for coach Gian Piero Gasperini is that defender Hermoso completed the training session and is in the squad, though it remains to be seen if he will start.

There is more pressure on the defence, as Gianluca Mancini is suspended for the first leg of this Europa League tie.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Bryan Zaragoza is tipped to start in support of Donyell Malen, while Bryan Cristante can be moved into a more advanced role too.

This leaves Manu Koné and Niccolò Pisilli in midfield, benching Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Vincenzo Italiano admits he would gladly have avoided the all-Italian Europa League duel with Roma, but Bologna ‘hope to tease some weaknesses out of them tomorrow.’

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

The draw was unkind to the Italian teams, as while it means at least there will be one representative in the quarter-finals, it can only be one of the two sides who entered the tournament.

Bologna had a terrible start to 2026 and seemingly had turned a corner with a run of victories, but faltered again at the weekend with their home defeat to rock bottom Hellas Verona.

Italiano would have avoided Bologna vs. Roma

“We have already put that match behind us,” assured Italiano in his press conference.

“Roma have some weaknesses and we hope to tease those out of them tomorrow. As I said before, I had hoped in a different draw, because we could’ve gone far together in this competition, but instead one of the two Italians must go out.

“We are stuttering in our home games lately, but hope to change that tomorrow.”

The coach gave injury updates, as Juan Miranda and Torbjorn Heggem are back in training, but it remains to be seen if either of them could start.

He did hint that Tommaso Pobega has “a very good chance” of being in the starting XI, though Thijs Dallinga could finally give Santiago Castro some rest ahead of the Serie A showdown with Sassuolo.

“Roma defend well and have now found a striker in Donyell Malen who is doing very well, giving their aggressive style of football an outlet. We know him too, as we already played against his Aston Villa earlier in the season.

“Gian Piero Gasperini has set the example for all coaches, winning important trophies both at team and individual level. He continues to exhibit wonderful football and I have incredible respect for him.”

Will the two coaches go out to dinner together?

“We’d need a restaurant that stayed open late, because we’d have so much to talk about!”

The second leg will be at the Stadio Olimpico next week, where the Rossoblu lost 1-0 in the opening game of the Serie A season back in August.

“I am not thinking about the second leg, because after tomorrow we already have another Serie A match to play, so there’s time for that. Obviously, it won’t be an easy atmosphere for us at the Olimpico, but we know that.

“The trouble with an Italian derby is we know each other so very well. It’s a new experience for me too, facing another Italian side in Europe.”

Bologna’s home record has been the most surprising aspect of their campaign so far, as since the start of December 2025 they have amassed just three victories at the Stadio Dall’Ara, two draws and eight losses in all competition.

“I analysed all those games, and some we deserved to lose, with others we could’ve won with a bit more concentration. The attitude is not the issue, but we are paying a heavy price for some distractions, and have the time to make up for it,” noted Italiano.

“We did win five games after that difficult period, and a situation like Verona can happen, in Serie A anybody can beat anyone else, it’s always a struggle. We have more difficulty against teams who let us take control of the game, leading us to become a bit too superficial in our preventative marking.

“Tomorrow is a big opportunity for us to progress in Europe, but we won’t be able to judge the season until the end.”

Igor Tudor’s handling of Guglielmo Vicario during Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid has given Inter a significant boost, with the Nerazzurri keen on signing the Italian goalkeeper next summer.

Tudor dropped Vicario for Antonín Kinský in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but the 22-year-old’s early mistakes led to Vicario’s introduction after just 17 minutes. 

Inter already opened Vicario talks

According to various sources, Inter have already opened talks with Vicario’s entourage, having identified the ex-Empoli and Cagliari goalkeeper as their main target in goal for 2026-27.

Previous reports claimed that Inter directors would hold further talks with the goalkeeper’s representatives this month.

Vicario is eager to return to Italy in the summer, and Tudor’s management against Atletico Madrid seems to have only reinforced his desire.

According to Gazzetta, in fact, Vicario expected to start the match at the Wanda Metropolitano, believing his status within the team would be respected.

The Pink Paper adds that Juventus and Monaco are also closely following Vicario, and that Inter’s second option to replace Yann Sommer is Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.

Tottenham’s asking price for Vicario is reportedly around €20m, but if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League, then the goalkeeper’s price would be further reduced.

Tottenham are just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, and their new coach, Igor Tudor, has lost all his first four games in charge.

Napoli are prepared to make Rasmus Hojlund’s move from Manchester United permanent for €44m as the Red Devils are reportedly unwilling to reduce the striker’s transfer fee.

Napoli are destined to sign Hojlund on a permanent transfer from Manchester United for €44m, reports TMW.

Hojlund set for 44m Napoli transfer

The Denmark international joined the Partenopei on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy last summer.

The obligation to purchase is tied to Napoli’s Champions League qualification this season, but it seems like a fairly feasible target as the defending Serie A champions currently sit third in the standings with a five-point lead over fifth-placed Roma.

According to the report, Napoli will try to lower Manchester United’s demands, but the Red Devils are unwilling to give any discount, especially because the Azzurri seem close to securing Champions League qualification.

Hojlund has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this season.

Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli says the club’s medical staff is assessing Moise Kean ‘day by day’ and hopes the Italian striker will be available for the next crucial Serie A match against Cremonese.

Fiorentina star Kean will miss tomorrow’s Conference League Round of 16 first leg game against Rakow, Vanoli confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kean to miss Fiorentina vs. Rakow

“We are continuing with a recovery process and evaluating him day by day. The target is to have him in Cremona,” the Viola coach said via TMW.

Kean has sustained a fibula injury, and Fiorentina hope he’ll be back for the next Serie A match away at Cremonese. It’s a crucial fixture for the Tuscans, who are just one point above the Grigiorossi in the relegation zone.

Gudmundsson is expected to be available tomorrow but is not in his best shape.

“Right now, he must regain full fitness after an ankle problem. He misses being decisive, but he still does important things,” Vanoli said.

“I like him more in his new role than as a support striker. He must only find that spark; we know he can be decisive in the final games.

“We are focused on this game. The Conference League is an important trophy that we want to honour and go as far as possible. We find a team that did very well in the league phase. They defend well and have only conceded two goals. We must think that we’ll play across two games, so we have to be smart. We’ll think about Cremonese on Friday.”

According to Tuttosport, Everton and West Ham have recently scouted Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei.

Ex-Chelsea and Inter midfielder Casadei has attracted interest from Everton and West Ham, according to Tuttosport.

Everton and West Ham interested in Casadei

The two Premier League clubs will be looking for midfield reinforcement in the summer, although the Hammers must first secure Premier League survival.

The Italian midfielder, 23, has scored five goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season.

He joined Torino in January 2025 on a permanent €13m deal from Chelsea.

During his time in England, he had played for Chelsea, Leicester City and Reading FC, collecting 11 Premier League appearances.

A product of the Inter Academy, Casadei is Torino’s best scorer since January with one goal in Coppa Italia and four in Serie A despite not being a regular starter.

No other Torino player has scored more goals since the start of the year.

Casadei’s contract with Torino expires in June 2029.

He has yet to make his senior Italy debut, but scored four goals in 16 appearances with Italy U21.

Yunus Musah says Atalanta players are ‘grateful’ for the support they received last night despite a 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich.

Atalanta, the only Serie A side remaining in the Champions League Round of 16, are practically out of the competition already having suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Musah reacts to Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich

Despite the heavy result and despite Bayern scoring three goals in the opening 25 minutes, the home crowd never stopped supporting the players and continued chanting for the team after the final whistle.

“It’s like this every week. They are very good supporters and fans. Always behind the team,” Musah told CBS Sports.

“You can really feel like ‘this is Bergamo.’ The whole of Bergamo comes to support us in the stadium, every game. The fans are amazing here. We are really grateful for the support they showed us today. This is what they are like every week. We really appreciate our supporters.

“It’s always special to take part in these Champions League games,” the USMNT international continued.

“We had a lot of hope before the game, but unfortunately, Bayern have so much quality, and the game escaped us from the beginning to the end.”

Watch the full interview below.

“The whole of Bergamo comes to support us… We’re really grateful.”

Yunus Musah on the special support Atalanta receive their fans pic.twitter.com/6xwoc1ycbu

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

Igor Tudor’s most recent win as a coach came on September 13, 2025, when Juventus beat Inter 4-3, and the Croatian tactician has now suffered seven consecutive losses across his spells with the Old Lady and Tottenham.

• Read more – Di Canio: Tudor might ‘pay’ for Vicario-Kinský decision, hints at new Tottenham coach

Safe to say, Tudor has not had a brilliant start to his Tottenham career, having lost all of his opening four games in charge.

Tudor’s depressing results for Juventus and Tottenham

The Croatian tactician was appointed on February 14, barely three months after he departed from Juventus.

The Bianconeri sacked Tudor at the end of October 2025, following three consecutive defeats across all competitions.

The Bianconeri had lost 2-0 to Como, 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and 1-0 to Lazio. They had not scored a goal in their last four matches under the 47-year-old and had not won since September 13, when they beat Inter 4-3 at the Allianz Stadium.

To date, that also remains Tudor’s last win as a coach.

Juventus replaced Tudor with Luciano Spalletti, and even though the Bianconeri are still out of the top four in Serie A, they have grabbed 15 wins in 28 matches under the Italian tactician and are just one point below a Champions League spot.

When Rafael Leão joined Milan in the summer of 2019, he arrived as a talented yet inconsistent forward. He had shown flashes of pace and technical ability in France, but he had not built a complete profile.

Over the following seasons, he changed his role, sharpened his decision-making, and increased his influence on matches. His development did not follow a straight line. He struggled at times, responded to criticism, and grew into a central figure for the team.

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This article examines how Leão evolved tactically, improved his numbers, and adjusted his mentality. It focuses on facts and match data rather than praise or comparison. It also addresses how he handles responsibility in a club that demands results every season.

Early period: raw pace and direct play

Leão entered Serie A as a 20-year-old forward with explosive speed and strong ball control. During his first season in Italy, he alternated between the wing and a central role. Coaches used him as a second striker in a 4-4-2 and sometimes as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1. He often received the ball wide and attacked defenders in isolation.

His early strengths stood out:

• Acceleration over short distances
• Confident dribbling in one-on-one situations
• Ability to strike with power from the edge of the box
• Calm finishing in open play

Yet his game lacked balance. He drifted out of matches for long spells. He tracked back inconsistently and did not always read defensive triggers. When Milan pressed high, he sometimes arrived a step late. Coaches demanded more discipline without limiting his attacking freedom.

During the 2019–20 season, he scored six league goals. That total reflected promise rather than dominance. He needed structure. He also needed clarity about his best position.

Tactical shift under Stefano Pioli

The arrival of Stefano Pioli brought stability. Pioli fixed Leão on the left side of a 4-2-3-1 and gave him a defined role. The coach asked him to stretch the field, attack the half-space, and link with the left-back. He also demanded quicker decisions in the final third.

This shift marked a turning point. Leão no longer drifted inside too early. He held wide during the buildup and waited for the right moment to cut toward the goal. He combined more often with the central striker and the attacking midfielder. He started to use short passes to draw defenders before accelerating into space.

During the 2021–22 campaign, he reached a new level. He scored 11 league goals and added 10 assists as Milan won the Serie A title. His output showed greater consistency. He attacked defenders with intent rather than hesitation. He chose when to dribble and when to pass.

Key changes in that season included:

1. Faster ball circulation near the box
2. Better timing of runs behind the defence
3. Stronger defensive tracking on the flank
4. Improved composure in tight areas

Leão did not rely only on speed. He learned to control tempo. At times, he slowed play, drew two markers, and opened space for teammates. That maturity signalled growth.

Statistical growth across seasons

The numbers confirm his progress. The table below outlines his league contributions during key seasons with Milan:

These figures show steady development. He increased both scoring and creative output. He also raised his involvement in build-up phases. His dribble volume remained high, but he used it with greater purpose.

Coaches valued his ability to carry the ball over long distances. He often turned defence into attack within seconds. When Milan recovered possession, he sprinted into open channels and forced opponents to retreat. That direct threat shaped match dynamics.

Mental growth and responsibility

Leão faced criticism during slower periods. Observers questioned his focus and work rate. He answered through performance rather than statements. In tight matches, he started to demand the ball. He accepted the burden of creating danger when the team struggled to break lines.

He improved his reaction to physical contact. Early in his career, he sometimes avoided duels. Over time, he engaged more often and used his frame to shield possession. He also reduced unnecessary touches. Instead of attempting a dribble in every scenario, he scanned options and chose simpler solutions.

Leadership does not always require loud communication. Leão leads through actions. When Milan needs penetration, he attacks defenders without delay. When the tempo drops, he injects pace. Teammates look to him during critical phases.

His contract renewal in 2023 confirmed the club’s trust. That decision placed him at the centre of the sporting project. He now carries expectations that extend beyond statistics.

Role in European competition

Leão’s influence extends to continental matches. In the UEFA Champions League, he often faces compact defensive blocks. Those settings demand precision. Space shrinks quickly. Opponents double-mark him near the sideline.

He responds by adjusting his movement. Instead of hugging the touchline at all times, he drifts inward to combine with midfielders. He also drops deeper to collect the ball and initiate transitions. That versatility complicates defensive plans.

In the 2022–23 Champions League run to the semi-finals, he scored crucial goals and created several clear chances. His acceleration caused problems against organised back lines. Even when he did not score, he shifted attention and freed space for others.

Relationship with teammates

Leão’s link-up play has improved with experience. His connection with the left-back stands out. He often waits for the overlapping run before cutting inside. That coordination stretches the defence.

He also combines effectively with the central striker. When the striker drops toward midfield, Leão attacks the channel behind defenders. When the striker stays high, Leão uses short passes and quick exchanges to enter the box.

His passing range has expanded. Early in his Milan spell, he favoured short combinations. Now he attempts diagonal balls across the area and early crosses from advanced positions. These additions increase unpredictability.

Areas that required correction

Development never occurs without setbacks. Leão needed to address specific weaknesses:

• Inconsistent defensive tracking during high press
• Fluctuating concentration in matches with low tempo
• Shot selection from difficult angles
• Emotional reaction to fouls or refereeing decisions

He tackled these issues through repetition and tactical instruction. Coaches reviewed footage with him and highlighted positional errors. Training sessions focused on quick decision cycles in the final third.

He still experiences dips in form. However, those periods no longer define entire months. He recovers faster and contributes even when he does not score.

Physical conditioning and durability

Leão’s physical profile supports his style. He combines height with speed, which gives him leverage in duels. Over recent seasons, he has improved his stamina. He now sustains high-intensity runs into the final stages of matches.

Injury management also plays a role. He missed a limited time due to muscle problems compared to earlier stages of his career. Consistent availability strengthens rhythm and confidence.

Influence on team structure

Milan’s tactical setup often revolves around Leão’s presence on the left flank. Opponents adjust their shape to contain him. They assign a second defender to block his inside runs. That focus opens corridors elsewhere.

When Leão attracts two markers, Milan switches play quickly to the opposite wing. This pattern stretches defensive lines. His gravity alters spacing even when he does not touch the ball.

He also improves counterattacking speed. The team seeks him immediately after regaining possession. His first touch usually directs play forward. That directness reduces transitional risk.

Current stage and future direction

Leão now stands in his mid-twenties. He has moved beyond the label of prospect. He carries the responsibility of a leading attacker in Serie A. His challenge involves maintaining standards over multiple seasons.

To continue progress, he must refine three aspects:

1. Increase efficiency in front of goal during congested matches
2. Sustain defensive contribution during long stretches without possession
3. Guide younger teammates through example and communication

He already shows signs of growth in these areas. He accepts tactical adjustments without complaint. He contributes in matches where space disappears. He also handles pressure from title races and European knockout rounds.

Conclusion

Rafael Leão’s evolution at Milan reflects steady refinement rather than sudden change. He arrived as a fast and talented forward. He grew into a structured, productive winger who shapes matches in multiple ways. His statistics improved, but numbers alone do not capture his influence. He alters defensive positioning, accelerates transitions, and injects urgency when the team requires initiative.

He still seeks greater consistency. Every top attacker faces scrutiny when form dips. Yet he responds with effort and focus. His growth stems from tactical discipline, mental maturity, and physical development.

Milan relies on him not only for goals and assists but also for momentum. He accepts that burden. If he continues to refine his decision-making and sustain intensity, he will remain central to the club’s ambitions in domestic and European competitions.

Former Roma defender Alessandro Florenzi says José Mourinho wanted to bring him back to the Stadio Olimpico in 2021: ‘He knew it wasn’t true that I had argued with everyone.’

Ex-Italy international Florenzi reveals Mourinho wanted to work with him at Roma in 2021 after the Portuguese surprisingly took charge of the Giallorossi.

Florenzi: Mourinho knew I hadn’t argued with everyone at Roma

“He called me; he wondered why I had argued with everyone,” Florenzi told Corriere dello Sport.

“Ask people in Trigoria; it wasn’t true. Mourinho knew it too. He wanted me, and I’d have played for him.”

Florenzi spent nine seasons at Roma, leaving the club in January 2020. He then played for Valencia and PSG, on loan, but when Mourinho was appointed as the new Giallorossi coach in 2021, the Italian had a chance to return to the Olimpico.

After his return from PSG, however, Florenzi joined Milan, first on loan and then on a permanent deal from 2022-23.

The Euro 2020 Italy winner scored 28 goals in 280 games with Roma. He retired at the end of the 2024-25 campaign; so what’s next for him?

“Being a coach must be tough,” he said.

“I can’t say it with certainty now, many people say that a coaching role would suit me, others say I should be a director. I’d like to talk to the players, work with them and help, but I still don’t know in which capacity.”

Florenzi also scored two goals in 49 appearances with the Italy national team. His final appearance was in June 2022, in a 0-0 draw against England.

Ex-Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart feels Igor Tudor was wrong to replace Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into Atletico Madrid-Tottenham: ‘Even Gigi Buffon had bad nights.’

• Read more – De Gea’s message to under-fire Tottenham keeper Kinsky: ‘No one can understand’

Tudor has once again made headlines for the wrong reasons at Tottenham as Spurs suffered a 5-2 away loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Hart reacts to Kinsky’s substitution in Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham

Tudor surprisingly benched Italy international Guglielmo Vicario to start Kinsky instead, but after the 22-year-old made two silly mistakes that led to Atletico Madrid goals, the Spurs boss changed his mind and brought Vicario back in.

“To get to this level, signed by Spurs, one mistake does not alter you,” Hart, a former Torino goalkeeper, told TNT Sports via The Sun.

“That is a technical error, but what precedes that… was it the right decision? Maybe it was. But what I saw after…

“I hate being reactive because I like to know all the facts. But the fact he has taken him off in that situation, having played him… he is young, 22, he is not a man, he has done nothing to try and hurt Spurs.”

Tudor attracted plenty of criticism, even in Italy, where ex-West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio suggested that his goalkeepers’ management during last night’s match could have consequences for his coaching career. 

“[Kinsky had] a couple of bad moments, but to rip him off in this situation and not even acknowledge the guy?” Hart continued.

“Every single one of Tottenham’s players who are feeling the pain doesn’t know what to do. How is that good for him?’

“It is a thing with ‘keepers, you have got to accept you will have nights like that. Everyone has them. Buffon, Neuer, Schmeichel.

“They have had moments, but everything that has gone on on top of it, he will feel so unwelcome as far as the management is involved.

“You have to be treated like a human, just a little bit. I understand the situation.

“This needs getting a serious grip of. Madness happens all the time in football. That was mad. Maybe he didn’t handle it how he should have.

“I saw the whole bench’s hearts drop. They are saying, “Don’t worry, we are here for you”.

“It’s the human side of things. If you aren’t willing to show it, that’s when it starts to divide.”

Tudor has lost all four of his games in charge of Tottenham and is already on the brink of being sacked in North London.

He was sacked by Juventus at the end of October and hired by Spurs on February 14.

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi says he ‘never talked’ to Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso and admits fear of World Cup play-off is ‘real’ but ‘it must not turn into a phobia.’

The World Cup play-offs are just around the corner, with Italy hosting Northern Ireland in the semifinals in Bergamo on March 26.

Bernardeschi, a Euro 2020 winner, is not expected to be part of the team that Gennaro Gattuso will release next week.

Bernardeschi: World Cup play-off fear should ‘push you to raise the bar’

“I’ve never talked to him, except when he visited Serie A clubs, and we exchanged a couple of words,” Bernardeschi said in the second part of his interview with Gazzetta via TMW.

Italy have already been knocked out of the World Cup play-offs in 2018 and 2022.

“It’s a real fear, and it’s right that it exists, but it must not turn into a phobia,” said the experienced winger.

“It should push you to raise the bar, so you’re ready to compete. The entire external environment needs to start helping, because it’s something that belongs to all of Italy.

“It seems to me that people almost take pleasure when the Azzurri do badly, and that’s an ugly thing. They can’t wait to say you aren’t good enough and judge you after just two matches.”

When asked to pick two wingers for the Azzurri, choosing among him, Domenico Berardi, and Mattia Zaccagni, Bernardeschi replied, “The Euros champions,” which means he and Berardi.

During the same interview, Bernardeschi revealed that he could have joined Atalanta before signing for Toronto FC in 2022, admitting that his decision was mostly driven by money.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer, joining Vincenzo Italiano at Bologna.

A former Fiorentina and Juventus star, Bernardeschi has grabbed five goals and one assist in 32 appearances across all competitions.

La Gazzetta dello Sport examines Atalanta’s 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich, calling it ‘an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.’

Atalanta, the last Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, suffered a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich last night in the Round of 16 first leg.

Fabio Capello noted that the result was a “lesson” for Italian football, and Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luigi Garlando had exactly the same feeling.

Atalanta’s huge defeat an ’embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football’

“In the last Champions League, the last Italian team remaining, Inter, conceded five goals in the Final in Munich. This year, the last one to go out, Atalanta, conceded six at home against the team from Munich,” the journalist wrote.

“There’s no point beating around the bush. It wasn’t just an embarrassment for Atalanta. First and foremost, it was an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.”

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even go beyond the league phase.

“The defending Serie A champions, Napoli, finished in 39th in the league phase. The current league leaders, Inter, were knocked out before the Round of 16 by the honest but hardly galactic Bodo/Glimt,” continued Garlando.

“Add that to Norway’s aggregate 7-1 win over Italy, draw a line, and do the math: this is who we are.”

Italy will play in Bergamo in just two weeks, hosting Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal.

“The good part, so to speak, is that in 15 days, in this very stadium, our national team will face Northern Ireland to try to avert a third Apocalypse,” Garlando sadly concluded.

“If Gattuso was hoping for a morale boost from our top clubs in Europe, he didn’t get it.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have submitted a written offer to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi as a free agent.

Juventus have reportedly made a formal step forward to sign Senesi as a free agent from Premier League side Bournemouth.

According to Gazzetta, the Serie A giants have sent the Argentine defender an official, written offer.

Juventus send offer for Senesi

Senesi is a long-time target of Juventus director Damien Comolli, and talks between the defender’s entourage and the Serie A giants already began a few weeks ago.

According to the report, Senesi is tempted to join Juventus, but the Bianconeri aren’t the only club interested in securing his signature.

The Argentine is expected to receive more proposals over the next few weeks as his contract with Bournemouth runs out this coming June.

Juventus, however, have already made an initial step forward and hope to be well-positioned in the race for the 28-year-old centre-back.

The Serie A giants have opened talks with other free agents, including Bernardo Silva, Leon Goretzka and Zeki Celik.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Fiorentina star Moise Kean is Massimiliano Allegri’s preferred target to strengthen the Milan attack for the 2026-27 season.

Fiorentina and Italy star striker Kean is Allegri’s primary target in attack for next season, according to Gazzetta.

Allegri already coached Kean at Juventus, giving him his senior debut in November 2016.

Milan already in talks for Kean

Kean has a €62m clause included in his Fiorentina contract. It is only valid in the first two weeks of July, but the Rossoneri have already initiated talks, hoping to lower the Tuscans’ demands.

This past August, Kean signed a contract extension with Fiorentina, raising his clause from €52m to €62m.

According to Gazzetta, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy is another Milan target for next season, and so is Dusan Vlahovic, although Juventus are confident about reaching an agreement to extend the Serbian striker’s contract, which expires this coming June.

Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are Milan’s best scorers this season with 10 goals each across all competitions.

Fiorentina star David De Gea sided with under-fire Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, who was subbed off after just 17 minutes in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid last night: ‘Keep your head up.’

Tottenham suffered a 5-2 away loss to Atletico Madrid last night, with coach Igor Tudor and Spurs’ second-choice keeper Kinsky in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

De Gea to Kinsky: ‘No one can understand…’

Tudor dropped Italy international Guglielmo Vicario to give Kinsky his Champions League debut at 22, but the Czech goalkeeper poorly conceded two of Atletico Madrid’s opening three goals in the first 15 minutes and was subbed off after just 17.

Fiorentina star De Gea came out in defence of the young Tottenham goalkeeper with a message on X social media: “No one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position,” wrote De Gea.

“Keep your head up and you will go again.”

Sky Sport Italia pundit Paolo Di Canio, a former West Ham star, examined Tudor’s decisions, especially Kinsky’s unconventional substitution after just 17 minutes, suggesting that the ex-Juventus coach might pay a high price in his coaching career.

Overall, it was a very bad night for Italian football as Atalanta, the only Serie A side remaining in the Champions League Round of 16, suffered a 6-1 home loss to Bayern Munich.

Ex-Italian coach Fabio Capello says Atalanta were ‘fortunate’ to only concede six goals against Bayern Munich: ‘This is a lesson for Italian football.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A side to have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16, suffered a heavy 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich last night.

Capello: Atalanta’s humiliation ‘a lesson’ for Italian football

“I saw a team that pressed and ran, with everyone showing impressive quality, in vision and possession,” Capello told Sky Sport via TMW.

“Every time Bayern won the ball back, they went straight forward and sprinted into space. With that kind of technique, they clearly put Atalanta in trouble.

“Atalanta were actually fortunate to concede only six goals. It could have been many more, and the goalkeeper made some good saves as well. This is a lesson for Italian football. Atalanta were the only Italian side to qualify for the Round of 16 and had beaten Borussia Dortmund, but they didn’t stand a chance against the top German team.”

• Read more – Player ratings: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich – Olise teaches La Dea a lesson

Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio says Igor Tudor ‘destroyed’ Antonín Kinský and could ‘pay for that in his career at the highest levels,’ especially because Tottenham’s previous defeats were ‘not Vicario’s fault.’

Tottenham coach Tudor made headlines last night as he dropped Italy international Vicario to give 22-year-old Kinsky his Champions League debut.

Spurs went 3-0 down after just 15 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Kinsky cheaply conceding two goals. As a result, Tudor replaced the Czech goalkeeper with Vicario after only 16 minutes.

Tudor explains Kinsky-Vicario decision

“I’ve been coaching for 15 years and I’ve never done it before. It was necessary to preserve the guy and the team. Before the game, it was the right choice, in a moment like we are, with pressure on Vicario,” Tudor explained at a post-match press conference.

“Antonín is a very good goalkeeper. For me, it was the right decision. After, of course, it’s easy to say it was not right. I spoke to Tony after; he’s a right guy, a good goalkeeper, and unfortunately, these mistakes happen in these games. The start of the game was too much for us.”

Former West Ham, Lazio, Juventus and Milan striker Paolo Di Canio examined Tudor’s decisions during Sky Sport Italia’s post-match show on Tuesday and was quite harsh on the Croatian tactician.

“He’s not entirely wrong, but in this case, he also brought it on himself. I feel sorry for him. Maybe he just lets everything slide off him and doesn’t realise what the tabloids will write. They are ruthless,” Di Canio said via Corriere dello Sport.

“They’ll destroy him, because when you make choices like that, you are hard to understand. I don’t know if there was some issue with Vicario, and there was probably some confrontation in the dressing room, but certainly not because the recent defeats are Vicario’s fault. He’s made a few mistakes, but was a complete shambles of a team in front of him, leaking from every side.

“If you put in such a delicate match, a kid who comes in with 17 appearances for Slavia Prague, and say the player is strong with just six appearances, you asked for it, and you destroyed him,” Di Canio continued.

“I understand that Igor is very tough, and I don’t know if he’ll pay for that in his career at the highest levels. I really don’t think he’ll stay at Tottenham; they’ll go and get an English coach.”

Tudor was sacked by Juventus at the end of October 2025 and replaced by Luciano Spalletti.

He accepted the Tottenham job on February 14, 2026, but has lost all four of his games in charge.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Dea nightmare, too much Bayern

Never in the game, but the fans applaud

Milan, my love

San Siro acclaims him, the team wants a bis, and Luka takes the Ballon d’Or at the Devil’s home. Chasing a No.9: Now Kean tops the list

The goal has disappeared

No Serie A goals: 62 goals less than last season

Trezeguet: ‘I watch Juventus for Yildiz only, I expected more from Vlahovic.’

Dumfries’ cure: back as a starter after 125 days

Corriere dello Sport

Rocchi’s certainties

‘It was a penalty, it wasn’t a penalty.’

Damage for Roma, Milan-Inter correct.

Malinovskyi? The double touch doesn’t justify the lack of a penalty for the Giallorossi. Ricci’s handball was assessed correctly.

Spalletti and Juve, renewal and five coups

Napoli, Conte finds McT again

Lazio, strike blocked for 90 minutes

Too much Bayern for Dea

Kompany’s team dominates: 3-0 after 25 minutes. Goals from Stanisic, Olise (2), Gnabry, Jackson Musiala and Pasalic. Tottenham crushed 52- by Atletico Madrid; Tudor’s disaster. He preferred Kinsky to Vicario, then replaced him at minute 17.

Tuttosport

Bayern’s walk in the park; our Champions League is already over

Dea shock! Europe smashes us

Spalletti’s list

Juve of the future: six reinforcements plus a goalkeeper

Kolo for the attack, Ederson and Goretzka in central midfield, Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder, Celik on the wings, and Senesi in defence: here are the main targets identified by the coach for a step forward, but there are other names too: a high-level alternative between the sticks (Vicario sounded out). Lucio considers Nico Gonzalez’s return from Madrid. Fenerbahce on Openda. Even Gatti can be sacrificed for the finances.

Reds flop, tragicomic Tottenham for Tudor

Zapata’s clause, Toro can terminate the contract.

Raffaele Palladino admits that the difference in quality of players is the main reason behind Atalanta’s 6-1 hammering by Bayern Munich in the Champions League, but insists that he would stick with the same system if he were to hypothetically play the same game again.

Atalanta were thumped 6-1 on home soil by a dominant and ruthless Bayern side in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in Bergamo on Tuesday night: Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson, Jamal Musiala and Mario Pasalic with the goals. 

• Read more: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich: Player ratings!

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Palladino reacts to Atalanta 6-1 Bayern Munich 

Atalanta were vastly outclassed by their Bundesliga opponents on the night, but Palladino insists that his players will learn from this experience and become better as players and as a team because of it. 

“Firstly let’s congratulate Bayern. A very strong team, at times they were truly unplayable,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia after full-time. “For us, the best player was our fans. I want to thank them. They cheered us on until the very end despite the defeat.

“It’s an experience that will make us grow. I would go about it in the same way if we were to play again. If we got here, to the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia and are fighting in the league, it’s because of the mentality and therefore I would play like this again.”

Atalanta will be hoping to bounce back in Serie A this weekend, but they face another tough task there with a trip to San Siro to take on league leaders Inter on Saturday. 

“The team has always reacted well to defeats and we will react as early as Saturday,” said Palladino. “We’re facing a strong team again in Inter, but I’ve told the team that they have to accept the result and recover their energy.”

And returning to the topic of the Bayern defeat, Palladino said: “We dropped off in the second half. They dribble at you and have these incredibly strong wingers. They’re a team that’s destined to go all the way, but having said that, I’m happy with the team, which sweated until the end. And again, I’d like to thank the fans.” 

Palladino insists that he will not move away from Atalanta’s man-to-man system, even if it was part of their downfall against Bayern. 

“We expected them to put us in a difficult spot, with their strong players up front and their attacks from deep. We accept their qualities and strengths. We’ve come this far because we’ve had this mentality and we won’t change that. We won’t defend zonally, we accept the result and either we win or we learn.

“I’ve never seen players with these qualities, They really impressed me. They always gave it to players on their preferred foot and at the right speed. You can try and play deep, but they will still hurt you all the same.

“We had four big absences, we didn’t have many players up front and we preferred to stay the same after the game against Udinese over the weekend.

“We were never able to restart properly. They had aggression and immediately won the ball back. We’ve come this far because we have this mentality after beating Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. Aside from the system, the difference is in the players.”

Michael Olise was the star of the show as Bayern Munich hit Atalanta for six in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 first leg on Tuesday evening. 

La Dea were utterly outclassed by their Bundesliga opponents in Bergamo on Tuesday night and a late consolation goal from Mario Pasalic will not count for much following the earlier strikes from Josip Stanisic, Olise (x2), Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson and Jamal Musiala. 

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

Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich: Player ratings!

Atalanta: Carnesecchi 5; Zappacosta 6 (Bellanova 6), Hien 4, Kolasinac 4 (Ahanor 5), Bernasconi 4; Sulemana 5.5 (Samardzic 5), De Roon 5, Pasalic 5.5 (Musah 5), Krstovic 5, Scamacca 5 (Djimsiti 5.5). 

Best Atalanta player: Zappacosta 6 – Despite the scoreline and despite being part of a back four that had conceded three times within the first 25 minutes, it was a fairly solid showing from Zappacosta on an individual level. The experienced Dea wing-back was a handful on the right flank, provided a couple of decent balls into the area and also helped out defensively, including a good header to clear an awkward cross behind for a corner in the first half. 

Worst Atalanta player: Bernasconi 4 – That’s a night the young Atalanta wing-back will want to forget in a hurry. Utterly outclassed and often completely helpless up against Olise and the Italian will be relieved that the Bayern winger is now suspended for the return leg next week. 

Atalanta coach: Raffaele Palladino 3 – The Dea tactician got it all completely wrong with his team and tactical selections. Not helped by the absences of Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, but still, the decision to switch to a back four in order to ‘match’ Bayern was a decision that did not work, and was one that the coach had to use two substitutes to fix at half-time. It seemed like Atalanta were so focused on their defence, which collapsed three times within the first 25 minutes, that they didn’t really have much of a plan any time they did find themselves on the ball. 

Bayern: Urbig 6; Stanisic 6, Upamecano 6.5, Tah 6.5, Laimer 6 (Davies 6, Bischof 6), Kimmich 6.5, Pavlovic 6.5 (Goretzka 6); Olise 9, Gnabry 8 (Musiala 7), Diaz 7; Jackson 7.5. 

Best Bayern player: Olise 9 – Vincent Kompany has a special, special player on his hands with the French winger, who struck complete fear into the Atalanta defence any time he got on the ball on Tuesday night. It felt like La Dea were completely powerless to stop the France international at times, especially coming in off the right flank and onto that magical left foot of his. 

Worst Bayern player: Bischof 6 – It feels wrong to criticise any of the Bayern players after such a convincing performance, individually and collectively. But the German youngster missed a challenge and then failed to track back for Atalanta’s late consolation goal, which shouldn’t have been the case just 20 minutes after his introduction. In fairness to him, he can’t have been expecting to play after Alphonso Davies was brought on at half-time. 

Bayern coach: Vincent Kompany 8 – A brilliant, dominant and ruthless display from the Bavarian giants. Fielding Gnabry over Musiala brought an element of unpredictability to the Bayern attack, and Atalanta’s man-to-man system seemed to be of little difficulty to Kompany’s side. If anything, it seemed to help them. And they did it all without talisman Harry Kane as well. An impressive display, even if Atalanta were nowhere near the levels they needed to be to compete.

Atalanta were outclassed and humiliated on home soil as Bayern Munich stuck six goals past them in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie in Bergamo on Tuesday night: Josip Stanisic, Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, Nicolas Jackson and Jamal Musiala and Mario Pasalic with the goals. 

Atalanta pulled out a miraculous escape against Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Dortmund in the play-off rounds in order to qualify for this evening’s clash against Bayern, who finished second in the league phase and qualified for this stage of the competition automatically as a result.

There were a few surprising selections as Raffaele Palladino switched to a back four and deployed both Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic in attack. Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori were unavailable through injury and Giorgio Scalvini through suspension. Bayern, meanwhile, left Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala out of their starting line-up, but were still able to deploy an attacking unit of Olise, Gnabry, Luis Diaz and Jackson. 

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

It was an intense start after kick-off in Bergamo, and despite Atalanta dispossessing their opponents in their own half twice within the opening minutes, it was Bayern who registered the first shot on target through Olise. 

Bayern continued to put their foot on the throttle early on and found the opener in the 12th minute. It was a quick corner routine that gave them the lead: Atalanta switched off for the briefest of moments and were punished. Olise’s corner went short to Gnabry, who squared it to Stanisic to tap in. 

The Bavarians doubled their advantage 10 minutes later with an Olise special. 

The Frenchman cut in off the right flank, took a few touches to set himself on his wonderful left foot and dispatched a curling effort right into the side netting in the far corner of the net. 

Things went from bad to worse for La Dea when Gnabry added a third less than five minutes later. 

Goalkeeper Urbig went long over the top, Olise did brilliantly to bring the ball under control and slip it to Gnabry, who raced into the area and dispatched past Carnesecchi with ease when one-on-one. 

Bayern, away from home and not even at the halfway stage of the first leg, were not content with a three-goal lead and continued to send in the warning shots. 

Jackson should have done better one-on-one with Carnesecchi, Gnabry clipped the crossbar and Dayot Upamecano was inexplicably given acres of space in the middle of the park to line up a shot, which fortunately went wide, all before the interval. 

Bayern picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half. Nicola Zalewski fired a free-kick into the Bavarian’s wall in the 52nd minute, which allowed Kompany’s side to spring a counter-attack and finish through Jackson one-on-one. 

Olise added his second of the game with another special finish off that magical left boot of his. It was a similar move to his first, again off the right flank, and again, perfectly into the far corner from the edge of the penalty area. 

Bayern hit Atalanta for six with their next attack of the game. Jackson found himself out on the right flank, danced past his defender and supplied a cross into the six-yard box for Musiala to poke home. 

Bayern could have had one or two more before full-time as well: Upamecano came closest with his header that bounced off the upright.

Mario Pasalic gave the Atalanta supporters a brief cheer in injury time with a late consolation goal. Raoul Bellanova did well travelling down the right flank and provided a decent ball into the middle. Krstovic and Urbig collided in the middle, but the ball fell kindly for the Croatian to poke home.

Atalanta will still have to travel to Bavaria to take on Bayern in the second leg of this tie next weekend, but after Tuesday’s hammering, this now seems an unfortunate formality for La Dea. 

Atalanta 0-6 Bayern Munich

Stanisic 12′, Olise 22′, 64′, Gnabry 25′, Jackson 52′, Musiala 67′, Pasalic 90+3′.

Tottenham and former Juventus head coach Igor Tudor were forced to backtrack on their decision to drop goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, bringing the Italy international on after just 16 minutes after going 3-0 down. 

The Italy international was left out of Tottenham’s starting line-up for Tuesday evening’s Champions League round of 16 first leg match against Atletico Madrid, with Tudor opting to hand a first European start to Antonin Kinsky instead. Many Spurs supporters celebrated the decision to drop Vicario after a series of unconvincing performances this season. 

However, Tottenham found themselves three goals down after a quarter of an hour in Madrid, and in extraordinary scenes, Tudor decided to sub off Kinsky and bring on Vicario after little over a quarter of an hour. 

Kinsky was punished for a slip that led to Atletico’s opener, and made a second error that led to Julian Alvarez’s goal for 3-0. 

The onslaught didn’t stop there, though, as Robin Le Normand added a fourth for Atletico Madrid from a corner following Vicario’s substitution. Pedro Porro then pulled one back for Tottenham in a crazy first 25 minutes in Madrid. 

Watch: Vicario called into action after 16 minutes of Atletico Madrid vs. Tottenham

Kinský is replaced by Vicario after a difficult start against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/1EAxtRoXuE

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 10, 2026

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario has been dropped from the Tottenham Hotspur starting line-up by former Juventus head coach Igor Tudor for Tuesday evening’s Champions League round of 16 first leg against Atletico Madrid. 

Tottenham drop Vicario for Champions League clash

It has been a dismal season for Vicario and his Tottenham teammates on a domestic level, as they currently find themselves in a serious relegation battle in the Premier League. They are still involved in Champions League action, however, having finished the league phase in fourth place. 

Tottenham have lost all of their first three matches under the stewardship of Tudor, who took over from Thomas Frank on February 13. The ex-Juventus tactician already finds himself at risk of the sack, despite being appointed on a short-term contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. 

In an attempt to mix things up, Tudor has decided to drop Italy goalkeeper Vicario from his starting line-up for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, a decision which has been celebrated by vast sections of Tottenham’s online supporters. 

“Finally, Kinsky is between the sticks, I’ve been rooting for him,” wrote one supporter on X. 

Some fans say that Antonin Kinsky’s call-up to the starting line-up is: “100% deserved.” 

“It’s about damn time,” another fan wrote. Another added: “Vicario getting dropped is one positive I suppose.” 

Vicario on the bench pic.twitter.com/PZof1YM4gm

— Rush (@RushTHFC) March 10, 2026

pic.twitter.com/9FtXXgYlJZ

— Kaan (@YTKaan22) March 10, 2026

Oliver Bierhoff believes that his former side, Milan, has what it takes to overcome the seven-point deficit between themselves and Serie A leaders Inter before the end of the season and pointed out the clever trick that Luka Modric pulled out towards the end of Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina. 

Milan beat the table-topping Inter for the second time of the season on Sunday evening, picking up a 1-0 victory to move within seven points of their city rivals with 10 matches of the season left to go. 

The question on everybody’s lips now is whether the Rossoneri have what it takes to close down the gap between now and the end of the season. 

Bierhoff assess Milan’s Scudetto chances and heaps praise on Modric

Bierhoff was part of the Rossoneri side that fought back in the final few matches of the 1998-99 campaign to steal the Scudetto away from Lazio on the final day of the season.: “Simple: We believed and we put together a resounding string of victories,” he recalled in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

“That’s the reality. Nobody made any calculations, we were only focused on ourselves and we were convinced that while doing that, Lazio would have some missteps.” 

Head coach Massimiliano Allegri continues to insist that qualification for next season’s Champions League is Milan’s sole focus, not a late fight for the Serie A title. 

“In my opinion, there’s no need to make predictions and Allegri is right to continue talking about achieving the Champions League goal first,” said Bierhoff. 

“Milan have to return to Europe first and foremost, that’s important, and then think about the rest. It’s the right thing to keep the team focused on the short-term goal.” 

Bierhoff went on to give his post-match analysis of Milan’s most recent derby victory over Inter: “I saw a motivated team in the derby, that has confidence and had an excellent first half. They might have dropped a little too deep in the second, but they resisted. It’s clear that they’re well organised, despite facing Inter, and show a willingness to suffer.” 

And what is the biggest ‘threat’ to Milan heading into the final stretch of the season?
“The anxiety of having to make up ground. When you’re behind and you can’t slip up, it’s understandable that there’s a little bit more tension. However, it looks to me as though neither Allegri nor the group of players lacks the necessary experience.” 

Bierhoff is particularly impressed by the performances of former Ballon d’Or winner Modric this season: “Champions stay as champions at all ages, and I was convinced that he would prove that when he signed for Milan. I’m not surprised by the ability or the confidence he has on the pitch, but just look at how much he runs. 

“On Sunday, in the final few minutes he took a yellow card for protesting after trying to recover the ball near the opposition area. I think he knew that he needed to break up the rhythm of the match to defend the result. He helps out in both phases of the game and he’s turned out to be a great coup.” 

Bierhoff has no doubt that Milan should offer Modric an extension to his one-year contract: “For the good of Milan and for Italian football, I say yes. There’s nobody else like Modric out there.” 

Bierhoff also gave his thoughts on Milan’s attackers in 2025-26. On Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, he said: “You will see that their goals will come. I’m also convinced that my compatriot Fullkrug will score too. He’s a good guy who has useful characteristics.” 

Harry Kane is not fit enough to start for Bayern Munich against Atalanta in Tuesday night’s Champions League round of 16 first leg in Bergamo, as Raffaele Palladino turns to Gianluca Scamacca and Nikola Krstovic in a two-man attack for La Dea. 

You can follow the action as it unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Atalanta are the only Italian side left standing in the Champions League in 2025-26 following the elimination of Juventus and Inter in the play-off round and the exit of Napoli at the end of the league phase. 

La Dea miraculously overcame Bundesliga opposition in Borussia Dortmund in the play-off round in order to qualify for tonight’s round of 16 tie against Bayern, who finished second in the league phase and qualified for this stage of the competition automatically. 

Kick-off this evening is due at 20.00 GMT. 

The second leg of this fixture will be played in just over a week’s time, on Wednesday, March 18. 

Atalanta are without several key first-team players through injury on Tuesday night, including Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori. Giorgio Scalvini was sent off in the chaotic final minutes of Atalanta’s victory over Dortmund in the play-off second leg, so misses out through suspension tonight. 

Palladino turns to Scamacca and Krstovic to lead the attack in tandem against Bayern. The Dea system appears to be a 4-4-2 with Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic in central midfield and Kamaldeen Sulemana and Nikola Zalewski out wide. 

There had been some doubts over the fitness of England national team captain Harry Kane, who was left out of Bayern’s squad for their 4-1 Bundesliga win over Borussia Moenchengladbach over the weekend. He is not fit enough to start and is replaced by Nicolas Jackson. 

Manuel Neuer and Alphonso Davies are still unavailable through injury, so Jonas Urbig starts in goal and Konrad Laimer at left-back for Vincent Kompany’s side. 

Serge Gnabry is also chosen to start ahead of Jamal Musiala.

Confirmed Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich line-ups 

Atalanta (4-4-2): Carnesecchi; Zappacosta, Hien, Kolasinac, Bernasconi; Sulemana, De Roon, Pasalic, Zalewski; Scamacca, Krstovic.

Bayern (4-2-3-1):Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Gnabry, Diaz; Jackson.

10-03-2026 20:00

1/8 Final

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Bayern

1 - 6

Player statistic

1st half

		12'		Josip Stanisic (Assist: Serge Gnabry)
		22'		Michael Olise (Assist: Dayot Upamecano)
		25'		Serge Gnabry (Assist: Michael Olise)
		39'		Konrad Laimer

2nd half

		52'		Nicolas Jackson (Assist: Luis Díaz)
		64'		Michael Olise (Assist: Alphonso Davies)
		67'		Jamal Musiala (Assist: Nicolas Jackson)
		77'		Michael Olise
Yunus Musah		83'
		84'		Joshua Kimmich
Mario Pasalic		90+3'

Match statistic

31

Possession %

69

11

Total shots

25

3

Shots on target

13

4

Shots off target

8

4

Blocked shots

4

2

Corners

7

1

Offsides

1

11

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Bayern

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

67'

4

Isak Hien

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

55'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

73'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

55'

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

46'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

40

Jonas Urbig

Goalkeeper

2

Dayot Upamecano

Defender

4

Jonathan Tah

Defender

6

Joshua Kimmich

Defender

44

Josip Stanisic

Defender

86'

45

Aleksandar Pavlovic

Midfielder

68'

27

Konrad Laimer

Midfielder

46'

17

Michael Olise

Midfielder

14

Luis Díaz

Attacker

11

Nicolas Jackson

Attacker

7

Serge Gnabry

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

48

Federico Cassa

Midfielder

45

Dominic Vavassori

Midfielder

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

46'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

55'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

55'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

67'

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

73'

9

Harry Kane

Attacker

26

Sven Ulreich

Goalkeeper

3

Min-jae Kim

Defender

42

Lennart Karl

Midfielder

37

Leonard Prescott

10

Jamal Musiala

Midfielder

46'

8

Leon Goretzka

Midfielder

68'

19

Alphonso Davies

Defender

20

Tom Bischof

Midfielder

71'

22

Raphaël Guerreiro

Defender

86'

{rsn-live-v2}

Napoli have confirmed the extent of the injury to Antonio Vergara, but in more positive news for Antonio Conte’s side, his ‘Fab 4’ of Scott McTominay, Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa could soon be seen in the same squad. 

When could Vergara, McTominay and Lobotka return for Napoli?

Injuries have been a constant issue throughout the 2025-26 season, sometimes with an entire XI of first-team players unavailable. 

The most recent player to be added to the Partenopei injury list is Vergara. The 23-year-old had only really been given an opportunity in the first team due to the aforementioned injury troubles, but has since gone on to impress, earning the ‘rising star of the month’ award for February and calls for him to be included in this month’s Italy national team squad. 

Vergara was, however, forced off at half-time of Napoli’s 2-1 win over Torino on Saturday, and is now expected to miss the next two league fixtures before the international break coming up at the end of March. 

“Antonio Vergara has undergone diagnostic tests at Pineta Grande Hospital, which revealed a plantar fascia strain in his left foot. He has already begun a treatment programme,” read a statement on the club website on Tuesday. 

As per Corriere dello Sport, a realistic return date for Vergara is the Serie A match against Milan on April 6. 

In more positive news for Conte and his team, De Bruyne, who had missed the last four months of action, returned off the bench against Torino, as did Anguissa, who had missed 16 consecutive Serie A matches with a hamstring injury. 

Scott McTominay is expected to be in contention to feature over the weekend as well, and Stanislav Lobotka is not expected to be out for too much longer either.

Milan finally have centre-forward Santiago Gimenez back in first-team training after missing the last 133 days and the last 19 Serie A matches with an ankle injury. 

Gimenez finally returns to Milan training

The Mexico international, who joined the Rossoneri in a €35m deal from Feyenoord last January, has not featured for Milan since their 1-1 draw against Atalanta in late October. He has been nursing an ankle injury and decided to have surgery to amend the issue in December. 

Gimenez had featured in all of Milan’s first nine matches of the Serie A season and started in eight of them, but has since missed a run of 19 league fixtures, one in the Coppa Italia and one in the Supercoppa Italiana. 

According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, the Mexico international was back in first-team training with the Rossoneri on Tuesday. 

The Milan squad had taken Monday off following Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina victory over rivals and league leader Inter, and returned to work at their training base on Tuesday. 

It remains to be seen when Gimenez could make his return to Serie A action. He is unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting line-up against Lazio on Sunday, but could potentially be involved with the travelling squad, if not for the match at home against Torino the following weekend.

As things stand, Ruben Loftus-Cheek remains the only Milan player currently unavailable through injury.

Fabio Capello feels that if Inter win their next three league matches, Milan will have no chance whatsoever of catching them at the top of the Serie A table despite their victory in the Derby della Madonnina over the weekend. 

Milan did the double over Inter in the league this season, confirmed after their 1-0 victory against Cristian Chivu’s table-topping side in San Siro on Sunday night. 

Inter still have a seven-point lead at the top of the Serie A table with 10 games to go, but questions have been asked as to whether Milan have any realistic chance of catching them in the final few games of the 2025-26 campaign. 

“Inter have never seemed unbeatable this season, even in the best moments. It’s no coincidence that they’ve lost several direct clashes,” wrote Capello in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column on Tuesday.

“Over the last few months, Chivu has been very good at regenerating a dressing room that was discouraged by the Champions League final they lost to PSG, but now he will have to show even more skill.” 

Capello believes that Inter’s biggest ‘risk’ between now and the end of the season is a psychological one. 

“The derby, or rather the two losses in the derby this season, are the real danger in the race for the Scudetto. To win it, Cristian has to remove the memory of the defeats against Milan from the heads of Barella and his teammates. I’d go into the dressing room and remind them: ‘Guys, we’re the strongest. Let’s go back to having fun’.” 

Capello on Inter’s decisive run and Milan’s Scudetto chances

Inter have a decisive run of fixtures coming up against Atalanta and Fiorentina over the next two weeks and then the Champions League contenders Roma and Como immediately after the international break. 

“Inter have to immediately reconnect, and to deal the decisive blow in the league this season, they have to get through their next three matches with momentum: Against Atalanta, Fiorentina and Roma, their riskiest opponent,” Capello says. 

“As for Milan, if Inter return to their authentic selves, the Rossoneri will not have the opportunity to attempt the overtake in the Scudetto race. It’s a matter of arithmetics.” 

Milan head coach Massimiliano Allegri has always maintained that Champions League qualification, not the Serie A title, is Milan’s goal this season. 

“Allegri knows the calculations well, but with his experience and with his Scudetti, he knows that the pressure is all on Inter and sometimes the weight of needing to win at all costs can play tricks on you,” Capello continued. 

“Max knows best how to motivate his players and will convince them to try until the very end, even if it’s just to guarantee qualification for next season’s Champions League well in advance, the goal he had heralded in the summer. It seems like an impossible mission, but there isn’t always logic in the last few metres of the race.”

Hakan Calhanoglu’s future at Inter is uncertain as the Turkish midfielder’s contract expires in June 2027, and the Nerazzurri have not yet begun talks over a new deal.

Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto report the latest transfer updates on Inter, with a focus on their plans in central midfield.

Latest Inter transfer updates: Calhanoglu and more

Turkish star Calhanoglu faces an uncertain future at the Stadio Meazza as his contract formally expires in June 2027 and the Nerazzurri have not yet opened talks over a new deal.

If the situation won’t change in the next two months, then Calhanoglu’s summer exit will be very likely, according to Romano.

Calhanoglu has been struggling with injuries in recent weeks. He was not involved in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina and will miss the next Serie A match against Atalanta due to an adductor problem.

Inter are expected to make considerable changes in the middle of the park over the summer. Davide Frattesi, for example, has not been given consistent playing time and already received offers during the January window.

On the other hand, Aleksandar Stanković has impressed the Nerazzurri during his time at Club Brugge and the Serie A giants are expected to activate a clause to bring the 20-year-old back to the club.

• Read more – Inter prepare for 2026-27 summer overhaul with just one contract extension offer

Newcastle have reportedly placed a €90m price tag on Sandro Tonali, making a return to Serie A unlikely for the Italian midfielder, though a move to a top Premier League club remains a realistic possibility.

Italian transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports the latest transfer updates on Italy international Tonali.

Tonali: Latest transfer updates

Newcastle consider the ex-Milan star a key player, but the two parties will decide how to proceed over the coming months, also depending on the offers they receive.

According to the report, the asking price is close to €90-100m and if Newcastle won’t lower their demands, Serie A clubs would have almost no chance of signing him.

Moretto confirms Juventus are the most interested club in Tonali, but the asking price is really high for the Old Lady.

At the same time, some Premier League clubs have already moved, including the two Manchester clubs and the “top four” teams in the standings.

Moretto confirms that Tonali has plenty of admirers in England, but it’s still unclear whether any suitor will match Newcastle’s asking price over the summer.

Tonali, 25, is under contract with Newcastle until June 2028.

The Italian star has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season.

Juventus have also set their sights on Bernardo Silva and Leon Goretzka, both available as free agents at the end of the season.

Six Serie A players, including Adrien Rabiot and Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, have been given a one-game ban, while Inter director Dario Baccin and Milan were fined after the Derby della Madonnina.

The Serie A sports Judge has issued his verdict after Round 28, as SportMediaset reports.

Sports Judge’s decisions after Serie A Week 28

Cremonese defender Giuseppe Pezzella was sent off after the Grigiorossi’s 2-1 loss against Lecce and fined €10,000 “for having, on the field of play and in a vehement manner, criticised the referee’s performance, addressing the match official with disrespectful expressions.”

Five other players were one yellow card away from suspension before the latest Serie A round and were booked over the weekend, resulting in a one-game ban.

The other suspended players for Round 29 are Milan’s Adrien Rabiot, Roma’s Evan Ndicka, Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, Cagliari’s Sebastiano Esposito and Genoa’s Patrizio Masini.

Why were Milan fined after derby vs. Inter?

Milan have received two fines. The first, amounting to €22,000, was imposed because the Rossoneri “unjustifiably” caused a two-minute delay during the second half. The second fine, worth €8,000, concerns insulting chants by Milan supporters directed at Inter players. In addition, a group of Rossoneri supporters also pointed a laser beam at an opposing player at the end of the first half.

Inter director Dario Baccin was also fined €10,000 for having repeatedly criticised a refereeing decision after the match in a “disrespectful and arrogant manner.”

Italian journalist Riccardo Trevisani taunts Milan fans over Samuele Ricci’s handball in the Derby della Madonnina: ‘They’d be talking about Marotta League if the roles were reversed.’

Ricci’s handball during Milan-Inter on Sunday continues to cause controversy in Italy, even if referee chiefs have confirmed that the decision not to award the Nerazzurri a penalty kick was correct.

Journalist tells Milan fans ‘be honest with yourself’

Italian journalist Trevisani, one of the most popular football pundits in the country, told Cronache di Spogliatoio (via TMW): “People like to start controversies. Get out of this scarf-wearing, fan-biased way of talking and try to make a clear-headed analysis.

“The Milan fans who say today it was never a penalty would be out in the streets with flags, talking about the Marotta League, if the roles were reversed. At least, to be honest with yourself, otherwise we’ll never improve. In a situation like this, any team that isn’t given a penalty would get angry.”

The controversial penalty incident also caused a debate between Inter and Milan legends Beppe Bergomi and Alessandro Costacurta.

The latter said he was happy that such incidents would no longer be considered penalties, while Bergomi argued that the referee should have reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Milan’s victory against Inter, their second in two games against their city rivals this season, leaves the Rossoneri second in the standings, seven points below the Nerazzurri.

Juventus have already begun preliminary talks to sign Manchester City star Bernardo Silva as a free agent, but according to Gazzetta, the Bianconeri are facing competition from several clubs, including Galatasaray and Inter Miami.

It is no secret that Bernardo Silva is among the Juventus targets for next season, especially because the Portuguese is available as a free agent at the end of his contract in June.

Bernardo Silva to leave Manchester City in June

Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that the Portugal international has decided not to extend his contract with the Premier League giants, so he’ll be listening to offers from other clubs in the coming months.

Juventus will need Champions League revenues to match the midfielder’s salary demands, which are between €7m and €8m per season.

The Bianconeri are aware that the competition will be stiff as the 31-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from Galatasaray, Inter Miami and Benfica, among others.

Juventus have set their sights on other free agents as well. Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) is another target in central midfield, and so are Roma’s Zeki Celik and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi in defence.

Riccardo Calafiori trained with the rest of the Arsenal team today and is expected to be available for tomorrow’s Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, providing good news for the Italy national team as well.

Italy defender Calafiori took part in Arsenal’s training session on Tuesday on the eve of an away Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.

Calafiori returns to Arsenal training after injury

Several sources, including Football London, report that the ex-Bologna defender was spotted on the pitch on Tuesday during the final Gunners’ training session before their trip to Germany.

Calafiori was forced to be substituted during the second half of Arsenal’s FA Cup 5th Round match against Mansfield Town over the weekend.

Mikel Arteta said the Italian had “little niggles” and wasn’t “comfortable continuing.”

Calafiori’s recovery comes as good news for Italy national team as well. In barely two weeks, in fact, the Azzurri will face Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal in Bergamo.

The match will be played on March 26, while the potential Final will be against the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta will possibly provide a more in-depth fitness update during a pre-match press conference later today.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reveals that Inter legend Evaristo Beccalossi was one of his first idols as a kid: ‘He made us dream and sometimes…’

As FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup, its President Gianni Infantino spoke to AS about the tournament’s organisation and his passion for the game.

Infantino: Beccalossi among ‘my first idols’

“I’ve been a total football fan since I was a child. I have many idols. I remember the World Cup in Spain in 1982. Italy won it, with Paolo Rossi and that whole team of great players,” he said.

“For me it was spectacular. I was a 12-year-old boy at the time. That team and that moment are engraved in my heart. I’m also a supporter of Inter. One of my first idols – perhaps not well known in Spain – was Evaristo Beccalossi, a No. 10 who didn’t play in that World Cup or with the national team because the coach had other plans. Inter’s No. 10 made us dream and sometimes… also some things that can’t be said. I remember Alessandro Altobelli scoring a goal in the final. His third goal and the celebration against Germany were spectacular.”

Beccalossi spent six seasons at Inter, scoring 37 goals in 217 matches between 1978 and 1984. Despite being one of the most creative footballers at the time, he never made his senior debut for Italy.

“Speaking about the 1980s and 1990s, we must talk about Diego Maradona, one of the greatest of all time,” Infantino continued.

“When you watch the images now, you think about what he did and what he was capable of. Players weren’t protected like they are now. An idol, a phenomenon. I didn’t see Pelé play, but he was a global idol before social media, before globalisation. He’s still an idol for children today, and they never saw him play – that means he did something special. Ronaldo Nazario was a phenomenon too. Whenever you talk to players and ask who the strongest player they played with was, ninety per cent say Ronaldo. He was spectacular.”

As for today’s idols, the decision is quite simple.

“They’re still there – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – but I also have to remember all the Spaniards who won the 2010 World Cup. Many of them are friends now: Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Puyol… Spain has always had great players and coaches like Vicente del Bosque, Luis Aragonés and Pep Guardiola. They are people who have written the history of football, and that’s why we are very grateful to Spain.

“With the Club World Cup, we give opportunities to players from all over the world. We see the big clubs mainly in Europe and America, but there you can also see great clubs from other continents,” concluded Infantino.

“Club football is the foundation of football. Much more is played at the club level than at the national team level, and it needed a tournament like this internationally. It has been a success. Now we are talking with everyone to see how we can improve it. People mention thirty-two teams, but there could be more. We will decide where it will be played – that hasn’t been decided yet – but we’ll take the necessary time after the World Cup to see how we can make it better.”

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale congratulated Rossoneri players in the dressing room after Sunday’s 1-0 win over Inter, reinforcing the club’s intention to keep Massimiliano Allegri in charge beyond the summer.

Milan owner Cardinale visited the Rossoneri players in the dressing room at the Stadio Meazza on Sunday night, after their 1-0 win against city rivals Inter.

What Cardinale told Milan players after a 1-0 win against Inter

According to Gazzetta, Cardinale told the players that he was proud of them for showing great spirit and never giving up. He thanked the footballers, the staff members and those working behind the scenes and suggested he’d soon return to watch the team in action at San Siro.

Milan sit second in the Serie A table, seven points below Inter. According to the report, Cardinale is satisfied with the team’s results and performances, but also with the work of directors Giorgio Furlani and Igli Tare, as well as his main advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Cardinale is in constant contact with management and feels the project is finally on the right path with Allegri at the helm.

The Italian tactician is seen as an added value, and Cardinale fully trusts him. Allegri is contracted with Milan until 2027 with an automatic option to extend to 2028 if Milan qualify for the Champions League this season.

The club can activate the clause regardless of the team’s final placement this season, and, according to previous reports, they will also offer Allegri a new contract once they secure a Champions League spot.

Referee chiefs agree that Samuele Ricci’s handball in the final minutes of Sunday’s Milan derby was not worthy of a penalty kick as the Italian midfielder didn’t increase the volume of his body, Gazzetta reports.

Referees verdict on Ricci handball incident

Referee Daniele Doveri and VAR made the right decision in not awarding a penalty kick to Inter in the final minutes of Sunday’s derby against Milan after Rossoneri midfielder Ricci touched the ball with his arm inside the box.

As reported by Gazzetta, referee chiefs agree that Ricci’s handball was not a punishable offence.

Ricci did touch the ball with his arm, but the impact occurred while he was in motion, without increasing the volume of his body, and, above all, the act of pulling his arm back reduced the punishability.

Milan’s eventual 1-0 win over their city rivals allowed the Rossoneri to reduce their gap from the top of the table, but Max Allegri’s men still remain seven points below the Nerazzurri with ten Serie A games to go.

Italian football has always been known for its defensive stability, the flawless structural units at the back, rather than being aggressive on the attacking front. Whenever someone mentions football in Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is how solid they are at defending.

However, this hasn’t always been the case. Although the Italian defence focused more on intelligent positioning and defensive solidarity, a lot of work also went into the goal-scoring part of the game, which, as all of you will agree, is one of the most important factors in winning a game.

While the traditional identity remains true to Italian football, the game has evolved a lot over the years, and Italian teams have had to change their style to keep up with modern times. One of the biggest changes we’ve noticed is in the goalscoring trends.

From the 1990s through the early 2000s, matches in the Italian top division, Serie A, averaged around 2.4 to 2.6 goals per game. This trend continued into the 2010s, reaching a notable peak between 2019 and 2021, when an average of nearly 3 goals were scored per match. However, scoring rates have since returned to their usual levels, which in football analysis reflects the strong balance that now exists between defensive organisation and attacking play in modern Serie A football.

This evolution in gameplay is largely driven by the tactical approaches adopted by the league’s top teams. Clubs like Inter deploy a 3-5-2 formation, where three central defenders provide defensive stability while the wing-backs push high up the pitch to support attacks. During defensive transitions, they drop back to form a compact 5-3-2 shape, giving the team the necessary defensive cushion. Watching these tactical shifts unfold becomes even more engaging when following the fastest live football scores, as fans can track every key moment of Serie A matches in real time.

During their latest golden era, Milan often adopted a 4-3-2-1 formation, allowing them to play a fluid, dynamic brand of football. Wide players and central midfielders combined effectively to carve out spaces with precise passing and intelligent movement. Maintaining possession is not their primary objective; instead, they focus on quick decision-making and rapid ball progression to force mistakes from the opposition. These fast-paced transitions make keeping up with the fastest football live scores essential for fans who want to stay updated with the action as it unfolds.

Napoli, particularly during their recent Scudetto-winning season featuring players like Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, adopted a vertical style of play. Their approach relied on quick wingers and a traditional number nine leading the attack, emphasising direct passing and rapid offensive transitions. Napoli demonstrated that vertical football can be highly effective in the Italian league when supported by the right quality of players. Their attacking intensity often leads to exciting matches, which is why many fans rely on the fastest live football scores to follow every crucial moment of Napoli’s high-tempo games.

Despite the advancements in the attacking front, defensive structures still remain one of the core characteristics of Italian football. Juventus were quite adept in doing this, as they kept their lines compact, didn’t commit too quickly, which could open up small spaces in the middle, and added a hint of intelligent positioning and solid coverage from the midfielders to complement it.

Football in Italy isn’t focused on aggressive pressing. Instead, the Italian football teams focus on controlling the spaces smoothly with a lot of patience off the ball, forcing the attackers to move to less dangerous parts of the pitch, from where the odds of chance creation are minimal. There are a few teams now who still adopt deeper defensive blocks, but most teams try to win the ball higher up the pitch, which is quite uncanny to the style of football in Italy. This approach is one of the main reasons why Italian football seems quite tactically intense, although some might label it as boring to watch due to the low probability of exciting moments in the game.

Set-pieces have been an integral part of Italian football since its inception. If we look at the stats across all of Europe, about 20-25% of the goals come from set-piece situations, of which 8% is being constituted from the Serie A only. Italian teams do focus a lot on set-piece situations, especially free-kicks and corners. Their well-built defenders and midfielders have an edge over most other players when it comes to contesting a duel, and are usually successful in finding the back of the net from such circumstances.

In other words, Serie A is one of the most tactically contested leagues in the world right now. It may not seem pleasing to the eye, but one cannot deny the amount of work that happens behind the scenes of the defensive and attacking phases. They have stayed true to their defensive traditions, making it a hallmark for teams to follow in the future while embracing modern high-tempo football to make the games more exciting. Once Zlatan Ibrahimovic said, Italian football is one of the toughest leagues in the world and also one of the most tactical, even if it’s not visible to the naked eye. Well, who can argue with the big man himself?

Luka Modric was certainly among the best players on the pitch in Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter, so here’s a video with the best touches the Croatian star made at San Siro on Sunday night.

Modric didn’t score or assist in Milan’s derby victory against Inter on Sunday, but was undoubtedly among the best players on the pitch.

As reported by Sofascore, Modric’s passing accuracy was 89%, including 22 successful passes from 27 in the opposition half (81%).

The 40-year-old played the whole game and provided one key pass against Inter.

Video: Best Modric touches vs. Inter

German Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tells Bayern Munich they should not underestimate Atalanta in their Champions League Round of 16 meeting tonight: ‘Many big clubs have made the same mistake.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, will host Bayern Munich at the New Balance Arena in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.

Rummenigge: ‘No more easy games’ in the Champions League

Rummenigge, a former Bayern Munich and Inter star and now a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bundesliga giants, told Gazzetta: “The important thing is not to make the same mistake many big clubs have made in the Champions League: being favourites and ending up losing. Like Manchester City against Bodo, or Borussia. A year ago, we won 2-1 away in Glasgow in the play-off first leg, then we were losing in the return leg, and we levelled the score in the final minutes to qualify. It’s a mistake that is often made. The public opinion believes it’s an easy game, but there are no more games like this.”

Atalanta already eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League knockout play-off, coming back from two goals down to secure a 4-3 aggregate win, thanks to a 4-1 win in the return leg.

“No, I didn’t expect it. Nobody should be underestimated this season,” Rummenigge continued.

“Even the so-called small teams are doing well. Nobody thought Bodo/Glimt would eliminate Inter. They won the first leg, and everyone thought the result would have changed in the return leg. On the other hand, they even won at San Siro. Those who have qualified for the Round of 16 should not be underestimated.

“Atalanta is a small team that must be respected; in the past, they also beat Bayer Leverkusen, so they must be respected in all aspects. And remember what we saw against Borussia,” he continued.

“They could have conceded even more goals in the first leg, and nobody in Germany thought Dortmund could be eliminated. In this phase of the Champions League, you need humility, respect, and focus to move forward. Bayern certainly want to do so. We are having a very good season, as we are still running in all competitions.”

Rummenigge knows Atlanta well, on and off the pitch.

“They should not be underestimated, and I also like the club’s organisation. I’ve met the Percassi family, and I like the way they see football,” he said.

“They manage the club calmly and don’t go under pressure. They were also lucky to have picked Gasperini, who has played a great role in Atalanta’s success. Winning the Europa League is not normal, and I’m not just talking about the results, but also the quality of football. I see that also his successor, Palladino, is doing really well. In today’s football, you need the quality of the team, but also a quality coach, also on a human aspect.”

The winner of Atalanta-Bayern Munich will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, and Rummenigge has clear ideas about the team he’d like to face in the quarter-finals.

“I hope my friend Pep Guardiola will go through, but I have great respect for Real Madrid in the second part of the season. Usually, from February, you see another Real. When the decisive games arrive, Real is always Real,” he concluded.

Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter on Sunday was decided by an 80-second spell in which Inter could have scored, but Milan struck instead.

There’s an old saying in Italian football that goes: ‘Goal sbagliato, goal subito.’ The translation is quite easy: miss a goal-scoring opportunity, and the opponents will score instead.

The decisive 80 seconds of Milan vs. Inter

It’s exactly what happened in the Milan derby on Sunday when the Rossoneri took all three points thanks to Pervis Estupinan’s first goal with the club.

The ex-Brighton defender found the net just a few seconds after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s missed chance on the other end.

Below, via Lega Serie A, is the video of the 80 seconds that determined Milan’s win in the Derby della Madonnina.

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi reveals Gian Piero Gasperini wanted to bring him to Atalanta in 2022 when he eventually joined Toronto FC from Juventus: ‘ I admit money influenced my decision for 80%.’

Bologna winger Bernardeschi released an interview with Gazzetta just a few days before the Rossoblu’s Europa League meeting with Roma in the Europa League Round of 16.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer after spending three years at Toronto FC.

Bernardeschi: ‘No easy games’ in Serie A

“I’ve found a different Serie A football; now even the smaller teams are more equipped; technology is helping everyone, and everyone is organised,” the Italian said.

“There’s never an easy game, at any level, from race for survival to Europe.”

The first leg between Roma and Bologna will be played at the Dall’Ara this coming Thursday, but the Giallorossi will be without Paulo Dybala, a former teammate of Bernardeschi at Juventus.

“I’m sorry for Paulo, I’d have been happy to challenge him, even if it’s always better not to play against his left foot,” admitted Bernardeschi.

“But I’ll be glad to see many Azzurri friends. When I joined Juventus, I asked if I could get the no. 10. They said I was too young and should have waited a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year. I would have preferred to face a foreign club, because, as an Italian, I’d have been happier to see two Italian teams go as far as possible.”

Bernardeschi’s move to Bologna raised eyebrows over the summer, with some in the media suggesting he was no longer suitable for Italian football after such a long spell in Canada.

Bernardeschi, on the other hand, has scored five goals and provided one assist in 32 appearances and has never had doubts about his ability to make an impact at the Dall’Ara.

“I know myself. I didn’t go to Canada to take a walk in the park,” he said.

“I put maximum commitment into everything I do, even if I admit money influenced my decision for 80%, and the remaining 20% was a life choice. I’ve always trained and cared for my body meticulously. I’ve learned from Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus how to be a professional in all aspects and be a great professional. In Bologna, I took a month to readjust. I suffered a knee injury and was forced to skip pre-season. But my physical figures were high in the MLS, and I knew I was competitive.”

Bernardeschi could have even played under Gasperini at Atalanta.

“He called me before moving to Toronto, and I was tempted, but then I made a different choice. I don’t regret it, but I would have loved to work with him; I knew I could add a piece to my career,” the winger concluded.

“Roma looked for me when I was at Juventus, but I said no. I was happy in Turin, and I still have a house there, where I’m Yildiz’s neighbour.”

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, March 10, 2026, page 24.

Gianluca Scamacca’s Atalanta host Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT). Atalanta are the only Serie A side remaining in Europe’s elite competition.

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even finish the league phase in the top 24, facing elimination after the opening eight matches.

Atalanta must cope without the injured Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, while Giorgio Scalvini is suspended.

Therefore, as reported by Gazzetta, Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic will start in the middle of the park, while Lazar Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski will be the attacking midfielders for La Dea.

Bayern Munich star Kane has recovered from a minor injury and will start up front for the Germans.

Manuel Neuer, however, is unavailable, so second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, 22, will get the nod between the sticks for the Germans.

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich – probable line-ups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca. 

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

La Dea, play for all.

Champions League Round of 16: Super Bayern arrive, but Atalanta have hope.

Rummenigge: ‘Hot stadium, they must be respected.’

Max trust

Cardinale ties Allegri down and launches Milan’s comeback.

Inter, magnificent +7

Thuram and Dumfries are ready for Saturday, and Luis Henrique pays.

Fourth spot? Take it with goals

Corriere dello Sport

Juve and Roma out!

Champions League Surprise, Como favourite.

Fixture list and head-to-head, find out Opta’s predictions.

10 games to go and still 18 big games. Gasperini visits Fabregas on Sunday. Spalletti from the risk of -7 to the idea of overcoming. Cesc has 37.78% of chance, Lucio 34.57% and Gian Piero 33.91%.

Napoli, another De Brune is back

Pistilli climbs: Gattuso studies him

Lazio’s redemption: decisive Marusic.

Chivu’s therapy, Scudetto to Inter

Confrontation between Cristian and the team yesterday. From +7 to the silence for Ricci’s handball.

Dea for history, Bayern obstacle

Scamacca against Kane. Palladino’s charge: ‘We want another magical night’

Tuttosport

Dea of Italy: go!

Champions League RO16 First leg: Atalanta-Bayern

Nearly impossible challenge for the only Italian team remaining. Palladinoo: ‘It will be a magical night, we’ll try to go beyond absences, and our fans will drag us. Enjoy it and play for it.’

Either Champions or Champions

Juventus amid renewals and race for the top four. The team receives a message from the owners. Not playing in the wealthies tournament would change the transfer perspectives, even making Spalletti’s future more complicated. Elkann wants to avoid new financial shocks, so the coach and the players have been given even more responsibility. Professor Bava: ‘If they miss out on Champions League, it would be a lot to break even, and Yildiz’s future would be uncertain too.

Allegri, devilries for the title, Chivu’s anxiety

Max’s plans to put pressure on the Nerazzurri. The rival amid phantoms and injuries: Calhanoglu out again.

Toro’s goal: Falcone is Petrachi’s target

Fabio Grosso admits Sassuolo are ‘ahead of schedule’ this season, but a lack of maturity was evident in the ‘naïve errors’ for their 2-1 defeat to Lazio.

The Neroverdi had won five of their previous six Serie A matches, losing only to leaders Inter, and had the opportunity with a win here to leapfrog Bologna into eighth place.

They had recovered from the shocking start of a Daniel Maldini goal after 80 seconds, drawing level through Armand Laurienté, but were undone deep into stoppages.

Goalkeeper Arijanet Muric mistimed the run off his line, not for the first time this season, and allowed Adam Marusic to nod a Matteo Cancellieri cross into the empty net.

Grosso sees room for Sassuolo improvement

“Our initial approach wasn’t right, but there is an issue of maturity that requires certain steps in the process, and we are very much ahead of schedule this season,” Grosso told Sky Sport Italia.

“If we managed to be consistent too, then we’d be even higher up the table. We reacted to the opening goal, started the second half well too, but we lost intensity in the closing stages. It was more psychological than physical, especially after wasting two big chances, then making naïve errors.

“It would’ve been important to bring home at least a point, as Lazio might be having difficulties, but they remain a very strong team. They were able to bring on fresh legs in attack that made the difference.”

Andrea Pinamonti was suspended today, so M’Bala Nzola had his first start for Sassuolo, but some substitutes didn’t provide the boost that they needed.

“We certainly could’ve done better. I usually don’t change the two full-backs, but Coulibaly was struggling for fitness, while Garcia had just been booked and Lazio were pushing hard on those duels down the flanks, so I didn’t want us to go down to 10 men,” explained Grosso.

“That meant I couldn’t use those two substitutions to change in attack. It’s a pity, we had some big chances just moments before conceding the last goal. When we are not at full intensity, teams with this kind of quality will make it count.

“It’s a pity we conceded that goal at the end, we go back home with a bitter taste in our mouths. We must remember that if we’re not pushing to the max, a side like ours will drop points.”

It is still an extraordinarily positive season for Sassuolo, who were only promoted from Serie B last summer, as they remain in ninth place, just one point behind local rivals Bologna.

“We have a mix of different nationalities and cultures, plus some Italians who have done so much in the past, one of them winning the Euros, many youngsters who are growing. We have an interesting combination.”

Grosso was of course the man who scored the decisive penalty to give Italy the 2006 World Cup, beating France in the Final, so what advice does he have for the Azzurri preparing for the play-offs?

“I think you need the right balance between healthy fear of a big occasion and the clear-headed approach to enjoy the football. It’s been too long since we’ve been away from the World Cup, so we all hope to do our part by cheering on the team.”

Maurizio Sarri confirms two new injuries for Lazio in their last-gasp victory over Sassuolo, but warns ‘the club has to take some initiative’ to end the fan boycott and reinforce the squad.

The Biancocelesti had just two points in their last four Serie A games and were coming off Wednesday’s dramatic 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Atalanta.

They took just 80 seconds to break the deadlock here today with Daniel Maldini, cancelled out by an Armand Laurienté strike, but in stoppages Adam Marusic flicked in the Matteo Cancellieri cross to beat the rather wayward Arijanet Muric.

Sarri frustrated at Lazio difficulties

“There were some ups and downs during the match, but even without some important players, then losing Romagnoli and Cataldi too, the lads had a great final half-hour with real heart. I think the win was fully deserved, even if we left it late,” Sarri told Sky Sport Italia.

Some of Sarri’s changes were forced, as Danilo Cataldi went off with a muscular issue in the first half, then Alessio Romagnoli was replaced at half-time over a fitness issue.

“Cataldi felt his calf muscle harden, but it was caused by something else that we’ll identify tomorrow. Romagnoli had a similar issue, caused by a knock he sustained against Atalanta.”

Debutant goalkeeper Edoardo Motta made a double save at 1-1, giving some reassurance after Ivan Provedel’s season was ended by shoulder surgery.

“This is a team that can have the right attitude, every now and then we get it wrong, but not that often. We’ve had to deal with enormous difficulties and some of them are still going, as playing in an empty stadium is depressing, but the players have reacted well to that too.”

The atmosphere in the Stadio Olimpico remains a worrying situation, because the boycott continues from the ultras in protest at President Claudio Lotito, so there were only 5,000 people in the stands.

It is the fourth home game in a row with this boycott, so how can the supporters be convinced to come back?

“I think the club has to take some initiative to bring them back, because this is too much of a difficult situation for us,” replied Sarri.

“I am not a director, but this situation has been dragging on for a while, so they know more than me. They will know better than me how and where to intervene.”

The coach said many times he only stayed at Lazio because he made a promise to the fans, so how does he see his future at the club?

“I don’t know, as soon as the season ends and we’ll have a few meetings, then I’ll be able to tell you. A team that has to be up to the standards of the history of this club must be reinforced, that’s for sure,” concluded Sarri.

“If I stayed only for the fans, then right now even I don’t know why I’m still here, because the fans aren’t here either,” the coach added in a press conference.

This result means that Lazio climb back ahead of Udinese into the top 10, and are within a point of Sassuolo in ninth.

There are new reports in Spain that Real Madrid are tracking Como coach Cesc Fabregas, putting his name on the shortlist for the Bernabeu job next season.

According to pundit Jorge Picon on El Desmarque, Fabregas is one of the coaches who have particularly impressed the Real Madrid chiefs.

They appreciate his working style, his communication tactics, and believe he could be a serious candidate to take over next term.

Alvaro Arbeloa is currently the interim manager for Real Madrid, after Xabi Alonso was sacked in January.

Fabregas eager to stay at Como, but if Real Madrid call…

This could well be one of the only offers that could tempt him to walk away from the project at Como, where he is currently in joint fourth place in Serie A alongside Roma.

He has taken then from Serie B to challenging for Champions League qualification, along with a place in the Coppa Italia semi-final against Inter, in just two years.

Fabregas is only 38 years of age, but was a product of the Barcelona youth academy, also spending time at Arsenal, Chelsea and AS Monaco before retiring at Como in 2023.

He went straight into management and helped them earn promotion from Serie B to the top flight, along with significant financial backing from the club’s Indonesian owners.

That included signing Nico Paz, who has a buy-back clause at Real Madrid that the club is eager to use.

¿Qué entrenadores sondea el Real Madrid para la 26/27?@JorgeCPicon analiza varios nombres… y ¡suelta una bomba!

"Están siguiendo muy de cerca a Cesc Fàbregas".

En #ElDesmarket, con @Rafa9Mainez.

https://t.co/Hbxp19PI5e pic.twitter.com/SY2dtnsj4g

— ElDesmarque (@eldesmarque) March 9, 2026

Lazio pounced on a goalkeeping error to punish on-form Sassuolo in stoppages with Adam Marusic, with a 2-1 victory that takes them into the top 10.

The Aquile were fresh off a 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Atalanta on Wednesday, but lost goalkeeper Ivan Provedel for the season after shoulder surgery, joining Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot on the sidelines, so January signing Edoardo Motta made his Serie A debut. The Neroverdi won five of the last six games, losing only to Inter, and Andrea Pinamonti was suspended, with Nemanja Matic suffering from flu symptoms, plus Alieu Fadera, Daniel Boloca, Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Candé injured.

Lazio ultras continued to boycott the match in protest at President Claudio Lotito, so there were only 5,000 fans present.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

It took 80 seconds to break the deadlock, as Gustav Isaksen surged forward after a throw-in and forced the save from Arijanet Muric, but Daniel Maldini gathered the rebound, took a touch to send Woyo Coulibaly to ground, and walked it into the net from six yards.

Isaksen also robbed Ulisses Garcia to drill inches wide of the near post, then his glancing header flashed across the face of goal on a corner.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru failed to make the most of a cheap giveaway, but Sassuolo grew into the game and M’Bala Nzola’s angled drive took a double deflection off Alessio Romagnoli’s shin and debutant Motta’s fingertips to graze the far stick.

The equaliser was in the air and arrived at the end of a well-worked move, as Armand Laurienté combined with Kristian Thorstvedt to cut inside from the left and bend a ferocious right-foot finish into the far top corner from 14 yards.

Moments later, Danilo Cataldi limped off with a muscular issue and was replaced by Gil Patric in a relatively new role in front of the defence.

Maldini had penalty appeals rejected when he went shoulder-to-shoulder with Luca Lipani, but the hosts lost another big player at half-time when Alessio Romagnoli was forced off through injury.

Oliver Provstgaard immediately had to intercept the dangerous Coulibaly assist before Nzola could tap in, while Kenneth Taylor scuffed from a promising position when set up by Dele-Bashiru.

Mattia Zaccagni’s curler was too close to Muric, but Lazio really should’ve scored on 78 minutes. Isaksen timed the run perfectly to spring the offside trap on the Patric through ball and dinked it over the on-rushing goalkeeper, only to land on the roof of an empty net.

Moments later, debutant goalkeeper Motta needed a tough double save, first parrying the Laurienté strike and then doing better on the Josh Doig follow-up.

Muric got down for a one-handed save on the powerful Mattia Cancellieri curler, then also got his gloves to a Cancellieri cross-shot at the near post, pushing it away from Boulaye Dia.

Provstgaard nodded over from six yards on a free kick, but Lazio snatched the winner in stoppages. Cancellieri floated in a cross from the right and Muric came flailing out aimlessly, allowing Adam Marusic to flick the header backwards into the empty net from 10 yards.

Lazio 2-1 Sassuolo

Maldini 2 (L), Laurienté 35 (S), Marusic 92 (L)

09-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio

Sassuolo

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Daniel Maldini		2'
		35'		Armand Lauriente (Assist: Kristian Thorstvedt)
		37'		Luca Lipani

2nd half

		58'		Ulisses Garcia
		86'		Armand Lauriente
		88'		Sebastian Walukiewicz
Adam Marusic (Assist: Matteo Cancellieri)		90+2'

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

13

Total shots

7

5

Shots on target

4

6

Shots off target

1

2

Blocked shots

2

1

Corners

6

2

Offsides

3

7

Fouls

8

Lazio

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

40

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

46'

34

Mario Gila

Defender

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

27

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

65'

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

38'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

79'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

79'

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

68'

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

68'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

83'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

46'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

68'

Substitutes

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

28

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

99

Giacomo Giacomone

4

Patric

Defender

38'

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

46'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

65'

9

Pedro

Attacker

79'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

79'

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

13

Stefano Turati

Goalkeeper

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

46'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

68'

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

68'

3

Josh Doig

Defender

68'

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

83'

Fabio Capello assured Milan can claw back the seven-point gap in the Scudetto race with Inter. ‘At Real Madrid, I recovered a nine-point deficit from Barcelona.’

The advantage had been 10 points until last night, when Pervis Estupinan’s strike sealed a 1-0 Milan victory over their city rivals.

Now the title race is opened up again, even if seven points with 10 rounds to go is still a significant hurdle to overcome.

Capello has faith in Milan title

“Inter still have a big advantage, but I think more than anything else it’s a psychological issue now,” said Capello in his role as pundit on Sky Sport Italia.

“In every match recently, Inter have alternated moments of great football with others of just exasperating slowness. This is what allows their opponents to cause problems for them.”

How can Cristian Chivu solve that lack of consistency and intensity in the Inter performances?

“They have to play with more humility and help each other out, something that I have not seen recently enough in the Inter matches,” added Capello.

Milan are now flying high ahead of the pack fighting for the top four and therefore have nothing really to lose, which the former Rossoneri coach feels could be significant.

“They’ve got a pretty good fixture list, so why not try to recover lost ground on first place? I managed it with Real Madrid, I recovered a nine-point deficit with Barcelona, precisely because they were resting on their laurels with such a big advantage.

“Inter need to be very wary of making that same mistake. The danger now is the players won’t have that same belief and focus.”

What would Capello say to the Milan players if he was in Allegri’s shoes?

“I think he should tell them that they’ve almost achieved their objective, so now it’s time to have some fun and enjoy themselves.

“I saw Inter looking so tepid, lacking grit and determination. I don’t know why, but Inter didn’t play the derby with the right attitude.

“I was surprised at how slowly the Nerazzurri moved the ball around. Perhaps they were missing Hakan Calhanoglu in midfield.”

Lautaro Martinez was out injured, but asked to be named among the substitutes just so he could be close to his teammates and sit on the bench throughout.

“Lautaro is a real captain, one of those figures who can shake up a team, run everywhere and work hard rather than just score goals. That grit is what Inter are missing right now,” added Capello.

Inter defender Yann Bisseck is keeping his eyes on the real prize, insisting he’d happily ‘take’ losing both Milan Derbies if it means celebrating the Scudetto.

The Nerazzurri are now seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table, but the gap had been 10 until last night’s 1-0 defeat to their city rivals.

Milan had not won both editions of the Derby della Madonnina in a single Serie A campaign since 2010-11, which is when they ended up taking the title under Max Allegri.

Bisseck wants silverware for Inter

They won both meetings with Inter 1-0 this season, so that gives them bragging rights, but Bisseck is keeping his eyes on the prize.

“If there is a game that we want to win, then it’s the derby, and we haven’t managed it for two years,” confessed the defender at a charity event this evening.

“However, if at the start of the season you tell me that we’ll lose two derbies, but then win the Scudetto, then I’ll take that.”

The title is not quite locked down yet, as Inter have a seven-point advantage with 10 games still to play.

“This is a good advantage to have, but 10 rounds are a lot, and we still have work to do.”

Bisseck had been tipped to make a move to the Premier League last summer, so is he happy with the offers that are bound to come in again?

“When you do well, there are many clubs who want you, but I am concentrated on Inter.”

Former Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic could return to Serie A for Milan next season, claim reports, but he would need to significantly drop his Al-Hilal wages.

The Serbia international first shot to fame in Italian football with eight years in the Biancocelesti jersey, arriving from KRC Genk in the summer of 2015 for €12m and sold to Al-Hilal in 2023 for €40m.

Milinkovic-Savic has some Milan links already

He has been linked with a possible comeback to Serie A several times in recent years, and the latest suggestion is pushing him towards Milan.

This is because Max Allegri has long been an admirer of the 31-year-old, and it would represent a reunion with former Lazio director of sport Igli Tare, who is now running the transfer strategy at Milan.

According to Tuttosport and Calciomercato, the Rossoneri believe Milinkovic-Savic could bring something extra to their midfield, especially if they lock down Champions League qualification.

The big problem is that he only recently signed a new contract with Al-Hilal that runs to June 2028, and with it a salary worth circa €20m per season.

In order to make the move to Milan, he’d have to pick up roughly a quarter of that sum, plus some performance-related bonuses.

{rsn-live-v2}

Maurizio Sarri hit out at Lazio President Claudio Lotito after losing Ivan Provedel for the season and being forced to debut Edoardo Motta against Sassuolo. ‘I was totally against the sale of Christos Mandas.’

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

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

The Biancocelesti have been showing very different form in Serie A compared to the Coppa Italia, as they scraped one point from three league games, yet played a spectacular 2-2 semi-final first leg draw with Atalanta last Wednesday.

“We have such incredible differences in our statistics from Sunday to Wednesday, they are genuinely hard to explain,” shrugged the coach on Sky Sport Italia.

“It is all about the different attitude that the team had in those two games. It is a mistake to do that, we should always have great motivation, and I hope to see the version of Lazio tonight that we got on Wednesday.”

Sarri vents fury at Lazio transfer strategy

The injury crisis has dragged on throughout the campaign, but hit a new low when goalkeeper Provedel was ruled out for the rest of the season by shoulder surgery on a tendon tear.

It means Sarri has to give 21-year-old Motta his Serie A debut, having arrived in January from Reggina.

“It is certainly a major absence. I was totally against the decision to sell Mandas. Now we have a young lad with some qualities, we’ll see what he does on the field,” replied the coach.

He sent that message to President Lotito, who had loaned second-choice goalkeeper Mandas to Bournemouth in January for €1.5m with an option to buy for a further €18.5m.

However, Mandas made just one appearance this season for Lazio, in the Coppa Italia, and is yet to make his Bournemouth debut either.

Not many expected at the start of the season that in Week 28 this would be a mid-table tussle, with newly-promoted Sassuolo ahead and pushing for eighth place with a victory here.

Even if the Aquile win this evening, they won’t be able to close the gap completely and catch the Neroverdi in the table.

“I was more or less expecting Sassuolo to do this well, as they are a strong team, well-organised and had a clear identity from the start,” said Sarri.

The mood has not been helped by the ongoing boycott of the home matches, as ultras have been abandoning the Stadio Olimpico for the last four games in protest at President Lotito.

“It’s depressing, horrible, and it’s time the club does something about this,” added Sarri on DAZN Italia.

Italy international Federico Chiesa is not part of the Liverpool squad for the Champions League clash with Galatsaray, as Arne Slot explains his latest setback.

The first leg of the Round of 16 tie is going to be in Istanbul on Tuesday.

It is not a full squad making the trip as ex-Roma goalkeeper Alisson Becker and Italy’s Chiesa were left behind in Liverpool.

Chiesa struggling for playing time at Liverpool

“Federico was also not in the session, he felt unwell last night, so that’s why he wasn’t training with us today and not travelling with us,” explained coach Slot in his pre-match press conference.

As for Alisson, the shot-stopper felt a twinge towards the end of the training session and the medical staff decided it was better he stay home for this match.

Chiesa’s injury record has stalled his career badly and the last thing he needed was to add to the number of missed games with illness too.

The 28-year-old could be recalled by Gennaro Gattuso when Italy play the 2026 World Cup play-offs later this month.

He has made 29 competitive appearances for Liverpool so far this season, contributing three goals and three assists.

However, Chiesa was only in the starting XI for five of those fixtures.

Lazio begin life without Ivan Provedel and give Edoardo Motta his Serie A debut in goal, taking on Domenico Berardi’s ambitious Sassuolo, who could leap into eighth place.

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

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.

This is a surprising mid-table tussle, because no matter the result this evening, newly-promoted Sassuolo will be ahead of the Aquile in the standings.

A home victory would close the gap to just one point and put Maurizio Sarri’s side in 10^th place, whereas a Neroverdi win would let them leapfrog Bologna into eighth position.

Lazio were involved in a midweek 2-2 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Atalanta, twice fumbling the lead so that it all goes down to the second leg in Bergamo next month.

The big news over the last few days is that Provedel required surgery on a tendon in his shoulder and could well be out for the rest of the season.

It means January signing Edoardo Motta is thrown in at the deep end for his Serie A debut.

Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella and Samuel Gigot are also out of action, so Fisayo Dele-Bashiru starts in midfield, with Daniel Maldini, Gustav Isaksen and Mattia Zaccagni upfront.

They scraped only two points from the last four Serie A games, and failed to score for three in a row in this competition.

The mood has not been helped by the ongoing boycott of the home matches, as ultras have been gathering outside the Stadio Olimpico to cheer on their team from there in protest at President Claudio Lotito.

Sassuolo are on fine form recently, winning five of the last six games, interrupted only by a defeat to leaders Inter.

Sebastian Walukiewicz returns from suspension, but Andrea Pinamonti sits out a ban instead.

Alieu Fadera is recovering after surgery on a fractured cheekbone he suffered during the 2-1 victory over Atalanta, which was achieved when down to 10 men for over an hour.

Daniel Boloca, Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Candé are all long-term absentees.

Instead, M’Bala Nzola steps into the attack with Domenico Berardi and Armand Laurienté, with ex-Roma midfielder Nemanja Matic rested.

Lazio vs. Sassuolo line-ups

Lazio: Motta; Marusic, Gila, Romagnoli, Nuno Tavares; Dele-Bashiru, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Zaccagni

Sassuolo: Muric; Coulibaly, Idzes, Muharemovic, Garcia; Koné, Lipani, Thorstvedt; Berardi, Nzola, Laurienté

09-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Stadio Olimpico

Lazio

Sassuolo

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Daniel Maldini		2'
		35'		Armand Lauriente (Assist: Kristian Thorstvedt)
		37'		Luca Lipani

2nd half

		58'		Ulisses Garcia
		86'		Armand Lauriente
		88'		Sebastian Walukiewicz
Adam Marusic (Assist: Matteo Cancellieri)		90+2'

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

13

Total shots

7

5

Shots on target

4

6

Shots off target

1

2

Blocked shots

2

1

Corners

6

2

Offsides

3

7

Fouls

8

Lazio

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

40

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

46'

34

Mario Gila

Defender

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

27

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

65'

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

38'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

79'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

79'

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

68'

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

68'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

83'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

46'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

68'

Substitutes

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

28

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

99

Giacomo Giacomone

4

Patric

Defender

38'

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

46'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

65'

9

Pedro

Attacker

79'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

79'

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

13

Stefano Turati

Goalkeeper

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

46'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

68'

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

68'

3

Josh Doig

Defender

68'

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

83'

Raffaele Palladino expects a ‘magical’ Champions League night against Bayern Munich, assuring Atalanta ‘don’t want to set limits on ourselves, all Italians are cheering us on.’

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

La Dea are the only remaining Italian representatives in the Champions League and face a daunting task against German giants Bayern Munich.

Atalanta ready to dream big in Champions League

“Tomorrow will be a magical, wonderful night for us, as it’s a dream to be in the Champions League last 16 against one of the strongest teams in the world,” Palladino told Sky Sport Italia.

“Dreams are there to be experienced. We want to enjoy it to the full and cause difficulties for Bayern. We are playing at home, so can repeat the performance against Borussia Dortmund.”

Atalanta certainly have a strong record with German opponents, going back to winning the Europa League trophy by crushing the then-unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 in the Final.

In the Champions League play-offs last month, they overturned a 2-0 first leg deficit to eliminate Borussia Dortmund with a 4-1 success in Bergamo.

“Being the only Italian in the Champions League is a nice feeling, we feel that all Italians are cheering us on and I received messages of encouragement from all over, including my former players at Fiorentina and Monza,” added Palladino.

“We don’t want to set limits on ourselves. We want to have our say, knowing of course that Bayern Munich are a truly excellent team.”

While the Germans are missing Manuel Neuer and waiting on fitness news from Harry Kane, Atalanta are forced to do without several key players.

Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere are still out injured, with Giorgio Scalvini suspended in defence, while Ederson remains a major doubt.

“I would’ve liked to go into this game with an entire squad at my disposal, but in attack especially we are limited without Raspadori and De Ketelaere,” continued the coach.

“I know whoever plays will give 100 per cent for this shirt. We’ll try to end the first 90 minutes of this tie having given our all to make these fans happy.”

Bayern Munich won seven of their eight Champions League games in the opening phase, losing only 3-1 to Arsenal on November 26.

“Bayern don’t have many weak spots, but we studied them carefully,” added Palladino.

“They have so much quality in attack, especially Harry Kane, but we must not lose our identity, can never drop the tempo, as intensity is our greatest strength.”

Is this to be considered Mission Impossible for Atalanta?

“Maybe, but it’s still wonderful to face this type of challenge. We want to enjoy it and I really liked the attitude of the lads.”

Alisson Santos has impressed so much at Napoli that Carlo Ancelotti has sent Brazil scouts to watch him ahead of the World Cup, but the club hasn’t yet decided to purchase him from Sporting CP.

The wide attacker arrived in the January transfer window, on loan for six months at a cost of €3.5m, with an option to buy him outright at the end of the season for a further €16m.

Alisson Santos strong start with Napoli

So far, the 23-year-old has only made five competitive appearances in the Napoli jersey, yet contributed two decisive goals in the 2-2 draw with Roma and 2-1 victory over Torino.

Spanish newspaper AS and Tuttomercatoweb maintain this caught the eye of Brazil boss Ancelotti, who sent some of his staff to watch the 23-year-old in action.

Following the serious injury that ruled Real Madrid star Rodrygo out of the 2026 World Cup, a slot has opened up for a player with similar characteristics.

However, Alisson Santos has apparently not yet won everyone over at Napoli, because transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano notes that so far they have not yet contacted his agent or Sporting CP to confirm whether the option to buy will be activated.

So much will depend on whether they manage to qualify for the Champions League next season, as they currently sit in third place in Serie A.

Vincent Kompany warns Bayern Munich ‘are playing against a very strong’ Atalanta side in the Champions League, while a decision on Harry Kane’s fitness will only be made tomorrow.

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

There are some injury concerns for the Bundesliga leaders, as Manuel Neuer is ruled out with Leon Klanac, Hiroki Ito and Alphonso Davies, while star striker Kane is a major doubt.

“Kane had a very good training session, but we will only make a decision tomorrow,” explained Kompany in his press conference.

“The priority is to have him in the squad, whether he starts or not.”

Kompany full of respect for Atalanta

Inevitably, the German giants are the favourites, but they will also have learned the lesson of Borussia Dortmund, who were eliminated by La Dea in the play-offs.

The first leg had ended 2-0 in Germany, only for Atalanta to turn it around with a last-gasp 4-1 success in Italy.

“We are playing against a very strong team tomorrow. There are analogies to the way we play, considering they attack down the wings a lot, but we must time the pressing correctly.

“Atalanta have done some great things, including winning the Europa League, so we absolutely cannot underestimate them. Our objective is to be as competitive as possible in every tournament. We are not afraid of anyone and want to take every single opportunity.”

Kompany was asked about the level of Italian football compared to many others in Europe, seeing as their biggest clubs struggled recently and crashed out.

“I know it’s a topic in Italy at the moment, because Atalanta are the only Italian team still in the Champions League. I watched the level of Inter last year, when I saw Atalanta’s games this year, I see a lot of talent, I see teams that are well-coached.

“It’s been difficult games for Dortmund, for Frankfurt and Liverpool, so we cannot have any pretention towards this game,” insisted coach Kompany.

“Atalanta is a very special opponent in terms of the way they play, and a very interesting game for us as coaches. Atalanta has been building towards where they are today, so they have the belief they can do something special.

“I was never in the Italian League, so I am not the best judge of how different the level is, but probably not too much.”

La Dea had started very shakily this season, in Serie A and Europe, but went from strength to strength after Raffaele Palladino took over from Ivan Juric in January, bringing more of the approach that his mentor Gian Piero Gasperini had imposed.

“Atalanta have a new coach now, but you can see the consistency, and it is never a guarantee after coach like Gasperini to have such a long period of success as an icon for a club, to find someone who can maintain that identity,” noted Kompany.

“It’s really difficult, but they kept that identity and add something new. I have a lot of respect for Atalanta and what they do, so I know tomorrow will be a really tough game.

“We are used to being favourites in most games, so we don’t have a problem accepting this role if people want to say we are favourites. However, anyone who follows football in recent years will know Atalanta can beat anyone.

“They beat Juventus 3-0 this season, are in the Coppa Italia semi-final, so we have great respect for them. Anything is possible in football, but we want to win.”

Unlike the play-off, this time Atalanta must play the first leg on home turf and the second in Germany.

“It looked for all of us that Dortmund was sure to qualify, they looked dominant at home and the better team, but it changed totally in Bergamo,” confessed Kompany.

“Maybe it was the stadium, the atmosphere, the fans, but they had so much belief here. Italian fans are known to be quite loud, but I can guarantee you that the Allianz Arena on Champions League nights is very special too,” smiled Kompany.

Belgium international Charles De Ketelaere is out of action and Kompany admits to having mixed feelings on the situation.

“As a Belgium fan, I want him fit for the World Cup, but I saw Charles in his debut in Bruges. I thought going to Milan was a chance to try out, but Atalanta are perfect for him to develop. He has a wonderful left foot, good physical presence, he runs a lot and this club was absolutely the right place for him to make this step.

“You can see what a good player he is, so it’s good for us that he’s not available tomorrow, but I also hope he can soon be fit and do really well for the national team.”

Luis Diaz was a big €70m investment from Liverpool and made a strong impact this season with 20 goals and 16 assists in 35 competitive appearances for Bayern Munich.

“Lucho has done really well in terms of numbers, but I think he’s so much more than that. I always say he has creativity in chaos, and what I love is the message he sends when he plays, that reflects the team as well, always fighting and trying to get something.

“Just because we are Bayern Munich, it does not mean we are any less hungry than other teams. It has been a pleasure to have him with us,” concluded Kompany.

Mauro Icardi’s former wife and agent, Wanda Nara, surprisingly met Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti, seven years after the striker’s clash with the Italian tactician: ‘Nice to see you again.’

Juventus coach Spalletti met Icardi’s ex-wife and agent Wanda Nara in Turin today.

Wanda Nara posted two pictures in her Instagram stories, showing her meeting with the Bianconeri boss.

Wanda Nara reunites with Spalletti

Icardi’s former representative added a brief caption in her first picture: “Nice to see you again, mister.”

Wanda Nara and Spalletti last crossed paths in 2019 when Icardi was playing under the Italian tactician at Inter.

Back then, Wanda was Icardi’s representative and upset Inter and Spalletti with some provocative remarks on Italian TV.

What happened between Icardi, Wanda Nara and Spalletti at Inter?

In his biography published last year, Spalletti explained what exactly happened with Icardi and Wanda.

“Mario was going through a difficult period in footballing terms,” wrote Spalletti via Goal.com.

“At that moment, things weren’t going the way he had hoped. He wasn’t able to score the way he usually did. She [Wanda] said that if we wanted Icardi to score more goals, we needed to buy different players who could help him do so. In short, better players.

“That was the idea. Unbearable. A bombshell. It was one of those statements that couldn’t be brushed off with a WhatsApp message or an Instagram story. You had to talk face to face, the old-fashioned way.

“There was only one way to avoid a war in the dressing room: Mauro Icardi’s apology. It never came,” Spalletti continued.

“I asked the captain to explain Wanda Naras’s words to the dressing room, to justify them in some way. Mauro replied that it wasn’t his wife, Wanda, who had spoken, but his agent, Nara and that she had done so strictly in that capacity. It was impossible to manage the situation. There was no way.

“I had to tell him two things: remove the captain’s armband and give it to Handanovic. The club agreed, but he took it very badly. In fact, in order not to lose the team, I lost Icardi, the man and the player.”

When, in February 2019, Inter told Icardi he was no longer the team’s captain, the ex-striker refused to join the team for an away Europa League game against Rapid Wien.

The Argentine was frozen out of the team for over a month, and the following April, after a home defeat against Lazio, Spalletti told Sky: “Negotiating with a player to make him play and wear the Inter jersey is humiliating. Towards Inter fans and his teammates. Today, Icardi had to stay out because of how he behaved; it’s only fair that the others play.”

Icardi was then reintroduced to the squad for the last nine games of the campaign, in which he scored two goals, but no longer wore the captain’s armband.

Both Icardi and Spalletti left Inter at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

Icardi joined PSG, where he would spend the following three seasons, scoring 38 goals in 92 matches.

He had been even more prolific at Inter with 124 goals in 219 matches.

There is mixed news from the Napoli medical staff, as while Scott McTominay returns to training, Antonio Vergara’s problem might be more serious.

The Partenopei have been dealing with an injury crisis for seemingly the entire campaign, as just as one player returns to the field, another picks up a new issue.

Napoli look to medical staff for team picks

McTominay has not played since aggravating the inflammation of a tendon on February 7 when scoring a goal in the victory over Genoa.

According to Sky Sport Italia, the Scotland international will resume training with his teammates tomorrow, so should therefore be in the squad for Saturday’s Serie A match against Lecce.

However, Vergara is increasingly unlikely to be part of the team after he limped off in the win over Torino.

Il Mattino newspaper suggests that the youth academy product has been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and it could take a while for him to make a full recovery.

Napoli are still without David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani, but Kevin De Bruyne and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa made their comebacks last week.

Ederson, Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere did not train with the rest of the Atalanta squad today and are expected to miss tomorrow’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich, while Giorgio Scalvini is suspended.

Atalanta are preparing for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich.

It will be played tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, at 21:0 CET (20:00 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.

Atalanta team news ahead of Bayern Munich clash in Champions League RO16

Regular starters Ederson, Raspadori and De Ketelaere are still injured and continued to train separately on Monday, TMW reports.

Giorgio Scalvini, on the other hand, worked with the rest of the team days after suffering a knee injury in a Serie A match against Lazio, but the Italian will still miss tomorrow’s match due to a one-game ban.

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino and midfielder Mario Pasalic will preview the match during a pre-match press conference at 19:00 CET (18:00 GMT) later today.

Atalanta eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League knockout playoff with a 4-3 aggregate win.

The Nerazzurri are the only remaining Serie A team in Europe’s elite competition.

• Read more – What to expect from Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich and how it impacts Italy

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero joked with Luka Modric after Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter on Sunday: ‘With Italian restaurants and food, you can play until 50.’

Modric was one of the best players on the pitch in Milan’s 1-0 victory over city rivals Inter on Sunday.

Del Piero tells Modric: ‘You can play until 50

Italy and Juventus legend Del Piero commented on the game as a pundit for CBS Sports last night and joked with the Croatian legend: “It was amazing again watching you. Congratulations again,” Del Piero said.

“With Italian restaurants and food, you can play until 50. Our quality of food is amazing, don’t know if you agree.”

The Rossoneri’s win leaves them second in the standings, still seven points behind their city rivals, and Modric argued that if the team had performed better in “small games”, they’d have been closer to their rivals.

Milan, in fact, have only lost twice in Serie A this term, while Inter have suffered five defeats.

The Nerazzurri, however, only picked up one draw against Milan’s nine.

Inter have won 22 of 28 games this term, and their city rivals have collected 17.

“We are very proud people. We like to fight.”

Luka Modrić shares what being from Zadar means to him pic.twitter.com/6azHQPAgRM

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 8, 2026

Italy World Cup winner and former Bayern Munich star Luca Toni feels the Bavarians ‘must not underestimate Atalanta’ in the Champions League Round of 16: ‘If they take it lightly, it’s a risk.’

Atalanta and Bayern Munich meet in the Champions League Round of 16 with the first leg played in Bergamo on Tuesday, March 10.

Toni warns Bayern about Atalanta

Bayern Munich are among the favourites to win the Champions League this season, and, naturally, “emirates online casinos” sees them as the most likely team to progress to the quarter-finals, where they’d meet the winner of the tie between Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Atalanta, however, have already shocked some European heavyweights this season, especially in Bergamo, with Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund both losing at the New Balance Arena in the previous Champions League phases.

“On paper, Bayern are much stronger than Atalanta. La Dea has good players, and they play good football with Raffaele Palladino on the bench, especially in the Champions League,” Toni, a former Bayern Munich and Fiorentina star, told Prime Video Italia.

“The coach has changed the team’s mentality. I’ve heard Juric didn’t have a good relationship with the team, but Palladino has recreated a good atmosphere inside the team, as it happened with Gasperini.”

Palladino replaced Juric at the start of November, and La Dea has since won 15 of 26 games.

Bayern Munich will travel to Bergamo without the injured Manuel Neuer, while Harry Kane should be available after missing Friday’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Monchengladbach.

“It’s all in their hands. If they are on their day, they are clearly favourites. Bayern have fantastic players,” Toni continued.

“That being said, they should not underestimate Aalanta, who have the confidence and the pride to have reached such a stage. It will be the game of a lifetime for Atalanta, and it’s a risk if Bayern take it lightly.”

Atalanta hope Ederson will be available on Tuesday after missing the last five matches due to an injury.

“Ederson is one of the most European players, one of the best,” Toni concluded.

“Let’s see who will play in attack, but Atalanta are characterised by team spirit, as everyone helps.”

Toni spent two seasons at Bayern Munich, scoring 58 goals in 89 games.

During his playing career, the former Italian striker won a Bundesliga title in 2007-08 and the German Cup in the same year.

With Italy, he won the 2006 World Cup. He was twice the Serie A top goalscorer, first in 2005-06 with 31 goals and then in 2014-15 with 22 goals, the same as Mauro Icardi.

Il Mattino confirms that Napoli are in a hurry to agree to a contract extension with Scott McTominay, with the club’s desire driven by ‘internal balance’ rather than the player’s demands.

Napoli are set to offer McTominay a new deal, and Il Mattino confirms that the Partenopei hope to shake hands with the Scottish star in a short time.

The Naples-based newspaper (via TuttoNapoli) reports that club directors believe the 29-year-old deserves a new contract based on his performances, not because the player has demanded one and a higher salary.

The former Manchester United midfielder has never raised financial complaints, but maintaining the team’s internal balance has prompted Napoli to prepare an offer with a pay rise for their midfield star.

McTominay is contracted at the Stadio Maradona until June 2028, and previous reports claimed that the club is planning to extend his stay by two more years, until 2030.

McTominay has scored ten goals and provided four assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.

He contributed to the 2024-25 Scudetto victory, being named Serie A’s best player.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Hakan Calhanoglu has sustained a strain in the adductor of his right thigh, which will force him to miss the next game against Atalanta, but Inter hope Alessandro Bastoni will recover in time.

Inter star Calhanoglu will miss the next Serie A match against Atalanta on Saturday due to a new adductor injury.

Latest Inter injury updates: Bastoni and Calhanoglu

As reported by Gazzetta, the Turkey international underwent medical tests on Monday morning after feeling discomfort during the warm-up of yesterday’s match against Milan.

Examinations highlighted a mild strain in the adductor of his right thigh, which will rule him out of the next league game.

Calhanoglu was an unused substitute during Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Milan. Inter coach Cristian Chivu explained that the Nerazzurri star “wasn’t feeling well,” so he was not involved in the derby.

Last Tuesday, Calhanoglu had played almost an hour in a Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Como.

As for Bastoni, Inter hope the Azzurri defender won’t need further examinations after being forced to be subbed off against Milan.

As Chivu explained after the match, Bastoni had a “knock in the shin.”

Gazzetta reports that Bastoni was still limping on Monday and will be assessed by Inter doctors on Tuesday, but the Nerazzurri hope he’ll return in time for the next Serie A match.

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus are interested in a potential summer transfer for Tottenham Hotspur and former Genoa defender Djed Spence as the Bianconeri draw up a list of targets to strengthen their full-back position. 

Juventus interested in Tottenham’s Spence according to reports in Italy

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, full-back is among the priority positions for Juventus to strengthen during the off-season. There have been recent links between the Bianconeri and Italy hopeful Michael Kayode at Brentford, and also with Roma’s Zeki Celik, who could become available on a free transfer. 

According to Monday’s reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the latest name on the wishlist is Tottenham right-back Spence, who knows Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini from their time together at Genoa. 

Ottolini brought Spence to Genoa on loan with an option to buy, around the same time that Radu Dragusin moved to Tottenham during the January transfer window in 2024. The three-time England international made 16 Serie A appearances during the second half of the 2023-24 campaign. 

As things stand, there have not been any formal negotiations between the two sides, but according to Monday’s report, Juventus would need to pay a fee in the region of €30m if they are to lure Spence away from the relegation-threatened Tottenham.

That is a similar fee to the one that has been cited for the potential signing of Kayode. 

€30m is a considerable fee for Juventus, especially at full-back, and La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that the Old Lady may have to look at moving on one of their current players first before they are able to pull off this sort of deal. Pierre Kalulu has been mentioned as one of the players who could potentially be sacrificed in the summer. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus are happy with Jeremie Boga’s performances so far and are considering making his move permanent for less than €5m.

Juventus are satisfied with the impact of their January signing Boga, as the ex-Sassuolo and Atalanta winger has scored two goals and provided one assist in seven appearances as a substitute.

How much do Juventus need to pay to sign Boga permanently?

The Ivory Coast international moved to the Allianz Stadium on loan with an option to buy from OGC Nice on the winter transfer window deadline day, and the Serie A giants can make his move permanent for just €4.8m.

As reported by Gazzetta, Boga’s convincing performances so far and the favourable financial conditions of the deal have already convinced Juventus to consider his permanent transfer.

Boga’s permanent transfer would also be affordable in terms of salary, as the 29-year-old would earn between €1.5m and €2m.

Before joining Juventus, Boga had not played a competitive match since November 30.

His time at OGC Nice practically ended a few days later when a group of circa 400 ultras targeted the player and the club’s sporting director with a very serious physical assault, as if they were responsible for a six-game losing streak.

“It was a bad moment for my family and me. I still can’t go through the details, but I spent two months alone at home with my fitness coach and my wife,” Boga said in his first interview as a Juventus player in February.

“It was a bad moment, but now I’m happy to be out of that situation.

“It was a bad moment for my family and me. I still can’t go through the details, but I spent two months alone at home with my fitness coach and my wife. It was a bad moment, but now I’m happy to be out of that situation.

“Juventus saved me. It’s been a blessing.”

Struggling Juventus striker Jonathan David is reportedly of interest to Ligue 1 side Lyon after a disappointing first season in Serie A with the Bianconeri according to the latest reports. 

David joined Juventus on a free transfer at the beginning of the summer transfer window following a five-year spell with Lille in Ligue 1, during which time he scored 109 goals from 232 appearances across all competitions. 

The Canada international has struggled to replicate that form in Serie A, though. He has five goals and four assists to his name from league appearances so far this term. 

David showed some encouraging signs in January and early February with four goals and two assists from a run of five league matches, but these have been his only goals in the league other than his strike on the opening day of the 2025-26 season. 

Now, David appears to be falling down the pecking order in the Juventus striking department. He was hooked at half-time of Juventus’s 4-0 victory over Pisa in Serie A over the weekend, and watched on as his teammates scored four second-half goals in his absence. 

Recent reports indicate that Luciano Spalletti is now inclined to stick with his ‘fluid front three’ for next weekend’s match against Udinese, leaving David out altogether. The Canadian’s opportunities are expected to be further reduced once Dusan Vlahovic makes his return from injury. 

Could David return to Ligue 1 after less than a year with Juventus?

According to reports from Tuttosport and Calciomercato.com, David could potentially be poised to head back to Ligue 1 less than a year after he left Lille on a free transfer. 

Lyon are said to be among the teams interested in a potential deal for David should he become available during the summer transfer window. 

The French side, under the guidance of former Milan head coach Paulo Fonseca, are currently third in the Ligue 1 table, and it is understood that their interest in David is dependent on their qualification for next season’s Champions League. The top three teams in France are granted an automatic spot in the Champions League, with fourth-place earning a place in the play-offs. 

David technically joined Juventus on a free transfer last summer, but the Bianconeri still spent a reported €12m on commission and signing-on fees, and are currently paying the striker a salary in the region of €6m per season after tax.

Cristian Chivu says Hakan Calhanoglu ‘wasn’t feeling well’ so he was not involved in the Milan derby on Sunday.

Inter star Calhanoglu spent 90 minutes on the bench in a 1-0 loss against city rivals Milan on Sunday.

• Read more – Milan 1-0 Inter: Three things learned in Derby della Madonnina

Calhanoglu ‘wasn’t feeling well’, Chivu says

As reported by FcInternews, Chivu gave a brief reply to a reporter’s question during a post-match press conference last night, saying that Calhanoglu “wasn’t feeling well”, so he was not even involved as a substitute.

Calhanoglu, 32, has been dealing with several fitness issues in recent weeks. He missed seven games, five in Serie A and two in the Champions League, between January and February due to a calf problem.

He returned as a substitute against Juventus on February 14, playing for about 30 minutes, but then missed the next three matches due to a muscle injury.

Last Tuesday, he started in the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Como and was replaced after 58 minutes.

The Turkish international has scored and provided four assists in 25 appearances across all competitions this season.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will be waiting for updates from Inter and Arsenal as Azzurri stars Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori suffered injuries in their latest club appearances, barely two weeks before the World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.

Italy defenders Bastoni and Calafiori sustained injuries over the last weekend, and the Azzurri will be waiting for updates from their clubs, Inter and Arsenal, ahead of a crucial match against Northern Ireland on the horizon.

Calafiori was subbed off during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Mansfield Town on Saturday. After the match, the Gunners’ coach Mikel Arteta said Calafiori had had “little niggles” and wasn’t “comfortable continuing.”

Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, and Arteta will likely provide a fresh update on Tuesday, the eve of the game.

Bastoni, on the other hand, sustained an injury during Inter’s 1-0 loss against Milan in the derby della Madonnina on Sunday and had to be substituted after coming off worse in a challenge with Adrien Rabiot that even cost him a yellow card.

“He took a knock in the shin,” Inter coach Cristian Chivu said in his post-match press conference on Sunday.

“He was limping; we’ll see over the next few days, but it’s a knock.”

Inter players have a day off today, so, as reported by Gazzetta, the club’s medical staff will assess Bastoni’s condition on Tuesday.

Bastoni looked to be in a lot of pain and limped off the pitch, helped to the bench by Inter’s medical staff. Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri and Italy hope that 48 hours of rest will be enough for the defender to be fit for the next few matches.

Bastoni has made four appearances under Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, missing one due to suspension and spending another entirely on the bench.

Calafiori has played three times under Gattuso, missing two matches due to injury and remaining on the bench once.

Italy host Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal on March 26, and if they progress to the final, they will visit the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Refereeing expert Luca Marelli believes that Daniele Doveri was correct in his decision to not award a last-minute penalty to Inter after shouts for a Samuele Ricci handball at the end of Sunday evening’s Derby della Madonnina against Milan: ‘Not punishable’. 

Milan claimed the bragging rights in Sunday’s derby: Pervis Estupinan’s first-half strike proving enough for the Rossoneri to hold onto a 1-0 victory. This was their second consecutive victory over Cristian Chivu’s side and their fifth in an unbeaten run of seven against the Nerazzurri. 

Inter still remain seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table with 10 matches of the season left to play, but many claim that Milan are the only team remaining that is capable of putting any real pressure on the league leaders heading into the final stretch. 

• Read more: Milan 1-0 Inter: Player ratings

• Read more: Remaining Inter and Milan fixtures compared

What Marelli said about Ricci handball incident in Milan 1-0 Inter 

There were some appeals for an Inter penalty In the final minute of second-half stoppage time in San Siro on Sunday night. 

The ball did strike the arm of second-half substitute Ricci in the penalty area after a touch from Inter defender Denzel Dumfries, however, Doveri did not blow for a handball as he judged the player’s arm to be in a natural position and deemed that he had instinctively attempted to move his arm out of the way rather than moving towards the ball.

Speaking to DAZN after full-time on Sunday evening, refereeing expert Marelli agreed with the decision to not take further action in the closing minutes of the derby: “The touch isn’t punishable because the movement of his arm was to avoid, not create an obstacle,” he declared. 

Inter legend Beppe Bergomi feels that Samuele Ricci’s handball in the final minutes of the Milan derby was worthy of a pitchside VAR review, but Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta is ‘pleased’ that such incidents will no longer be considered penalties.

Inter suffered a 1-0 loss against city rivals Milan on Sunday, but the Nerazzurri complained about a potential penalty in the dying minutes, when the Rossoneri midfielder Ricci unintentionally touched the ball with his arm inside the box.

“I believe the proximity influenced VAR’s evaluation. Up to now, penalties like these have always been given,” former Milan defender Costacurta told Sky Sport Italia (via Fanpage).

Costacurta, Di Canio and Bergomi examine Ricci’s handball in Milan derby

“However, I’m pleased that something has changed over the last two matchdays. In my opinion, this type of incident is never a penalty, but until two weeks ago, it was. I like that, from now on, it will no longer be considered such.

“Until two weeks ago, we were complaining like crazy because they were giving these ridiculous penalties every time,” Costacurta continued.

“Apparently, they looked at it and made an assessment. Maybe it wasn’t a clear penalty after he didn’t block a shot. I ask myself, why are we wasting so much time on this?”

Paolo Di Canio, a former Milan, Lazio and Juventus striker, argued: “For me, the arm here stops the ball, which otherwise would have gone onto his side. In trying to pull his arm away, he slightly cushions the ball. The advantage gained from the instinctive movement to retract the arm is that the ball stays there.

“I’d just like to see the referee’s position again and whether he had a clear view. In that situation, maybe VAR could have suggested something, or at least asked him whether he had seen it clearly.”

On the other hand, Inter legend Bergomi felt that the referee should have reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor: “I’ve seen many penalties given this way, even less obvious ones. But I don’t want to fuel controversy,” said the 1982 Italy World Cup winner.

“The referee didn’t see it, and the player was close. In this case, VAR should intervene; I don’t know why it didn’t.”

Inter remain the Serie A table leaders with a seven-point lead over their city rivals.

The Nerazzurri have collected 22 wins in 28 league matches, drawing once and losing five times, including twice against their city rivals.

Many claim that Milan have ‘re-opened’ the race for the 2025-26 Scudetto with their 1-0 victory over Inter in the Derby della Madonnina on Sunday evening, but which of the two sides has the tougher run of fixtures heading into the final 10 matches of the season? 

A first-half strike from unlikely hero Pervis Estupinan gave Milan all three points in their decisive derby against city rivals Inter in Serie A on Sunday night. 

The Nerazzurri are still seven points clear at the top of the league standings with 10 games to go after last night’s defeat, with the Rossoneri the only side looking capable of applying any real pressure on Cristian Chivu’s side. 

As things stand, Inter remain in control of the league table heading into the final 10 league games of the season, and they also have the slightly ‘easier’ run of fixtures compared to Milan in terms of the average league position of their remaining opponents. 

The Nerazzurri still have challenging fixtures against the likes of Atalanta (home), Roma (home), Como (away) and Bologna (away) on the final day of the season, but the average league position of their remaining opponents comes out to 11.2. 

The average ranking of Milan’s remaining opponents currently comes out to 10.7. They still have difficult challenges against Napoli (away), Juventus (home) and Atalanta (away) left on their schedule. 

Inter’s remaining 2025-26 Serie A fixtures 

Atalanta (7th) at home. 

Fiorentina (17th) away. 

Roma (5th) at home. 

Como (4th) away. 

Cagliari (14th) at home. 

Torino (15th) away. 

Parma (12th) at home. 

Lazio (11th) away. 

Verona (19th) home. 

Bologna (8th) away. 

Remaining home games: Five

Remaining away games: Five

Remaining matches against teams in the top six: Two 

Average league position of remaining opponents: 11.2

Milan’s remaining 2025-26 Serie A fixtures 

Lazio (11th) away. 

Torino (15th) at home. 

Napoli (3rd) away. 

Udinese (10th) at home. 

Verona (19th) away. 

Juventus (6th) at home. 

Sassuolo (9th) away. 

Atalanta (7th) away. 

Genoa (13th) away. 

Cagliari (14th) at home. 

Remaining home games: Five

Remaining away games: Five

Remaining matches against teams in the top six: Two

Average league position of remaining opponents: 10.7

Fikayo Tomori says that Milan’s improved defensive solidity is the key behind their upturn in league form this season, and notes that ‘to play two games against Inter and not concede a goal isn’t easy’.

Tomori was among the starters for Milan’s 1-0 victory over their city rivals Inter in the Derby della Madonnina in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

The Rossoneri have now won five of their last seven encounters against the Nerazzurri and are also unbeaten against them over that period. Sunday’s victory was also the second consecutive time that Massimiliano Allegri’s side have kept a clean sheet against Cristian Chivu’s side. 

• Read more: Milan 1-0 Inter: Player ratings

Tomori reacts to Milan 1-0 Inter: ‘To play two games against Inter and not concede a goal, it’s not easy’

The Rossoneri now find themselves seven points behind the table-topping Nerazzurri, and seem to be the only side capable of applying any real pressure on Cristian Chivu’s side heading into the final 10 games of the Serie A season. 

Many of Milan’s players were asked after full-time against Inter whether they feel they are capable of closing down the seven-point gap between themselves and the Nerazzurri. 

“Who knows,” said Tomori in a post-match interview with CBS Sports. 

“I think at this point in time we just have to focus on ourselves. Obviously tonight was an important game, happy to have won. A good performance against a very, very good team. 

“The derby is always a special game and always a difficult game. We’re just focussed on winning, happy to have done that. Now we just have to go onto the next game, rest and recover, enjoy tonight. Just focus on ourselves like I said, keep going and try to finish the season as strongly as possible.” 

Tomori was asked where the Milan players would be celebrating following their victory, to which he jokingly replied: “I’m not sure. I don’t want the Mister to hear me, so I just have to stay quiet!” 

Tomori insists that Milan needed no additional motivation heading into the Inter match, and feels that his side could have easily had another couple of goals to their name before the interval. 

“I think in these kinds of games the Mister doesn’t really have to say too much because it’s a derby, you know how important it is for the club, for ourselves, for the fans, everyone. 

“The way that we approached the game in the first half, we put them under pressure, we had chances to score. Obviously we did score in the first half, but we had a lot of really dangerous opportunities and probably could have scored more. 

“At the end of the day and especially at this stage of the season, three points is all that really matters, so yeah, we’re really happy.” 

Tomori agrees that playing on the right-hand side of Massimiliano Allegri’s back three is helping to get the best out of him this season. 

“Yeah, I think so. I think I can show the different qualities that I have,” he said. “Obviously my first job is to defend, so try to do that, try to do my job first, but I think in games like today where there’s a bit of space, I can affect the game going forwards.” 

Milan are in second place in Serie A with 10 games left to go. They look set to secure Allegri’s goal of Champions League qualification, and despite being seven points shy of the league leaders, this is a vast improvement on the form that saw them finish ninth last season. 

Tomori believes that Milan’s defensive security has been the secret behind their improvement this season. 

“One of the main objectives for us was to concede less goals and I think this season we’ve been a lot more solid defensively, not just the defenders, but the whole team as a unit. 

“We’ve worked a lot and worked a lot on trying to stay compact as a team. To play two games against Inter and not concede a goal, it’s not easy. I think that’s testament to how well we’ve been working and the work that the coaching staff has been doing with us this season.” 

“To play two games against Inter and not concede a goal… It’s not easy”@fikayotomori_ caught up with @Bonetti after Milan’s derby win pic.twitter.com/uGYN6lMWkd

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 8, 2026

Manuel Akanji expressed his disappointment at Inter’s performance during their 1-0 loss against city rivals Milan on Sunday evening, and explained why last night’s defeat differed to their loss against the Rossoneri earlier this season: ‘Today was different. It wasn’t good enough from our side’.

Akanji reacts to Milan 1-0 Inter: ‘Wasn’t good enough from our side’

The Nerazzurri slipped to their second Serie A defeat against Milan of the 2025-26 season as Pervis Estupinan struck with the only goal of the game in San Siro on Sunday night.

Cristian Chivu’s side still have a commanding seven-point lead at the top of the Serie A table with 10 league matches of the season left to play, but there is disappointment around the camp in the aftermath of Sunday’s defeat against their city rivals. 

“I think they played the way we expected them to play. They try to press a bit up front, if it doesn’t work, they drop deep and that’s what they did, especially in the first half,” explained Akanji in his post-match interview with CBS Sports.  

“We had a lot of missed passes or duels that we lost, or we gave them opportunities by losing the ball easily. And also we didn’t defend well in a couple of situations and that’s why we lost the game in the end.” 

Inter will make it two Serie A titles in three years if they hold out for the Scudetto in 2025-26. They have also reached the Champions League final in two of the last four seasons and have won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italia twice within the last five campaigns. 

If there is a recurring complaint about Cristian Chivu’s side, though, it is that they have struggled to overcome ‘bigger’ sides in the league and Champions League this term. The Nerazzurri have also failed to beat Milan in any of their last seven encounters. 

“I mean, I’ve only played in the last two, today and the one in the first part of the season and for me, they were totally different games,” said Akanji. 

“The first one we dominated them, we had so many chances to score goals, we even missed a penalty. So, we clearly had enough chances to win the game. They had one opportunity and they scored the goal, that’s why they won the game. 

“Today was different. It wasn’t good enough from our side. A lot of lost duels, a lot of balls that we should have kept that we lost. Just way too many mistakes and also sometimes in the duels, we weren’t aggressive enough and that’s why we lost today.

“I think as a team we didn’t create enough opportunities up front. We tried to cross the ball, but nothing really happened, not off the crosses. But still we had good opportunities to score a goal. 

“I think right before they scored the goal for 1-0, Mkhi (Henrikh Mkhitaryan) runs alone at the keeper and couldn’t score. And even in the second half when Mkhi laid it off to Dima (Federico Dimarco) to score a goal and I think there were also a couple of opportunities with the corner that we had that the referee apparently blew the whistle before. Then a couple of situations where it maybe could have been a penalty. 

“So we tried to create something but I think it just wasn’t enough from our side today.” 

Naturally disappointed by Sunday’s defeat against Milan, Akanji insists that he is still trying to look at the positives. 

“The next few days are not going to be good. You’re never happy when you lose a derby. The good thing is that we’re still seven points ahead and we have enough time to recover. The next game is not until next Saturday at home against Atalanta, which is a big game, but we will be ready again. 

“We need to make better what we didn’t do good today and I’m confident we can get the win there.” 

Luka Modric claims that Milan would be ‘right there with Inter’ had they performed better in ‘small games’ following Sunday evening’s 1-0 victory in the Derby della Madonnina in Serie A. 

Modric reacts to Milan 1-0 Inter victory

The former Ballon d’Or winner was one of the crucial figures in Milan’s 1-0 victory over their city rivals, Inter, whose lead at the top of the Serie A table has now been reduced to seven points with 10 league games of the season left to play. 

The main topic surrounding Milan following last night’s victory over Inter is whether there is a genuine possibility that they can catch Inter at the top of the standings with 10 points to go. 

“It’s difficult to say. People always say you win titles in small games, especially in the league,” said Modric in an interview with CBS Sports after full-time.

“We haven’t done well in these sorts of games, we lost too many points, if we’d won only half of these points, we’d be there with Inter. But it’s part of football. 

“We need to find a way to improve and get better in these games where teams drop too deep, there’s not much space. We need to find a way to do better and maybe play quicker, find a better solution to win these kinds of games.” 

“We are very proud people. We like to fight.”

Luka Modrić shares what being from Zadar means to him pic.twitter.com/6azHQPAgRM

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 8, 2026

Milan claimed the bragging rights in Sunday evening’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter in Serie A, but there were some complaints from the Nerazzurri camp over a potential handball and a few other decisions from the officials after full-time. Here is what happened at the end of last night’s showdown in San Siro. 

Pervis Estupinan’s first-half strike was enough for Milan to claim a 1-0 victory over Inter on Sunday evening, which was their second win over the Nerazzurri in Serie A this season and has extended their unbeaten run against their city rivals to seven matches. 

Cristian Chivu’s side retain a seven-point advantage over the Rossoneri at the top of the league table with 10 games to go, though. 

• Read more: Milan 1-0 Inter: Player ratings

Which refereeing calls upset Inter during derby defeat? 

There were protests from many of the Inter camp towards referee Daniele Doveri and his team after full-time in San Siro on Sunday night. 

The main incident in question was a supposed handball from Samuele Ricci during the 95th minute of play right at the end of last night’s derby. 

The ball had come off Denzel Dumfries and did touch Ricci on the arm, but the player’s arm was adjudged to have been in a natural position and he did appear to make an instinctive movement in an attempt to avoid handling the ball. 

Referee Doveri decided that Ricci did not make himself ‘unnaturally larger’ with the movement of his arm, and that the incident was not worthy of a penalty kick. 

Speaking on the incident after full-time, Nerazzurri head coach Chivu said: “I was told the VAR checked it, so I have nothing to add. I am focused on the performance, on my decisions, my mistakes. 

“There are 10 games to go, 30 points up for grabs, so we’ve got to build on what we’ve done so far.”

Aside from the penalty appeal, members of Inter’s coaching staff, including assistant Aleksandar Kolarov, were also frustrated by the addition of six minutes of stoppage time at the end of the second-half, which they felt was not enough. 

There was also a moment just before the handball appeal where Carlos Augusto had the ball in the back of the net from a corner, however, Doveri had already blown his whistle while the ball was still in mid-air in order to stop some scuffling in the area. 

Corriere dello Sport suggests that Doveri could have been dished out a couple more yellow cards on the night: Specifically to Estupinan for a foul on Nicolo Barella, to Adrien Rabiot for a foul on Federico Dimarco, to Fikayo Tomori for a foul on Piotr Zielinski and to Ange-Yoan Bonny for a foul on Estupinan.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Milan of dreams 

Inter nullified, Scudetto reopened 

Estupinan decides they derby: Diavolo -7 off the top 

Allegri does the double: ‘They remain the favourites though’. Cardinale’s celebrations. Nerazzurri minimal in spite of the absences. Chivu: ‘We were below par’

Champions League crazy

A three-way race for one spot 

De Rossi beats Roma. Historic Como: They’re fourth. And Juve are -1 behind and believe

Corriere dello Sport 

l’Allegrata 

Scudetto, 10 games to go | Short leash: Max also takes the Derby in the return leg (1-0)

Milan ruthless: -7 points behind and dreaming. Inter buried 

Estupinan delivers defeat to the Nerazzurri, who last lost in Serie A against Allegri on November 23. Chivu: ‘Ricci’s hand in the area? They told me there was a check’

De Rossi puts Roma in trouble 

Genoa shock Gasp: 2-1 

Messias and Vitinha lift DDR’s side, Ndicka not enough. Champions League race: Malen at Fabregas’s house on Sunday 

Juve, Lucio’s turning point 

The fluid front three 

Napoli, the Fab4 return 

After 160 days 

Nicola at risk 

Cremonese beaten by Lecce (2-1)

Tuttosport 

StraMilan 

Inter, derby nightmare: Estupinan reopens the Scudetto fight 

The Ecuadorian was the surprise hero. In the second half, Dimarco misses the equaliser, then chaos at the end: Carlos Augusto denied a goal (but Doveri has already ended the game) and protests over a touch of the hand from Ricci. Allegri gives another lesson to Chivu and goes back to -7 points off the lead. Inter, who have not beaten Milan in seven games, pay for the absences of Lautaro and Thuram: Pio and Bonny dry. Bastoni still subjected to boos

Yildiz, Vlahovic, Boga: Attack on the Champions League 

Roma beaten in Genoa: Juve -1 off fourth place 

The magic of Kenan, the recovery of Dusan and the numbers from Jeremie are the prime assets for Spalletti in the final push. And the schedule could help too: The Bianconeri could profit from the direct clash between Como and the Giallorossi next Sunday. The David case: Disheartened and in crisis: Heading towards a farewell and Lyon step forwards 

Safety and contract: Toro, time for Che

D’Aversa relaunches him 

Adams could return as a starter against Parma and Petrachi looks to extend the contract agreement. The fan’s strike continues: The club try with discounted tickets 

Federico Dimarco admits it’s ‘difficult to explain’ Inter’s sluggish response with Milan, but insists ‘if someone told us eight months ago we’d be seven points clear, we wouldn’t believe you.’

The Nerazzurri looked disjointed after losing both first choice strikers, as Marcus Thuram was out with flu symptoms and Lautaro Martinez injured.

While Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Dimarco missed big chances, Milan were clinical when Pervis Estupinan ran onto the Youssouf Fofana through ball and surprised Yann Sommer at the near post.

Dimarco saw Inter struggle in Milan Derby

“Milan dropped very deep after their goal, as was entirely to be expected, and the truth is that we created too little to really hurt them,” Dimarco told DAZN Italia.

“We had prepared the match with a low-to-medium block so we could increase the press. When it came to my chance, the ball bobbled and I didn’t connect properly.”

They had been unbeaten in the league since the last Derby della Madonnina, which also ended 1-0 back in November 2025, putting together a 2-2 draw with Napoli and 14 victories.

“When we concede a goal, we struggle to react a lot of the time, or rather we don’t react with enough determination,” confessed Dimarco.

“It is difficult to explain why we do that. The team is united, we are having a great season and are still seven points clear at the top, after all.

“We’ve got to stay calm, because our fate is still entirely in our hands.”

The result means Inter see their lead at the top of the Serie A table cut to seven points, which is still a significant advantage at this stage of the season with 10 rounds left to play.

It is put to the Nerazzurri that they have a poor record in the ‘big’ games, managing only two wins, one draw and three defeats in the Serie A fixtures against Milan, Napoli, Roma and Juventus.

“You say that, but if someone had told us eight months ago that we’d be seven points clear at the top of the table, we wouldn’t have believed you,” insisted Dimarco.

“We’ve got to stay clear-headed and focus on these remaining 10 matches.”

Inter were also angry in stoppages when Denzel Dumfries nodded the ball onto Samuele Ricci’s elbow from close range inside the penalty area.

“I didn’t see it, as I was on the other side of the pitch. Watching the video, the arm is quite wide, so it’s down to the interpretation of the referee. There could’ve been a VAR check.”

Cristian Chivu concedes Inter were ‘unable to break down’ the Milan defensive block, but insists ‘nothing would’ve changed even if we had won tonight’ in the Scudetto race.

The Nerazzurri could put the final nail in the coffin of the title with this showdown, but have instead seen their 10-point lead reduced to seven.

They were forced into changes on the night, as Marcus Thuram was ruled out by flu symptoms, with Lautaro Martinez also injured, so the all-new strike partnership of Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny struggled to gel.

Moments after Henrikh Mkhitaryan wasted a promising counter-attack, Inter conceded from Pervis Estupinan at the near post, surprising Luis Henrique by running onto the Youssouf Fofana assist.

Chivu recognises Inter should’ve done better

“Our first half was below par with a slow tempo, we then conceded their goal and that was a blow too,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.

“We tried to step up a gear after the break and did better in fits and starts, creating a good chance with Dimarco. We tried everything to swarm around their low defensive block, but were unable to break them down.”

Considering that Esposito and Bonny are different to the usual centre-forwards, should Inter have put more crosses into the box this evening?

“We got to the by-line, but without clear-cut situations, and then the crosses tended to be cleared by their defenders, because we never got in front of them,” replied Chivu.

“There was a lack of dynamism for us, Milan were sitting back and waiting for us to then go on the counter-attack. We need to improve and raise the tempo.”

Inter had been unbeaten in Serie A since the last encounter with Milan, another 1-0 result on November 23, managing a 2-2 draw against Napoli and 14 victories.

Chivu had said that Inter were too often criticised and not given credit for their successes, but after a disappointing 0-0 Coppa Italia semi-final draw with Como midweek and this defeat, they seem to be losing steam.

This is on top of the Champions League exit in the play-offs to Norwegian minnows Bodo/Glimt.

“We could and should have done better. The strikers are young, they didn’t do what we usually require, but that is not an excuse, I am pleased with what they tried to do, considering they were the only two at our disposal. For two such young players, this is valuable experience,” added Chivu.

“We all should’ve had greater intensity and moved with more determination all over the pitch.”

There had been suggestions Inter could go back to the system with one centre-forward and two more advanced creative midfielders, the approach used against Como in the Coppa Italia, to have at least one striker who could come off the bench and shake things up.

“I don’t think this was the right game to make experiments like that.”

The coach was pressed on the late incident where Denzel Dumfries headed the ball onto Samuele Ricci’s arm, but it was considered to be in a natural position.

“I was told the VAR checked it, so I have nothing to add. I am focused on the performance, on my decisions, my mistakes. There are 10 games to go, 30 points up for grabs, so we’ve got to build on what we’ve done so far,” replied Chivu.

“We still have a seven-point advantage, there are 30 still to be earned, nothing would’ve changed even if we had won tonight.”

In Serie A history, Inter and Milan have never managed to win the Scudetto in the same season where they lost both editions of the Derby della Madonnina.

Max Allegri confirms the Pervis Estupinan goal was prepared by Milan to target an Inter defensive weakness, but insists the Nerazzurri ‘remain the clear Scudetto favourites.’

The last time the Rossoneri won both editions of the Serie A derby was 2010-11, also under this coach, and how did that season end?

“It ended with winning the Scudetto,” smiled Allegri on DAZN Italia.

“However, Inter have a seven-point lead at the top, it’s a big advantage, they are still the strongest team and the clear favourites. We could’ve done better and been sharper in the final third on a few situations.

“We can only be happy, because we have kept Juventus at -10 points, Como and Roma at -9, so it was important to get a result today.”

Allegri keeps eyes on the real Milan prize

There are now 10 rounds left in the campaign, and a seven-point gap at the top of the table, although the coach has been adamant the main focus must be on qualifying for the Champions League.

“We worked seven months to make sure we reached March in the best possible condition, because this is when the most important games of the season are played and everything is decided,” continued Allegri.

The Rossoneri knew this was their last chance to keep the title race alive and that Inter had been unbeaten in Serie A since the last Derby della Madonnina on November 23.

That also ended 1-0, but this was an unexpected hero, Estupinan running onto the Youssouf Fofana through ball to beat Yann Sommer at the near post with his first goal for the club, hitting the weakness of Luis Henrique’s defending.

“Luis Henrique is a very good player, but we had prepared that situation in training,” confessed Allegri.

“Before the goal, there was a Rabiot cross that Estupinan could’ve run onto if he had just read it a moment earlier. Fofana did really well with that assist, he had another two important passes against Cremonese where we didn’t manage to score. The team is doing better.”

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale was present at San Siro, something he had not done for 18 months, and went into the dressing room after the final whistle to congratulate the team.

“I spoke to the team and then left, because I had to do the interviews, but I’m very pleased that the club and patrons congratulated the players.

“Having said that, we know that we have not achieved anything yet, so we’ve got to keep our feet on the ground. We must be pleased with the victory, but above all recognise they take us up to 60 points, with one less round to go in order to achieve our target.”

Milan pressed Inter hard in the first half, while they were pushed back a bit more after the break and ended the match clammed up in their own penalty area.

“We used up a lot of energy in the first half, then obviously Inter stepped up a gear and we allowed them a few more crosses when we sat deeper,” continued Allegri.

“However, apart from Federico Dimarco’s chance on the counter-attack, I don’t remember genuine Inter chances. We had some favourable situations too and could’ve gone into the break 2-0 up.

“Having said that, yet again, I need to point out Inter remain the clear favourites for the Scudetto. This victory gives us a morale-booster.”

Luka Modric believes Milan had ‘some Sergio Ramos spirit’ in their Derby della Madonnina victory over Inter today, while Pervis Estupinan admits it was ‘the most important goal of my life.’

The odds were against the Rossoneri, who also felt the most pressure knowing they were 10 points behind the leaders going into this last chance to keep the title race open.

It was an unexpected hero who secured the 1-0 victory at San Siro, as Estupinan had never scored in the Rossoneri jersey before, but he ran onto the Youssouf Fofana through ball to surprise Yann Sommer at the near top corner.

Estupinan and Modric dreaming big for Milan

“It is the most important goal of my life, really,” Estupinan told DAZN Italia.

“This is thanks to all the hard work we did, we worked all week so hard, we had the right approach and we got the victory.”

Max Allegri told Estupinan to run at Luis Henrique, who got the timing and positioning all wrong when defending.

“Yes, as I said, we worked on this and the coach told me to attack that channel. I found the right moment to make the run and scored the goal.”

This means Milan have won both editions of the Derby della Madonnina this season, as Inter had been unbeaten in Serie A since the last encounter on November 23, which also ended 1-0.

“We always believed, but we must keep taking it one game at a time,” Modric told DAZN Italia.

“It was an enormous effort, a great performance in the first half, Inter fought back after the restart, because they are a strong side, but they still created practically nothing against us.

“That shows how well we defended and were so organised, we deserved the victory.”

The gap at the top of the Serie A table remains extensive at seven points, but it does at least give the Rossoneri some hope of catching their bitter city rivals in the remaining 10 rounds.

Inter protested in stoppages when they had the ball in the net, but the referee had stopped play on the corner.

“I don’t know what happened, but the referee blew the whistle beforehand, so it cannot be a goal if play was stopped. It isn’t even disallowed,” explained Modric.

Modric invited 60 friends and family to the match tonight, including his old Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos, who was spotted in the stands at San Siro.

Considering his presence, what do they make of the rumours in Spain that Allegri could be lined up for Real Madrid next season?

“There are always rumours around Real Madrid, but I don’t get involved in these things. I am very happy at Milan, I am so happy to see Sergio, he wrote yesterday and said he really wanted to experience this match. To have him here and with a victory too, that’s even better! We had a bit of Sergio Ramos spirit today,” concluded Modric.

Pervis Estupinan is Football Italia’s Man of the Match in  Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter.

Milan 1-0 Inter player ratings

Milan: Maignan 6.5; Tomori 6, De Winter 6.5, Pavlovic 6.5; Saelemaekers 6, Fofana 6.5 (73′ Ricci 6), Modric 7, Rabiot 6.5, Estupinan 7; Leao 5.5 (73′ Fullkrug N/A), Pulisic 6 (84′ Nkunku N/A). Coach: Allegri 7.

Best Milan player: Estupinan 7 – There are several, but Estupinan slightly beats his teammates thanks to his winning goal in the first half. Maignan was just as decisive a few minutes earlier as he produced a key save to deny Mkhitaryan. De Winter and Pavlovic were very solid at the back, Modric led the Rossoneri with experience and quality. Not a news that.

Lowest Milan rating: Leao 5.5 – He didn’t do much, did he? Even when the Rossoneri had space on the counter, the Portuguese star was too sloppy and made too many touches, losing momentum and hurting the opponents.

Milan coach: Allegri 7 – He told Estupinan after just seven minutes that he had to find space behind Luis Henrique, and that’s exactly how Milan scored the winning goal. Milan kept things tight at the back, but, to be honest, they probably thought they’d have needed to sit deeper to win the game.

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 5.5 (80′ Diouf N/A), Akanji 6, Bastoni 5.5 (68′ Carlos Augusto 6); Luis Henrique 5 (59′ Dumfries 6), Barella 5.5 (68′ Frattesi 5.5), Zielinski 5.5, Mkhitaryan 6 (59′ Sucic 5.5), Dimarco 5.5; Esposito 5, Bonny 5. Coach: Chivu 5.

Best Inter player: Mkhitaryan 6 – It’s hard to pick one as many Nerazzurri were below par. Mkhitaryan probably had the best chance for the Nerazzurri, but was denied by Maignan, just a few minutes before Estupinan’s winner. Dumfries’ introduction in the second half was a clear upgrade on Luis Henrique. Inter have missed him so much.

Lowest Inter rating: Luis Henrique 5 – At the end of the day, he made the decisive mistake that allowed Milan to win the match. It had already happened against Juventus and Arsenal. When the Brazilian is defending, opponents will always have a chance to hurt on that flank. It happened tonight, and Estupinan didn’t waste it.

Inter coach: Chivu 5 – It wasn’t easy without his starting strikers. Lautaro was injured on the bench, and Thuram wasn’t available due to a fever. Inter have now lost their first game since the reverse fixture on November 23. Besides that, they were never really dangerous. The ball moved too slowly, and the strikers didn’t link up well. The good news is that Inter still hold a seven-point lead over Milan.

Milan have won both editions of the Derby della Madonnina, as the Pervis Estupian goal reopens the Scudetto race, closing the gap on leaders Inter to seven points.

This was not only the Derby della Madonnina, but also a Scudetto showdown between first and second place. The Nerazzurri were unbeaten in Serie A since the 1-0 defeat in this fixture on November 23, followed by a draw and 14 victories. Marcus Thuram had flu symptoms, with Lautaro Martinez injured and on the bench anyway to cheer on his teammates, so it was an all-new strike partnership. Matteo Gabbia and Santiago Gimenez missed out following surgery, with Davide Bartesaghi not fully fit.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Luka Modric drilled inches wide from the edge of the area in the third minute after a wayward Yann Sommer pass out from the back.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan gathered from his own half and sprinted forward to force a tricky save out of Mike Maignan one-on-one, but Milan scored instead moments later.

Youssouf Fofana completed a give and go with Rafael Leao, then placed a smart through ball to send Estupinan down the left behind Luis Henrique, beating Sommer from a tight angle at the near post. It was the Ecuadorian’s first ever goal for the Rossoneri.

Pervis Estupiñán rockets AC Milan into the lead in the Derby della Madonnina

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4JFOkVSDrN

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

It was nearly 2-0 soon after, as Christian Pulisic pulled back from the left by-line and Federico Dimarco did just enough to stop Alexis Saelemaekers sweeping in from 12 yards.

After the restart, Piotr Zielinski stung Maignan’s gloves at the near post, while Rafael Leao scuffed well wide after a strong Pulisic counter-attack.

Fofana tested Sommer on another counter, but Federico Dimarco should’ve equalised on 54 minutes when ballooning over from 12 yards, as Mkhitaryan knocked down a Barella cross.

Leao also wasted a promising opportunity when sent through by Fofana, while Denzel Dumfries came off the bench and within 60 seconds had tested Maignan after pouncing on a loose ball, then Bonny nodded his cross over the bar.

Alessandro Bastoni was booked for a late trip on Rabiot, which ended up injuring the Inter defender and forcing him off the pitch.

Rabiot also saw yellow later and will be suspended for next week’s meeting with Lazio. Inter had the ball in the net on a corner during stoppages, but the referee had clearly blown the whistle beforehand to have it taken again.

Inter also had penalty appeals when Dumfries nodded the ball onto Samuele Ricci’s arm, but it was considered to be in a natural position, then the move continued and Manuel Akanji’s header was off target.

Milan 1-0 Inter

Estupinan 35 (M)

08-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Milan

Inter

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Pervis Estupiñán (Assist: Youssouf Fofana)

35'

2nd half

		65'		Alessandro Bastoni
		69'		Denzel Dumfries
Adrien Rabiot		80'
Luka Modric		89'

Match statistic

37

Possession %

63

9

Total shots

11

2

Shots on target

2

6

Shots off target

5

1

Blocked shots

4

1

Corners

6

2

Offsides

1

8

Fouls

12

Milan

Inter

Starting lineups

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

2

Pervis Estupiñán

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

12

Adrien Rabiot

Midfielder

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

73'

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

84'

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

73'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

68'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

80'

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

59'

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

68'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

59'

Substitutes

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

30

Ardon Jashari

Midfielder

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

96

Lorenzo Torriani

Goalkeeper

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

27

David Odogu

Defender

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

73'

9

Niclas Füllkrug

Attacker

73'

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

84'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

53

Matteo Lavelli

Attacker

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

59'

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

59'

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

68'

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

68'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

80'