Hakan Calhanoglu’s agent has moved to categorically dismiss speculation linking the Inter midfielder with a return to Turkey, insisting there has never been any concrete contact with Galatasaray and that his client remains fully focused on winning the Scudetto with the Nerazzurri.
Gordon Stipic spoke to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano to set the record straight after reports of Galatasaray interest resurfaced in recent days, a story that has circulated periodically without ever materialising into anything concrete.
“He has a contract with Inter until 2027 and is very happy both in Italy and at Inter,” Stipic said, via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“Speculation about a possible transfer to Galatasaray has emerged several times in the past and is now being recycled.”
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Calhanoglu agent plays down Galatasaray links
The agent was emphatic in his denial of any formal approach. “The facts are clear, there have been no negotiations with Galatasaray, neither last summer nor in January,” he said. “At no point was there any request or concrete enquiry. Calhanoglu remains completely focused on what truly matters at this stage, Inter, the title race and achieving success together with the team.”
Stipic also took the opportunity to highlight his client’s broader ambitions, pointing to the World Cup as a source of additional motivation for the Turkish international.
“Week after week, through his performances, his passion and his sense of responsibility on the pitch, he continues to demonstrate his quality and his importance to the team,” he said.
“He looks ahead to the World Cup with great pride and determination, where he will lead his national team as captain, a responsibility that is a special honour and means everything to him.”
While Italian football’s men’s team grapples with the fallout of a third consecutive World Cup absence, their female counterparts are doing everything in their power to ensure Italy has a presence at the 2027 tournament, and a commanding 6-0 demolition of Serbia has kept that dream very much alive.
Andrea Soncin’s Azzurre were utterly dominant from start to finish, leading 3-0 at half-time through goals from Cristiana Girelli, Oliviero and Lenzini before a blistering second-half display completed the rout.
Caruso added a fourth before Cantore and Greggi wrapped up a thoroughly convincing victory that has breathed new life into Italy’s qualification hopes.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – JULY 16: Cristiana Girelli of Italy celebrates scoring her team’s second goal during the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Quarter-Final match between Norway and Italy at Stade de Geneve on July 16, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Getty Images)
Italy face Denmark decider for World Cup qualification hopes
The context makes Saturday’s fixture against Denmark all the more significant.
With only the group winner qualifying automatically, the remaining sides dropping into the playoffs, the standings are finely poised. Denmark lead the group on seven points, with Italy and Sweden level on four in second and third respectively, and Serbia rooted to the bottom without a win.
A victory for Italy against the Danes on Saturday afternoon would leapfrog them into first place, while a draw could still be enough depending on the outcome of other results.
Then, in June, Italy face Serbia and Sweden, to determine the final standings, with head-to-head record and then goal difference in direct matches serving as the tiebreaker.
The prize at the end of this journey is a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, the first South American nation to host the tournament. For a group of players performing with growing confidence and conviction, Saturday represents the biggest match of their qualification campaign.
Red Bull Salzburg sporting director Marcus Mann has revealed that Lazio’s January approach for Petar Ratkov caught him completely off guard, arriving just two days into his tenure at the Austrian club and forcing him to make one of his first major decisions under significant time pressure.
Ratkov had been Salzburg’s top scorer when Lazio came calling in January, offering a replacement for Taty Castellanos who had just departed for West Ham. The timing of the approach, and the speed at which Mann was required to respond, made the decision particularly challenging.
“The offer from Lazio for Ratkov took me a little by surprise, the call came when I had only been here two days,” Mann told Austrian television, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.
“I had to weigh up both the financial and the sporting aspects. From a sporting perspective, I was already aware that losing your top scorer is always a difficult choice, but in the end we prioritised the financial side. Obviously, though, every now and then you find yourself wondering: ‘How would things have gone if he had stayed?'”
MUNICH, GERMANY – JUNE 20: Petar Ratkov of Serbia looks on as he inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Slovenia and Serbia at Munich Football Arena on June 20, 2024 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Mann: ‘Salzburg miss Ratkov’ as Lazio struggles continue
Mann was careful not to use Ratkov’s departure as an excuse for Salzburg’s subsequent struggles in front of goal, pointing to the return of Konaté from injury as a factor that kept the attacking numbers broadly balanced on paper.
“Using this sale as an alibi for the few goals we are scoring would be too simple,” he said.
“But the fact remains that Ratkov, with his physicality in the air, would have been very useful to us in certain situations.”
For Lazio, meanwhile, the Serbian striker has found his own adaptation to Serie A a slow process, making his former club’s occasional regrets all the more poignant.
The Serbian forward has made just seven appearances for the Biancocelesti since his arrival in January, scoring zero goals and mainly being used off the bench.
Head coach Maurizio Sarri has claimed language issues are currently the biggest hurdle, as the forward continues to learn Italian.
Jack Harrison has dropped a strong hint about his desire to stay at Fiorentina beyond his current loan spell, telling reporters after the win over Lazio that any player would be happy to represent the club, while stopping short of confirming a permanent deal is imminent.
The Leeds winger has grown into an increasingly important figure under Paolo Vanoli, delivering his third Serie A assist of the season against Lazio, a left-footed cross that set up Robin Gosens in the first half.
His deployment on the right flank, not his natural side, has raised eyebrows at times, but Vanoli’s faith in the Englishman has been repaid with reliable, intelligent performances that have made him a key cog in the Viola system. The absence of other wide options through injury has contributed to his prominence, but Harrison has earned his minutes rather than simply inherited them.
“I am very happy in Florence, the city is incredible and so is the club,” Harrison told reporters, via FirenzeViola.
“As for the future, any player would obviously be happy to play here. We will see what happens.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 24: Jack Harrison of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Cagliari Calcio at Artemio Franchi on January 24, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina keen on Harrison stay but finances could complicate deal
The financial picture, however, is complex. Harrison is on loan from Leeds with a purchase option set at €7 million, a fee that is manageable in isolation but must be viewed alongside a series of other potential obligations Fiorentina are already navigating this summer.
Compulsory buyouts for Fabbian (€13 million) and Brescianini (€10 million) are already in the pipeline, with Rugani and Manor Solomon adding further potential expenditure.
Of all these deals, Harrison’s future is arguably the least certain, though one factor could change the calculation significantly. If Vanoli, who is a significant admirer of the player, continues as head coach, the chances of Harrison remaining in Florence increase considerably. The manager’s stance may ultimately prove the decisive variable in what is shaping up to be a fascinating summer for the club.
The numbers make for uncomfortable reading at Milan headquarters as a damning statistical breakdown published by TMW has laid bare the extent to which the club’s two most significant recent attacking investments have failed to justify their price tags, and the figures are stark.
Santiago Gimenez arrived from Feyenoord for €28.5 million plus €6.5 million in bonuses, while Christopher Nkunku cost €37 million plus €5 million in bonuses and a ten percent sell-on clause from Chelsea.
Combined, Milan have committed a potential €77 million on the two forwards, and the return has been deeply underwhelming, as noted by TMW, via MilanNews.
ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Nkunku & Gimenez costly per goal for Milan
Gimenez has scored seven goals in 32 appearances, though lengthy injury absences have hampered his campaign. Nkunku has managed six in 29 matches.
Together, 13 goals from 61 appearances represents a return that falls well short of what Milan needed from their marquee attacking signings.
The cost-per-goal breakdown is even more sobering, at over €5 million per goal between them, and approaching €1 million per appearance for Gimenez alone.
The summer will force difficult decisions. Selling either player without incurring a significant loss on the books will be challenging, and Milan have made clear they are not prepared to accept a financial hit.
Yet retaining two forwards who have collectively failed to fire raises its own uncomfortable questions about the direction of the club’s transfer strategy heading into what promises to be a pivotal window.
Issa Doumbia has emerged as one of Serie B’s most coveted players this season, with Inter, Milan, Napoli and Roma all understood to be monitoring the Venezia midfielder, though Italian clubs face competition from abroad in the race to sign the 22-year-old.
The Italy Under-21 international has caught the eye with a series of impressive performances for Venezia, building on the form he showed during his time at AlbinoLeffe.
Across his career he has accumulated 82 appearances and four goals with the Bergamo club and 59 outings and eight goals with Venezia, numbers that, while modest, understate the quality and dynamism he has shown in midfield this season.
VERONA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 23: Piero Ausilio of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Verona and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on November 23, 2024 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sporting keen on Doumbia as Inter, Napoli & Milan wait in wings
His profile is attractive to clubs for multiple reasons beyond pure football, as noted by TuttoMercatoWeb.
Born in 2003, Doumbia qualifies as a homegrown player under Italian regulations, making him a cost-effective and practically valuable signing for Serie A clubs navigating squad list requirements.
His contract runs until June 2029, giving Venezia a strong negotiating position, one they would look to strengthen further if the club secures promotion to the top flight, which would inevitably push his valuation higher.
Adding urgency to any potential deal is the interest from Sporting CP, who according to Portuguese newspaper Record are considering Doumbia as a potential replacement for Hidemasa Morita should the Japanese international depart this summer. With Champions League football on offer in Lisbon, the Portuguese giants represent a serious rival for the Italian clubs.
The message for Inter, Milan and Napoli is clear, move quickly or risk missing out.
Milan are plotting a creative approach to sign Moise Kean from Fiorentina this summer, with the club exploring the possibility of using Santiago Gimenez as part of a package deal to bring down the cost of a transfer that would otherwise prove prohibitively expensive.
Kean has long been admired by Massimiliano Allegri, who worked with the Italy international during his time at Juventus and considers him the ideal profile to strengthen Milan’s attack for 2026/27.
The feeling is mutual, Kean has previously been linked with a move to San Siro, and with Fiorentina’s European ambitions in serious doubt following their expected Conference League exit at the hands of Crystal Palace, his departure from Florence now looks increasingly likely.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale battles for the ball with Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Milan dream of Kean but financial hurdle must be cleared
The obstacle, as ever, is financial.
Kean’s release clause is set at €52 million, a figure Milan have no intention of paying in cash, particularly after a difficult season in which the striker’s value has not appreciably risen.
ITALY – SEPTEMBER 23: Santiago Gimenez of AC Milan celebrates after scoring to give the side a 1-0 lead during the Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16 match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on September 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
According to Calciomercato.it, via MilanNews, the solution being considered involves offering Gimenez, whose own debut season at Milan has been underwhelming, plus a cash adjustment of between €10 and €15 million to make up the difference.
For Fiorentina, Gimenez could represent an attractive option as they look to rebuild their squad, while the Mexican striker himself would relish the opportunity for a fresh start after failing to establish himself under Allegri.
The deal is far from straightforward, however, with Gimenez’s high wages and interest from Premier League clubs adding further complexity to negotiations that are still at an early stage.
Simone Inzaghi has moved to quash speculation about a potential return to Italian football, insisting he remains fully committed to Al-Hilal despite the Saudi club’s elimination from the Asian Champions League on penalties at the hands of Roberto Mancini’s Al-Sadd.
The former Inter head coach, whose name has been linked with the Italy national team vacancy and various Serie A positions following the turbulence of recent weeks, was unequivocal when asked about his future.
“I am staying at Al-Hilal because I am doing my job to the best of my abilities and I am giving everything of myself,” he said, with quotes via FCInter1908.
The defeat to Al-Sadd on penalties will have stung, particularly given the circumstances.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 13: Simone Inzaghi team Manager of Al Hilal FC during the AFC Champions League Elite game between Al Hilal FC and Al Sadd SC at Prince Abdullah AlFaisal Sports City on April 13, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Al-Hilal coach Inzaghi: ‘Luck was not on our side’
Inzaghi felt his side were the superior team on the night, taking the lead on three separate occasions only to be pegged back each time before ultimately losing the shootout.
“I was aiming to reach the quarter-finals but fortune was not on our side,” he said. “We tried with all our strength and created several chances. Al-Sadd held firm and scored three goals, but Al-Hilal were the stronger team and took the lead three times.”
It is a result that will do little to ease the pressure on Inzaghi at a club where expectations remain extraordinarily high. However, his public declaration of commitment to the project suggests he has no intention of using the setback as a reason to seek an exit, at least for now.
Edon Zhegrova’s time at Juventus looks increasingly likely to end after just one season, with Turkish club Besiktas having already made contact with the Kosovo winger’s agent about a potential summer move.
According to Turkish newspaper Fanatik, via IlBianconero, the Kosovar international has been a significant disappointment since joining from Lille for a potential outlay of up to €18.5 million, comprising a base fee of €14.3 million, €1.2 million in additional costs and €3 million in bonuses, on a contract running until June 2030.
The numbers from his debut season make for grim reading: zero goals, zero assists and just 447 minutes of football across 21 appearances.
Injuries have played a part, but so too has a fundamental failure to convince Luciano Spalletti, who has given him just three outings in the past 11 matches totalling a mere 65 minutes on the pitch.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Edon Zhegrova of Juventus FC controls the ball against Ismail Jakobs of Galatasaray during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Juventus and Galatasaray A.S. at Juventus Stadium on February 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Besiktas keen to capitalise on Zhegrova unrest at Juventus
His most damaging moment came in the Champions League second leg against Galatasaray, where his errors drew considerable criticism at a time when the tie was still alive. It encapsulated a debut season that has simply never found its footing.
Besiktas are looking to make a statement signing this summer following the expected departure of winger Milot Rashica, and view Zhegrova as an attainable and high-profile addition. Initial contact has been made with his representatives to gauge his interest and availability.
Juventus, who have already secured Spalletti’s renewal until 2028 as they look to build a title-challenging squad, would listen to offers for Zhegrova rather than persist with a player who has clearly not adapted to the demands of the club. Recouping anything close to their original investment, however, will prove challenging given the season he has endured.
Leonardo Spinazzola’s future at Napoli is looking increasingly uncertain, with the experienced left-back yet to receive any indication from the club that they wish to extend his contract beyond its June expiry – and his representatives have begun exploring alternatives, with Milan making contact in recent weeks.
Spinazzola was a key figure in Napoli’s Scudetto triumph last season, offering versatility and energy under Antonio Conte across multiple positions.
This season he has continued to contribute, registering three goals and three assists in 28 appearances. Despite that, the silence from Naples has grown deafening as the weeks pass, with De Laurentiis understood to be keen on rejuvenating the squad, and at 33, Spinazzola does not fit that profile.
His agent has moved proactively in response, approaching Milan about the possibility of signing the Italy international on a free transfer this summer, as per CalcioMercato reports.
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 06: Leonardo Spinazzola of SSC Napoli shows his disappointment during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Milan eye Spinazzola after Estupinan disappointment
However, while Milan have noted the terms being offered, they have not moved further and Spinazzola is not currently considered a priority target.
A more intriguing possibility is a return to Juventus, where Spinazzola came through the youth system before moving on without ever truly establishing himself. Giorgio Chiellini, a close personal friend, has been in contact with the player’s camp in recent days, though at this stage it amounts to nothing more than an exploratory conversation rather than a concrete approach.
Spinazzola himself would prefer to stay at Napoli, particularly if Conte remains in charge. That decision, however, appears increasingly unlikely to be his to make.
Francesco Totti’s long-awaited return to Roma in an official capacity has been put on hold, with the friction between Claudio Ranieri and Gian Piero Gasperini emerging as an unexpected obstacle in what had appeared to be an imminent homecoming for the club’s greatest icon.
As recently as mid-February, a deal seemed close. Totti had publicly acknowledged that talks were underway, “It’s all true, we are talking and evaluating a few situations, we’ll see what can be done,” and Ranieri had given his blessing to the idea of the former captain taking on an ambassadorial role, particularly fitting given Roma are approaching their centenary celebrations.
The mood was cautiously optimistic and a formal announcement felt like a matter of weeks away.
GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Francesco Totti, former captain of Roma, reacts prior to kick-off in the Serie A TIM match between Genoa CFC and AS Roma at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 28, 2023 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
Quiet between Roma & Totti amid talks of reunion
Approximately 40 days have passed since Totti had dinner with Gasperini and former Roma defender Vincent Candela at a well-known restaurant in central Rome, a meeting that Roma’s hierarchy were not informed about in advance.
Since that evening, no further calls have come from Trigoria and the process has effectively ground to a halt. Totti, who has been on holiday in the Bahamas in recent days, has been left waiting for a signal from the Friedkin family that has not yet arrived.
The broader instability at the club, with Gasperini and Ranieri’s relationship now under public scrutiny following last week’s press conference exchanges, has created an atmosphere in which major decisions are being deferred rather than made.
Any resumption of contact with Totti is now expected to wait until the end of the season, when Roma’s sporting and organisational structure becomes clearer. Whether the club’s centenary will ultimately be celebrated with their greatest son back inside the building remains, for now, an open question.
Serginho has urged Milan not to panic in the wake of Saturday’s humbling defeat to Udinese, insisting the club have more than enough quality to secure a top-four finish, and that the next two fixtures against Verona and Juventus will be the defining moments of their season.
The former Brazilian left-back, who spent seven years at San Siro and remains one of the club’s most popular figures, was measured but optimistic in his assessment of a side that has seen their Champions League cushion shrink at an uncomfortable moment.
The loss to Udinese reduced Milan’s lead over fifth-placed Como to just five points, with six games remaining. “Not much that is strange or abnormal happened on Saturday,” Serginho said, via Gazzetta.
“This season the team has performed well against the big clubs but struggled against mid-table and smaller opposition. When Milan have to take the initiative and build play, they find it more difficult, it happened against Parma too.”
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 11: Adrien Rabiot of AC Milan reacts at full time during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Serginho: ‘Milan must play in the Champions League’
His confidence in the broader picture, however, remains unshaken.
“Milan have their destiny in their own hands and depend only on themselves,” he said. “I don’t look at the calendar, I believe this squad has the potential to finish second or third if they return to the balance and solidity that kept them unbeaten for 24 league games. From Sunday I hope to see that team again.”
On the Leão situation, the Portuguese winger was loudly booed by the San Siro crowd, Serginho acknowledged the friction while offering a characteristically optimistic take. “San Siro is a demanding stadium that has applauded him many times when he has scored and delivered important performances,” he said. “Perhaps the whistles on Saturday will be an extra stimulus for him to show his worth in this final stretch. Sometimes one goal is enough to rekindle the love. If he scored the decisive goal against Juventus, for example…”
He was equally clear about the stakes involved. “Milan must play in the Champions League, for its history, for the club it is and for the fans it has. I am optimistic and I don’t even want to think about not being in the top four after the final day. I believe in Allegri and his players. Against Verona and Juventus we will see the real Milan. I am convinced of it.”
Massimo Taibi’s journey to professional football began not with ambition but with necessity, a missing goalkeeper at a youth game in Palermo that prompted someone to ask the forward if he fancied going between the posts. He never came back out.
That accidental beginning launched a career that took him to AC Milan, Man Utd and across the length and breadth of Serie A, and now the 56-year-old is channelling those experiences as sporting director at Pistoiese.
Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Taibi was warm and candid about the giants he encountered along the way. At Milan, he arrived to find Ruud Gullit alone in the dining room having a coffee on his first day. Marco van Basten left an even more lasting impression. “Marco was a gazelle,” Taibi recalled. “I often stayed behind with him after training. He had a unique elegance in everything he did.”
David De Gea meeting with Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of Manchester United vs. Fiorentina (@acffiorentina)
Taibi: ‘I was wrong to leave Man Utd’
It was at Manchester United, however, where perhaps the most memorable chapter of his career unfolded, however briefly. Sir Alex Ferguson personally collected him from the airport when he arrived from Venezia in 1999, a gesture that immediately set the tone.
“They had initially wanted to sign Toldo, then they bought me instead,” Taibi said. “Sir Alex came to the airport himself and introduced me to the entire board at eight in the evening. It was not something you could take for granted.”
David Beckham proved equally impressive up close. “I often stayed behind with him after training, he surprised me with the way he struck the ball, but above all with his attitude,” Taibi said. “From the outside he seems like a tabloid character, but in reality he was the first to arrive and the last to leave.”
His departure from Old Trafford remains his greatest regret. Despite Ferguson urging him to stay, learn the language and fight for his place, a family situation in Italy prompted a hasty exit.
“I had four years on my contract,” he said. “Ferguson told me to stay and play my cards. I was wrong to be impulsive.” At least, as he reflects with a smile, many people remember him for a headed goal he scored for Reggina rather than the mistakes, and that, he suggests, will do just fine.
Kenan Yildiz is continuing to struggle with an inflammation of his knee, which caused him to train separately from the rest of the Juventus squad on Tuesday according to the latest updates.
Why was Yildiz not involved in Juventus training on Tuesday?
Luciano Spalletti and his Bianconeri squad are putting in preparations ahead of their upcoming Serie A clash against Bologna on Sunday evening, but concerns surrounding star attacker Yildiz continue to circulate.
For several weeks, the Turkiye international has been suffering from pain in his knee due to a recurring inflammation issue, which is why he has been seen wearing a piece of tape just under his left knee at various stages of the 2025-26 season.
Yildiz was seen wearing a more substantial knee support during Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Atalanta, a game that he only lasted 58 minutes.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus is challenged by Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
There had been concerns that he might not have been available to face La Dea, but the player himself reportedly felt good to go and gave his full availability to head coach Luciano Spalletti.
Reports over the last few days indicate that Yildiz is unlikely to have a surgical procedure on his knee, but that the situation will require careful management to limit the pain and maximise his availability on matchdays.
Juventus are still hoping to rely on Yildiz for the final run-in of the 2025-26 season, particularly with Dusan Vlahovic currently unavailable through injury and with other centre-forwards Jonathsan David and Lois Openda being massively out of favour.
Reports on Tuesday indicate that Milan will not activate their option to buy clause for centre-forward Niclas Fullkrug, which means that the Germany international is set to return to West Ham at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Fullkrug joined Milan at the beginning of the January transfer window on loan with an option to buy, believed to be in the region of €5m. Milan had been without a natural or ‘traditional’ centre-forward at the time, with Santiago Gimenez out injured and Massimiliano Allegri often going with some combination of Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic or Christopher Nkunku up top.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Niclas Fullkrug of AC Milan celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 18, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Since joining Milan on January 2, the German has made 16 appearances for the Rossoneri but has only appeared in the starting line-up on three occasions. His only goal for either Milan or West Ham this season came in a 1-0 Serie A victory at home against Lecce on January 18.
According to the latest updates, this return has not been enough convince Milan to spend €5m to make Fullkrug’s move permanent this summer.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Fullkrug will be sent back to West Ham at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and that the Premier League side will in turn look to move him on again.
Reports on Tuesday claim that Roma and Lazio have ‘said no’ to the idea of moving the upcoming Derby della Capitale between the two sides to a Monday night in order to accommodate the final of the Italian Open, which could feature home favourite Jannik Sinner.
Scheduling clash causing issues for Roma and Lazio
The derby between Roma and Lazio is currently scheduled to take place at the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, May 17. The Italian Open, which is held at Foro Italico, the same complex that houses the Stadio Olimpico, is scheduled to take place on the same day.
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, local authorities have asked that the Roma vs. Lazio match be moved from Sunday, May 17 to Monday, May 18 at 17.00 BST (18.00 CET).
This is, of course, due to concerns over crowd control, public safety and the allocation of resources.
ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: AS Roma coreography during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico on September 21, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Silvia Lore/Getty Images)
There were already logistical issues when Lazio hosted Juventus on the same day as the Italian Open final this year, and this situation will only be intensified due to the fact that Lazio will be playing against their archrivals, Roma, this time around.
However, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, both Roma and Lazio have opposed the suggestion of moving the Derby della Capitale to the Monday evening. The suggestion of moving the game to 18.00 local time on a working Monday is not particularly practical for match-going supporters.
Given the nature of the Derby della Capitale and a history of violent clashes between rival supporters, the game is highly unlikely to be played late in the evening on the Sunday, several hours after the Italian Open is likely to finish, either.
For now, it remains to be seen when the game will actually be played.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is aware that Antonio Conte is a potential candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as head coach of the Italy national team, but insists that last season’s Scudetto winner will not ‘abandon’ the team at the last minute: ‘It’s his creation, so he will kill his baby’.
De Laurentiis gave an in-depth interview to The Athletic on Easter Sunday, published on Tuesday, discussing the changes he would like to see brought into football, the current issues surrounding Serie A and the national team and the future of Napoli head coach Conte.
De Laurentiis on Conte and Italy links: ‘He’s a serious professional’
Conte is one of the two leading candidates, along with Milan’s Massimiliano Allegri, to step in as the head coach of the Italy national team following the recent resignation of Gennaro Gattuso.
Given that FIGC President Gabriele Gravina also stepped down following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and the fact that his successor will not be elected until June 22, a decision on the next Italy CT will not arrive before the end of the 2025-26 season.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Conte has previously hinted that he might be keen to return to the role of Italy national team head coach, a position he already held between 2014 and 2016, and De Laurentiis has confirmed that he will not stand in the coach’s way if he decides to leave.
In his interview with The Athletic, De Laurentiis explained that it would be easier for Napoli in terms of contingency if Conte makes a decision on his immediate future sooner rather than later, but says that he does not expect the coach to leave the club high and dry at the last minute.
“Number one, we don’t have, as of now, a head of the federation, so nobody can decide to ask him. So first, we must solve the problem of the federation,” De Laurentiis explained to The Athletic.
NAPLES, ITALY – JUNE 26: Antonio Conte new SSC Napoli head coach and Aurelio De Laurentiis SSC Napoli president during SSC Napoli new manager unveiling on June 26, 2024 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“Antonio Conte is a very serious man. He has a contract with me. He will never abandon me at the last minute. Because it will create for Napoli a big problem. If he sacrifices himself after two years of creating a very strong Napoli, it is also his creation. So he will kill his baby, abandoning him just at the last minute.
“Or, he decides immediately and says ‘I would like to go’. Then I have the time during April and May to find somebody else to make the substitution. Otherwise, I don’t think Mr Conte will ever abandon Napoli.
“He’s a serious, professional man. If I was a coach, before to accept, I will think 100 times.”
Recent reports claim that Massimiliano Allegri is the most likely candidate to take over as head coach of the Italy national team if Giovanni Malagò is elected FIGC President, and updates on Tuesday suggest that Claudio Ranieri could also potentially join the Azzurri set-up.
How could Ranieri fit in with Italy national team set-up?
TURIN – NOVEMBER 11: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of Cagliari Calcio, (L) and Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Juventus, greet each other prior to the Serie A TIM match between Juventus and Cagliari Calcio at on November 11, 2023 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images )
Reports from various outlets over the last few days claim that Malagò will seek to appoint Allegri as head coach of the Italy national team should he be appointed the next President of the FIGC.
Both the Italy head coach role and the FIGC Presidency need to be filled following the recent resignations of Gennaro Gattuso and Gabriele Gravina, which were announced just after the recent failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. Gianluigi Buffon has also left his position as Italy’s head of the delegation.
NAPLES – APRIL 06: Massimiliano Allegri AC Milan greets Antonio Conte SSC Napoli head coach before the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
On Monday, Malagò received the backing from 18 of 20 Serie A clubs ahead of the FIGC elections that will take place on June 22, and reports from various outlets in Italy indicate that Allegri will become the favourite to become the next Italy national team head coach if the former CONI President is elected.
According to updates from Tuttosport, Ranieri could also potentially join this set-up as a technical director of the Italy national team. The Turin-based outlet claims that Ranieri could be the bridge between the national team and its various youth sides.
Ranieri had also been among the candidates to replace Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italy national team prior to the appointment of Gattuso last summer.
epa12114821 Romas coach Claudio Ranieri looks on during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AS Roma and AC Milan, in Rome, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ANGELO CARCONI
Ranieri is currently serving as a senior advisor to his beloved Roma, but reports over the last few days indicate that there are increasing divisions within the Giallorossi camp, especially between Ranieri and head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, which leaves the club’s owners with a potentially major decision to make heading into the final few games of the season.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis feels that football is ‘losing’ the younger generation and has called for some eyecatching changes to be made to the game, including reducing the length of matches, getting rid of yellow and red cards and sending players off for feigning injuries.
The Partenopei chief sat down for an in-depth interview with Adam Crafton of The Athletic, discussing the major rule changes he feels should be implemented to help capture a younger audience.
De Laurentiis: Football ‘will lose the younger generation, imagine the stupidity!’
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 26: Aurelio De Laurentiis, President of SSC Napoli, celebrates the victory of Serie A TIM during the SSC Napoli Trophy Parade on May 26, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“Soccer will lose the younger generation. The matches are too long,” De Laurentiis told The Athletic.
“Imagine the stupidity! You think my grandchild of six years old, who knows everything (about football) because he plays with the PlayStation – he will escape – and you think you will recoup him after 15 minutes? Never! Because he goes in his room. He starts to play FIFA.”
De Laurentiis, who has previously called for Serie A to be reduced from 20 teams, believes that the length of matches also needs to be reduced as well as shortening the half-time interval.
“Number one: I will reduce from 45 minutes each (half) to 25 minutes,” he said.
De Laurentiis does not look too kindly on those who feign injuries either: “But also you cannot stay down on the field and play around like an actor! AGHHHH. NO — you will go OUT!
“What I will do also: I will never use a red card and a yellow card. I would say ‘YOU — get out for five minutes (for a yellow card)!’ And ‘YOU — get out for 20 minutes for a red card!’”
NAPLES, ITALY – DECEMBER 12: Aurelio De Laurentiis SSC Napoli President during the UEFA Champions League match between SCC Napoli and SC Braga at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 12, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
During his talk with The Athletic, De Laurentiis often referred to basketball, and feels that football has a few lessons to learn from American sports generally.
“Another thing, too few goals! So it is not spectacular. You must make more goals. And to make more goals, you must change the rules. You cannot (cancel) a goal just for a few millimetres. The offside must be changed, a lot.”
Italian Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi has hit back at the outgoing FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, who previously hinted that the football association did not receive sufficient backing from the government, and says that: ‘When things go wrong, it’s always because of politics’.
Abodi responds to Gravina: ‘It’s always because of politics’
Gravina confirmed that he will be leaving his role as President of the FIGC following Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March, which cost the Azzurri a spot at the World Cup for the third tournament in a row. Head coach Gennaro Gattuso and Italy’s delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon have also left their roles.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: Gianluigi Buffon, Italy new head coach Gennaro Gattuso and FIGC president Gabriele Gravina pose during the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Gravina will remain in charge of the FIGC to conduct basic administrative duties until a new President is elected on June 22.
Gravina highlighted various well-known issues in his report, including the low percentage of Italian players who play regularly in Serie A, the lack of investment in footballing infrastructure and a lack of balance in the tactics vs. technical ability debate. He gave various reasons for Italy’s lack of success on the international stage, including a lack of financial support from the government.
ROME, ITALY – JUNE 19: FIGC President Gabriele Gravina attends the press conference at Hotel Parco dei Principi on June 19, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Separately, in a recent interview with Corriere della Sera, Gravina claimed that he had explored the possibility of bringing in incentives for Italian youth academies, which he felt could help improve the number of Italian talents playing in Serie A, but claims that the government was restrictive in that regard.
Minister for Sport Abodi has since had his opportunity to issue a response to Gravina’s recent claims while speaking at the Luiss Sport Forum in Rome.
“I’ve learned that politics is always referred to in certain cases. When something doesn’t work, it’s always because of politics,” Abodi said somewhat sarcastically (via TMW).
“I’ve never taken it out on anyone else. When you want to find a solution for the common good, you have to sit around the table with all relevant parties and make those decisions that have not been made in recent years, despite the broad consensus.
CESENA, ITALY – MAY 24:Andrea Abodi during the Women Supercup match betweeen AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“To me, it doesn’t seem like we need to ‘invent’ anything. We have the possible solutions on the table, we just need to evaluate their compatibility together.”
Abodi also said: “I’m fascinated by the things that have to be done. Unfortunately, due to the nature of football, which isn’t always harmonious, many of those things haven’t been done.
“The 98.7% of votes that Gravina received in the last election demonstrates that it is not the quantity of the consensus that determines how things go, but the quality of the collaboration between all the parties.”
Divisions are beginning to emerge in the Roma camp, especially between head coach Gian Piero Gasperini and senior advisor to the club Claudio Ranieri, who did not speak to each other during lunch before training on Monday according to the latest reports in Italy.
Roma ‘can’t continue’ with Gasperini, Ranieri and Massara
According to reports from Corriere dello Sport, the coach and former-coach-turned-advisor were both at Roma’s Trigoria training ground on Monday, but they were sat a few tables apart from each other and Gasperini decided to ‘ignore’ Ranieri in reaction to a provocative interview that came out last week.
Ahead of Roma’s 3-0 win over Pisa on Friday, Ranieri told DAZN: “My job is very different to the coach’s. I have my say when I’m asked by the ownership, not by the coach. I rarely intervene on matters on the pitch.”
Ranieri also hinted that Gasperini was not his first-choice head coach to take over at Roma over the summer: “I mentioned the names of five or six coaches. Three didn’t come and the club chose Gasperini. I spoke to him because I knew him. We chose him because of what he achieved at Atalanta.
“What is happening now is what we expected. We signed young players, all chosen together. There is not one that came in without his approval. (Jan) Ziolkowski, (Daniele) Ghilardi, (Lorenzo) Venturino and (Bryan) Zaragoza all came in at his request, to give the coach a team that had been within a point of the Champions League.”
TURIN, ITALY – MAY 25: Claudio Ranieri, Head Coach of AS Roma looks on prior to the Serie A match between Torino and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on May 25, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
The Corriere dello Sport describes the relationship between Gasperini and Ranieri as one of ‘great coldness’, and adds that the ‘silence’ of owner Dan Friedkin has not helped put the matter to bed.
Tuesday’s report claims that Friedkin is taken aback by the breakdown in relationship between Gasperini and Ranieri. He is said to hold Ranieri in high regard given his previous achievements and his connection with Roma as a club. But, on the other hand, the Friedkins are convinced that Gasperini has done a decent job with the team available in 2025-26.
New Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini with Claudio Ranieri and Florent Ghisolfi
The Corriere dello Sport writes that a decision will have to be made at some stage in the relatively near future, and that the current set-up of Gasperini, Ranieri and Ricky Massara as sporting director ‘can not continue’ in its current form.
Two major decisions affecting the Italy national team will have to be made in the coming weeks, as Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte emerge as the frontrunners to replace Gennaro Gattuso as CT, and Giovanni Malago and Giancarlo Abete look set to to do battle for Gabriele Gravina’s old position as President of the FIGC.
Italy decisions to be made: Conte or Allegri and Malago or Abete
Tuesday’s newspapers in Italy, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosports, are in agreement that Allegri and Conte are the two clear favourites to take over as head coach of the Italy national team following Gattuso’s departure after the World Cup play-off defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of March.
Roberto Mancini, who already held the position of Italy CT between 2018 and 2023, remains the third-choice candidate as things stand according to Tuesday’s updates.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 11: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese Calcio at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
La Gazzetta dello Sport indicates that the relationship between Allegri and his current employers in Milan is not particularly settled and that the coach will ask for more decision-making power should the team achieve a top-four finish this season. Should Allegri not receive the assurances he is seeking from Milan, he could potentially seek to terminate his contract.
However, la Gazzetta dello Sport adds that Conte is more likely to leave Napoli at the end of the season than Allegri is to leave Milan. The Napoli tactician, who has also already had a stint in charge of Italy, has shown an interest in returning, and Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has made it clear that he wouldn’t stand in Conte’s way either.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli SSC looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
The appointment of a new Italy national team head coach is not expected to take place until a new FIGC President is appointed, though, and the elections to appoint a new head of the Italian FA will not happen until June 22.
By the time that June 22 rolls around, the Serie A season will have been over for a month already and the situations for both Conte and Allegri under their current employers will become a lot clearer.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Malago, President of Milano Cortina 2026 waves during the medal ceremonies for the Men’s Slalom events on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on March 15, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Malago and Abete are the current frontrunners to replace Gravina as President of the FIGC. former CONI chief Malago has received the backing from the Serie A clubs, who will have an 18% voting share at the FIGC elections in June.
Abete, who has formally served as FIGC President and more recently as head of the Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (Amateur Leagues), has also confirmed that he will challenge Malago for the role.
Serie A in agreement (19 of 20) in favor of the former CONI President. The number one of the amateur leagues is also a candidate. The Max temptation appears for the Nazionale
Thurambo
Marcus’s strength in the middle of Inter
For the club, he’s no longer up for discussion. Bastoni struggling and Barca accelerating
Juve of stars
The CEO Comolli speaks
‘Silva and Alisson? The big names intrigue us, signings to win’
Ranieri and Gasperini won’t say goodbye. Friedkin calls: In June, I will decide
Divisions at Roma
Corriere dello Sport
They won it like this
Inter, 75 points without beating Conte or Allegri
21st Scudetto | A draw and three defeats against Napoli and Milan
They’ve always struggled in direct clashes, but in other matches, they have done +15 better than McT and +20 than Leao. Chivu elite: League title in his first full season, like Capello
Viola party, Lazio fury
Fiorentina win 1-0 and are looking at safety. The Biancocelesti furious with the referee Fabbri
Fine to Conte: Donation blocked
Must pay €6,000
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Juve, 55 goals and don’t have a real 9
Spalletti’s turnaround
Second-best attack in Serie A and 18 different scorers. Openda, obligation to buy triggered
Milan, one trophy after 503 million
Cardinale’s management
In four years of maxi-investments, only one Supercoppa has arrived
Tuttosport
‘Grande Juve, even without the Champions League’
Comolli blesses Spalletti and relaunches the club’s ambitions regardless of fourth place
The CEO speaks about Lucio’s renewal: ‘If the league had started when he came in, we’d be in second. It’s crucial to get back to winning ways: Elkann and the players are very close with him. And Juve attracts Champions. Vlahovic? Don’t expect anything before the end of the season’. Lobotka is a candidate. Di Gregorio says no to Tottenham
Abete against Malago, Allegri against Conte
FIGC Presidency and the CT: The two battles
Serie a chooses the former CONI no.1. The amateur leagues’ President responds by putting forward his own candidacy. A double wildcard emerges for the national team: Max on the bench and Ranieri as technical director
D’Aversa: Points and the derby to get Cairo’s yes
The Toro bench
The coaches chances: Improve on last year’s final standing, finally beat Juve
Yamal takes on Cholo: ‘Let me go one-on-one’
Champions League: Quarter-final second legs
Barca are in Madrid and need to overturn two goals against Atletico: Lamine provokes Simeone. Liverpool needing the Anfield effect to overturn the 2-0 against PSG
‘Insults from Como towards Interisti unacceptable’
Suwarso to his own fans
Chaos in the stands after Barella’s gesture, the President isn’t having it: ‘Whoever doesn’t respect the opponent isn’t welcome’
Roberto Mancini had double reason to celebrate tonight, as his Al Sadd both won the Qatar Stars League and knocked Simone Inzaghi’s Al Hilal out of the Asian Champions League.
The former Italy coach is back in club football, having quit the Nazionale to take the Saudi Arabia job in August 2023, then appointed Al Sadd boss in November 2025.
Mancini double celebration for Al Sadd
Roberto Mancini joins Al-Sadd (@alsaddsc)
It was a very special day indeed for Mancini, because this afternoon he learned that due to Al Shamal’s 2-0 defeat to Qatar SC, the Qatar Stars League title had been mathematically guaranteed without even needing to set foot on the pitch.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 13: Simone Inzaghi team Manager of Al Hilal FC during the AFC Champions League Elite game between Al Hilal FC and Al Sadd SC at Prince Abdullah AlFaisal Sports City on April 13, 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
It was a 3-3 thriller and ultimately had to be decided in a penalty shoot-out after extra time, with Mancini’s Al Sadd emerging victorious 4-2.
His side came back three times from a goal down to set up a quarter-final clash with Japan’s Vissel Kobe, which will be on Thursday.
Maurizio Sarri feels the Lazio defeat to Fiorentina was ‘frankly harsh when we kept the initiative throughout,’ but raised doubts on his future. ‘We’ll see what the club has in mind.’
The Aquile were unbeaten in four going into the Stadio Artemio Franchi, albeit dealing with an injury crisis that saw Mattia Zaccagni, Toma Basic and Patric thrown straight back into the starting XI.
Robin Gosens got his head to the Jack Harrison cross to give Fiorentina victory, but David De Gea denied Zaccagni and Petar Ratkov with big saves.
Sarri frustrated with Lazio loss
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Maurizio Sarri manager of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“The goal was fortuitous, as until that moment and frankly for a while afterwards too, we were largely in control,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.
“What we must take responsibility for is allowing them a few too many counter-attacks, but we kept the initiative throughout and the defeat feels frankly harsh considering the performances of the two teams.
“A centre-forward figure inside the penalty area is something we’ve been lacking all season, we don’t get those runs into the box to meet the crosses. Ratkov had a chance late on with a header, but we do lack those characteristics.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Maurizio Sarri manager of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, their primary focus is on the Coppa Italia semi-final, having drawn the first leg 2-2 with Atalanta.
“I hope to get players back, but it depends what condition they are in, because just being clinically healed is not enough. We want to finish the season with good performances, and for long periods we did that tonight too.”
Lazio are now in ninth place and four points adrift of Bologna, but also only one clear of Udinese in 10th.
A top eight finish means missing the first round of the Coppa Italia in August next season, but Sarri reacted with irritation when the panel started a question about ‘yet another defeat’ away from home.
“Hold it there, only six teams have lost more than we have this season. If it was the first defeat, we’d be top of the table,” replied the coach.
How worried is Sarri about his own future and that of Lazio?
“I am not worried about my future, for Lazio we’ll see what the plans are. I honestly don’t know what the plans are for the future, I can only say this season has been devastating for me. Just preparing tonight’s game we were missing 10 players, so we had to use some who were nowhere near fully fit.
“There have been many problems this season. We’ll see what the club has in mind for the future, and then we’ll see what I think as a consequence of that.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri waves during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Sarri famously grew up in the shadow of the Stadio Franchi and has been mentioned as a potential new Fiorentina coach for next season.
With this in mind, he received a warm welcome from the Viola supporters before kick-off.
Paolo Vanoli warns ‘the job is not yet done’ for Fiorentina after beating Lazio to break eight points clear of the bottom three. ‘Now we will try to dream against Crystal Palace.’
The mood in the Viola camp was poor after Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, but it was no secret that their focus this season had to be on securing Serie A safety.
With Cremonese and Lecce losing this weekend, they knew a victory with Lazio would put them eight points clear of the drop zone with six rounds left to play.
It was a slender win, decided by the Robin Gosens header at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, as well as some big David De Gea saves on Mattia Zaccagni and Petar Ratkov.
Vanoli keeps Fiorentina focused
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Head coach Paolo Vanoli manager of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“I want to thank the lads, who prepared well with character, sacrifice and a team spirit to the end through seven minutes of added time. We could’ve scored a second goal with a bit more quality in the final third, but I couldn’t really have asked for more.”
Fiorentina now try to overturn a massive 3-0 deficit when hosting Crystal Palace in the second leg of the Conference League quarter-final on Thursday evening.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Rolando Mandragora of ACF Fiorentina celebrates the victory after during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Now we must recharge the batteries and try to dream all over again in the Conference League. We are in front of our fans, so we have to believe,” added Vanoli.
“A team like this was not accustomed to being in the relegation zone. Now hopefully we can have a bit more freedom and be less frenetic, because many errors are caused by that too. We owe it to ourselves and our fans to give it our all in the Conference League too.”
The surge has been undeniable, as in the last nine Serie A rounds, Fiorentina picked up 18 points, fewer only than Inter and Napoli’s 20 in that same period.
Considering those results, does Vanoli believe he could put his name forward to stay on next season?
“I always had faith in the club and when I arrived here, I knew we needed something remarkable. I never thought about the future, I just focused on the good of Fiorentina, and the words of the President when I signed the contract, and sadly he has since died.
“My job is not yet done.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Robin Gosens of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Another big change in February was the arrival of director Fabio Paratici, who has helped bring some stability to the Viola.
“His curriculum speaks for him, he has won a great deal in many international clubs. He is a great professional and we are all very happy to have him here.”
A Robin Gosens header proved enough to give Fiorentina victory and surge eight points clear of the relegation zone, but Lazio were furious after a controversial refereeing decision.
The Viola had a huge opportunity to open up a significant lead from the relegation zone, but had the strain of Thursday’s Conference League quarter-final 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace, with the second leg coming up. Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli sat out bans, with Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey still injured.
The Biancocelesti won three of their last four games, despite an injury crisis including Adam Marusic, Daniel Maldini, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella, but Mattia Zaccagni and Patric were thrown straight back into the starting XI.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Zaccagni very nearly scored in the third minute, as Boulaye Dia’s slide-rule pass sent him unmarked down the left, the angled drive fingertipped inches wide by David De Gea.
Matteo Cancellieri also tested De Gea at the near post, but Roberto Piccoli fired just over from the edge of the area after a well-worked counter-attack.
Fiorentina took the lead when Jack Harrison stood up a cross from the right for Robin Gosens, who outjumped Manuel Lazzari at the back post for a header into the ground from seven yards.
Cancellieri sprinted back in time to stop Cher Ndour on the counter with a decisive block, while Zaccagni’s snapshot was straight at De Gea.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Nuno Tavares of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Tijjani Noslin fired over after the restart and Harrison had a double attempt charged down at the near post, the second parried by Edoardo Motta.
There was a controversial incident on 64 minutes when Tijjani Noslin went down acrobatically in the box after a coming together with Rolando Mandragora. Referee Michael Fabbri booked the Lazio player for simulation and stuck with his original decision even after the VAR review showed there had been contact, as he considered it insufficient for a penalty.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Michael Fabbri referee reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Fiorentina were also angry that a free kick was given for the Gosens challenge on Gustav Isaksen, but Nuno Tavares ballooned it over the bar.
Noslin couldn’t keep his header on target from six yards on an Isaksen cross, while De Gea needed a big save to deny the Petar Ratkov header within moments of his introduction.
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 13: Maurizio Sarri manager of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and SS Lazio at Artemio Franchi on April 13, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Giovanni Fabbian nodded the Dodo cross over too and Ndour drilled just wide from the edge of the area in stoppages, but the last kick of the game was an acrobatic Pedro volley into De Gea’s arms.
That result and Inter’s 4-3 victory in Como opened up a nine-point gap at the top of the Serie A table.
Juan Jesus had a dismal showing at the Stadio Tardini, making a significant error to concede the opening goal after just 33 seconds, and he was substituted by Antonio Conte at half-time.
The Brazilian took to social media to send a message to the Napoli fans after this setback.
Juan Jesus sorry for Napoli error
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Marco Di Bello, referee of the match talks with Enrico Delprato of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“This too is football, making mistakes and having the courage to keep going,” wrote Juan Jesus.
“Yesterday I was not up to my standards, so I take responsibility for that. I also know that overall this has been one the best seasons of my career. This is precisely why I demand more from myself.
“Errors are painful, but they are part of the journey. We work, we grow, we come back stronger. Always with our minds on the objective. Forza Napoli always.”
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Miguel Gutierrez of SSC Napoli celebrates with his head coach Antonio Conte and Juan Jesus after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 31, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The central defender turns 35 in June and is in the final weeks of his current contract with Napoli.
He joined as a free agent from Roma in 2021 and has been in Italian football since January 2012 for Inter, Roma and Napoli.
According to reports, Max Allegri would be first choice for new Italy coach if Giovanni Malagò became FIGC President, as his rapport with Milan is getting tense.
COMO, ITALY – JANUARY 15: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri issues instructions to his players during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and AC Milan at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on January 15, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The search is on for a new President of the Federation, who in turn would have the job of choosing the new Italy CT to replace Gennaro Gattuso in the summer.
The first steps were taken today for the former, as a meeting of the Lega Serie A reached a majority of 18 out of 20 clubs voting for ex-CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) chief Malagò as their candidate for the election on June 22.
Allegri first pick for Malagò’s Italy
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Calciomercato claim that if Malagò is given the reins, his first choice for new Italy coach would be Allegri.
In turn, this is more likely than it would’ve been only a couple of weeks ago, as the tension is reportedly growing behind the scenes at Milan.
Allegri only took the job last summer for his second spell at San Siro, and Sportitalia suggest that Milan directors might not be too upset at another change of management for next season.
In turn the coach is not too fond of the transfer strategy shown by the club, so an offer to lead Italy would be genuinely tempting for all concerned.
Maurizio Sarri explains why Mattia Zaccagni starts for Lazio against Fiorentina despite ‘not being at 100 per cent’ with Patric again picked in a surprising midfield role.
There are some surprises in the starting XI this evening, because Zaccagni and Patric were only expected to be fit enough for the bench, yet they are thrown straight into the line-up.
Sarri outlines Lazio decisions
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 15: Maurizio Sarri head coach SS Lazio prior the Serie A match between SS Lazio and AC Milan at Stadio Olimpico on March 15, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“In fact, introducing him during the second half might’ve created us some problems in measuring out the substitutions, so we decided to start him and see how long he can last.”
Patric is a defender, but has in recent weeks become the first choice midfielder in the absence of players like Adam Marusic, Daniel Maldini, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Head coach Maurizio Sarri of SS Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SS Lazio at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 21, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“Danilo Cataldi is not in great shape, so we preferred to use Patric and allow Cataldi the time to make a full recovery. Hopefully he will be back next week,” added Sarri.
This is a very big game for Fiorentina, as with a win they would open up an eight-point lead over the relegation zone with six rounds left to play.
“That is of no interest to us, we’ve just got to focus on continuing along our path, giving everything to the last minute of the last game. I hope the team will show that attitude again this evening.”
CAGLIARI, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Maurizio Sarri coach of Lazio looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SS Lazio at Stadio Sant’Elia on February 21, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Sarri is notoriously a fan of cycling, so did he watch the iconic Paris-Roubaix race yesterday?
“I had training in the morning, which was very tough with 10 players out of action, but I watched the end on the train.”
Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici gives a worrying injury update on Moise Kean ahead of tonight’s game with Lazio and confirms Under-23 teams are ‘fundamental’ for reforms.
The Viola go into this match after Thursday’s 3-0 Conference League quarter-final defeat to Crystal Palace and they have an injury crisis on their hands.
Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey are injured, with Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli suspended.
Paratici gives Fiorentina updates
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 8: Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Parma Calcio 1913 at Artemio Franchi on March 8, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“Kean is giving his all to recover as quickly as possible, but we are not sure what the timing is for a full recovery, because his condition tends to go up and down,” Paratici told DAZN Italia.
“I would prefer to focus on those who are present, as Piccoli is doing very well and we have a lot of faith in him.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Paratici arrived in February after leaving Tottenham Hotspur, so has he managed to identify what problems Fiorentina had to cause their struggles?
“When a club does not live up to expectations, there are many different problems, but we want to focus on the solutions. We rolled our sleeves up and are working hard, we know it will be a struggle to the end, and point by point, we’ll earn our place in Serie A,” said Paratici.
Italian football is trying to transform itself following the failed World Cup qualification campaign, so today 18 out of 20 clubs gave their backing to Giovanni Malagò as new FIGC President.
“Malagò is someone who has already had a very prestigious role with excellent results. He is a charismatic figure who can represent us at a certain level, with new ideas that we should all together help to propose and enact as Italian football as a whole,” continued Paratici.
“The Under-23 team is in my view a fundamental part of the reforms, as more clubs should set up the Under-23 team. When Fiorentina are organised enough to set it up, then we will, as we have a strong youth academy and believe this is a necessary step for the young players.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Sporting Director Fabio Paratici of ACF Fiorentina looks on during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Artemio Franchi on February 7, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
This is a reunion this evening between Paratici and Lazio coach Maurizio Sarri, who had a brief experience together at Juventus.
“I have not yet run into Sarri, I wish to underline that he was with us for a year at Juve and everyone talked about it as if this was not positive, yet we won the Scudetto, lost he Coppa Italia Final on penalties and the Supercoppa Italiana, so I’d say that was a very strong campaign.”
Fiorentina have the opportunity to go eight points clear of the relegation zone, but the injury crisis intensifies as Lazio welcome back Mattia Zaccagni and Patric.
With the other games already played and negative results for Cremonese and Lecce, it means a victory here would send Fiorentina flying into 15th place, above all creating an eight-point gap from the drop zone.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Paolo Vanoli, Head Coach of ACF Fiorentina, reacts during the warm up prior to the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Leg One match between Crystal Palace FC and ACF Fiorentina at Selhurst Park on April 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
However, the team is stretched thin by the strain of the Conference League, losing the quarter-final 3-0 to Crystal Palace on Thursday night at Selhurst Park.
The second leg is coming up this week, with Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Marco Brescianini, Niccolò Fortini, Luca Lezzerini and Tariq Lamptey still out injured.
Paolo Vanoli also cannot count on suspended Albert Gudmundsson and Nicolò Fagioli, while Manor Solomon and Rolando Mandragora are not at 100 per cent.
Roberto Piccoli therefore has to lead the attack once more, with Cher Ndour in midfield, Jacopo Fazzini and Jack Harrison in support.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Roberto Piccoli of ACF Fiorentina in action during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Lazio had won three games in a row before their 1-1 draw with Parma, and are still aiming to close within a point of Bologna in eighth place.
Maurizio Sarri also has a lot of problems to deal with, because Daniel Maldini and Adam Marusic are the latest additions to the absentee list, joining Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Samuel Gigot and Nicolò Rovella.
The surprise is that Zaccagni, Toma Basic and Patric are thrown straight back into the starting XI after recovery, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is back on the bench.
Matteo Cancellieri is also preferred to Gustav Isaksen.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Matteo Cancellieri of SS Lazio competes for the ball with Juan Jesus of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico on January 04, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Damien Comolli insists players are ‘eager to come to Juventus’ even without Champions League football, but warns ‘do not expect’ Dusan Vlahovic news before the season ends.
The Bianconeri climbed into fourth place this weekend thanks to their 1-0 victory away to Atalanta, and Como’s 4-3 defeat to Inter.
Now there are six games remaining in the Serie A season to hang on to that precious spot, which is a ticket to the lucrative Champions League next term.
With finances tight, this could make a big difference on just how Juventus plan to proceed on the transfer market.
Comolli confident Juventus will be ambitious
SASSUOLO, ITALY – JANUARY 06: (L-R) Francois Modesto, Juventus Technical Director, Marco Ottolini, Sporting Director of Juventus and Damien Comolli, General Manager of Juventus talk prior to the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Juventus FC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on January 06, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“I don’t know where we’ll end up, there is talk of fourth place, but it could even be better than that. The Serie A table is tight and we are very ambitious going into the final matches.”
The Old Lady is now only three points behind Milan in third and six adrift of Napoli in second place.
At the same time, looking over their shoulders, they are two clear of Como in fifth and three ahead of Roma in sixth position.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: Juventus players applaud fans following the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
“What we do know is that Juventus are negotiating with many players, and the players we are talking to are not saying ‘I am only interested in Juventus if they qualify for the Champions League.’
“These are players eager to come to Juventus without knowing if we are in the Champions League or not. Obviously, on a financial level it is much better to be in the Champions League than the Europa League.
“However, in terms of ambition, it doesn’t matter which European competition we are in next season, we will still build an ambitious team to have success in the future.”
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Dusan Vlahovic reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Among the negotiations, Juve are also discussing a potential new contract with Vlahovic, whose current deal only runs to June 30.
“I will stick to what I’ve said since the start for Dusan, which is that we’ll talk it over at the end of the season, so do not expect anything new before then,” insisted Comolli.
“There are six weeks to go, I know our director Marco Ottolini had contact with Dusan, but do not expect anything before the end of the season. We hope to have good news on the contract renewals at some point, even before the campaign is over, with regards to other players.”
The crisis in Italian football that culminated in the failure to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup prompted the resignation of Federation President Gabriele Gravina.
Now the search is on for a new chief who can in turn pick the next Italy coach to begin the EURO 2028 and Nations League campaigns in September.
Lotito resists Serie A majority on FIGC
Lazio President Claudio Lotito (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Today’s Lega Serie A meeting in Milan saw 18 of the 20 clubs back former CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Malagò, but Lazio and Hellas Verona abstained.
“The problem with Malagò is not the name, that is irrelevant,” insisted Lazio President Lotito when speaking to reporters outside the meeting.
“If something isn’t working, it has to be restructured, right? This system was built on a law set in stone 45 years ago, so as long as that law and that system is in place…
“We need to redesign everything from top to bottom, which means we need to nominate a special commissioner.”
epa11068012 Lazios president Claudio Lotito celebrates after winning the Coppa Italia quarter final soccer match between SS Lazio and AS Roma, in Rome, Italy, 10 January 2024. EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI
This would effectively place the FIGC under receivership, giving that person the power to make decisions on radical changes without requiring a majority support.
Curiously, this is a role that Malagò has held before, when in 2018 the FIGC and Lega Serie A were unable to agree on electing new leaders.
He remained as special commissioner from February to May 2018, by which point they had managed to elect replacements.
Beppe Marotta delights in Cristian Chivu’s joke because Inter must be ‘ambitious without being arrogant,’ but daren’t imagine the controversy if that Como penalty had been decisive.
The Nerazzurri extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table to nine points with last night’s thrilling comeback from 2-0 down at the Stadio Sinigaglia to win 4-3.
Inter thriller put Scudetto marker down
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Inter deservedly won thanks to the qualify expressed by a team that proved itself worthy of the role of protagonist in this season.”
When asked if the title race was over, Chivu aimed a sideswipe at Napoli’s Antonio Conte and Max Allegri of Milan by noting that, like them, he would only ever say that Champions League qualification was the real objective.
“It was a joke to show that in Italy lately there is this fear of courageous targets,” noted Marotta.
“Instead, Inter must be courageous and always aim for the maximum result. This is part of the DNA of a winning club, we must be ambitious without being arrogant.”
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu celebrate the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Inter had been leading 4-2 when Lucas Da Cunha converted a late penalty to set up a tense finale, but there was controversy around that incident.
The referee had awarded a free kick for the Ange-Yoan Bonny sliding block on Nico Paz on the edge of the area, only to be informed by VAR that the contact was inside the box.
What many refereeing pundits pointed out was that VAR should also have sent the referee to view it again on the monitor, because it was Nico Paz who on the follow-through kicked Bonny rather than the other way round.
PISA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 30: Giuseppe Marotta of FC Internazionale looks on prior to the Serie A match between Pisa SC and FC Internazionale at Arena Garibaldi on November 30, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“I think everyone agreed that was not a penalty, and we didn’t get upset because we won anyway, but imagine what would’ve happened if that penalty had led to a different result,” said Marotta.
“We’d be here recriminating. There are mistakes over the course of a campaign, and this season there seem to be quite a lot more than usual. I hope it can push people to reflect on creating a symbiosis between the VAR and referee.”
Inter President Beppe Marotta explains why Giovanni Malagò would be the best choice as new FIGC President. ‘We need an interpreter’ to work with politicians.
The search is on for a new Federation chief after Gabriele Gravina resigned in the wake of failure to qualify for a third consecutive edition of the World Cup.
A vote today saw 18 out of 20 Serie A clubs back former CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) President Malagò as their candidate.
Marotta glad to see Serie A united
MILAN, ITALY – JULY 29: AC Milan President Paolo Scaroni (L) poses with FC Internazionale CEO Giuseppe Marotta during the Serie A 2019/2020 fixture unveiling on July 29, 2019 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images for Lega Serie A)
Inter President Beppe Marotta with the FIFA Club World Cup trophy in San Siro (picture via www.inter.it)
“I don’t know if I am disappointed with that, to be honest,” replied Marotta.
“Malagò was picked precisely because he has the profile of a sporting manager who has been in our world for many years, as we need an interpreter who can take lessons from Serie A to improve our football as a whole. Our sport is an ill patient that needs treatment.”
“We want to take back the role of protagonist for Serie A, which has been somewhat lost recently. We maintain that we are the locomotive driving the Italian system, even though naturally we also have to look at the situations in Serie B, C, the amateur league, and above all the youth system,” added Marotta.
“I don’t know what Abete wants to do exactly, but he gave a great deal to football over the years, so it is his right to submit his name as a candidate.
“Whoever gets the most votes will win. These are two very important directors, and clearly Serie A has made its choice.”
Cesc Fabregas admits he ‘was contacted’ by other clubs last summer, but finds it ‘very difficult’ to see himself at a Serie A side other than Como in future.
The coach had already impressed in his debut top flight campaign with Como, and is going from strength to strength with his team challenging for a Champions League spot, as well as being in the Coppa Italia semi-final.
Fabregas approached by Serie A clubs
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
He was awarded the Trofeo Bearzot award today for management, and spoke to reporters at the event, when he was asked if he could see himself at a different Italian club.
“That would seem very unlikely, because I am very involved and attached to Como,” replied Fabregas.
“It is true that I was contacted last year, but I decided to stay because I love this club. I am very happy with what I can do and what we are achieving at Como.
“The project is very important to me. I don’t want to seem presumptuous here, but I do this work purely for the passion, so I need to feel that I can do something new.”
UDINE, ITALY – APRIL 06: Como manager Cesc Fabregas reacts during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and Como 1907 at Stadio Friuli on April 06, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Fabregas had famously been linked with a potential role taking over at Inter and Roma, though when Como insisted he was under contract and not going anywhere, they instead turned to Cristian Chivu and Gian Piero Gasperini respectively.
The Bearzot award is named after Enzo Bearzot, the coach who took Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup.
“When they told me I had won this award, I immediately started to study Bearzot’s history. This is an award for the city, for the owners and the whole club. We are a family, I mean that, and feel honoured to receive this award,” concluded Fabregas.
Reports in Italy claim that Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti is keen to reunite with former Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae during the summer transfer window.
Spalletti and Kim won the Serie A title together during the one season they had together at Napoli in 2022-23, which was the Partenopei’s first league title in well over 30 years and their first since the Diego Maradona era.
Kim was sold to Bayern Munich, who activated his release clause at the end of the 2022-23 season, which was reported to be in excess of €50m. This makes Kim the most expensive Asian footballer of all time.
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 07: Kim Min-Jae of SSC Napoli celebrates victory after the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 07, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The 77-time South Korea international has struggled to cement himself as a regular-first choice since joining Bayern just shy of three years ago, and has been playing second fiddle behind Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano under Vincent Kompany for most of the 2025-26 campaign.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano (via Calciomercato.com), Spalletti would ‘gladly’ bring Kim to Juventus during the summer transfer window, and given their previous successes together in Serie A, is in a prime position to convince the former Napoli star to move to Turin.
Kim will have two years remaining on his current Bayern Munich contract when the summer transfer window opens, but the Bundesliga club still have high demands for interested sides. Monday’s reports claim that the Bavarians will seek a fee in the region of €40m.
Kim would also likely need to take a pay cut if he were to join Juventus this summer. Calciomercato claims that he currently receives a gross salary of around €16m, which comes out to just over €8m net per season.
Giancarlo Abete confirms he’ll run for the FIGC Presidency after Lega Serie A backed Giovanni Malagò but notes: ‘A different method would have been better.’
It’s been an eventful day in Italian football, with the first two potential candidates for the FIGC Presidential election emerging today.
The majority of Serie A clubs chose Malagò, a former CONI President, as their candidate during a general Lega Serie A meeting in Milan on Monday.
Malagò was picked by Serie A clubs before even presenting his project, which is why Lazio and Hellas Verona have abstained from backing him.
Abete, a former FIGC President from 2007 to 2014 and the current President of Lega Nazionale Dilettanti (LND), later confirmed that he’d also run for the FIGC Presidency.
Abete ‘available’ to return as FIGC President
“I will ask the Board of Directors of the National Amateur League (LND) to grant me the same authority that was granted to President Malagò by the Serie A clubs,” he said during the Premio Bearzot in Rome.
“If this is the approach, we’ll follow it. I have already convened the governing bodies of the LND, and I will ask for approval to put forward my availability so that when we come to the table, there are situations in which a plurality of positions is expressed.
“I will go further, and the invitation is for the same to be done by the technical components and other leagues, because we need contributions from all components.”
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Malago, President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 delivers a speech during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games closing ceremony at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium on March 15, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Votes from the LND account for 34% of the total in the FIGC Presidential election, against Serie A’s 18%, but any candidate needs the 50% plus one vote toget elected.
While announcing his candidacy, Abete stated that the selection method used by Lega Serie A, which led to Malagò’s nomination, was flawed.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 01: Giancarlo Abete President of LND poses during the FIGC DCPS press conference at Europa Experience on December 01, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“A different method would have been better. Obviously, a prestigious candidate has been identified, such as Malagò,” he said.
“But we must first talk about the issues and then about the people. Because one person alone is not enough to solve the problems of Italian football, whoever that may be. Therefore, we will address the issues and send an initial signal: this candidacy will not remain isolated.”
La Gazzetta dello Sport confirms Milan will listen to offers for Rafael Leao in the summer, claiming that ‘it’s never been so easy’ to sign the Portuguese winger: ‘Manchester United might be an option.’
Milan will listen to offers for their attacker, Rafael Leao, in the summer, Gazzetta confirms.
Leao has a €175m release clause
The Portuguese was booed by his own fans when subbed off during a 3-0 home loss to Udinese on Saturday and hasn’t scored a goal since March 1.
Leao has a €175m clause that can be activated from July 1 to 15, but the Rossoneri are aware that no club would pay such a fee for the 26-year-old after another inconsistent season.
The only big variable could come from the 2026 World Cup, even if Leao last found the net with his national team in November 2024.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich and Barcelona recently showed interest in the striker but have never entered advanced talks with either Milan or the player’s camp.
Chelsea offered €80m a few years back and might still be interested, but watch out for Manchester United too, as the Red Devils ‘can be an option more than other clubs,’ according to Gazzetta.
Leao’s contract at San Siro expires in June 2028. He has scored ten goals and provided two assists in 26 appearances across all competitions this season.
Lega Serie A President Ezio Simonelli confirms the support for Giovanni Malagò in the FIGC Presidential election and outlines the following steps, starting with a meeting on April 20.
“What happened today is that 18 of our member clubs chose to support Giovanni Malagò, who has met the requirements of the FIGC electoral regulations regarding eligibility as a potential candidate,” Lega Serie A president Simonelli said at a press conference on Monday, via Sky Sport Italia.
“The two who did not do so are Lazio and Verona, not because of a lack of trust in Malagò, but for methodological reasons. At this point, the ball is in Malagò’s court, and once he has completed his assessment, he will formalise his candidacy.
Enzo Simonelli, Marco Materazzi and Andrea Pirlo at the Calcio Aperitivo in New York on March 3, 2025.
“As Lega Serie A, I extend my best wishes to Malagò and express our hopes for the success of the electoral contest. We will invite him on April 20 to present the programme we have already outlined, which we will then integrate with his ideas.
“After that, Malagò will conduct his own assessments of the other components, make his final decision, and submit his candidacy.”
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, ITALY – MARCH 15: Giovanni Malago, President of Milano Cortina 2026 waves during the medal ceremonies for the Men’s Slalom events on day nine of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on March 15, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Votes from Serie A clubs account for 18% of the total in the FIGC Presidential election, so Malagò will necessarily need support from other components to replace Gabriele Gravina, who has stepped down after Italy failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Como President Mirwan Suwarso has issued a public apology for his club’s fans’ behaviour during their recent 4-3 defeat against Inter in Serie A: ‘Our club’s integrity depends on mutual respect. Those who fail to uphold this will not be welcome’.
Suwarso forced to apologise for fans’ behaviour in Como 3-4 Inter
Como lost their spot in the Serie A top four after their 4-3 defeat against the league-leading Inter at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday evening. They now sit two points behind Juventus in the Champions League positions with six league matches of the season left to play.
Aside from the disappointment of yesterday’s defeat, Como President Suwarso was also left frustrated by the behaviour that some sections of the home supporters showed against the Nerazzurri.
Suwarso has issued a statement on his personal Instagram profile criticising those supporters who hurled insults and abuse towards the Inter directors and staff members.
Though not mentioned specifically by Suuwarso, Italy international Nicolo Barella, who had a brief spell on loan at Como in 2016, was treated to a loud round of boos from the home supporters on the night.
“Despite the final result, I am incredibly proud of our team. They gave everything on the pitch and fought with true honor. This is the spirit that defines us,” wrote Suwarso on Instagram on Monday.
“However, pride in our performance cannot outweigh my disappointment with the behavior shown by some in the tribuna onore toward the opposing delegation. I understand that football brings intense emotion, but we must never lose sight of who we are.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: FC Internazionale players celebrate the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We are a club built on dignity. That dignity must extend beyond the field, toward our opponents, their supporters, and especially their directors and executives. They are our guests, and they deserve respect.
“Mockery and insults in the tribuna d’onore do not represent the club we are building. They undermine the very values we stand for.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: The Como 1907 fans show their support during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We will work to uphold those values, firmly and consistently. We will take the necessary steps to ensure this standard is respected. Our club’s integrity, and the progress of the league as a whole, depend on mutual respect.
“Those who fail to uphold this will not be welcome.
“Let us grow together, with dignity, with integrity, on and off the field.”
Italy international Moise Kean is not available for Fiorentina’s home game against Lazio, while Mattia Zaccagni is available for the Biancocelesti, but will start on the bench.
Serie A Round 32 ends tonight with Fiorentina hosting Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio at the Stadio Franchi.
The home side, currently sitting five points above the drop zone, have several starters unavailable, including the suspended Nicolò Fagioli and Albert Gudmundsson.
Kean is also not available for selection due to an injury, as Fiorentina confirmed on Monday afternoon, and the same is true of Tariq Lamptey, Niccolò Fortini, Fabiano Parisi and Marco Brescianini.
Manor Solomon returns from an injury, but might start on the bench with Jacopo Fazzini picked as a left winger for the Tuscans.
Lazio’s list of absentees is also quite long, including the injured Samuel Gigot, Nicolò Rovella, Ivan Provedel, Mario Gila, Adam Marusic, and Daniel Maldini.
The good news is that Italian winger Zaccagni has travelled with the team and might be involved as a substitute in the second half.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 07: Gustav Isaksen of Lazio passes the ball during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico on January 07, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Fiorentina vs. Lazio – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.
Paolo Di Canio argues that Rafael Leao’s movements are not suited to a centre-forward and insists the Portuguese star’s priority ‘has almost become something else.’
Leao has attracted criticism from Milan fans who loudly booed him when he was subbed off during a 3-0 home loss to Udinese on Saturday.
Leao has been mostly deployed as a centre-forward this season, including in the last match when Rossoneri coach Massimiliano Allegri switched to a 4-3-3 system from 3-5-2.
Sky Sport examined Leao’s issues this season, with ex-Rossoneri striker Di Canio still very critical of the Portuguese.
Di Canio argued that Leao plays as a centre-forward because if he played on the wings, Milan would be even more vulnerable in defence.
Di Canio: Leao’s ‘physical and mental energy gets drained’
“We are talking about a player who should make 50 movements to receive the ball, but doesn’t even make half unless he’s certain he’ll receive it,” Di Canio added.
Paolo Di Canio
“He didn’t even make a movement to open the space for his teammates, because he wasn’t sure he’d receive the pass.
“Any striker, in any league, must work so hard. It’s difficult even for natural centre-forwards; imagine for a player who seems lazy almost every time he doesn’t have the ball.”
Leao was named the best Serie A player in 2021-22 when the massively contributed to Milan’s Serie A title victory, but the 26-year-old hasn’t developed much since.
“He relaxed; he’s been cuddled, and he hasn’t had the determination or desire to keep improving,” continued Di Canio.
“The priority has almost become something else. Over the years, I don’t remember seeing so many fashion show videos or eight-hour recording sessions with record labels. You always say we should look at the players’ private lives, but if someone spends four or five hours doing other things, their physical and mental energy gets drained.
“It’s not like playing PlayStation for half an hour. If you’re spending six or seven hours with a record label and going to fashion shows, how are you supposed to regenerate the mental energy to play at this level?”
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Rafael Leao of AC Milan shoots and misses a chance on goal during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Parma Calcio 1913 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport has suggested that Leao and Milan should part ways at the end of the season, but Inter legend Beppe Bergomi is confident that the Portuguese can regain the fans’ trust.
“He can easily recover. I experienced even more difficult years; other players, too,” said the ex-defender.
Kenan Yildiz was brought off shy of the hour mark during Juventus’s 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Serie A over the weekend, but reports on Monday indicate that the Bianconeri plan to have the Turkish talent available for the remaining six league games of the season despite recurring pain in his knee.
Yildiz lined up as a starter in Juve’s attacking trident along with Francisco Conceicao and Jeremie Boga against Atalanta, but was replaced by the out-of-favour Jonathan David after just 58 minutes.
According to reports from Tuttosport, Yildiz has been struggling with a slight inflammation and a bit of pain in his knee for a little while leading up to the Atalanta game. His left knee was visibly strapped up for the match in Bergamo on Saturday.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus is challenged by Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
There had been concerns that he might not have been available to face La Dea, but the player himself reportedly felt good to go and gave his full availability to head coach Luciano Spalletti.
Tuttosport claims that the knee issue is not particularly serious, and that Yildiz is not expected to go under any type of surgical intervention. Instead, he will be closely monitored and managed with recovery and rehabilitation work with the hope that he will be available for Juve’s remaining six matches of the 2025-26 season.
Given that Juventus are also without Dusan Vlahovic for the run-in and the fact that Yildiz has only missed two matches across all competitions all season, his availability is increasingly important for the Old Lady and their hopes of securing a top four finish.
Sky Sport Italia reports that the majority of Serie A clubs back Giovanni Malagò as the candidate for the FIGC presidency, with only Lazio and Hellas Verona abstaining.
A Lega Serie A meeting is taking place in Milan this morning with clubs from Italy’s top flight called to name their candidate for the FIGC presidential election.
The new FIGC President will be elected on June 22, and votes from Lega Serie A account for 18% of the total.
Ex-CONI President Malagò is expected to be the candidate proposed by Lega Serie A, as the 67-year-old is backed by 18 clubs in Italy’s top flight.
epa09626145 Giovanni Malago, President of the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI), attends the presentation of the book ‘PhotoAnsa 2021 – Images and the protagonists of the past year’ at the MAXXI museum in Rome, Italy, 06 December 2021. EPA-EFE/RICCARDO ANTIMIANI
According to Sky Sport Italia, Lazio and Verona did not express a view on the name during today’s meeting, as they want to review the regulatory framework first, but they are not opposed to Malagò.
Inter took a big step towards the Serie A title with their 4-3 win over Como on Sunday, but when could Cristian Chivu’s side be mathematically confirmed as the Scudetto winners for 2025-26?
Inter currently have a nine-point lead at the top of the Serie A table with six matches of the season left to play. Chivu’s side have accumulated 75 points from 32 matches while their closest competitors, Napoli, find themselves on 66 points from 32 games in 2025-26.
If both sides go on to win all of their remaining matches for the remainder of the season, Inter will be crowned the league champions at the end of their away match against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on May 10, which falls in Week 26 of the Serie A season.
There is a scenario where the Nerazzurri end up winning the Serie A title within their next two league matches.
If Inter win their next two games against Cagliari and Torino, and if Napoli either draw or lose in their next two, the gap between first and second place would open up to at least 13 points with four games remaining, making it impossible for Chivu’s side to be overtaken. In this scenario, Inter would be crowned champions at the end of their match away against Torino on April 26.
Inter’s remaining Serie A fixtures in 2025-26
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale Milano acknowledges the fans following victory in the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cagliari (h) April 17
Torino (a) April 26
Parma (h) May 3
Lazio (a) May 10
Verona (h) May 17
Bologna (a) May 24
Napoli’s remaining Serie A fixtures in 2025-26
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli celebrates his goal 0-1 with the team-mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Juventus are unbeaten in their last six Serie A games, and Federico Gatti’s late goal in a 3-3 draw against Roma in March proved to be the turning point for the Old Lady and the Giallorossi.
Luciano Spalletti’s Juventus have climbed the table and are currently fourth in the standings with a two-point lead over Como and just three behind third-placed Milan.
Gatti’s goal inspired Juventus’ comeback
As Gazzetta highlights, the Bianconeri are unbeaten since February 25, when they secured a 3-2 win over Galatasaray, which was not enough to qualify for the Champions League Round of 16.
The Juventus comeback in Serie A, however, started with that useless win against the Turkish side, before which Spalletti’s men had collected four losses and one draw across all competitions.
Just a few days after the victory against Galatasaray, Juventus recovered from two goals down against Roma, securing a 3-3 draw at the Stadio Olimpico.
Italy international Gatti scored a late leveller for the Bianconeri, inspiring their fightback.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Federico Gatti of Juventus celebrates scoring their third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
After that game, Juventus collected four wins and one draw, collecting 13 points.
In the last four rounds, Juventus have earned seven points more than Milan, three more than Como and four more than Roma.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
With six games left to play, Juventus have the fate in their hands despite some difficult matches coming up, including home meetings with Bologna and Fiorentina, an away game at Milan and the final game of the season against city rivals Torino.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 01: Federico Gatti of Juventus scores their third goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus FC at Stadio Olimpico on March 01, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Due to a better head-to-head record, Juventus will finish ahead of Roma if they end up level on points with the Giallorossi, but the Old Lady will need one more point than Como, as the Azzurri have won both their games against Juve this term.
Ahn Jung-hwan was the first South Korea international to play in Serie A, but Perugia refused to make his move permanent in 2002, after he had eliminated Italy from the World Cup with a famous ‘Golden Goal.’
To date, only three South Korean players have featured in Italy’s Serie A, but the first to do so, Ahn Jung-hwan, surely left his mark on the league.
Scorer of five goals in 30 appearances with Perugia, the Serie A side decided against making his move permanent in 2022, as Ahn had scored the goal that eliminated Italy from the World Cup that summer.
The result shocked the Azzurri and allowed South Korea to advance to the World Cup quarter-final, in a match also remembered for the many controversial decisions by referee Byron Moreno that affected the Nazionale, including a red card for Francesco Totti.
This summer, it will be much easier to watch World Cup games live, even abroad, thanks to 해외축구중계, but you won’t need an internet connection to remember the outrage that Ahn’s goal caused in Italy.
DAEJEON – JUNE 18: (From left to right) Mark Iuliano, Christian Vieri and captain Paolo Maldini of Italy complain to referee Byron Moreno of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup Finals 2002 Second Round match between South Korea and Italy played at the Daejeon World Cup Stadium, in Daejeon, South Korea on June 18, 2002. South Korea won the match 2-1 with a Golden Goal in extra-time. DIGITAL IMAGE. (Photo by Ben Radford/Getty Images)
That Azzurri team was one of the strongest of its generation, with players such as Paolo Maldini, Christian Vieri, Alessandro Del Piero, Fabio Cannavaro, Filippo Inzaghi, Francesco Totti, and many more.
Vieri had given the Azzurri the lead at minute 18, but South Korea levelled the score at minute 88 with Seol Kihyeon, and Ahn killed it off with a Golden Goal in the 117th minute.
That was also the last game Maldini played at the international level, as he announced his retirement from the Azzurri in the wake of the elimination by South Korea.
Just a few hours after Ahn’s Golden Goal against the Azzurri, which marked South Korea’s 2-1 win, Perugia President Luciano Gaucci called live the Processo di Biscardi, one of the most popular TV football shows in Italy at the time, to reveal that he wouldn’t retain the Korean striker.
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – NOVEMBER 12: The South Korean team line up before the friendly match between South Korea and Sweden at the SangAm World Cup stadium on November 12, 2005 in Seoul, South Korea. Back row left to right: Ahn Jung-Hwan, Kim Young-Chul, Kim Dong-Jin, Choi Jin-Cheol, Seol Ki-Hyeon ,goal keeper Lee Woon Jae Front row left to right: Park Ji-Sung, Park Ju-Young, Cho Won-Hee, Lee Ho,Lee Young-Pyo. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
“I have absolutely no intention of paying a salary to someone who has ruined Italian football,” Gaucci said.
Twenty years after his goal against Italy, Ahn told FIFA.com: “It was a really special match for me and my country. No one believed we could beat Italy. I think you just need to look at our preparation and the way we played. Hiddink made us a strong side, both physically and mentally, and we weren’t afraid of anyone.”
Only two other players from South Korea have played in Serie A: Lee Seung-woo at Hellas Verona and Kim Min-jae at Napoli. The latter made history at the Stadio Maradona, being one of the cornerstones of the Napoli side that won the Scudetto in 2022-23, the first one in the post-Maradona era.
Reports in Italy confirm that Juventus have triggered their obligation to buy for attacker Lois Openda, despite the fact that the Belgian has been left as an unused substitute for the last five rounds of Serie A fixtures.
How much will Juventus have to pay after triggering Openda obligation to buy?
Openda joined Juventus on loan with a conditional obligation to buy from RB Leipzig during the 2025 summer transfer window. At the time of Openda’s arrival back in early September, Juventus confirmed that they paid a loan fee of €3.3m with bonuses of up to €800,000 to bring Openda in for the 2025-26 season, and that the obligation to buy is set at €40.6m with bonuses of up to €1.7m.
Juventus are now obliged to pay the €40.6m fee to RB Leipzig, which is payable in four instalments, after mathematically confirming a 10th place finish in Serie A.
Roma defender Jan Ziolkowski challenges Juventus forward Lois Openda during their Serie A match (@seriea_en)
Juve confirmed their top 10 finish with Saturday’s important 1-0 victory away against Atalanta.
This means that the Bianconeri are now 18 points clear of the 11th-placed Sassuolo with six games to go. In the extremely unlikely event that Juventus lose all of their remaining fixtures and Sassuolo win all of theirs, they will finish level on 60 points, but Juventus would still claim a higher spot due to their head-to-head record against the Neroverdi.
With the obligation to buy now triggered, Openda will be entitled to a four-year contract at the Allianz Stadium, running until the summer of 2030.
Despite the obligation to buy having been triggered, Openda is still massively out of favour in Turin, having been left on the bench for Juve’s last five Serie A fixtures. He only played for one minute off the substitutes’ bench in his most recent league appearance and has not started for the Old Lady in the league since late December.
It is expected that Juventus will still look to move Openda on if possible during the next summer transfer window.
Inter star Nicolò Barella smiled and sarcastically waved at Como fans whistling him while being substituted during a Serie A match at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday.
Italy international Barella sarcastically reacted to boos from Como fans on Sunday while being subbed off in the 77th minute of Inter’s away game at the Stadio Sinigaglia.
The Inter star smiled and ironically waved at the home crowd while leaving the field, with the Nerazzurri up 4-2.
Inter ultimately secured a 4-3 victory in Como, moving nine points clear of second-placed Napoli.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Nico Paz of Como 1907 competes for the ball with Nicolo’ Barella and Manuel Akanji of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: FC Internazionale players celebrate the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Nerazzurri from 2-0 to 3-4: Thuram and Dumfries score a brace each. Napoli pull the brake in Parma (1-1), and the advantage keeps increasing.
Corriere dello Sport
Inter, Scudetto in the pocket.
Thuram and Dumfries’ braces: a new runaway. McT avoids Conte’s defeat
Tuttosport
Inter tie the Scudetto down and leave Juve in fourth
Thuram and Dumfries’ braces punish Fabregas’ team, distracted after Valle and Paz’s goals, but into the game until the end with Da Cunha’s penalty. Spalletti enjoys the praise and closeness from Elkann. Yildiz’s anxiety. Licina, a bi goal.
‘Well done D’Aversa, but let’s see.’
The President takes time, and the possible sale of the club is among the reasons.
Cristian Chivu admits Inter ‘suffered’ to beat Como 4-3 and saw ‘maturity’ from his team at 2-0 down, but aimed a cheeky Scudetto sideswipe at Antonio Conte and Max Allegri.
The Nerazzurri really proved their Scudetto credentials this evening, because they were trailing 2-0 at the Stadio Sinigaglia to goals from Alex Valle and Nico Paz.
However, braces by Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries turned it around to lead 4-2, then they held on under pressure after a late Lucas Da Cunha penalty for the final 4-3 result.
Chivu hails Inter comeback from 2-0 down
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu shouts during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We knew it wasn’t going to be easy, we were up against a team that is challenging for something important, and they proved it in the first half with mobility, pace, pressing and intensity,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.
“We were struggling and went 2-0 down, but we got a goal back and that gave us confidence. After the restart, we stepped up a gear, showed a bit of character, and we turned it around, though it was certainly not easy.”
Inter had already faced Como here last month in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final, and were held to a 0-0 draw.
Even without injured Lautaro Martinez, who asked to be on the bench this evening to be close to his teammates, Inter scored 102 goals in 46 competitive games this season.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas and FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu look on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We trained only on set plays this morning, knowing they would be a good opportunity to score goals here,” revealed Chivu.
“It is down to the hard work of my staff and the players that we are so prolific in these situations. We have great free kick takers and players who are strong in the air, so it would be a shame not to make the most of that.”
Considering how well the hosts had started, it was a remarkable turnaround, the second time they managed to a victory after going 2-0 down, although the other side was Pisa.
“This was a victory of maturity, where we understood the moments of the match,” continued Chivu.
“With seven rounds to go, we must raise our ambitions, understand how important it is to get onto that field and extend our advantage over second place.
“We were surprised by the intensity of Como in the first half, but we reacted like a mature team.”
With Napoli held 1-1 by Parma and Milan losing to Udinese this weekend, it means Inter go nine points clear at the top of the table with six rounds left to play.
“I’ll do like my colleagues who only talk about Champions League qualification and I’ll say that we are happy to get closer to that target. Mathematically, we’re not there yet.”
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Denzel Dumfries of FC Internazionale celebrates with his coach Cristian Chivu after scoring their team’s third goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Dumfries scored twice this evening, and it is easy to forget just how much he was missed during his injury over the last couple of months.
“We did miss him, as obviously with him we have a different option to attack the space, including on set plays,” admitted Chivu.
“Luis Henrique is perhaps better at keeping the ball, but Denzel has more power, he is a presence in the box and knows how to time runs to the back post, as we saw today.”
Cesc Fabregas insists Como gave Inter a real scare in tonight’s 4-3 thriller and was ‘so proud’ of their ‘courage to compete against anyone we are up against,’ but he is not checking the table.
It was the perfect start for Fabregas at the Stadio Sinigaglia, as his team was 2-0 up against Serie A leaders Inter with goals from Alex Valle and Nico Paz.
However, the Nerazzurri proved themselves absolutely clinical, converting practically all their chances to win 4-3 in the second half with a brace each from Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries.
Lucas Da Cunha’s late penalty was not enough to turn it around, even if Alberto Moreno hit the crossbar in stoppages.
Fabregas proud of Como fight
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas and FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu look on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I don’t know what position we are in the table, because I haven’t checked since the start of the season and I’m not going to now,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.
“My team once again proved it is courageous, eager, and even in defeat showed character. It’s true we made mistakes, but this is a young team and we were up against an opponent that will penalise you for every error.
“I think talking about tactics today is not appetising to me, because we did our talking on the pitch. I like to look at statistics, and not many sides manage 20 shots on goal against Inter.
“If you had told me two years ago that we’d be challenging Inter like this, I’d have assumed we had organised a friendly match, but we are fighting them on an even playing field.”
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Alex Valle of Como 1907 celebrates with his team-matesafter scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
It was not tactics, but emotional momentum that changed the game when Thuram pulled one back in first half stoppages, giving Inter some hope.
“That’s what I mean, you can talk about tactics all you want, but ultimately the mentality makes the difference,” agreed Fabregas.
“It was a lack of communication between Valle and Perrone, they found a way through, it was practically half-time. My message at half-time was that regardless of the result, we needed to keep playing like this.
“The 2-2 was not a dangerous situation and we didn’t deal with it well, but after that Inter are so strong. We created some good counter-attacks, but they are so incredible on set plays, not just against us. As I said, being competitive against Inter today was an important step in our growth process.”
This was a surprisingly attack-minded line-up from Fabregas and Como, who in the first half had Sergi Roberto drawing Piotr Zielinski out of position to attack Alessandro Bastoni.
“We have another game to play against Inter in 10 days, we prepare matches in different ways, so I don’t want to explain our ideas too much right now,” noted Fabregas when pushed on how he had tried to hurt Inter.
“I am so proud of my players, I was here the first day when we started work two and a half years ago, and I see where we are now. I see the desire to improve and the courage to compete against anyone we are up against.”
Fabregas had held Inter to a 0-0 draw here in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final last month, with the decider scheduled at San Siro on April 21.
However, they lost 4-0 in Serie A back in December, so this was a significant improvement.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Alex Valle of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Mistakes are part of the game, they can often help you grow faster, because they force you to take a good look and not just keep coasting along. That is true of life as well as of football,” explained Fabregas.
“The team gave everything, the result is a pity. I too want to learn from my mistakes, as against Milan I talked about the focus being on results rather than performance, so I won’t be saying that again.
“I just say that it was a good performance and we don’t stop now, there are six rounds to play plus the Coppa Italia, and we’ll see where we end up.”
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Nico Paz of Como 1907 scores their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
This result knocks Como down to fifth place, two points behind Juventus, but it remains extraordinarily tight for those Champions League spots.
Only six points now separate Milan in third from Roma in sixth, with six rounds left to play and several head-to-head clashes.
Marcus Thuram admits scoring for France gave him ‘a confidence booster’ that revitalised his Inter form, but won’t say the Scudetto is won yet even after the 4-3 victory over Como.
This was a dramatic evening at the Stadio Sinigaglia, as Como had taken a 2-0 lead with Alex Valle and Nico Paz just before half-time.
However, a pair of braces from Thuram and Denzel Dumfries turned it around to lead 4-2, eventually forced to suffer in the final minutes following a Lucas Da Cunha penalty.
Thuram reaches double figures
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Francesco Pio Esposito after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It was important to score just before half-time, it gave us the right spirit going into the restart,” Thuram told DAZN Italia.
The striker had struggled to find the net, but seems to have found a new lease of life after scoring on international duty for France, which he hadn’t done since 2023.
“It was good to have a change of scenery, but above all to score for France, that gave me a confidence booster, and I’ve taken it with me to Inter. Did I really score 10 goals? I usually do it a bit earlier in the season, but I got there eventually!”
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
With Napoli held 1-1 by Parma this afternoon and Milan losing heavily to Udinese, it puts Inter nine points clear at the top of the Serie A table with six rounds left to play.
“Being able to suffer and react as a team is a great sign, and this is a very important victory for us. However, until it is mathematically official, we cannot say anything has been achieved yet,” noted Tikus.
Inter will have to face Como again on April 21 for the Coppa Italia semi-final, as the first leg ended 0-0 here last month.
Inter completed an extraordinary comeback from 2-0 down to win 4-3 in Como with Marcus Thuram and Denzel Dumfries doubles, going nine points clear and knocking Cesc Fabregas down to fifth.
These sides already drew here 0-0 in the Coppa Italia semi-final, with the second leg scheduled for April 21. Lautaro Martinez and Yann Bisseck were out injured, even though the captain insisted on accompanying his teammates, so Francesco Pio Esposito and Francesco Acerbi stepped in. Como got Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez back, leaving only Jayden Addai unavailable, but chose an all-attack formation.
With Juventus winning last night, they needed a victory to keep hold of fourth place after last week’s draw with Udinese, but the Nerazzurri had the chance to go nine points clear after Napoli’s draw in Parma.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas and FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu look on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Assane Diao dribbled past two to burst into the box and his shot was charged down, but Alex Valle’s acrobatic attempt on the rebound accidentally kicked Manuel Akanji in the head, while Martin Baturina blasted over from distance.
There was a triple Como opportunity on 31 minutes, as first Denzel Dumfries made a spectacular sliding tackle to stop Douvikas tapping in the Diao roll across from six yards, then another two attempts from Maxi Perrone and Alex Valle were charged down by Francesco Acerbi and Dumfries.
It was only a warning, as the hosts took the lead soon after. Diao’s back-heel flick send Nico Paz on a mazy run into the box, where his low finish off the inside of the left foot was parried one-handed by Yann Sommer, with Alex Valle quickest to react on the rebound from 12 yards.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Alex Valle of Como 1907 celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Dumfries tested Jean Butez with a header on a corner at the back post, and the Nico Paz free kick skimmed the bar.
On the stroke of half-time, Nico Paz ran onto the long Butez ball and bent a snooker shot into the far bottom corner with the inside of the left foot, despite Sommer getting his fingertips to it.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: Nico Paz of Como 1907 scores their team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
In stoppages, Inter got one back, Marcus Thuram holding off Ignace van der Brempt to get his studs to a Nicolò Barella cross from the right, prodding it in from seven yards.
The comeback was completed after the restart, as Marc-Oliver Kempf intercepted a Barella ball over the top, not realising how close Thuram was with Butez well off his line, so the Frenchman lobbed score into an empty net.
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Substitute Jacobo Ramon nodded straight at Sommer from close range after a free kick, but instead it was Inter who scored in a very similar situation, with Dumfries meeting the Hakan Calhanoglu set play at the back post.
Baturina bent his finish just wide moments later, then Sommer had his gloves stung by a screamer of a Nico Paz free kick, but instead Inter added a fourth.
Akanji nodded down a Calhanoglu free kick at the back post, finding Dumfries to sweep in relatively undisturbed first-time from 12 yards.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 12, 2026
Ange-Yoan Bonny was penalised for a lunge on Nico Paz right on the edge of the area, but VAR confirmed the contact was inside the box. Lucas Da Cunha fired into the near bottom corner, despite Sommer getting his fingertips to the penalty.
It wasn’t over, as Alberto Moreno had two huge chances to equalise, first a free header off target from the Nico Paz cross, then prodding the finish onto the crossbar from close range.
Como 3-4 Inter
Valle 36 (C), Nico Paz 44 (C), Thuram 45+1, 49 (I), Dumfries 58, 72 (I), Da Cunha pen 89 (C)
The coach was mentioned as one of the primary candidates to take over the Nazionale after Gennaro Gattuso resigned, having failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
However, he reacted angrily today when told he had given his availability to the FIGC.
Conte open to Italy, but also to Napoli
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli SSC reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“I have another year on my contract with Napoli, then at the end of the season I will speak to the President. I would urge you to interpret my words correctly, because if they are going to be twisted, then I won’t speak at all anymore.”
The 56-year-old had already been on the Italy bench from 2014 to 2016, where he oversaw 14 victories, six draws and five defeats.
He walked away after they lost on penalties to Germany in the EURO 2016 quarter-finals, returning to club football for Chelsea.
VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Antonio Conte head coach of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Since then, he has worked at Inter, Tottenham and since 2024 at Napoli.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The centre-forward had only just made his comeback from six weeks out with a calf strain that was sustained during the Champions League play-off defeat to Bodo/Glimt in mid-February.
Although he is present, the Argentina international has no chance of playing for Inter tonight, but he wanted to be close to his teammates both on the touchline and in the locker room.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano waves to fans prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
This is not the first time that Lautaro Martinez has insisted on making this gesture, as he was also on the bench when Inter lost to Milan, despite his injury.
Cesc Fabregas gives some clues as to his new tactical approach when Como host Inter tonight and reveals he hopes to ‘pass on’ ideas he picked up watching Real Madrid, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.
The pressure is on the Lariani now, as after their run of five straight wins was ended by a 0-0 draw with Udinese, Juventus have temporarily leapfrogged them into fourth with a victory away to Atalanta.
Fabregas wants an ambitious Como approach
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas issues instructions to his players Anastasios Douvikas and Martin Baturina during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“The lads proved to me that they had courage, character, focus, so I am very proud as a coach, because the most difficult thing is to convince the players, and they have given me their all,” Fabregas told DAZN Italia.
“In football, one team wins and the other loses, all you can do is give everything you’ve got, and they make me proud.”
While Fabregas usually opts for Nico Paz as a False 9 in the big games, he goes all-attack here with Tasos Douvikas, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Assane Diao together.
COMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas issues instructions to his player Anastasios Douvikas of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and ACF Fiorentina at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on February 14, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Every game is different, I think that we are at a stage of the season where a young team with many players in their first season still have a lot to learn. We picked up a lot of confidence, know each other much better, have certain dynamics drilled in now,” said Fabregas.
“In the Coppa Italia over two legs, the first match is always a little different with an eye on the full 180 minutes, whereas tonight it’s a one-off Serie A game, one of 38 in total, and we cannot look beyond that.
“We always took it one game at a time this season in Serie A, our identity has always been to be attacking. Sergi Roberto brings experience and solidity to midfield, and we also have a different role for Diao that you will see when the game starts.
“We need to have devastating confidence on the ball to take on a team that dominates most games, we’ll see then by halftime whether we want to make a change or not.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Mergim Vojvoda of Como 1907 celebrates the opening goal with head coach Francesc Fabregas Soler during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Como 1907 at on February 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Fabregas was at the Bernabeu earlier this week to watch Real Madrid and Bayern Munich play in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. Did he pick up any tips?
“I am seeing a lot of matches lately, I went to Atalanta-Bayern Munich and Arsenal-Bayer Leverkusen too, because I like to see these high quality players live. Just the first touch, the control, how they play when pressed, these are the levels I’d love to see my teams play at one day. It helps me understand various dynamics, I love to see the ideas of these coaches, and hope to pass some of those on to my young players.”
Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez are both back in the squad after injury problems, so Jayden Addai remains the only absentee.
Cristian Chivu tries to keep Inter fully focused despite the change of Como approach this evening and Napoli result. ‘This changes nothing as far as we are concerned’
This could become a crossroads in the Scudetto race, because Napoli were held to a 1-1 draw by Parma this afternoon, so a victory would send the leaders nine points clear at the top of the table.
Chivu won’t let Inter get distracted
MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu gestures during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Genoa CFC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We are focused on our own competitiveness, knowing it will not be easy against an ambitious team that is aiming for the Champions League,” Chivu told DAZN Italia.
“We know full well that we are going to require a very strong performance to get the points here today.”
Cesc Fabregas has somewhat surprisingly gone for a very attack-minded formation this evening, with Tasos Douvikas, Nico Paz, Martin Baturina and Assane Diao together.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: Como 1907 coach Cesc Fabregas embraces FC Internazionale coach Cristian Chivu during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I told my team we mustn’t change our shape, we have to follow what we prepared in training and understand the various moments of the match,” said Chivu.
“This changes nothing as far as we are concerned, we need to build on what we have done recently, showing courage and confidence.”
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Head coach of FC Internazionale Cristian Chivu celebrates after the Serie A match between US Lecce and Inter at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
The Nerazzurri had only recently welcomed Lautaro Martinez back from a calf strain, but the captain has been ruled out by a fresh muscular injury along with Yann Bisseck.
Nonetheless, the striker is going to be on the bench to be close to his teammates.
“Lautaro was on the field last week, but I won’t forget the performances of Thuram, Esposito, Calhanoglu, all those who showed leadership, determination and character, they can do the same today,” assured Chivu.
Como know only a victory tonight will keep them in fourth place, as Juventus already beat Atalanta 1-0 last night to leapfrog them in the Serie A table.
Remo Freuler’s tap-in and a stoppage-time Riccardo Orsolini goal ultimately proved enough for Bologna to beat Lecce, who remain in the relegation zone.
The Rossoblu were shaken by Thursday’s heavy 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final, so with the second leg coming up next week, had to turn their focus back to Serie A. Lewis Ferguson sat out a ban, with Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis, Lukasz Skorupski, Benjamin Dominguez and Eivind Helland injured. Goalkeeper Massimo Pessina was given his first Serie A start. Lecce were in crisis after three consecutive losses and dropped into the relegation zone. Antonino Gallo returned to the squad, but Riccardo Sottil, Francesco Camarda, Kialonda Gaspar and Medon Berisha were still sidelined.
Tiago Gabriel at full stretch prevented Santiago Castro tapping in the Riccardo Orsolini cross from six yards, but Nikola Stulic went clear on the counter-attack only to be denied by a fantastic one-handed save from 18-year-old Pessina.
Ylber Ramadani blasted just over, but Bologna took the lead in somewhat chaotic fashion.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Eusebio Di Francesco, Head Coach of US Lecce, gestures to his players during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Lecce at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Jhon Lucumi’s ball over the top was ignored by Castro in an offside position, allowing Orsolini to run onto it and smash onto the underside of the bar with a lob, but Remo Freuler was ready to turn in the rebound.
Bologna started to put together a run of chances, as Nicolò Casale couldn’t keep his header down on a Nikola Moro free kick, then Orsolini tested Wladimiro Falcone at the near post after a series of stepovers.
Lecce were dangerous on the counter after the restart, Moro needing a desperate tackle to prevent Santiago Pierotti meeting the Stulic pull-back. On the resulting corner, Antonino Gallo was penalised because when trying to keep the ball from going out, he accidental clattered into the linesman.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna is challenged by Corrie Ndaba of US Lecce during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Lecce at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bologna kept pushing, as Castro’s shot was charged down by Jamil Siebert, then he just failed to get on the end of a cross from six yards, while Falcone stuck out a boot to deny Orsolini at the near post.
Orsolini took too long to get the Juan Miranda pull-back under control and it was eventually blocked off by a defender inside the penalty area.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Riccardo Orsolini of Bologna reacts during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and US Lecce at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Castro had the ball in the net on 82 minutes, but the referee had already stopped play for a soft Orsolini nudge when robbing Ramadani at the by-line.
Orsolini desperately wanted to end his goal drought and he got it in stoppages. Ramadani was clumsy when firing a free kick onto the back of Miranda, so Federico Bernardeschi pounced on the ricochet and immediately sent Orsolini down the right to score.
Meanwhile, this is a crucial game for the top spots, as Como need a victory to keep hold of fourth after Juventus won last night, while leaders Inter have the chance to go nine points clear of Napoli.
Lautaro Martinez had just made his comeback from six weeks out when he suffered another injury setback and will be on the sidelines for a while longer.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 04: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC 1909 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Yann Bisseck is also still struggling with a muscular issue, so Pio Esposito steps in to partner Thuram, with Francesco Acerbi in the back three.
Alessandro Bastoni was jeered mercilessly here last time and it remains to be seen how he will be greeted by opposition fans for the first time since the World Cup play-off.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: Assane Diao of Como 1907 and Francesco Acerbi of FC Internazionale jump for the ball during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Como had won five Serie A games on the bounce to surge into fourth place, but the 0-0 draw with Udinese stalled their progress.
With Juventus already winning last night against Atalanta, it means anything less than a victory will drop Cesc Fabregas and his team down to fifth.
The good news is that both Jacobo Ramon and Jesus Rodriguez have shaken off injuries, leaving only long-term absentee Jayden Addai on the absentee list.
Fabregas usually prefers using Nico Paz as a False 9 in the big games, with support from Martin Baturina and Assane Diao.
Instead, he goes all attack tonight with Tasos Douvikas and a trio behind him, leaving out Lucas Da Cunha.
Sergi Roberto and former Manchester City midfielder Maximo Perrone pull the midfield strings.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 06: Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale Milano battles for possession with Maximo Perrone of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Como 1907 at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Como vs. Inter line-ups
Como: Butez; Van der Brempt, Kempf, Diego Carlos, Valle; Sergi Roberto, Perrone; Diao, Nico Paz, Baturina; Douvikas
Scott McTominay insists ‘nothing’s finished’ for the Scudetto race and at the same time Napoli are ‘not going to cry about’ their injury crisis or think of what could’ve been.
The Partenopei were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Tardini today, conceding a goal scored by Parma after just 33 seconds with Gabriel Strefezza, until the Scotland international’s equaliser.
It means the gap at the top of the table is right now six points, although Inter could expand it to nine if they beat Como this evening.
McTominay has faith in Napoli title
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Scott McTominay of Napoli SSC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“Obviously, we know nothing’s ever finished and it’s important to keep going,” McTominay told DAZN Italia when asked if the Scudetto dream was over.
“Today was a very difficult game, we had chances with Elmas and Hojlund as well. This is football, you’re going to get results you don’t like and this is one of them.
“We’ve got to play the next six games at a high level and try to get maximum points.”
It was a nightmare start for Napoli, who conceded the opener after just 33 seconds when a long ball was flicked on for Strefezza’s angled drive.
“These games are difficult, it’s not easy if we gift them a goal at the beginning, but that’s football. The crowd is emotional, the atmosphere is intense, but I thought we had matched their spirit and intensity, we just had to find a way to break them down and score a goal.
“We have to look back at the video and take accountability, because these are games where you have to show up and you have to win.”
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Scott McTominay of Napoli SSC reacts during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
McTominay went viral in Italy a few months ago when he listed all the big players who were out injured, so does he ever think about what might’ve been this season with a full Napoli squad at their disposal?
“Interviews after a game can be emotional, you say things that are true, and it is true we’ve had a lot of injuries, a lot of games where we had players missing. This is the key, with all those competitions, you need players available, which we didn’t really have,” added McTominay.
“It was nobody’s fault, it was just a fact, and we have to accept this and those who are there strive to do more. Eljif Elmas did so well, he didn’t play much at the start and then stepped in, everyone has to be ready to work.
“We’re not going to cry about it, we’re not getting upset at the way the season has gone, we have to continue as men and see what happens at the end of the season.”
Parma coach Carlos Cuesta hailed his team’s ‘incredible sacrifice and team spirit’ to battle their way to a 1-1 draw with Napoli. ‘We’ll take the point.’
It was the perfect start for Parma at the Stadio Tardini, as surprise pick Nesta Elphege flicked on the long Zion Suzuki ball for Gabriel Strefezza to score after 33 seconds.
Despite being pinned back for long periods, Parma were rarely forced into difficult saves, held to a 1-1 draw by the Scott McTominay low drive.
Cuesta and Parma a real problem for Napoli
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Carlos Cuesta, Head Coach of Parma Calcio and Gabriel Strefezza of Parma Calcio greet each other after the match during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“I want to thank my players for all the hard work they do on the field, but also the incredible help from the fans, who gave us the strength to run that extra bit to get to the ball first,” Cuesta told DAZN Italia.
“We wanted to make the fans happy with a victory, we didn’t manage it, but we’ll take the point. We are here to defend the Parma shirt with honour and know we have not achieved our objective yet, but we’re all in this together.”
This is the third consecutive draw between Parma and Napoli, denying Antonio Conte a sixth Serie A victory on the bounce and potentially handing the Scudetto to Cuesta’s predecessor Cristian Chivu at Inter.
It also keeps the Ducali further away from the relegation zone, as they are currently nine points clear of the bottom three.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Gabriel Strefezza of Parma Calcio scores his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“I said from the first day I arrived that I didn’t have expectations, I just wanted to raise the bar. We know there are six games to go, but we’ve got to keep pushing. I saw incredible sacrifice, defending, team spirit, everyone helps each other out to bring home the result as a team,” continued the former Arsenal assistant manager.
“We know that at times we must adapt to the context of the match, usually we prefer to keep more of the ball and stay in the opposition half, but we do our best.”
Elphege was an unexpected choice for his first Serie A start, replacing the suspended Mateo Pellegrino, and made an immediate impact with the assist.
“He’s a good lad, everyone likes him, it was a very positive performance and we cannot ask him to simply replace Pellegrino, as they have different characteristics, but we hope he can have more consistency in future,” explained Cuesta.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli SSC competes for the ball with Emanuele Valeri of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
There were penalty appeals late on when Leonardo Spinazzola kicked the ball onto the arm of teammate Alessandro Buongiorno, but it was evaluated as being in a natural position.
“I haven’t seen the footage, but they told us it was not a penalty,” noted Cuesta.
The former Sassuolo, Benevento, Shakhtar Donetsk and Olympique Marseille boss was drafted in during the break for international duty following the dismissal of Igor Tudor.
De Zerbi is the third manager of the season at Spurs, which shows the extent of the task at hand to turn this situation around, but signed a long-term contract as a show of faith in their prospects.
Tottenham defeat on De Zerbi debut
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
The team is now without victory in 14 Premier League games, since beating Crystal Palace on December 28, and the club’s longest winless streak since 1935.
“They don’t need to improve football. They can play better and they will play better once we reach a different level of confidence.
“I‘m sure if we are able to win a game then everything will change.”
"I'm sorry for the result, I'm sorry for the Romero injury…We didn't deserve to lose the game"
Roberto De Zerbi says his players showed real fight against Sunderland but were unlucky to come away with nothing pic.twitter.com/SQG9599yHA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 12, 2026
To add insult to literal injury, former Serie A defender Cristian Romero went off in tears with a fitness issue and that could well be the end of his season.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, interacts with Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur after being substituted off the pitch following an injury during the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho have struggled here before, now De Zerbi is the latest coach to take on a club with seemingly endemic problems.
SUNDERLAND, ENGLAND – APRIL 12: Roberto De Zerbi, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, shakes hands with Richarlison after the Premier League match between Sunderland and Tottenham Hotspur at Stadium of Light on April 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte and Napoli have regrets after the 1-1 draw at Parma, insisting there is ‘a fine line’ between success and failure, but the Scudetto dream ‘is not extinguished.’
The Partenopei saw this as a precious opportunity to further close on leaders Inter, who face a tricky trip to Como this evening.
However, Parma proved themselves to once again be a big problem for them, as this was the third consecutive Serie A draw between these teams.
Gabriel Strefezza opened the scoring after just 33 seconds, and although Napoli poured forward throughout, they rarely tested Zion Suzuki other than the Scott McTominay equaliser.
Conte frustrated at avoidable Parma goal
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli SSC looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“It is so obvious that there’s no need to comment,” Conte told DAZN Italia viewing the goal when Alessandro Buongiorno and Juan Jesus both went for the same long ball.
“We practice these situations over and over again in training, the match situation can be a bit more emotional and the wrong choices are made, but we have worked on this. It’s a pity, because we knew that Parma would sit very deep in the final third, we saw they also put Delprato as a wingback, when usually he’s a defender, so it was more of five at the back.”
Napoli had 74.5 per cent possession and put in 37 crosses, but rarely tested goalkeeper Suzuki.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Scott McTominay of Napoli SSC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
“I told the lads at the end of the match, there are such fine margins between the team that wins and the team that doesn’t. We should’ve been more focused, instead we conceded that goal after 33 seconds.
“It was already going to be attack against defence anyway, after that goal, they set up the barricades. It was an uphill struggle from the very start, it is not easy to dominate to that degree and then not allow any counter-attacks,” continued Conte.
“We scored, we had chances to win the game, especially with the Elmas header that was incredible. A point here moves us up the table, we know that we need to secure a Champions League spot, the lads gave it their all, but it’s such a fine line between success and a draw.
“It was always going to be a mountain to climb, we tried everything to the very end.”
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli SSC looks on during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
This result means that Napoli are right now six points off leaders Inter, but so much depends on what happens at the Stadio Sinigaglia this evening.
“The dream is not extinguished, there are still six games for us to play. It was a dream tied exclusively to what those ahead of us do, and looking at Inter’s statistics so far, it was always going to be an audacious dream.
“We will continue doing what we are doing, we won five in a row, played well away to Parma, it’s just a pity we could’ve had an extra two points today. That start was a punch in the face that could’ve been a knockout blow, but we recovered and got this point, now we keep going,” concluded Conte.
Scott McTominay managed to claw back a point for Napoli after Gabriel Strefezza put Parma in front within 33 seconds, but this result damages their Scudetto ambitions.
The Partenopei climbed into second place with a 1-0 victory over Milan and were seeking a sixth straight Serie A win. Rasmus Hojlund returned after a stomach bug, but David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku were still out of action. The Ducali had just three draws in the last five rounds, and top scorer Mateo Pellegrino was suspended, with Benja Cremaschi and Matija Frigan also absent.
It took an incredible 33 seconds to break the deadlock, as in his first start for the club, Nesta Elphege jumped to flick on the long Zion Suzuki ball, allowing Gabriel Strefezza to run into the box and bend the finish in off the far post with the inside of the right boot.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Gabriel Strefezza of Parma Calcio celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Despite pouring forward, Antonio Conte’s men struggled to create any genuine chances, as Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa nodded wide with a Hojlund foul in the build-up.
Instead, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic had to rush out into midfield to clear from Enrico Delprato.
On the stroke of half-time, Kevin De Bruyne’s corner was flicked on for Hojlund, finding Delprato ready to clear practically on the line.
Juan Jesus was struggling to deal with Strefezza, so he was replaced by Sam Beukema for the restart in the Napoli defence.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Rasmus Hojlund of Napoli SSC competes for the ball with Mariano Troilo of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Matteo Politano blasted over from the edge of the area, while Alisson Santos came off the bench and fired so far wide that it went for a throw-in.
Napoli finally equalised with one of their first shots on target, as Stanislav Lobotka’s first-time through ball was laid off by Hojlund for McTominay to drill home from the edge of the area.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Scott McTominay of Napoli SSC celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
The visitors continued to pour forward, Suzuki right behind the Alisson Santos low drive, then Politano’s cross flashing all the way across the face of goal without a tap-in.
Suzuki was ready for the acrobatic McTominay overhead kick on a corner, but Parma also threatened with a ball flashed across the six-yard box and two players sliding in failing to connect.
Alisson Santos skimmed the near post from a tricky angle and there were Parma penalty appeals for handball, but Alessandro Buongiorno’s arm was in a natural position when Leonardo Spinazzola kicked it onto his teammate from point-blank range.
PARMA, ITALY – APRIL 12: Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay of Napoli SSC in action during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SSC Napoli at Stadio Ennio Tardini on April 12, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)
Milinkovic-Savic had to fingertip the Mandela Keita scorcher out from under the bar, while Eljif Elmas really should’ve done better with a free header over the bar from the Miguel Gutierrez cross.
Alisson Santos also stung Suzuki’s gloves in stoppages, but Parma have for the third game in a row held Napoli to a potentially costly stalemate in the Scudetto race.
As reported by Milannews, only one month ago, Milan were celebrating a 1-0 win over Inter, which brought them within seven points of the Nerazzurri at the top of the table and nine points above the fifth spot.
However, the following poor run of results has not only pushed Milan out of the Scudetto battle but also forced them into the race for the top four.
Milan have suffered three of their five-season losses in their last four games, losing four times in the last seven.
The Rossoneri have not scored in any of their last four defeats, and that’s a further reason for concern.
Until the loss to Parma on February 22, Massimiliano Allegri’s team had only lost once and scored in every match except one, an away goalless stalemate at Juventus.
Milan are currently five points above fifth-placed Como, but Cesc Fabregas’ men have a game in hand, to be played against Inter tonight.
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 06: Massimiliano Allegri, head coach of AC Milan, gestures during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Milan’s advantage over Juventus is only reduced to three points, and the two sides will meet at San Siro in two weeks, on April 26.
Adriano Galliani will not run for the FIGC Presidency, despite requests from Milan and Juventus, who had reportedly tried to boycott Giovanni Malagò, backed by Inter President Beppe Marotta.
Ex-CONI President Malagò is expected to represent Serie A clubs in the FIGC Presidential election on June 22.
According to Corriere della Sera, Juventus and Milan were eager to propose a different candidate, picking Galliani as the Serie A representative for elections.
The ex-Milan CEO, however, officially confirmed on Sunday that he would not run for the FIGC President role.
MONZA, ITALY – AUGUST 13: Silvio Berluconi and CEO of AC Monza Adriano Galliani attend the Serie A match between AC Monza and Torino FC at Stadio Brianteo on August 13, 2022 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
“I’ve long thought about it, and I’m honoured and grateful to those clubs that considered me for the FIGC Presidency, but I won’t accept the invitation,” Galliani said.
“Some directors had sounded me out about my availability a few days ago. I’ve never accepted, and I’ve clarified that I would make assessments to see how the situation would evolve. In the end, I believe that the best possible FIGC President, and not just as the expression of Lega Serie A desire, is Giovanni Malagò.”
Votes from Serie A clubs account for 18% of the total, expressed by 20 delegates, and Malagò seems to have received approval from the majority of clubs in Italy’s top flight.
REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – MAY 04: Giuseppe Marotta, Sports CEO of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the Serie A TIM match between US Sassuolo and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on May 04, 2024 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Corriere della Sera highlights that Malagò is being backed by Inter President Marotta, who has actively lobbied other Serie A clubs for support.
According to Corriere, Marotta has told people close to him that he’s done so “just do it for the good of football.”
Serie A clubs are expected to confirm their candidate for the FIGC Presidential election following a general meeting tomorrow, Monday, April 13.
Kevin De Bruyne gives an important update on his fitness levels after injury and gives Napoli advice on the Scudetto race. ‘I’ve been in situations where I’ve been ahead or behind.’
Rasmus Hojlund missed the 1-0 victory over Milan with a stomach bug, but has made a full recovery, though David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku are still out of action.
De Bruyne was out for over four months following a serious thigh tear, but made his return on March 6 and started the last two games.
Napoli can finally enjoy De Bruyne again
NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli, instead of celebrating the goal, stops everyone due to an injury during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and FC Internazionale at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“I feel good, obviously I’ve been away for a long time, but I worked hard to come back in the right way,” De Bruyne told DAZN Italia.
“Having a big surgery like this is never easy, but I’ve been through some injuries in my career before and tried to come back as good as possible. I feel good for the moment, that’s the most important thing.”
Inter have a tricky trip to Como this evening, while Milan already lost 3-0 at home to Udinese yesterday, so can this be a crossroads to take Napoli closer to the Scudetto?
“We just have to keep concentrating on what you need to do, we cannot think about what’s going to happen to Inter, we need to try to win our games,” replied De Bruyne.
“I’ve been in situations where I’ve been ahead or behind, in some situations we’ve done it and sometimes we didn’t. All we can really do is do our job and hope Inter will make mistakes. We’ll try to win every game and see what happens.”
Antonio Conte confirms Napoli have not lost hope of the Scudetto, but also warns they ‘always had trouble with Parma’ and expect a very tough test today.
The Partenopei are in second place after five consecutive victories and want to keep the pressure on leaders Inter, who face a tricky trip to Como this evening.
Conte keeps Napoli options open
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on February 7, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
“We need the right mentality, which is that we have an objective of Champions League qualification to achieve,” Conte told DAZN Italia.
“We are second right now, it is inevitable we will look not only over our shoulders, but also at those in front of us. Naturally, those in front have their fate in their hands.”
epa12115184 Napoli’s coach Antonio Conte (C-L) interacts with referee Daniele Doveri (2-R) during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Parma Calcio and SSC Napoli, in Parma, Italy, 18 May 2025. EPA-EFE/ELISABETTA BARACCHI
Rasmus Hojlund missed the 1-0 victory over Milan with a stomach bug, but has made a full recovery and starts here with Scott McTominay and Kevin De Bruyne.
However, David Neres, Antonio Vergara, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani and Romelu Lukaku are still out of action.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“We must have patience and quality when we’re on the ball, to break down those blocks and find the spaces. We worked on that a lot in training, how to get through those small spaces. Balance is essential, as sometimes you can pour too many men forward and leave yourselves open to lethal counter-attacks.”
In theory, this is a kind weekend for Napoli, because Inter are up against high-flying Como this evening, while Milan suffered a heavy 3-0 home defeat to Udinese.
However, Conte is eager to point out that Parma have proved themselves a tricky obstacle.
“This is one of the seven remaining games, so whatever result we get, we’ll be in a similar situation next week. What I can say is that in my two years at Napoli, we always had trouble with Parma.
“We drew 0-0 here last season, then 0-0 at home earlier this term. We have struggled to score goals against them, so I expect this to be a tough test,” warned Conte.
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