Italy international Gianluca Scamacca has impressed under Raffaele Palladino at Atalanta, scoring five goals in seven appaerances, one every 97 minutes.

Safe to say Scamacca has settled in well under the new Atalanta coach, Palladino, as the Italian striker has been scoring consistently over the last month.

As reported by Gazzetta, Scamacca has gone from scoring one goal every 292 minutes under the previous Atalanta coach Ivan Juric to one every 97 minutes under the new boss.

Scamacca shines under Palladino

Scamacca had been dealing with fitness issues during Juric’s tenure, which also prevented him from featuring with the Italy national team, but he only netted once in seven games with the Croatian in charge.

With Palladino, he’s already grabbed five goals and one assist in seven appearances. He scored one goal against Napoli and Verona and two against Cagliari in Serie A, plus one against Chelsea in the Champions League.

The assist he provided in a 4-0 Coppa Italia win against Genoa means Scamacca has contributed to at least one goal in every game he’s played under Palladino except those against Eintracht and Fiorentina, which Atalanta still won.

Italy watching Scamacca

Furthermore, Scamacca has had more shots and touches inside the opposing box under Palladino than under Juric and, overall, he seems much more involved in the play.

Scamacca’s form will surely come as good news for Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, who watched Scamacca in action at the New Balance Arena two weeks ago before dispatching his assistant Leonardo Bonucci to watch Atalanta-Chelsea.

Scamacca has only scored one goal in 22 appearances with the Italy national team, making two substitute appearances under Gattuso.

With Mike Maignan’s contract expiring in June 2026, Gazzetta warns that Milan could end up losing the Frenchman on a free transfer, as it happened with Gigio Donnarumma in 2021, but the Rossoneri still hope the story will end differently this time.

Milan will continue talks to extend Maignan’s contract in the next few days, but January is just around the corner, which means the French goalkeeper can start negotiations with any other club in just a few days and complete a free transfer at the end of the season.

Milan faced the same situation a few years ago, when lengthy talks to extend with Donnarumma led nowhere, so the Rossoneri signed Maignan from Lille before Gigio’s free move to PSG.

Maignan’s contract extension a priority for Milan

It is no secret that Maignan attracted interest from Chelsea last summer, and according to Gazzetta, the Milan star still has many admirers in the Premier League.

Milan are aware that every suitor of Maignan, especially from England, will outbid them in contract negotiations with the 30-year-old, but the Serie A giants still hope to secure an agreement in the coming weeks.

Maignan’s contract extension is a priority for Milan, and even coach Massimiliano Allegri is trying to persuade the Frenchman to sign a new deal, Football Italia understands.

What Tare said about Maignan

Igli Tare said on Sunday that the club would soon resume negotiations with the Frenchman, who was “happy” to stay at San Siro. Tare, however, denied that Maignan has demanded a new €8m-a-year contract.

“We’ve never discussed the figures, I’ve never heard these numbers, but it’s easy to talk about Mike because he’s a fantastic lad, he’s a leader and a man of the group,” said the Milan sporting director.

“We are happy with him, he likes to stay at Milan and Milan want to extend. Today we have a game we want to win, then we’ll have time to discuss the matter.”

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario has come under fire after his performance during Tottenham’s 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon: “Typical Vicario, always blaming someone else,” says Sky Sports’s Jamie Carragher. 

It has been a few weeks to forget for Tottenham, who have slipped to 11th place in the league table and are currently six points outside the Champions League spots. 

The latest disappointment came at the hands of Nottingham Forest; 16th in the Premier League after their 3-0 victory at the City Ground on Sunday. 

Vicario under fire after 3-0 Tottenham loss 

Vicario’s performances have been under particularly intense scrutiny over the last few weeks after his howler in a 2-1 loss against Fulham at the end of November. 

Things went from bad to worse for him against Forest on Sunday. It was his risky pass to midfielder Archie Gray that led to Ibrahim Sangare pinching the ball and Callum Hudson-Odoi finishing from close range that sent Tottenham 1-0 down on Sunday. 

A moment to forget for Archie Gray and Vicario

Ibrahim Sangaré brilliantly dispossesses him and plays it to Callum Hudson-Odoi to tap in and give Forest the lead! pic.twitter.com/N5JQVIgnVc

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

Tottenham then conceded another freak goal, again from Hudson-Odoi, who didn’t make any attempts to hide the fact that he had meant to cross rather than shoot from the left touchline.

Callum Hudson-Odoi crosses the ball in but it goes over Vicario and straight in! pic.twitter.com/hxJp4mY9T6

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

“Typical Vicario, he’s always blaming someone else. Every time I see him when a goal goes in, he’s throwing his arms at someone else. Just kick it out of play,” said Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher while reviewing the stopper’s recent performances. 

"Typical Vicario, he's always blaming someone else" @Carra23 not impressed with Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pic.twitter.com/30X8ynUxS8

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2025

Head coach Thomas Frank has come out in defence of his goalkeeper, arguing that there was no correlation between the goals that Vicario conceded against Nottingham Forest and Fulham over the last few weeks: “Two different situations, you can’t even compare them. Simply because the ball was out on the side in one situation, and the other was in the middle of the pitch,” he explained in frustration. 

When asked if Vicario’s decision making should be called into question, Frank said: “I think Archie (Gray) did very well, this is a clear one. You see that every week: Premier League, Serie A, LaLiga, all over the world: In, bounce out with the first touch. Unfortunately we took a touch and then we lost the ball.” 

Some supporters have not looked as kindly on Vicario’s recent performances, though. 

“Inter Milan, pls prepare your January Vicario bid,” one fan wrote on X. 

• Read more: Fulham howler, Tottenham support and Inter links: What’s going on with Vicario?
• Read more: Report Vicario wants Inter move

“He’s a great shot stopper, but frightens me when he’s on the ball,” another added. 

“Happily sell Vicario tomorrow, but Gray was clearly asking for the ball,” wrote another Spurs supporter. 

Liverpool fans were impressed by Federico Chiesa’s selflessness with his attempted assist for Mohamed Salah at the end of their 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon: ‘We need to see more of him’. 

After a relatively slow start to life on Merseyside in 2024-25, Chiesa is becoming somewhat of a cult hero at Anfield in 2025-26. Despite his limited opportunities in the first team, the former Juventus winger has impressed with his brief appearances off the bench, and is winning over Liverpool supporters with his passion, determination and selflessness. 

Chiesa currently has two goals and one assist to his name from 11 appearances in the Premier League this season, all of which have come off the bench. 

He came close to adding another assist to that tally during injury time at the end of Liverpool’s 2-0 win against Brighton on Saturday afternoon. 

At full sprint in the opposition half, Chiesa latched on to a long ball over the top on the edge of the opposition area and had the space and time in front of him to line up a shot towards the bottom corner of the net. Instead, he looked up and squared to Salah. 

Liverpool fans react to Chiesa’s selflessness

Plenty of Liverpool supporters feel that Chiesa was intentionally trying to get a goal for Salah specifically after a difficult week off the pitch. The Egyptian was dropped for Liverpool’s recent Champions League victory over Inter and had started on the bench against Brighton after his recent outburst and accusations against the club. 

“Moments like this matter. Chiesa could’ve easily shot, but chooses Mo instead. Respect,” wrote The Anfield Buzz on X reacting to the Italian’s attempted assist on Saturday.

One supporter wrote: “Chiesa can do this on both flanks and has some incredible pace in him even after all those injuries and an ACL. With Mo going to AFCON, we need to see more of him.” 

Another added: “Chiesa has played only 15 minutes and really doesn’t deserve to be benched. Now that Salah has gone to play in the AFCON, Federico Chiesa DESERVES to start. He looks very sharp.” 

“Two chances to go alone, which was the better option, but instead opted to pass to Isak and Mo Salah cause he knows they can do with it more. Unselfish, team player. Honestly one of the best signings we’ve had in recent years,” another wrote.

Former Inter star Gianluca Pagliuca believes Guglielmo Vicario is a ‘very good goalkeeper’ but is not ‘top-class’ while Gigio Donnarumma is the best in the world.

La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Tottenham keeper Vicario is open to joining Inter next summer as the Nerazzurri will be looking for a replacement for Yann Sommer in 2026-27.

“It would be a good idea, with full respect for Sommer,” Pagliuca, a former Inter goalkeeper, told Gazzetta via Fcinter1098.it

‘Vicario not a top-class goalkeeper’

“Yann is a reliable goalkeeper and has experience. I don’t know what Inter want to do, but the fact that he’s been questioned over two mistakes seems a bit excessive to me.”

As for Vicario, the former Italy international seems to have clear ideas: “He’s a very good goalkeeper, the second choice for our national team. He has experience in Italy and also in the Premier League,” Pagliuca said.

“However, I don’t see him as a top-class player yet. He has experience because he’s been between the posts for a long time; he’s 29, but he doesn’t give me the feeling of being a top player.”

Pagliuca, Italy’s starting goalkeeper in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups, also praised Inter’s second-choice goalkeeper Josep Martinez: “I really like him,” he said.

Pagliuca ranks the top three goalkeepers in the world

Lastly, he ranked the top-three goalkeepers in the world: “In an overall ranking of No.1s, I’d put Gigio [Donnarumma] first, then Courtois and then Dibu Martinez, who, I don’t know whether will remain in Birmingham.”

Pagliuca played for Sampdoria, Inter, Bologna and Ascoli in Serie A, collecting 592 appearances in Italy’s top flight.

The former goalkeeper won the Scudetto in 1990-91 with Sampdoria and the 1997-98 UEFA Cup, now Europa League, with Inter.

He retired after spending the last season of his career at Ascoli in 2006-07.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario wants to join Inter next summer, but the Nerazzurri don’t want to pay more than €20m to sign the Italy international.

Italian goalkeeper Vicario is eager to join Inter next summer, according to the latest report of Gazzetta dello Sport.

Vicario wants Inter move

The pink paper had reported in November that Vicario wanted to leave Spurs at the end of the season and that the Nerazzurri were interested in securing his services.

Vicario is grateful to Tottenham but wants to return to Serie A in the summer, so the Nerazzurri will have to negotiate with Spurs, as the goalkeeper’s contract runs out in June 2028.

Vicario a long-time Inter target

According to the report, however, Inter are unwilling to invest more than €20m to sign the former Empoli and Cagliari goalkeeper who was already a Nerazzurri target in 2023, before the 29-year-old completed a permanent move to North London.

Vicario has kept nine clean sheets in 22 Tottenham appearances this season.

He’s Italy second-choice keeper behind Gigio Donnarumma and has five international appearances to his name.

Arne Slot has confirmed that Federico Chiesa should be in a position to return to the Liverpool squad over the weekend after recovering from a bout of illness that kept him out of his side’s 1-0 Champions League win over Inter on Tuesday night. 

Will Chiesa feature in Liverpool vs. Brighton?

The former Juventus and Fiorentina winger had been suffering with flu-like symptoms earlier in the week, which kept him out of the travelling Liverpool squad to take on Inter in San Siro. With Mohamed Salah out of the squad for disciplinary reasons and Cody Gakpo also unavailable midweek, many thought there could have been an opportunity for Chiesa to impress on home soil. 

Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday, head coach Slot confirmed that Chiesa should return to the matchday squad to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday. 

“Federico is not ill anymore. He trained yesterday and he trained today again, so I assume he’s ready to be in the squad tomorrow again,” Slot told the press. 

He also confirmed that Gakpo is still suffering with a muscular injury, and with Salah not expected to feature, there could still potentially be a chance of increased minutes for the Italian this weekend.

Lautaro Martinez is confident that promising Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito will become a ‘pillar’ of the Nerazzurri and the Italy national team: ‘He’s serious and humble.’

Pio Esposito returned to Inter last summer after a two-season loan spell at Serie B side Spezia.

Lautaro: Pio Esposito will ‘become a pillar of Inter and Italy’

A product of the Inter Academy, Esposito has netted three goals and provided three assists in 18 appearances across all competitions this season and even made his senior Italy debut, netting three times in five games with the Azzurri.

“I know him quite well because he comes from the youth sector,” Lautaro told Gazzetta.

“He’s a serious and humble lad. Let’s leave him calm, and he’ll become a pillar of Inter and the Italy national team. Bonny also has strength and quality and is helping us.”

During the same interview, Lautaro argued that the Nerazzurri had suffered an “injustice” in their latest Champions League match against Liverpool: “If you lose due to a referee’s mistake, there’s not much you can do,” he said.

Luka Modric is ‘waiting’ for Italy at the 2026 World Cup as missing out on qualification for the third time in a row ‘would be a tragedy.’

Italy will have to go through the playoffs to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

The Azzurri will meet Northern Ireland in the semifinal and the winner between Wales and Bosnia Herzegovina if they progress to the final.

“It would be a tragedy for you to miss a third World Cup in a row,” Modric told Gazzetta.

“I hope Italy qualify because all the best teams will be at the next World Cup and Italy are one of the best, so they have to be there.

“The playoffs are always difficult, but I wish Italy the best of luck in qualifying. I’ll be waiting for you.”

Modric’s Croatia will be in Group L with England, Ghana and Panama, while, if Italy qualify, they’ll meet Canada, Switzerland and Qatar in Group B.

“England are one of the strongest national teams around, but we don’t underestimate anyone. We’re in a difficult group, and we have to prepare well,” said Modric.

“The World Cup is still a long way off, and right now we need to think about the present and about Milan because we want to keep going down this path.”

• Read more – Modric ‘surprised’ by Allegri, Milan the ‘biggest Italian club’

Tuttosport newspaper reports that Davide Frattesi’s agent has held preliminary talks with Juventus as the Inter midfielder seeks more playing time.

Juventus have reportedly resumed talks with Beppe Riso, the agent of Inter midfielder Frattesi.

The Italy international has been struggling with playing time this season, falling down Cristian Chivu’s pecking order.

Frattesi seeks more playing time

According to Tuttosport, the midfielder’s representative recently held talks with the Old Lady, who had already set her sights on the 26-year-old in previous years.

The Turin-based paper reports that Frattesi’s agent met Juventus representatives at the club’s headquarters.

Even if those directly involved described the meeting as a courtesy visit, it’s highly possible that the two parties made an initial approach ahead of the January transfer window.

Frattesi has only collected 480 minutes of football across all competitions this season, providing two assists in Coppa Italia against Serie B side Venezia.

Strong bond between Frattesi and Spalletti

However, his contract expires in June 2028 and Inter will be reluctant to sell the midfielder to a direct rival, so their asking price won’t be below €35m.

Frattesi is open to leaving Inter next month and is on good terms with Luciano Spalletti. The Inter midfielder was the best Italy scorer during the Tuscan coach’s tenure, finding the net seven times.