Fabio Cannavaro agrees with the growing portion of Serie A supporters who feel that there are not enough opportunities for young, homegrown players in Italy, and has explained what he would do to change the situation. 

The 2006 World Cup winning captain gave an in-depth interview to Tuttosport on Tuesday, in which he discussed his prospects with Uzbekistan at the World Cup, his recent candidacy for the Italy national team job, and the current state of affairs in Serie A. 

• Read more: Cannavaro reveals how close he was to becoming Italy CT

Cannavaro: ‘Not enough Italians, even fewer young players’

Cannavaro believes that the fundamental flaw of the Italy national team is the lack of playing time for homegrown players, and especially young Italian players in the top flight. 

He also feels that Italian football is centred too much around its tactics and not around the technical ability of the players. 

When asked by Tuttosport if he still has an opportunity to watch Serie A football in his job as head coach of Uzbekistan, Cannavaro said: “No, no, I watch it even more, it helps you understand lots of different things.

And so, what has he learned from watching Serie A football recently? 

“There’s a difficult tactic they use in Italy, they play man-for-man all over the pitch. They all seem to be sons of Gasperini now, a coach I also appreciate a lot and learn a lot from.” 

And the flaws of the Italian game? 

“Not many Italians are used, and even fewer young players. All this is reflected in the national team and the coaches who have to make the call-ups. 

“For 20 years before we won the World Cup in 2006, we had players being called up who would make you say ‘wow’. 20 years later, we’ve got a team that makes you say: ‘Oh mamma mia’.” 

Cannavaro was then asked if he thinks that Italy needs a full-scale football ‘revolution’, to which he replied: “Yes, because we’re focussing too much on tactics.

“Young players coming into football are like houses being built, the foundations should be built on technique, not tactics. Until I turned 20, coaches used to just tell me to follow my opponent, even when he went to the bathroom. This Gasperini method helps young players become better.”

Cesc Fabregas is far from the most popular man in Senegal at the moment following the injury sustained by Assane Diao during Monday evening’s Serie A clash between Roma and Como, which puts the 20-year-old at risk of missing the Africa Cup of Nations. 

Fabregas abuse after Diao injury in Roma 1-0 Como

Como were beaten 1-0 by Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night: Wesley Franca with the only goal of the game. 

On top of losing what was effectively a six-pointer in the race for Champions League football, Como have also had to deal with the loss of Diao, who pulled up and then limped off after 37 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico. 

The Senegal talent had missed several months of action earlier this year due to a fractured metatarsal, and had only recently returned from a hamstring injury that ruled him out for two league matches in November. 

However, he has now picked up another muscular injury, which makes his participation at the Africa Cup of Nations into major doubt. 

Now, Fabregas is the target of insults from Senegal fans on social media after his decision to deploy Diao as a starter against Roma, just a few days before the Africa Cup of Nations is due to get underway. 

The Spaniard has been labelled an ‘imbecile’ by some supporters, while others have used more extreme language, and others have made degrading comments about his wife under his most recent post on Instagram in the hours since Como’s 2-0 defeat against Roma.

 

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Fabio Cannavaro has explained how close he was to becoming the successor to Luciano Spalletti as head coach of the Italy national team, and has revealed which other nation he came close to taking over before taking on his current role with Uzbekistan. 

The 2006 World Cup winner, who was appointed as head coach of Uzbekistan in October,  has given an in-depth interview with Tuttosport, in which he discussed his career prospects and his ambitions for the summer. 

Cannavaro was among the names linked with the Italy national team job after the dismissal of Luciano Spalletti in June. In the end, the job went to his former national team colleague Gennaro Gattuso, who will guide the Azzurri into the World Cup play-offs in March. 

Cannavaro on Italy, Poland and Uzbekistan jobs: ‘I got tired of waiting’

Cannavaro told Tuttosport that he did have conversations regarding the Italy national team job, but that he never truly felt like a genuine candidate. 

“I’ll be honest. I spoke with Buffon, but I wasn’t really in contention,” Cannavaro said. “I had a great past as a footballer, but maybe they saw me as a poster boy more than anything. I won’t give up on coaching, I will continue. I agree with Gattuso’s choices, he’s someone who studies a lot.” 

Cannavaro also revealed that he had an opportunity to become the head coach of Poland shortly after the Italy post came up, a job which he ultimately turned down. 

“Yes, I was one step away and then said no. I didn’t feel like it, and that was a mistake, the biggest since I came back from China. I might have said no because I was waiting for Italy. That was my idea, but nothing came of it and then I got tired of waiting.” 

Still, in his role as head coach of Uzbekistan, Cannavaro is guaranteed a place at the World Cup, while Gattuso and Italy are not. 

“I’ll be back 20 years after that victory in Germany,” he said. “It was a great feeling being in the meeting with all the coaches who will be there in America.” 

And what was it like meeting his players for the first time in Uzbekistan? 

“They were all in awe when they first met me. I understood them and put them at ease to break the ice. I know why they qualified. They’re a tough national side and the Uzbeks are determined people. 

“I don’t have much time and have to find solutions quickly. I’ve watched a lot of matches, I’ve toured the country. Now the league is over and we’re going to follow the other championships where Uzbek players are involved . I call them every week, especially Shomurodov who speaks pretty good Italian. He’s in Turkey with Basaksehir now.” 

Uzbekistan will face Colombia, Portugal and possibly DR Congo in the World Cup group stage. 

When suggested that this is ‘not a walk in the park’, Cannavaro replied: “No, I wouldn’t say so, but we will be prepared when we get to those games. We’ll play against Colombia first, my friend Asprilla has already called and given me some suggestions.” 

Tuesday’s reports claim that Milan are still ‘dreaming’ of a move for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window, despite the path being clear for them to pick up Niclas Fullkrug from West Ham. 

Where Milan stand in pursuit of Fullkrug and Zirkzee

The Rossoneri are aiming to add to their attacking department in January. Massimiliano Allegri typically deploys a 3-5-2 system in San Siro, and despite the fact that Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Christopher Nkunku have all played up front at various stages this season, the injured Santiago Gimenez is Milan’s only natural, senior centre-forward. 

For that reason, Milan have been exploring their options ahead of the January transfer window, and according to recent reports, have an agreement in principle over a potential loan deal for Fullkrug. 

The Germany international is expected to be made available for a straight loan deal until the end of the season, which suits Milan, and his wages are not an issue for the Rossoneri either. 

However, his injury record and lack of goals during his West Ham spell is an obvious risk. The 32-year-old has not scored since a 2-2 Premier League draw with AFC Bournemouth on April 5. 

Fullkrug has also had several spells on the treatment table during his time in East London: An achilles issue that caused him to miss 16 games in 2024, a thigh injury in January 2025 which saw him miss another 12 games and then a muscular injury in October which has caused him to miss another month and a half. 

With these doubts in the back of Milan’s mind, the club have reportedly kept their interest in former Bologna forward Zirkzee according to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

Milan have reportedly been in contact with the Manchester United forward’s agents in recent weeks. Tuesday’s report claims that he is open to the idea of leaving Old Trafford, but that negotiations with Manchester United are not expected to be straightforward. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that United will seek a loan deal with an obligation to buy for a fee in the region of €35m if they are to sanction Zirkzee’s departure in January. Milan are also not the only interested party, with Roma also among the clubs thought to be following the Dutchman. 

The January transfer window is fast approaching, but reports in Italy claim that Juventus are already looking ahead to the summer, when they could make a move for RB Leipzig midfielder Xaver Schlager. 

Reports Juventus interested in Schlager on free transfer

According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Schlager is of interest to the Bianconeri given that his contract is set to expire in June and could be tempted away from the Bundesliga. 

The 28-year-old has 134 Bundesliga appearances to his name, but is not currently a guaranteed starter under Ole Werner at RedBull Arena. 

A central midfielder, also capable of playing in a more advanced role, Schlager would be comfortable covering in both a three-man or two-man midfield at Juventus. 

The Austria international suffered a cruciate ligament injury in May of 2024, which kept him sidelined for most of the 2024-25 campaign. Before then, he was a guaranteed starter for Die Roten Bullen, making 29 Bundesliga appearances and eight in the Champions League in 2023-24. 

Romelu Lukaku is back in training with Napoli and could be poised to make his return to competitive action in the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia later this week according to reports on Tuesday morning. 

Lukaku set for Napoli return in Supercoppa Italiana

The Belgium international has missed 124 days of action after picking up a high-grade tear in his thigh during a pre-season friendly against Olympiacos on August 14. 

The injury to Lukaku, which occurred just a week before the start of the Serie A campaign, fast-tracked the signing of Rasmus Hojlund from Manchester United after it became clear that Antonio Conte would be without his first-choice centre-forward for several months. 

Conte could soon have Lukaku, Hojlund and Lorenzo Lucca to chose from, though, as the Belgian has returned to training as of Monday morning and is set to be included in Napoli’s squad for the Supercoppa Italiana in Saudi Arabia later this week. 

According to updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Lukaku and the Napoli squad will fly over to Riyadh on Tuesday afternoon, although it remains to be seen how long he will be able to play for after missing 22 matches across Serie A, the Champions League and the Coppa Italia. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Super re-match 

The Inter pact 

Barella and Lautaro have given the Nerazzurri squad a boost after taking the lead in Serie A

First semi-final in Riyadh on Thursday

Milan: The no.9 puzzle 

Leao is a big doubt, heading towards Nkunku-Pulisic. Gimenez could have an operation 

Napoli, Lobotka changes you 

The regista returns as a starter and Conte also brings Lukaku to Arabia

There’s also Roma for the Scudetto 

Como beaten at the Olimpico 

A goal from Wesley (1-0) Gasp beats Fabregas and goes fourth -3 from the top 

Juve

Tough but sincere Spalletti effect (and dreaming of Hojbjerg)

Corriere dello Sport 

The Christmas of Rom 

Lukaku in Arabia

Napoli, Big Rom returns for mission Supercoppa 

Training with the group as of yesterday and flying to Riyadh today: First call-up since the injury on August 14

Re-embraces Conte: He’s the special card for the semi-final against Milan on Thursday. Cannavaro: ‘How could you criticise Antonio?’

Fiorentina, judgement day 

Commisso on the phone from the States 

Rocco wants to restructure the technical department: A new director will decide Vanoli’s future. Here’s the plan to avoid relegation to Serie B

Saele signs until 2031, Now Fullkrug 

Milan in action 

Dumfries operation: 2 months out 

Inter think about Norton-Cuffy

Bologna, a shot in defence 

From Leysen to Disasi

Tuttosport

‘Spalletti sends Juve crazy, you can dream’

Interview with Cannavaro 

The CT of Uzbekistan will hold a workshop at the training ground where Maradona practiced. ‘Luciano, like Gasp, is someone you can always learn from. With him, you can start to believe in a Scudetto. Yildiz as a 10? He has a lot of quality, but he strikes me as more of a winger. Inter are the strongest, but when Napoli are at full strength though …’

Toro: Vlasic runs until 2028 

The Croatian is leading the team and is one of Cairo’s favourites

The new contract will be made official in 2026. Five goals and two assists in his last six games with Croatia and Torino: Tactical changes decisive. Three at the back, even without Coco and Masina: Here’s how. Israel is becoming a talking-point

Wesley goal: Gasperini, message to Luciano 

1-0 against Como 

Roma win a high-stakes match and secure fourth place. The battle with Juve on Saturday

From Palestra to Zaniolo: Gattuso’s christmas 

World Cup play-offs: New resources 

100 days until the semi-final against Northern Ireland. The league is providing different alternatives at full-back and in attack. Eyes also on Bartesaghi and Bernardeschi

Fiorentina, ahead with Vanoli until Udinese at least

Viola crisis

Reports in Italy claim that Milan have an agreement in principle with Germany international Niclas Fullkrug heading into the January transfer window, but still have to strike a deal with West Ham United before a transfer can go ahead. 

Report Fullkrug agrees to Milan move, West Ham talks pending

Recent reports suggest that Milan are, again, looking for a new centre-forward in January. 

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Santiago Gimenez, who joined the Rossoneri from Feyenoord last winter. Massimiliano Allegri, who has deployed a 3-5-2 since taking over in San Siro, only has Christopher Nkunku, Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic, all of whom have had various injury and fitness struggles this season, as his other options up front. 

It has been suggested over the last few weeks that Milan are keen on a potential opportunity to pick up Fullkrug from West Ham. The Rossoneri are keen to add another natural centre-forward to their ranks, and the German is reportedly keen to move away from East London after a miserable time of it over the last 18 months. 

Now, according to reports from Calciomercato.com, Rossoneri sporting director Igli Tare has been in contact with Fullkrug’s agents, and there have been no issues in terms of salary. Milan are willing to cover the €1.5m that Fullkrug is set to earn between January and the end of the 2025-26 season. 

Monday’s report claims that Fullkrug has told his representatives to hold off on any other offers to prioritise a move to Milan. 

Milan are reportedly seeking a straight loan deal until the end of the 2025-26 season, although they still need to come to an agreement with West Ham over the terms of a deal for the German.

Alexis Saelemaekers has put pen to paper on a new and improved contract with Milan, which will tie him to the club until the summer of 2031. 

Saelemaekers doubles wages on new Milan contract

Saelemaekers’s new deal is a five-year contract, which will take effect from July 1, 2026. He will continue on his current terms until the end of the 2025-26 campaign. 

The Belgian had been due to be out of contract in the summer of 2027, which meant that he would have been entering the final 12 months of his deal this summer had a new extension not been agreed. 

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Saelemaekers will more than double his wages on his new contract as he currently earns a reported €1.2m per season and will soon see that figure rise to €3m per season. 

“AC Milan are delighted to announce that Alexis Saelemaekers has renewed his contract with the Club until 30 June 2031, with effect from 1 July 2026,” a statement from the club read.

“Since joining the Rossoneri in January 2020, Alexis has grown each season, standing out for his professionalism, selflessness, and strong sense of belonging, embodying the Club’s values on and off the pitch.

“After 159 appearances and 12 goals in the Rossonero shirt, and playing his part in the 2021/22 Scudetto triumph, AC Milan and Alexis Saelemaekers will continue their journey together, driven by the ambition to reach new milestones and write further chapters in Rossonero history.”

Saelemaekers has been a mainstay in the Milan line-up since the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri this summer. He has started in all 15 league matches so far this term, and has only come off before the 90th minute on four occasions. 

Despite his current status as a specialist right wing-back, Saelemaekers also covered in Milan’s front two when required during the early stages of the season.

Monday’s reports claim that Milan have an agreement in place to extend the contract of versatile wing-back Alexis Saelemaekers until the summer of 2030. 

Gazzetta: Saelemaekers set to renew Milan contract until 2030

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan and Saelemaekers have an agreement in place over a new contract that will run until 2030, which comes with an increase in wages from around €1.2m per season to roughly €3m per year. 

The topic of a contract extension for the Belgian has been on the cards for several months, but Monday’s report suggests that an official announcement could now arrive within the next few days. 

Saelemaekers’s current contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, which means that he would be entering the final year of his deal once the current campaign draws to a close. 

The 26-year-old originally joined the Rossoneri in the winter of 2020, and though he would go on to make 111 Serie A appearances across his first three-and-a-half seasons in San Siro, he would later be allowed to join Bologna on loan for the 2023-24 campaign. 

It looked as though his time with Milan might be over when he was sent out on a second consecutive season-long loan deal to Roma in 2024-25, but after seven league goals from 22 appearances, his numbers convinced Massimiliano Allegri to give him another go in the Milan first-team. 

Saelemaekers has gone from strength to strength since then, and has become one of the most dependable performers for the Rossoneri this term. He has started in all 15 of this season’s league fixtures, and has only come off before full-time on four occasions. Now a regular at right wing-back, he has also filled in in the attackiing line on occasion this term.

Things have gone from bad to worse for Fiorentina in 2025-26, and with no wins to their name in Serie A after 15 attempts, the finger has been pointed in numerous directions over the last few weeks. This time it’s the turn of goalkeeper David De Gea, whose errors have cost the Viola up to eight points so far this season. 

De Gea under fire for Fiorentina blunders

Fiorentina are already staring at the threat of relegation from Serie A after 15 matches, with just six points to their name so far in the league. They have won none of their 15 league fixtures and have lost nine, the most recent coming in a 2-1 defeat at home against Hellas Verona, also in the relegation zone, on Sunday. 

De Gea came under fire after the Verona loss for his positioning error that led to the first goal. Gift Orban looked as though he was going to challenge the Spaniard one-on-one, but was instead able to wrap a bending finish around the goalkeeper from outside the area with the space that De Gea had left open.

De Gea was also criticised for letting in a relatively weak header deep into second-half stoppage time during a 1-1 draw with Cagliari on the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season. 

The former Manchester United stopper also made a hash of an attempted claim in his own area in a 2-2 draw against Genoa at the beginning of November, although in fairness to him, had also kept out a penalty earlier on in that game. 

Additionally, the Spaniard also let in goals against Sassuolo and Milan that he would usually be expected to keep out. There were also subtle slip-ups against Como and Juventus, and as a result of these errors, Fiorentina have directly dropped eight points in the Serie A standings according to Firenzeviola.it. 

Juventus saw their value on the stock market surge on Monday morning as a result of Tether’s €1.1bn offer to take over the club from the Agnelli family. 

On Friday evening, Tether announced that they had officially submitted an offer worth around €1.1bn to purchase the 65.4% of the club shares that are currently owned by Exor, the holding company owned and operated by the Agnelli family. 

Tether, who already own just over 10% of Juventus themselves, also announced that they intended to make a public offer to purchase the remaining shares in the club at the same price, which would give them full and exclusive control. 

The Agnelli family, however, have maintained since Friday evening that Juve is not for sale. “Our Juventus, our history, our values, are not for sale,” said John Elkann in a publicly released video on Saturday. 

Juventus increase in value after Tether offer

As a result of the takeover offer, Juventus’s value on the stock market skyrocketed on Monday morning. When the market closed on Friday evening, prior to Tether’s announcement, a single share in the club was worth €2.34, compared to €2.47 on Monday morning. That is an increase of 12.7%.

Tether’s offer was to purchase the remaining Juventus shares at a price of €2.66 per share, which equated to a total cost of around €1.1bn. That was a premium of 20.47% compared to the stocks’ official value before the weekend.  

Juventus have Juan Cabal to thank after picking up a vital three points in a 1-0 victory away against Bologna in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Check out the player ratings below! 

The Colombian scored the only goal of the game from a set-piece, which has sent Juventus above Bologna by one point in the Serie A standings. The Bianconeri sit in fifth place as things stand, one point behind Roma who will host Como at the Stadio Olimpico on Monday night. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Bologna 0-1 Juventus: Player ratings! 

Bologna: Ravaglia 6; Zortea 6 (De Silvestri 5.5), Heggem 4, Lucumi 6 (Bernardeschi n/a), Miranda 6; Moro 6 (Holm 6), Pobega 6; Orsolini 6.5, Ferguson 6 (Sulemana 5.5), Cambiaghi 5.5; Dallinga 5.5 (Castro 5.5).

Best Bologna player: Orsolini 6.5 – To little surprise, Bologna’s most threatening outlet on the night. He had more shots and shots on target than any other player in the game, and was a handful for Koopmeiners until the Dutchman came off. 

Coach: Vincenzo Italiano 6 – Statistically, it was a fairly evenly-fought contest at the Dall-Ara. The hosts had 51% of the possession, had one shot fewer than their opponents, but had one more on target. Had it not been for a momentary switch-off from a set-piece, Bologna had done more than enough to earn a draw, which would have suited them better than Juventus.

Juventus: Di Gregorio 6.5; Kalulu 6, Kelly 6.5, Koopmeiners 6 (Bremer 6); McKennie 6, Thuram 6, Locatelli 6, Cambiaso 5.5 (Cabal 7); Conceicao 6.5 (Miretti n/a), Yildiz 7, David 6 (Openda 6.5).

Best Juventus player: Cabal 7 – Two goals in six Serie A appearances for the Colombian now. Immediate impact off the bench on Sunday evening, evading his marker to claim a free header in the middle of the Bologna penalty area. That was a big confidence boost to begin his evening. 

Coach: Luciano Spalletti 6.5 – That was a big six-pointer in the race for Champions League football, and the perfect way to bounce back after a disappointing 2-1 defeat against Napoli last time out in Serie A. Had Juventus been a touch more clinical, that would have been a slightly more flattering scoreline. Still, managed the game well after going ahead, even if their life was made easier with Heggem’s sending off. 

Gleison Bremer has marked his return from injury after a spell of 78 days on the sideline, but Luciano Spalletti will now have to do without another one of his centre-back options when the Bianconeri take on Roma in a huge Serie A clash next weekend. 

Bremer started four of Juve’s first five Serie A matches of the season, but has since missed nine league matches in a row, 15 across all competitions, after suffering a meniscus injury in September.

He had not featured for Juventus since Juventus’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta on September 27, but, 78 days later, has come on as a second-half substitute during Juventus’s Serie A match against Bologna. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

One in, one out for Juventus

While Bremer is now back, Teun Koopmeiners, who has regularly filled in at centre-back since Spalletti came in, will not be available to face Roma in Serie A next week. He picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Bologna and will now have to serve a one-match ban. 

Federico Gatti is also out injured, which leaves Lloyd Kelly, Pierre Kalulu, Bremer and Daniele Rugani, who has only recently returned to training himself as his natural centre-back options for Roma on Saturday. 

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. 

Lautaro Martinez insists that he and his Inter teammates have their sights set on the Serie A title in 2025-26 and took an opportunity to address his colleagues at the end of their 2-1 victory away against Genoa on Sunday: ‘We’re the ones who put in the work’. 

Inter currently sit alone at the top of the Serie A standings thanks to a 2-1 win away against Genoa on Sunday evening. Goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro were enough for the Nerazzurri to hold onto, despite Vitinha pulling one back for Genoa midway through the second half. 

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

Lautaro addresses Inter teammates after Genoa victory

Napoli’s 1-0 loss against Udinese and Milan’s 2-2 draw with Sassuolo earlier on Sunday means that Inter will spend the next week on their own at the top of the Serie A table. There had been four teams separated by just one point at the top of the table a few weeks ago. 

“It means a lot, we’re back at the top because we’ve worked hard, we’ve had to sacrifice ourselves and regardless of what people say about us, we are focussed on ourselves, working hard, improving, hoping to bring joy to these supporters,” Lautaro told DAZN after full-time on Sunday (via fcinternews.it). 

“Everyone’s been talking about Inter for a few years because we’ve been doing well. It’s normal for there to be criticism and compliments. 

“We’re a team that is aware of our strengths, we always try to make sure that Inter is at the top. It seems repetitive, but that’s what we do. The message in the dressing room is clear, we want to do it.” 

Lautaro was asked what the message he wants to send is, and instead of addressing the supporters, the Nerazzurri skipper took an opportunity to rally his teammates instead. 

“It’s a message to ourselves. As I always say, we’re the ones who put in the work and we’re the ones who try to bring Inter back to where it belongs, so it’s to the team that I speak.”

Cristian Chivu is pleased to see his Inter team back at the top of the Serie A standings after claiming that his side had been written off in the early stages of the 2025-26 season, and has explained why he made certain changes during Sunday’s 2-1 victory away against Genoa. 

The Nerazzurri currently sit alone at the top of the Serie A standings thanks to goals from Yann Bisseck and Lautaro Martinez in an eventual 2-1 victory over Genoa on Sunday evening. 

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

Chivu after Genoa 1-2 Inter: ‘I’ll take the three points’

Speaking to DAZN after full-time, Chivu said that he would rather talk about the game itself rather than the impact that it has had on the Serie A table. 

“I like to talk about the game and what I saw on the pitch,” he began. “It was a difficult game tonight, in this atmosphere and against a team that has been strong since De Rossi came in. I’ll take the three points, which are the most important thing.” 

Chivu explained why he decided to make certain changes before and during Sunday’s 2-1 win over Genoa. 

“The changes were made according to energy and form. Originally, at 2-0, Bonny was supposed to come on, but then I opted for Thuram because I needed more speed. I took Zielinski off and moved Akanji up because we needed two midfielders with a strong structure.” 

Chivu was then asked if he feels his Inter side have been underrated at times this season. 

He replied: “A few months ago, they had us finishing eighth or tenth because we looked finished. We’re working hard to show our value. 

“For me, we need a bit of consistency in everything, but we’re aware of what we have to do and how we have to do it. Sometimes you succeed, sometimes you don’t.” 

Up next on the schedule is a trip to Saudi Arabia to take on Bologna in the semi-final of the Supercoppa Italiana. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Napoli or Milan a few days later. 

“An important game lies ahead of us in Riyadh. We’re not looking at anything else,” Chivu said.

Inter once again have Lautaro Martinez to thank for a 2-1 victory away against Genoa in Serie A on Sunday evening, a result which has sent the Nerazzurri to the top of the league table. 

Check out the player ratings below! 

A surprise goal from centre-back Yann Bisseck and a second from captain Lautaro 10 minutes before the end of the first half were enough for Inter to cling onto despite Vitinha pulling one back for Genoa midway through the second half. 

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

Genoa 1-2 Inter: Player ratings!

Genoa: Leali 6; Marcandalli 6, Otoa 6, Vasquez 5.5; Norton-Cuffy 6, Frendrup 5, Malinovskyi 5, Ellertsson 6, Martin 6; Vitinha 6.5, Colombo 5.5.

Best Genoa player: Vitinha 6.5 – Provided the moment of quality that gave the Genoa supporters a brief moment of joy and the belief that they might get something more out of the game in the second half. He had so much work to do to create that goal for himself as well. 

Coach: Daniele De Rossi 6 – It was always going to be a difficult test against Inter, but Genoa weren’t really up to the task aside from their decent opening spell. Another tricky test against Atalanta now awaits them. 

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 7, Akanji 6, Bastoni 6; L.Henrique 6, Barella 6, Zielinski 6.5, Sucic 6.5, C.Augusto 6; L.Martinez 7.5, Esposito 6. 

Best Inter player: Lautaro Martinez 7.5 – A goal, an assist and four shots on target from the Nerazzurri talisman this afternoon. His seventh in Serie A so far this season, the most in the division, and 11 goals including his four in the Champions League. Realistically, the game should have been out of reach for Genoa after his strike went in for 2-0 after 38 minutes. 

Coach: Cristian Chivu 7.5 – It’s been a relentless schedule for the Nerazzurri in recent weeks, and on a weekend where others have tripped up, Chivu got his selections right on Sunday, and is now sitting alone at the top of the Serie A table as a result. Arguably Inter’s most important victory of the season thus far.

Fiorentina have taken action after Sunday’s disappointing 2-1 loss at home against Hellas Verona in Serie A, which marked their 15th league match without a win. 

La Viola remain rooted to the bottom of the table after a Gift Orban brace condemned them to their ninth league defeat of the season. 

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

How Fiorentina responded to 2-1 Verona defeat

Fiorentina are stuck in 20th place in the Serie A table. They have drawn six and lost nine so far in the league this season. This is only the third time ever that they have gone 15 matches without a win in one season, the previous instances occurring in the 1970-71 and 1937-38 seasons. 

In response to their loss on Sunday afternoon, no Fiorentina coaches, players nor officials spoke to the media. 

According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, the Fiorentina management have decided to send the squad for an ‘indefinite’ training camp ahead of their Conference League match against Lausanne on Thursday. 

It remains to be seen what Sunday’s loss means for the future of head coach Paolo Vanoli, who was only appointed to replace Stefano Pioli at the beginning of November, but has not overseen any improvement in form since then. Violanews.com suggests that the picture will be clearer on Monday. 

Antonio Conte admits that his players were ‘too worried, too fearful’ and that they have to improve on their record on the road after slipping to their seventh away defeat of the season in a 1-0 Serie A loss against Udinese on Sunday afternoon. 

A lone goal from Udinese’s Jurgen Ekkelenkamp was enough to defeat the reigning Serie A champions, who are now sat in third place and could be two points off the lead of the table by the end of Sunday evening. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolds on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Conte: Udinese loss, Napoli injuries and improving away form

Napoli have had a tough time of it with injuries over the last few weeks, with Kevin De Bruyne, Stanislav Lobotka, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Romelu Lukaku, Juan Jesus and Alex Meret all having spent time on the treatment table over the last few weeks, and months in some cases.

Aside from swapping Leonardo Spinazzola for Mathias Olivera on Sunday, Conte has named the same starting XI for three games in a row, within the space of seven days. 

“We didn’t concede any shots on goal in the first half, we could have made better of the chances we had. We struggled at the beginning of the second half, and you could tell there was a bit of fear from there on,” Conte told DAZN while reviewing his side’s performance against Udinese. 

“Two disallowed goals and a crossbar at the start of the second half,” he continued. “We were too worried and too fearful, we needed to work hard. We have to play well, even in the difficult moments. We have to manage situations and we definitely have to improve.

“We have to be better at managing these moments, we have to tackle them with experience. We can’t lose courage or become overwhelmed. If you play like that, you run the risk of conceding, and we conceded. 

“I have nothing negative to say about the guys who are giving their all in this emergency. We have to be better at managing games and bringing out more character away from home. On a psychological level, we try to work on it and find the right way. We can grow, we have great guys here.” 

Conte was asked if he is worried about injuries derailing his side’s season. 

He replied: “I sounded the alarm even after we were winning. There’s not much to say. 

“At the beginning of the season, when you’re playing in a lot of competitions, you worry about building a squad that is up to scratch. (What can you do) when the squad is weakened because of external factors? 

“This year won’t be easy for us. The important thing is to be united and compact, facing challenges while sticking together. The whole club needs to stand together, this year won’t be easy. We want to work and fight. We’ve lost seven away games, we have to improve that a bit.”

Davide Bartesaghi scored the first goals of his Milan career in a 2-2 Serie A draw against Sassuolo in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, and in doing so, became the youngest Rossoneri defender to net a brace since Paolo Maldini in 1988: ‘It’s a dream’, he said. 

Milan, overall, will be disappointed by their 2-2 draw at home against Sassuolo on Sunday evening, which has left them at risk of being leapfrogged into first place by Inter, but it was certainly a memorable occasion for Bartesaghi, who netted the first and second goals of his senior career. 

You can see how the action from all of Sunday’s Serie A matches unfolds on the Football Italia liveblog.

Bartesaghi on first Milan goals: ‘Goosebumps, but I’m sorry we didn’t win’

With his goals in the 34th and 47th minutes against Sassuolo, Bartesaghi became the youngest defender to score a brace for Milan since Maldini in 1988. Maldini was 19 years and 247 days old at the time, and Bartesaghi is 19 years and 350 days old on the day of his Sassolo double. 

“I’m very happy, it’s a dream come true for me to play and score in these colours,” Bartesaghi told Milan TV after full-time on Sunday. 

“It gives me goosebumps, but I’m also sorry that the team wasn’t able to win, that’s a shame.” 

He continued: “I want to dedicate the goals to (Bernardo) Corradi, who has always believed in me, and also to the whole staff and team. I also want to say thanks to my two best friends who came here to the stadium today. I’m very happy.” 

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.