New Juventus director Marco Ottolini confirms they ‘had tried’ to sign a striker in January, but are ‘proceeding with meetings’ for Luciano Spalletti and Weston McKennie contracts.
The Bianconeri did surprisingly little in the January transfer window, as although there were advanced negotiations with several forwards, including Randal Kolo Muani at Tottenham Hotspur via Paris Saint-Germain and Youssef En-Nesyri at Besiktas, nobody arrived.
Ottolini outlines Juventus strategy
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
PISA, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC reacts during the Serie A match between Pisa SC and Juventus FC at Arena Garibaldi on December 27, 2025 in Pisa, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Now the focus can turn to others who are running down their current deals, including the coach and prolific midfielder McKennie.
“Now that the transfer window is closed, we can look at those issues of contract renewals, and that is what we are doing,” assured Ottolini.
“We are very happy with the Yildiz deal, with regards to McKennie we are proceeding with meetings, while we are very happy with the coach and will sit down with him over the next few weeks.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Juventus are up against Inter in the fiery Derby d’Italia on Saturday, trying to take down the runaway Serie A leaders, but Roma caught them in fourth place after a 2-2 draw with Lazio.
“At times results come, at others they don’t, but we are extremely happy with the way the team is performing, and we must keep going with conviction.”
After that, Juventus will also be gearing up for the Champions League play-off against Galatasaray.
“The extremely important objective for us is a top four finish, then we’ll concentrate on Istanbul, and hope to go through to the next round,” concluded Ottolini.
He was only one year old when Italy last won the World Cup in 2006, but he could help the Nazionale to qualify for the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer, after missing the last two editions.
Palestra ready for senior Italy debut
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 24: Marco Palestra of Cagliari Calcio reacts 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)
According to Sky Sport Italia, Palestra will be in the squad named by Gattuso for the play-offs, which start against Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on March 26.
If they win, then the Final of the play-off will be against either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 02: Marco Palestra of Cagliari in action during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and AC Milan at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 02, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
A product of the Atalanta youth academy, Palestra plays on the right side of Cagliari’s 3-5-2 formation, but can also be a right-back.
He contributed one goal and four assists in 23 Serie A games for the Sardinians so far this season.
Gian Piero Gasperini cannot hide his joy at Donyell Malen’s arrival for Roma after the brace to beat Cagliari. ‘He is in the Gianluca Vialli mould, he will score a ton of goals.’
The Giallorossi knew that this was a big opportunity to recapture fourth place after Juventus were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.
They certainly took it, as Malen bagged a goal either side of half-time to secure the 2-0 victory, beating a Cagliari side who were coming off three consecutive wins, yet had just one shot on target.
Gasperini feels Malen brings ‘vast repertoire’ to Roma
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“Undoubtedly it was a very good performance, the first half especially was played at a strong tempo,” Gasperini told Sky Sport Italia.
“We were coming off a defeat to Udinese, but the team showed great strength of character to react to those difficulties, and also played some very good football. It’s a pity we didn’t score more goals, as it left the game somewhat open, but it was good.”
Malen really was the striker that the coach had been looking for, having criticised the movements of Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson, which the former Aston Villa man seems to already understand so well.
“I am convinced he will score a ton of goals this season, so we must know how to give him the right service for his characteristics. We’ve got quality in the attack that is difficult to contain now, as he has a vast repertoire,” smiled Gasperini.
In the post-match interview, Malen had been asked if he wanted to follow in the footsteps of Serie A’s ultimate Dutch legend Marco van Basten, and blushed at the comparison.
“Van Basten was physically very different too, but I do see more similarities with Vialli, in his power, the movement to shake off markers, diagonal runs attacking the space, there is something in the Vialli mould,” insisted Gasperini.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen #14 with his teammates of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
There was also a debut for January signing Bryan Zaragoza, who seemed considerably more impressive going forward than when defending.
Now that the transfer window has closed, did Gasperini get all the characteristics he was looking for to challenge the others in the fight for the top four?
“We always try to be up to the standards of our rivals. We have caught Juventus, while Napoli and Milan are there, Inter have gone by now I think, Atalanta and Como are not far behind us. If we are up there after 24 rounds, that is important, but we want to keep growing in attack.
“The arrival of Malen certainly gives us much more. Now we hope to get some of the players back from injury, but it’s undeniable you need a prolific and efficient set of forwards, otherwise you will not achieve the prestigious targets.”
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen of AS Roma scores the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Cagliari only really threatened Roma with the attacks of wing-back Marco Palestra, who Gasperini had launched into the Atalanta squad last season.
“Palestra was born in 2005, so he’s a kid, but already a top player. We started training him with the youth team at the age of 17, but seeing as Atalanta had an Under-23 team set up by then, and we had a lot of alternatives in the role, he played for them.
“He played a bit in Serie A and the Champions League last season, so it helped, but he is now really flourishing at a young age.”
In an unusually good mood, this was also a rare match without a single VAR intervention.
“It was wonderful, it’s the best! It means everything went smoothly, we didn’t see a lot of stoppages either, so we got to see more football. When the referee sees it all and is able to judge without cameras, that’s the perfect match.”
Donyell Malen blushed at Marco van Basten comparisons after scoring three goals in his first four Serie A games for Roma. ‘I’m very happy, it was a good day.’
Malen had scored on his Serie A debut against Torino on January 18, but these were his first goals at the Stadio Olimpico, and his first brace.
The former Aston Villa striker first beat Elia Caprile from the tightest of angles with a delicate dink, then got between defenders to slide onto the Zeki Celik roll across from the right.
Malen having ideal start at Roma
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Inevitably, he was the Lega Serie A Man of the Match, so is the Dutchman looking to follow in the footsteps of Milan legend Marco van Basten in Italian football?
“I’m very happy, a good win, I’m happy with the goals, nice assist, everybody played well, so it was a good day.”
Malen arrived on loan from Aston Villa at a cost of €2m, with option to buy for €25m that can become an obligation of Roma qualify for European football at the end of this season.
He now has an impressive three goals in just four Serie A games.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Donyell Malen of Roma during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
Standing next to Roma youth academy product Niccolò Pisilli, Malen was asked for a verdict on the midfielder.
“He’s amazing, I always talk to him in training, we need players with his kind of energy, and he brings that to the team.”
The Giallorossi knew that a victory would allow them to catch Juventus in joint fourth place, after the Bianconeri were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.
“It was a good performance, I tried to give my contribution, we played with a lot of intensity, and at times some quality football,” added Pisilli to Sky Sport Italia.
“A modern football player must be able to do everything, especially in midfield.”
Donyell Malen bagged his first brace in the Roma jersey to beat on-form Cagliari, allowing them to catch Juventus in fourth place, with Bryan Zaragoza also making his debut.
The Giallorossi missed Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz, Mario Hermoso, Manu Koné, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy, while Gianluca Mancini played with a protective mask after surgery on a broken nose, but deadline day signing Bryan Zaragoza was on the bench. The Sardinians had won three on the bounce against Juventus, Fiorentina and Verona, and beat Roma 1-0 back on December 7 after Zeki Celik saw red. Yerry Mina, Alessandro Deiola, Michael Folorunsho, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti missed the trip.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma competes for the ball with Sebastiano Esposi of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Malen was denied by a desperate Juan Rodriguez block from six yards, then Elia Caprile almost got into a terrible tangle controlling a back-pass, forced to sprint back and clear it before the ball completely crossed the line of an empty net.
Matias Soulé curled just wide of the far post, while Niccolò Pisilli rode two tackles to test Caprile at the base of the near post.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Matias Soule of AS Roma competes for the ball with Juan Martin Rodriguez Camejo of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Roma took the lead with a moment of rare skill, as Malen ran onto the Mancini through ball down the right and dinked up a delicate finish over the on-rushing Caprile to score from the tightest of angles with his right foot. It was the ex-Aston Villa striker’s first goal at the Stadio Olimpico.
Donyell Malen hits a perfect chip to give Roma the lead over Cagliari
Malen threatened again with a header off target at the back stick, while Daniele Ghilardi nodded a Lorenzo Pellegrini cross just wide.
Zaragoza made his debut and immediately stood up a cross for the audacious Malen scissor-kick volley at the back post, but it was Zeki Celik who provided the assist for the second Malen goal, rolling it across from the right for the tap-in from point-blank range, getting between defenders.
There was almost a third moments later, but this time Malen sliding in couldn’t connect with the Soulé ball across the six-yard box.
Zaragoza also tested Caprile at the base of the near post, but his error allowed Marco Palestra to break down the right and force a tricky Mile Svilar save.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Donyell Malen of AS Roma in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Cagliari threatened to get back into it at the 79th minute when a sudden long-range Ibrahim Sulemana scorcher clipped the top of the crossbar.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Evan Ndicka of AS Roma competes for the ball with Sebastiano Esposito of Cagliari Calcio during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico on February 09, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
They also went close when Alberto Dossena at full stretch flicked inches wide of the back stick on a free kick.
Neil El Aynaoui came off the bench and immediately tested Caprile with a powerful volley.
Raffaele Palladino saw the kind of ‘maturity’ he was looking for in Atalanta’s 2-1 win over Cremonese, and admits they ‘wanted Giacomo Raspadori at all costs.’
La Dea were feeling confident after last week’s 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus, but knew they had struggled against the newly-promoted clubs in Serie A.
That issue was resolved this evening thanks to goals from Nikola Krstovic and Davide Zappacosta, although it was once again a tense finale despite their overall domination, when Morten Thorsby got one back late on.
Palladino sees Atalanta progress
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“It was an important response from the squad, including those who haven’t played as much, like Mario Pasalic, and Lazar Samardzic, who had to step in at the last second,” Palladino told DAZN Italia.
Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor were also suspended, further limiting the options available.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Lazar Samardzic of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Sead Kolasinac hadn’t started for a while either, Krstovic had a great performance, so they all had the right spirit today. I like that whoever plays, they step up and give the best of their abilities.
“They give their all and sweat for the jersey. That must be the spirit of this team, it is what our fans need to see.”
When Palladino took the job from Ivan Juric, Atalanta were in 13th place and just one point ahead of Cremonese, but the situation has been transformed and they qualified for the Coppa Italia semi-final, and the Champions League play-offs too.
“We are happy and proud, but must also remember we’ve done nothing yet, because we’re still lagging behind in the Serie A table,” warned the coach.
“I said this game would be a test of our maturity, and I saw a very mature team.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC celebrates with his team after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The arrival of Raspadori from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, with Ademola Lookman going the other way, also added a different dimension to the Atalanta attack.
“Jack is a player we wanted at all costs,” explained Palladino.
“The club did really well to make him understand this was the right project for him. He’s young, Italian, and a winner, so he brought the right mentality and settled in straight away. He’s got to play as much as possible to find his best form, as he’s still lacking a bit of sharpness, but I’m very happy with what he’s doing.”
Cagliari director Guido Angelozzi reveals how they got to secure the Semih Kilicsoy bargain from Besiktas, noting they’d be ‘crazy not to’ buy him. ‘He can be worth €40m.’
The Sardinians are in action at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome this evening for their Serie A Week 24 fixture against Roma.
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Semih Kilicsoy of Cagliari scores his team’s second goal (2-0) during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Hellas Verona FC at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 31, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Few knew who Kilicsoy was when he arrived in Cagliari over the summer from Besiktas, on loan for €1m with an option to buy for a further €12m.
There are also another €2m in add-ons, and Besiktas are owed a 10 per cent cut of any future sale fee.
There were reports last week that Cagliari tried to activate the purchase option early in order to save money, but that Besiktas refused to change the terms of the agreement.
That makes it clear that the Serie A club will use the option for €12m, though.
“How can we not? We’d be crazy not to buy him,” explained the director.
TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 27: Semih Kilicsoy of Cagliari Calcio is challenged by Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC during the Serie A match between Torino FC and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 27, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“He is a young and extraordinary player, who scored some remarkable goals. Montella visited us and said he is a very interesting player,” added Angelozzi.
“If he keeps going like this, he can be worth €40m.”
How did Cagliari manage to beat everyone to sign this young talent, who was only 19 when he joined?
“Agent Federico Pastorello suggested him to our President, so we started tracking him, sent a scout to Turkiye, and then called Montella’s assistant manager, who spoke highly of the player.”
Watch as former Aston Villa striker Donyell Malen scores his first Roma goal at the Stadio Olimpico with a delicate chipped finish from a tight angle against Cagliari.
The centre-forward has really flourished since his January transfer to Italy, on loan with an option to buy at the end of the season.
He broke the deadlock this evening in the Eternal City when running onto a Gianluca Mancini pass and dinking the finish over on-rushing goalkeeper Elia Caprile from the tightest of angles.
The Dutchman had also scored on his Roma debut, a 2-0 result away to Torino on January 18, but this was his first goal at the Stadio Olimpico.
Malen on target for Roma
Donyell Malen hits a perfect chip to give Roma the lead over Cagliari
Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella visited the Juventus training camp today and assured Kenan Yildiz ‘has immense potential and some similarities’ to Alessandro Del Piero.
The former Roma boss is taking the Turkish team to the 2026 World Cup this summer, so is visiting his home country to speak with some of the players available for selection.
DORTMUND, GERMANY – JUNE 18: Vincenzo Montella, Head Coach of Turkiye, gestures during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Turkiye and Georgia at Football Stadium Dortmund on June 18, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Montella was present at the Continassa training camp in Turin today, where he was a guest of Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti.
Of course, he was there to see Kenan Yildiz, who just signed a new contract with the Bianconeri until June 2030.
“He is a player with immense potential and is still developing. Kenan manages to combine natural talent with the right mentality, as he really wants to keep improving himself.
“I predict a future for him at the highest level for many years to come.”
Kenan Yildiz adores Del Piero
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 29: Kenan Yıldız of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus and Genoa at the Allianz Stadium on March 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
There were some references to Del Piero in the announcement of a new contract for Kenan Yildiz, who never disguised that Pinturicchio was his hero.
Wearing the Number 10 jersey, can he follow in Del Piero’s footsteps at Juve?
“There are some similarities, for example the way he shoots, and he has already scored some goals that are very similar to ones netted by Alex, but in terms of general characteristics, they are different,” noted Montella.
Roma director Ricky Massara admits it is time for ‘definitive’ decisions on new contracts for Paulo Dybala and others, while Francesco Totti is again present. ‘We want what is best for Roma.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
New signing Bryan Zaragoza is on the bench ready for his debut, but Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz, Mario Hermoso, Manu Koné, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy are out of action.
Gianluca Mancini had surgery last week for a broken nose, so he is able to play with a protective mask this evening.
Roma looking to future beyond this season
Bryan Zaragoza with Roma director Frederic Massara (asroma.com)
“Zaragoza was an opportunity that presented itself at the end of the transfer market, a strong player who has the characteristics that we were specifically lacking in our attack,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.
There are reports that Dybala and Pellegrino will need to take pay cuts if they are to be given new contracts at the Stadio Olimpico, while Zeki Celik and El Shaarawy are also only tied to the club until June 30.
“This is the moment to make some definitive reflections,” confessed the Roma director.
“We have always had a good rapport with the agents of these players, so we need to sit down around a table and understand if there is the possibility of an agreement.
“All the players whose contracts are running down have never lacked in their commitment and professionalism.”
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 18: Paulo Dybala of AS Roma celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Torino FC and AS Roma at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on January 18, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“Totti is the history of this club,” replied Massara.
“He has a very good rapport with the Friedkins, and this kind of evaluation is entirely down to the club, whose objective is to do what is best for Roma.
“They will know if and when it is opportune to start working together.”
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)
This is a big opportunity for the Giallorossi to climb back into joint fourth place with Juventus, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Lazio last night.
It won’t be easy, as Cagliari are on a run of three consecutive victories against Juve, Fiorentina and Hellas Verona, also beating Roma 1-0 back on December 7 when Zeki Celik was sent off.
Atalanta secured a 2-1 victory with Nikola Krstovic and Davide Zappacosta goals, though Morten Thorsby finally ended Cremonese’s goal drought on his debut.
La Dea were fresh off a 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Juventus, but in Serie A had drawn two of the last three. Marten De Roon and Honest Ahanor sat out bans, but Gianluca Scamacca was not fully fit and Charles De Ketelaere pulled out in the warm-up, replaced by Lazar Samardzic. Cremonese missed Matteo Bianchetti, Warren Bondo, Michele Collocolo and Jari Vandeputte, but had new buys Morten Thorsby and Youssef Maleh. They were without a win since December 7, managing three draws and six defeats.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Davide Nicola, Head Coach of US Cremonese during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Federico Baschirotto charged down an early effort from his former Lecce teammate Nikola Krstovic, while Emil Audero palmed a Giacomo Raspadori strike out from under the bar. On the resulting corner, he fingertipped a Berat Djimsiti header onto the upright.
The early siege paid off when Krstovic hooked a Raspadori cross with his back to goal, turned his marker and immediately smashed the finish in at the near bottom corner.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Nikola Krstovic of Atalanta BC celebrates with his team after scoring his sides first goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
It was nearly 2-0 when Raspadori sent Nicola Zalewski down the left, his cross found Samardzic on the edge of the area to rattle the crossbar with a ferocious strike.
That did come eventually, as Davide Zappacosta sprinted down the right, cut inside Giuseppe Pezzella and bent the left-foot finish across Audero into the far bottom corner from a tight angle. It was his first goal of the season.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Davide Zappacosta of Atalanta celebrates after scoring his teams second goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Cremonese saw Tommaso Barbieri and Thorsby attempts go off target, but then lost Federico Ceccherini to a muscular problem.
Zalewski’s daisy-cutter skimmed the base of the upright, while Thorsby couldn’t keep his free header on target from a Baschirotto cross.
Samardzic drilled just wide of the far post on a Zalewski pull-back, then Raspadori fired over from Ederson’s cross after a Lorenzo Bernasconi back-heel flick.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: Karnaldeen Sulemana of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and US Cremonese at Gewiss Stadium on February 09, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Ederson was a little hesitant when sent clear and allowed Baschirotto to make the last-ditch tackle, while Kamaldeen Sulemana fired straight at Audero after squirming away from two defenders.
Milan Djuric thought he’d ended Cremonese’s goal drought in the final minute with a header at the back post on Alessio Zerbin’s cross, but Marco Carnesecchi clawed it off the line.
In stoppages, there was a mad scramble on a corner until Berat Djimsiti prodded it over the line from six yards, but it was disallowed because Sulemana was offside in one of those attempts.
Instead, Cremonese ended their goal drought after almost a full five games without finding the net. New signing Thorsby controlled a Sebastiano Luperto cross from the left, juggled it off his head, and hit the volley off balance to surprise Carnesecchi.
Roma start Donyell Malen, Matias Soulé and Lorenzo Pellegrini against Semih Kilicsoy’s on-form Cagliari, as a victory would put them in joint fourth spot.
UDINE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 02: Gian Piero Gasperini, manager of AS Roma, looks on before kick off at the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and AS Roma at Stadio Friuli on February 02, 2026 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)
The injury crisis drags on for the Giallorossi, even after they had the rare treat of a whole week to prepare for this match.
Form has been stuttering of late, managing only draws with Milan and Panathinaikos, then defeated 1-0 at Udinese last Monday.
Paulo Dybala, Robinio Vaz and Mario Hermoso were added to the injury list, which already included Artem Dovbyk, Manu Koné, Evan Ferguson and Stephan El Shaarawy.
Gian Piero Gasperini was tempted to launch deadline day signing Bryan Zaragoza directly into the starting XI with fellow January buy Malen, backed by Soulé, but instead opts for Pellegrini.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 15: Matias Soule of AS Roma gestures during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Como 1907 at Stadio Olimpico on December 15, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
As Juventus were held 2-2 by Lazio last night, it means a win here would put Roma back in joint fourth place.
Cagliari are on sparkling form after three consecutive Serie A victories against Juventus, Fiorentina and Verona, which saw them climb to mid-table comfort.
They also remember beating Roma 1-0 in Sardinia back on December 7 after Zeki Celik was sent off.
Coach Fabio Pisacane is missing some big players too, as Yerry Mina, Alessandro Deiola, Michael Folorunsho, Gennaro Borrelli, Mattia Felici and Andrea Belotti are out of action.
Turkish talent Semih Kilicsoy is flourishing, with Sebastiano Esposito and Atalanta-owned Marco Palestra.
Alberto Dossena was added to the squad on deadline day from Como.
Cesc Fabregas insists Como will face Napoli with ‘our usual mindset’ in tomorrow’s Coppa Italia quarter-final in an ‘iconic stadium.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
The winners will then go on to face Inter in the two-legged semi-final.
However, tomorrow victory is to be decided after 90 minutes, or go directly to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time.
Fabregas and Como ambitious in Coppa Italia
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Cesc Fabregas Como 1907 head coach during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“It is a knockout match against the reigning Italian champions, playing in an iconic stadium. We will go out there with our usual mindset and keep our focus sharp.”
When these sides met here earlier in the season in Serie A, it ended 0-0 on November 1, a very positive result for the Lariani.
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 01: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Ivan Smolcic of Como 1907 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 01, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Assane Diao is the only remaining injury absentee, but it remains to be seen if Fabregas will impose any squad rotation for this test.
They had crushed Lazio 3-0 and Torino 6-0 before the Coppa Italia Round of 16 victory away to Fiorentina, 3-1.
However, last Sunday the team failed to break down 10-man Atalanta in a goalless draw, with Marco Carnesecchi saving the last-gasp Nico Paz penalty.
Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti went on a lengthy rant demanding referees be made professional, which culminated in him kissing the interviewer to prove a point. ‘Contact is not impact.’
The Bianconeri boss was fired up after the chaotic 2-2 draw with Lazio, which saw his team fight back from 2-0 down with Pedro and Gustav Isaksen goals, to equalise through Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu headers.
There was some controversy when Teun Koopmeiners had a goal disallowed for Khephren Thuram’s offside position at 0-0, but there was also a potential Mario Gila foul on Juan Cabal in the build-up to that effort, which DAZN Italia refereeing analyst Luca Marelli said should’ve been a penalty.
This sparked a lengthy Spalletti rant that spiralled somewhat out of control.
Spalletti wants reform for referees
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“The referee can interpret it the way he wants, because the defender is imprudent when going into that sliding tackle, so he takes a risk. I am not here to say if it is a penalty or not. He could’ve run back onto the ball, but I would take a wider view,” Spalletti noted.
“Everyone now goes to protest about the rules, but there is always an interpretation. The pressure of a step on foot, handball that nobody sees in the stadium but they zoom in with the camera, it is all open to interpretation. You cannot generalise that every contact is a penalty.”
He turned back to an incident in the game against Atalanta when a penalty was awarded for handball that even Ederson making the cross hadn’t noticed.
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“I never talked about referees when decisions went against me or in favour. In the game against Atalanta the VAR called the referee to view the handball a minute and a half later, when nobody including Raffaele Palladino who was right next to me on the touchline, had any idea what this was even for.
“The rules are too rigid right now, it is the rigidity that I find to be the problem. If nobody even realises it hit a hand, who is damaged by that? The analysts keep saying ‘there was contact,’ but that doesn’t mean anything, does it? May I kiss you, here, this is contact,” said Spalletti when giving the female interviewer a peck on the cheek.
“It’s about context, contact is not the same thing as impact. There will always be difficulty if there are rules where every touch of the hand is a penalty, every step on foot is a penalty. This is what VAR is for, you can evaluate the context in its totality.
“If we stick to the rules, then that is definitely a penalty, because Gila goes into a sliding tackle and takes responsibility for that gesture when he doesn’t get the ball.”
CAGLIARI, ITALY – JANUARY 17: Luciano Spalletti coach of Juventus reacts during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and Juventus FC at Stadio Sant’Elia on January 17, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Spalletti believes he has the solution to help referees focus on the job at hand, which is to make it a job.
“The referee is the only one out of 23 on the pitch who is not a professional. That should be changed, in my view, as they are too important for the sport.
“When he gets home at night, he has to think about other things, whether or not to keep doing this, balancing his other work. That’s not right when you consider how important referees are in this game. I am confident about this, he has to be professional.”
Luciano Spalletti urges Juventus to ‘live within pressure, relish testing yourself to see if you can handle difficult situations’ after their fightback for a 2-2 draw with Lazio.
The Bianconeri were coming off a 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta midweek where they had more possession and chances, so were getting a sense of déjà vu here when trailing 2-0 to Pedro and Gustav Isaksen goals against the run of play.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
However, Weston McKennie’s header and a last-gasp Pierre Kalulu finish from close range managed to claw their way back for a 2-2 draw with Lazio.
There were 33 shots from the Old Lady compared to just eight for Lazio, but curiously all season in Serie A they are also the team with the most errors leading to conceded goals.
Spalletti defends Juventus players after errors
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Juventus Head coach Luciano Spalletti and SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri prior the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“In this period, I asked them to immediately play every ball that they win back, not to kick it away, so we must try to play our way out under pressure, and add more quality to our football.
“When you make that many requests, it means anticipating dangerous situations, seeing both the positive and negative potential of any scenario at the same time.
“Mistakes can happen, Locatelli has been one of our best players this season, so losing the ball once doesn’t ruin anything. Even after that, there was the way we defended, how we closed down the shot, the bad luck of the deflection. That’s football.
“What we must build on is the reaction of the team, the performance overall. When the tempo steps up and we are fighting back from two goals down, we mustn’t turn that up to the degree it’s frenetic. We need to speed things up, but not be chaotic, whereas again today we were a bit too frenetic in situations we could’ve developed better.
“Speeding up the tempo does not mean spilling over into chaos.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Spalletti outlined his vision of the game further, insisting Juventus must learn to enjoy it when the going gets tough.
“We have to live within pressure, that is the joy of football, when you have to overturn a 2-0 result at the start of the second half, when it wasn’t what we had planned at all. That is when you test yourself and see if you can handle the tension at the top level, that is what we must relish, seeing if we deserve to be at this level or not.
“Character means when everything is going wrong and you need the clear head to make choices. That’s what makes the difference. This team overturned a very difficult situation, put in a great performance, so we go forward feeling reassured.”
There was an odd incident during the half-time break, as Francisco Conceicao was warming up and ready to come on when he felt a twinge, so instead Edon Zhegrova had to rush his preparations and come on.
Maurizio Sarri admits he is torn between feeling regret at Lazio’s 2-2 draw with Juventus and noting ‘a point is always a positive result’ in Turin.
The Aquile had come to Turin as the underdogs, as they were missing Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari, Samuel Gigot and suspended Luca Pellegrini, while Alessio Romagnoli was only on the bench after a failed transfer to Al-Sadd.
Nonetheless, they were leading 2-0 with goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen, also wasting the chances to further extend their advantage with Tijjani Noslin.
Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu headers got Juventus back on track for a last-gasp 2-2 draw.
Sarri torn between Lazio moods after 2-2 thriller
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Gustav Isaksen of SS Lazio in action during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“There was a long way to go when we scored the second goal, so we clearly didn’t feel that it was done, as Juventus were attacking with vigour,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.
“If we have any regrets, it that in the last 10 minutes, we had two chances to make it 3-1 and didn’t take them. There was always the evident feeling Juventus could equalise, so the regret is that we wasted those opportunities, rather than conceding at the end.”
Juventus had 33 shots on goal to just eight from Lazio, but the coach admits he was not expecting much.
“When you come away from this stadium with a point, that is always a positive result,” continued Sarri.
“Clearly, there are some small regrets, but more than anything else I bring home the knowledge these lads are hard to destroy. They reacted to everything, they never let their heads drop when faced with any difficulty, so that is reassuring.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Daniel Maldini of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Manuel Locatelli Juventus FC at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Lazio were also forced to make more changes during the second half, as Toma Basic, Mario Gila and Oliver Provstgaard all had physical problems.
Nuno Tavares also seemed to be on the verge of an exit, but he remained and was in the starting XI this evening.
The push for Romagnoli and Tavares to leave also contributed to the tension between Lazio fans and President Claudio Lotito, having boycotted the most recent home match.
“I understand that seeing us from the outside, you might get a different idea, but within the squad there is a positive mood. The lads work with such enthusiasm and passion,” insisted Sarri.
“Naturally, playing at an empty Stadio Olimpico is a horrible feeling and we’d prefer for certain diatribes between the owners of the club and the Lazio fans to end now, because we badly need our supporters around us.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: SS Lazio President Claudio Lotito prior the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Former Juventus winger Douglas Costa was in the DAZN Italia studio, having returned to Italy to play for Chievo Verona.
“He was world class, and unfortunately for many reasons, including his and those of us who coached him, he never pulled out that potential. He really had what it took to be one of the best in the world.”
Teun Koopmeiners admits Juventus feel ‘angry’ more than relieved after a 2-2 draw with Lazio, because while they enjoy the attacking approach, it is leaving them unbalanced.
It was a dramatic evening in Turin, as the Aquile had surged into a surprising 2-0 lead with goals from Pedro and Gustav Isaksen.
However, the headers from Weston McKennie and Pierre Kalulu at the 96th minute allowed Juve to claw their way back to a 2-2 draw.
Despite getting it back from 2-0 down, Juve players seemed more irritated than celebratory at the final whistle.
Koopmeiners and Juventus must find balance
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: A general view during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
“We are angry, because we had so many chances to score, but were lacking something in the final ball, we weren’t precise enough in our finishing,” Koopmeiners told DAZN Italia.
Luciano Spalletti has a very attack-minded approach and that can leave them rather unbalanced in defence, leaking quite a few goals lately.
“We want to attack all the time, and I like that, so does Spalletti. It’s a wonderful approach for Juve and we entertain the fans, but we must do better with our preventative marking. When the opponents win back the ball, we’ve got to get back into shape quicker to avoid the counter-attacks,” confessed Koopmeiners.
“Perhaps we need more concentration, a bit more communication in the way we defend and attack. When you see today’s game, we certainly need to do better in these situations.”
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Juvenus head coach Luciano Spalletti during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Juventus had 33 shots on goal to just eight this evening from Lazio.
Koopmeiners had the ball in the net when it was 0-0, but the goal was disallowed because Khephren Thuram was offside and got out of the way to let it through, so was inevitably interfering with play.
“I thought it was a great moment, we would’ve gone 1-0 up, but I didn’t see Thuram, I just tried to drill the shot through some legs, I thought they belonged to defenders and not him,” noted the Dutchman.
Juventus clawed their way back from 2-0 down to Pedro and Gustav Isaksen goals to snatch a 2-2 draw with Lazio thanks to Weston McKennie and a last-gasp Pierre Kalulu header.
The Bianconeri had been on fine form until a surprisingly heavy 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta on Thursday, but they had reason to celebrate, as Kenan Yildiz signed a new contract and shook off a knock to return to the starting XI, which shifted to a back four. Lazio welcomed Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares back to the fold after failed January transfers, but Luca Pellegrini was suspended, with Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot injured.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: A general view during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
The first big scoring opportunity came after a corner when Pierre Kalulu’s cross found a Gleison Bremer bullet header, forcing a flying Ivan Provedel reaction save to tip it out from under the crossbar.
There was a chaotic situation when Juan Cabal went down under a Mario Gila challenge inside the area, play continued and Teun Koopmeiners drilled in from the edge of the box. However, Khephren Thuram was offside and interfering with play, as he got out of the ball’s path to let it through.
Koopmeiners, who was playing as part of a back four, threatened again with a volley that skimmed the upright from distance.
Gustav Isaksen just failed to get on the end of a dangerous Nuno Tavares low ball flashed across from the left, while David’s free header was over from seven yards on the Kalulu cross.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 8: Pedro of SS Lazio scores a goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
It was Lazio who took the lead in first half stoppages, as Daniel Maldini robbed Manuel Locatelli in midfield and spread it down the left for Pedro, whose angled drive took a deflection off Bremer to wrong-foot Michele Di Gregorio at the near post.
Lazio take the lead in Turin and it's Pedro rolling back the years with it
Toma Basic went off injured, while Edon Zhegrova was introduced because Francisco Conceicao felt a knee twinge during the warm-up at half-time.
Lazio doubled their advantage within moments of the restart, as Danilo Cataldi’s long ball sent Isaksen sprinting down the right, holding off Cambiaso to blast under the bar from a tricky angle with his right foot.
Double trouble for Juventus, as Lazio make it 2! Gustav Isaksen races clear of the defence and finishes brilliantly
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08:Gustav Isaksen of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Cabal of Juventus during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at the Juventus stadium on February 08, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Provedel palmed away a Kenan Yildiz curler, while Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s heavy first touch ruined a great chance set up by Nuno Tavares.
Juve did get back into it when Provedel was at full stretch to parry the Zhegrova strike, but could do nothing as the move continued with Cambiaso standing up a cross for Wes McKennie’s header from six yards.
Is the comeback on?
Weston McKennie rises highest in the box to pull one back for Juventus… 2-1!
The hosts poured forward, McKennie grazing his head to another Cambiaso cross, taking it away from Bremer at the back post.
Locatelli’s daisy-cutter skimmed the far post, with Kenneth Taylor also drilling just wide on the counter-attack at the other end.
David completed a give and go with Thuram to roll across from the left beyond Provedel, but as Bremer came sliding in, Nuno Tavares made a decisive defensive block in front of the open goal.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus FC is challenged during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Mario Gila also picked up a muscular problem, allowing Romagnoli to make his comeback after that failed transfer to Al-Sadd.
Kenan Yildiz stung Provedel’s gloves with a ferocious volley on the edge of the box, and McKennie knew he was offside when deflecting a Kalulu cross into the net from point-blank range.
Lazio really should’ve added a third at the 86th minute when Nuno Tavares went on the counter and rolled across, it was laid off by Dele-Bashiru only for Tijjani Noslin to incredibly balloon over when undisturbed from 14 yards.
A Zhegrova curler flashed just wide of the far post, while Provedel fingertipped a Yildiz strike onto the side-netting.
At the 96th minute, Jeremie Boga stood up a cross from the left and found Kalulu ready to nod in the equaliser from close range.
JUVENTUS LEVEL LATE ON
From 2-0 down, to 2-2 and it's Pierre Kalulu who emphatically heads home! Some turnaround!
Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini insists there is ‘no rush, but also no doubt’ over locking Luciano Spalletti down to a new contract ahead of tonight’s clash with Lazio.
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
The Bianconeri have surged up the standings in recent weeks, but were on the end of a heavy 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta on Thursday evening.
Chiellini calm on Spalletti deal
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Coach Spalletti’s contract only runs to June 30, so are there plans to draw up an extension?
“We are very happy with Spalletti and what he is achieving, I think he too is enjoying his time at Juventus. There is no rush, but also no doubt,” Chiellini told DAZN Italia.
“Luciano arrived here with great enthusiasm at Juventus, and he signed a contract with no guarantees precisely because he wanted to challenge himself. He is doing very well, he is part of the present and the future of this team.”
Official: Kenan Yildiz signs a new contract extension with Juventus until 2030 (also pictured: Marco Ottolini, Giorgio Chiellini, John Elkann, Damien Comolli and Francois Modesto). Picture via www.juventus.com
The good news this week was that Kenan Yildiz has signed a new contract, casting aside the interest from big clubs all over the world in this Turkish talent.
He also returns to the starting XI after a muscular issue, forming the attack with Jonathan David and Weston McKennie, while Teun Koopmeiners drops into defence.
Maurizio Sarri explains why Lazio leave Alessio Romagnoli on the bench against Juventus, and admits it is tricky to draw out Daniel Maldini’s ‘huge potential.’
It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).
This was a tense January transfer window, as Alessio Romagnoli and Nuno Tavares seemed to be on the verge of moves, only to remain and tonight return, with the Portugal international in the starting XI for the first time since December 7.
Sarri reshuffles Lazio against Juventus
PARMA, ITALY – DECEMBER 13: Maurizio Sarri, Head Coach of Lazio, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and SS Lazio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on December 13, 2025 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“It is a big test, Juventus are in great shape, they are very aggressive, intense, in good shape, so we must express ourselves at the highest level we’ve seen yet this season,” Sarri told DAZN Italia.
While Nuno Tavares starts, Romagnoli is only on the bench, so what prompted that decision?
“Romagnoli has always been an important player for us. He’s on the bench because we have three games in six days, so we prefer to let him train another couple of days before we throw him back in.”
The injury crisis drags on, missing Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot, plus suspended Luca Pellegrini.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 30: Pedro with his teammates of SS Lazio celebrates after scoring the opening goal from penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on January 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
New arrival Daniel Maldini is used as a False 9 with support from Gustav Isaksen and veteran Pedro.
“Maldini has huge potential, we’ll see if we can actually draw it out of him, because a few have tried before, it depends on when the player matures,” noted Sarri.
“Kenneth Taylor was not in great physical shape when he arrived, but he is the most experienced of those who arrived in January, so he is the most ‘ready’ for action.”
Inter unleashed a Manita on 10-man Sassuolo, including an historic Lautaro Martinez strike, first goals for Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique, and a hat-trick of Federico Dimarco assists.
The Nerazzurri were on sparkling form, winning 10 of their last 11 Serie A games, and coming off Wednesday’s 2-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory over Torino. Nicolò Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries were still out of action, and away fans limited following the Emil Audero firework incident. The return of Domenico Berardi had revitalised Sassuolo, who earned back-to-back wins over Cremonese and Pisa, but Fali Cande and Edoardo Pieragnolo are out for the season.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Cristian Chivu head coach of FC Internazionale and Fabio Grosso head coach of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo nearly scored in the opening 60 seconds, as Ismael Kone got away on the Armand Laurienté lay-off and his curler beat Yann Sommer, but Federico Dimarco got back for a decisive goal-line clearance.
Luis Henrique tested Arijanet Muric at the near post, and from the resulting corner, Dimarco floated the ball to the back post for the Yann Bisseck header, giving Inter the lead.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Yann Bisseck of FC Internazionale scores the opening goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Dimarco spotted Muric off his line and tried to float a free kick over him, only managing to thump the crossbar, while Lauriente’s cross-shot turned into an accidental assist for Berardi to flick wide with his heel.
Inter doubled their advantage with another Dimarco assist, bending the cross from the left around the defenders and swinging back in for Thuram to sweep first-time from six yards, ending a month-long Serie A drought.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazioale celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Muric kept the scoreline down with his gloves stung by Piotr Zielinski, then Sassuolo got the ball in the net just before half-time when Berardi’s wayward volley on a Laurienté cross turned into an assist for Kristian Thorstvedt to cushion it over the line from six yards. However, it was disallowed because Laurienté had his kneecap offside at the start of the move.
After the restart, Dimarco’s effort was charged down and the Henrikh Mkhitaryan follow-up stung Muric’s gloves. On the resulting throw-in, a poor clearance allowed Lautaro Martinez to control with his chest and sweep in first time from 12 yards. It was a special moment, equalling Roberto Boninsegna’s tally to become the third all-time top scorer for Inter.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team third goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and FC Internazionale at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on February 08, 2026 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Sassuolo fell apart, as Muric was again very weak on another Dimarco corner, which Manuel Akanji nodded in relatively undisturbed for 4-0. The Neroverdi claimed there had been a foul, with Nemanja Matic booked for dissent, immediately escalating his protests, to warrant a red card.
Muric was once more all at sea, so Josh Doig had to clear off the line when Mkhitaryan curled towards an empty net, then the goalkeeper was decisive to push a Thuram tap-in onto the upright after a strong Bisseck run.
Sassuolo introduced January buys Ulysses Garcia and M’Bala Nzola, but Muric was again caught rushing off his line at the wrong time, so Luis Henrique let it bounce, controlled with his chest, and smashed the half-volley into the roof of the net from a tricky angle for 5-0.
It was almost 6-0, as in stoppages Kone cleared a looping Akanji header off the line.
Kenan Yildiz hopes to celebrate his new Juventus contract by leading the attack with Jonathan David against Lazio, who start Daniel Maldini and returning Nuno Tavares.
BERGAMO, ITALY – FEBRUARY 05: Jonathan David of Juventus reacts during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between Atalanta BC and Juventus FC at the New Balance Arena on February 05, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Bianconeri had been on excellent form until a surprisingly heavy 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Atalanta on Thursday evening.
At least there was good news yesterday, when Kenan Yildiz formally signed a new contract to continue his experience in Turin.
He also returns to the starting XI after muscular issues, supporting centre-forward Jonathan David.
Weston McKennie is picked in support rather than Francisco Conceicao, Fabio Miretti, or January signing Jeremie Boga, as Dusan Vlahovic and Arek Milik remain long-term absentees.
Teun Koopmeiners is returned to the defence after a spell in midfield.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 14: SS Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri during the SS Lazio training session at the Formello sport Centre on January 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Lazio constantly seem to be dealing with a crisis, both on and off the field, and this weekend is no different.
Following the chaotic 3-2 win over Genoa, Luca Pellegrini is suspended, with Mattia Zaccagni, Manuel Lazzari and Samuel Gigot injured.
The positive news is that Alessio Romagnoli is available again in defence, after failing to force through a January transfer to Al-Sadd, but he is on the bench.
New signing Maldini starts in attack with veteran Pedro preferred to Petar Ratkov, Tijjani Noslin and Boulaye Dia.
Gustav Isaksen and Kenneth Taylor also provide support, while Nuno Tavares is another player brought back into the squad after a mid-season exit failed to materialise.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 30:Daniel Maldini of SS Lazio compete for the ball with Alessandro Mercandalli of Genoa CFC during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on January 30, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi – SS Lazio/Getty Images)
Juventus vs. Lazio official line-ups
Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners; Cabal, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; McKennie, Yildiz; David
Napoli fans have reacted with fury and insults after Lorenzo Lucca seemed to bait them with an Instagram post after scoring his first Nottingham Forest goal.
The Italy international had a dismal first six months at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, managing just two goals in 23 competitive games.
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 18: Adrien Tameze of Torino is challenged by Lorenzo Lucca of Napoli during the Serie A match between Torino FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on October 18, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
It wasn’t much of a tally for someone who cost €35m to purchase from Udinese, so after dropping down the pecking order, he was loaned to Nottingham Forest with option to buy for €35m.
Some pointed out “this kind of thing is why it didn’t work at Napoli,” while another noted “you only scored a consolation goal” and “you’ve made more Instagram posts than goals in the last four months.”
LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Lorenzo Lucca embraces Igor Jesus of Nottingham Forest as Omari Hutchinson and Sean Dyche look on during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on February 06, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
It seems to be the reaction he was looking for, as Lucca clicked ‘like’ on most of the insulting comments from Napoli supporters.
Mostly the Napoli fans reacted with sarcasm, hoping he scores many more goals so Nottingham Forest will be tempted to buy him outright.
Cristian Chivu explains the importance of squad rotation as Inter make nine changes for the trip to Sassuolo, noting Lautaro Martinez is ‘a pleasure to watch for those who love football.’
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio-Emilia at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).
The Nerazzurri are threatening to run away with the Scudetto race, winning 10 of the last 11 matches in the league and drawing the other.
They are also preparing for the Champions League play-offs against Bodo/Glimt, and on Wednesday beat Torino 2-1 in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.
Chivu using all the Inter resources
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Lecce at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We need concentration, the right attitude, understanding the approach we need and winning the individual duels,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.
It is always a tricky test against Sassuolo, who have been revitalised by the return of club icon Domenico Berardi, winning back-to-back games.
“Sassuolo caused a lot of problems for Inter over the years, and this season are doing very well, especially for a newly-promoted side.”
In a packed schedule, Inter have seen squad rotation be their greatest strength, including first starts for youth team products Matteo Cocchi and Issiaka Kamate midweek.
There are nine changes to the starting XI this evening from that Coppa Italia tie.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, gestures during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“What matters is that we have a full squad that is ready to step up and contribute to the common cause,” explained Chivu.
“It is a long season, we know that we need consistency and ambition, because we are Inter, a team that made history and plays at the highest level, domestically and internationally.”
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)
Lautaro Martinez has 170 goals in 366 games for Inter, so is just one shy of matching Roberto Boninsegna as the third all-time top scorer for this club.
As someone who sees him every day in training, what stands out about the Argentina international?
“His hunger, that desire to be decisive and to win, to always be himself and work constantly to keep improving. He has so many great qualities shared by the great strikers, he is a pleasure to watch for those who love football,” replied Chivu.
Lecce ended their goal drought in style with Omri Gandelman and a late Lameck Banda free kick to defeat Udinese and break clear of the relegation zone.
The Salentini were sliding perilously after a run of just two points in eight rounds, though oddly those were against Juventus and Lazio. It was no secret where the problems lay, scoring only two goals in the last nine matches. Francesco Camarda and Medon Berisha were injured. The Friulani were fresh off back-to-back wins over Verona and Roma, so while Keinan Davis, Hassane Kamara, Adam Buksa, Jabuk Piotrowski and Alessandro Zanoli missed out, Nicolò Zaniolo was only fit for the bench after knee surgery.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Head coach of US Lecce Eusebio Di Francesco (R) and head coach of Udinese Calcio Kosta Runjaic prior the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
January signing Walid Cheddira got his first start for Lecce and should’ve done better when nodding a Riccardo Sottil cross off target from six yards.
Lecce finally broke their goal drought after more than 430 minutes of football, with a gift from Udinese. They gave it away twice during that move, as Jesper Karlstrom slipped when trying to control the Cheddira roll across and allowed Omri Gandelman to sweep in undisturbed from 12 yards for his debut Serie A goal.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Omri Gandelman (#16) of US Lecce scores his team’s opening goal during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Sottil’s free kick skimmed the top of the crossbar, but Jordan Zemura ran onto the inspired Arthur Atta disguised pass off the outside of the boot, brought down by Kialonda Gaspar for a penalty. Unusually, defender Oumar Solet stepped up to take it and converted with a stuttering run-up to draw Udinese level.
Tiago Gabriel nodded a Sottil corner over, then Danilo Veiga’s scorcher was fingertipped over the bar by Maduka Okoye.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Oumar Solet of Udinese Calcio scores his team’s equalizing goal with penalty during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
With very little in the way of threat and this being a must-win game, the crowd turned angrily on coach Eusebio Di Francesco for his substitutions, as they wanted more forwards to be playing together rather than simply refreshing the existing roles.
Ylber Ramadani tested Okoye from distance, while Zaniolo and Konan N’Dri drilled wide from promising positions.
Lecce were unlucky not to restore their advantage at the 87th minute when Gandelman’s effort inside the area took a deflection and looped up, bouncing off the top of the crossbar.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Santiago Pierotti (L) and Ylber Ramadani of US Lecce competes for the ball with Arthur Atta of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between US Lecce and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Via del Mare on February 08, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Moments later, Banda was brought down just outside the area and converted the sensational free kick himself, bending it into the near top corner to send the crowd wild at the Stadio Via del Mare. It sealed their first victory of 2026.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Cristian Chivu, Head Coach of FC Internazionale Milano, looks on prior to the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Nerazzurri are on sparkling form and threatening to run away at the top of the table, winning 10 of their last 11 Serie A games, drawing 2-2 with Napoli.
Still missing injured Nicolò Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Denzel Dumfries, it means Petar Sucic and Piotr Zielinski take the midfield reins.
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and FC Internazionale at New Balance Arena on December 28, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Sassuolo are in good shape too, coming off back-to-back wins over Cremonese and Pisa to sit comfortably mid-table.
It is perhaps no coincidence their form improved with the return of club legend Berardi from injury, and he again leads the trident attack with Armand Laurienté and former Inter youth product Pinamonti.
Fali Cande and Edoardo Pieragnolo are long-term absentees, as their season is over following ACL tears.
Tarik Muharemovic has been repeatedly linked with a possible move to the Nerazzurri, but his own goal allowed Inter to beat Sassuolo 2-1 at San Siro back in September.
SASSUOLO, ITALY – NOVEMBER 03: Domenico Berardi of US Sassuolo celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo Calcio and Genoa CFC at Mapei Stadium Citta del Tricolore on November 03, 2025 in Sassuolo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Timothy Weah admits he was ‘broken and totally lacking in confidence’ after his Juventus experience, but an unusual Roberto De Zerbi call at 4am brought him to Olympique Marseille.
The son of former Milan legend George Weah had joined Juve with great expectations from Lille at a cost of €11m in the summer of 2023.
epa11555551 Juventus’ Timothy Weah in action during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus FC and Como 1907, in Turin, Italy, 19 August 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
epa11712328 Juventus’ Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between Juventus FC and Torino FC, in Turin, Italy, 09 November 2024. EPA-EFE/ALESSANDRO DI MARCO
“Olympique Marseille picked up a player who was broken, totally lacking in confidence,” he told Telefoot.
“It was difficult for me to even get up in the morning to go to training, because things were just not going well for me. Marseille really took a gamble.”
Italian coach De Zerbi spotted the potential for a return to Ligue 1 and convinced Weah with his rather unique charm.
“The coach called me at 4am, on Facetime,” laughed the player.
“He was wearing his pyjamas and smoking. He said: ‘Tim, you’ve got to come here. You’ll see, this is your home.’ And when I arrived at the airport, I was greeted as if I was home.”
« J’étais un joueur cassé… et Marseille m’a fait confiance ! »
The Rossoblu have been struggling badly of late, especially in Serie A, where they have just one win and three draws in the last 12 rounds.
They had started strong today, until Tommaso Pobega was sent off for ‘serious foul play’ just 22 minutes into the Derby d’Emilia Romagna, a harsh decision suggested by the VAR review after the referee had initially only booked the midfielder.
Italiano stunned by Bologna bad luck
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Vincenzo Italiano head coach of Bologna FC during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“The only thing we did badly wrong today was lose the game, because that was not a red card, it wasn’t even a challenge,” Italiano told DAZN Italia.
Despite being down to 10 men for over an hour, and with Parma later also seeing Mariano Troilo sent off, it was decided deep into stoppages by a Christian Ordonez snapshot.
“Putting in a performance like this when down to 10 men says everything,” insisted Italiano.
“Even after they scored, we still created another three scoring opportunities of our own. This is one of those spells where the moment we make a mistake, we are punished for it, and whoever comes here ends up taking away three undeserved points.”
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Thijs Dallinga of Bologna FC competes for the ball with Mariano Troilo of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
It was the fourth consecutive defeat for Bologna in Serie A, who are now without a win on home turf in the league since beating Napoli 2-0 at the Stadio Dall’Ara on November 9.
“Our priority today was to put in a good performance, and we did that. Aside from the defeat to Milan, I have seen improvements. Today we were back playing like the team that won the Coppa Italia eight months ago.”
Nonetheless, this result will increase the already existing rumours that Bologna could fire Italiano to recall Thiago Motta, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Juventus.
Scott McTominay is unlikely to feature in Napoli’s upcoming Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como, as they hope to get him fully fit for the big Serie A match with Roma.
The Scotland international scored a long-range scorcher in yesterday’s 3-2 victory over Genoa, but pulled up clutching the back of his thigh.
He was substituted at half-time and Antonio Conte said that it was not a new injury, but rather the recurring inflammation of a tendon.
McTominay recurring injury identified
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Scott McTominay of Napoli (right) celebrates with Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli, and his team-mates after scoring a goal during 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)
Considering it is an inflammation, the best course of action is rest, so it is very unlikely McTominay will be risked for Tuesday’s Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como.
That kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Scott McTominay of Napoli celebrates after scoring a goal during 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)
There aren’t many alternatives available, but Conte could simply drop Eljif Elmas into a midfield role instead, packing the trident attack with January signings Giovane and Alisson Santos.
Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, David Neres and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are all out of action, with Matteo Politano, Pasquale Mazzocchi and Romelu Lukaku not fully fit.
Napoli need to focus their attention on Serie A, where next weekend there is a head-to-head with Roma, and Juan Jesus will be suspended for that tie.
Christian Ordonez gave Parma victory deep into stoppages, along with a pair of incredible Edoardo Corvi saves, as Bologna were frustrated in a fiery derby with two red cards.
Both teams were in poor form going into this local derby. The hosts had a pitiful one win and three draws in their last 11 Serie A games, culminating in a 3-0 hammering by Milan. Lukasz Skorupski returned from suspension and the treatment table was finally empty, so new buy Joao Mario went into the starting XI for his debut. The Ducali missed Nahuel Estevez, Zion Suzuki, Pontus Almqvist, Lautaro Valenti, Abdoulaye Ndiaye and Matija Frigan. Following 0-0 draws with Napoli and Genoa, they lost heavily 4-0 to Atalanta and 4-1 to Juventus.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Thijs Dallinga of Bologna FC competes for the ball with Mariano Troilo of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
The hosts had the better start with Charalampos Lykogiannis and Jhon Lucumi firing over from distance, but the game changed on 22 minutes.
Mandela Keita won it back in midfield and surged forward, clipped from behind by Tommaso Pobega for a yellow card. The decision was changed to red following a VAR On-Field Review, as he was off balance and grazed the studs on the back of the calf almost at the knee, which looked considerably worse in slow motion.
Adrian Bernabé saw a free kick flash just wide, while Thijs Dallinga didn’t get enough power on the header to surprise Edoardo Corvi.
The dismissal seemed to make little difference to the approach of either team, though on the stroke of half-time Gaetano Oristanio robbed Torbjorn Heggem to set up Keita, his strike from the edge of the area charged down by Lewis Ferguson.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Mandela Keita of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bologna had a huge opportunity to take the lead after the restart, as Federico Bernardeschi knocked down the Ferguson cross only for Dallinga to balloon over the bar from seven yards.
The problems continued to pile up, as Lykogiannis limped off with a suspected thigh strain.
Moments later, Parma broke the deadlock when Francesco Delprato and Mateo Pellegrino at full stretch did not make contact with the Adrian Bernabé free kick, but did mean Santiago Castro was unsighted and accidentally nodded into his own net. As Pellegrino was offside, the goal was disallowed because he was interfering with play.
Moments later, Rowe’s header was deflected inches wide by Mariano Troilo’s arm, but it was flush to the body.
Rowe bent a right-foot finish past the far post too from the edge of the area, but Parma were also reduced to 10 men and again it was a little harsh. Mariano Troilo received a second yellow card for jumping leading with an arm on Castro’s head.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Jonathan Rowe of Bologna FC competes for the ball with Sascha Britschgi of Parma Calcio during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Parma Calcio 1913 at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 08, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bernardeschi’s free kick skimmed the near top corner, but Riccardo Orsolini almost scored within a minute of coming off the bench, his acrobatic volley bouncing off the turf and then off the upright.
Just as Bologna were pushing for victory after playing down to 10 men for over an hour, they were punished at the 94th minute by a sudden Christian Ordonez snapshot that went through Lucumi’s legs, meaning Lukasz Skorupski couldn’t see it until late as it slotted into the near bottom corner.
Even then, it wasn’t over, as Edoardo Corvi had to make two sensational reaction saves in the space of 60 seconds. First he was almost stunned by teammate Delprato’s bullet header from point-blank range, then he flew to fingertip an Orsolini volley out from under the crossbar.
Moise Kean admits Fiorentina must do more after their 2-2 draw with Torino, but hits back at criticism. ‘I even came in during my days off.’
The Viola had been trailing 1-0 to a Cesare Casadei free header when the offside trap failed, but turned it around to lead 2-1 through Manor Solomon’s long-range strike and the Kean finish.
However, deep into stoppages the marking was again slack on a free kick, allowing Guillermo Maripan to nod in the equaliser.
Kean stands up for his Fiorentina performances
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina controls the ball 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)
“We’ve got to keep working, working, working. The one thing we cannot do is let our heads drop, because that would kill us right now.
“I am optimistic for the future of Fiorentina. We’ll work on defending those late goals and set plays, as we can’t afford to keep doing it.
“We need the support of everyone in Florence, as only if we all work together can we get out of this situation.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina reacts 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 was the first time they had Kean back in the starting XI after three matches, as he is struggling to shake off a recurring ankle issue.
“I feel better, and I’m trying to get stronger every day,” said the Italy international.
There had been some criticism in recent weeks, including rumours in the media that he would arrive late to training.
“Who said that? It’s not true, I was always at Viola Park during the difficult moments, and even when I had the day off. I also had a family situation that I had to go and deal with, so I needed to be with them, but for the rest I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Kean is still the joint Fiorentina top scorer this season with seven goals in 26 competitive games, while Alberto Gudmundsson is also on seven, but with 30 appearances.
Paolo Vanoli admits it is ‘frustrating to see the same mistakes made over and over again’ by Fiorentina in a 2-2 draw with Torino, as their weakness in the air is becoming a problem.
The Viola had managed to turn the game around after Cesare Casadei sprung the offside trap for a free header, as Manor Solomon’s screamer and a Moise Kean effort put them in front.
However, deep into stoppages Guillermo Maripan’s glancing header on a Gvidas Gineitis free kick allowed Toro to grab a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Franchi.
Vanoli tries to think positive for Fiorentina
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Moise Kean of ACF Fiorentina scores a goal 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)
“The desire to bring home a result at all costs can make you anxious. We knew that Torino had players who are very strong in the air, so we shouldn’t have allowed them that free kick at the end,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.
“It is frustrating to see the same mistakes made over and over again. We threw away points late on against Lazio, today we would’ve deserved a victory and didn’t take it.”
Fiorentina have conceded an astonishing 38 goals in 24 Serie A matches this season.
“I still say we are on the right track, but need to improve our defending. We cannot always start from a goal down, even if we saw a strong reaction from a great team today to turn it around,” continued Vanoli.
“We must try to stay positive, as we’re fighting to the end. It’s a pity for the lads, who gave their all tonight, but we need to do more.”
There was an odd moment when Albert Gudmundsson limped off at the dawn of the second half, having seemingly sprained his left ankle.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina (L) celebrates with teammate Marco Brescianini after scoring a goal with Marco Brescianini of ACF Fiorentina 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)
“We started to struggle in the final five minutes because we didn’t close down their crosses from the right, we should’ve pushed our own wingers up to keep them busy, keep it three against three,” said the coach.
“It’s a season like this, but again today we created many chances, turned it around to lead, and until the final couple of minutes were in great shape to bring home the result.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Cesare Casadei of Torino FC celebrates after scoring a goal 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)
Fiorentina have conceded 10 goals this season from corners and free kicks, so what is the cause of that weakness?
“More often than not, it’s distraction and a lack of determination in stopping the crosses from coming in. We’re working on dealing with set plays, but we again need to have a positive approach, get more communication between the players.
“We make naïve mistakes and when you use up a lot of energy to fight back from those situations, it leaves you vulnerable at the end.”
New Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici was in the stands, and the January signings are beginning to have a real impact, but they remain at least in the bottom four with this result, awaiting Lecce’s game tomorrow.
Torino coach Marco Baroni admires the ‘determination to get back into’ their 2-2 draw with Fiorentina, and is looking forward to ‘a normal week’ of training.
The Granata had gone in front when Cesare Casadei sprung the offside trap for a free header, but two goals in six minutes turned it around from Manor Solomon and Moise Kean.
Just as the Viola felt they had done enough for all three points, Toro kept pushing and Guillermo Maripan popped up with the glancing header in stoppages, converting the Gvidas Gineitis free kick.
Baroni saw strong Torino response
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Cesare Casadei of Torino FC celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal 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)
“The team did very well in the first half and went close to a second goal, but at the start of the second, we made a mistake to gift the goal,” Baroni told Sky Sport Italia.
“I must congratulate the lads, as we were coming off a midweek game in the Coppa Italia, so it was not easy to prepare this with so little time. We had an emergency situation missing players and others who only had one training session with the rest of the team.
“I liked the determination shown to get back into this match.”
Toro are trying to find their feet after a disastrous run of four consecutive Serie A defeats, as they beat Lecce 1-0 last week and this evening grabbed a last-gasp draw.
They were in action midweek too, losing the Coppa Italia quarter-final 2-1 to Inter.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Manager Marco Baroni of Torino FC reacts 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)
On top of injuries, they were also missing suspended Nikola Vlasic and Matteo Prati, so Torino had to reshuffle their midfield.
“Vlasic is an irreplaceable player for us, but today the team managed to cover him and put everything we had onto the pitch, that is the most important thing,” continued Baroni.
“Tino Anjorin has a lot of quality, but he had some physical problems and he needs to play. The same goes for Ilkhan, he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, so it took some time to get him into shape, and he too is unaccustomed to playing twice in a week after that injury.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Marco Brescianini of ACF Fiorentina battles for the ball 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)
With a defeat here, there was the very real risk of Torino being sucked back into the danger zone, but they maintain a nine-point buffer from the bottom three.
“Now we need to work hard, as we want to improve our position in the table, and finally we’ll have a normal week to prepare in training, as we had six games in 21 days with the Coppa Italia, so we weren’t used to that.”
Fiorentina thought they had done enough with Manor Solomon’s scorcher and Moise Kean, but Torino snatched a stoppage-time equaliser with Guillermo Maripan.
The Viola were still in the relegation zone after three consecutive defeats between Serie A and the Coppa Italia, but Moise Kean returned to the starting XI, with only Tariq Lamptey out of action. New director Fabio Paratici took his seat in the stands. Toro ended their run of four straight Serie A losses with a slender 1-0 win over Lecce. Nikola Vlasic and Matteo Prati were both suspended, with Ardian Ismajli and Zanos Savva injured. Sandro Kulenovic got his full league debut after scoring in Wednesday’s 2-1 Coppa Italia quarter-final defeat to Inter.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Nicolò Fagioli of ACF Fiorentina controls the ball 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)
Kean made an immediate impact, his header on a corner fumbled by Alberto Paleari on the line, then Valentino Lazaro’s curler skimmed the crossbar at the other end.
Kean also fired over when springing the offside trap on a long Niccolò Fagioli pass, while Saul Coco’s header flashed wide of the far post on another corner.
Torino took the lead when Dodo mistimed the run back and kept Cesare Casadei onside, allowing him a free header at the back post on Emirhan Ilkhan’s cross.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Cesare Casadei of Torino FC celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal 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)
The Viola fought back, as Paleari stuck out a boot to parry the Marco Brescianini half-volley at the near post, then flew to palm away the Rolando Mandragora long-range strike.
Albert Gudmundsson’s sudden curler grazed a coat of paint off the far top corner, as did the Pietro Comuzzo towering header on a corner.
Fiorentina were forced into a change when Gudmundsson sprained his left ankle from the kick-off for the second half.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Albert Gudmundsson of ACF Fiorentina is assisted after an apparent injury 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)
Nonetheless, they equalised with a moment of magic from Manor Solomon, who curled the right-foot strike into the top corner from just outside the box, after Mandragora robbed Gvidas Gineitis.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal 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)
They turned it around completely within six minutes, as Solomon sent Jack Harrison down the right, who rolled low across for Kean to sweep in first time into the near bottom corner from 12 yards.
Mandragora’s free kick whistled just over and Toro struggled to get back into the game, creating a big chance at the 86th minute when Duvan Zapata forced David De Gea to parry with his legs from 12 yards.
Deep into stoppages, Torino equalised when the Gineitis free kick was whipped in for a glancing Guillermo Maripan header into the far bottom corner, leaving De Gea rooted to the spot.
Antonio Conte is frustrated at the ‘absurd’ number of Napoli injuries, hailing the team’s ‘heart’ to beat Genoa 3-2 down to 10 men, and explaining the Scott McTominay setback.
It seemed to be going in the worst possible way for the Partenopei at Marassi, as Genoa earned a penalty after 15 seconds, then when Rasmus Hojlund and McTominay had turned it around, the Scotland international went off injured.
“McTominay has been carrying this problem since the start of the year, it gets inflamed around the tendon, every now and then it hurts and he has to play at a lower gear. He could’ve continued, but this is a player who I’d rather have at 100 per cent rather than take stupid risks,” Conte told DAZN Italia.
A second Alessandro Buongiorno howler gifted the Lorenzo Colombo equaliser and Juan Jesus saw red, but the 10 men snatched the 3-2 victory in stoppages when Hojlund converted the penalty, earned by Antonio Vergara.
Conte frustrated at endless Napoli problems
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli, reacts during 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)
“I think the victory goes beyond what we showed, we basically gave away two goals to Genoa, but getting back on our feet after that was not easy. We did it, we had this other setback of the red card, but we never stopped pushing and trying to get the win.
“This shows the team never gives in. Every Sunday seems to bring a new obstacle, I was curious to see how the team would react without Di Lorenzo, who is such an important figure for his quality and charisma. I saw a strong response from everyone.
“These are lads who are overcoming everything with pure heart. I had to make some decisions in the moment, in all honesty it was a match we deserved to win, but congratulations to Genoa and Daniele De Rossi, this is a team that won’t have problems staying in Serie A. The atmosphere at Marassi was like being in the Premier League.”
At one stage when McTominay was hurt, clutching the back of the right thigh, Conte turned towards the bench and declared in exasperated fashion that he’d have to play in a minute.
“I always tell the lads, whether we win or lose, we must end the game with heads held high, having given our all, made the fans proud, and honoured the badge on the shirt.
“After that, let’s be clear, it is so difficult. Players make the history of a match, a coach can only do so much when he doesn’t have many players.”
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli (left), reacts during 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)
Conte was asked if this has been the most draining and difficult season of his management career.
“It is an absurd season, certainly. If we are intelligent people, we all ought to reflect on the construction of the squad, on the transfer strategy that we did, because compared to other teams, we have a very reduced squad. We can’t even look to the youth academy,” replied the coach.
“We have players like Anguissa, who cannot seem to make a full recovery, Gilmour had surgery and still has problems, so did De Bruyne, Lukaku was out for a long time, Di Lorenzo will be out for two months, we don’t know what’s going to happen with McTominay.”
There were some curious decisions from the coach, who took off Buongiorno straight after the second howler, then when Juan Jesus saw red, opted to remove substitute Giovane to introduce a new defender, meaning the Brazilian was only on for 22 minutes.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Scott McTominay of Napoli (center) celebrates with Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli, and his team-mates after scoring a goal during 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)
Juan Jesus will be suspended against Roma next week, and it remains to be seen what is wrong with McTominay.
“Look here, we can list all we want, I congratulate these lads and those like Vergara who made the most of the opportunity and grew over the last six months. Ambrosino had too, but he preferred to go and play in Serie B,” concluded Conte.
“All we can do is pick up the remaining pieces, prepare for Como in the Coppa Italia, who even rested this weekend as their game against Milan was postponed. I don’t know if McTominay can recover for that, but he’d be a big loss if he didn’t.”
Napoli survived a penalty after 15 seconds, Scott McTominay injury and Juan Jesus red card to snatch a last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Genoa with Rasmus Hojlund’s brace.
The injury crisis dragged on for Antonio Conte, who was still missing Giovanni Di Lorenzo, David Neres, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour, while Matteo Politano and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic were only fit for the bench, but at least Amir Rrahmani returned to the starting XI. The Grifone saw their five-match unbeaten run ended by a chaotic 3-2 defeat to Lazio. Tommaso Baldanzi and Benjamin Siegrist missed out, and Leo Ostigard faced his former club.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Antonio Conte, head coach of Napoli (left), greets Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, 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)
It was a dramatic start, as within 15 seconds Alessandro Buongiorno panicked and hacked at a long ball, allowing Vitinha to run into the box, where he went down under an Alex Meret challenge. The referee awarded a penalty following the VAR review, so Ruslan Malinovskyi converted the spot-kick centrally.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Ruslan Malinovskyi of Genoa (center) scores a goal on a penalty kick during 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)
Scott McTominay shinned an effort over from the edge of the box, but Napoli turned it around with an astonishing few minutes.
First McTominay’s angled drive was parried by Justin Bijlow into the path of Hojlund to tap in for his first Serie A goal of 2026.
Play had barely resumed when McTominay won a tackle in midfield and thumped a right-foot scorcher into the near bottom corner from 25 metres out.
Curiously, in those few seconds between the two goals, the Scotland international had gone to the touchline to get some magic spray on his right ankle. He was then visibly hobbling after the goal with a muscular issue at the back of the right leg.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Eljif Elmas of Napoli (right) sprays his teammate Scott McTominay’s right ankle during 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)
Malinovskyi’s long-range screamer forced a flying Meret save out from under the bar on the stroke of half-time.
McTominay was replaced by Giovane, with Eljif Elmas dropping into midfield and Antonio Vergara shifting over to the left flank.
Genoa got back on level terms, and it was another howler from Buongiorno, who was caught napping in midfield and robbed by Lorenzo Colombo, who surges forward to drill into the far bottom corner.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Lorenzo Colombo of Genoa (right) scores a goal during 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)
Napoli fought back, Spinazzola scuffing the finish after a give and go with Hojlund, then a double chance where Miguel Gutierrez saw his finish charged down and Stanislav Lobotka ballooned over.
Malinovskyi and Vitinha also turned over from promising positions, but Napoli went down to 10 men when Juan Jesus pulled back Caleb Ekuban by the jersey for a second yellow card. It also means he’ll be suspended against his old club Roma next week.
GENOA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 7: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa (left), greets Juan Jesus of Napoli 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)
There was drama deep into stoppages when Maxwel Cornet trod on Vergara’s foot during a Napoli corner. Just like in the opening minute, Massa had to be called to the VAR monitor and awarded a penalty. Hojlund slightly scuffed the spot-kick, his first ever in Serie A, and it squirmed under Justin Bijlow’s hand to give 10-man Napoli the victory.
FLORENCE, ITALY – JANUARY 27: Fans of ACF Fiorentina cheer their team during of the Coppa Italia match between of ACF Fiorentina and of Como 1907 at Stadio Artemio Franchi on January 27, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
The Viola remain in the relegation zone and their recent upturn in form hit another snag with three consecutive defeats between Serie A and the Coppa Italia.
It is perhaps no coincidence that Kean did not start any of those three games, but now makes his return after treatment for a recurring ankle injury.
Tariq Lamptey is the only remaining absentee, with January signings Marco Brescianini, Giovanni Fabbian, Solomon and Jack Harrison eager to make an impact.
Daniele Rugani gets his debut on the bench after the deadline day move from Juventus.
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 31: Manor Solomon of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring his side first 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)
Torino ended their run of four consecutive Serie A defeats with a hard-fought and slender 1-0 win over Lecce.
Coach Marco Baroni is forced into changes, as Nikola Vlasic and Matteo Prati are both suspended, with Ardian Ismajli and Zanos Savva injured.
Kulenovic scored on his debut for the Granata against Inter on Wednesday, and he starts here with Adams, who has shaken off a knock.
Fellow January signings Rafa Obrador and Luca Marianucci play in defence.
MONZA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 04: Sandro Kulenovic of Torino scores his team’s first goal during the Coppa Italia Quarter-Final match between FC Internazionale and Torino at U-Power Stadium on February 04, 2026 in Monza, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
There was confusion around precisely what happened when Genoa earned a penalty with a foul in the opening 15 seconds of their Serie A match against Napoli, the role of referee Davide Massa and VAR.
When Alessandro Buongiorno hacked at a long ball and allowed Vitinha to run into the box, going down under the Alex Meret challenge, it looked at first as if the referee had immediately awarded the penalty.
Moments later, he was called to the touchline by VAR for the On-Field Review, announcing via the microphone that he had given a penalty with yellow card for Meret, seemingly sticking with his original decision despite Vitinha dragging his leg a little bit to seek contact.
It was then converted by Ruslan Malinovskyi to give Genoa the lead.
Massa point caused confusion on early penalty
CREMONA, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Coach Antonio Conte of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and SSC Napoli at Stadio Giovanni Zini on December 28, 2025 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Marco M. Mantovani/Getty Images)
Antonio Conte reveals Giovanni Di Lorenzo will be out ‘for circa two months’ and Napoli must not ‘force’ Romelu Lukaku back too quickly, but Genoa’s Daniele De Rossi is ‘destined for greatness.’
It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, also known as Marassi, at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).
The injury crisis drags on for the Partenopei, who are still without Giovanni Di Lorenzo, David Neres, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour.
Matteo Politano and Vanja Milinkovic-Savic are only fit for the bench with new buys Giovane and Alisson Santos, but at least Amir Rrahmani returns to the starting XI.
Conte on Napoli injuries and De Rossi admiration
LISBON, PORTUGAL – DECEMBER 10: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between SL Benfica and SSC Napoli at on December 10, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
“Genoa are a side who above all on home turf rediscovered enthusiasm, Daniele De Rossi called it their fortress, so we know the difficulties we will face today,” Conte told DAZN Italia.
“At the same time, we are not changing our style of football, we’ll press high, try to win the ball back quickly and do what we always did.”
There had been fears Di Lorenzo’s season would be over, but fortunately the knee injury was only a sprain.
“We have Rrahmani back, but lost Di Lorenzo, a very important figure both on and off the field. I want to see a reaction from the team today to this loss, which will be for circa two months,” revealed Conte.
“We must always try to find the best solution and give our best in reaction to difficulties. Today is going to be a very tough match.”
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 14: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli celebrates with his head coach Antonio Conte after scoring his side second goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Empoli at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 14, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Lukaku played 90 minutes in a friendly match recently, but how long will it take to get the striker back with a strong role in competitive games after his pre-season injury?
“Romelu is going through the recovery process, you all know how much Napoli missed him since mid-August. The tendon in his left leg was detached, that’s his kicking leg, so we need patience and let him have the right time to recover from a very serious injury. I cannot force him, it’s something the player has to feel, how his body is reacting.
“We hope that he can be more available, as we could use him and Hojlund in a trio together, there are many situations, but right now he is not the Romelu that we know.”
GENOA, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, celebrates after Junior Messias of Genoa’s goal during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Bologna FC 1909 at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images)
This is the first time that Conte has faced De Rossi as a coach, and the Genoa boss called him a ‘legend’ ahead of this showdown.
“I think Daniele is destined for greatness as a coach,” replied Conte.
“I was fortunate enough to train him when I was the Italy coach for two years. His father is a coach too, so he will certainly have a great career.
“I’m glad when there is recognition, because players are ultimately the only people who can give a real verdict on the work of a coach.”
Napoli look to Rasmus Hojlund, Amir Rrahmani and Scott McTominay for the tricky trip to Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa, who start Ruslan Malinovskyi and Vitinha.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 04: SSC Napoli head coah Antonio Conte 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)
The Partenopei are still decimated by that injury crisis, but at least managed to get back on track last week with a 2-1 victory over Fiorentina.
They have the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como coming up, then a Serie A showdown with Roma, but there’s no room for squad rotation.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, David Neres, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour are still out of action, with Vanja Milinkovic-Savic and Romelu Lukaku only fit for the bench.
At least Rrahmani returns from a muscular issue and goes straight into the starting XI, with Matteo Politano also making the trip, while new buys Giovane and Alisson are available.
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 14: Amir Rrahmani of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Filippo Rinaldi of Parma Calcio 1913 during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Parma Calcio 1913 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 14, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
It is the first time the former Italy player has faced off against Conte as a coach.
Tommaso Baldanzi arrived from Roma in the January transfer window, but he’s not fully fit along with Benjamin Siegrist.
Former Feyenoord goalkeeper Justin Bijlow takes the gloves, with Leo Ostigard facing his old club.
Malinovskyi pulls the midfield strings behind Vitinha and Lorenzo Colombo, but new buy Amorim is eager to make his debut.
When these sides met in October, Jeff Ekhator had put Genoa in front, but Anguissa and Hojlund goals turned it around in the second half.
GENOA, ITALY – NOVEMBER 29: Daniele De Rossi, head coach of Genoa, looks on prior to kick-off in the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and Hellas Verona FC at Luigi Ferraris Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images)
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