Antonio Conte explained his anger at the referee after the Coppa Italia shoot-out exit to Como, but above all the injury crisis. ‘We’re having an incredibly positive season, in the circumstances.’

They were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, as Antonio Vergara struck at the dawn of the second half to cancel out the Martin Baturina penalty.

There was a great deal of controversy too, as at the 50^th minute Jacobo Ramon was fortunate not to receive a second yellow card for his foul on Rasmus Hojlund on the edge of the penalty area.

Even the first card caused some anger on the touchline, as some thought Ramon’s foul on Hojlund was enough to warrant a straight red for denying a clear scoring opportunity.

Conte fuming at referee after Napoli exit

“Let’s not always go and talk about referees, because there’s always going to be someone complaining,” Conte told Sport Mediaset when asked immediately about those decisions.

“It’s certainly not a good season for referees and for VAR, I hope they can find something that will improve the situation. The fact is, everyone is complaining, coaches, players and fans, so the sport needs to step up and improve, because just as we improve our teams, Rocchi has to improve his referees and VAR officials.

“It’s not good for football, it’s not good for us.”

It went to not just a penalty shoot-out, but sudden death, where the decisive errors were made by Romelu Lukaku and Stanislav Lobotka.

“I credit the lads, because it was certainly not easy to face a Como side with a full squad available, who had rested for 10 days,” continued Conte.

“We were coming off a game played against Genoa three days ago, which we ended with 10 men and lost another player to injury, as Scott McTominay is so important for us.”

The Partenopei were already out of the Champions League and are now eliminated from the Coppa Italia in the quarter-final stage too.

“I can only praise these players, because we are pushing beyond our current potential. We have very few resources available, which are simply nowhere near the ambitions that we should’ve had for this season.

“Despite that, the lads are doing remarkably well. Como will go into the semi-final, we won the Supercoppa Italiana and the Scudetto in the last year and a half. It’s disappointing, because there are years where you’d want to do more, but considering the squad at our disposal right now, any coach would struggle.

“I thank the fans, who can see the effort we are putting in against a complete Como squad. Despite all the difficulties, we were centimetres away from qualifying for the semi-final.”

At least with only Serie A to focus on and one game per week, Conte was asked if he could promise Napoli can at least try to challenge Inter for the Scudetto now, and potentially find out why they’ve had so many injuries?

“What an absurd question,” he laughed bitterly.

“How can you predict Di Lorenzo’s injury, or Lukaku with a detached tendon, De Bruyne with damage to a tendon in a leg he already had an operation on, or Gilmour who needs surgery and spends months out. How can you predict that?

“What we can do is go to a shrine and pray, because these are injuries that last for the whole season. With six or seven important players out for months at a time, it forces the same ones to keep playing all the time, so that creates problems for McTominay and Rrahmani.

“I don’t think this sort of thing has ever happened to another club. On top of that, I was told we couldn’t do anything on the transfer market either, we brought in two young lads to give us a hand.

“I think what we are doing this season is incredibly positive, in the circumstances. As for the Scudetto, there’s a nine-point gap, we have serious problems and you are talking about the Scudetto. Come on. There’s Inter, Milan, Roma, Juventus, even Como, what are we talking about?

“We have to be serious in questions and evaluations too, otherwise it all becomes ridiculous,” concluded a visibly angry Conte.

Cesc Fabregas reveals what he told Como about his experience ahead of the penalty shoot-out against Napoli to reach the Coppa Italia semi-final. ‘I’d been in their situation.’

The Lariani will face Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final, a stage of the tournament this club had only ever reached once before in 1986, when once again they eliminated the reigning Serie A title holders.

It was Verona back then, but Napoli this time, needing a sudden death penalty shoot-out following the 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Martin Baturina had converted the opening spot-kick before half-time, while Antonio Vergara scored the equaliser straight after the restart.

Fabregas taking Como to new heights

“It is an historic achievement, a positive time, but we have another very important game coming up on Saturday. We must leave the euphoria to the end of the season,” Fabregas told Sport Mediaset.

“It will be tough to shake off the adrenaline, but we listened to music for 10 minutes in the locker room, now we will begin preparing for the weekend, as we want all three points.”

There was a moment of controversy on 50 minutes when Jacobo Ramon was very lucky not to receive a second yellow card for his foul on Rasmus Hojlund just outside the box.

Seeing that his player was fortunate, Fabregas immediately moved to substitute the defender moments later.

“Obviously, he would get sent off at the next foul, he is a 20-year-old who is lacking experience, this is his first full season as a professional. A good thing about being that young is you don’t feel the pressure, but the negative is that you can be a bit too free and easy as well.

“I had to take him off, because going down to 10 men in a situation like this would make everything far more difficult.”

The decisive errors in the shoot-out were Romelu Lukaku drilling wide and Jean Butez parrying from Stanislav Lobotka, while Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved from Maximo Perrone.

“I thought the first half was good, but in the second less so, and unfortunately it’s not the first, second or even third time that has happened. It means we need to improve a few things,” noted Fabregas.

“We had from the start sent a positive signal, that we came here to play on the front foot and not just wait and defend. We did do things a little differently in defence today, because we didn’t press too high, as they have players with such quality who can find those spaces and hurt you.

“In order to compete in Serie A, you need a centre-forward of the level of Hojlund and he’s so good. I understand that Napoli had a lot of injuries, but we had suffered with quite a few injuries too in January and February, but with a young squad we always tried to take the initiative and play on the front foot.

“We moved to five at the back for a few minutes, as don’t forget we are Como, and we are a small club in this competition, so in that situation we preferred to lock it down.”

In his speech to the team before the penalties, Fabregas told the Como players to ‘enjoy’ themselves, which is quite an ask in that tense atmosphere.

“I thanked them for giving me this experience as a coach, as a person, because many of them had never been through an experience like this, so it was fundamental they had belief, but also needed to enjoy this moment.

“I told them, I’d been in Napoli’s situation of being the ‘big’ team expected to win and that it adds a bit of fear. We were also lucky to be first in the draw, as that helps. I thanked the players for all they do, as removing a few older lads like Moreno, Morata and Alberto, the average age is 22.

“We need to maintain humility and keep working, because we’ve got three in a row now.”

The semi-final is the only stage of the Coppa Italia that is played over two legs, so with home and away fixtures, although it’s not a long trip in this Lombardy Derby.

The other semi-final is between Atalanta and either Bologna or Lazio.

Como will face Inter in their first Coppa Italia semi-final for 40 years, after eliminating Antonio Conte’s Napoli in a sudden death penalty shoot-out, following the 1-1 draw.

The Partenopei lost Scott McTominay in a controversial 3-2 win over Genoa, so Eljif Elmas dropped into midfield with Giovane getting his first start upfront, as David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne were injured, but Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returned in goal. Como earned a 0-0 draw here in Serie A back in November, but were well rested as their Serie A Week 24 fixture with Milan was rescheduled to February 18.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Jayden Addai’s ambitious lob landed on the roof of the net in the opening minute, while Jean Butez rushed out of his area to nod clear when Rasmus Hojlund sprung the offside trap.

Juan Jesus needed a desperate block after Alex Valle shrugged off Pasquale Mazzocchi to get into the area, but Como were awarded a penalty.

Alex Valle got down the left and stood up a cross to the back post for Ivan Smolcic, who was brought down clumsily by Matias Olivera from behind. The Lariani have failed to convert numerous penalties this season, including one in their Serie A match against Napoli in November, but this time Baturina drilled it into the near bottom corner just beyond Milinkovic-Savic’s fingertips.

Como open the scoring in Naples!

Cesc Fàbregas' men take the lead as Martin Baturina converts from the spot pic.twitter.com/FG9XnHH0vl

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 10, 2026

Jacobo Ramon was inches away from giving Napoli a spot-kick, as he brought down Hojlund just outside the penalty area on a long goal kick and VAR evaluated, but decided against upgrading the yellow card to red.

The hosts equalised within 60 seconds of the restart, as Hojlund’s first-time flick in the centre-circle was probably supposed to be for Giovane, but instead kept rolling into the path of Vergara, who surged forward and kept his cool to beat Butez one-on-one.

There was controversy moments later, as Jacobo Ramon brought down Hojlund on the edge of the box and was very lucky not to receive his second booking. Inevitably, Cesc Fabregas took Ramon off to rescue him from danger, amid fury from Conte on the touchline.

Napoli were a different team to the first half, as Hojlund’s head only grazed a Sam Beukema cross, then on the resulting corner Amir Rrahmani’s header was cleared practically off the line by Nico Paz.

Tasos Douvikas couldn’t keep his header down on a Lucas Da Cunha free kick, but Mergim Vojvoda forced a great fingertip save out of Milinkovic-Savic at the near post.

Just like in Serie A, the teams could not be divided, but here went straight into a penalty shoot-out. Como famously have a poor record from the spot this season, while Milinkovic-Savic is the best goalkeeper in the league on these situations.

Lukaku stepped up with a stuttering run-up only to drill it wide of the target, while Baturina beat Milinkovic-Savic for the second time this evening, but Maximo Perrone’s central attempt was parried.

It went to sudden death, and Milinkovic-Savic was so lucky, as his penalty went in off the underside of the bar and the back of Butez’s head.

They kept going until Butez parried the Stanislav Lobotka effort, sending Como through to their first Coppa Italia semi-final in 40 years.

Napoli 1-1 Como (6-7 on pens)

Baturina pen 39 (C), Vergara 46 (N)

Penalties: Da Cunha (C, goal), Politano (N, goal), Douvikas (C, goal), Lukaku (N, miss), Baturina (C, goal), Spinazzola (N, goal), Perrone (C, saved), Alisson Santos (N, goal), Smolcic (C, goal), Elmas (N, goal), Diego Carlos (C, goal), Milinkovic-Savic (N, goal), Vojvoda (C, goal), Gutierrez (N, goal), Valle (C, goal), Lobotka (N, saved)

10-02-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli

Como

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		39'		Martin Baturina
		44'		Jacobo Ramón

2nd half

Antonio Vergara (Assist: Rasmus Højlund)		46'
		62'		Sergi Roberto
Eljif Elmas		69'

Penalty shootout

	Event
Matteo Politano
Romelu Lukaku
Leonardo Spinazzola
Alisson Santos
Eljif Elmas
Vanja Milinković-Savić
Miguel Gutiérrez
Stanislav Lobotka

Event
	Lucas Da Cunha
	Anastasios Douvikas
	Martin Baturina
	Máximo Perrone
	Ivan Smolcic
	Diego Carlos
	Mërgim Vojvoda
	Marc Oliver Kempf

Match statistic

48

Possession %

52

8

Total shots

9

3

Shots on target

4

1

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

3

6

Corners

4

1

Offsides

3

13

Fouls

8

Napoli

Como

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

60'

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

61'

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

74'

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

23

Giovane

Attacker

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

74'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

53'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

53'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

82'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

67'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

67'

Substitutes

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

98

Emmanuele De Chiara

Midfielder

95

Vincenzo Prisco

Midfielder

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

60'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

61'

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

74'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

74'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

98

Samuele Pisati

Attacker

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

53'

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

53'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

67'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

67'

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

82'

Inter are increasingly likely to have Benjamin Pavard returned to them in the summer, as Olympique Marseille do not intend to buy him outright.

The defender was sent out on loan to the French side at a cost of €2.5m, with an option to buy at the end of the campaign for a further €15m.

It had been hoped that Marseille would be willing to activate that purchase option and therefore put some much-needed funds into the Inter coffers.

Inter might get Pavard back from Marseille

Pavard has made 26 competitive appearances so far this season for Olympique Marseille, contributing one goal and three assists from defence.

His performance was singled out by the French media following the embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, and is therefore increasingly unlikely to remain beyond June 30.

It would also devalue Pavard, whose contract with Inter only runs to June 2028.

The 29-year-old had hoped that this experience in Ligue 1 would give him more regular playing time and a better chance of making the France squad at the 2026 World Cup.

Como director Carlalberto Ludi assures Cesc Fabregas ‘was a world class player and is even better as a coach’ working with a club that has ‘unlimited ambition.’

The Coppa Italia quarter-final against Napoli kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time, to decide who faces Inter in the semi-final.

Como set no limits on Coppa Italia ambition

“Our idea is to keep growing, week by week, with the work of Cesc and the squad in training,” director Ludi told Sport Mediaset.

“We cannot know where we will end up, but the ambition of this club is unlimited. We want to keep raising the bar every single time.”

It is always a special moment when Fabregas faces off against Antonio Conte, who was his coach when Chelsea won the FA Cup.

They already met earlier this season in a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Maradona in Serie A, where Vanja Milinkovic-Savic parried an Alvaro Morata penalty.

Big clubs are believed to be sniffing around the coach, so are Como worried about someone making Fabregas an offer?

“It has already happened. Cesc was a world class player and he is even better as a coach,” said Ludi.

“We are in a honeymoon period, he is added value for the present and the near future.”

Como are well-rested, because their Serie A Week 24 fixture against Milan was rescheduled to February 18 due to San Siro being used for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Tasos Douvikas is only on the bench, so it looks as if Nico Paz could be used as a False 9, or alternatively Jayden Addai.

Giovanni Manna insists the Coppa Italia quarter-final against Como is ‘a very important competition,’ but he wishes Napoli had played this season ‘with a normal number of injuries.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time, to decide who faces Inter in the semi-final.

Como are well-rested, because their Serie A Week 24 fixture against Milan was rescheduled to February 18 due to San Siro being used for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Napoli reshuffle again in Coppa Italia

“This is part of the sport, it’s not our fault and not theirs either, so we are not seeking any alibis,” Manna told Sport Mediaset.

“It is a very important competition, we want a prestigious semi-final against Inter. We are accustomed now to playing in difficult circumstances, so we’ll give our best.”

Scott McTominay aggravated an inflammation of the tendon in his thigh and is therefore rested, with David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne injured.

It means January signing Giovane gets his first start for Napoli, while Alisson Santos is on the bench. Are they the buys Manna wanted in mid-season?

“It was certainly more complicated than we had hoped, we tried to do some other deals, but the parameters weren’t suitable. So we decided to focus on two young players with margin for significant improvement and in my view can be functional for our style of football both today and in future.

“So we are eager to see them in action, but also in no rush.”

Others like Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku are only fit for the bench, while Alessandro Buongiorno is left out after his disastrous performance against Genoa.

Goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic returns after several weeks out with a muscular problem, especially as his penalty save allowed Napoli to earn a 0-0 draw here with Como in November.

“I would prefer to have seen how things would’ve gone if we’d had the full squad at our disposal, or at least a normal number of injuries. I’d have loved to be able to see how this team would’ve handled the season in normal circumstances,” noted Manna when asked how the campaign was going.

“Seeing as that was not possible, we have to look forward. We already won the Supercoppa Italiana, we have the chance to progress in the Coppa Italia, it’s true we went out of the Champions League, but in Serie A we are pretty much where we expected to be.

“What happened is not an alibi. We are fortunate enough to have a great squad, a real coach, and a group with guts. That has allowed us to stay pretty much on track, then we’ll see what happens.”

Khephren Thuram reveals what it feels like to face his brother Marcus and why he thinks their father Lilian will be cheering on Juventus against Inter. ‘Our whole family will be in the stands.’

The Derby d’Italia kicks off at San Siro on Saturday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

Neutrals will be hoping for a repeat of the extraordinary thriller that saw Juve emerge 4-3 winners in stoppages, with both Thuram brothers on target.

Thuram brothers face off in Derby d’Italia

“When you grow up with a brother who plays football, it’s natural you would always love to be in the same team,” Khephren told Sky Sport Italia.

“In school, we would always pick each other first to go into our sides. But now we are professionals, we both play for big Italian clubs, and that is good too. I hope to play many games alongside him for France.

“I expect a great game, because these are two big teams, both playing well, and tough on a tactical level. It will be difficult for both sides.”

Will the two brothers speak before the big match this weekend?

“We speak every day, but never about matches. We discuss more important things than football. Our whole family will be in the stands this time, though.”

It is a situation where their father, former Juventus and Parma defender Lilian, is going to feel a little torn.

However, Khephren has an idea of why the Bianconeri might get the benefit of a smile from their dad.

“He will be neutral, but I am the baby, so perhaps he’ll have a little bit more attention towards me.”

Juventus have certainly boosted their form since Luciano Spalletti took over from Igor Tudor, so how does the coach differ from his predecessor?

“He asks me to always keep moving, to anticipate the play, but the most important thing is to play with my qualities and know that I am strong,” said Khephren Thuram.

“He is one of the coaches who most in my career has tried to make me understand my own strength. I enjoy working with him, he also gives me tips on where to improve, but I’ll keep those details to myself.

“Spalletti is very demanding with the team, he asks us for many things, and we try to deliver for him.”

With Scott McTominay out of action, Napoli rely on Rasmus Hojlund, Giovane and returning Vanja Milinkovic-Savic against Nico Paz’s Como in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

It kicks off at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

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

The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no extra time.

Whoever goes through can then prepare for the semi-final against Inter.

Napoli earned a controversial last-gasp 3-2 victory away to Genoa in Serie A at the weekend, but McTominay felt pain from a recurring inflammation after scoring one of the goals.

He is therefore rested, with the usual list of absentees like David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour and Kevin De Bruyne.

The good news is that goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic is available after a couple of weeks out, with Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku fit for the bench.

January signing Giovane therefore steps into the trident attack with Hojlund and Antonio Vergara, dropping Eljif Elmas into midfield to replace McTominay.

Como have been the surprise outfit of this season under coach Cesc Fabregas, and already held Napoli to a 0-0 draw here in Serie A.

Nico Paz is the star man in attack, with impressive Martin Baturina and Jayden Addai, but with Tasos Douvikas and Alvaro Morata on the bench, it’s possible the Argentine will be used as a False 9.

Edoardo Goldaniga and Assane Diao are on the treatment table, but the squad is rested because their Serie A Week 24 fixture with Milan was postponed to February 18 so San Siro could prepare for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Of course, this is a big reunion for Fabregas and Antonio Conte, who worked together to win the FA Cup at Chelsea.

It could also be the first Coppa Italia semi-final for Como in 40 years, since eliminating then reigning Champions of Italy Verona in 1986.

Napoli vs. Como official line-ups

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Mazzocchi, Lobotka, Elmas, Olivera; Giovane, Vergara; Hojlund

Como: Butez; Smolcic, Ramon, Diego Carlos, Valle; Perrone, Sergi Roberto; Addai, Caqueret, Baturina; Nico Paz

10-02-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli

Como

1 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		39'		Martin Baturina
		44'		Jacobo Ramón

2nd half

Antonio Vergara (Assist: Rasmus Højlund)		46'
		62'		Sergi Roberto
Eljif Elmas		69'

Penalty shootout

	Event
Matteo Politano
Romelu Lukaku
Leonardo Spinazzola
Alisson Santos
Eljif Elmas
Vanja Milinković-Savić
Miguel Gutiérrez
Stanislav Lobotka

Event
	Lucas Da Cunha
	Anastasios Douvikas
	Martin Baturina
	Máximo Perrone
	Ivan Smolcic
	Diego Carlos
	Mërgim Vojvoda
	Marc Oliver Kempf

Match statistic

48

Possession %

52

8

Total shots

9

3

Shots on target

4

1

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

3

6

Corners

4

1

Offsides

3

13

Fouls

8

Napoli

Como

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

13

Amir Rrahmani

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

60'

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

61'

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

74'

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

68

Stanislav Lobotka

Midfielder

23

Giovane

Attacker

61'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

74'

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

53'

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

53'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

82'

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

67'

42

Jayden Addai

Attacker

67'

Substitutes

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

98

Emmanuele De Chiara

Midfielder

95

Vincenzo Prisco

Midfielder

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

60'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

61'

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

61'

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

74'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

74'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

98

Samuele Pisati

Attacker

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

53'

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

53'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

67'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

67'

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

82'

Vincenzo Italiano outlines where Bologna must be more alert and effective if they are to break the crisis against Lazio in the Coppa Italia quarter-final. ‘We must battle for every ball.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Wednesday at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

The winners will be decided after 90 minutes or go directly to a penalty shoot-out, as there is no provision for extra time.

Whoever emerges will then go on to play Atalanta in a two-legged semi-final.

Italiano dealing with Bologna crisis

Although Bologna are the reigning Coppa Italia holders and reached the Supercoppa Italiana Final, losing to Napoli in December, their recent Serie A form has been dismal.

Since the start of December, they scraped just one Serie A victory, three draws and eight defeats, crumbling 1-0 at home to Parma over the weekend.

“We must battle for every ball, knowing that any situation can become favourable, for example in the build-up to the Christian Ordonez goal for Parma,” said Italiano in his press conference.

“This is when we need determination and presence. I ask all the players to read the game, to have a greater sense of danger.

“We also must create more scoring opportunities, that is the key to emerging from this difficult moment. We know the path that we have to take.”

Balancing Serie A, the Coppa Italia, Europa League and Supercoppa Italiana is proving to be quite a strain on Bologna’s resources this season.

“What surprised me the most is how much energy we waste, we are struggling to recover from one match to the next. Our focus has to be on preparation and studying the opponents.”

Lazio have changed quite a bit in the January transfer window, with some players leaving and others like Kenneth Taylor and Petar Ratkov arriving.

“Lazio achieved a great result against an on form Juventus at the weekend, but Maurizio Sarri and I know each other well. We’ve got to put in an impeccable performance if we are to reach the semi-final,” concluded Italiano.

Torbjorn Heggem and Lorenzo De Silvestri are out of action.

Bologna squad for Lazio

Pessina, Ravaglia, Skorupski, Casale, Helland, Lucumì, Joao Mario, Miranda, Vitik, Zortea, Ferguson, Freuler, Moro, Pobega, Sohm, Bernardeschi, Cambiaghi, Castro, Dallinga, Dominguez, Odgaard, Orsolini, Rowe

Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella visited the Inter training ground today to see Hakan Calhanoglu’s recovery, and praised ‘extremely intelligent’ Cristian Chivu.

The Italian tactician is currently back home so that he can meet up with some of the Turkish football talents who are playing in Serie A, as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

After seeing Juventus and Cagliari for Kenan Yildiz and Semih Kilicsoy, today Montella was in Milan for the Inter training camp.

Montella on tour of Serie A clubs

“I am having a series of meetings, because we are getting close to the call-ups for the play-offs,” Montella told Sky Sport Italia.

“I received a warm welcome, and it was lovely to see Cristian again after so many years. Plus obviously Hakan too. So much depends on having players in good shape at the right time for international duty, so we’ve got our fingers crossed.”

pic.twitter.com/o9sGHBQmf9

— Inter (@Inter) February 10, 2026

Calhanoglu had been out of action since suffering a left soleus strain on January 11, during the Scudetto showdown with Napoli, but today was his return to training with his teammates.

Nicolò Barella also resumed work with the squad, so both are available for Saturday’s clash against Juventus.

“It is always a classic, the Derby d’Italia generally is an exciting fixture. I expect a real spectacle, regardless of the result.”

Montella was teammates with Chivu when both were in the Roma squad, so they had a warm embrace as they were reunited.

“We were teammates, there is a great rapport, he’s a really good guy and I wish him all the best. He is proving himself to be a great coach who is extremely intelligent, so he’ll do well.”

pic.twitter.com/NbycpRHnsT

— Inter (@Inter) February 10, 2026

Jean-Philippe Mateta failed a medical test with Milan to scupper his €30m transfer from Crystal Palace, but today Oliver Glasner insisted the striker ‘does not need surgery.’

The deal was all done between the clubs, and he had accepted the personal terms on offer for the move to San Siro, in a package worth in excess of €30m.

Mateta rejected by Milan after failed medical

However, it all fell apart at the final hurdle when Milan requested extra medical tests in London, their staff deciding that Mateta would not be fit for a while due to a knee injury.

It was even suggested that the centre-forward could need surgery, which would rule him out for several months.

The mystery continues, as today Crystal Palace coach Glasner tried to provide a little more clarity.

“I can’t say two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, but he doesn’t need surgery,” said Glasner.

“That’s very positive and hopefully he’s back soon.”

Instead, Crystal Palace medical staff are confident that the striker only needs two weeks of individual training to strengthen the muscles around his knee.

Juventus had also been heavily linked with Mateta during the January transfer window.

Sassuolo midfielder Nemanja Matic has received a two-match Serie A ban for insulting the referee, while others suspended include Napoli defender Juan Jesus.

The Disciplinary Commission gave its verdicts following the Week 24 fixtures, although one is still to be played.

That is because Milan vs. Como was rescheduled for February 18, as San Siro was being used for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

Serie A bans after Week 24 games

Matic saw red for insulting the referee during Sassuolo’s 5-0 defeat to Inter, and he has been punished with a two-match ban, plus €10,000 fine.

Parma player Mariano Troilo was also fined €2,000 and given a one-match ban, as he initially refused to leave when sent off.

Napoli defender Juan Jesus is suspended for his team’s big match against Roma, having received two yellow cards in the 3-2 win over Genoa.

Also given one-match Serie A bans are Tommaso Pobega (Bologna), Alessio Romagnoli (Lazio), Lameck Banda (Lecce) and Marius Marin (Pisa).

Napoli’s controversial winning penalty against Genoa was ‘absolutely in no way a foul,’ confessed Dino Tommasi, representing the Italian Referees’ Association (AIA).

The incident caused a huge amount of controversy, especially as it was so decisive, happening deep into stoppages in what turned out to be a 3-2 victory for the Partenopei.

VAR spotted Maxwel Cornet’s foot on that of Antonio Vergara, which was considered the classic ‘step on foot’ that referees automatically give a penalty for, even when contact itself is fairly minimal.

The footage was analysed on the DAZN Italia show Open VAR with representative of the AIA, former referee Tommasi, who confessed it was a catalogue of errors.

Genoa denied a point by controversial Napoli penalty

“VAR Di Bello and AVAR Fabbri are drawn to the contact between Cornet and Vergara,” explained Tommasi.

“In truth, he is simply taking up a position, the movement from Cornet is entirely accidental and in absolutely no way is it a foul.

“The issue of ‘step on foot’ was created to punish recklessness, but here it is not that. He touches the top of the foot, but the dynamics of the movement are normal within football.

“There is no recklessness, and no need to punish it. The first camera angle might make it seem like a foul, but there’s very little in real football terms.

“It is an accidental ‘graze’ and fouls need to be clear, not like this.”

So was it the correct decision to get the referee to review it himself with the On-Field Review?

“With hindsight, it was not the right choice to call him. The On-Field Review is for a clear and obvious error, whereas this was a normal movement in the dynamics of the game, so the call was incorrect.”

Even when the referee had been called to evaluate it, he still could’ve stuck with his original decision not to award a penalty to Napoli.

“There are situations where the referee has correctly rejected the indications of the VAR. The referee must analyse what he sees, he is the ultimate decision-maker,” confirmed Tommasi.

VAR had already intervened in the opening minute when the referee did not spot a clear Alex Meret foul on Vitinha for a Genoa penalty.

“In this situation there are no doubts, the Meret foul on Vitinha is clear.”

Cornet colpisce il piede di Vergara Rigore per il Napoli!
L'episodio di #GenoaNapoli visto al microscopio

L'audio del VAR e la spiegazione dell'episodio ad #OpenVAR, ora su #DAZN pic.twitter.com/qWy1rnPpI6

— DAZN Italia (@DAZN_IT) February 10, 2026

There is good news for Inter ahead of Saturday’s Derby d’Italia with Juventus, as Nicolò Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu are back in training.

It kicks off at San Siro on Saturday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET) and reignites the bitter rivalry as well as precious points in the top four.

Inter welcome back star midfielders

The Nerazzurri are on a roll at the moment and flying away at the top of the table, despite missing half their first choice midfield.

Denzel Dumfries is still out of action following ankle surgery, but there was a significant development today, because Barella and Calhanoglu returned to training.

The Turkish veteran had been missing since limping off during the game with Napoli, suffering from a left soleus strain on January 11.

As for Barella, he suffered a right thigh problem in training ahead of the Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund on January 28.

It is more likely that the Italian will be straight back into the starting XI, whereas Piotr Zielinski is expected to keep hold of the midfield reins to start this weekend’s big match.

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

“We had certain parameters that we had to stay within, so if there had been the right conditions, we would’ve done a deal,” director of sport Ottolini told Sport Mediaset.

“That was not the case for various reasons, but we are happy with the players we have, and we have faith in them.”

Last week was a celebratory one for Juventus, who locked talent Kenan Yildiz down to a new and improved contract.

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.”

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.

Cagliari talent Marco Palestra, on loan from Atalanta, is likely to be called up by Gennaro Gattuso for Italy’s World Cup play-offs next month.

It would be the first senior call for the winger, who will celebrate his 21^st birthday on March 3.

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

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.

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.

The possible absence of Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the right further boosts Palestra’s chances of featuring.

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

“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.

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.”

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.’

It was a great night for the Giallorossi, and by no means to be taken for granted considering Cagliari were coming off three consecutive victories.

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

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?

“Van Basten was a very special player, no!” blushed Malen on Sky Sport Italia.

“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.

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.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

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.

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

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aG8KVFaLaE

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

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.

Donyell Malen at the double to extend Roma's lead

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bmMS8LxMNG

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

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.

Cagliari threatened to get back into it at the 79^th minute when a sudden long-range Ibrahim Sulemana scorcher clipped the top of the crossbar.

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.

Roma 2-0 Cagliari

Malen 25, 65 (R)

09-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Cagliari

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		5'		Alberto Dossena
Donyell Malen (Assist: Gianluca Mancini)		25'
		40'		Marco Palestra

2nd half

Gianluca Mancini		58'
		61'		Gianluca Gaetano
Donyell Malen (Assist: Zeki Celik)		65'
Bryan Zaragoza		82'
		89'		Riyad Idrissi

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

15

Total shots

3

5

Shots on target

1

6

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

0

7

Corners

1

3

Offsides

0

18

Fouls

14

Roma

Cagliari

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

84'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

57'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

84'

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

84'

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

87'

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

87'

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

59'

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

73'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

91

Radoslaw Zelezny

Goalkeeper

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

57'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

84'

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

84'

68

Antonio Arena

Attacker

84'

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

59'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

73'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

73'

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

87'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

87'

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

“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.

The late change was because Charles De Ketelaere pulled out in the warm-up with a knee issue, having already lost Gianluca Scamacca earlier in the day.

Marten de Roon and Honest Ahanor were also suspended, further limiting the options available.

“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 13^th 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.”

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.

You can follow the action as it happens from that game on the Liveblog.

Kilicsoy has flourished at Cagliari

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.

“He is a great talent and there are many teams around Europe who are watching him,” Angelozzi told Sky Sport Italia.

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.

Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella is in Italy at the moment and has been visiting some of his players who are in Serie A, including Kilicsoy.

“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.

You can follow the action as it happens from that Serie A match on the Liveblog.

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

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/aG8KVFaLaE

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 9, 2026

WHAT A CHIP FROM DONYELL MALEN

Two goals in his first four matches at Roma pic.twitter.com/iyeG0xJveI

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 9, 2026

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.

You can read his comments on Cagliari talent Semih Kilicsoy here.

Montella visits Turkish talent in Serie A

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.

“I am very happy, Kenan was already part of the national team when he was still in the Next Gen Juventus team,” Montella told Il Messaggero newspaper via Tuttomercatoweb.

“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

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).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Cremonese on the Liveblog.

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

“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.”

Director Claudio Ranieri suggested last week that the Friedkin family are thinking about bringing club icon Totti into the fold, so is it a coincidence that the former captain is in the stands again this evening?

“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.”

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.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Atalanta 2-1 Cremonese

Krstovic 13 (A), Zappacosta 25 (A), Thorsby 94 (C)

09-02-2026 17:30

MatchDay 24

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Cremonese

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Nikola Krstovic (Assist: Giacomo Raspadori)		13'
Davide Zappacosta (Assist: Mario Pasalic)		25'

2nd half

Sead Kolasinac		49'
Odilon Kossounou		82'
		90+4'		Morten Thorsby (Assist: Sebastiano Luperto)

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

29

Total shots

12

9

Shots on target

2

10

Shots off target

7

10

Blocked shots

3

13

Corners

2

2

Offsides

4

11

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Cremonese

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

59'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

59'

13

Éderson

Midfielder

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

70'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

70'

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

78'

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

6

Federico Baschirotto

Defender

23

Federico Ceccherini

Defender

40'

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

5

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

4

Tommaso Barbieri

Defender

84'

33

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

63'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

29

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

90

Federico Bonazzoli

Attacker

46'

10

Jamie Vardy

Attacker

63'

Substitutes

31

Francesco Rossi

Goalkeeper

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

4

Isak Hien

Defender

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

59'

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

59'

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

70'

7

Kamaldeen Sulemana

Midfielder

70'

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

78'

69

Lapo Nava

Goalkeeper

16

Marco Silvestri

Goalkeeper

14

Faris Moumbagna

Attacker

55

Francesco Folino

Defender

22

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Defender

25

Davide Pavesi

Defender

24

Filippo Terracciano

Midfielder

40'

9

Milan Djuric

Attacker

46'

99

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

63'

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

63'

7

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

84'

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.

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

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Atalanta-Cremonese on the Liveblog.

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.

Gianluca Mancini had surgery for a broken nose and therefore has to play with a protective mask.

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.

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.

Roma vs. Cagliari line-ups

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, Cristante, Pisilli, Wesley; Soulé, Pellegrini; Malen

Cagliari: Caprile; Ze Pedro, Dossena, Rodriguez, Obert; Adopo, Gaetano, Mazzitelli; Palestra, Kilicsoy, Esposito

09-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Stadio Olimpico

Roma

Cagliari

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		5'		Alberto Dossena
Donyell Malen (Assist: Gianluca Mancini)		25'
		40'		Marco Palestra

2nd half

Gianluca Mancini		58'
		61'		Gianluca Gaetano
Donyell Malen (Assist: Zeki Celik)		65'
Bryan Zaragoza		82'
		89'		Riyad Idrissi

Match statistic

57

Possession %

43

15

Total shots

3

5

Shots on target

1

6

Shots off target

2

4

Blocked shots

0

7

Corners

1

3

Offsides

0

18

Fouls

14

Roma

Cagliari

Starting lineups

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

43

Wesley

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

84'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

57'

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

84'

18

Matìas Soulé

Attacker

84'

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

87'

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

87'

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

59'

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

73'

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

73'

Substitutes

3

Angeliño

Defender

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

91

Radoslaw Zelezny

Goalkeeper

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

57'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

84'

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

84'

68

Antonio Arena

Attacker

84'

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

59'

30

Leonardo Pavoletti

Attacker

73'

3

Riyad Idrissi

Defender

73'

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

87'

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

87'

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

“Tomorrow we have a huge game ahead of us,” warned Fabregas to the official Como website.

“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.

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.

They didn’t play at the weekend, as their game with Milan was postponed for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony at San Siro.

Our team for the Coppa Italia match against Napoli pic.twitter.com/aWyclDJVAX

— Como1907 (@Como_1907) February 9, 2026

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

“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.

“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.”

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.

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

“It is probably the fault of the demands we put upon these players,” Spalletti told DAZN Italia.

“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.”

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

“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.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Juventus 2-2 Lazio

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.”

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.”

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 96^th 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

“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.”

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.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

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.

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

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/bBDhm6LBL9

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2026

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

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h79wLxsGLa

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2026

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!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/fDo6R5m1I5

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2026

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.

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 86^th 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!

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/kboDNNZs6U

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 8, 2026

It still wasn’t over, as Lois Openda’s header went wide with the last kick of the game from another Boga cross.

Juventus 2-2 Lazio

Pedro 45+1 (L), Isaksen 48 (L), McKennie 59 (J), Kalulu 96 (J)

08-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Lazio

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		33'		Kenneth Taylor
		45+2'		Pedro (Assist: Daniel Maldini)

2nd half

		47'		Gustav Isaksen (Assist: Danilo Cataldi)
Weston McKennie (Assist: Andrea Cambiaso)		59'
		81'		Alessio Romagnoli
Pierre Kalulu (Assist: Jeremie Boga)		90+6'

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

34

Total shots

9

8

Shots on target

2

13

Shots off target

5

13

Blocked shots

2

8

Corners

1

7

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

4

Juventus

Lazio

Starting lineups

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

76'

3

Bremer

Defender

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

46'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

84'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

77'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

84'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

34

Mario Gila

Defender

77'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

83'

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

46'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

65'

9

Pedro

Attacker

64'

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

2

Emil Holm

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

46'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

76'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

77'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

84'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

84'

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

99

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

64'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

65'

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

77'

4

Patric

Defender

83'

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).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

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

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.”

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).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

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

“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.

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.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

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.

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.

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 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.

Sassuolo 0-5 Inter

Bisseck 11 (I), Thuram 28 (I), Lautaro Martinez 50 (I), Akanji 54 (I), Luis Henrique 89 (I)

Sent off: Matic 55 (S)

08-02-2026 17:00

MatchDay 24

Mapei Stadium - Città del Tricolore

Sassuolo

Inter

0 - 5

Player statistic

1st half

		11'		Yann Bisseck (Assist: Federico Dimarco)
		28'		Marcus Thuram (Assist: Federico Dimarco)

2nd half

		50'		Lautaro Martínez
		53'		Manuel Akanji (Assist: Federico Dimarco)
Nemanja Matic		55'
Nemanja Matic		55'
		82'		Federico Dimarco
		89'		Luis Henrique

Match statistic

38

Possession %

62

7

Total shots

23

2

Shots on target

11

2

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

7

5

Corners

6

3

Offsides

1

6

Fouls

10

Sassuolo

Inter

Starting lineups

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

21

Jay Idzes

Defender

3

Josh Doig

Defender

70'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

71'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

59'

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

59'

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

95

Alessandro Bastoni

Defender

63'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

69'

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

63'

10

Lautaro Martínez

Attacker

76'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

11

Daniel Boloca

Midfielder

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

20

Alieu Fadera

Midfielder

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

59'

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

59'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

70'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

71'

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

41

Issiaka Kamate

Midfielder

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

43

Matteo Cocchi

Defender

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

63'

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

63'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

69'

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

76'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

76'

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.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

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.

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.

Juventus vs. Lazio official line-ups

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Koopmeiners; Cabal, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; McKennie, Yildiz; David

Lazio: Provedel; Marusic, Gila, Provstgaard, Nuno Tavares; Basic, Cataldi, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Pedro

08-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 24

Juventus Stadium (Allianz Stadium)

Juventus

Lazio

2 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		33'		Kenneth Taylor
		45+2'		Pedro (Assist: Daniel Maldini)

2nd half

		47'		Gustav Isaksen (Assist: Danilo Cataldi)
Weston McKennie (Assist: Andrea Cambiaso)		59'
		81'		Alessio Romagnoli
Pierre Kalulu (Assist: Jeremie Boga)		90+6'

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

34

Total shots

9

8

Shots on target

2

13

Shots off target

5

13

Blocked shots

2

8

Corners

1

7

Offsides

1

10

Fouls

4

Juventus

Lazio

Starting lineups

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

76'

3

Bremer

Defender

32

Juan Cabal

Defender

46'

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

84'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

77'

22

Weston McKennie

Midfielder

84'

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

34

Mario Gila

Defender

77'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

83'

Daniel Maldini

Midfielder

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

26

Toma Basic

Midfielder

46'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

65'

9

Pedro

Attacker

64'

Substitutes

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

1

Mattia Perin

Goalkeeper

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

2

Emil Holm

Defender

17

Vasilije Adžić

Midfielder

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

46'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

76'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

77'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

84'

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

84'

23

Elseid Hysaj

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

6

Nicolò Rovella

Midfielder

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

99

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

64'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

65'

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

77'

4

Patric

Defender

83'

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.

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.

Lucca scored on his debut for the Premier League side, in a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United, and celebrated on Instagram with a post that stirred up a strong reaction.

Napoli fans angry at Lucca provocation

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by LL (@lorenzolucca17)

“Forgive them, for they do not know,” he wrote in English.

This was seen as a dig at his critics back in Italy, but the Napoli fans responded with irritation.

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.”

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).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

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

“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.

“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.”

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.