Mauro Icardi’s former wife and agent, Wanda Nara, surprisingly met Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti, seven years after the striker’s clash with the Italian tactician: ‘Nice to see you again.’

Juventus coach Spalletti met Icardi’s ex-wife and agent Wanda Nara in Turin today.

Wanda Nara posted two pictures in her Instagram stories, showing her meeting with the Bianconeri boss.

Wanda Nara reunites with Spalletti

Icardi’s former representative added a brief caption in her first picture: “Nice to see you again, mister.”

Wanda Nara and Spalletti last crossed paths in 2019 when Icardi was playing under the Italian tactician at Inter.

Back then, Wanda was Icardi’s representative and upset Inter and Spalletti with some provocative remarks on Italian TV.

What happened between Icardi, Wanda Nara and Spalletti at Inter?

In his biography published last year, Spalletti explained what exactly happened with Icardi and Wanda.

“Mario was going through a difficult period in footballing terms,” wrote Spalletti via Goal.com.

“At that moment, things weren’t going the way he had hoped. He wasn’t able to score the way he usually did. She [Wanda] said that if we wanted Icardi to score more goals, we needed to buy different players who could help him do so. In short, better players.

“That was the idea. Unbearable. A bombshell. It was one of those statements that couldn’t be brushed off with a WhatsApp message or an Instagram story. You had to talk face to face, the old-fashioned way.

“There was only one way to avoid a war in the dressing room: Mauro Icardi’s apology. It never came,” Spalletti continued.

“I asked the captain to explain Wanda Naras’s words to the dressing room, to justify them in some way. Mauro replied that it wasn’t his wife, Wanda, who had spoken, but his agent, Nara and that she had done so strictly in that capacity. It was impossible to manage the situation. There was no way.

“I had to tell him two things: remove the captain’s armband and give it to Handanovic. The club agreed, but he took it very badly. In fact, in order not to lose the team, I lost Icardi, the man and the player.”

When, in February 2019, Inter told Icardi he was no longer the team’s captain, the ex-striker refused to join the team for an away Europa League game against Rapid Wien.

The Argentine was frozen out of the team for over a month, and the following April, after a home defeat against Lazio, Spalletti told Sky: “Negotiating with a player to make him play and wear the Inter jersey is humiliating. Towards Inter fans and his teammates. Today, Icardi had to stay out because of how he behaved; it’s only fair that the others play.”

Icardi was then reintroduced to the squad for the last nine games of the campaign, in which he scored two goals, but no longer wore the captain’s armband.

Both Icardi and Spalletti left Inter at the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

Icardi joined PSG, where he would spend the following three seasons, scoring 38 goals in 92 matches.

He had been even more prolific at Inter with 124 goals in 219 matches.

Ederson, Giacomo Raspadori and Charles De Ketelaere did not train with the rest of the Atalanta squad today and are expected to miss tomorrow’s Champions League match against Bayern Munich, while Giorgio Scalvini is suspended.

Atalanta are preparing for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Bayern Munich.

It will be played tomorrow, Tuesday, March 10, at 18:45 CET (17:45 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.

Atalanta team news ahead of Bayern Munich clash in Champions League RO16

Regular starters Ederson, Raspadori and De Ketelaere are still injured and continued to train separately on Monday, TMW reports.

Giorgio Scalvini, on the other hand, worked with the rest of the team days after suffering a knee injury in a Serie A match against Lazio, but the Italian will still miss tomorrow’s match due to a one-game ban.

Atalanta coach Raffaele Palladino and midfielder Mario Pasalic will preview the match during a pre-match press conference at 19:00 CET (18:00 GMT) later today.

Atalanta eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League knockout playoff with a 4-3 aggregate win.

The Nerazzurri are the only remaining Serie A team in Europe’s elite competition.

• Read more – What to expect from Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich and how it impacts Italy

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero joked with Luka Modric after Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter on Sunday: ‘With Italian restaurants and food, you can play until 50.’

Modric was one of the best players on the pitch in Milan’s 1-0 victory over city rivals Inter on Sunday.

Del Piero tells Modric: ‘You can play until 50

Italy and Juventus legend Del Piero commented on the game as a pundit for CBS Sports last night and joked with the Croatian legend: “It was amazing again watching you. Congratulations again,” Del Piero said.

“With Italian restaurants and food, you can play until 50. Our quality of food is amazing, don’t know if you agree.”

The Rossoneri’s win leaves them second in the standings, still seven points behind their city rivals, and Modric argued that if the team had performed better in “small games”, they’d have been closer to their rivals.

Milan, in fact, have only lost twice in Serie A this term, while Inter have suffered five defeats.

The Nerazzurri, however, only picked up one draw against Milan’s nine.

Inter have won 22 of 28 games this term, and their city rivals have collected 17.

“We are very proud people. We like to fight.”

Luka Modrić shares what being from Zadar means to him pic.twitter.com/6azHQPAgRM

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 8, 2026

Il Mattino confirms that Napoli are in a hurry to agree to a contract extension with Scott McTominay, with the club’s desire driven by ‘internal balance’ rather than the player’s demands.

Napoli are set to offer McTominay a new deal, and Il Mattino confirms that the Partenopei hope to shake hands with the Scottish star in a short time.

The Naples-based newspaper (via TuttoNapoli) reports that club directors believe the 29-year-old deserves a new contract based on his performances, not because the player has demanded one and a higher salary.

The former Manchester United midfielder has never raised financial complaints, but maintaining the team’s internal balance has prompted Napoli to prepare an offer with a pay rise for their midfield star.

McTominay is contracted at the Stadio Maradona until June 2028, and previous reports claimed that the club is planning to extend his stay by two more years, until 2030.

McTominay has scored ten goals and provided four assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.

He contributed to the 2024-25 Scudetto victory, being named Serie A’s best player.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Hakan Calhanoglu has sustained a strain in the adductor of his right thigh, which will force him to miss the next game against Atalanta, but Inter hope Alessandro Bastoni will recover in time.

Inter star Calhanoglu will miss the next Serie A match against Atalanta on Saturday due to a new adductor injury.

Latest Inter injury updates: Bastoni and Calhanoglu

As reported by Gazzetta, the Turkey international underwent medical tests on Monday morning after feeling discomfort during the warm-up of yesterday’s match against Milan.

Examinations highlighted a mild strain in the adductor of his right thigh, which will rule him out of the next league game.

Calhanoglu was an unused substitute during Sunday’s 1-0 loss against Milan. Inter coach Cristian Chivu explained that the Nerazzurri star “wasn’t feeling well,” so he was not involved in the derby.

Last Tuesday, Calhanoglu had played almost an hour in a Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Como.

As for Bastoni, Inter hope the Azzurri defender won’t need further examinations after being forced to be subbed off against Milan.

As Chivu explained after the match, Bastoni had a “knock in the shin.”

Gazzetta reports that Bastoni was still limping on Monday and will be assessed by Inter doctors on Tuesday, but the Nerazzurri hope he’ll return in time for the next Serie A match.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus are happy with Jeremie Boga’s performances so far and are considering making his move permanent for less than €5m.

Juventus are satisfied with the impact of their January signing Boga, as the ex-Sassuolo and Atalanta winger has scored two goals and provided one assist in seven appearances as a substitute.

How much do Juventus need to pay to sign Boga permanently?

The Ivory Coast international moved to the Allianz Stadium on loan with an option to buy from OGC Nice on the winter transfer window deadline day, and the Serie A giants can make his move permanent for just €4.8m.

As reported by Gazzetta, Boga’s convincing performances so far and the favourable financial conditions of the deal have already convinced Juventus to consider his permanent transfer.

Boga’s permanent transfer would also be affordable in terms of salary, as the 29-year-old would earn between €1.5m and €2m.

Before joining Juventus, Boga had not played a competitive match since November 30.

His time at OGC Nice practically ended a few days later when a group of circa 400 ultras targeted the player and the club’s sporting director with a very serious physical assault, as if they were responsible for a six-game losing streak.

“It was a bad moment for my family and me. I still can’t go through the details, but I spent two months alone at home with my fitness coach and my wife,” Boga said in his first interview as a Juventus player in February.

“It was a bad moment, but now I’m happy to be out of that situation.

“It was a bad moment for my family and me. I still can’t go through the details, but I spent two months alone at home with my fitness coach and my wife. It was a bad moment, but now I’m happy to be out of that situation.

“Juventus saved me. It’s been a blessing.”

Cristian Chivu says Hakan Calhanoglu ‘wasn’t feeling well’ so he was not involved in the Milan derby on Sunday.

Inter star Calhanoglu spent 90 minutes on the bench in a 1-0 loss against city rivals Milan on Sunday.

• Read more – Milan 1-0 Inter: Three things learned in Derby della Madonnina

Calhanoglu ‘wasn’t feeling well’, Chivu says

As reported by FcInternews, Chivu gave a brief reply to a reporter’s question during a post-match press conference last night, saying that Calhanoglu “wasn’t feeling well”, so he was not even involved as a substitute.

Calhanoglu, 32, has been dealing with several fitness issues in recent weeks. He missed seven games, five in Serie A and two in the Champions League, between January and February due to a calf problem.

He returned as a substitute against Juventus on February 14, playing for about 30 minutes, but then missed the next three matches due to a muscle injury.

Last Tuesday, he started in the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg against Como and was replaced after 58 minutes.

The Turkish international has scored and provided four assists in 25 appearances across all competitions this season.

Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso will be waiting for updates from Inter and Arsenal as Azzurri stars Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori suffered injuries in their latest club appearances, barely two weeks before the World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.

Italy defenders Bastoni and Calafiori sustained injuries over the last weekend, and the Azzurri will be waiting for updates from their clubs, Inter and Arsenal, ahead of a crucial match against Northern Ireland on the horizon.

Calafiori was subbed off during Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Mansfield Town on Saturday. After the match, the Gunners’ coach Mikel Arteta said Calafiori had had “little niggles” and wasn’t “comfortable continuing.”

Arsenal play Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, and Arteta will likely provide a fresh update on Tuesday, the eve of the game.

Bastoni, on the other hand, sustained an injury during Inter’s 1-0 loss against Milan in the derby della Madonnina on Sunday and had to be substituted after coming off worse in a challenge with Adrien Rabiot that even cost him a yellow card.

“He took a knock in the shin,” Inter coach Cristian Chivu said in his post-match press conference on Sunday.

“He was limping; we’ll see over the next few days, but it’s a knock.”

Inter players have a day off today, so, as reported by Gazzetta, the club’s medical staff will assess Bastoni’s condition on Tuesday.

Bastoni looked to be in a lot of pain and limped off the pitch, helped to the bench by Inter’s medical staff. Nevertheless, the Nerazzurri and Italy hope that 48 hours of rest will be enough for the defender to be fit for the next few matches.

Bastoni has made four appearances under Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso, missing one due to suspension and spending another entirely on the bench.

Calafiori has played three times under Gattuso, missing two matches due to injury and remaining on the bench once.

Italy host Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal on March 26, and if they progress to the final, they will visit the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Inter legend Beppe Bergomi feels that Samuele Ricci’s handball in the final minutes of the Milan derby was worthy of a pitchside VAR review, but Milan legend Alessandro Costacurta is ‘pleased’ that such incidents will no longer be considered penalties.

Inter suffered a 1-0 loss against city rivals Milan on Sunday, but the Nerazzurri complained about a potential penalty in the dying minutes, when the Rossoneri midfielder Ricci unintentionally touched the ball with his arm inside the box.

“I believe the proximity influenced VAR’s evaluation. Up to now, penalties like these have always been given,” former Milan defender Costacurta told Sky Sport Italia (via Fanpage).

Costacurta, Di Canio and Bergomi examine Ricci’s handball in Milan derby

“However, I’m pleased that something has changed over the last two matchdays. In my opinion, this type of incident is never a penalty, but until two weeks ago, it was. I like that, from now on, it will no longer be considered such.

“Until two weeks ago, we were complaining like crazy because they were giving these ridiculous penalties every time,” Costacurta continued.

“Apparently, they looked at it and made an assessment. Maybe it wasn’t a clear penalty after he didn’t block a shot. I ask myself, why are we wasting so much time on this?”

Paolo Di Canio, a former Milan, Lazio and Juventus striker, argued: “For me, the arm here stops the ball, which otherwise would have gone onto his side. In trying to pull his arm away, he slightly cushions the ball. The advantage gained from the instinctive movement to retract the arm is that the ball stays there.

“I’d just like to see the referee’s position again and whether he had a clear view. In that situation, maybe VAR could have suggested something, or at least asked him whether he had seen it clearly.”

On the other hand, Inter legend Bergomi felt that the referee should have reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor: “I’ve seen many penalties given this way, even less obvious ones. But I don’t want to fuel controversy,” said the 1982 Italy World Cup winner.

“The referee didn’t see it, and the player was close. In this case, VAR should intervene; I don’t know why it didn’t.”

Inter remain the Serie A table leaders with a seven-point lead over their city rivals.

The Nerazzurri have collected 22 wins in 28 league matches, drawing once and losing five times, including twice against their city rivals.

Pervis Estupinan is Football Italia’s Man of the Match in  Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter.

Milan 1-0 Inter player ratings

Milan: Maignan 6.5; Tomori 6, De Winter 6.5, Pavlovic 6.5; Saelemaekers 6, Fofana 6.5 (73′ Ricci 6), Modric 7, Rabiot 6.5, Estupinan 7; Leao 5.5 (73′ Fullkrug N/A), Pulisic 6 (84′ Nkunku N/A). Coach: Allegri 7.

Best Milan player: Estupinan 7 – There are several, but Estupinan slightly beats his teammates thanks to his winning goal in the first half. Maignan was just as decisive a few minutes earlier as he produced a key save to deny Mkhitaryan. De Winter and Pavlovic were very solid at the back, Modric led the Rossoneri with experience and quality. Not a news that.

Lowest Milan rating: Leao 5.5 – He didn’t do much, did he? Even when the Rossoneri had space on the counter, the Portuguese star was too sloppy and made too many touches, losing momentum and hurting the opponents.

Milan coach: Allegri 7 – He told Estupinan after just seven minutes that he had to find space behind Luis Henrique, and that’s exactly how Milan scored the winning goal. Milan kept things tight at the back, but, to be honest, they probably thought they’d have needed to sit deeper to win the game.

Inter: Sommer 6; Bisseck 5.5 (80′ Diouf N/A), Akanji 6, Bastoni 5.5 (68′ Carlos Augusto 6); Luis Henrique 5 (59′ Dumfries 6), Barella 5.5 (68′ Frattesi 5.5), Zielinski 5.5, Mkhitaryan 6 (59′ Sucic 5.5), Dimarco 5.5; Esposito 5, Bonny 5. Coach: Chivu 5.

Best Inter player: Mkhitaryan 6 – It’s hard to pick one as many Nerazzurri were below par. Mkhitaryan probably had the best chance for the Nerazzurri, but was denied by Maignan, just a few minutes before Estupinan’s winner. Dumfries’ introduction in the second half was a clear upgrade on Luis Henrique. Inter have missed him so much.

Lowest Inter rating: Luis Henrique 5 – At the end of the day, he made the decisive mistake that allowed Milan to win the match. It had already happened against Juventus and Arsenal. When the Brazilian is defending, opponents will always have a chance to hurt on that flank. It happened tonight, and Estupinan didn’t waste it.

Inter coach: Chivu 5 – It wasn’t easy without his starting strikers. Lautaro was injured on the bench, and Thuram wasn’t available due to a fever. Inter have now lost their first game since the reverse fixture on November 23. Besides that, they were never really dangerous. The ball moved too slowly, and the strikers didn’t link up well. The good news is that Inter still hold a seven-point lead over Milan.

Inter and Italy defender Alessandro Bastoni was forced to be subbed off after suffering an injury in the second half of the Milan derby on Sunday.

Italy international Bastoni was forced to be subbed off at minute 68 of Inter’s Serie A match against Milan on Sunday.

See how the match unfolded on the live blog.

Bastoni collided with Milan midfielder Arien Rabiot, committing a foul and receiving a yellow card.

The Inter defender took the worst of it, remaining on the ground in pain and needing treatment from the Nerazzurri’s medical staff.

He was quickly replaced by Inter coach Cristian Chivu, who introduced the Brazilian Carlos Augusto.

Inter are expected to provide injury updates in the coming hours, and Italy CT Gennaro Gattuso will be awaiting news on Bastoni as well.

The Azzurri, in fact, play Northern Ireland in the World Cup semifinal play-off on March 26, and even Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori suffered an injury over the weekend.

Today’s derby is technically a home game for Milan, and the Rossoneri crowd had loudly booed Bastoni before his injury over the controversy surrounding him in the Inter-Juventus match last month.

Pervis Estupiñán could not pick a better game to score his first Milan goal as he gave the Rossoneri the lead against Inter in the derby della Madonnina.

Estupiñán’s first Milan goal allowed the Rossoneri to put their noses in front in a derby della Madonnina against Inter on Sunday.

See how the match unfolds on the liveblog.

The Rossoneri won the ball high up the pitch. Youssouf Fofana slipped a through pass to Estupinan on the left, and the former Brighton defender finished the move with a powerful strike toward the near top corner.

Video: Estupinan’s goal vs. Inter

Pervis Estupiñán rockets AC Milan into the lead in the Derby della Madonnina

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/4JFOkVSDrN

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

Pervis Estupiñán fires home his first Serie A goal in the Derby della Madonnina pic.twitter.com/QFMZI9NsgX

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 8, 2026

The Telegraph reports that Italian tactician Roberto De Zerbi is on Manchester United and Tottenham’s shortlist for the 2026-27 season, but Spurs must first secure survival.

Former Sassuolo, Brighton and Marseille coach De Zerbi is a candidate to become the new coach of Tottenham and Manchester United next season, The Telegraph reports.

According to the report, De Zerbi is keen on the Red Devils job and is among the club’s shortlist of candidates for next season.

The same goes for Tottenham, but Spurs are in a tricky situation currently as they are just one point above the relegation zone.

Their new coach, Igor Tudor, has lost all three of his opening games in charge.

The former Juventus tactician risks being sackedm but he’ll remain at the helm for next week’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

According to the report, both Tottenham and Manchester United directors appreciate De Zerbi’s attacking style of play, but the Italian tactician also has admirers at Manchester City, where he has built a solid bond with Pep Guardiola.

De Zerbi left Marseille by mutual consent on February 11. The French club had appointed him in the summer of 2024.

• Read more – De Rossi: I won’t pretend I’m sorry after win over Roma

Roma suffered a 2-1 away defeat against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa on Sunday.

Today’s loss leaves them fifth in the standings, level on 51 points with fourth-placed Como and just one point above Juventus.

Gasperini comments on Genoa 2-1 Roma

“We approached the game really well; we were determined and solid,” Gasperini told DAZN via TMW.

“We didn’t have many shots on target, and perhaps they had even fewer than we did. We weren’t even lucky in the final minutes, but the team spirit was very high.”

“The incident is quite clear; VAR didn’t intervene. Everyone can see it their own way, but the images are so clear,” Gasperini said.

“If those in charge of VAR aren’t certain about this, they should do another job. You can’t change reality; it’s quite evident. He didn’t impose the penalty, and we shouldn’t consider other interpretations.

“There was great intensity with long balls from any position, quite suitable for a player like Cristante,” Gasperini continued.

“It was really difficult to play the ball on the ground, but the lads were good; it’s not a lucky moment. Svilar made the first save in the second half. Now we have a busy schedule with two games against Bologna.”

Roma’s next game is away at Bologna in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16. Next Sunday, they’ll host Como at the Stadio Olimpico in what will be a crucial match in the race for the top four.

Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi won’t pretend to be sorry after his Genoa side beat Roma 2-1 and admits he feels ‘ at home’ at Marassi.

De Rossi’s Genoa beat Roma 2-1 on Sunday and the Italian tactician commented on his players’ performances during a post-match interview with DAZN.

“It was worth three points, which are so important and were earned by a strong and healthy group,” De Rossi said.

“In January, after the transfer window, I said I was happy because I had a group with different characteristics in all departments. I know games are not all the same, and opponents are not all the same. When you need intensity like tonight, you need players with those skill sets. I’m happy with the table, but very happy with my players. They deserve this satisfaction, especially those who have played less.”

De Rossi is a Roma legend and a former Giallorossi coach, so how does it feel to beat his favourite club?

“If you decide to do this job, you must know you’ll face Roma sooner or later,” De Rossi replied.

“I don’t want to minimise or say I’m not sorry that they are sorry, but I don’t want to justify myself or pretend I’m sorry. I’m happy, not that Roma lost, but that I won. This will be my fate until the day I’ll hope Roma win 38 games. It’s a target of mine and a dream of many. Perhaps, one day it will happen.

“However, if I have to think about a team similar to Roma, that makes me feel at home, with similar fans, in both good and bad ways; it’s where I am now, and I really like it.”

De Rossi went on to praise his players.

“What they give me is more than what I give them. I try to treat them honestly and equally. I hadn’t noticed the assist [for Vitinha] was from Masini,” he continued.

“I’m not surprised. I like to spend time with these lads, I like to shield them when there are bad games, like against Inter. All we do comes from what they do in training. If you look at Masini, you have to stop him in training because he goes twice as fast as the others. Perhaps, he won’t play in the next game, but this is football. They give everything to me, I give everything to them.”

Lecce secured a massive 2-1 win over Cremonese on Sunday, moving three points above the relegation zone.

Santiago Pierotti and Nikola Stulic’s goals allowed Lecce to take all three points in a home Serie A match against direct rivals Cremonese on Sunday, putting three points between them and the Grigiorossi in the Serie A table.

Goalkeeper Wladimiro Falcone also had a big role in Lecce’s crucial victory.

Lecce 2-1 Cremonese match report

Cremonese’s Morten Thorsby had the first chance in the game, but sent his header wide.

Just a few minutes later, Pierotti scored his first goal this season, making the most of Antonino Gallo’s corner kick from the right and Emil Audero’s poor decision to come out.

The home side didn’t take long to double their lead. Matteo Bianchetti deflected Stulic’s shot with his right arm, which was placed in an unnatural position. Referee Simone Sozza initially gave a corner kick, but was then urged to the pitchside monitor to review the incident, which led to a penalty kick for the Giallorossi.

Stulic took the penalty and sent Audero the opposite way to double Lecce’s lead.

The Giallorossi dominated in the first half, leaving little chance to score for Cremonese, who also had to deal with an injury to Jamie Vardy, who picked up a knock and was forced to be subbed off during the break.

It was, however, a blessing in disguise for the Lombardy-based club as Vardy’s replacement, Milan Djuric, immediately contributed to Cremonese’s goal.

The ex-Salernitana star used his body to take position at the edge of the box and provide a headed assist for Bonazzoli, who made a late run and beat Falcone at the far post with his first goal since the reverse fixture on December 7.

Djuric continued to make his presence felt inside the box and had a chance to score with an overhead kick saved by Wladimiro Falcone.

Spaces opened up for Lecce on the counterattack, and despite Lameck Banda’s pace down the left, the Giallorossi failed to create many goal-scoring opportunities.

On the other end, Cremonese mostly relied on long balls for Djuric to cause trouble for the home side.

Emil Audero partially redeemed himself with a save from Ylber Ramadani’s shot from distance.

Cremonese midfielder Martin Payero accidentally sent the ball inside the net with his right arm in the dying minutes. The referee initially confirmed the goal, but a silent VAR check quickly, and rightly, disallowed it.

Payero had another massive chance to level the score in stoppage time, but Falcone produced an impressive intervention from point-blank range.

Tension skyrocketed in the final minute as Cremonese demanded a penalty kick for a possible Gaby Jean foul on Antonio Sanabria, who was clear in front of Falcone after another header won by Djuric and a fortunate bounce at the edge of the box.

Referee Sozza, however, waved to play on, and VAR confirmed his decision, sparking Lecce’s celebrations.

08-03-2026 11:30

MatchDay 28

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Cremonese

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Santiago Pierotti (Assist: Antonino Gallo)		22'
Nikola Stulic		38'
		44'		Matteo Bianchetti
Jamil Siebert		45+4'

2nd half

		47'		Federico Bonazzoli (Assist: Milan Djuric)
		53'		Milan Djuric
		90+7'		Sebastiano Luperto

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

9

Total shots

10

3

Shots on target

5

3

Shots off target

3

3

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

4

3

Offsides

1

19

Fouls

28

Lecce

Cremonese

Starting lineups

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

89'

79

Oumar Ngom

Midfielder

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

78'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

66'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

79'

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

55

Francesco Folino

Defender

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

74'

15

Matteo Bianchetti

Defender

46'

5

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

4

Tommaso Barbieri

Defender

27

Jari Vandeputte

Midfielder

46'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

62'

29

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

90

Federico Bonazzoli

Attacker

10

Jamie Vardy

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

23

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

36

Filip Marchwinski

Midfielder

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

13

Matías Pérez

Defender

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

99

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

66'

16

Omri Gandelman

Midfielder

78'

18

Gaby Jean

Defender

79'

8

Sadik Fofana

Defender

89'

69

Lapo Nava

Goalkeeper

16

Marco Silvestri

Goalkeeper

33

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

23

Federico Ceccherini

Defender

38

Warren Bondo

Midfielder

22

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Defender

30

Mika Faye

Defender

9

Milan Djuric

Attacker

46'

7

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

46'

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

46'

77

David Okereke

Attacker

62'

99

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

74'

Fikayo Tomori says Ademola Lookman is one of the toughest opponents he’s faced in Serie A and is glad he didn’t go to Inter last summer: ‘We wouldn’t have been friends anymore.’

Milan centre-back Tomori will be happy he won’t face Lookman in tonight’s derby della Madonnina against Inter.

The Nigeria international was close to joining the Nerazzurri last summer, but La Dea refused to sell him to a domestic rival for less than €50m.

Lookman spent the first part of the campaign in Bergamo before joining Atletico Madrid in the January window.

During his latest interview with The Athletic, Tomori mentioned Lookman as one of the best strikers he’s faced during his five-year stay at San Siro.

Tomori joked with Lookman after failed Inter transfer

Tomori is a friend of Lookman off the pitch and spoke to the striker after his collapsed move to Inter.

“I spoke to him when he stayed [at Atalanta], and I said: ‘If you went to Inter, we wouldn’t have been friends anymore,'” the English defender said, smiling.

Fikayo Tomori names the toughest opponents he’s faced in Serie A pic.twitter.com/0ghDvBs1mH

— The Totally Football Show (@TheTotallyShow) March 8, 2026

Juventus target Bernardo Silva is not expected to extend his expiring contract with Manchester City, effectively becoming available for a free transfer over the summer.

Portuguese star Bernardo Silva won’t extend his contract with Manchester City, according to Marca transfer expert Matteo Moretto.

Bernardo Silva won’t sign Man City contract extension

According to the report, Bernardo Silva is unwilling to sign a new deal with the Premier League giants.

The Portugal international has scored 42 goals and provided 34 assists in 445 appearances for Manchester City.

In the current campaign, he has played 2.782 minutes, scoring twice and providing five assists.

Naturally, several clubs have been linked with signing the 31-year-old, including Benfica and Barcelona, according to Marca.

Italian sources claim that Juventus have already opened preliminary talks with the versatile midfielder’s entourage.

The Bianconeri’s main target in midfield remains Sandro Tonali, but Bernardo Silva is also very high on their agenda.

Juventus currently sit sixth in the Serie A table, one point below the top four, but Roma have a game in hand to be played today against Genoa.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti slapped USMNT international Weston McKennie during the Bianconeri’s celebration for Kenan Yildiz’s goal against Pisa.

Juventus won their first Serie A match in over a month on Saturday, beating strugglers Pisa 4-0 at home.

After Yildiz’s third goal at minute 75, most of the players ran towards the touchline to hug coach Luciano Spalletti on the day of his 67th birthday.

The Italian tactician also hugged his players, but then slapped McKennie when the American arrived.

It’s not the first time Spalletti has slapped one of his players, as he did the same in January with Lois Openda before the striker’s introduction in a Champions League match against Benfica.

Safe to say, however, that Spalletti is delighted with McKennie’s performances this season, as the American has scored eight goals and recorded seven assists in 27 appearances under the Tuscan tactician and has earned a contract extension through 2030.

Video: McKennie slapped by Spalletti after Juventus’ goal

Why Luciano Spalletti do Weston McKennie like that https://t.co/l3YhnzXX8u

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) March 7, 2026

Wesley Sneijder admits he was surprised when José Mourinho started him against Milan in 2009, just a few hours after his move from Real Madrid and sees Piotr Zielinski as Inter’s ‘key man’ in 2025-26.

Former Inter star Sneijder previewed tonight’s Derby della Madonnina during an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport.

“First of all, this isn’t just a derby, it’s THE derby,” Sneijnder said.

“At San Siro, you can feel the weight of history. I’ve payed Real Madrid-Barcelona, which is a global clasico that involves different cities, and Galatasaray-Fenerbahce, which drives Istanbul crazy, but the fact that teams the size of Milan and Inter share the same stadium is always…wow! And this season the derby could even decide a Scudetto that is fully deserved. It’s not like two years ago when the Nerazzurri mathematically celebrated the title at Milan’s home, but if Cristian goes to +13 who could possibly think of catching him?”

Inter are the Serie A table leaders with a 10-point advantage over their city rivals who sit second and have only lost twice in Serie A this term.

“Milan are a clever team. They have the character of their coach,” Sneijder continued.

“They know how to sit back, wait for you and punish you. They have midfielders like Rabiot, but Inter are superior in possession. Calhanoglu is back now, but the key man this season is Zielinski. Last season, I kept asking myself ‘why doesn’t he play?’ Now, instead, the ball always goes through him.”

Milan legend Andiy Shevchenko, on the other hand, said the Rossoneri would reopen the title race if they beat the Nerazzurri tonight.

Sneijder is a proper Inter legend as he was part of the team that won the treble under Mourinho in 2009-10. When the Dutchman arrived at San Siro, he was immediately started in a derby against Milan.

“I had barely stepped off the plane at the end of Augst 2009, when José said to me: ‘You’ll be playing against Milan.’ How many others would have done that? It ended 4-0 for us. It felt like I had known Milito and Eto’o my whole life,” Sneijder said.

“After the match, I realised Mourinho was serious when he said the only thing he was missing to win everything was a No.10. He hadn’t just said it to convince me. He simply saw the future.”

Inter coach Chivu was also part of that legendary Inter team and Sneijder sees a similarity between his former teammate and his ex-coach Mourinho.

“Comparisons like that don’t make sense and are dangerous. But like José, Cristian says wht he thinks without needing to please everyone and he goe straight down his own path,” he said.

“Chivu has to defend Inter from everything and everyone. Look at the Bastoni case, so many pointless controversies. Sooner or later, people will get tired of booing; but what I like the most is the player’s reaction. The criticism just slides off him. That’s how it should be done.”

Lecce look to Nikola Stulic in a crucial Serie A match against Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese.

It kicks off at 12:30 CET (11:30 GMT) at the Stadio Via del Mare.

It promises to be a dramatic match in the race for survival, with the two sides level on 24 points, alongside Fiorentina.

Technically, Lecce are in the relegation zone, but only by goal difference.

The Giallorossi, however, have earned six points in the last five matches, while Cremonese only grabbed one in the same period.

The Grigiorossi seemed safe just a few weeks ago, but they have been winless since the reverse fixture on December 7 and have scored only one goal in the last eight games.

Medon Berisha, Francesco Camarda, Olaf Gorter and Kialonda Gaspar are unavailable for Lecce, while Cremonese have travelled south without the injured Michele Collocolo, Federico Baschirotto, Faris Moumbagna and the suspended Filippo Terracciano.

Lecce and Cremonese‘s rival Fiorentina play later today at 15:00 CET, hosting Parma at the Stadio Franchi.

Lecce vs. Cremonese – confirmed line-ups

Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Danilo Veiga, Siebert, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Coulibaly, Ramadani; Pierotti, Ngom, Banda; Stulic.

Cremonese (3-5-2): Audero; Bianchetti, Luperto, Folino; Barbieri, Maleh, Thorsby, Vandeputte, Pezzella; Vardy, Bonazzoli. 

Lecce vs. Cremonese – live updates

08-03-2026 11:30

MatchDay 28

Stadio Ettore Giardiniero - Via del Mare

Lecce

Cremonese

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Santiago Pierotti (Assist: Antonino Gallo)		22'
Nikola Stulic		38'
		44'		Matteo Bianchetti
Jamil Siebert		45+4'

2nd half

		47'		Federico Bonazzoli (Assist: Milan Djuric)
		53'		Milan Djuric
		90+7'		Sebastiano Luperto

Match statistic

41

Possession %

59

9

Total shots

10

3

Shots on target

5

3

Shots off target

3

3

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

4

3

Offsides

1

19

Fouls

28

Lecce

Cremonese

Starting lineups

30

Wladimiro Falcone

Goalkeeper

25

Antonino Gallo

Defender

17

Danilo Veiga

Defender

5

Jamil Siebert

Defender

44

Tiago Gabriel

Defender

29

Lassana Coulibaly

Midfielder

89'

79

Oumar Ngom

Midfielder

20

Ylber Ramadani

Midfielder

19

Lameck Banda

Attacker

78'

9

Nikola Stulic

Attacker

66'

50

Santiago Pierotti

Attacker

79'

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

55

Francesco Folino

Defender

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

74'

15

Matteo Bianchetti

Defender

46'

5

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

4

Tommaso Barbieri

Defender

27

Jari Vandeputte

Midfielder

46'

2

Morten Thorsby

Midfielder

62'

29

Youssef Maleh

Midfielder

90

Federico Bonazzoli

Attacker

10

Jamie Vardy

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

23

Riccardo Sottil

Attacker

14

Thórir Jóhann Helgason

Midfielder

32

Jasper Samooja

Goalkeeper

1

Christian Früchtl

Goalkeeper

36

Filip Marchwinski

Midfielder

11

Konan N’Dri

Attacker

13

Matías Pérez

Defender

3

Corrie Ndaba

Defender

6

Álex Sala

Midfielder

99

Walid Cheddira

Attacker

66'

16

Omri Gandelman

Midfielder

78'

18

Gaby Jean

Defender

79'

8

Sadik Fofana

Defender

89'

69

Lapo Nava

Goalkeeper

16

Marco Silvestri

Goalkeeper

33

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

23

Federico Ceccherini

Defender

38

Warren Bondo

Midfielder

22

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Defender

30

Mika Faye

Defender

9

Milan Djuric

Attacker

46'

7

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

46'

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

46'

77

David Okereke

Attacker

62'

99

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

74'

Andriy Shevchenko feels Milan can reopen the title race if they beat Inter tonight and does not believe that Christian Pulisic is already focused on the World Cup with the USMNT.

Former Milan star Shevchenko spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of tonight’s derby della Madonnina between the Rossoneri and their city rivals Inter.

“The ten-point gap in the table doesn’t mean much. If Milan win, the title race is open again. The derby can change the fate, especially at this point in the season,” Sheva said.

“All games will be unpredictable for everybody, until the end.”

Inter are the runaway table leaders in Serie A and have proved to be the best team in Italy to this point.

“As a team, yes. They are currently the best in Italy, and I like the way Chivu coaches them,” said the ex-Milan star.

“He’s always been smart, even as a footballer. He had creativity on the field, and he’s proving to be a good coach. You can see that the team respects him and has a nice playing style.”

Milan sit second but have only lost two Serie A games this season under Massimiliano Allegri.

“Max is a guarantee. He has transformed Milan,” Shevchenko said.

“He has given competitiveness to the team and has made the players stronger. He has experience and precise characteristics. He shapes a group with his ideas, and he’s a formidable manager.”

Christian Pulisic has had a fantastic start to the season, but he has not yet scored a goal in 2026. The American star has been on and off the pitch in the first three months of the year due to recurring injuries, including bursitis.

“Don’t believe the story that a player of his calibre is already thinking about the World Cup. It’s impossible,” Shevchenko said.

“When a player goes on the pitch, he always wants to give his best at that moment. Pulisic has scored important goals and will continue to do so, first for Milan and then for the USMNT at the World Cup.”

Rafael Leao will partner with Pulisic in the Milan attack tonight.

“Rafa is proving to have matured. He tries to give his best in a role other than his natural one to follow the coach’s demands,” Shevchenko said.

“Capello is right. He’s not a centre-forward, but he’s able to carry out his tasks, attack the space and be ready. When you rely on quick counter-attacks, Rafa’s sprints are decisive. Then you can’t expect him to hold the ball or be a No.9 like Ibrahimovic, because he has a different skill set.”

Luka Modric has proved to be a vital player for Milan, despite being 40.

“He must stay until he has the fire inside. Despite his charisma, he helps and is available, without asking for anything in return,” Shevchenko concluded.

“He’s having an extraordinary season, and we all know his qualities. I played against him, and the way he interprets the game is astonishing. He’s a fantastic person, too, a good guy. He plays with intensity, sacrifice and team spirit.”

Donyell Malen will lead the Roma attack in an away game against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa.

It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT) at the Stadio Ferraris in Genoa.

• Serie A today – Milan vs. Inter – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Jean Onana, Tommaso Baldanzi and Sebastian Otoa are unavailable for the home side, while the Giallorossi have travelled to Genoa without Mario Hermoso, Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk.

According to multiple sources, including Sky Sport Italia, Daniele Ghilardi will get the nod in a three-man defence for Roma, while Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini will play as attacking midfielders.

According to Gazzetta, however, Pisilli could even play in central midfielder to let Bryan Cristante rest and start Lorenzo Venturino as an attacking midfielder.

The 19-year-old joined Roma from Genoa in the January window.

English defender Brook Norton-Cuffy is available for Genoa, but has just returned from an injury, so he’s expected to start on the bench.

Genoa vs. Roma – where to watch on TV

TNT Sports 2 and DAZN in the UK and Ireland, and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Genoa vs. Roma – probable line-ups

Genoa (3-5-2): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Østigård, Vásquez; Ellertsson, Malinovskyi, Frendrup, Amorim, Martín; Vitinha, Colombo. 

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Çelik, Koné, Cristante, Rensch; Pisilli, Pellegrini; Malen. 

Milan will look to Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic in the Derby della Madonnina against Inter, while Cristian Chivu will pick Francesco Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny up front.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the Stadio Maradona in San Siro, Milan.

Inter are the table leaders with a 10-point advantage over their city rivals.

The Nerazzurri, however, are without their captain and best scorer, Lautaro Martinez, while Marcus Thuram has had fever and is unlikely to start.

Milan must cope without Santiago Gimenez, Matteo Gabbia and Ruben Loftus-Cheek. Davide Bartesaghi is available after suffering a minor injury against Cremonese last weekend, so Pervis Estupinan is the favourite to start as a left midfielder.

According to several sources, including Gazzetta and Sky Sport Italia, Hakan Calhanoglu will start on the bench for Inter, with Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zielinski and Henrikh Mkhitaryan getting the nod in central midfield.

Milan will look to Pulisic and Leao in attack, with Niclas Fullkrug and Christopher Nkunku available on the bench.

Milan vs. Inter – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 1 and DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Milan vs. Inter – probable line-ups

Milan (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Fofana, Modric, Rabiot, Estupiñán; Leão, Pulisic. 

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis  Henrique, Barella, Zielinski, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Esposito, Bonny.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Magical derby

Inter to kill off the season, Milan to keep it open

San Siro, 20:45. Modric, Dimarco (and not only), but the Scudetto night also passes from their feet. Allegri wants the -7 with Leao-Pulisic. Chivu the +13 with Pio and the doubt Thuram.

Yildiz’s show, Juve score four

Birthday gift to Spalletti and renewal. The Champions is one point away, waiting for Roma. Como win and move to fourth.

Corriere dello Sport

Madonnina, what a derby

Thuram has a fever. Bonny with Esposito. Chivu: ‘No calculations.’ The doubt is Calha. The Nerazzurri haven’t won a derby for 23 months. Allegri: ‘Our target is to qualify for the Champions League. Future? I’m good here.’ Estupinan remains favourite over Bartesaghi.

Kenan anti-Cesc

Champions League race

Lucio knocks down Pisa (4-0). Fabregas shocks Cagliari (1-2).

Yildiz transforms Juve. Como catch Roma

Goal and assist of the Turkishman. Cambiaso, Thuram, and Boga also score. Now Spalletti is -1 from the fourth placement: big hug with the players.

Gasp: ‘No excuses.’

Dybala, Hermoso and Soulé out: ‘We won’t stop.’

Conte and the Belgian Napoli

Big Roma and Kevin, first time together at a club level.

Tuttosport

Yildiz’s mark

Goal and assist: 4-0 to Pisa. Juve return to winning ways

The Turkishman provides the assist for Cambiaso and after Thuram’s goal, he invents a spectacular tris. Boga introduced for the disastrous David, breaks the game and scores the fourth. Spalletti wins a Serie A game for the first time in over a month, replies to Como and moves one point below Roma (today at Genoa’s home). Kenan: ‘Many blows hurt, but we go forward.’ Khephren: ‘Birthday gift for the coach.’

Leao, comeback fury. Lautaro pushes Pio

Max jokes about Rafa: ‘If he stayed home every night, he was wrong.’ Martinez on the bench even if he’s injured.

Cairo, now the others push him to sell too

Chants at the Maradona after those at Marassi. Beccaria of Filadelfia Foundation: ‘Toro considerreduce the museum.’

Former Roma star Daniele De Rossi, now the Genoa coach, has a ‘desire for redemption’ against the Giallorossi after December’s 3-1 loss at the Olimpico.

Roma visit De Rossi’s Genoa on Sunday, and the former midfielder previewed the game at a press conference on Friday.

Genoa vs. Roma – De Rossi’s pre-match press conference

“On Sunday, there will be many people I care about, and I’ll want to hug. In the meantime, I send a hug to Dybala, but Roma are very strong even without him,” De Rossi said via Corriere dello Sport.

Dybala underwent arthroscopic surgery today and is expected to remain out of action for nearly two months.

“I hug him as I did when he became a father,” De Rossi said.

Sebastian Otoa and Brooke Norton-Cuffy remain in doubt for Genoa.

“I still don’t know if they’ll be called up. The positive news is that they’re doing much better, and we have great confidence regarding all the injured players,” De Rossi said.

“Baldanzi surely won’t be there, but he also gives us hope. We’ve lost him, but I don’t think for very long.”

Roma and Genoa already met recently, with the Grifone suffering a 3-1 away loss in late December.

“The reverse fixture was our worst match since I’ve been here, despite mistakes made in other games as well and despite the opponent’s strength,” noted De Rossi.

“Roma’s value is unquestionable; what we lacked was the reaction. We’ve played against teams that dominated us like Napoli or Atalanta, but the reaction was always there.

“On Sunday, we’ll have to be ready for anything. We’ve always done well at home, and the crowd is positive and really pushes us. I always tell my friends to come and watch Genoa here to understand.

“We know what kind of match we need to play. There’s also a bit of desire for redemption on our part for what we did in the reverse fixture. That was the only time I’ve looked at myself in the mirror and not been proud of myself; the only time I went home and asked a couple of questions.”

Reports in Italy claim that Milan left-back Davide Bartesaghi trained with the rest of the team on Friday, so he’s expected to be available for Sunday’s Serie A derby against Inter.

Milan left-back Bartesaghi trained with the rest of his teammates this morning, giving coach Massimiliano Allegri a much-needed boost for Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina against Inter.

Bartesaghi resumes training with Milan ahead of derby

Bartesaghi was subbed off during last week’s away game at Cremonese, but exams undergone earlier this week didn’t highlight any lesion in the flexor of his right thigh.

As reported by Milannews and Sky Sport Italia, Bartesaghi returned to group training on Friday, so he should be eligible for the next Serie A match.

It remains to be seen, however, whether the Italian defender will start against Inter or if Allegri will pick Pervis Estupinan as a left wing-back.

Bartesaghi, 20, has scored two goals and provided one assist in 24 appearances across all competitions this season.

Milan sit second in the Serie A table, ten points below their next rivals Inter.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti says Dusan Vlahovic is still unavailable, but hopes to return against Udinese, while Weston McKennie’s contract extension proves the club is preparing for the future ‘properly.’

Juventus striker Vlahovic won’t be eligible for Saturday’s Serie A match against Pisa.

The Serbia international returned to training earlier this week after undergoing surgery in December, but he’s still not fit to be part of the squad.

Vlahovic not available for Juventus vs. Pisa

“Not tomorrow, he’s focusing on Udinese,” Spalletti said at a pre-match press conference on Friday.

During his meeting with the media, Spalletti confirmed that he’d continue talks with the club over a new contract in the coming days and then commented on McKennie’s recent contract extension.

“Juventus are showing that it’s preparing properly for the future through scouting and planning. McKennie is a strong player, a very strong one,” the coach said.

“The club did everything it needed to do without me having to say anything.”

Surely, however, working under Spalletti has benefited the American midfielder, who has scored eight goals and provided seven assists in 27 appearances under the Tuscan tactician.

Mattia Perin started the last two games for Juventus, replacing under-fire Michele Di Gregorio, but will Juventus’ first-choice keeper return to the XI against Pisa?

“I’ll announce the line-up tomorrow,” Spalletti said.

“They are both doing very well, and I was sorry to hear certain things about Di Gregorio, because it’s pointless to single out individuals when the difficulties are collective.

“It will be a very difficult match. The whole environment considers it an easy game to win; everyone thinks they are already relegated, but I’m sure Gilardino was already giving them certain messages, and Oscar Hiljemark as well. Teams always find ways to create motivation. Sometimes it’s even easier in those moments than in others. When a player thinks the game is easy, he becomes more superficial. I’m convinced my players will evaluate the match properly. When you become superficial, you get knocked down, and we absolutely must not let that happen.”

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti says he’ll continue talks with the club over a new contract in the coming days and reveals he’ll move into the same building as club director Damien Comolli: ‘So we’ll run into each other when we go downstairs.’

• More from Spalletti’s press conference – Vlahovic still out, McKennie’s Juventus extension proves one thing

Juventus coach Spalletti provided an update on his future at the Allianz Stadium during a press conference on Friday.

The Italian tactician previewed tomorrow’s Serie A match against Pisa, but inevitably faced a question about his contract, which expires at the end of the season.

“The numbers say that we’re not where we would like to be, and we have to remember that,” Spalletti said.

“But we also see how close the fans are to the team, and their message is coming through loud and clear because of their attachment to the shirt and what the players are doing. That’s what gives us the most pleasure and what drives us forward.”

Most of the Juventus fans seem to be fully backing Spalletti, while club directors Giorgio Chiellini and Comolli have reiterated that they want to continue with the Italian coach beyond the summer.

“We have to play out this final part of the season. We are all focused and oriented in that direction,” the coach added.

“The group is what matters. As for the future, we’ll talk about it this week, but right now we are tied to this moment, to everything that’s happening. We’ll calmly discuss what the future will be, mine and Juventus’s, without pressure or stress.

Spalletti: ‘Having a contract to show off’ doesn’t matter

“What matters is what the team is doing, the desire the team will show in these matches. Results matter too, but so does planning for the future. My contract has already been discussed with the club because we are close. In fact, I’m about to move into the same building as Comolli, so we’ll run into each other when we go downstairs.

“What matters is doing well, not having a contract to show off. We need to perceive the space ahead of us, and there is still space ahead; we have to be careful to recognise that space.”

Juventus sit sixth in the Serie A table, but just four points below fourth-placed Roma.

Spalletti was hired at the end of October to replace Igor Tudor, and Juventus have won 14 of 27 games under the Tuscan tactician.

Surgeon Pier Paolo Marini, who performed arthroscopy surgery on Paulo Dybala’s meniscus today, says the Argentine star be forced to the sidelines for at least 45 days.

Dybala underwent surgery on Friday after an injury setback.

The Argentine continued to experience knee discomfort on Thursday and, alongside the club, decided to undergo surgery.

Dybala underwent meniscus surgery

“It was decided after a consultation yesterday,” Mariani, the doctor who performed the operation, told Sky Sport Italia.

“The initial diagnosis was a meniscal injury, although there were no clear signs on the MRI. Yesterday, together with Dr Petrucci, we decided to perform a diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy.

“We found a tear in the lateral meniscus. From an orthopaedic standpoint, the recovery time is about 45 days,” the doctor continued.

“After that, I hope the return to the pitch will be quick, but it will be decided by the Roma medical staff, the trainers and the coach.”

Dybala has scored three goals and provided four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions this season.

The Argentine striker’s contract at the Stadio Olimpico expires this coming June. Dybala made his last competitive appearance for Roma on January 25.

This latest injury casts even more doubts about his future at the Stadio Olimpico. According to Italian sources, Boca Juniors directors have already opened talks with the former Juventus star, who is available for a free transfer in June.

Roma currently sit fourth in the Serie A table with 51 points, three above fifth-placed Como.

The Giallorossi have also qualified for the Europa League Round of 16, where they’ll meet their Serie A opponents, Bologna.