Igor Tudor’s handling of Guglielmo Vicario during Tottenham’s 5-2 defeat to Atletico Madrid has given Inter a significant boost, with the Nerazzurri keen on signing the Italian goalkeeper next summer.

Tudor dropped Vicario for Antonín Kinský in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday, but the 22-year-old’s early mistakes led to Vicario’s introduction after just 17 minutes. 

Inter already opened Vicario talks

According to various sources, Inter have already opened talks with Vicario’s entourage, having identified the ex-Empoli and Cagliari goalkeeper as their main target in goal for 2026-27.

Previous reports claimed that Inter directors would hold further talks with the goalkeeper’s representatives this month.

Vicario is eager to return to Italy in the summer, and Tudor’s management against Atletico Madrid seems to have only reinforced his desire.

According to Gazzetta, in fact, Vicario expected to start the match at the Wanda Metropolitano, believing his status within the team would be respected.

The Pink Paper adds that Juventus and Monaco are also closely following Vicario, and that Inter’s second option to replace Yann Sommer is Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.

Tottenham’s asking price for Vicario is reportedly around €20m, but if Spurs are relegated from the Premier League, then the goalkeeper’s price would be further reduced.

Tottenham are just one point above the relegation zone in the Premier League, and their new coach, Igor Tudor, has lost all his first four games in charge.

Napoli are prepared to make Rasmus Hojlund’s move from Manchester United permanent for €44m as the Red Devils are reportedly unwilling to reduce the striker’s transfer fee.

Napoli are destined to sign Hojlund on a permanent transfer from Manchester United for €44m, reports TMW.

Hojlund set for 44m Napoli transfer

The Denmark international joined the Partenopei on an initial loan deal with an obligation to buy last summer.

The obligation to purchase is tied to Napoli’s Champions League qualification this season, but it seems like a fairly feasible target as the defending Serie A champions currently sit third in the standings with a five-point lead over fifth-placed Roma.

According to the report, Napoli will try to lower Manchester United’s demands, but the Red Devils are unwilling to give any discount, especially because the Azzurri seem close to securing Champions League qualification.

Hojlund has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 35 appearances across all competitions this season.

Fiorentina coach Paolo Vanoli says the club’s medical staff is assessing Moise Kean ‘day by day’ and hopes the Italian striker will be available for the next crucial Serie A match against Cremonese.

Fiorentina star Kean will miss tomorrow’s Conference League Round of 16 first leg game against Rakow, Vanoli confirmed at a press conference on Wednesday.

Kean to miss Fiorentina vs. Rakow

“We are continuing with a recovery process and evaluating him day by day. The target is to have him in Cremona,” the Viola coach said via TMW.

Kean has sustained a fibula injury, and Fiorentina hope he’ll be back for the next Serie A match away at Cremonese. It’s a crucial fixture for the Tuscans, who are just one point above the Grigiorossi in the relegation zone.

Gudmundsson is expected to be available tomorrow but is not in his best shape.

“Right now, he must regain full fitness after an ankle problem. He misses being decisive, but he still does important things,” Vanoli said.

“I like him more in his new role than as a support striker. He must only find that spark; we know he can be decisive in the final games.

“We are focused on this game. The Conference League is an important trophy that we want to honour and go as far as possible. We find a team that did very well in the league phase. They defend well and have only conceded two goals. We must think that we’ll play across two games, so we have to be smart. We’ll think about Cremonese on Friday.”

According to Tuttosport, Everton and West Ham have recently scouted Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei.

Ex-Chelsea and Inter midfielder Casadei has attracted interest from Everton and West Ham, according to Tuttosport.

Everton and West Ham interested in Casadei

The two Premier League clubs will be looking for midfield reinforcement in the summer, although the Hammers must first secure Premier League survival.

The Italian midfielder, 23, has scored five goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season.

He joined Torino in January 2025 on a permanent €13m deal from Chelsea.

During his time in England, he had played for Chelsea, Leicester City and Reading FC, collecting 11 Premier League appearances.

A product of the Inter Academy, Casadei is Torino’s best scorer since January with one goal in Coppa Italia and four in Serie A despite not being a regular starter.

No other Torino player has scored more goals since the start of the year.

Casadei’s contract with Torino expires in June 2029.

He has yet to make his senior Italy debut, but scored four goals in 16 appearances with Italy U21.

Yunus Musah says Atalanta players are ‘grateful’ for the support they received last night despite a 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich.

Atalanta, the only Serie A side remaining in the Champions League Round of 16, are practically out of the competition already having suffered a 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

Musah reacts to Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich

Despite the heavy result and despite Bayern scoring three goals in the opening 25 minutes, the home crowd never stopped supporting the players and continued chanting for the team after the final whistle.

“It’s like this every week. They are very good supporters and fans. Always behind the team,” Musah told CBS Sports.

“You can really feel like ‘this is Bergamo.’ The whole of Bergamo comes to support us in the stadium, every game. The fans are amazing here. We are really grateful for the support they showed us today. This is what they are like every week. We really appreciate our supporters.

“It’s always special to take part in these Champions League games,” the USMNT international continued.

“We had a lot of hope before the game, but unfortunately, Bayern have so much quality, and the game escaped us from the beginning to the end.”

Watch the full interview below.

“The whole of Bergamo comes to support us… We’re really grateful.”

Yunus Musah on the special support Atalanta receive their fans pic.twitter.com/6xwoc1ycbu

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) March 11, 2026

Igor Tudor’s most recent win as a coach came on September 13, 2025, when Juventus beat Inter 4-3, and the Croatian tactician has now suffered seven consecutive losses across his spells with the Old Lady and Tottenham.

• Read more – Di Canio: Tudor might ‘pay’ for Vicario-Kinský decision, hints at new Tottenham coach

Safe to say, Tudor has not had a brilliant start to his Tottenham career, having lost all of his opening four games in charge.

Tudor’s depressing results for Juventus and Tottenham

The Croatian tactician was appointed on February 14, barely three months after he departed from Juventus.

The Bianconeri sacked Tudor at the end of October 2025, following three consecutive defeats across all competitions.

The Bianconeri had lost 2-0 to Como, 1-0 to Real Madrid in the Champions League, and 1-0 to Lazio. They had not scored a goal in their last four matches under the 47-year-old and had not won since September 13, when they beat Inter 4-3 at the Allianz Stadium.

To date, that also remains Tudor’s last win as a coach.

Juventus replaced Tudor with Luciano Spalletti, and even though the Bianconeri are still out of the top four in Serie A, they have grabbed 15 wins in 28 matches under the Italian tactician and are just one point below a Champions League spot.

Former Roma defender Alessandro Florenzi says José Mourinho wanted to bring him back to the Stadio Olimpico in 2021: ‘He knew it wasn’t true that I had argued with everyone.’

Ex-Italy international Florenzi reveals Mourinho wanted to work with him at Roma in 2021 after the Portuguese surprisingly took charge of the Giallorossi.

Florenzi: Mourinho knew I hadn’t argued with everyone at Roma

“He called me; he wondered why I had argued with everyone,” Florenzi told Corriere dello Sport.

“Ask people in Trigoria; it wasn’t true. Mourinho knew it too. He wanted me, and I’d have played for him.”

Florenzi spent nine seasons at Roma, leaving the club in January 2020. He then played for Valencia and PSG, on loan, but when Mourinho was appointed as the new Giallorossi coach in 2021, the Italian had a chance to return to the Olimpico.

After his return from PSG, however, Florenzi joined Milan, first on loan and then on a permanent deal from 2022-23.

The Euro 2020 Italy winner scored 28 goals in 280 games with Roma. He retired at the end of the 2024-25 campaign; so what’s next for him?

“Being a coach must be tough,” he said.

“I can’t say it with certainty now, many people say that a coaching role would suit me, others say I should be a director. I’d like to talk to the players, work with them and help, but I still don’t know in which capacity.”

Florenzi also scored two goals in 49 appearances with the Italy national team. His final appearance was in June 2022, in a 0-0 draw against England.

Ex-Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart feels Igor Tudor was wrong to replace Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into Atletico Madrid-Tottenham: ‘Even Gigi Buffon had bad nights.’

• Read more – De Gea’s message to under-fire Tottenham keeper Kinsky: ‘No one can understand’

Tudor has once again made headlines for the wrong reasons at Tottenham as Spurs suffered a 5-2 away loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Hart reacts to Kinsky’s substitution in Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham

Tudor surprisingly benched Italy international Guglielmo Vicario to start Kinsky instead, but after the 22-year-old made two silly mistakes that led to Atletico Madrid goals, the Spurs boss changed his mind and brought Vicario back in.

“To get to this level, signed by Spurs, one mistake does not alter you,” Hart, a former Torino goalkeeper, told TNT Sports via The Sun.

“That is a technical error, but what precedes that… was it the right decision? Maybe it was. But what I saw after…

“I hate being reactive because I like to know all the facts. But the fact he has taken him off in that situation, having played him… he is young, 22, he is not a man, he has done nothing to try and hurt Spurs.”

Tudor attracted plenty of criticism, even in Italy, where ex-West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio suggested that his goalkeepers’ management during last night’s match could have consequences for his coaching career. 

“[Kinsky had] a couple of bad moments, but to rip him off in this situation and not even acknowledge the guy?” Hart continued.

“Every single one of Tottenham’s players who are feeling the pain doesn’t know what to do. How is that good for him?’

“It is a thing with ‘keepers, you have got to accept you will have nights like that. Everyone has them. Buffon, Neuer, Schmeichel.

“They have had moments, but everything that has gone on on top of it, he will feel so unwelcome as far as the management is involved.

“You have to be treated like a human, just a little bit. I understand the situation.

“This needs getting a serious grip of. Madness happens all the time in football. That was mad. Maybe he didn’t handle it how he should have.

“I saw the whole bench’s hearts drop. They are saying, “Don’t worry, we are here for you”.

“It’s the human side of things. If you aren’t willing to show it, that’s when it starts to divide.”

Tudor has lost all four of his games in charge of Tottenham and is already on the brink of being sacked in North London.

He was sacked by Juventus at the end of October and hired by Spurs on February 14.

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi says he ‘never talked’ to Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso and admits fear of World Cup play-off is ‘real’ but ‘it must not turn into a phobia.’

The World Cup play-offs are just around the corner, with Italy hosting Northern Ireland in the semifinals in Bergamo on March 26.

Bernardeschi, a Euro 2020 winner, is not expected to be part of the team that Gennaro Gattuso will release next week.

Bernardeschi: World Cup play-off fear should ‘push you to raise the bar’

“I’ve never talked to him, except when he visited Serie A clubs, and we exchanged a couple of words,” Bernardeschi said in the second part of his interview with Gazzetta via TMW.

Italy have already been knocked out of the World Cup play-offs in 2018 and 2022.

“It’s a real fear, and it’s right that it exists, but it must not turn into a phobia,” said the experienced winger.

“It should push you to raise the bar, so you’re ready to compete. The entire external environment needs to start helping, because it’s something that belongs to all of Italy.

“It seems to me that people almost take pleasure when the Azzurri do badly, and that’s an ugly thing. They can’t wait to say you aren’t good enough and judge you after just two matches.”

When asked to pick two wingers for the Azzurri, choosing among him, Domenico Berardi, and Mattia Zaccagni, Bernardeschi replied, “The Euros champions,” which means he and Berardi.

During the same interview, Bernardeschi revealed that he could have joined Atalanta before signing for Toronto FC in 2022, admitting that his decision was mostly driven by money.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer, joining Vincenzo Italiano at Bologna.

A former Fiorentina and Juventus star, Bernardeschi has grabbed five goals and one assist in 32 appearances across all competitions.

La Gazzetta dello Sport examines Atalanta’s 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich, calling it ‘an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.’

Atalanta, the last Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, suffered a humiliating 6-1 home defeat to Bayern Munich last night in the Round of 16 first leg.

Fabio Capello noted that the result was a “lesson” for Italian football, and Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Luigi Garlando had exactly the same feeling.

Atalanta’s huge defeat an ’embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football’

“In the last Champions League, the last Italian team remaining, Inter, conceded five goals in the Final in Munich. This year, the last one to go out, Atalanta, conceded six at home against the team from Munich,” the journalist wrote.

“There’s no point beating around the bush. It wasn’t just an embarrassment for Atalanta. First and foremost, it was an embarrassment for Serie A and Italian football.”

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even go beyond the league phase.

“The defending Serie A champions, Napoli, finished in 39th in the league phase. The current league leaders, Inter, were knocked out before the Round of 16 by the honest but hardly galactic Bodo/Glimt,” continued Garlando.

“Add that to Norway’s aggregate 7-1 win over Italy, draw a line, and do the math: this is who we are.”

Italy will play in Bergamo in just two weeks, hosting Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal.

“The good part, so to speak, is that in 15 days, in this very stadium, our national team will face Northern Ireland to try to avert a third Apocalypse,” Garlando sadly concluded.

“If Gattuso was hoping for a morale boost from our top clubs in Europe, he didn’t get it.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus have submitted a written offer to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi as a free agent.

Juventus have reportedly made a formal step forward to sign Senesi as a free agent from Premier League side Bournemouth.

According to Gazzetta, the Serie A giants have sent the Argentine defender an official, written offer.

Juventus send offer for Senesi

Senesi is a long-time target of Juventus director Damien Comolli, and talks between the defender’s entourage and the Serie A giants already began a few weeks ago.

According to the report, Senesi is tempted to join Juventus, but the Bianconeri aren’t the only club interested in securing his signature.

The Argentine is expected to receive more proposals over the next few weeks as his contract with Bournemouth runs out this coming June.

Juventus, however, have already made an initial step forward and hope to be well-positioned in the race for the 28-year-old centre-back.

The Serie A giants have opened talks with other free agents, including Bernardo Silva, Leon Goretzka and Zeki Celik.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Fiorentina star Moise Kean is Massimiliano Allegri’s preferred target to strengthen the Milan attack for the 2026-27 season.

Fiorentina and Italy star striker Kean is Allegri’s primary target in attack for next season, according to Gazzetta.

Allegri already coached Kean at Juventus, giving him his senior debut in November 2016.

Milan already in talks for Kean

Kean has a €62m clause included in his Fiorentina contract. It is only valid in the first two weeks of July, but the Rossoneri have already initiated talks, hoping to lower the Tuscans’ demands.

This past August, Kean signed a contract extension with Fiorentina, raising his clause from €52m to €62m.

According to Gazzetta, Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy is another Milan target for next season, and so is Dusan Vlahovic, although Juventus are confident about reaching an agreement to extend the Serbian striker’s contract, which expires this coming June.

Christian Pulisic and Rafael Leao are Milan’s best scorers this season with 10 goals each across all competitions.

Fiorentina star David De Gea sided with under-fire Tottenham goalkeeper Antonín Kinský, who was subbed off after just 17 minutes in a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid last night: ‘Keep your head up.’

Tottenham suffered a 5-2 away loss to Atletico Madrid last night, with coach Igor Tudor and Spurs’ second-choice keeper Kinsky in the spotlight for the wrong reasons.

De Gea to Kinsky: ‘No one can understand…’

Tudor dropped Italy international Guglielmo Vicario to give Kinsky his Champions League debut at 22, but the Czech goalkeeper poorly conceded two of Atletico Madrid’s opening three goals in the first 15 minutes and was subbed off after just 17.

Fiorentina star De Gea came out in defence of the young Tottenham goalkeeper with a message on X social media: “No one who hasn’t been a goalkeeper can understand how difficult it is to play in this position,” wrote De Gea.

“Keep your head up and you will go again.”

Sky Sport Italia pundit Paolo Di Canio, a former West Ham star, examined Tudor’s decisions, especially Kinsky’s unconventional substitution after just 17 minutes, suggesting that the ex-Juventus coach might pay a high price in his coaching career.

Overall, it was a very bad night for Italian football as Atalanta, the only Serie A side remaining in the Champions League Round of 16, suffered a 6-1 home loss to Bayern Munich.

Ex-Italian coach Fabio Capello says Atalanta were ‘fortunate’ to only concede six goals against Bayern Munich: ‘This is a lesson for Italian football.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A side to have qualified for the Champions League Round of 16, suffered a heavy 6-1 home loss against Bayern Munich last night.

Capello: Atalanta’s humiliation ‘a lesson’ for Italian football

“I saw a team that pressed and ran, with everyone showing impressive quality, in vision and possession,” Capello told Sky Sport via TMW.

“Every time Bayern won the ball back, they went straight forward and sprinted into space. With that kind of technique, they clearly put Atalanta in trouble.

“Atalanta were actually fortunate to concede only six goals. It could have been many more, and the goalkeeper made some good saves as well. This is a lesson for Italian football. Atalanta were the only Italian side to qualify for the Round of 16 and had beaten Borussia Dortmund, but they didn’t stand a chance against the top German team.”

• Read more – Player ratings: Atalanta 1-6 Bayern Munich – Olise teaches La Dea a lesson

Former Italian striker Paolo Di Canio says Igor Tudor ‘destroyed’ Antonín Kinský and could ‘pay for that in his career at the highest levels,’ especially because Tottenham’s previous defeats were ‘not Vicario’s fault.’

Tottenham coach Tudor made headlines last night as he dropped Italy international Vicario to give 22-year-old Kinsky his Champions League debut.

Spurs went 3-0 down after just 15 minutes at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Kinsky cheaply conceding two goals. As a result, Tudor replaced the Czech goalkeeper with Vicario after only 16 minutes.

Tudor explains Kinsky-Vicario decision

“I’ve been coaching for 15 years and I’ve never done it before. It was necessary to preserve the guy and the team. Before the game, it was the right choice, in a moment like we are, with pressure on Vicario,” Tudor explained at a post-match press conference.

“Antonín is a very good goalkeeper. For me, it was the right decision. After, of course, it’s easy to say it was not right. I spoke to Tony after; he’s a right guy, a good goalkeeper, and unfortunately, these mistakes happen in these games. The start of the game was too much for us.”

Former West Ham, Lazio, Juventus and Milan striker Paolo Di Canio examined Tudor’s decisions during Sky Sport Italia’s post-match show on Tuesday and was quite harsh on the Croatian tactician.

“He’s not entirely wrong, but in this case, he also brought it on himself. I feel sorry for him. Maybe he just lets everything slide off him and doesn’t realise what the tabloids will write. They are ruthless,” Di Canio said via Corriere dello Sport.

“They’ll destroy him, because when you make choices like that, you are hard to understand. I don’t know if there was some issue with Vicario, and there was probably some confrontation in the dressing room, but certainly not because the recent defeats are Vicario’s fault. He’s made a few mistakes, but was a complete shambles of a team in front of him, leaking from every side.

“If you put in such a delicate match, a kid who comes in with 17 appearances for Slavia Prague, and say the player is strong with just six appearances, you asked for it, and you destroyed him,” Di Canio continued.

“I understand that Igor is very tough, and I don’t know if he’ll pay for that in his career at the highest levels. I really don’t think he’ll stay at Tottenham; they’ll go and get an English coach.”

Tudor was sacked by Juventus at the end of October 2025 and replaced by Luciano Spalletti.

He accepted the Tottenham job on February 14, 2026, but has lost all four of his games in charge.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Dea nightmare, too much Bayern

Never in the game, but the fans applaud

Milan, my love

San Siro acclaims him, the team wants a bis, and Luka takes the Ballon d’Or at the Devil’s home. Chasing a No.9: Now Kean tops the list

The goal has disappeared

No Serie A goals: 62 goals less than last season

Trezeguet: ‘I watch Juventus for Yildiz only, I expected more from Vlahovic.’

Dumfries’ cure: back as a starter after 125 days

Corriere dello Sport

Rocchi’s certainties

‘It was a penalty, it wasn’t a penalty.’

Damage for Roma, Milan-Inter correct.

Malinovskyi? The double touch doesn’t justify the lack of a penalty for the Giallorossi. Ricci’s handball was assessed correctly.

Spalletti and Juve, renewal and five coups

Napoli, Conte finds McT again

Lazio, strike blocked for 90 minutes

Too much Bayern for Dea

Kompany’s team dominates: 3-0 after 25 minutes. Goals from Stanisic, Olise (2), Gnabry, Jackson Musiala and Pasalic. Tottenham crushed 52- by Atletico Madrid; Tudor’s disaster. He preferred Kinsky to Vicario, then replaced him at minute 17.

Tuttosport

Bayern’s walk in the park; our Champions League is already over

Dea shock! Europe smashes us

Spalletti’s list

Juve of the future: six reinforcements plus a goalkeeper

Kolo for the attack, Ederson and Goretzka in central midfield, Pellegrini as an attacking midfielder, Celik on the wings, and Senesi in defence: here are the main targets identified by the coach for a step forward, but there are other names too: a high-level alternative between the sticks (Vicario sounded out). Lucio considers Nico Gonzalez’s return from Madrid. Fenerbahce on Openda. Even Gatti can be sacrificed for the finances.

Reds flop, tragicomic Tottenham for Tudor

Zapata’s clause, Toro can terminate the contract.

Hakan Calhanoglu’s future at Inter is uncertain as the Turkish midfielder’s contract expires in June 2027, and the Nerazzurri have not yet begun talks over a new deal.

Fabrizio Romano and Matteo Moretto report the latest transfer updates on Inter, with a focus on their plans in central midfield.

Latest Inter transfer updates: Calhanoglu and more

Turkish star Calhanoglu faces an uncertain future at the Stadio Meazza as his contract formally expires in June 2027 and the Nerazzurri have not yet opened talks over a new deal.

If the situation won’t change in the next two months, then Calhanoglu’s summer exit will be very likely, according to Romano.

Calhanoglu has been struggling with injuries in recent weeks. He was not involved in Sunday’s Derby della Madonnina and will miss the next Serie A match against Atalanta due to an adductor problem.

Inter are expected to make considerable changes in the middle of the park over the summer. Davide Frattesi, for example, has not been given consistent playing time and already received offers during the January window.

On the other hand, Aleksandar Stanković has impressed the Nerazzurri during his time at Club Brugge and the Serie A giants are expected to activate a clause to bring the 20-year-old back to the club.

• Read more – Inter prepare for 2026-27 summer overhaul with just one contract extension offer

Newcastle have reportedly placed a €90m price tag on Sandro Tonali, making a return to Serie A unlikely for the Italian midfielder, though a move to a top Premier League club remains a realistic possibility.

Italian transfer expert Matteo Moretto reports the latest transfer updates on Italy international Tonali.

Tonali: Latest transfer updates

Newcastle consider the ex-Milan star a key player, but the two parties will decide how to proceed over the coming months, also depending on the offers they receive.

According to the report, the asking price is close to €90-100m and if Newcastle won’t lower their demands, Serie A clubs would have almost no chance of signing him.

Moretto confirms Juventus are the most interested club in Tonali, but the asking price is really high for the Old Lady.

At the same time, some Premier League clubs have already moved, including the two Manchester clubs and the “top four” teams in the standings.

Moretto confirms that Tonali has plenty of admirers in England, but it’s still unclear whether any suitor will match Newcastle’s asking price over the summer.

Tonali, 25, is under contract with Newcastle until June 2028.

The Italian star has scored three goals and provided seven assists in 45 appearances across all competitions this season.

Juventus have also set their sights on Bernardo Silva and Leon Goretzka, both available as free agents at the end of the season.

Six Serie A players, including Adrien Rabiot and Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, have been given a one-game ban, while Inter director Dario Baccin and Milan were fined after the Derby della Madonnina.

The Serie A sports Judge has issued his verdict after Round 28, as SportMediaset reports.

Sports Judge’s decisions after Serie A Week 28

Cremonese defender Giuseppe Pezzella was sent off after the Grigiorossi’s 2-1 loss against Lecce and fined €10,000 “for having, on the field of play and in a vehement manner, criticised the referee’s performance, addressing the match official with disrespectful expressions.”

Five other players were one yellow card away from suspension before the latest Serie A round and were booked over the weekend, resulting in a one-game ban.

The other suspended players for Round 29 are Milan’s Adrien Rabiot, Roma’s Evan Ndicka, Bologna’s Lewis Ferguson, Cagliari’s Sebastiano Esposito and Genoa’s Patrizio Masini.

Why were Milan fined after derby vs. Inter?

Milan have received two fines. The first, amounting to €22,000, was imposed because the Rossoneri “unjustifiably” caused a two-minute delay during the second half. The second fine, worth €8,000, concerns insulting chants by Milan supporters directed at Inter players. In addition, a group of Rossoneri supporters also pointed a laser beam at an opposing player at the end of the first half.

Inter director Dario Baccin was also fined €10,000 for having repeatedly criticised a refereeing decision after the match in a “disrespectful and arrogant manner.”

Italian journalist Riccardo Trevisani taunts Milan fans over Samuele Ricci’s handball in the Derby della Madonnina: ‘They’d be talking about Marotta League if the roles were reversed.’

Ricci’s handball during Milan-Inter on Sunday continues to cause controversy in Italy, even if referee chiefs have confirmed that the decision not to award the Nerazzurri a penalty kick was correct.

Journalist tells Milan fans ‘be honest with yourself’

Italian journalist Trevisani, one of the most popular football pundits in the country, told Cronache di Spogliatoio (via TMW): “People like to start controversies. Get out of this scarf-wearing, fan-biased way of talking and try to make a clear-headed analysis.

“The Milan fans who say today it was never a penalty would be out in the streets with flags, talking about the Marotta League, if the roles were reversed. At least, to be honest with yourself, otherwise we’ll never improve. In a situation like this, any team that isn’t given a penalty would get angry.”

The controversial penalty incident also caused a debate between Inter and Milan legends Beppe Bergomi and Alessandro Costacurta.

The latter said he was happy that such incidents would no longer be considered penalties, while Bergomi argued that the referee should have reviewed the incident on the pitchside monitor.

Milan’s victory against Inter, their second in two games against their city rivals this season, leaves the Rossoneri second in the standings, seven points below the Nerazzurri.

Juventus have already begun preliminary talks to sign Manchester City star Bernardo Silva as a free agent, but according to Gazzetta, the Bianconeri are facing competition from several clubs, including Galatasaray and Inter Miami.

It is no secret that Bernardo Silva is among the Juventus targets for next season, especially because the Portuguese is available as a free agent at the end of his contract in June.

Bernardo Silva to leave Manchester City in June

Gazzetta dello Sport confirms that the Portugal international has decided not to extend his contract with the Premier League giants, so he’ll be listening to offers from other clubs in the coming months.

Juventus will need Champions League revenues to match the midfielder’s salary demands, which are between €7m and €8m per season.

The Bianconeri are aware that the competition will be stiff as the 31-year-old has reportedly attracted interest from Galatasaray, Inter Miami and Benfica, among others.

Juventus have set their sights on other free agents as well. Leon Goretzka (Bayern Munich) is another target in central midfield, and so are Roma’s Zeki Celik and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi in defence.

Riccardo Calafiori trained with the rest of the Arsenal team today and is expected to be available for tomorrow’s Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen, providing good news for the Italy national team as well.

Italy defender Calafiori took part in Arsenal’s training session on Tuesday on the eve of an away Champions League match against Bayer Leverkusen.

Calafiori returns to Arsenal training after injury

Several sources, including Football London, report that the ex-Bologna defender was spotted on the pitch on Tuesday during the final Gunners’ training session before their trip to Germany.

Calafiori was forced to be substituted during the second half of Arsenal’s FA Cup 5th Round match against Mansfield Town over the weekend.

Mikel Arteta said the Italian had “little niggles” and wasn’t “comfortable continuing.”

Calafiori’s recovery comes as good news for Italy national team as well. In barely two weeks, in fact, the Azzurri will face Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal in Bergamo.

The match will be played on March 26, while the potential Final will be against the winner of Wales-Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.

Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta will possibly provide a more in-depth fitness update during a pre-match press conference later today.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino reveals that Inter legend Evaristo Beccalossi was one of his first idols as a kid: ‘He made us dream and sometimes…’

As FIFA prepares for the 2026 World Cup, its President Gianni Infantino spoke to AS about the tournament’s organisation and his passion for the game.

Infantino: Beccalossi among ‘my first idols’

“I’ve been a total football fan since I was a child. I have many idols. I remember the World Cup in Spain in 1982. Italy won it, with Paolo Rossi and that whole team of great players,” he said.

“For me it was spectacular. I was a 12-year-old boy at the time. That team and that moment are engraved in my heart. I’m also a supporter of Inter. One of my first idols – perhaps not well known in Spain – was Evaristo Beccalossi, a No. 10 who didn’t play in that World Cup or with the national team because the coach had other plans. Inter’s No. 10 made us dream and sometimes… also some things that can’t be said. I remember Alessandro Altobelli scoring a goal in the final. His third goal and the celebration against Germany were spectacular.”

Beccalossi spent six seasons at Inter, scoring 37 goals in 217 matches between 1978 and 1984. Despite being one of the most creative footballers at the time, he never made his senior debut for Italy.

“Speaking about the 1980s and 1990s, we must talk about Diego Maradona, one of the greatest of all time,” Infantino continued.

“When you watch the images now, you think about what he did and what he was capable of. Players weren’t protected like they are now. An idol, a phenomenon. I didn’t see Pelé play, but he was a global idol before social media, before globalisation. He’s still an idol for children today, and they never saw him play – that means he did something special. Ronaldo Nazario was a phenomenon too. Whenever you talk to players and ask who the strongest player they played with was, ninety per cent say Ronaldo. He was spectacular.”

As for today’s idols, the decision is quite simple.

“They’re still there – Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo – but I also have to remember all the Spaniards who won the 2010 World Cup. Many of them are friends now: Xavi, Iniesta, Casillas, Puyol… Spain has always had great players and coaches like Vicente del Bosque, Luis Aragonés and Pep Guardiola. They are people who have written the history of football, and that’s why we are very grateful to Spain.

“With the Club World Cup, we give opportunities to players from all over the world. We see the big clubs mainly in Europe and America, but there you can also see great clubs from other continents,” concluded Infantino.

“Club football is the foundation of football. Much more is played at the club level than at the national team level, and it needed a tournament like this internationally. It has been a success. Now we are talking with everyone to see how we can improve it. People mention thirty-two teams, but there could be more. We will decide where it will be played – that hasn’t been decided yet – but we’ll take the necessary time after the World Cup to see how we can make it better.”

Milan owner Gerry Cardinale congratulated Rossoneri players in the dressing room after Sunday’s 1-0 win over Inter, reinforcing the club’s intention to keep Massimiliano Allegri in charge beyond the summer.

Milan owner Cardinale visited the Rossoneri players in the dressing room at the Stadio Meazza on Sunday night, after their 1-0 win against city rivals Inter.

What Cardinale told Milan players after a 1-0 win against Inter

According to Gazzetta, Cardinale told the players that he was proud of them for showing great spirit and never giving up. He thanked the footballers, the staff members and those working behind the scenes and suggested he’d soon return to watch the team in action at San Siro.

Milan sit second in the Serie A table, seven points below Inter. According to the report, Cardinale is satisfied with the team’s results and performances, but also with the work of directors Giorgio Furlani and Igli Tare, as well as his main advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Cardinale is in constant contact with management and feels the project is finally on the right path with Allegri at the helm.

The Italian tactician is seen as an added value, and Cardinale fully trusts him. Allegri is contracted with Milan until 2027 with an automatic option to extend to 2028 if Milan qualify for the Champions League this season.

The club can activate the clause regardless of the team’s final placement this season, and, according to previous reports, they will also offer Allegri a new contract once they secure a Champions League spot.

Referee chiefs agree that Samuele Ricci’s handball in the final minutes of Sunday’s Milan derby was not worthy of a penalty kick as the Italian midfielder didn’t increase the volume of his body, Gazzetta reports.

Referees verdict on Ricci handball incident

Referee Daniele Doveri and VAR made the right decision in not awarding a penalty kick to Inter in the final minutes of Sunday’s derby against Milan after Rossoneri midfielder Ricci touched the ball with his arm inside the box.

As reported by Gazzetta, referee chiefs agree that Ricci’s handball was not a punishable offence.

Ricci did touch the ball with his arm, but the impact occurred while he was in motion, without increasing the volume of his body, and, above all, the act of pulling his arm back reduced the punishability.

Milan’s eventual 1-0 win over their city rivals allowed the Rossoneri to reduce their gap from the top of the table, but Max Allegri’s men still remain seven points below the Nerazzurri with ten Serie A games to go.

Luka Modric was certainly among the best players on the pitch in Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter, so here’s a video with the best touches the Croatian star made at San Siro on Sunday night.

Modric didn’t score or assist in Milan’s derby victory against Inter on Sunday, but was undoubtedly among the best players on the pitch.

As reported by Sofascore, Modric’s passing accuracy was 89%, including 22 successful passes from 27 in the opposition half (81%).

The 40-year-old played the whole game and provided one key pass against Inter.

Video: Best Modric touches vs. Inter

German Karl-Heinz Rummenigge tells Bayern Munich they should not underestimate Atalanta in their Champions League Round of 16 meeting tonight: ‘Many big clubs have made the same mistake.’

Atalanta, the only Serie A club remaining in the Champions League, will host Bayern Munich at the New Balance Arena in the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.

Rummenigge: ‘No more easy games’ in the Champions League

Rummenigge, a former Bayern Munich and Inter star and now a member of the Supervisory Board of the Bundesliga giants, told Gazzetta: “The important thing is not to make the same mistake many big clubs have made in the Champions League: being favourites and ending up losing. Like Manchester City against Bodo, or Borussia. A year ago, we won 2-1 away in Glasgow in the play-off first leg, then we were losing in the return leg, and we levelled the score in the final minutes to qualify. It’s a mistake that is often made. The public opinion believes it’s an easy game, but there are no more games like this.”

Atalanta already eliminated Borussia Dortmund from the Champions League knockout play-off, coming back from two goals down to secure a 4-3 aggregate win, thanks to a 4-1 win in the return leg.

“No, I didn’t expect it. Nobody should be underestimated this season,” Rummenigge continued.

“Even the so-called small teams are doing well. Nobody thought Bodo/Glimt would eliminate Inter. They won the first leg, and everyone thought the result would have changed in the return leg. On the other hand, they even won at San Siro. Those who have qualified for the Round of 16 should not be underestimated.

“Atalanta is a small team that must be respected; in the past, they also beat Bayer Leverkusen, so they must be respected in all aspects. And remember what we saw against Borussia,” he continued.

“They could have conceded even more goals in the first leg, and nobody in Germany thought Dortmund could be eliminated. In this phase of the Champions League, you need humility, respect, and focus to move forward. Bayern certainly want to do so. We are having a very good season, as we are still running in all competitions.”

Rummenigge knows Atlanta well, on and off the pitch.

“They should not be underestimated, and I also like the club’s organisation. I’ve met the Percassi family, and I like the way they see football,” he said.

“They manage the club calmly and don’t go under pressure. They were also lucky to have picked Gasperini, who has played a great role in Atalanta’s success. Winning the Europa League is not normal, and I’m not just talking about the results, but also the quality of football. I see that also his successor, Palladino, is doing really well. In today’s football, you need the quality of the team, but also a quality coach, also on a human aspect.”

The winner of Atalanta-Bayern Munich will face either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, and Rummenigge has clear ideas about the team he’d like to face in the quarter-finals.

“I hope my friend Pep Guardiola will go through, but I have great respect for Real Madrid in the second part of the season. Usually, from February, you see another Real. When the decisive games arrive, Real is always Real,” he concluded.

Milan’s 1-0 win over Inter on Sunday was decided by an 80-second spell in which Inter could have scored, but Milan struck instead.

There’s an old saying in Italian football that goes: ‘Goal sbagliato, goal subito.’ The translation is quite easy: miss a goal-scoring opportunity, and the opponents will score instead.

The decisive 80 seconds of Milan vs. Inter

It’s exactly what happened in the Milan derby on Sunday when the Rossoneri took all three points thanks to Pervis Estupinan’s first goal with the club.

The ex-Brighton defender found the net just a few seconds after Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s missed chance on the other end.

Below, via Lega Serie A, is the video of the 80 seconds that determined Milan’s win in the Derby della Madonnina.

Bologna winger Federico Bernardeschi reveals Gian Piero Gasperini wanted to bring him to Atalanta in 2022 when he eventually joined Toronto FC from Juventus: ‘ I admit money influenced my decision for 80%.’

Bologna winger Bernardeschi released an interview with Gazzetta just a few days before the Rossoblu’s Europa League meeting with Roma in the Europa League Round of 16.

Bernardeschi returned to Serie A last summer after spending three years at Toronto FC.

Bernardeschi: ‘No easy games’ in Serie A

“I’ve found a different Serie A football; now even the smaller teams are more equipped; technology is helping everyone, and everyone is organised,” the Italian said.

“There’s never an easy game, at any level, from race for survival to Europe.”

The first leg between Roma and Bologna will be played at the Dall’Ara this coming Thursday, but the Giallorossi will be without Paulo Dybala, a former teammate of Bernardeschi at Juventus.

“I’m sorry for Paulo, I’d have been happy to challenge him, even if it’s always better not to play against his left foot,” admitted Bernardeschi.

“But I’ll be glad to see many Azzurri friends. When I joined Juventus, I asked if I could get the no. 10. They said I was too young and should have waited a year. Then Dybala took it, who was already in his third year. I would have preferred to face a foreign club, because, as an Italian, I’d have been happier to see two Italian teams go as far as possible.”

Bernardeschi’s move to Bologna raised eyebrows over the summer, with some in the media suggesting he was no longer suitable for Italian football after such a long spell in Canada.

Bernardeschi, on the other hand, has scored five goals and provided one assist in 32 appearances and has never had doubts about his ability to make an impact at the Dall’Ara.

“I know myself. I didn’t go to Canada to take a walk in the park,” he said.

“I put maximum commitment into everything I do, even if I admit money influenced my decision for 80%, and the remaining 20% was a life choice. I’ve always trained and cared for my body meticulously. I’ve learned from Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus how to be a professional in all aspects and be a great professional. In Bologna, I took a month to readjust. I suffered a knee injury and was forced to skip pre-season. But my physical figures were high in the MLS, and I knew I was competitive.”

Bernardeschi could have even played under Gasperini at Atalanta.

“He called me before moving to Toronto, and I was tempted, but then I made a different choice. I don’t regret it, but I would have loved to work with him; I knew I could add a piece to my career,” the winger concluded.

“Roma looked for me when I was at Juventus, but I said no. I was happy in Turin, and I still have a house there, where I’m Yildiz’s neighbour.”

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, March 10, 2026, page 24.

Gianluca Scamacca’s Atalanta host Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo for the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tonight.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT). Atalanta are the only Serie A side remaining in Europe’s elite competition.

Juventus and Inter were eliminated in the knockout play-off, while Napoli didn’t even finish the league phase in the top 24, facing elimination after the opening eight matches.

Atalanta must cope without the injured Ederson, Charles De Ketelaere and Giacomo Raspadori, while Giorgio Scalvini is suspended.

Therefore, as reported by Gazzetta, Marten De Roon and Mario Pasalic will start in the middle of the park, while Lazar Samardzic and Nicola Zalewski will be the attacking midfielders for La Dea.

Bayern Munich star Kane has recovered from a minor injury and will start up front for the Germans.

Manuel Neuer, however, is unavailable, so second-choice goalkeeper Jonas Urbig, 22, will get the nod between the sticks for the Germans.

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast on TNT Sports 2 in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Atalanta vs. Bayern Munich – probable line-ups

Atalanta (3-4-2-1): Carnesecchi; Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Pasalic, Bernasconi; Samardzic, Zalewski; Scamacca. 

Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Stanisic, Upamecano, Tah, Laimer; Kimmich, Pavlovic; Olise, Musiala, Diaz; Kane. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

La Dea, play for all.

Champions League Round of 16: Super Bayern arrive, but Atalanta have hope.

Rummenigge: ‘Hot stadium, they must be respected.’

Max trust

Cardinale ties Allegri down and launches Milan’s comeback.

Inter, magnificent +7

Thuram and Dumfries are ready for Saturday, and Luis Henrique pays.

Fourth spot? Take it with goals

Corriere dello Sport

Juve and Roma out!

Champions League Surprise, Como favourite.

Fixture list and head-to-head, find out Opta’s predictions.

10 games to go and still 18 big games. Gasperini visits Fabregas on Sunday. Spalletti from the risk of -7 to the idea of overcoming. Cesc has 37.78% of chance, Lucio 34.57% and Gian Piero 33.91%.

Napoli, another De Brune is back

Pistilli climbs: Gattuso studies him

Lazio’s redemption: decisive Marusic.

Chivu’s therapy, Scudetto to Inter

Confrontation between Cristian and the team yesterday. From +7 to the silence for Ricci’s handball.

Dea for history, Bayern obstacle

Scamacca against Kane. Palladino’s charge: ‘We want another magical night’

Tuttosport

Dea of Italy: go!

Champions League RO16 First leg: Atalanta-Bayern

Nearly impossible challenge for the only Italian team remaining. Palladinoo: ‘It will be a magical night, we’ll try to go beyond absences, and our fans will drag us. Enjoy it and play for it.’

Either Champions or Champions

Juventus amid renewals and race for the top four. The team receives a message from the owners. Not playing in the wealthies tournament would change the transfer perspectives, even making Spalletti’s future more complicated. Elkann wants to avoid new financial shocks, so the coach and the players have been given even more responsibility. Professor Bava: ‘If they miss out on Champions League, it would be a lot to break even, and Yildiz’s future would be uncertain too.

Allegri, devilries for the title, Chivu’s anxiety

Max’s plans to put pressure on the Nerazzurri. The rival amid phantoms and injuries: Calhanoglu out again.

Toro’s goal: Falcone is Petrachi’s target

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 21:0 CET (20:00 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.’