Tensions are hotting up ahead of the World Cup play-offs, as Italy’s potential final opponents, Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina, continue to clash over an incident involving Brondby head coach Steeve Cooper and midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic. 

Why are Italy’s potential play-off opponents, Wales and Bosnia, arguing?

Italy are due to host Northern Ireland in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia away from home in the play-off final, which will be a one-legged decider for a spot at the final tournament. 

While the final preparations are being put in place ahead of Thursday’s semi-finals, the Bosnian federation have raised an issue with Brondby’s Welsh head coach, Cooper, who has been accused of intentionally dropping one of his own midfielders, Tahirovic, in order to throw him off his rhythm ahead of the Wales vs. Bosnia meeting in Cardiff. 

Tahirovic was a starter for Brondby for most of the first half of the 2025-26 campaign, but has only collected 13 minutes of action over his side’s last four matches approaching the play-offs. 

Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez has thrown fuel onto the fire with his depiction of the situations: “Tahirovic has told me things that border on the unbelievable, relating to the nationality of his coach” he said (via TMW). 

“He wished him good luck for everything, but not for the national team. He was told that everything would go back to normal after the break.” 

Brondby’s press officer Soren Hanghoj has since clarified that Tahirovic was dropped on disciplinary reasons, and that the decision to take action against him was made by the club and not solely by the head coach, Cooper. 

According to TMW, Tahirovic himself has been in contact with Cooper and has explained that his statements have been ‘misunderstood’. 

Niccolo Pisilli says that Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Barella are among the Italy national team players that he used to study growing up, and says that it will be a ‘great opportunity’ to learn from the Newcastle and Inter stars during the international break. 

Pisilli on Italy hopes and Roma opportunities: ‘We’re a very strong group’

Pisilli made his debut for the Italy national team under Luciano Spalletti in October 2014, but has had to wait 18 months, and is still waiting for his next opportunity in an Azzurri shirt.

After an increased series of opportunities with Roma in 2025-26, the 21-year-old is back in the Italy squad for the crucial World Cup play-off campaign this international break, beginning with the play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland in Bergamo on Thursday night. 

It has been 12 years since Italy last featured at a World Cup. The Azzurri have failed to qualify for the last two tournament cycles and have not won a knock-out match on the world stage since beating France in the final to claim the trophy in 2006. 

Pisilli was just 10 years old the last time that Italy appeared at a World Cup. 

“I remember the World Cups I watched in 2010 and 2014. It’s a great feeling of pride to return to the national team,” the Roma youngster told Rai Sport in a recent interview. 

Pisilli insists that Italy have what it takes to win their next two matches and qualify for the 2026 World Cup: “We’re a very strong group. Everyone here is really strong, otherwise they wouldn’t be here,” he said. 

“There has to be a balance. We need the calmness of a squad that knows that with 100% commitment, they can achieve the goal, but also with the awareness that something really important is at stake.” 

Pisilli feels that he still has plenty to learn from some of Italy’s more established senior players, though. 

“I think of Barella, Tonali when he exploded with Milan, I always watched them on TV. It’s a great opportunity for me to be able to learn from them now.” 

Pisilli was asked what has changed in order for him to start earning more opportunities at club level with Roma. 

“Nothing really,” he insisted. “I think that it takes a little while to understand the new ideas that a new coach brings when there’s been a change. It’s important to be ready for when you’re called upon during the season. I’m happy to be getting more minutes and I hope it carries on.” 

Dutchman Danny Makkelie has been officially appointed as the referee for Thursday’s World Cup play-off semi-final between Italy and Northern Ireland.

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Who will be the referee for Italy vs. Northern Ireland?

Italy will host Northern Ireland in Bergamo for the World Cup play-off semi-final on Thursday evening, and the winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home on Tuesday, March 31, for a spot at the final tournament. 

Makkelie will be the man with the whistle when Italy host Northern Ireland at the New Balance Arena. He will be joined by Dutch assistants Hessel Steegstra and Jan De Vries and Spanish fourth official Jesus Gil Manzano. Pol van Boekel and Jeroen Manschot, both of the Netherlands, will be the VAR and assistant VAR respectively. 

Makkelie has refereed four previous matches involving the Azzurri, the most recent coming at EURO 2024 when Italy dramatically drew 1-1 with Croatia in their final match in Group B.

His biggest call in that game was to award a penalty against Italy for a Davide Frattesi handball, although Gianluigi Donnarumma managed to keep out Luka Modric’s spot-kick.

Makkelie also took charge of Italy’s 3-0 group stage win over Turkiye at EURO 2020, a 0-0 draw against Portugal in the 2018-19 Nations League and a 3-2 victory over North Macedonia in 2018 World Cup qualifying.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s long-term future as the head coach of Roma is not guaranteed, but reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that the former Atalanta tactician will wait until the end of the 2025-26 season before making any major career decisions. 

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Why is there tension among the Roma senior management?

According to recent reports in Italy, there has been growing tension in Giallorossi circles over the last few weeks, particularly after Roma’s exit from the Europa League round of 16 at the hands of Serie A opponents Bologna, who are currently 12 points below them in the league table. 

These reports claim that there was a confrontation between co-owner Ryan Friedkin, director Frederic Massara and advisor Claudio Ranieri after the Europa League exit at the end of last week, and some sources claim that one of Massara, Ranieri or head coach Gasperini could potentially leave the club at the end of the season. 

According to Tuesday’s updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, there are conflicting views among the senior Roma management as to how the 2025-26 season has gone. 

As far as Gasperini is concerned, he feels as though he has done a good job with the resources available and injuries to key players such as Paulo Dybala, Matias Soule, Artem Dovbyk, Evan Ferguson and most recently Manu Kone. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gasperini didn’t get the signings he wanted in either the summer or January transfer window, though, and feels that this only made life more difficult. 

The club, however, feel that they have ‘taken the right steps’ to put the coach in a position to finish in the Serie A top four and claim a place in next season’s Champions League despite their financial fair play restrictions. 

An example is the signing of Robinio Vaz from Marseille in January, who seems a decent prospect and not a terrible investment at €20m, but Gasperini would have preferred a more proven, established option at centre-forward to help the club in the absence of Dovbyk and Ferguson. 

Where Roma and Gasperini currently stand 

According to Tuesday’s updates from La Gazzetta dello Sport, the members of the Roma squad that have not jetted off on international duty will resume training on Tuesday, and it is possible that there will be a discussion between Gasperini, Ranieri and Massara at some stage of the day. 

For now, the feeling is that all parties must come together and work as hard as possible until the end of the 2025-26 season as Roma fight for a spot in the Serie A top four. 

As things stand, the Giallorossi have 54 points from 30 matches, which is the club’s second-best return in eight years at this stage of the season. Only Jose Mourinho in his second season at the Stadio Olimpico had more (56). 

Roma’s current tally of 54 points is only good enough for sixth place at the moment, though. They remain level on points with Juventus in fifth and three points behind the in-form Como in fourth. 

As for Gasperini, La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that assessments will be made at the end of the 2025-26 season, but nothing is ruled out either way at this stage.

Reports in Italy claim that Inter are keen on a potential deal for Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer transfer window for the table-topping Nerazzurri. 

Reports Inter keen on Chelsea’s Andrey Santos

According to reports from Fabrizio Romano and Calciomercato.com, Inter are interested in a deal for 21-year-old Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who has recently been called up to Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil national team squad. 

It is expected to be a busy summer for Inter, who are likely to part company with a number of senior players who will be out of contract, while recent reports claim that the Nerazzurri are not opposed to selling a ‘big’ first-team name during the next window. 

Andrey Santos is reportedly among the midfielders who could make the move to San Siro this summer. Inter have previously discussed a potential deal for the Brazilian in the summer of 2025 according to Sunday’s reports. 

The Nerazzurri have reportedly met ‘on several occasions’ with agents and intermediaries Giuliano Bertolucci and Kia Joorabchian.

Chelsea’s valuation could be an issue for Cristian Chivu’s side, though. Calciomercato claims that Chelsea rejected a proposal in the region of €50m from the Saudi Pro League for Andrey Santos last summer.

However, given that the youngster is not a guaranteed first-choice at Stamford Bridge and has been limited to just 13 starts between the Premier League and Champions League this season, the Nerazzurri are hoping that Chelsea will have lowered their demands for the 21-year-old. 

Andrey Santos is not the only name on Inter’s transfer wishlist, as many reports in Italy claim that they are also keen on a deal for Roma’s Manu Kone. 

Cesc Fabregas says that it is ‘difficult not to fall in love’ with Como and their talented group of young players after moving three points clear of Juventus in the Champions League positions thanks to their 5-0 win over Pisa on Sunday. 

Como swept away their relegation-threatened opposition in Serie A on Sunday evening thanks to goals from Assane Diao, Anastasios Douvikas, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Maxi Perrone. 

They now head into the international break in fourth place with a three-point buffer between themselves and Juventus in fifth. Roma are in sixth and will play later on Sunday evening. 

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

Fabregas reacts to Como 5-0 Pisa: ‘An important victory’

Fabregas insists that Sunday’s victory was particularly special, not because of the implications on the Champions League race, but to honour the club’s late co-owner Michael Bambang Hartono, who died last week. 

“Today was an important victory because we lost an important person in the Como World,” Fabregas told DAZN after full-time (via TMW). 

“Today we send a big hug to the Hartono family. It’s because of them that we all get to live like this. Today’s victory is more important in this respect.” 

Fabregas insists that he was not expecting such a dominant scoreline from his side before kick-off. 

“We told ourselves over the last few days that this would be a difficult game. We attacked the space well for the first two goals. The team was intelligent, it’s another experience for their growth. 

“Now there’s a bit of time to rest. Let’s see how Jesus and Ramon are doing, but for us, it’s a source of pride to see them get called up for their national teams.” 

Fabregas was also asked about the feeling in the city of Como as the team creep closer to securing their first ever spot in the Champions League. 

“We take in a beautiful atmosphere, the supporters are satisfied. We all want more, but we’re enjoying the journey. Six or seven years ago, we were a provincial team in Serie D, now we’re making real progress. 

“It’s difficult to not fall in love with these young players. We’re achieving what we set out to do two years ago. We know where we want to get to and how we want to get there, which is fundamental for me.” 

Fabregas was also asked about the condition of Jesus Rodriguez, who was forced off with a knee issue during the first half against Pisa. 

“He took two blows, one at the start and another after 25 minutes. He couldn’t continue. He’s an explosive player and that conditions him a lot as well. It’s a shame, because it was a game suited to his characteristics. But that’s football and we have to look forwards.” 

Italy international Guglielmo Vicario has been named as a starter for Tottenham’s Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon, despite recently turning down a call-up to the national team due to an operation he is due to have next week. 

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Why is Vicario starting for Tottenham but is not part of the Italy squad?

Vicario was not named in Gennaro Gattuso’s 28-player Italy squad for the World Cup play-offs coming up this international break. The Azzurri will host Northern Ireland on Thursday evening in the semi-final and the winner of that match will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home for a spot at the final tournament. 

Tottenham confirmed that the reason behind Vicario’s absence from the Italy squad was due to the fact that he is due to have surgery on a sports hernia.

This procedure is expected to take place next week, and is likely to rule the stopper out for around a month. 

Tottenham confirmed that Vicario decided to have the procedure done now in order to minimise the impact on his availability at club level.

The decision to skip the play-offs was understandable given that Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to start in both matches, assuming that Italy get past Northern Ireland in the semi-final. 

However, it does come as a slight surprise to see vicario still in the starting line-up for Tottenham’s Premier League relegation clash against Nottingham Forest on Sunday, given that he is due to have an operation in the coming days. 

Sandro Tonali was not risked for the Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle and Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, as the Italy international hopes to be fit enough to start for the Azzurri in Thursday evening’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland. 

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Why did Italy international Tonali not feature in Newcastle vs. Sunderland?

Tonali was taken off midway through Newcastle’s recent Champions League exit against Barcelona, raising concerns surrounding his fitness ahead of Italy’s crucial World Cup play-off campaign coming up this international break. 

Fortunately, reports in Italy suggest that Tonali will be available for Gennaro Gattuso, but the former Milan midfielder was not risked for Newcastle’s Premier League match against bitter rivals Sunderland on Sunday. 

Tonali was not even named among the substitutes at St. James’s Park. He was still present in the stands, and according to the latest updates, the decision to leave him out of the squad was purely on precautionary grounds. 

Tonali is expected to be part of the Italy side that hosts Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final in Bergamo on Thursday evening. The winner of that tie will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina away from home in the play-off final, which will be a one-legged decider for a spot in the final tournament. 

Italy must win both fixtures if they are to avoid missing out on the World Cup for the third tournament cycle in a row.

Como have strengthened their spot in the Champions League positions heading into the international break as Cesc Fabregas’s side moved three points clear of Juventus thanks to goals from Assane Diao, Anastasios Douvikas, Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Maxi Perrone in a 5-0 win over Pisa in Serie A on Sunday afternoon.

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Como came into today’s game off the back of a four-game winning streak in Serie A and a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions. Diao, Jesus Rodriguez and Douvikas returned to the attack alongside Nico Paz. Pisa also made a series of personnel changes despite picking up just their second win of the season last weekend. 

Click here to see how the action unfolded on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Both sides dangerously gifted each other possession in their own halves in the early stages, but it was Pisa who were made to pay for Stefano Moreo’s slip, as Assane Diao picked up the ball, raced in on goal, shifted it onto his left foot and slipped it past goalkeeper Nicolas for 1-0 after just seven minutes. 

The Senegal international was involved again as Douvikas made it two just before the half-hour mark.

He cut in off the right flank and onto his left foot, delivered the ball into the middle of the area where Douvikas applied an instinctive first-touch finish to double his side’s advantage. 

Como made it three within three minutes of the second half. Baturina, who had come on to replace the injured Jesus Rodriguez in the first half, with a smart, low finish from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom corner of the net. That was his sixth goal of the season, five of which have come in 2026. 

Pisa were not without their chances. They had two strikes ruled out in the second half, in fact. Substitute Filip Stojilkovic had an effort in the back of the net but was flagged for offside. He then dummied a cross while in an offside position a few minutes later, which led to Henrik Meister’s effort being ruled out as well. 

Paz then found the back of the net for the first time at the Stadio Sinigaglia since October as he swept home Alberto Moreno’s cross in from the left-hand side of the penalty area for 4-0. 

Substitute Nicolas Kuhn made it all the way to the right byline on the stroke of 80 minutes, and was also able to find the cut-back for Perrone to tap home from point-blank range in the middle of the six-yard box. 

Como 5-0 Pisa 

Diao 7, Douvikas 29’, Baturina 48’, Paz 75’, Perrone 81′.

22-03-2026 11:30

MatchDay 30

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Pisa

5 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Assane Diao		7'
Anastasios Douvikas (Assist: Assane Diao)		29'
		35'		Simone Canestrelli

2nd half

Martin Baturina		48'
		51'		Samuele Angori
Nico Paz (Assist: Alberto Moreno)		75'
Máximo Perrone (Assist: Nicolas Kühn)		81'

Match statistic

73

Possession %

27

14

Total shots

7

7

Shots on target

6

Shots off target

3

1

Blocked shots

4

7

Corners

1

2

Offsides

3

5

Fouls

6

Como

Pisa

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

77'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

59'

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

77'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

38'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

59'

12

Nicolas

Goalkeeper

4

Antonio Caracciolo

Defender

35

Felipe Loyola

Defender

64'

39

Raúl Albiol

Defender

3

Samuele Angori

Defender

5

Simone Canestrelli

Defender

77'

14

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Midfielder

46'

8

Malthe Höjholt

Midfielder

10

Matteo Tramoni

Midfielder

78'

7

Mehdi Léris

Attacker

32

Stefano Moreo

Attacker

51'

Substitutes

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

56

Cristiano De Paoli

Defender

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

38'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

59'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

59'

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

77'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

77'

1

Adrian Šemper

Goalkeeper

33

Arturo Calabresi

Defender

15

Idrissa Touré

Midfielder

26

Francesco Coppola

Defender

99

Lorran

Midfielder

2

Rosen Bozhinov

Defender

42

Brando Bettazzi

Midfielder

31

Matteo Luppichini

Goalkeeper

9

Henrik Meister

Attacker

46'

81

Filip Stojilkovic

Attacker

51'

23

Calvin Stengs

Attacker

64'

19

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

77'

36

Gabriele Piccinini

Attacker

78'

Como have an opportunity to move three points clear of both Roma and Juventus in the Serie A top four as they host Pisa in a huge match in the race for the Champions League positions.

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Como are on a four-game winning streak in Serie A and a six-game unbeaten run across all competitions, and have had to play against Milan, Juventus and Inter over that period. They most recently defeated top-four-challengers Roma 2-1 in a heated clash at the Sinigaglia last weekend. 

As a result of their victory over Roma, and following Juventus’s 1-1 draw against Sassuolo on Saturday, Cesc Fabregas’s side now have an opportunity to move three points clear in fourth place heading into the international break. 

Pisa, meanwhile, have only won twice in the league all season, but their most recent came last weekend in a 3-1 victory over Cagliari. They remain in 19th place on 18 points, nine away from safety with nine games left to play. 

Fabregas has deployed all of his star attackers in Nico Paz, Assane Diao, Jesus Rodriguez and Anastasios Douvikas against Pisa on Sunday. Of the four, only Paz started in the 2-1 victory over Roma last weekend. Maxi Perrone also returns to the midfield alongside Lucas Da Cunha.

Despite picking up his first Serie A victory in charge of Pisa last weekend, Oscar Hiljemark has still made several changes to his starting XI, with Rafiu Durosinmi and Michel Aebischer suspended and Marius Marin and Arturo Calabresi dropping out of the side. 

Kick-off is due at 11.30 GMT.

Como vs. Pisa: Confirmed line-ups 

Como (4-2-3-1): Butez; Van der Brempt; Kempf, D.Carlos, Moreno; Da Cunha, Perrone; Diao, Paz, Rodriguez; Douvikas.

Pisa (3-5-2): Nicola; Caracciolo, Albiol, Canestrelli; Leris, Akinsanmiro, Hojholt, Loyola, Angori; Tramoni, Moreo.

22-03-2026 11:30

MatchDay 30

Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia

Como

Pisa

5 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Assane Diao		7'
Anastasios Douvikas (Assist: Assane Diao)		29'
		35'		Simone Canestrelli

2nd half

Martin Baturina		48'
		51'		Samuele Angori
Nico Paz (Assist: Alberto Moreno)		75'
Máximo Perrone (Assist: Nicolas Kühn)		81'

Match statistic

73

Possession %

27

14

Total shots

7

7

Shots on target

6

Shots off target

3

1

Blocked shots

4

7

Corners

1

2

Offsides

3

5

Fouls

6

Como

Pisa

Starting lineups

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

77'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

2

Marc Oliver Kempf

Defender

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

59'

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

77'

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

38'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

59'

12

Nicolas

Goalkeeper

4

Antonio Caracciolo

Defender

35

Felipe Loyola

Defender

64'

39

Raúl Albiol

Defender

3

Samuele Angori

Defender

5

Simone Canestrelli

Defender

77'

14

Ebenezer Akinsanmiro

Midfielder

46'

8

Malthe Höjholt

Midfielder

10

Matteo Tramoni

Midfielder

78'

7

Mehdi Léris

Attacker

32

Stefano Moreo

Attacker

51'

Substitutes

31

Mërgim Vojvoda

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

8

Sergi Roberto

Midfielder

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

56

Cristiano De Paoli

Defender

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

38'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

59'

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

59'

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

77'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

77'

1

Adrian Šemper

Goalkeeper

33

Arturo Calabresi

Defender

15

Idrissa Touré

Midfielder

26

Francesco Coppola

Defender

99

Lorran

Midfielder

2

Rosen Bozhinov

Defender

42

Brando Bettazzi

Midfielder

31

Matteo Luppichini

Goalkeeper

9

Henrik Meister

Attacker

46'

81

Filip Stojilkovic

Attacker

51'

23

Calvin Stengs

Attacker

64'

19

Samuel Iling-Junior

Attacker

77'

36

Gabriele Piccinini

Attacker

78'

Inter are without Lautaro Martinez and Alessandro Bastoni as the league leaders travel to Tuscany to take on Fiorentina in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

The table-topping Nerazzurri still have a five-point advantage over Milan and a six-point advantage over Napoli ahead of kick-off having played one game fewer than both of their Scudetto challengers. 

Cristian Chivu’s side are hoping to get back to winning ways after a three-game run without a win across all competitions. They were beaten 1-0 by Milan and held to a 1-1 draw by Atalanta in Serie A over the last two weekends. 

Hosts Fiorentina were in Conference League action on Thursday night, sealing a 4-2 aggregate victory with their 2-1 away win against Rakow Czestochowa in the second leg of their round of 16 tie. 

Paolo Vanoli’s side put in a statement 4-1 victory away against Cremonese last weekend in Serie A, and are now one point and two positions above the relegation zone ahead of kick-off on Sunday. 

Inter captain Lautaro has not travelled with the squad, nor has centre-back Bastoni, who is now a big doubt for Italy’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland coming up on Thursday evening. 

Sky Sport Italia predicts a strike partnership of Marcus Thuram and Pio Esposito, with Carlos Augusto likely to come in on the left side of the back three. Hakan Calhanoglu could also come back into the side, if not, Petar Sucic is the most likely option to accompany Nicolo Barella and Piotr Zielinski. 

Fiorentina are expected to make a few changes to their Europa League side from Thursday night, with the likes of David De Gea, Robin Gosens, Rolando Mandragora and Albert Gudmundsson poised to return to the starting XI. 

Kick-off is due at 19.45 GMT.

Fiorentina vs. Inter: Probable line-ups 

Fiorentina (4-1-4-1): De Gea; Dodo, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Fagioli; Parisi, Brescianini, Mandragora, Gudmundsson; Kean. 

Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck; Akanji, C.Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Esposito. 

Where to watch Fiorentina vs. Inter 

Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and through DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. 

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game commentary and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Roma are without key players in Wesley Franca and Manu Kone for the visit of Lecce in Serie A on Sunday evening, as Gian Piero Gasperini and his players look to bounce back from their midweek Europa League exit. 

The Giallorossi were knocked out after a 4-3 thriller in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie against Italian opponents Bologna on Thursday night, but must immediately turn their attention back on the race for a place in the Champions League positions in Serie A on Sunday. 

Roma find themselves in sixth with 51 points ahead of kick-off, with ground to make up on Como, in fourth on 54 points and Juventus, currently in fifth, also on 54 points after their 1-1 draw against Sassuolo on Saturday night. 

Lecce also find themselves needing a result to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side were leapfrogged by Cremonese on Saturday after their 2-0 win away against Parma and are currently in 18th on 27 points as a result. 

Gasperini will have to do without the suspended Wesley, who was controversially sent off against Como last weekend, and Kone, who was injured against Bologna on Thursday and is expected to miss around a month of action. Injuries have not let up in attack either, with Paulo Dybala, Matias Soule, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson all still unavailable. 

That leaves Gasperini extra reliant on January recruits Donyell Malen and Robinio Vaz, who could start in tandem in attack against Lecce according to reports from Sky Sport Italia. Neil El Aynaoui is expected to come into the midfield in place of the injured Kone. 

Lecce are not expected to make any major changes despite their 2-1 defeat against Napoli last weekend, but could potentially introduce Omri Gandelman into the midfield according to the latest updates. 

Kick-off is due at 17.00 GMT. 

Roma vs. Lecce: Probable line-ups

Roma (3-4-1-2): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Celik, El Aynaoui, Cristante, Tsimikas; Pellegrini; Vaz, Malen. 

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

Where to watch Roma vs. Lecce

Today’s game will be available to watch live in the UK exclusively on DAZN. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+. 

Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

The devil exists 

Milan return to second place, but how about Toro?!

The Rossoneri at -5 from the lead. Spectacle with Rabiot and Vlasic. Allegri: ‘Three special points’

Inter on the attack 

In Florence looking for a response 

Esposito-Calha. Chivu: ‘I’m not looking for excuses’. Fiorentina with Kean as a starter

Juve

Missed penalty, Como could go +3 in the Champions League race

Corriere dello Sport 

The Devil’s shadow 

Milan pressing | Torino outdone (3-2), Napoli overtaken and hoping that the Viola hold Chivu (19.45)

Allegri doesn’t give up: He’s at -5, Inter risk at Casa Kean 

Pavlovic opens, Simeone levels. The second half got off to a roaring start with Rabiot and Fofana. Vlasic narrows it. Gimenez comes on after 144 days 

Juve crash 

Muric saves Locatelli’s penalty in the 87th: 1-1 against Sassuolo

Grosso complicates Spalletti’s path to the Champions League. Yildiz’s 10th league goal is not enough for Lucio. Pinamonti seals the 1-1. Final attack with Vlahovic and Milik. Como take on Pisa (11.30) and could secure fourth place 

Roma, the big opportunity 

Lecce arrive at 17.00

Tuttosport 

Juve, that’s how you throw everything away 

A bad draw against a Sassuolo side decimated by whooping cough 

Yildiz’s goal lights up the Bianconeri, who then waste a lot and let Pinamonti catch them up. Then they miss a penalty through Locatelli: Como could go +3 and Roma could catch up. Vlahovic and Milik’s returns also ruined. Spalletti: ‘Destroyed from disappointment’

Toro heart, but 20 minutes of Milan is enough

Anti-Cairo supporters Cairo at RCS and also the Simeone case 

Rabiot + Fofana: The second half gets off to a lethal start for Granata after the 1-1, but super Vlasic keeps the game open until the very end. D’Aversa: ‘Proud of my players’. Allegri rages at the referee and VAR but is now five points behind Inter. Cholito: ‘I don’t know where I’ll be in a year’