Tuttosport reports that Juventus will listen to offers of at least €60m for their centre-back Bremer next summer.
Report Bremer can leave Juventus for 60m
The Bianconeri have not put the Brazilian on the market, but such an offer would prompt them to sit down with potential suitors.
Tuttosport highlights that the only player that Juventus are unwilling to sell under any circumstances is Kenan Yildiz, who has recently signed a contract extension until 2030.
Bremer is under contract with Juventus until June 2029.
PARMA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 01: Bremer of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Francisco Conceicao during the Serie A match between Parma Calcio 1913 and Juventus FC at Stadio Ennio Tardini on February 01, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
Bremer had a €60m clause in his previous contract, and Juventus believe the same sum would reflect the player’s value in the summer.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – MARCH 26: Bremer of Brazil reacts during the international friendly match between Brazil and France at Gillette Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Tuttosport reports that one of Darwin Núñez’s agents visited the Uruguay international during a training session at Juventus’s training ground in Turin, as the Bianconeri continue to monitor several centre-forwards, including Romelu Lukaku.
Juventus are currently in talks to extend Dusan Vlahovic’s contract, but they are determined to sign a centre-forward in the summer regardless of the Serbian’s future in Turin.
The club is open to listening to offers for Lois Openda and Jonathan David and has begun monitoring several forwards across Europe and beyond.
VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli and Unai Núñez of Hellas Verona during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on February 28, 2026 in Verona, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
One of them is ex-Liverpool star Nunez, currently at Al-Hilal. The 26-year-old trained with the Uruguay national team in Turin on Monday ahead of tonight’s international friendly against Algeria at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
According to Tuttosport, Nunez was visited on Monday by Tommaso Inzaghi, son of his coach Simone, and the right-hand man of Federico Pastorello, the striker’s main agent.
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – JANUARY 12: Darwin Nunez of Al-Hilal runs with the ball during the Saudi Pro League match between Al Hilal and Al Nassr at Kingdom Arena on January 12, 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images)
Nunez is a potential target for Juventus and had already been in talks with the Bianconeri last summer before a €53m move to Al-Hilal.
According to Tuttosport, Juventus’ favourite option for the attack remains Randal Kolo Muani, but the Serie A giants have also been tracking other strikers such as Mateo Retegui, Joshua Zirkzee and Romelu Lukaku, who is expected to be frozen out at Napoli after failing to return from Belgium during the international break.
Ex-Juventus winger Hasan Salihamidzic names two Bosnia and Herzegovina talents who might hurt Italy in the World Cup play-off Final and warns the Azzurri: ‘When the Old Lady goes to the top, the national team follows.’
“It’s a small stadium with an even reduced capacity, but the atmosphere will be unique, don’t forget it,” Salihamidzic, a former Juventus and Bosnia winger, told Gazzetta.
“The people will be the extra player, then the pitch will do the talking. Even if somebody thinks otherwise, there will be quality.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Kerim Alajbegovic, 18, and EsmirBajraktarevic, 21, are two of the most exciting prospects in the Bosnian squad.
“I don’t know if Alajbegovic will start, but he’s a generational talent. Nobody doubts he has a bright future ahead. There are champions like Dzeko, and this team and his experience can surely be useful. But he’s not the only one,” said Salihamidzic.
“There are many young players who, when they are on their day, know how to turn games around: Bajraktarevic is making a name for himself at PSV. Demirovic is a bit older, but is now a pillar of Stuttgart.
“The Azzurri are in a difficult moment; the whole movement is weaker compared to the past, and not just this year. To me, the thermometer of football is called Juventus, a club I love. I’ll forever be a Bianconero,” he concluded.
“When the Old Lady goes to the top, the national team follows, and vice versa. I’m sure Juventus and Italy will return to the top, but hopefully after this play-off. For our people, it’s too important to go to America.”
Gennaro Gattuso says the atmosphere in the Italy squad has been ‘positive’ ahead of the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but tells his players to avoid protests against the referee: ‘ Our opponents commit a lot of fouls.’
Gattuso’s interview before Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Italy
“The eyes of the boys I’ve met are good so far. Over all these days we’ve been together and the atmosphere has always been positive,” said the Azzurri boss via Gazzetta.
“Tonight we have an important match and we’ve prepared well, fully aware that we’re playing against a team with both technique and physicality. It will require a great performance from us.
“The boys are the first ones who want to go to the World Cup. If the results don’t come, they’ll suffer in silence; they pretend to have broad shoulders, but that’s not the case. I can assure you they will do everything they can. Some people would give their lives and souls to achieve this goal.”
Gattuso also spoke about the attitude he expects from his players tonight: “Bosnia are a strong side. They have strengths and weaknesses, but they are tricky. We need to focus on delivering our performance. We’ll have to hold our ground in the first 10-15 minutes and respond blow to blow,” he said.
“We’ll need to be there and endure. Our opponents commit a lot of fouls, about ten more per game than we do on average, and we’ll have to be smart not to react because the referee has great experience; he doesn’t like raised hands in protests, so we’ll need to be careful, because the match is also played on that aspect.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy gesture during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso was dropped for the semifinal against Northern Ireland last week, but has now returned to the Azzurri squad with Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini going to the stands instead.
The winner of tonight’s Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Italy match will qualify for the World Cup and go into Group B alongside Qatar, Switzerland and Canada.
Napoli confirm Romelu Lukaku did not show up for a training session on Tuesday, so the club will take ‘appropriate disciplinary’ action, including possibly freezing him out of the first team.
Napoli are prepared to take disciplinary action against their striker Lukaku, the club confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
Lukaku pulled out of the Belgium national team last week due to poor fitness, but remained in Belgium to train individually rather than return to Naples.
Official Napoli statement on Lukaku
“Napoli announce that Romelu Lukaku did not respond to today’s call-up ahead of the resumption of training,” Napoli said.
“The club reserves the right to evaluate the adoption of appropriate disciplinary measures as well as the continuation of the player’s participation in the team on an indefinite basis.”
Previous reports claimed that Napoli would freeze Lukaku out of the team if he had failed to return by today.
NAPLES, ITALY – MARCH 09: Romelu Lukaku of Napoli celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Fiorentina at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
As Sky Sport suggests, however, the Napoli statement means the club’s response could be even stronger as the Partenopei lawyers are currently examining the case.
Depending on the agreement between Napoli and Lukaku, the club could even consider terminating the contract, but all possible scenarios are now being scrutinised.
epa12016519 Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku warms up ahead of the Italian Serie A soccer match between Bologna FC and SSC Napoli, in Bologna, Italy, 07 April 2025. EPA-EFE/SERENA CAMPANINI
Napoli return to action on Monday, April 6, after the break, hosting second-placed Milan at the Stadio Maradona.
Former midfielder Demetrio Albertini is confident the Azzurri have enough quality to get to the World Cup, but feels Italy have not yet solved their main problem: ‘There aren’t enough Italian players in Serie A.”
Italy visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final tonight, and Azzurri legend Albertini spoke about the state of Italian football prior to kick-off.
“Even in 1998, despite being a very strong generation and playing in the top league at that moment, we had to go through a play-off. In sports, it happens to have one or two games wrong; the important thing is to qualify,” Albertini told Tuttosport.
“The problem is that we have some good players, but not enough.
Albertini: ‘Limited selection options’ for Gattuso
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Generally, the national team coach has limited selection options, and, on top of that, some players have more Italy appearances than they do games played in European club competitions,” continued the ex-Milan midfielder, winner of three Champions League titles with the Rossoneri.
“It’s useless to beat around the bush; we are less prepared for a certain type of international match. This is why Gattuso wanted to recall Verratti, one who has played so many games at this level. That said, obviously, it doesn’t mean we don’t have the quality to win this play-off.”
Italy did not qualify for the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, but won the European Championships played in 2021.
FLORENCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 20: FIGC Technical Sector President Demetrio Albertini attends the Italian Football Federation ‘Panchina D’Oro’ Awards Ceremony at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on February 20, 2023 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“That was a deserved win, but it didn’t address the underlying problem: there aren’t enough Italian players in Serie A,” concluded Albertini, a 1994 World Cup finalist with the Italian national team.
“I’ve heard the FIGC has announced a new technical project for youth football. I hope that concrete actions are taken and that it doesn’t remain just empty proclamations.”
Roberto De Zerbi is in talks to become the new Tottenham coach and has reportedly offered Italy World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta a role on his staff in North London.
Nesta to become De Zerbi’s assistant coach at Tottenham?
Tuttosport journalist Nicolò Schira reports that Italy World Cup winner Nesta has been offered a role on Tottenham’s coaching staff by De Zerbi.
The latter is in talks with Spurs over a long-term contract.
De Zerbi was initially eager to wait until the new season before choosing a new club, but Tottenham’s persistence has convinced him to consider their offer.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Robert De Zerbi, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
According to the report, Nesta has been offered the role of De Zerbi’s assistant, and the ex-defender is now considering the proposal.
Nesta has been working as a first-team coach for Miami FC, Perugia, Frosinone, Reggiana and Monza.
Monza coach Alessandro Nesta (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
A legendary Italian defender, Nesta made 78 appearances with the Azzurri, winning the World Cup in 2006.
During his playing career, he also won the Champions League twice and the Serie A title three times, once with Lazio and twice with Milan.
Kostic arrived in Milan on Sunday to undergo medical tests.
His agent, Darko Ristic, is the representative of another Milan target in attack, Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic.
Kostic, a Montenegro international, has 11 goals in 34 appearances at a club level this season. He made his senior Montenegro debut less than a year ago, in October 2025.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: A general view of the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium San Siro ahead of the Serie A match between AC Milan and Inter at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Transfer expert Matteo Moretto has reported on X that Milan have paid €3.5m to sign the 19-year-old and will add a maximum of €4.5m in add-ons, plus a sell-on clause, for Partizan.
Kostic will end the season at Partizan and formally join Milan from July 1, 2026.
He will initially be part of the Milan Futuro team.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, reacts during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Kostic joins Milan – official statement
“AC Milanis delighted to announce the signing ofAndrej Kostic from Fudbalski Klub Partizan, who will be joining the Club from 1 July 2026.
“The forward, born in 2007, will be part of theMilan Futuro Project, dedicated to the growth and development of young talents.”
Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella praises Enzo Maresca and admits the Italian coach’s exit was a big blow for the Blues: ‘When a manager gives you that confidence and offers you a platform to fight for titles, you’d die for him.’
Safe to say Spain international Cucurella is unhappy with Chelsea’s decision to part ways with Italian tactician Enzo Maresca in January.
The ex-Juventus midfielder left Stamford Bridge by mutual agreement on January 1, 2026.
Chelsea ‘more stable’ under Maresca
“With Enzo Maresca in charge, we were more stable, because we worked together for 18 months,” Cucurella told The Athletic.
“If you look at our first pre-season with him, there were doubts. You need a process for every player to understand what we need to do. In our last months with Maresca, we played almost by heart. If we changed the system, we knew what we had to do. You need that time.”
Maresca won the Conference League and the Club World Cup at Chelsea, but disagreements over the club’s long-term plans led to his exit after 18 months in charge.
“Winning a title like the Club World Cup also helps, strengthens the bond, and you create great relationships during the celebrations. When a manager gives you that confidence and offers you a platform to fight for titles, you’d die for him,” Cucurella continued.
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 09: Enzo Maresca head coach of Chelsea FC gestures during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC at Stadio di Bergamo on December 09, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
“The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision. To make a change like that, the best thing is to wait until the end of the season. You would give everyone, the players and the new manager, time to get ready, have a full pre-season…
“The instability around the club comes from this, in a nutshell. We had a caretaker (former under-21s coach Calum McFarlane) first, then a new manager, with new ideas and no time to work on them. It is what it is.”
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 24: Enzo Maresca, Manager of Chelsea, reacts as he speaks to the media during a Chelsea Press Conference at Stamford Bridge on November 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Recent reports in Italy have claimed that new Fiorentina director Fabio Paratici had contacted Maresca to offer him the job at the Stadio Franchi for 2026-27.
Arsenal in talks with U21 Germany striker Tresoldi
German transfer Christian Falk reports that “Arsenal are currently the favourites to sign German striker Nicolò Tresoldi (21/Club Brugge). The club is seriously interested, and talks are underway.”
Born in Cagliari, Italy, Tresoldi moved to Germany as a kid and played for Hannover 96 before joining Belgian side Club Bruges last summer.
Tresoldi has played with the German U21 squad, scoring 12 times in 23 matches, and said in a recent interview that the Italian federation had never contacted him.
Until the 21-year-old makes his senior debut with Germany, he can still get an Italy call-up and play for the Azzurri.
BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – MARCH 27: Nicolo Tresoldi of Germany inspects the pitch prior to the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier between Germany U21 and Northern Ireland U21 at Eintracht Stadion on March 27, 2026 in Braunschweig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Tresoldi has scored 17 goals in 48 appearances across all competitions this season, including three in the Champions League.
Tresoldi was previously linked with Milan and confirmed in a recent interview of being a Rossoneri fan.
BRAUNSCHWEIG, GERMANY – MARCH 27: Nicolo Tresoldi of Germany celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Under21 EURO Qualifier between Germany U21 and Northern Ireland U21 at Eintracht Stadion on March 27, 2026 in Braunschweig, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
However, due to Arsenal’s strong interest, the Serie A giants might miss out on the promising striker next summer.
On an international front, there’s even a third country that could welcome Tresoldi at a senior level, Argentina, given that the striker was born in Italy to an Italian father and an Argentine mother.
Belgium international Lukaku is expected to be frozen out of the Napoli squad after failing to return from Antwerp to resume training with his club.
Napoli to take action as Lukaku fails to return
Lukaku was already due to return last week, but he decided to remain in Belgium to train individually after pulling out of the Belgium squad due to poor fitness.
The striker irritated Napoli, who, according to several media outlets, threatened to leave him out of the first-team squad if he failed to return by today.
Having failed to return to the training centre for this morning’s training session, the Partenopei are now expected to take action and effectively freeze him out of the team, reports Sky Sport Italia.
Lukaku spoke about the incident for the first time on Monday in a social media post, but he didn’t mention his possible return.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 10: Romelu Lukaku of SSC Napoli reacts after missing a penalty in the penalty shootout during the Coppa Italia match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 10, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
“There’s nothing more I would love to do than play and win for my team,” he wrote.
“But right now I have to make sure I am clinically 100% cause I haven’t been recently, and it took a toll mentally.”
Napoli return to action after the break on Monday, April 6, hosting Milan at the Stadio Maradona.
Italy have been accused by Bosnian media of sending a ‘spy’ to watch a training session of their World Cup play-off Final opponents, but the man was an Italian soldier stationed in the country as part of a European Union mission.
On the eve of the game, local authorities stopped and identified a man who had been filming the Bosnia and Herzegovina training session beyond the first 15 minutes open to the media.
As reported by Gazzetta, some Bosnian media outlets thought the man was a ‘spy’ sent by the Italian federation to watch their opponent’s training session, but the reality is quite different.
The intruder, in fact, is an Italian soldier stationed in Bosnia as part of EUFOR, a mission coordinated by the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Italian football federation knew nothing about his presence at the Bosnia training ground, and local authorities found out through checks that the soldier had happened to be in Butmir by chance and had filmed the national team’s training session out of curiosity.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Fans of Italy show their support by holding up scarves in the stands prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to Gazzetta, Bosnia even sent a formal complaint to EUFOR, which, however, confirmed that the Italian Football Federation had no involvement in the incident.
Pripadnik italijanskog kontingenta @euforbih jučer je ilegalno snimao trening fudbalske reprezentacije BiH, objavio je https://t.co/ISTxOvzAaq
Isti portal navodi da je Nogmetni savez BiH uputio protestnu notu EUFOR-u pic.twitter.com/3ZyEgqaSkj
Gennaro Gattuso has named the Italy squad list for the World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina: Andrea Cambiaso returns, while Giorgio Scalvini is left out.
Five players from the original 28-man squad had to be left out, and Gattuso has only made one change from the semi-final played against Northern Ireland last week.
Juventus full-back Cambiaso returns to the squad, while Atalanta centre-back Scalvini goes to the stands.
The other unavailable players for tonight’s match are Gianluca Scamacca (injured), Elia Caprile, Nicolò Cambiaghi and Diego Coppola.
Andrea Cambiaso plays for Italy against Moldova in a 2026 World Cup qualifier (@azzurri)
Gattuso won’t make any change to the XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 last week, starting Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui in attack.
The game will be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica, and the winner will qualify for the World Cup, going into Group B with Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso, Head Coach of Italy, issues instructions during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
World Cup play-off Final: Italy squad list for Bosnia and Herzegovina
Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso is not expected to change the XI that beat Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final last week, starting Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui in the Final against Edin Dzeko’s Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Gattuso’s men beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semis last week with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean. Tonight, the coach is not expected to change the XI that emerged victorious in Bergamo five days ago.
As reported by Sky Sport, Bosnia and Herzegovina will rely on their captain and ex-Italy star Dzeko, as well as defenders Tarik Muharemovic of Sassuolo and Sead Kolasinac of Atalanta.
The winner will qualify for the World Cup and end up in Group B alongside Canada, Qatar and Switzerland.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Italy – where to watch on TV
The match will be broadcast on Amazon Prime PPV in the UK and Ireland and on VIX and Fox Sports in the USA. As usual, Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Edin Dzeko of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Kerim Alajbegovic during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Italy – probable line-ups
Bosnia and Herzegovina (4-4-2):Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Memic, Sunjic, Tahirovic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko.
In Zenica, we play in a small stadium again for the World Cup. Tension and cold: Kean-Retegui, but Pio is ready. Dzeko: ‘If you fear Wales, it’s not good.’
Gattuso: ‘No excuses, it’s time to give the country joy.’
Rivera: ‘Failures are forbidden, then visit my Atzeca.’
Corriere dello Sport
Italy anxiety: make or break
Play-off Final (20:45) to return to the World Cup after 12 years.
Gattuso and Gigio: ‘No alibis.’
Everything is at stake in the hell of Zenica. Rino confirms the Kean-Retegui strike partnership. In the American group, Switzerland, Canada and Qatar are waiting.
Napoli’s hard line: Lukaku at a crossroads
Palestra: Inter move to pole position
Roma, Gasp asks for six coups
Juve enjoy the new Koop
From Yildiz di Hojlund: a thrilling night
Tuttosport
A phenomenal push
World Cup play-off at 20:45. Italy against Bosnia. In Zenica, we play all with you!
Sinner, together with Antonelli and Bezzecchi, charges the Azzurri: ‘Give us the World Cup.’ Gattuso: ‘We live for nights like these.’ Dzeko: ‘If you fear Wales…’ The tension increases: the case of a spy.
60m, now Bremer has a price too
Striker: Nunez’s agent at Continassa. Suggestion Lukaku. Bielsa, the Uruguay coach who challenges Algeria at the Stadium tonight: ‘Who wouldn’t want to coach Juve?’
Former Milan, Roma and Juventus coach Fabio Capello saw the ‘usual flows’ of Italian football in the Azzurri’s 2-0 win over Northern Ireland, but enjoyed the ‘reaction’ and the contribution of Francesco Pio Esposito.
Italy are off to Zenica today, on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Azzurri trained at Coverciano on Monday morning, before taking a private flight to Bosnia. Later today, coach Gennaro Gattuso and captain Gigio Donnarumma will preview the Final during a pre-match press conference.
The Azzurri beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in Bergamo last week with goals from Sandro Tonali and Moise Kean in the second half.
“Having overcome that obstacle with a shy first half and a second half in which we found ourselves again was psychologically very important,” Capello told Gazzetta.
“It certainly helped the players understand our real value, and I believe that Gattuso, ahead of the match with Bosnia, will also work on this.”
The Azzurri were not let down by a mediocre first-half performance in Bergamo last week and, after the break, created several goal-scoring opportunities, securing a deserved victory.
Capello examined the positives and negatives of the latest Azzurri performance.
“Starting with the negatives, I’d say the usual flaws we often see in Italian football. Sideway passing, slowness, little vertical play and a lack of personality when in possession,” he said.
“As for the positives, the reaction was important, and I also liked the introduction of Pio Esposito, who brought a certain balance. All three attacking options are good, but Retegui and Kean are a bit too similar. Pio, on the other hand, especially in key moments, has that strength and aerial ability that can become fundamental, along with excellent vision.”
Capello: ‘Italy have good defenders, but…’
The Azzurri will likely face a hostile environment, but Capello is more worried about what might happen on the pitch.
“I’m concerned about corner kicks and free kicks, particularly how we’ll defend inside the penalty area,” he said.
epa10494184 Former Italian soccer coach Fabio Capello arrives for the The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022 ceremony in Paris, France, 27 February 2023. EPA-EFE/YOAN VALAT
“We have very good defenders with the ball at their feet, but they are less suited to marking. Bosnia relies heavily on this, and just on Thursday night, Dzeko managed to get the better of players strong in the air, like those from Wales. We’ll be facing a national team with quality and personality, starting with that 18-year-old who took the last penalty, Alajbegovic.”
Surely, the ex-Italian tactician will follow the match with the same passion he had as a coach: “I suffer for the national team. I suffer too much…I scream,” he said. Just as an ordinary fan.
Zaniolo’s ten-goal contributions for Udinese (five goals and five assists) in 26 Serie A games this season have not been enough to earn a spot in the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-off.
“We’ve always been convinced that Udine would be an ideal place to help him revive his career,” his agent Vigorelli told Gazzettino del Friuli via TMW.
“The context has granted the utmost stability and tranquillity, and that has been the result of collaboration between director Nanni and President Pozzo on a matter that was not simple. It’s no coincidence that we reached an agreement on the very final day. Nicolò strongly wanted this move, and he was right.”
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 29: Nicolo Zaniolo of Udinese Calcio celebrates a goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Udinese Calcio at on October 29, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“It’s useless to deny that he hoped for it [a call-up]; the national team is an objective for all footballers,” concluded Vigorelli.
“We’ve accepted it, but it doesn’t mean he won’t get a call-up sooner or later. We appreciate the transparency and the words of Gattuso; in the future, we’ll see.”
The Azzurri are ready to fly to Bosnia for the World Cup play-off Final, while the two line-ups that Gennaro Gattuso tested during a morning training session have been revealed.
Italy trained at Coverciano on Monday morning before leaving for Bosnia and Herzegovina, where tomorrow, Tuesday, March 31, they’ll play in the World Cup play-off Final.
The opening 15 minutes of today’s training session were open to the media, and, as reported by TMW, the Azzurri warmed up with a rondo before a test match.
Italy line-ups before World Cup play-off
Gattuso rotated the goalkeepers, and the line-ups at Coverciano were the following:
The white team, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean in attack, seems the most likely to start, although there should be a few tweaks: Gianluca Mancini in place of Giorgio Scalvini, Matteo Politano for Andrea Cambiaso, Manuel Locatelli for Bryan Cristante, and Nicolò Barella for Davide Frattesi.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Moise Kean of Italy is challenged by Ruairi McConville of Northern Ireland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
According to several sources, in fact, Gattuso seems unwilling to change the XI that beat Northern Ireland in the semis last week.
All the players trained on the pitch today, so Gattuso will have a full squad available for the game against Bosnia on Tuesday.
First part of Italy’s training session at Coverciano on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Yet, the Azzurri boss will name five players who will go to the stands on the morning of the game.
For last week’s semis against Northern Ireland, the likes of Elia Caprile, Diego Coppola, Andrea Cambiaso, Gianluca Scamacca and Nicolò Cambiaghi were not part of the squad list and didn’t even go to the bench.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Tottenham have issued an ultimatum to Roberto De Zerbi, giving the Italian tactician two days to respond to their offer.
Tottenham are in a hurry to reach an agreement with De Zerbi, who is available on the market after his contract with Marseille was terminated by mutual agreement in February.
Tottenham in a hurry for agreement with De Zerbi
De Zerbi is Tottenham’s leading target to replace Igor Tudor, who won just one of his seven games in charge, before leaving by mutual consent on Sunday.
Sky Sport’s Gianluca Di Marzio claimed the “next few hours” would be decisive in determining whether De Zerbi accepts Tottenham’s offer, while Gazzetta offers a more precise time frame.
According to the report, Tottenham have given De Zerbi 24-48 hours of time to respond to their offer.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Robert De Zerbi, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Just a few days ago, the Italian tactician seemed willing to wait until the start of the new season for a new club, but Tottenham’s persistence has made the ex-Sassuolo boss reconsider their offer.
Mateo Retegui is the Italy outfield player with the most minutes under Gennaro Gattuso, which helps explain why the coach is not expected to change the Azzurri’s attack in the World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Italy will visit Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off Final on Tuesday, March 31.
Retegui a regular Italy starter under Gattuso
Multiple sources in Italy claim that Gattuso won’t change the XI that beat Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semis last week. This means Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui will get the nod up front.
The latter has been criticised for missing a big chance in the second half of the Northern Ireland match, just minutes before Sandro Tonali’s opener.
Francesco Pio Esposito, on the other hand, had a big impact as a substitute, so the Inter talent was expected to challenge Retegui for a starting spot.
As TWM highlights, Gattuso’s trust in Retegui is well-explained by the striker’s stats under the new Italy coach.
Retegui, in fact, is the outfield player with the most minutes played since September, when Gattuso made his debut as La Nazionale’s boss.
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Mateo Retegui of Italy reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Since then, Retegui has played 525 minutes with the Azzurri, twice as many as Kean.
Retegui, a former Atalanta and Genoa star, has scored five goals and provided four assists in seven appearances under Gattuso.
MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 16: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Pio Esposito made his senior Italy debut under Gattuso this past September and has collected six appearances, two as a starter, and scored three goals.
Bologna are reportedly interested in Napoli-owned striker Lorenzo Lucca, who is expected to return to the Stadio Maradona from a six-month loan at Nottingham Forest.
Bologna have resumed their interest in Italian striker Lucca, according to Gazzetta.
The Rossoblu already targeted the ex-Udinese striker four years ago, and during the January transfer window.
Back in 2022, Lucca joined Ajax from Pisa despite an offer from the Stadio Dall’Ara, while last January, Forest made the most convincing offer to bring him on loan from Napoli.
According to Gazzetta, Bologna will be listening to offers for Thijs Dallinga next summer, and Lucca is one of the Dutchman’s possible replacements.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Lorenzo Lucca of Nottingham Forest scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on February 06, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Lucca has only scored one goal in seven appearances with Nottingham Forest since his loan move in the January window.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 06: Lorenzo Lucca embraces Igor Jesus of Nottingham Forest as Omari Hutchinson and Sean Dyche look on during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest at Elland Road on February 06, 2026 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
He had managed the same in 23 Napoli games in the first part of the campaign.
According to Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia and Rome-based ReteSport, exams conducted in Rome this morning have confirmed a muscle-tendon lesion that will sideline the Brazilian for four weeks.
Wesley is in his first season at the Stadio Olimpico, but has quickly become a key player for Gian Piero Gasperini, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 35 appearances across all competitions.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Wesley of AS Roma injured during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Roma are fighting for a Champions League spot and are currently level on 54 points with Juventus, three behind fourth-placed Como.
After the break, Roma will visit table leaders Inter at the Stadio Meazza in Milan, but over the next month, they’ll also play against Atalanta, Bologna, Fiorentina and Pisa.
Sky Sport Italia reports that Roberto De Zerbi is open to taking the Tottenham job immediately following Igor Tudor’s departure, but some Spurs fans have already voiced their discontent at the Italian’s possible appointment.
Former Sassuolo and Brighton coach De Zerbi is open to discussing a possible appointment with Tottenham to replace Igor Tudor.
The Croatian left the club by mutual consent on Sunday, and the North Londoners have made De Zerbi their primary target.
Tudor won just one of his seven games in charge at Tottenham, drawing once and losing five times.
Spurs are currently fighting for survival, being just one point above the drop zone in the Premier League.
According to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Di Marzio, De Zerbi is open to talks with Tottenham, who have outlined their long-term project to the Italian coach, including top-level signings, provided they remain in the Premier League.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Robert De Zerbi, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Di Marzio claims that the “next few hours will be decisive” to learn whether De Zerbi will accept the Tottenham offer.
De Zerbi’s possible appointment, however, has upset some Tottenham fans, who have urged the club to reconsider his hiring.
MADRID, SPAIN – SEPTEMBER 16: Robert De Zerbi, Head Coach of Olympique de Marseille, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Olympique de Marseille at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 16, 2025, in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
This was due to De Zerbi’s public defence of Mason Greenwood, whom he coached at Marseille from July 2024 until last February, when De Zerbi left the French club by mutual consent.
Tottenham fan groups, including Proud Lilywhites, Women of the Lane, and Spurs Reach, argued that De Zerbi minimised the severity of male violence, going against the club’s values.
Sport.es reports that Barcelona are determined to retain Robert Lewandowski, a target for Juventus and Milan, for one season and will offer the Poland international a new contract.
Barcelona ready to send contract offer to Lewandowski
Barcelona are set to offer their striker Lewandowski a new contract until 2027, according to Sport.es.
The 37-year-old’s current deal at the Camp Nou expires at the end of the season and the Spanish newspaper confirms he has attracted interest from Juventus and Milan in Serie A.
Reports from Italy last week claimed that Juventus had sent one of their representatives to watch the experienced centre-forward during the March break with the Poland national team.
Juventus are currently in talks to extend the contract of Dusan Vlahovic, but the Bianconeri will be looking for a new centre-forward regardless of the Serbian’s stay.
According to Sport.es, Lewandowski is still uncertain about his future at Barcelona and has taken time to consider his options.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 07: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and RCD Mallorca at Spotify Camp Nou on February 07, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images)
The striker’s representative has an excellent relationship with Barcelona, and so has Lewandowski.
Juventus and Milan aren’t the only clubs interested, as Lewandowski has also been targeted by Turkish clubs and Chicago Fire in the MLS, while the Barcelona star seems uninterested in a move to the Saudi Pro League.
According to Opta, Como are favourites to qualify for the Champions League this season, ahead of Juventus and Roma, with a 60.87% chance of finishing in the top four.
Como sit fourth in the Serie A table with eight games remaining and are also the favourite to earn a Champions League spot, according to Opta.
The Opta algorithm confirms the scenario outlined by statistics and the betting calculator website, Winsports Online.
According to Opta, via Tuttosport, Cesc Fabregas’ side has a 60.87% chance of qualifying for the Champions League this season, against Juventus’ 24.48% and Roma’s 17.15%.
Bianconeri and Giallorossi are both three points below Como in the Serie A table.
Tension is running high at Roma, where Gian Piero Gasperini’s future seems uncertain, mostly due to disagreements with the club director, Frederic Massara.
Gasperini did not talk to the media after a 1-0 win over Lecce before the March international break. Officially, Gasp remained silent because he had lost his voice during the match, but according to Gazzetta and other Italian media outlets, the Giallorossi boss was in no mood to face reporters’ questions.
Juventus seem to have improved their playing style and appear to have a clearer identity under Luciano Spalletti, yet the Bianconeri are still struggling for consistency, as shown by a recent 1-1 home draw against Sassuolo.
Fabregas’ Como, on the other hand, have won each of their last five league games and have a decent fixture list ahead with a home game against Inter and an away match at Napoli emerging as the most difficult encounters in the final stretch of the campaign.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 22: Como 1907 team line up during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and Pisa SC at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Opta has also made predictions for the title race, identifying a clear favourite for the Scudetto.
Inter have an 89.48% chance of lifting the title, compared to Milan’s 6.16% and Napoli’s 4.19%.
Cristian Chivu was suspended for a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina last week, so his assistant, Aleksandar Kolarov, led the team from the touchline and spoke to the media after the match.
“It wasn’t our best game and we are not in our best period of the season, but we are still six points clear at the top of the table, so it is all in our hands,” said the former defender.
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 22: Domilson Cordeiro dos Santos known as Dodo of ACF Fiorentina ina against Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and FC Internazionale at Artemio Franchi on March 22, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
“We are lacking some determination and perhaps sharpness too, as fatigue is accumulated over the many games. It is not our best spell of the season, we are used to seeing Inter dominate matches, but we are still six points clear and it is up to us to kill off the title race.”
Inter have collected only two points in their last three Serie A matches, but still have a six-point lead over second-placed Milan and seven points more than Napoli.
Rossoneri and Partenopei will meet at the Stadio Maradona after the March break.
Former Milan and Fiorentina midfielder Cristian Brocchi is happy with the attitude Italian players showed against Northern Ireland and feels the Azzurri won’t need ‘Baggio or Del Piero’ to qualify for the World Cup, regardless of a fiery atmosphere in Bosnia.
Brocchi enjoyed Italy’s attitude in World Cup play-off semifinal
Italy will fly to Bosnia today on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final against Edin Dzeko’s Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Brocchi, a two-time Champions League winner with Milan and a former teammate of Gennaro Gattuso, spoke about the upcoming Final in an interview with Sport Mediaset.
“I liked the personalities of the key players. They proved to be aware of the importance of the game. Hopefully, they can have the same attitude [in the Final],” he said via TMW.
BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Coach Gennaro Gattuso of Italy gesture during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)
“I think Gattuso has hit the right spots. I liked the press conference where he established the core values that became the foundations of success throughout our careers. Italy no longer has Baggio or Del Piero, but they have strong players for this match.”
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Fans of Italy show their support by holding up scarves in the stands prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“Everywhere’s the same. Everywhere you go, you find passionate fans,” Brocchi concluded.
“There’s everything at stake for both them and us. In Bergamo, we had an added value: the home fans. Now we must endure difficulties.”
The Italy national team will train at Coverciano this morning and fly from Florence to Bosnia in the afternoon, before Gennaro Gattuso’s pre-match press conference.
Italy are preparing for a massive World Cup play-off Final against Bosnia and Herzegovina, to be played at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31.
Italy’s plan on the eve of the World Cup play-off Final
As reported by Gazzetta, the Azzurri have slightly changed their plans on the eve of the game, as they’ll fly to Bosnia later than expected due to bad weather there.
Azzurri CT Gennaro Gattuso has decided to let his players train in Coverciano rather than on the heavy pitch at the Bilino Polje Stadium today.
Italy will train at their training centre on Monday morning, before leaving for Bosnia with a private flight at 16:30 CET (15:30 BST). The Nazionale is expected to arrive in Zenica at around 19:00 CET.
First part of Italy’s training session at Coverciano on Monday, March 23, 2026.
Once Gattuso and the players arrive at the venue for tomorrow’s match, they’ll undergo a pitch inspection, while the coach and captain, Gigio Donnarumma, will preview the Final at a pre-match press conference.
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