Milan are expected to sign a new centre-forward in the summer, and according to Corriere della Sera, the Rossoneri’s top ‘dream’ target is Robert Lewandowski.
Milan are determined to sign a new centre-forward for next season as Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic, Christopher Nkunku and January signing Niclas Fullkrug have failed to impress in the second part of the campaign.
According to Corriere della Sera (via Milannews), the Rossoneri’s top target is Barcelona star Lewandowski, whose contract with the La Liga giants expires at the end of the season.
Technically, Lewandowski is available on a free transfer, and even if his high salary at Nou Camp represents a substantial obstacle, the Rossoneri will continue to monitor the Polish striker’s situation at Barcelona over the coming weeks.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 28: Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team’s fourth goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Spotify Camp Nou on February 28, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
The Catalans are expected to offer Lewandowski a one-year contract extension, but the experienced striker hasn’t yet made up his mind about his future at the club.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
President Gabriele Gravina has published a report on the state of Italian football, along with a number of proposals to address the crisis, despite his recent resignation as FIGC President.
Gravina resigned as the FIGC President last week in the wake of Italy’s World Cup play-off exit.
Italy did win the 2020 Euros with Gravina at the helm of the football federation, but also failed to qualify for the World Cup on two occasions.
Gravina has already announced his resignation, but will remain in charge for ordinary administration until his successor is elected on June 22.
On Wednesday, Gravina posted a report he was supposed to present at the Italian parliament last week, but his hearing was cancelled following his resignation.
Gravina shared the document “with the hope that it may stimulate reflection and deeper analysis, including among those who, in recent days, have added their opinions to the already crowded group of those who believe they have the solution in their pocket.
“The critical issues of Italian football have been known for years and highlighted in numerous official documents, differing only in the statistical data that continue to worsen, confirming that these are largely structural deficiencies,” continued the outgoing FIGC President.
“If we truly want what is best for Italian football as a whole sporting movement, it is necessary to clarify the actual responsibilities of the Federation, the Leagues and public institutions. Too many inaccuracies, and at times outright falsehoods, fuel the search for the culprit, but above all, spread misconceptions.
“In my view, it is no coincidence that in areas of direct and exclusive federal responsibility (social and environmental sustainability, youth and school projects, development and training programs for national youth teams, to name a few), significant results have been achieved.
“Unlike in areas where the interests of the various stakeholders, and their respective autonomies, overlap to such an extent that they effectively paralyse the system.”
The actual report began with a list of well-known issues affecting Serie A and Italian football, including the number of players eligible for selection to the national team, the average age of Serie A players and the high percentage of foreign players in Italy’s top flight.
Gravina highlighted the lack of investment in youth sectors and that “Italy ranks 49th out of 50 leagues monitored for the percentage of minutes played by U21 players eligible for the national team, at just 1.9%.”
The document reinforced that “Serie A is not among the top 10 leagues for meters covered in a sprint” and that “the average ball speed (7.6 m/s) is much lower than the Champions League average (10.4) and that of other major European leagues (9.2).”
Gravina insisted that it is “impossible” to impose a minimum number of Italian players in Serie A as it would “violate principles of free movement of workers, which applies to football as a professional sport.”
Gravina’s proposals to fix Italian football
BOLOGNA, ITALY – JUNE 4: President Gabriele Gravina of the FIGC looks on during the international Friendly match between Italy and Turkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on June 4, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
He also highlighted that a tight fixture list has made it impossible to find a training window for the Italy national team outside the usual international breaks and complained about the lack of financial help from the Government.
Gravina said Italian football did not receive financial allocations, not even for the 2032 Euros, while other events organised in the country, such as the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the America’s Cup in Naples, and the Mediterranean Games in Taranto, “received multi-billion funding.”
Lastly, he reiterated his proposals, which he had previously tried to implement, regarding a percentage of betting revenues to be allocated to football, in order to develop youth players and infrastructures, a tax credit, and the reintroduction of a “preferential tax regime” for professionals coming from abroad, practically the famous Growth Decree.
Gravina also insisted that the ban on advertising and sponsorships by betting operators be lifted, and that supportive measures be taken to build new stadiums or renovate existing ones.
The FIGC President stressed that a technical redevelopment of Italian football at the youth level has already started under Maurizio Viscidi, focusing more on technique than on tactics.
Lastly, he insisted that it is necessary to reshape Serie A, B, C, and D and to launch a reform project for the refereeing sector.
“Without this strong and unanimous willingness to prioritise the common good over the defence of individual positions, and with politics creating the conditions and enabling the necessary tools for action, no single individual can achieve a true and complete revival of Italian football,” Gravina concluded.
Hakan Calhanoglu’s hug with Mircea Lucescu following Turkey’s win over Romania in March has gone viral in the wake of the Romanian coach’s passing at 80: ‘You did so much for me,’ wrote the Inter star.
The world of football is mourning legendary coach Lucescu, who died on Tuesday at age 80.
The former Inter and Brescia boss had taken charge of his last game just a few days earlier, seeing his Romania side lose 1-0 against Turkey in the World Cup play-off semifinal.
After the match, Inter star Calhanoglu warmly hugged his former national team coach.
Lucescu, in fact, had coached Turkey between 2017 and 2018, during which Calhanoglu scored one goal and provided one assist in 12 appearances.
Calhanoglu’s final hug with Lucescu has gone viral on social media, and even the Inter star shared it in his Instagram stories.
Calhanoglu’s hug with Lucescu
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MARCH 26: Mircea Lucescu, Head Coach of Romania, looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Türkiye and Romania at Besiktas Park on March 26, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images)
“We have lost not only a great coach, but also a person of great character,” wrote Calhanoglu.
“You did so much for me, and I will always remember you with respect and gratitude. Rest in peace, coach.”
Corriere della Sera reports that Milan have changed their transfer stance on Rafael Leao and are willing to consider offers of at least €50m in the summer.
Milan are reportedly ready to listen to offers worth at least €50m for their star striker, Rafael Leao.
The Portuguese has a €175m clause included in his contract, which was the asking price set by the Rossoneri in previous years.
BOLOGNA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 03: Rafael Leao of AC Milan during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and AC Milan at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on February 03, 2026 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)
However, according to Corriere della Sera (via Milannews), Leao’s unconvincing performances and physical problems this season have led the Rossoneri to change their strategy and set lower demands for the 26-year-old, who has scored 10 goals in 25 appearances across all competitions.
Leao made headlines for the wrong reasons in recent weeks, reacting angrily to a substitution during an away game at Lazio.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Rafael Leao of AC Milan looks dejected during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
The Portuguese missed the following match against Torino due to an injury and made a substitute appearance against Napoli on Monday.
Leao’s contract with Milan expires in June 2028. He has scored 80 goals and provided 64 assists in 285 appearances with the Rossoneri, winning the Serie A title in 2021-22.
Italy legend Andrea Pirlo bids farewell to his former Brescia and Inter coach Mircea Lucescu: ‘You raised me like a son, I’ll never stop thanking you.’
Italian legend Pirlo made his Serie A debut at Brescia in 1995, aged 16. Lucescu had been sacked by the Rondinelle a few months earlier but remained at the club as the technical director.
Pirlo made his Serie A debut under Lucescu’s assistant Adelio Moro with Brescia already relegated to Serie B.
“Thank you for everything, mister. I will never stop thanking you,” Pirlo wrote on Instagram, posting a picture of him hugging Lucescu.
Official: Andrea Pirlo is the new head coach of the Dubai-based United FC of the UAE first division.
“You raised me like a son, giving me the opportunity to challenge myself with others when I was very young. You taught me what it means to love this sport in all its details. I will never stop thanking you. Have a good trip, mister. Thank you, Mircea.”
A few years later, Pirlo played under Lucescu at Inter, making 16 appearances in the 1998-99 campaign.
The Nerazzurri have also paid tribute to their former coach with a message on social media.
GELSENKIRCHEN, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 25: Mircea Lucescu manager of Shakhtar Donetsk looks on prior to the UEFA Europa League round of 32 second leg match between FC Schalke 04 and Shakhtar Donetsk at Veltins-Arena on February 25, 2016 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. (Photo by Martin Rose/Bongarts/Getty Images)
Lucescu’s last game was just a few days ago, as he took charge of the Romanian national team in the World Cup play-off semi-final against Turkey, one of his former teams.
Dusan Vlahovic’s latest injury might mean the Serbia international finishes the season with the poorest record of his career, but according to Gazzetta, it may also give Juventus an advantage in contract negotiations.
What Vlahovic’s injury means for his Juventus future
Juventus star Vlahovic suffered a calf injury while warming up in the second half of Monday’s home Serie A match against Genoa and will be sidelined for at least three weeks.
The Serbian had undergone adductor surgery in December and had just returned to action after a four-month layoff.
In recent weeks, Juventus have continued negotiations to extend his contract beyond the summer as the striker’s current deal expires in June.
Just a few months ago, his stay in Turin seemed quite unlikely as the Serbian sought a salary close to €12m, the sum he’s earned in his final year at Juventus.
However, the Bianconeri’s confidence in a possible extension has increased recently.
No other club, in fact, seem willing to match Vlahovic’s current wages, and initial talks with other clubs such as Barcelona or Milan have led nowhere.
BELGRADE, SERBIA – OCTOBER 11: Dusan Vlahovic of Serbia reacts after a missed chance during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Serbia and Albania at Gradski stadion Dubocica on October 11, 2025 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
According to Gazzetta, the Bianconeri are only open to offering a one or two-year contract extension and a salary of €6-7m.
Juventus director Marco Ottolini said on Monday that he saw “mutual desire” to continue negotiations, and Gazzetta notes that Vlahovic’s injury will inevitably put the club in a stronger position.
TURIN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 04: Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium on November 04, 2025 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images)
Aside from the lack of offers from other clubs, Vlahovic will have few chances to show his worth in the final part of the season, for either club or country, given he won’t return to action for Juventus before May and that Serbia have not qualified for the World Cup.
Vlahovic has only scored three goals in Serie A this season, six across all competitions, marking the fewest ever recorded at a senior level.
Former Inter star Hernan Crespo is impressed by his compatriot and Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez: ‘He’s improved enormously, there were plenty of big clubs trying to lure him away…’
In the previous seven games without the Argentine on the field, the Nerazzurri had collected two wins, three draws and two defeats.
Crespo: ‘Plenty of big clubs’ wanted to sign Lautaro Martinez
“I’ve followed him since he was a kid. His first steps in Europe at Inter, an environment I know very well,” Crespo told Gazzetta.
“There were plenty of big clubs trying to lure him away, but he never wanted to detach himself from his love. That loyalty has made him an icon. Technically, tactically, physically, he’s improved enormously.”
Crespo, a former Argentina international, went on to say that Lautaro alone is worth half of Inter.
“The results say it. With him on the pitch, you win. Without him, you are at risk,” he insisted.
“Whenever the team has dipped, Lautaro hasn’t been in form or has been injured. He’s not just a finisher, he’s an example for his teammates.”
The Nerazzurri are the Serie A table leaders, and Lautaro is the top scorer in the league, but they were eliminated from the Champions League knockout play-off by Bodo/Glimt.
“Let me ask you something: was he playing in the return leg against Bodo? No,” noted Crespo.
“Lautaro is an asset for the team and a problem for the opponents. They never know how to mark him. He moves across the entire front line; he has precise shots from distance and inside the box; he’s lethal. Where do you find a more complete striker in Serie A? Who’s the top scorer right now? It’s him. Who’s the striker defenders fear the most? It’s him. So, what are we even talking about?”
Inter have a seven-point lead over second-placed Napoli with seven games remaining. The Nerazzurri visit Cesc Fabregas’ Como next week.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I thought Inter were the strongest team in Italy, and they are proving it,” Crespo concluded.
“Mind you, it wasn’t that obvious. In the summer, they changed coaches, methods, and tweaked things tactically as well. There were a few stumbles, but in the long run, they’ve shown they’re the best.”
Crespo, 50, scored 153 goals in 340 Serie A matches. He played for Inter, Milan, Lazio, Parma and Genoa in Italy’s top-flight.
Former Italy and Juventus winger Emanuele Giaccherini is confident that Antonio Conte will ‘bring the Azzurri back to the World Cup’ if he’s appointed as the new coach.
Giaccherini played under Conte at Juventus and the Italy national team and feels the Napoli boss is the ideal replacement for Gennaro Gattuso after the Azzurri failed to qualify for the World Cup for the third time in a row.
“He’s the leader to rely on in difficulties. He prepares his players like soldiers for a battle, exactly what is needed now,” the ex-Italy winger told Gazzetta.
“Conte has a way of working that gets under your skin. If you follow him, you grow. And for him, players give everything they’ve got. He knows ot to create a unique bond with the group.”
Giaccherini said Conte showed the same mindset for either club or country.
“His attitude was exactly the same. He manages to get his ideas across very quickly. On the pitch, you always know what to do; you’ve practised it a thousand times in training, to the point of exhaustion,” the ex-winger said.
“And the workload…I remember sessions at Coverciano where we were throwing up. We needed oxygen masks to get through the end. We’d leave completely drained.
“The sessions were brutal, but on the pitch, we were flying. He told us that performing well was our mission and that we had to be soldiers ready for a battle. We didn’t have superstars, but our hunger made the difference.
“He’s the best. He’ll take us back to the World Cup,” concluded Giaccherini.
“He’s already shown he can do well with the national team. His track record says it all: he rebuilt Juventus, Inter and Napoli. And he would do the same with Italy, now more than ever.”
Antonio Conte has emerged as the top choice to become the new Italy national team coach, with backing from FIGC presidential candidates Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete, reports Gazzetta.
Napoli coach Conte is the leading candidate to replace Gennaro Gattuso as Italy’s national team coach.
Why Conte is favourite to become new Italy coach
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Partenopei boss has the backing from Malagò and Abete, who are expected to be among the candidates for the FIGC Presidency.
The new president of the Italian FA will only be voted on June 22, so the next two Azzurri games, played earlier that month, will be managed by a caretaker coach.
Gazzetta wrote on its front page on Wednesday that both Abete and Malagò see Conte as the ideal option to lead the Azzurri towards qualification for Euro 2028 and beyond.
Currently, not all the candidates for the FIGC Presidency have been disclosed, and neither Malagò, 67, nor Abete, 75, have officially confirmed that they’ll run for the role.
However, according to multiple reports, both are among the leading contenders, despite rumours that Azzurri legends Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Del Piero and Demetrio Albertini might be involved in the race for the presidency.
NAPLES, ITALY – JANUARY 28: Antonio Conte, Head Coach of SSC Napoli, reacts from the technical area during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SSC Napoli and Chelsea FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on January 28, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images)
Currently, Roberto Mancini and Massimiliano Allegri are the main alternatives to Conte, reports Gazzetta.
There were familiar Serie A faces at the Bernabeu on Tuesday as Como coach Cesc Fabregas and Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero crossed paths during Real Madrid-Bayern Munich.
Como coach Fabregas and Juventus legend Del Piero met at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid last night.
Fabregas was in the stands to watch the Champions League quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Bayern, while Del Piero was on the sidelines to comment on the game as a pundit for Sky Sport Italia.
BERGAMO, ITALY – DECEMBER 10: Former football player Alessandro Del Piero looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD6 match between Atalanta BC and Real Madrid C.F. at Stadio di Bergamo on December 10, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The Italian broadcasters showed the picture of the meeting between Fabregas and Del Piero, who witnessed the Bavarians’ 2-1 victory.
Picture: Fabregas and Del Piero meet during Real Madrid vs. Bayern Munich
Italy coach: Antonio is here. Green light from Napoli.
De Laurentiis: ‘If he asks me to go…’ He’s the right man also for Malagò and Conte
Milan: Gimenez and two wingers (one is Leao). Allegri is looking for goals.
Farewell, Lucescu: a visionary coach who brought his footballers to the museum.
Corriere dello Sport
Without Carlo, it’s not Real
Champions, quarter-final first leg: Bayern win in Madrid (1-2).
A nightmare season for Perez after parting ways from Ancelotti: He’s -7 from Barcelona in La Liga and now risks being eliminated from Europe. Arbeloa at the finishing line: Diaz and Kane decide. Useless Mbappé goal. Arsenal’s coup: Sporting beaten (0-1).
Here’s the scandal
Poor national team
First round after the 3rd World Cup shock: the numbers of the crisis
Only 64 Italian starters out of 220.
Serie A restarted with 70.9% of foreign players. A worrying mismatch, even including substitutions: 28 domestic footballers and 66 foreigners. The ex-CT Spalletti: ‘One U19 always on the pitch.’
‘Napoli worthy of the Scudetto’
The title race with Inter in seven rounds
DeLa: ‘There’s a little hope, we would have won without injuries.’ Fixture lists compared: Como is the first danger for Chivu.
Juve: Vlahovic returns in May
Calf lesion and at least three weeks out: he’ll miss Atalanta, Bologna and Milan. Back with Verona.
Farewell, Mircea, the Italian of Bucarest.
Tuttosport
Now Spalletti’s moves are needed
McKennie out, Vlahovic’s loss, Champions League priority: inscrutable Juve
Shocked by the highs and lows of his players, who still moved one point behind the fourth spot. Lucio must invent something for the final part of the season. The Texan is suspended against Atalanta. The Serbian is injured for three more weeks, raising further doubts about the renewal. Nunez emerges again, and the dream is to have reinforcements with personality. Di Gregorio returns as a starter and gets emotional.
Conte CT? Go ahead!
The Napoli owner is open, but with an exception: ‘Antonio is intelligent, I don’t think he’d accept offers without a serious interlocutor.’ Hypothesis of a double appointment.
Bayern gift a Real show, Arsenal coup
A stroke took Lucescu away from us
The visionary globetrotter
He has coached everywhere and invented the match analysis. Culture, friendliness, 36 trophies and UEFA Cup with Shakhtar.
Newcastle have reportedly scouted Jan Ziółkowski several times this season, with Polish sources claiming that the Roma defender is considering ‘every step’ in the summer, ‘including leaving.’
Premier League side Newcastle United have shown interest in Polish defender Ziółkowski, who is about to terminate his first season in Serie A at Roma.
Newcastle target Ziółkowski considers Roma exit
According to the Polish media outlet Sport.pl, several clubs have scouted the 20-year-old this season, including Newcastle and others from Italy, France, and the Netherlands.
Ziółkowski, however, has been struggling with playing time in recent weeks, making his last Serie A appearance as a starter in a 2-0 win over Lecce on January 6.
Since then, the U21 Poland international has only played five Serie A games as a substitute under Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
ROME, ITALY – NOVEMBER 27: Jan Ziolkowski and his mate Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma in action during the warm up before the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between AS Roma and FC Midtjylland at Stadio Olimpico on November 27, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
During the international break in March, Ziolkowski was not involved in Poland’s World Cup play-off games against Albania and Sweden, as his national team failed to qualify for the competition.
ATHENS, GREECE – JANUARY 29: Jan Ziolkowski of AS Roma celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Panathinaikos FC and AS Roma at Spyros Louis on January 29, 2026 in Athens, Greece. (Photo by Milos Bicanski/Getty Images)
“The national team is very important to Janek, just like playing for Roma,” a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Sport.pl.
“He wanted to help the national team in the play-offs, but due to his lack of club play, that wasn’t possible. Playing for the club is crucial in this context.
“We’re considering every step that will lead to Janek playing. Including leaving.”
Ziółkowski’s Roma contract runs out in June 2030.
The Polish centre-back has scored one goal in 19 Roma appearances this season.
Swiss referee Sandro Schärer has been appointed for Bologna-Aston Villa in the Europa League, while the Lithuanian Donatas Rumšas will oversee Crystal Palace-Fiorentina in the Conference League.
UEFA has appointed referees for the upcoming Europa League and Conference League quarter-final first-leg ties.
Serie A has just two representatives remaining in European competitions: Bologna will host Aston Villa at the Stadio Dall’Ara on Thursday, while Fiorentina will face another Premier League side, Crystal Palace, playing the first leg away in London.
MUNICH, GERMANY – DECEMBER 09: Referee Sandro Schärer reacts during the UEFA Champions League Group A stage match between FC Bayern Muenchen and Lokomotiv Moskva at Allianz Arena on December 09, 2020 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
The referee appointed for Bologna-Aston Villa is Sandro Schärer, 37, who was also in charge of Atalanta’s 4-0 defeat against PSG in the opening Champions League game of the season.
Stéphane De Almeida and Jonas Erni will be Schärer’s assistants at the Dall’Ara, with Fedayi San appointed as VAR.
Fiorentina’s away game at Crystal Palace will be refereed by Donatas Rumšas, who will cross paths with a Serie A club for the first time this season.
The assistants will be Aleksandr Radius, Dovydas Saziedelis, and Rob Dieperink, who will take charge of VAR.
Milan star Christian Pulisic hasn’t yet scored a goal for club and country in 2026.
Pulisic still scoreless in 2026
The 27-year-old had a strong start to the campaign at a club level, netting eight times and providing two assists in 11 Serie A appearances.
However, in the following 13 Serie A games, all played in 2026, Pulisic has only provided one assist and hasn’t yet scored a goal.
The American star has not been fully fit since the start of the year, playing the full 90 minutes just three times and making five appearances as a substitute.
MILAN, ITALY – DECEMBER 28: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan looks on during the Serie A match between AC Milan and Hellas Verona FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Back in February, he missed one Serie A match against Bologna due to bursitis and has been far from his usual standards since.
During the latest international break in March, he made two appearances with the USMNT but, yet again, failed to score in defeats to Belgium and Portugal.
NAPLES, ITALY – APRIL 06: Matteo Politano of SSC Napoli during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 06, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Last night, he was involved as a substitute for Milan in the final 15 minutes during an away 1-0 loss at Napoli.
The defeat, the fourth in Serie A for Milan this season, left the Rossoneri third in the standings, nine points below leaders Inter.
Juventus’ third-choice goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio helped his teammate Michele Di Gregorio save a penalty in the second half of a 2-0 win over Genoa, passing him a note detailing the various penalty-taking styles of Genoa’s players.
Juventus goalkeeper Pinsoglio contributed to a 2-0 win over Genoa on Monday despite not even being involved in the match.
As reported by DAZN, the third-choice Juventus keeper, in fact, ran all the way towards Di Gregorio between the sticks while Genoa’s Martin was preparing to take a penalty, passing his teammate a note with insight into how each Genoa player usually takes penalties.
The note said that number 3, Martin, a left-footer, would take the penalty to his left and Di Gregorio dived the right way to deny the Spaniard.
Di Gregorio had been introduced as a substitute in the second half to replace the injured Mattia Perin.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Michele Di Gregorio of Juventus celebrates victory at full-time following the the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Di Gregorio had been subject to severe criticism in previous months and had lost his starting spot since mid-February.
Juventus provided injury updates on Vlahovic and Perin on Tuesday.
Official Juventus injury updates: Vlahovic and Perin
Both players had sustained injuries during a 2-0 win over Genoa on Monday.
Perin was replaced at halftime, while Vlahovic was not even involved as he sustained an injury during the warm-up in the second half, while preparing to come on as a substitute.
“During the warm up carried out in the second half of the match against Genoa, Dusan Vlahovic suffered an issue with his left calf,” Juventus said in a statement.
Vlahovic had just returned to action after being sidelined for four months. The Serbia international underwent surgery due to an adductor injury in December and only made one substitute appearance since his return, playing for barely ten minutes.
According to Sky Sport Italia, this latest injury setback will force Vlahovic out of action for 20 to 30 days.
“Mattia Perin, who was substituted at half-time in yesterday’s match due discomfort in his right calf, also underwent tests that did not show any lesion,” Juventus continued.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli and Mattia Perin of Juventus embrace after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
“His condition will be assesed on a day-to-day-basis.”
Juventus added that Vasilije Adzic, who had suffered a right ankle injury while on U21 Montenegro international duty, is continuing his recovery.
Perin and Vlahovic underwent medical tests at the J Medical in Turin this morning. Both had sustained suspected muscle injuries during Juventus’ 2-0 win over Genoa yesterday.
Perin started the match but was subbed off at halftime due to a calf problem, while Vlahovic wasn’t even involved after suffering an injury during warm-up and returned to the dressing room during the match.
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Manuel Locatelli and Mattia Perin of Juventus embrace after the Serie A match between Juventus FC and US Sassuolo Calcio at Allianz Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Perin and Vlahovic briefly met with Juventus fans before and after leaving the club-owned clinic on Tuesday, and the Serie A giants will release medical updates shortly.
Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich admits he’s ‘not happy’ with Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination: ‘But you won the European Championship, you can’t forget it.’
Bayern Munich midfielder Kimmich replied to a question from Sky Sport Italia about the state of Italian football.
Kimmich tells Italy: ‘Don’t forget’ about the Euros
Bayern Munich eliminated Atalanta in the Champions League Round of 16 and will play away at Real Madrid in the quarter-finals tonight.
“Italy have missed out on three World Cups, but in between, you won a European Championship,” Kimmich said via TMW.
“You can’t forget it, we haven’t won it,” he continued.
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – NOVEMBER 19: Joshua Kimmich of Germany reacts during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A3 match between Hungary and Germany at on November 19, 2024 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
“In the last decade, we [Germany] have only won one Confederations Cup. Perhaps I’m not the right person to answer this, but obviously, I always hope you play in the World Cup and the Euros. Italy is a great country, with excellent players who I’d love to see at a World Cup, so I’m not happy with how it went.”
Italy have last played in the World Cup in 2014 and have not played a knockout game in the competition since 2006, when they went on to win the title, beating France in the final on penalties.
MUNICH, GERMANY – APRIL 08: Joshua Kimmich of Bayern Munich is challenged by Nicolo Barella of FC Internazionale during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Bayern München and FC Internazionale Milano at Fussball Arena Muenchen on April 08, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Brazil, with five titles, is the only country to have won more World Cups than Italy and Germany, both of which have lifted the coveted trophy four times in their history.
Following Italy’s World Cup play-off Final defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina last week, both FIGC President Gabriele Gravina and Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso have resigned.
Nicolò Pisilli’s rise at Roma has earned him a senior call-up for the March World Cup play-off, and with growing excitement around the Azzurri, the 21-year-old is shaping up to be a future regular starter.
The Roma midfielder made his Azzurri debut in October 2024 under Luciano Spalletti, but to date, that remains his only senior international appearance.
The adrenaline of an international match further boosts the experience of playing Rocketplay online, bringing on an added sense of excitement that mirrors the intensity and passion seen on the pitch.
Italy U21 coach Silvio Baldini could do anything but smile when he learned that Pisilli had earned a call-up to the senior Azzurri team for the crucial World Cup play-off.
Both Pisilli and Cagliari’s Marco Palestra were promoted to Italy’s first team, a source of pride for the Azzurrini.
“It is a success for us that they have been promoted to the senior squad, because it means we contributed to their growth process,” Baldini said.
“I spoke to Gattuso and Gigi Buffon over the last few days; they are accustomed to this kind of stress, having played in the biggest tournaments. They know there is a big responsibility on their shoulders, but we are all behind them, and I don’t think there’s anyone better with which to achieve qualification.”
Pisilli impressed with the Azzurrini, scoring five times in 19 appearances.
His performances at a club level have been just as good this season as the Roma academy product has scored three goals and provided two assists in 26 appearances across all competitions.
The 21-year-old is also lucky enough to train with some of his role models while on international duty with Italy.
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli with his teammates of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
“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,” he said last week.
“We’re a very strong group. Everyone here is really strong; they wouldn’t be here.
“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.”
ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Niccolo Pisilli of AS Roma celebrates with his teammate Kostas Tsimikas after scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between AS Roma and VfB Stuttgart at Stadio Olimpico on January 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
A complete central midfielder, Pisilli can operate in many areas in the middle of the park, from holding midfielder to box-to-box or even No.10.
Given his role models, Tonali and Barella, Pisilli will be looking to emulate the Azzurri stars and become a midfielder who can make an impact at both ends, and in just a few years, he might be playing alongside them in the Italy midfield.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Roma coach Gian Piero Gasperini is under scrutiny, while contract talks with five players, including Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante, have been put on hold.
Roma suffered a heavy 5-2 loss away at Inter on Sunday night, dropping to sixth, four points behind fourth-placed Como.
Italian sources, including Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Messaggero, claim that Gasperini’s future at the Stadio Olimpico is uncertain and will depend on results in the final part of the campaign.
Roma’s main target is to qualify for the Champions League this season, but their recent poor form, with three defeats in the last five league matches, has enabled direct rivals Como and Juventus to gain an advantage in the standings.
According to Gazzetta, Gasperini isn’t the only one under scrutiny, as Roma owners are also assessing some of the team’s most experienced players, such as Mancini and Cristante.
Both footballers’ contracts expire in 2027, and according to the report, talks have been put on hold, with the club assessing their transfer strategy for next season.
ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 22: Evan Ndicka with his teammate Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Cremonese at Stadio Olimpico on February 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Likewise, talks with Paulo Dybala, Zeki Celik and Stephan El Shaarawy are on hold, with the trio potentially heading for a summer exit, as their contracts run out at the end of the season.
According to Gazzetta, there have been initial talks between the Giallorossi and Lorenzo Pellegrini’s entourage, but negotiations are far from advanced.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 22: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AS Roma and US Lecce at Stadio Olimpico on March 22, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images)
In the meantime, fans seem to have lost patience, and Gazzetta reports they’ll stage a protest against the team and Gasperini during the next Serie A home match against Pisa.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis admits he’d allow Antonio Conte to become the Italy national team coach and backs Giovanni Malagò to become the new FIGC President: ‘The perfect person.’
Napoli President De Laurentiis admits he’s open to letting Conte leave at the end of the season to become the Italy national team coach.
“If Antonio asked me, I think I’d say yes,” De Laurentiis told reporters (via Gazzetta) in Los Angeles, where the documentary on Napoli’s fourth Scudetto premiered on Monday.
“But given that he [Conte] is very intelligent, until there isn’t a serious interlocutor and, until now, there haven’t been many, he’d resist imagining himself as the chief of something that is entirely disorganised,” ADL added.
Conte has emerged as one of the leading candidates to become the new Italy national team coach.
However, the FIGC won’t hire a replacement for Gennaro Gattuso until the end of June, given that a new President will be elected on June 22.
VERONA, ITALY – FEBRUARY 28: Antonio Conte head coach of SSC Napoli 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)
FIGC President Gabriele Gravina resigned following Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination last week, and so did coach Gattuso.
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 26: Aurelio De Laurentiis, President of SSC Napoli, celebrates the victory of Serie A TIM during the SSC Napoli Trophy Parade on May 26, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
De Laurentiis also confirmed Giovanni Malagò is his favourite candidate to become the new FIGC President.
“He’s the perfect person to first serve as a commissioner and then as the President of a new Federation,” concluded the Napoli owner.
Como pull the brake, Atalanta score three and see Europe
Inter, Conte remains
Chivu goes +7 over Napoli (who eliminate Milan)
Lautaro wakes the Nerazzurri up. The Scudetto is closer. Decisive Politano at the Maradona. Allegri: ‘Title? Now it’s gone.’
Antonio calls the national team: ‘If I were the president, I would consider myself.’
Lady, here you are!
-1 from the Champions. Spalletti: ‘Juve, I don’t understand you.’ Vlahovic injured again.
Corriere dello Sport
Milan beaten too
Antonio wins 1-0 and surpasses Allegri: he’s the only rival of the dominant Inter.
Conte keeps it alive
Scudetto: Napoli are -7 from Lautaro
Fourth consecutive win and second spot. Politano is introduced and decides the game. Seven rounds remaining. On Sunday the Fab4 in Parma and Chivu in Como.
Cesc, Juve incoming
Spalletti knocks Genoa down (2-0): -1 from Como, held at Udine (0-0).
Game closed in 17 minutes: Bremer and McKennie score. Champions League race: Lucio gets closer to Fabregas (fourth) and flies +3 over Roma. Di Gregorio replaces Perin (injured) in the second half and saves a penalty from Martin.
Dan has decided: trust in Gasp, but the team must be rebuilt
Roma must be remade: Friedkin’s order
Benevento celebrate: back to Serie B
Tuttosport
Conte doesn’t let Inter go
Without real strikers, the coach of the Italian champions manages to unlock a dull game: 5th consecutive win and overtaking for the second spot; even if with Lautaro and Calhanoglu’s returns, Chivu seems to have put his hands on the Scudetto.
Juve, Champions jump
-1 from Como with Bremer, McKennie and DiGregorio
Fabregas’ team held in Udine. The Bianconeri crush Genoa with a good first half, but the second half infuriates him: ‘We were walking…’ Perin injured, the former starting goalkeeper flies on the penalty and Martin’s rebound, receiving everyone’s hug. Muscle problem for Vlahovic too.
Login
(@MEGA_MAG__) 
