Juventus earned a significant victory away to Atalanta in this head-to-head for Champions League places, moving to within three points of Milan thanks to Jeremie Boga’s goal.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

This was a head-to-head for Champions League places, as only four points separated them going into this weekend. La Dea missed Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana, with Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori still not at 100 per cent. The Bianconeri were without suspended Weston McKennie, injured Dusan Vlahovic, Vasilije Adzic and Mattia Perin, so Michele Di Gregorio took back the gloves, saving a penalty last week as a substitute. Luciano Spalletti celebrated signing a new contract to 2028.

Atalanta were unbeaten against Juve since the Coppa Italia Final in May 2024, winning two of the last four meetings, including a 3-0 Coppa Italia quarter-final victory in February this year.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Nicola Zalewski’s angled drive flashed across the face of goal and moments later Giorgio Scalvini went even closer with a header on a free kick that bounced off the inside of the upright.

The visitors were pinned back into their own half for long periods, but defended in numbers to charge down Davide Zappacosta and Nikola Krstovic efforts.

Lloyd Kelly saw his header deflected wide and Charles De Ketelaere couldn’t keep his attempt on target when leaping over Andrea Cambiaso to meet Lorenzo Bernasconi’s cross.

Juve created a chance on the stroke of half-time, as Boga’s slide-rule pass sent Pierre Kalulu clear on goal, but Marco Carnesecchi was quick off his line with some brave goalkeeping.

Atalanta threatened too in stoppages, the acrobatic Krstovic volley inches wide from six yards on a corner.

It was Juventus who scored straight after the restart at the end of a chaotic move. Boga was blocked off from tapping in the return Francisco Conceicao pass, but it continued and Carnesecchi flapped at an Emil Holm cross, which Scalvini accidentally knocked down into the path of Boga to fire in from seven yards, deflected off the Atalanta goalkeeper.

The hosts fought back, Di Gregorio clawing a Berat Djimsiti header off the line from close range on a corner, then Giacomo Raspadori’s strike deflected just over from the edge of the area.

It should’ve been 2-0 on 68 minutes when Holm shrugged off Sead Kolasinac to set up Khephren Thuram, but the midfielder ballooned over from 12 yards.

Zappacosta prodded wide on the De Ketelaere pull-back from the right, with Djimsiti’s effort deflected wide.

Atalanta had penalty appeals when Zappacosta’s cross struck Federico Gatti, but the arm was in a natural position and he tried to pull it back at the last second. On the resulting corner, Gianluca Scamacca’s header grazed the crossbar.

Di Gregorio was also at full stretch on a Scalvini cross-shot at the near post and Scamacca nodded wide in stoppages.

Atalanta 0-1 Juventus

Boga 48 (J)

11-04-2026 19:45

MatchDay 32

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Juventus

0 - 1

Player statistic

2nd half

		48'		Jeremie Boga
Charles De Ketelaere		66'
		69'		Khéphren Thuram
		73'		Andrea Cambiaso
		84'		Filip Kostic

Match statistic

55

Possession %

45

22

Total shots

7

3

Shots on target

2

11

Shots off target

3

8

Blocked shots

2

13

Corners

2

3

Offsides

1

7

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Juventus

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

86'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

72'

13

Éderson

Midfielder

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

72'

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

55'

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

73'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

79'

3

Bremer

Defender

2

Emil Holm

Defender

71'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

71'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

79'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

58'

Substitutes

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

40

Relja Obric

Defender

46

Sergej Levak

99

Piotr Pardel

Goalkeeper

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

55'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

72'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

72'

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

73'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

86'

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

14

Arkadiusz Milik

Attacker

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

51

Riccardo Radu

Goalkeeper

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

58'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

71'

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

71'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

79'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

79'

Juventus director Giorgio Chiellini celebrates Luciano Spalletti’s new contract to June 2028 and admits Jeremie Boga will ‘probably’ be bought outright from Olympique Marseille.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The trip to Atalanta kicks off at the New Balance Arena at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Spalletti officially signed a new contract to June 2028, so will remain at the helm whether they qualify for the Champions League or not.

Chiellini planning Juventus future

“I’ve been telling you for weeks and even months that it wouldn’t be an issue, so I’m glad you don’t have to ask me about his contract anymore,” smiled Chiellini on Sky Sport Italia and DAZN Italia.

“It was something that had been predicted, maybe not taken for granted as such, but the natural conclusion to this process we’ve had since he arrived. Now we’ll play these last few games of the season and then have time to plan the future together.”

The fight for a top four finish is wide open, as before Como take on leaders Inter, there is this head-to-head, while Roma already beat Pisa 3-0 last night.

“We are not that interested in Milan’s result, we are focused on what we need to do, as there are others like Atalanta, Como and Roma who are our direct competitors. It might be a fight to the final minute of the final game, so head to head clashes like the one tonight could be decisive, as there isn’t much time left to recover lost ground,” added Chiellini.

“Atalanta are a strong team who are having great results and have the added bonus of home advantage this evening.”

Juve are forced to do without Joker in the pack Weston McKennie, as the versatile American is suspended, while Dusan Vlahovic, Vasilije Adzic and Mattia Perin are on the treatment table.

Boga is chosen as the False 9 rather than Jonathan David tonight, so does this suggest Juve will buy him outright from Olympique Marseille for €4.8m plus add-ons??

“He settled in very well and has an accessible price point, so we’ll evaluate at the end of the season, but obviously we’d be very happy to keep him. It is probable his future will be with Juventus.”

Atalanta are unbeaten against Juventus since the May 2024 Coppa Italia Final, winning two of their last four competitive meetings.

The most recent was here in February, as La Dea ran out 3-0 winners in the Coppa Italia quarter-final.

“Our strategy is aimed at getting competitive to win over the next few years. The Champions League qualification would change a few things, but we’ll evaluate that when the time comes.”

Atalanta director Luca Percassi hints that coach Raffaele Palladino will be given a contract extension after getting them back into the race for the top four as they host Juventus.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

It had seemed impossible for La Dea to dream of the top four when Palladino took over from Ivan Juric in November, but they have surged up the standings, as well as reaching the Coppa Italia semi-final and Champions League Round of 16.

A win here would put them within a point of both Juventus and Roma, awaiting Como’s big game with Inter, while Milan lost 3-0 to Udinese and put third place up for grabs too.

Atalanta revitalised by Palladino

“We care a great deal about Serie A, obviously the points mean more at this stage of the season, and we hope to do well against big opponents,” Percassi told Sky Sport Italia.

Luciano Spalletti just signed a new contract with Juventus to June 2028, so do Atalanta intend on rewarding Palladino with a similar agreement?

“We have a very good rapport with the coach, we already talked about it, he is very happy to be with Atalanta. However, we had so many games to play that we decided to postpone talks for a few weeks.”

Palladino oversaw 12 victories, four draws and four defeats in Serie A.

Champions League qualification would be a significant financial boost, so does that change their transfer strategy?

“The club wants to have a competitive squad, so we’ll ponder every decision we make and try to do things well. We know there’s a lot of competition, but the fans are right behind us and create a unique atmosphere, so this remains a good place to work,” replied Percassi.

Isak Hien was already ruled out, but Kamaldeen Sulemana is also sent to the stands after suffering a bruised foot in training.

Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori are still working their way back to full fitness after injuries.

Milan were humiliated 3-0 at home by a clinical Udinese, as the change to the 4-3-3 formation failed to pay off and now even third place is at serious risk.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Rossoneri were ruled out of the Scudetto race by defeat to Napoli, so needed to look anxiously over their shoulders instead. Max Allegri revamped his tactics from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3 with Rafael Leao returning as a centre-forward, Samuele Ricci and Zachary Athekame stepping in. Kienan Davis returned from suspension for Udinese, but Adam Buksa, Jordan Zemura and Alessandro Zanoli were all carrying injuries.

See how it unfolded on the Liveblog.

Nicolò Zaniolo tested Mike Maignan on the counter-attack in the third minute, while Christian Pulisic went on a slalom through defenders until his finish was charged down, then Rafael Leao fired just over when sent through by Alexis Saelemaekers.

Leao was booked for sarcastically applauding the referee after he went down in a tussle with his marker and the foul went against him for flailing an arm.

It was Udinese who opened the scoring when Zaniolo went on a rapid counter-attack, shrugging off attempted Saelemaekers and Strahinja Pavlovic tackles, spreading it down the right for Arthur Atta, whose cross took a big deflection off Davide Bartesaghi to wrong-foot Maignan.

There was a lack of communication when Pulisic floated a ball to the back post for Saelemaekers, but Leao went for the acrobatic volley instead and ruined the chance for his teammate.

Moments later, Pulisic dribbled into the box only to drill inches wide, but Udinese nearly had a second when Davis shrugged off Pavlovic only for Maignan to palm the strike onto the crossbar from a tricky angle down the left.

The Friulani did double their lead when Zaniolo whipped in a wonderful cross from the right that found Jurgen Ekkelenkamp to nod in at the back post between two Milan defenders.

It really should’ve been 3-0 in first half stoppages when Leao lost it cheaply to spark the counter-attack, Kamara rolled across from the left for Davis, denied by a desperate Pavlovic tackle, then Davis accidentally deflected the Thomas Kristensen follow-up from seven yards, so Bartesaghi could clear off the line.

Milan were jeered off the pitch by their fans and Allegri made a radical change, introducing Niclas Fullkrug for Athekame, moving Saelemaekers to right-back.

They poured forward, as first Maduka Okoye got down to push a Luka Modric daisy-cutter round the post, then on the resulting corner he flew to palm the Saelemaekers half-volley onto the underside of the crossbar.

Fullkrug’s header was off target and Pavlovic’s diving header only hit the side-netting from a Ricci cross, while Adrien Rabiot needed a crucial sliding tackle to prevent Zaniolo finishing off an Atta assist.

Youssouf Fofana came on and fired straight at Okoye, but it was Udinese who proved far more clinical on another counter, as Atta drilled low into the near bottom corner for 3-0, surprising Koni De Winter.

Maignan had to make a save moments later to deny the Davis left-foot strike, but the Udinese striker sustained a muscular injury and looked distraught as he limped off.

Leao was jeered loudly off the pitch as he was substituted late on, as the crowd was increasingly irritated with his performance, but Udinese love playing at San Siro, having already beaten Inter here this season.

Milan 0-3 Udinese

Bartesaghi og 27 (U), Ekkelenkamp 37 (U), Atta 71 (U)

11-04-2026 17:00

MatchDay 32

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Milan

Udinese

0 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

Rafael Leão		16'
		27'		Davide Bartesaghi
		37'		Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (Assist: Nicolò Zaniolo)

2nd half

		46'		Thomas Kristensen
		71'		Arthur Atta (Assist: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp)

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

20

Total shots

12

3

Shots on target

6

8

Shots off target

4

9

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

3

9

Fouls

14

Milan

Udinese

Starting lineups

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

46'

12

Adrien Rabiot

Midfielder

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

72'

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

60'

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

72'

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

77'

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

11

Hassane Kamara

Defender

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

14

Arthur Atta

Midfielder

85'

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

86'

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

66'

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

2

Pervis Estupiñán

Defender

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

9

Niclas Füllkrug

Attacker

46'

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

60'

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

72'

30

Ardon Jashari

Midfielder

72'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

77'

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

66'

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

76'

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

85'

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

86'

Jeremie Boga, Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao hope to inspire Juventus against Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere and Nikola Krstovic in a battle for Champions League places.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is a head-to-head for top four ambition, as a victory would put Atalanta just one point behind both the Bianconeri and Roma, who won yesterday, all of them closing in on Como.

Juventus are forced into changes, because Weston McKennie is suspended following the 2-0 win over Genoa, plus Dusan Vlahovic, Vasilije Adzic and Mattia Perin out injured.

Michele Di Gregorio returns to goal, having saved a penalty last week to restore his confidence, with Conceicao and Yildiz supporting striker Boga, facing his former club.

Emil Holm takes over from McKennie in a wide right role.

Luciano Spalletti is celebrating the signing of a new contract to remain as Juventus coach until 2028.

Atalanta are climbing up the standings and their only absentees are Isak Hien and Kamaldeen Sulemana, so Berat Djimsiti completes the back three today.

Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori are still not at 100 per cent, so Nikola Krstovic is supported by De Ketelaere and Nicola Zalewski.

Atalanta have a surprisingly strong recent record against Juve, unbeaten since the Coppa Italia Final in May 2024, emerging with two big wins and two draws.

That includes eliminating the Bianconeri from the Coppa Italia quarter-final with a 3-0 result in February this year.

Atalanta vs. Juventus line-ups

Atalanta: Carnesecchi; Scalvini, Djimsiti, Kolasinac; Zappacosta, De Roon, Ederson, Bernasconi; Zalewski De Ketelaere; Krstovic

Juventus: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; Holm, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceicao, Yildiz; Boga

11-04-2026 19:45

MatchDay 32

Gewiss Stadium (Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia)

Atalanta

Juventus

0 - 1

Player statistic

2nd half

		48'		Jeremie Boga
Charles De Ketelaere		66'
		69'		Khéphren Thuram
		73'		Andrea Cambiaso
		84'		Filip Kostic

Match statistic

55

Possession %

45

22

Total shots

7

3

Shots on target

2

11

Shots off target

3

8

Blocked shots

2

13

Corners

2

3

Offsides

1

7

Fouls

11

Atalanta

Juventus

Starting lineups

29

Marco Carnesecchi

Goalkeeper

19

Berat Djimsiti

Defender

77

Davide Zappacosta

Defender

86'

42

Giorgio Scalvini

Defender

47

Lorenzo Bernasconi

Defender

23

Sead Kolasinac

Defender

72'

13

Éderson

Midfielder

15

Marten de Roon

Midfielder

72'

59

Nicola Zalewski

Midfielder

55'

17

Charles De Ketelaere

Attacker

90

Nikola Krstovic

Attacker

73'

16

Michele Di Gregorio

Goalkeeper

27

Andrea Cambiaso

Defender

79'

3

Bremer

Defender

2

Emil Holm

Defender

71'

6

Lloyd Kelly

Defender

15

Pierre Kalulu

Defender

19

Khéphren Thuram

Midfielder

71'

5

Manuel Locatelli

Midfielder

7

Francisco Conceição

Attacker

79'

13

Jeremie Boga

Attacker

10

Kenan Yıldız

Attacker

58'

Substitutes

10

Lazar Samardžić

Midfielder

57

Marco Sportiello

Goalkeeper

5

Mitchel Bakker

Defender

3

Odilon Kossounou

Defender

6

Yunus Musah

Midfielder

40

Relja Obric

Defender

46

Sergej Levak

99

Piotr Pardel

Goalkeeper

18

Giacomo Raspadori

Attacker

55'

8

Mario Pasalic

Midfielder

72'

69

Honest Ahanor

Defender

72'

9

Gianluca Scamacca

Attacker

73'

16

Raoul Bellanova

Defender

86'

23

Carlo Pinsoglio

Goalkeeper

14

Arkadiusz Milik

Attacker

20

Loïs Openda

Attacker

11

Edon Zhegrova

Attacker

51

Riccardo Radu

Goalkeeper

30

Jonathan David

Attacker

58'

8

Teun Koopmeiners

Midfielder

71'

4

Federico Gatti

Defender

71'

21

Fabio Miretti

Midfielder

79'

18

Filip Kostic

Midfielder

79'

Roma will be without Lorenzo Pellegrini for at least a month after he was diagnosed with a thigh injury, but he is hoping to return for the derby.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The creative midfielder sustained the injury during last night’s 3-0 victory over Pisa and went off at half-time.

Pellegrini diagnosis bad for Roma

According to the latest reports, the diagnosis is a lesion to the flexor in the right thigh.

This type of injury generally means a player will be out of action for circa four weeks, which would rule Pellegrini out of some very big games in their season, including next week’s showdown with Atalanta.

Roma medical staff hope that the veteran can recover in time for the Derby della Capitale against arch-rivals Lazio, which is scheduled for the weekend of May 17.

The 29-year-old scored seven goals with four assists in 33 competitive appearances for Roma so far this season.

It is the latest addition to a lengthy injury list for the Giallorossi, who are already missing Wesley, Manu Kone, Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson.

Udinese coach Kosta Runjaic insists the Milan change of tactics to 4-3-3 ‘is not important’ and believes Keinan Davis can ‘keep their defence busy’ to create space for others.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Udinese are fresh off a 0-0 draw that stalled the progress of high-flying Como, and now face another difficult test at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.

Runjaic and Udinese enjoy the big games

“It was a good performance against Como, this is going to be a very different one, but we must keep pushing to get as many points as possible. I am very excited to play this game, it’s a big club, we have nothing to lose, so we just want to enjoy it and give our maximum,” Runjaic told DAZN Italia.

Max Allegri has changed his 3-5-2 formation and for the first time this season switched to a 4-3-3 with Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers upfront.

“The Milan tactics are not important, they have so many classy players, it’s about our system. We have to be very focused, support each other, commitment, it’s a challenge. That is most important, how we react to them,” insisted Runjaic.

Davis returns from suspension and has been easily their best player so far this season, especially as they seem to lack a centre-forward otherwise, using Nicolò Zaniolo as a False 9 with Como.

“He is very important, in fantastic form, a very versatile player who can keep the ball, go deep, dictate the pass, has a lot of pace, he keeps the opposition defence busy. He has a lot of self-confidence, you see it daily in training, and I hope he’ll have a fantastic game today,” added the Udinese coach.

“He can also give other players the opportunity, as I hope Milan’s defence will be very focused on Davis, which can be an advantage for the other players.”

Adam Buksa is only fit for the bench, while Jordan Zemura and long-term absentee Alessandro Zanoli miss out.

Max Allegri explains how his Milan team changes with a 4-3-3 formation against Udinese and why they must ‘give Rafael Leao the right service’ as a centre-forward.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

Last week’s defeat to Napoli effectively put an end to talk of the Scudetto, as instead the Rossoneri must look nervously over their shoulders at the chasing pack for those precious Champions League places.

“We lost two of the last three games, so we must not get swept up in the moment, but analyse what went wrong and can be improved,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“We’ve recovered some players, we know Udinese can hurt us on the counter-attack, so we must make as few mistakes as possible.”

Allegri transforms Milan tactics

With practically a full squad to choose from at last, as Matteo Gabbia returns to the bench, Allegri changes his tactics from 3-5-2 to the 4-3-3 for the first time from the start.

It uses returning Rafael Leao as a False 9, flanked by Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers, with Samuele Ricci and Zachary Athekame stepping in.

“Athekame has different characteristics to Tomori and will push more down the right. Naturally, Saelemaekers is doing the same job he always did as a wide striker, he is an important player who brings balance to the team,” explained the coach.

“Rafa is growing in terms of fitness levels and as a centre-forward he does good movements, but it’s up to us to give him the right service so he can score goals. Gimenez was out for six months, so he can’t be at 100 per cent yet, Fullkrug played two games in a row, so there are changes today.

“I just hope I got the right line-up today,” smiled Allegri.

Another change this evening sees Luka Modric named vice captain, while Mike Maignan retains the armband.

Torino found it tougher than expected, but Giovanni Simeone and Cesare Casadei sent plucky Verona to a fourth consecutive defeat.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Granata were still without Duvan Zapata, Zakaria Aboukhlal and Zanos Savva, with Niels Nkounkou also left out. Hellas were practically doomed by defeat to Fiorentina, with Tomas Suslov suspended, Sandi Lovric, Armel Bella-Kotchap and Suat Serdar injured.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

There was a minute’s silence before kick-off for Ismael Pistis, an eight-year-old member of the Torino youth academy who was killed in a car crash this week.

It took just six minutes to break the deadlock, as Marcus Pedersen sprung the offside trap to nod down a ball over the top for Giovanni Simeone, who sent Andrias Edmundsson to ground with his first touch, firing in from 12 yards with the right boot. Just like when he scored against his old club earlier this season, Cholito did not celebrate.

Verona were unlucky not to equalise on 11 minutes, as Alberto Paleari mistimed his intervention on a free kick, allowing Roberto Gagliardini to nod it onto the crossbar.

They did get the deserved equaliser when Kieron Bowie was stronger than Ardian Ismajli on a Lorenzo Montipò long ball, shrugging off his marker and turning to score one-on-one.

Moments later, Verona threatened again with Antoine Bernede’s angled drive flashing just wide, while Che Adams fired off target for Torino.

The hosts were jeered off the field at half-time by their fans and came out with a different attitude for the restart, Simeone bending a finish inches wide.

They restored their lead when Rafa Obrador’s disguised shot from the edge of the area turned into an assist for Cesare Casadei to steer in first time from six yards.

Che Adams soared above the crowd to nod in another Obrador assist, this time a floated cross from the left, but it was disallowed because Simeone was offside in the build-up.

Simeone tried to make up for it by smashing a long-range strike wide moments later, while Ismajli charged down the Gift Orban attempt.

Torino 2-1 Verona

Simeone 6 (T), Bowie 38 (V), Casadei 50 (T)

11-04-2026 14:00

MatchDay 32

Olympic Grande Torino Stadium

Torino

Verona

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Giovanni Simeone (Assist: Marcus Pedersen)		6'
Ardian Ismajli		25'
		26'		Andrias Edmundsson
		38'		Kieron Bowie (Assist: Lorenzo Montipò)

2nd half

		46'		Martin Frese
Cesare Casadei (Assist: Rafa Obrador)		50'
		65'		Daniel Oyegoke
		90+5'		Nicolás Valentini

Match statistic

46

Possession %

54

11

Total shots

18

2

Shots on target

4

7

Shots off target

6

2

Blocked shots

8

3

Corners

6

2

Offsides

1

13

Fouls

17

Torino

Verona

Starting lineups

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

44

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

84'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

84'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

67'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

75'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

75'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

1

Lorenzo Montipò

Goalkeeper

5

Andrias Edmundsson

Defender

60'

2

Daniel Oyegoke

Defender

3

Martin Frese

Defender

81'

7

Rafik Belghali

Defender

82'

15

Victor Nelsson

Defender

21

Abdou Harroui

Midfielder

60'

24

Antoine Bernede

Midfielder

68'

11

Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro

Midfielder

63

Roberto Gagliardini

Midfielder

18

Kieron Bowie

Attacker

Substitutes

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

67'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

75'

98

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

75'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

84'

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

84'

34

Simone Perilli

Goalkeeper

14

Pol Lirola

Defender

36

Cheikh Niasse

Attacker

94

Giacomo Toniolo

Goalkeeper

72

Junior Ajayi

Attacker

73

Moatasem Al-Musrati

Midfielder

19

Tobias Slotsager

Defender

70

Fallou Cham

Defender

41

Isaac

Attacker

16

Gift Orban

Attacker

60'

6

Nicolás Valentini

Defender

60'

12

Domagoj Bradaric

Defender

68'

25

Daniel Mosquera

Attacker

81'

9

Amin Sarr

Attacker

82'

Sebastiano Esposito’s header proved enough to give Cagliari a huge push up the table in this relegation dogfight, leaving Cremonese in the bottom three.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

This was a pure battle to avoid relegation, with three points separating the Sardinians in 16^th from their visitors in 17^th place. Coming off four consecutive defeats, Cagliari missed Leonardo Pavoletti, Riyad Idrissi and Mattia Felici, but Alberto Dossena returned from suspension.

Marco Giampaolo had seen improvements since taking the Cremonese job, beating Parma and narrowly losing 2-1 to Bologna. Youssef Maleh sat out a ban, with Jamie Vardy, Morten Thorsby, Faris Moumbagna and Michele Collocolo injured, though Antonio Sanabria was now fit for the bench. Federico Baschirotto made his comeback and Sebastiano Luperto faced his former club.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Marco Palestra’s strike was palmed out from under the bar in the opening minutes, but David Okereke wasted a golden opportunity when slipping and failing to make the most of the inspired Federico Bonazzoli slide-rule pass that sent him clear.

Okereke’s glancing header on a short corner also tested Elia Caprile and Cagliari lost Luca Mazzitelli to a muscular injury on the half-hour mark.

Sebastiano Esposito won it back in midfield and saw his counter-attack charged down by Sebastiano Luperto, while Bonazzoli drilled wide after the restart from a promising position.

Cagliari took the lead when substitute Ze Pedro made an immediate impact, sending his cross to the back post for Esposito to nod into the ground, the awkward bounce beating Emil Audero from a tricky angle.

It was so nearly 2-0 when Audero made a fantastic reaction save on Alessandro Deiola’s header from six yards, and there was a special moment as Andrea Belotti made his return after surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Cagliari 1-0 Cremonese

Esposito 63 (Ca)

11-04-2026 14:00

MatchDay 32

Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena)

Cagliari

Cremonese

1 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

4'

Filippo Terracciano

2nd half

Michel Adopo		62'
Sebastiano Esposito (Assist: Zé Pedro)		63'

Match statistic

35

Possession %

65

17

Total shots

5

5

Shots on target

2

7

Shots off target

2

5

Blocked shots

1

6

Corners

5

1

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

17

Cagliari

Cremonese

Starting lineups

1

Elia Caprile

Goalkeeper

33

Adam Obert

Defender

15

Juan Rodríguez

Defender

89'

2

Marco Palestra

Defender

26

Yerry Mina

Defender

14

Alessandro Deiola

Midfielder

10

Gianluca Gaetano

Midfielder

4

Luca Mazzitelli

Midfielder

31'

90

Michael Folorunsho

Midfielder

61'

29

Gennaro Borrelli

Attacker

61'

94

Sebastiano Esposito

Attacker

88'

1

Emil Audero

Goalkeeper

6

Federico Baschirotto

Defender

3

Giuseppe Pezzella

Defender

22

Romano Floriani Mussolini

Defender

68'

5

Sebastiano Luperto

Defender

33

Alberto Grassi

Midfielder

24

Filippo Terracciano

Midfielder

73'

27

Jari Vandeputte

Midfielder

68'

38

Warren Bondo

Midfielder

78'

77

David Okereke

Attacker

78'

90

Federico Bonazzoli

Attacker

Substitutes

28

Gabriele Zappa

Defender

24

Giuseppe Ciocci

Goalkeeper

25

Ibrahim Sulemana

Midfielder

9

Semih Kılıçsoy

Attacker

12

Alen Sherri

Goalkeeper

27

Joseph Liteta

Midfielder

37

Yael Trepy

Attacker

20

Agustín Albarracín

Midfielder

18

Othniel Raterink

Midfielder

8

Michel Adopo

Midfielder

31'

32

Zé Pedro

Defender

61'

31

Paul Mendy

Attacker

61'

19

Andrea Belotti

Attacker

88'

22

Alberto Dossena

Defender

89'

69

Lapo Nava

Goalkeeper

16

Marco Silvestri

Goalkeeper

23

Federico Ceccherini

Defender

15

Matteo Bianchetti

Defender

55

Francesco Folino

Defender

30

Mika Faye

Defender

21

Simone Lottici Tessadri

Midfielder

99

Antonio Sanabria

Attacker

68'

32

Martín Payero

Midfielder

68'

4

Tommaso Barbieri

Defender

73'

9

Milan Djuric

Attacker

78'

7

Alessio Zerbin

Attacker

78'

Max Allegri shakes Milan up with a new trident attack of Rafael Leao, Christian Pulisic and Alexis Saelemaekers, as Udinese welcome Keinan Davis back to partner Nicolò Zaniolo.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Rossoneri effectively dropped out of the Scudetto race after the 1-0 defeat to Napoli, sending them down to third spot and looking nervously over their shoulders at the pack chasing down a Champions League ticket.

Allegri revamps his side by scrapping the 3-5-2 formation for a 4-3-3, which has been used at times during the match lately, but not from the start.

Rafael Leao returns not only to the squad, but to the starting XI after a recurring inflammation, still trying to make it work as a False 9.

He is flanked by Pulisic, who hasn’t scored at all in 2026, and Saelemaekers preferred to Christopher Nkunku.

Matteo Gabbia is back on the bench for the first time since a sports hernia operation at the start of March, with Zachary Athekame chosen as right-back and Samuele Ricci in midfield.

Udinese have big news with the return of striker Davis after he missed the 0-0 draw with Como through suspension, so manages to reunite his partnership with Zaniolo.

Adam Buksa, Jordan Zemura and Alessandro Zanoli are all carrying injury issues, but Arthur Atta pulls the midfield strings.

The Friulani lost their last four meetings with Milan, since a 1-0 victory at San Siro in November 2023.

Milan vs. Udinese line-ups

Milan: Maignan; Athekame, De Winter, Pavlovic, Bartesaghi; Ricci, Modric, Rabiot; Saelemaekers, Leao, Pulisic

Udinese: Okoye; Kristensen, Kabasele, Solet; Ehizibue, Ekkelenkamp, Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Davis

11-04-2026 17:00

MatchDay 32

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Milan

Udinese

0 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

Rafael Leão		16'
		27'		Davide Bartesaghi
		37'		Jurgen Ekkelenkamp (Assist: Nicolò Zaniolo)

2nd half

		46'		Thomas Kristensen
		71'		Arthur Atta (Assist: Jurgen Ekkelenkamp)

Match statistic

63

Possession %

37

20

Total shots

12

3

Shots on target

6

8

Shots off target

4

9

Blocked shots

2

4

Corners

3

9

Fouls

14

Milan

Udinese

Starting lineups

16

Mike Maignan

Goalkeeper

33

Davide Bartesaghi

Defender

5

Koni De Winter

Defender

31

Strahinja Pavlovic

Defender

24

Zachary Athekame

Defender

46'

12

Adrien Rabiot

Midfielder

56

Alexis Saelemaekers

Midfielder

14

Luka Modric

Midfielder

72'

4

Samuele Ricci

Midfielder

60'

11

Christian Pulisic

Attacker

72'

10

Rafael Leão

Attacker

77'

40

Maduka Okoye

Goalkeeper

27

Christian Kabasele

Defender

11

Hassane Kamara

Defender

19

Kingsley Ehizibue

Defender

28

Oumar Solet

Defender

31

Thomas Kristensen

Defender

14

Arthur Atta

Midfielder

85'

8

Jesper Karlström

Midfielder

32

Jurgen Ekkelenkamp

Midfielder

86'

10

Nicolò Zaniolo

Midfielder

66'

9

Keinan Davis

Attacker

76'

Substitutes

1

Pietro Terracciano

Goalkeeper

23

Fikayo Tomori

Defender

46

Matteo Gabbia

Defender

2

Pervis Estupiñán

Defender

7

Santiago Giménez

Attacker

37

Matteo Pittarella

Goalkeeper

27

David Odogu

Defender

9

Niclas Füllkrug

Attacker

46'

19

Youssouf Fofana

Midfielder

60'

18

Christopher Nkunku

Attacker

72'

30

Ardon Jashari

Midfielder

72'

8

Ruben Loftus-Cheek

Midfielder

77'

93

Daniele Padelli

Goalkeeper

13

Nicolò Bertola

Defender

90

Răzvan Sava

Goalkeeper

18

Adam Buksa

Attacker

1

Alessandro Nunziante

Goalkeeper

15

Vakoun Bayo

Attacker

29

Abdoulaye Camara

Midfielder

20

Juan Arizala

Defender

22

Branimir Mlacic

Defender

24

Jakub Piotrowski

Midfielder

66'

7

Idrissa Gueye

Attacker

76'

6

Oier Zarraga

Midfielder

85'

38

Lennon Miller

Midfielder

86'

Vincenzo Italiano is frustrated by the same old Bologna mistakes in a 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, but insists their opponents ‘will win the Europa League, as they made the most of everything.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It was a disappointing night at the Stadio Dall’Ara, but above all an unlucky one that showed many of the same problems we’ve seen all season from the Rossoblu.

They were wasteful in attack as well as being unfortunate, hitting the woodwork twice and seeing a Santiago Castro goal disallowed because his toe was offside.

In comparison, Aston Villa were clinical and made the most of defensive errors, first with Ezri Konsa as Federico Ravaglia flapped at a corner, then Ollie Watkins after the usual mistake playing out from the back.

Jonathan Rowe did pull one back to give hope going into the second leg, which was immediately snatched away again when Watkins was left unmarked on a corner in stoppages.

Italiano frustrated by Bologna errors

“We were in the game from start to finish, we saw what we expected from them, but if you make certain mistakes against them, you will be punished,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

“If you gift two or three goals, you are going to inevitably struggle, both on the night and in the tie. Now we’ll see what happens in the second leg, but the performance was strong, we caused problems for a team of a truly high value.

“I think tonight we saw confirmation of what I thought beforehand, which is that Aston Villa will win the Europa League. Congratulations to them, because they made the most of absolutely everything we let slip, despite a good performance from Bologna.”

It was noted that Aston Villa don’t particularly press, and that the Rossoblu in turn were worried about pressing them too.

“If they put the ball over the top and move so many players into space, it can be damaging,” explained Italiano.

“Before the match, I told the lads these are situations where you mustn’t be superficial in any situation, whether it’s giving away a corner or a loose pass, because this team will punish you at the slightest error. Unfortunately, that’s what happened.

“The first goal was from a throw-in taken by Rowe, who shouldn’t have had it in his hands, and it changed the inertia of the game. On the second goal, we were playing out from the back and made a mistake. We just can’t seem to have a full game without errors.”

Bologna have a mountain to climb with the second leg of this quarter-final at Villa Park in Birmingham, where they already lost 2-0 in October 2024 and 1-0 earlier this season in the Europa League.

In both those matches, they again failed to convert their chances and were punished for errors, so it is a recurring pattern.

“We made too many mistakes this season, not just tonight, we never manage to go a full 90 minutes with total concentration, there is always an error or a distraction. The crucial moments of the game are either side of half-time and in the final minutes, and we conceded goals in all of them,” confessed Italiano.

“It’s frustrating, because when you see how many chances we created against the level of opposition, we did good things tonight.”

Does Italiano still have hope for the second leg?

“It would be a sporting miracle to turn this around, but as we saw yesterday with Barcelona losing to Atletico Madrid, anything can happen. It’s particularly odd in Europe, because sometimes you get referees who don’t whistle at all, others they give cards for the slightest contact.

“Admittedly, 2-1 would’ve been a different result, even if they have a different gear on their own turf, but we’ll give it our all,” assured Italiano.

Paolo Vanoli insists ‘a goal would’ve changed the game’ for Fiorentina, who instead were crushed 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-final first leg.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Viola are going to need something extraordinary in the second leg to turn this around, as they were swept aside 3-0 at Selhurst Park by Crystal Palace.

There were a few question marks over the penalty converted by Jean-Philippe Mateta, as Evann Guessand had already missed his chance when Dodo clattered into him, but Tyrick Mitchell bundled over the line, and Ismaila Sarr nodded in during stoppages to make it a heavy 3-0 result.

Vanoli saw Fiorentina reaction

“We knew that they were strong, both physically and technically. We had a very good approach in my view, the penalty destabilised us and we didn’t manage to keep our focus,” said Vanoli on Sky Sport Italia.

“I saw a better second half with a lot of character, a goal would’ve changed the game. When you are up against a Premier League team, you will pay for errors, and what really irritated me was conceding the last goal.”

Crystal Palace are in their first ever UEFA tournament, while Fiorentina were hoping to reach their fourth consecutive edition of the Conference League semi-final.

However, the Tuscans seemed to show absolutely none of that extra European experience this evening.

“I thought that in many ways we had a very good performance. We were up against a Premier League side and this shows us what we need to grow in future,” continued the coach.

“Now we have to focus on Serie A, because there is still work to do there to secure safety after a strong run.

“It is frustrating, because a goal would’ve kept the tie wide open.”

Fiorentina have inevitably been torn between seeing the Conference League as prestigious and also a costly distraction from the main focus, which is avoiding Serie A relegation.

“There’s no point hiding the fact it was an added problem and we have done well to balance the two until now. I would’ve liked to reach this game with a full squad at my disposal, but the second and third goals were honestly avoidable,” concluded Vanoli.

Fiorentina have a mountain to climb after losing 3-0 away to Crystal Palace in the first leg of the Conference League quarter-final.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Viola were hoping to reach their fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, but also knew the focus was on avoiding Serie A relegation. Moise Kean, Fabiano Parisi, Manor Solomon, Niccolò Fortini and Tariq Lamptey didn’t make the trip.

Jorgen Strand Larsen was suspended, with Chris Richards and Caleb Kporha injured, so Palace gave Jean-Philippe Mateta his first start since January 25 after a failed medical ruined his move to Milan.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Mateta couldn’t keep his header on target from six yards on a Daniel Munoz cross, while Robin Gosens shinned a volley wide from a promising position.

Evann Guessand was inches away from scoring when he scuffed a volley inches wide of the far post from 12 yards.

Guessand got into the box again and had already taken the wayward shot before Dodo made contact with the clumsy sliding tackle, but the referee still awarded the penalty and VAR confirmed it.

Jean-Philippe Mateta slots the penalty past David De Gea to put Palace 1-0 up

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/4SwvqtLJGW

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2026

Mateta sent David De Gea the wrong way to give Palace the lead.

There was a second goal when Munoz sprung the offside trap on a ball over the top to knock down the ball over the top, Mateta’s tap-in was parried by De Gea, who could do nothing on the Tyrick Mitchell follow-up.

Crystal Palace have a two goal lead after just 30 minutes

Tyrick Mitchell forces it home at Selhurst Park

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/zgnbrGnIuB

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2026

The restart was delayed by several minutes when the Crystal Palace fans repeatedly threw rolls of paper at De Gea’s goal, forcing players to help stewards clean up the mess.

Fiorentina should’ve pulled one back when Dodo burst down the right and pulled back to find Giovanni Fabbian unmarked from 12 yards, but his first-time sweep only thumped the crossbar.

Former Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada drilled just wide, while Roberto Piccoli sliding onto a Dodo assist forced a tricky save out of Dean Henderson.

Guessand went off injured and Piccoli failed to get a clean header to the Marin Pongracic cross, but it should’ve been 3-0 when Mateta steered a free header wide at the back post.

The third goal did arrive when Kamada’s cross found Ismaila Sarr for a free header at the back post, surprising Pietro Comuzzo.

Crystal Palace 3-0 Fiorentina

Mateta pen 24 (C), Mitchell 31 (C), Sarr 90 (C)

09-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Selhurst Park Stadium

Crystal Palace

Fiorentina

3 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		21'		Dodô
Jean-Philippe Mateta		24'
Tyrick Mitchell		31'

2nd half

		69'		Roberto Piccoli
Chris Richards		76'
Ismaïla Sarr (Assist: Daichi Kamada)		90'

Match statistic

52

Possession %

48

17

Total shots

8

6

Shots on target

2

8

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

1

3

Corners

1

1

Offsides

1

16

Fouls

11

Crystal Palace

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

1

Dean Henderson

Goalkeeper

26

Chris Richards

Defender

2

Daniel Muñoz

Defender

23

Jaydee Canvot

Defender

5

Maxence Lacroix

Defender

3

Tyrick Mitchell

Defender

20

Adam Wharton

Midfielder

90'

18

Daichi Kamada

Midfielder

90'

Evann Guessand

Attacker

65'

7

Ismaïla Sarr

Attacker

14

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Attacker

83'

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

82'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

90'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

78'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

90'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

77'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

Substitutes

17

Nathaniel Clyne

Defender

44

Walter Benítez

Goalkeeper

24

Borna Sosa

Defender

34

Chadi Riad

Defender

55

Justin Devenny

Midfielder

59

Rio Cardines

Defender

31

Remi Matthews

Goalkeeper

10

Yéremy Pino

Attacker

65'

8

Jefferson Lerma

Midfielder

83'

Brennan Johnson

Attacker

90'

19

Will Hughes

Midfielder

90'

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

77'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

78'

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

82'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

90'

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

90'

Bologna were unlucky in attack and paid a heavy price for defensive errors, suffering a 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa in the Europa League quarter-final.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Rossoblu eliminated Roma in the all-Italian derby and went into this match without suspended Martin Vitik, plus injured Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Benjamin Dominguez.

Unai Emery won the Europa League four times as coach and made this trip without Jadon Sancho and Boubacar Kamara, so Youri Tielemans got his first start since January 25. Villa had won every game except one in the competition and already beat Bologna 1-0 in September, but that was the last Rossoblu defeat in this tournament.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Ollie Watkins didn’t get full control of a smart Youri Tielemans ball over the top, while Jhon Lucumi was booked early on and will be suspended for the second leg.

Bologna had a big double chance when first the Santiago Castro angled drive was charged down by Pau Torres, then Emiliano Martinez fingertipped the acrobatic Juan Miranda follow-up out from under the bar.

The hosts had the ball in the net on 26 minutes when Castro’s effort took a deflection off Ezri Konsa and was cleared by Matty Cash only after already crossing the line. However, it was disallowed by VAR as Castro’s toe was offside on the Jonathan Rowe pass.

Bologna were unlucky again moments later, this time Lewis Ferguson at full stretch poked a Rowe cross onto the underside of the crossbar.

John McGinn drilled inches wide, and Aston Villa took the lead against the run of play just before half-time. Federico Ravaglia flapped at a Youri Tielemans corner, as Konsa held off Lucumi to nod in at the back post.

Ezri Konsa gives Aston Villa the lead in Bologna!

Stream with TNT Sports on HBO Max pic.twitter.com/YUB8kZ7h7i

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 9, 2026

Straight after the restart, Rowe ran from his own half and pulled back for Tommaso Pobega to fire just over from the edge of the area.

However, Bologna made another costly and avoidable error, this time Torbjorn Heggem struggling to control an overhit Miranda pass out from the back, so Buendia intercepted, allowing Watkins to place the angled drive under Ravaglia.

Incredibly, the hosts hit the frame of the goal for a second time, as Rowe set up Bernardeschi to fire against the outside of the near post.

Moments later, Dibu Martinez flew for a sensational fingertip save to push the Rowe curler out from under the bar.

Joao Mario also had an effort charged down, as did Rowe, but Bologna finally got the goal they deserved when Rowe cut inside from the left and bent a ferocious right-foot finish past Martinez.

However, just as they had hope, Watkins was left totally unmarked to tap in a flicked-on corner from five yards and restore Villa’s two-goal cushion.

Bologna 1-3 Aston Villa

Konsa 44 (A), Watkins 51, 93 (A), Rowe 90 (B)

09-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Aston Villa

1 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

Jhon Lucumí		14'
		31'		Morgan Rogers
		44'		Ezri Konsa (Assist: Youri Tielemans)

2nd half

		51'		Ollie Watkins (Assist: Emiliano Buendía)
Tommaso Pobega		65'
Jonathan Rowe (Assist: Jhon Lucumí)		90'
		90+4'		Ollie Watkins (Assist: Youri Tielemans)

Match statistic

58

Possession %

42

19

Total shots

8

4

Shots on target

4

5

Shots off target

4

10

Blocked shots

0

4

Corners

3

7

Offsides

1

18

Fouls

15

Bologna

Aston Villa

Starting lineups

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

João Mário

Defender

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

67'

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

90'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

67'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

82'

23

Emiliano Martínez

Goalkeeper

4

Ezri Konsa

Defender

12

Lucas Digne

Defender

2

Matty Cash

Defender

14

Pau Torres

Defender

24

Amadou Onana

Midfielder

80'

7

John McGinn

Midfielder

8

Youri Tielemans

Midfielder

10

Emiliano Buendía

Attacker

88'

27

Morgan Rogers

Attacker

88'

11

Ollie Watkins

Attacker

Substitutes

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

73

Francesco Castaldo

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

67'

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

67'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

82'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

90'

Tammy Abraham

Attacker

5

Tyrone Mings

Defender

40

Marco Bizot

Goalkeeper

3

Victor Lindelöf

Defender

9

Harvey Elliott

Attacker

Douglas Luiz

Midfielder

64

James Wright

Goalkeeper

16

Andrés García

Defender

26

Lamare Bogarde

Midfielder

80'

22

Ian Maatsen

Defender

88'

Leon Bailey

Attacker

88'

Vincenzo Italiano warns Aston Villa ‘are the favourites’ in the Europa League quarter-final, but Bologna need to be ‘clinical, because we didn’t make the most of opportunities’ last time.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina on the Liveblog.

The Rossoblu are the only remaining Italian team in the Europa League, having surprisingly eliminated Roma in the Round of 16 after a 4-3 second leg thriller in extra time.

They already faced Aston Villa twice recently, losing 2-0 in October 2024 and 1-0 back in September, but that was also the only Europa League defeat this season, followed by four draws and seven victories.

Italiano wants Bologna coup

“It is good to be here and taking part in games like this, we’ll see if we can perform on the night against a great opponent, a coach who has already won this competition four times. They are the favourites, and we need a super performance to cause them problems,” Italiano told Sky Sport Italia.

Martin Vitik is suspended, with Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Benjamin Dominguez out injured.

Santiago Castro leads the attack, with Federico Bernardeschi and Jonathan Rowe in support, plus Lewis Ferguson and Tommaso Pobega in midfield.

“We’ll see if we are able to work between the lines and into those corridors with Ferguson and Pobega. Once we lose the ball, we’ve got to chase it down immediately, and when we have it, we’ve got to try to hurt them, especially in the home leg.

“Above all, I want to see us be clinical, because we did create plenty of chances in the two previous matches against them, and we didn’t make the most of those scoring opportunities.”

Unai Emery won the Europa League four times, but also expressed admiration for Italiano’s record, having reached two Conference League Finals and two in the Coppa Italia, winning the latter last season.

“We are talking about a coach who gets his teams playing well, has won so many trophies, and that means he’s a winner. Here too, he immediately got Aston Villa into the Champions League, he’s a great European coach, it is an honour to challenge him and we hope to do well,” concluded Italiano.

Unai Emery said he ‘will pay’ for dinner with Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano after the Europa League quarter-final, but first Aston Villa must ‘show respect’ to their opponents.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina on the Liveblog.

Emery really is a specialist in the Europa League, winning it four times at two different clubs in his coaching career between Sevilla and Villarreal.

Emery admires Bologna and Italiano

“I asked my team to show respect for this competition, for this opponent. It is very difficult to be competitive and Bologna will do so much to cause us problems, so we need to be very well-organised and ready,” Emery told Sky Sport Italia.

Bologna already lost 2-0 to Aston Villa in the Champions League last season and 1-0 back in September for this tournament, but this is the first time Aston Villa have played at the Stadio Dall’Ara.

“We have individual talents, but we need to be organised as a team in order to get the best out of them. Football is a team sport, and we need everyone to work together so that they can all give their best individually too.”

Aston Villa are flying high in the Premier League, currently in fourth place, one point behind Manchester United and five ahead of Liverpool, so are on track to qualify for the Champions League.

They eliminated Lille in the Round of 16 of the Europa League, 3-0 on aggregate, and won every game in the tournament this season except for a 2-1 loss away to Go Ahead Eagles on October 23.

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano said he would like to meet Emery for dinner one day to talk football, away from competition.

“I have great respect for Italiano, he was already a strong player, now as a coach he has reached three finals in three years. That means he knows how to prepare his teams in these competitions and transmit his ideas, the competitive approach to the players,” smiled Emery.

“Of course, I will pay! It is always fascinating to exchange ideas with people from other countries and styles of football.”

Paolo Vanoli explains how he believes Fiorentina can ‘create problems’ for Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter-final. ‘We must play with character and positivity.’

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at Selhurst Park at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Aston Villa vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

The Viola are hoping to reach their fourth consecutive Conference League semi-final, but are also well aware that the priority is managing to avoid relegation in Serie A.

Vanoli outlines Fiorentina approach

“I expect everyone to put in a great performance and help the team,” Vanoli told Sky Sport Italia.

“I always said the team spirit is what allowed us to get results when we had started from the bottom. This is a match against a strong, Premier League team, so we must play with character and positivity.”

Moise Kean is still struggling with that recuring ankle issue and has not made the trip to London, along with Fabiano Parisi, Manor Solomon, Niccolò Fortini and Tariq Lamptey.

Crystal Palace are in their first major UEFA tournament, but Jorgen Strand Larsen is suspended, with Chris Richards and Caleb Kporha injured.

Jean-Philippe Mateta gets his first start since January 25, when his failed medical ruined the planned €30m transfer to Milan.

It was put to Vanoli that Fiorentina can do damage to Crystal Palace’s defence, especially with Giovanni Fabbian’s position.

“In modern football, midfielders make the difference. Fagioli pulls the strings and has been sending passes to the strikers so well lately. I think we can create problems for them between the lines and support the striker, even if Palace are a very strong team,” agreed the coach.

Usually, Fiorentina were the favourites in their Conference League fixtures this season, but this is not the case for the quarter-final and might actually help them.

“Pressure is part of the game and you need it if you want to achieve something important. With the emotional state we were in domestically, the fact we got this far in the Conference League was remarkable.

“Now this is a reward for us and our fans that we are able to play this quarter-final. We’ve got to enjoy it and remember the tie is played over two legs,” concluded Vanoli.

Bologna look to Santiago Castro, Jonathan Rowe and Federico Bernardeschi in the Europa League quarter-final against Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the Stadio Dall’Ara at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina on the Liveblog.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side were the surprise victors in the all-Italian derby in the Round of 16, eliminating Roma after a 1-1 first leg draw and 4-3 win in extra time at the Stadio Olimpico.

Martin Vitik is suspended for the first leg, with Lukasz Skorupski, Thijs Dallinga, Charalampos Lykogiannis and Benjamin Dominguez injured.

Federico Ravaglia therefore has to go in goal, with Castro the only centre-forward, but Bernardeschi and Rowe are preferred to Riccardo Orsolini and Niccolò Cambiaghi.

These teams have met twice before very recently, with Aston Villa winning 2-0 in the Champions League in October 2024, then 1-0 back in September 2025 as part of the Europa League opening phase.

Both those games were at Villa Park, so this is the first time they’ve faced off on Italian soil.

That 1-0 loss in September is also the only defeat Bologna suffered in the Europa League this season, along with four draws and seven victories.

Aston Villa currently sit fourth in the Premier League, one point behind Manchester United and five ahead of Liverpool, so are on track to qualify for the Champions League.

They eliminated Lille in the Round of 16 of the Europa League, 3-0 on aggregate, and won every game in the tournament this season except for a 2-1 loss away to Go Ahead Eagles on October 23.

Boubacar Kamara and Jadon Sancho are the only injury absentees for coach Unai Emery, who is a real specialist in this competition, winning the Europa League a record four times.

Their squad includes Argentina hero goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, ex-Roma full-back Lucas Digne, former Milan and Roma striker Tammy Abraham, Douglas Luiz on loan from Juventus and Roma flop Leon Bailey.

Bologna vs. Aston Villa line-ups

Bologna: Ravaglia; Joao Mario, Lucumi, Heggem, Miranda; Ferguson, Freuler, Pobega; Bernardeschi, Castro, Rowe

Bologna bench: Pessina, Franceschelli, Moro, Orsolini, Casale, Zortea, Odgaard, Sohm, Cambiaghi, Castaldo

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Pau Torres, Digne; Onana, Buendia; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins

Aston Villa bench: Bizot, Wright, Lindelof, Mings, Elliott, Andres Garcia, Abraham, Douglas Luiz, Maatsen, Bogarde, Bailey

Ref: Schärer (SUI)

09-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Renato Dall'Ara Stadium

Bologna

Aston Villa

1 - 3

Player statistic

1st half

Jhon Lucumí		14'
		31'		Morgan Rogers
		44'		Ezri Konsa (Assist: Youri Tielemans)

2nd half

		51'		Ollie Watkins (Assist: Emiliano Buendía)
Tommaso Pobega		65'
Jonathan Rowe (Assist: Jhon Lucumí)		90'
		90+4'		Ollie Watkins (Assist: Youri Tielemans)

Match statistic

58

Possession %

42

19

Total shots

8

4

Shots on target

4

5

Shots off target

4

10

Blocked shots

0

4

Corners

3

7

Offsides

1

18

Fouls

15

Bologna

Aston Villa

Starting lineups

13

Federico Ravaglia

Goalkeeper

26

Jhon Lucumí

Defender

João Mário

Defender

33

Juan Miranda

Defender

14

Torbjørn Heggem

Defender

11

Jonathan Rowe

Midfielder

19

Lewis Ferguson

Midfielder

67'

8

Remo Freuler

Midfielder

90'

4

Tommaso Pobega

Midfielder

67'

10

Federico Bernardeschi

Attacker

9

Santiago Castro

Attacker

82'

23

Emiliano Martínez

Goalkeeper

4

Ezri Konsa

Defender

12

Lucas Digne

Defender

2

Matty Cash

Defender

14

Pau Torres

Defender

24

Amadou Onana

Midfielder

80'

7

John McGinn

Midfielder

8

Youri Tielemans

Midfielder

10

Emiliano Buendía

Attacker

88'

27

Morgan Rogers

Attacker

88'

11

Ollie Watkins

Attacker

Substitutes

16

Nicolò Casale

Defender

20

Nadir Zortea

Defender

Simon Sohm

Midfielder

25

Massimo Pessina

Goalkeeper

82

Matteo Franceschelli

Goalkeeper

73

Francesco Castaldo

Attacker

7

Riccardo Orsolini

Attacker

67'

6

Nikola Moro

Midfielder

67'

21

Jens Odgaard

Attacker

82'

28

Nicolò Cambiaghi

Attacker

90'

Tammy Abraham

Attacker

5

Tyrone Mings

Defender

40

Marco Bizot

Goalkeeper

3

Victor Lindelöf

Defender

9

Harvey Elliott

Attacker

Douglas Luiz

Midfielder

64

James Wright

Goalkeeper

16

Andrés García

Defender

26

Lamare Bogarde

Midfielder

80'

22

Ian Maatsen

Defender

88'

Leon Bailey

Attacker

88'

Fiorentina are without Moise Kean, so Roberto Piccoli and Albert Gudmundsson lead the attack against Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta in the Conference League quarter-final.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at Selhurst Park at 20.00 UK time (21.00 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Aston Villa vs. Bologna on the Liveblog.

The Viola are torn between focus on avoiding relegation from Serie A after a disastrous start to the season, and trying to reach the Conference League semi-final for the fourth year in a row.

Star striker Kean is again forced out with a recurring ankle issue and has not even made the trip, with Fabiano Parisi, Manor Solomon, Niccolò Fortini and Tariq Lamptey also injured.

Piccoli therefore is the centre-forward, supported by Gudmundsson, Italy Under-21 international Cher Ndour, Giovanni Fabbian and January signing Jack Harrison.

Veteran goalkeeper David De Gea takes the gloves, with Robin Gosens at left-back.

Crystal Palace are forced to do without suspended Jorgen Strand Larsen, while Chris Richards and Caleb Kporha are carrying injuries.

They too are struggling domestically this season, sitting 14^th in the Premier League, albeit with a healthy cushion from the relegation zone.

Mateta starts upfront after a failed medical test on his knee ruined a January transfer to Milan that had been agreed for over €30m.

Strand Larsen was signed as his replacement, so Mateta has not started since a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea in the Premier League on January 25.

Ismaila Sarr is Palace’s top Conference League scorer with five goals in 10 games this season, while Yeremy Pino netted once in eight appearances.

England international Dean Henderson is in goal and ex-Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada in midfield.

They reached the quarter-final after a 2-1 extra time win over AEK Larnaca in the Round of 16, but this is their first ever major UEFA tournament.

Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina line-ups

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Mateta, Guessand

Crystal Palace bench: Benitez, Matthews, Lerma, Pino, Johnson, Clyne, Hughes, Sosa, Riad, Devenny, Cardines

Fiorentina: De Gea; Dodò, Pongracic, Ranieri, Gosens; Fagioli; Harrison, Fabbian, Ndour, Gudmundsson; Piccoli

Fiorentina bench: Leonardelli, Christensen, Mandragora, Comuzzo, Fazzini, Kospo, Kouadio, Braschi, Balbo, Deli, Puzzoli

Ref: Rumsas (LTU)

09-04-2026 20:00

1/4 Final

Selhurst Park Stadium

Crystal Palace

Fiorentina

3 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		21'		Dodô
Jean-Philippe Mateta		24'
Tyrick Mitchell		31'

2nd half

		69'		Roberto Piccoli
Chris Richards		76'
Ismaïla Sarr (Assist: Daichi Kamada)		90'

Match statistic

52

Possession %

48

17

Total shots

8

6

Shots on target

2

8

Shots off target

5

3

Blocked shots

1

3

Corners

1

1

Offsides

1

16

Fouls

11

Crystal Palace

Fiorentina

Starting lineups

1

Dean Henderson

Goalkeeper

26

Chris Richards

Defender

2

Daniel Muñoz

Defender

23

Jaydee Canvot

Defender

5

Maxence Lacroix

Defender

3

Tyrick Mitchell

Defender

20

Adam Wharton

Midfielder

90'

18

Daichi Kamada

Midfielder

90'

Evann Guessand

Attacker

65'

7

Ismaïla Sarr

Attacker

14

Jean-Philippe Mateta

Attacker

83'

43

David de Gea

Goalkeeper

2

Dodô

Defender

6

Luca Ranieri

Defender

5

Marin Pongracic

Defender

82'

27

Cher Ndour

Midfielder

80

Giovanni Fabbian

Midfielder

44

Nicolò Fagioli

Midfielder

90'

21

Robin Gosens

Midfielder

78'

10

Albert Gudmundsson

Attacker

90'

17

Jack Harrison

Attacker

77'

91

Roberto Piccoli

Attacker

Substitutes

17

Nathaniel Clyne

Defender

44

Walter Benítez

Goalkeeper

24

Borna Sosa

Defender

34

Chadi Riad

Defender

55

Justin Devenny

Midfielder

59

Rio Cardines

Defender

31

Remi Matthews

Goalkeeper

10

Yéremy Pino

Attacker

65'

8

Jefferson Lerma

Midfielder

83'

Brennan Johnson

Attacker

90'

19

Will Hughes

Midfielder

90'

53

Oliver Christensen

Goalkeeper

60

Eddy Kouadio

Defender

50

Pietro Leonardelli

Goalkeeper

23

Eman Kospo

Defender

61

Riccardo Braschi

Attacker

64

Lapo Deli

Midfielder

22

Jacopo Fazzini

Midfielder

77'

62

Luis Balbo

Defender

78'

15

Pietro Comuzzo

Defender

82'

8

Rolando Mandragora

Midfielder

90'

69

Giorgio Puzzoli

Midfielder

90'

The biggest political party in Italy has presented a motion to annul the sale of San Siro to Inter and Milan following an investigation into the stadium situation.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

After a decade of discussions, projects that were presented, scrapped, represented and revised, the two clubs finally sealed the purchase of the land around the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the San Siro area of Milan.

San Siro future still up in the air

In November 2025, the clubs completed the €200m agreement to build a new arena in what is essentially now the car park, and after that they can tear down the existing stadium or remodel it.

However, it is all being thrown back into doubt after Milan city council offices were raided by the Italian financial police as part of an investigation on suspicion of bid-rigging and collusion.

Now Fratelli d’Italia, the political party of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and the opposition party in the city of Milan, has presented a motion to annul the sale of San Siro and demand the resignation of Mayor Giuseppe Sala.

They had always been against the sale of the stadium, wanting to instead refurbish the existing arena, even though that will be extremely difficult with the teams playing every three days.

Milan have reportedly intensified talks with the agent of Barcelona centre-forward Robert Lewandowski, who could be a free agent this summer.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

It is no secret that the Rossoneri are keeping a close eye on the situation, as they are hoping to replicate the successful swoop for veteran Luka Modric when his Real Madrid contract was allowed to run down last year.

Lewandowski can still deliver for Milan

Despite the fact he will celebrate his 38^th birthday in August, Lewandowski is still banging in the goals for Barcelona, finding the net 17 times with three assists in 39 competitive games this season.

His contract only runs to June 30, although it could be renewed if certain conditions are met.

According to Calciomercato, Milan have stepped up communication with agent Pini Zahavi in order to convince Lewandowski to accept a significantly lower salary.

Their ceiling is set at €7m per season, whereas the Poland international currently pockets as much as €20m at Camp Nou.

That is also a figure that MLS club Chicago Fire would be willing to pay, but Milan hope that the lure of Serie A and their likely Champions League qualification can convince him to remain.

He’d also get to be teammates with former Real Madrid rival Modric, who is finding a new lease of life in Italian football.

Italy will have some more representation at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, because referee Maurizio Mariani and VAR Marco Di Bello are among those officiating.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

The Azzurri failed to qualify for the third edition of the World Cup in a row, although there will still be some Italian interest in the tournament.

That includes Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti, Turkiye boss Vincenzo Montella, and Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro.

Italian referee Mariani at 2026 World Cup

Meanwhile, referee Mariani has been chosen from the Italian selection of officials to be part of the selection.

Di Bello has also been included, but he will be in the role of VMO, meaning he’ll be in the VAR booth and not on the field.

Assistant referees Daniele Bindoni and Alberto Tegoni are going to the World Cup too.

There are 52 referees in total who will be involved in the tournament, which is bigger than ever with over 100 games being played in three countries.

This includes 15 officials from Europe chosen by another Italian, FIFA’s Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina.

“This year’s FIFA World Cup will be the biggest in history, with a 48-team line-up and 104 matches to be contested across the most extensive geographical footprint in the tournament’s history,” said Collina.

“It’ll be the largest FIFA Team One ever, with 41 more match officials than at Qatar 2022. Each of them must be ready to be appointed for a match and to contribute actively to ensuring that the refereeing at the World Cup is a success.

“The fact that six women match officials have been selected continues a trend that was started four years ago in Qatar as we aim to further develop women’s refereeing.”

The group of officials will meet in Miami for a 10-day preparation seminar starting May 31, then the VAR team will relocate to Dallas.

Italy will face France, Denmark and Montenegro in the European Under-17 Championship, which runs from May 25 to June 7 in Estonia.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News and Content – Free Trial – Click Here

While the senior team might be struggling, youth level football is still flourishing, and they qualified for the final phase of the Under-17 tournament.

Who Italy will play in Under-17 Euros

The draw has placed the Azzurrini in Group B and will make their debut against France on May 26, then Montenegro on May 29 and Denmark on June 1.

All their games will be played at the Kalevi Central Stadium in Tallinn.

The top two teams in each group will go through to the semi-finals, while the Final is scheduled for June 7.

Italy qualified by finishing second in their group with six points, one behind leaders Montenegro, then dominated the A2 phase in March with a 100 per cent record, beating Portugal 3-2, Iceland 4-0 and Romania 2-1.

Coach Daniele Franceschini not only qualified them for the final phase of the European Under-21 Championship, but also the Under-17 World Cup, scheduled for November 2026 in Qatar.

Italy won the 2024 edition of the European Under-17 Championship and then came third in the 2025 edition of the Under-17 World Cup.