Reports in Italy claim that Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti is keen to reunite with former Napoli centre-back Kim Min-jae during the summer transfer window.
Spalletti and Kim won the Serie A title together during the one season they had together at Napoli in 2022-23, which was the Partenopei’s first league title in well over 30 years and their first since the Diego Maradona era.
Kim was sold to Bayern Munich, who activated his release clause at the end of the 2022-23 season, which was reported to be in excess of €50m. This makes Kim the most expensive Asian footballer of all time.
NAPLES, ITALY – MAY 07: Kim Min-Jae of SSC Napoli celebrates victory after the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and ACF Fiorentina at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 07, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
The 77-time South Korea international has struggled to cement himself as a regular-first choice since joining Bayern just shy of three years ago, and has been playing second fiddle behind Jonathan Tah and Dayot Upamecano under Vincent Kompany for most of the 2025-26 campaign.
According to reports from Fabrizio Romano (via Calciomercato.com), Spalletti would ‘gladly’ bring Kim to Juventus during the summer transfer window, and given their previous successes together in Serie A, is in a prime position to convince the former Napoli star to move to Turin.
Kim will have two years remaining on his current Bayern Munich contract when the summer transfer window opens, but the Bundesliga club still have high demands for interested sides. Monday’s reports claim that the Bavarians will seek a fee in the region of €40m.
Kim would also likely need to take a pay cut if he were to join Juventus this summer. Calciomercato claims that he currently receives a gross salary of around €16m, which comes out to just over €8m net per season.
Como President Mirwan Suwarso has issued a public apology for his club’s fans’ behaviour during their recent 4-3 defeat against Inter in Serie A: ‘Our club’s integrity depends on mutual respect. Those who fail to uphold this will not be welcome’.
Suwarso forced to apologise for fans’ behaviour in Como 3-4 Inter
Como lost their spot in the Serie A top four after their 4-3 defeat against the league-leading Inter at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday evening. They now sit two points behind Juventus in the Champions League positions with six league matches of the season left to play.
Aside from the disappointment of yesterday’s defeat, Como President Suwarso was also left frustrated by the behaviour that some sections of the home supporters showed against the Nerazzurri.
Suwarso has issued a statement on his personal Instagram profile criticising those supporters who hurled insults and abuse towards the Inter directors and staff members.
Though not mentioned specifically by Suuwarso, Italy international Nicolo Barella, who had a brief spell on loan at Como in 2016, was treated to a loud round of boos from the home supporters on the night.
“Despite the final result, I am incredibly proud of our team. They gave everything on the pitch and fought with true honor. This is the spirit that defines us,” wrote Suwarso on Instagram on Monday.
“However, pride in our performance cannot outweigh my disappointment with the behavior shown by some in the tribuna onore toward the opposing delegation. I understand that football brings intense emotion, but we must never lose sight of who we are.
COMO, ITALY – APRIL 12: FC Internazionale players celebrate the victory at the end of the Serie A match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on April 12, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We are a club built on dignity. That dignity must extend beyond the field, toward our opponents, their supporters, and especially their directors and executives. They are our guests, and they deserve respect.
“Mockery and insults in the tribuna d’onore do not represent the club we are building. They undermine the very values we stand for.
COMO, ITALY – MARCH 03: The Como 1907 fans show their support during the Coppa Italia match between Como 1907 and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We will work to uphold those values, firmly and consistently. We will take the necessary steps to ensure this standard is respected. Our club’s integrity, and the progress of the league as a whole, depend on mutual respect.
“Those who fail to uphold this will not be welcome.
“Let us grow together, with dignity, with integrity, on and off the field.”
Kenan Yildiz was brought off shy of the hour mark during Juventus’s 1-0 victory over Atalanta in Serie A over the weekend, but reports on Monday indicate that the Bianconeri plan to have the Turkish talent available for the remaining six league games of the season despite recurring pain in his knee.
Yildiz lined up as a starter in Juve’s attacking trident along with Francisco Conceicao and Jeremie Boga against Atalanta, but was replaced by the out-of-favour Jonathan David after just 58 minutes.
According to reports from Tuttosport, Yildiz has been struggling with a slight inflammation and a bit of pain in his knee for a little while leading up to the Atalanta game. His left knee was visibly strapped up for the match in Bergamo on Saturday.
BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 11: Kenan Yildiz of Juventus is challenged by Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Gewiss Stadium on April 11, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
There had been concerns that he might not have been available to face La Dea, but the player himself reportedly felt good to go and gave his full availability to head coach Luciano Spalletti.
Tuttosport claims that the knee issue is not particularly serious, and that Yildiz is not expected to go under any type of surgical intervention. Instead, he will be closely monitored and managed with recovery and rehabilitation work with the hope that he will be available for Juve’s remaining six matches of the 2025-26 season.
Given that Juventus are also without Dusan Vlahovic for the run-in and the fact that Yildiz has only missed two matches across all competitions all season, his availability is increasingly important for the Old Lady and their hopes of securing a top four finish.
Inter took a big step towards the Serie A title with their 4-3 win over Como on Sunday, but when could Cristian Chivu’s side be mathematically confirmed as the Scudetto winners for 2025-26?
Inter currently have a nine-point lead at the top of the Serie A table with six matches of the season left to play. Chivu’s side have accumulated 75 points from 32 matches while their closest competitors, Napoli, find themselves on 66 points from 32 games in 2025-26.
If both sides go on to win all of their remaining matches for the remainder of the season, Inter will be crowned the league champions at the end of their away match against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico on May 10, which falls in Week 26 of the Serie A season.
There is a scenario where the Nerazzurri end up winning the Serie A title within their next two league matches.
If Inter win their next two games against Cagliari and Torino, and if Napoli either draw or lose in their next two, the gap between first and second place would open up to at least 13 points with four games remaining, making it impossible for Chivu’s side to be overtaken. In this scenario, Inter would be crowned champions at the end of their match away against Torino on April 26.
Inter’s remaining Serie A fixtures in 2025-26
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Federico Dimarco of FC Internazionale Milano acknowledges the fans following victory in 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)
Cagliari (h) April 17
Torino (a) April 26
Parma (h) May 3
Lazio (a) May 10
Verona (h) May 17
Bologna (a) May 24
Napoli’s remaining Serie A fixtures in 2025-26
CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 20: Scott Francis Mctominay of Napoli celebrates his goal 0-1 with the team-mates during the Serie A match between Cagliari Calcio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Sant’Elia on March 20, 2026 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)
Reports in Italy confirm that Juventus have triggered their obligation to buy for attacker Lois Openda, despite the fact that the Belgian has been left as an unused substitute for the last five rounds of Serie A fixtures.
How much will Juventus have to pay after triggering Openda obligation to buy?
Openda joined Juventus on loan with a conditional obligation to buy from RB Leipzig during the 2025 summer transfer window. At the time of Openda’s arrival back in early September, Juventus confirmed that they paid a loan fee of €3.3m with bonuses of up to €800,000 to bring Openda in for the 2025-26 season, and that the obligation to buy is set at €40.6m with bonuses of up to €1.7m.
Juventus are now obliged to pay the €40.6m fee to RB Leipzig, which is payable in four instalments, after mathematically confirming a 10th place finish in Serie A.
Roma defender Jan Ziolkowski challenges Juventus forward Lois Openda during their Serie A match (@seriea_en)
Juve confirmed their top 10 finish with Saturday’s important 1-0 victory away against Atalanta.
This means that the Bianconeri are now 18 points clear of the 11th-placed Sassuolo with six games to go. In the extremely unlikely event that Juventus lose all of their remaining fixtures and Sassuolo win all of theirs, they will finish level on 60 points, but Juventus would still claim a higher spot due to their head-to-head record against the Neroverdi.
With the obligation to buy now triggered, Openda will be entitled to a four-year contract at the Allianz Stadium, running until the summer of 2030.
Despite the obligation to buy having been triggered, Openda is still massively out of favour in Turin, having been left on the bench for Juve’s last five Serie A fixtures. He only played for one minute off the substitutes’ bench in his most recent league appearance and has not started for the Old Lady in the league since late December.
It is expected that Juventus will still look to move Openda on if possible during the next summer transfer window.
Several Serie A sides have been linked with a potential summer move for Bosnia and Herzegovina talent Kerim Alajbegovic, who has earned comparisons to former Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia by outlets in Italy.
Napoli, Milan and Roma among clubs interested for Alajbegovic
18-year-old Alajbegovic is the bright star of the Bosnia and Herzegovina national side that defeated Italy on penalties in the World Cup play-off final last week. Since then, the talented teenager has been linked with moves to several of Europe’s top sides, including to Napoli, Roma and Milan in Serie A.
Alajbegovic was born in Cologne in Germany, but has represented Bosnia at every youth level from U15 up to the senior side, for whom he has already earned eight caps. He has been on RB Salzburg’s books this season, but it has already been confirmed that his former club Bayer Leverkusen will activate their buy-back option this summer.
CARDIFF, WALES – MARCH 26: Kerim Alajbegovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina looks on during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-off match between Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Cardiff City Stadium on March 26, 2026 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
That doesn’t necessarily rule out another move elsewhere during the summer transfer window, though.
Corriere dello Sport suggests that Milan are trying to fend off interest from Roma in order to strike a deal for Alajbegovic this summer.
La Gazzetta dello Sport, meanwhile, claims that Napoli are keen to strike a deal for the Bosnian youngster, whom they have compared to former Partenopei star Kvaratskhelia for his style of play and potential resale value.
The Pink Paper suggests that Napoli want to wrap up a deal for the 18-year-old as swiftly as possible, fearing that a solid impression at the 2026 World Cup will only attract more suitors from across Europe.
Italy international Alessandro Bastoni has been strongly linked with a move away from Inter to join Barcelona during the summer transfer window, but Friday’s reports indicate that the left-sided centre-back is not particularly keen on the idea of leaving San Siro.
Reports Bastoni doesn’t want to leave Inter for Barcelona
Recent reports claim that Inter could go for a summer transfer ‘revolution’ once the 2025-26 season comes to an end, beginning with the contract extension of head coach Cristian Chivu and also involving a major overhaul of the playing squad. Aside from a long list of players whose contracts are due to expire, Bastoni has also been mentioned as one who could be sacrificed to raise funds for new arrivals.
Barcelona are interested and have sounded out Bastoni’s availability with his entourage according to reports in Spain and Italy.
However, according to Friday’s update from Corriere dello Sport, Bastoni wants to stay on with Inter and to continue fighting for titles in San Siro.
LECCE, ITALY – FEBRUARY 21: Alessandro Bastoni of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between US Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on February 21, 2026 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images)
Corriere dello Sport points out that there had been interest in Bastoni from Manchester City a few seasons ago, and that Bastoni also pushed to stay in Italy during that period as well.
Recent reports elsewhere add that there is also a major difference in Barcelona and Inter’s valuations of Bastoni, with the buying club rumoured to be considering bids in the region of €45m, while the selling party are pushing for €60m-€70m.
Corriere dello Sport claims that there has been contact with Bastoni’s representatives from the Barcelona camp, but that these have only been initial talks as the player has not given his willingness to discuss a transfer any further.
Friday’s report suggests that the defender feels that Inter is ‘his’ team, especially with the way the club supported him through his recent struggles. The club stood by him while he was being booed in practically every away ground in Italy following the controversial Derby d’Italia victory against Juventus, and the supporters gave him a standing ovation on his return to club football following his red card in Italy’s World Cup play-off defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Juventus are expected to announce that head coach Luciano Spalletti has signed a new contract on Friday, and reports from multiple outlets in Italy indicate that the Bianconeri tactician will have a big sway on future transfer decisions.
Spalletti took over from Igor Tudor as head coach of Juventus in October and signed an initial contract until the end of the 2025-26 season with an option to extend. On his new deal, Spalletti will be tied to the club until the summer of 2028 and will receive an annual salary of around €5m-€6m per season.
The contract extension announcement is expected to be delivered on Friday.
Reports indicate that Juventus made the decision to lock down Spalletti at the beginning of the calendar year, specifically after the 3-0 victory over Sassuolo in January, which was the side’s fifth positive result in a run of seven unbeaten matches.
Spalletti ‘more than a coach’ at Juventus
TURIN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Luciano Spalletti, Head Coach of Juventus, reacts during 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)
According to reports from multiple outlets in Italy, Spalletti has received reassurances that the club will invest again during the upcoming summer transfer window in order to assemble a squad that is ready to compete for titles immediately.
The Bianconeri are looking to bring in reinforcements all over the pitch, including at goalkeeper, in central midfield and at centre-forward. The Bianconeri could look to bring in new defenders as well. Several ‘big’ names have been linked as well, including Liverpool’s Alisson Becker, Real Madrid’s Antonio Rudiger and Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva.
According to Tuttosport and others, Spalletti will have a big say in the transfer targets that Juventus decide to bring in. The Turin-based outlet suggests that Spalletti will be given responsibilities ‘that go beyond the pitch’. Friday’s print edition claimed that Spalletti will be a coach-cum-director.
Roma’s injuries haven’t cleared up just yet, which means that Gian Piero Gasperini could name an unchanged Giallorossi XI against Pisa in Serie A on Friday evening.
Roma are hoping to get their Champions League mission back underway when they host Pisa at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 BST on Friday evening. The Giallorossi currently find themselves in sixth place on 54 points after 31 matches, three points off Juventus in fifth and four points off Como in fourth. They were beaten 5-2 away against table-toppers Inter last time out.
Visitors Pisa remain rooted to the bottom of the Serie A table on 18 points having won just twice in Serie A all season. The most recent of their victories came in a 3-1 win over Cagliari on March 15, but they have since gone on to lose 5-0 to Como and 1-0 to Torino in the weeks since.
Roma are still without key players in Paulo Dybala, Manu Kone and Wesley Franca for tonight’s clash against Pisa. Gasperini confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Wesley and Kone could potentially ease their way back into the group next week, as could centre-back Gianluca Mancini. Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk also remain out with longer-term issues.
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 15: Wesley of AS Roma injured during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and AS Roma at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 15, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
With a lack of real alternative options, Gasperini is likely to name an unchanged XI, despite his side’s 5-2 loss against Inter last weekend.
Pisa are without Marius Marni and Daniel Denoon through injury, while Lorran and Samuel Iling-Junior have not been called up on technical choices.
Rafiu Durosinmi is back and eligible again after serving his suspension, and could be thrown straight back into the starting line-up against Roma.
Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST.
Roma vs. Pisa: Probable line-ups
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)
Barca’s free agent super bomber wants another big club, and the Diavolo are thinking about it (and also Juve)
Italian football, increasingly sadder
Bologna in the Europa League and Fiorentina in the Conference League
Aston Villa win 3-1 at the Dall’Ara, 3-0 for Palace in London. After seven years, there is a ris of not having any cup semi-finalists
Inter: A new Thuram
The Scudetto path
He was finished, but now with Lautaro, the spark has been reignited
Roma opportunity, Gasp and fourth place: ‘We believe’
At home against Pisa (19.45)
Corriere dello Sport
Spalletti, the guarantees
Lucio 2028 | Here’s the renewal: Targeted investments to make the big leap
From Alisson to Rudiger: Juve only looking for big players
The Brazilian goalkeeper has decided to leave Liverpool. The German leaving Real on a free. Bernardo Silva on the list. Champions League ‘play-off’ at Atalanta’s home tomorrow
Opta rankings
Inter, Milan and Napoli in the top 20
Roma do it like this
Attack on Pisa (19.45): Gasperini sets the path
‘On the market, we need to change the targets we sign. We need others like Malen and Wesley. The Champions League race? A goal that I set for myself
Bologna Harakiri
Europa League: Aston Villa treble at the Dall’Ara (1-3)
Errors from Ravaglia and Heggem, the goal from Rowe is only an illusion
Fiorentina nightmare
Conference League; Vanoli loses 3-0 against Crystal Palace
Disastrous referee: It wasn’t a penalty for 1-0. Now requires a miracle
Inter, Bastoni wants to stay
Future in doubt
Isn’t attracted by the Barcelona hypothesis and isn’t considering asking for a sale
Napoli, he’s McTop: Covers five roles
The McTominay joker
Has played in the middle, as a mezzala, out wide, as a trequartista and now as a false nine against Milan
Italy, Baldini with the U21s in June
Double friendly
Tuttosport
Spalletti with full powers
With his renewal, he also has a guarantee of a say on the transfer market. Juve have a manager-director
Expertise and experience at the service of a ‘young’ management team: The idea is for an instant team that is capable of winning immediately and is convincing, even if the budget will be decided by the Champions League. And the dressing room is with him. Vlahovic’s injury tinged with uncertainty. Negotiations are becoming complicated again, and an additional reinforcement for the attack is being considered. In Bergano tomorrow: Koopmeiners battles the boos
Toro punt on Okoli
Defensive move
Enquiries underway with Leicester for the centre-back who earned his first national team call-ups under Spalletti
Bologna and Fiorentina given English lessons: Italy poor
Europa and Conference League
The Rossoblu crumble at Aston Villa’s home in the quarter-final first leg (1-3). The Viola in London against Crystal Palace (3-0)
Former Juventus defender Stephan Lichtsteiner admits that ‘the wound is still there’ with Allegri after a falling out in 2017, and has explained what made Antonio Conte a more enjoyable coach to work under during his time in Turin.
Lichtsteiner, who was appointed head coach of Basel in January, spoke in an in-depth interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, published on Thursday.
Lichtsteiner on positives with Conte and negatives with Allegri at Juventus
Lichtsteiner spoke in-depth about the lessons he learned during his time working under Conte, but revealed that he is still ‘disappointed’ after being left off Juventus’s Champions League squad list by Allegri in 2017-18.
“So many memories come to mind,” Lichtsteiner said when recalling his relationship with Conte.
TURIN, ITALY – OCTOBER 02: Juventus FC manager Antonio Conte (C) celebrates the victory with Stephan Lichtsteiner (R) at the end of the Serie A match between Juventus FC and AC Milan on October 2, 2011 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“I think of all the training sessions spent working on the same plays. Antonio was sure from day one that we’d win it. He’s someone who teaches you that winning is the only thing that matters. And I will take that with me forever. He does everything he can to make you win. “He taught me, more than anything else, to be mean on the pitch. I was a different person when I played. I knew that the referees couldn’t take to me much, or the coaches. I didn’t talk to anyone, I wasn’t an easy guy to manage.”
However, Lichtsteiner doesn’t have the same fondness when looking back on his time with Allegri.
He says that he is particularly disappointed by the fact that the aforementioned Champions League snub was a result of ‘personal issues’ rather than playing quality.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 21: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the Serie A match between AC Milan and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 21, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“That was something that hurt and is a wound that is still there. Especially because it had to do with personal issues and nothing on the pitch. I remember that Allegri called me. There was disappointment. In hindsight, I’m happy that I was included in January.”
Riccardio Calafiori has admitted that he feels more comfortable playing in a back four rather than in a back three, but believes that his preferences and Gennaro Gattuso’s tactical selections were not the reason behind Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Calafiori on Arsenal goals and Italy ‘disappointment’
Calafiori lined up alongside Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Bastoni in a three-man defence for Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina last Tuesday, and briefly spoke about the national team in an interview with Sky Sport Italia following Arsenal’s recent Champions League victory over Sporting CP.
The former Roma and Bologna defender admits that the disappointment of Italy’s failure to qualify for the World Cup for the third tournament in a row will remain for ‘quite a while’ but says that he has to focus on his football at club level, with Arsenal still fighting for the Premier League and Champions League titles.
“I think the disappointment will remain for quite a while, but that’s how it is in football, I prefer to play as a starter because there’s nothing else to think about when you’re on the pitch. You try to give your best, there are big goals to play for,” Calafiori told Sky.
“I think the disappointment remains inside, but I hope to achieve something big with Arsenal at the end of the season.”
FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 08: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy in action during a Italy training session at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 08, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Alessandro Costacurta was on punditry duty in the Sky studios. He pointed out that all of the teams competing in the Champions League quarter-finals lined up in a back four, while in Italy and with the national team, a back three remains one of the more popular systems.
Calafiori told Costacurta that he does prefer playing in a back four, but that this was not the reason behind Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat.
“I’ve never thought about it, I don’t know what to say about it. I feel better in a four-man defence, both as a central defender and as a full-back. But if you think that’s the reason why the game (against Bosnia) went badly, I don’t think that’s the case.”
Costacurta clarified that his question was meant generally, and not specifically in relation to the Italy national team: “I didn’t want to put you in a difficlt spot,” he insisted.
Gian Piero Gasperini has spoken in-depth about how he wants to see Roma operate during the summer transfer window and has explained what makes players like Donyell Malen or Wesley Franca ‘ideal’ targets for the Giallorossi.
Gasperini’s press conference ahead of Roma-Pisa: Inter reflections, Champions League goal and ‘ideal’ transfer plan
The Roma head coach gave his thoughts on Roma’s recruitment, this season’s injury battles and his side’s recent 5-2 defeat against Inter during his pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s Serie A match against Pisa.
Gasperini began his customary chat with the media with an injury update on some of his key first-team players. He is not expecting any surprise returnees for Pisa, but hopes that the situation might start to clear up in time for next weekend’s match against Atalanta.
“I think Mancini will recover as early as next week, I hope Kone and Wesley will too,” Gasperini confirmed.
“The injuries they have are less serious situations. Dybala is doing quite well, but he’s more unpredictable. It will take a week or two.
“Injuries have definitely hindered us from the end of December onwards, they’ve all been very long. The issue isn’t the number of injuries (it’s the length). If you miss one or two weeks, you can still make it back. When you miss months, though, that’s not part of the ‘normality’ in football. From Ferguson to Bailey and Dovbyk, then Dybala, Soule and Angelino.
“We brought in Malen, but then we lost Dovbyk, Ferguson, Soule and Dybala. Then we also had an emergency in defence. However, this is a team that has always reacted well to emergencies and we hope to continue to do so in these last seven games.”
Gasperini insisted that he is only focused on the short-term future rather than the medium or long-term following his side’s 5-2 hammering away against the league-leading Inter last time out.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Gianluca Mancini of AS Roma scores his team’s first goal against Yann Sommer of FC Internazionale Milano during the Serie A match between Inter and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“We’re not thinking about the future right now, we have to think about the present. We can’t allow the second half in Milan to happen again, there was definitely a collapse in mood and that is the only thing that must never happen.”
Turning his attention to the task in hand against Pisa, Gasp added: “We will face a team that is almost relegated, but we know that Pisa is always a tough side that has put in some excellent performances. We have no margin for error, starting from tomorrow. We know that we can take a big step forwards tomorrow.”
Gasperini was asked if Lorenzo Pellegrini, out of contract at the end of the season, is expected to pen a new deal before the end of the campaign. Gasp admitted that the situation is up in the air, but insists that this is not a concern on either the player or coach’s side.
“This is a situation that has been the same since the beginning of the year, it’s not been addressed before and it has remained as it is. These are serious players, it’s impossible to predict now what could happen in a month. It depends on the will of the club and the players.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter scores his team’s second goal while under pressure from Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma 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)
“The situation between loans and expiring contracts, who could potentially be on the market to help with the accounts, at the moment, are situations that are not a concern to anyone.
“After losing 5-2 in Milan, Pellegrini put it on his own shoulders by doing interviews. I don’t know what will happen, but I’m grateful to this group for how they’ve gone about this season.”
Gasperini was asked what players like Neil El Anyaoui, Daniele Ghilard and Robinio Vaz have to do to earn more consistent playing time.
“We see the players and I make the choices. Ghilardi has played a lot, Vaz has played more than he did in Marseille, if that’s not enough for you …” Gasperini responded.
“Everyone has played in this team, but some want you to play Vaz over Malen or Ghilardi over Ndicka. Of course there is a team that plays regularly, there are also players who come in and are growing. If that’s not enough, then I don’t know what to do.”
Gasperini was asked what he makes of the suggestions that this is not a Roma side that is ‘worthy’ of a fourth-place finish in Serie A.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Gian Piero Gasperini, Head Coach of AS Roma, looks on prior to the Serie A match between Inter and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
“All the defections we’ve had from a certain point in the season have definitely weighed heavily. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t tried to do our best.
“Everyone is free to have their own discussions, evaluations and comparisons on the quality of individual players who have had to play. We are the ones that set the goal (of qualifying for the Champions League), if we don’t achieve it, we will have done our best to achieve it.”
Gasperini was asked if there are any players he considers to be ‘untouchable’ heading into the summer transfer window.
He said: “I think we always have to try and improve the team. Before you start thinking about depriving yourself of what you have, you first have to understand what to put in. That’s the focus. We’d all like to have Messi or Ronaldo.
“The goal is to improve the team from time to time. To me, it seems that if you look at Roma on Transfermarkt, we’ve brought in 30 players and only four or five play. I don’t blame anyone, but maybe there’s a need for different targets.
“I’ve seen great players and teams at Roma, the fans recognise quality players. I’m more inclined to that sort of idea (quality over quantity) rather than bringing in 30 players. Not everyone might share the same opinion.”
Following up, Gasperini was asked what sort of target he would like to see the club go after during the summer transfer window.
Donyell Malen holds up his Roma shirt after joining the Giallorossi on loan with a potential obligation to buy from Aston Villa (picture via www.asroma.com)
“This is a choice that the club has to make,” he replied. “Maybe you go for players with big contracts, which happened in the past and the owners might not want to do anymore. Another solution could be to focus on very young players, but I don’t know if a team like Roma can accept lowering the team’s ambitions to focus on youngsters.
“Another, the ideal solution, are targets like Malen, Wesley, at those costs and those salaries. It’s not easy, but maybe you need to work on those targets. If you find ten, brilliant. If you find two, work on those two.”
Thursday’s reports claim that Inter are now inclined to keep midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu on board and that they are prepared to fend off interest from Galatasaray during the upcoming transfer window, as was the case last summer as well.
Reports Inter want to keep hold of Calhanoglu until 2027 at least
Calhanoglu, 32, has just over a year remaining on his contract in San Siro, expiring in the summer of 2027. He has spent the last nine seasons playing in the city of Milan, the last five for the Nerazzurri.
The 104-time Turkiye international has, on several occasions, been linked with a move to Galatasaray, who reportedly saw bids for Calhanoglu rejected in the most recent summer and winter transfer windows.
With just over a year to go on his contract, and with Inter expected to overhaul their playing squad and potentially their tactical set-up as well this summer, there have been recent suggestions that Inter could finally allow Calahanoglu to leave for Galatasaray under the right financial circumstances this summer.
Moreover, Inter also feel that Calhanoglu is a reliable midfield general, and one who can help maintain standards and some continuity if the team is to undergo a major overhaul this summer.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Cristian Chivu is keen for Calhanoglu to stay on with Inter, knowing that few players offer the same skillset as the Turkiye international. And those who do – Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez has been used as an example – would almost certainly be out of Inter’s price range.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Hakan Calhanoglu of Inter scores his team’s second goal while under pressure from Lorenzo Pellegrini of AS Roma 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)
Whether Calhanoglu signs a new contract with Inter, or decides to leave upon the expiry of his current deal in 2027 remains to be seen, but the current indications suggest that Inter do not want to lose him during the coming summer transfer window.
Thursday’s reports suggest that Crystal Palace will hand a starting opportunity to striker Jean-Phillipe Mateta in this evening’s Conference League quarter-final first leg against Fiorentina, just over three months after the Frenchman’s January transfer to Milan fell through.
Multiple outlets, including Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport, claim that Mateta will lead the line for Palace when they host Fiorentina in the Conference League quarter-final first leg at Selhurst Park on Thursday night.
Mateta has not started for Palace in any competition since their 3-1 defeat against Chelsea in the Premier League on January 25.
Mateta had been on the verge of joining Milan in the final days of the January transfer window. The clubs had shaken hands over a transfer fee in excess of €30m and Palace decided to bring in a replacement in the form of Jorgen Strand Larsen.
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 06: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace runs for the ball during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 League Phase MD3 match between Crystal Palace FC and AZ Alkmaar at Selhurst Park on November 06, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
There had been concerns in the UK that Mateta would need surgery to fix the damage in his knee. Glasner later revealed that there was an option for Mateta to go through a rehabilitation process, which might be better for his chances of featuring for France at the 2026 World Cup.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN – NOVEMBER 16: 19 Jean-Philippe Mateta of France during the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Azerbaijan and France at Tofig Bahramov Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images)
“There are two ways we can do it: Either manage it, like we did. We can manage the knee until after the World Cup, because this is especially what JP is considering, his dream, playing for France at the World Cup. Or, the other one is that he undergoes the surgery,” Glasner explained in February.
In the end, Mateta decided against having surgery, which has facilitated a return to action three months on from his failed Milan transfer. Tonight’s Conference League clash against Fiorentina is expected to be his first start since then.
Germany international Leon Goretzka continues to be linked with moves to both Milan and Juventus ahead of the summer transfer window, but Thursday’s reports suggest that the Rossoneri have a plan in place to try and fend off their competition.
Where Milan and Juventus stand in Goretzka pursuit
Goretzka is expected to leave Bayern Munich on a free transfer once his contract expires at the end of the 2025-26 season, which has alerted some of Serie A’s biggest clubs. Aside from Milan and Juventus, there have also been suggestions that Napoli, Inter and some clubs in the Premier League might be interested as well.
Thursday’s reports from both La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport indicate that the 31-year-old Goretzka is seeking a three-year contract once his current deal with Bayern comes to an end.
La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Milan have no problem with the length of contract, especially given that Adrien Rabiot also penned a three-year deal at the age of 30 last summer.
The Pink Paper suggests that Milan are the only club currently prepared to put a three-year contract offer on the table for Goretzka, and that their competitors will be more inclined to offer a two-year deal.
MUNICH, GERMANY – MARCH 18: Leon Goretzka of FC Bayern Munich acknowledges the fans following the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern München and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Despite being billed as a ‘free transfer’, Goretzka is still not expected to come particularly cheaply.
Tuttosport reports that Goretzka will seek a salary of €7m per season with a signing-on bonus of €10m. That would end up costing Milan €31m over a three-year period. La Gazzetta dello Sport, meanwhile, claims that the Rossoneri will go in with an offer of €5m per season.
Multiple outlets in Italy are reporting that Luciano Spalletti’s contract extension at Juventus is now a done deal and that the Old Lady will announce their head coach’s renewal before the end of the working week.
According to the likes of La Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport, Spalletti will put pen to paper on a new two-year contract that will run until the summer of 2028. The former CT had initially joined the Bianconeri on a short-term deal until the end of the 2025-26 campaign back in October.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus will announce Spalletti’s contract extension ‘within the next 24 hours’, while Tuttosport agree that the announcement will be delivered on Friday.
Spalletti is set to receive a salary in the region of €5m-€6m per season. Some outlets suggest that it will be a base salary of €5m, while others cite a figure of €6m including bonuses. Reports suggest that Spalletti will be paid around €3m for the work he will have done from October until the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Tuttosport claims that Juventus took the decision to offer Spalletti a new deal following the club’s 3-0 victory away against Sassuolo on January 6, and that John Elkann spoke to the head coach on the evening after that game in Emilia Romagna. The Sassuolo match was Juve’s fifth victory in a seven-game unbeaten run.
Up next on the agenda for Juventus are potential contract extensions for midfielders Weston McKennie and Manuel Locatelli. On the pitch, the goal remains to finish the season with a Champions League spot for 2026-27, and only after they discover their final league finish will Juventus be able to push forwards with plans on the transfer market.
Antonio Conte continues to be linked with a return to the Italy national team set-up, and reports on Thursday indicate that there will be a meeting between the Napoli head coach and the club’s President, Aurelio De Laurentiis, once the 2025-26 season comes to an end.
Conte and De Laurentiis set for Napoli and Italy talks at end of 2025-26 sesaon
Antonio Conte Aurelio De Laurentiis Napoli
Conte’s name is at the top of the shortlist of candidates to replace Gennaro Gattuso as head coach of the Italy national team. Gattuso left his position by mutual consent last week following Italy’s World Cup play-off final defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which cost the national team a spot at the final tournament for the third time in a row.
It would be a return to the national team for Conte, who already held the role of CT from 2014 to 2016.
Conte has just over a year remaining on his current contract, and De Laurentiis has recently admitted that he would not stand in the coach’s way should he decide to leave the club in order to take on the Italy job. “If Antonio asked me, I think I’d say yes,” said ADL.
According to Thursday’s reports from the Corriere dello Sport, Conte and De Laurentiis will sit down for decisive talks over the coach’s future as soon as the 2025-26 season comes to an end.
The location for the meeting has been set: On the island of Ischia, and will take place within a few days of the final round of Serie A fixtures, which will take place on May 24.
Fiorentina will have to go without Italy international Moise Kean when they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final on Thursday evening.
Crystal Palace are the outright favourites to go on and win the Conference League, but must first get past two-time finalists, Fiorentina, who finished just one point behind the South London outfit at the end of the league phase. The Viola beat Rakow Czestochowa by a 4-2 aggregate scoreline in the round of 16 in order to qualify for tonight’s quarter-final. The hosts overcame AEK Larnaca over two legs after being held to a 0-0 draw at home in the opening game of that tie.
Fiorentina are without Kean, who has not travelled, nor has Manor Solomon or Fabiano Parisi. The Italy international is not expected to be out long-term, and should be in contention to play against Lazio in Serie A over the weekend. Roberto Piccoli is likely to start in his place in South London.
Rolando Mandragora is available for selection after a brief spell on the sidelines through injury, but is likely to start amongst the substitutes on this occasion.
Pre-match reports suggest that Palace could finally re-introduce Jean-Phillipe Mateta to their starting line-up after a spell on the sidelines nursing a knee injury. That same injury saw his January transfer move to Milan fall through at the end of the window, and has kept him out of action ever since.
LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 07: Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace reacts during the Premier League match between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on December 07, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
There could also be an appearance in the Palace starting line-up from former Lazio midfielder Daichi Kamada.
Kick-off this evening is due at 20.00 BST.
Crystal Palace vs. Fiorentina: Probable line-ups
FLORENCE, ITALY – MARCH 12: Cher Ndour of ACF Fiorentina celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Conference League 2025/26 round of 16 first leg match between ACF Fiorentina and Rakow Czestochowa at Stadio Artemio Franchi on March 12, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 3 and online through Discovery+. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Bologna will need to put their troubling home record behind them and dig into their encouraging Europa League form when they host Europa League favourites Aston Villa in the first leg of the tournament’s quarter-final on Thursday evening.
The Rossoblu, currently eighth place in Serie A, beat domestic rivals Roma 5-4 over two legs of the Europa League round of 16 in order to qualify for tonight’s quarter-final. Aston Villa, who finished the Europa League league phase in second place and are currently fourth in the Premier League, beat Lille twice over with a 3-0 aggregate scoreline during the previous round.
Should Bologna overcome their Premier League opponents over two legs, they will qualify for the Europa League semi-final for just the second time in the club’s history, and for the first time since 1998-99 (UEFA Cup).
Vincenzo Italiano is expected to name his strongest available line-up, led by Santiago Castro at centre-forward with support from Federico Bernardeschi and either Jonathan Rowe or Nicolo Cambiaghi.
ROME, ITALY – MARCH 19: Santiago Castro of Bologna celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between AS Roma and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Olimpico on March 19, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Lewis Ferguson, Remo Freuler and either Tommaso Pobega or Nikola Moro are the likely midfielders, with an expected back four of Joao Mario, Jhon Lucumi, Torbjorn Heggem and Juan Miranda.
Bologna are expected to be without Lukasz Skorupski, Benja Dominguez, Thijs Dallinga and Jens Odgaard.
Boubacar Kamara is Aston Villa’s only injury absentee. Former Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz is expected to be among Unai Emery’s selections, along with the likes of John McGinn, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins.
Kick-off is due at 20.00 BST.
Bologna vs. Aston Villa: Probable line-ups
CREMONA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Vincenzo Italiano, Head Coach of Bologna, looks on prior to the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on April 05, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Martinez; Cash, Konsa, P.Torres, Digne; Onana, D.Luiz; McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers; Watkins
Where to watch Bologna vs. Aston Villa
Tonight’s game will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 2 and through Discovery+. Supporters in the USA are able to tune in via Paramount+.
Join us for all the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post-match reactions on the Football Italia Liveblog.
Three big things already happening on the transfer market
The new Juve is born, the coach signs a two-year deal. And the Liverpool goalkeeper gives his first yes
Goretzka to Milan: Offer of 5 million for three years
But what sale? Now Chivu is convinced. Calha needs to stay
Cholo conquers Barcelona, Kvara show in Liverpool
Champions League quarter-finals: 0-2 for Atletico, 2-0 to PSG
Bologna and Fiorentina: No fear against the English
Against Aston Villla in the Europa League and Palace in the Conference League at 20.00
Corriere dello Sport
Juve handicap
Champions League at all costs | Six games until the end and -1 off Como in fourth: Spalletti is missing a no.9
Final sprint without Vlahovic, David and Milik mysteries
Dusan’s stop will be longer than two weeks: He will miss Atalanta, Bologna and Milan. Openda fails to impress: 4 benches in a row. Lucio thinks about the Boga solution
‘Football is a plastered-over system’
Gravina’s testimony
Calha, the puzzle on the future
Knots to be untied with Inter and Hakan
ADL-Conte, meeting at the end of May
Napolim meeting on Ischia
Kvara ace, Cholo conquers Barcelona
Champions League quarter-finals: PSG and Atletico flying
Bologna and Viola, mission semi-finals
Europa and Conference League at 20.00
Tuttosport
Spalletti has signed
Juve’s announcement expected tomorrow
Renewal until 2028 for six million per year: Finally, the white and black smoke arrives, a sign that the strategies for the relaunch have been shared and agreed. Transfer market: The free agents Goretzka and Senesi, battling with Atletico Madrid for Ederson.
The real capital gain will be selling Toro
Big gains for Cairo
By selling off lots of players bought for so little, the President has earned far more than he spent over 20 years, and with a change of ownership …
Barca see red. Cholo, what an impression
The sending off (after VAR) of Cubarsi launches Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou: 2-0 with Alvarez and Sorloth. Doue and Kvara decide the other Champions League quarter-final
Fiorentina are putting in their final preparations ahead of a trip to London to face Crystal Palace in the Conference League on Thursday night, but Paolo Vanoli will have to travel to Selhurst Park without the services of Italy international Moise Kean.
According to the latest updates, Fiorentina will be without three first-team stars due to ongoing injury or fitness concerns. Kean is the headline absentee, song with Fabiano Parisi and Manor Solomon, who will also miss the Crystal Palace clash according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Kean did not train with the rest of the Fiorentina group on Wednesday, and instead carried out an individual session. La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that he is struggling with pain in his tibia, and that he is pushing to be available to face Lazio in Serie A this weekend instead.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Moise Kean of Italy celebrates after scoring his team’s opening goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
Kean is Fiorentina’s leading goalscorer in both Serie A and across all competitions this season, with eight goals from 26 league outings and 9 goals from 33 appearances including cup competitions.
Kean recently matched an Italy national team record with his goal in last Thursday’s World Cup play-off defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina by scoring in six consecutive matches for the Nazionale. He also has eight goals from his last six outings with the Italy national team.
Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Sergej Barbarez says that Italy didn’t ‘underestimate us’ ahead of their World Cup play-off final defeat last week, and has expressed his ‘respect’ for former CT Gennaro Gattuso: ‘I thank him’.
Bosnia and Herzegovina head coach Barbarez on Gattuso, Italy and Alajbegovic
Barbarez and his Bosnia and Herzegovina squad eliminated Italy on penalties in their World Cup play-off final in Zenica on Thursday evening, which cost the Azzurri a place at the World Cup for the third tournament in a row.
This is only the second time that Bosnia have managed to qualify for the World Cup following the dissolution of Yugoslavia. Their last appearance at the World Cup came in 2014, the same as Italy.
“I’m very proud of my team and what they achieved against Italy. Matches like this will always be special,” said Barbarez in an interview with Tuttomercatoweb.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina celebrates with his teammates after scoring his team’s equalizing goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
Barbarez insists that Italy did not ‘underestimate’ Bosnia and Herzegovina ahead of the play-off final: “I wouldn’t say they underestimated us. It rarely happens at this level. Italy is an experienced and serious team. We knew we had to be disciplined, focused and courageous, and I think our players showed that on the pitch.”
Barbarez also spoke about Gattuso, who left his position as head coach of the Italy national team a few days after the play-off final defeat in Zenica.
Gattuso had praised Barbarez’s ability as both a player and coach during his final pre-match press conference in charge of the Nazionale.
“I appreciate the respect from colleagues of Gattuso’s calibre and I thank him,” said Barbarez, “even though I must admit that our attention was completely focused on preparing the team before the match, so that we could arrive in the best possible way for this meeting.”
MILAN – NOVEMBER 16: Gennaro Gattuso looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Barbarez also gave his blessing to Bosnia talent Kerim Alajbegovic, who has been linked with several Serie A sides including Milan and Roma ahead of the summer transfer window.
“Alajbegovic is a young talent with great potential. However, I think the most important thing for him at this stage of his career is to continue to grow in the right environment, to play regularly and grow step by step.”
Vincenzo Italiano believes that Bologna have a ‘50/50’ chance of beating Aston Villa over two legs of their Europa League quarter-final despite the fact that the Premier League side are ‘superior on paper’.
The Rossoblu will host the Villains at the Dall’Ara on Thursday evening for the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final tie. The reverse fixture will be played at Villa Park on April 16.
Bologna claimed a surprise 5-4 aggregate victory over Serie A opponents Roma in the round of 16 in order to qualify for this stage of the competition. Aston Villa, meanwhile, claimed two round of 16 victories over Lille and qualified with a 3-0 aggregate scoreline.
Villa are the odds-on favourites to go on and win the Europa League title this season, but Bologna head coach Italiano believes that ‘anything can happen’ over two legs, and that his side have a ‘50/50’ chance of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Italiano previews Bologna vs. Aston Villa: ‘It’s 50/50’
“It’s 50/50. You all know how complicated this match is, but we have to prove our value, our strength and our qualities,” Italiano said during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. “We know the opponents because we’ve already faced them twice, but each match tells a different story.
“We will have to manage the game over 180 minutes. Tomorrow is important because the first game gives you the opportunity to set up for the second leg in a certain way. We have every chance to do it. We have to take our chances because it is a big pride to be in the final eight.”
Bologna have the home ‘advantage’ for Thursday’s quarter-final first leg, but oddly that is something that may worry Bologna, who have lost six of the seven Serie A matches that they have played at the Dall’Ara in 2026.
“Tomorrow there will be the obstacle of the stadium and I hope that (the supporters) will give us a big hand to conquer it,” Italiano admitted. “We’re coming in with a lot of enthusiasm having won in Cremona, which has allowed us to prepare well for this match,” he continued.
CREMONA, ITALY – APRIL 05: Joao Mario of Bologna celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and Bologna FC 1909 at Stadio Giovanni Zini on April 05, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
“We had both the result and the performance in Cremona. I hope to confirm it in a tough and difficult game tomorrow.
“I hope that the supporters will always continue to be with us, as I asked at the beginning of the season. I’ll give the example of Orsolini, who missed a penalty but was applauded. All that has to be protected. On paper, Aston Villa are superior to us, but with everyone’s help, we can overturn the predictions.”
Bologna and Aston Villa have already met twice over the last two seasons, once in the league phase of the Europa League earlier this season and once in the Champions League in 2024-25. Villa won those matches 1-0 and 2-0 respectively, both played at Villa Park.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa takes a penalty which was saved by Lukasz Skorupski of Bologna FC 1909 (not pictured) during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on September 25, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“The two previous matches were in the ‘qualifying’ rounds, one-off games and at their home. This time we will play for 180 minutes and anything can happen,” said Italiano. “We know their strengths and weaknesses. We’ve always faced them at the beginning of the season, unlike now when we’re nearly at the end.
“They have individual quality and a lot of value. We need an extraordinary performance, but there will definitely be a difference compared to the last two games.”
Inter have the small matter of the Serie A title to wrap up before the end of the 2025-26 season, but reports in Italy indicate that plans have already been made ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, beginning with the contract extension of head coach Cristian Chivu. Here’s what could happen next for the Nerazzurri.
What do Inter have planned for the summer transfer window?
Inter are seven points clear at the top of the Serie A table heading into the final seven matches of the season left to go.
Assuming that the Nerazzurri go on to lift the trophy at the end of the season, Chivu will have won the league title in his first full season as a head coach of a senior side.
The Romanian, who replaced Simone Inzaghi on a two-year contract last summer, is likely to be rewarded with a new contract extension, potentially until the summer of 2028 according to the latest reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Talks have not yet begun and are unlikely to take place before the end of the campaign, but the Pink Paper suggests that there will be no issues when it comes to negotiating a renewal.
Once Chivu’s contract is wrapped up, Inter will move forwards with what is expected to eb a summer transfer ‘revolution’.
Chivu had already tried to bring in star-quality signings in Manu Kone and Ademola Lookman last summer in an attempt to reshuffle the Nerazzurri playing staff, but it is understood that he will be given more backing this time around after a convincing start to life in the Inter hot seat.
La Gazzetta dello Sport suggests that Inter could look to move away from the 3-5-2 system that they have deployed so regularly over the last three seasons, and that they could be inclined to move to more of a 4-3-2-1.
Kone remains a target heading into this summer window and could be a useful figure in that set-up. There have also been suggestions that Inter could make another attempt for Moussa Diaby, a natural winger, who would benefit in a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3 formation.
ROME, ITALY – DECEMBER 29: Manu Kone of AS Roma celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Genoa CFC at Stadio Olimpico on December 29, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
Inter are also expected to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, with Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario the current frontrunner.
As for the defence, La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that Atalanta’s Marco Palestra is a strong favourite at right-back and that Oumar Solet and Mario Gila are strong options at centre-back.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Oaktree will not provide much more than €40m for Inter to spend this summer, but this does not factor in the fact that Yann Sommer, Francesco Acerbi, Stefan De Vrij, Matteo Darmian and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are likely to leave at the end of their contracts, which clears considerable room off the club’s wage bill.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 08: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Inter competes for the ball with Fikayo Tomori of AC Milan during the Serie A match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
There have also been suggestions that Inter could look to sell one of their current first-team stars, such as Alessandro Bastoni, which would also improve the budget situation this summer.
Denzel Dumfries, who has a release clause in his contract, as well as the likes of Davide Frattesi or Luis Henrique could also potentially be moved on this summer according to Wednesday’s report.
Reports in Italy suggest that Juventus could be just a few days away from announcing the contract extension of head coach Luciano Spalletti, which could potentially be announced before Saturday’s Serie A match against Atalanta.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that ‘the countdown is on’ for Juventus to announce Spalletti’s new contract. The Pink Paper reports that an agreement has been reached and that putting the signatures on the necessary documents is all that remains to be done before an announcement can go ahead.
Spalletti is expected to put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension, running until the summer of 2028 with wages in the region of €5m-€6m per season including bonuses.
TURIN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 08: Juventus FC head coach Luciano Spalletti looks on during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SS Lazio at Allianz Stadium on February 8, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Wednesday’s report indicates that the announcement regarding Spalletti’s contract extension could arrive within the next few days, likely before the Serie A match away against Atalanta at 19.45 BST on Saturday evening.
Spalletti originally joined Juventus at the end of October, penning an initial short-term deal until the end of the 2025-26 season with an option to extend for a further 12 months in the event of qualification for the Champions League. Juve, however, wish to settle any doubts and tie their head coach down before the off-season.
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