Max Allegri is trying to revitalise his Milan side against Sassuolo by testing Christopher Nkunku and Rafael Leao upfront, dropping misfiring Christian Pulisic.

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The Serie A Week 35 fixture is set to kick off at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday at 14.00 UK time (15.00 CEST).

The Rossoneri were able to hang on to third place following the 0-0 draw with Juventus, but the lack of firepower is becoming an increasing concern.

Pulisic is yet to score a single goal in 2026 and has now equalled the longest negative streak of his career, set previously at Chelsea, of 16 games.

Milan pair Nkunku with Leao

With this in mind, Sky Sport Italia report that Allegri dropped the USMNT forward and tested out a new front pairing of Leao and Nkunku.

This would allow him to maintain the 3-5-2 formation, with using strikers who have different characteristics and might work better together.

Some changes are forced, as Luka Modric is out for the rest of the club season after surgery on a fractured cheekbone, so Ardon Jashari steps into the midfield gap.

Pervis Estupinan and Davide Bartesaghi are once again the big doubt for the left flank, as the Italian is not 100 per cent fit.

Having already tried to sign Curtis Jones in January, it is now reported in Italy that Inter will try again for the Liverpool midfielder, who remains eager.

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The Nerazzurri had identified Jones as the ideal replacement in the January transfer window when Italy international Davide Frattesi appeared to be on his way to Nottingham Forest.

It was going to be a loan with option to buy for circa €40m at the end of the season, but without an agreement to extend his contract at Anfield first, the deal could not go through.

Jones now prepared to join Inter

The 25-year-old’s current contract runs to June 2027, and the situation has still not been resolved, but it means now Inter could make a proposal to buy him outright at a much lower fee.

Sportitalia claim that Jones has given the all-clear to a San Siro transfer, so now it is up to the clubs to agree on terms.

Frattesi again seems to be on his way out after struggling to get regular playing time under Cristian Chivu, a continuation of the problems he had with previous coach Simone Inzaghi.

Jones is a product of the Liverpool youth academy who spent his entire career with the Reds, this season contributing two goals and three assists in 45 competitive appearances.

Luciano Spalletti has been crowned as the Serie A coach of the month for April after an unbeaten run over the last few weeks, and the Juventus tactician has now equalled the record for the most wins since the award was introduced in 2021-22. 

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Juventus’s Spalletti named Serie A coach of the month for April

Spalletti has won the coach of the month award after leading Juventus to three victories and one draw across their four matches in the month of April. The Bianconeri picked up a 2-0 victory over Genoa at the start of the month, defeated Atalanta 1-0 away from home the following week, beat Bologna 2-0 at the Allianz Stadium and most recently held Milan to a 0-0 draw in San Siro. 

These results put Juventus in fourth place with four matches of the 2025-26 season left to play, three points behind the third-placed Milan and importantly, three points clear of Como and Roma in fifth and sixth place respectively. 

Spalletti will receive his award ahead of the Serie A match between Juventus and Hellas Verona at the Allianz Stadium this Sunday, May 3.

Spalletti is the first Juventus representative to win the coach of the month award since the aforementioned Allegri back in November 2023. This is his first coach of the year award away from Napoli. 

Spalletti has now won the Serie A coach of the month award a record five times, a feat that has only previously been achieved by former Inter and Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi, who won all of his awards with the Nerazzurri. 

Allegri, Gian Piero Gasperini and Thiago Motta are the next-most successful with four coach of the month wins each, then come Vincenzo Italiano and Cesc Fabregas on three apiece. 

Serie A coach of the month winners so far in 2025-26 

August: Davide Nicola (Cremonese)

September: Massimiliano Allegri (Milan)

October: Gian Piero Gasperini (Roma) 

November: Massimiliano Allegri (Milan) 

December: Cristian Chivu (Inter) 

January: Cristian Chivu (Inter) 

February: Raffaele Palladino (Atalanta) 

March: Cesc Fabregas (Como) 

April: Luciano Spalletti (Juventus)

Italian reports claim that Manchester City defender Nathan Aké has been offered to Inter, where he would reunite with Manuel Akanji.

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The Nerazzurri are trying to revamp their defence for next season, as Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian and Stefan de Vrij are expected to move on, with Alessandro Bastoni and Carlos Augusto also said to be considering their future.

With that in mind, FCInterNews suggest that Aké was proposed to Inter by some transfer intermediaries, who are working with the centre-back’s agents.

Ake new name on Inter radar

His contract with Manchester City only runs to June 2027, so it would make sense for the Premier League club to make a sale this summer and avoid losing him on a free transfer.

The Netherlands international is already 31 years of age, and has been linked with Bayer Leverkusen and Besiktas in recent months, but would bring valuable experience to the Inter defence.

Manchester City paid €45m to sign Aké from Bournemouth in 2020 and his previous clubs include Chelsea, Watford, Reading and the Feyenoord youth academy.

There had been similar concerns over Akanji leaving Manchester City for Inter last summer, but on the verge of his 31^st birthday, the Switzerland international has been a strong performer.

He arrived on loan with an option to buy for €15m that will become mandatory if Inter win the Scudetto, which they could do this weekend.

Controversial Olympique de Marseille forward Mason Greenwood is beginning to be linked with a move to Juventus again, as current Bianconeri star Francisco Conceicao is attracting interest from Premier League sides Liverpool and Manchester United according to the latest reports. 

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Could Greenwood replace Conceicao at Juventus?

Greenwood had been linked with a move to join Juventus on several occasions over the last two seasons and his name is beginning to reappear in Bianconeri circles approaching the summer transfer window. 

The 24-year-old forward has netted 36 goals from 62 appearances in Ligue 1 over the last two seasons, including 15 from 28 league outings in 2025-26. 

He and his Marseille teammates currently find themselves in sixth place in the Ligue 1 table heading into the final three matches of the 2025-26 season and are unlikely to qualify for next season’s Champions League. This means that Greenwood could potentially be allowed to leave to raise funds and to fulfil the player’s desire of competing in UEFA’s flagship competitions next season. 

Meanwhile, current Juventus forward Conceicao is beginning to attract interest from some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League, including Liverpool and Manchester United according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

The Portugal international has come up with four goals and four assists from 38 appearances across all competitions this season, but it is his relentlessness and dribbling ability that has caught the eye of scouts in the Premier League. 

Juventus paid a fee of €7m plus up to €3m in bonuses to sign Conceicao on loan for the 2024-25 season, and then invested a further €30.4m with bonuses of up to €1.6m to sign the winger on a permanent transfer at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign. That means that Juventus have agreed to invest a minimum of €37.4m on his signing and a maximum of €43m if all bonuses were to be met. 

Friday’s reports indicate that it would take an offer in the region of €50m to convince Juventus into selling Conceicao this summer, which is coincidentally roughly the same fee that has been mentioned if Juventus were to attempt to sign Greenwood this summer.

Reports in Italy claim that Marco Palestra is among Inter’s top targets heading into the summer transfer window, but signing the exciting young full-back likely depends on a couple of outgoings first. 

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Report: Inter could sell two players to accommodate Palestra signing

According to reports from Corriere dello Sport and Calciomercato.com, Palestra and Como’s Nico Paz are Inter’s two great ‘obsessions’ ahead of the summer transfer window. Palestra has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season on an individual level with Cagliari, where he has spent the 2025-26 season on loan from Atalanta. 

Palestra will return to Bergamo this summer, and according to Friday’s reports, Atalanta’s ideal plan would be for Palestra to stay on board for another season in Serie A before looking for a sale, potentially for an even higher fee. 

However, with plans to strengthen Cristian Chivu’s squad after what is expected to be the club’s 21st Scudetto in 2025-26, Inter are keen to bring Palestra to San Siro this summer, and are said to be prepared to invest a fee in the region of €40m for the 21-year-old right-back. 

According to the latest updates, Inter will likely have to move players on first before welcoming Palestra, though. 

There is talk that current first-choice right wing-back Denzel Dumfries could leave the club given that he has a €25m release clause in his contract, which will be valid this summer.

There has also been a suggestion that Luis Henrique could be sold if an offer were to come in this summer. The Brazilian has struggled to impress in his first season in Serie A, and as per Calciomercato, there was interest from AFC Bournemouth during the January transfer window. Inter would reportedly be even more keen to sell Luis Henrique this summer if interest were to reemerge.

Reports in Italy indicate that Luka Modric is set to trigger the one-year extension clause in his contract with Milan rather than end his illustrious career through injury after fracturing his cheekbone in a recent 0-0 draw with Juventus. 

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Modric and Milan expecetd to activate 12-month extension clause

The signing of the 40-year-old former Ballon d’Or winner has been an overwhelming success in San Siro. Modric has started in 32 of Milan’s 34 matches in Serie A so far this season, and has racked up a total of 2,788 minutes in the league, which is more than he managed in any of his last five seasons with Real Madrid. 

Modric is, however, expected to miss the final four matches of the 2025-26 season after suffering a fractured cheekbone while challenging for a header with Manuel Locatelli during last weekend’s 0–0 draw between Milan and Juventus in Serie A. 

This could have potentially been a career-ending injury, given that Modric signed a one-year contract with Milan at the beginning of the 2025-26 campaign, but reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that he will activate the 12-month extension clause in his deal in order to prolong his stay in San Siro. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, it is technically a club option to extend, but Milan will not activate the extension clause in Modric’s contract without his blessing first. 

Friday’s report claims that Modric just needs to give the thumbs up, which he is expected to do, in order for Milan to extend his stay until the end of the 2026-27 season. A formal announcement is unlikely to arrive before the end of the 2026 World Cup this summer, though. 

Modric is said to be attracted to the idea of playing Champions League football under Massimiliano Allegri next season, as well as the idea of announcing his retirement and bidding farewell to professional football at a major club like Milan and at an iconic venue like San Siro.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Only Milan 

Modric has decided 

Doesn’t want to finish on an injury, another year in Rossonero to play in the Champions League with Allegri, or it’s goodbye to football 

The Scudetto of goals 

Inter: ThuLa for the league and cup 

Lautaro top scorer, Thuram vice: An historic partnership. Napoli in Como tomorrow

Malagò shot 

Towards the elections 

Players and coaches are convinced, FIGC Presidency getting closer

‘Favoured’ referees don’t appear in any testimony 

Gervasoni in front of the prosecutor’s office 

Corriere dello Sport 

Forza Calcio! 

From the refereeing scandal to the super weekend 

Three Champions League finals | Tomorrow, Como-Napoli will decide the top clubs’ European fates and Inter’s Scudetto 

Conte will be at the home of Fabregas after the tensions in the first leg and the league title they won together at Chelsea. McTominay needs five points from four games to secure the gold from UEFA 

Gervasoni to the prosecutor’s office: ‘No alterations’ 

Referee investigation: In Rocchi’s logic, there are no distinctions between favoured and unfavoured refs

The Yildiz policy 

Juventus-Verona on Sunday 

A 55% win rate and 1.8 goals per game with Kenan. Four wins in 21 games without the trequartista 

Malen, what an average 

Roma-Fiorentina on Monday 

Donyell for 4th place: 0.87 goals per 90 minutes. Only Mbappe and Kane better than him 

Palestra for Inter 

Parma arrive on Sunday 

Lautaro returns to secure the 21st Scudetto. Not only Paz: Ausilio is also pushing for the full-back

Frosinone dream, Bari at risk 

Penultimate round in Serie B 

Alvini is chasing direct promotion against Monza and Venezia, Longo can’t afford any slip-ups to avoid relegation 

Tuttosport 

‘Yildiz like Kvara and Olise with Spalletti’ 

Interview with Causio 

The ex-Bianconeri ace: ‘Lucio knows perfectly how to manage talent and Kenan has the skills of a super, top player. Juve is ideal for Conceicao. How great was PSG-Bayern!’. Stiller: Meeting has been scheduled. Di Gregorio could stay as a second-choice keeper, Perin heading for an exit 

Jannik, give us five! 

Madrid, Semi-final against Fils at 15.00: Sinner chasing his fifth straight Masters 1000 

Malagò gets his hands on the FIGC 

Towards the election 

The former CONI no.1 has won the support of the players and coaches as well as that of the Serie A: Now he’s close to a majority 

Gervasoni defends himself as the investigation continues

Four hours at the prosecutor’s office.

The former VAR supervisor interviewed regarding Salernitana-Modena and Inter-Roma: ‘I rule out the audio being tampered with’

D’Aversa, an obstacle course to fend off Gattuso

The Toro coach facing injuries and competition

He will be without Zapata, Ismajli, Adams and Pederson in Udine tomorrow. The former CT and Juric also cast shadows over the coach: ‘The objective is the top half of the table. We have to be ambitious: Everyone. The club’s history deserves more than just staying up’. 

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Terre Haute North beats Terre Haute South, 13-2 in 6 innings Thursday night to retain The Glove.

Marcia Parker hit a grand slam for the Patriots. Morgan Hoggatt added a 2-run blast in the 6th inning as well.

North has won twelve in a row.

Grant Pugh caught up with Kenzie Zigler, Jaleigh Lindley, and Madi Strange after the victory.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Terre Haute North edges Terre Haute South, 3-2 in girls high school tennis Thursday night to snap a 17-match losing streak.

Haddie Parks earned the victory in one singles to clinch the match for the Patriots.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark's first home game in more than nine months was supposed to be a celebration.

Instead, she gave the Indiana Fever and fans a scare Thursday night.

Clark crumpled to the ground early in the third quarter when Dallas forward Alanna Smith collided with her leg on a shot attempt, and then limped toward the bench as she walked off the injury during a replay review that resulted in a Flagrant 1 call. The two-time All-Star then made two free throws before departing and watching the rest of the game from the bench.

“I feel good. I just landed on my kneecap really hard,” Clark said after scoring 21 points in a 95-80 loss to the Wings. “I know there's a committee of people that really wanted them (the refs) to start calling things, and I thought they did a great job of that. Honestly, I thought the refs were great, and it's preseason so you're probably going to see more fouls called. I expect that number to drop. But I think overall, it's going to improve the product.”

Initially, it looked as if little had changed since Clark last suited up in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 13, when the Fever beat Dallas.

The pregame autograph line snaked through the seats, the No. 22 jerseys and Clark T-shirts were as fashionable Thursday night as they were during her record-breaking rookie season, and, naturally, Clark was greeted with the usual loud cheers during player introductions.

Sure, it was only a preseason game, but it did feature the league's last two Rookie of the Year award winners — Clark and Paige Bueckers. Yet Fever fans had been yearning for this moment since Clark went down July 15 with a right groin injury that forced her to miss the All-Star Game and the All-Star weekend festivities in Indianapolis, as well as Indiana's final 22 regular-season games and its incredible run to the WNBA semifinals.

The long absence only made Thursday's game an even bigger deal.

“This is the first (Fever) game I've been to — ever,” said Nikki Niccun, dressed in a No. 22 jersey. “I've seen every one on TV, but this is the first time in person. I know it's a preseason game, but I'm excited."

Clark first returned to the court for Team USA in the FIBA Women's World Cup qualifying games in early March, then helped the Fever open the preseason with a 109-91 victory at New York despite a 2-for-10 shooting performance.

This time, Clark looked more like herself. She scored 14 of her 21 points in the first quarter, had four assists, three turnovers and two rebounds while going 4 of 6 from the field and 11 of 13 at the free throw line in 16 minutes.

“We had planned for her to come out about that time anyway," coach Stephanie White said. “It was just an extra precaution getting her out in that moment, but the plan was for her to start the third quarter and then get her out quickly.”

White also held out All-Star center Aliyah Boston for the second straight game because of a lower leg injury. All-Star guard Kelsey Mitchell finished with 10 points in 17 minutes.

Not everyone came to see Clark, though.

A smattering of fans also showed up in Bueckers jerseys, and she dazzled the crowd by scoring 20 points in 20 minutes on 8-of-12 shooting. Rookie Azzi Fudd, the No. 1 overall draft pick, added four points in 16 minutes as the Wings used a 22-5 second quarter run to seize control with a 53-26 lead. They never trailed again.

Whether that's an indication one of last season's 10-win teams could be headed for major improvement remains to be seen.

And though there were plenty of empty seats Thursday night, a rarity when Clark takes the stage, longtime Clark admirers welcomed the chance to get an early look at what they anticipate will be a big season.

“They're going to bounce back,” Niccun said. “We're going to be all right.”

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milan are reportedly going to pursue Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus for next season, having already tried several times to sign him in the past.

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It is no secret that the Rossoneri are in dire need of a new centre-forward, as Santiago Gimenez and Niclas Fullkrug are often left on the bench while Rafael Leao is pushed into a role that doesn’t suit him.

Max Allegri had a three-hour meeting with Milan directors this evening to discuss their transfer strategy for next season and that includes finding a hitman.

Gabriel Jesus back on Milan radar

According to Sky Sport Italia transfer pundit Gianluca Di Marzio, the latest name for their list is Gabriel Jesus.

It is hardly the first time that the Brazilian has been linked with the Rossoneri, as he had also been targeted last summer and again in January.

The 29-year-old is only under contract with Arsenal until June 2027, so considering he was purchased for €52m from Manchester City in 2022, it is their last chance to sell.

Gabriel Jesus made only 25 competitive appearances this season, scoring five goals with two assists.

Curiously, two of those goals were in the Champions League against Milan’s bitter rivals Inter.

He had a lengthy lay-off after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in January 2025, which kept him out for the best part of a whole year.

Former President Massimo Moratti insists the current investigation into referees for sporting fraud are ‘ridiculous compared to Calciopoli,’ and that ‘Inter have never been helped’ by officials.

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Refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi was placed under formal investigation for sporting fraud, a considerably harsher allegation than ones ever made in the 2006 Calciopoli scandal.

Among the accusations is that Rocchi colluded with unknown figures at San Siro in April 2025 to avoid assigning Daniele Doveri to Inter games, instead going for officials who the club considered preferable.

Another four members of the refereeing world are also under investigation, but Moratti was President of Inter in 2006 and insists the club is clean.

Moratti trusts Inter never helped by officials

“I didn’t follow the matter too closely, but it seems more like a small battle between referees than anything to do with clubs. I don’t see comparisons with Calciopoli,” Moratti told Napoli Network.

“I had fear and respect of the referees then, because they could decide the fate of my team, especially considering we had Juventus on the other side. I still imagined this was a difficult profession, and consequently I didn’t speak to them.

“I read interviews with De Santis and Luciano Moggi, who were found guilty in Calciopoli, and it’s incredible that people are asking for their opinion on the matter.

“What is happening now is ridiculous compared to that.”

Several clubs were caught up in the Calciopoli scandal for communication and pressure on the refereeing designators to assign certain officials or avoid others, but at no point was sporting fraud one of the charges.

A large part of it was intercepted phone calls with the refereeing chiefs, but some with then-Inter director Giacinto Facchetti were only discovered several years later, after the statute of limitations had passed.

Moratti, who saw Inter handed the 2005-06 Scudetto because all the clubs ahead of them in the table had been docked points in the scandal, maintains their absolute innocence both then and now.

“Seeing the games, I don’t see anything unbalanced. Inter never had help, not when they won and not when they lost. Refereeing errors can happen, and often they are serious errors, but these things have always happened.”

Mario Gila’s agent has denied agreeing terms with Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid, Napoli or any other club. ‘If someone wants him, they have to talk to Lazio.’

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The central defender has been very impressive over the last few seasons, and seeing as his contract at the Stadio Olimpico only runs to June 2027, a sale would have to be made this summer to avoid losing him as a free agent.

He turns 26 in August and the most persistent reports paired him with Milan, but there is also interest from Real Madrid, Juventus, Napoli and Inter.

Gila focus is only on Lazio for now

With the suggestions this week he had already agreed personal terms with the Rossoneri, Pianeta Milan contacted agent Alejandro Camano.

“Mario still has a year left on his contract with Lazio,” was his reply.

“I can say that, with all due respect for everyone’s work, none of what I’ve read is true. Milan are a very important club and I am really pleased that one of my players is linked with one of the most important clubs in the world.

“It makes me proud, but I must respect Lazio in this fundamental moment of the season. Lazio are going into a Coppa Italia Final against Inter, that is a trophy up for grabs.

“So I am not talking to Milan, with Juve, or with any other club. If someone wants Gila, then they have to talk to Lazio, who own his contract. I am only the player’s agent.”

It has been suggested that Gila would particularly favour Milan if it means getting to work with coach Max Allegri.

“Allegri is one of the best coaches in the world, we all know how good he is, but the most important figure right now is Maurizio Sarri, because he is his coach at Lazio,” added Camano.

“We consider Sarri one of the best in the world, because he is at Lazio.”

It is not just Milan and Juve who have been keeping a close eye on Gila, but also Real Madrid, Napoli and Inter, with a suggested price-tag of €25m.

“I repeat, I respect everyone here, but Gila is a Lazio player. Mario has a contract to 2027, the Coppa Italia Final is coming up, he is proud to play for Lazio and right now that is all we want to talk about.”

Although he received backing from the Lega Serie A, Players’ Association and Coaches’ Association, Giovanni Malagò will ‘decide next week’ whether to run for FIGC President.

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Following the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Gabriele Gravina tended his resignation as President of the Italian Football Federation, setting up an election on June 22 to find his replacement.

It seems to be a two-horse race between Malagò and Giancarlo Abete, with the former receiving the public backing of the Lega Serie A, then today the Players’ Association (AIC) and Coaches’ Association (AIAC).

However, the former CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) chief has not yet even confirmed he will stand for the election.

Malagò still undecided on FIGC role

“I am very pleased to see the positions of the players and coaches,” Malagò told news agency ANSA.

“I thank them for the faith show in me, which adds further responsibility in evaluating my candidacy, so I intend to make a final decision by the end of next week, with respect for the Serie B and C assemblies.”

Not all the votes are equal in this election, because the Lega Serie A has 18 per cent of the vote, Serie B 6 per cent, Lega Pro 12 per cent, the amateur league LND 34 per cent, Players Association 20 per cent and Coaches Association 10 per cent.

Malagò therefore now has 47 per cent of the vote locked down, but Abete is the current President of the LND and therefore has their 34 per cent already behind him.

Giovanni Malagò moved a step closer to becoming the new FIGC President after both the Coaches’ Association and Players’ Association backed his candidacy.

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Following Gabriele Gravina’s resignation, there will be an election on June 22 to decide who takes over as the new chief of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

After the Lega Serie A backed Malagò, today both the Italian Players’ Association (AIC) and Italian Association of Coaches (AIAC) gave their support to the same candidate.

Malagò closer to FIGC role

“The players and coaches have expressed a shared vision, identifying Giovanni Malagò as the person capable of responding to the many challenges of the present and above all the future,” read a statement to news agency ANSA.

“During meetings over the last few weeks, important convergences emerged on the principle programme points like Club Italia, sustainability and reforms, women’s football, a vision of sport that building on the initial impulse presented by the Lega Serie A offers guarantees in this delicate and important season on the path we should take.”

It seems to be a head-to-head now between Malagò and Giancarlo Abete, but the former is now at around 47 per cent of the voting bloc.

The FIGC elections are split so Serie A has 18 per cent of the vote, Serie B 6 per cent, Lega Pro 12 per cent, the amateur league LND 34 per cent, Players Association 20 per cent and Coaches Association 10 per cent.

Malagò is the former President of the CONI (Italian Olympic Committee) and most recently ran the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games.

Refereeing supervisor Andrea Gervasoni spoke to investigators for four hours today and insists he is ‘100 per cent sure the VAR audio for Inter-Roma was not manipulated.’

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Italian football is dealing with yet another scandal after chief Serie A and B refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi was placed under formal investigation for sporting fraud.

So far there are also another four figures under investigation, all from the refereeing world, and the interrogations began today in Milan.

While Rocchi refused to attend, former referee and until recently VAR supervisor Gervasoni, who suspended himself following the investigation, did sit down for a four-hour meeting.

Gervasoni answers questions in referee investigation

“I put myself at the disposal of the magistrate and now I will wait. I gave all the answers that I needed to,” Gervasoni told reporters after leaving the police station.

He and his lawyer Michele Ducci confirmed that they were specifically asked about two matches.

“We talked about Salernitana-Modena, but we clarified that Gervasoni was in a different building. He was following Serie A, not Serie B games, so he did not interfere in any way.”

Another question was about the Inter-Roma match last season, when a penalty was not awarded to the Nerazzurri for Evan Ndicka’s shirt tug on Yann Bisseck.

“In this case too, we clarified that Gervasoni was not involved,” said his lawyer. “The footage also clarifies it. It all happens in 15 seconds, there wouldn’t even be time to intervene.

“They asked us a quick question about that and nothing more.”

The incident was shown on DAZN Italia television programme Open VAR, where the footage of the VAR is played with real time audio from the referee and those in the booth.

However, it’s reported the footage shown lasted only 37 seconds, missing 50-60 seconds from the original clip.

Gervasoni himself then spoke to the reporters about these allegations.

“I am 100 per cent sure the audio for Inter-Roma was not manipulated. But we didn’t see the clip today.”

When it came to the supposed meeting at San Siro on April 2 where Rocchi is accused of colluding with unknown figures to make sure Daniele Doveri was not assigned to big Inter matches, Gervasoni’s lawyer distanced himself.

“That was not in the accusations and we did not talk about it, so I don’t know who was there on that April 2 meeting. We know nothing about the presumed favouritism for referees, because those were not put to us. We are not Rocchi.”

Serie A refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi insists he is ‘transparent with everyone on everything’ after he was accused of sporting fraud.

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The refereeing world has been shaken in Italy by news that Rocchi is under formal investigation for sporting fraud, a move which prompted him to suspend himself as Serie A and B chief designator.

He was meant to speak to the investigators today, but along with his lawyer decided not to attend, claiming the terms of the accusation were too vague to mount a proper defence.

Rocchi denies wrongdoing

Instead, Rocchi did speak to television show Le Iene, who pressed him on the suggestions his interference with referees favoured some clubs over others.

“We work in only one way, so there are no big problems. I am transparent with everyone on everything,” he assured.

“I repeat, I always work exclusively in one way.”

Rocchi was asked if there ought to be more clarity on the way that the VAR system is run.

“I have always been clear, so it’s not like I have to promise something that I was already doing.”

Amongst other things, he is accused of assigning referees that Inter preferred rather than Daniele Doveri to their big games towards the end of last season, and of over-stepping the protocol by banging on the window of the VAR booth while decisions were being made.

The Associations of Italian footballers and coaches are expected to pick their candidate for the FIGC Presidential election today, with Giovanni Malagò reportedly favourite over Giancarlo Abete.

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Today will be a key day in the FIGC Presidential election, even if the new Italian FA Chief will only be voted on June 22, 2026.

As reported by Gazzetta, the Associations of Italian footballers and coaches are expected to pick their favourite candidate today, Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Italian players and coaches to choose FIGC Presidential candidate

Both Malagò and Abete, who have yet to confirm they’ll run for the presidency officially, have already met the components taking part in the election in less than two months.

Italian coach and player associations contribute 30% of the votes: coaches account for 20%, while players make up the remaining 10%.

According to the report, Malagò appears to be the favourite over Abete, who already served as the FIGC President between 2007 and 2014, when he resigned following Italy’s elimination from the World Cup played in Brazil.

Malagò’s successful tenure as President of CONI and the potential appointment of a former footballer to his staff are viewed as the key factors giving Malagò a slight advantage over Abete.

Serie A clubs, who account for 18% of votes in the FIGC Presidential election, have already picked Malagò as their main candidate; while LND, who have chosen their President Abete, hold 34% of the votes.

Victory is determined when a candidate reaches the ‘absolute majority’, so half plus one of the total votes.

Premier League giants Liverpool are reportedly interested in Napoli centre-back Sam Beukema, who is ‘highly regarded’ by the Reds’ boss Arne Slot.

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Liverpool have set their sights on Napoli defender Beukema ahead of the summer transfer window, reports TEAMTalk.

According to the report, the Dutch defender is highly regarded by his compatriot Slot, who is expected to remain in charge of Liverpool for 2026-27.

The report claims that Slot already tried to sign Beukema at Feyenoord when the Dutch centre-back was playing for Go Ahead Eagles.

Slot has reportedly confirmed his admiration for Beukema to the Liverpool recruitment team, including sporting director Richard Hughes.

Liverpool are expected to bolster their defence next summer, with Beukema among the names on their shortlist.

The Reds already secured defensive reinforcement from Serie A last summer by signing Giovanni Leoni from Parma.

The Italian defender has had an unfortunate debut season at Anfield, sustaining an ACL injury in his first game with the Reds.

Slot recently provided an update on the Italian centre-back, saying that the ex-Parma talent is “becoming a beast” as he continues his recovery from injury.

Beukema, 27, joined Napoli from Bologna in a €31m deal last summer, making 30 appearances across all competitions this season.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Milan are preparing for a major overhaul in central midfield, chasing Valencia’s Javi Guerra and Sassuolo’s Ismael Koné, while four midfielders, including Youssouf Fofana and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, are expected to leave.

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Milan have continued to monitor promising Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra during the 2025-26 campaign, reports Gazzetta dello Sport.

Latest Milan transfer news: Guerra, Koné and more

The Spaniard was a Milan transfer target last summer, before he signed a new contract until 2029, but the Serie A giants have continued to scout him in the current campaign.

According to the report, Milan are also interested in Sassuolo and Canada midfielder Koné, scorer of six Serie A goals this season.

Gazzetta claims that Sassuolo might be interested in discussing a player-plus-cash swap involving either Christian Comotto, now on loan at Spezia, or Francesco Camarda.

Milan are expected to make significant changes to their central midfield over the summer, given that Fofana and Loftus-Cheek are likely to leave San Siro.

Warren Bondo, Ismael Bennacer and Yunus Musah will return after their loan spells, and while the first two will be put on the market, Musah could end up staying at Milan, mostly due to his versatility.

The Rossoneri will also wait for Luka Modric’s decision on his future and hope the Croatian star will agree to remain at the club for one more season.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Inter remain interested in Como talent Nico Paz, who is set to return to Real Madrid in the summer, but will only remain at the Bernabéu with the approval of the Merengues’ new coach.

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Inter still want to sign Nico Paz in 2026

Serie A giants Inter still hope to sign Argentine talent Nico Paz, despite his practically guaranteed return to Real Madrid in the summer.

The Merengues have an €11m buy-back option, which they intend to activate at the end of the season to bring back a product of their academy to the club.

However, Nico Paz’s stay at the Bernabéu for 2026-27 will depend on the new coach Real Madrid appoint in the summer.

José Mourinho is seen as a possible candidate for the job, so if the ex-Nerazzurri boss returns to the Bernabéu, he will inevitably be involved in Inter’s transfer plans, as he’ll have to decide whether to keep Paz in the team.

According to the report, Inter are determined to offer a paid loan deal with an option to buy and a buy-back option, or even a permanent transfer, but still leaving Real Madrid the option to re-sign the player in the future.

The Nerazzurri are preparing a transfer package worth between €40m and €50m and hope to persuade the Argentine talent also thanks to his father Pablo Paz, a close friend and former Argentina teammate of Inter’s vice-president Javier Zanetti

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti has personally called Bernardo Silva, hoping to persuade the Manchester City captain to move to Turin at the end of the season.

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Spalletti in direct contact with Bernardo Silva over a possible Juventus move

Juventus coach Spalletti has reportedly reached out to Bernardo Silva over a potential move to the Allianz Stadium in the summer.

Negotiations between the Old Lady and the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, have been ongoing for weeks as Bernardo Silva’s contract with Manchester City expires at the end of the season, making him available for a free transfer in June. 

According to the report, Spalletti has made a further step forward by personally contacting the Manchester City captain, who is also believed to be on the agenda of many other European clubs, including Benfica and Barcelona.

Gazzetta previously reported that Juventus had already offered Bernardo Silva a three-year contract worth €7m per season and that the Portugal international would only pick his next club at the end of the campaign, which sees his Manchester City side involved in the race for the Premier League title.

Italian defender Matteo Ruggeri credits Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone for his defensive development and confirms Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has been the ‘toughest’ opponent he’s faced this season.

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Ruggeri played the full 90 minutes in Atletico Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday.

The Italian left-back, a former Atalanta defender, is in his first season at the Wanda Metropolitano and has been a regular starter under Simeone.

Ruggeri: ‘I’ve improved defensively’ under Simeone

“I think that my development is mostly due to the coach who has believed in me from the very beginning,” Ruggeri told Sky Sport at full-time last night.

“He’s given me the trust and time to work well, and I think I’ve improved, mostly defensively, thanks to him and the work we do every day in training sessions. Obviously, I can still improve, because you can learn from any opponent. I’m happy, and we must recover well, first for Saturday’s game and then for Tuesday, because we can expect a heated environment.”

Ruggeri, 23, has made 42 appearances across all competitions this season, collecting over 3,000 minutes on the pitch under Simeone in 2025-26.

A former Atalanta defender, Ruggeri has yet to make his senior Italy debut.

The Italian defender was asked to name the toughest opponent he’s faced this season, and his reply was somewhat unsurprising.

“I don’t want to say that it is obvious, but I guess that with Lamine [Yamal], it was a nice battle,” he said.

“We’ve met many times. These matches provide motivation and the strength to play at a high level. From these matches, you understand the level and the effort required to reach a Champions League semifinal. If I have the name of the toughest one, I’ll go with him because he’s really impressive.”

Ruggeri joined Atletico Madrid in a deal worth circa €20m from Atalanta last summer, signing a contract until 2030.

Former Inter coach Simone Inzaghi is ‘shocked’ to see the Nerazzurri mentioned in a refereeing scandal in Serie A, as he feels the team was ‘damaged and not favoured’ last season, and insists that wins over Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the Champions League were as exciting as trophies.

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Former Inter coach Inzaghi had his say on the refereeing scandal that has broken out in Serie A.

Referee Designator Rocchi has suspended himself from his duties after the Milan Prosecutor alleged that he influenced VAR decisions and assigned referees favoured by Inter for some games in 2024-25.

Recent reports, however, suggest that Rocchi never met Inter executives and that no players or directors from the Nerazzurri or any other Serie A club are under investigation.

“It shocked me. Inter lost many points last season due to refereeing mistakes in Serie A and the Supercoppa,” Inzaghi told Gazzetta.

“It’s surprising to be mentioned in this story, given that we were damaged and not favoured.

“How can you think about a scheme? It was an unfortunate season for us. I’ve always had great respect for the referees’ work, and I don’t want to talk about Napoli, who honestly won the Scudetto,” Inzaghi continued.

“But there’s still a feeling that something was taken away from us. I’m not accusing anyone, and I have no doubts about good faith. Let’s say we were unlucky, and everything went against us. There’s still a disappointment that won’t go away. It’s painful to lose the title for just one point.”

Inzaghi spent four seasons at Inter, winning one Serie A title and reaching the Champions League Final twice.

“I won a lot in four years, and I’m happy with the results,” he said.

“We reached two Champions League Finals. I accept criticism anyway, as long as they concern me and not the footballers, because they always gave me everything they had.

“I wouldn’t change anything. We had a dream, the treble. At the end of the season, we paid a high price for the 23 games we played more than Napoli,” he added.

“Inter have the duty to compete at all levels, and those nights against Bayern and Barcelona will remain in my mind more than trophies—unforgettable victories.”

Last season’s 5-0 loss in the Champions League Final against PSG was Inzaghi’s last game with Inter.

“We arrived at the game without much energy, both physically and mentally,” he explained.

“It’s not an excuse, but a fact. The disappointment of losing the title affected our self-esteem. PSG are a top side as we saw the other night against Bayern. It still hurts to have lost that way, but we can’t forget what had happened before in Europe.”

Is it true that he told Inter players he would leave the club days before the final?

“Absolutely no. I couldn’t have done it because the decision, which was very painful for my family and me, had not been made,” he insisted.

“The truth is that everything happened very quickly. Two days after the Champions League Final, we met at Marotta’s home, with Ausilio and Baccin. In that context, I expressed the desire to change because I felt a cycle had ended. They wanted to continue, but understood my decision. We left as friends, and we still are. If we had won the Champions League, I would have stayed.”

Inzaghi was appointed by Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal last year and has no regret about his decision.

“Luckily, money has never been a problem. I don’t need it,” he said.

“I had a fantastic home in Milan, from which I could see everything, including San Siro. Their offer convinced me, and here I am. Happy to be here.”

The Nerazzurri are now close to winning the Scudetto under Cristian Chivu.

“They’ve been very good. Winning is never easy, and it is Chivu’s merit too,” Inzaghi said.

“I knew the group, and I had no doubts about the players’ capabilities. But it was also the right decision to pick Cristian, and I knew it because I had seen how he worked. Now they must celebrate and try to win the Coppa Italia.”

The Coppa Italia Final, set for May 13, will see Inter face Lazio, two of Inzaghi’s former clubs. Who will he support?

“Nobody, I’ll sit down and enjoy the spectacle,” he said.

“They are two clubs that have given me a lot, so may the best win. Anything can happen in a final.”

Federico Dimarco and Piotr Zielinski appeared to criticise Inzaghi’s management in recent months.

“Federico has had great seasons with me, and he knows it well. I kept him at Inter after seeing him in training for ten days; otherwise, he might have left on loan again. Perhaps his words were misunderstood. We have a great relationship, and we are still in contact,” Inzaghi concluded.

“I’ve read many things about Zielinski, too, but people forget it was me who wanted him at Inter when Marotta and Ausilio said there was a chance. Unfortunately, he had many fitness problems last season and struggled to show his quality.”

• Read more – Inzaghi ‘not’ thinking about Italy job: ‘I’m learning English’

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Penalty Wednesday. Atletico-Arsenal ends in a draw

Inzaghi, I talk

The ex-Inter coach says it all for the first time

‘No favours, we were affected instead. Well done, Chivu, I knew he was the right pick.’

‘Our victories against Bayern and Barcelona were heavier than the trophies we won. I’d have stayed with the Champions League.’

Spalletti calls Silva

Not just Goretzka, Milan think about Guerra now

Corriere dello Sport

Paz’s dream

Club waiting: A lot will depend on the new Madrid coach

Inter wait for Mou

Nico closer if José returns to Real?

Marotta is studying a paid loan with an option to buy and a buyback clause, knowing that the player sees himself with the Merengues. Just one between Martinez and Vicario.

Juve, Kolo discount

The request was between 60m and 70m last year, now 45m is enough

KDB the Neapolitan

Kevin is at the centre of the project: he loves the city and the club relies on him to return to winning.

Italiano, aut aut

Relevant alternatives to Lucumi and Freuler, contract extension for big players and reinforcements in all departments.

Cholo pride, Atletico believe

Tuttosport

Toro, Gattuso’s chances increase

Lewa says Juve, Chico too

The Polish hitman prefers the Bianconeri to Milan. Conceiçao rejects assaults of Liverpool and United.

The new Calciopoli? A piece is missing

Lukaku offers himself to Milan

He has the characteristics wanted by Allegri, doubts on his fitness

It wasn’t PSG-Bayern: Atletico 1-1 Arsenal

Outgoing head of the Italian football association Gabriele Gravina says that calls for Italy to replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup are ‘shameful’, that the Azzurri supporters are ‘the only ones who deserve to go’, but insists ‘I don’t think I failed’ in the role of FIGC President. 

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Gravina tendered his resignation from the FIGC shortly after Italy’s failure to overcome Bosnia and Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off final at the end of March, which cost the Nazionale a place at the final tournament for a third time in a row. 

An election to appoint Gravina’s successor will take place on June 22. Giovanni Malagò and Giancarlo Abete are the two leading candidates to take over the role. 

Gravina had an opportunity to discuss his departure from the FIGC, his tenure as the head of the Italian FA and the suggestions that Italy could still feature at the 2026 World Cup in an interview on ‘Otto e mezzo’ on La7. 

Gravina insists that he was not ‘pressured’ into stepping down from his role as FIGC President in any way following Italy’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. 

Gravina on FIGC tenure and Italy at the 2026 World Cup proposal: ‘I don’t think I failed, fans the only ones who deserve to go’

“I wasn’t forced to resign, absolutely not. It was my personal choice. I made a commitment to Italian football fans that we would get to the World Cup and unfortunately I wasn’t able to keep true to this commitment,” said Gravina (via La Gazzetta dello Sport). 

He continued: “It was right to resign, a gesture of love and responsibility. 

“I’m not one to be pressured, I reason with my head and with calmness. This was an act of responsibility for the federation. There was institutional hysteria happening all over the place, it was good to not leave the FIGC over-exposed.” 

Despite the fact that Italy’s senior men’s side failed to qualify for the World Cup twice during Gravina’s FIGC Presidency, he doesn’t believe that his entire tenure should be classed as a failure. 

He was keen to point out that there is more than one national team that the FIGC oversees and claimed that certain complaints from supporters relate to issues that the FIGC has no control over.  

“I don’t think I failed,” Gravina insisted. “If we’re talking about small incidents, then of course, I failed, but if we want to talk about the activity in all its forms and all the projects we carried out, our federation is among the most appreciated in Europe and in the world. 

“Italians attribute responsibilities to the FIGC that the FIGC does not have. There is confusion about roles. We’ve not gone to the World Cup three times and the pattern is always the same, looking for a scapegoat. Everyone is convinced that the national team players depend on the FIGC, but there are leagues, competitions and certain rules and laws that have to be respected. 

“We’re evaluating the work that the federation does based off one single national team, but there are many, male and female.” 

Gravina also stands by the fact that he feels Gravina was the right man to take over as head coach of the Italy national team following the departure of Luciano Spalletti as CT last summer. 

“For me, he was absolutely the right man for the job. He was the best and at that moment we needed someone who would help the guys rediscover the values that the shirt holds. But unfortunately, the sporting side of it was missing.” 

And on the recent suggestions that Italy could potentially replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup, Gravina said: “It seems to me to be a fanciful and shameful idea. We’re negotiating for the passion of the Italian fans, who are the only ones who deserve to go to the World Cup.” 

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Gianluca Rocchi didn’t meet with Inter directors on April 2, 2025, but other match officials did, leading to Andrea Colombo’s appointment for the Nerazzurri’s Serie A match against Bologna.

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Serie A refereeing scandal: Rocchi didn’t meet Inter

More details are emerging regarding the new refereeing scandal involving Rocchi, VAR Supervisor Andrea Gervasoni, and three other VAR officials.

Rocchi is under investigation for participation in sports fraud, but will not appear for interrogation with the Milan Prosecutor tomorrow, April 30, unlike Gervasoni.

Rocchi is suspected of having influenced VAR decisions and appointed referees liked by Inter, which the Nerazzurri President Beppe Marotta has strongly denied.

So far, no evidence has emerged that Rocchi held talks with Inter regarding referee appointments, and no players or club directors from the Nerazzurri or any other Serie A club are under investigation.

Rocchi is alleged to have attended a meeting at San Siro on April 2, 2025, the day of the Coppa Italia semifinal first leg between Milan and Inter.

During that meeting, he reportedly decided to appoint Colombo for a Serie A match between Bologna and Inter on April 20, 2025, and Doveri for the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg between Inter and Milan, thereby making him ineligible to officiate the Final, a match Inter ultimately didn’t even reach.

According to Gazzetta and other Italian media, including ANSA and La Stampa, wiretaps from that meeting appear to suggest that Rocchi didn’t speak to Inter directors but rather to referees or members of the refereeing world.

Rocchi and his lawyer still have not received the full set of documents containing accusations from the Milan Prosecutor, yet the former Referee Designator won’t show up for an interrogation tomorrow.

• Read more – Report: VAR official told ‘mind your business’ during possible Inter penalty check vs. Roma

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manuel Ugarte’s agent Jorge Mendes has offered the Manchester United midfielder to both Juventus and Milan.

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Mendes offers Ugarte to Juventus and Milan

Manchester United midfielder Ugarte has been offered to Serie A giants Juventus and Milan by his agent Jorge Mendes, according to Gazzetta.

Ugarte, 25, has been struggling for playing time at Old Trafford this season, collecting barely 1,000 minutes on the pitch in 2025-26.

His agent is seeking an exit route for his client from Manchester United, and both Juventus and Milan have been informed of the midfielder’s availability to join them this summer.

According to Gazzetta, Ugarte is among the Manchester United players Milan can pick in a potential player-plus-cash swap deal for Rafael Leao.

Juventus, on the other hand, have prioritised another Jorge Mendes client, Bernardo Silva, who is available on a free transfer as his contract with Manchester City runs out this coming June.

According to Gazzetta, the Old Lady has already offered Bernardo Silva a €7m-a-year contract until 2029.

Reports in Italy claim that Robert Lewandowski’s agent has held talks with Serie A clubs, including Juventus, in recent days, while the Bianconeri continue talks to sign Bernardo Silva on a free transfer from Manchester City.

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Latest Juventus transfer updates: Lewandowski, Bernardo Silva and more

Juventus are preparing for a big 2026 summer transfer window, during which they are expected to sign a new central midfielder and a centre-forward.

Gazzetta and La Stampa report that Lewandowski’s agent, Pini Zahavi, has been spotted in Italy, where he’s held talks with some Serie A clubs, including Juventus, in recent days.

According to the report, the Bianconeri’s priority is to extend Dusan Vlahovic’s contract before discussing with other transfer targets, especially Randal Kolo Muani, who will return to PSG after his loan spell at Tottenham.

Lewandowski is available on a free transfer as his contract expires at the end of the season, and the same is true of Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva.

The Portugal international has already confirmed that he’ll leave Etihad Stadium when his contract expires in June, and the Bianconeri director, Damien Comolli, has continued negotiations with the midfielder’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Juventus have reportedly offered Bernardo Silva a three-year contract worth €7m per season.

The experienced midfielder is open to moving to the Allianz Stadium but is also awaiting offers from other clubs, especially Barcelona, before making a final decision.

Juventus are still fighting for a Champions League placement and sit fourth in the Serie A table, and, naturally, their qualification for Europe’s elite competition will be vital to have the financial resources for any big signing over the summer.

Reports in Italy claim that Gian Piero Gasperini will soon meet with Roma owners to discuss the strategy for the summer transfer window and beyond, starting with the appointment of a new sporting director and the extension of Paulo Dybala’s contract.

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Gasperini talks with Roma owners to determine 2026 strategies

Roma coach Gasperini will discuss the club’s future strategies with club owners in the coming days.

The Giallorossi coach has taken full control of the club’s operations after Claudio Ranieri’s exit last week, a move that Frederic Massara’s departure will follow in the coming weeks.

Gasperini will have input into many decisions, both on and off the pitch, starting with the appointment of a new sporting director to replace Massara.

Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport report that Giovanni Manna (Napoli) and Tony D’Amico (Atalanta) are the frontrunners for the job, even if Sean Sogliano is also among the candidates.

Gasperini is expected to have a conference call with Dan Friedkin in the coming days, while Ryan will land in the capital shortly to hold face-to-face talks with the coach.

Gasperini and Roma owners will also discuss Francesco Totti’s potential return to the club, while the coach will receive updates on the new stadium project.

Gasperini and Roma owners will also discuss the club’s strategies for the summer transfer window, including the future of Dybala.

The Argentine’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Gasperini will gladly retain the 2022 Argentina World Cup winner.

According to Gazzetta, Dybala is tempted to return to Argentina to play for Boca Juniors, but believes that it is still too early to return to his native country. Therefore, he is open to considering Roma’s offer, aware that any proposal will involve a pay cut from his current €8m-a-year wages.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manuel Ugarte, Marcus Rashford, and Joshua Zirkzee are among the players Manchester United can offer Milan in a player-plus-cash swap deal for Rafael Leao.

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Milan are open to offers for Portuguese winger Leao in the summer, and Gazzetta confirms that Manchester United are among the clubs interested in the Rossoneri star.

Tuttosport reported last week that Red Devils scouts had watched Leao in action during a Serie A match against Juventus, when his own fans once again booed the Portugal international.

Leao has a €175m release clause in his contract, but Gazzetta reports that Milan directors are open to starting negotiations at €50m.

The Rossoneri have planned to sell Leao just for a cash offer, yet Manchester United could try to further reduce the Serie A giants’ demands by including one of their players in the deal.

According to Gazzetta, Manchester United are open to including Ugarte, Rashford or Zirkzee in the negotiations. The report claims that Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers is United’s priority target for the left-wing position, yet the 23-year-old would cost twice as much as Leao in the summer, at circa €100m.

Rashford is currently on loan at Barcelona, but whether the Catalans will activate their €30m option to buy at the end of the season remains unclear.

Milan already held talks with Rashford in the 2025 January transfer window, while Zirkzee was among their targets the previous year, when the Dutchman eventually left Bologna for Old Trafford.

Milan are expected to reshape their attack in the summer transfer window, with Atletico Madrid forward Alexander Sorloth at the top of the Rossoneri’s shopping list, according to Gazzetta.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Amazing 5-4 in Paris

Champions as Martians

Nine goals in the first-leg semifinal: Bayern come back against PSG from 5-2.

Milan remake the attack

Leao leaves: everything changes. Zirkzee with Sorloth

United want Rafa. Nkunku, Fullkrug and Gimenez leave too. Pulisic can stay.

One referee talked with Rocchi at San Siro

Zappi out of AIA. FIGC, commissioner unlikely.

Dimarco, Inter unlock the renewal.

Juve, Bernardo Silva only with the top four.

Corriere dello Sport

AIA, clean house

Commissioner arriving: Zappi suspended for 13 months.

CONI reject the appeal: referees without a chief. FIGC wants to put the category under administration. Milan investigation: Rocchi won’t talk to the Prosecutor. Gervasoni awaited.

Inter, move for Paz

The big intrigue

The Argentine will leave Como, but his future remains uncertain

Nico wants to return to Real Madrid, and Ausilio is ready to make his move

Ten goals and seven assists in Serie A. Perez will bring him back to Madrid in July. The new Blancos coach’s verdict will be decisive. Marotta at the window, with a budget of 40-45m.

Alisson, Juventus risk the trick

The Reds are studying a possible extension for a further year: the alternative is De Gea

Milan, the striker with Nkunku’s money

The club’s request is at least 30m. Allegri will pick the striker on the market depending on the system.

Roma, meeting between Gasp and Friedkin

Market, new director and Totti’s return on the table. Dybala issue. One month to decide on Alajbegovic.

Kvaradona: Crazy PSG-Bayern

Tuttosport

Alisson-Juve: here are the figures

Further steps forward with the Brazilian goalkeeper who wants to leave Liverpool: principle of agreement.

The offer is worth €4.5m per season plus add-ons for three years. Agreement close. Sorrentino: ‘Unique and modern. Di Gregorio is a good keeper, but you need something more for the Scudetto.’ Stones says goodbye to City, Comolli looms. Lewa, new contact. Primavera: Coppa Italia Final at 17:00 CET against l’Atalanta.

Call it Arbitropoli for now

From the Prosecutor’s office: ‘Rocchi, possible combine at San Siro with other colleagues.’ The designator won’t appear before the prosecutor tomorrow. The lawyer: ‘Without documents…’ In the meantime, Zappi is no longer the AIA President: appeal rejected. Buonfiglio, CONI President: ‘FIGC commissioner? There are no conditions in place, I won’t let myself be influenced.’

‘The four penalties saved? I only remember errors from that night.’

The goalkeeper, protagonist of the Coppa Italia semifinal: ‘It’s stronger than me, I focus on mistakes. Buffon’s messages and Zoff’s words, so proud! Yildiz is an amazing talent.’

PSG-Bayern, the great beauty. Stellar 5-4!

Dino Tommasi used his first appearance as interim referees’ designator to publicly back his predecessor Gianluca Rocchi following the controversy that has shaken Italian officiating.

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Tommasi, recently appointed by the national referees’ committee to oversee Serie A and Serie B appointments, made his debut in the role during a broadcast of Open VAR.

The former official stepped in after Rocchi and his assistant Andrea Gervasoni chose to suspend themselves amid an ongoing investigation by the Milan prosecutor’s office.

Stand-in Designator Tommasi: ‘Message of solidarity to Rocchi & Gervasoni’

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the situation, Tommasi sought to calm tensions and reinforce unity within the refereeing body. He made it clear that the group remains focused on maintaining consistency and professionalism during a crucial phase of the season.

He opened with a direct show of support, via TuttoMercatoWeb, explaining that “I want to send a message of solidarity to Gianluca and Andrea on behalf of the entire refereeing group, a strong message of closeness.”

Tommasi also stressed the importance of stability as the campaign approaches its decisive weeks, adding that “we are calm and we want to finish the season with stability and determination.”

The statement reflects an effort to protect the integrity of Italian refereeing at a delicate moment, while ensuring that on-field operations continue without disruption.

La Gazzetta dello Sport insists that Dusan Vlahovic is open to a two-year contract extension with Juventus, despite interest from Milan and Bayern Munich.

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Vlahovic’s Juventus contract extension – latest updates

Juventus and Vlahovic are expected to resume new contract talks in the coming weeks as the striker’s deal at the Allianz Stadium runs out in June 2026.

The Serbian international has been affected by injuries this campaign, missing four months of action after undergoing surgery in December 2025.

According to Gazzetta, Vlahovic is increasingly inclined to extend his stay at Juventus, which would give him the chance to start the new season in a familiar environment, where he has built a strong bond with the coach and his teammates.

Reports in Italy have suggested that Milan is interested in the Bianconeri star, but according to Gazzetta, Vlahovic is unwilling to join another Serie A club, so as not to betray the Old Lady.

Bayern Munich remain in the race even if talks with Vlahovic’s entourage have not reached an advanced stage so far.

The Bavarians would have no issue offering a higher salary than Juventus, but Vlahovic might prefer the stability of remaining in Turin to revive his career after a troubled season.

According to Gazzetta, Juventus might offer a new two-year deal with a salary of €6-7m, including add-ons.

Vlahovic has earned €12m, including bonuses, in the final year of his contract at the Allianz Stadium.

CONI President Luciano Buonfiglio says he won’t appoint a FIGC commissioner, easing concerns that Italy might lose the right to co-host Euro 2032, while Government sources call for ‘immediate and effective answers.’

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The Italian FA won’t be placed under administration with the appointment of a special commissioner, said CONI President Buonfiglio on Tuesday.

CONI, the Italian National Olympic Committee, is the body entitled to appoint a commissioner in serious cases. However, Buonfiglio stated that he would not take this action.

“Neither the right nor the left wing influences me. I was elected to enforce the rules, and the first person who must abide by them is myself,” he told reporters on Tuesday, via Gazzetta.

“When the conditions were in place for appointing a commissioner, I did so. Today, they are not. I am proud to be the CONI President and honoured to represent all sporting bodies. At the same time, while I represent and support them, I must also oversee them, but that does not mean I have to act like a sheriff.”

Football in Italy needs ‘effective answers and reforms’

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina stepped down following Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination, calling elections for June 22.

The emergence of a new refereeing scandal in Italy had raised the possibility that CONI could appoint a FIGC commissioner, a scenario strongly opposed by UEFA.

According to Italian sources, UEFA even threatened to exclude Italy from co-hosting Euro 2032 and could have gone so far as to ban Serie A clubs from European competitions if a FIGC commissioner were appointed.

“We need to stop saying that politics wants to get its hand on football,” Italian Government sources told AGI.

“There is no intention of imposing political control through a commissioner. What is needed, however, are immediate and effective answers and reforms. We are waiting to understand what course of action will be taken.”

Roberto Mancini clinched the Qatari league title with Al Sadd and marked the triumph on the pitch by waving the Italian flag, a nod to the UEFA Euro 2020 success he achieved with Italy.

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Al Sadd claimed the title with a 3-2 victory over Al Shamal in a battle between the top two teams in the league table, thanks to goals from Firmino, Paulo Otávio, and Akram Afif.

The trophy with Al Sadd means Mancini has now won league titles in Italy, England, Turkey and Qatar.

The former Azzurri coach celebrated his latest achievement on the field by holding an Italian flag inscribed with ‘Euro 2020.’

Mancini won the Euros with Italy in 2021, but also failed to qualify for the World Cup the following year.

He stepped down as the Italy coach in August 2023 and was appointed by the Saudi Arabia national team a few weeks later.

Video: Mancini celebrates Al Sadd’s title with the Italian flag

L’Al Sadd di Roberto Mancini vince il campionato del Qatar, altro trofeo vinto dal tecnico di Jesi pic.twitter.com/ezmi7TVtct

— Matteo Di Gangi (@MatteoDG93) April 27, 2026

According to Repubblica, last season’s Serie A match between Inter and Roma is among those under investigation, with the suspicion that Andrea Gervasoni told the VAR official ‘mind your business’ during a potential penalty check for the Nerazzurri.

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Five individuals, including Referee Designator Gianluca Rocchi and VAR Supervisor Gervasoni, are currently under investigation in a new referee scandal in Italy.

Nearly 30 referees have already been heard by Milan Prosecutor Maurizio Ascione. A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Repubblica that Rocchi “made appointments at will” and would “remove figures who would not submit to the method.”

The source added that Rocchi was “in constant telephone contact with club executives, even though he was not allowed to by regulations, to curry favour with the clubs for personal gain.”

No players or club directors are currently involved, and only people from the refereeing world are currently under investigation.

Rocchi and Gervasoni are suspected of having influenced VAR decisions during matches, as video from March 1, 2025, shot during Udinese-Parma, appears to show.

According to Repubblica, five 2024-25 matches are under scrutiny, including Inter-Roma on April 27, 2025, which the Giallorossi won 1- 0.

A witness reportedly informed the Milan Prosecutor that the VAR official in that match, Marco Di Bello, was told from outside the VAR room, “mind your business,” while a potential penalty check for the Nerazzurri was ongoing for a possible Evan Ndicka foul on Yann Bisseck.

According to the witness, the alleged suggestion, which is not allowed under protocol, was made by Gervasoni. Repubblica adds that the full VAR audio from that incident has never been found.

A few days later, Rocchi commented on the incident, saying it warranted a penalty kick.

“The assessment they made on the pitch was not to award the penalty, but when you evaluate something incorrectly from the pitch, it remains a mistake,” he said.

“Ndicka’s behaviour is that of someone who is completely uninterested in the ball, and for me, that is already punishable. The final decision is somewhat influenced by the fact that the holding was not very substantial, but it is definitely a penalty that should have been awarded.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan owner Gerry Cardinale has approved summer transfer plans, including a move to sign Lazio defender Mario Gila.

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Latest Milan transfer updates

Milan will be looking to strengthen their team, adding quality and depth to a group that will likely play in the Champions League next season.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan’s primary target in defence is Lazio centre-back Gila, who is under contract with the Biancocelesti until 2027.

Gazzetta claims that Inter, Juventus and Napoli are also interested in the Spanish centre-back who is unlikely to extend with the Biancocelesti.

According to the report, the Rossoneri’s rivals have already sounded out the defender’s availability through his representatives, while Milan value the 25-year-old between €20m and €25m.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has already identified Gila as a primary option in defence, and Cardinale has authorised the club directors to begin work to satisfy the coach’s transfer demands, which also include a winger who can be deployed on both flanks and a striker.

Gazzetta adds that Udinese’s Thomas Kristensen is seen as a possible alternative to Gila, while Bayern Munich’s Kim, a former Napoli star, appears to be less feasible due to high costs.

Chelsea have reportedly begun the recruitment process for a new coach, with Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola, and Xabi Alonso included in an ‘early list of early frontrunners’, but Como’s Cesc Fabregas is also being linked with the job.

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Chelsea will hire a new head coach for 2026-27, and several sources in the UK suggest that Fabregas will be one among those considered for the job.

According to Standard.co.uk, the Blues have started a robust recruitment process and will not rush in appointing a new head coach for next season.

The report claims that Chelsea’s early list of frontrunners includes Marco Silva, Andoni Iraola, and Xabi Alonso.

Silva is under contract with Fulham until the end of the season, and according to The Standard, Chelsea will explore his availability by contacting his representatives.

Xabi Alonso is without a club after being sacked by Real Madrid months ago, while Iraola will leave Bournemouth at the end of the season.

Fabregas not focused on Chelsea job

The report suggests that “other candidates” are on Chelsea’s shortlist.

Como coach Fabregas was recently questioned about his availability for the role: “It’d be stupid to think about that now, my focus is on the next game against Genoa. I believe I will continue my chapter as Como head coach and focus on the next games,” Fabregas said before Como’s latest victory against Genoa.

“I would be crazy to think of anything else rather than these next five games and getting my team into Europe for the first time in history. I have not seen or heard any comments that my president said other than he told me he values me very highly.”

Como President, Mirwan Suwarso, however, added: “If that makes him [Fabregas] happy, that’s him,” he told City AM.

“You want your employees to stay with you for as long as possible, but at the end of the day, we don’t own him, and he’s free to go to Chelsea if he wishes.”

Former Juventus star Fabrizio Ravanelli believes the Bianconeri should try to sign Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus rather than Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski: ‘It would send a wrong signal…’

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Juventus will be looking for a new centre-forward in the summer transfer window, regardless of Dusan Vlahovic’s possible contract extension.

Ravanelli: Why Juventus shouldn’t sign Lewandowski

Kenan Yildiz is the Bianconeri’s top scorer this season with 11 goals, followed by Weston McKennie with nine and Jonathan David with eight; therefore, Ravanelli feels that a new, ruthless striker must be a transfer priority for Juventus next summer.

“A finisher. I believe that is where Juventus struggle. They’ve been without Vlahovic for a long time, and he’s also had problems, but I believe that if he were fully fit, Juventus would have had some more points,” the ex-striker told Gazzetta.

“Spalletti has tried in any way to make the team more clinical in attack, because they create so many chances. They’ve also scored a few goals in recent games, but they lack a truly clinical finisher who makes a difference. A No.9.”

Vlahovic’s contract expires this coming June, but negotiations with the Serbia international are expected to resume shortly.

“Even if he were to stay, Juventus would still need a striker who makes a difference,” insisted Ravanelli.

“Juventus have always had great attackers, and there’s always been competition to start up front. Only Vlahovic, if he stays, would not be enough to fight on all fronts.”

Among the possible attacking reinforcements mentioned by the Italian press in recent weeks is Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski, who is available as a free agent after his contract expires at the end of the season.

Ravanelli, however, feels the Poland international would not be a good fit for the Bianconeri.

“I don’t think so, because it would send a wrong signal to the fans and the Juventus programs,” he said.

“They’d take a step back. Not because Lewandowski is not a good striker. He’s a star and a big champion, we all know that. But Juventus need players with a bright future ahead, who want to develop at Juventus, with the Juventus DNA. I think the club should look to other attacking options rather than the 38-year-old Lewandowski.

“I’d do anything to sign Osimhen, even if it’s not easy because of certain clauses,” Ravanelli added.

“There are many strong strikers in Europe, starting with Gabriel Jesus, who would be worthy of a place at Juventus even after a few injuries. There are other young players, and the scouts must identify the right profile who can win something important in the future.

“I’ve always liked Moise Kean, who has already been at Juventus,” Ravanelli concluded.

“Perhaps he’s had a few too many injuries, and he had a difficult time at the club, but I consider him one of the best young players in Italy. He has the physical strength and the bearing of someone who could be a Juventus striker.”

• Read more – Ravanelli: ‘Three players’ to build on for 2026-27, but David lacks ‘personality’

According to Corriere della Sera, UEFA is strongly against the appointment of a FIGC Commissioner, which could jeopardise Italy’s right to host Euro 2032 and may even result in Italian clubs being barred from European competitions.

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Could Italy lose Euro 2032 co-hosting rights?

UEFA expect no political involvement in the FIGC Presidential election, set to take place on June 22, 2026.

A new referee scandal has broken out in Italy just weeks after Gabriele Gravina resigned in the wake of Italy’s World Cup play-off elimination, prompting Minister for Sport Andrea Abodi to suggest extraordinary measures, such as appointing an external FIGC Commissioner, should be taken.

However, according to Corriere della Sera (via Calcio&Finanza), such a scenario would deeply concern UEFA, which has warned that any political intervention in the Italian Football Federation could put Italy at risk of losing the rights to co-host Euro 2032 and could even lead to Italian clubs being excluded from European competitions.

Having a FIGC Commissioner, appointed by CONI, would effectively place the Italian FA under administration, a scenario UEFA wants to avoid.

According to the report, Lega Serie A President Ezio Maria Simonelli has already discussed the matter with UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin.

Even if the European Football Governing body has not issued a statement on this topic, its stance is clear and could lead to severe consequences for Italy if a commissioner is appointed instead of a newly elected President.

“Hasty judgments or conclusions of any kind are out of place while dutifully waiting for the investigations to complete their journey to the truth,” Simonelli said on Sunday about the new referee investigation from the Milan Prosecutor.

“None of us knows any detail of the affair, and as custodians, that is our exact duty until the final judgement.” 

• Update – Italy relief over UEFA warning as FIGC commissioner ruled out

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Referee investigation, breakthrough from the prosecutor

‘No club is under investigation.’

‘Inter are not involved, 30 members of the refereeing world have been heard. Rocchi and four more under investigation for now.’ Five games on the radar, not from this season. Tommasi is the new designator.

Modric, end of the season.

Cheekbone operated: out for six to eight weeks. Transfers: yes to Fila

Juve, Vlahovic is close again: two-year extension.

Corriere dello Sport

Referee feud

The investigation does not involve clubs or players

Five games 2024-25 Serie A games on the radar

No to Ceferin to the hypothesis of a Federation commissioner.

Gravina could place AIA under guardianship. Today, Zappi will attend a CONI meeting. Secret code in the VAR room? Lawsuits are coming.

Calhanoglu agitates Inter

Soleus muscle problem: Hakan has already missed 13 games this season

Juve and Yildiz, he’s the check

Spalletti needs the real Kenan for a target worth 60m

Milan problem: Modric out

Cheekbone fracture: the Croatian will undergo surgery. He’ll be ready for the World Cup.

Crazy Lazio: Maldini deals with it.

Mendy’s fairytale: Cagliari nearly safe.

Tuttosport

Calcio on the brink

The investigation in Milan and the unpredictable developments agitate the Italy of football.

Besides Rocchi, Gervasoni, Di Vuolo, Nasca and Paterna, others are under investigation, but not Inter nor their directors. New duty for the Prosecutor, Ascione, and tension within the Prosecutor’s office. Secret codes in the VAR room. Tommasi is the temporary designator. Today, CONI will discuss the Zappi case, the AIA President banned for 13 months. In the meantime, Gravina raises his voice against the commissioner: ‘It violates the principle of autonomy protected by CIO; FIFA and UEFA.’

Vlahovic? Worthy of Juve if…

The 10 minutes at San Siro and Spalletti’s words: behind the scenes

Dusan has four games remaining to give guarantees on a physical standpoint and favour negotiations. Here are the others under scrutiny for the coach. Yildiz, increasing confidence.

D’Aversa, a super month to stay.

Calhanoglu injured again: will he miss Coppa and renewal?

Ahi Modric: cheekbone crack. It’s over with Milan

Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez has repeatedly been linked with a Serie A move for Inter, but now ESPN claim Juventus have a deal worth €40m already in place.

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The centre-back only celebrated his 22^nd birthday last week and is under contract with Club Brugge until June 2029, but widely expected to move on this summer.

Inter had been tracking him for a very long time, but it is now reported that Juventus have dived in and already guaranteed themselves a deal.

Ordonez on track for Juventus

ESPN commentator Jorge Barril in Ecuador claimed during the commentary of Milan 0-0 Juventus that the Bianconeri have shaken hands with Club Brugge and the player for a transfer worth €40m.

It is suggested that the final details will be worked out after the World Cup.

He already has 16 senior caps for Ecuador and is set to participate in the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer.

Milan and Atalanta had also shown interest in Ordonez in the past, while Club Brugge had refused to negotiate with Olympique Marseille last year, but it looks as if Juventus are beating them all to his signature.

Milan released a statement confirming Luka Modric had surgery today for multiple facial fractures, as it’s a race against time to recover for Croatia at the World Cup.

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The veteran midfielder was forced off the field by an accidental clash of heads with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli in last night’s 0-0 Serie A game at San Siro.

It was only today that the extent of the damage became apparent, and the decision was made to go under the knife.

Modric surgery successful after facial fracture

Milan announced that the operation was performed today at the La Madonnina Clinic in Milan.

The statement confirms that this was a complex multiple fracture of the left cheekbone.

Surgery was performed by the team run by Dr Luca Autelitano in the presence of Milan medical staff Stefano Mazzoni and Andrea Bulgheroni.

Initial reports suggest Modric will be able to participate in this summer’s World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada for Croatia, but only with the aid of a protective mask.

This type of injury generally requires six to eight weeks out of action.

The club statement confirmed his season is over for the Rossoneri, wishing him “a quick recovery in view of the FIFA World Cup!”

Despite being 40 years of age, Modric made 36 competitive appearances for Milan this season, with two goals and three assists.

There are multiple reports that PSG striker Goncalo Ramos has been offered to Milan by agent Jorge Mendes, but the €30m price tag could be a problem.

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The Rossoneri have made absolutely no secret of their search for a real centre-forward, as Santiago Castro and Niclas Fullkrug failed to bring the characteristics requested by coach Max Allegri.

Goncalo Ramos would fit bill for Milan

Multiple sources including Sport Mediaset, Calciomercato and transfer pundit Fabrizio Romano all claim that Goncalo Ramos is the latest candidate.

Agent Jorge Mendes has close ties to Milan and has seemingly proposed the striker to the San Siro giants.

The 24-year-old has scored 12 goals in 41 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain this season, but with a contract that runs to June 2028, he is expected to be on the market this summer.

Even with the help of the agent, Milan might not be prepared to pay the reported €30-35m asking price that PSG are looking for.

It would be roughly half the €65m that PSG paid to pluck him from Benfica in January 2024.

The Portugal international also has 10 goals in 24 senior caps for his country.

Donald Trump’s special envoy Paolo Zampolli has told Italian media there is ‘more than a 50 per cent chance’ Italy will replace Iran in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

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The Italian-American former modelling agent and now US President Trump’s special envoy for global partnerships has been single-handedly trying to push FIFA into the controversial switch for this summer’s tournament.

As the USA and Iran are currently engaged in what the President has repeatedly described as a war, it remains to be seen whether the team will feel safe participating in the World Cup, or even be allowed into the country.

Trump envoy wants Italy at World Cup

So Zampolli is arguing that FIFA should exclude Iran and instead draft Italy in as the highest-ranked team that failed to qualify.

“I’d say there is more than a 50 per cent chance of Italy participating in the World Cup,” Zampolli told RAI GR Parlamento in Italy.

“I will meet Gianni Infantino in Miami for the Formula 1 GP this weekend. There shouldn’t be a World Cup without Italy, the decision is down to Infantino and Trump.”

Zampolli is very much on his own in this pursuit, because many figures from Italian football have already said they would refuse to take Iran’s place in the World Cup.

The former modelling agent, who claims he introduced Melania Trump to her husband, explained how he came up with this plan.

“I saw that Iran was still not confirmed due to the war, so I asked Infantino for the chances of Italy getting recalled,” explained Zampolli.

“On top of that, visas are very difficult to get now and we don’t want people coming in who could do some bad things. If you are sending people who are not welcome in the United States of America, then it’s better they don’t come.

“I haven’t spoken to Trump yet, but he has not decided either way. Iranian players are welcome, but Secretary Marco Rubio was clear on the fact we cannot allow in people who don’t love the United States of America.

“If Iran do not participate, I don’t know if we are prepared to bring anyone else in, but anything could happen.”

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Reports in Italy suggest that no players or directors are involved in the new referee scandal in Serie A, with all those under investigation being tied to the refereeing world.

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More details emerge on the new referee scandal that hit Serie A over the weekend, with VAR officials Luigi Nasca, Rodolfo Di Vuolo and Daniele Paterna now reported to be under investigation, along with the designator Gianluca Rocchi and VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni.

Are Inter under investigation for the new referee scandal?

According to Italian media, including Gazzetta, even more people appear in the Milan Prosecutor’s register of suspects. Still, all are tied to the refereeing world and none to Serie A clubs.

Gazzetta reports that, to date, no footballers or club directors are under investigation.

Rocchi is reportedly accused of influencing VAR officials during matches and of selecting referees who were liked by Inter for some games during the 2024-25 campaign.

However, no evidence appears to show that Rocchi held talks with the Nerazzurri over referees’ appointments, and no Inter player or director is under investigation.

On the other hand, a video from March 1, 2025, appears to show VAR official Paterna receiving communication from outside the VAR room during a Serie A match between Udinese and Parma, prompting him to urge the on-pitch referee to the pitchside monitor despite initial reluctance.

• Read more – Marotta: ‘Inter safe in knowledge we are not involved’ in Rocchi scandal

Former referee Dino Tommasi has been assigned as the interim Serie A and B refereeing designator for the rest of the season after Gianluca Rocchi suspended himself.

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The scandal erupted last week when it was confirmed that designator Rocchi had been placed under formal investigation for sporting fraud.

In the wake of that situation, he decided to suspend himself while the investigation plays out, so a replacement was needed for the rest of the current campaign.

Tommasi chosen to replace Rocchi

The job has gone to Tommasi, a former referee from Bassano del Grappa who will turn 50 next month.

Following his Serie A debut in March 2008, he put together 52 top flight appearances, then went into management.

The refereeing designator assigns officials to the individual games in Serie A and B, and then helps evaluate their performances after the matches.

The better a referee performs, the more likely they are to be given big fixtures.

Among the accusations against Rocchi was that he assigned referees who were ‘preferred’ by Inter to certain matches rather than ones the club disliked.

He is also accused of over-stepping the protocol by banging on the window of the VAR booth to change a decision during a game, specifically between Udinese and Parma.

Referees Luigi Nasca, Rodolfo Di Vuolo and Daniele Paterna are under investigation alongside Gianluca Rocchi and Andrea Gervasoni, but the number of people involved in the latest Serie A scandal could grow ‘significantly’ in the coming hours, according to reports in Italy.

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Italian sources, including Gazzetta dello Sport, report that three referees have been placed under investigation, after Referee Designator Rocchi and VAR supervisor Gervasoni.

• Read more – Serie A referee scandal: No players or directors under investigation

Serie A referee scandal: three more under investigation

They are Nasca, Di Vuolo and Paterna, and according to Gazzetta, they are all suspected of providing false information to the prosecutor.

Paterna appeared in a video that seemed to show a person outside the VAR room giving officials suggestions on what to tell the on-field referee, in an open violation of protocol.

Investigators believe that VAR officials were influenced by people outside the control room, even with coded messages, undermining their independence of judgment.

According to Gazzetta, the number of people under investigation could become ‘significantly’ higher in the coming hours.

The Milan Prosecutor will hear Rocchi and Gervasoni on April 30. Rocchi’s lawyer, Antonio D’Avirro, released multiple interviews with Italian media, insisting that his client is facing an injustice.

“I met with him, and he’s demoralised because he believes he’s the victim of an injustice,” D’Avirro told Pressing.

“He [Rocchi] considers all the allegations to be unfounded.

“He has always acted loyally and transparently, and he is deeply troubled by being accused of something so serious.

“I don’t know whether he will return, but we will certainly be able to defend ourselves effectively. We are currently evaluating which defensive strategies to adopt by Thursday.”

Rocchi has suspended himself from his duties while under investigation for participation in sports fraud. 

“Reference is being made to other people, but we do not know who they are,” D’Avirro told Sport Mediaset.

“It is a multi-party offence, yet only Rocchi is named in the notice of investigation.

“Calciopoli? This is a completely different matter. Back then, hundreds of people around the clubs were involved, whereas here we are talking about only two or three individuals.”

Napoli, Milan and Juventus currently occupy the three positions behind league leaders Inter in Serie A’s Champions League zone, but Como and Roma are hoping to take the top four fight until the very end of the 2025-26 season. 

Here is a look at each side’s remaining fixtures and a look at which side has the ‘easiest’ run-in. 

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As things stand, the table-topping Inter are the only Serie A side to have a Champions League place wrapped up with four league games of the season left to play. The Nerazzurri have 79 points after 34 games, which has them 18 points clear of fifth place with just four games to go. 

Below them, just eight points separates five teams hoping to secure a place in next season’s Champions League. In order, they are Napoli, Milan, Juventus, Como and Roma. The latter two are level on 61 points, just three behind Juventus in fourth place. 

With four Serie A matches of the season left to go, it is Juventus who have the ‘easiest’ run-in in terms of the average league position of their remaining opponents. With games against Hellas Verona (19th), Lecce (17th), Fiorentina (15th) and Torino (13th) left to go, the average league position of Juve’s remaining opponents comes out to a mouth-watering 16th. 

By the same metric, it is Napoli who have the ‘toughest’ remaining run of league fixtures. Their schedule includes matches against Como (5th), Bologna (8th), Pisa (20th) and Udinese (11th), which means the average league position of their remaining opponents comes out to 11th. 

Remaining Napoli, Milan, Juventus, Como and Roma fixtures compared in Champions League race

Napoli

Current rank: 2nd

Points: 69

Remaining fixtures: Como (a), Bologna (h), Pisa (a), Udinese (h). 

Average league position of remaining opponents: 11.00

Milan 

Current rank: 3rd

Points: 67

Remaining fixtures: Sassuolo (a), Atalanta (h), Genoa (a), Cagliari (h). 

Average league position of remaining opponents: 11.75

Juventus

Current rank: 4th

Points: 64 

Remaining fixtures: Verona (h), Lecce (a), Fiorentina (h), Torino (a).

Average league position of remaining opponents: 16.00

Como

Current rank: 5th

Points: 61 

Remaining fixtures: Napoli (h), Verona (a), Parma (h), Cremonese (a). 

Average league position of remaining opponents: 12.75

Roma 

Current rank: 6th

Points: 61 

Remaining fixtures: Fiorentina (h), Parma (a), Lazio (h), Verona (a). 

Average league position of remaining opponents: 13.75

Hakan Calhanoglu has suffered a new muscle injury, and according to reports in Italy, the Inter star is in doubt for the Coppa Italia Final against Lazio on May 13.

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Inter star Calhanoglu could miss the Coppa Italia Final against Lazio on May 13 due to a new muscle injury.

The Nerazzurri confirmed on Monday that the Turkish midfielder had sustained a new injury.

“Hakan Çalhanoğlu underwent medical examinations this morning at the Humanitas Clinical Institute in Rozzano,” Inter said in a statement.

“The tests revealed a muscular strain in the soleus of his left leg. His condition will be assessed in the coming days.”

Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia and Gazzetta, report that Calhanoglu’s new injury might rule him out of the upcoming Coppa Italia Final in about two weeks.

Calhanoglu has been on and off the field due to injuries, especially in the second part of the campaign, but has still managed 12 goals and seven assists in 30 games across all competitions this term.

The 32-year-old has missed 13 matches due to injuries this term.

On Sunday, he was an unused substitute in Inter’s 2-2 draw against Torino.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu said Calhanoglu was not fully fit, but the latest Inter tests have revealed a more concerning situation.

Former referee Daniele Minelli has brought further claims and provided more details regarding the latest refereeing scandal, and claims that errors have ‘multiplied at an alarming rate’ after a complaint about referee designator Gianluca Rocchi was brought forward last year. 

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Serie A and Serie B referee designator Rocchi is currently under investigation for suspected participation in sporting fraud, a particularly serious charge that wasn’t even brought against referees during the infamous Calciopoli scandal. 

The matter began in May 2025 when former assistant referee Domenico Rocca sent a letter of complaint to the Italian referees’ association (AIA) regarding designator Rocchi. 

FIGC prosecutor Giuseppe Chine has confirmed that the matter was investigated and later closed last year, but this is now being investigated by the public prosecutor’s office in Milan due to potential criminal relevance. 

The investigation centres around an incident that occurred during the Serie A match between Udinese and Parma on March 1, 2025. During that game, there was a review for a potential penalty, which VAR official Daniele Paterna appeared inclined to rule out, however, footage shows that Paterna looked back, appeared to be talking to somebody behind him, was seen asking ‘is it a penalty?’, and this has led to claims that VAR decisions were being influenced by external figures. 

• Read more: The video that landed referee chief Rocchi in hot water: ‘Is that a penalty?’

Reports in Italy claim that various other incidents have been brought under review, including referee Daniele Doveri being removed from certain Inter matches at the end of the 2024-25 season, as he was not considered a ‘favourable’ choice for the Nerazzurri. 

Minelli provides further details and allegations in refereeing scandal 

Speaking to news agency AGI (via La Gazzetta dello Sport), former ref Minelli, who spent most of his officiating career in Serie B with a handful of outings in the top flight, claims that interference in the VAR room was a well-known thing among officials. 

He also says that refs whose errors were corrected by VAR would receive a higher rating, and would therefore be more likely to appear in big matches, while those who didn’t have their mistakes corrected would drop lower down the referees’ ranking, and in some cases, might not even be paid. 

“The knocks (on the glass) of the VAR room? People were talking about it and it was well known that the protocol didn’t allow it,” Minelli said.  

“In the case of Udinese vs. Parma, it’s clear that if the VAR official gave a (penalty), it would affect their rating and consequently, the internal ranking that determines whether referees stay or go home, and thus, whether they receive their attendance fee or not. There could also be repercussions for the clubs in the league table.” 

Minelli claims that referee designator Rocchi and his assistants affected certain calls in the VAR room, but adds that these incidents have significantly reduced after the complaint was made by Rocca last year, and as a result, mistakes by referees have increased. 

“Ever since Rocchi and his assistants stopped turning up in Lissone, because the federation required that the federal prosecutor be present in the VAR room after Rocca’s complaint, refereeing errors have multiplied at an alarming rate. I don’t know if that’s the reason, but I’ve never seen as many as this year.

“If mistakes were corrected in some cases but not in others, it’s clear that this has skewed the referees’ rankings, because those whose mistakes were corrected received a positive rating, while those who weren’t received a negative one. You only need to watch the footage from the VAR room from recent years: You can hear the suggestions being made.” 

According to reports in Italy, VAR officials were allegedly influenced by external figures, such as referees’ chief Gianluca Rocchi, who used ‘coded messages’ to suggest whether to alert the referee on the pitch.

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Serie A and Serie B designator Rocchi is under investigation for suspected participation in sports fraud and has therefore suspended himself from his duties.

Serie A referee scandal: latest updates

The former international referee is expected to be heard by the Milan Prosecutor on April 30, while the FIGC Prosecutor has denied having requested documents from authorities in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Rocchi is suspected of influencing VAR decisions, as a video appears to show.

On March 1, 2025, VAR official Daniele Paterna reviewed a potential penalty for Udinese in their home game against Parma and initially seemed reluctant to urge the on-the-pitch referee to the pitchside monitor.

However, Paterna suddenly turned right, seemingly talking to someone outside the VAR room. Paterna asked, ‘Is that a penalty?’ before telling the referee to review the incident on the monitor.

Repubblica reports that investigators believe VAR officials were aware of coded messages that would be used to assess controversial incidents and, therefore, to determine whether to alert the referee on the pitch.

A raised hand meant ‘do not intervene’, while a clenched fist meant ‘send the referee to monitor’.

“Whether these are exaggerations or even smear tactics burn out of internal feuds within the refereeing world, or instead pieces of evidence supporting the allegations, will become clear when the prosecutors reveal their findings,” wrote Repubblica.

VAR supervisor Andrea Gervasoni is also under investigation and, just like Rocchi, he’s expected to be heard on April 30.

Rocchi is also accused of having appointed referees who were liked by Inter during the 2024-25 campaign, yet no evidence has emerged.

Nerazzurri President Marotta has insisted that the club is not involved in the scandal and, currently, no Inter representative is under investigation.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Boos and Champions

Saelemaekers hits the crossbar, Roma and Como remain at a distance.

Inter, it’s yours

Great Toro comeback, but the Scudetto is three points away

+10 with four games remaining. Party ready at San Siro against Parma on Sunday. Marotta: ‘Fans, be calm, we are not involved in the scandal. We’ve always been correct.’

The referees shield themselves.

Rocchi and Gervasoni heard on Thursday, and they might not reply to the prosecutors. The investigation is nearly closed; it started a year ago.

FIGC commissioner, the Government pushes, the board is divided.

Corriere dello Sport

Referees, the prosecutors investigate: Inter’s rebellion

Marotta: ‘We are not involved.’

‘We’ve always acted with the utmost fairness, never indicated unwanted referees.’ Chiné: ‘I’ve never asked for the documents.’ Rocchi: ‘Heard on Thursday? We’ll see.’ The Government wants to appoint a commissioner.

It doesn’t end here

Draw (0-0) in the match between Allegri and Spalletti: Fabregas and Gasperini are three points behind Lucio.

Champions League race: Milan, Juve, Como and Roma within six points

Disallowed Thuram goal and Saelemaekers’ crossbar. Little emotions at San Siro. Cesc wins 2-0 in Marassi. Four games to go: a race for two spots.

Napoli, McTominay’s record

13 goals so far, the next one will mark a personal record

Roma, Malen leaves the others behind

181m invested in No.9 since 2020: Donyell is the leader

Arezzo celebrate: Here’s Serie B

Bucchi beats Torres (3-1): 80 points in 36 matches.

Tuttosport

Simeone+Vlasic: 15 minutes of fury block Inter’s joy.

Toro’s comeback with pride

Thuram and Bisseck appear to legitimise the Nerazzurri’s certainty of winning at the Grande Torino, but D’Aversa gets the substitutions right: Zapata and Nije give a shake. Ilkhan lights up, and the stadium finally gets excited. The coach: ‘The attitude has changed too, Cholito was so determined!’ Duvan: ‘We must rebuild our relationship with the fans.’ Chivu needs three points for the Scudetto.

Once upon a time, there was Milan-Juve

A disappointing 0-0 at San Siro

Thuram’s disallowed goal for offside and Saelemaekers’ crossbar were the only highlights; then the two teams settled for a goalless draw, as in the reverse fixture. Allegri slips -2 from Napoli, Spalletti remains fourth, but Como and Roma get closer: ‘Now let’s see who is worthy of Juve.’

Rocchi case, Marotta speaks out

‘Inter have nothing to fear.’

HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Kevin Durant won’t play Sunday night in Game 4 against the Los Angeles Lakers as the Rockets try to avoid being swept in the first-round Western Conference playoff series.

Durant missed Game 3 with a sprained left ankle on Friday night, when the Rockets blew a six-point lead with less than 30 seconds to go in regulation of an eventual 112-108 overtime loss to fall to 0-3 in the first-round series.

This will be the third game of the series that Durant has missed after he sat out the opener with a bruised right knee. He returned for Game 2, scoring 23 points in 41 minutes of the 101-94 loss, during which he injured his ankle late in the game.

His injury problems this postseason came after the 37-year-old ranked second in the league in the regular season by playing 2,840 minutes.

Durant, who is in his first season in Houston after an offseason trade from Phoenix, is the fifth-leading scorer in NBA history.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Max Allegri insists Milan ‘can be content with the point’ against Juventus, admits Christian Pulisic is ‘sensitive’ to his drought, but warns Rafael Leao ‘can never be consistent.’

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The Rossoneri felt it was perhaps more important to keep the Bianconeri at a safe distance from third rather than keep up with Napoli in second, and it showed at San Siro in a tactical stalemate.

There were some chances, above all Alexis Saelemaekers hitting the crossbar and the Khephren Thuram goal ruled offside, but Milan have now failed to score in their last six consecutive Serie A meetings with Juve.

Allegri sees positive point for Milan

“It was a very balanced, tactical game, with a great deal at stake. We had a couple of situations, as did Juventus,” Allegri told DAZN Italia.

“Juve have a lot of strength in depth with players who can come off the bench and take men on down the wings, but my lads defended very well, apart from one cross that David didn’t get his head to.

“We can be content with the point, as it allows us to take another small step forward, we are mathematically now just six points away from securing our target, so that means winning two games.

“The draw was the right result, these are balanced matches where an incident can change the game, and it was a fair result.”

Allegri was seen on the touchline getting furious with his players for allowing some Juve counter-attacks and he laughed when asked about those situations.

“We conceded three goals against Udinese and didn’t even notice, those were all counter-attacks, and today we lost the ball two or three times dangerously. However, the lads defended very well when chasing them down.

“I do wish we’d had more precise passing and timing of the passes to complete our moves.”

Luka Modric was forced off after a nasty clash of heads with Manuel Locatelli, and continued to look somewhat dazed on the touchline.

The front pairing of Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic continues to do little to help either player in the 3-5-2 formation, and Niclas Fullkrug this time replaced the USMNT star to shake things up a bit with a real Number 9.

“I think Rafa played well tonight, it was one of his best performances of the season. Between assists and goals, he gave his contribution this term, but you cannot expect a player like this to be particularly consistent. He never has been, not even four or five years ago, because he lights up at the right time,” insisted Allegri.

“He helped out defensively today and had a good attitude, he had a couple of changes of pace, which he had struggled with lately due to fitness problems. He took on Bremer and pulled the ball back, so it was one of his best performances.”

Pulisic meanwhile has now equalled his worst ever goalless streak, failing to find the net for 16 consecutive games, just like at Chelsea in 2022, and is yet to contribute a goal in 2026.

“Christian is a very sensitive man and this drought is hitting him harder. He is also someone who struggles more with the physicality of duels and the lack of a centre-forward, but I must try to give a balance to this team, as we have an objective to achieve.

“I realise he is not entirely suited to this, I had asked him to play centre-right tonight and Leao centre-left, so we were without a centre-forward. Rest assured, by the end of the season Pulisic will have given his contribution,” assured Allegri.

“The results ultimately are a tally of points, and now we need six points rather than seven to secure the Champions League spot. Now we have to prepare well for Sassuolo, and play better on a technical level.”

Inter coach Cristian Chivu admits his team has ‘regret’ after a 2-2 away draw at Torino, although the Granata’s comeback ‘could have ended even worse.’

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The Nerazzurri were still buzzing after the fightback from 2-0 down to beat Como 3-2 midweek in the Coppa Italia semi-final, setting up a showdown with Lazio on May 13.

It could well be the Double for Chivu in his first season at San Siro, although the Scudetto party will have to wait after fumbling a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 at Torino this evening.

“There’s regret. We had the game in our hands, and we suffered their push in the final minutes,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“The first goal scared us out, and the second was the consequence. We tried to react and score 3-2, but you also risk losing these matches, so credit to Torino: they didn’t give up and believed until the end.”

Federico Dimarco’s assists for Marcus Thuram and Yann Bisseck were cancelled out by Giovanni Simeone and a rather harsh Nikola Vlasic penalty for Carlos Augusto’s handling offence, so the lead at the top is cut to 10 points.

The celebratory atmosphere was shaken when news broke that refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi had been placed under formal investigation for sporting fraud.

Among the accusations against him was colluding to assign referees favoured by Inter rather than others, backing Andrea Colombo over Daniele Doveri during the crucial Serie A run-in last season.

It remains to be seen whether more figures will be investigated and how involved the Nerazzurri were in the alleged collusion.

“I talk about football; I am the coach, and I’m paid to prepare the matches in the best way, passing on serenity and motivation,” Chivu said.

“Apparently, I didn’t do my job properly when we were leading 2-0. I take responsibility, but it changes little. We need three points, and we want to kill it off as soon as possible.”

Hakan Calhanoglu and Alessandro Bastoni were not involved. Denzel Dumfries started on the bench, while Lautaro Martinez is still injured.

“Calhanoglu was not fully fit. Dumfries is still not okay. For Lautaro, it’s still long,” Chivu explained.

“I thought I’d give some minutes to Bastoni in the second half because he had trained three times with us, but it’s never easy to enter certain pitches at a certain moment of the season after you’ve done so much.

“When you are up 2-0, you think everything is easy and that you have everything under control. Then you concede to make it 2-1 because of a mistake while playing out from the back, and the ghosts start creeping in; you get nervous.

“You begin to realise it won’t be easy after all, especially when a few incidents go against you. In my view, the comeback could have ended even worse.”

Inter will win the Serie A title next week, with three games to spare, if they beat Chivu’s ex-team, Parma, at San Siro. Does he feel any special emotion?

“Zero. I’m only focused on my job and my duty,” the Nerazzurri told DAZN.

“I don’t think about emotions. I must prepare for the match as best I can and provide the right motivation. It’s our dream. It started nine months ago. I think about taking home one of the season’s objectives. I must transmit serenity and ambition, but also desire and the appropriate attitude; the rest doesn’t count.”

Inter were held to a 2-2 draw by Torino and saw their lead at the top cut to 10 points, but could still celebrate the Scudetto next week without taking to the pitch.

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The Nerazzurri had been on track for victory at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino this evening when leading 2-0 with goals from Marcus Thuram and Yann Bisseck.

With that result, they would’ve required only a point in the final four games to be mathematically certain of the Serie A title.

However, they were pegged back to a 2-2 draw by late Giovanni Simeone and Nikola Vlasic goals.

Nonetheless, the Scudetto could be delivered next weekend, even without Inter lifting a finger.

When Inter can celebrate the title

The Scudetto is guaranteed if they beat Cristian Chivu’s old club Parma next Sunday evening at San Siro, which would be a fitting scenario for his crowning moment.

However, they might already have popped the champagne corks by kick-off.

If Milan lose to Juventus tonight (or against Sassuolo next week) and Napoli also lose away to Como on Saturday, it would make it mathematically impossible for them to catch the leaders.

Cesc Fabregas confirmed that Como star Nico Paz was taken to hospital after a head injury during the 2-0 win away to Genoa. ‘He couldn’t see properly.’

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The Argentina international was in the starting XI at Marassi and playing very well in the afternoon Serie A Week 34 kick-off.

However, he had a clash of heads with Genoa defender Marcandalli during the first half, then went over several times to the touchline and told the medical staff he was struggling to see properly out of one eye.

Nico Paz struggling with head injury

According to the DAZN Italia touchline reporters, Nico Paz said that he saw red when glancing out of the side of one eye.

With this in mind, he was substituted at half-time by Maxence Caqueret, and taken to hospital in Genoa for tests.

“Nico is doing better, he is in hospital and they are evaluating him there,” confirmed coach Fabregas in a press conference.

“He was struggling to see properly. In any case, it is important for us to be able to find many different solutions from the team.”

Sky Sport Italia now confirm Nico Paz has been released after tests showed no issues and is returning to Como with the team.

Nico Paz has scored 13 goals with eight assists in 38 competitive matches for Como so far this season.

Real Madrid retain a buy-back option on the 21-year-old that is worth €9m, and multiple reports confirm they fully intend to use it.

DENVER (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets have developed an intense rivalry, meeting in the NBA playoffs three times in the last four years.

The Nuggets bounced the Wolves 4-1 in 2023 on their way to the franchise's first NBA championship but Minnesota won the rematch a year later, capped by a 20-point second-half comeback in Game 7 in Denver.

This year the Nuggets rolled into the playoffs on a 12-game winning streak and handled the Timberwolves in the opener of their Western Conference playoff series only to blow a 19-point lead in Game 2 before getting throttled twice in Minneapolis.

Even with their starting backcourt of Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) and Anthony Edwards (knee) getting hurt Saturday night, the Wolves raced past the Nuggets 112-96 behind Ayo Dosunmu's career-best 43 points, the most by a reserve in a playoff game in half a century.

Game 5 is in Denver and another flop could send the Nuggets into a stunning early exit and an offseason of change after an injury-marred first full season under coach David Adelman, who has had no answers for the Nuggets' sudden struggles.

The Minnesota-Denver game is the nightcap of a three-game slate Monday, one that also could see the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder get their third consecutive first-round sweep. The Thunder lead Phoenix 3-0, with Game 4 on the Suns’ home floor.

Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the reigning MVP, was a maestro in Game 3, scoring 42 points on 15-for-18 shooting.

“He doesn’t need a ton of direction from me,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said of Gilgeous-Alexander. “But I thought he was obviously outstanding. The efficiency was ridiculous. For him to score like that, on 15 of 18, is a really impressive game.”

And leading off the night is Game 4 in Orlando, where the eighth-seeded Magic will aim to take a 3-1 lead over the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in their Eastern Conference quarterfinal matchup.

“Being up 2-1 at home is a good thing, but again, you got to come out and do it again,” Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said after Saturday’s Game 3 win. “And that’s why I’ll keep saying it’s the one game. ... We’ve got to learn from this game and what we could do better.”

The only fight the Nuggets have put up since their series-opening win came when Nikola Jokic took offense to Jaden McDaniels scoring an uncontested layup with 2.1 seconds left after the Nuggets had conceded their double-digit defeat Saturday night.

Jokic ran from one end of the court to the other to shove McDaniels, who labeled all of the Nuggets bad defenders after Game 2. Players from both teams converged around them to broaden the scuffle. Timberwolves forward Julius Randle, who was livid with Jokic, was ejected along with Denver’s center.

“He scored when we’d stopped playing,” Jokic explained. “You guys saw what happened.”

The Nuggets have long odds to bounce back and advance. In NBA history, only 13 of 298 teams facing a 3-1 deficit came back to win the series. The last team to do it? The Nuggets in 2020, against both the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets

When/Where to watch: Game 5: 10:30 p.m. EDT (NBC Peacock)

Series: Wolves lead, 3-1

Betting line: Nuggets by 10 1/2

What to Know: DiVincenzo’s season is over with an Achilles tendon injury and Edwards is facing a long recovery from a bone bruise and hyperextended knee. ... The Nuggets were the highest-scoring team in the NBA this season and were held under 100 points just twice, back in January. But they managed just 96 points in both of their losses in Minneapolis.

Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic

When/Where to watch: Game 4, 8 p.m. EDT (NBC Peacock, NBC Sports)

Series: Magic leads, 2-1

Betting line: Pistons by 2 1/2

What to Know: Behind 25 points each from Paolo Banchero and Desmond Bane, the Magic beat the Pistons Saturday. It’s the 13th time since 1984, when the NBA went to the 16-team format, that a No. 8 seed has taken a 2-1 lead in a first-round series over a No. 1 seed. Of the previous 12, five finished off the upset: Miami in 2023, Philadelphia in 2012, Memphis in 2011, Golden State in 2007 and New York in 1999.

Oklahoma City Thunder at Phoenix Suns

When/Where to watch: Game 4, 9:30 p.m. EDT (NBC Peacock)

Series: Thunder lead, 3-0

Betting line: Thunder by 10 1/2

What to Know: Devin Booker should be ready to play in Game 4 when the Suns try to avoid a four-game sweep after leaving Game 3 briefly because of a left ankle injury he sustained after tripping over Lu Dort’s foot. The five-time All-Star returned a few minutes later and said he was fine. Booker said he thought Dort stuck out his foot a little on the play, but didn’t know if it was on purpose.

___

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba

Inter President Beppe Marotta insists the club is ‘stunned’ at being dragged into the Gianluca Rocchi investigation, but they are ‘safe in the knowledge we are not involved.’

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Their match kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).

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

The last few days have seen Inter hit the headlines against their will, because refereeing designator Gianluca Rocchi is under investigation for sporting fraud, and one of the allegations is that he assigned referees who were favourable to the Nerazzurri last season.

There is a lot that is still not clear about the situation, including who Rocchi was supposed to have colluded with to make these decisions, but it is sparking fears of a new Calciopoli scandal.

Marotta defends Inter in Rocchi scandal

“We are learning everything from the media, so we are stunned by the declarations,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“For a start, we do not have referees that we favour or are unfavourable towards, we are confident that we acted entirely fairly, which should reassure everyone.

“Last season, not to complain but as an objective fact, there were some refereeing decisions that went against us and that the officials agreed were mistakes, for example the penalty not awarded in Inter-Roma.

“So I have to say we are here focused on this game, this season, this Scudetto that we want to take home. We are safe in the knowledge that Inter are not involved in this situation and will not be involved in the future.”

There are reports that representatives of Inter could be called to act as witnesses for the investigation into Rocchi, especially if it spreads to more figures in the refereeing world.

“I have been very clear on this,” replied Marotta.

The investigation into Rocchi refer to a supposed situation at San Siro during the Coppa Italia semi-final in April 2025 when he decided to assign Andrea Colombo to an Inter match rather than Daniele Doveri, and that he ‘colluded’ with someone to make this decision.

“I was surprised because I cannot remember anything of the sort. As I said, we are learning all of this from the media, so I think I have been very clear on this,” added Marotta.

“We want to reassure the Inter fans, we are here to play Torino, to bring home a deserved Scudetto, and I repeat we acted with utmost fairness.”

This has been a remarkable week for the Nerazzurri, who went temporarily 12 points clear at the top of the Serie A table.

They then came back from 2-0 down to beat Como 3-2 in the Coppa Italia semi-final, setting up a Final showdown with Lazio and potential Double on May 13.

“Compliments go to the coach and the squad, but I also wish to underline that we haven’t achieved anything yet, so the team is very concentrated on this test. It would be our 10^th time winning the Coppa Italia, which would be something wonderful and extraordinary for Inter,” concluded Marotta.

Goals from Tasos Douvikas and Assane Diao helped Como to a 2-0 victory away against Genoa in Serie A on Sunday afternoon, which draws Cesc Fabregas’s side level on points with Roma and just two behind Juventus in the Champions League positions with four games of the season remaining. 

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Genoa had recorded two consecutive 2-1 victories in Serie A in the fortnight building up to Sunday’s clash against Como. Cesc Fabregas’s side have had an impressive 2025-26 season, but their results tanked in April and they had been without a win in over a month before facing Genoa.

Despite their recent victories, Daniele De Rossi made four alterations to his starting line-up, while Fabregas made two following his side’s midweek Coppa Italia semi-final defeat against Inter. 

Click here to read more about how the teams lined up.

It took less than 10 minutes for Como to find the opener. It was a wonderful, floated cross in from the left half space from Lucas Da Cunha, which Douvikas met with a trademark centre-forward’s header on the edge of the six-yard box. This was the Greece international’s 12th Serie A goal of the season and his 15th across all competitions. 

Nico Paz tried his luck from the edge of the area after a neat piece of fancy footwork 22 minutes in, but dragged his shot just wide of the upright. 

Como goalkeeper Jean Butez had his heart in his mouth when he played an outball right into the legs of Genoa’s Vitinha, but the opposition striker was in a bit of a mess himself and slipped over in the area with the goal gaping wide open. A relieved Butez quickly regathered the ball.

There was a nasty clash of heads between Nico Paz and Alessandro Marcandalli following a Como corner. While both continued initially, Paz was later withdrawn at half-time with suggestions that he was struggling to see properly. Genoa goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was also forced off with an injury at the interval and was replaced by Nicola Leali. 

Genoa started the second half encouragingly, but in spite of their pressure, it was Como who claimed the second goal of the game two thirds of the way through. Maxence Caqueret instinctively flung a leg at Martin Baturina’s cross from the left flank, which inadvertently steered the ball perfectly into the path of Diao to head home at the back post. 

This meant that Como had scored twice with their first two shots on target. 

Second-half substitute Alvaro Morata should have scored his first Serie A goal of the season when he received the cut-back from Caqueret, but despite having plenty of the goal to aim out, he shot down the middle and replacement stopper Leali got down to make the save. 

Today’s results sees Como back level on points with Roma, but sitting just above the Giallorossi in fifth place. They are now just two points behind fourth-placed Juventus ahead of the Old Lady’s upcoming test against Milan on Sunday night. 

Join us for coverage of Torino vs. Inter at 17.00 BST and Milan vs. Juventus at 20.00 BST on the Football Italia Liveblog.

Genoa 0-2 Como 

Douvikas 10 (C), Diao 68 (C)

26-04-2026 14:00

MatchDay 34

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Como

0 - 2

Player statistic

1st half

		10'		Anastasios Douvikas (Assist: Lucas Da Cunha)
		37'		Diego Carlos
		39'		Assane Diao

2nd half

		68'		Assane Diao (Assist: Maxence Caqueret)
Junior Messias		90+3'
		90+3'		Marc-Oliver Kempf

Match statistic

50

Possession %

50

9

Total shots

8

1

Shots on target

2

5

Shots off target

4

3

Blocked shots

2

2

Corners

3

3

Offsides

3

12

Fouls

15

Genoa

Como

Starting lineups

16

Justin Bijlow

Goalkeeper

46'

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

5

Leo Östigard

Defender

34

Sebastian Otoa

Defender

57'

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

81'

4

Amorim

Midfielder

70'

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

70'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

9

Vitinha

Attacker

1

Jean Butez

Goalkeeper

3

Álex Valle

Defender

34

Diego Carlos

Defender

57'

28

Ivan Smolcic

Defender

14

Jacobo Ramón

Defender

20

Martin Baturina

Midfielder

90'

23

Máximo Perrone

Midfielder

10

Nico Paz

Midfielder

46'

11

Anastasios Douvikas

Attacker

81'

38

Assane Diao

Attacker

81'

33

Lucas Da Cunha

Attacker

Substitutes

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

13

Nils Zätterström

Defender

74

Mamedi Doucouré

Defender

80

Jacopo Grossi

Midfielder

99

Latif Ouedraogo

Defender

78

Daniel Ndulue

Attacker

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

46'

10

Junior Messias

Attacker

57'

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

70'

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

70'

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

81'

5

Edoardo Goldaniga

Defender

22

Mauro Vigorito

Goalkeeper

44

Nikola Cavlina

Goalkeeper

18

Alberto Moreno

Defender

17

Jesús Rodriguez

Attacker

21

Noel Törnqvist

Goalkeeper

Adrian Lahdo

Midfielder

6

Maxence Caqueret

Midfielder

46'

2

Marc-Oliver Kempf

Defender

57'

7

Álvaro Morata

Attacker

81'

77

Ignace Van Der Brempt

Defender

81'

19

Nicolas Kühn

Attacker

90'

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MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers had the daunting task of facing the AL and NL Cy Young Award winners in consecutive games. The results were mixed, with both ending in losses for the defending NL Central champions.

After having late-inning success against the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal on Thursday in Detroit, the Brewers had to deal with Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes and his signature “splinker” pitch, a combination of split-finger and sinker, for which Milwaukee had no answer, leaving Skenes with a perfect game into the seventh inning Friday in Milwaukee.

Skenes (4-1) didn’t allow a base runner until Jake Bauers’ sharp single to right with two outs in the seventh. The 23-year-old right-hander gave up one hit over seven shutout innings. He struck out seven and didn’t walk a batter.

Skenes had another no-hitter close call in Milwaukee on July 11, 2024, when he allowed no hits over seven innings in a 1-0 win.

When asked if that’s the best the Brewers had seen from Skenes in his five outings against them, Brewers manager quickly responded.

“That’s the best I’ve seen from anyone, I think,” Murphy said.

Skenes’ dominance called for desperate measures, he added.

“I was thinking about telling guys just to jump in front of it,” Murphy said. “You know what I mean? Just jump in front of it and try to get hit.”

Facing ruling Cy Young Award winners had happened just once before in the majors, and it was just last year, according to Sportradar, when the Red Sox faced Skubal and the Tigers in Detroit on May 14 and Atlanta’s Chris Sale at home on May 16. The Red Sox, like the Brewers, lost both games.

On Thursday, the Brewers rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the seventh, with Blake Perkins tying it with a double off of Skubal that scored Gary Sanchez and Luis Matos. David Hamilton then put the Brewers up 4-3 when his single off reliever Tyler Holton brought home Perkins.

Milwaukee ended up losing 5-4 on Spencer Torkelson’s walk-off home run.

Skubal was dominant early in the game, retiring the first 11 batters and throwing strikes on 24 of his first 26 pitches. But he didn’t factor into the decision and finished allowing four runs on seven hits and striking out five.

“I was really proud of our club (on Thursday) with our three main guys down and to still compete the way we did,” Murphy said. “You never like to lose and I’m not into moral victories, but it certainly said something that they got (Skubal) out of there.”

But the Brewers were stymied by Skenes a night later.

“He had elite stuff tonight. Perfect game stuff. Really impressive,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that he’s just in his third season in the big leagues. He’s continuing to get better, which is amazing considering what he’s already done in the game.”

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb