The organised supporter groups of both Lazio and Inter Milan will stay away from the Stadio Olimpico for Saturday’s Serie A clash between the two sides, with Lazio’s ultras continuing their protest against the club’s ownership while Inter’s groups have chosen to join them in solidarity.

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According to Radio Laziale, via LaLazioSiamoNoi, representatives of Lazio’s organised supporter groups confirmed the decision, explaining that both sets of fans will instead gather together at Ponte Milvio ahead of kick-off. The boycott forms part of a wider protest that has characterised the second half of Lazio’s season.

Lazio ultras eye Coppa Italia final as priority amid Serie A boycott

The groups were keen to stress, however, that the decision is also partly tactical, with the Coppa Italia final against Inter just four days away, staying outside is seen as a way of easing tension and building unity ahead of the Stadio Olimpico showpiece.

“For the final we will be inside the stadium,” a supporter group representative said.

“The decision to stay outside for the league match, together with Inter’s organised groups, was also taken to enjoy the build-up together. A way of lowering the tension and anxiety four days before the Coppa Italia final. It will be a chance to be together and pass on some communications to the fans present. On Wednesday we will need great clarity and everyone pulling together. I’ll say it now: get in early on Wednesday.”

Christian Pulisic could be set for a return to English football this summer, with Manchester United reportedly identifying the United States international as a priority target and AC Milan valuing the attacker at around €60 million.

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According to Calciomercato.it, via MilanNews24, United have moved decisively for Pulisic, preferring him over other targets including Rafael Leão, with whom a swap deal involving Joshua Zirkzee had previously been mooted before falling through.

The Red Devils are said to be attracted by the American’s versatility, with his ability to operate as a winger, attacking midfielder or second striker particularly appealing to the club’s recruitment team.

Milan in no rush to sell Pulisic despite Manchester United interest

Milan, however, are not under pressure to sell and are reportedly minded to wait before entering serious negotiations. The club are understood to want to monitor Pulisic’s performances at the World Cup with the United States national team, with the hope that a strong tournament could increase his market value beyond the current €60 million asking price.

A meeting between the two clubs is expected at the end of the season to establish both the player’s wishes and United’s genuine intentions. Despite Milan’s struggles in front of goal in recent months, Pulisic remains one of their most valuable assets and the club have no intention of letting him leave on the cheap.

A move to Old Trafford would represent a return to England for Pulisic, who spent four years at Chelsea before joining Milan in 2023.

Inter Milan are already planning their summer transfer business after clinching the Scudetto, with president Beppe Marotta having made clear the club intend to strengthen their Italian core with young, homegrown talent, though departures will shape how aggressively they can move.

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Marotta set out his vision clearly in the aftermath of the title win.

“We have very clear ideas on how to act, thanks also to dialogue with the ownership, who will set the economic guidelines,” he said. “It is important to have a solid core of Italians. We need to continue and look at who the best young Italian players are.”

But who have the Nerazzurri been linked with and how can Marotta realistically strengthen Chivu’s side for the next campaign?

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Marco Palestra and Giovanni Leoni among Inter summer targets

The name most readily associated with that approach is Marco Palestra. The winger is currently on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta and has long been admired by Inter, who face the potential departure of Denzel Dumfries this summer.

Palestra fits Marotta’s blueprint precisely, young, Italian, and highly rated. Prising him from Atalanta will not come cheap, however, with his valuation already reported at around €40 million.

Marotta acknowledged the difficulty himself. “Unfortunately he is not ours, but he is a player of great future,” he said. “Alongside young Italians, we will also target experienced foreigners capable of bringing a winning culture.”

With Premier League clubs keen on the Atalanta-owned wing-back, Inter could find themselves quickly priced out of a move, even after comfortably winning Serie A this season.

Giovanni Leoni is another name on the Nerazzurri’s radar.

Inter were keen on the teenage defender last summer before Liverpool moved quickly to sign him, and the connection runs deeper now that Chivu, who coached Leoni at Parma, is in charge at Appiano Gentile.

A serious injury sustained in September kept Leoni out for much of the season, and should Liverpool consider moving him on, Inter are expected to be among the frontrunners.

A return to Italy could be the sensible move for the youngster’s career, away from the pressures of the Premier League.

Leoni has spoken warmly of Chivu’s influence. “When he arrived at Parma we were in a bad way,” the defender said. “He is brilliant at building relationships with players. He would never speak badly of you publicly.”

On the departures side, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian are both set to leave, while the futures of Stefan de Vrij, also out of contract, and Dumfries remain unresolved. How Inter navigate those exits will go a long way to determining the scale of their summer recruitment.

Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has addressed speculation linking Alessandro Bastoni with Barcelona, insisting the defender is content at the club despite concrete interest yet to materialise, as the Nerazzurri savour a third Scudetto title in five years.

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According to comments made by Marotta on Radio Anch’Io Sport, the president was candid about the situation surrounding the Italy international.

“He is a great talent,” Marotta said, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“He was unlucky in certain episodes. Everyone had their eyes on him. He made that naive mistake against Juventus with the simulation, he was the first to admit it, but we protected him. He is a great champion. I won’t deny there is interest from Barcelona, but nothing concrete yet. A player leaves if he expresses the desire to go. At this moment he is happy to be with us and we are happy with him.”

Marotta bullish on Inter’s Italian core ahead of title defence

Bastoni’s situation will dominate the summer agenda at Inter, but Marotta was equally forthcoming on broader ambitions.

On strengthening the squad’s Italian nucleus, he said: “Italy produces talent. We want to build a solid core of Italians, some are getting older so it is right to add more. For the Scudetto, you need a core who understands Italian football.”

Marotta also confirmed the Champions League remains a personal obsession.

“I have reached four finals and unfortunately lost them all,” he admitted. “It is something I still want to achieve, but next year we will try to improve in that competition.”

Gleison Bremer has publicly apologised after a costly defensive mistake contributed to Juventus dropping points in a home draw against Verona, with the Brazilian centre-back admitting he should have done better.

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Bremer’s error came when he attempted to play out from the back inside his own penalty area, looking to find Pierre Kalulu, but the pass was intercepted by Bradaric.

The Verona winger immediately fed Bowie, who was left unmarked and beat Di Gregorio at his near post to give the visitors the lead.

Bremer admits he must do better after Juventus slip-up

Taking to Instagram shortly after the final whistle, the defender offered a direct apology. “Today, due to a miscommunication, the mistake was mine,” Bremer wrote.

“I take full responsibility, no excuses. I should have done better. Now more united than ever, until the end.”

It was not an isolated struggle on the evening. Bremer was reported to have had a difficult night dealing with Bowie throughout, frequently coming off second best in aerial duels and physical battles.

Head coach Luciano Spalletti also addressed the error after the match, acknowledging it as a known limitation in his side’s game.

“Bremer and Kelly are two great defenders in terms of individual quality and in one-v-one duels,” Spalletti said. “But in terms of building from the back they do concede something, these are aspects we have to live with.”

The slip is likely to reignite scrutiny of Bremer’s composure in possession, and will also bring renewed attention to comments the defender made in a press conference weeks earlier.

“At Juventus they have been treading water for six years and that cannot happen,” he said at the time. “It is important to go back to winning. To be considered champions you have to win, and I want to win.”

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Manuel Akanji is set to make his move to Inter permanent, with the Nerazzurri ready to secure the defender on a two-year deal following a successful loan spell from Manchester City.

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The centre-back has been a key figure under Cristian Chivu this season, quickly establishing himself as a regular starter and playing a central role in Inter’s march towards the Serie A title. His consistency has already satisfied one of the key conditions required to trigger a permanent transfer.

As part of the agreement struck last September, Inter committed to signing Akanji outright if two clauses were met: the defender reaching at least 50% of the club’s appearances across the season, and the team securing the Scudetto. The first target has long been achieved, while the second is now within touching distance.

Akanji part of Inter summer overhaul as veteran defenders set to leave

The deal is expected to cost around €15m, as per La Gazzetta dello Sport, with Akanji’s contract automatically extending through to 2028 once the conditions are fulfilled. Speaking earlier in the season, the Swiss international admitted: “I can’t know what will happen in the summer, but I can say I’m very happy here.”

Inter’s move to secure Akanji comes amid a wider defensive overhaul. Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij are both approaching the end of their contracts, while Matteo Darmian and Yann Sommer are also facing uncertain futures.

There is also growing expectation that Alessandro Bastoni could depart, increasing the importance of retaining a reliable and experienced figure like Akanji. Alongside Yann Bisseck, he is now seen as a cornerstone of Inter’s evolving back line as the club prepares for its next cycle.

Riccardo Calafiori has returned to the starting XI for Arsenal against Fulham, marking his comeback after a recent injury absence as Mikel Arteta rotates his side.

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The Italy international had been expected to feature against Newcastle but was ultimately left out of the matchday squad, despite nearing full fitness. Arteta was forced into selection decisions due to squad limitations, with Calafiori among those to miss out.

“Because these guys have been exceptional, I understand that,” Arteta explained. “We had to leave two players out of the squad at the end… there were Christian and Richi [Calafiori], so that’s going to happen.”

He added: “If the Premier League allows us to have 20 or 22 players, we can have everybody involved and hopefully next season that will be the case.”

Calafiori return a welcome boost for Arsenal

Calafiori’s return now offers a timely boost, particularly with Arsenal balancing domestic commitments and their upcoming Champions League semi-final second leg against Atletico Madrid. Arteta has made several changes from the side that started in Madrid, but the inclusion of the former Roma defender is the standout.

Prior to the match, speaking to Sky Sport, Arteta revealed the importance of

Arsenal continue to chase the Premier League title, though their focus is inevitably split given the importance of their European campaign. Calafiori’s presence at left-back adds defensive stability and tactical flexibility, especially alongside a settled back line featuring William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães.

His return will be closely monitored, but it represents a positive step as Arsenal head into a decisive period of the season.