Marco Materazzi hopes Simone Inzaghi will stay at Inter despite Premier League interest, begged Jose Mourinho to stay and believes the Byron Moreno scandal helped prepare Italy for the 2006 World Cup triumph, regardless of Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt.

The now retired defender sat down with the Italian Football Podcast to look back over his lengthy career at club and international level, while also casting an eye on the current calcio scene.

He was in the stands for Inter’s 1-1 draw with Napoli in Serie A last week and enjoyed the performances of the defenders, above all Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Buongiorno.

“It was an impressive game by Buongiorno. Because in 1 vs 1 against Thuram, because Thuram is strong and fast but for Buongiorno it was easy to catch him. But Napoli maybe paid €40m for him. Now minimum they want not double but €60 million.

“If Antonio Conte stays in Napoli maybe Buongiorno will stay in Napoli. It is a good team and good club,” continued Materazzi.

“Ok, Acerbi is maybe 50-60-70 years old but last match he was the Man Of The Match. Lukaku didn’t touch a ball in that game.

“For me age is important, but not that important. If he is fit, he can play until 38-39 years old, we will see. At the moment Acerbi is one of the best defenders in Italy.”

Inzaghi impressed with his trophy haul at Inter and is doing well in the Champions League too, holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw and beating Arsenal 1-0.

This helped boost reports that after having failed before to convince him, Premier League clubs could be back in for the coach.

“I am an Inter fan. I hope he stays at Inter because his job there hasn’t been finished yet. I think he is a good profile for the Premier League,” confessed Materazzi.

“Maybe Arteta, who is one of the best coaches in the Premier League, but for me Arsenal is one of the clubs in my opinion for Simone.

“Maybe Manchester United. And Manchester City too, because nobody knows what Pep will do.

“But I hope Simone stays in Italy. I’m not his manager. I’m his friend because we played each other and we have a good relationship. I can’t decide on his fate.”

Materazzi was part of the Inter squad that won the 2010 Treble under Mourinho and the bear hug he gave the Special One went viral after that Champions League Final victory.

“I was hugging him because he left us. I’m sure with him we would win many more titles in a row in 2011. But he decided to leave Inter after the game.

“The last two weeks before the game [Champions League final in 2010], I went to José’s office to pray to him to stay. For us as a family, you can see José as a strong person, but he is also very nice. Because he creates a lot of happiness in a locker room, which is very important for me to become champions.

“But he never looked me in the eyes these two weeks, so I understood everything before the final was played.”

Materazzi hero of 2006 World Cup

The highlight of Materazzi’s career was no doubt winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy, where he took centre-stage in the Final against France.

However, before that, he was part of the squad that crashed out of the 2002 tournament in the Round of 16 with defeat to South Korea, a game overshadowed by the bizarre officiating of Ecuadorian referee Moreno.

“I don’t know if he is still in prison, no?” laughed Materazzi, referring to the corruption and cocaine smuggling convictions for Moreno in the following years.

“Maybe he has more problems than that Italy Korea game. But in my opinion that Italy team was better than the 2006. We didn’t have Pirlo but in my opinion that Italy team was better than in 2006.

“We deserved to go ahead in that game, but Byron Moreno was a joker for them. But then we went home and started to prepare for the 2006 World Cup.”

Prepare they did, winning in Germany on a penalty shoot-out against France, where Zidane was sent off in extra time for headbutting Materazzi in the chest.

“You never know what would have happened with him [on the pitch]. He got the red card maybe just 15 minutes before the game was over.

“I don’t like to remember that because in my opinion, you have to remember me for my two goals scored in the World Cup final. I don’t know how many defenders who have scored two goals in the World Cup Final. So that was very important,” insisted Materazzi.

“Maybe he could have scored the penalty [in the shootout]. But in my opinion Trezeguet is one of the best penalty takers in the game, but was unlucky. Had he scored then we would have drawn and shot more penalties. Maybe it was destiny that Italy win the World Cup.”

Hakan Calhanoglu reveals how close he came to a Galatasaray transfer and why he was irritated that Inter teammates didn’t listen to his warning about Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz.

The midfielder is currently on international duty with Turkey and spoke to TV8.5 about his current form at club level.

It hasn’t all been plain sailing, as during the 1-1 draw against Napoli at San Siro, he missed his first penalty in the Nerazzurri jersey after 19 successfully converted.

“I do not run away from my responsibilities. If I make another mistake on a penalty, I will still take the next one. Some people might think that means I have a big ego, but the truth is I just have faith in myself.”

Calhanoglu also trusts his Turkey international squad teammates, including 20-year-old sensation Kenan Yildiz, who came off the bench for Juventus and scored twice to secure his team a thrilling 4-4 draw in Serie A.

“Before the game with Juventus, I told my teammates not to leave Kenan Yildiz any room to breathe. They didn’t take it very seriously and then he was the player who turned the game around.

“I said to them afterwards, I told you so!”

Calhanoglu built career at San Siro

The 30-year-old has been in Italy since 2017, as first he wore the jersey of Milan at San Siro, then crossed the city as a free agent to join Inter in the summer of 2021.

His career has gone from strength to strength with the Nerazzurri, but Calhanoglu revealed it was almost a very different story.

“I had the opportunity to return to Turkey when I was at Milan, but at that time there were presidential elections for Galatasaray and nothing came of it.

“I am an Inter player now, with a contract that I recently extended to 2027. I don’t know what will happen in future, it would be wrong for me to say anything, as I don’t want to give anyone false hope.”

He had some bad memories with Inter in Istanbul, losing the Champions League Final to Manchester City in 2023.

“It was a difficult moment for us, but a year later we won the Scudetto and became Champions of Italy for the 20^th time. Now we are doing well, the next few games will be important.”

Nicolò Barella returns for Italy against Belgium and sees vast improvements from EURO 2024. ‘They showed great mental strength.’

It kicks off on Thursday at 19.45 GMT in Brussels and the Azzurri need just one point from the remaining two games to be sure of a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

The Inter midfielder had missed the last two call-ups for international duty due to injury concerns, so this will be his first appearance for the Nazionale since the ill-fated EURO 2024 campaign.

“I certainly missed being here with my teammates,” he told the official Italian Football Federation social media channels.

“I am feeling good and thank them for the wonderful performances they had in my absence, because the situation when I was last with them was not easy, especially on a psychological level, but they showed great mental strength.”

Barella sees transformed Italy

Coach Luciano Spalletti has since implemented a 3-5-2 tactical system based largely on the success of Barella’s Inter.

“I can confirm I had good sensations in training. This is a team that proved it is capable of doing very well. I will try to settle back in and give my contribution, if the coach wants me to.”

Barella is not exactly a prolific marksman, but of his 10 senior goals for Italy, two of them were against Belgium in EURO 2020 and the Nations League third-place final.

“I was telling my teammates today that they were my ‘favourite victims’ – but every game is different and logically I’d be happy to score or do well, but I repeat, the coach makes his decisions and I just have to be ready,” noted the midfielder.

When these sides met last month, Italy had been leading 2-0 until the Lorenzo Pellegrini red card, prompting a comeback from Belgium to draw 2-2.

“It is going to be a difficult match, we mustn’t let what happened in the last game affect us. Before that incident, Italy dominated the game, but they are on home turf this time and will want to prove how strong they are.

“I hope it will be an entertaining match for the fans.”

#Barella alla vigilia di #BelgioItalia #NationsLeague#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/SEzXQuK3lw

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 13, 2024

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez responded to an angry Nerazzurri fan on Instagram: ‘I’ve always given my all.’

Inter striker and captain Lautaro Martinez has replied to a disappointed Nerazzurri supporter on Instagram.

FCInternews and other Italian media report that the fan criticised El Toro by commenting on the striker’s latest Instagram picture from the Argentina training ground.

“Remember about the club that pays you good money,” said the fan, but Martinez’s reply came thick and fast.

Lautaro Martinez hits back at angry Inter fan on Instagram: ‘Remember’

“You should also remember that I’ve always given my all for Inter, like in the World Cup season,” wrote Lautaro.

“My ankle was destroyed, and while others prepared for a great World Cup, I was always on the pitch and never missed a training session. I played all the games until the Champions League Final. ALWAYS remember it before mentioning who pays me.”

The fan cancelled his comment following Lautaro Martinez’s reply, but other Inter fans commented on the same post to defend their captain.

Lautaro Martinez has six goals and four assists in 15 appearances across all competitions this season, but he is still not as consistent as last term when he became the best scorer in Serie A with 24 goals.

Lautaro inspired Inter’s Scudetto victory in 2023-24, lifting the trophy in his first season as the team’s captain.

The 27-year-old striker ranked 7th in the 2024 Ballon d’Or. His contract at the Stadio Meazza runs out in June 2029.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Lautaro Javier Martinez (@lautaromartinez)

Aurelio De Laurentiis finds Giuseppe Marotta’s words ‘inappropriate’, defends Antonio Conte and demands ‘new’ VAR rules after a controversial penalty incident in Inter-Napoli on Sunday.

Napoli President De Laurentiis responded to his Inter counterpart Marotta in an official statement published on the Partenopei’s website Wednesday morning.

De Laurentiis defended his coach, Conte, who had protested a referee’s decision to give a penalty kick to Inter in the second half of a key Serie A game against Inter on Sunday.

Inter star Calhanoglu had missed the spot-kick, but Conte was still furious and did nothing to hide his feelings after the final whistle.

Inter President Marotta had hit back on Tuesday, saying that the ex-Nerazzurri boss “spoke for a purpose”, but ADL replied.

“I’ve read in Los Angeles some Marotta claims which I find inappropriate,” the Napoli President said.

“According to most pundits, the penalty shouldn’t have been given. But mostly, Conte’s words were clear and were exactly what I thought and always said. VAR is a great tool to avoid referee errors. It makes no sense to say that sometimes it can intervene and sometimes it can’t. If there’s an error, VAR officials must call the referee. Otherwise, you block football’s growth and fuel suspects.

• Read more – Angry Conte knows VAR protocol, but wanted to send a message

“Furthermore, referees are already in touch with VAR. Why shouldn’t he receive suggestions from those who can see what happened thanks to technology? Conte said obvious things, the same I’ve been saying for years,” added ADL.

Napoli President De Laurentiis hits back at Marotta, defends Conte, demands new VAR rules

“It’s necessary to avoid fueling suspects and doubts, and the respect, as Rocchi said, must be mutual to avoid, as he said, to inflame the league.

“It must be said that referees should be free from any psychological influence, which, on the contrary, is often present among referees and VAR. I think it’s clear to everyone that it’s necessary to set up new VAR rules to avoid inconsistent decisions, which, I repeat, would only contribute to fueling doubt.

“It is also clear that often, on-pitch referees are not happy with intervention from VAR referees because correcting their decisions takes away credibility and autonomy from them. However, when there are clear errors, VAR must intervene by calling the referee to show what happened on the monitor for the good of football.”

Napoli remain the Serie A table leader after Sunday’s 1-1 draw at San Siro, but Inter, Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina are just one point below the Partenopei.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Assault on Skriniar and Hancko

Juventus, defence to be remade

Cabal ruptures his cruciate ligament after Bremer. Motta wants reinforcements: the Slovak pair in January.

Inter don’t accept it

Very surprised by Conte and the fear that the season could be influenced.

Milan, not only Frendrup. Belahyane is on the list

Roma, in the end, Ranieri returns

Meeting with the Friedkins in London, here’s the coach loved by the fans

Corriere dello Sport

Marotta and Conte: first controversy

The President: ‘If he talks, he has a precise objective.’

‘Antonio is smart and a great communicator, but the Dumfries penalty was clear.’ The Azzurri back their coach: rules must be changed. Beppe also hits back at Scaroni, who said Milan was the only team in Milano: ‘I wish him to win the second star.’

Roma, Ranieri on the boat

The Friedkin towards a temporary solution. Claudio flew to London to negotiate. The team on the pitch at Trigoria tomorrow.

Juve worried: Cabal knocked out, too.

Knee injury with Colombia. Thiago risks losing another defender for a long time after Bremer.

Ibra: ‘I believe in Milan, we want to make history.’

‘We want to lift trophies, Pulisic and Reijnders extraordinary.’

Tuttosport

Cabal injured too: cruciate ligament?

Juve, warning in defence, Lindelof offers himself.

There’s fear the Colombian ruptured his cruciate ligament while on international duty. Exams at the J Medical today. He’d be the second case after Bremer. The Swedish of Man Utd, a free agent in June, could become a chance.

Tension Marotta-Conte: ‘He has an objective when he talks.’

Roma breakthrough: Ranieri flies to London to meet Friedkin

Everton offer: ‘Toro, are you interested in Beto loan?’

The ex-Udinese hitman is struggling with playing time and the English club are looking for a club: the Granata without Zapata are an option.

Former Inter star Adriano has written a moving piece chronicling his status as ‘football’s biggest waste’ after a stellar career collapsed into ‘drinking to oblivion’ in the favelas.

The striker made his debut for the Nerazzurri at the age of 19 and was immediately tipped for greatness, having the physicality and the skill to be an heir to Ronaldo both at club and international level for Brazil.

He earned the nickname L’Imperatore – The Emperor – and had loan spells at Fiorentina and Parma, but it all fell to pieces.

Now the 42-year-old has written his story for The Players’ Tribune, framing it as a love letter to his home, the poverty-stricken slums of Rio de Janeiro known as the Favela.

“A lot of people didn’t understand why I abandoned the glory of the stadiums to sit in my old neighbourhood, drinking to oblivion.

Because at some point I wanted to, and it’s the kind of decision that’s difficult to go back on.”

Adriano wrote about having Christmas dinner at teammate Clarence Seedorf’s house, but feeling to homesick that he went back to his apartment and drank an entire bottle of vodka while weeping.

When Adriano’s career and life fell apart

The situation got out of hand when Adriano fell into a deep depression following the sudden death of his father in 2004, then went missing for several days.

“When I “fled” Inter and left Italy, I came to hide here. I went all over the complex for three days. Nobody found me. There is no way to. Rule number one of the favela. Keep your mouth shut. Do you think someone would snitch me? No f***ing rats here, bro.

“The Italian press went crazy. The Rio police even carried out an operation to “rescue me.” They said I had been kidnapped. You’re kidding me, right? Imagine that someone is going to do me any harm here … me, a favela child.

“They didn’t understand why I went to the favela. It wasn’t because of drinking, or women, much less because of drugs. It was for freedom. It was because I wanted peace. I wanted to live. I wanted to be human again. Just a little bit.

“I tried to do what they wanted. I bargained with Roberto Mancini. I tried hard with José Mourinho. I cried on Moratti’s shoulder. But I couldn’t do what they asked.

“I stayed well for a few weeks, avoided the booze, trained like a horse, but there was always a relapse. Over and over again. Everyone blasted me. I couldn’t take it anymore.”

Ultimately, the piece insists that Adriano had to make those choices and feels ‘respected’ in the Favela, even after being “football’s biggest waste.

“I like that word, waste. Not only because of how it sounds, but because I’m obsessed with wasting my life. I’m fine like this, in frantic waste. I enjoy this stigma.

“I don’t like giving explanations to others. But here’s one. I drink because it’s not easy to be a promise that remains in debt. And it gets even worse at my age.”

Antonio Conte’s furious rant against VAR was another example of the fundamental misunderstanding a lot of people – including coaches and pundits – have about VAR, writes Susy Campanale.

Video Assistant Referee technology has been around for several years now, yet so many still don’t know or grasp the mechanics of the protocol. They are there for very specific reasons, namely that if it checked every tiny thing like corner kicks, yellow cards and free kicks, the games would last three hours.

There is also a reason why if the referee is called to the monitor for an on-field review, they hardly ever watch the footage back and stick by the original decision – although it is not unheard of. This is because they are only brought to the touchline if there is a ‘clear and obvious error.’ Again, there is a reason for this, as otherwise we may as well get someone with a monitor to call every foul and use the referee on the pitch to relay the message.

I refuse to believe Conte does not already know all of this. Of course he does. He simply wanted to channel his inner Jose Mourinho and send a ‘message’ through the media planting doubts in people’s minds about the fairness of the refereeing, well aware that the term ‘Marotta League’ was already trending on social media. It’s the same playbook that has been used through the decades back before VAR was introduced, when some sweet-natured optimists thought that bringing in technology would mean losing this attitude altogether. The fools. If a robot was used as a referee, someone would still manage to complain it was programmed by a Juventus supporter.

Conte no stranger to refereeing rows

It has always been thus, it wasn’t about Juve or now Inter, it was simply whoever is the biggest club at that time gets the benefit of the doubt. Adding in a layer of protection with VAR can only cancel out the most egregious examples of those errors, but it can never resolve every single issue. That is true more than ever when it comes to the incident Conte was raging about, because whether or not that was worthy of a penalty is entirely subjective. There is no single way to interpret it when there was contact, but minimal, and Conte surely knows that.

This incident also reiterates the huge gulf between the English approach and Italian, namely one feels VAR is used too much and the other that it isn’t used enough. They were meant to be clamping down on soft penalties and disallowed goals, yet Monza have been ripped off twice in recent weeks. We keep being told ‘step on foot’ is an automatic yellow card in Italy, but the same rule doesn’t seem to apply in the Champions League.

There is only one way of breaking past the necessary limitations of the VAR protocol and it is already being worked on right now. The FIGC is preparing to trial a number of calls that coaches can make to get a VAR On-Field Review, similar to the system currently used successfully in tennis. If the original decision is overturned, they get to keep the same number of calls, whereas they lose a go if the appeal proves unfounded. This would’ve allowed Conte to get the referee to review that Inter penalty, but not necessarily change his mind.

We have seen VAR mutate and grow over the years since it was first brought in, as much like the rules of the game itself, they are constantly changing to keep up with the modernisation of the sport. There are always going to be errors, all we can do is remove the most damning ones and accept that it’ll never be perfect. Accepting that imperfection might be the toughest part of all, especially for Conte.

Inter President Beppe Marotta believes Antonio Conte had a ‘purpose’ for lashing out at the VAR after Inter-Napoli following a refereeing decision he did not agree with, adding that the contact between Anguissa and Dumfries ‘was a penalty’.

The Napoli manager was furious when he spoke on TV after the final whistle on Sunday, as he slammed the current protocol, which did not allow the VAR to intervene to cancel the penalty awarded to Inter, but Marotta thinks the referee made the right decision as there was ‘definitely’ contact between the two players involved.

The Nerazzurri President worked with Conte for several seasons both at Juventus and Inter and is convinced the Italian tactician made use of his skills as a ‘great communicator’ when publicly protesting against the VAR.

Marotta: Conte a ‘great communicator’, Dumfries-Anguissa contact ‘was a penalty’

“I believe technology improves things, reducing errors,” Marotta told reporters during the ceremony for the Niels Liedholm awards in Cuccaro Monferrato on Tuesday morning, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“Regarding what happened on Sunday and Conte’s remarks—he’s an intelligent person and a great communicator, who certainly has his purpose when he speaks.

“I must say the referee was very close to the action. So there was definitely physical contact, the foot was displaced, and in my opinion, it was a penalty.

“If there’s a need to discuss a better use of VAR in terms of protocol, that’s part of a constructive debate that should happen within the football system.”

Marotta on Scaroni’s provocation: ‘I hope Milan can get their second star soon’

Marotta also responded to Paolo Scaroni’s playful provocation, as Milan Charmain said the Rossoneri are the only ‘real team’ in the city.

“It depends on your perspective,” Marotta joked.

“If he represents the only team in Milan, perhaps we represent something even greater.

I don’t want to stir up controversy, Paolo is a friend, and everyone tries to elevate their own club, calling it the best. I hope Milan can get their second star soon.”

Inter President Beppe Marotta insists ‘sustainability’ is the keyword for the future of football, but the biggest challenge is to create a ‘better product’ for new generations and wishes Simone Inzaghi to ‘gain the calmness’ of ex-Serie A star and coach Nils Liedholm.

Marotta received the Nils Liedholm in Cuccaro Monferrato on Tuesday morning.

“Liedholm and his colleagues experienced a football that had great consideration of human values, and there wasn’t the same pressure as today,” said the Nerazzurri president, as quoted by TMW.

“Liedholm was distinguished by peace, tranquillity, and ironic jokes, but today’s football is characterised by continuous pressure.

“There are endless and enormous controversies over a denied penalty. My advice to Inzaghi, a young coach who is constantly developing, is to gain the calmness and peace of Liedholm.”

Inter President Marotta gives advice to Inzaghi, identifies biggest football ‘challenge’

Inzaghi has just begun his fourth season at the Stadio Meazza. He has won several trophies, including one Serie A title, and reached the Champions League Final in 2023.

Marotta also spoke about the future of football and the biggest challenges for the beautiful game.

“The key word is sustainability. The patronage mechanism no longer exists,” he insisted.

“This is proved by the fact that, luckily, foreign owners manage Milanese clubs; 60% of revenues come from TV rights, and we must sell a product to the fans. They are clients, and nowadays, young people struggle to watch an entire match. Therefore, the challenge is to create a better product.”

Inter were held to a 1-1 draw by Napoli at San Siro on Sunday and are currently just one point below the Partenopei in the Serie A table.

The defending champions are level on 25 points with Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina.

Marotta, a former CEO of Juventus and Inter, became the Nerazzurri President last summer after Oaktree took over from previous owners Suning.

Tuttosport newspaper reports Inter and Juventus target Jonathan David has requested a €6m-a-year salary, but Serie A clubs must face competition from Premier League giants such as Liverpool and Arsenal.

According to the latest Tuttosport report, Canada international David has requested a five-year contract worth €6m per season to complete a free transfer over the summer.

Serie A giants Juventus and Inter are long-time admirers of the Lille striker, whose contract with the Ligue 1 side expires in June.

Lille have already made a contract offer worth €3.5m per season to avoid losing the 24-year-old on a free transfer in June.

According to the report, Lille’s offer includes the promise of selling the striker in the summer for around €30m, but David and his entourage are unlikely to accept the proposal.

Tuttosport notes that competition for Juventus and Inter will be fierce. Premier League sides Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are also interested in the striker and have the financial power to outbid the Nerazzurri and the Bianconeri.

Any interested club must also pay high agent fees – exceeding €10m – to secure the striker’s signature so the transfer race remains wide open.

David has previously been linked with Barcelona and Newcastle as well.

• Read more – How Weah may help Juventus beat Inter, Barcelona and Newcastle to signing of David

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti insists it’s ‘essential’ to pay attention to public messages after referee decisions, otherwise ‘it’s easy to believe there were shocking events even when it’s not the case.’

Spalletti was asked his thoughts on recent controversies for a penalty kick given to Inter in a Serie A match against Napoli.

Hakan Calhanoglu missed it, but Napoli coach Antonio Conte was still furious with the referee and questioned the use of VAR.

Italy coach Spalletti opens up about controversial Inter vs Napoli penalty

“It’s essential to pay attention to how messages are transmitted because when the contact level for a foul is so reduced, the players feed on this, and it’s easy to believe there were shocking events even when it’s not the case,” Spalletti said after on Monday night after an award ceremony at Italy’s Hall of Fame.

“It’s necessary to talk to the players to avoid making a fuss because these things reduce the referees in prison if they don’t pay attention.”

The big match at San Siro on Sunday eventually ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving Napoli at the top of the Serie A table with four teams just one point behind them: Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter, and Lazio.

Napoli’s Serie A campaign resumes after the break with a home game against strugglers Roma at the Stadio Maradona on November 24.

Spalletti’s Italy meet Belgium and France in Nations League games this week.

The Azzurri trained Monday afternoon after Spalletti’s first press conference in the November break.

Paolo Scaroni has clear ideas about the football hierarchy in Milan as he defined the club he’s chairman of as the only ‘real team’ of the city, as the Rossoneri close in on their 125th anniversary.

Scaroni became Milan’s president in the summer of 2018, when Elliot bought the club following Li Yonghong’s troubled ownership, and was then confirmed in the role in 2022, following a takeover from Red Bird.

Scaroni calls Milan the ‘only real team’ of the city

Despite coming from a different Italian city and region, Scaroni is a renowned long-standing Diavolo supporter and did not miss the opportunity of taunting city rivals Inter.

“I’m from Vicenza, and I came to Milan to study at the University Bocconi,” he told reporters during an event at Milan’s flagship store in the city centre, as quoted by Tuttomercatoweb.

“When I got here, I would get lost on the streets and couldn’t quite remember where San Babila was.

“And look at me now, after so many years, I am the president of the only team in Milan. Let’s be honest: there’s only one real team in Milan. It gives me an incredible feeling.

“To think that I’ve been president for almost seven years now, a long-standing president, and I’ve had the privilege of celebrating AC Milan’s 120th anniversary and now we reached their 125th.”

As Milan’s chairman, Scaroni is also involved in talks with Inter and city Mayor Beppe Sala about the construction of a new stadium in the San Siro neighbourhood to be shared by the two clubs.

The Rossoneri president recently admitted to be more ‘optimistic’ about such a scenario, although Milan have already invested money in alternative options, as they had also been looking at the San Donato area on the city outskirts as a potential location for their future new arena.

Hakan Calhanoglu tasted both euphoria and disillusionment within 45 minutes against Napoli, as he scored a stunner to equalise the game for Inter before the break, only to miss a second-half penalty which could’ve earned his side a massive three points.

Calhanoglu admits ‘disappointment’ for penalty miss on Instagram

It was Calhanoglu’s first-ever mistake from the penalty spot for Inter and the Turkey international admitted that while errors are ‘part of the game’, he can’t help but feel ‘the weight of disappointment’, as he wrote in a post published on his Instagram official account.

Inter’s 1-1 draw against Antonio Conte’s side left them fourth in Serie A, although they’re level on 25 points with Atalanta and Fiorentina, all of which sit one point behind leaders Napoli.

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A post shared by Hakan Çalhanoglu (@hakancalhanoglu)

Inter defender Benjamin Pavard has received  a last-minute call-up to Didier Deschamps’s France national team squad to replace the injured Chelsea centre-back Wesley Fofana. 

Inter’s Pavard called up to France squad

Pavard joins several other Serie A representatives in Les Bleues’s latest squad, including Nerazzurri teammate Marcus Thuram and Milan trio Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Youssouf Fofana. Lazio and Roma midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Manu Kone have also been selected. 

France will play the final two matches of their Nations League group stage fixtures in November. They will host Israel at the Stade de France on November 14, before playing against Italy at San Siro three days later. 

France currently sit in second in Group 2 of the Nations League’s ‘A’ league on nine points from four games. 

Italy remain the only nation to take points off France this season, after the memorable 3-1 victory away in Paris back in September. Goals came from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori on that occasion. 

Wesley Fofana, qui ressent une douleur à un genou, ne participera pas au rassemblement avec les Bleus.

Benjamin Pavard est appelé en renfort pic.twitter.com/ud5zV4FeRl

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) November 11, 2024

Serie A referee Maurizio Mariani has explained why VAR was right not to intervene after a ‘soft’ penalty was awarded to Inter during their 1-1 draw at home to Napoli, while also explaining why it was correct not to award the Nerazzurri another spot-kick after an apparent Partenopei handball. 

Penalties and the usage of VAR were at the centre of attention after full-time in San Siro on Sunday evening. Simone Inzaghi’s side were awarded a spot-kick for a foul on Denzel Dumfries, much to the anger of Antonio Conte, but Hakan Calhanoglu struck the upright from 12 yards out. 

There were also calls for a second Nerazzurri penalty after an apparent handball by Mathias Olivera in the Partenopei area. Lautaro Martinez challenged the Uruguayan in the middle, before the ball bounced up and hit the Napoli full-back on the hand. 

Mariani explains controversial Inter penalty calls against Napoli 

Mariani explained after full-time that Olivera’s hand was in a natural position, and given the speed of the incident, he felt the defender did not have enough time to move his arm out of the way, and that therefore VAR were right not to intervene or overturn the on-field decision. 

Mariani also explained why it was ‘correct’ for VAR not to intervene after the decision to award a Nerazzurri penalty after the foul on Dumfries, even though many, including Conte, felt that the penalty call was soft. 

“The penalty was awarded after a very light bit of contact between Anguissa and Dumfries. Mariani has a very good view of it, which means that VAR cannot intervene,” he said, reported via inter-news.it. 

“In reality, given how light the contact is, these are not incidents that deserve a penalty. He should not have whistled, Mariani probably viewed the intensity of the situation differently.” 

Inter have picked up eight wins from their last 10 matches across all competitions, and remain unbeaten across that period after the 1-1 draw against Napoli on Sunday night, but the Nerazzurri’s record against ‘top sides’ in Serie A so far this season has led to a warning from the Italian press about their push for the title this season. 

Inter currently sit in fourth place in Serie A, one point off the league-leading Napoli after 11 matches. Simon Inzaghi’s side are one of four teams on 25 points along with Atalanta, Fiorentina and Lazio. 

Inter issued Scudetto warning despite unbeaten record

The Nerazzurri ensured that they went 10 matches unbeaten across all competitions with Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Inter, but La Gazzetta dello Sport have labelled it a ‘wasted opportunity’ to go top of the Serie A table. 

Monday’s report points to the 1-1 draw with Napoli and the 4-4 draw with Juventus, both of which were played at San Siro, suggesting that teams who want to win the league title have to be able to beat their closest rivals, especially at home. 

There is, of course, still more than two thirds of the Serie A season left to play in 2024-25, and Inter will have to play all of the teams around them at least once more before the end of the campaign. 

Serie A is currently as tight as it has ever been at this stage of a campaign, with six teams currently within two points of first place.

Inter coach Simone Inzaghi didn’t reply to his opponent, Antonio Conte, who had complained about the use of VAR: ‘We must try to help referees.’

Conte was fuming last night after Inter were awarded a controversial penalty kick in the second half of a Serie A game against his Napoli side at San Siro.

Hakan Calhanoglu missed it, but the error from the spot didn’t decrease Conte’s frustration. The Italian tactician vented his anger during an interview with DAZN and a post-match press conference.

The Napoli boss said “all coaches” were unhappy with the use of VAR and its protocol, but Inzaghi suggested he was not among them.

Inter coach Inzaghi doesn’t respond to Conte in VAR controversy

“I have nothing to say. I think Antonio spoke for himself,” Inzaghi said at a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia.

“Sometimes you receive something, and sometimes it’s taken away. We must all try to help the referees, starting with me. I received a yellow card, but a referee can make mistakes, and we must all try to help. All games are intense, and we must try to help.”

The Serie A title race is wide open, with the top six sides within just two points.

The Nerazzurri sit second with Atalanta, Lazio, and Fiorentina, just one point below Conte’s team.

“Some teams brought reinforcements. We’ll need consistency and avoid injuries like the last period,” said the Nerazzurri boss.

“We hope the lads return from the break well. We miss Carlos Augusto, but he’ll return after the international break.”

Inter visit Hellas Verona after the international break on Saturday, November 23.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Scudetto mix

Six teams within two points

Napoli ahead with McTominay, Calhanoglu responds but then misses a penalty. Conte stays in first but contests the usage of VAR. Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina (Kean hat-trick!) move within -1. Juve -2. 

Roma, Juric gone

Mancini in pole, Garcia alternative 

Corriere dello Sport

Conte on summit 

Napoli stop Inter and Ancotino attacks VAR

San Siro challenge ends 1-1: Azzurri seal top spot 

McTominay scores, Calhanoglu fights back. Then the Turk misses a penalty: Ball hits the post. Harsh from the coach: ‘A sensational mistake, whoever was in charge of the video should have intervened, this is how ulterior motives cane arise’

End of a Roma

Juric sacked, a new coach coming in, Garcia rising 

Revolution after the 3-2 defeat against Bologna and the protests of the fans at the Olimpico. Ghisolfi: ‘We apoligise, it’s our fault’. Allegri the dream, The fFrenchman advances. Italiano flies with Castro, Orsolini and Karlsson

Lazio and Fiorentina, wonderful thoughts 

Baroni with a routine win in Monza through Zaccagni (0-1): It’s the 10th victory in the last 11. Palladino overwhelms Verona (3-1 thanks to Kean (hat-trick): 6th victory in a row. Gasp doesn’t stop: Atalanta beat Udinese (2-1)

Tuttosport 

Juve and Weah attracting David 

Bianconeri signals from the Lille bomber 

The ‘like’ that was sent to the American from Juve, who celebrates the derby performance, which matches his agent’s words: ‘I knew he’d explode with Motta. And Jonathan? A 20-goal striker’ 

Meanwhile, Kean (hat-trick) boosts La Viola 

Inter penalty infuriates Conte 

McTominay-Calhanoglu: Inter-Napoli 1-1 

The Turk misses from the spot, but Antonio shouts: ‘VAR has to intervene if there’s been a mistake, always though’ 

Scudetto pile-up: Six teams within two points 

A new march for a new Toro 

Procession before the match against Monza

The Granata mobilise again, dreaming of a corporate turnover. Meanwhile: Vanoli’s outbursts in the dressing room. Somnetti, who won two derbies: ‘Toro heartless, I could have smashed up the tv’

Antonio Conte was still upset at a post-match press conference on Sunday and continued protesting against VAR: ‘All the coaches are angry; I don’t want bad thoughts.’

Table leaders Napoli collected a 1-1 draw against Inter at San Siro last night, but the Nerazzurri missed a penalty kick in the second half.

Conte thought VAR should have cancelled the spot kick and did not hide his frustration during a post-match interview with DAZN.

Protests continued during a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia last night.

“It was annoying to hear that VAR could not intervene on a non-existent penalty. If there’s an error, VAR must intervene. If there’s an obvious error, it must intervene,” he said.

Conte’s VAR rage continues: ‘I don’t want bad thoughts’

“Using VAR like this fuels conspiracy theories and bad thoughts. I don’t want to have bad thoughts. If there’s an error, VAR must intervene.

“I want intellectual honesty and I’ve been hearing this thing for a while, so now it’s upsetting me,” he continued.

“If there’s a clear error, you must correct it or at least tell the referee to double-check on the monitor. If he confirmed the decision, I’d be the first to defend him.”

A reporter tried to cheer him up by saying that Napoli remained the table leader, but Conte could not stop talking about VAR.

“Sorry, nit I’m too angry about things. Hearing that VAR can’t intervene sounds like a joke,” he insisted.

“All the coaches are angry; VAR must intervene if there’s an error, whether it’s in favour or against Napoli. Who made this protocol? I don’t want conspiracy theories; I want to remain calm on the bench; otherwise, I’ll get yellow or red cards. Today, I saw that the odds for my red card were 1/4. Incredible.”

Conte was furious about the VAR protocol, which does not allow referees to check specific fouls at the pitchside monitor.

“Who made this protocol? It seems to be that it only creates confusion,” concluded Conte.

“I could have lost the game for what? Because the protocol says that VAR cannot intervene? Let’s cancel the protocol and cancel excuses; I want honesty.”

Inter, Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina are just one point below Napoli in the table, while Juventus sit sixth two points below the Partenopei.