Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Napoli remain in talks for a contract extension, but according to Gazzetta, there’s still no agreement over salary and release clause, while PSG and Barcelona remain interested.

Napoli are pushing to extend Kvaratskhelia’s contract beyond 2027 but haven’t yet reached an agreement with the player and his agent, Mamuka Jugeli.

According to the latest report from Gazzetta dello Sport, the main issue in the negotiation is the 23-year-old’s release clause. Napoli want to set it at €100m, while the player’s entourage would rather keep it around €80m.

Barcelona and PSG interested as Kvaratskhelia contract talks stall with Napoli

Gazzetta claims Kvara’s salary request is below €8m per season.

The Georgian star still earns just €1.5m per season and Napoli have offered €5m plus add-ons that would allow him to reach the highest-paid player in the team, Romelu Lukaku, who gets €6m per year.

Negotiations will continue in the coming days when President Aurelio de Laurentiis returns from the USA.

Napoli are aware of interest from Barcelona and PSG and already rejected a €100m bid from the Ligue 1 giants last summer.

Claudio Ranieri is ready to take charge of his first Roma training session in his third stint at the Stadio Olimpico today, and reports in Italy suggest he will use a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 system against Napoli after the break, starting Mats Hummels.

The 73-year-old returned to the capital on Wednesday after reaching an agreement with club owner Dan Friedkin in London. He was welcomed by over 200 Giallorossi fans at Fiumicino airport.

His Roma side sit 12th in the Serie A table, just four points above the drop zone. Their next opponents after the international break are table leaders Napoli, coached by Antonio Conte.

How Roma could line up under Ranieri

Corriere dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia report that Ranieri will field a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation against the Partenopei. Hummels’ return to the starting XI will be the most significant change from Ivan Juric’s era.

The German centre-back has only played 23 minutes since joining the Giallorossi on a free transfer last summer and didn’t even start when Evan N’dicka was unavailable against Union Saint-Gilloise last week.

The former Borussia Dortmund star is expected to join N’Dicka and Mancini in a three-man defence or form a four-man defence with the addition of Angelino as a left-back.

Alexis Saelemaekers is expected to return to action this month, boosting Ranieri’s options on the right flank, while Lorenzo Pellegrini could be deployed as a left winger in a 4-4-2 system or as a central midfielder in a 3-5-2 formation.

Milan midfielder Youssouf Fofana reveals that Zlatan Ibrahimovic always gives the team a couple of advice before games and feels Rodri should have won the Ballon d’Or last season, while Vinicius Jr. deserved it for 2024.

Milan midfielder Fofana released an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport while on international duty with France’s national team.

The Rossoneri will meet rivals Juventus at San Siro after the break.

“I watched the game on TV last year because there were many French players,” he said.

“It’s like a derby, with great intensity on the pitch and in the stands.

“Thiago Motta is an excellent coach. He did a great job at Bologna last season, qualifying for the Champions League. This team has a team with more quality, and obviously, he has big targets. It will be a tough game, and the best will win.”

Milan have 18 points this season, eight below table leaders Napoli, but they have a game in hand.

“We want to be higher in the table, and some results were not positive,” admitted the French midfielder.

“This means we have room for improvement if we are less exposed. Once we gain consistency, they’ll have to deal with us. I believe in the coach’s work and my teammates, and I am sure this is the right path.”

Fofana on Ibrahimovic ‘advice’ before Milan games and wrong Ballon d’Or winners

The top six teams are within two points, but Fofana believes Milan can win the title.

“Obviously, we are Milan, and we must play to win the title every season. Give us time to work,” he said.

The 25-year-old joined the Rossoneri from Monaco last summer.

“I knew the project and accepted it because the coach gave me space,” Fofana explained.

“I like Serie A, which is different from Ligue 1 because each team has two or three strong players. All Italian teams follow a precise strategy until the final whistle, and it’s all more complicated.”

What does Milan coach Fonseca expect from Fofana on the pitch?

“Provide balance and link up attack and defence,” the midfielder replied.

“Be the first one to build up and defend, occupying the spaces left void by the teammates. I’m the player who moves less to fill the gaps. I play in the shadow, and I’m getting used to it because it allows me to improve.”

How about Red Bird advisor and Milan legend Ibrahimovic?

“He immediately explained to me the importance of Milan and Serie A,” said Fofana.

“He cares about the new course, he’s always present and positive. He always gives us a couple of advice before games and transmits trust.”

Fofana wasn’t even playing football ten years ago and worked as a pizza delivery man. Does he ever think about it?

“Always. It helps me keep my feet on the ground,” he said.

“I always tell myself I started late, so I must recover and challenge myself each day. It was a valuable experience to learn discipline and earn money for the first time.

“Now, I always tip the riders because I know it’s important. I’ve eaten some good pizzas in Milan, but I prefer to stay home and watch movies.”

Who are his role models on the pitch?

“Yaya Touré or Tanguy Ndombele of Lyon. Generally, players dictating the tempo who know when to pass or keep the ball.”

Spain star Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d’Or, but Fofana feels things should have been different in the last couple of years.

“I would have given it to Vinicius, but Rodri deserves it for what he’s been doing in the last three or four seasons with Manchester City,” he said.

“He is complete. He defends, scores goals and provides assists. His team does not lose when he plays, but everyone would have been happier if Rodri had won last season and Vini this year.”

Milan won the derby against city rivals Inter in September, and Fofana is looking forward to meeting the Nerazzurri again in 2025.

“Maignan and Theo often talked about it, and I could not wait to play it,” he concluded.

“After what happened in the first leg, I can’t wait to play in the second leg.”

Italy will face Belgium and France this week, and the Azzurri need just one point in two matches to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.

Italy are the Nations League Group A2 leaders with 10 points, one more than France and six more than this evening’s opponents, Belgium.

This means the Azzurri can already secure qualification to the quarter-finals this evening with an away draw in Belgium.

What Italy need to qualify for Nations League quarter-final

The Azzurri will see Nicolò Barella make his first international appearance after last summer’s Euros, while Mateo Retegui, the Serie A leading scorer, will lead the attack at the King Baudouin Stadium.

However, one point against Belgium won’t be enough to win the group and be among the seeded teams in the quarter-final draw, which will take place on November 22.

As of today, Italy’s possible opponents if they win their group are current runners-up Croatia, the Netherlands, and Denmark. If they finish second, they will meet group winners: Portugal, Germany, or Spain.

Dates for Nations League knock-out phase

The Nations League quarter-finals will be played during the March international break in 2025. The first-leg games will be played on March 20, and the second-leg matches will be played on March 23. The semi-finals will be played on June 4 and 5. The Final and the third-place play-off are scheduled for June 8.

Italy have already secured a spot among the seeded teams for the 2026 World Cup draw thanks to their results in the Nations League this season.

Nicolò Barella returns to Italy’s XI in a Nations League game against Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium this evening.

It kicks off at 20:45 GMT (19:45 CET) at the King Baudouin Stadium.

The Azzurri must cope without Samuele Ricci, Riccardo Calafiori, Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa.

However, Inter star Barella returns after missing the latest four games, joining Davide Frattesi, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Rovella in the middle of the park. The latter will make his senior Italy debut.

Pietro Comuzzo and Nicolò Savona have also received their first Italy call-ups, while Caleb Okoli is waiting to make his first Azzurri appearance.

Serie A leading scorer Mateo Retegui will get the nod up front, leaving Moise Kean on the bench.

Napoli star Lukaku is expected to start for the Red Devils under Italian coach Domenico Tedesco. Big Rom also missed the previous four international fixtures to get in shape after missing the pre-season at Chelsea.

Belgium vs Italy where to watch

The match will not be televised in the UK, but it is available for free on the ViaPlay international YouTube channel. If you are in Italy, you can watch the TV on Rai or RaiPlay. In the USA, the game will be available to stream online on Fubo, Tubi and ViX.

Belgium vs Italy: probable line-ups

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Casteels; Debast, Faes, Theate, Castagne; Mangala, Onana; Bakayoko, Trossard, De Cuyper; Lukaku.

Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Exclusive Fofana

‘You’ll have to deal with Milan for the Scudetto’

Ranieri’s return

The Roma tinker man: ‘A hard nut to crack? I’m here for this.’

Sinner and national team at the same time

Italy desire

A draw in Bruxelles for the Nations League quarter-finals. Spalletti advances Barella, Retegui in attack.

Corriere dello Sport

Ranieri, third time at Roma, the toughest challenge

Dad is back

The 73-year-old coach has signed until June 2025. He could stay as a director in the future: he must give serenity to the team and the environment. He’ll take charge of the first post-Juric training session today.

Double Italy

Jannik for the Finals’ semis, Retegui for the World Cup and Nations

The World’s No.1 needs just one set to enter the top four. Spalletti needs a point to pave the way towards 2026. Barella attacking midfielder, Rovella’s debut.

DeLa fury: ‘Inappropriate Marotta’

‘Conte is right and thinks the same as me. It’s a tool to avoid referee errors; we need a new protocol to avoid suspects; otherwise, football’s growth is blocked. Inter penalty inexistent.’

Lautaro, social media tension

Juve, Dier is Giuntoli’s latest idea

Tuttosport

Cabal’s crac forces Giuntoli to act for January.

Dragusin, Kiwior, Ismajli, Ortiz and Lindelof the main candidates for the defence. Motta must not replace Bremer only. Djalò convinces Porto and favours Conceiçao’s signature.

Nations League: against Belgium at 20:45.

Italy, in the name of 39 angels

Azzurri pay tribute to the Heysel victims. Cambiaso: ‘We’ll honour them.’ A positive result for the quarter-finals and the World Cup. Barella is back as an attacking midfielder.

Ranieri, Roma’s heart

The love for the Giallorossi has convinced him to accept the Friedkins’ proposal. Six months on the bench, then director. Enthusiasm in Fiumicino. Tennis player Cobolli was among those welcoming him.

Yes, to the Granata march, but on another day

The simultaneity of a charity race will prevent the pre-Monza parade. Protests against Cairo even on the Piazza San Carlo roofs.

ADL attacks Marotta: ‘Inappropriate words.’

De Laurentiis defends Conte: ‘He has expressed correct concepts. The penalty was inexistent. If there’s an error, VAR must call the referee; otherwise, you fuel suspects.’

Claudio Ranieri was greeted by hundreds of Roma supporters on his return from a meeting with club owner Dan Friedkin in London, as he accepted his third stint as their coach.

There were at least 200 fans waiting at Fiumicino Airport for Ranieri to emerge from his plane, where they placed a scarf across his shoulders.

The 73-year-old had announced his retirement over the summer after taking Cagliari to promotion from Serie B and then securing their Serie A status.

However, he was tempted to come back onto the bench by the call of his beloved Giallorossi, where he had already worked from September 2009 to February 2011, then returning as caretaker from March to June 2019.

He becomes their fourth coach of the calendar year, as Jose Mourinho was fired in January, Daniele De Rossi followed in September and Ivan Juric lasted under two months.

Ranieri had also spoken to news agency ANSA at the airport in London, where he had met with club owner Dan Friedkin this afternoon.

When it was pointed out to him that this team was in a terrible bother, he replied: “That’s why they called me! Get ready, the cavalry is here!”

His first training session will be on Thursday afternoon at Trigoria.

Roma fans welcome Ranieri back home

FOLLIA ROMANISTA PER IL RITORNO DI CLAUDIO #RANIERI
Oltre 150 tifosi impazziti per il nuovo mister giallorosso a Fiumicino@francescoiucca  pic.twitter.com/gpq6WfuTeM

— calciomercato.it (@calciomercatoit) November 13, 2024

Claudio #Ranieri è tornato a Roma!

pic.twitter.com/CUFkDT4WfS

— Il Romanista (@ilRomanistaweb) November 13, 2024

Claudio Ranieri confirmed to reporters he has taken the Roma job, joking the fact it was a huge problem was ‘why they called me. Ready! Here comes the cavalry!’

The coach flew out to London late last night and met club owner Dan Friedkin this afternoon, where he accepted the role and agreed personal terms.

It will be a contract to the end of the current campaign, with reports Ranieri will then be given a position on the board of directors from next season.

Ranieri reassures Roma supporters

He was at the airport on his way back to Rome this evening when stopped by reporters from news agency ANSA.

They told him this was “a tough problem to deal with” at the troubled team.

“That’s why they called me,” replied Ranieri with a smile.

He then added a call to arms for the Giallorossi supporters, most commonly one associated with the arrival of the ‘good guys’ in a Western to save the day.

“Ready! Here comes the cavalry!”

This will be the third different stint at the helm for the 73-year-old, who was born and bred a Roma supporter.

His previous spells were from September 2009 to February 2011, then returning as caretaker from March to June 2019.

Roma will have four different coaches in 2024, following Jose Mourinho, Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric.

Luciano Spalletti hints at a new role for Nicolò Barella against Belgium, how Italy must defend using ‘preventative marking’ on Romelu Lukaku and why ‘the objective is to play good football.’

The Nations League tie kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

When these teams met at the Stadio Olimpico last month, Italy were comfortably leading 2-0 until Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card, allowing Belgium to claw their way back for a 2-2 draw.

Pellegrini is naturally suspended following that dismissal, so there are reports Barella will be used in the more advanced trequartista role behind the strikers.

“We need a player who can connect the midfield with the attack, who can change position with others and have an attacking approach,” confirmed Spalletti in his press conference.

“Barella has all those elements, just as we have other players who know how to play that role. Barella will probably be on the pitch tomorrow.

“The way I see these positions, Barella is more of a trequartista and Davide Frattesi more of a mezz’ala. Frattesi is certainly good at pushing forward, but if we want someone who will occasionally also drop into midfield, then it’s a long run and perhaps he’s better as a mezz’ala.”

Italy need one point from the final two Nations League games to reach the quarter-finals and face France on Sunday, but the coach is not protecting Gianluigi Donnarumma from a possible yellow card and suspension.

“No, Donnarumma will play. We have to trust our players know how to behave in the right way. The mentality of the team can be changed if we think a draw would suffice, so we need to maintain the same attitude we had in recent matches, which was perfect.”

Spalletti identifies Belgium dangers for Italy

Lukaku is back in the Belgium squad and expected to lead the attack tomorrow, although his form for Napoli has been far from ideal.

“Belgium have so many champions to choose from and it doesn’t matter if someone is missing, another great player will take their place,” noted Spalletti.

“Lukaku is particularly strong and will be a danger for our defence, but we must get accustomed to facing top opponents.

“Belgium will try to make the most of Lukaku’s characteristics and give him the service that he prefers. He’s good dealing with crosses from the by-line or holding up the ball to bring his teammates forward. His greatest quality is that he can make any ball seem easy, so it will be fundamental we get the preventative marking right on him.”

There are several new players in the Italy squad for these games, including Pietro Comuzzo and Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella, while Manuel Locatelli of Juventus is recalled for the first time since he was left out of EURO 2024.

“Both Rovella and Locatelli are playing very interesting football,” noted Spalletti.

“Their main characteristic is winning back the ball, but they also improved in other aspects. When I say that we are lacking a bit of talent in certain areas, that remains true, but if we can spread the load over all the players, it gets better.

“Locatelli is a good lad, an exceptional professional, his eyes lit up when I called him and that is a very important response to have. I didn’t call him before because I didn’t see certain things in his play that now I do. I don’t know if the change is down to him or his new coach, but quality does make the difference.”

Spalletti transformed Italy after that EURO 2024 disappointment, following the trend in Serie A for a three-man defence, but the coach was asked if that was all that had changed.

“We can be as clear as possible, choosing players with exceptional motivation who have great pleasure pulling on this jersey, whether they step onto the field or not.

“It is true that probably my behaviour was not fair for the potential and quality we had at our disposal, both in choosing certain players and the type of approach that I took.

“As for the rest, the lads deserve credit. There are few fixed positions on the pitch, they are better at showing their qualities as a team.”

The top two sides in the group go into the Nations League play-offs, but Spalletti is hesitant to say the objective is to win it.

“What we want is to play good football. Our objective is to play football and through that bring home results. I believed that when I started in this profession and in 30 years of experience I only reinforced that belief. You have to play good football, enjoy yourself and that brings the best out of people.”

Rafael Leao admits he is ‘not the perfect player’ and has ‘nothing against’ Milan coach Paulo Fonseca, but still ‘does not agree’ with some criticism of his work ethic.

The forward is currently on international duty with Portugal and his confidence was significantly boosted by his performance at the Estadio Bernabeu, where Milan beat Real Madrid 3-1 in the Champions League.

Nonetheless, he was still accused by Sky Sport Italia pundit and former Rossoneri defender Alessandro ‘Billy’ Costacurta of only putting the effort in during the big games and having a poor work ethic, meaning he was not in the world’s top 100 players.

“Clearly I do not agree with that,” responded Leao to reporters in the Portugal camp.

“I have been having a great season at Milan but, like everyone else, there are ups and downs. The campaign has only just started. Look, I know that I am not the perfect player and sometimes I can do much better.

“I am not shaken by this criticism, I have people who help me to improve and those are the ones I have to listen to. This criticism just spurs me on to respond on the pitch.”

Rafael Leao on rapport with Fonseca at Milan

Fonseca took a stand by dropping Leao to the Milan bench for three consecutive Serie A matches, while he is almost always substituted when he does start.

However, the star man tried to shrug off suggestions of a feud at the Milanello training ground.

“These things happen during the season, I have nothing against him and he has nothing against me. It’s all settled. I don’t like being on the bench, obviously, but he makes the decisions and I as a player have to respect the coach.

“When I step onto the pitch, I have to do my best to help the team.”

Leao has scored three goals and provided five assists in 14 games for Milan so far this season between Serie A and the Champions League.

Claudio Ranieri has agreed terms to take over as Roma coach until the end of the season and will have his first training session tomorrow.

Multiple sources including Sky Sport Italia, Sportitalia, La Gazzetta dello Sport and more all confirmed the news, as they expect a formal announcement this evening.

The veteran flew out to London late last night and met with club owner Dan Friedkin this afternoon.

They discussed their plans for the rest of the campaign and agreed terms, so Ranieri has signed the contract to June 30, 2025.

Ranieri takes over troubled Roma

He becomes the fourth coach of the calendar year for the Giallorossi, as Jose Mourinho was sacked in January, then Daniele De Rossi on September 18.

Ivan Juric lasted under two months, dismissed after four wins, three draws and five defeats between Serie A and the Europa League.

This will be Ranieri’s third different stint at Roma after September 2009 to February 2011, then returning as caretaker from March to June 2019.

He turned 73 last month and had announced his retirement in June after taking Cagliari to promotion from Serie B and then securing their place in the top flight.

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is convinced it will be ‘tough’ for Belgium to play against his side if they manage to bring to the pitch what he saw in these days’ training sessions and in the previous games.

The Azzurri will take on Domenico Tedesco’s side on Thursday in the first of the final two games of their Nations League group, and Spalletti considers the two fixtures ‘fundamental’ for his players to keep showing ‘self-esteem’ and ‘belief’ in their own potential.

Italy sit on top of their group with 10 points from four games, with their only draw coming during October’s international break against Belgium, who came from behind to draw 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico after the hosts were reduced to 10 men due to Lorenzo Pellegrini’s dismissal.

Spalletti: Italy will be ‘tough’ to play for Belgium if we are ‘what I saw’

Speaking ahead of Italy’s trip to Belgium, Spalletti explained that getting positive results in the upcoming Nations League fixtures “would be the confirmation that we’ve brought home what we highlighted in previous matches.”

“The continuity of behaviours, the self-esteem in the qualities we possess, the belief in our potential and our strength – in this respect, these two results become fundamental for the attitude we’ll bring to the field.”

The former Napoli and Inter coach seemed very pleased with how Italy’s players have been working in recent days, looking ‘confident’ ahead of two important games.

“I saw important things,” he said.

“I saw what I like to see from my players when you’re in a role like mine. I saw players confident in their qualities, and we’re eager to play these two matches, which can give us so much for the future.

“I expect to see the Italy we saw at the Stadio Olimpico. I don’t know what they [Belgium] will manage to bring to the table, but if we are what I saw this morning, what I saw in previous matches, it will be tough for anyone to play against this Italy.

“I always expect to achieve very important things because of the work I do; otherwise, I’d be the first to limit the mental potential and opportunities of these young players who, on the contrary, need to help us become a very strong national team once again.

Spalletti said he has ‘more or less’ picked up his side’s line-up for the Belgium game.

“More or less, I’ve already chosen the line-up,” he concluded.

“Of course, a decision can be left until the last moment.”

The imminent return of Claudio Ranieri to the Roma bench has once and for all confirmed the club has no plan, writes Susy Campanale.

So much was expected of the Friedkin family when they took over at the Stadio Olimpico, who did seem to take the right approach within the very limited Financial Fair Play parameters they had been given after decades of mismanagement. However, the last 10 months have made it obvious that if there had been a course plotted out, the rudder has broken off and they are now randomly going round in circles while the boat takes on water.

You could say it all went wrong with Jose Mourinho’s sacking in January, but I would argue he had spotted the basic issue long before that, he just went a typically pig-headed way about calling it out. Mou complained that he was the only ‘voice’ of the club in the media and therefore had to do far more than simply the job of coach. During the brief Daniele De Rossi era, and above all since his dismissal, it has become evident that nobody really knows who is in charge at Roma or what their ideas are.

This kind of hiding in the shadows is more common in the Premier League from club owners, but in Italy we have several newspapers, radio and television stations entirely dedicated to football, often specifically to one single team. They need to fill all that space with something and when you have four coaches in a calendar year, there is nobody who can represent stability.

Nobody represents Roma vision

The last week has been a case in point. Dan and Ryan Friedkin have never spoken to the Italian media. Their CEO Lina Souloukou resigned after De Rossi was sacked in September, not that she particularly gave interviews either. Current Roma director Florent Ghisolfi has tried to give a couple of on-camera interviews, but only speaks French. The one thing he assured after the Ivan Juric dismissal was that they were looking for a ‘long-term project’ – so naturally they coax a 73-year-old out of retirement as caretaker to the end of the season. This is the level of consistent messaging we are dealing with here.

If you saw our reporting on the list of potential Roma coaches to take over from Juric and thought they all had absolutely nothing in common, then you are in the same boat as we are. This scattergun approach to seeking tacticians proves there is no plan here, not just no idea of how they are getting to the objective, but simply no clue what the target is even supposed to be. This is beyond ‘concepts of a plan,’ we don’t even get those. It’s more than confusing – it’s confused.

When Inter were run by Suning, one always had the impression it was really Beppe Marotta pulling the strings and giving that sense of stability. This is why they were able to switch to Oaktree without anyone noticing a difference. Roma do not have anyone close to that mould and Milan are frankly lacking too, but not to the same degree.

Ranieri represents a safe pair of hands who can calm the fans and players down, but it’s just kicking that can down the road. Until Roma have someone who can take charge and responsibility, truly representing and outlining the vision behind the club’s future, they will always be lost at sea.

Italy must cope without Samuele Ricci and Riccardo Calafiori in Nations League games against Belgium and France: here’s how Luciano Spalletti will replace the injured pair.

The Azzurri meet Belgium away and France at home in the final Nations League group stage games in November.

The Torino midfielder sustained an ankle injury during the latest Derby della Mole against Juventus last week, while Calafiori has been out of action for nearly a month due to a knee injury suffered with Arsenal.

Ricci was initially included in Spalletti’s 23-man squad list but was later replaced by Juventus playmaker Manuel Locatelli, the player with the most line-breaking passes in Serie A this season.

How Italy will replace Ricci and Calafiori against Belgium and France in Nations League

During a press conference attended by Football Italia on Monday, Spalletti said he was not too worried by Calafiori’s absence given that Inter star Alessandro Bastoni can cover the same role and have the same attacking and defensive duties as the versatile Arsenal star.

This means Bastoni will play as a left defender in a three-man backline, giving Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno a chance to prove himself in the middle of the defence.

Replacing Ricci may be trickier for the Azzurri, given that the Torino star has had a key role in the middle of the park for after the Euros.

The 23-year-old is among the best players in Europe for keeping the ball in high-pressure situations and will be replaced by the debutant Nicolò Rovella or Locatelli.

Spalletti will likely use a 3-5-1-1 system in the next two matches, using four central midfielders, and Nicolò Barella could also be deployed as a playmaker in the next two games. The Inter star covered the same role at San Siro this season when replacing the injured Hakan Calhanoglu.

Italy are on their way to Belgium where Spalletti will hold a pre-match press conference later today.

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco assures he ‘feels Italian’ and always cheers on the Azzurri, except in tomorrow’s Nations League clash, where he thanks Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku for being ‘honest.’

It kicks off in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

The Azzurri had been leading 2-0 in Rome last month before Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card prompted a Belgian comeback for 2-2, but they need just one point from the final two games to be sure of a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

This will always be a special fixture for Tedesco, who was born in Calabria and moved with his family to Germany at the age of three.

“I didn’t even have time to get excited about facing Italy in Rome, because we conceded a goal in the opening minute!” the 39-year-old said to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I was born in Italy, I have many relatives there, it was wonderful to face Italy for the first time, especially as I always cheer on the Azzurri. Both my parents are Italian, I grew up in an Italian household, albeit in Germany since I was 3, but I do feel more Italian.”

Does he dream of one day coaching in Italy?

“I hope to in future, but I have a contract until after the 2026 World Cup. After that, who knows?”

Much like Italy, Belgium struggled badly at EURO 2024 and were forced to regroup, so Tedesco feels a kinship with Spalletti in that sense.

“We know that we rejuvenated the squad after the 2022 World Cup and were missing numerous players, like Onana, De Bruyne and Lukaku, so we had to throw a lot of young faces in. Luciano Spalletti did the same, which made it a very open and entertaining match.

“We went into the Nations League knowing that we had to try something different. After the Euros, we had to test out some new lads. For example, we are lacking in full-backs, because Timothy Castagne doesn’t play much at Fulham, so I threw in Maxim de Cuyper from Bruges and he scored a great goal. We’re experimenting, but obviously we also want to win and reach the play-offs.”

Tedesco feels kinship with Spalletti

Spalletti transformed the Italy tactical set-up after the European Championship, moving permanently to a three-man defence, and it seems to have paid off with all victories in the Nations League other than that 2-2 draw with Belgium.

“Spalletti is very experienced, he made smart decisions and can move from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3 because he has the players to do it,” said Tedesco.

“The keys are the Inter players, Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni, while Torino and Atalanta also play that system. Italy seemed very organised to me.”

Belgium are still missing Amadou Onana and Kevin de Bruyne, but compared to the other post-Euro games they have Lukaku back after he asked to be left out of international duty to focus on regaining full fitness at Napoli.

“Rom is important for us, not just on the pitch, but off it too,” assured Tedesco. “We spoke for a long time and it’s fundamental to do that, because every player has his own needs. I don’t want to force anyone to play if they don’t feel up to it. Romelu told me in September that he arrived late at Napoli and had missed pre-season training, so he needed to catch up,” continued Tedesco.

“He was very honest and said he would come when he was able to help the team. De Bruyne too decided to skip the Nations League to get more rest. It’s tough, but important to be honest in these situations, Kevin can reach over 80 games this season between Manchester City and Belgium, so he needed a break.”

Atalanta star De Ketelaere was in the squad, but was forced to withdraw due to injury just as he was finding his form with Atalanta.

“It’s disappointing, I expected him to flourish because he played so little at Milan, whereas Atalanta is a good place to develop young players. I am not surprised by how much he has improved.”

Meanwhile, Tedesco has called up Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula for the first time, promoting him from the Belgium Under-21 squad.

“I have Doku and Carrasco in his role and both are injured, along with Fofana and Trossard, but young Belgian players know they have a chance with me.”

Claudio Ranieri’s decision to return from retirement to take charge of a struggling Roma side should not come as a surprise, considering he had already said in the past that ‘when Roma call’ he has ‘to say yes’.

When Ranieri said he had to ‘say yes’ to Roma

The former Leicester manager already coached the Giallorossi twice, with his last stint coming in 2019, when he took over the fired Eusebio Di Francesco with the Stadio Olimpico outfit chasing a Champions League spot.

He had been just sacked by Fulham back then and, while he admitted that he would’ve ‘never’ signed for any other club at that moment, he couldn’t turn down an offer from the club of the city where he was born.

‘Returning to Rome is always special, above all for Roman people, for Roma fans,” he said in his first press conference as Roma coach in 2019.

‘The emotion couldn’t be higher. I would’ve never signed for any other club, but Roma, if they call, I have to say yes.’

How Ranieri’s two previous stints at Roma went

Ranieri‘s first experience as Roma coach had come in 2009 when he replaced Luciano Spalletti at the beginning of the season before going toe to toe with José Mourinho’s Inter in a thrilling title fight that would last until the final Serie A day.

The Giallorossi missed out on the Scudetto, finishing two points behind Inter, and they failed to bring their form into the following season, which saw Ranieri resign in February 2011 after watching his side throw away a first-half 3-0 lead at Genoa to lose 4-3.

However, the ‘Tinkerman’ returned to Roma in 2019 as an interim manager, although he failed to significantly revive the team who had been struggling under Di Francesco, as he only slightly improved their Serie A point average.

Ranieri would leave at the end of that season after steering the Giallorossi to a 6th-place finish, earning them a spot in the Europa League.

The coach was in tears in his final home match at the helm against Parma, but is now set to get a new chance to revive the fortunes of the club he’s always supported, who currently sit 12th in Serie A, having won only three of their opening 12 games of the season under previous managers Daniele De Rossi and Ivan Juric.

La Repubblica newspaper claims Vincenzo Montella didn’t reach an agreement with Roma, while Frank Lampard didn’t convince the board and Massimiliano Allegri was not interested in the role.

Roma are set to appoint Ranieri as their caretaker coach until the end of the season.

Gazzetta dello Sport and Sky Sport Italia claim the experienced tactician is expected in the capital on Wednesday late afternoon and should take charge of his first Roma training session on Thursday.

Ranieri has already coached Roma twice in his career and played for the Giallorossi as a footballer.

Why Roma picked Ranieri over Allegri, Montella and Lampard

The former Cagliari boss met Dan and Ryan Friedkin in London, but Repubblica confirmed that the Roma owners had considered other candidates before calling Ranieri.

Massimiliano Allegri wasn’t interested in the role, especially at such a challenging moment for Roma, while Lampard didn’t fully convince the club owners. The former England international is now expected to take charge of Coventry City.

Montella had emerged as the leading candidate to replace Juric, but according to Repubblica, the former Giallorossi striker would not have been ready for Roma before a week as he was preparing for Turkey national team games against Wales and Montenegro.

Also, Roma only offered the Aeroplanino a one-year and a half contract, while Montella demanded a three-year deal.

Ranieri is expected to sign a contract until the end of the season before becoming a club director.

Claudio Ranieri is set to become Roma’s fourth coach in 2024, and according to Gazzetta, he could join the club’s board at the end of the season.

According to reports, Ranieri and agent Pietro Chiodi flew out to London on Tuesday to meet the Giallorossi owners, who finally seem to have made up their minds on who should succeed the sacked Ivan Juric on Roma’s bench.

Vincenzo Montella seemed to be the leading candidate for the job, but his contract with the Turkish Football Federation would’ve complicated negotiations, persuading Dan and Ryan Friedkin to look at alternative options, with Ranieri being on their list since the beginning.

Details of Ranieri’s contract with Roma revealed

La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Ranieri and Chiodi are negotiating the terms of a deal that would bring the 73-year-old back to Roma as a caretaker manager for six months, also including a ‘likely’ future in the Giallorossi’s board, as the club are desperate to find a reference point with experience in Italian football.

Unless something unexpected occurs, Ranieri should travel back to Rome on Wednesday evening with his contract signed, as he’d be ready to hold his first training session on Thursday.

The former Leicester coach had announced his departure from Cagliari and retirement from professional football after steering the Rossoblu to safety last season and recently eluded questions about a possible return to the Giallorossi.

Manuel Locatelli has returned to Italy’s national team, and, as reported by Opta, the Juventus midfielder has had the most line-breaking passes in Serie A this term.

Juventus midfielder Locatelli has returned to Italy’s national team to replace the injured Samuele Ricci.

The Torino playmaker had suffered an injury during the latest derby d’Italia against Locatelli’s Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.

Key stat explains Locatelli’s Italy return after Euro darkness

Italy coach Spalletti announced Locatelli’s return during a press conference attended by Football Italia in Coverciano on Monday.

As reported by Opta on X, formerly Twitter, Locatelli has had 142 line-breaking passes in the Serie A this season, at least 19 more than any other player.

Spalletti dropped Locatelli for last summer’s Euros following unconvincing performances for Juventus under Massimiliano Allegri.

The central midfielder reacted on Instagram with a cryptic, all-black Instagram picture that mirrored his mood after Spalletti’s Euro 2024 squad was announced.

Locatelli, 26, has 14 appearances across all competitions with Juventus this term.

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.

 

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