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.”

Yann Bisseck was one of Inter’s best players in their Champions League win over Arsenal, but coach Simone Inzaghi explained his fitness was far from ideal as he took a ‘painkiller’ before the match and applied an ‘ice pack’ on his ribs during the break.

The German defender delivered a rock-solid display as he looked dominant on aerial duels and held firm as a left centre-back of Inter’s defensive trio, either supporting Darmian in limiting Arsenal star Bukayo Saka or clearing every threat coming from the central channel.

Check the Inter 1-0 Arsenal Player Ratings

Bisseck’s start to the season was also marked by some mistakes and distractions that cost his side points, but also by impressive displays such as the one at Manchester City. However, Inzaghi insisted he doesn’t need to ‘prove anything’ and should just ‘keep’ playing the way he’s doing.

Inzaghi: Bisseck is ‘incredibly strong’, he took a ‘painkiller’ before Arsenal game

“For me, Bisseck is an incredibly strong player,” Inzaghi commented during a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia.

“His only issue is that there are other defenders who are also very strong. But he played against Manchester City and Arsenal; he doesn’t need to prove anything to me, he just has to keep going like this.

“Bisseck played with a rib injury, after taking a painkiller, so he did incredibly well, and the medical staff did a great job getting him back on his feet.

“In the first half, he had an ice pack on, but he said he wasn’t going to back down from anything.”

Inter picked up their third consecutive clean sheet since leaking four goals against Juventus, and this was also the fourth time they did not concede in as many Champions League games.

“Well, it’s definitely good news,” Inzaghi added.

“Beyond tonight’s victory, in the last eight games, we’ve had seven wins and one draw. Every team tries to challenge us; we know where we did well and where we made mistakes, and we’re working on that.

“We know it’s tough to play so much, but it’s my job to make the best choices. I’m here to make the best decisions possible.”

Inzaghi praise for Arsenal, but Inter prove strength in depth

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta claimed the ‘result’ is the ‘worst thing’ of their night in San Siro, as he believes his side showed complete ‘dominance’ despite falling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Inter in the Champions League.

The Gunners went behind in the closing minutes of the first half due to a penalty awarded for a handball from Mikel Merino which left Arsenal ‘extremely frustrated’, especially when coupled with the referee’s decision not to punish a previous contact between the midfielder’s head and goalkeeper Yann Sommer.

Check the Inter 1-0 Arsenal Player Ratings

Arteta said such calls ‘marked the result’, leading to a verdict which is ‘difficult to accept’, but insisted their first Champions League defeat of the season was ‘one of the best games’ he has seen his side play in years, as they could’ve scored ‘at least two goals’.

Arteta: No team has shown the same Arsenal ‘dominance’ against Inter

“The worst thing of the night for sure is the result,” Arteta said at a post-match press conference attended by Football Italia.

“The dominance, the attitude and the performance we showed against one of the best teams in Europe, in this stadium, I haven’t seen it in all the games that I watched. For sure, this is one of the best games I’ve seen my team playing in years.

“The reality is the result and we had many situations in front of goal that we could have resolved better enough to score at least two goals.

“We are extremely frustrated as well because there are then two decisions that, in the end, marked the game.”

“I don’t understand,” Arteta continued, commenting on the incident that led to a penalty and making a comparsion with the other controversial moment involving Merino and Sommer.

Should this have been a penalty for Arsenal?

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“There is no danger at all. You cannot react because the ball is very close. But OK. They decide that is a penalty.

“But if that is a penalty then the one on Mikel Merino where he punches him in the head has to be a penalty 100%. These are the margins in this game and it’s very difficult to accept.”

Inzaghi praise for Arsenal, but Inter prove strength in depth

Inter made the most of a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty to see off Arsenal and move to 10 points, as they remained unbeaten in the Champions League’s group phase. Football Italia were among the accredited media at the San Siro, here are the player ratings.

Inter

Sommer 6.5 – He came alive from countless scares caused by Arsenal’s set-pieces and completed his night with a crucial stop on Havertz.

Pavard 6.5 – Always aggressive on his man and focused to clear every possible threat, he’s gradually returning to his best form.

De Vrij 7 – A proper defensive stronghold, impossible to overcome for Arsenal.

Bisseck 7.5 – A mix of concentration and courage, his confidence increased with every passing minute, allowing him to deliver another defensive masterclass against an English giant.

Dumfries 7 – Inter’s first massive chance of the game came from his feet, but also proved a constant handful for Timber. Added a providential save on the goal line on top of an already solid display.

Frattesi 5 – He seemed to struggle to find the right position on the right when Inter defended for long periods in the first half and lacked precision when combining with his teammates. (62’ Barella 6)

Calhanoglu 7 – He accompanied the strikers in leading his team’s first line of pressure, helped his side play from the back and remained ice-cold from the spot. (71’ Asllani 6)

Zielinski 6 – His tasks included long moments of defensive coverage in support of Darmian, which probably prevented him from being more lucid with the ball on his feet. (62’ Mkhitaryan 6)

Darmian 6 – Had to remain focused on containing Saka for 90 minutes, a duty which didn’t leave room for anything else.

Taremi 6.5 – He was useful in shielding his opponents’ passing lines in the first half, but little more than that. However, his swift play in Arsenal’s box earned Inter a penalty. (79’ Dimarco n/a)

Lautaro Martinez 5.5 – A complicated night for the hosts’ captain, who mostly played with his back to the goal against an aggressive defensive duo. (62’ Thuram 5.5)

Inzaghi 6.5 – While his choices were undoubtedly risky, they eventually paid off and put his side in a favourable position in the standings after four games. Inter’s ability to sit deep and remain focused without conceding is probably the best news of the night for their manager.

Arsenal

Arsenal: Raya 6; White 6, Saliba 6.5, Gabriel 6, J Timber 5.5 (82’ Zinchenko n/a); Partey 5.5, Merino 5 (46’ Gabriel Jesus ), Trossard 5.5 (82’ Nwaneri n/a); Saka 5.5, Havertz 6.5 (90’ Odegaard n/a), Martinelli 6. Coach: Arteta 5.5.

UCL | Inter 1-0 Arsenal: Calhanoglu and rock solid defence

Milan manager Paulo Fonseca claimed that playing Real Madrid was ‘easier’ than taking on Monza as he analysed his side’s 3-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu and former Rossoneri player Massimo Ambrosini warned that his words must not be ‘trivialised’ as they express a right concept.

The Portuguese manager tried to explain how ‘tactical issues’ that teams have to face in Serie A make those games more complicated than European fixtures, and Ambrosini reiterated such a view by adding that a side like Milan have ‘more space’ to hurt opponents on the international stage.

The Rossoneri’s ex-midfielder also said that Milan can ‘hardly gain’ something by keeping Rafael Leao on the bench, but added that the forward now has the ‘keys’ to come out of a troubled moment.

Ambrosini: Milan find ‘more space’ in Europe, Fonseca pushed ‘too hard’ by keeping Leao out

“Games like this [Real Madrid] are more fitting to Milan’s features than fixtures which are easier on paper,” Ambrosini told Radio Serie A, as quoted by TMW.

“We shouldn’t trivialise when Fonseca says it’s easier for Milan to face Real Madrid than Monza.

“When you play in Italy, especially away, you’re on pitches where there’s little space, and you have to stay focused, inside the game, capitalising on any opportunities while always staying sharp.

“You have to keep working even in a scrappy game. In Europe, though, teams don’t speculate against you; they want to play their game and take risks.

“This means there are many more opportunities in terms of space and chances to be dangerous. Of course, the risks are greater too; you’re more likely to concede a goal, but you also have more space, and Milan have players who can turn the game around, players who can be dangerous to the opposition.

“When we talk about the European level, we’re referring to players who can handle things on their own, who can make their quality count even in one-on-one situations.”

Leao’s contribution against Real Madrid was particularly important, as Morata tapped in a rebound generated from his shot in the first half before the Portuguese star delivered an assist to Tijjani Reijnders for Milan’s third of the night.

“Yesterday, he played a high-level match,” Ambrosini noted.

“His last month should give him the keys to understanding how to get out of it: yesterday, he gave an important response, and now he has another big opportunity at Cagliari.

“When you’re the best player, you can either respond in a self-pitying way or with pride.

“The technical issue with Leao is quite secondary; without a player like Leao, Milan can hardly gain something, so I imagine they kept him out at least 70% for motivational reasons.

“I think Fonseca pushed a bit too hard by keeping him out; now it’s enough.”

USA international Yonus Musah was unanimously among Milan’s best-performing players in their outstanding 3-1 victory away to Real Madrid, as the midfielder was praised for his ability to constantly support his teammates both in defence and attack.

Musah listed among Milan’s best players in win over Real Madrid

The 21-year-old theoretically started his first Champions League match of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu as an offensive right winger in a 4-2-3-1 setup but made his presence felt in almost every area of the pitch.

He was tasked with ‘doubling up’ Vinicius Junior but also leading his side’s counter-attacks when he had the chance to, as observed by Tuttomercatoweb.

Tuttosport also underlined how his duty to help Emerson Royal limit the Brazilian star was a ‘mission accomplished’ and Corriere dello Sport claimed that his display tipped the scale in Milan’s favour.

Corriere della Sera highlighted how his tireless run, up and down the right flank, transformed Rossoneri’s back-four into a five-man defence when needed, as his performance was defined as ‘superb’ in terms of rhythm and ‘tactical attention’.

La Repubblica further praised Musah’s versatility, writing that ‘he does everything, and does it very well’, as the newspaper pointed out he was seen acting as a full-back, holding midfielder and winger.

Inter’s starting IX against Arsenal for their Champions League encounter may not include their stars Marcus Thuram, Nicolò Barella, Federico Dimarco, Henrik Mkhitaryan and Alessandro Bastoni, as they all look set to remain on the bench.

While Simone Inzaghi’s intention to rest some of his key players in one of the most difficult fixtures of their group phase seems a counterintuitive move, the Nerazzurri coach hopes to be taking a calculated risk as their packed fixture list requires him to preserve the condition of some footballers, particularly ahead of their Serie A match against Napoli.

Inter to drop key four players in Champions League’s fixture with Arsenal

Inter will reportedly start without their seasonal top-scorer Thuram against Arsenal, as the 27-year-old should make room for Mehdi Taremi despite contributing with eight goals and five assists from 13 games to his side’s start to the season.

However, Thuram’s only start in Europe came on Nerazzurri’s debut at Manchester City, while he remained on the bench for 90 minutes against Red Star and came on late to score his team’s winner away to Young Boys in their last game.

However, after starting four consecutive Serie A games since 20 October, without finding any goal, Inzaghi believes the France international can be a valuable second half substitute against the Gunners, which would also give him a chance to rest before Inter’s home meeting with Napoli on Sunday.

Next weekend’s San Siro clash against the Partenopei will put the Serie A summit at stake, and Inzaghi is clearly aware of the importance of such a fixture, which is why he’s required to make delicate choices to keep his team’s fitness as high as possible in both games.

What Arsenal should expect from a rotated Inter

Dimarco and Bastoni will also be relevant absences for Inter, as the hosts will lose their main creative player on the left, which will arguably lead the team to play more conservatively on that flank, where combinations between the two often cause troubles for their opponents.

Davide Frattesi and Piotr Zielinski will replace Barella and Mkhitaryan respectively, which is likely to make the Nerazzurri less able to manage possession for long moments and less efficient in ball recovery.

However, the two starters could add dangerousness to Inter’s breaks, thanks to Frattesi’s ability to invade the box and Zielinski’s excellent ball carries, which often manage to break the opponents’ lines.

Inzaghi hopes that Hakan Calhanoglu’s return to the starting eleven can bring more balance to the team, but he’ll also be ready to bring on some of his stars in the second half, expecting them to make a difference in what should be a tight contest between two unbeaten sides of the Champions League’s group phase.

Alvaro Morata hopes that Milan’s 3-1 win over Real Madrid after a dominant display can help his side become ‘aware’ of their strength, although he urged them to keep their feet on the ground and not ‘set off fireworks’ for a victory in the group stage of the Champions League.

The Spanish striker scored the Rossoneri’s second of the night, restoring his side’s lead after Vinicius Junior had equalised from the penalty spot, finding his seventh net against Real Madrid in his career.

His goal came when goalkeeper Lunin failed to block a swift shot from Rafa Leao, whom Morata believes can write ‘football history’ if he plays this way ‘every game’.

Morata: Leao can write ‘football history’, Milan’s win ‘important’ for us

While Milan’s first win at the Santiago Bernabeu in 15 years will certainly go down to the club’s history, Morata insisted such an outstanding night was particularly ‘important’ for Paulo Fonseca’s side.

“I told the lads earlier, it was an important win for us,” Morata told Sky Sport Italia after the game.

“It was important for the fans, the club as well, but for us above anything else. To [help us] be aware that we need to fight as lions to get results.

“Today, we did a great match, a serious display, we were very lucid with the ball at times and suffered together in other moments, as we had to do.

“We remain in the same situation. Tomorrow will be another day of work, we don’t need to set off fireworks because it’s a group stage’s game, but it’s important to be aware of how important it is to get a win here.”

The Spain international spared a thought for the people who are ‘going through a hell’ in Valencia, due to recent floodings which caused many casualties.

“It’s a normal emotion, with people going through a hell 300-400km away from here,” the striker said.

“I’m proud of my team, we can’t stop now but just keep working. I’m sorry I can’t be here helping my people, so it’s just a normal emotion, it’s a group stage’s game.”

Leao returned to Milan’s starting XI after three consecutive Serie A benches, giving a crucial contribution to his side’s win, and Morata explained no one in the team ‘had doubts’ about his worth.

“We never had doubts. I said it earlier, he must be aware that he can make football history,” he added.

“He’s much stronger than any of us, he has to play like this every game. We’re very proud and happy for Rafa.”

Player ratings: Real Madrid 1-3 Milan – Leao and Reijnders shine in Champions League masterclass

Milan emerged 3-1 winners against Real Madrid as they delivered a Champions League masterclass at the Santiago Bernabeu. Here are the player ratings.

Maignan 7 – His saves came at crucial times, ending up turning every scare into further confidence for his side.

Emerson Royal 5.5 – His foul on Vinicius risked making the night more complicated for his side, but reacted well (90′ Calabria n/a)

Thiaw 7 – His opener was a massive morale booster for his team to capitalise on a brilliant start in terms of attitude. After that, he held firm against one of the best attacks in the world.

Tomori 6.5 – As strange as it could seem for a game at the Santiago Bernabeu, he had little to do thanks to an overall collective performance.

Theo Hernandez 7 – A constant concern for the hosts in the first half, got more timid after the break, but he wasn’t required to do more than that.

Fofana 6.5 – Excellent positioning to shield his defence, but his accuracy in his side’s build-up was also noteworthy.

Musah 6.5 – His limited touches were offset by his tireless run and countless challenges in an intense midfield battle (90′ Pavlovic n/a).

Pulisic 6.5 – Class and composure in every touch, his assist paved the way for Milan’s outstanding night. (70′ Loftus-Cheek 6)

Reijnders 7.5 – A proper director of play, a phenomenal playmaker who is finally starting to make his presence felt in the opponents’ box with regularity. Get ready, the best is yet to come.

Leao 7.5 – The most anticipated player of the game responded brilliantly and proved to Fonseca how decisive he can be when motivated. He invented Reijnders’ goal out of nowhere,  (78′ Okafor n/a)

Morata 7.5 – Pounced on the rebound to score Milan’s second, showcasing the kind of clinical finish the Rossoneri desperately needed from him. Of course, all of it added to his usual spirit of sacrifice (70′ Abraham 6)

Fonseca 8 – He’s the real winner of the night, as he tactically outsmarted Ancelotti and motivated his players to express themselves at their best from beginning to end.

Real Madrid ratings against Milan

Real Madrid: Lunin 6; Lucas Vazquez 5, Militao 5, Rudiger 5.5, Mendy 5.5 (74′ Fran Garcia 5.5); Valverde 5.5 (46′ Camavinga 5.5), Tchouameni 5 (46′ Diaz 6), Modric 5 (63′ Ceballos 5.5); Bellingham 5.5 (74′ Rodrygo 5.5); Mbappé 5.5, Vinicius Junior 6. Coach: Ancelotti 4.5

UCL | Real Madrid 1-3 Milan: Dominant Diavolo shock Ancelotti

Alvaro Morata confirmed his inspiration against Real Madrid by scoring his seventh goal against his former side to restore Milan’s lead at the Santiago Bernabeu in their Champions League meeting.

Follow every minute of Champions League action on our Liveblog.

The Spain international was the quickest player to pounce on Andrij Lunin’s rebound after his save on Rafael Leao, and he kept his cool to net the tap-in for the Rossoneri’s second of the night.

Morata’s seventh goal in his 13th match against Real Madrid means the Merengues are now their favourite opponents, as he hasn’t found more nets against any other opponents in his career.

Who else but Alvaro Morata?

The Spanish striker reacts the quickest to score against his former club and restore AC Milan's lead

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 5, 2024

Centre-back Malick Thiaw gave AC Milan a surprising lead against Real Madrid as he headed Christian Pulisic’s corner home to beat Andrij Lunin.

Thiaw puts Milan ahead against Real Madrid

In the end, Thiaw took advantage of a perfect corner kick from Pulisic to jump with perfect timing to put Paulo Fonseca’s side ahead after just 12 minutes.

However, Vinicius Junior levelled from the penalty spot shortly after.

Real Madrid are off to a nightmare start

Malick Thiaw heads home to give AC Milan a shock lead at the Bernabeu

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— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 5, 2024

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his colleague Simone Inzaghi for the ‘strong identity’ he’s given to Inter but claimed the Gunners are ready to bounce back from their recent struggles, as they want to prove ‘capable of beating’ Inter.

The Gunners are coming off their second defeat in three Premier League rounds, as they lost 1-0 away to Newcastle in what Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport described as their worst match of the season and Arteta admitted he’s ‘absolutely’ feeling the pressure.

Arteta: Arsenal are in Milan ‘to try and win’, we’ll see how ‘to handle’ Inter’s unpredictability

“Absolutely, my blood’s pumping,” he told at a pre-match press conference, as reported by TMW.

“We’re coming to Milan to try and win. They played a Champions League final two years ago—these are the matches you want to play.

“I think Inter has a strong identity, and the credit for that goes to their coach.

“He knows how to position players in unpredictable ways; it’s a challenge we also face in the Premier League, and we’ll see tomorrow how to handle it.”

Commenting on the words of Simone Inzaghi, who listed Arsenal among the Champions League favourites, Arteta replied his side first need to ‘show’ it against Inter.

“I don’t know, every coach has his own ideas. We have to show tomorrow night that we’re capable of beating them.”

The London outfit also saw their sporting director Edu Gaspar resign on Monday and Arteta commented on the departure of one of his closest collaborators, with whom he had a ‘special chemistry’.

“Everything happened very quickly,” Arsenal manager noted, as quoted by Football London.

“I loved working with him, I really enjoyed being alongside him in this incredible journey. I’m very grateful for everything he’s done for me and the football club.

“I think we both had this special chemistry working together. I’m very blessed that he’s been part of my life managing this club.

“He’s had an amazing opportunity now to do something else in a different role. He feels that’s best for him. We have to respect that. From that bottom of my heart I wish the best for him.

“The plan and vision that starts with ownership is going to continue. We have a very strong leadership team and we’re not going to stop right now. The passion to fulfil this journey is not going to stop. That means opportunities for someone else. We say thankyou and we have to move on.”

Arsenal travelled to Milan with star Martin Odegaard making their squad for the first time since August, as he returned from injury and Arteta will ‘decide’ whether to use him against Inter tomorrow.

However, another key player, Declan Rice, has surprisingly missed training on Tuesday and didn’t travel with the team as he ‘wasn’t feeling good’ after picking up an injury against Newcastle.

“The positive news, Martin it’s great to have him back,”

“He trained with us first time today. He’s a bit earlier than expected. But it’s great to have him here and we will decide if we use him tomorrow.

“Declan unfortunately picked an injury against Newcastle. He was able to finish and he wasn’t feeling good the last few days. We’ll have to assess him on Thursday and see if he’s ready for Chelsea.”

Bukayo Saka will once again wear the captain’s armband tomorrow and the Gunners’ coach explained the admiration and ‘respect’ people have for him make the England international a perfect fit for this role.

“Especially the way people look at him. People admire him people respect him, they want to be next to him,” Arteta said.

“He has a particular way of smiling. He’s one of our leaders right now. He’s one of our biggest players and our biggest talents. He’s earned that status in the team right now.”

Coach Thiago Motta claimed Juventus will aim to ‘get a result’ against Lille in the Champions League on Tuesday despite respecting their opponents, as the Bianconeri hope to immediately bounce back from their European defeat against Stuggart two weeks ago.

The Old Lady’s manager warned there are ‘no favourites’ but insisted that his team are ‘determined’ to make a ‘great’ display against the Ligue 1 outfit.

Douglas Luiz is back in the squad after returning from injury, as Nico Gonzalez, Arkadiusz Milik and long-term injured Bremer remain the only names on the treatment table.

Motta: Juventus ready for ‘great performance’ against Lille, I believe in my philosophy

“As always, we have great respect for our opponents, Lille,” Motta told Sky Sport Italia ahead of Tuesday’s game, as quoted by TMW.

“The important thing is to be consistent, perform, and strive to improve every day, every game.

Matches help build the awareness that we must always give something extra to compete. Lille are in good shape; we go onto the pitch with respect but also aiming to get a result.”

“All matches are important. As Juventus, we want to win every time.

The most important thing is to keep trying to improve. Lille are very confident, and we want to face them in the best possible shape. We want to give more than our best.”

The Bianconeri looked particularly under-par in the last Champions League match against Stuggart, which marked their only defeat of the season so far. Such a poor display was surprising after their 3-2 win at Leipzig in the previous round, but Motta noted they are still in an ongoing process.

“We are always learning and improving,” the coach added at a pre-match press conference.

“We need to go onto the field determined to put in a great performance. They are confident, but we are also in good shape.”

Theun Koopmeiners made his return from injury in Juventus’ last two Serie A fixtures and Motta admitted he’s ‘important’ to the team, also adding Douglas Luiz’s return can help raise the level in the training sessions during the week.

“Against Udinese, I saw the whole team doing well on the field,” Motta noted.

“He [Koopmeiners] is an important player for us, like many others. The win was nice, but it’s in the past now—we keep going on this path and aim to put in a good performance.

“Yes, tomorrow we will be missing Milik, Bremer, and Nico Gonzalez, but everyone else is available.

“This is important for raising the level and competition throughout the week, so we all grow and improve together, approaching matches in the right way. We need to be present from the first to the last minute tomorrow.”

Asked about the several changes he’s been making to his formation recently, Motta explained to fully ‘believe’ in his own philosophy.

“It can be risky, but it also might not be. I don’t see it that way.

“Everyone has their own philosophy. I believe in mine 200%. As long as I’m here, decisions will be made based on the current situation.”

Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano believes his side needs ‘something more’ to win their first Champions League game against Monaco on Tuesday, as they are urged to ‘raise the bar’ after two consecutive European defeats.

The Rossoblu are coming off two away trips to England that saw them suffer as many losses to Liverpool and Aston Villa, but Italiano dismissed the view that the clash against the Ligue 1 will be ‘softer’ than their previous fixtures, also admitting that Bologna weren’t ‘used’ to play at Champions League level.

Scotland international Lewis Ferguson came on in the closing minutes of Bologna’s 1-0 win over Lecce in Serie A last weekend as he returned from injury after six months, and the Bologna manager said he aims at bringing him back ‘at his best’ soon.

Italiano: Monaco not ‘softer’ than Liverpool, Ferguson ‘important’ for Bologna

“Monaco a softer game? That’s not something I’ve ever thought,” Italiano said at a press-conference ahead of Tuesday’s game in the Champions League, as quoted by TMW.

“I believe that now we need to focus on the performance to get the result, especially in front of our home crowd. We did well here against Shakhtar, as well as against Liverpool and Aston Villa.

“But now, we need something more, and tomorrow we need to aim for that. Whether it turns out to be ‘softer’ or not, we’ll find out at the end. Right now, Monaco are doing very well; they’re a confident team, and tomorrow we need to raise the bar.”

Monaco lost two consecutive games in Ligue 1 but Italiano prefers to focus on Bologna’s positive moment, as they are on the back of two Serie A wins in a row.

“I don’t know how our opponents react to setbacks, but I do know how we feel about coming into this game after two wins,” the coach added.

“Plus, we’re playing at home, and I must say that I see a fantastic atmosphere here at the stadium: I’m sure our fans will support us to the end because we need everyone.”

After making his return against Lecce, Lewis Ferguson is ‘gradually’ improving his condition.

“Ferguson is doing well,” Italiano observed.

“He’s starting to increase his workload because he wants to get into peak condition. The game against Lecce allowed me to put him on because there was low density in that area when he came on.

“Gradually, we’ll start increasing his involvement because he’s an important player for us, and we want him at his best soon.”

Bologna are 29th in the Champions League standings after three games and they need to climb at least to 24th if they want to secure a spot in the play-offs, but Italiano doesn’t want it to turn into an ‘obsession’.

It’s something we’ll try to achieve without the obsession of performing above our level,” the Italian tactician said.

“I came from the Conference League, and I’ve seen very strong teams in Europe, but what I’m seeing in the Champions League, especially in the last two games, is something we’re not used to.

“Our goal is to try to reach the top 24; if we make it, it will mean we’ve done a great job. However, the Champions League for us should be about growth, and our focus is on playing well, not on the standings.”

The first Serie A round of November saw many times cement their positions in the upper part of the table, with Napoli also preserving their top spot despite a heavy 3-0 defeat at the hands of Atalanta. Inter survived a late scare against Venezia to reduce their gap to the leaders to one point, while Milan bounced back after their mid-week loss by winning at Monza.

Serie A table updated after Round 11

Antonio Conte’s Napoli crumbled to their second Serie A defeat of the season as Atalanta crushed them 3-0 on Sunday, courtesy of a brace from an inspired Ademola Lookman, before Mateo Retegui’s late goal.

The Partenopei’s loss presented Inter with a massive chance to close in on the league leaders, one they didn’t waste despite struggling more than expected to overcome Venezia. Lautaro ended his home drought by scoring the winner against Eusebio Di Francesco’s outfit, and the Nerazzurri will now face a potentially season-defining week, as they’ll play Arsenal and Napoli in four days.

Paulo Fonseca got a positive response from his Milan side, who secured a 1-0 win at Monza with star Rafael Leao once again starting from the bench, as Tijjani Reijnders returned from suspension to net the decider.

Juventus also returned to winning ways after two consecutive draws, as they emerged 2-0 winners at the Blue Energy Stadium against Udinese on Saturday.

Fiorentina found their fifth consecutive victory by beating Torino 1-0, meaning they are now fourth, level on 22 points with Atalanta and just three points behind Napoli.

Ivan Juric’s Roma continued to struggle as they lost 3-2 to Verona, suffering their third defeat from the last four Serie A games.

Serie A League Table

Arsenal are going through a worrying dip in form as they’ll take on Inter next Wednesday after what La Gazzetta dello Sport defined as the ‘worst game’ of their season, ended with a 1-0 defeat away to Newcastle.

The Gunners remained winless for the third consecutive Premier League match, managing a single shot on goal despite a possession rate of 60%, as they looked ‘switched off’, ‘tired’ and with ‘few solutions’ from the bench.

Arsenal looked ‘switched off’ and ‘tired’ before Champions League clash against Inter

According to the Italian newspaper, Inter fans watching Arsenal’s defeat at the hands of Newcastle ‘didn’t definitely get worried’ about a team that conceded at least a goal for the sixth time in a row in the Premier League, falling to their second loss of the season just two weeks after their first league defeat Bournemouth.

But while the London outfit were reduced to 10 men on that occasion, they just looked under-par against Sandro Tonali’s Newcastle, helping them return to winning ways for the first time after five domestic games.

Mikel Arteta’s side lost further ground to the Premier League summit, as Liverpool leapfrogged Manchester City at the top of the table and sit seven points above the Gunners.

Arsenal will need a strong response against Inter in their clash at the San Siro on Wednesday if they want to remain unbeaten in the Champions League. The two sides are currently level on seven points, although the Nerazzurri boast a slightly better goal difference.

Lega Serie A has confirmed dates and kick-off times for Week 19 and 20, including the matches rescheduled due to the Supercoppa Italiana, which will take place in the first week of 2025.

The two Serie A rounds include fixtures like Fiorentina-Napoli, the Turin derby and the Rome derby, which will be played at the night for the first time after almost eight years, as reported by Rai News.

Inter will return to play at 14:00 on a Sunday after a long time on 12 January, when they’ll travel to Venezia.

All Serie A kick-off times listed below are UK time. Add one hour for local time.

Serie A fixtures

Week 19

Sat Jan 4

Venezia-Empoli (14:00)

Fiorentina-Napoli (17:00)

Verona-Udinese (19:45)

Sun Jan 5

Monza-Cagliari (11:30)

Lecce-Genoa (14:00)

Torino-Parma (17:00)

Roma-Lazio (19:45)

Tue 14 Jan

Como-Milan (17:30, postponed due to the Supercoppa Italiana)

Atalanta-Juventus (19:45, postponed due to the Supercoppa Italiana)

Wed 15 Jan

Inter-Bologna (19:45, postponed due to the Supercoppa Italiana)

Week 20

Fri Jan 10

Lazio-Como (19:45)

Sat Jan 11

Empoli-Lecce (14:00)

Udinese-Atalanta (14:00)

Torino-Juventus (17:00)

Milan-Cagliari (19:45)

Former Inter, Real Madrid and Barcelona forward Figo has said that he understands the disappointment of not winning the Ballon d’Or, but admitted that it was still a big surprise to see the Real Madrid delegation boycott the ceremony in Paris after Vinicius Jr. placed second behind Manchester City’s Rodri on Monday night. 

No representatives from Real Madrid attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony on Monday evening after they learned that Vinicius Jr. would not be winning the main award. That meant no Florentino Perez, no Carlo Ancelotti, no Jude Bellingham and no Dani Carvajal either. 

Figo ‘understands disappointment’ after Real Madrid no-show at Ballon d’Or

Figo, who won the Ballon d’Or himself in the year 2000, said that he knew he was going to win the award before he collected the trophy 24 years ago, but told La Gazzetta dello Sport that the organisers try and keep things under wraps until the last minute these days. 

He also told the pink paper what he was doing when he learned of the news.

“I was in the hotel when I heard the news about their absence. It surprised me, there’s always a chance of winning when you are nominated. When I won it, I knew the final result beforehand, but now they try and keep everything secret until the last minute. 

“There are winners and losers in every decision. I’ve lost before, so I understand the disappointment, but you always try to get everybody to attend.” 

Figo was pleased to see two representatives from his former side Inter on the shortlist. Lautaro Martinez finished in seventh place, while Hakan Calhanoglu came in 20th.  

“I always follow Italian football with a lot of fondness and interest. It’s a great time for it. And my Inter are always looking really strong, this makes me very happy – The Nerazzzurri are always in my heart,” he said. 

Rodri wins 2024 Ballon d’Or: Every prize winner and runner-up revealed

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi has sent a message of congratulations to his Argentina teammate and Inter star Lautaro Martinez, as well as to compatriot Emiliano Martinez after the 2024 ceremony in Paris on Monday night. 

Lautaro Martinez finished in seventh place in the overall rankings, the highest position of Serie A representatives on the 30-player shortlist for the main award. He had scored five goals, averaging one every 44 minutes as Argentina won the Copa America over the summer. 

Messi congratulates Martinezes after Ballon d’Or success

“Congratulations to all the winners nominees at the 2024 Ballon d’Or,” Messi wrote in an Instagram story. 

“Especially to Dibu (how amazing, another award for the best goalkeeper in the world) and to Lautaro, Leo and Ale. It’s really great to see them all there,” he continued. 

There was a sweet moment at the ceremony, as Lautaro Martinez was invited on stage to present the Yachine Trophy to his international teammate and namesake, Emiliano. The Aston Villa goalkeeper became the first person ever to win the award for the best goalkeeper on multiple occasions. 

Five Serie A players were on the shortlist for the main award at the Ballon d’Or on Monday night, including Lautaro Martinez, plus Ademola Lookman, Hakan Calhanoglu, Mats Hummels and Artem Dovbyk. 

There were also nominations for Italy no.1 Gianluigi Donnarumma, Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer and Milan’s Mike Maignan in the Yachine Trophy, which was eventually won by Martinez.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini made sure to remind Nigeria international Ademola Lookman that he also has his teammates  to thank after his 14th-place finish at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris on Monday evening. 

The player and coach were both nominated for awards at the Ballon d’Or on Monday night. The tactician for Coach of the Year, eventually won by compatriot Carlo Ancelotti, and Lookman for the main award, which was eventually won by Manchester City’s Rodri. 

Gasperini and Lookman, along with Atalanta patrons Antonio and Luca Percassi were all in attendance at the ceremony at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris on Monday night. 

What Gasperini said to Lookman about Ballon d’Or

The coach told La Gazzetta dello Sport what he said to Lookman on their flight over from Bergamo earlier that afternoon. 

“He already knows that he wouldn’t be here if he didn’t have De Roon, Ederson, Djimsiti and that whole group behind him. It’s not guaranteed that he would have done the same thing had he been playing for a different team. 

“So, I just asked him if we’d be wearing a tuxedo. He told me that he doesn’t want to wear one, but that he will wear a bow tie.” 

The 26-year-old eventually finished 14th in the final Ballon d’Or rankings. He was the only African player included on the 30-player shortlist, and the second-highest rated Serie A player on the list, behind Inter captain Lautaro Martinez in seventh.