Gian Piero Gasperini is absolutely right that Atalanta represent meritocracy in a football that wants to build European Super Leagues, which is also why Susy Campanale feels he must reject Napoli interest.

It was always said that a reign like that of Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United could never be possible in Italy, let alone a Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, but Gian Piero Gasperini has well and truly embodied this Atalanta ethos. Maybe the club embodied his ethos instead, or they just found themselves in such a wonderful symbiotic union that we can no longer tell where one ends and the other begins. It simply feels insane to even consider that Gasp could leave Bergamo, especially for a club in a constant state of turmoil like Napoli, where President Aurelio De Laurentiis is determined to take all the credit for success and shove all the blame for failure onto others.

Few remember, but Gasperini had a disastrous start to his time with Atalanta, losing four of his first five Serie A games. Most clubs would’ve sacked him there and then, but the Percassi family famously warned the players that either they followed the orders of this coach or they would be packed off elsewhere. It paid off with the greatest results this club has seen in its 116-year history, now culminating in a Europa League Final.

Atalanta have probably the best youth academy in the country and have done for many years. Unlike most Serie A sides, these players genuinely do come through the ranks to play for the senior squad rather than be used as bargaining chips for loans and transfers. One of them, Matteo Ruggeri, scored a goal in the Europa League semi-final against Olympique Marseille.

If clubs want to become truly sustainable, they need to follow this example and actually use the players they grow in-house, which in turn creates a sense of identity, but also hope that they can make their mark here. You rarely get that feeling at Inter, Juventus, Milan or Napoli. It’s not a coincidence that Atalanta are only the second club after Juve to create an Under-23 team in Serie C.

Gasperini’s eras tour

When these players do flourish, they are sold on at massive profits, which in turn can be reinvested. Did you know that the most expensive signing in Atalanta’s history is El Bilal Toure, secured from Almeria last summer for €29.1m? That’s the kind of money Premier League clubs spend to get a bench player who can come on a few times per season. Up until last season, their biggest buy was Luis Muriel at €21.2m in 2019 from Sevilla. The transfer budget was boosted by the arrival of American investor Stephen Pagliuca, but the general approach remains the same – build value from the ground up, sell at a profit, reinvest.

It is astonishing just how many players have come through Bergamo under Gasperini, yet the team has always retained its unique tactical identity. They press hard, attack in waves, everyone gets involved and it’s not unusual to find the centre-backs joining in the finishing too. You could argue Gasperini’s style has also influenced Simone Inzaghi and the Scudetto-winning Inter, not to mention all those coaches who worked under him like Thiago Motta, Alberto Gilardino, Ivan Juric and Raffaele Palladino.

Gasp said after the 4-1 aggregate victory over Olympique Marseille that Atalanta prove meritocracy is alive and well in football, despite attempts to create a heraldic system of inherited history like the European Super League. I hope they can also set a blueprint for the future of Italian football, where you don’t need to compete with Premier League budgets to star-studded squads, because you have ideas, a clear identity and that oh so precious element of stability. Gasperini knows he’ll never find anything quite like it elsewhere, and certainly not at Napoli, so why would he want to leave? We’ve not yet scratched the surface of what La Dea can achieve.

Antonio Conte has been heavily linked with a return to Chelsea in the summer, so what could a second spell in West London look like for the Italian tactician?

The Blues are widely expected to make some sweeping changes ahead of next season after a difficult year under Mauricio Pochettino, who has failed to find a consistent rhythm with his squad as they languish in the mid-table, far below the fans’ expectations.

With Pochettino on the way out, Conte recently been linked with a possible return to Chelsea in the summer, coming back six years after his rather acrimonious exit from the club back in 2018, which ultimately ended in a bitter legal battle.

Things have changed, for better or worse, at the Blues since then and now the Italian tactician is looking like an interesting candidate to take over in the dugout this summer, giving him the chance to return to the Premier League for a third time in his career.

Whilst both Conte and Chelsea are known for transfer market investments, what would today’s squad look like under the 54-year-old coach?

Conte changes

In almost every match this season, Pochettino has lined up Chelsea in a 4-2-3-1 formation, something that would immediately change under Conte, who is known for his commitment to a three-man backline.

In his time with Tottenham, the Italian coach deployed a few different formations under the same system, focusing on either a 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 setup, and he is also known for his appreciation of a 3-5-2 line-up.

Switching to a three-man defence with this Chelsea squad could see Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile working together in front of their goalkeeper, possibly Robert Sanchez should a new number one not arrive.

In front of the backline, there are some obvious choices for a possible Conte midfield, including Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Cole Palmer and Conor Gallagher, deployed as a three or split across a 3-4-2-1. Out wide, Reece James and Ben Chilwell would suit as wing backs, assuming they can maintain fitness.

The frontline, if it was a three-man set-up in a 3-4-3, could see Mykhaylo Mudryk out left, Nicholas Jackson in the centre and Raheem Sterling on the right, although the latter could move left to make space for Noni Madueke.

Chelsea are known for investing in the transfer window, so Conte would be able to identify more suitable players for his system, something he usually requires when taking on the job.

Chelsea are reportedly in talks to bring Antonio Conte back to Stamford Bridge, and Lorenzo Bettoni explains why the Italian’s return would make sense and why it doesn’t.

Conte has been without a club since leaving Tottenham in March 2023, and even if several sources, including Football Italia’s Matteo Moretto, insist his priority is to return to Serie A this summer, several Premier League clubs have been linked with the ex-Juventus and Inter coach.

La Repubblica has reported that Chelsea is pushing to bring the Italian tactician back to Stamford Bridge and have made a considerable transfer budget available to strengthen the team next season. Conte already won a Premier League title and an FA Cup with the Blues during his two-year spell at the club. The question is: Would his return to Stamford Bridge make sense?

Why Conte’s return to Chelsea would work

Conte is known to be a very demanding coach regarding transfers, and Chelsea can offer him a higher budget than any other Italian club. Napoli, Juventus and Milan have been linked with the 54-year-old, but none of these clubs will predictably spend as much as Chelsea next summer. The Italian coach is also a fantastic problem-solver, everyone is aware of it, including Chelsea and their fans.

The Blues ended the 2015-16 campaign in tenth before his appointment, but they won the domestic title under the Italian tactician the following season. The former Italy international also led Juventus to their first Serie A title in the post-Calciopoli era, going on to win three consecutive Scudetti, and then put an end to the Old Lady’s domestic domination nine years later, winning Inter’s first title in ten years.

Although Conte has been unable to develop long-term projects at any club in his career, his appointment usually brings immediate benefits to any side he joins. Even Tottenham can say the same as Spurs qualified for the Champions League in 2021-22 after Conte was hired to replace Nuno Espirito Santo in November.

Why Conte’s Serie A return would not make sense

Regardless of Conte’s priority to remain in Serie A for familiar reasons, a return to Stamford Bridge could be tricky for the Italian tactician and may not match his ambition as a coach.

Conte said in his latest interview with The Telegraph in February that his dream is to win the Champions League one day. He’d need time to make the Blues credible contenders for the cup with the big ears in the near future, not to mention that the Blues won’t even play in the competition next season. His latest claims suggest Conte wants to take a step forward in his career, going from clubs that are eager to return to greatness to already established clubs that need a final step to become European champions.

In this scenario, Bayern Munich would be the only team that could offer Conte this chance, given that Napoli are in a similar situation as Chelsea domestically, while Juventus and Milan are comfortably among the top four clubs in Italy but are pretty far away from the European elite.

Last but not least, Chelsea’s organisation as a club under owner Todd Boehly appears pretty weak, so Conte would predictably struggle a little more to make his voice heard and to plan a winning transfer strategy in the summer. Don’t forget that when he won titles in Italy, Juventus and Inter were incredibly solid in terms of club organisation with Beppe Marotta at the helm, while Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea could rely on Marina Granovskaia’s vision and decision-making to make things work at Stamford Bridge.

Conte will consider all these aspects before making a final decision on his next club and Chelsea’s firepower and lucrative offer will not be the only aspect he’ll take into account before picking his next club.

Fabio Cannavaro aims to bolster Udinese‘s Serie A status with disciplined leadership and tactical understanding and his focus on young talents will be crucial.

Azzurri legend Cannavaro is the man chosen by Udinese for the final part of the season after the inevitable sacking of Gabriele Cioffi. The ex-defender had replaced Andrea Sottil halfway through the 2023-24 campaign, but the task for Cannavaro will be challenging. An impressive playing career, culminating in a 2006 World Cup win with Italy and a Ballon d’Or, places Cannavaro under enormous pressure as he embarks on his first Serie A appointment as a coach.

Initial cues of a style of leadership to be one of strict discipline, Cannavaro will be relying on some Udinese youngsters, including Lazar Samardzic, to avoid the Bianconeri’s relegation. Although the exact tactics he will deploy are yet to be entirely fleshed out, if his reputation is anything to go by, it is fair to imagine the ex-defender primarily keeping a tight defence. With Gerard Deulofeu, Florian Thauvin and Sandi Lovric injured, Lorenzo Lucca will have all the pressure on his shoulders in attack and Cannavaro will be tasked with boosting the Bianconeri’s options up front.

Udinese Coaching Transition: A Journey from Cioffi to Cannavaro

Gabriele Cioffi’s brief stint with Udinese was marked by a direct and pragmatic tactical approach that rarely changed regardless of the opposition. His reign at Udinese was marked by struggles to keep the lead and predictability in attacking moves. A brief spell could not oversee any strategic overhaul or major improvement in outcomes, hence exposing the team to a dangerous spot near the relegation zone.

Cannavaro won’t have enough time to deploy a clear tactical identity for Udinese, as the primary target will be to get results and enough points to avoid Serie B relegation. If he completes the job, then the next season will be one for him to develop his idea of football and prepare the club for a successful long-term future.

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Udinese’s Transfer Window Activities from a Strategic Perspective

Udinese have been one of the best clubs in Italy when it comes to scouting and player trading, but things haven’t quite worked out for the Bianconeri over the last few years. Former defender Federico Balzaretti was appointed as a sporting director last summer, but Tuttosport has recently claimed that the ex-Roma and Juventus man will leave at the end of the season. Lazar Samardzic was expected to leave last summer. Eventually, he remained in Friuli, and his price tag will dramatically lower in the summer, especially if the Bianconeri go down to Serie B. It would be a huge blow to Udinese who generally operate on a low-risk financial approach. The strategy hinges on sustainability and dictates their transfer policies and generally all operational decisions.

The Road Ahead: Key Fixtures and the Implications for Udinese

Cannavaro picked up an impressive away draw at Bologna in his first entire match in charge of Udinese, but his debut was a nightmare. He lost to Roma in a rescheduled fixture against Roma, with only the final 18 minutes plus add-ons being played. 

Their next Serie A match is against Napoli, but Udinese’s fate will probably be determined by the final three games against direct opponents Lecce (away), Empoli (home) and Frosinone (away). Udinese are currently in the drop zone, two points below Empoli, Frosinone and Verona and just four behind Cagliari. Anything can still happen in the final month of action in Serie A, but despite a poor position in the table, games against direct opponents mean Cannavaro and their men have the fate in their hands. A club that was once accustomed to playing in European competitions and even in the Champions League will be desperate to avoid a season in Serie B, hoping to return to greatness over the next few years.

They could hardly be at more different stages of their managerial careers but they share the same hunger for silverware. Giancarlo Rinaldi looks at what it would mean for the coaches of Atalanta, Roma and Fiorentina to lift a trophy this season.

Don Carlo Ancelotti might well look on and smile. Perhaps he can remember what it was like when he too was a tactician without any titles to his name. Now he sits at the very top of the European trophy tree but three of his countrymen would kill to take a first major honour on the bench for their Serie A clubs this year.

Atalanta, Roma and Fiorentina have played a huge part in ensuring Italy will have five representatives in the Champions League next season so it would be fitting if they could earn a trophy to crown their efforts. Last term was a heartbreaking one when the world of Calcio went three for three in continental cup final disappointments. They stand on the brink of a potential double once more.

Their bosses, of course, are of very differing ages and experience levels. Nonetheless, for each one of them it would be a significant boost to their CV to win something that matters as a manager. Any success would be a special moment for the men involved.

Gian Piero Gasperini, at the tender age of 66, is finally getting the European kudos his skills deserve. Isn’t it amazing what a resounding victory over an English Premier League side can get you? With a Coppa Italia final against Juventus in the bag and a Europa League battle with Marseille in store, he would love to get his hands on a trophy as he closes in on 400 games in charge at Atalanta with the best part of a decade at the helm. To earn such an honour in Bergamo would truly be a stratospheric achievement. La Dea – The Goddess – would genuinely be in heaven.

It hasn’t always been easy, of course, and at the start of this season there were many – myself included – who doubted his ability to reinvent his team once more. Instead, he has rolled up his sleeves and got on with the job of creating yet another unit which has been capable of going on a great run both at home and abroad. On their day, the Bergamaschi are capable of beating anyone.

At the other end of the coaching spectrum, of course, is his Europa League rival Daniele De Rossi. A trophy-laden playing career does not guarantee success as he found out to his cost during a brief spell in charge of Spal in Serie B. But his work to transform Roma from the grumpy, grouchy Giallorossi we witnessed under Jose Mourinho to a much more spectator-friendly outfit has been impressive. He has, of course, the little matter of a seemingly unbeatable Bayer Leverkusen side to defeat to even make it to the final in Dublin.

Still, it would be something pretty magical if he could take his hometown club to glory. Europe has often reserved more heartache than happiness for the capital side and it would be brilliant for him to take another open-top bus round the Eternal City. He is already a legend but it would cement that status still further.

Somewhere in between the two, in managerial experience terms, is Fiorentina’s Vincenzo Italiano – now apparently approaching the end of his three-year cycle with the Viola. Considered by many to be an up-and-coming coach, it would surely boost his credentials to actually win something. Last year, of course, his team made two finals and lost them both.

This time around they have blown the Coppa Italia a little earlier – to Gasperini’s men – and so will have to go all in on the Conference League. They face a Club Brugge side in impressive form but they know it is the only way they can send their coach off in style. Otherwise, it will always be a story of what might have been for his time in Tuscany.

Trophies aren’t everything, of course, and no doubt all three men will have another crack at a title or two in the years to come. Nonetheless, having come this far it would be a shame for them not to have something to show for all their great efforts. If nothing else, it would let them sit down at the dinner table with Don Carlo without feeling quite the same inferiority complex.

Luciano Spalletti and Italy are gearing up for a vitally important Euro 2024 and need to be wary of three pitfalls as they look to defend their title.

The pressure is on the Azzurri to respond on the international stage after their recent heartbreak in the World Cup qualifiers, where they lost to North Macedonia in the play-offs back in March 2022, ruling them out of that winter’s tournament in Qatar.

Italy bounced back from their 2018 qualification failure with an unexpected and historical win at Euro 2020, and now they’ve been tasked with another resounding run in Germany this summer, setting up a crucially important tournament for Spalletti and his players.

With the Azzurri in Group B alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania, what are three pitfalls facing Spalletti’s Italy at Euro 2024 this summer?

1 – Spain on the rise

It’s been more than a decade now since La Roja set the footballing world alight at two European Championships and a World Cup, and after a quiet spell, things are starting to rumble again on the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain edged out a tense win over Croatia in the Nations League final last year, their first title since Euro 2012, and Luis de la Fuente’s side were near-flawless in their qualifying campaign, winning seven of their eight matches. They’ll be expecting a strong run at Euro 2024 and will certainly prove tough opponents for Spalletti’s Italy in the group stage.

2 – Croatia hunger at Euro 2024

Croatia are a nation who’ve been punching well above their weight in international football since 2018, when they finished second in the World Cup in Russia. The Vatreni did disappoint at Euro 2020 but then bounced back at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, picking up a bronze medal.

With talismanic midfielder Luka Modrić in the twilight of his career now, Euro 2024 could be the final chance for this Croatia side to have a serious shot of glory on the international stage, and they won’t be keen to exit at the group stage, forcing the Azzurri to prepare for a tough, tense battle in Germany.

3 – Italy in the box

The final pitfall that could upset the Azzurri at Euro 2024 is an internal one, and one that the fans know all too well at this stage – a reliable source of goals. Whilst the Azzurri have a number of possible starting strikers for the tournament, none have truly been tested at the highest level.

Possible number nines for Spalletti including Genoa’s Mateo Retegui, who has only netted six league goals in his debut season for Genoa, Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca, who has recently hit a vein of rich form but has otherwise been inconsistent and Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori, whose goal-per-game ratio with the national team is no better than Ciro Immobile’s.

Italy head into Euro 2024 as the reigning champions, and they will undoubtedly be looking to make it back-to-back successes as the kings of Europe. The Azzurri had Gianluigi Donnarumma to thank for winning the last Euros when Gli Azzurri defeated England in a penalty shootout in the Final, and Donnarumma will be the goalkeeper they will look to once again in Germany this summer.

Donnarumma has already amassed a stunning 61 caps for Italy at senior level, which is remarkable when you consider he’s only 25 years old. It’s also quite unusual to see the upcoming tournament’s reigning champions considered underdogs in the 2024 Euros betting odds. But considering that they’ve done it before, the Azzurri will travel to Germany this summer with a chance of doing it again, even if the betting suggests another victory is unlikely at this stage.

It’s fair to say that the most significant difference between this Italy side and the one that won the Euros three years ago is the defence. There’s no doubt that Luciano Spalletti has some good defenders on his list, but in 2021, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini were stationed in front of Donnarumma, and their wealth of experience and ability, even at 33 and 36, was pivotal, and one of the difference-makers for Italy at Euro 2020.

If even defenders of the calibre of Bonucci and Chiellini had to rely on Donnarumma to come up trumps in big moments, then the goalkeeper would be even more important at Euro 2024 in Germany. This will especially be the case in Italy’s Group B fixtures, as they will be battling against solid teams such as Croatia and Spain to make it to the knockout stages and the emerging and exciting Albania. Italy are expected to make it out of the group alongside Spain, but as proven at the World Cup, Croatia are a team capable of beating anyone of their day.

As emerged in recent fixtures, Gli Azzurri could set up with three centre-backs at the Euros, with Spalletti picking a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1 formation. Under Roberto Mancini, when they won the competition in 2021, Italy played four at the back, and they proved tricky to score against, especially with the Bonucci and Chiellini link-up working so well. Spalletti started his spell as Italy’s coach with a four-man defence but has switched to a three-man backline in recent games, given that most Italy players are accustomed to playing with this defensive system.

Donnarumma will undoubtedly be Italy’s defence leader at Euro 2024 and not only because he’s expected to be the Azzurri’s captain in Germany. The PSG star made his professional debut for Milan at 16, debuted for Italy a year later, and is now PSG’s number-one goalkeeper. Not only that, but the giant of a shot-stopper, who stands at an imposing 6’5, has tasted success with his nation in this competition before, and he did it as the best player in the tournament. Gigio has also won the Ligue 1 title three times and is ready to defend the Azzurri’s goal again in j

Milan chiefs showed they are listening to fan pressure over Julen Lopetegui, so Susy Campanale urges them to push for Roberto De Zerbi instead.

For all the recent setbacks and a disappointing campaign, and his truly appalling record with muscular injuries, Stefano Pioli remains a well-liked and respected coach who still has one more year on his contract. So if Milan are to fire him, it has to be for a significant step up and many of the names floated in the media feel more like a downgrade.

The rush to appoint Julen Lopetegui only to then back off when the sheer virulence of the response from fans hit them like a slap in the face felt an awful lot like something Milan already experienced with Ralf Rangnick. That deal was done, as confirmed by Zvonimir Boban, and would’ve completely ruined the side that went on to win the Scudetto and reach the Champions League semi-final. At least Elliott listened then and RedBird are listening now.

Other names mentioned in the list are frankly not very exciting either, including Mark van Bommel – who at least played briefly for the club – and Paulo Fonseca, a man with some Serie A experience at Roma. If the response to the Spaniard was Nopetegui, then the reaction to these two is Meh van Bommel and Pff Fonseca. Let’s not bother to mention some of the even less appealing candidates like Marcelo Gallardo and Christophe Galtier.

The general consensus is that RedBird are looking for a foreign coach, which is another baffling element to the whole situation. In a season where there are currently two and a half non-Italian coaches (let’s count Thiago Motta as half, although Ivan Juric has been here so long he could probably be half too) out of 20, that’s an odd approach to take.

Italian tacticians are among the best in the world and, regardless of how much Arrigo Sacchi might complain, they are not just dour, defence-driven bores whose ideal result is a scraped 1-0 win. Except maybe Max Allegri, who is capable of making the most classic form of Catenaccio look exciting.

De Zerbi right idea for Milan

Logically, Milan ought to go for Roberto De Zerbi, yet Sky Sport Italia suggest he has not even been approached by the club owners. The 44-year-old is from the Lombardy region, he started his playing career at the Milan youth academy, even though he never made a single competitive appearance for the Rossoneri at senior level.

His ideas of football were clear even at Foggia, Palermo and Benevento before flourishing with Sassuolo, earning the opportunity at Shakhtar Donetsk and then taking Brighton and Hove Albion to unseen heights.

De Zerbi had seemingly been out of Milan’s reach when the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Bayern Munich were sniffing around, but the sands are shifting and Brighton’s struggles to deal with their first ever European competition this season damaged his standing in those fickle football fashion parades.

Milan have a perfect opportunity to swoop for someone who knows Italian football, but also has international experience, who already has a squad ready made for the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, can help develop youth as well as work with big stars, plus he’s even a local.

Imagine a Derby della Madonnina with Simone Inzaghi on one side and De Zerbi on the other. These two great examples of modern Italian football could help usher in a whole new era of Serie A excitement.

Antonio Conte has recently said he dreams of winning the Champions League as a coach, but will his next club match his ambition?

Conte has been without a club since leaving Tottenham in 2023 and spent the last seasons watching football from his home in Turin. However, he is now fully refreshed and ready to return to the dugout. As recently explained by Football Italia transfer expert Matteo Moretto, Conte aims to remain in Serie A for family reasons. Although Napoli have approached the ex-Juventus and Inter coach, negotiations with the troubled Partenopei are not at an advanced stage.

Conte also coached Chelsea and Tottenham, with divergent fortunes. He is the last Italian coach to win the FA Cup in 2018, beating José Mourinho’s Manchester United. The Red Devils have once again qualified for the Final this year, meeting Manchester City on May 25, and you still have time to buy FA Cup Final tickets.

Several Italian sources have previously linked Conte with a return to Juventus, a move to Milan, and even Bayern Munich; perhaps only the Bavarians would match his ambition.

Conte told The Telegraph in February that he dreams of winning the Champions League as a coach. Of all the clubs linked with the Italian tactician, only the Bavarians seem well enough equipped to aim for the big European prize in 2024-25.

“Honestly, I’d like to lift the Champions League as a manager one day,” Conte admitted this past February.

“But I know this is very difficult. People think this is simple, but you have to stay in the right club, a club that matches your ambition, a club that is ready to make the final step to win the Champions League. Look at Manchester City. Seven years, no?”

“I’d like to give this joy to my father. He said to me ‘I want to see you lift the Champions League’. It’s not simple, but everyone can have a dream.”

Juventus and Milan will try to close the gap with Inter in Serie A, Napoli are highly unlikely to even qualify for the Champions League in 2024-25.

Milan fans would love to see the ex-Italy international on their bench in 2024-25, but the Rossoneri directors seem determined to hire Spanish tactician Julen Lopetegui.

It is still unclear where Conte will end up next season, but if he joins an Italian club (unless it’s Inter) he may have reduced chances of battling it out for the Champions League victory, especially with a new format. A move abroad may suit him more if he really wants to put his hands on the cup with the big ears, but surely all football fans are looking forward to seeing the explosive Italian tactician return to the big stage.

Inter won the Serie A title despite a lack of significant investments last summer and, moreover, Simone Inzaghi has been using resources wisely, including former Manchester United men Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Matteo Darmian.

It would be wrong to say Inter were not the favourite to win the title at the start of the season. Even if Napoli had dominated the previous campaign, winning the first Serie A title in 33 years, summer recruitments, including coach Rudi Garcia, raised eyebrows. At the same time, Milan had changed the team massively while Juventus only signed Timothy Weah, and despite the lack of European competitions, it was clear they didn’t have the same quality as the Nerazzurri.

Nevertheless, Inter were also pretty busy last summer, when they changed almost half of the team. Furthermore, winning a title, especially in Italy, is never an easy achievement, so Inter’s Scudetto should not be taken for granted.

We’ve already discussed Simone Inzaghi’s impact and the impressive performances of Inter stars in 2023-24, but what hasn’t been discussed enough is the work of directors Beppe Marotta, Piero Ausilio, and Dario Baccin.

Forced to operate with a reduced transfer budget, Marotta has led the group of directors smartly and made the right moves at the right time. Romelu Lukaku was among the players leaving the Stadio Meazza last summer, but the Nerazzurri CEO didn’t panic. Inter signed Marcus Thuram on a free transfer, and the Frenchman, who was in talks with Milan, quickly became a starter. The Frenchman scored back-to-back goals in the Milan derby, including the decisive strike for Inter’s 20th title on Monday.

Benjamin Pavard was the most expensive purchase for Inter last summer as the France international moved to the Meazza for €30m from Bayern Munich. Davide Frattesi joined from Sassuolo on a €5m loan with an obligation to buy, Yann Sommer replaced André Onana for just €6.5m, while the Cameroon international moved to Manchester United for €50m.

How much Inter spent in 2023-24

As reported by Transfermarkt, Inter spent €70.7m for new signings and earned almost €130m from player sales. The Onana deal with United was particularly impressive as the Cameroon international joined the Red Devils for €50m after just one season at the Meazza. He had signed for the Nerazzurri a season earlier on a free transfer from Ajax.

The Red Devils have been among the biggest spenders in Europe over the last few years, but results have not matched their investments. Inter, on the contrary, have won six trophies in three seasons under Inzaghi despite a low transfer budget and the need to sell some of their best players to balance the books. Luckily for their fans, this is something they will not be forced to repeat in the summer.

Inter’s Serie A title is a lesson for Man United and the Premier League

The lesson for Man United is even more significant if you think about two of Inter’s best players this season: Mkhitaryan and Darmian. Many thought Mkhi would have become a benchwarmer after Frattesi’s signing, but the ex-Armenian midfielder has started nearly every Serie A match, contributing to 12 goals and deserving a one-year contract extension.

Darmian has played as a centre-back and as a right wing-back, and his performances at the Stadio Meazza will help him earn a spot in the Italy squad for Euro 2024. Undoubtedly, competition in the Premier League is higher than in Serie A, especially for a top-four spot, but Marotta’s philosophy, first at Juventus and now at Inter, has proved to be a winning combination of competitiveness and sustainability.

As the Italian director said before last season’s Champions League Final against Manchester City: “If we consider the money spent by Manchester City to put this team together, then on paper they are like a tank. But in sport it is not true that the team that spends the most will always win, so we want to give our best with our own strengths, such as ideas, technique, tactics and a great sense of belonging.” That’s why Inter’s Serie A title is a lesson for Manchester United and other Premier League clubs, especially in a season where English football has Aston Villa as its only representative in the semifinals of European club competitions.

Juventus qualified for the Coppa Italia Final for the second time in three years: here are three talking points from their 2-1 loss at the Stadio Olimpico against Lazio.

• Read more – Coppa Italia Player Ratings: Lazio 2-1 Juventus – Weah and Milik save the Bianconeri

Juventus tactics

Whoever was surprised to see another defensive Juventus performance is clearly lying. Starting with a two-goal lead from the first leg, Massimiliano Allegri decided to sit deep and wait for Lazio‘s attacks, but the Bianconcelesti scored after just 12 minutes from a corner kick running the coach’s plans. It was painful to watch Juventus, again, even if many players made several technical errors, especially in midfield. Allegri switched to a three-man attack in the final minutes and Milik found the net after a short while, suggesting that, perhaps, the Bianconeri are rejecting a defensive approach and would need a new system in the final games of the season. The same had happened in Cagliari on Friday, but it may be too late for a change with just six games remaining, five in Serie A plus the Coppa Italia Final.

Irritable Juve

Federico Chiesa had raged after being substituted against Torino two weeks ago, and Andrea Cambiaso felt exactly the same last night. There’s no hiding from the fact that Juventus players look more and more irritable in each game. It’s hard to understand the exact reason; surely, there isn’t just one, and Allegri is not the only responsible. Cambiaso told the coach to ‘stay calm’ after being subbed off, which is something quite unusual, especially for such a young player. Is Allegri losing the dressing room? It’s impossible to say. Surely, the feeling is that more than a player can’t wait for the end of the season, which has been highly demanding for the footballers, the coach and his staff members despite the lack of European football.

Promising Lazio

Igor Tudor has been around for just one month, but Lazio are showing some encouraging signs, especially if you consider that the ex-defender has been coaching a group of players that he hasn’t chosen. Some of them will leave in the summer. Felipe Anderson has already announced his departure, Luis Alberto wanted to rescind his contract, but played beautiful football in the last two matches, scoring one goal and providing an assist. With some new signings, picked by Tudor, Lazio can become a very interesting team next season. Ideally, they’ll need at least a new central defender, some reinforcements on the wings and a couple of new players in attack, including a centre forward even if Taty Castellanos played his best game at Lazio against Juve.

Lazio

Mandas 6.5 – Produced an excellent save on Vlahovic in the first half, but he could do nothing to deny Milik in the dying minutes.

Casale 6 – He’s been improving since Tudor’s appointment, which is good news for Lazio and the Italian national team.

Romagnoli 5- He should have stayed closer to Milik who scored the goal that sent Juventus to the Final.

Gila 6 – Replaced during the break due to an injury after a decent performance. (46′ Patric 6)

Hysaj 6 – Defensive performance, as predictable.

Guendouzi 6.5 – Proper box-to-box midfielder. The ex-Arsenal man won almost all duels in central midfield (85′ Pedro N/A).

Cataldi 6 – No key passes, but accuracy was more than acceptable with 89% (81′ Rovella N/A).

Marusic 6.5 – A goal-line clearance in the second half kept Lazio in the game.

Felipe Anderson 5.5 – Not enough quality in the final third despite some promising moves (61′ Vecino 5.5).

Luis Alberto 7 – Two key passes, including an assist for Taty’s second goal. Ironically, he has stepped up after saying he wanted to rescind his contract with the club.

Castellanos 8 – Probably his best performance this season. Two goals and they would have been more if it wasn’t for Perin (81′ Immobile N/A).

Coach: Tudor 7 – Lazio played with intensity and courage. Castellanos’ early goal helped them. The Bianconcelesti dominated and would have deserved to go to extra time.

• Match report: Lazio 2-1 Juventus | Milik rescues Bianconeri

Juventus

Perin 7 – A crucial save on Castellanos seconds before the break. Without that, the match would have changed dramatically for the Bianconeri.

Alex Sandro 4.5 – Beaten by Castellanos after just 12 minutes, the Brazilian was shaky for the whole game.

Bremer 5.5 – Lost too many duels for 80 minutes, but pushed Lazio players off the box after Milik’s goal.

Danilo 5 – Like all his compatriots, the captain also struggled at the Olimpico tonight. Castellanos’ huge chance before the break came after he slipped.

Cambiaso 5.5 – Unhappy with the substitution, but he looked exhausted in the second half and made too many technical errors (70′ Weah 7).

McKennie 5 – Allegri wasn’t happy with the American midfielder and wanted to replace him during the break. Not enough quality for the ex-Schalke man with 67% passing accuracy. He seems so tired. (82′ Yildiz N/A)

Locatelli 5.5 – Not a different performance from what we’ve witnessed all season. Short and simple passes, tough physically. He’ll be suspended in the Final after receiving a yellow card.

Rabiot 6 – A decent performance, nothing more.

Kostic 6 – There are signs of improvement, but the Serbia international is not as decisive as last season in the final third.

Chiesa 6.5 – He created Juventus’ first chance at the Olimpico and showed the attitude Allegri wants to see. Pressing opponents and trying to be a reference point for his teammates in attack (90′ Alcaraz N/A).

Vlahovic 5.5 – He had a couple of opportunities but lacked the determination to score (82′ Milik 7).

Coach: Allegri 5 – An ugly Juventus reached the Coppa Italia Final with the minimum effort in the second leg. Will he be able to save his job if the Binconeri keep offering these kinds of performances?

Here are the player ratings from Inter‘s title-winning campaign, from Lautaro Martinez to Stefano Sensi and Davy Klaassen

Sommer 9 – Inter didn’t miss André Onana. The Swiss international moved to San Siro for less than €7m from Bayern Munich and has kept 17 clean sheets in 31 league games, conceding just 18 goals.

Audero 6 – Didn’t concede in two Serie A appearances.

Di Gennaro – N/A – He was the first goalkeeper to join Inter last summer. He will probably make his debut in the final games of the season.

Bastoni 8 – Proved to be the best Italian defender and a modern centre-back who would play in any European top team. Luckily, he is not even considering leaving the Nerazzurri.

Pavard 8 – The France international further raised the bar in defence thanks to his experience and attitude. An injury against Atalanta in November forced him to the sidelines for a few weeks, but he didn’t struggle to return to the starting XI.

Bissack 7.5 – A convincing debut season for the German defender. He was not a starter, but he was always up to the task and scored decisive goals against Lecce and Bologna.

De Vrij 7 – A solid replacement for Acerbi, especially at the start of the season.

Acerbi 8 – A charismatic and experienced defender, Acerbi massively contributed to Inter’s defensive solidity and also scored three goals, including one against Milan. He was lucky to escape punishments in a racism row with Juan Jesus in March.

Dimarco 8.5 – Five goals and six assists in 27 Serie A appearances, including a goal-of-the-season contenders against Frosinone and Empoli. His first Serie A title is even more special as he’s a product of the club academy.

Darmian 7.5 – Probably one of the most underrated Inter players this season. Deployed as a centre-back and as a right-back, the Italian was never disappointing and will probably earn a spot in the Italy squad at Euro 2024 thanks to his performances with the Nerazzurri.

Calhanoglu 10 – Simply perfect: 11 goals and three assists in 29 Serie A matches. Inter’s leader in the middle of the park and one of the best deep-lying playmakers in the world. Inter didn’t miss Brozovic.

Asllani 6.5 – The Albania international showed encouraging signs as Calhanoglu’s replacement.

Barella 9.5 – According to ex-Inter President Massimo Moratti, he was the best Inter player this season. It’s a close call. Surely, the Italy international was impressive in the second part of the campaign and proved to be the most complete midfielder in the country.

Frattesi 8 – Five goals and two assists in 27 appearances and you’d never believe he only started three times in Serie A. It says all about Frattesi’s attitude and his immediate impact at San Siro after a summer transfer from Sassuolo. The future leader of Inter’s midfield.

Mkhitaryan 8.5 – ‘The Armenian train’ started the campaign with seven goal contributions: two assists and five goals. He hasn’t yet scored in the second part of the season but still managed four assists and the quality never dropped.

Klaassen 6 – 11 Serie A appearances, once as a starter.

Sensi 6 – He was expected to leave in January, but a transfer to Leicester City eventually collapsed. He collected three Serie A appearances winning the second Scudetto at the Meazza.

Dumfries 7.5 – A few highs and lows, including a red card in the derby against Milan, but still managed five assists and three goals. It remains to be seen if he’ll stay beyond the summer, extending his contract, which expires in 2025.

Buchanan 6 – Joined in the January transfer window to replace the injured Juan Cuadrado and has learned the job ahead of 2024-25 when he’ll probably get more playing time.

Cuadrado 6 – Hit by injuries, the ex-Juventus defender only made seven Serie A appearances, including one against his former club and fans, who didn’t welcome him well at all.

Carlos Augusto 7.5 – A highly reliable replacement for Dimarco and Bastoni.

Lautaro Martinez 10 – Serie A’s leading scorer. Inter’s leader and captain. El Toro has had the best Serie A season of his career and it’s not over yet.

Thuram 9.5 – The Frenchman joined as a free agent in the summer and it was another stunning signing from Beppe Marotta. His last goal helped Inter win the title. Overall, he netted 12 times in 31 Serie A matches. Not too bad.

Arnautovic 6.5 – Not accustomed to being a substitute, the Austria international scored twice in 23 appearances. He had his moments and he was a charismatic figure inside the dressing room.

Sanchez 6.5 – He returned to the club after just one season. The start was tough, but with two goals and four assists in 19 Serie A games, he still gave his contribution.

Coach: Inzaghi 10 – Inter’s main target was to win the Scudetto and Inzaghi got the job done, securing a historic title with five games to spare. The Nerazzurri even made a further step forward in terms of playing style and personality and it wasn’t guaranteed. A highly underrated coach at a European level.

Much has been written about the stars of the show in Inter’s Scudetto winning campaign, so here’s three under appreciated figures behind the success.

Simone Inzaghi has transformed the Nerazzurri over the last three years, kickstarting a winning cycle that has seen many highs and lows, including multiple Coppa Italia victories and a brutally close Champions League final loss to Manchester City.

In the 2023-24 season, Inzaghi’s Inter found their rhythm, using their loss in Istanbul to galvanize them to glory in Serie A. It didn’t take long for the club to take a commanding lead in the title race and their momentum held up across the term, allowing them to secure their second Scudetto star.

Players like Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu have dominated the headlines as a result of the Nerazzurri’s success this term, so here’s three key players who deserve more recognition.

Three quietly key Inter stars

Matteo Darmian

The 34-year-old Italian full back is rarely the centre of attention in the Nerazzurri squad, but his quietly consistent work has been a vital part of the machine this campaign. He has seen over 2800 minutes of action across his first 39 matches, being a reliable wing back who isn’t afraid of the dirty work.

Darmian is a tactically flexible player, capable of playing as both a centre back and wing back, and he afforded Inzaghi and Inter peace of mind across the season, playing his part in their Scudetto success.

Yann Sommer

In the early stages of the season, the Swiss veteran’s consistency and strong shot stopping skills saw him quickly generate a good reputation, but as the weeks passed he quickly started to drop out of the conversation, despite regularly shining between the sticks.

Whilst it’s clear Sommer had a shining defence in front of him, he still rose to the task when needed, keeping 23 clean sheets and conceding just 21 goals in his first 39 matches of the campaign.

Stefan de Vrij

Once a stalwart of the Inter defence, the Dutchman started to slip out of view a little this season, failing to break past the 2000-minute mark before the club secured their Scudetto. Despite that, the 32-year-old worked hard to be a useful figure for Inzaghi.

De Vrij was not the first-choice centre back for the Nerazzurri but filled in when needed, proving a consistently helpful option on the bench, allowing his coach to rotate the backline often to maintain fitness. Whilst it wasn’t flashy, players like De Vrij are important elements to title-winning teams.

After three years of blood, sweat and tears, Simone Inzaghi transformed Inter into a team worthy of the second Scudetto star.

When the former striker hung up his boots back in 2010, he was not particularly tipped to be a strong tactician in the dugout. He spent six years learning the trade in the Lazio youth squads, working up to the Primavera before eventually being given a chance with the first team in 2016.

Inzaghi truly proved his mettle across his five years at Lazio, doing incredibly well despite the limited resources, guiding the club to a Coppa Italia title and two Supercoppa Italiana, adding to the three trophies won with the Primavera, showing his winning qualities in the dugout.

Inzaghi Impact

Despite this, Inzaghi still raised some eyebrows when he left the Italian capital in June 2021 to join up with Inter, replacing Antonio Conte, who had just guided the club to the Scudetto in the 2020-21 campaign.

There were some doubts regarding the former striker’s ability to find success at the highest level, but his first season almost immediately silenced his critics, almost tasting glory in his debut year in the Lombardy capital.

Inzaghi kept Inter in the thick of a tense title race with Milan and they ultimately finished two points behind their intercity rivals in the 2021-22 season. In the Coppa Italia, he lifted the trophy after a campaign that saw wins over Roma, the Rossoneri and Juventus, and also won the Supercoppa Italiana

Progression to the Champions League Round of 16 was also positive, and as such, the Inter coach immediately reset expectations, sending a statement that his side were ones to fear moving forward.

The 2022-23 season was one of highs and lows for Inzaghi and Inter; whilst they were clearly unable to keep up with Scudetto winners Napoli, their success in the cups continued with a Coppa Italia victory and a second-place finish in the Champions League, barely losing to Manchester City in the final.

Whilst it was another mostly positive campaign for the Nerazzurri, it also generated some fears that Inzaghi was more of a cup specialist than a coach capable of winning the league, a reputation he had already started to develop with Lazio.

Well, Inzaghi has silenced those whispers. The Italian tactician transformed Inter into a dominant force, using the Champions League final loss to galvanise his players and charge them into one of the most electric sides in Europe, far outclassing their rivals in Serie A.

After a tough three-year journey, the former striker has now truly proven himself as a coach capable of reaching the highest summits, and the next step now is surely the unfinished business in Europe’s premier club competition.

Milan

Maignan 5.5 – Thuram’s shot in the second half surprised him at the near post, putting an end to Milan‘s hopes.

Calabria 5 – A balanced duel with Dimarco, but he was sent off after Theo.

Tomori 6 – Scored a goal that kept Milan alive in the final minutes.

Gabbia 5.5 – Still shocked by Lukaku’s strength from Thursday, the Milan defender lost more duels against Inter.

Theo Hernandez  4.5 – Irritable from the very beginning, the France international was never dangerous for the Rossoneri. Just like against Roma. Sent off in the dying minutes.

Adli 5 – This time it was his turn to start in central midfield. He moved the ball too slowly and Inter midfielders were ever under pressure. (68′ Bennacer 5.5)

Reijnders 4.5 – Lost and confused in the middle of the park. Replaced when Milan needed two goals. (52′ Giroud 5)

Musah 5 – He first played as a right winger, then returned to central midfield, but too many tactical changes confused him.

Loftus-Cheek 4.5 – This time, he didn’t even have a chance to score. The ex-Chelsea man has disappeared when Milan needed him more. (68′ Chukwueze 5.5)

Pulisic 4.5 – The USMNT star started in his favourite position, left winger, but didn’t give his contribution. The situation didn’t improve when he moved on the right flank and in the middle as an attacking midfielder.

Leao 5 – Started as a centre forward and had a chance to score in the first half. It wasn’t easy and Sommer saved at his near post. He disappeared in the second half.

Coach: Pioli 5 – His last dance in a Milan Derby ended with Inter’s 20th Scudetto and the Nerazzurri fans singing ‘Pioli is on fire.’ A nightmare.

Inter

Sommer 7 – A couple of key saves when Inter needed to keep the lead. Impressive performance in an excellent season.

Pavard 7 – He was so happy with a key interception, that he celebrated almost as if he had scored. Plus the assist for Acerbi. Leader.

Acerbi 7.5 – Gave Inter the lead after 18 minutes and won most duels with the Rossoneri strikers.

Bastoni 7 – A fine defensive performance from the Italy international. (88′ De Vrij N/A)

Darmian 6.5 – Controlled Pulisic quite easily and then Leao. (83′ Dumfries 4)

Barella 7 – A selfless performance. Barella was everywhere tonight. Deserved a standing ovation from Inter fans when he was subbed off (77′ Frattesi N/A)

Calhanoglu 7 – All eyes were on him. The player who had left before Milan’s title in 2021, eventually became Serie A champion, coronating his best season in Serie A. (83′ Asllani N/A)

Mkhitaryan 7 – Some lovely counter-attacks. He was electric for the opening 60 minutes.

Dimarco 7  – An Inter fan from his childhood, Dimarco finally won his first title with the Nerazzurri. Another great performance against Milan to crown an excellent season (77′ Carlos Augusto 6.5)

Lautaro 6 – The captain missed a huge chance to double the lead in the first half. He led Inter in the first part of the season, so a bit of rest is understandable even if he wouldn’t want it.

Thuram 7.5 – Eventually gave Inter the Scudetto with the second goal of the night. An impressive debut season for the France striker.

Coach: Inzaghi 8 – Inter didn’t change their style and dominated for 80 minutes. Deserved victory and deserved title. His first as a coach.

Roma qualified for the Europa League semifinals for the second consecutive season, proving against Milan that they aren’t only pretty, while the Rossoneri received the same lesson they had given Napoli a year ago.

Roma secured a 2-1 win over Milan at the Stadio Olimpico on Thursday, so they qualified for the Europa League semifinals with a 3-1 win aggregate result. Here are three talking points from last night’s showdown in the capital.

Roma aren’t only pretty

Daniele De Rossi’s appointment has brought a new mentality and a new playing style in Rome. The Giallorossi are more attacking-minded; they keep the ball on the ground rather than rely on long passes like under José Mourinho, and overall, they play much better football. However, the game against Milan proved that the Giallorossi hadn’t forgotten how to defend. De Rossi’s playing style was clear and pretty simple too. Stephan El Shaarawy was again deployed as a right midfielder, Chris Smalling returned to central defence and Roma sat deep from the very beginning, hurting Milan with counter-attacks. Roma were even more defensive when Zeki Celik was sent off early in the first half, and eventually, they only conceded in the final minutes.

Milan have been here already

When Milan were paired with Roma in the Europa League quarter-final draw, many thought the Rossoneri were favourite. Milan had emerged victorious in the previous two Serie A meetings and were, and still are, 14 points above the Capitoline in the Serie A table. Nevertheless, the Rossoneri were not only eliminated, but they even deserved to be knocked out. One year ago, Stefano Pioli’s men eliminated Napoli from the Champions League quarter-finals in similar circumstances. The Partenopei were dominating in Serie A, but Milan surprised them over the two European legs, securing a spot in the semifinals against city rivals Inter. This time around, they received the same lesson they had given Napoli last season.

Roma’s quality and organization

As Pioli highlighted at the end of the match, Roma showed more quality than Milan across the two legs. “We certainly lacked quality, as aside from perhaps not creating very clear-cut opportunities, we did have situations in the box that we should’ve made more of,” said the Italian tactician. “We should’ve made more of the fact they were down to 10 men, but we didn’t have the quality or determination to overturn a result like that after going 2-0 down.” The Giallorossi outplayed Milan in central midfield and looked way more organised than their Serie A rivals. Lorenzo Pellegrini, Edoardo Bove and Leandro Paredes won most duels in central midfield and, at least in the first half, they had the quality and vision to start the counter-attack and help their teammates hurt Milan in the final third. When Mourinho was in charge of Roma, not many had realised this was their potential.

Daniele De Rossi outplayed Stefano Pioli again as Roma qualified for the Europa League semi-finals after a 2-1 win at the Stadio Olimpico, while Christian Pulisic was unrecognisable for the Rossoneri. Check out player ratings.

Roma

Svilar 6 – Another quiet night for the Roma keeper. Milan hit a crossbar in the first half, and nothing more.

Celik 5 – Sent off for a reckless tackle on Leao after 29 minutes. He could have ruined Roma’s game plan

Mancini 8 – Scored the second consecutive goal against Milan and it meant so much to him, beyond football.

Smalling 7 – Another dominating performance from the English centre-back.

Spinazzola 7 – A few forward runs, but he mostly focused on the defensive phase.

Bove 6.5 – Replaced the suspended Cristante with a composed and selfless performance (81′ Angelino N/A).

Paredes 7 – Extremely focused defensively and 86% passing accuracy.

Pellegrini 7.5 – Hit the post in the first half and Mancini scored on the rebound. Helped the team defensively afterwards and was exhausted when he was subbed off. (81′ Renato Sanches N/A)

El Shaarawy 7 – Like last week, El Sha played as a right midfielder. He made a big sacrifice to help the team, so he didn’t always make appropriate decisions in the final third, especially when he waited too long for a through ball for Spinazzola in the second half.

Lukaku 7 – Massively contributed to Dybala’s goal, but it cost him an injury that must be assessed. (29′ Abraham 6)

Dybala 7.5 – Lovely left-foot curler to double Roma’s lead after just 22 minutes. He was subbed off after Celik’s red card. (43′ Llorente 7)

Coach: De Rossi 7 – Perfect and simple game plan. Sit back and counter-attack. The attitude of Roma players was particularly impressive too. Always focused and aggressive, but not as irritable as under Mourinho.

Milan

Maignan 5.5 – Not at fault for Roma’s goals, but the way he gave away a throw-in to Roma in the second half was quite awkward.

Calabria 4.5 – The Rossoneri captain looked confused down the right flank. Poor defending when Roma took an early lead. (46′ Reijnders 5.5)

Gabbia 4.5 – Beaten by Lukaku for Roma’s second goal. It was the first of many times Roma strikers had the better. He found the net in the final minutes, but it was meaningless.

Tomori 5 – Better than Gabbia defensively, but still not enough to keep troubles away from Milan’s box.

Theo Hernandez 5 – Slightly better than in the first leg. The start was promising, but El Shaarawy and Roma’s defence once again frustrated the Frenchman.

Musah 5.5 – Dynamic in central midfield. He moved on the right flank when Calabria went in the middle of the park, but couldn’t contribute in the final third. (69′ Florenzi 5.5)

Bennacer 4.5 – Clearly not fully fit. Way too slow. Subbed off when Milan needed an extra striker following Celik’s red card. (40′ Jovic 5.5)

Pulisic 4.5 – Unrecognisable. He was never a threat. Quite surprising for a player with 21 goal contributions this season. (69′ Okafor 5.5)

Loftus-Cheek 5 – He had the best chances for Milan, hitting the crossbar and seeing Spinazzola charged down his diving header in the first half. (46′ Chukwueze 5)

Leao 5 – Assist for Gabbia in the final minutes after another disappointing performance.

Giroud 4.5 – Nullified by Smalling. Again.

Coach: Pioli 4 – Probably wasted the last chance to save his Milan job. Not only he didn’t change tactics after the first leg – the only real change was Musah for Reijnders in the starting XI, but he didn’t even make the most of numerical advantage for over an hour.

The rise of Gianluca Scamacca and three other strikers in Serie A this season gives Luciano Spalletti and Italy options ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

The 25-year-old Scamacca has been on fire for Atalanta in recent weeks, scoring six goals in his last five appearances across the league and Europa League, including two at Anfield in the first leg of the quarter-finals against Liverpool.

Italy are gearing up for a key European Championship in Germany in the summer, needing to put on a resounding response on the international stage after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One issue that has continued to concern fans in recent years is their source of goals.

The Azzurri have famously struggled to find a reliable number nine since the downturn of Mario Balotelli’s career, with various options over the years like Graziano Pelle, Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti and more, but now things are starting to change.

Scamacca and more for Italy

Scamacca has started to hit a rich vein of form at the right time and if he can keep this up then it seems likely that he could feature prominently for Italy in this summer’s tournament. As of now, he’s only netted one goal in 15 caps for the national team, needing to prove himself.

Another striker floated as an exciting option for the Azzurri is Genoa’s Mateo Retegui, who has already netted four times across six appearances, already doing enough to establish himself in Spalletti’s plans.

Whilst it may be a risk, Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca could also be in with a shot of securing a spot in the Italy squad for Euro 2024. The 23-year-old has never made an appearance for the senior side but has netted eight goals across 32 games for an incredibly lacklustre Udinese this term.

Finally, there’s Andrea Pinamonti; the 24-year-old Sassuolo striker has shined in Reggio-Emilia this term, despite the Neroverdi’s disastrous form, scoring 11 goals across 34 appearances. He recently reiterated his hunger to break into the Azzurri squad, and he may be in with a shot.

Gigio Donnarumma is under pressure at PSG but it is highly unlikely that he will lose his starting spot with Italy at Euro 2024, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.

Donnarumma was highly criticised by Italian and French media last week, in the aftermath of PSG’s 3-2 home loss to Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. It is not the first time Gigio has been at fault this season and errors against Monaco and Newcastle in the Champions League are still fresh in the PSG supporters’ minds.

However, the Italy international has kept 16 clean sheets in 36 appearances at a club level this term, conceding 32 times and even if many fans are bagging Spalletti to drop the ex-Milan star in favour of Guglielmo Vicario at Euro 2024, there is practically no chance to see Donnarumma go on the bench in Germany next summer.

Don’t forget that Gigio has captained the Azzurri six times in eight games under Spalletti. Practically every match except the coach’s debut in September and the last outing with Ecuador, when Vicario was given his senior debut.

The Spurs keeper is having a fantastic season at Tottenham despite 50 goals conceded in 34 appearances and just seven clean sheets. Nevertheless, Spalletti strongly relies on Donnarumma and sees him as one of the dressing room leaders. The CT has a high opinion of Gigio, especially after seeing him deal with boos from the Stadio Meazza in October 2023.

Italy’s Delegation Cheif Gianluigi Buffon, perhaps, the country’s best goalkeeper ever, shares the same view on the ex-Milan star. Although he rates all other Italy keepers very highly, Buffon said in September 2023 that the Azzurri will be “in safe hands if Gigio has a cold” suggesting that Donnarumma will surely be the starter between the sticks for the foreseeable future.

Many also tend to forget that Donnarumma didn’t only play a key role in Italy’s Euro 2024 triumph with key saves in penalty shootouts against Spain and England but was also named the best player in the tournament after the legendary Wembley Final.

Only a few months ago, retired Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini called Donnarumma the current “best Italian player,” so it is clear that the perception of players and those directly involved in the game is very different from the fans’ perspective.

As Beppe Bergoni stated last week, sometimes it feels that Gigio has suffered prejudice since his free transfer from Milan to PSG in 2021. Of course, some errors are undeniable, but, as he also proved in Italy’s 2-1 win over Venezuela last month, he remains the best option Italy have between the sticks