Italy international Gianluca Scamacca insists every European match is ‘different’ as proved by last season’s Conference League Final won by West Ham and insists Atalanta must not think about Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run.

Atalanta lost the Coppa Italia Final to Juventus on Wednesday night, but have an even bigger target next week when they’ll be facing Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League Final.

“There is always something to learn from defeats and surely we’ll remember the lesson for the next Final,” Scamacca told Sky Sport Italia.

The Italian striker was unavailable against Juventus yesterday, serving a one-match ban.

“I think we played a good game; we left everything on the pitch, and of course, margins are decisive. This is football and these things happen,” said the striker.

Has he asked himself whether he could have helped his teammates at the Olimpico?

“I’ve asked it to myself, but it’s hard and far too easy to reply now,” he argued.

“It was a great target to reach two finals in one season, for us and the club. We must learn from this disappointment and turn it into energy for next Wednesday.

Scamacca explains West Ham lesson for Atalanta ahead of UEL Final

“I am only trying to give my best, help the team and bring the cup home,” he continued.

What’s his take on Leverkusen?

“They have incredible numbers. I think they haven’t lost in a year, but it starts from 0-0 and we’ll play until the end,” said Scamacca.

The Italian striker does not think the Germans will be an easier opponent than Juventus.

“I don’t know. They haven’t lost for a year and there must be a reason for it. I don’t think it will be easier,” he said.

“There will be more at stake than last night. It will be a tough match, but if we’ve reached this final we are as good as them.

“We should not feel pressure, only tension. It’s a nice moment and we don’t know when it’s going to happen again so we just have fun and enjoy it. If we win as well, it’d be the best thing.”

Scamacca won the Conference League with West Ham last season but didn’t play in the Final against Fiorentina due to an injury. The 25-year-old feels the Hammers’ win last season should inspire La Dea next week.

“Last season, we probably finished 12th with West Ham; I can’t remember, so games, especially in Europe, are always something different,” he said.

“We must not think about them [Leverkusen] being unbeaten for a year, but focus on ourselves, develop and die for our ideas.”

Giorgio Chiellini opened up about Oliver Giroud’s move to LAFC, what life is like at the MLS club and why Luciano Spalletti can make the difference for Italy at Euro 2024.

The 39-year-old Italian hung up his boots at the end of last year, closing out a 24-year playing career, and is now working as a development coach for Los Angeles FC. Many Juventus fans have called for the former defender to return to Turin in the summer.

Chiellini will soon find Giroud at LAFC, with the Milan veteran deciding to make the jump to the MLS for the closing stages of his playing career. Other familiar faces in the MLS for Serie A fans include Toronto FC duo Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.

Chiellini interview

Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chiellini was first asked when he knew Giroud would be joining LAFC.

“In January we understood a lot, we were waiting for him, but the danger was that another offer would arrive. Don’t think that here he will get the same money as in Europe…”

He spoke about life in the American city.

“Time with the family, above all. In Turin, from August to May, I had lunch twice a year with my wife, here after a few weeks of family lunches she almost sent me back to training… Jokes aside, in MLS it’s about having fun and living well, there is less pressure.

One example above all, here you don’t go into a training retreat and for the match you come directly to the pitch. At first it’s strange, then you understand that it’s just different.”

Chiellini commented on what Giroud can bring to LAFC.

“He can score 20 goals a year and they’re happy, he’s not the type to score 50, he also needs the team. Then in Los Angeles he could also be an actor. For me, however, he will make the difference especially with his character.

“Because Giroud wants to win, he is a driving force, he will make his teammates grow as he did with Leao, Pulisic and others. Here mentality matters a lot. If you arrive with the presumption of being the best, you do badly. If you come to learn, you end up performing well. The person makes the difference.”

He was asked about the most striking part of Giroud.

“The fact that he won a decisive World Cup as a centre forward without scoring. For a number 9, it’s very difficult. Here is his greatness.”

Chiellini discussed what Milan will lose with the Frenchman’s exit.

“Yes, a lot. First Ibra left, then him, and they are blows that can be felt. Milan have an advantage, they knew it, they saw the danger coming.

“And I’ll tell you more, if Giroud had stayed, he would have found himself in a difficult situation. At the beginning it’s nice to help a young player grow, then you risk becoming cumbersome.”

He suggested a replacement for the veteran striker.

“In Italy the player who did best is certainly Zirkzee, even though I know that many like him. I already liked him at Parma, you could see that he had finishing, he was good. Then of course, there is an abyss between finishing and consistency.”

Chiellini reflected on this Serie A season.

“I think that Inter are the strongest team, without a doubt. Logically they won. For me they can open a cycle in the next two years, it will be hard for everyone also because Milan and Napoli, from what I read, will almost certainly change coaches.

“In six months almost all the coaches have changed or will change, impressive. And the first year with a new coach is always complex.

“I’m happy for Daniele (De Rossi, ed.) and Thiago (Motta, ed.). They are friends. Now I hope that Fabio (Cannavaro, ed.) survives with Udinese. The affection for them goes beyond everything.”

The former defender looked ahead to Italy’s European Championship campaign.

“The European Championship is strange, you need draws, matches, everything. I’m just saying that we have a great bonus, Spalletti.

“He is the ideal man. He is a guarantee and a hope, in a month he can create the perfect atmosphere, and this can help a lot. Italy are a group that are reforming themselves.”

Chiellini spoke about what else is needed.

“Luck. This team have everything to get through, then it also depends on fate. If Arnautovic’s nose hadn’t been offside, our feat might not have happened.”

He believes Federico Chiesa can make the difference.

“Yes, Federico can be decisive in every play, few like him create chances out of nothing.”

The former Juventus man also touched on some other possible stars at the tournament.

“I will never stop being a defender at heart, so I choose Buongiorno and Calafiori, who did very well this season.

“Calafiori can be an alternative to Bastoni, while Buongiorno has something of Acerbi, he has no international experience, but he is already a mature player, however, I don’t expect any big surprises.”

Chiellini spoke about his plans for the future.

“In mid-July we all return to Livorno for the summer, then to Turin for school. My wife missed her family and I understand her, even if it would have been interesting to continue here.”

He expects to continue working as a director and not a coach.

“This is my world and yes, I imagine myself as a director, not a coach, scout or sporting director. I’ve seen many people change their minds along the way and that’s okay, but now I see myself in this role, I’d like to explore the business linked to football.

“Until six months ago I still had the mind of a footballer but not now, I’m having many interesting meetings related to the business and commercial area.”

Finally, Chiellini ruled out any nostalgia for his life as a player.

“No, come on, the pitch is always inside me but now I see myself more at the club than on the pitch. It changes, that’s life.”

Luciano Spalletti describes the ‘different’ approaches taken by Atalanta and Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final, with what could make the Bianconeri ‘devastating.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.

A winner must be decided tonight, so if it’s level after 90 minutes, they go to extra time or even penalties.

“It is going to be a very open match to any result, as is only right for this competition. I had the possibility of meeting the two teams yesterday and you could see the tension they had, how much they wanted to do well tonight,” Spalletti told Sport Mediaset.

How does the Italy coach predict the Coppa Italia Final will go this evening?

“They have different qualities, one likes to run at you and go around all areas, the other is more practical and tries to surprise you when you are least expecting it with a devastating change of pace.”

EURO 2024 ambition for Spalletti

Spalletti is also preparing to take Italy into the EURO 2024 tournament in Germany, which runs from June 14 to July 14, and the Azzurri are defending their EURO 2020 title.

“My team must have the characteristics that Italians expect. Our objective is that when we return home from the competition, anyone we run into will be able to say they are proud of us.”

Gianluca Scamacca is the player who Spalletti would usually be watching in the Stadio Olimpico, but the Italy international is suspended for the big match, while Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini is only fit enough for the bench.

Nicolò Zaniolo confirms he must ‘give up on the dream of representing Italy’ in EURO 2024, but ‘that day will come’ after his Aston Villa injury.

The forward made only a cameo appearance in the Premier League against Liverpool on Monday, although he was on the field long enough to suffer a microfracture in his foot.

That means his season is already over, he is expected to return to Galatasaray at the end of the loan and will not be able to play for Italy at EURO 2024 from June 14 to July 14.

“Thank you to you ‘Villans’ and the many Italian and Turkish fans for being by my side,” wrote Zaniolo on Instagram.

“I can’t wait to get back on the field stronger than every!

“Unfortunately, I have to give up on my dream of representing my country in a big competition. But that day will come, I am certain of it, and it will be wonderful!

“Forza Azzurri!”

Zaniolo also missed EURO 2020

It is a bitter blow for Zaniolo, who had already been forced to pull out of the EURO 2020 squad due to an injury, watching his Italy teammates go on to lift the trophy at Wembley Stadium.

Despite barely featuring for Aston Villa during the loan spell, he was still expected to be in the travelling party going to Germany this summer.

Coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed today that he had spoken to the player and could “exclude” any possibility of a lightning recovery in time for the tournament.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Nicolò Zaniolo (@nicolozaniolo)

Luciano Spalletti explains why Napoli were able to win the Scudetto with ‘contagious’ enthusiasm, while reminding people he was criticised for Wojciech Szczesny and Alisson Becker at Roma.

The Italy coach was at the Sport Human Factor event in Rome and inevitably there were questions about his former club.

It seems incredible that basically the same team fresh from winning the Serie A title last season should this term be struggling just to qualify for the Conference League.

“Naturally, I am sad at the year my ex-team is experiencing,” said Spalletti.

“You need to recruit all the strengths at your disposal, so you never depend on a single person, but on many people and many details. In that environment, we had managed to involve lots of people with contagious enthusiasm for the same objective.

“That allowed us to find things within ourselves, create this organisation and order on and off the field, which becomes an important quality for a team.

“We had ‘I will be with you’ written on our shirts to involve not just those on the field or in the stands, but also those little old grandfathers who sit on the benches in the Spanish Quarter, as if to say we are all important for the results of this team.”

Napoli have barely changed the squad itself, but are now on their third coach of the campaign with Francesco Calzona, who was hired in an interim role after Rudy Garcia and Walter Mazzarri were sacked.

Roma critics still rile Spalletti

Spalletti did not win the Scudetto at Roma, but came very close, and feels he was never quite appreciated there, especially after the second experience ended with the tension of Francesco Totti’s retirement.

Looking back, the coach points out a few other decisions that were underestimated in the long run.

“At Roma I had Szczesny and Alisson, so for many people I had failed with them both, or they were both useless. Instead, they both had great performances and we were confident they were both champions.

“I treated them as such and, because of that, they thanked me for the way I used them.”

Szczesny went on to star at Juventus, while Alisson was sold on to Liverpool for €62.5m plus up to another €10m in bonuses.

Nicolò Zaniolo is out of EURO 2024, confirmed Italy coach Luciano Spalletti today. ‘I would exclude the possibility’ of him making it.

The Aston Villa forward lasted just over 15 minutes against Liverpool as a substitute on Monday evening and was diagnosed with a microfracture in his foot.

There were reports the injury was so serious that it would rule him out of the tournament, which runs in Germany from June 14 to July 14.

Now that has been confirmed by Azzurri boss Spalletti, who was attending the Sport Human Factor event in Rome.

“I spoke to Zaniolo. It is very unlikely he could recover in time, in fact I would exclude that possibility entirely,” explained the coach.

Zaniolo unlucky with injuries

It is another blow for Zaniolo, who had already been forced to miss Italy’s victorious EURO 2020 campaign due to injury.

He is owned by Galatasaray and spent this season on loan at Aston Villa, but barely made an impact with three goals in 39 competitive appearances.

The 24-year-old mainly made his mark on the disciplinary record with 12 yellow cards.

Luciano Spalletti has started to finalise his Italy squad for the upcoming European Championship and reports suggest eight players are fighting for the three remaining spots in the team.

The Azzurri coach told the press on Tuesday that ’70-80%’ of the squad had already been decided ahead of next month’s tournament in Germany, exciting fans as the team prepare to try and defend their European title in the summer.

Italy find themselves in Group B of Euro 2024 alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania, setting up a tough and testing start to the tournament. Hopes are high for Spalletti and his players, especially after the Azzurri’s painful absence from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Pages 20 and 21 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport detail how 23 players have seemingly already been decided for Italy’s Euro 2024 squad, leaving just three spots left for eight possible candidates.

In goal, there seems to be a fight between Alex Meret and Marco Carnesecchi to be the third-choice goalkeeper. There are no doubts in defence, but things are more complicated in the midfield and frontline.

Stephan El Shaarawy, Giacomo Bonaventura and Michael Folorunsho are all reportedly fighting for a spot in the midfield, whilst Mattia Zaccagni, Matteo Politano and Riccardo Orsolini compete to join the attack.

Likely Italy squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma, Vicario, Meret / Carnesecchi;

Defenders: Darmian, Scalvini, Acerbi, Buongiorno, Calafiori, Mancini, Di Lorenzo, Bellanova, Cambiaso, Dimarco, Bastoni;

Midfielders: Jorginho, Cristante, Barella, Locatelli, Frattesi, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy / Bonaventura / Folorunsho;

Forwards: Scamacca, Retegui, Raspadori, Chiesa, Zaccagni / Politano / Orsolini.

Gazzetta dello Sport

The first or the last Coppa Italia

Gasp and Max play the Coppa Italia

Atalanta-Juve: At the Olimpico, Gasperini in search of the trophy he’s missing, Allegri can say goodbye to the Bianconeri with a triumph

The Goddess are favourites, Old Lady with pride

National team (almost) done

One month to their debut at the European Championship

From Barella to Scamacca, 23 are already safe, eight in the run-off

Conte, the Napoli plan

The coaches market

A new attempt by De Laurentiis, here’s the super bonus

Inter: Gudmundsson, there’s an offer

How to get to the €35m requested by Genoa

Corriere dello Sport

The Farewell Cup

Gasp is also looking for answers about his future, beyond his first title

Atalanta-Juve could be Allegri’s last Bianconeri final (9.00pm Coppa Italia)

Max: ‘They consider us underdogs, but everything can be reversed’

Gian Piero: ‘We are incredible’

The surprise is Nicolussi Caviglia, Lookman close to De Ketelaere

Napoli, Conte tries to overtake

He met the club: they negotiate

DeLa is tempted: salary to be defined, but Gasperini remains the Azzurri’s priority

Roma grows: freer market

Increasing revenues: fewer UEFA obligations

Lina who knows how to do the math

In June they will no longer be ‘condemned’ to make capital gains of €40m

Zaniolo, no European Championship

Microfracture on the foot: he will be out for a month

Spalletti loses Aston Villa winger

‘The group is already 70-80% done, I want to see an Italy that are proud of the Azzurri’

At the beginning of the week the 30 people called up for the meeting

The turning point comes for non-EU citizens: the rule changes

The clubs will be able to register two new players without selling anyone

Tuttosport

Juve, can you be a Goddess?

Rome, 9pm, Coppa Italia final

Allegri’s team, in a crisis of play and results, challenges Gasperini’s always beautiful Atalanta

Inzaghi becomes a child again and opens up: ‘Never in difficulty like with dad’

Toro also have to beat themselves

To still dream of the Europa League

Haaland ruthless City, it’s almost done

Tottenham makes a mistake, the Norwegian does not

Reports in Italy suggest that Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo is set to miss out on Euro 2024 this summer after suffering an injury during a cameo appearance against Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night. 

Zaniolo to miss another EUROs

Corriere dello Sport and TMW report that the 24-year-old has suffered a microfracture in his foot during a 14-minute appearance against Jurgen Klopp’s side. He has since had medical tests, and the Italian outlet claim that the outcome is ‘serious’. 

The player and his parent club, Galatasaray, are now awaiting the confirmed recovery period. 

The recovery time for that particular injury is typically at least a month, and, at the time of writing, we are currently exactly 30 days away from the first game of Euro 2024: Germany vs. Scotland at the Allianz Arena. 

Because of the expected lay-off, Corriere dello sport report that Zaniolo is unlikely to be called-up by Luciano Spalletti for the summer tournament. The CT confirmed earlier today that ’70-80%’ of his squad has already been decided upon. 

It will be the second consecutive European Championships that Zaniolo has missed through injury, as he was recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament in the summer of 2021 at the time of the rescheduled EURO 2020, which his teammates went on to win against England at Wembley.

As Zaniolo made his Azzurri debut in 2019, and given that Italy did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, the former Roma youngster is still yet to feature at a major tournament.

#Italia, #Zaniolo salta l'#Europeo: cosa è successo https://t.co/iN28bPI91B

— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) May 14, 2024

Italy CT Luciano Spalletti admits it will be ‘difficult’ not to call up Gianluca Scamacca at Euro 2024 and insists the Atalanta striker has started in key games for the Azzurri during his tenure.

Scamacca was not called up in March for international friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador, probably due to disciplinary reasons.

However, the Atalanta star has been the most prolific Italian striker in the last two months and Spalletti confirmed on Tuesday that it would be difficult not to include the 25-year-old in the Azzurri squad for the Euros.

“If this is Scamacca, it’s difficult [not to call him up]. I am the one who started him in key games before qualifying [for the Euros],” Spalletti said on Tuesday.

Giacomo Raspadori has started six matches under Spalletti while Mateo Retegui scored a brace in a 2-1 win over Venezuela less than two months ago.

“Retegui has proved to be a [good] footballer and I know Raspadori really well,” said Spalletti.

“Lorenzo Lucca is improving too, and we have potential which can further improve, so we must be ready.”

Spalletti said during the same interview that 70-80% of the Italy squad has already been decided.

“The doubts are those I’ve said. It’s about that little percentage,” he continued.

“We must have doubts until the end. In some cases, there are clear and tidy messages about what these lads can offer. You must see them under pressure and solve some issues in other cases. There is an internal and external environment and we need both to give our best.”

Spalletti was appointed as Italy’s coach in September 2023 and has won five games from eight, drawing twice and losing once.

Scamacca scored his first and only Italy goal under the ex-Napoli coach in his only loss in charge of the Azzurri at Wembley Stadium against England.

Luciano Spalletti has already started to draw up his Italy squad for the upcoming European Championship, suggesting that ‘20% of the list is open’ to those who have proven themselves.

The Azzurri need to produce a definitive response at the fast-approaching tournament in Germany next month following their painful World Cup qualification failure, which saw the team miss out on the 2022 edition in Qatar after falling to North Macedonia in the playoffs.

Spalletti took over the Italy national team fresh off the back of his historic Scudetto success with Napoli, restoring some faith in the Azzurri after the downturn turn of the Roberto Mancini era. Hopes are high for the defending champions as they look to prove themselves once again on the international stage under Spalletti.

Spalletti considerations

Speaking at the Vivo Azzurro TV presentation via TMW, Spalletti first discussed his position and mindset as the Italy coach.

“I’ve said several times that I’ve been very lucky to do this job here and I’ve almost always been happy. When it comes to victory and defeat, I see two sides of the same coin, it creates those situations around you that don’t let you be yourself.

“You cannot live in victory or defeat, you must live in balance. I can’t wait to share this passion for the Azzurri shirt with all Italians. For me it will be fundamental to return to Italy and hear the Italian people tell us ‘we are proud of you’.

“In football there are situations that can change destiny, for example Tardelli controlled that ball badly in 1982, then picked up the pace and found the goal. He took that little step to coordinate himself and find the goal.”

Spalletti then spoke about the meaning of wearing the Italy shirt and his squad considerations ahead of the European Championship.

“The Azzurri shirt is not only worn during the two hours of training or matches, but it is worn for 24 hours a day, even working overtime for a couple of hours more a day.

“We’ve not yet been good at creating a new style, we’ve remained with our tradition, and we’ve not put a bit of technology into it, like Vivo Azzurro TV has done for example.

“We still have some steps to make important, despite the compliments that must be paid to our teams who are at the highest European level even playing a certain level of football.

“I close myself in my house and try to realize minute by minute what the time we’ll spend in Germany will be like, we have this window open to our athletes, we mustn’t give the feeling of dealing with spoiled children, but of dealing with very serious professionals.

“Then I am there to perfect this squad, 70 to 80% of it is already done, however, there is this 20% open to embrace those who show us that they want to be part of it or to let out those who think that this shirt is just a little game.

“Compliments must be given to Bologna for the football they have shown, as well as Atalanta and Inter. There are some situations that don’t go as we would like and that are not real compared to the value of the teams or the coach who leads these teams.”

Italy and Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali spoke to students and young footballers in Bari on Tuesday, revealing that a recent visit to a factory made him feel lucky despite his ‘errors.’

This past October, the FIGC banned Tonali for 10 months for illegal betting, but the ex-Milan midfielder would also need to make a number of appearances to warn against the dangers of gambling addiction.

One of those came on Tuesday morning in Bari where Tonali looked ‘motivated and convinced’ in a meeting with students from the Liceo Salvemini.

“To hide behind barriers is the problem. It’s never the solution,” the Italian midfielder said during the meeting, as quoted by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“You have to talk and get help. My real wealth is not the millionaire contracts but being surrounded by people who love me and continue to show it daily.

Tonali: Banned Italy and Newcastle midfielder reveals lesson from factory visit

“I’ve recently visited a factory and I could reflect on how many people work 10 hours a day to take a salary home,” he continued.

“I understood precious things. One above all. If a worker loses his job, the whole family pays the consequences. This is why I think I am lucky. I made errors, but I’ve lost nothing.”

Tonali also spoke to young players in Football academies Nick Bari and Levante Azzurro, discussing the differences between English and Italian football

“Football is more tiring in England, but there is less pressure. Whether you win or lose, you can still live your life. In Italy, often you can’t leave home when a game doesn’t go well. We must all grow together for the good of our football and society,” he said.

Tonali has also been given a suspended two-month ban for placing bets during his time at Newcastle United. This ban will be activated if he breaches the betting regulations again.

Roberto Rosetti, Chairman of the UEFA Referees Committee, says only captains will be allowed to protest at referees’ decisions at Euro 2024 while all other players approaching officials and ‘showing any sort of disrespect or dissent will receive a yellow card.’

Former Serie A referee Rosetti explained some new guidelines for Euro 2024 in an article written for La Gazzetta dello Sport on Tuesday.

“Being a referee in modern football is very difficult. Officials make 200 to 250 decisions per game, so one every 22 seconds, in difficult and sometimes controversial situations, under enormous pressure,” wrote Rosetti.

“Each decision is examined from different angles by pundits and fans.

“We want referees with strong personalities who make decisions that may be unpopular, but we also want them to be open and explain what led us to make determined choices. They receive a lot of information from VAR, and we are ready to talk and share as many details as possible with players and coaches to help them understand why a certain decision was made.

“The behaviour of footballers and coaches has always been key in football. During the Euro 2024 Workshop in April, coaches agreed that they were ready to work to favour fair play,” continued Rosetti.

“It is impossible to explain a decision to 22 players around you. It could lead to an interruption in the communication. Everyone believes it is harmful to the image of football. Obviously, some decisions will always be discussed. However, in an attempt to improve the status quo, we at UEFA want referees to explain their decisions to all the teams involved at Euro 2024.”

Here comes the big part.

“How will we do it? The idea is simple. We’ll ask all the teams to ensure that only their captain talks to the referee,” said Rosetti.

“We’ll ask the captains to ensure that their teammates don’t corner the referee, allowing direct conversation until the decision is made in a respectful and tempestive way.

“It’s important to stress that we only want the captain of a team to talk to the referee. It will be his [the captain’s] responsibility to ensure his teammates keep their distance from the referee. Any player who ignores the role of his captain and approaches the referee showing any sort of disrespect or dissent will receive a yellow card.

“Obviously, if the captain is the goalkeeper, each team must name an outfield player who can cover that role in case an incident happens on the opposite side of the pitch.”

This may be Italy’s case as Gigio Donnarumma is expected to captain the Azzurri at Euro 2024.

The PSG star wore the armband in six appearances out of seven under Luciano Spalletti, while Ciro Immobile was the captain in the CT against North Macedonia in September 2023.

“Referees will be encouraged to be open to discussion, favouring a hearty atmosphere between all the parties,” continued Rosetti.

“This will allow them to build trust with players and demonstrate the leadership modern referees must have. A team of UEFA referee specialists and, when possible, a tournament referee will meet each of the 24 teams to discuss this information with the footballers in a more detailed way.

“Adopting this approach will raise the already high quality of referees in competition, leading to better games for the footballers and the fans during the tournament.

“If we manage to facilitate a constructive dialogue between the referee and the team captains, everyone will benefit, and we’ll leave a positive legacy for the future of this amazing game that we all love.”

Rosetti is among the top referees of all time and retired after the 2010 World Cup. His first appointment after the end of his career was as a Serie B designator.

He made his Serie A debut in 1996 and received his FIFA Badge in 2002.

The former Italian referee is currently the Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the Referees Committee at UEFA.

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma has been named Best Goalkeeper in Ligue 1 for his performances at Paris Saint-Germain.

The UNFP held its equivalent of the Players’ Association Awards this evening and Donnarumma got the golden gloves.

Now aged 25, the Italian left Milan as a free agent to join PSG in the summer of 2021 and could sign a new contract.

He won three editions of the Ligue 1 title and two French Super Cups.

Donnarumma’s second UNFP award

This is his second victory as goalkeeper of the year in France after winning the UNFP award in 2022.

As for the other awards, the best French player abroad was named Antoine Griezmann at Atletico Madrid.

Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan had been among the nominees, but not Scudetto winners Marcus Thuram or Benjamin Pavard of Inter.

Best goalkeeper of #Ligue1@Donnarumma is elected best goalkeeper of the 2023/2024 season in #Ligue1! #TrophéesUNFP pic.twitter.com/lUALsdMkvE

— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) May 13, 2024

LE MUR PARISIEN : @donnarumma #TropheesUNFP pic.twitter.com/q6sfo99Cgz

— Ligue 1 Uber Eats (@Ligue1UberEats) May 13, 2024

Luciano Spalletti dropped a few hints as to why he had to leave Napoli after winning the Scudetto. ‘I had my reasons. I love everyone, I forgive everyone, but I do not forget.’

The Italy coach was speaking at the CONI World Meeting on Human Fraternity in Rome when he was asked about his experience at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

He took the club to their first Serie A title in over 30 years, but asked to be released from his contract at the end of the season.

“We had everything that we needed to follow up what we had won,” insisted Spalletti when pushed on their remarkable collapse this term under three different coaches.

“You’d need to be aware of many things. I love everyone, I forgive everyone, but I do not forget.”

Spalletti hints on Napoli exit

There had been reports Spalletti clashed behind the scenes with President Aurelio De Laurentiis, while director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli also walked away straight after the title triumph.

Was he simply concerned Napoli could never follow the heights of that Scudetto run?

“I will not say why I left, but it was not out of fear,” replied Spalletti.

“I had my reasons. The rapport was wonderful at Napoli. We did not win just because of me, but for a city that has extraordinary passion.”

Spalletti had initially asked to take a year out, then had to pay Napoli a penalty fee after deciding to take on the Italy job from September 2023.

Multiple sources in Italy claim Leonardo Spinazzola’s season is over as the Roma defender has been diagnosed with a lesion to his right thigh flexor, so the match with Bayer Leverkusen could have been his final game with the Giallorossi.

Italian media, including Sky Sport Italia and Tuttosport, report that Spinazzola’s season is over as the Italian left-back has suffered a lesion in the flexor muscle of his right thigh.

Spinazzola had been subbed off in the opening stages of Roma’s latest Europa League match against Bayer Leverkusen and will be forced to the sidelines for the final three games of 2023-24.

Spinazzola could have played last Roma game as season-ending injury confirmed

Roma visit direct rivals Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Sunday before hosting Genoa at the Olimpico and visiting Empoli at the Stadio Castellani in the final game of the campaign.

The match against Leverkusen could have been Spinazzola’s final appearance with the Giallorossi, given that his contract expires in June 2024.

It is still unclear whether he will extend with Roma, but his agent, Davide Lippi, said in January his client was not expected to continue with the Giallorossi.

Spinazzola was not expected to be called up for Euro 2024 as he has never been included in the Azzurri squad by Luciano Spalletti.

Fabio Capello hopes Italian coaches complete a treble in European competitions this season but warns Atalanta that ‘Leverkusen have more quality.’

Capello, a former Milan, Juventus, and England coach, is confident that Italian coaches can win three UEFA competitions this season.

“It would be nice to see a treble from Italian coaches: Ancelotti lifting the Champions League with Real Madrid, Gasperini winning the Europa League with Atalanta and Italiano triumphing in the Conference League with Fiorentina. For Coverciano, it would be like winning a Ballon d’Or,” the ex-coach told Gazzetta.

“I am confident even if it may sound strange given the opponents. I am more fearful for Fiorentina than Atalanta. The Viola will meet Olympiacos in Athens, even if in AEK’s stadium, not theirs’. However, Greek fans are loud, and I hope Olympiacos will feel more pressure than it is due,” he continued.

Atalanta have qualified for the Coppa Italia and the Europa League Final and eliminated Liverpool in the UEL quarter-finals.

Capello warns Atalanta

“I trust Gasperini and Atalanta. A team that can hurt any opponent,” said Capello.

“It’s no coincidence that they won 3-0 at Anfield, eliminating Liverpool, who were considered the favourites for the Europa League. Leverkusen have more quality [than Atalanta] and all these good results have boosted their self-esteem, but to be favourites is not always an advantage.”

Capello knows it first-hand.

“In 1993, we [Milan] reached the Champions League Final against Marseille after some great results. But then a corner kick was enough to lose the Final,” Capello warned.

“This is football, nothing should ever be taken for granted. Atalanta have drastically improved and I believe they’ll need great focus.”

What’s the most impressive achievement for Gasperini this season?

“He deserves credit for what he achieved from De Ketelaere and Scamacca. Gasperini has made Atalanta and Italy’s good. now we have a solid striker for the Euros,” Capello replied.

Capello on Fiorentina’s UECL hopes

Fiorentina, on the other hand, have reached the second consecutive Conference League Final and hope to win the trophy this time after losing to West Ham a year ago.

“Fiorentina have more experience than last season but they’ve had highs and lows in Serie A,” noted Capello.

“Italiano deserved another Final, and I hope he’ll find the key to beating Olympiacos and lifting the cup this time. However, don’t underestimate the Greeks, not only because they play in Athens.”

Capello won two European trophies as a coach, both at Milan. A Champions League in 1993-94 and a UEFA Supercup in 1994.

He also won five Serie A titles and two La Liga with Real Madrid.

Davide Frattesi reveals the secret behind his goal-scoring form is ‘always to train hard’ and hopes the Nerazzurri can ‘replicate’ in 2024-25 what they did this year ‘regarding the group.’

Frattesi scored a goal in Inter’s 5-0 win over Frosinone on Friday, which helped the Serie A champions bounce back immediately after last week’s loss to Sassuolo.

“The other game was affected by all the celebrations and we were a bit tired. It can happen. The important thing is not to make a bad impression, and this was an appropriate reply,” the Italian midfielder told DAZN.

Frattesi has scored eight goals in Serie A this season despite starting just five times. He is the best midfielder in the league for goal-per-minute ratio.

Frattesi: Inter and Italy star reveals ‘secret’ behind goal-scoring form

“The key is always to train hard so you can show it when you are involved,” he said.

“If you are slow during the week and demotivated when you don’t play, that is not the right attitude. Obviously, the more you play, the more you are fit, but the secret is to always go fast in training.”

What does he expect from the next season?

“First of all, I hope we can replicate what we did this season regarding the group. Then the coach will decide the rest.”

Next week, Inter will lift the Scudetto trophy after the final home game against Lazio.

“Surely it won’t be like the open-top bus parade, but I’d still be a party. Going to San Siro is always thrilling; it’s like a constant party,” the Italy international concluded.

Check out today’s latest news from Serie A, including Nicolo Barella’s new lucrative Inter contract and Luciano Spalletti’s thoughts on Serie A and the Italy national team ahead of Euro 2024.

Nicolò Barella will soon sign a contract extension with Inter becoming the highest Italian player in Serie A with a €7m-a-year salary, including add-ons, la Gazzetta dello Sport reported.

Juventus starlet Kenan Yildiz met his ‘idol’ Alessandro Del Piero at the club’s training ground, sharing a picture on social media.

More Serie A news

Stefano Pioli is reportedly the leading candidate to take over at Napoli in the summer and Gazzetta showed how the Partenopei could line up under the Parma-born tactician in 2024-25.

Danilo Iervolino is looking to sell Salernitana and has received two offers from interested parties in the United States, Tuttosport detailed.

Bayer Leverkusen’s DJ at the BayArena played ‘Bella Ciao’ after Xabi Alonso’s side eliminated Roma from the Europa League semi-final, but Sevilla also rubbed salt into the Giallorossi’s wound with a social media post that has now been cancelled.

Journalist Alessandro Alciato revealed he was ‘pressured’ not to release the recent tell-all interview given by Milan legend Paolo Maldini.

Atalanta dream of winning their first UEFA trophy after qualifying for the Europa League Final with a stunning 3-0 win over Marseille in which, as highlighted by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Gian Piero Gasperini’ went all in.’

Milan ultras will continue their silent protest against the club’s management in their upcoming Serie A match with Cagliari.

Arrigo Sacchi opened up about a telephone call he had with Carlo Ancelotti following Real Madrid’s thrilling Champions League semi-final win over Bayern Munich.

Tennis star Jannik Sinner is pushing to be fit for the upcoming French Open and is carrying out his recovery with Juventus.

Bayer Leverkusen’s aggregate win over Roma hasn’t only stopped an all-Italian Europa League Final but has also prevented Italy from getting a 6th Champions League spot next season, at least for now.

Italian media refuse to blame Mile Svilar despite a costly error in the second leg of the Europa League semifinal against Bayer Leverkusen, but two Roma players fell short in Germany last night, according to sports papers.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli says no players showed up in his office to say they are tired and insists last season’s Champions League semifinal was undervalued because the Rossoneri were eliminated by city rivals Inter.

Stefano Pioli insists Milan have no regrets despite Borussia Dortmund’s qualification for the Champions League Final and an Oliver Giroud penalty kick miss.

Luciano Spalletti explained why he’s calling up some Italy legends to join his squad ahead of Euro 2024 and had high praise for Gianluca Scamacca following their PlayStation feud.