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Italy striker Mateo Retegui has scored five goals in four matches under Gennaro Gattuso, just one more than those netted in 17 appearances with Luciano Spalletti.

Roberto D’Aversa is now free to take on new opportunities after agreeing to terminate his contract with Empoli following his departure from the club at the end of the 2024-25 season. 

Gennaro Gattuso has seen Italy’s improvements in the last two games against Estonia and Israel, but will only take credit if the Azzurri qualify for the World Cup: ‘Otherwise, I’ll move far away from Italy.’

Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur have officially confirmed the re-appointment of former Juventus executive Fabio Paratici as the club’s new sporting director, his second stint with the North Londoners: ‘I’m delighted to be returning to a club that I love’.

Christian Pulisic is at high risk of missing out on Milan’s upcoming Serie A test against Fiorentina after picking up a hamstring injury while away on international duty with the USA, which leaves Massimiliano Allegri with a series of decisions to make for the return of domestic league action this weekend. 

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Joshua Zirkzee wants to leave Manchester United in January to get more playing time and Como are set to rival Roma for the purchase of the ex-Bologna star.

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has now overtaken Diego Maradona and drawn level with Hernan Crespo in Argentina’s all-time top goalscorer charts after his brace during his nation’s 6-0 win over Puerto Rico in the early hours of Wednesday morning. 

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says Nico Paz and Franco Mastantuono will get more playing time in the coming games and is confident the Como star and the Real Madrid talent can ‘coexist in the future.’

RAI Sport presenter Alessandro Antinelli wore a black ribbon on air during coverage of Italy-Israel on Tuesday night to honour the ‘250 journalists killed in Gaza.’

Dreams of direct qualification may have all but gone, but Italy secured the next best thing with the World Cup play-offs in the bag. Giancarlo Rinaldi weighs up the successes and failures of Rino Gattuso’s latest games in charge. 

West Ham United have reportedly explored a surprise loan move for Ivan Toney, with the Hammers weighing up a short-term deal to inject goals into their attack.

We are at the playoffs. Super Retegui, Israel beaten

A new report has raised eyebrows on Tyneside by claiming that a release clause exists in the contract of Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon.

Tottenham Hotspur are considering a January move for Mario Gila, with the Lazio centre-back emerging as a serious candidate to reinforce Thomas Frank’s defense, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.

Quick take: Touchline talk: leadership changes often bring short-term energy but require time for structure. Watch for shifts in pressing triggers, build-up patterns, and set-piece routines. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official sources.