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Vincenzo Italiano is ‘slowly getting back to 100 per cent’ after his hospital stay and insists Bologna will not consider changing tactics for the trip to Udinese.

Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Northern Ireland were the ‘easiest opponent’ for Italy in the World Cup play-off draw, mostly due to their poor away record and their FIFA Ranking.

Atalanta and Italy defender Giorgio Scalvini’s injury nightmare continues, as a fresh muscular problem has postponed his return to the field yet again.

Recent reports claim that ‘half of the Premier League’ are interested in bringing Scott McTominay back from Napoli, but the Partenopei are not interested in losing the reigning Serie A MVP and have an astronomical price tag in mind to fend off the interest from the UK. 

Newcastle United's Jacob Murphy, Kieran Trippier, Tino Livramento, Harvey Barnes and Alexander Isak. (Reuters/Andrew Boyers)

Napoli's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates with Scott McTominay. (REUTERS/Ciro De Luca)

Italy will play two games during the international break in March 2026, regardless of whether they qualify for the World Cup play-off final.

Sunderland head coach Regis Le Bris has a great relationship with Lazio midfielder Matteo Guendouzi, but the Black Cats face a tough task in convincing the Biancocelesti to sell the Frenchman in January, Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà reports. 

Brazilian defender Emerson Royal admits he had a ‘strange feeling’ as soon as he joined Milan in 2024 and is glad to have returned to Brazil: ‘I miss Spain and England, not Italy.’

Spain's Samu Aghehowa. (REUTERS/Susana Vera)

Chelsea will make the long trip to the North West this weekend where they return to Premier League action against Burnley.

Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà examines Italy’s World Cup play-off opponents and notes the Azzurri can qualify for next year’s competition despite a weak football federation.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is eager to help Italy and Gennaro Gattuso as the Azzurri prepare for the World Cup play-offs, but notes he ‘poured boiling oil’ on himself as the national team coach.

Juventus coach Luciano Spalletti is delighted by the players’ availability, but insists he’ll need ‘more time’ to work on a four-man defence.

Liverpool return to Premier League action tomorrow afternoon when they host Nottingham Forest at Anfield.