FootXtra – Football News & Updates FootXtra brings you the latest football news, live updates, match previews, transfer stories, and in-depth analysis from leagues and tournaments around the world. Stay connected to the beautiful game every day.

Argentina's Marcos Acuna in action with Colombia's Daniel Munoz. (REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez)

Arsenal will soon be taking on Bayern Munich in a Champions League clash between arguably the two best teams in Europe this season.

Stephan El Shaarawy insists Roma’s objective is to ‘stay up there for as long as possible’ in the Scudetto race. ‘We are on the right track.’

Wolverhampton Wanderers' Andre and Joao Gomes. (REUTERS/Tony O Brien)

The Italy national team are heading for the World Cup play-offs despite a 2-0 win away against Moldova on Thursday evening, and, to add insult to injury, the Azzurri currently have the third-highest points tally of any European nation in the qualification groups. 

Lecce President Saverio Sticchi Damiani denies that Milan will pay for each goal Francesco Camarda will score for the Salentini this season: ‘It’s not true.’

La Gazzetta dello Sport is highly critical of Italy’s performance against Moldova, claiming that Gennaro Gattuso made a ‘fundamental mistake’ despite a 2-0 win.

Italy know they must prepare for the 2026 World Cup play-offs in March, but attempts to give Gennaro Gattuso and the squad more time to get ready look doomed to failure.

Antonio Conte might be taking the week off to stay at his home in Turin, but he’s using technology to instruct his Napoli players and staff from afar.

Inter wing-back Denzel Dumfries is set to leave the Netherlands national team camp and return to Italy ahead of the Derby della Madonnina between the Nerazzurri and city rivals Milan next weekend, according to various outlets on Friday afternoon. 

It has been a disastrous 24 hours for Torino, as after Ivan Ilic’s serious knee injury for Serbia, now Giovanni Simeone will also be out for at least six weeks.

Christian Pulisic scored a goal for Milan against Virtus Entella on Friday, but the Rossoneri were beaten 3-2 by the Serie B side.

AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit in action with Crystal Palace's Tyrick Mitchell. (REUTERS/Tony O Brien)

Sassuolo star Domenico Berardi has admitted that he was on the verge of joining a ‘big club’ before dropping into Serie B with the Neroverdi last season, but is unwilling to give away too many details other than the fact that the team in question plays in stripes. 

Massimo Mauro admits Luciano Spalletti’s job at Juventus won’t ‘be easy at all’ and feels the Bianconeri must ‘become a reference point’ again for top Italian footballers.