Davide Massa has been assigned to the Como vs. Roma Serie A fight for fourth place, while Gianluca Manganiello gets Inter-Atalanta, but Daniele Doveri drops to Serie B after the Derby della Madonnina.

The AIA (Italian Referees Association) has confirmed the referees chosen for this weekend’s Serie A matches.

The biggest game of the round is arguably the showdown for Champions League qualification, as Como and Roma are locked together in the table and go head-to-head at the Stadio Sinigaglia on Sunday.

That has been handed to experienced official Massa.

Leaders Inter try to get back on track against Atalanta, which will be officiated by Gianluca Manganiello in another top seven duel.

Notably, there is no Serie A fixture this weekend for Doveri after his work in the Derby della Madonnina, but this does not mean it is a demotion.

Instead, he is trusted with the extremely difficult and important Serie B promotion clash between Monza and Palermo, which could prove decisive for who gets to be in the top flight next season.

Serie A Week 29 referees

Torino vs. Parma (Maresca, VAR Ghersini)

Inter vs. Atalanta (Manganiello, VAR Gariglio)

Napoli vs. Lecce (Abisso, VAR Nasca)

Udinese vs. Juventus (Mariani, VAR Maggioni)

Verona vs. Genoa (Marchetti, VAR Marini)

Pisa vs. Cagliari (La Penna, VAR Paterna)

Sassuolo vs. Bologna (Bonacina, VAR Serra)

Como vs. Roma (Massa, VAR Fabbri)

Lazio vs. Milan (Guida, VAR Chiffi)

Cremonese vs. Fiorentina (Di Bello, VAR Aureliano)

• Read more – De Rossi: I won’t pretend I’m sorry after win over Roma

Roma suffered a 2-1 away defeat against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa on Sunday.

Today’s loss leaves them fifth in the standings, level on 51 points with fourth-placed Como and just one point above Juventus.

Gasperini comments on Genoa 2-1 Roma

“We approached the game really well; we were determined and solid,” Gasperini told DAZN via TMW.

“We didn’t have many shots on target, and perhaps they had even fewer than we did. We weren’t even lucky in the final minutes, but the team spirit was very high.”

“The incident is quite clear; VAR didn’t intervene. Everyone can see it their own way, but the images are so clear,” Gasperini said.

“If those in charge of VAR aren’t certain about this, they should do another job. You can’t change reality; it’s quite evident. He didn’t impose the penalty, and we shouldn’t consider other interpretations.

“There was great intensity with long balls from any position, quite suitable for a player like Cristante,” Gasperini continued.

“It was really difficult to play the ball on the ground, but the lads were good; it’s not a lucky moment. Svilar made the first save in the second half. Now we have a busy schedule with two games against Bologna.”

Roma’s next game is away at Bologna in the first leg of the Europa League Round of 16. Next Sunday, they’ll host Como at the Stadio Olimpico in what will be a crucial match in the race for the top four.

Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi won’t pretend to be sorry after his Genoa side beat Roma 2-1 and admits he feels ‘ at home’ at Marassi.

De Rossi’s Genoa beat Roma 2-1 on Sunday and the Italian tactician commented on his players’ performances during a post-match interview with DAZN.

“It was worth three points, which are so important and were earned by a strong and healthy group,” De Rossi said.

“In January, after the transfer window, I said I was happy because I had a group with different characteristics in all departments. I know games are not all the same, and opponents are not all the same. When you need intensity like tonight, you need players with those skill sets. I’m happy with the table, but very happy with my players. They deserve this satisfaction, especially those who have played less.”

De Rossi is a Roma legend and a former Giallorossi coach, so how does it feel to beat his favourite club?

“If you decide to do this job, you must know you’ll face Roma sooner or later,” De Rossi replied.

“I don’t want to minimise or say I’m not sorry that they are sorry, but I don’t want to justify myself or pretend I’m sorry. I’m happy, not that Roma lost, but that I won. This will be my fate until the day I’ll hope Roma win 38 games. It’s a target of mine and a dream of many. Perhaps, one day it will happen.

“However, if I have to think about a team similar to Roma, that makes me feel at home, with similar fans, in both good and bad ways; it’s where I am now, and I really like it.”

De Rossi went on to praise his players.

“What they give me is more than what I give them. I try to treat them honestly and equally. I hadn’t noticed the assist [for Vitinha] was from Masini,” he continued.

“I’m not surprised. I like to spend time with these lads, I like to shield them when there are bad games, like against Inter. All we do comes from what they do in training. If you look at Masini, you have to stop him in training because he goes twice as fast as the others. Perhaps, he won’t play in the next game, but this is football. They give everything to me, I give everything to them.”

Daniele De Rossi stunned his beloved Roma to give Genoa a much-needed victory, allowing Como to catch the Giallorossi in joint fourth place.

The Giallorossi were gearing up for the Europa League Round of 16 tie with Bologna, but also knew they needed a result here to hold onto fourth place. Paulo Dybala and Evan Ferguson found out this week they required surgery, with Matias Soulé, Mario Hermoso and Artem Dovbyk out too, plus Wesley suspended. Lorenzo Venturino therefore got his first start aged 19 against his parent club. Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa lost Roma-owned Tommaso Baldanzi to injury, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Sebastian Otoa not fully fit either.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Evan Ndicka received an early yellow card for a push on Jeff Ekhator and will be suspended when Roma take on Como next week.

Donyell Malen squirmed away from three for a shot deflected wide, while Junior Messias misplaced the pass that would’ve sent Ekhator clear on goal.

Malen was booked after going for the acrobatic volley on a Gianluca Mancini cross, but only catching Leo Ostigard on the head instead.

Genoa had a huge chance on the stroke of half-time, as Caleb Ekuban came sliding in and got to the Messias cross before Mancini, turning over from seven yards.

Bryan Cristante came on for the restart, but Lorenzo Pellegrini slipped and crashed into Mikel Ellertsson for an inevitable penalty, which was converted centrally into the roof of the net by Messias.

Ekuban fired over from a promising position moments later, but Roma equalised on a corner kick of their own. Mancini’s header was nodded away by Messias, but only into the path of Ndicka for a looping header into the empty net. It was the defender’s third consecutive Serie A match on target.

Malen had the ball in the net just two minutes later, but was offside when gathering the Neil El Aynaoui pass through the middle. Malen’s diving header also went over from 10 yards on another Mancini cross.

A Lorenzo Colombo overhead kick failed to trouble Mile Svilar, but Genoa restored their advantage after a throw-in. It was knocked down by Colombo for Ruslan Malinovskyi, who sent Patrizio Masini down the left, rolled across for Vitinha to come sliding in to tap into an empty net from six yards.

Kostas Tsimikas got into the box and could’ve gone for goal, but instead pulled back from the by-line into an area with no Roma teammates.

Malen saw his strike deflected just wide in the final minute and there was a scramble on a corner, then Svilar made a desperate save one-on-one with Malinovsyki on the counter-attack.

Genoa 2-1 Roma

Messias pen 52 (G), Ndicka 55 (R), Vitinha 80 (G)

08-03-2026 17:00

MatchDay 28

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Roma

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		12'		Evan Ndicka
Patrizio Masini		16'
		40'		Donyell Malen

2nd half

Junior Messias		52'
		55'		Evan Ndicka
Vitinha (Assist: Patrizio Masini)		80'
		89'		Bryan Cristante

Match statistic

35

Possession %

65

11

Total shots

7

5

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

2

1

Blocked shots

4

3

Corners

6

1

Offsides

5

11

Fouls

17

Genoa

Roma

Starting lineups

16

Justin Bijlow

Goalkeeper

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

5

Leo Östigard

Defender

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

75'

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

64'

10

Junior Messias

Attacker

64'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

79'

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

70'

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

84'

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

84'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

56'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

15

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Defender

13

Nils Zätterström

Defender

4

Amorim

Midfielder

99

Mamedi Doucouré

Defender

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

64'

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

64'

9

Vitinha

Attacker

75'

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

79'

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

46'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

56'

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

70'

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

84'

78

Robinio Vaz

Attacker

84'

Roma director Ricky Massara insists Paulo Dybala’s operation ‘will not affect’ the decision to offer him a new contract, while there is squad rotation against Genoa.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is crunch time of the campaign for the Giallorossi, because while the Europa League Round of 16 tie against Bologna is coming up on Thursday, they also face pressure from Como and Juventus to keep hold of a top four Serie A spot.

Massara on Roma changes and Dybala situation

The major surprise is Lorenzo Venturino getting his first Serie A start against his parent club, as he arrived from Genoa in January on loan with an option to buy.

“Venturino has always had a positive impact when called upon, with enthusiasm and confidence, so we are very pleased with what he has been doing,” Massara told Sky Sport Italia.

There was double bad news this week, as both Paulo Dybala and Evan Ferguson required surgery, with Matias Soulé, Mario Hermoso, Artem Dovbyk and suspended Wesley not making the trip either.

“It is true that we have a lot of injuries concentrated in the attack, which is a coincidence that does not help. We’ve got El Shaarawy back, Robinio Vaz is very young and still adapting to a new league after arriving only six weeks ago. There will be time for him, Zaragoza and Venturino to develop over the course of the season.”

Dybala has been ruled out for at least six weeks now with meniscus surgery, so will this influence Roma’s decision on whether or not to offer him a new contract?

“This does not affect the issue, we didn’t talk about Paulo’s contract before the injury and we don’t think it is fair to talk about it now. We just hope he can recover as quickly as possible, this will not affect our rapport with Dybala or the club’s strategy,” assured Massara.

Roma’s medical staff faced criticism for not suggesting an operation earlier, as it seems the meniscus in the knee had been damaged for over a month.

“I don’t wish to get into the medical details, it is always better to try conservative treatment first and focus on the health of the players. That is the priority. At least this resolves the problem and we’ll soon have him fully fit.”

Last week’s 3-3 draw with Juventus felt like a missed opportunity, fumbling a 3-1 lead to concede the equaliser in stoppages and confirming Roma’s poor record in the big games.

Daniele De Rossi admits he must put his love for Roma aside or ‘it wouldn’t allow me to do my job properly,’ and explains his big Genoa changes for this match.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The Giallorossi will always be in his heart, first growing up as a supporter in the Eternal City, then as their player coming up through the youth academy to wear the captain’s armband, and again as coach.

“I went to the Olimpico as an away coach, obviously it is a place that belongs in my heart, but I have worked on putting the past aside, or it wouldn’t allow me to do my job properly,” De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.

“The great thing about the Genoa fans is they make you feel at home here, their passion is remarkable.”

De Rossi changes Genoa to limit Roma

De Rossi has made quite a few surprising changes to his Genoa side this evening, even taking into account that Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Sebastian Otoa are not fully fit.

He leaves Ruslan Malinovskyi, Vitinha and Lorenzo Colombo on the bench, introducing rapid young strikers Jeff Ekhator and Caleb Ekuban, who had never started together before.

“They can run into space, they are pure strikers who like to sneak up behind defenders. Roma play an aggressive style, so we must be balanced, organised, and ready to get behind their defence,” explained the coach.

Stefano Sabelli and Patrizio Masini are also back in the Genoa starting XI, so is he trying to disorient Gian Piero Gasperini?

“Gasperini cannot be easily disoriented, he has been doing this for a lifetime and knows how to play against many different teams. I chose this line-up because these are the players who can interpret the approach I want for this match, which is going to be very different to the one against Torino, so we need different characteristics to draw upon.”

The pressure is on Roma amid an injury crisis to get a win and stay in fourth place, as Donyell Malen and Lorenzo Venturino lead the way against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s Serie A games on the Liveblog.

With Como flying and Juventus back on track after the 3-3 thriller last week, Roma know they need a result to hang on to that Champions League spot.

They are also having to prepare for Thursday’s Europa League Round of 16 clash with Bologna, but the squad is stretched very thin.

Paulo Dybala and Evan Ferguson both needed to undergo surgery this week, with Matias Soulé, Mario Hermoso and Artem Dovbyk not making the trip either.

Wesley Franca sits out a ban too, so there has to be squad rotation, with 19-year-old former Genoa youth product Lorenzo Venturino getting his first start in support of fellow January signing Malen.

This will always be a special fixture for the two coaches, as Gian Piero Gasperini first made his mark at Genoa, while De Rossi remains a Roma legend.

Tommaso Baldanzi is on loan from the Giallorossi, but has barely featured and is out here with a muscular issue.

Genoa are fresh off a 2-0 defeat to Inter, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Sebastian Otoa still carrying knocks.

Lorenzo Colombo, Vitinha and Ruslan Malinovskyi are all benched in a surprising revamp.

Genoa vs. Roma line-ups

Genoa: Bijlow; Marcandalli, Ostigard, Vasquez; Sabelli, Masini, Frendrup, Messias, Ellertsson; Ekhator, Ekuban

Roma: Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Celik; Rensch, Koné, Pisilli, Tsimikas; Pellegrini, Venturino; Malen

08-03-2026 17:00

MatchDay 28

Stadio Luigi Ferraris

Genoa

Roma

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

		12'		Evan Ndicka
Patrizio Masini		16'
		40'		Donyell Malen

2nd half

Junior Messias		52'
		55'		Evan Ndicka
Vitinha (Assist: Patrizio Masini)		80'
		89'		Bryan Cristante

Match statistic

35

Possession %

65

11

Total shots

7

5

Shots on target

1

5

Shots off target

2

1

Blocked shots

4

3

Corners

6

1

Offsides

5

11

Fouls

17

Genoa

Roma

Starting lineups

16

Justin Bijlow

Goalkeeper

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

5

Leo Östigard

Defender

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

75'

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

64'

10

Junior Messias

Attacker

64'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

79'

99

Mile Svilar

Goalkeeper

2

Devyne Rensch

Defender

70'

5

Evan Ndicka

Defender

23

Gianluca Mancini

Defender

84'

12

Konstantinos Tsimikas

Defender

19

Zeki Celik

Defender

84'

7

Lorenzo Pellegrini

Midfielder

56'

17

Manu Koné

Midfielder

61

Niccolò Pisilli

Midfielder

14

Donyell Malen

Attacker

20

Lorenzo Venturino

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

15

Brooke Norton-Cuffy

Defender

13

Nils Zätterström

Defender

4

Amorim

Midfielder

99

Mamedi Doucouré

Defender

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

64'

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

64'

9

Vitinha

Attacker

75'

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

79'

92

Stephan El Shaarawy

Attacker

95

Pierluigi Gollini

Goalkeeper

97

Bryan Zaragoza

Attacker

4

Bryan Cristante

Midfielder

46'

8

Neil El Aynaoui

Midfielder

56'

87

Daniele Ghilardi

Defender

70'

24

Jan Ziolkowski

Defender

84'

78

Robinio Vaz

Attacker

84'

Donyell Malen will lead the Roma attack in an away game against Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa.

It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 GMT) at the Stadio Ferraris in Genoa.

• Serie A today – Milan vs. Inter – probable line-ups, where to watch on TV

Jean Onana, Tommaso Baldanzi and Sebastian Otoa are unavailable for the home side, while the Giallorossi have travelled to Genoa without Mario Hermoso, Paulo Dybala, Matias Soulé, Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk.

According to multiple sources, including Sky Sport Italia, Daniele Ghilardi will get the nod in a three-man defence for Roma, while Niccolò Pisilli and Lorenzo Pellegrini will play as attacking midfielders.

According to Gazzetta, however, Pisilli could even play in central midfielder to let Bryan Cristante rest and start Lorenzo Venturino as an attacking midfielder.

The 19-year-old joined Roma from Genoa in the January window.

English defender Brook Norton-Cuffy is available for Genoa, but has just returned from an injury, so he’s expected to start on the bench.

Genoa vs. Roma – where to watch on TV

TNT Sports 2 and DAZN in the UK and Ireland, and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Genoa vs. Roma – probable line-ups

Genoa (3-5-2): Bijlow; Marcandalli, Østigård, Vásquez; Ellertsson, Malinovskyi, Frendrup, Amorim, Martín; Vitinha, Colombo. 

Roma (3-4-2-1): Svilar; Mancini, Ndicka, Ghilardi; Çelik, Koné, Cristante, Rensch; Pisilli, Pellegrini; Malen. 

Roma are down to the bare bones for tomorrow’s match with Genoa, as Matias Soulé, Paulo Dybala, Mario Hermoso and Wesley miss out.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

Gian Piero Gasperini is struggling with a decimated squad and discovered this week it will be that way for a while, because both Dybala and Evan Ferguson required surgery.

Wesley Franca is suspended, while both Soulé and Hermoso have not yet recovered and are left behind in the Capital.

It is hoped that they can at least be on the bench for next week’s Europa League Round of 16 clash with fellow Italians Bologna.

Artem Dovbyk is another long-term absentee, so we could see Roma start Bryan Zaragoza with Lorenzo Pellegrini in support of Donyell Malen.

Roma squad for Genoa

Svilar, De Marzi, Gollini; Rensch, Angelino, Ndicka, Tsimikas, Celik, Mancini, Ziolkowski, Ghilardi; Cristante, Pellegrini, El Aynaoui, Kone, Pisilli; Malen, Venturino, Vaz, El Shaarawy, Zaragoza

Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has confirmed that Evan Ferguson’s season is likely over, that Artem Dovbyk is unlikely to feature until May and has also denied rumours of any meetings with Giallorossi legend Francesco Totti. 

The Roma head coach sat down for his pre-match press conference on Saturday ahead of tomorrow’s Serie A match against Genoa, who are under the guidance of former Giallorossi captain and manager Daniele De Rossi. 

News broke on Saturday morning that Brighton loanee Ferguson is expected to undergo surgery on an ankle issue that has kept him out of action for the last few weeks, and that the procedure is likely to spell the end of his season. 

The 21-year-old is unlikely to feature for Roma again, as the Giallorossi are extremely unlikely to activate the €40m option to buy clause in their deal with Brighton. 

“If we include Dovbyk and Ferguson, we’re in a really difficult situation,” Gasperini told the press on Saturday.

“Dovbyk’s been out for many months. The surgery’s been done, if all goes well, he could return at the end of April, maybe the beginning of May. We continue to consider him among the absentees. 

“The same goes for Ferguson at this point, because this is probably where his season ends to have surgery on his ankle, so he won’t have time to recover, even at the end of the season. So they’re now crossed off the list. 

“But then there is Malen, there is Vaz, there is Venturino, there are others. We’ve got El Shaarawy and Pellegrini back, we have the numbers to continue playing.” 

It was suggested to Gasperini that some of Roma’s medical diagnoses have not been particularly accurate this season. 

He replied: “No, but it would be presumptuous of me to talk about medicine. It’s not a topic on which we can discuss on the level with the doctors and professionals. It’s true that they’ve had to deal with lots of cases though, isn’t it. 

“Starting with Ferguson, who arrived a year after an operation with great initial difficulties in getting back to his best with the few games he played last year. Then he had an excellent period around December, then there was this relapse, but this was a different case. 

“Then there’s been the Angelino matter, there was Bailey, there was Dovbyk, and now Dybala. Undoubtedly this is quite rare in football because they aren’t even muscular injuries, they’re all quite specific, each one different from the other. 

“It’s definitely had an effect having to give up these players for such a long time. However, despite that, we’ve come this far, we have to continue and move forwards with our best intentions.” 

Gasperini denies Totti rumours: ‘Never met with him’ 

Gasperini has denied any knowledge of any meetings or talks with Roma legend Totti, who has been rumoured to be eyeing a return to the club in some sort of backroom role. 

“I’m not in a position to talk about these situations,” said Gasperini. “I’ve been in Rome for eight or nine months. I’ve never met with Totti, it’s not a topic that I’ve brought up. It came out a month ago, not from me.” 

There have been reports that Roma have discussed potential roles and further details with Totti, but Gasperini denies any knowledge of this. 

Gasperini on Genoa vs Roma 

Gasperini went on to give his thoughts about the upcoming clash with Genoa in Serie A and his team’s successes so far this season. 

“I continue to look ahead, I continue to look to the match against Genoa. We’ll have Genoa, then Bologna, Como, Bologna again, and then before the break we have Lecce. It’s two good weeks, but not decisive. The decisive things will happen in May. The goal for now is to stay in the mix.

“Tomorrow we play in Genoa. I know well what the stadium is like when it’s full. A team that is strong at home, dragged and pushed on by its supporters. We have to think about the team and our performances.”

Former Roma star Daniele De Rossi, now the Genoa coach, has a ‘desire for redemption’ against the Giallorossi after December’s 3-1 loss at the Olimpico.

Roma visit De Rossi’s Genoa on Sunday, and the former midfielder previewed the game at a press conference on Friday.

Genoa vs. Roma – De Rossi’s pre-match press conference

“On Sunday, there will be many people I care about, and I’ll want to hug. In the meantime, I send a hug to Dybala, but Roma are very strong even without him,” De Rossi said via Corriere dello Sport.

Dybala underwent arthroscopic surgery today and is expected to remain out of action for nearly two months.

“I hug him as I did when he became a father,” De Rossi said.

Sebastian Otoa and Brooke Norton-Cuffy remain in doubt for Genoa.

“I still don’t know if they’ll be called up. The positive news is that they’re doing much better, and we have great confidence regarding all the injured players,” De Rossi said.

“Baldanzi surely won’t be there, but he also gives us hope. We’ve lost him, but I don’t think for very long.”

Roma and Genoa already met recently, with the Grifone suffering a 3-1 away loss in late December.

“The reverse fixture was our worst match since I’ve been here, despite mistakes made in other games as well and despite the opponent’s strength,” noted De Rossi.

“Roma’s value is unquestionable; what we lacked was the reaction. We’ve played against teams that dominated us like Napoli or Atalanta, but the reaction was always there.

“On Sunday, we’ll have to be ready for anything. We’ve always done well at home, and the crowd is positive and really pushes us. I always tell my friends to come and watch Genoa here to understand.

“We know what kind of match we need to play. There’s also a bit of desire for redemption on our part for what we did in the reverse fixture. That was the only time I’ve looked at myself in the mirror and not been proud of myself; the only time I went home and asked a couple of questions.”

Pisa and Verona look doomed to relegation from Serie A, but it’s wide open for the third slot, as Fiorentina, Cremonese, Lecce and Genoa are crammed into a three-point radius.

The Week 27 fixtures were completed this evening and the results have a big knock-on effect for the fight to avoid relegation.

Serie A has three spots going down out of 20, and it will take a miracle now for Pisa and Hellas Verona to avoid the slide into Serie B.

They are stuck together on just 15 points out of 27 rounds, already nine adrift of the others in this race.

Torino’s win over Lazio might’ve done enough to keep them out of the running, leaving only Genoa on 27 points, then Fiorentina, Cremonese and Lecce all crammed together on 24.

The Viola had broken clear in recent weeks, but are now back in the quagmire, out of the bottom three purely on goal difference.

If two teams are tied at the end of the season for relegation, then they will face off in a specially arranged play-off.

If three or more sides have the same points, then a mini-table is drawn up of their head-to-head results, with the bottom two going into the play-off.

Serie A Table

Legendary former referee Pierluigi Collina has had his say on a number of upcoming VAR and refereeing changes that are expected to come into effect in time for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America: ‘The goal is to eliminate timewasting as much as possible’. 

Collina explains upcoming VAR and refereeing changes

Collina is a member of the UEFA Referees Committee and is Chair of the FIFA Referees Committee. He was in attendance for the annual general meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in Wales on Saturday. 

The IFAB is responsible for overseeing and determining the laws of the game. Its members met in Wales on Saturday to discuss and decide upon a number of changes, including new measures to combat timewasting and allowing VAR to intervene on second yellow card decisions instead of just for straight red card incidents. 

“The goal is to eliminate, or to eliminate as much as possible, timewasting that hinders the spectacle of the game,” Collina told La Gazzetta dello Sport about the upcoming changes that were decided upon on Saturday. 

“Last year we introduced the ‘eight second rule’ for goalkeepers, which has been a great success. There have been very few cases where a corner has been granted. The deterrent has worked.

“Considering the amount of time that is lost through so many goal-kicks and free-kicks, we thought we needed to find a solution.” 

Another rule that will be introduced at the FIFA World Cup is a 10-second limit for players to leave the field after a substitution has been called. If players fail to leave the pitch within the allocated 10 seconds, the replacement substitute will not be permitted to enter until the next stoppage in play, or until one minute of action has passed. 

“We already did something, making substitutes leave the pitch from the nearest point. The time limit is a more effective deterrent than the yellow card, which is sometimes seen as some sort of ‘deal’,” Collina said. ”The results in recent years in MLS show that this measure works,” he added. 

Importantly, VAR will now be able to intervene on second yellow card decisions, which had not previously been the case. 

Just two weeks ago in Serie A, Pierre Kalulu was incorrectly sent off for a second bookable offence in one of the biggest matches of the season, the Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus, but the referee Federico La Penna was unable to refer the incident for review as it was not a straight red card incident. This will no longer be the case. 

Some might argue that it should always have been the case that VAR is able to intervene on second yellow card offences and not just for straight red card incidents. 

“When we decided on the VAR trial in 2016, the technology was very different,” Collina explained. “The protocol was written from scratch and took inspiration from other sports, such as rugby, and video officials had no prior experience. Today, the situation is very different. 

“We’ve been discussing it for a few years and unfortunately until now, some had not considered it to be a priority, which is a shame.” 

VAR will now also be able to review corner kick decisions, which had not previously been the case. 

“A corner is a resumption of play that always takes a certain amount of time,” Collina said. “Usually you have to wait until the centre-backs go up and the kicker often has to cross the length of the pitch. In that time, it could be the case that by simply looking at an image, you realise the decision was wrong. 

“Does it make sense to let the corner go and hope that a goal isn’t scored? It’s much better to correct the initial decision and postpone it.”

Cristian Chivu insists ‘the Scudetto is not won yet’ after their eighth consecutive Serie A victory, beating Genoa 2-0. ‘We’ve had ups and downs, the players never grumble.’

The Nerazzurri needed a boost after the surprising Champions League elimination at the hands of Bodo/Glimt, as they lost both home and away legs of the play-off.

It was a tough slog to break down Genoa, as they needed a moment of Federico Dimarco magic with that volley, followed by a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty for Alex Amorim’s handling offence.

Chivu keeps Inter on their toes

“We were well aware of the importance of this match for what we’ve done and want to do in the final weeks of the season,” Chivu told Sky Sport Italia.

“I’ll take these three points, because it was not easy, we were facing a team in good shape that knows how to cause problems. It was out 16^th game in 50-odd days, so we needed to keep it going.

“Dimarco is in his best form, helping us to achieve our ambitions, as are all the players.”

This result means Inter are momentarily 13 points clear at the top of the Serie A table, awaiting Milan’s match with Cremonese on Sunday, after eight consecutive victories.

It is remarkable that Inter have won 14 of their last 15 Serie A games, but crashed out so sluggishly from the Champions League.

“We prepare every match in the best way, mentally and physically, treating every game the same way without looking at the name of our opponents,” explained Chivu.

“That is what we have been trying to do since the start of the season. There are 11 rounds to go, 33 points up for grabs, so the Scudetto is not won yet. We’ve had ups and downs, but want to build on all the good things we’ve done in the last two and a half months.”

They are also preparing for the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final against Como on Tuesday evening, then the Derby della Madonnina with Milan next weekend.

“All 24 players work hard and have a winning mentality, they never grumble, and always accept the reality of the situation whether it’s in Serie A, the Cup or Champions League. We want to be competitive, we’ve had ups and downs, but we have ambition and are in good shape,” assured Chivu.

Only twice before in their history, in 2006-07 and 2023-24, have the Nerazzurri picked up at least 67 points after 27 Serie A rounds.

Daniele De Rossi admits Genoa ‘have to accept Inter are better than us’ after a 2-0 defeat, but he has ‘hope’ they can escape relegation.

The Grifone were coming off a morale-boosting 3-0 victory over Torino, but knew that it would be a tougher task at San Siro against the runaway Serie A leaders.

Nonetheless, it took an extraordinary piece of skill to break the deadlock, when Federico Dimarco met Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s dinked pass for a sensational volley.

Hakan Calhanoglu doubled the lead from the spot after Alex Amorim’s handling offence in the second half, sealing the 2-0 result.

De Rossi expected more from Genoa

“We conceded the second goal when we were trying to push forward and equalise,” De Rossi told Sky Sport Italia.

“I am not satisfied with our performance. We know Inter are the strongest team in Serie A, but we still didn’t do all that we could’ve done to cause them problems.

“I knew we’d need a perfect performance to bring home a result, we didn’t come here to lose, but we have to accept they are better than us.”

Genoa have managed to clamber out of the relegation zone with some positive results, but even strong performances were not enough to avoid defeats to Lazio, Napoli and now Inter.

“Our position in the table is still not good, but there is a long way to go,” added the coach.

“I think we are on the right track and have the quality it takes to get out of this situation, just look at how we played against Lazio and Napoli.”

Since taking the job on November 6 from Patrick Vieira, De Rossi has overseen five wins, six draws and six defeats in Serie A.

“There is a team in mind that I want to build, but the fact remains we don’t have much time to work on that, and the transfer window is closed too, so we have to work with what we’ve got.

“We’re on the right track, these lads are giving me hope,” concluded De Rossi.

Federico Dimarco insists his many goals and assists ‘won’t be worth much’ if Inter don’t win silverware, while Hakan Calhanoglu reveals he wasn’t meant to take the penalty against Genoa.

The mood in the Nerazzurri camp was poor after their midweek Champions League exit to Bodo/Glimt, having lost both home and away in the play-off.

It was also tough to break down Daniele De Rossi’s Genoa, as it required a sensational Dimarco volley from the tightest of angles to beat Justin Bijlow.

The 2-0 result was sealed in the second half by substitute Calhanoglu’s penalty, awarded for an Alex Amorim handling offence.

Dimarco and Calhanoglu focus on Inter silverware

“It is never easy after a defeat, but every time this team has lost a match, it has got back on track stronger than before,” Dimarco told Sky Sport Italia.

“Some fatigue started to show in the second half, but we got the job done. It is a good season personally, but ultimately what matters is the team. If my goals and assists don’t lead to trophies, then they won’t be worth much.

“I’d prefer to have fewer goals and assists if it means we can win the league.”

Stop that Federico DiMarco.

An incredible volley puts Inter Milan 1-0 up against Genoa

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ZWgtFC4f7l

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 28, 2026

It was not an entirely new experience for Dimarco, who scored a similar goal earlier in his career.

“It is tough to explain, I scored a similar one in Verona-Torino. I’m just glad the team won. I’ve been working hard, and hard work does pay off.”

This was Inter’s eighth consecutive Serie A victory, winning 14 of the last 15, yet that form was not replicated in the Champions League.

The title could be put beyond reasonable doubt next weekend, when Inter and second-placed Milan go head-to-head in the Derby della Madonnina.

“There are no thoughts about the derby, we are thinking about Como first and then the derby,” concluded Dimarco.

That is because Inter will play Como on Tuesday in the first leg of the Coppa Italia semi-final.

“Federico Dimarco really wraps up all of Inter’s hard work and makes them dangerous.”@MikeGrella10 and Nigel Reo-Coker on why Dimarco could be Inter’s MVP this season pic.twitter.com/SObsVcZdEz

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 28, 2026

Calhanoglu revealed he was not originally meant to step up to the spot for that penalty after coming off the bench, as Piotr Zielinski was the designated taker.

“I was out for a few months, so it was only right to leave the penalty to Zielinski, but he said I could do it. I still need to find match fitness, but I feel good,” Calhanoglu told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are trying to focus on our own path. Winning is important, we want to keep going like this.”

Inter shrugged off Champions League disappointment to consolidate their huge Serie A lead, beating Genoa with a fantastic Federico Dimarco volley and Hakan Calhanoglu penalty.

The Nerazzurri were 10 points clear at the top of the Serie A table and preparing for the Coppa Italia semi-final with Como, but home and away defeats to Bodo/Glimt saw them crash out of the Champions League play-offs. It was a shocking result, made worse by losing Lautaro Martinez to injury, plus Alessandro Bastoni was suspended here, with Hakan Calhanoglu only fit for the bench. Genoa were revitalised by coach Daniele De Rossi, but Brooke Norton-Cuffy and Sebastian Otoa picked up injuries in the 3-0 victory away to Torino last week.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Justin Bijlow had to make two awkward saves in 30 seconds, first on the Ange-Yoan Bonny half-volley, then the resulting Federico Dimarco corner that was looping in at the far post.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan hit a scorching strike from distance that looped up off Johan Vasquez to bounce onto the top of the crossbar with Bijlow beaten.

The Genoa goalkeeper made a wonderful save at full stretch to palm the Bonny header out of the far bottom corner on Nicolò Barella’s cross.

However, he could do nothing on a sensational Dimarco goal. The Italian laid it off to Mkhitaryan and ran down the left ready to meet the chipped return pass, scoring with a remarkably precise left-foot volley from the tightest of angles.

Stop that Federico DiMarco.

An incredible volley puts Inter Milan 1-0 up against Genoa

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ZWgtFC4f7l

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 28, 2026

Barella also nodded just over from a Carlos Augusto cross, while Vitinha didn’t get enough on his header from a Mikael Ellertsson ball to the back post.

Vitinha’s effort was deflected off Manuel Akanji to sail over, while Carlos Augusto made an important block on Caleb Ekuban’s header.

Bijlow took the sting out of a Piotr Zielinski cross-shot, but Inter doubled their lead with a chaotic situation.

First Bijlow fingertipped the deflected Luis Henrique shot onto the upright, then as the move continued, the Luis Henrique cross back in struck Alex Amorim’s raised hand for a penalty. Calhanoglu converted by sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

Amorim rolled across for Jeff Ekhator, who was unable to tap in from six yards, and Ellertsson should’ve done better with a free header wide from Aaron Martin’s set play.

Yann Sommer had an odd moment needing a reaction save from point-blank range on Akanji, who clumsily redirected the Ekhator cross-shot.

It is an eighth consecutive Serie A victory for Cristian Chivu’s side, who temporarily go 13 points clear.

Inter 2-0 Genoa

Dimarco 31 (I), Calhanoglu pen 70 (I)

28-02-2026 19:45

MatchDay 27

San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)

Inter

Genoa

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

		9'		Ruslan Malinovskyi
Henrikh Mkhitaryan		21'
Federico Dimarco (Assist: Henrikh Mkhitaryan)		31'

2nd half

Hakan Calhanoglu		65'
Hakan Calhanoglu		70'

Match statistic

56

Possession %

44

14

Total shots

6

6

Shots on target

2

2

Shots off target

3

6

Blocked shots

1

10

Corners

2

2

Offsides

1

13

Fouls

8

Inter

Genoa

Starting lineups

1

Yann Sommer

Goalkeeper

14

Ange-Yoan Bonny

Defender

76'

32

Federico Dimarco

Defender

25

Manuel Akanji

Defender

6

Stefan de Vrij

Defender

67'

30

Carlos Augusto

Midfielder

22

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Midfielder

59'

23

Nicolò Barella

Midfielder

7

Piotr Zielinski

Midfielder

76'

11

Luis Henrique

Attacker

9

Marcus Thuram

Attacker

59'

16

Justin Bijlow

Goalkeeper

3

Aarón Martín

Defender

85'

27

Alessandro Marcandalli

Defender

22

Johan Vásquez

Defender

5

Leo Östigard

Defender

32

Morten Frendrup

Midfielder

17

Ruslan Malinovskyi

Midfielder

46'

8

Tommaso Baldanzi

Midfielder

66'

29

Lorenzo Colombo

Attacker

66'

77

Mikael Egill Ellertsson

Attacker

9

Vitinha

Attacker

60'

Substitutes

15

Francesco Acerbi

Defender

36

Matteo Darmian

Defender

2

Denzel Dumfries

Midfielder

13

Josep Martínez

Goalkeeper

12

Raffaele Di Gennaro

Goalkeeper

8

Petar Sucic

Defender

53

Matteo Lavelli

Attacker

20

Hakan Calhanoglu

Midfielder

59'

94

Pio Esposito

Attacker

59'

31

Yann Bisseck

Defender

67'

16

Davide Frattesi

Midfielder

76'

17

Andy Diouf

Attacker

76'

39

Daniele Sommariva

Goalkeeper

1

Nicola Leali

Goalkeeper

70

Maxwel Cornet

Attacker

14

Jean Onana

Midfielder

73

Patrizio Masini

Midfielder

31

Benjamin Siegrist

Goalkeeper

13

Nils Zätterström

Defender

99

Mamedi Doucouré

Defender

4

Amorim

Midfielder

46'

18

Caleb Ekuban

Attacker

60'

10

Junior Messias

Attacker

66'

21

Jeff Ekhator

Attacker

66'

20

Stefano Sabelli

Defender

85'

Watch as Federico Dimarco turns on the style with a spectacular volley from the tightest of angles to give Inter the lead against Genoa.

You can follow all the action as it happens from this Serie A game on the Liveblog.

The left wing-back has been on exceptional form so far this season, with a series of goals and assists, but this was still a highlight.

Dimarco delights San Siro with perfect volley

He started the move down the left, and ran into the area ready to meet the Henrikh Mkhitaryan dinked return pass.

Stop that Federico DiMarco.

An incredible volley puts Inter Milan 1-0 up against Genoa

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ZWgtFC4f7l

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 28, 2026

Despite the angle being so tight, the Italian still managed to thread his left-foot volley through the eye of a needle between Justin Bijlow and the far post.

This means the 28-year-old currently has seven goals and 15 assists in 35 competitive appearances for Inter this term.

“He doesn’t score ugly goals”

Federico Dimarco with an absolute stunner to FIRE Inter in front pic.twitter.com/Y30Umefciu

— CBS Sports Golazo (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 28, 2026