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)

According to Tuttosport, Everton and West Ham have recently scouted Torino midfielder Cesare Casadei.

Ex-Chelsea and Inter midfielder Casadei has attracted interest from Everton and West Ham, according to Tuttosport.

Everton and West Ham interested in Casadei

The two Premier League clubs will be looking for midfield reinforcement in the summer, although the Hammers must first secure Premier League survival.

The Italian midfielder, 23, has scored five goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season.

He joined Torino in January 2025 on a permanent €13m deal from Chelsea.

During his time in England, he had played for Chelsea, Leicester City and Reading FC, collecting 11 Premier League appearances.

A product of the Inter Academy, Casadei is Torino’s best scorer since January with one goal in Coppa Italia and four in Serie A despite not being a regular starter.

No other Torino player has scored more goals since the start of the year.

Casadei’s contract with Torino expires in June 2029.

He has yet to make his senior Italy debut, but scored four goals in 16 appearances with Italy U21.

Ex-Torino goalkeeper Joe Hart feels Igor Tudor was wrong to replace Antonin Kinsky just 17 minutes into Atletico Madrid-Tottenham: ‘Even Gigi Buffon had bad nights.’

• Read more – De Gea’s message to under-fire Tottenham keeper Kinsky: ‘No one can understand’

Tudor has once again made headlines for the wrong reasons at Tottenham as Spurs suffered a 5-2 away loss at Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Hart reacts to Kinsky’s substitution in Atletico Madrid 5-2 Tottenham

Tudor surprisingly benched Italy international Guglielmo Vicario to start Kinsky instead, but after the 22-year-old made two silly mistakes that led to Atletico Madrid goals, the Spurs boss changed his mind and brought Vicario back in.

“To get to this level, signed by Spurs, one mistake does not alter you,” Hart, a former Torino goalkeeper, told TNT Sports via The Sun.

“That is a technical error, but what precedes that… was it the right decision? Maybe it was. But what I saw after…

“I hate being reactive because I like to know all the facts. But the fact he has taken him off in that situation, having played him… he is young, 22, he is not a man, he has done nothing to try and hurt Spurs.”

Tudor attracted plenty of criticism, even in Italy, where ex-West Ham striker Paolo Di Canio suggested that his goalkeepers’ management during last night’s match could have consequences for his coaching career. 

“[Kinsky had] a couple of bad moments, but to rip him off in this situation and not even acknowledge the guy?” Hart continued.

“Every single one of Tottenham’s players who are feeling the pain doesn’t know what to do. How is that good for him?’

“It is a thing with ‘keepers, you have got to accept you will have nights like that. Everyone has them. Buffon, Neuer, Schmeichel.

“They have had moments, but everything that has gone on on top of it, he will feel so unwelcome as far as the management is involved.

“You have to be treated like a human, just a little bit. I understand the situation.

“This needs getting a serious grip of. Madness happens all the time in football. That was mad. Maybe he didn’t handle it how he should have.

“I saw the whole bench’s hearts drop. They are saying, “Don’t worry, we are here for you”.

“It’s the human side of things. If you aren’t willing to show it, that’s when it starts to divide.”

Tudor has lost all four of his games in charge of Tottenham and is already on the brink of being sacked in North London.

He was sacked by Juventus at the end of October and hired by Spurs on February 14.

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Milan of dreams 

Inter nullified, Scudetto reopened 

Estupinan decides they derby: Diavolo -7 off the top 

Allegri does the double: ‘They remain the favourites though’. Cardinale’s celebrations. Nerazzurri minimal in spite of the absences. Chivu: ‘We were below par’

Champions League crazy

A three-way race for one spot 

De Rossi beats Roma. Historic Como: They’re fourth. And Juve are -1 behind and believe

Corriere dello Sport 

l’Allegrata 

Scudetto, 10 games to go | Short leash: Max also takes the Derby in the return leg (1-0)

Milan ruthless: -7 points behind and dreaming. Inter buried 

Estupinan delivers defeat to the Nerazzurri, who last lost in Serie A against Allegri on November 23. Chivu: ‘Ricci’s hand in the area? They told me there was a check’

De Rossi puts Roma in trouble 

Genoa shock Gasp: 2-1 

Messias and Vitinha lift DDR’s side, Ndicka not enough. Champions League race: Malen at Fabregas’s house on Sunday 

Juve, Lucio’s turning point 

The fluid front three 

Napoli, the Fab4 return 

After 160 days 

Nicola at risk 

Cremonese beaten by Lecce (2-1)

Tuttosport 

StraMilan 

Inter, derby nightmare: Estupinan reopens the Scudetto fight 

The Ecuadorian was the surprise hero. In the second half, Dimarco misses the equaliser, then chaos at the end: Carlos Augusto denied a goal (but Doveri has already ended the game) and protests over a touch of the hand from Ricci. Allegri gives another lesson to Chivu and goes back to -7 points off the lead. Inter, who have not beaten Milan in seven games, pay for the absences of Lautaro and Thuram: Pio and Bonny dry. Bastoni still subjected to boos

Yildiz, Vlahovic, Boga: Attack on the Champions League 

Roma beaten in Genoa: Juve -1 off fourth place 

The magic of Kenan, the recovery of Dusan and the numbers from Jeremie are the prime assets for Spalletti in the final push. And the schedule could help too: The Bianconeri could profit from the direct clash between Como and the Giallorossi next Sunday. The David case: Disheartened and in crisis: Heading towards a farewell and Lyon step forwards 

Safety and contract: Toro, time for Che

D’Aversa relaunches him 

Adams could return as a starter against Parma and Petrachi looks to extend the contract agreement. The fan’s strike continues: The club try with discounted tickets 

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

Remaking the Devil

Pulisic the bomber for the derby 

Already has three goals, Milan win if he scores. The last time in the first leg … Record takings in Serie A tomorrow 

Vieri: ‘Inter, what strength Pio has, give him crosses’ 

The interview 

Spalletti stays at Juve

The signing of the renewal after the game against Pisa 

Napoli get going now, here’s De Bruyne again. Toro score at the end 

Elmas and Alisson on target (2-1) 

Conte +8 above fifth place

Corriere dello Sport 

A derby for Pio 

Inter do the maths | Beat Milan to go +13 ahead: Chivu reserves the 21st title 

Esposito: Time for the Scudetto

In tandem with Thuram tomorrow, looking for his eighth goal of the season. Cristian flying: 43 points from 15 games. Rabiot spurs on Pulisic and Leao 

EmozioNapoli

Won 2-1 against Torino: -1 behind Allegri 

Second consecutive victory for Conte, who close in on Milan and recover two of their Fab 4: Anguissa and De Bruyne. Alisson Santos score: Elmas doubles. Casadei’s goal from a header useless at the end

Spalletti and Juve, renewal getting closer 

Taking on Pisa today (19.45)

Lucio: ‘I’ve already spoken with the club. I’m going to live in the same apartment building as Comolli and Chiellini’. Vlahovic out, Yildiz will be there

Dybala out for a month and a half 

Operation on his knee 

The Roma star has a partial tear of the meniscus. Malen voted player of the month for February 

Tuttosport 

‘In Spalletti, I see Lippi again’

Interview with Ravanelli

One of the Champions League heroes from ‘96 won over by the Bianconeri coach: ‘He could start a new cycle at Juve, like Marcello did. He’s the right man: Some things need to be fixed, but he offers great football. Me, the lawyer and Gorbachev’. In Pisa this evening: Yildiz starts. Lucio’s joke about the renewal: ‘Now I live in the same apartment building as Comolli’

Napoli, Santos in paradise, D’Aversa doesn’t pull off miracles 

The Brazilian opens, Elmas doubles. Casadei goal but only at the end: Toro beaten 

The Granata pay the price for their limitations and fragility: Paleari mistake for 1-0, defence collapsed on the second goal. The reaction was too late, but Adams wasted the chance for 2-0.  Conte celebrates going +8 clear of fifth palace and the returns of Anguissa and De Bruyne. Even the Maradona chants: ‘Urbano Cairo you need to sell’

From Retegui to Guler, the Derby that could have been 

Milan-Inter tomorrow

Tudor, what a flop. Tottenham thinking about Motta! 

Three games, three defeats 

Como, Europe to keep Paz. Villa looking at Caprile 

Taking on Cagliari today 

Napoli moved a step closer to securing Champions League football with a commanding home victory over Torino at the Maradona, with goals from Alisson Santos and Eljif Elmas doing the damage against a Torino side that threatened briefly but were ultimately well beaten.

Antonio Conte’s men were in the ascendancy from the off, and it took only seven minutes for the opener to arrive.

Alisson Santos, the Brazilian who has quickly become a fan favourite at the Maradona, collected a pass on the edge of the box and without hesitation rifled an unstoppable effort into the bottom left corner.

It was a goal of genuine quality, the kind that silences any doubts about whether a player belongs at this level.

Torino were not without their moments in the first half.

You can relive all the action, as it happened, on our Live Blog.

Vanja Milinkovic-Savic was called into action on a couple of occasions, producing a sensational stop to deny Nikola Vlasic from close range after a rebound fell invitingly on the edge of the box, while Duvan Zapata tested the defence with a powerful effort that cannoned to safety.

But Napoli’s control was evident, their passing crisp and purposeful as they managed the game comfortably until the break.

Napoli 2-1 Torino – Zambo Anguissa & De Bruyne return from injury

Zambo Anguissa made his comeback from injury at half-time, replacing Vergara in a moment that drew warm applause from a sell-out crowd, the Cameroonian’s return another welcome boost for a squad stretched thin by a lengthy injury list.

Kevin De Bruyne followed him off the bench in the 79th minute, the Belgian’s first involvement since October greeted with enormous excitement from the stands.

The points were sealed on 68 minutes when Elmas, having been played in smartly by Matteo Politano, jinked inside his marker and buried an unstoppable low drive into the bottom left corner. It was a goal of composure and conviction, and one that gave the result its definitive shape.

Torino did manage to deny Napoli a clean sheet, when Cesare Casadei scored with just two minutes left of normal time. However, the Partenopei managed to hold on to their lead and secure the three points.

Napoli’s fortress remains intact.

The Maradona is still an unbeaten turf in Serie A this season, and with De Bruyne and Anguissa edging closer to full fitness, Conte’s side are gathering momentum at exactly the right time.

06-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli

Torino

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Alisson Santos (Assist: Leonardo Spinazzola)

7'

2nd half

		63'		Gvidas Gineitis
		64'		Ardian Ismajli
Eljif Elmas (Assist: Matteo Politano)		68'
		73'		Valentino Lazaro
		87'		Cesare Casadei (Assist: Ché Adams)

Match statistic

64

Possession %

36

14

Total shots

7

9

Shots on target

4

3

Shots off target

0

2

Blocked shots

3

11

Corners

2

1

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

11

Napoli

Torino

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

69'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

46'

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

79'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

84'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

84'

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

44

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

57'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

67'

98

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

78'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

57'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

67'

Substitutes

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

23

Giovane

Attacker

23

Giovane Nascimento

Attacker

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

46'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

69'

11

Kevin De Bruyne

Midfielder

79'

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

84'

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

84'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

57'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

57'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

67'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

67'

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

78'

Antonio Conte spoke to DAZN in the moments before kick-off between Napoli and Torino at the Maradona, addressing the most pressing questions surrounding his team selection, and offering the most detailed update yet on when supporters might see Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa making a meaningful contribution.

The Belgian and the Cameroonian are both named on the bench this evening, their first involvement in a matchday squad since their respective injuries in the autumn.

But Conte was measured in managing expectations, explaining that the timing of the fixture had complicated their preparation.

“This is the first week they have worked with us,” he said, with quotes via IlNapolista.

“Making assessments about how much they can play is difficult, especially because in previous weeks we organised friendlies to help with the integration of new arrivals like Lukaku. This week that was not possible, a practice match would have been useful. If I have brought them to the bench, it means they are available. We will see how the game goes, whether we need them and how much.”

Napoli vs Torino – Conte defends selection choices

The selection of three left-footed central defenders raised eyebrows, with Sam Beukema notably absent from the starting lineup.

Conte was typically brief when pressed on the matter.

“These are technical choices, I pick those in the best condition. It is not the first time this has happened,” he said, declining to elaborate further.

With 11 matches remaining, Conte was equally direct about the stakes involved.

Asked about the difficulty of facing a Torino side who have returned to a two-striker system under Roberto D’Aversa, he refused to single out any individual opponent.

“For us every match is important,” he said.

“In these eleven games we will determine what kind of European competition we play next season. Tonight matters, just as Lecce and Cagliari will matter. We must take it game by game and draw conclusions at the end.”

You can follow all the action, as it unfolds, on our Live Blog.

Napoli host Torino at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this evening, as Antonio Conte’s side look to bounce back from recent wobbles to ensure they do not lose further ground in the race for the top four.

Conte’s Partenopei currently sit in third place but have lost much ground on league leaders Inter over the past couple of months.

You can follow all the action, as it happens, on our Live Blog.

An injury crisis in Naples has left Conte fairly short-staffed and they now sit 14 points off of the Nerazzurri. Therefore, the Scudetto dream is quickly fading away but it is still all to play for in the exciting race for Champions League football.

Napoli have a five point lead over 5th placed Como, with Juventus one point behind Fabregas’ side and Atalanta two points behind the Bianconeri.

Torino, meanwhile, come into this game off the back of a first win under Roberto D’Aversa, winning 2-0 at home to Lazio after three consecutive games without a win that saw Marco Baroni sacked.

Napoli vs Torino – Official Lineups

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Gilmour, Elmas, Spinazzola; Vergara, Hojlund, Alisson

Torino: Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Lazaro, Prati, Gineitis, Obrador; Vlasic, Simeone; Zapata

06-03-2026 19:45

MatchDay 28

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona

Napoli

Torino

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

Alisson Santos (Assist: Leonardo Spinazzola)

7'

2nd half

		63'		Gvidas Gineitis
		64'		Ardian Ismajli
Eljif Elmas (Assist: Matteo Politano)		68'
		73'		Valentino Lazaro
		87'		Cesare Casadei (Assist: Ché Adams)

Match statistic

64

Possession %

36

14

Total shots

7

9

Shots on target

4

3

Shots off target

0

2

Blocked shots

3

11

Corners

2

1

Offsides

1

9

Fouls

11

Napoli

Torino

Starting lineups

32

Vanja Milinković-Savić

Goalkeeper

4

Alessandro Buongiorno

Defender

5

Juan Jesus

Defender

37

Leonardo Spinazzola

Defender

69'

17

Mathías Olivera

Defender

26

Antonio Vergara

Midfielder

46'

6

Billy Gilmour

Midfielder

20

Eljif Elmas

Midfielder

27

Alisson Santos

Attacker

79'

21

Matteo Politano

Attacker

84'

19

Rasmus Højlund

Attacker

84'

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

44

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

57'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

67'

98

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

78'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

57'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

67'

Substitutes

1

Alex Meret

Goalkeeper

14

Nikita Contini

Goalkeeper

31

Sam Beukema

Defender

23

Giovane

Attacker

23

Giovane Nascimento

Attacker

99

Frank Anguissa

Midfielder

46'

3

Miguel Gutiérrez

Defender

69'

11

Kevin De Bruyne

Midfielder

79'

30

Pasquale Mazzocchi

Defender

84'

9

Romelu Lukaku

Attacker

84'

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

57'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

57'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

67'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

67'

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

78'

Billy Gilmour will start in central midfield for Napoli in a home Serie A match against Torino tonight.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the Stadio Maradona in Naples.

Scott McTominay and Stanislav Lobotka are still unavailable for the Partenopei, so Gilmour will partner Eljif Elmas in central midfield. Kevin De Bruyne and André Frank-Zambo Anguissa are back in the squad for the first time in four months and will start from the bench.

David Neres, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani are also unavailable for Napoli, while Torino have travelled to Naples without the injured Zakaria Aboukhlal.

According to Sky, Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic will return between the sticks for Napoli, while Mathias Olivera will complete a three-man backline with Juan Jesus and Alessandro Buongiorno.

Duvan Zapata is favourite over Sandro Kulenović for a starting spot in attack for Torino. Enzo Ebosse is expected to start the second consecutive match for the Granata, pushing Napoli loanee Luca Marianucci to the bench.

Napoli vs. Torino – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a live blog.

Napoli vs. Torino – probable line-ups

Napoli (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Juan Jesus, Buongiorno, Olivera; Politano, Gilmour, Elmas, Spinazzola; Vergara, Hojlund, Alisson. 

Torino (3-4-1-2): Paleari; Coco, Ismajli, Ebosse; Lazaro, Prati, Gineitis, Obrador; Vlasic; Simeone; Zapata. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Straderby 

Milan return to -10 and rise to the challenge on Sunday

Leao believes: ‘A question of life or death’

Pavlovic and Rafa settle it in Cremona, a victory at the very end in Allegri style 

Inter 

Chivu and a crazy journey 

After their loss against the Rossoneri, they’ve won 14 out of 15 Serie A games. Against Como in the Coppa Italia tomorrow 

Si signora 

Roma draw and regret 

Champions League show: Juve from 3-1 down to 3-3 in the last five minutes

Toro upset 

D’Aversa, nice debut with Simeone and Zapata

Corriere dello Sport 

Fino alla fine 

From 1-3 to 3-3 

Juve, Champions League fight: Two-goal comeback against Gasp

What a reaction: Lucio draws level in the 93rd minute and stays -4 away from Roma 

A spectacle at the Olimpico. Magic from Wesley and Conceicao, then Ndicka and Malen score. Boga and Gatti come one and settle it. Spalletti: ‘We live for fourth place’ 

Milan, the beauty arrives in the 89th: ‘Now it’s Inter’ 

They narrowly win 2-0 in Cremona: -10 off Chivu

Pavlovic header: Third goal in Serie A. Leao doubles it: ‘I want to take on the derby on Sunday’ 

Insigne fable: Inzaghi sunken 

Protagonist in Serie B

Lorenzo returns to the goals with Pescara after 5041 days and helps with the comeback against Palermo (2-1): Big celebrations at the Adriatico

Goodbye to Marchesi, the gentleman of football 

Has died at 88 years old 

He was Maradona’s first coach at Napoli and the last for Platini at Juve. He made history as a player with Fiorentina 

Tuttosport 

A Juve core 

2-2: Gatti levels against Roma in the 93rd and keeps the Champions League fight open 

After the exchange of goals between Wesley and Conceicao, Ndicka and Malen score. The Bianconeri seemed to be in disarray, but Spalletti got all of his substitutions right: Boga narrowed the gap, Zhegrova sent the goalscoring defender through on goal. Chico: ‘That reaction was better than my goal’. Lucio: ‘With the upsets we’ve had, this draw could mean a lot. I live for fourth place’. 

A Toro response 

D’Aversa reanimates the Granata: Simeone and Zapata smash Lazio 

A couple of simple moves and well-timed substitutions: The attacking pair finally made their mark and the fans delighted the fans, who stayed away to protest against Cairo. Two big shots against the Serie B fears for the new coach: ‘Great match, well done everyone, even those on the bench. I want the lads to understand that I am here. Cholito and Duvan were impressive’. Vlasic: ‘We will give even more’ 

Leao goal, derby delirium: ‘Milan, life or death’

Milan go to -10 in Cremona: And on Sunday, it’s Inter

Rafa strikes an enti-nerazzurro vein: ‘It’s a personal matter. We don’t go out this week, we stay at home’. 

Maurizio Sarri made no attempt to sugarcoat what he witnessed in his side’s 2-0 defeat to Torino, delivering a blunt and self-critical assessment of a Lazio performance he described as flat, joyless and simply lacking the basic energy required to compete.

The Lazio head coach spoke at his press conference after the game, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb.

“As for energy, we were inferior to our opponents,” he said plainly. “We never won a loose ball. The absurd thing is that we had five chances on goal and they had four, so creating opportunities was not the issue. The problem was elsewhere.”

That problem, in Sarri’s view, was a collective failure of mental preparation that he admitted he had seen coming.

“Before the game there were clear warning signs, we got the recruitment of mental energy wrong,” he said, a candid acknowledgement that his side simply were not ready to face a Torino team galvanised by a change of manager.

“This is a squad that has always been present, even at Cagliari. Today was different, a sad team without energy. When you’re not winning loose balls, talking about the formation is pointless.”

Torino 2-0 Lazio – Sarri: ‘We need to dig deep for motivation’

Asked whether he was more concerned about his attack or defence, Sarri’s answer was telling. Five chances created suggested the forward line was functioning, it was the defensive application, he argued, that had let the side down, and not merely the back line.

When pressed on the substitution of Ratkov, he was candid.

“I needed more liveliness, Noslin could provide that. But I knew that if the team didn’t change as a whole, it would be pointless.”

With a daunting double fixture against Atalanta on the horizon, Sarri’s closing message was unambiguous.

“If you have great motivation, you can find it even the day before a game. If you don’t, you can stay in a training camp for a month and it won’t matter. We need to find motivation that comes from within.”

Torino got life under Roberto D’Aversa off to a flying start this evening, with a 2-0 win against Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio, Giovanni Simeone and Duvan Zapata scoring to help secure an important three points.

Speaking at his first post-match press conference as Torino boss, with quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb, D’Aversa was delighted with his side’s performance against the Biancocelesti.

“When there is a change of manager, a reaction is normal,” he said. “I’m pleased with the strikers’ goals, we had the courage to start them both immediately to send a signal. When everyone sees Zapata and Simeone working hard and sacrificing for the team, everyone gives more.”

Torino 2-0 Lazio – D’Aversa: ‘Important win, now we focus on Napoli’

He also credited his 3-4-2-1 system, noting that the same formation can be interpreted in very different ways depending on the approach. “We tried to occupy the width with Duvan attacking the depth. We had prepared it that way.”

On what message he delivered to his players before kick-off, D’Aversa was candid and refreshingly human.

“I reminded them that we were going out to play football, to be enthusiastic, to consider ourselves fortunate given what is happening in the rest of the world. We needed to restore enthusiasm and confidence.”

He was equally quick to keep expectations in check, repeatedly stressing that nothing had been achieved yet.

“We haven’t done anything,” he said more than once. “The win was important, but now we think about Napoli.”

Roberto D’Aversa made the ideal debut on the Torino bench, securing a 2-0 victory over troubled Lazio with Giovanni Simeone and Duvan Zapata goals.

The Granata sacked ex-Lazio boss Marco Baroni this week after scraping one win and one draw in eight Serie A rounds. Emirhan Ilkhan was suspended after his red card against Genoa, with Che Adams not fully fit and Zanos Savva injured. The Aquile had one win in six rounds, but were preparing for Wednesday’s Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta. Daniel Maldini, Pedro, Elseid Hysaj, Toma Basic, Nicolò Rovella, Samuel Gigot and Mario Gila missed the trip.

See how it all unfolded on the Liveblog.

Despite the dismissal of Baroni, Toro fans continued their protest against President Urbano Cairo, so there were very few people in the stands.

The Granata opened the scoring when Duvan Zapata’s shot took a deflection off Alessio Romagnoli to loop up, turning into an accidental assist for Giovanni Simeone to pounce at the back post, flicking it past the on-rushing Ivan Provedel. Oliver Provstgaard tried a desperate goal-line clearance, but couldn’t do it in time. Cholito really does have a remarkable record against Lazio, as this was his 10^th goal past them.

Simeone nearly got a second moments later, Provedel getting down quickly to palm the daisy-cutter round the post.

The Biancocelesti replied when Mattia Zaccagni pulled back from the by-line for Reda Belahyane, whose finish from 14 yards surprised Alberto Paleari, but was cleared practically off the line by Saul Coco.

Lazio made two changes for the restart, but it was Torino who doubled their lead when Rafa Obrador stood up a cross from the left for Duvan Zapata to overpower Provstgaard with a header from six yards.

Tijjani Noslin tested Alberto Paleari from distance with a curler, while Valentino Lazaro’s volley was charged down by Pellegrini, and Torino failed to score from a corner when three players all had free headers from six yards, colliding with each other.

Nuno Tavares sprinted down the left and pulled back from the by-line for a Noslin tap-in, but Enzo Ebosse made a decisive block at the near post.

Paleari was called into a big save at the 87^th minute, flying to palm an Alessio Romagnoli header out from the bar from point-blank range on the corner.

Torino 2-0 Lazio

Simeone 21 (T), Zapata 53 (T)

01-03-2026 17:00

MatchDay 27

Olympic Grande Torino Stadium

Torino

Lazio

2 - 0

Player statistic

1st half

Giovanni Simeone		21'
Gvidas Gineitis		45+1'

2nd half

Duván Zapata (Assist: Rafa Obrador)		53'
Nikola Vlasic		79'
Adrien Tameze		90+1'
Sandro Kulenovic		90+2'
		90+4'		Nuno Tavares

Match statistic

45

Possession %

55

13

Total shots

12

5

Shots on target

3

3

Shots off target

4

5

Blocked shots

5

6

Corners

9

Offsides

2

13

Fouls

5

Torino

Lazio

Starting lineups

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

44

Ardian Ismajli

Defender

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

72'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

68'

98

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

85'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

73'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

84'

94

Ivan Provedel

Goalkeeper

77

Adam Marusic

Defender

13

Alessio Romagnoli

Defender

3

Luca Pellegrini

Defender

65'

25

Oliver Provstgaard

Defender

32

Danilo Cataldi

Midfielder

24

Kenneth Taylor

Midfielder

21

Reda Belahyane

Midfielder

46'

22

Matteo Cancellieri

Attacker

65'

10

Mattia Zaccagni

Attacker

81'

20

Petar Ratkov

Attacker

46'

Substitutes

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

14

Tino Anjorin

Midfielder

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

68'

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

72'

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

73'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

84'

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

85'

4

Patric

Defender

29

Manuel Lazzari

Defender

55

Alessio Furlanetto

Goalkeeper

40

Edoardo Motta

Goalkeeper

71

Valerio Farcomeni

Midfielder

28

Adrian Przyborek

Attacker

14

Tijjani Noslin

Attacker

46'

7

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

Midfielder

46'

17

Nuno Tavares

Defender

65'

18

Gustav Isaksen

Attacker

65'

19

Boulaye Dia

Attacker

81'

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.”

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Dimarco’s golden foot

Genoa beaten, Inter reinforce their lead 

+13 

Eighth victory in a row. Magic from the wing-hack: ‘It wasn’t easy to restart after the ko against Bodo. Calha seals the 2-0. 

Milan on the attack ahead of the Derby 

Market: A step away from Andre, operation of 17 million 

Juve risk more 

The Champions League fight against Roma is as hot as a play-off 

Lukaku goal and tears 

Romelu decides it in Verona: ‘I was dead’ 

Napoli wins in the final minute, Como hat-trick, overtaken Spalletti

VAR changes 

Will intervene on corners and double yellow cards. Collina: ‘Football is most fair like this’

Corriere dello Sport 

Supermancino 

Inter leave a gap 

Scudetto in their grasp: Genoa beaten (2-0) Leao and Pulisic in Cremona at 11.30 

Dimarco out of this world, Chivu pushes Milan down to -13

Federico’s fantastic season continues, scoring his sixth goal: Assists up to 14. Calha from the penalty spot closes the account. The Derby on Sunday 

Lucio under siege 

Roma-Juve (19.45): Play-off for a spot in the Champions League 

Gasperini could leap up to +7 on Spalletti, now sixth and overtaken by Como (3-1 against Lecce). Pellegrini behind Malen. Dybala out. The Bianconeri have only picked up one point in their last three games. Kalulu cold on Bastoni: ‘I haven’t heard from him since that incident’ 

Lukaku, Napoli emotions 

Big Rom comes on and settles it in the 96th minute: Conte wins 2-1 in Verona 

Hojlund immediately unlocks it, Akpa-Akpro finds the 1-1. The Belgian in tears after the death of his father: Scored for the first time in 281 days 

Change: No Kalulu case ever again 

The rules change 

Double yellow: IFAB changes the VAR protocol, beginning at the World Cup. Collina: ‘The Inter-Juve nightmare could have been avoided in 10 seconds’ 

Udinese and Viola in the symbol of Astori

Eight years on from his death 

United by Davide in Friuli tomorrow. A campaign for the prevention of cardiac arrests has been organised: Free check-ups 

Tuttosport 

Capital sentence 

Roma-Juve at 19.45, Champions League decider 

After disappointments and controversies, the Bianconeri are called upon to lift their heads and not lose out on fourth place, increasingly at risk. Finances, transfer window and future ambitions to be played for tomorrow as well. Gasperini could have been in Spalletti’s position. And now he’s returning to Koopneiners: ‘He’s strong, it’s not true that my former players go on to play badly’. Kalulu endorses Lucio’s contract extension and snubs Bastoni: ‘No, I haven’t heard from him, but it’s not like we were talking much in the first place’. 

Supporters hard-nosed, D’Aversa too

Toro-Lazio at 17.00 in a stadium that is still half-empty 

FantaDimarco, Inter go +13 

2-0 against Genoa after the Euro-shock 

Sensational goal from the wing-back, then the penalty from Calhanoglu for the eighth league victory in a row. Also celebrating in San Siro is multi-medalist Fontana. The derby on Sunday: Milan against Cremonese today to make up some of the ground 

Como is beautiful! Lukaku in the 96th, goal and tears 

Cesc flying, Napoli shuhdders 

Lazio are without Daniel Maldini, Toma Basic, Pedro, Nicolò Rovella and Mario Gila for tomorrow’s Serie A trip to Torino, as the forward sustained an ankle injury.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on Sunday at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

The Biancocelesti are preparing for the Coppa Italia semi-final against Atalanta on Wednesday, but also know their Serie A form is suffering lately.

They managed only two draws in the last three rounds, failing to score in two consecutive matches.

Lazio have more injury problems

Coach Maurizio Sarri has already been dealing with a lengthy absentee list, with Pedro spraining his ankle, and Rovella fracturing his clavicle.

A new problem is represented by Maldini, who has not even made the trip due to an ankle issue, a particular blow considering he was expected to start.

The good news is that Boulaye Dia is back in the squad, although he is not fully fit after struggling with flu symptoms and a fever over the last few days.

Lazio squad for Torino: Furlanetto, Motta, Provedel; Lazzari, Marusic, Nuno Tavares, Patric, Pellegrini, Provstgaard, Romagnoli; Belahyane, Cataldi, Dele-Bashiru, Farcomeni, Przyborek, Taylor; Cancellieri, Dia, Isaksen, Noslin, Ratkov, Zaccagni

La Gazzetta dello Sport 

In with the goals 

Champions League: Inter looking for the comeback against Bodo

 From Dimarco to Pio Esposito: All of Chivu’s cards on the table to overturn the 3-1 and qualify for the round of 16 

McKennie signs for Juve until 2030 

Needs a big turnaround against Galatasaray tomorrow

Loftus, what a blow! 

Operated on the jaw, out for two months 

Rocchi to Milan: It wasn’t a penalty

Napoli fury 

The controversy from Bergamo

De Laurentiis, message to Gravina: Problem with referees needs to be resolved 

Torino to d’Aversa for the rest of the season 

Change in the dugout: Baroni sacked 

Corriere dello Sport 

Bodo or bust  

Champions League pride | Playing for our reputation in Europe over the next two days 

Inter for the comeback: Needs a victory by three goals 

Chivu wants to take them through to the round of 16: ‘We can overturn the 1-3 scoreline, but going out wouldn’t be an embarrassment’. With Thuram at 20.00. Dumfries returns

‘The goal was good!’ 

Botched refereeing: Napoli’s goal should have been awarded 

For Rocchi, the contact between Hojlund and Hien was a physical accident. One round out for Chiffi, who will be the VAR for Real Madrid-Benfica tomorrow, and will go up against Mo again following their clashes from his time at Roma.

Spalletti, a poker to eliminate Osi 

Juve-Galatasaray tomorrow

Scamacca and Samadrdzic dreaming of a masterpiece 

Atalanta-Borussia Dortmund tomorrow

Prestianni suspended, Mou stays silent 

Real Madrid-Benfica tomorrow

Viola reviving, Bologna are eighth 

Two narrow victories 

Kean beats Pisa (1-0) and catches up with Lecce and Cremonese, Bernardeschi from the penalty spot to see off Udinese (1-0).

Baroni sacked: Torino to d’Aversa 

After the loss at Marassi 

Only four points in the last eight games, Contract until the end of June for the new coach, debut against Lazio

Tuttosport 

McKennie: Here’s the hand 

Juve: first ant-crisis talks: The renewal of Wes is coming

The American is a key player for Spalletti, who was won over by his versatility. The background behind Vlahovic’s reopening. Shocking insults and threats: Di Gregorio asks for calmness. Galatasaray tomorrow: Bremer probably a no, Yildiz maybe yes 

‘Juve, you can do it against Galatasaray. Yildiz needs … Dusan’ 

Montella exclusive

D’Aversa, the choice of desperation 

The new coach, called in to avoid Serie B, with Toro until the end of June

After constantly defending him and deflecting critics, Cairo sacks Baroni as well and signs the only coach prepared to take on this Granata reality: Signed for four months. The supporters: ‘How many will be sacked, Mr President?’ 1-0 in Pisa: Fiorentina -3 behind 

Chivu high tension, and Bodo provoke: ‘Inter not very clever’ 

Two goals for the comeback in San Siro 

The Nerazzurro coach clashes with a Norwegian journalist: ‘An embarrassment if we get knocked out? Disrespectful’. Knutsen, the rival head coach, cries: ‘City didn’t complain about the artificial pitch. And talking of the cold …’ Here’s Dumfries again

Torino have officially announced that Marco Baroni has been relieved of his duties as head coach, and have already appointed a replacement on a short-term contract for the remainder of the 2025-26 season. 

Baroni leaves the club in 15th place in the Serie A table on 27 points after 26 matches. Torino currently find themselves just three points above the relegation zone. 

Baroni oversaw just one win in his final seven matches in charge of Torino, with the final straw coming in a 3-0 defeat away against Genoa on Sunday afternoon. Toro were also eliminated by Inter in the Coppa Italia quarter-final and had been beaten 6-0 by Como in Serie A in the final weeks of Baroni’s tenure. 

“Torino Football Club announces that it has sacked Marco Baroni from the position of coach of the first team,” read a statement on the club website. 

“The Club thanks the coach and his staff for the activity carried out so far with commitment and fairness and wishes them the best in the continuation of their careers.” 

Torino hire D’Aversa to replace Baroni 

Torino have also announced on Monday that Roberto D’Aversa has been appointed to the role of head coach on a short-term contract until June 30, 2026. 

D’Aversa has been out of work since June 2025 following Empoli’s relegation to Serie B at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. He also has experiences with Lecce, where by coincidence he also replaced Marco Baroni, as well as Sampdoria and Parma. 

“Torino Football Club is pleased to announce that it has entrusted the management of the First Team to coach Roberto D’Aversa. The coach has signed a contract until June 30, 2026,” Torino confirmed.