Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori has opened up on the intense man-management style of Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso, jokingly claiming the Azzurri boss has called him more frequently than his own mother in recent months. The versatile 23-year-old is preparing for a crucial World Cup play-off against Northern Ireland as Italy look to avoid missing out on a third consecutive tournament.
Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski is set to link up with the Sweden national team ahead of their 2026 World Cup playoff despite his ongoing injury struggles. The winger has been sidelined for nearly a year following a serious knee injury suffered last season.
Italy is once again fearing for its World Cup hopes; the pressure on the four-time world champions is immense ahead of the decisive matches for one of the last places.
Italy head coach Gennaro Gattuso has confirmed that Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa was sent home ahead of a crucial World Cup play-off tie against Northern Ireland. The manager says the forward had some "minor issues" and "wasn't up to it".
Federico Chiesa has ended his international exile by accepting a call-up to the Italy squad for next Thursday's crucial World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland. Gennaro Gattuso named his 28-man squad on Friday, with the Liverpool forward's inclusion the headline news after he had rejected several previous call-ups across various camps this season.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has warned fans to temper their expectations regarding Alexander Isak's return. The British-record signing has endured a nightmare debut season at Anfield following a series of fitness setbacks and a long-term leg injury ,with Slot now having provided the latest on his recovery.
The crisis in Italian football academies and Italian football? The former centre forward has a solution: bring in former top-quality players such as Roberto Baggio to the youth teams.
Sweden national team manager Graham Potter has provided a fitness update on star duo Dejan Kulusevski and Alexander Isak as the national team prepare for a high-stakes World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine in late March. Both players have been dealing with long-term injury lay-offs, leaving Potter sweating on the availability of his most potent attacking weapons.
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