Goncalo Ramos says he has his sights set on silverware with AC Milan this season, with the Portuguese newcomer admitting that winning the Scudetto would be a welcome achievement.

Ramos has outlined his ambitions after arriving at the Italian club, making clear that he wants the campaign to bring more than individual progress. The Serie A title is among the honours he would like to compete for, although his comment was measured rather than a firm prediction about Milan’s chances.

“Scudetto? It would be nice,” Ramos said.

The Scudetto is the title awarded to the winners of Serie A, Italy’s top flight, and remains the central league prize for clubs competing in the competition. For Ramos, it represents the kind of trophy he would like to pursue during his first season with AC Milan.

His remarks come as the new campaign gets under way and as AC Milan look to improve on their position from last season. The club finished fifth in the Serie A table in the previous campaign.

That result placed Milan outside the top four positions in the final standings, while Ramos’ comments point to an ambition to challenge for a considerably higher finish this time. Rather than setting out a detailed target, the forward identified the Scudetto as a desirable outcome for the season ahead.

Ramos is described as a Portuguese newcomer to AC Milan and has spoken about his objectives at the start of his time with the club. His hopes extend to trophies generally, with the Serie A title specifically mentioned among the honours he would like to win.

The statement does not guarantee that AC Milan will lift the title, but it does indicate the level of ambition attached to the campaign. Following a fifth-place finish, the prospect of competing for the Scudetto would represent a significant improvement in the club’s league fortunes.

For now, Ramos’ message is straightforward: he wants to help AC Milan pursue silverware, and would regard a Scudetto triumph as a positive outcome. His comments provide an early indication of the expectations surrounding the new season, with the Portuguese player placing the focus on collective success rather than a personal milestone.

AC Milan’s previous Serie A campaign ended in fifth place, and the club now begin the new season with Ramos looking towards the possibility of a title challenge. Whether that ambition develops into a genuine contest for the championship will be decided over the course of the campaign, but the Scudetto has already emerged as one of the trophies in the newcomer’s thoughts.

Roma are considering a move for former Manchester United and Galatasaray winger Wilfried Zaha, with the 33-year-old available as a free agent, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Serie A club is examining the possibility of bringing Zaha to Italy as manager Gian Piero Gasperini looks to strengthen his attacking options. No transfer fee would be required because the winger left Galatasaray and is currently without a club.

Zaha spent the past year and a half on loan at Charlotte in the United States. During 2026, he made 13 appearances for the club, scoring three goals and providing two assists.

His potential availability has placed him among the players being assessed by Roma as they look to add further attacking depth. The report does not indicate that an agreement has been reached, but the Italian club is understood to be studying the option of signing him.

Zaha began his senior career with Crystal Palace before moving to Manchester United. He later returned to Crystal Palace, where he established himself as one of the club’s leading attacking players, before continuing his career overseas with Galatasaray.

The winger joined Galatasaray after his time in the Premier League and subsequently spent the last 18 months playing in the United States with Charlotte. His latest spell has included 13 appearances in 2026, with three goals and two assists recorded during that period.

Any move to Roma would therefore represent another change in league and country for Zaha. The possible transfer is being considered at a time when Roma have made a strong start to their Serie A campaign.

After two rounds of the season, Roma are top of the Serie A table with six points. The club’s early position has coincided with Gasperini’s desire to reinforce his attacking line, and Zaha is now being assessed as a possible addition.

Because the player is a free agent, Roma would not have to pay a transfer fee to secure his signature. The club would instead need to negotiate terms directly with Zaha if it decided to progress beyond its current evaluation of the former Manchester United and Galatasaray winger.

For now, the interest remains at the exploratory stage. La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Roma are studying the possibility of signing the 33-year-old, while Zaha’s recent record at Charlotte and his availability without a fee form the basis of the potential deal.

Como will look to extend their unbeaten start to the Serie A season when they visit Genoa in the third round of the Italian top flight on 4 September 2026.

The visitors sit seventh in the table with four points from their opening two matches, while Genoa are 16th and without a point after losing both of their games. The match therefore presents Como with the chance to strengthen their early position, while Genoa will be aiming to recover from a difficult beginning to their campaign.

Genoa have been beaten by Napoli and Lazio in their first two league fixtures. They opened with a 2-0 defeat by Napoli before suffering a narrow 1-0 loss against Lazio.

The club did, however, record a convincing victory in the Coppa Italia. Genoa defeated Ascoli 4-1 to progress to the next round, offering the side some encouragement before returning to league action.

Como, meanwhile, began their Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw against Udinese. They then claimed a notable 2-1 victory over Napoli, taking their points tally to four.

That start leaves Como two points behind sixth-placed Atalanta. A further victory at Genoa would keep them among the early pace-setters and increase the pressure on their hosts, who are still searching for their first league points.

Head-to-head record

Como are regarded as the favourites for the meeting based on the available assessment.

The most recent meeting between the two clubs ended in a 2-0 win for Como. Across the past five matches between the sides, Como have won twice, while three games have finished level.

The statistics supplied for the fixture also state that Napoli have won once in five games. That figure is included among the recent comparison data for the match.

Prediction

Como’s stronger opening to the season, combined with Genoa’s two defeats in Serie A, makes the away side the expected choice in the prediction.

The forecast is for Como to beat Genoa, with a recommended bet on an away victory. Como’s win over Napoli has strengthened confidence in their prospects, while Genoa must improve significantly after failing to score in either of their first two league defeats.

The match will be played on 4 September 2026 and is the third-round fixture of the Serie A season.

Where to watch

The source article says the match may be available through bookmakers after a quick registration.

It lists the following advertising links:

- Source 1: winline.ru

- Source 2: fon.bet

No specific match odds are provided in the information supplied.

Gian Piero Gasperini has said he had no involvement in the failed transfer of Roma midfielder Manu Kone, after Chelsea showed interest in signing the France international during the summer transfer window.

“I did not take any part whatsoever in the deal for Kone,” Roma head coach Gasperini said.

The 25-year-old midfielder has been with the Serie A club since August 2024 and remains under contract at Roma until the end of June 2029. His current market value is estimated at €50m.

Gasperini’s comments address his role in a proposed move that ultimately did not happen. The Roma manager was asked about the situation involving Kone and made clear that he was not involved in the negotiations or decision-making surrounding the transfer.

Chelsea were the London club credited with showing interest in the midfielder during the summer window. Despite that interest, Kone remained a Roma player and continues to be tied to the Italian club on a contract running through the 2028-29 season.

The midfielder’s existing agreement gives Roma contractual control over his future for almost three more years. The €50m valuation attached to Kone reflects his position in the transfer market, although the attempted move involving Chelsea was not completed.

Kone joined Roma in August 2024 and has since been part of the capital club’s squad. His status at the club was not changed by the summer transfer interest, with his contract still scheduled to expire at the end of June 2029.

For Gasperini, the central point of his response was that the transfer was not a matter in which he had taken part. His statement separates the Roma coach from the negotiations involving Kone and Chelsea, while the available details do not indicate that the player’s long-term contract with Roma has been altered.

The situation therefore leaves Kone at Roma, with the midfielder’s future formally secured by his existing deal. Chelsea’s reported interest did not result in a completed transfer, and Gasperini has rejected any suggestion that he played a role in the unsuccessful move.

Italian defender Alessio Romagnoli has ended his time with Lazio to join Qatar Stars League club Al-Sadd on a contract running until 2029.

The 31-year-old centre-back’s move was confirmed by Al-Sadd’s club press office, which announced that Romagnoli had signed a long-term employment agreement with the Qatari side.

Reports in the media had previously stated that Al-Sadd would pay €3m to complete the transfer. The move takes Romagnoli away from Italian football after he represented Lazio from 2022.

Romagnoli spent the past seasons as part of Lazio’s squad and featured regularly during the most recent Serie A campaign. He appeared in 32 league matches, receiving five yellow cards and being sent off once.

His departure brings to an end a period in Rome that began in 2022, with the defender now set to continue his career in Qatar. Al-Sadd’s agreement keeps him at the club through 2029, underlining the long-term nature of the move.

The transfer also marks a change of domestic competition for Romagnoli, who had spent the previous part of his career in Italy’s top flight. His latest Serie A campaign included 32 appearances, five cautions and one dismissal before his switch to Al-Sadd.

Lazio and Al-Sadd have therefore completed a move involving an experienced Italian defender, with the Qatari club agreeing a reported €3m fee and securing Romagnoli’s services on a deal that runs until 2029.

Luka Modric has described his 2018 Ballon d’Or triumph as a particularly special achievement because it came during an era dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.

The Croatian midfielder, who now plays for Milan, reflected on the individual honour he won while representing Real Madrid.

“Winning the Ballon d’Or in the era of Ronaldo and Messi is something special,” Modric said.

Modric collected the award in 2018, ending a period in which the prize had been closely associated with Ronaldo and Messi. His success therefore carried significance beyond the personal recognition attached to the Ballon d’Or, marking a notable moment in the competition during the two players’ era.

At the time of his victory, Modric was a Real Madrid player. He had joined the Spanish club in 2012 and remained there until 2025, representing the side for 13 years before moving on to Milan.

His Ballon d’Or win remains linked to his career at Real Madrid, where he established himself as a key figure in the club’s midfield. The award came during his spell with the “royal” club and is the individual achievement he was discussing in his latest comments.

Modric’s remarks focus on the wider importance of receiving the prize while Ronaldo and Messi shaped the Ballon d’Or conversation. In that context, he considers the honour especially significant, rather than viewing it simply as another individual award.

The midfielder is now continuing his career with Milan, but his 2018 success remains the central achievement referenced in his comments. The award was won while he was playing for Real Madrid, the club he represented from 2012 through 2025.

Although the source of the comments provides no additional detail about the voting or the ceremony, Modric’s message is clear: winning the Ballon d’Or in that period had an importance of its own. His recognition stood out against the backdrop of Ronaldo and Messi’s influence over the award.

The Croatian’s comments also underline the place of the 2018 result within his career. It was achieved during his lengthy Real Madrid spell and before his current chapter with Milan. For Modric, the timing of the success is central to its meaning.

His description of the achievement presents the award as a distinctive moment in football history, shaped not only by the honour itself but also by the level of competition surrounding it. That is why Modric regards his Ballon d’Or victory as something special.

Milan are considering a new long-term contract for central defender Strahinja Pavlovic, with the Serbia international reportedly moving closer to an agreement that would keep him at the club until the middle of 2031.

Pavlovic’s current deal runs until the summer of 2028, but Milan’s management are satisfied with his performances and are prepared to offer him an improved and extended contract. According to transfer insider Nicolo Schira, discussions are progressing towards a new agreement that would extend the 25-year-old’s stay by a further three years.

The proposed deal would represent a significant show of confidence in Pavlovic, who has established himself as an important member of Milan’s squad since joining the club. His existing contract still has almost two years to run, but the Rossoneri are keen to secure his future well beyond its current expiry date.

Pavlovic joined Milan in the summer of 2024 from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. Since moving to Italy, he has made 75 appearances for Milan in all competitions, scoring seven goals and providing three assists.

Those figures include his contribution across the competitions in which the Italian club have participated during his time there. As a central defender, Pavlovic’s seven goals and three assists have added an attacking dimension to his overall record for the club.

Milan’s willingness to discuss a contract lasting until mid-2031 underlines the importance they place on the defender. The club are happy with the player, while Pavlovic is now reportedly close to committing his long-term future to the Rossoneri.

No new agreement has yet been confirmed, but Schira’s information indicates that the negotiations have reached an advanced stage. If completed, the contract would keep Pavlovic tied to Milan until he is 31, extending a relationship that began with his arrival from Red Bull Salzburg in 2024.

For now, the defender remains contracted to Milan until the summer of 2028. The focus of the negotiations is therefore not an immediate change of club, but an extension designed to reflect his status within the squad and secure his services through to 2031.

Former Inter manager Andrea Stramaccioni has praised the progress made by Milan under new head coach Ruben Amorim, saying the Portuguese coach’s ideas are closely aligned with his own footballing philosophy.

Stramaccioni believes Amorim’s approach at Milan reflects a way of thinking that he personally finds appealing. His assessment focuses on the direction the club has taken since the managerial change and on the principles being introduced by its new coach.

The former Inter boss did not provide further detail about which specific aspects of Amorim’s work he admires. However, his overall view is clearly positive: Stramaccioni considers Milan to be making progress and sees a strong connection between Amorim’s methods and his own understanding of the game.

The comments come after a difficult previous campaign for Milan under Massimiliano Allegri. The club ended last season in fifth place in the final Serie A table, a position that fell short of the level expected from one of Italian football’s leading teams.

Allegri was Milan’s manager before Amorim took charge. The change in the dugout has therefore brought a new footballing direction, with Stramaccioni now expressing his approval of the ideas associated with the current coach.

For Stramaccioni, the significance lies not simply in the arrival of a new manager but in the identity Amorim is seeking to establish at Milan. The former Inter coach’s comments suggest that he sees the club’s recent development as part of a coherent sporting project rather than merely the result of a change in personnel.

Milan’s fifth-place finish under Allegri provides the immediate background to the discussion. That outcome left the club outside the leading positions in Serie A, while the appointment of Amorim represents an opportunity to create a different path for the team.

Stramaccioni’s support is based on his appreciation of Amorim’s ideas and the progress he believes Milan have made under the new coach. He regards those ideas as compatible with his own vision, making the Portuguese manager’s work at the Italian club particularly interesting to him.

The comments do not include a detailed comparison between Amorim and Allegri, nor do they set out a specific tactical explanation for Milan’s improvement. Instead, they offer Stramaccioni’s broad judgement on the club’s current direction and on the principles being developed by its new manager.

With Milan now working under Amorim, Stramaccioni has made clear that he welcomes the change in approach. His view is that the coach’s ideas fit a footballing outlook he respects, while the club’s progress provides a more encouraging picture than the fifth-place finish recorded during Allegri’s tenure.

Ricardo Rodriguez has returned to Serie A after agreeing a one-year contract with Torino, with the deal running until 30 June 2027.

The experienced Switzerland defender previously played in Italy for Milan and will now continue his career with Torino, the second-leading club from Turin. His move brings him back into the Italian top flight and sets up a reunion with former Milan team-mate Ignazio Abate.

Abate is now Torino’s manager, meaning the pair will work together again in different roles. Rodriguez and Abate were previously team-mates at Milan, but Abate will now be responsible for coaching the 33-year-old defender at the Turin club, according to pianetamilan.it.

Rodriguez’s arrival comes as Torino look to respond to a difficult start to the new season. The club have lost both of their opening matches, including their first fixture against Milan.

The defeats leave Torino still searching for their first points of the campaign. Their next opportunity to get off the mark will come against Fiorentina in the following round.

For Rodriguez, the agreement represents a return to a competition in which he has already played, while for Torino it provides an experienced defensive option as they attempt to recover from their opening results. His contract is due to last for one year, taking him through to 30 June 2027.

The move also adds an immediate personal link to Torino’s coaching staff. Rodriguez knows Abate from their time together at Milan, although their responsibilities will be different this time. Abate will be in the dugout, while Rodriguez begins his latest spell in Serie A as a Torino player.

Torino’s early schedule has already included a meeting with Milan, the club for whom Rodriguez previously appeared in the Italian championship. That match ended in defeat for the Turin side, and it was followed by another loss, leaving them without a win after two games.

Their next match against Fiorentina will therefore be Torino’s chance to begin changing the direction of their season. Rodriguez’s signing has been completed before that fixture, giving Abate the option of working with the experienced Swiss defender as the club prepare for the next round.

The move marks Rodriguez’s latest connection with Italian football and renews his association with Milan through Abate. This time, however, the setting will be Torino, where the defender has committed to a contract until the end of June 2027.

Ex-Boca Juniors player Exequiel Zeballos has joined Monza after accepting the Italian club’s invitation, saying his decision to move to Serie A was driven by his father and his connection with Diego Maradona.

Zeballos was asked by journalists why he had chosen Italy and the country’s top division for the next stage of his career. His answer was personal rather than sporting, with the player explaining that his father was the main reason behind the move.

“I am in Italy because of Maradona,” Zeballos said.

The Argentine has therefore begun a new chapter with Monza, a club that has only recently returned to the top level of Italian football. His arrival comes as the side prepares for the demands of Serie A after its return to the division.

For Zeballos, the transfer is connected not only with the opportunity to play in one of Europe’s major leagues but also with family motivations. His comments linked the move to his father, while the reference to Maradona provided the central explanation for why Italy was the destination he chose.

Monza’s opening results have been difficult. After the first two rounds of the Italian championship, the club has two defeats from two matches and remains without a point.

The team’s next opportunity to change that record will come away from home against Parma. The Serie A fixture is scheduled for Sunday, 6 September.

Zeballos will now begin his time at Monza during a period in which the club is adjusting to life back in Italy’s highest division. The immediate focus will be on the trip to Parma, with the visitors looking to secure their first result of the campaign after losing their opening two matches.

The move marks a change of surroundings for Zeballos following his spell with Boca Juniors. His decision to accept Monza’s invitation has taken him into Serie A, where his first assignment will come against Parma on the club’s next matchday.

Although Monza have yet to record a victory this season, Zeballos’ explanation for joining the club was centred on a deeply personal connection. Rather than highlighting a sporting factor, the former Boca Juniors player pointed to his father and to Maradona when discussing his reasons for moving to Italy.

That connection gives added meaning to his arrival at a club that has only just returned to the Italian top flight. His first weeks with Monza will now unfold against the backdrop of two early defeats and a forthcoming away match at Parma.

Former Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic has recalled how strictly Antonio Conte treated training commitments, saying the manager could even prevent players from visiting the dentist during his first year working with him.

“Conte sometimes did not even let me go to the dentist because of training,” Handanovic said.

The anecdote highlights the importance Conte placed on players being present for sessions. Even an appointment that would normally be regarded as a legitimate reason to miss training could become difficult to arrange under his approach, according to Handanovic.

Handanovic did not suggest that the issue was limited to one particular type of appointment. Instead, his comments focused on Conte’s general reluctance to accept players missing training, including for reasons that might otherwise be considered reasonable.

The former goalkeeper’s recollection offers an insight into the demands placed on Inter’s squad during his first year working with Conte. Training was treated as a priority, with players expected to organise their personal commitments around it rather than assume they could be absent.

Handanovic spent 11 years with Inter, representing the Milan club from 2012 until 2023. His time at the club therefore covered a long period of change, including his work with Conte, whose strict attitude towards training remained memorable to the goalkeeper.

The dental appointment story is presented as an example of that uncompromising approach. Handanovic’s comments suggest that Conte’s expectations extended beyond preparation for matches and into the everyday organisation of players’ schedules.

Conte’s position, as recalled by Handanovic, was clear: training was not to be missed easily. The former Inter captain’s account underlines how seriously the manager regarded attendance and commitment, even when a player had a personal appointment that could ordinarily be seen as a valid reason for an absence.

Handanovic was Inter’s goalkeeper from 2012 to 2023, making him one of the club’s long-serving players. His comments about Conte concern the first year of their time working together and centre on the manager’s strict response to any missed training.

The story does not include further details about the dental visit or explain whether the appointment was ultimately rearranged. Its central point is Handanovic’s description of Conte’s refusal to make exceptions easily, even for a trip to the dentist.

That memory has now become a concise illustration of the training culture Handanovic experienced while working under Conte at Inter.

Christian Pulisic is set to return to the Milan squad for Sunday’s Italian championship meeting with Juventus, according to a report by pianetamilan.it.

The United States forward has been unavailable since the beginning of July, when he was ruled out while representing his country at the recently completed World Cup. His expected return would provide Milan with an important option ahead of one of the most significant fixtures on their schedule.

Milan and Juventus will meet on Sunday, with Pulisic now reportedly close to being available again after his latest spell on the sidelines. The report does not state whether he is expected to start, but indicates that he is ready to return to the squad for the match against the Turin club.

Pulisic’s absence has continued a period in which injuries have become a regular issue for the player at Milan. The American’s fitness has been an ongoing consideration for the Rossoneri in recent years, and his latest lay-off kept him out of the side during the early part of the current period covered by the report.

His possible involvement against Juventus would therefore mark a significant step towards a return to competitive action. It would also give Milan the chance to include the forward in their plans for a fixture that brings together two of Italian football’s best-known clubs.

Pulisic joined Milan in the summer of 2023 after moving from Chelsea in London. The transfer brought the United States international to the Italian club, where he has since been affected by the injury problems referenced in the report.

Milan are now preparing to face Juventus on Sunday, while Pulisic’s fitness will be monitored ahead of the game. For the moment, the information from pianetamilan.it is that the forward is ready to come back into the squad following his absence.

His return would not necessarily confirm a place in the starting line-up, but it would make him available for selection at a key moment. Milan’s meeting with Juventus is the next opportunity for Pulisic to rejoin his team-mates after being sidelined since the start of July.

The match will also underline the latest stage of Pulisic’s career in Italy. Since his move from Chelsea in 2023, injuries have repeatedly interrupted his involvement with Milan. The prospect of a return against Juventus offers the club a chance to welcome back the American forward as they prepare for Sunday’s Italian championship fixture.

Players arriving at Juventus’ training centre were given an unexpected welcome when a Ferrari SF-26 was placed in the car park reserved for the club’s squad.

The Formula 1 car was not a display model or a vehicle intended simply for promotional appearances and demonstration runs. It was Ferrari’s current-season machine, the same car due to compete for victory at Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will drive the Ferrari SF-26 in the race, with the Italian manufacturer’s latest Formula 1 car making an unusual appearance at the Turin club’s training base before the weekend’s event.

The two Ferrari drivers also visited Juventus’ training centre, adding to the significance of the meeting between two of Italy’s most prominent sporting names.

For the Juventus players, the sight of a current Formula 1 car waiting in the area where they usually park their vehicles provided an unexpected start to their arrival at the facility. Rather than encountering a replica or a show car, they were met by the machine that Leclerc and Hamilton will use in their bid for victory at Monza.

The visit also highlighted the long-standing connection between Juventus and Ferrari. Their collaboration began at the moment when Ferrari, Italy’s most prestigious automotive brand, came under the ownership of Fiat.

That relationship links the Turin football club with a marque whose identity is closely connected to Italian motor racing. The presence of the SF-26 at Juventus’ training centre brought that association into view just before Ferrari’s home Grand Prix.

The car’s appearance came ahead of the race in Monza, where Leclerc and Hamilton are set to represent Ferrari on Sunday. It was therefore both a surprise for the Juventus squad and a preview of the Formula 1 event involving the current Ferrari car.

With the SF-26 positioned among the players’ vehicles, the training centre briefly became a meeting point for Juventus football and Ferrari’s Formula 1 operation. The appearance of the car underlined that the collaboration between the two organisations extends beyond a symbolic connection, while the visit by Leclerc and Hamilton brought the drivers themselves into the occasion.

For Juventus, the arrival of the Ferrari machine offered an unusual sight at the club’s base. For Ferrari, it provided an opportunity to place its current Formula 1 car in front of the players of the Turin superclub before the Italian Grand Prix.

The gathering took place as attention turned towards Sunday’s race at Monza, where Ferrari will seek victory with Leclerc and Hamilton behind the wheel of the SF-26.

Genoa will be looking to put their difficult opening to the Italian championship behind them when they face unbeaten Como on 4 September. The match begins at 21:45 Moscow time, with live coverage available on Match! Football 1.

Daniele De Rossi’s side have lost both of their opening fixtures and are still waiting to score their first goal of the campaign. Genoa began with a home defeat by Napoli, going down 2-0, before suffering another setback away to Lazio.

The loss to Lazio was decided by a single goal, but it left Genoa without a point after two rounds. Their immediate challenge is therefore twofold: to end the run of defeats and to finally find the net.

Como arrive in considerably better shape. Cesc Fabregas’ team have avoided defeat in both of their first two matches and have made the more assured start to the season. The contrast between the two clubs gives the fixture added significance, with Genoa seeking a response and Como aiming to maintain their unbeaten record.

The Italian championship fixture will be played on 4 September, with kick-off scheduled for 21:45 Moscow time. Viewers can watch the match live on the Match! Football 1 channel.

A free stream of the game is available on the Winline website. LiveResult will provide text commentary for those following the contest online.

Genoa’s opening results have left little room for satisfaction. The team not only remain without a win, but have also failed to register in either match. After the 0-2 home defeat by Napoli, the narrow 0-1 loss at Lazio offered no points despite the smaller margin.

Como, by comparison, have come through the first two rounds without defeat under Fabregas. That record means they enter the meeting with greater momentum, while Genoa must attempt to change the direction of their campaign.

The match will therefore bring together two teams with markedly different records at this early stage. Genoa will hope home advantage and the need to recover from their opening defeats can inspire their first positive result, while Como will seek to extend their unbeaten start.

Live television coverage is scheduled for Match! Football 1 from 21:45 Moscow time on 4 September. Online viewers can also use Winline’s free broadcast, while LiveResult offers a text-based account of the match.

Como will play their home matches in the 2026-27 Champions League at Giuseppe Sinigaglia after the stadium was brought up to UEFA standards.

The club has officially confirmed that the ground will be used for the club’s first-ever Champions League campaign, following the completion of the required renovation work. Football Italia reports that the stadium now meets the regulations needed to host matches in the competition.

Como secured Champions League qualification after finishing the 2025-26 season in a position that earned them a place in Europe’s leading club tournament. However, there had previously been uncertainty over whether Giuseppe Sinigaglia would be approved for the fixtures.

The main alternative under consideration was Mapei Stadium, which is approximately 200 kilometres from Como. That venue had been discussed as a possible temporary home in case the club’s own ground could not satisfy UEFA’s requirements.

Those concerns have now been addressed. A new stand has been constructed at Giuseppe Sinigaglia, while improvements have also been made to the stadium’s infrastructure and security systems.

The redevelopment has increased the arena’s capacity to 12,379 spectators. About 2,000 of those places, however, will be available to be filled only for Como’s domestic league matches.

Como’s confirmation means the club will be able to welcome Champions League opposition at their historic home rather than relocating their European fixtures elsewhere. It also marks a significant moment for a side preparing to compete in the tournament for the first time in its history.

The stadium work was therefore central to the club’s preparations for the 2026-27 season. Until the upgrades were completed, the possibility of playing at Mapei Stadium remained open because of the doubts surrounding Giuseppe Sinigaglia’s suitability.

With the necessary changes now finished and the ground aligned with UEFA’s requirements, Como have retained the right to stage their European matches in the city. Their home Champions League fixtures will consequently take place at Giuseppe Sinigaglia, subject to the competition schedule.

Former Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic believes the club’s recent achievements, including reaching two Champions League finals in the past few years, were built on the mentality developed during Antonio Conte’s time in charge.

Conte left Inter in 2021, but Handanovic says the foundations established under the former manager continue to influence the Milan club’s performances. In his view, the team’s current success can be traced back to the winning mindset created during Conte’s spell at the club.

The Slovenian goalkeeper, who retired from football in 2023, considers Conte’s contribution central to Inter’s transformation into a side capable of competing at the highest level in Europe.

Handanovic’s assessment places particular importance on the mentality Conte instilled rather than simply on the results achieved during the manager’s time in charge. He believes that period gave Inter the belief and competitive character required to challenge for major honours after Conte’s departure.

That mentality, Handanovic argues, has remained visible in the club’s subsequent progress. Inter have gone on to appear in two Champions League finals in recent years, an achievement that reflects the lasting effect of the culture formed during Conte’s tenure.

Although Conte no longer leads the team, Handanovic believes his influence is still evident in the way Inter have performed on the European stage. The former goalkeeper therefore regards the current successes of the Milan club as part of a process that began before the latest finals and continued after the manager left in 2021.

Handanovic ended his playing career in 2023. His comments underline the importance he attaches to the foundations created during his time alongside Conte at Inter and to the role those foundations played in restoring the club’s ability to reach the Champions League’s decisive stage.

For the former Inter goalkeeper, the club’s recent progress is not an isolated development. Instead, he credits Conte with creating the mentality that enabled Inter to become a regular contender at the top level and ultimately reach two Champions League finals in the years that followed.

The former Slovenia international’s view is that Inter’s winning identity was shaped during Conte’s reign and remained influential even after the Italian manager’s departure. It is that legacy, he believes, which helped the club sustain its progress and achieve its most significant recent European results.

Francesco Toldo described Fiorentina’s centenary celebration as “an evening of celebration and memories” after the former goalkeeper returned to the pitch for a match featuring stars from the club’s past.

Toldo was among the former players taking part in the event held to mark 100 years of Fiorentina. The occasion brought together figures associated with the club’s history and gave the ex-Italy international the chance to play again.

The former goalkeeper spoke about his return to competitive action as part of an evening centred on Fiorentina’s long history. For Toldo, the event combined a celebration of the club’s centenary with the opportunity to reconnect with the people and memories linked to his time in Florence.

Toldo represented Fiorentina from 1993 to 2001, establishing himself as an important figure during his eight years with the club. His career with the Viola formed the early part of a distinguished playing history that also included many seasons with Inter.

He was also a regular member of the Italy national team and is widely known for his performances at international level, as well as for the years he spent with Inter after leaving Fiorentina.

The centenary match allowed Toldo to return to the field alongside other former stars. It was a celebration rather than a conventional fixture, with the focus on the club’s past and the players who helped shape its story.

Toldo’s appearance was one of the notable features of the event, given that his playing career has long since moved into the past. His participation provided a direct link between Fiorentina’s history and the present-day celebration of the club’s 100th anniversary.

The evening was therefore marked by both remembrance and reunion. Toldo was able to revisit the setting of an important period in his career while representing Fiorentina once more in front of supporters.

His time at the club from 1993 to 2001 remains a significant part of his football identity. Although he later became particularly associated with Inter and Italy, his return for the centenary event underlined the lasting connection between the goalkeeper and Fiorentina.

The former player’s reflections captured the purpose of the occasion: to recognise the club’s history, remember earlier generations and celebrate the former footballers who have worn the Fiorentina shirt.

For Toldo, the event also offered a rare opportunity to step back on to the pitch. Alongside the wider celebration of Fiorentina’s century of existence, his involvement gave the evening a personal dimension, bringing together his memories of the club and the experience of playing again.

Luka Modric is not planning to end his international career and is set to continue representing Croatia, according to reports.

The 40-year-old midfielder, who plays for AC Milan, had been the subject of media speculation earlier in the summer, with reports suggesting he could retire from football altogether. However, Modric agreed a one-year contract extension with the Rossoneri in July, and he now appears ready to prolong his career at international level as well.

Madrid Xtra, citing Croatian broadcaster RTL, reports that the veteran has decided to remain involved with the Croatia national team. The decision means Modric will continue to be available for the country he has represented since making his senior debut in 2006.

Modric has won 202 caps for Croatia and has scored 29 goals, while also providing 32 assists. He is the country’s most experienced international player and has remained a central figure for the national side throughout his career.

Although there had been uncertainty over his future during the summer, the reported decision suggests Modric has no immediate intention of stepping away from international football. His choice follows the extension of his club career at AC Milan, where he will remain for at least another year.

The midfielder’s international career began in 2006, and he has since played a defining role in Croatia’s development into one of Europe’s most competitive national teams. He has continued to feature prominently despite reaching the later stages of his career.

Modric will celebrate his 41st birthday on 9 September. Before joining AC Milan, he spent many years with Real Madrid, where he established himself as one of the leading midfielders of his generation.

His continued availability will be significant for Croatia, given his experience and record with the national team. Modric’s 202 appearances underline the length of his international career, while his 29 goals and 32 assists reflect his contribution beyond simply controlling the midfield.

The latest reports do not suggest that he has set a date for his eventual international retirement. Instead, they indicate that the former Real Madrid player intends to continue playing for Croatia after the rumours that he might bring his career to an end emerged at the start of the summer.

For now, Modric’s future appears to include both AC Milan and the Croatia national team, with his new club contract and reported international decision allowing him to continue playing beyond his 40th birthday.

Diego Moreira says he immediately felt at home at AC Milan after joining the Italian club, despite having spent only his first few days with the Serie A side.

The new arrival has spoken positively about the beginning of his time at the Italian giants, describing an early sense of comfort within his new surroundings. Moreira’s assessment is clear: rather than feeling like a visitor, he already feels settled at Milan.

“At Milan, I immediately felt at home,” Moreira said.

His comments provide an upbeat first impression of life at the club. For a player at the start of a new experience, the adjustment period can often be uncertain, but Moreira has presented his opening days in Italy as a positive and enjoyable introduction.

The forward appears satisfied with the move and with the way his first days have unfolded. His remarks suggest that he has adapted quickly to the environment at Milan, even though the feeling of being a guest may only become apparent later.

That sense of belonging comes as Milan have made an ideal beginning to the new Serie A season. The club have won both of their opening league fixtures, giving the side a perfect record after two matches.

Ruben Amorim’s team began the campaign with a victory over Torino. Milan then followed that result by beating Venezia, ensuring they maintained their winning start.

Those two results have provided a strong competitive backdrop to Moreira’s arrival. While the player has focused on his personal experience during his first days in the squad, Milan have already collected maximum points from their opening matches.

The victories against Torino and Venezia mean the club have started the new Serie A campaign with two wins from two games. Moreira’s early comments therefore come at a time when both his own introduction to Milan and the team’s results have been positive.

For now, the message from the newcomer is one of satisfaction. Moreira feels comfortable at the club, and Milan have begun the season by taking full points from their first two matches.

Former Fiorentina forward Franck Ribery said he was proud to have worn the club’s shirt after taking part in a friendly match featuring some of the Italian side’s former stars.

Ribery, who represented Fiorentina from 2019 to 2021, was involved in the special game before reflecting on his time with the club and the welcome he continues to receive from its supporters.

“I am proud that I wore this shirt,” Ribery said, underlining the importance of his spell in Florence.

The Frenchman also spoke about his lasting connection with Fiorentina fans. His comments highlighted the relationship he developed with the club’s supporters during his two seasons with the side.

Ribery made it clear that he still enjoys playing football, adding another personal note to an evening centred on memories of Fiorentina’s former players.

The match also reunited Ribery with Luca Toni, restoring a much-remembered attacking partnership on the pitch. The two were once again involved in the same team during the friendly featuring stars from Fiorentina’s past.

Ribery joined Fiorentina in 2019 and remained with the club until 2021. During that period, he played 50 Serie A matches, scoring five goals and providing nine assists.

Although those figures represent only part of his wider contribution to the team, they provide a statistical record of his time in Florence. His return for the reunion offered an opportunity to revisit that period alongside other former Fiorentina players.

The French forward’s appearance also reinforced the enduring affection between him and the club. Ribery’s comments about the Fiorentina shirt and the supporters showed that his association with the side remains significant after his departure.

For Fiorentina, the friendly provided a chance to bring together players who had helped shape different periods in the club’s history. For Ribery, it was an occasion to play again, reconnect with the fans and share the field with Toni once more.

The club is commonly known as the Viola, and Ribery’s two-year spell remains part of its recent history. His return, together with Toni, gave the event a notable link with the past while allowing both players to enjoy another appearance in Fiorentina colours.

Ribery’s message was straightforward: despite having left the club in 2021, he continues to value his time in Florence and feels genuine pride in having represented Fiorentina.