Jonathan David failed to impress in Juventus’ 3-1 win over Udinese, prompting Gazzetta dello Sport to suggest that the Canada international is not good enough for Serie A.

David made a substitute appearance in Juventus’ 3-1 victory against Udinese on Wednesday, spending just 13 minutes on the pitch, but still received strong criticism from Gazzetta dello Sport.

The pink paper rated the Canadian striker 5.5/10, the lowest in the Juventus squad, despite his brief appearance on the pitch.

Gazzetta criticises David

“Are we mean? No,” wrote journalist Fabio Licari.

“The movement, pace, and rhythm just aren’t up to a Serie A player. He made a nice touch, but too many other things didn’t make sense. More [similar] to Luis Silvio than the former Liller scorer.”

Luis Silvio is a former Pistoiese midfielder, who played with the Tuscan side in the 80s, but only collected six appearances in the 1980-81 campaign before returning to Brazil.

David to play under new coach at Juventus

David joined Juventus on a free transfer from Lille last summer after scoring 109 goals in 232 matches with the French side.

David has collected 411 minutes of football in Serie A this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

Juventus have already sacked their coach Igor Tudor and are set to appoint Luciano Spalletti.

Luciano Spalletti has arrived at Continassa to sign his contract with Juventus and begin his tenure as the new Bianconeri coach.

The Tuscan tactician will replace Igor Tudor, who was sacked on Monday, becoming the third Juventus coach in 2025.

The Bianconeri beat Udinese 3-1 in a home Serie A game on Wednesday night with NextGen coach Massimo Brambilla leading the team from the touchline.

Spalletti to sign contract until the end of the season

Spalletti reached an agreement with Juventus on Tuesday and is expected to sign a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend if he earns Champions League qualification this season.

The ex-Italy coach arrived at the Juventus training centre on Thursday morning.

Juventus are expected to confirm his appointment shortly, before Spalletti takes charge of his first training session at Continassa.

Spalletti, a Napoli Serie A winner in 2022-23, has been without a team since June 2025, when he was sacked by the Italian Federation after a 3-0 loss against Norway.

Video: Spalletti arrives at Continassa to begin Juventus tenure

#Spalletti è arrivato alla Continassa pic.twitter.com/rGeD3rtwtf

— ilBiancoNero (@ilbianconerocom) October 30, 2025

Matteo Moretto reports that Bournemouth are determined to sign Álex Jiménez on a permanent deal from Milan, but Real Madrid will still have ‘financial control’ over the Spaniard once the deal is complete.

Premier League side Bournemouth are eager to sign Jimenez on a permanent deal from Milan, according to Italian transfer expert Matteo Moretto.

How much Milan earn with Jimenez’s permanent move

Jimenez moved to England on an initial loan deal worth €2m last summer, and Bournemouth have an option to buy for €18m plus €5m add-ons, according to Calciomercato.com.

Bournemouth’s option to buy becomes an obligation to purchase if certain conditions are met, but the English side seem willing to sign Jimenez permanently regardless of their original agreement with Milan.

Moretto adds that once Jiménez formally becomes a Bournemouth-owned player, Real Madrid will resume their financial control over their academy product, which means they’ll have a chance to match any offer Bournemouth receive in the future and potentially bring the 20-year-old back to the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid’s control over academy products

Real Madrid have the same sort of agreement with Como, as Nico Paz and Jacobo Ramon are formally owned by the Azzurri, but the Merengues have an option to bring them back in the coming years.

L’intenzione del Bournemouth è di riscattare Álex Jiménez dal Milan a prescindere delle condizioni dell’obbligo concordato in estate visto l’alto livello che inizia a mostrare in Premier.

Quando il club inglese sarà proprietario del cartellino dello spagnolo, il Real Madrid…

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) October 29, 2025

Roma striker Artem Dovbyk is ‘happy’ to have contributed to a 2-1 win over Parma and insists Gian Piero Gasperini and his teammates are ‘trying to help.’

The Ukraine international scored his second goal this season in Roma’s 2-1 victory against Parma on Wednesday.

The win allowed the Giallorossi to reach Napoli at the top of the table ahead of next weekend’s key clash with Milan at San Siro.

Dovbyk: Last home game ‘a disaster’ for Roma

“The last game [at home] was also difficult for us, as a team. It was a disaster. It was important to win because our fans were waiting for these positive emotions. I’m happy to have made this,” Dovbyk told DAZN.

Roma had lost the previous three home games across all competitions, so their win last night was a breath of fresh air.

Dovbyk has now scored two goals in 11 appearances across all competitions, and Gasperini praised the Ukrainian for his finishing in last night’s encounter.

“I focus on training and in games. I understand how I can score, but sometimes it’s difficult,” Dovbyk said.

“The coach and everyone try to help me. I just try to do my job. Confidence is very important for a striker. I was happy to score.

Roma reach Napoli at the top of Serie A table

“We tried to do this movement in training, the coach wanted to always pass forward to the strikers, sometimes it’s difficult because Italian defenders are very strong and compact, but we improve in every game, and we must continue this.”

Roma remain the best defence in the league with just four goals conceded in nine matches. On the other hand, they have only scored 10 goals in Serie A, the fewest in the top ten of the table.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus owner John Elkann visited the team in the dressing room after a 3-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday: ‘An opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibilities.’

Juventus ended an eight-game winless streak on Wednesday, beating Udinese 3-1 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

Interim coach Massimo Brambilla was on the bench, but Juventus are expected to announce the appointment of Luciano Spalletti today.

Elkann meets Juventus players after 3-1 win vs. Udinese

According to Gazzetta, club owner Elkann met the players in the dressing room at full-time. The pink paper claims that Elkann was short of compliments as he reiterated that the blame falls on the players when coaches are changed so often.

It was an ‘opportunity to remind everyone of their responsibilities,’ wrote Gazzetta.

It is reported that Elkann was ‘firm’ in his speech, but did not confirm to the team that Spalletti would take over.

Juventus had sacked Tudor on Monday after eight games without victories, four without goals and three consecutive losses.

Spalletti set to become third Juventus coach in 2025

Spalletti will be Juventus’ third coach this year as the Old Lady already sacked Thiago Motta in March, replacing him with Tudor.

Both Motta and Tudor remain under contract with Juventus until June 2027.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Juve restarts and now Spalletti

Vlahovic and Yildiz turn on again: penalties and plays, they are already beyond Tudor.

Inter react: top spot at -3

Nice response

Double Calha, magical Sucic. Fiorentina fans protest. Chivu catches Milan in the third place, Pioli in trouble.

Roma don’t lose their heads

The real Toro hold Bologna. Genoa nightmare, Vieira trembles

Gimenez risks leaving

Dear Camarda, those tears will make you grow.

Corriere dello Sport

Roma Hermosa

Parma beaten to one and Napoli caught at the top

Gasperini earns the seventh win in nine games. Breakthrough in the second half. Hermoso and Dovbyk on target. Useless Circati flash. Soulé’s goal was disallowed on 0-0. Ferguson injured. Milan on Sunday.

Juve wake up, now the breakthrough.

Lucio tries

The former CT watched on the TV the 3-1 to Udinese. Today the signature and training at Continassa.

Tris for Spalletti

The Bianconeri win their first game in 46 days with Brambilla on the bench. Two penalties: Vlahovic and Yildiz. Gatti scores too. Chills after Zaniolo’s equaliser.

Calha-Sucic: Inter reaction

Chivu smashes Fiorentina: Pioli, penultimate, in trouble.

Anguissa’s renewal: advanced talks

Tuttosport

The crossbar stops Adams, but this is a draw worthy of Toro

In Bologna, they earned the 8th point in four games.

Good work, Luciano

Brambilla beats Udinese and gives Spalletti a refreshed Juve: 3-1.

After eight games without victories, and four without goals, Yildiz and Vlahovic’s penalties and Gatti’s header cancel the Zaniolo goal. The ex-CT signs with a clause for just another year, in case of Champions League. Chiellini: ‘Thanks, Tudor, but we had to change.’ Dusan: ‘My future? Never say never.’

Roma move to the top. Calha bis + Sucic: Inter up

Paolo Di Canio believes Luciano Spalletti will use a 4-3-3 system at Juventus, while Beppe Bergomi expects a ‘stroke of genius’ from the ex-Italy coach.

Spalletti is set to be appointed as the new Juventus coach after Igor Tudor was sacked on Monday.

The Bianconeri beat Udinese 3-1 today with NextGen coach Massimo Brambilla in charge.

Spalletti has already reached an agreement with Juventus and will be announced as the Old Lady’s new coach in the coming hours.

Former Serie A stars Luca Marchegiani, Beppe Bergomi and Paolo Di Canio, now Sky Sport Italia pundits, revealed what they expect from the Tuscan tactician in Turin.

Marchegiani said: “Surely, improve the efficiency of the attack. I believe what Spalletti will do is to give Juve a clear identity.

“He’s always done it, and I think Spalletti has been chosen for this, too. That’s what I expect, but also to give value to some players.”

Di Canio: Spalletti must use 4-3-3 system at Juventus

Di Canio, an ex-Juventus star, seemed to agree, but added: “Through what? A well-defined style of play: a 4-3-3. Up front, you have Yildiz and Openda [on the left], Conceiçao and Zegrova [on the right], Vlahovic and David [as centre-forwards]. In midfield, there are Locatelli, Koopmeiners, Thuram, McKennie, and Miretti. They have full-backs who can be attacking or defensive. They have many centre-backs.

Di Canio argued that Spalletti will have to end the confusion on the pitch and give a clear identity to the team.

“In this situation, Yildiz seems even less evolved than the others because he tries to do something more and goes into confusion. You can’t waste that talent; you must give certainty, and you do so with a 4-3-3,” added the ex-striker.

“I expect a stroke of genius,” concluded Inter legend Bergomi.

“In the past, he made Brozovic drop deep and played Perrotta higher up the pitch. I am convinced this team can play better than this.”

Juventus sit 7th in the Serie A table with 15 points, three below a Champions League placement.

Inter defender Yann Bisseck ‘always’ wants to play and is eager to help Cristian Chivu to ‘play with a high line.’

• Read more – Calhanoglu: ‘I don’t care’ about the goalkeeper, while Sucic retains Inter shirt

Bisseck played 90 minutes in Inter’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina on Wednesday.

He started as the central defender in a three-man backline completed by Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni.

It was only the second time he played in such a position this season.

“I always want to play, it doesn’t matter where. I know we want to play with a high line. I think we all played a great game, and we are all happy,” Bisseck told DAZN.

The German defender came close to scoring in the second half, but was denied by a superb save from David De Gea.

“We all want to score, but the defence is very important, and I think today we played a great game, in attack and in defence, we are very happy,” said Bisseck.

Lastly, the Nerazzurri centre-back was asked whether Cristian Chivu is almost like a teammate for some Inter players, but he replied: “No, he’s the coach. He’s very kind, also off the pitch, it’s always possible to talk to him, also about matters that are not necessarily related to football. If we put all he wants on the pitch, we can have a great season.”

Hakan Calhanoglu says he’s only focused on himself and the ball before taking penalty kicks and thanks Cristian Chivu, who has given Inter ‘something extra from a mental standpoint.’

Calhanoglu scored two goals in Inter’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina on Wednesday, resulting in Football Italia’s MOTM.

The Turkey international broke the deadlock with a shot from outside the box at minute 66 and killed off the game from the spot in the dying minutes.

Calhanoglu reacts to Inter 3-0 Fiorentina

“It is what I always do. When the penalty comes, I’m always focused. Honestly, I don’t care about who is in goal. I just focus on myself and the ball, so I’m happy,” Calhanoglu told DAZN.

Inter reacted strongly to a 3-1 loss against Napoli last weekend.

“We made an immediate switch. We left it aside, and today we put in a great performance,” said Calhanoglu.

“Thanks to the coach who gives something extra from a mental standpoint and in terms of being hungry to win.”

The Turkish midfielder added to Sky: “Everyone knows that if you play for Inter, you have to aim for the highest objectives. The team deserves that. It was difficult with the Club World Cup, but the coach really helped us mentally, so the important thing was not so much the motivation, but the discipline.”

Petar Sucic scored the other goal for Inter, his first one in Serie A and for the Nerazzurri.

Sucic scored first Inter goal

“Inter are a big club, and there are many great players. I’m happy when I play, when I don’t, I train hard. I think it’s the right way. I’m happy with today’s performance,” he said.

Several fans followed Sucic and Calhanoglu’s post-match interview from the stands of the Stadio Meazza, asking for their shirts, but the young Croat opted to retain such a special jersey for himself.

“I only have another one that I’ll swap with my national teammate, Pongracic,” he said.

During his post-match interview with Sky Italia, Sucic added: “It’s nice to score my first goal and I’m really happy. I worked really hard for it, but of course, the most important thing is that we played a good match and won the match. I’m happy for the goal, but the result is the most important thing.”

Hakan Calhanoglu is Football Italia’s MOTM in Inter’s 3-0 win over Fiorentina.

Inter vs. Fiorentina player ratings

Inter: Sommer 6; Akanji 6.5, Bisseck 6.5, Bastoni 7; Dumfries 6 (77′ Carlos Augusto N/A), Barella 7, Calhanoglu 8, Sucic 7.5, Dimarco 6.5; Lautaro Martinez 6.5, Pio Esposito 6 (77′ Bonny 6.5). Coach: Chivu 7.

Best Inter player: Calhanoglu 8 – Broke the deadlock with a shot from distance after some unreal saves from David De Gea. Converted a spot kick to make it three for the Nerazzurri. But his performance went beyond the goals: three key passes, 85% accurate passes in the opposition half (via Sofascore) and seven duels won. An all-round performance.

Lowest Inter rating: Pio Esposito 6 – No Inter player was actually below par. Esposito fought hard and would have deserved to be awarded a penalty kick in the second half. It’s the lowest Inter rating, but still a good performance.

Inter coach: Chivu 7 – The second-half performance was enough to claim all three points. The Nerazzurri were ruthless in every corner of the pitch after the break and continued to attack even after scoring the opener through Calhanoglu.

Fiorentina: De Gea 7.5; Comuzzo 5, Marì 6, Viti 5; Dodò 5.5, Sohm 6 (63′ Fagioli 5.5), Mandragora 5.5 (76′ Dzeko N/A), Ndour 5.5, Gosens 6 (78′ Fortini N/A); Gudmundsson 5.5 (63′ Fazzini 5), Kean 5. Coach: Pioli 4.5.

Best Fiorentina player: De Gea 7.5 – Four key saves which kept Fiorentina in the game until Calhanoglu opened the scoring from the edge of the box. The best one was probably the one with which he denied Bisseck in the second half.

Lowest Fiorentina ratings: Comuzzo, Viti and Fazzini 5 – The defence was shaking, to say the least. Comuzzo took a few too many risks inside the box and was lucky not to cause any penalty. Viti did it instead and even received a second yellow card. Fazzini was soft in every tackle.

Fiorentina coach: Pioli 4.5 – Fiorentina are still winless in the opening nine games. It was already meant to be a tough game, and Pioli’s substitution didn’t really help matters.

Dusan Vlahovic thanks Igor Tudor and insists Juventus must ‘look at ourselves in the mirror, talk less and do more’ after a 3-1 win over Udinese.

Juventus beat Udinese 3-1 on Wednesday, ending an eight-game winless streak that cost Tudor the job.

Vlahovic scored his fifth goal this season by converting a penalty kick in the first half. The focus of today’s post-match press conference, however, was almost entirely on recent results and Tudor’s dismissal.

“We’ve changed three coaches in one and a half years. We need to look at ourselves in the mirror and see what we are doing wrong,” Vlahovic told reporters, via Ilbianconero.com.

“I don’t think it’s right to only blame one person. The responsibility lies with everyone.

“Today we needed to send a signal and we did, but if we don’t keep doing it in the next matches, it means nothing. We need to talk less and do more,” he continued.

Vlahovic thanks Tudor

“I want to take this opportunity to thank coach Tudor for what he’s done, for what he represents for Juventus, and to wish him the best of luck.”

Vlahovic’s contract with Juventus expires at the end of the season, and even if he’s unlikely to extend with the Old Lady, the striker kept a door open for his stay in Turin.

“I don’t know what might happen, never say never, but I really don’t know,” he said.

Vlahovic comments on Juventus future

“I’m focused on the present. Talking about it now doesn’t make sense given the situation we’re in. We need to talk less and do more; we need to get back to performing better and winning. That’s where my focus is.

“It’s been a tough few days, but we stayed focused,” Vlahovic added.

“After the Lazio match, we thought about what we needed to do tonight. We’re happy with the win, but have to keep going like this.”

Nicolò Zaniolo scored the equaliser for Udinese right before the break today, but Juventus reacted strongly in the second half.

“It’s part of the game. It’s hard to keep intensity high for 90 minutes, but we have to try,” Vlahovic concluded.

“In the second half, we came out with aggression and earned a win against a tough team.”

NextGen coach Massimo Brambilla served as Juventus’ interim coach against Udinese, but the Serie A giants are now expected to appoint Luciano Spalletti as their new coach.

Gian Piero Gasperini jokes about Roma’s title dreams but expects more ‘clarity’ from referees after seeing a Matias Soulé goal disallowed.

Gasperini’s Roma returned to the top of the table on Wednesday, beating Parma 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico in a mid-week Serie A fixture.

“Three important and good points. We struggled, especially in the opening 30 minutes, because we always take some time to take the appropriate measurements,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“We need to work on this, but when we fixed things, we played well, we didn’t concede much and created opportunities.”

Gasperini hints that Roma’s objective has not changed

Evan Ferguson started the game, but picked up an ankle injury after just seven minutes. He was replaced by Leon Bailey, but the Jamaica international was also subbed off during the break.

Roma’s main target is to qualify for the Champions League this season, but now that they have caught Napoli at the top of the table again, have they changed their objectives?

“Yes, we were supposed to train tomorrow afternoon, but we’ll train in the morning instead,” joked Gasperini.

“Then we train again on Friday morning, Saturday afternoon and then on Sunday we go to Milan. If we win, we’ll remain at the top; if not, we have to hope for the others,” he added, smiling.

DAZN pundits noted that Roma look so in control of games that they can turn things in their favour quite easily, but Gasp didn’t quite agree.

Gasperini wants clarity from referees

“Yes, even if what happened at the end of the first half was not exactly in our favour,” he said.

“There was a disallowed goal, and we have to understand the rules. They’ll have to explain to us, because we saw exactly the same thing in the past. So either this was a mistake, which is acceptable, or the others were mistakes. There can’t be different interpretations. We expect clarity.”

Soulé had scored a goal in the first half, but it was disallowed as Zeki was offside and considered involved in active play in front of Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.

Mario Hermoso and Artem Dovbyk scored the goals for Roma today.

“Hermoso came from a long injury; he made the pre-season with us and had a positive impact with me, in the way he trains and behaves,” said Gasperini.

“He had been playing at the highest levels with Atletico Madrid for years; he has knowledge and great determination. Surely, he is not only valuable from a defensive standpoint, but also technically. We are lucky to have him in the team.

“It seems to me that Dovbyk has been improving physically in recent weeks,” continued the Roma coach.

“If he had scored those penalties and some other big chances against Inter and Fiorentina, he would have already netted a few goals. He scored a beautiful one today. He was more involved against Sassuolo. We work with him and give him all the necessary trust. I’m happy with all these lads. We are working on all of them. Daniele Ghilardi also made his debut today. We have many players, but all can find space.”

Juventus interim coach Massimo Brambilla says he decided the starting line-up for a game against Udinese with staff members after Igor Tudor was sacked and feels Kenan Yildiz must be left ‘free’ to find the space he needs in attack.

Brambilla led Juventus to a 3-1 win over Udinese on Wednesday in the first match since Igor Tudor’s dismissal.

The Croatian tactician was sacked on Monday after a 1-0 defeat against Lazio, and Brambilla, the Juventus NextGen coach, worked with the senior team on the same day.

Brambilla comments on Juventus 3-1 Udinese

“I took charge of a training session, and I spent two days with the team. On Monday morning, I worked with the U23, and then I came here in the afternoon,” Brambilla told DAZN.

“I had to understand the physical shape of the players, then I spoke to the remaining staff, and we picked this formation. We put down a strategy we had to adopt, and the early goal surely helped us. The team showed strength in the reaction to the goal they conceded, which could have been dangerous for us.”

Juventus took an early lead in the first half thanks to a Dusan Vlahovic goal from the spot, but Nicolò Zaniolo levelled the score right before the break.

“I tried to convey trust and reassure the lads. They are strong and experienced players,” Brambilla explained.

“They know what they have to do. I think they deserved to win with a great performance today. That equaliser could have ruined the game, but we entered the field with courage in the second half.”

Federico Gatti and Kenan Yildiz scored one goal each in the second half to give Juventus all three points. The Turkey international also converted a spot kick.

“Kenan is a talented player, and every talented player must be left free to find the space they want,” noted Brambilla.

“I trained him for a period in the U23 [NextGen], and I think the ideal position for him is starting on the left to cut inside and move behind to the centre-forward. He finds the space by himself; he’s an extraordinary player and a great lad.”

This is the third consecutive season that Juventus have sacked their coach. So, what was the mood in the dressing room?

“This team was going through a difficult period, where they didn’t get results, and the morale surely wasn’t good,” said Brambilla.

“But I repeat, these are strong lads, with experience. I told them to focus on the game and do things well on the pitch because they have quality, and they only had to take it out.

“Surely, there’s great satisfaction in the dressing room. I’m happy to see happiness in the lads’ eyes,” concluded Brambilla.

“We prepared for this game in two days. The work we did was similar to the one in the NextGen; what changed was the whole context in which we lived tonight, an atmosphere that was not one of enthusiasm, but when the fans warmed up, it was a nice emotion for me.”

Juventus are expected to appoint Luciano Spalletti as their new coach in the coming hours.

Gian Piero Gasperini says Evan Ferguson suffered a suspected ankle sprain against Parma, while Leon Bailey ‘struggled’ after making three consecutive appearances in Serie A: ‘Perhaps it was too early.’

Ferguson started in Roma’s home game against Parma on Wednesday, but was subbed off after just seven minutes with an ankle injury.

Suspected ankle injury for Ferguson

“Evan had an issue with his ankle. He had had pain for the last few weeks,” Gasperini told DAZN.

“It was a big knock, perhaps a sprain, so he was no longer able to stay on the pitch.”

Bailey replaced the Brighton loanee, but the Jamaica international was then substituted during the break.

“Bailey was struggling. He’s a guy coming from a long injury. Perhaps, we threw him into the field too early against Inter and Sassuolo,” Gasperini admitted.

“Today, he practically started, but we didn’t want to run risks. Perhaps he had not recovered from the Sassuolo game.”

Roma eventually secured a 2-1 win which allowed them to catch Napoli at the top of the Serie A table.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu aims for a fresh start after a controversial 3-1 loss against Napoli: ‘We can’t let ourselves be affected by injustices or negative situations during a match.’

Inter host Fiorentina at San Siro this evening in Serie A Week 9.

The Nerazzurri lost 3-1 at Napoli over the weekend, ending a seven-game winning streak.

Inter complained about a penalty kick given to Napoli in the previous round, but received a firm reply from the Partenopei boss, Antonio Conte.

Chivu, however, is not focused on the past and sees a lesson for this team.

“There’s self-discipline that has to be improved. We can’t let ourselves be affected by injustices or negative situations during a match,” he told Sky via TMW.

Chivu: Why Bisseck starts in Inter vs. Fiorentina

“We can’t waste important moments, which determine the game’s outcome.”

Yann Aurel Bisseck starts in central defence tonight as both Francesco Acerbi and Stefan de Vrij are benched.

“I have many good defenders, some because of their experience, others because of what they’ve shown in recent years,” said Chivu.

“Bisseck is a valuable alternative. I already tested him in the middle of a three-man defence in Belgium and did well. He has the characteristics to play in that role.”

You can follow live updates from today’s Serie A games, including Inter-Fiorentina, on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG.

Khephren Thuram has not been included in the Juventus squad list for today’s game against Udinese because of a calf injury.

France international Thuram won’t be available for Juventus in today’s game against Udinese.

The Bianconeri have dropped their squad list for the upcoming Serie A fixture kicking off at 18:30 CET, but their star midfielder has been omitted.

Why Thuram is unavailable for Juventus vs. Udinese

According to several sources, including Sport Mediaset, Thuram suffered a calf injury in the final training session before the game.

Teun Koopmeiners is therefore expected to start in central midfield alongside Manuel Locatelli today.

Juventus sacked Igor Tudor on Monday following a 1-0 loss against Lazio, the third consecutive defeat across all competitions for the Bianconeri.

Today, NextGen coach Massimo Brambilla will lead the team from the touchline, but Juventus are expected to announce Luciano Spalletti as their new head coach in the coming hours.

The Tuscan tactician will sign a contract until June with an option to extend if he qualifies for the Champions League.

Juventus squad list for Udinese clash

Your squad for #JuveUdinese

Powered by @WhiteBit pic.twitter.com/xXNvXPFcAG

— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) October 29, 2025

Alessandro Costacurta says Milan played ‘much better’ after Rafael Leao was subbed off against Atalanta and believes the Rossoneri are ‘no longer a group of 11 players’ when the Portuguese is on the pitch.

Milan legend Costacurta was highly critical of Leao after the Rossoneri’s 1-1 draw against Atalanta on Tuesday.

Leao started the game, but was subbed off at halftime, and the former defender saw an improvement in the Milan performance in the second half of the game.

Costacurta criticises Leao after Atalanta 1-1 Milan

“Milan played much better without Leao,” Costacurta told Sky Sport.

“Milan conceded four goals in three games with Leao as a starter. When Leao was subbed off, Milan didn’t concede. It’s a fact that will cause discussion because with Leao, Milan are no longer a group of 11 players.”

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said after the game that Leao had a little issue in his hip, so he had to be subbed off as the team needed “fresh legs” in the second half.

Leao’s Milan stats this season

Leao only made his Serie A debut at the end of September, having taken nearly two months to recover from a calf injury he suffered in the first competitive game of the season against Bari in Coppa Italia on August 17.

The Portuguese forward has started in the last three Serie A games and has collected four goals in six appearances across all competitions this term.

Former Roma director Walter Sabatini argues that Luciano Spalletti and Juventus need each other to the point that the Bianconeri will be like ‘pure morphine’ for the ex-Italy coach.

Juventus are set to appoint Spalletti as their new coach, as the Italian tactician has agreed to sign a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend if he qualifies for the Champions League.

Walter Sabatini worked with Spalletti at Roma and is convinced that the Certaldo-born tactician is the right pick for the Bianconeri.

“At Juventus, in the current situation, it’s not enough to just have a coach who does things properly,” Sabatini told Gazzetta.

“The Bianconeri need something more, and Luciano is the ideal genius to lift them back up. Juventus lack leadership on the pitch. When there are no players who can drag the team forward, you need an evolved style of play to neutralise the problems.

Sabatini: Juventus need more than a coach

“Right now, doing things fairly well isn’t enough. I haven’t spoken with Spalletti, but if this were to be the club’s choice, Luciano would be the right man in the right place at the perfect time. Juventus need Luciano and Luciano needs Juventus.”

Spalletti is also looking for a new challenge after his disappointing spell as Italy coach. Sabatini argued that Juventus will be like “pure morphine” for the ex-CT.

“Luciano is physically suffering from the failure with the national team. He can’t find peace,” Sabatini continued.

“The pain caused by this experience with the Azzurri isn’t something aspirin can cure. He lived every day in Coverciano with a patriotic spirit. To ease that pain, Spalletti needs industrial doses of morphine, and Juventus could represent exactly that for him. An ideal and unmissable opportunity for both the club and Luciano, a perfect marriage.”

Italy were eliminated from the 2024 Euros in the Round of 16 at the hands of Switzerland and lost 3-0 in their opening World Cup qualifying fixture against Norway in June, and that defeat cost Spalletti the job.

Sabatini also believes that many players will develop under Spalletti’s guidance, especially Kenan Yildiz.

Sabatini makes Yildiz prediction

“I can picture him being unstoppable. He’s a fabulous talent, young and already decisive at the highest level,” he said.

“Yildiz could be for Juventus what Kvaratskhelia was for Spalletti’s title-winning Napoli. Not so much in terms of playing style, which is different, but in terms of his impact on the team and on matches.

“Spalletti is the embodiment of beauty and expansive football; every player benefits from it,” concluded Sabatini.

“I’m convinced Koopmeiners will rediscover himself under Luciano. If I had to find a flow, maybe Juventus would need more options in midfield.”

Juventus reportedly held talks with Raffaele Palladino and Luciano Spalletti on Tuesday, but the ex-Italy coach has always been the Bianconeri’s first option.

Juventus are on the verge of announcing Spalletti as their new head coach as the Serie A giants reached an agreement with the Certaldo-born tactician on Tuesday.

Spalletti’s Juventus salary revealed

Spalletti has agreed to sign a contract until the end of the season with an option to extend if he qualifies for the Champions League this term.

According to reports in Italy, he’ll earn €3m until the end of the season.

Spalletti has always been Juventus’ priority since Igor Tudor was sacked on Monday, but other candidates had been linked with the Juventus job, including Roberto Mancini and Palladino.

Juventus held talks with Palladino and Spalletti

According to Gazzetta and Sportmediaset, Juventus also held talks with Palladino on Tuesday, as the ex-Fiorentina coach was a candidate suggested by the Bianconeri’s technical director, François Modesto, who previously worked with Palladino at Monza.

According to reports, the meeting between Palladino and Juventus directors, however, was just a ‘courtesy chat’ as the Bianconeri were eager to finalise an agreement with Spalletti, whose appointment will be announced in the coming hours.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that Luciano Spalletti will earn €3m until the end of the season, and according to SportMediaset, the new Juventus coach will be in the stands at the Allianz Stadium today.

Spalletti set to be appointed as new Juventus coach

Juventus are set to announce Spalletti as their new coach. The Italian tactician reached a principle of agreement with the Bianconeri on Tuesday and the club are expected to confirm his appointment today or tomorrow.

Spalletti will sign a contract until the end of the season with an obligation to extend if he gets Champions League qualification this term.

How much will Spalletti earn at Juventus?

Gazzetta and Sportmediaset report that Spalletti will arrive in Turin today and that he’ll earn €3m until the end of the season.

According to the Italian broadcasters, the ex-Italy boss will even watch his new team in action from the Allianz Stadium today, when they host Udinese with interim coach Massimo Brambilla on the bench.

Both Gazzetta and Sportmediaset report that Juventus director Damien Comolli spoke to both Raffaele Palladino and Spalletti on Tuesday, but the ex-Napoli and Roma coach has always been the Old Lady’s primary option to replace Igor Tudor.