TACTICAL WARNING ISSUED: GIAN PIERO GASPERINI STRESSES EFFORT NEEDED IN HARD-FOUGHT ROMA MATCH
Gian Piero Gasperini warns of a "tough" match against an excited Cremonese side. With Roma needing a win to stay top, injuries force a tactical shift with Matias Soulé as a False 9.
Gasperini thinks the match against Roma at Cremonese's stadium will be 'tough', saying they need to 'focus on Serie A games and do it fast.'
It starts at the Stadio Giovanni Zini at 2:00 PM GMT.
The Giallorossi were tied for first place with Inter at the start of the weekend, but Napoli's win against Atalanta yesterday means they need to win to stay at the top. With the pressure mounting, both teams will be eager to secure vital points in the title race. Fans can expect an intense showdown as the players take to the pitch, each determined to claim victory.
Gasperini knows Roma will have a difficult game.
"Like all Serie A games, this one will not be easy. Cremonese have excitement and skills that they have shown in the first few weeks, so it will be a tough match," Gasperini told DAZN Italia.
Roma have lost their two Serie A games right after the international break, so are they worried going into this weekend? The pressure is mounting on the team as they seek to reverse their fortunes. With injuries and inconsistent form haunting their recent performances, the players must rally together and find a way to secure a crucial win.
"Those games were very different. We struggled against Torino, but I think we played very well against Inter. It's hard for all teams with many players away on international duty, so we need to focus on Serie A games and do it fast."
Many players like Paulo Dybala, Artem Dovbyk, Leon Bailey, Angelino, and Mario Hermoso are still hurt, and Evan Ferguson is not fully fit.
This means Matias Soulé will play as a false 9, with Tommaso Baldanzi and Jan Ziolkowski starting, but Kostas Tsimikas is still not playing, with Wesley moving to the other side instead.
"Many things led me to choose this. Baldanzi has played well in that role during training. Ferguson just came back from being hurt, so we'll see what works best during the 90 minutes," Gasperini said.
OFFICIAL MOVE: KENNETH TAYLOR JOINS LAZIO AS JURRIEN TIMBER SENDS A "BROSKI" FAREWELL
Kenneth Taylor joins Lazio for €16.9m while Arsenal secure their core stars. Latest on Marc Guehi’s potential Man City transfer.
Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber reached out to his old Ajax teammate Kenneth Taylor after Taylor’s move to Lazio became official.
These two have seen a lot together—over 100 games side by side, working their way up through the Ajax academy and into the senior squad. Timber left for Arsenal in the summer of 2023, but Taylor stayed on in Amsterdam, riding out some rough times.
Ajax had a tough run last season, losing the Eredivisie title in gut-wrenching fashion. Right now, they’re sitting third, but PSV is miles ahead—16 points, to be exact.
Taylor has played 19 times across all competitions this season, but that’s it for him at Ajax. Lazio swooped in and paid €16.9 million (£14.4 million) to bring him to Italy. Timber jumped on Instagram to send his support, replying to Ajax’s farewell post (which featured a photo of both players) with a simple “Good luck, broski [red heart emoji].”
Ajax didn’t let him go quietly, either. The club released a heartfelt statement, with Director of Football Marijn Beuker calling Taylor “a true Ajacied” who came up through the ranks, set a good example for younger players, and became a fixture in midfield. Beuker said, “Kenneth wants to take the next step in his career, and we’re happy to give him that chance. We’ve thanked him for everything and wished him all the best in Italy.”
As for Timber’s own future, Arsenal wants to keep him around—and Declan Rice too. That’s according to football. London. Arsenal already locked in Bukayo Saka until 2031, and new contracts for William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ethan Nwaneri, and Myles Lewis-Skelly are done deals.
The Times says Arsenal’s also got talks lined up for Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, David Raya, and Mikel Merino. Their contracts all run out in 2028, so that’s the next order of business—even in the January window, with no new signings expected after spending £250 million last summer.
One name on Arsenal’s radar is Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, but unless Manchester City grabs him this month, that move would wait until summer. Palace boss Oliver Glasner admitted things could change fast: “I’m not naive. If City comes in with a massive offer and Marc wants to go, it’ll happen. If we’re only thinking about football, everyone at the club would want Marc to stay. The chairman feels the same. But money matters too. There’s a point where the finances outweigh the sports side—if Marc wants to leave, the final call is his.”
MASTERCLASS: LAUTARO MARTINEZ AND ZIELINSKI DETAIL THE TACTICAL PLAN THAT DESTROYED BOLOGNA’S DEFENSE
Lautaro Martinez ignores a hand injury to lead Inter Milan to a 3-1 revenge win over Bologna. See the full tactical breakdown here.
Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski didn’t hide how much Inter’s tactical plan mattered in finally breaking their Bologna curse with that 3-1 win. “My hand hurts, but I’m heading home happy tonight,” Lautaro said with a grin.
So, Inter grabbed their fifth Serie A win in a row and held onto first place. But this one meant even more—they wanted to send a message after what happened last time against Bologna. Just a couple of weeks ago, Bologna knocked them out of the Supercoppa Italiana on penalties. And last season’s loss at the Stadio Dall’Ara? That stung, and it cost them in the title race.
Not tonight, though. Piotr Zielinski, Lautaro Martinez, and Marcus Thuram all found the net, and only a late goal from Santiago Castro gave Bologna anything to smile about.
Inter had been struggling with Bologna lately, no question.
Lautaro explained, “Before the game, we made a plan, and honestly, it worked perfectly. We pressed hard right after losing the ball, and Bologna couldn’t handle it. Our midfielders were right there on the second ball, which set up our chances. That’s how we got our goals.”
Lautaro’s on fire—six goals in his last five Serie A games. Still, the night started rough. Early on, someone stepped on his hand. Didn’t stop him, though.
“These three points mean a lot. My hand hurts, yeah, but I play through it and give everything for the team. That’s why I’m happy tonight.”
He also had a laugh, celebrating with Thuram after that odd goal—Thuram kind of bundled it in with his chest, barely knowing what hit him.
“We had one last sprint after that goal. I’m happy for him—he deserves it. Everyone’s working for the team, and we all want to take Inter as far as we can.”
Zielinski grabbed his second Serie A goal of the season—his third in all competitions—and he’s turning into a regular under Cristian Chivu.
“I’ve been feeling good for a while now, and I’m glad I can help the team,” Zielinski told DAZN Italia.
“Everything went well, except for that late goal. We were in control for most of it. That matters, especially given our recent problems against Bologna.”