ANGELO MARIA FABIANI BREAKS SILENCE: LAZIO WAS RIGHT TO SKIP POST-VAR OUTCRY
Lazio director Angelo Maria Fabiani defends the club's silence after the controversial VAR decision against AC Milan, stating "mistakes happen" ahead of the Coppa Italia rematch.
Lazio's director, Angelo Maria Fabiani, thinks it was smart to keep quiet after the VAR issue in their game against AC Milan. The teams are playing each other again tonight. He said, Mistakes happen; we get that.
The game starts at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 8 PM GMT.
The winner of this game plays Bologna in the quarter-final.
If the score is tied after 90 minutes, the teams will go straight to a penalty shoot-out because there's no extra time in this part of the tournament.
Lazio is still upset about their loss to AC Milan.
These teams played on Saturday night at San Siro in a Serie A game that had some controversy. Milan won 1-0 because of a goal by Rafael Leao.
Everyone was talking about the penalty appeal in stoppage time, where Strahinja Pavlovic supposedly handled the ball. The VAR review didn't give the penalty because they thought Alessio Romagnoli was fouled first.
Lazio didn't talk to the media after that game, so this is the first time they're commenting.
Fabiani told Sport Mediaset, When you're emotional, you can say things you don't mean. Now that we're calm, we think it was best to stay quiet on Saturday.
He added, Mistakes happen, and we accept that. I thought the referee was almost perfect for the 90 minutes at San Siro. Sure, some moments made us change our minds.
Fabiani feels that people should stick to their jobs. Directors should direct, players should play, and referees should ref. Sometimes, we directors shouldn't stir up trouble because after the game, the decision is made. Nothing will change it.
Lazio is still saying the referee made a mistake. But the head of the refereeing association looked at the incident and said it shouldn't have been a penalty.
Maurizio Sarri has made just two changes from the team that lost to Milan 1-0. Christos Mandas is in as a goalkeeper, and Taty Castellanos is playing striker.
They don't have many options because of injuries and a transfer ban that might be lifted in January.
Fabiani said, There are still a few weeks left. There's been a lot of talk about the ban. We know what we need to do. We've talked to the president and the coach. We have some good ideas, and we're working quietly.
He finished by saying, Sarri and I respect each other. He brings his experience, makes everyone relaxed, and we've seen improvements on the field. We started a three-year plan, and he's our guide.
PULISIC HITS BACK: MILAN STAR SHUTS DOWN 2026 GOAL DROUGHT CONCERNS
"I haven't stopped dreaming." Christian Pulisic addresses his goal drought and the frustration of missing out on the Gold Cup squad.
Christian Pulisic isn’t holding back. When critics started questioning his recent form and worried about his 2026 goal drought, he shut them down, calling those concerns “bad questions". The AC Milan forward, fresh off his Time magazine cover, still trusts his ability to step up for the USMNT as they gear up to co-host the World Cup.
All eyes are on him.
The U.S. is set to share the stage for the 2026 World Cup, and Pulisic is set to become the go-to guy for the national team. Landing on the cover of Time isn’t something soccer stars from America get every day, and it just shows how big a deal he’s become, especially after proving himself in Europe. But right as people are finally giving him mainstream recognition, he’s under the microscope for not putting up his usual numbers in front of the goal.
He’s not fazed by the dip.
When Time asked about his goal drought and how he’s handling not scoring for club or country this year, Pulisic didn’t mince words; he’s not sweating it. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man.” You can hear the confidence in his voice.
Dealing with the noise
Pulisic admits this stretch feels extra tough. Missing out on last June’s Gold Cup squad hurt him, mostly because he’s used to shutting people up with his play. “Normally, I just go out there and score, and that quiets everybody. Right now, I’m in my offseason, so everyone’s talking, and I can’t do anything about it. That’s what’s frustrating.”
For Pulisic, attacking is everything. “Going at the goal, creating attacks, that’s what I live for. Sure, you have to do all the other stuff: defend, run, whatever. That’s fine. But what really gives me joy is finding ways to score and actually scoring.”
Chasing the dream
The U.S. opens their World Cup run against Paraguay at the SoFi Stadium on June 12, and Pulisic will lead the team right here at home. He doesn’t like making big public predictions, but at 27, he keeps that childhood dream alive. “That’s just not how I work. But I’ll lie in bed and imagine myself holding the World Cup trophy. I did that when I was a kid, and I haven’t stopped. You need to believe. Why not?”
WHY DID LAUTARO MARTINEZ REJECT A CAREER-DEFINING MOVE TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE?
"I love Milan." Read why 28-year-old Lautaro Martinez rejected Manchester United and Arsenal to stay at the San Siro in 2026.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has clearly put an end to any speculation about leaving San Siro, making it known that he has no plans to entertain offers from Europe’s top clubs. Even with regular links to teams like Barcelona, Manchester United, and Arsenal, the Argentine forward is fully committed to what’s happening in Milan.
Martinez has been quite vocal about his dedication to Inter amid constant rumours about his future. Despite frequent connections to some of the biggest clubs on the continent, he insists there’s no reason for him to move on from the current Serie A champions.
Media reports have often tied him to Barcelona, PSG, Arsenal, and Manchester United. But through various transfer windows, Martinez has consistently pushed back on the idea of leaving Inter. At 28, he remains a key figure in the team’s current setup and has stepped up as the club’s captain and on-field leader.
In an interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, Martinez expressed his loyalty to Inter’s project. He made it clear that he isn’t interested in changing clubs despite the speculation.
He said, “No, because I am faithful to the Inter project, I feel at home here. My family is happy, we have a restaurant in the city, and we love Milan. From the first day, everyone treated me in a way I didn’t think possible. I achieved so many personal and team goals here.”
Success on the pitch seems to deepen his connection to the club. Inter recently secured another league title and continues to chase trophies, including the Coppa Italia. On an individual level, Martinez is eyeing the Capocannoniere prize as Serie A’s top scorer. His steady performances underline why he’s considered one of the most reliable forwards in European football.
Since his move from Racing Club in 2018, Martinez has become the defining presence in Inter’s modern lineup. With 173 goals over 372 competitive games, it’s clear how vital he is to the team.
Looking ahead, the club sees Martinez as a central piece in their long-term plans. His leadership and scoring ability make him hard to replace. Settled both on and off the field in Milan, he seems set on continuing his story at the Giuseppe Meazza, despite ongoing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.
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