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THE INCREDIBLE STORY OF NICLAS FULLKRUG’S FIRST GOAL SINCE APRIL DESPITE HIS RECENT TRAGEDIES

Niclas Fullkrug overcomes injury and a €500k robbery to score Milan’s winner. Plus, Paulo Dybala inspires Roma to a crucial win.

The incredible story of Niclas Fullkrug’s first goal since April despite his recent tragedies
Niclas Fullkrug breaks his goal drought to keep Milan in the title race

Germany’s Fullkrug, on loan from West Ham, finally broke his long goal drought—his first since last April—giving Milan a much-needed win over a stubborn Lecce. With that goal, he kept Milan right on Inter’s heels, just three points behind.

Fullkrug—big guy, 32—nodded in Alexis Saelemaekers’s clever cross in the 76th minute. The San Siro erupted. Relief, mostly, after watching Milan struggle to break Lecce down.

“I got an incredible assist from Ale. Honestly, this is what every striker dreams of—a ball like that,” Fullkrug told DAZN. “I’m just grateful to be here, wearing this shirt, getting the trust a striker needs. The group’s great; the atmosphere’s even better. I’m totally happy.”

Wladimiro Falcone tried his best to keep Lecce alive, pulling off two ridiculous saves against Samuel Ricci and Christian Pulisic. But when Fullkrug got his chance, Falcone couldn’t do a thing—especially considering what Fullkrug’s been through since moving to Milan.

He broke a toe not long after arriving, and then, as if that wasn’t enough, local news says thieves stole half a million euros’ worth of watches and jewellery from his hotel room while Milan played at Como.

But Fullkrug made sure Milan didn’t slip up again against a struggling side. Lecce ended up dropping into the relegation zone, right behind Fiorentina, who had beaten Bologna 2-0 earlier that day.

When DAZN asked if his goal made up for all the recent bad luck, Fullkrug just grinned. “Yeah, it’s enough.”

Up next for Milan? Roma, who just handled Torino 2-0, thanks to Paulo Dybala’s standout game. He set up Donyell Malen for a slick close-range finish in the first half, then put the match away himself in the 72nd minute.

Dybala’s been struggling this season—injuries, a new coach in Gian Piero Gasperini, and the feeling that Matias Soule’s rise could spell the end for him in Rome. But against Torino, Dybala looked sharp. He scored his first goal in almost three months, finishing off Devyne Rensch’s cross with style. That win put Roma at 42 points, still four behind Milan but three clear of Juventus in the Champions League race.

“Dybala was really good today. Our first goal? Just fantastic,” Gasperini said. “You can see he and Malen are really starting to click.”

Roma have seen some European success lately—Conference League winners, Europa League finalists—but haven’t played in the Champions League since 2018/19, when Porto knocked them out in the last 16.

Fiorentina’s win in Bologna meant a lot, especially after the news that American media tycoon Rocco Commisso passed away at 76. The club honoured him with a minute’s silence before the match.

Commisso, born in Italy, built Mediacom into one of the biggest cable TV companies in America. He loved football—owned the New York Cosmos before buying Fiorentina in 2019. He hired Vincenzo Italiano, now Bologna’s coach, who led Fiorentina to three finals: two Conference League and one Italian Cup.

Italiano, who lifted a cup with Bologna last season, has found this winter tough. After a strong start, his team managed just five points in nine matches since December.

CRYSTAL PALACE "FIRMLY REJECTS" €30M JUVENTUS OFFER FOR JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA

Juventus have agreed personal terms with Jean-Philippe Mateta! Discover if the Bianconeri will meet Palace's €40m asking price.

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Mateta could become the new face of Juventus’s attack.

If you're wondering if Juventus is serious about getting a new striker this month, the answer is yes. They're moving fast.

Juventus has recently sped up its chase for Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta. They reportedly made their first offer for the 28-year-old French player this past weekend.

So, what about the bid? Here's the scoop:

Crystal Palace turned down Juventus' initial offer to bring Mateta to Turin during the winter transfer window, according to Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Italia on Sunday. This isn't too shocking since Juventus' offer was a loan with an obligation to buy: a €2 million loan fee for the rest of the 2025-26 season and a €28 million fee in the summer, which depends on Juventus getting into a European competition by the end of the current season.

Palace apparently wants a package deal worth over €40 million for Mateta, who has a contract with Selhurst Park until 2027.

Juventus and Mateta have already agreed on personal terms, according to Di Marzio and other Italian media sources.

Considering the uncertainty at Crystal Palace right now—with other key players possibly leaving or already gone, and their manager not willing to extend his contract beyond this season—Juventus might be trying to take advantage of the situation. They want to sign a striker who fits a profile they feel they really need. Plus, Dusan Vlahovic's situation this season matters, like when he'll be back from his injury in March (there's no set return date), and there's always the chance he leaves this summer. All that is part of Juventus' decision to go after Mateta.

It's not clear how much more Juventus will offer in their next bid. But it seems like they won't give up on Mateta just because their first offer was rejected by Crystal Palace.

TRANSFER TWIST: ANTONIO CONTE ENTERS THE RACE TO STEAL RADU DRAGUSIN FROM ROMA

Radu Dragusin is heading back to Italy! Read how Antonio Conte’s Napoli plans to hijack Roma’s €15m move for the Tottenham star.

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Will Radu Dragusin Join Conte At Napoli Or Choose Roma?

Radu Dragusin’s future just got a lot more interesting. A journalist now says Napoli manager Antonio Conte wants to bring the Tottenham defender to Italy, even though Dragusin already has an agreement in place with AS Roma.

Dragusin is back to full fitness after tearing his ACL in January 2025, but his time at Tottenham looks like it’s almost up. Roma are pushing hard to sign him when the transfer window opens. They tried a loan deal with an option to buy, but Spurs turned that down. Still, Roma aren’t giving up.

Il Corriere dello Sport reported Tuesday morning that Dragusin is “pushing for Roma.” He’s apparently been talking with Roma for days and has already agreed on contract terms.

Tottenham are open to selling the 23-year-old this month, but they want €20 million. Roma don’t want to go higher than €15 million and would rather take him on loan first, with an option to buy. They’re just not ready to gamble big on a player who only recently came back from a major knee injury.

Then came a twist. On Tuesday afternoon, Italian journalist Mirko Di Natale posted on X that Napoli have asked about Dragusin. Conte, who managed Tottenham not that long ago and just won Serie A with Napoli, is now trying to strengthen his squad for another title run.

Di Natale said Roma are still leading the race, but talks with Tottenham have stalled. They can’t agree on the deal structure, especially the loan with an option to buy. Meanwhile, RB Leipzig is lurking in the background, offering Tottenham a straight purchase.

Tottenham only signed Dragusin from Genoa in January 2024 for £26.7 million. He’s under contract in north London until 2030.

Other Tottenham transfer headlines: Mathys Tel wants out in January, and Dean Jones has the inside scoop on why Conor Gallagher is picking Spurs over Aston Villa, with the midfielder set for a medical soon. And, just to stir the pot, a former Tottenham manager has weighed in on whether Thomas Frank should be sacked.

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