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Maurizio Pellegrino faces a daunting start to his second stint in charge of bottom club Catania as they visit in-form Milan on Sunday.
Catania sacked Rolando Maran for the second time this season on Monday after he had returned to replace his own successor Luigi De Canio.
Maran's latest dismissal was prompted by a 2-1 home loss to Torino that left the Sicilian side seven points adrift of safety at the foot of Serie A.
Pellegrino, who previously led Catania more than a decade ago and has been involved with the youth academy this season, now has the challenge of lifting a team that have suffered five straight defeats.
Catania have only won four league games all season, but the new coach is determined to retain a sense of positivity.
"It's too early to give up and we have to give everything until the end of the campaign," said Pellegrino, who also played for Catania.
"On Sunday we're going to San Siro to challenge AC Milan and as the coach of Catania that is a source of pride for me."
Catania will certainly be underdogs when they come up against a Milan team that has moved back into contention for European qualification in recent weeks.
Clarence Seedorf's men are 11th in Serie A, but a run of three consecutive wins has seen them rise to within five points of city rivals Inter, who occupy fifth spot.
Despite Milan's welcome upturn in form, defender Philippe Mexes is adamant he and his team-mates will not be taking Catania lightly.
"We went through a tough period but we're getting back now and we're on the right road," Mexes told the club's official website.
"The end of the season is very important for all of us and we can't afford to underestimate Catania. There are three important points up for grabs."
Milan are set to be without Keisuke Honda after the attacking midfielder twisted his left ankle in training.
The Japanese joins midfielders Michael Essien (thigh) and Sulley Muntari (calf) on the sidelines, but long-term absentee Stephan El Shaarawy is nearing a return to the squad.
El Shaarawy has featured just four league games all season because of a foot injury and, although the meeting with Catania will come too soon for the Italy forward, he has now returned to training.
Inter will hope recent history can inspire them to victory at Sampdoria as they strive to secure a place in the Europa League.
Walter Mazzarri's side make the trip to Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris on Sunday still in possession of fifth place, which yields Europa League football, albeit only on goal difference ahead of Parma.
The Milan club have endured a difficult spell in Italy's top flight in the past month, with a run of four matches without a win hindering their European ambitions.
Inter have been held to three consecutive draws against sides who are currently in the bottom half of the table, allowing the teams below them to make up ground..
Sampdoria, who sit 12th, will be aiming to frustrate Inter again this weekend, but if recent league encounters are anything to go by the visiting supporters will return to Milan in high spirits.
Inter are unbeaten in the last six Serie A encounters between the two sides, with Samp winning just one of the last 19 league fixtures between the two teams.
Just nine points separate the two sides and a rare victory against Inter for the hosts could give them an outside chance of securing an unlikely fifth-placed finish.
Sinisa Mihajlovic's charges have failed to win their last two matches, as they were held to a goalless draw at home to Fiorentina and then suffered a 2-0 setback at Lazio last weekend.
The Genoa have an impressive home record, though, having lost just once in their last 10 league games at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris and midfielder Fredy Guarin knows Inter will have to be at their best.
"It's a tough match against Sampdoria," he told the club's official website. "We think it will be a difficult game.
"It's not easy, but we must always sit with our head held high. We have to win this game because we need it so much."
Inter will be without full-back Juan Jesus after he suffered a serious knee injury in last weekend's 2-2 draw with Bologna at San Siro, while fellow defender Jonathan is doubtful with a muscle injury.
Forward Manolo Gabbiadini is likely to be missing for Sampdoria due to a shoulder problem, so Gianluca Sansone could deputise.
Gianluigi Buffon will face 17-year-old Simone Scuffet when Juventus visits Udinese on Monday in what is being billed as a matchup of the present and future Italy goalkeepers.
It's also a key match for Juventus in its bid for a third consecutive Serie A title. Juve holds an eight-point lead over Roma with six matches to go but can't afford to drop many points with a game at the second-place club in the penultimate round.
Roma could put pressure on Juve with a home win over Atalanta on Saturday.
Also this weekend, third-place Napoli hosts Lazio, Inter Milan goes to Sampdoria and AC Milan hosts Catania.
Here are five things to know about the Italian league:
BUFFON'S SUCCESSOR?
Both made their Serie A debuts at 17, both stand about 1.90 meters (6-foot-3) tall and both weigh about 85 kilograms (187 pounds).
And more similarities and comparisons between Buffon and Scuffet keep popping up as the younger 'keeper continues to impress since taking over the starting job at Udinese in February, when Zeljko Brkic was injured.
Scuffet maintained a clean sheet in his debut although he really began to make headlines when he defied Inter Milan at the San Siro with a series of difficult saves in a 0-0 draw two weeks ago.
Buffon has been complimentary of Scuffet and it will be interesting to see whether Italy coach Cesare Prandelli includes the teenager as his third-choice keeper for the World Cup, with Paris Saint-Germain's Salvatore Sirigu in line for the No. 2 spot.
ROMA RAGE
Roma is enraged over the three-match ban handed to striker Mattia Destro for punching Cagliari defender Davide Astori.
The incident was not sanctioned by the referee so TV replays were used to decide the ban.
"It's true that he hit him but the referee saw it all," Roma coach Rudi Garcia said.
If TV replays were not used to decide the ban, then a rule technicality could result in the sanction being reduced on appeal.
Destro has been Roma's most in-form player, scoring 13 goals in 18 matches since starting his injury-delayed season in December - including a hat trick vs. Cagliari.
In all, Destro is slated to sit out four of Roma's six remaining matches, having also been suspended for accumulated cards.
EUROPA LEAGUE BATTLE
Eight clubs - including Inter and AC Milan – are fighting for Italy's two Europa League spots.
Fiorentina (55 points) and Inter (50) currently occupy the qualifying spots in fourth and fifth place.
The other challengers are: Parma (50), Lazio (48), Atalanta (46), Hellas Verona (46), Torino (45) and AC Milan (45).
While Milan is the last of the bunch, the Rossoneri have won three matches in a row and earned 10 points in their last four games as they finally seem to have found their rhythm under new coach Clarence Seedorf.
EASIER TICKET SALES
With attendance declining and Serie A losing its international appeal, Italian football and security officials announced new plans this week to make ticket sales easier.
Officials say that tickets will soon be available for purchase on the Internet and mobile devices, even seconds before matches kick off.
There will be special promotions for children under 14 and adults over 60, plus families, and the option for season-ticket holders to invite friends to games.
On the security front, the new rules call for smaller sections inside stadiums, at a maximum of 10,000 each, to easier identify hooligans.
HONDA'S GOAL
Keisuke Honda's first Serie A goal Monday was a big source of relief for AC Milan.
The Japan winger scored the second goal in Milan's 2-1 win at Genoa to end his dry streak since joining Milan from CSKA Moscow in January.
Honda's presence in Milan also provides the Rossoneri with much-needed sponsor cash and Asian interest - especially since the club could miss out on millions by not qualifying for Europe next season.
"I'm really happy he was able to break out like that," Seedorf said. "Now let's hope he continues like this."
Roma kept up their chase of Serie A leaders Juventus with a routine 3-1 win at home to Atalanta on Saturday.
A comfortable evening saw the hosts take the lead after just 13 minutes, when Dodo's cutback found Rodrigo Taddei, who fired through a packed penalty area to score.
Roma continued to dominate proceedings and doubled their lead a minute before half-time, when Daniele De Rossi selflessly helped on Francesco Totti’s pass to Adem Ljajic, who finished with aplomb.
Totti, who put in a particularly sparkling performance, and Ljajic were on hand once again midway through the second half, combining to tee up Gervinho for Roma’s third.
Ivorian Gervinho should have added a fourth late on but somehow missed an open goal from five yards, before Giulio Migliaccio bagged a consolation for the visitors with a powerful header.
Roma are five points adrift of league leaders Juventus, who can move further clear when they visit Udinese on Monday.
In the day's other game, relegation-threatened Sassuolo claimed a vital point at home to Cagliari in a 1-1 draw.
The home side took the lead after 37 minutes when Nicola Sansone's perfectly weighted ball picked out Simone Zaza, who fired a left-footed strike into the roof of the net.
But the hosts were pegged back just after the break when Luca Antei was adjudged to have fouled Victor Ibarbo inside the box.
Agim Ibraimi stepped up to slot home the penalty, dealing a blow to the home side's survival bid and giving Cagliari boss Ivo Pulga something to smile about in the first game of his second spell in charge of the club.
Sassuolo remain in the relegation zone after the loss, sitting two points adrift of safety with the teams around them set to play on Sunday.
Serie A Wrap: Milan, Inter, Torino win as race for Europe hots up
13 April 2014
The race for a place in the UEFA Europa League continued to heat up as Inter, Milan and Torino all posted Serie A victories on Sunday.
Sampdoria were haunted by ex-player Mauro Icardi, who scored twice in Inter's 4-0 victory at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris.
In a match that saw coaches Walter Mazzarri and Sinisa Mihajlovic face their former clubs, Icardi also came face-to-face with Maxi Lopez amid a much-publicised spat between the two, centred around the relationship between Icardi and Lopez's ex-wife.
Icardi broke the deadlock in an ill-tempered first half, which saw Lopez miss a penalty, before Sampdoria were reduced to 10 men when Eder - initially booked for simulation - was handed another caution for his part in a melee that included an altercation between him and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
Inter took control of the match in the second half, with Walter Samuel making it 2-0 on the hour-mark, and there was still time for Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio to add to their lead as they moved fifth in the table.
While Inter occupy the last guaranteed UEFA Europa League spot, sixth place could also provide a berth in Europe's secondary competition should Coppa Italia finalists Napoli and Fiorentina finish in the top five.
Parma sit sixth currently, but their 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Bologna allowed the chasing pack to gain ground.
They had Raffaele Palladino to thank for even getting a point, with the attacker equalising in the 79th minute.
Milan were one of the sides to move closer to Parma as their 1-0 win against rock-bottom Catania signalled a fourth straight league success for the first time since March 2013.
Riccardo Montolivo's long-range drive in the first half was the difference between the two sides as the visitors - who are now eight points adrift of safety - were unable to provide new coach Maurizio Pellegrino with a point on his second debut in charge of the club.
Catania had Fabian Rinaudo sent off in the closing stages.
Torino climbed to seventh after a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Genoa at Stadio Olimpico.
Alberto Gilardino thought he had given the visitors all three points with an 85th-minute effort, but goals deep into injury time from Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci gave Torino an incredible win.
Lazio's European hopes suffered a blow as Gonzalo Higuain's hat-trick for third-placed Napoli saw them record a 4-2 win, while Verona and Fiorentina played out an eight-goal thriller.
Alberto Aquilani scored twice for Fiorentina in their 5-3 triumph, while Juan Cuadrado, Borja Valero and Alessandro Matri also netted for the victors.
Verona ended the game with 10 men after Marco Donadel was sent off with 21 minutes left.
The day's other match saw Alberto Paloschi score a hat-trick as Chievo won 4-2 at Livorno.
Walter Mazzarri has lamented an "unusual year" at Inter and believes his side are worthy of a higher standing than their current position.
Mazzarri took the reins at Inter in May, charged with improving the club's on-field fortunes after a disappointing ninth-placed finish under Andrea Stramaccioni last season.
After a promising start to the campaign, Inter soon lost touch with the leaders and now face a battle to secure qualification for the UEFA Europa League.
A four-match winless run - including three straight draws against teams in the bottom half of the table - has left Inter hanging on to fifth spot in Serie A.
However, Mazzarri feels his side have deserved more and remains confident Inter will eventually be back among Serie A's leading teams.
"It's (been) an unusual year," he said ahead of Sunday's trip to Sampdoria. "There haven't been many games that we didn't deserve to win.
"I've never seen the team really struggling. In fact, we've often picked up less than we deserved.
"We've often determined the course of games with the approach we've taken, that can be seen as a positive.
"I know we'll get back to being a competitive side with working methods that are different to the past.
"We've let teams peg us back after going ahead. That's the area where we need to make the biggest improvement."
With Juan Jesus set for a long lay-off due to a serious knee injury, Danilo D'Ambrosio is set for an extended run at full-back.
The 25-year-old moved to San Siro in January from Torino, and Mazzarri believes he will continue to improve.
He added: "D'Ambrosio is in the process of adapting. He's taken a step up by joining a club where you have to live with pressure.
"I'm sure D'Ambrosio has a great future, he's another one who's improving in leaps and bounds."
Inter coach Walter Mazzarri conceded that Sunday's 4-0 Serie A win over Sampdoria flattered his side.
Mauro Icardi's brace against his former club, coupled with further goals from Walter Samuel and Rodrigo Palacio, ensured Inter of a first win in five league matches.
It also kept their push for a UEFA Europa League place on track but the result could have been different had Maxi Lopez converted an 18th-minute penalty, while Eder was shown two quick yellow cards soon afterwards.
As it was, Inter moved out of sight after the interval but Mazzarri believes his side could struggle in future if they turn in similarly sluggish first-half performances.
"Today we won, even though we played badly in the first half and Samp deserved more," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"Sampdoria were pressing us, got to the ball quicker and that wasn't the kind of performance I want from my side. After the break we adjusted and realised what we were supposed to do.
"As we've seen today, if you score at the right moment then the result won't necessarily reflect the performance.
"We need to be consistent throughout the game and keep that mentality to never get distracted. If we want to win, then we need a different approach to the one we had at the start."
Icardi was undoubtedly the star of the show, as he scored twice before being substituted - perhaps due to having been cautioned for an inflammatory goal celebration.
With tensions high due to Icardi's much-publicised relationship with the ex-wife of former team-mate and Sampdoria striker Lopez, the Inter man cupped his ear at home fans after opening the scoring.
Mazzarri agreed the gesture was uncalled for but said he was pleased with Icardi's temperament during the match.
"He shouldn't have done that gesture with his ear, but for the rest (of the game) he showed a really cool head to deal with the environment that had been created around him," he added.
"He can become a great centre-forward, as he has goals in his DNA and we have told him many times he needs to focus only on playing football.
"Both Icardi and Maxi Lopez are professionals and they need to set everything else aside when they step on to the field. They are under the eyes of everyone and have a responsibility to the fans."
Juventus coach Antonio Conte believes the Serie A title race remains wide open after Roma cut the gap at the top to five points on Saturday.
Rudi Garcia's side made it seven league wins in a row against Atalanta to keep the pressure on leaders Juve, who make the trip to Udinese on Monday.
And with the top two set to meet on May 9 at the Stadio Olimpico, Conte has refused to take anything for granted when it comes to securing a third straight Scudetto, along with a potential UEFA Europa League crown after the Italian champions moved into the semi-finals of that tournament last week.
"The title race is still open. I expected the head-to-head with Roma to go down to the wire," he said.
"It's been a hard season physically and mentally but we're still in the running on two fronts. We're living the moment.
"We've returned to our rightful position in the league and we're proud of that.
"Juggling two competitions? This is where we wanted to be. It's all good experience for me, the players and the club."
Juve's goals of late have come from various sources, with the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente all chipping in.
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo, who joined Juve on loan from Southampton in January, is yet to score in Serie A, but Conte backed the forward to find the net sooner rather than later.
"Osvaldo has come in here and worked his socks off. He'll help us achieve our targets this year," the 44-year-old added.
"Opposition teams pull out all the stops when they're up against Juve but we've come to expect that."
Clarence Seedorf is refusing to monitor the Serie A table, despite seeing Milan's momentum continue with a fourth straight win on Sunday.
Head coach Seedorf saw Milan complete their best consecutive league run since March 2013, as Riccardo Montolivo's arrowed drive in the 23rd minute was enough to sink bottom side Catania 1-0 at San Siro.
The win lifts Milan to eighth and boosts their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, something that had seemed unlikely for long spells of a frustratingly inconsistent campaign.
However, Seedorf is refusing to evaluate Milan's position until the final five matches have been played, and is more focused in the short term on Milan improving when in possession of the ball.
"I always said I didn't look at the table, as I know our situation, we have games to play and should only pay attention to it at the end of the season," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"The performance was sufficient as they played like a team, were aggressive and determined. We only played beautiful football in fits and starts today, but that can happen against a side that tries to stop you playing.
"We should give credit to Catania, as they never give up.
"This also happened last week against Genoa and we need to improve, as we are still not calm enough and make the wrong choices. For example, if we have one player against one, we pass it to the player who has two in front of him.
"We don't keep control of the game. When we did keep possession for a while, we ended up shooting, so that is something we have to do better.
"I was above all pleased with the spirit to bring the points home, then we'll work on improving the style of football and remaining consistent over 90 minutes."
Seedorf - who replaced Massimiliano Allegri in the dugout in January - feels his team is starting to show more balance than when he first took the reins.
He added: "The team is collaborating more now between the lines and communicating, understanding what is needed when helping the defence.
"It's a process and I don't think it can be resolved quickly, but to emerge from a situation like this requires character and this team showed it has that."
We all believed in AC Milan comeback, says Montolivo
By Stefan Coerts
Apr 14, 2014 9:34:00 AM
The Italy international has voiced his delight with the Rossoneri's fine run of form and has urged them to keep it going until the end of the season
Riccardo Montolivo has stressed that AC Milan never had any doubts they would overcome their troubles in Serie A in the wake of their 1-0 home win over Catania on Sunday.
The San Siro side have endured a difficult 2013-14 campaign and were close to becoming embroiled in a relegation battle earlier in the season, but they have now climbed to joint seventh place in the table after four wins on the bounce.
Milan are back in the race for European qualification following their fine run of form and Montolivo has made it clear they cannot afford to let up with five more games to go.
"We believed in this comeback and day by day the work we are doing is paying off," Montolivo told reporters.
"We can't afford any more slip ups this season, we have to win every game. It will be tough, but we can do it.
"The Europa League is still distant, we can't be making calculations and we have to think only about ourselves.
"It will be tough against Livorno next week, but we have to go for the win."
Milan meet Livorno on Saturday, before taking on Roma, Inter, Atalanta and Sassuolo in their last four games.
Juventus can win Champions League next year, says Lippi
By Stefan Coerts
Apr 14, 2014 12:41:00 PM
The current Guangzhou Evergrande boss is optimistic about the Bianconeri's chances in Europe in 2014-15 and feels a Europa League triumph this year will lift the club
Former Juventus coach Marcello Lippi believes the Serie A champions have the potential to go all the way in the Champions League next season.
The Turin giants made it to the quarter-finals of European club football's elite competition last term, while they failed to get out of the group stages this campaign.
However, Lippi has little doubt that they will do better in 2014-15 and even thinks they can win the competition with a bit of luck - particularly if they seal a Europa League triumph this season.
"Juventus are a team full of potential. They continue to grow and become stronger and stronger," Lippi was quoted as saying by Tuttosport.
"They can already go all the way in the Champions League next season. Obviously, a lot depends on the draw if you are to go far in the Champions League and you always need a bit of luck.
"Aside from a few summer signings, what Juventus need is to take their winning mentality to Europe, too. They have dominated Serie A in recent years and are clearly the strongest domestically. This confidence and enthusiasm will serve them well in the Champions League.
"It would benefit them if they beat one or two big teams in Europe. It would be a huge confidence boost if they can pull this off early in the competition. Winning the Europa League would also be a boost."
Juventus meet Benfica in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
Juventus re-opened an eight-point gap at the top of Serie A after passing a stern test of their title credentials in a 2-0 win at Udinese.
A run of seven straight league victories has brought Roma back into title contention and, with Udinese unbeaten at the Stadio Communale Friuli since January, the scene was set for a potential upset on Monday.
However, Antonio Conte's men put in an assured performance and, with just five games remaining, it appears more a question of when rather than if Juventus will claim a third consecutive league title.
Sebastian Giovinco - making just his fourth league start this season - got the ball rolling in the 16th minute and Juve led by two at the break when Fernando Llorente grabbed his 14th top-flight goal of the season from close range.
Juventus failed to match their first-half standards after the interval, choosing instead to slow the pace of the game, though Giovinco almost had a second when he saw a shot rebound off the post.
With Carlos Tevez only among the substitutes due to a thigh problem, Giovinco was afforded a rare starting berth and he duly delivered the opener.
The forward collected the ball on the right-hand side of the box before skipping past Maurizio Domizzi and curling past Simone Scuffet with his left foot.
Giovinco then forced Scuffet into a near-post save and Juve doubled their lead from the resulting corner after 26 minutes.
Andrea Pirlo's delivery was flicked towards the back post by Claudio Marchisio and, after a bout of pinball in the area, Llorente provided the simple tap-in from six yards.
Udinese enjoyed a spell of possession at the end of the half but Juve dealt with the threat well, Giorgio Chiellini making one particularly fine interception from Antonio Di Natale's pass to deny Dusan Basta a run at goal.
The second half was played at a slow tempo, as Juventus were happy to sit back and maintain possession.
Giovinco was still proving a lively threat, though, and a quick turn of pace from the 27-year-old in the 66th minute led to him breaking into the box but his cross narrowly evaded the head of Llorente.
The Italy international was again in the thick of the action for Juve's next chance, showing good feet in the box before shooting against the post.
Substitute Luis Muriel also struck the woodwork at the other end but Juve recorded their 18th clean sheet in the league this season and, with fixtures against Bologna, Sassuolo and Atalanta to come, Conte's charges could have the title sewn up before travelling to Roma on May 9.
The doping case against Sassuolo's Francesco Acerbi has been dismissed by the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI).
The defender was found to have abnormal levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in his blood stream - a substance that can be produced by cancerous cells - after his side's Serie A match with Cagliari on December 1, landing him a suspension from the governing body.
Although a naturally occurring substance, hCG produces effects similar to anabolic steroids, and is therefore banned in many sports.
However, a Sassuolo statement in December subsequently confirmed that Acerbi - who has been treated for testicular cancer in the past - had suffered a relapse, with the player subsequently launching an appeal over his suspension.
That appeal was heard on January 8 and the ban was overturned, and on Monday CONI released a statement confirming that the 26-year-old's case had been dismissed.
"The national anti-doping tribunal has accepted the request by the anti-doping agency to declare Francesco Acerbi, a member of club Sassuolo, not responsible for any violation of the anti-doping rules," the statement read.
Andrea Pirlo has revealed he almost retired following AC Milan's disastrous defeat to Liverpool in the 2005 UEFA Champions League final.
Milan surrendered a three-goal lead as Liverpool claimed the Champions League trophy on penalties in one of the most memorable matches of football at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium nine years ago.
Hernan Crespo's brace and a goal from Paolo Maldini helped Carlo Ancelotti's men to a seemingly unassailable 3-0 lead at the half-time interval.
But three goals in six minutes from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso restored parity before Rafael Benitez's men prevailed 3-2 on penalties.
The Serie A giants went on to exact revenge two years later, edging Liverpool 2-1 to be crowned champions of Europe for a seventh time.
However, in extracts from his new autobiography titled 'I Think Therefore I Play', Pirlo said he had contemplated quitting in the wake of that loss in Istanbul.
"I thought about quitting because, after Istanbul, nothing made sense any more. The 2005 Champions League final simply suffocated me," the 34-year-old Juventus midfielder said.
"To most people's minds, the reason we lost on penalties was Jerzy Dudek – that jackass of a dancer who took the mickey out of us by swaying about on his line and then rubbed salt into the wound by saving our spot kicks.
"But in time the truly painful sentence was realising that we were entirely to blame.
"How it happened I don't know, but the fact remains that when the impossible becomes reality, somebody’s f***ed up – in this case, the entire team. A mass suicide where we all joined hands and jumped off the Bosphorus Bridge.
"I could hardly sleep and even when I did drop off, I awoke to a grim thought: I'm disgusting. I can't play anymore. I went to bed with Dudek and all his Liverpool team-mates."
Inter director Marco Fassone confirmed on Monday that the Italian club are interested in signing Chelsea striker Fernando Torres.
With Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho reportedly keen on bringing Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa to Stamford Bridge next season, Torres is widely expected to leave the London-based Premier League club.
The 30-year-old Spaniard has never fully settled at Chelsea since joining from Liverpool for a reported fee of £50million and Inter could be set to offer Torres a chance at proving his critics wrong in Serie A.
"He is one of the names that interest us," Fassone told Radio Deejay.
"Our President Erick Thohir admitted as much in recent days.
"You will discover in due course who the player is that we will focus on."
Inter have already captured the signature of Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic for next season, as they look to build a squad that can challenge for their first Serie A title since 2010/11.
The Milan-based club sit fifth in Italy's top tier with five games remaining, which would be enough to qualify for next season's UEFA Europa League, which Fassone rates as a top priority after Inter did not compete at a continental level this campaign.
"Our goal at the moment is to get into the Europa League. It would be a problem if a club like Inter did not play in Europe for two successive seasons," Fassone said.
Inter have also been linked with Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko and young Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.
Arsenal are also rumoured to be interested in Morata with the Spanish striker's agent Juanma Lopez confirming on Monday that Real Madrid have not offered the 21-year-old a new contract, with his current deal expiring in June 2015.
"Could Inter step up their interest in him? I won't rule it out, it is a possibility," Lopez told calciomercato.com.
"Will he play for Inter next season? It could be, anything could happen. There's no news on a Real Madrid contract renewal."
Morata has played 28 matches in all competitions for Real this season, scoring seven goals.
Italy international Andrea Pirlo has revealed AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi blocked his move to Chelsea in 2009.
Pirlo, now of Juventus, was on the verge of reuniting with Carlo Ancelotti at Stamford Bridge after the Italian manager called time on his eight-year spell in charge of Milan at the end of the 2008-09 Serie A season.
Daniel Sturridge, Yuri Zhirkov and Nemanja Matic had all arrived in London following Ancelotti's unveiling as Chelsea coach.
In extracts from his autobiography titled 'I Think Therefore I Play', Pirlo, who eventually joined Juve in 2011, had begun discussing personal terms before Berlusconi ended his hopes of a switch to the Premier League.
"Ancelotti was my motivation for agreeing to head to London. But, in the meantime, Berlusconi had pulled out a second piece of paper," the 34-year-old said.
"'Listen, Andrea, you just can't do this, damn it. You're the symbol of Milan, a standard bearer for this team, and we've already sold Kaka.'
"'You can't jump ship as well. It'd be a terrible blow, to our image as much as anything. We can't have everyone leaving.'
"Ancelotti and I spoke a fair bit on the phone. He wanted to bring me to London at all costs, and cost was indeed the last hurdle still to be overcome. Insurmountable, as it transpired.
"Milan wanted too much cash, and they were also pushing for Branislav Ivanovic to be included in the deal. Chelsea hadn't the slightest intention of letting the defender go.
"'Mr President, I really like all this talk of being a standard bearer. But my contract here is about to run out, and those guys are offering me four years.'
"'Where's the problem, Andrea? You can sort all that out with (Adriano) Galliani, can't you? Take it as read.'
"'You sure?'
"'Absolutely positive.'
"No sooner were the words out of his mouth than he shot out of the room to tell the media: 'Andrea Pirlo is not for sale. He's staying with Milan and he'll finish his career right here'."
It is very important to get Inter back into Europe, says Ranocchia
By Peter McVitie
Apr 14, 2014 6:16:00 PM
The Italy international feels it is vital that the Nerazzurri begin challenging in European competitions again and says he is glad to be in the frame for a spot in the World Cup
Andrea Ranocchia says it is of "fundamental" importance for Inter to qualify for the Europa League next season.
The Serie A giants didn't participate in European football this season and are in danger of missing out next season as they are involved in a tough battle to clinch a place in the Europa League next season with just five games to go.
And Ranocchia feels it is very important that the Nerazzurri begin competing with the top sides in the continent again.
"It is important that we get Inter back in Europe," the defender said. "It's fundamental to qualify for the Europa League next season, just as it is important that we won [4-0 against Sampdoria] yesterday, on a very difficult field, in a game that we immediately started well and were good to bring home the three points."
Ranocchia was called up to undertake physical tests with the national team as he enters contention for a spot in Cesare Prandelli's squad for the World Cup this summer.
"I'm very happy to return to the national team," he added. "I'm not thinking about the World Cup. I'm happy with how I've performed in recent games.
"We will do these two days of testing and then back to think and work on the league."
Juve and Conte put contract talks off until summer
By James Willoughby
Apr 16, 2014 6:57:00 PM
The director says the club are delighted to have the coach in charge and hopes he can deliver the Europa League trophy this season along with a third straight Serie A title
Antonio Conte will hold talks over a contract extension at the end of the season, Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has claimed.
Conte is set to guide the Serie A giants to their third successive title, with his side leading second-placed Roma by eight points with five matches to play.
European success has eluded Conte in his reign at Juve so far, but that could change with the club set to face Benfica in this season's Europa League semi-finals.
The 44-year-old is committed to the Turin club until June 2015, but is sure to be the target of foreign interest beyond that.
Marotta remains confident of Conte signing a new deal, though, something he says will be talked about at the conclusion of the current campaign.
Marotta told Sky Sport Italia: "Conte has already told us that a renewal will be discussed at the end of the season.
"We, as a club, are fully satisfied with the work of our coach. He has a contract with us, and is our leader.
"We are really proud to have Antonio with us.
"We have already spoken, and by mutual agreement we have agreed to meet after winning something special…whether that's the Scudetto or the Europa League… or both."
Juventus can move a step closer to another Serie A success when they host relegation-threatened Bologna on Saturday.
Garcia to wait until end of the season for contract talks
By Peter Hanson
Apr 16, 2014 1:58:00 PM
The Frenchman is happy to wait until the end of the campaign before opening discussions with the club and believes his side still have a chance of winning the league
Roma head coach Rudi Garcia is happy to wait until the end of the season before discussing a new contract with the club's hierarchy.
Garcia was hired as Roma head coach in the close-season after leaving his previous role at Lille, and has proved to be a success at Stadio Olimpico with the club still harbouring an outside chance of lifting the Serie A title as they remain eight points behind Juventus.
After a superb debut campaign, Roma are thought to be keen on tying Garcia to a long-term contract, but the 50-year-old revealed talks will not begin until the present campaign reaches a conclusion.
"I've said it already, I am very happy here," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"I have decided alongside Roma executives to speak to the club at the end of the season and not before."
With just five games left of the season, it seems inevitable the capital club will have to settle for second place, but could narrow the gap before welcoming Juve to the Olimpico in May.
And the Frenchman feels his side still have a chance of lifting the title at the end of the campaign and believes this season has been a success for his side regardless of where they finish.
"As long as there is life there is hope, as they say," he added. "Whenever a week passes and the gap remains the same, it is more difficult. But just when it seems that nothing can happen, perhaps a surprise will arrive.
"We are going to play against Fiorentina [on Saturday] in a difficult game, while Juventus' [at home to Bologna] seems easy. But you never know.
"Is the gap between us and Juve fair? Both teams are having a record season. We want to win every game and it seems that Juventus also want to.
"The most important victory for me has been to have put a smile back on our fans' faces.
"They are delighted and proud of their team. This is the merit of everyone involved. The atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico has been fantastic.
"The fusion and unity between the players and the fans is what truly gives me the biggest satisfaction."
The coach was then asked about any specific transfers he will chase up in the summer, but he declined to comment.
"I have not spoken about this. The only thing I have talked about is my desire, in having a squad like this, to be able to keep it intact, before making any purchases.
"The most important thing is, next year in the Champions League, to at least progress past the group stage and then until we cannot fight with the huge European sides."
Lazio striker Klose talking to other clubs, confirms agent
By Matt Jones
Apr 17, 2014 7:56:00 PM
The German's representative has admitted that he has already been contacted by several interested parties but insists that the Biancocelesti "have priority over all others"
Miroslav Klose has been in talks with several clubs about a move away from Lazio, his agent has revealed.
The 35-year-old’s contract at Stadio Olimpico expires in the summer and with an extension yet to be agreed, the Germany international has been considering all of his options.
"With Lazio, both in the past and in this recent period, we have had several talks,” Klose's representative, Alexander Schutt, told Lazionews.eu.
“Currently there is still nothing signed. I do not deny that we are also in talks with other clubs, but Lazio will always have priority over all others."
Whilst there is uncertainty over Klose’s future at Lazio, team-mate Andre Dias has dismissed rumours that he is angling for a move away from the Italian capital.
"My family is happy in Rome," the 34-year-old told Lalaziosiamonoi.it. "It is not true that I'm waiting for proposals from Brazil or that I want to go to a another Italian club.
"I'd love to stay at Lazio and finish my career here as a player."
