Football Italia
·18 February 2024
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·18 February 2024
Football Italia Live Blog This page is no longer live, but check back soon for more Live Blogs!
21:57 That is all for the Liveblog
Check the main site for more post-match coverage. We hope you enjoyed this rather eventful day of Calcio!
#ACMonza 4-2 #ACMilan Milan came back from 2-0 down after Luka Jovic saw red with Olivier Giroud and Christian Pulisic, but Monza made it 4-2 in stoppages with Warren Bondo and Lorenzo Colombo https://t.co/F4FeNUDxyU #MonzaMilan #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
21:53 FT: Monza 4-2 Milan
What a game!
21:51 Monza 4-2 Milan: Lorenzo Colombo!
That surely is it for a frankly mad match! Lorenzo Colombo on the counter from another Pessina pass, the striker owned by Milan drills it between Maignan at the near post! He does not celebrate against his parent club.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
CHRISTIAN PULISIC GOLAZO TO BRING MILAN LEVEL LATE 🇺🇸🦅 pic.twitter.com/S5PT1TxxC1 — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
21:46 Monza 3-2 Milan: Warren Bondo!
The goal stands! The offside flag was up for Daniel Maldini, who had controlled the Pessina cross-field pass and laid it off to Bondo, and then a stunning curler into the far top corner!
21:45 Monza goal disallowed!
Hang on, the flag is up!
21:43 Monza 2-2 Milan: Christian Pulisic!
The 10 men have completed the comeback from 2-0 down to 2-2! Pulisic cuts inside Carboni and bends a fierce left-foot finish into the far top corner!
21:42 Monza again
Izzo pulls back from the by-line, Thiaw puts it out for a corner.
21:41 Monza chance
Milan trying to build an attack, but Monza go on the counter three against four, decisive block on Pereira!
21:39 Milan change
Florenzi off, Musah on at the 83rd minute.
21:38 Oof!
Gabbia inevitably booked for wiping out Pessina.
21:36 Monza changes
Dany Mota and Colpani off, Daniel Maldini and Pereira on
21:34 Milan chance
Izzo does enough to stop Leao getting control of a ball over the top – no handball – and then cross from the right finds a Loftus-Cheek header straight at Sorrentino.
21:32 Double yellow
Referee books two Monza players in one go. He had given the advantage for the first Bondo foul, then booked Dany Mota Carvalho for handball to stop a counter-attack.
21:31 Maignan save
Colpani cross-field pass finds Birindelli, tries to shoot from a tricky angle and Maignan palms it over.
21:25 Florenzi wide
Florenzi scorcher from a huge distance, t flashes wide of the near post
21:24 Giroud goal
Two goals and a player down, Giroud gives AC Milan hope 👀 pic.twitter.com/EnORlOu1Rd — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
21:21 Monza changes
Bondo and Colombo on, Djuric and Valentin Carboni off
21:20 Monza 2-1 Milan: Olivier Giroud!
Cross from the right, Pulisic flicks it on with his head and Giroud at full stretch for the acrobatic finish from close range!
21:19 For the Americans
The bad boys of Serie A 😳 AC Milan see their SIXTH red card of the season after Jovic hits out at a Monza player 🟥 pic.twitter.com/AKwwaAVKFj — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
21:18 Monza chance!
They should’ve scored that, cross to the back post and Colpani free header is wide!
21:18 The Jovic red card
LUKA JOVIC IS SENT OFF FOR 𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 HIS OPPONENT IN THE FACE 🤯 📺 Watch Serie A live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/9OKcjzyJNN — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
21:15 Milan chance
Milan with a long passing move from right to left including Pulisic and Reijnders to Leao, but Izzo makes the block from six yards. Corner.
21:13 Monza win a corner
It’s stretching out now, as Milan down to 10 pouring forward, Monza trying to counter.
21:12 Milan attack
Pulisic pulls back from the by-line for Giroud, crucial interception.
21:09 Milan change
Giroud replaces Bennacer.
21:07 Jovic sent off!
Jovic was literally just told to stop being silly and then immediately slapped Izzo in an off the ball situation. What an idiot.
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) February 18, 2024
21:06 VAR!
VAR suggests an on-field review!
21:05 Jovic booked
The referee saw that coming, just lectured Jovic and Izzo to stop wrestling. Play resumes, 10 seconds later Jovic flails an arm in Izzo’s face and gets booked.
21:04 Milan threaten
Pulisic blasts over the bar from a tricky position.
21:01 2nd half kicks off: Monza 2-0 Milan
20:56 Milan changes
Leao, Pulisic and Reijnders coming on.
Okafor, Chukwueze and Adli off.
20:53 For the Brits
📺 Watch Serie A live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
2 – AC Milan have conceded at least 2 goals in a Serie A first half for the first time since September 2023 vs Inter. Unexpected.#MonzaMilan — OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 18, 2024
20:49 The goal
The nutmeg in the build up 🥜The finish 🌪️ Monza STUN AC Milan with two goals in quick succession! pic.twitter.com/pXzTld3eFq — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
AC Milan give the referee no choice but to give a penalty and Matteo Pessina slots home for Monza 🎯💥 pic.twitter.com/TUQ1Qd7RLf — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
20:43 Half-Time: Monza 2-0 Milan
Thiaw having a bit of a nightmare comeback.
20:42 Sorrentino save!
Florenzi free kick takes a deflection off the wall, Sorrentino has to use his legs to parry at the near post!
20:42 Pessina booked
Not even convinced that was a foul, Theo Hernandez just ran into him…
20:39 Monza 2-0 Milan: Dany Mota Carvalho!
Now that is how you counter-attack! Colpani deserves much of the credit for robbing Bennacer, nutmegging Thiaw and rolling across for Dany Mota Carvalho, who cuts inside Florenzi to curl right-footed into the far top corner from 14 yards!
20:37 Double Milan chance!
Loftus-Cheek nods down a cross, acrobatic Jovic volley charged down by Pablo Mari, then Theo Hernandez fires the rebound over!
20:35 8 minutes of stoppages
A very long break for those two head injuries.
20:33 Monza 1-0 Milan: Matteo Pessina penalty!
Stuttering run-up, waited for Maignan to go down. Goal!
20:32 Penalty for Monza!
Thiaw with a frankly ludicrous tackle on Dany Mota Carvalho! He was never winning that ball, it was very silly indeed. He had already fouled Djuric outside the box and the ref played advantage, so that was doubly stupid!
20:31 Monza change
Di Gregorio very slowly walks off, Alessandro Sorrentino on.
DiGre💪❤️🩹 #MonzaMilan pic.twitter.com/O1XpN2mjKs — Lega Serie A (@SerieA) February 18, 2024
20:30 Di Gregorio cannot continue
The goalkeeper feels dizzy and it is best not to risk it. So Monza have to make a change.
20:29 Play can finally resume
By the looks of them, Andrea Carboni and Di Gregorio are both getting stitches at half-time. Di Gregorio does not look terribly well, he is talking to his defenders and seems… glassy-eyed.
20:27 Both Monza players getting patched up
Andrea Carboni has a very large bandage wrapped around his head, Di Gregorio still getting treatment. That was a nasty collision between the teammates.
20:24 Ouch
Milan corner whipped in by Adli, Di Gregorio goes to punch it away and there is a nasty collision between the goalkeeper and teammate Carboni. Theo Hernandez wisely ducked and avoided getting smashed.
Di Gregorio seems to have come off worse and is getting treatment for a cut to his head.
20:23 Theo Hernandez attempt
Not a great free kick routine from Milan, and that is an understatement, but Theo Hernandez shot was charged down.
20:21 Djuric booked
The Monza striker goes into the book for a lunge on Bennacer.
20:19 Monza clip the woodwork!
That is the danger of a player like Milan Djuric, the cross is not good from Valentin Carboni, but he still manages with a flick of the head when facing the wrong way to get it on target, clipping the outside of the top corner!
20:19 Okafor has a go
Okafor tries a low cross from the left, but Di Gregorio is alert.
20:18 Bennacer
Benny on the charge 💨#MonzaMilan #SempreMilan — AC Milan (@acmilan) February 18, 2024
20:13 Monza chance
Carboni cuts inside and strikes, straight at Maignan.
20:11 Counter and Counter
Djuric flicks on a ball to send Colpani on the counter, but it’s intercepted. Instead, Milan attack in a Bennacer give and go with Jovic, but he slips and it all falls apart.
20:09 Chukwueze snapshot
Left-foot strike from outside the box, Di Gregorio is right behind it.
20:07 Knock for Gabbia
Knock to the head for Gabbia. Nowhere near as bad as the one he had at Villarreal a couple of months ago, he’s fine.
20:05 Monza changed system
Monza changed from a three-man defence to 4-2-3-1 today, aiming to mirror and neutralise Milan. It’s working. Not a lot happening.
20:00 Worth noting
Loftus-Cheek, Florenzi and Musah are all one card away from suspension and next week it’s Atalanta…
19:59 Milan in their new white kit
This is the white version of last week’s black, but both have embossed patterns representing the architecture of the city.
19:53 Milan close
Chukwueze bursts past Carboni down the right, pulls back, Bennacer lays it off for Theo Hernandez, shot deflected wide!
19:52 Monza over
Monza corner, Pablo Mari effort deflected over for another corner, which is cleared.
19:50 Jovic chance
Free kick finds Jovic for the header, straight at Di Gregorio.
Daniele De Rossi wanted to teach Dean Huijsen a lesson by substituting him after a stunning solo goal against Frosinone, warning Roma had ‘a horrible’ performance before winning 3-0 https://t.co/GPBoO7ivdH #ASRoma #FrosinoneRoma #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
19:48 We have kick-off in Monza vs. Milan!
A big game for Milan, a win would put them in second place above Juventus.
19:46 A minute’s silence before kick-off
In memory of the 5 workers who were killed during a construction accident in Florence on Friday. Because nobody should go to work and not come back.
19:44 Out come the teams
Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Marí, A Carboni; Gagliardini, Pessina; V Carboni, Colpani, Mota; Djuric
Milan: Maignan; Florenzi, Thiaw, Gabbia, Theo Hernandez; Adli, Bennacer; Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek, Okafor; Jovic
Milan President Paolo Scaroni explains his doubts over the latest San Siro restructuring plan and insists Champions League qualification was always the ‘objective’ for this season https://t.co/EZXTLNjYNI #ACMilan #FCIM #MonzaMilan #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
Zmiling Zlatan!#MonzaMilan pic.twitter.com/QNC5X2dISM — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 18, 2024
19:14 Fireworks
📋 #MonzaMilan – Giochi d’artificio all’U-Power Stadium prima del match: Pioli risparmia dall’inizio #Leao, c’è Chukwueze. Palladino a trazione anteriore: cambio modulo con Valentin Carboni e Djuric titolari 📲 pic.twitter.com/WQS8MN2taf — Giorgio Musso (@GiokerMusso) February 18, 2024
“We are in good shape, not that you can tell because Inter are doing so well, but we will do everything to get as close to them as we can,” he told DAZN.
Giroud played his 700th club match in the 3-0 win over Rennes midweek, so how many more games does he think he will play, and how many of those will be at Milan?
“I did not know that was my 700th game at club level, there are more with the international fixtures. I am proud, I feel good and it is right to rest like tonight, but I am always ready to come on if the coach needs me.
“I don’t like to look too far into the future, so the objective is to end the season well, try to win something and hope to do well in Serie A.”
This will always be the match for old memories, as Adriano Galliani spent over 30 years in charge of Milan as the right-hand man to Silvio Berlusconi, then followed the President to Monza.
He remained by his side until Berlusconi’s death in June 2023.
— AC Milan (@acmilan) February 18, 2024
#Frosinone 0-3 #ASRoma Roma rode their luck early on against a wasteful Frosinone, but then ran riot with a Dean Huijsen solo run, Sardar Azmoun and Leandro Paredes goals, plus the return of Chris Smalling https://t.co/8MHZKhph44 #FrosinoneRoma #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
#ACMonza vs. #ACMilan line-ups: Luka Jovic, Noah Okafor, Samuel Chukwueze and Malick Thiaw step into the starting XI as Milan know a win away to Monza would take them ahead of Juventus into 2nd https://t.co/FqqbwRe9Xc #MonzaMilan #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
18:49 Monza vs. Milan line-ups
Monza: Di Gregorio; Birindelli, Izzo, Pablo Marí, A Carboni; Gagliardini, Pessina; V Carboni, Colpani, Mota; Djuric
Here we go 🚨#MonzaMilan #SempreMilan Brought to you by 𝗞𝘂𝗺𝗵𝗼 𝗧𝗶𝗿𝗲 pic.twitter.com/PySPiL9YqR — AC Milan (@acmilan) February 18, 2024
18:43 Roma changes
Smalling – no, really CHRIS SMALLING – and Aouar on, Baldanzi and Angelino off. Defender’s first appearance since September.
18:42 Frosinone 0-3 Roma: Leandro Paredes penalty!
Sent Turati the wrong way, calm conversion into the bottom corner.
18:41 Penalty for Roma!
VAR on-field review, ref changes his mind and gives the penalty.
18:40 Roma appeals
Baldanzi shot hit Okoli on the leg and arm, it’s not entirely clear which is first, but the arm was raised. VAR is checking.
18:38 Azmoun booked
Crashes into Mazzitelli. More clumsy than mean.
Svilar had to be on his toes then to capture a dangerous Gelli cross from the right, it was swerving.
18:36 Frosinone change
Barrenechea replaces Reinier
18:33 Frosinone 0-2 Roma: Sardar Azmoun!
Turati did what he could on the absolute screamer from distance by Cristante that dipped at the last second and bounced in front of him, then Azmoun was quick to react on the rebound!
18:30 Azmoun chance
Celik through ball for Azmoun, angled drive charged down for a corner.
18:28 Subs
Celik on, Kristensen off for Roma.
Caso, Cheddira and Harroui on for Frosinone, Kaio Jorge, Brescianini and Lirola off
18:27 Roma panic
Oh dear, Svilar slips during a pass out from the back and Roma get away with a huge scare! Mancini is then booked for a foul through the back of Reinier.
18:24 El Shaarawy chance
Rapid counter-attack from SES and he blasts it not far over the bar at all!
18:21 Lirola scuffs
Brescianini lays it off for Lirola on the edge of the area, weak finish at Svilar.
18:20 Mazzitelli risky
Mazzitelli slips and is about to allow Roma to go clear on goal, but just about gets his heel to it and manages to find a teammate.
18:17 Milan team bus arrives
🎥 🚌 #MonzaMilan – I tifosi rossoneri presenti all’U-Power Stadium ad applaudire l’arrivo del pullman del #Milan 📲 @calciomercatoit pic.twitter.com/hFmUBUkSKm — Giorgio Musso (@GiokerMusso) February 18, 2024
18:16 Frosinone chance
Cross to the back post knocked back, Mancini clears and a spectacular Mazzitelli volley from 25 metres out dips viciously to hit the roof of the net!
18:14 Roma look more confident
The tactical change also made Roma more solid, they are trying to build attacking moves, but Frosinone defending well.
18:12 Monza bus arrives
🎥 🚌 #MonzaMilan – L’arrivo all’U-Power Stadium del pullman del #Monza: i tifosi caricano così la squadra di #Palladino 🔥 📲 @calciomercatoit pic.twitter.com/90NGWO7q1G — Giorgio Musso (@GiokerMusso) February 18, 2024
18:07 2nd half kicks off: Frosinone 0-1 Roma
18:05 Roma changes
Lukaku and Huijsen off, Pellegrini and Llorente on.
Huijsen was booked, De Rossi wants to protect him. And Azmoun moves into attack.
18:05 Only 18
𝗛𝗧 — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 18, 2024
17:53 Huijsen goal
18-year-old centre back Dean Huijsen may have just scored the goal of the weekend for Roma 🤯 📺 Watch Serie A live on @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/Frw9lUzs8U — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
17:50 Half-Time: Frosinone 0-1 Roma
Another chance on the stroke of half-time, deflected effort skims the far post.
17:48 Frosinone keep pushing
Series of crosses and corners, Roma hanging on under pressure.
17:46 Huijsen goal
HUIJSEN TAKES IT FROM THE HALF WAY LINE TO SCORE FOR ROMA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IGqdGKY8Ud — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
17:45 Frosinone threaten
Misplaced Huijsen pass across the final third, intercepted and Reinier tries to score from a huge distance with a lob, but it’s wide of the target.
17:42 Huijsen booked
Huijsen first did a big Cristiano Ronaldo celebration, then put his finger to his lips to silence the crowd. There is reason for that, as he was practically a Frosinone player in January only to drop them like a stone when Roma called.
17:41 Frosinone 0-1 Roma: Dean Huijsen!
What a goal that is! And from a centre-back, too! Dribbles forward through the centre, little shimmy to get away from a defender and right-foot curler into the far top corner!
17:40 Azmoun needs treatment
Just got a knock above the knee, nothing serious, but sore in the moment.
17:38 Kaio Jorge again
Frosinone might start to regret wasting this many chances. Roma caught in possession in the final third, Kaio Jorge blasts over.
17:34 KAIO JORGE, HOW?
How on earth did he not score any of those THREE clear-cut chances? Pull-back from the by-line, first attempt from seven yards parried by Svilar, second charged down, third goes wide!
17:33 Another Frosinone chance
Brescianini rocket from the edge of the box, deflected wide by Mancini!
These two 🥰🥰🥰#FrosinoneRoma pic.twitter.com/DqMgqVCNdX — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 18, 2024
17:28 Frosinone again
Brescianini cross to the back post finds Reinier for a relatively free header, which he turns wide!
17:26 Svilar save!
That is a splendid save, at full stretch with one hand to palm the Soule curler around the post!
17:25 Soule close!
Frosinone threaten, Soule cuts inside from the right and pretends to curl towards the far top corner, instead goes for a delicate snooker shot and skims the base of the near post!
17:22 El Shaarawy can’t get there
Azmoun cross from the left, El Shaarawy has gone into the more central role and can’t get his head to it.
17:20 Promising Frosinone move
Mazzitelli inspired long ball sends Frosinone on the attack, eventually Soule can pull back from the by-line, but only into the arms of Svilar.
17:17 Save on Lukaku
Good attacking move from Baldanzi, through ball initially cut out by Monterisi, El Shaarawy does eventually get it to him and Lukaku stings the goalkeeper’s gloves at the near post.
17:13 Roma attack
Baldanzi give and go with Azmoun, then the former Empoli man’s through ball for El Shaarawy, who can’t quite get it under control.
17:11 Brescianini wide
It took ages to set that free kick up and then Brescianini drilled it wide.
17:06 Strong Frosinone start
Series of corners, Kaio Jorge shot charged down by Huijsen in the box.
17:03 We have kick-off in Frosinone vs. Roma!
17:01 Technical issues
Assistant referee’s communication pack isn’t working.
Sounds like more Roma fans than Frosinone here. Not surprising, they’re basically neighbours.
16:59 A minute’s silence
For the 5 victims of the construction accident in Florence yesterday.
Mostly silence, a few idiots decided to shout and got drowned out by applause.
16:58 Old friends
Big hug between De Rossi and Di Francesco. They were teammates. De Rossi was Di Francesco’s player. Now they are colleagues on the touchline.
16:56 Out come the teams
Frosinone: Turati; Lirola, Monterisi, Okoli, Valeri; Brescianini, Mazzitelli; Gelli, Soulé, Kaio Jorge; Reinier
Roma: Svilar; Kristensen, Mancini, Huijsen, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Baldanzi; Azmoun, El Shaarawy; Lukaku
Daniele De Rossi explains why he has chosen to shake up the Roma squad against Frosinone, including Tommaso Baldanzi’s first start and dropping Rui Patricio for Mile Svilar https://t.co/cdquQxyCds #ASRoma #FrosinoneRoma #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
16:34 That goalkeeper decision
DAZN report there are no fitness issues for Rui Patricio, he is quite simply dropped in favour of Mile Svilar.
16:30 Baldanzi full debut
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 18, 2024
16:28 Roma warming up
🔥 Inizia il riscaldamento 🐺 Frosinone-Roma è su DAZN📱📺 https://t.co/jTqlce1VxF — AS Roma (@OfficialASRoma) February 18, 2024
16:27 Vincenzo Italiano
Vincenzo Italiano insists Fiorentina ‘are not in crisis’ after fumbling a lead for the 1-1 draw away to Empoli. ‘We fell asleep on the goal.’ https://t.co/xnD6jgvOMh #Fiorentina #EmpoliFiorentina #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
16:08 De Rossi
It’s a short journey, as Frosinone is right near Rome.
A warm welcome to Frosinone! 👐 #ASRoma | #FrosinoneRoma pic.twitter.com/HogPcVk1fF — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) February 18, 2024
16:05 Frosinone vs. Roma line-ups
#Frosinone vs. #ASRoma line-ups: Roma give Tommaso Baldanzi his first start with Romelu Lukaku and Stephan El Shaarawy, while Frosinone look to Matias Soule and Kaio Jorge https://t.co/VriuyjFkEe #FrosinoneRoma #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
16:03 Frosinone vs. Roma line-ups
Frosinone: Turati; Lirola, Monterisi, Okoli, Valeri; Brescianini, Mazzitelli; Gelli, Soulé, Kaio Jorge; Reinier
Roma: Svilar; Kristensen, Mancini, Huijsen, Angelino; Cristante, Paredes, Baldanzi; Azmoun, El Shaarawy; Lukaku
#Empoli 1-1 #Fiorentina — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
15:58 FT: Empoli 1-1 Fiorentina
#Udinese 1-1 #Cagliari Gianluca Gaetano cancelled out the fantastic Jordan Zemura curler into the far top corner, as Udinese and Cagliari shared the spoils https://t.co/PGnQT2u6tH #UdineseCagliari #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
15:56 Goal-line clearance for Empoli!
Walukiewicz to the rescue, that had surprised Caprile! The goalkeeper tried to rush out and clear a throw-in, which proved to be a bad idea, Bonaventura tried to send it towards goal from a tricky angle.
15:55 FT: Udinese 1-1 Cagliari
15:53 Stoppages in Empoli
Into 4 minutes, still 1-1.
15:52 Yerry Mina!
Ebosele was on the counter, he was clear for Udinese, but Yerry Mina uses his experience and giant body to block the path and doesn’t even give away a corner.
15:51 Cagliari chance
Corner cleared to the edge of the area, where Di Pardo’s half volley goes over the bar.
15:50 Stoppages in Udine
Into 5 minutes of injury time.
15:50 Empoli change
Pezzella on for Cacace
15:47 Fiorentina off target
A long passing move, but Mandragora ends up blasting over.
15:47 Udinese threaten
Payero tries to steer it back from the by-line, but runs out of pitch.
15:42 Udinese subs
Payero, Brenner and Success on, Thauvin, Lucca and Lovric off
15:39 Fiorentina switch
Biraghi injured or largely exhausted, Parisi on
15:37 Cagliari changes
Ranieri waited until the 78th minute to make his first subs.
Pavoletti, Di Pardo and Nandez on, Jankto, Zappa and Lapadula off
15:35 Fiorentina changes
Ikone and Bonaventura on, Sottil and Belotti off
15:33 Samardzic!
Samardzic cuts inside and shoots from the edge of the area, but it flashes wide!
15:32 Biraghi booked
He had to take one of the team, as the Fiorentina captain had been well and truly skinned by Zurkowski.
15:28 Cagliari close
Gaetano flashes a ball across the six-yard box, but Luvumbo can’t connect!
15:27 Empoli chance!
Razvan Marin scorcher is dipping viciously and Terracciano has to palm it away!
15:25 Fiorentina changes
Kayode and Arthur on, Faraoni and Duncan off
15:24 Udinese changes
Joao Ferreira and Ebosele on, Zemura and Ehizibue off
15:23 Fiorentina so close
Sottil angled drive takes a slight deflection and SKIMS the far post!
15:19 Empoli 1-1 Fiorentina: M’Baye Niang penalty!
His second penalty of the season for Empoli, buried into the roof of the net.
15:18 Penalty for Empoli!
Cancellieri on the counter-attack, Faraoni has a hand on the shoulder and pulls him back.
15:18 Udinese close
Thuavin cross-field pass for Lucca, well-taken volley with the right boot, but wide!
15:16 Empoli threaten
Cacace gets down the left, flashes a ball across the face of goal and nobody ready to meet it. This is becoming a trend for Empoli.
15:14 Roma in black
Changing room check: ⚫️🟡🟠🔴#ASRoma | #RomaFrosinone pic.twitter.com/2Br5OSWbI7 — AS Roma English (@ASRomaEN) February 18, 2024
15:11 Empoli wasteful
Empoli on another rapid counter with Cambiaghi, but again his teammates don’t finish it off, this time Cancellieri prods it straight at Terracciano.
15:08 Cagliari hit the crossbar!
Huge chance for Cagliari to turn the game around, Lapadula on the volley smashes it against the bar from 12 yards!
15:07 Empoli changes
Gyasi and Cerri off, Niang and Fazzini on
15:05 2nd half kicks off: Udinese 1-1 Cagliari
15:03 Gaetano goal
Gaetano heads home what could be a huge goal in Cagliari's relegation battle 👀 pic.twitter.com/Fg8DZ6wB5A — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
14:52 Half-Time: Empoli 0-1 Fiorentina
Very tense at the Castellani with complaints over refereeing, even President Fabrizio Corsi comes down to the side of the pitch to protest.
14:50 Beltran goal
A lovely Fiorentina build up finished cooly by Beltrán ❄️ pic.twitter.com/cNMHaeMPyb — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
14:49 Half-Time: Udinese 1-1 Cagliari
Cagliari were pinned back for most of that half, but woke up at the end and are on level terms.
14:46 Udinese 1-1 Cagliari: Gianluca Gaetano!
Gaetano spreads the ball down the left, then finishes the run through the centre for a glancing header into the far corner!
14:45 Fiorentina clip the upright!
Free kick to the back post, Lucas Martinez-Quarta header clips the upright!
14:44 Cagliari’s first opportunity
Lapadula free kick gets through and zips along the turf, the goalkeeper struggles to smother.
14:41 Udinese chance
Error playing out from the back, Samardzic smacks it immediately and just over the bar!
14:35 Empoli chance
Fantastic run down the left from Cambiaghi, went past everyone with a change of pace, pulled back from the by-line and there’s nobody there to meet it!
14:34 Huge Udinese chance!
That was a free header for Lucca on the Thauvin cross, he really should’ve done better, but steered it wide!
14:32 Empoli 0-1 Fiorentina: Lucas Beltran!
Empoli were still down to 10 men, as Marin hadn’t come on yet, and Mandragora feeds the ball through a sea of legs to release Beltran for a precise angled drive down the right flank!
EL VIKINGO STRIKES AGAIN ⚡️🇦🇷#EmpoliFiorentina 0-1 pic.twitter.com/rgFWrMhtAr — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 18, 2024
14:31 Udinese again
Samardzic strike charged down by Yerry Mina. Cagliari can’t get out of their own half.
14:30 Empoli have to change
Grassi tried to carry on, but he seems to have pulled an abdominal muscle and cannot continue. So he makes way for Marin.
14:28 Save on Faraoni
Apparently he can play just fine with his ankle strapped up, because the low angled drive is beaten away by Caprile!
14:27 Triple Udinese chance
Three attempts charged down in the same move! Ehizibue, Thauvin and Zemura all denied.
14:25 Zemura goal
Jordan Zemura sends a rocket in to the top corner 🚀💥 pic.twitter.com/ROzSMSnSR6 — CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 18, 2024
14:24 Faraoni hobbles back on
The medics wrapped his ankle up rather tightly, so not quite sure how he can play like that.
14:23 Trouble for Fiorentina
Faraoni is in a lot of pain, seems to have sprained his right ankle.
14:22 Lucca booked
Udinese striker Lucca booked for doing a ‘are you mad?’ gesture towards the referee when a foul is given against him.
14:19 Lazio silent
Lazio are refusing to speak to the media in protest at what they claim was poor refereeing in the 2-1 defeat to Bologna, as Maurizio Sarri had already criticised the Lega Serie A for ‘ambushing’ them https://t.co/WQHmaMFfEd #LazioBologna #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
14:19 Cagliari threaten
Offside trap fails, roll across from the left and Okoye is alert to smother at the feet of Lapadula.
14:15 Udinese 1-0 Cagliari!
Jordan Zemura with his first ever Serie A goal! He gathers just inside the box, controls with a left-foot touch and curls a stunning right-foot finish into the far top corner!
WHAT A WAY TO SCORE YOUR FIRST GOAL IN ITALY JORDAN 🔥🇿🇼#UdineseCagliari pic.twitter.com/jFRjdHiRES — Lega Serie A (@SerieA_EN) February 18, 2024
14:13 Empoli again
Faraoni had run forward, lost it and left a big gap in defence, but they failed to make the most of that opportunity.
14:09 Empoli promising
Cerri wins it back off Mandragora and sparks a counter, Milenkovic and Terracciano not quite on the same page, but still just about manage to stop Maleh finishing it off.
14:08 Udinese chance
Ehizibue cuts inside from the right and his snapshot is straight at Scuffet.
14:03 Gyasi booked
That was quick… Gyasi went in very, very late on Biraghi’s ankle and is booked after 60 seconds, so will be suspended for the next Empoli match. And Biraghi is in a lot of pain.
14:02 We have kick-off in Empoli vs. Fiorentina!
14:02 We have kick-off in Udinese vs. Cagliari!
14:00 Minute’s silence
Fiorentina also wear black armbands and a minute’s silence in all games for the 5 victims of a building accident in Florence on Friday.
14:00 Thiago Motta
Thiago Motta is above all glad that Bologna beat Lazio ‘respecting our style of football’ and suggests Joshua Zirkzee reminds him of Ronaldinho, but ‘is special’ in his own way https://t.co/Q9u7Y9PajS #LazioBologna #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM #Zirkzee — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
13:46 Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee reveals the reason behind his goal celebration after beating Lazio and wants to make Bologna fans ‘dream even more’ after catching Atalanta in fourth place https://t.co/RNfJG6t3hM #LazioBologna #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM #Zirkzee — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
13:37 Udinese vs. Cagliari line-ups
Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Grassi, Maleh, Cacace; Cambiaghi, Zurkowski; Cerri
Fiorentina: Terracciano; Faraoni, Martinez-Quarta, Milenkovic, Biraghi; Mandragora, Duncan; Nico Gonzalez, Beltran, Sottil; Belotti
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Giannetti, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Lovric, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
Cagliari: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Makoumbou, Deiola, Jankto; Gaetano; Lapadula, Luvumbo
13:34 The Zirkzee goal
Both the build-up and Joshua Zirkzee's finish are worthy of more than one watch here 🤩 pic.twitter.com/HG5yJ3kHHS — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
13:30 Lazio 1-2 Bologna
13:28 FT: Lazio 1-2 Bologna
#Lazio 1-2 #Bologna Bologna came back from an early Gustav Isaksen goal to make it four consecutive Serie A victories, thanks to Oussama El Azzouzi and Joshua Zirkzee, damaging Lazio’s European ambitions https://t.co/2ewzI7fohQ #LazioBologna #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
13:27 No good
Beukema gets his head to it first.
13:27 Corner
Now Provedel comes up!
13:26 Provedel wants to go up
Provedel is begging to run up for every free kick in stoppages. Sarri won’t let him yet.
13:23 Lazio chance
Lucumi error lets the Guendouzi ball through, but Castellanos doesn’t make the most of it. So the ref calls it back and gives the free kick for Ferguson’s foul on Guendouzi. We are into 4 minutes of stoppages.
13:21 Worth noting
Both teams played on Wednesday, as Bologna beat Fiorentina 2-0, so while yes it was a Champions League tie, Lazio can’t just use that as an excuse.
13:17 Bologna changes
Orsolini and Kristiansen off, Lykogiannis and Calafiori on
13:15 Udinese vs. Cagliari line-ups
Udinese: Okoye; Perez, Giannetti, Kristensen; Ehizibue, Samardzic, Walace, Lovric, Zemura; Thauvin, Lucca
Cagliari: Scuffet; Zappa, Mina, Dossena, Augello; Makoumbou, Deiola, Jankto; Gaetano; Lapadula, Luvumbo
13:14 Empoli vs. Fiorentina line-ups
Empoli: Caprile; Ismajli, Walukiewicz, Luperto; Gyasi, Grassi, Maleh, Cacace; Cambiaghi, Zurkowski; Cerri
Fiorentina: Terracciano; Faraoni, Martinez-Quarta, Milenkovic, Biraghi; Mandragora, Duncan; Nico Gonzalez, Beltran, Sottil; Belotti
13:11 Lazio 1-2 Bologna: Joshua Zirkzee!
He started the move and he finished it! Marusic trips Ndoye, still the ball comes through to Zirkzee, who spreads it to Kristiansen down the left, then runs through the centre to be ready to meet the return pass from 12 yards!
13:09 Lazio changes
Kamada and Pellegrini on, Luis Alberto and Lazzari off
13:08 Huge save on Castellanos!
Big chance for Lazio! Ball over the top, Castellanos springs the offside trap, good first touch, but Skorupski comes tearing off his line and palms it off his feet!
13:05 Bologna changes
Ndoye, Aebischer and Urbanski on, Saelemaekers, El Azzouzi and Fabbian off
13:03 Lucumi intercepts
Lazzari tries to roll across, intercepted by Lucumi, should’ve pulled it back to Luis Alberto in a better position. Castellanos header then easy for Skorupski.
13:02 Bologna swarming
Zirkzee nutmeg manages to pull it to the edge of the area from the right, but nobody on the end of it.
12:57 Lazio subs
Castellanos and Pedro on, Immobile and Isaksen off
12:57 Sarri furious
Cataldi goes down on the edge of the box clutching his back, was shoved by Ferguson mid-air. Ref waved play on, but that was an elbow in the ribs. It was rude.
12:53 Casale decisive
Casale intercepts the Zirkzee roll across from the right, that would’ve been a tap-in from six yards for Fabbian. Bologna are in control here, Lazio need to shake things up.
12:51 Posch danger
A couple of Posch headers from Bologna corners are off target.
12:49 It remains open
Zirkzee snapshot from distance easy for Provedel, then Lazio make little of a corner.
12:45 Ferguson strike charged down
Good period of Bologna pressure, Ferguson strike charged down for a corner.
12:44 Fiorentina
Ispezione campo 🏟 #ForzaViola #EmpoliFiorentina #ACFFiorentina pic.twitter.com/Maye0VETUl — ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) February 18, 2024
12:39 El Azzouzi booked
He insists he got the ball, which he did, along with a lot of the player’s foot.
12:38 2nd half kicks off: Lazio 1-1 Bologna
No changes, Patric already went off injured for Casale.
12:32 Oussama El Azzouzi goal
Bologna grab a goal just before half time, El Azzouzi puts it away after Fabbian is gifted the ball from Provedel 🫣 pic.twitter.com/C4J6FC35SX — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
12:21 Half-Time: Lazio 1-1 Bologna
Protests from Lazio, who feel Isaksen is fouled by Ferguson right on the edge of the box, but doesn’t seem to be much in it really.
12:18 Lazio goal
It's untidy at the back from Bologna and Lazio make them pay to take the lead 🦅 pic.twitter.com/AEaVPtYpSV — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 18, 2024
12:16 Cleared off the line!
On the resulting corner, Guendouzi shot has surprised Skorupski, but Lucumi clears off the line!
12:14 Save on Isaksen
Good work from Guendouzi, Isaksen stings Skorupski’s gloves at the near post.
12:13 Lazio 1-1 Bologna: Oussama El Azzouzi!
VAR confirms – Casale was keeping him onside! Fabbian intercepted the poor pass, El Azzouzi tapped in from close range!
12:11 Bologna goal disallowed!
That might not be as clear as it initially looked…
It was a right mess from Luis Alberto, overhitting the back-pass to Provedel, then El Azzouzi pounced. Casale might’ve been keeping everyone onside there…
12:09 Bologna close
Saelemaekers free kick somehow goes through the Lazio wall, but still wide.
12:08 Cataldi booked
Cataldi trips Ferguson just outside the D and is carded, dangerous spot for a free kick.
12:03 Save on Isaksen!
That is a STUNNING save from Skorupski! Isaksen left-foot curler was going into the far top corner, the goalkeeper got his FINGERTIPS to it and pushed the ball onto the upright!
11:57 Fabbian booked
Fabbian booked for an off the ball whack in the face. They were wrestling for position.
11:56 Save on Immobile
Immobile sprung the offside trap on the Cataldi through ball, again Skorupski parried with his feet.
11:55 Bologna chance
Cross whipped all the way across the six-yard box, Zirkzee and Orsolini can’t quite get to it!
11:50 Lazio 1-0 Bologna: Gustav Isaksen!
Like that earlier chance, Bologna caught in possession with a misplaced Lucumi pass and are made to pay. Isaksen intercepts, give and go with Immobile and sweeps it home from just inside the box!
11:49 Felipe Anderson is in a good mood
He tends to be either fantastic or awful. This looks like a day for the former. He’s driving Posch quite mad.
11:46 Lazio goal disallowed!
Immobile was offside on the inspired through ball from Felipe Anderson and then beat Skorupski at the near post, but it won’t count.
11:44 Lazio change
Patric looks distraught. He has to limp off after just 12 minutes, making way for Casale. Romagnoli is suspended.
11:42 Patric has an issue
This is his first start in a month and there was a three-way collision earlier, but not sure if that’s what is causing his pain now. He is touching his stomach/groin.
11:40 Save on Immobile
A lot of Bologna possession, but Lazio almost score with their first break, Immobile low drive beaten away by Skorupski’s foot after Lucumi robbed by Isaksen.
11:35 Bologna chance
Strong start from Bologna, Lewis Ferguson blasts just over the bar from the edge of the box with his right boot.
11:32 We have kick-off in Lazio vs. Bologna!
Beautiful, sunny afternoon in Rome.
11:31 Minute’s silence
There is a minute’s silence before every game this weekend for the 5 victims of the construction accident in Florence on Friday.
11:28 Out come the teams
Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Gila, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Isaksen, Immobile, Felipe Anderson
Bologna: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Kristiansen; El Azzouzi, Fabbian, Ferguson; Orsolini, Zirkzee, Saelemaekers
11:26 Remembering Sinisa Mihajlovic
Sinisa’s wife Arianna is in the stands, his two Lazio jerseys are by the side of the pitch and the whole crowd united in a moment to remember the man who represented both clubs so well, as player and coach.
It’s particularly touching, as it would’ve been his birthday on Tuesday.
11:23 Ciro Immobile record
🤴🏻 200… and counting!#LazioBologna | #CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/mp01bgYwCN — S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) February 18, 2024
11:19 Thiago Motta on Sky Sport Italia
“It is a fantastic day, a fantastic stadium, we hope it will see good football, fair, played well by the two teams. We have another opportunity to prove our quality, playing in our style of football, and then we’ll see what happens.
“El Azzouzi started against Monza, then he went to AFCON, he is positive, he always wants the ball and I am sure he’ll have a great performance.
“Skorupski and Ravaglia both deserve to play, they both work well, today it is Lukasz’s turn. It is an advantage for us to have two great goalkeepers we can rely on.
“I am not worried about our away record, because we played well on our travels and many times deserved more than the result we achieved. We have to play our football, impose our style on the game against Lazio.”
11:14 Maurizio Sarri to Sky Sport Italia
“We must take it one game at a time, without looking at what the context is. We sincerely thank the Lega for another ambush, as yet again we have to play at lunchtime just a couple of days after the Champions League with Bayern Munich…
“At this moment, we do not have many options to rotate the squad, so we must grit our teeth and keep going like this, without alibis.
“Bologna have more possession than anyone else in the second half of the season, but the difference with many other teams who keep possession is that they manage to maintain a tactical balance. It is a very difficult match.”
11:05 Lazio vs. Bologna team news
The Biancocelesti had an extraordinary week in the Champions League, beating Bayern Munich 1-0 in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.
Ciro Immobile converted the decisive penalty, but Matias Vecino and Alessio Romagnoli are both suspended here, with Mattia Zaccagni, Elseid Hysaj and Nicolò Rovella injured.
Luca Pellegrini is not fully fit either, so Patric returns to the starting XI for the first time since dislocating his shoulder on January 14.
Bologna have Remo Freuler sitting out a ban and Adama Soumaoro injured, but are in fine form after three wins in the last four games.
Riccardo Orsolini and Alexis Saelemaekers provide support for sought-after centre-forward Zirkzee.
11:02 Warm-ups
🔥 Let’s do this!#LazioBologna | #CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/TYBV2ja5LQ — S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) February 18, 2024
10:51 Remembering Sinisa
🌱 Pitch inspection #LazioBologna | #CMonEagles 🦅 pic.twitter.com/aqoAwrY2p0 — S.S.Lazio (@OfficialSSLazio) February 18, 2024
10:32 Line-ups
#Lazio vs. #Bologna line-ups: Lazio are fresh from beating Bayern Munich, but forced to reshuffle amid injuries and bans in this head-to-head for European ambition with Joshua Zirkzee’s Bologna https://t.co/hNg8d4BmHD #LazioBologna #SerieA #Calcio #SerieATIM — Football Italia (@footballitalia) February 18, 2024
10:30 Lazio vs. Bologna line-ups
Lazio: Provedel; Lazzari, Patric, Gila, Marusic; Guendouzi, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Isaksen, Immobile, Felipe Anderson
Bologna: Skorupski; Posch, Beukema, Lucumi, Kristiansen; El Azzouzi, Fabbian, Ferguson; Orsolini, Zirkzee, Saelemaekers
Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games, including Lazio-Bologna, Frosinone-Roma and Monza-Milan.
We begin at 11.30 GMT with a showdown for European ambitions between Lazio and Bologna.
At 14.00 GMT there’s both the Tuscan derby Empoli-Fiorentina and relegation dogfight Udinese-Cagliari
Roma visit Frosinone at 17.00 GMT, then Milan can leapfrog Juventus into second place with a win away to Monza.