Serie A Daily Report - 2026-09-22: Totti rejected Genoa and Como comeback approaches at 48

Francesco Totti revealed on Tuesday that he rejected approaches from Genoa and Como to return to Serie A in 2024 at the age of 48. The former Roma captain made the disclosure in his autobiography Oltre, which went on sale on Tuesday. Genoa were then coached by Alberto Gilardino, while Como were managed by Cesc Fabregas. Totti wrote that he said no to both clubs despite seriously considering a comeback. He also explained that he trained extensively to test whether his body could cope, including eight-a-side football, gym work and physiotherapy.

Totti said his physical condition was not the decisive reason for refusing the proposals. Instead, the prospect of playing under managers considerably younger than him contributed to the decision, while his enduring connection with Roma also shaped his thinking. He described the situation as extraordinary rather than imaginary, stressing that both approaches were genuine. The revelation offers a rare glimpse into the possibility of one of Italian football’s most recognisable figures returning after retiring in 2017, though Totti ultimately chose not to resume his professional career.

Gennaro Gattuso defended his coaching record on Tuesday as he followed an unsuccessful spell with Italy by making an unbeaten start at Lazio. Gattuso took charge of the Roman club in June after Maurizio Sarri left for Atalanta, and Lazio have begun the Serie A campaign without defeat. The former Italy midfielder said he had not received enough credit for an attacking approach, arguing that his public image as a combative player had influenced perceptions of him as a coach. His comments came six months after Italy failed to qualify for the World Cup.

Gattuso pointed to near misses in Champions League qualification during previous spells with AC Milan and Napoli while responding to criticism of his managerial work. His Lazio start has provided an immediate change in the conversation around him, although the contrast with his Italy tenure remains central to the scrutiny. The current unbeaten run gives Gattuso an opportunity to establish a more positive domestic narrative, with Lazio’s performances likely to shape whether his attacking philosophy is accepted over a longer Serie A campaign.

Juventus were fined €10,000 on Tuesday after some supporters disrupted a minute’s silence for Sandro Mazzola before Sunday’s Serie A match against Atalanta. The incident occurred at Allianz Stadium as a section of the Curva Sud turned their backs towards the pitch and sang chants connected with Juventus figures during the tribute. Mazzola, the former Inter and Italy great, died at the age of 83. The minute’s silence was held across Serie A matches over the weekend in his memory, making the conduct particularly sensitive given the historic rivalry between Inter and Juventus.

The sporting judge reduced the potential severity of the punishment after Juventus promptly condemned the behaviour and the rest of the stadium dissociated itself from the disruption. The club issued a statement titled “Respect and Sportsmanship”, rejecting conduct that undermined the commemoration. Applause from other supporters drowned out the chants, according to the reports. The fine closes the immediate disciplinary matter, while the episode has also prompted criticism from former Juventus player Claudio Marchisio, who said rivalry could not erase respect for football history.

Christian Pulisic scored on his first start of the 2026 season as Milan beat Lecce 3-0 at San Siro on Sunday. The United States international opened the scoring in the 14th minute, registering his first goal for Milan in the calendar year and his first competitive strike for the club since December 2025. Adrien Rabiot and Diego Moreira added goals after half-time to complete the victory. The result extended Milan’s unbeaten start to the Serie A campaign and gave the team a convincing response in the first match of the new season in which Pulisic began.

Pulisic had previously made two substitute appearances as he returned to action, making his starting role against Lecce a significant step. His goal strengthened Milan’s attacking options while avoiding the need to draw conclusions about his longer-term workload after the managed reintroduction. Rabiot and Moreira’s contributions also ensured the result was not dependent on one player. Milan’s unbeaten run is the broader consequence, while Pulisic’s performance gives the club a positive selection decision to consider when domestic football resumes after the international break.

Como signed Shamrock Rovers teenager Jayden Marshall on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee on Tuesday. The 16-year-old left-sided defender has also played at centre-back and in midfield, and has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-15, under-17 and under-20 level. He was selected for Ireland’s under-17 squad for four matches this week before completing the move. Shamrock Rovers confirmed the transfer and wished Marshall well as he began his new football journey in Italy.

Marshall is expected to join Como’s academy rather than move directly into the first team. The pathway reflects the increasing movement of young Irish players to European clubs, with the article noting that Brexit rules prevent Irish players from joining British clubs until they are 18. Como finished fourth in Serie A last season and secured Champions League football, while Cesc Fabregas remains the club’s manager. For Marshall, the immediate challenge will be adapting to a new environment and progressing towards senior involvement through Como’s development structure.

Hellas Verona defender Seid Korac was ruled out of Luxembourg’s upcoming Nations League campaign after sustaining a cruciate ligament injury in the Italian championship at the weekend. Verona confirmed on Monday that the 24-year-old would require surgery. Korac, who has won 23 caps for Luxembourg, will miss the entirety of the competition, creating another defensive setback for national-team coach Jeff Strasser. Luxembourg are due to begin their Nations League campaign away to Bulgaria on Saturday.

Korac’s injury adds to a difficult selection situation for Luxembourg, with Christopher Martins and Yvandro Borges also unavailable and Mathias Olesen and Enzo Dos Santos carrying fitness doubts. Eldin Dzogovic was withdrawn from the squad on Monday as well. For Verona, the injury removes a player who had been involved in the club’s Serie A squad from the early-season picture. The surgery and subsequent rehabilitation will now determine when Korac can return to club football, while Luxembourg must reorganise before their opening fixture.