Serie A Daily Report - 2026-08-04

Milan paid an emotional final tribute to Franco Baresi, with thousands lining the streets and gathering at the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio for the funeral of the former AC Milan and Italy captain. Baresi died aged 66 after a battle with illness, and the turnout underlined how deeply he shaped the club's identity. Former teammates and rivals, including Paolo Maldini, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Costacurta, Dida, Daniele Massaro and Dejan Savicevic, were among those present, while Milan supporters waved red-and-black flags and shirts marked with his iconic number 6.

The scale of the farewell reflected Baresi's extraordinary record: 719 official appearances for Milan, six Serie A titles, three European Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and four Italian Supercups. He also won 81 caps for Italy, captained the Azzurri to the 1994 World Cup final and was part of the 1982 world champions. Milan retired his number 6 shirt, and the club's current figures used the day to reinforce how central Baresi remains to the Rossoneri's history, even as they prepare for a demanding pre-season away from home.

Mykhailo Mudryk has rejoined Chelsea's squad in Hong Kong after winning an appeal against a four-year suspension that had followed a 2024 doping test. The 25-year-old winger has not played since November 2024, and manager Xabi Alonso said 'no decision' had been made on his future. Chelsea face Juventus in pre-season, but the club are treating Mudryk's return carefully after such a long absence from competitive football.

The immediate question is whether Chelsea ease him back into matches, send him out on loan, or consider a permanent move. Reports around the squad suggest Strasbourg could be one option, while Coventry have also been linked. What is certain is that Mudryk's comeback is being handled as a sensitive case, with Alonso stressing the focus is first on the person and his reintegration into group training. For a player once expected to be a major attacking piece, the next few weeks could define his Chelsea career.

AC Milan and Inter are preparing for a Derby della Madonnina in Perth, one of the most eye-catching pre-season fixtures on the global calendar. The clubs meet at Optus Stadium as part of the Calcio Italiano festival, bringing a rivalry usually reserved for San Siro to Western Australia. AC Milan coach Ruben Amorim and Inter coach Cristian Chivu exchanged pleasantries at a media event, but both made clear that once the whistle blows, the friendly label will not matter.

The fixture matters because it offers both clubs a high-profile test while also extending Serie A's visibility beyond Italy. Milan are trying to rebuild after missing the Champions League on the final day of last season, and Amorim said the club must win every game and maintain its spirit when the pressure rises. Inter, meanwhile, are using the tour to sharpen their title defence. With a rare derby outside Italy and a major stadium crowd expected, the match is as much about brand and momentum as pre-season fitness.

Juventus have reportedly been ruled out of the race for Victor Osimhen because of an 'anti-Juventus' clause attached to his transfer agreement with Galatasaray. According to the report, the clause was inserted when Galatasaray made the striker's move from Napoli permanent for €75 million last summer, and it is designed to prevent the Nigerian forward from joining their Turin rivals. That means even a club with Juventus's reach and history cannot simply enter the bidding if the clause is enforced.

The restriction is significant because Osimhen remains one of the most valuable strikers in the market and has long been linked with elite clubs in Italy and beyond. Napoli originally sold him after four seasons between 2020 and 2024, and the clause now protects one of their biggest domestic rivalries from being strengthened by a player who once terrorised Serie A defences. It also narrows the list of possible suitors at a time when his future continues to attract heavyweight interest.

Paris Saint-Germain have made an official offer worth €33 million, including add-ons, for Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The Japan international has emerged as one of the more eye-catching young goalkeeping targets in Europe, and PSG are pushing to secure him after his Serie A performances drew attention across the continent. Parma are now weighing a valuation that reflects both his age and upside, with the French champions treating the move as a calculated investment rather than a luxury purchase.

The bid highlights how Serie A clubs can quickly become central to the wider transfer market when they develop high-ceiling players in specialist positions. For Parma, the challenge is deciding whether to cash in on a goalkeeper with international pedigree or hold out for more. For PSG, the move suggests a longer-term plan behind the scenes, with Luis Enrique looking for depth and modern distribution from the back. If the deal progresses, it would be one of the summer's more unusual goalkeeper transfers.

Bournemouth produced one of the summer's most lopsided results by beating Genoa 10-1 in a friendly, with Enes Ünal scoring twice late on. Alex Scott opened the scoring in the 13th minute, Genoa briefly equalised through Mikael Ellertsson, and then Bournemouth took complete control before halftime. Justin Kluivert scored two penalties, Adrien Truffert also found the net, and the English side reached 4-1 by the break before continuing to pull away in the second half.

The scoreline matters for Serie A readers because Genoa were not merely beaten; they were overwhelmed by the pace and variety of Bournemouth's attack. Scott added a second, David Brooks, Daniel Jebbison and Malcom Dacosta all scored, and Ünal finished the job in the 89th and 90+3rd minutes. Friendlies can be deceptive, but a 10-1 defeat is still alarming for a side preparing for a new campaign. It will prompt uncomfortable questions about Genoa's defensive readiness and the gap between their current level and elite Premier League opposition.

Real Madrid teenager Franco Mastantuono is reportedly close to joining Fiorentina on loan, with journalist Arancha Rodriguez of COPE saying the move is now imminent. The 18-year-old attacking midfielder did not train with the first team and instead worked inside the club facilities, a strong sign that his temporary switch to Serie A is being finalised. Mastantuono arrived at Madrid last summer for €63 million from River Plate, but injuries, managerial change and limited impact have made regular minutes harder to secure.

For Fiorentina, the deal would offer a chance to add a highly rated South American talent with significant upside, while Madrid appear willing to let him develop elsewhere rather than stall on the bench. The move also fits a broader pattern in which Serie A clubs remain attractive landing spots for elite prospects needing game time and tactical refinement. If completed, the loan would be closely watched because Mastantuono was signed as one of Argentina's next major talents, and his progress in Florence could shape Madrid's long-term plans.

Yann-Aurel Bisseck has emerged as a transfer talking point after Lothar Matthäus urged Bayern Munich to consider the Inter defender. Matthäus argued Bayern may need reinforcements at the back if Kim Min-jae and Hiroki Ito leave, and the former AGF player is seen as a possible fit. Bisseck has been with Inter since 2023, won Serie A in 2024 and 2026, and lifted the Coppa Italia in 2026, all of which have boosted his profile in the European market.

The discussion is notable because Inter have only recently extended Bisseck's contract, which makes any pursuit expensive and complicated. Earlier reporting suggested Inter could start talks around €40 million, a figure that places him firmly in the premium bracket for defenders. For Bayern, the conversation underlines the uncertainty around their defensive depth, while for Inter it shows how quickly a player can move from rotational option to coveted asset. It is a market story that could yet develop into a major summer negotiation.