Serie A Daily Report - 2026-04-25

Antonio Conte called Napoli's 4-0 win over Cremonese 'crucial' after the champions-elect kept pressure on Inter and boosted their own Champions League push. Scott McTominay struck in the third minute, Filippo Terracciano turned one into his own net, Kevin De Bruyne added another before the break, and Alisson San... completed the rout seven minutes after half-time at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

The result mattered beyond the scoreline: Napoli stayed in the hunt at the top end of Serie A and forced Inter to wait at least another week to secure the title. Reports also noted Napoli climbed to second and opened an 11-point gap to fifth-placed Como with four matches left, underlining how Conte's side have turned a dominant home performance into a major statement.

Roma earned a huge 2-0 away win at Bologna, with Donyell Malen starring by scoring one goal and setting up the other. Malen finished Neil El Aynaoui's through ball inside seven minutes, and Roma then controlled the match to take their first Serie A away win since January.

The victory helped Gian Piero Gasperini's side move to within two points of fourth-placed Juventus, keeping their Champions League chase very much alive. It also came after a turbulent week in which Roma dismissed special adviser Claudio Ranieri following his public clash with Gasperini, making the result a timely response on the pitch.

Serie A's officiating structure has been thrown into turmoil after referee designator Gianluca Rocchi was placed under investigation for alleged sporting fraud. Reports say the probe centres on claims he influenced VAR decisions and even favoured certain referee assignments, with one case linked to a controversial Udinese penalty and another involving Bologna-Inter.

Italy's Sport Minister Andrea Abodi warned there can be 'no avoiding consequences', turning a refereeing story into a wider governance crisis for the FIGC. With multiple outlets reporting the same investigation, the scandal now threatens confidence in the league's match officials just as the season reaches its decisive stage.

Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta used a DAZN interview to argue that Serie A remains 'football's driving force' but needs far better communication and structural reform. He said there has been 'a clear drop in values and quality since 2006', pointing to broader problems that go beyond coaching changes or individual presidents.

Marotta's intervention lands at a sensitive moment, with Italian football already under pressure from the Rocchi refereeing investigation and ongoing concerns about the national game's competitiveness. His comments add weight to the sense that the issues facing Serie A are institutional, not just sporting.

Como president Mirwan Suwarso said the club will not stand in Cesc Fabregas's way if he wants to join Chelsea, after the Blues sacked Liam Rosenior following a five-match losing streak. Fabregas spent five years at Stamford Bridge, making 198 appearances and winning two Premier League titles, an FA Cup, an EFL Cup and the Europa League.

The timing is significant because Como only appointed Fabregas in July 2024 on a four-year contract, yet Chelsea's managerial vacancy has instantly made him one of the most intriguing candidates. His existing ties to the club make this a realistic and potentially high-profile move if talks progress.

Juventus have emerged as a serious suitor for Robert Lewandowski, with reports saying the Polish striker is the Bianconeri's number one target this summer. His Barcelona contract expires on 30 June, and he has still scored 17 league goals this season despite reduced minutes in Catalonia.

For Serie A, the possibility of landing one of the game's great finishers would be a major market signal, especially for a club looking to add proven firepower. The move is still speculative, but the combination of an expiring contract and Juventus's need for elite attacking quality makes it one of the day's biggest transfer stories.

Parma midfielder Mandela Keita has openly credited Inter coach Cristian Chivu for helping shape his development, saying Chivu taught him to believe in himself. That relationship is now relevant because Inter are expected to strengthen in midfield and Keita has been linked with a move to San Siro.

The comments matter because they connect a transfer target to a potential future manager-player reunion, giving Inter a built-in advantage if they pursue him. With the Nerazzurri looking to refresh their midfield, Keita's profile has moved closer to the centre of the Serie A market.