Down to Ten Men

AC Milan midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has credited manager Gennaro Gattuso for his upturn in form during the second half of the campaign. The Turkey international joined the Rossoneri from Bayer Leverkusen last summer and he had thereafter undergone a difficult period under manager Vincenzo Montella.

However, with the appointment of Gattuso, Calhanoglu managed to overcome of his key problems in terms of the language and he is satisfied with the progress under the once Champions League winner, he told Milan TV: “Yes, it’s true.

AC Milan head coach Gennaro Gattuso has admitted that the Rossoneri missed their opportunity to secure a victory over Sassuolo at the San Siro. The Rossoneri had the chance to close the gap to the top-four after both AS Roma and Inter Milan succumbed to defeats, but they could not make their chances pay against mid-table Sassuolo.

The Rossoneri dominated the game from the off, but they were denied on several occasions by goalkeeper Andrea Consigli through the first period. In the second half, Gattuso gambled with Andre Silva entering the fray for Ignazio Abate, but the Portuguese’s presence could not turn the tide of the game.

Veteran shot-stopper Gianluigi Buffon has admitted that he has joined up with the Italian national side to play tribute to the late Davide Astori. The 31-year-old sadly passed away in his sleep earlier this month, and this recently saw his former club Fiorentina pledge to rename their training ground after him.

Speaking in a press conference, the 40-year-old revealed that he felt a sense of responsibility which drove him to accept a call-up from interim boss Luigi Di Biagio to the national side.

AC Milan midfielder Franck Kessie has reportedly thrown his long-term future with the club in doubt after revealing his desire to play for Manchester United. The Ivory Coast international joined the Rossoneri on a two-year loan deal from Atalanta BC last summer with an obligation to buy.

The agent of Theo Walcott has admitted that the England international could pursue a move to Italy in order to enhance his chances of regular first-team. The 28-year-old has been on the periphery of the Gunners squad this campaign with most of his gametime coming in the Cup competitions.

In a report covered by Tuttomercato, Walcott's representative Warwick Horton admits that a switch to the Serie A is an option with his client keen on plying his trade in Italy, he said: "I know that Theo is keen on playing in Italy. We will take any offers that come in from Italy into consideration."

Italian Football President Carlo Tavecchio has revealed that Antonio Conte is one of the key candidates to become the country's next manager. The Azzurri parted ways with Gian Piero Ventura earlier this month after their shock loss to Sweden which saw them miss out on the World Cup for the first time since 1958.

Speaking to an Italian station, Tavecchio revealed the name of a number high-profile managers including Conte, who could take charge of the Azzurri permanently next summer, he said: "Allegri and Mancini? You’re getting warmer. Conte? Fire. We’re looking for the best. They already have commitments until June from a contractual point of view. Then when we get to June, who will be free? The ones are Ancelotti, Conte, Allegri, Ranieri and Mancini. This is the truth of those available."