While most soccer-loving fans around the globe will be glued to their televisions next year during the World Cup, restaurants and cinemas around Italy might find themselves extra busy during the summer.

Duvan Zapata won his family battle by inspiring Sampdoria to a 2-0 win over AC Milan in Serie A.

Latest: A chartered plane with a Brazilian first division football team has crashed in Colombia while on its way to the finals of a regional tournament, killing 76 people.

Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero was last night charged by the Football Association after appearing to elbow West Ham’s Winston Reid.

How much will Ireland’s historic victory affect the way Italy approach their showdown with Spain on Monday?

So the Italians will rest their star performers on Wednesday to afford Ireland an easy ride to joining them in the knockout stages of Euro 2016? Well, think again.

Liverpool are in talks with Fiorentina over the transfer of Fabio Borini. 

Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez remains confident Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema will both still be at the Bernabeu this coming season.

Juventus have reached an agreement to sign German midfielder Sami Khedira on a free transfer, the Italian champions have announced.

Less than 24 hours after overseeing his final game in charge of Napoli, Rafael Benitez landed in Madrid this morning.

Much-coveted Argentinean youngster Paulo Dybala wants to join Arsenal should he leave Palermo for the Premier League, according to the president of the Italian club.

Manchester City defender Aleksandar Kolarov admits a return to Italy appeals to him.

If Poland coach Adam Nawalka thought beating world champions Germany in October and sitting in top spot after four games in Group D might grant him an easy ride in the build-up to tomorrow’s European qualifier against Ireland, he was wrong.

Inter Milan coach Roberto Mancini wants his players fully focused from start to finish in Thursday’s Europa League return leg against Celtic at the San Siro.

Celtic boss Ronny Deila says tonight’s Europa League clash with Inter Milan will be his toughest test since taking charge of the Bhoys.

Arsenal loanee won’t be part of the Nerazzurri’s Europa League campaign.

European round-up

Sampdoria are closing in on the signing of Everton striker Samuel Eto’o.

Italian football has its share of unusual characters, none more so than Renzo Ulivieri.

Tonight is when the Champions League starts to get serious.

The crisis in Italian football is a bit like climate change.

Manchester United’s transfer ambitions suffered a significant setback yesterday after new Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri insisted midfielder Arturo Vidal will stay in Turin for the forthcoming season.

Manchester United are lining up Chile World Cup star Arturo Vidal to join Ander Herrera in their new-look midfield.

Former Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic is looking forward to a new challenge in Serie A.

At 8.47pm on Sunday night, Italian football returned from its winter break; at 10.37pm, the title race was over.

Manager Neil Lennon insists there is no chance of Celtic underestimating the threat of AC Milan tonight as his side prepare to face their biggest game of the season.

AC Milan have reached an agreement to re-sign Brazil forward Kaka from Real Madrid.

Tottenham 3 Inter 0

Tottenham 3 Inter Milan 0

This week we saw the Champions League resume after its winter break with some mouth-watering fixtures as the competition came down to the last 16 teams.

Celtic will seek “clarification” from UEFA over referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco’s performance in the 3-0 Champions League defeat to Juventus at Parkhead on Tuesday night, manager Neil Lennon has revealed.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon savoured the prospect of another two classic encounters against Juventus after being paired with the Italian champions and Serie A leaders in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Blame the referee — we all do it.

Roberto Di Matteo has cautioned against branding Juventus a “one-man team” as Chelsea prepare to kick off their “impossible” defence of the Champions League.

Juventus have confirmed they have completed the signing of Nicklas Bendtner on a season-long loan deal from Arsenal.

Manchester United have confirmed they have agreed a deal to sign Robin van Persie from Arsenal.

Andre Villas-Boas yesterday made Gylfi Sigurdsson his first signing as Tottenham head coach.

Mario Balotelli profile

Fiorentina winger Juan Manuel Vargas could be a target for Liverpool, according to his agent.

Cesare Prandelli has only one decision to make for tonight’s Group C duel with Croatia: does he stick with the front two he picked against Spain or should he give Antonio Di Natale a start?