Serie A

Cristiano Ronaldo and agent Jorge Mendes pledged €1 million toward funding three intensive care units in Portugal to aid in coronavirus relief.

The donation will cover two ICUs in Santa Maria hospital in Lisbon and one at the Santo Antonio hospital in Porto.

"We were contacted by Jorge Mendes, who volunteered with Cristiano Ronaldo to fund two intensive care units for critically ill patients with COVID-19," Santa Maria President Daniel Ferro said. "There are fans, monitors, infusion pumps, beds, all the equipment that makes up an intensive care unit equipped to provide assistance to a patient infected with COVID-19."

There have been more than 2,300 coronavirus cases and 33 deaths in Portugal. The government shut down all non-essential businesses last week, and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa went into self-isolation earlier this month "to be an example," he said, per Reuters.

Paulo Barbosa, president of the board of Centro Hospitalar Universitario do Porto, thanked Ronaldo and Mendes for their donation.

"This unit will allow the opening of 15 intensive care beds, fully equipped with fans, monitors and other equipment," Barbosa stated. "The Centro Hospitalar Universitario do Porto thanks Cristiano Ronaldo and Jorge Mendes for this very useful initiative, at a time when the country needs everyone so much."

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez is one of the world's best strikers, according to former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The Argentinian told Radio La Plata (h/t Andy Ha at Football.London) that the 22-year-old's quality and potential mean he will be a target for the top clubs.

"Lautaro Martinez is one of the best strikers in the world. It's not just for what he does now, but for what his potential means going forward. If you start looking at hitmen for the big clubs, clearly his name has to be in there."

The striker joined Inter Milan in 2018 from Racing Club after rejecting interest from both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, according to Goal's Iain Strachan.

Martinez scored nine goals in all competitions in his first season at San Siro but has thrived in 2019-20 alongside Romelu Lukaku in attack and under new manager Antonio Conte:

The youngster's performances for the Serie A club have fuelled rumours he could be the subject of a big-money bid and leave Inter in the summer.

La Liga champions Barcelona have offered Martinez a five-year contract, according to journalist Nicolo Shira:

Captain Lionel Messi has praised his compatriot and said he hopes to moves to Barcelona, per football writer Dermot Corrigan:

Meanwhile, Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City are also keen on the forward, according to Sport (h/t Metro).

Inter vice-president Javier Zanetti has spoken about the speculation and said Martinez is "happy" at the club and thinks he will continue playing in Italy in an interview with Radio Continental (h/t Football Italia).

Per Juan Jimenez at AS, Martinez has a release clause that drops to €111 million in the first two weeks of July, and Inter Milan are likely to receive plenty of interest in the striker when the transfer window reopens. 

Former Chelsea full-back Paulo Ferreira has said Cristiano Ronaldo can "definitely" play until he is 40.

Ferreira played alongside Ronaldo for Portugal before hanging up his international boots in 2010. He subsequently retired from playing completely in 2013 and has watched on as Ronaldo has added numerous titles to his already packed trophy cabinet at Real Madrid and Juventus.

Ferreira does not see any prospect of Ronaldo slowing down soon if he stays fit, per Nizaar Kinsella of Goal:

"I've known Cristiano for a long time. His attitude, how professional he is, how hard he works—they are all outstanding. Until his body doesn't allow him to play anymore, he will stay at this level. And I think he will last for four or five years more.

"He is still an important player who everyone respects. He is still feared because he can decide a game. I saw him develop, of course. I played with and against him from the time he was 18, and he deserves to still be at this level for everything he has achieved and all the work he has put in.

"To still be playing at this level at 35, you have to look after yourself. You need to work hard, rest and eat properly. He does all that, so when he says he can go on until 40, I agree. Let's see how his body handles it, but if he doesn't get injuries, then he can definitely do it."

Now 35, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner continues to be one of the most devastating attacking players in Europe.

Only two players in Europe's top five leagues, Lazio's Ciro Immobile and Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski, have scored more league goals than Ronaldo in 2019-20.

The former Manchester United star has netted 21 times for Juventus in Serie A this term and recently scored in 11 consecutive league games:

That run ended in Juve's 2-0 win over Inter Milan on March 8, which put the Old Lady back on top of Serie A:

It also proved to be Juventus' final game before European football shut down in a bid to manage the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, Juve's bid to win a ninth consecutive Scudetto has been suspended, as has their campaign to win a first UEFA Champions League since 1996.

Maurizio Sarri's side currently trail Lyon 1-0 in their last-16 tie in Europe's elite tournament, with the second leg still to be played in Turin. If and when the season continues, Ronaldo will be aiming to become only the second person after Francisco Gento to win the famous European trophy six times.

Inter Milan striker Romelu Lukaku has opened up on the "difficult situation" he found himself in at Manchester United last season.

The Belgium international made the switch to the Serie A side last summer and has enjoyed a fine first campaign at the San Siro. 

In the previous term, he fell out of favour at Old Trafford under the tutelage of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. While Lukaku was able to score goals regularly in a red shirt, his profile as a forward didn't fit the way the United boss wanted his team to operate. Lukaku discussed his time at the club on Ian Wright's YouTube channel (h/t Marcus Banks of the Manchester Evening News):

"One bad year can happen to everybody in their career. It was just done for me. It was a difficult situation for myself. I had to make a decision.

"I had to go somewhere where I could learn other aspects of my game, work with somebody who wanted me. Yes [it bothered me that people were talking about my shape], it got to my head.

"Training is different, here you work hard. They work you hard. Speak to Ashley Young. There's a lot of difference, here the team is the team, there's like team bonding, we have two or three team dinners every three weeks, all together, nobody misses out."

Lukaku also praised his current manager Antonio Conte, saying the former Chelsea boss has transformed Inter into the "most aggressive team in the league." "The manager puts it in us," he continued. "Be aggressive and press, the physical preparation."

The 26-year-old has been able to find the net frequently for Inter this season, with 17 goals in 25 top-flight appearances. Per OptaPaolo, this season Lukaku has proved he can score different kinds of goals:

Finding the net has never been an issue for the Belgian. During his time with Anderlecht, West Bromwich Albion, Everton, United and Inter, he's showcased a ruthless streak when chances fall to him.

At United, he was criticised for his conditioning and there was a sense he didn't fit in with the fluid attacking football Solskjaer wanted to play. 

Since leaving United, Lukaku has been able to develop more facets of his game under Conte. Italian football writer David Amoyal commented on how well the pair are working together:

Before the suspension of matches in Italy due to the coronavirus pandemic, Inter found themselves in the middle of a gripping title race. They were nine points behind leaders Juventus and eight behind Lazio in second spot, although the Nerazzurri had a game in hand on both.

Lukaku was a crucial part of that push, and as he enters what appear to be the peak years of his career, Inter are set to be the main benefactors.

Lautaro Martinez is "very happy" at Inter Milan and has "a future in Italian football," according to Nerazzurri vice-president Javier Zanetti. 

The Argentinian striker has been linked with a move to Barcelona since last summer. 

During an impressive 2019-20 campaign in which he has netted 11 Serie A goals and formed a fine partnership with Romelu Lukaku, those links have not gone away, especially after Luis Suarez suffered a serious knee injury:

Zanetti, though, has moved to make assurances that Martinez will stay at Inter. He told Radio Continental (h/t Santi Gimenez of AS):

"Right now, I see him having a future in Italian football. We are very happy with him, and he is very happy too with Inter Milan."

Per Gimenez, Barca are considering potentially meeting Martinez's €111 million (£102 million) release clause, although they are also hoping that the fee could be lowered when the 2019-20 season is eventually finished.

Martinez, 22, signed for Inter from Argentinian side Racing in July 2018 for €22.7 million (£20 million).

In his debut campaign at the club he scored six goals and provided two assists in 27 appearances as Inter finished fourth in Serie A.

This term, he has increased his output, contributing to a goal every 139 minutes in Serie A compared to every 167 minutes last term.

He and Lukaku have played a key role in Inter's title bid under Antonio Conte this term:

Unfortunately for Inter, their 2-0 loss to Juventus in their final game before Serie A was suspended due to the coronavirus has left them nine points off the pace in Serie A, although they do have a game in hand:

If the 2019-20 Serie A season is ever completed, it is looking increasingly unlikely Inter will win their first Scudetto since 2010.

But they have shown this term they are ready to challenge for titles again, and they will need to keep hold of Martinez if that is to continue. 

Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon opened up about his return to the club from Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday and explained that his childhood dream of being a professional footballer is what's stopping him from retiring.

The veteran keeper spoke to the club's official TV channel (h/t Football Italia), revealing he kept in touch with the Bianconeri during his one season in Paris:

"The return to Juve was natural, in the end I had a wonderful year in Paris and I must say that I needed it to detoxify myself.

"However it's clear that the contact with Juve was always there, with the President, with Fabio Paratici, and old friends. I played a season abroad without cutting the umbilical cord.

"I don't know what will happen next year, it is true that two years ago I practically retired and then what happened, happened.

"Why am I not retiring? Because I feel fine, and I want to respect the dreams I had when I was a small boy.

"At that age I would've been thrilled had they told me that I would become a Serie C goalkeeper."

He also said he was a Juventus fan until the age of seven, when he went through a host of favourite clubs. He was previously believed to be a lifelong Genoa fan, but it turns out that's not the case:

"Do you want a revelation? Which I have never said as I didn't want to look the part of a company man? As a child, up to the age of seven, I was a Juventus fan.

"But I fell in love with Giovanni Trapattoni and when he went to Inter [in 1986], I hesitated because my love for his character was such that I then supported Inter.

"Then I started to cheer for Pescara, Como, Avellino, Campobasso, and then from 12 years old, I started supporting Genoa."

Buffon became the most expensive goalkeeper in the world when he joined the Old Lady from Parma in 2001, and he stayed with the club for nearly two decades, including during a stint in Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal.

He left Italy for Paris in 2018 but returned to Turin to back up Wojciech Szczesny, refusing both the No. 1 shirt and captain's armband.

Even now, he remains an effective stopper capable of making amazing saves:

With seven Serie A starts this season, the 2006 FIFA World Cup winner has proved to be a vital cog in the Juventus machine. And as he has shown no signs of slowing down, speculation he could keep playing even longer has only increased.

It's a remarkable turnaround given Buffon looked ready to retire prior to his move to Paris and his play in the French capital was well below expectations. He started only 17 Ligue 1 matches and was not the upgrade on Alphonse Areola the club had hoped for. They ended up signing Keylor Navas in the summer.

Buffon did pick up a thing or two during his time in Paris, as demonstrated in this short video with team-mate Adrien Rabiot:

The Italian has remained retired from the national team after a brief return in 2018, and he doesn't seem likely to play for the Azzurri again.

The owners of Juventus have donated €10 million (£9 million) to help fight the coronavirus pandemic in Italy.

A statement on the Juventus website read:

"The Agnelli Family has made a €10 million donation to the Italian Civil Protection Department, as it manages the emergency at national level; and to Specchio dei Tempi /La Stampa (a social assistance organization which operates in the Region of Piedmont), to respond to the local health and social needs in the city of Turin and Piedmont."

Additionally, the Agnellis have assisted in the purchase of 150 ventilators and "their immediate air transport to Italy."

Italy has been the hardest hit of all European countries by the coronavirus outbreak and is second worldwide to only China in terms of cases and deaths. 

According to CNN, as of Tuesday there have been 27,980 cases in the country and 2,158 deaths.

As with the rest of Europe, football has been shutdown in a bid to manage the spread of the virus. Serie A and the Coppa Italia have been postponed indefinitely.

Juve's last match, a 2-0 league victory over title rivals Inter Milan on March 8, was played behind closed doors at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.

The victory extended Juve's lead over Inter to nine points, but Lazio remain just one point back in second:

The Old Lady are attempting to win a ninth consecutive league title in 2019-20, and they are in the semi-finals of the Coppa Italia against AC Milan, the first leg of which ended 1-1 at the San Siro.

Meanwhile, Juve trail 1-0 in their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie against Lyon after the first leg. 

Juventus confirmed on Tuesday Blaise Matuidi has tested positive for the new coronavirus. The Serie A giants released a statement on the club's official website detailing the midfielder's condition. 

Matuidi, who has been in "voluntary home isolation" since Wednesday, March 11, is said to be well and "asymptomatic."

The Frenchman is the second Juve player to test positive for the virus since the outbreak began. Centre-back Daniele Rugani tested positive for COVID-19, was isolated and later revealed on Twitter (h/t BBC Sport) he was feeling "fine."

Like Rugani, Matuidi is following the procedures put in place to help halt the spread of the disease. COVID-19 is a strain of coronavirus that can attack the lungs and airways of those infected.

Italy has been dealing with the outbreak since it became prevalent in the Lombardy region in the north of the country. Part of the response has involved suspending football in the Italian top flight, with all matches in Serie A on hold until at least April 3.

Juve were topping the table when play was brought to a halt, a mere point ahead of Lazio. Matuidi has played his part, but the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner with France has only started 13 league games, offering two assists in the process.

Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri has often opted for more technically proficient players in the engine room. Former Arsenal playmaker Aaron Ramsey has joined classy schemer Miralem Pjanic and burgeoning talent Rodrigo Bentancur.

Matuidi remains an important player, though. The versatile, box-to-box powerhouse has helped the Bianconeri win the last two titles since arriving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017.

Serie A has been called off as part of the nationwide shutdown of sports and mass gatherings, while Italy responds to the pandemic. More than 184,000 people have been diagnosed globally, across 155 countries, including over 27,000 in Italy, according to the World Health Organization.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has said he has not had coronavirus symptoms despite having tested positive for the virus.

The Italian champions announced that Rugani had been diganosed with coronavirus on March 11 and consequently stated that staff and players would self-isolate at home.

Rugani offered an update on his condition in an interview with the club's television channel (h/t Football Italia):

"I'm fine, I've been pretty good. I haven't had the symptoms you read about in the news. I was lucky despite it being a good hit, because I was the first in our environment to get it. I hope it will serve to raise awareness."

Rugani added, “I’m practically finished all of Netflix! I recommend ‘The Invisible Guest’, it’s a thriller that doesn’t last long and it isn’t that serious. I’ll also accept other recommendations from you!”

Rugani was the first Serie A player to receive a positive test, with the announcement made just three days after Juventus beat Inter Milan 2-0 in a top-of-the-table clash.

Both squads and the match officials involved in the game are in self-isolation, per Football Italia.

Juventus team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo sent a message of support to Rugani as part of a post on Twitter:

"I would like to send my thoughts to everyone who has lost someone close to them, my solidarity to those who are fighting the virus, like my team-mate Daniele Rugani, and my continued support to the amazing health professionals putting their own lives at risk to save others."

The coronavirus outbreak led to the suspension of Serie A until at least April 3, while the outstanding UEFA Champions League last-16 ties have also been postponed. European football's governing body will meet on Tuesday to discuss the next step.

Damiano Tommasi, the president of the Italian Footballers' Association (AIC), does not expect top-flight football in Italy to resume at the start of April:

A number of other Serie A teams have also been affected by the coronavirus.

Fiorentina recently announced that Dusan Vlahovic, Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella had tested positive along with physiotherapist Stefano Dainelli.

Five Sampdoria players and club doctor Amedeo Baldari have also been diagnosed with coronavirus.

Italy is the second-most affected coronavirus country in the world after China and has reported more than 24,000 cases and in excess of 1,800 deaths, per CNN.

Former Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has backed Fiorentina's Federico Chiesa to become the "best player in Europe" if he plays in his natural position. 

The 22-year-old has six goals and three assists in 23 appearances in the 2019-20 Serie A season—currently on hold due to the coronavirus outbreak—exactly the same return he managed in 37 appearances last term.

He has long been linked with a move to Juventus, and both Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are said to be interested in the young Italy international, per Chris Burton of Goal.

Prandelli, who also managed Fiorentina between 2005 and 2010, believes the most crucial aspect to Chiesa's progression is that he plays in his preferred position, per La Nazione (h/t Burton):

"He must persevere and work in a single direction. I speak of the role, his role. Chiesa must specialise in what he feels is his natural tactical position. If he does this, he will become the best player in Europe."

During 2019-20, Chiesa has played all across the front line for Fiorentina.

His preferred position is on the right flank, but he can also play as a central striker.

One of the key areas he will need to improve in if he is to live up to Prandelli's prediction is his goalscoring output.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have been the benchmarks in European football for the last decade, and their numbers are extraordinary:

It is unlikely any of the upcoming generation of attacking stars will be able to match Ronaldo and Messi's consistency.

But both of them are now well into their 30s and drawing to the end of their careers.

Chiesa has the talent to be one of those considered the best in Europe, but he may well need a move to a bigger club.

Fiorentina are 13th in Serie A at the moment after a tough 2019-20.

At a club fighting for major honours, Chiesa's output would likely increase, not least as he would have better service in attack, and it would not be a huge surprise if he were to leave Florence in the summer.