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Join us for all the build-up and action as it happens from the Europa League and Conference League, as Lazio host Ludogorets, Claudio Ranieri’s Roma visit Tottenham and Fiorentina face Pafos.

We begin at 17.45 GMT with Lazio trying to maintain their perfect Europa League record as they welcome Bulgarians Ludogorets.

At 20.00 GMT, Ranieri on his second game in charge of Roma is in London against Tottenham Hotspur, while Fiorentina host Cypriots Pafos.

Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is recovering from an ankle injury but is also working on his mindset, getting inspiration from legendary Gianluigi Buffon.

Italy international Vicario underwent ankle surgery this week after sustaining an injury in a Premier League fixture against Manchester City.

Picture: Vicario inspired by Buffon as recovery from injury continues

Spurs coach Ange Postecoglou said the ex-Empoli star would remain out of action “for months.”

Vicario has returned to Italy for the first part of his recovery program and shared the cover of Gigi Buffon’s autobiography, recently released in Italy, in one of his latest Instagram stories.

“I don’t think I could ask for a more fitting book,” wrote the Italian keeper.

Vicario and Buffon have crossed paths with Italy’s national team, as the former keeper has been the Azzurri’s Delegation Chief since September 2023.

Buffon, a 2006 Italy World Cup winner, is the player with the most Serie A appearances: 657 with Juventus and Parma.

Paulo Dybala is expected to be included in Roma’s starting XI for the first time under Claudio Ranieri in his side’s visit to Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

It kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 GMT) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.

After switching to a back three in the second half of his side’s match at Napoli last weekend, Sky Sport Italia believes coach Ranieri will confirm such a set-up and add wing-backs Zeki Çelik and Angelino to form a five-man defensive line.

Mats Hummels should be deployed at its centre, flanked by Gianluca Mancini and Evan Ndicka.

Manu Koné, Bryan Cristante and Nicolò Pisilli should all be confirmed in the starting line-up, the former and the latter tasked with providing both defensive coverage and support to the attacking duo, which should see Dybala play alongside Giallorossi top scorer Artem Dovbyk.

Defender Mario Hermoso is still out with an injury, but the return of Alexis Saelemaekers to Roma’s squad after more than two months could provide Ranieri with a valuable alternative.

Tottenham will have to do without goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, who sustained an ankle fracture and will be sidelined for months after undergoing surgery.

Tottenham vs Roma – Probable line-ups

Tottenham (4-2-3-1): Forster; Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Gray; Bergvall, Bentancur; Sarr, Johnson, Solanke; Werner.

Roma (5-3-2): Svilar; Celik, Mancini, Hummels, Ndicka, Angelino; Konè, Cristante, Pisilli; Dybala, Dovbyk

Where to watch Tottenham vs Roma

Claudio Ranieri’s first European game in charge for Roma will be available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 and online via Discovery+. Supporters in the USA will be able to watch via Paramount+.

Join us on the Football Italia LIVEBLOG for the pre-match build-up, in-game coverage and post match reactions as they come in.

Italy international Destiny Udogie admits Tottenham have lacked consistency this season, but Spurs ‘will try and build the right momentum’ against Roma tomorrow after a 4-0 win over Manchester City.

Udogie spoke at a press conference on Wednesday, on the eve of a Europa League game against Roma in London.

“We’re working every day. We’re coming from a big win last week and in the game tomorrow we will try and build the right momentum,” said the Italian defender, as quoted by BBC.

Tottenham secured a memorable 4-0 win away at Manchester City over the weekend, but the North Londoners sit 6th in the Premier League table with 19 points in 12 matches. They collected three victories and two defeats in the last five league matches.

Udogie reveals Tottenham’s main issue before meeting Roma

“It’s been difficult because we haven’t really found the right consistency,” admitted Udogie.

However, “this season is the second season together so we understand each other, we know the gaffer better and the staff. This is the big difference. We have more confidence in our ability.”

As reported by Football London, Udogie briefly spoke about his compatriot Vicario as well.

The Italian keeper has undergone ankle surgery and will remain out of action for a few months.

“We’re going to miss him because in the group he’s a great leader. I spoke to him the day after the operation,” concluded Udogie.

The former Udinese left-back has one assist in 16 Tottenham appearances this term.

He made his Azzurri debut in 2023 and has nine appearances with La Nazionale.

Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou says Guglielmo Vicario will remain out of action ‘for months’ after sustaining an ankle injury.

Vicario underwent ankle surgery earlier this week after sustaining a severe injury during an away 4-0 win at Manchester City over the weekend.

The former Empoli and Cagliari keeper played 60 minutes with a broken ankle at the Etihad Stadium, so his injury surprised everyone at Tottenham.

“I guess, a bit of a shock first of all,” Spurs boss Postecoglou said at a press conference on Wednesday (via Football London).

“We saw he picked up an injury during the game. We saw at half-time but there was no doubt about him continuing. You kind of digest that. Post game he was sore but he played 60 minutes with a sore ankle. We will tape it up and go again.

“But, and I guess externally now people realise, it is a testament to him as a person. He is as tough as nails, as tough as they come. The fact he played at that level for 60 minutes with a fractured ankle was quite outstanding.

“When the shock off it wears off, you process he is going to be missing for a while. Knowing him, he will push the limits as to how long that is and you will get daily updates about that through his Instagram.”

Vicario injury: Postecoglou confirms Italy international out ‘for months’

But how long will the Italian keeper remain out of action for?

“It’s not going to be weeks, it’ll be months,” admitted Postecoglou.

“He’s had surgery and there’s certain timelines. Because it is Vic, and I don’t like giving timelines so early in a process like that because it puts undue pressure on the players and some expectations, but once we get past the rehab stage and he’s getting out there we’ll have a clearer idea.

“It’s a big blow, but for him personally I guess because he was having an outstanding season for us and really growing as a leader within the group. But we have dealt with setbacks before and we will deal with this.”

Playing for over an hour with a broken ankle will make him a hero in the fans’ eyes.

“Yeah, I think so,” said the Tottenham coach.

“Externally people probably now realise what we knew about him internally. It is the reason why I made him part of the leadership group this year because you just see the way he goes about his business on a daily basis. He has a really strong mentality. He wants to be better. I give the guys days off, I guarantee he will be in anyway doing something. He is just that kind of person.

“It was an unbelievable performance. Irrespective of the injury it was a really strong performance from him but taking that into context it is certainly one for the record books of this club in terms of outstanding performances.”

Vicario has conceded 15 goals in 15 appearances with Tottenham this season, keeping four clean sheets.

The 28-year-old made his senior Italy debut in March 2024 and has collected four appearances with la Nazionale.

His contract in North London expires in June 2028.

Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has revealed that he played on for another hour of Tottenham’s recent 4-0 thrashing of Manchester City, despite fracturing his ankle during the first half.

The Spurs stopper has undergone surgery to repair a fractured ankle, which he suffered during the 4-0 win over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City.

The former Empoli ‘keeper is set for a significant spell on the touchlines as Tottenham gear up for another busy festive period. Ange Postecoglou’s side have nine matches scheduled in December alone.

It has not yet been confirmed how long Vicario will miss.

Vicario played on broken ankle for an hour against Man City

“I played 60 minutes at the Etihad with a broken ankle, giving absolutely everything I had for the team. Unfortunately there was no way around this one, I needed surgery,” Vicario wrote in an Instagram story on Monday evening.

“See you soon on the pitch,” he concluded.

The 4-0 win over Manchester City was Vicario’s 50th consecutive Premier League start. He has played in every league fixture since his €20m move from Empoli last summer.

He also played as a starter for the Italy national team in the recent 3-1 loss against France, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma, who dropped out of the squad at the last minute with a stomach bug.

Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is set for a spell on the sidelines as Tottenham have confirmed that he has fractured his ankle.

The North Londoners have confirmed that the former Empoli goalkeeper has since undergone surgery to repair the damage to his ankle, and that he will be monitored by club medical staff in due course.

Vicario undergoes surgery on fractured ankle

“We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle,” the club wrote in a brief statement.

“Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training. We’re all behind you, Vic.”

Vicario’s last outing came in a 4-0 victory away against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday evening.

The 4-0 win over Manchester City was Viacrio’s 50th consecutive Premier League start, having played in every league fixture since his €20m move from Empoli last summer.

The 28-year-old had also lined up as a starter for the Italy national team in the 3-1 loss to France, replacing Gianluigi Donnarumma after the Azzurri no.1 dropped out with a stomach bug.

We can confirm that Guglielmo Vicario has today undergone surgery for a fracture of his right ankle.

Guglielmo will be assessed by our medical staff to determine when he can return to training.

We're all behind you, Vic 🤍 pic.twitter.com/FURltXcb3N

— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 25, 2024

Italy duo Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie both had important roles to play in Tottenham’s emphatic 4-0 victory over reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Saturday evening.

Italy’s Vicario and Udogie shine in Tottenham 4-0 Man City

Vicario, who did not have the best of games in his most recent Italy outing, was given a rating of 9/10 by local outlet football.london.

The Azzurri shot stopper had a slightly nervy start, fumbling from a corner again, but went on to make a series of vital saves to deny Erling Haaland and Savinho.

Udogie was given a rating of 8/10 for his performance in Tottenham’s thumping victory over Pep Guardiola’s side.

The former Udinese left-back had plenty of defensive work to do, and also provided an extra option in the attacking phases with his energetic runs forwards.

Udogie was replaced by former Genoa loanee Djed Spence on the 90th minute with minor concerns over a potential muscular injury.

The agent of Tottenham Hotspur and former Genoa centre-back Radu Dragusin has ruled out the possibility of a loan move away from North London in January, but has hinted that there could still be a transfer possibility for Juventus and Napoli in the summer.

Dragusin, who joined Tottenham from Genoa in a reported €31m deal last January, has been linked with a move back to Serie A in a few weeks’ time, both to Juventus and Genoa.

Dragusin, who came through Juventus’s youth ranks, has only made four Premier League appearances this term, plus three in the Europa League, but has enjoyed more minutes following the recent injury to first-choice centre-back Micky Van de Ven.

Dragusin agent rules out January move, but will ‘re-evaluate in June’

Florin Manea, the player’s agent, has said that it is ‘normal’ to expect transfer rumours given his client’s lack of playing time this term, but has insisted that there is no chance of a move away from Tottenham this January.

He did admit, however, that the situation could change by the summer, which could be of interest to both Juventus and Napoli.

The agent also added that it is an ‘honour’ to be linked with clubs of Juve and Napoli’s stature.

“It’s an honour for Radu to be wanted by teams like Napoli and Juve, but at the moment they are just rumours,” Manea said in an interview with Telecarpi.

“We are focussed on Tottenham, he still has five years left on his contract. It’s not easy to go to a top club and make an impact right away, he’s still 22 years old.

“It’s normal that evaluations will be made if he never plays, but he won’t move in January. We’ll re-evaluate in June.”

England international Eric Dier is the latest name to be linked with a move to join Juventus in January after the long-term knee injury suffered by regular centre-back Gleison Bremer, according to Thursday’s reports.

England international included on Juventus January watchlist

As per Corriere dello Sport, Dier is a centre-back who could be available for a low-cost fee in January. He joined Bayern Munich on an initial loan deal in January 2024, before signing on a one-year permanent deal at the end of his Tottenham contract in the summer.

Dier’s contract runs until the summer of 2025, but after playing just 141 minutes of competitive action so far in 2024-25, he could be allowed to leave in January if an appropriate offer comes in, according to Corriere dello Sport’s report.

The Italian outlet suggests that the 30-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of €5m.

There are plenty of other names who have been linked with a move to Juventus in January, including former Inter centre-back Milan Skriniar at Paris Saint-Germain. Even a loan move could be an expensive operation given that the Slovakian earns somewhere in the region of €11m per season in wages.

Corriere dello Sport suggests that Jakub Kiwior remains an enticing option, but Arsenal could be more reluctant to let him go given the current injury to Italy international Riccardo Calafiori.

There are also some options within Serie A who could interest the Bianconeri, including Nicolo Casale, Diego Coppola and Italy U21 international Lorenzo Pirola, currency in Greece with Olympiakos.