Gianluigi Buffon signed a new contract extension with Serie B Division club Parma until 2024. This means the former Italian captain will keep playing at least, until the age of 46.
Buffon, who had started his career with Parma returned to his home club after nearly two decades of service at Juventus and PSG. With Juventus and Italy, the 44-year goalkeeper has won 11 Serie A titles and one FIFA World Cup.
With Parma, in 199 he won the UEFA Super Cup, which is said to be the club's best-ever team. Buffon in his career till now has won 27 trophies. Moreover, even at his now he is looking to win more and more.
Even at 44 Buffon is the first choice goalkeeper of Parma. Which makes him one of the oldest football currently. "I feel that I can still make a big contribution: those that have more must give more," Buffon said in his press conference.
"I'm working with successful people, who are enthusiastic and ambitious as is the president, though I think it could also be the fact that we haven't yet achieved what we set out to. But when there is such a clear vision, after a setback you just need to get on the right track towards better results. We've started this in the last 3/4 months. We certainly have a clear plan and we're slowly putting the plan into motion. It would have been a shame to take a step back: I don't like doing it, especially if I'm feeling good and have every confidence in the people I'm working with," Buffon added.
I'm the oldest member of the dressing room and my responsibility is to protect my teammates, as I also did when I was younger. It is something that I feel very deeply and it can help to build that relationship between all of the players."
Parma used to be one of the bigger forces in Italian football in the late 90s. However, after the fraud scandal of their owner company Parmalat in 2003, the club went bankrupt. Post that, they were demoted to Division D in the Italian league. In 2018, after three consecutive promotions, they came back in the premier division.
However, that did not last that long as they finished last in that same season. Buffon now wants his boyhood team to make a comeback in the top flight. And, he is working hard on that.
"It's something that gives me confidence that I made the right choice. Now we will try to win on the pitch too," Buffon added.
Manchester United are reportedly preparing for a massive summer signing as they eye the services of star Olympique Lyonnais forward Rayan Cherki.
The Red Devils are interested in strengthening their squad, and they have now joined the race to sign the gifted French under-21 forward, after it was reported that Lyon is willing to sell the player for approximately £20 million.
Manchester United are adamant to turn things around
(Image Source | X)
In a difficult ongoing campaign this season, Manchester United have registered a record low point total in the Premier League, sitting on 38 points.
With only 6 games remaining to play for, the call for new talent has never been greater inside the club. Cherki, widely considered one of the most talented players in the world at this moment, has been identified as a top target for the club's Portuguese manager, Ruben Amorim.
The various reports point out Cherki's great talent and his undeniable potential to shape games at the highest level. He has performed marvelously on the field in this season alone, achieving great statistics that would upgrade any team.
Cherki's display has attracted United's scouting department, particularly with the Red Devils' own challenges in creativity and attacking potency.
Cherki draws interest from Red Devils' management
Cherki scored a late equalizer against Man United. (Image Source | X)
At only the age of 21, Rayan Cherki has already become a familiar name in French and world football, and this season was his coming-out party.
His record of 13 goals from 23 appearances for France's U-21 team says volumes about his talent. Although Manchester United is still keen on signing him, the negotiating table will have to wait until the next summer transfer window, especially after facing Lyon in the Europa League.
By the way, Cherki's last-minute equalizer in the first leg of the UEFA Europa Leaguequarter-final matchupsaved Lyon a 2-2 draw at home against United last week.
With Cherki catching headlines in Ligue 1, only time will tell how Lyon will deal with a possible transfer. United's desire is obvious, and if properly negotiated, Cherki's signing at Old Trafford may commence a new era for the club's attacking prowess.
Title Race in Top Five European Leagues: What are the equations?
What are the equations in the title race for the top five European leagues? How many points do the leaders need to secure the title? Sportz Point explores this scenario.
European football has gifted us numerous memorable moments and matches this season, and we can expect more to come in the upcoming months.
The top five European Leagues – Premier League, LaLiga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1 have different title chase scenarios as the leagues are entering the final lap, leading the clubs to their fate in the 2024-25 season.
England, Germany, and France have witnessed a one-sided battle for the league title this season, except for Spain and Italy, where the champions might be decided even in the closing matchday this season.
In this article, we will examine the league table scenarios, possible equations for the league leaders to secure the title, and the contention for the continental competitions such as UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for next season.
Premier League
(Image Source | Givemesport)
Liverpool are currently atop the Premier League 2024-25 table, having bagged 73 points in 30 matches. The Reds are edging closer to the title as Arsenal, the second-placed side, dropped points against Everton in a 1-1 stalemate yesterday.
Liverpool have a chance to extend their lead at the top with a win against Fulham this evening, which will see them going 14 points ahead of the Gunners.
The Mikel Arteta-led side has earned 62 points in 31 games so far. As of now, Liverpool only need 11 points from their last eight games to secure the Premier League title for the 20th time in their history.
Liverpool are just four wins away from being crowned Premier League champions.
If it plays out like that, they could win the title at Anfield vs. Spurs then receive guard of honours from both Chelsea and Arsenal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/MVDmpDzRhi
Nottingham Forest have been a surprise entrant for a top-four finish in the Premier League, charging for a UEFA Champions League berth next season. The Forest are now third with 57 points in 31 games – five points clear of the fourth-placed Chelsea.
Fifth-placed Manchester City (51 points in 30 games) and Aston Villa (51 points in 31 games), now sixth, will throw a tough challenge for the Champions League and Europa League berth, whereas seventh-placed Newcastle United (50 points in 29 games) might surpass City and Villa in the race.
Barcelona are currently atop the table with 67 points in 30 matches, four points clear of Real Madrid with 63 points in the same number of games. The title race might go down to the last matchday as these two teams will meet in the fierce El Clasico, scheduled for May 11th, which could decide the potential champions.
Despite failing to take full advantage of Real Madrid’s slip-up, Barcelona remain 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙑𝙔 𝙁𝘼𝙑𝙊𝙍𝙄𝙏𝙀𝙎 to win the LALIGA title - according to @OptaAnalyst 📊📈 pic.twitter.com/uUQ5lu6uir
Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao (53 points in 29 games) are already five points ahead of Real Betis, now fifth (48 points in 30 games) with one game in hand. Sixth-placed Villareal (47 points in 28 games) could pose a challenge for both of them for UCL and UEL qualification, with two games in hand to match Betis' tally.
LaLiga 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Barcelona
30
21
4
5
83
29
54
67
2
Real Madrid
30
19
6
5
63
31
32
63
3
Atlético Madrid
29
16
9
4
47
23
24
57
4
Athletic Club
29
14
11
4
46
24
22
53
5
Real Betis
30
13
9
8
41
37
4
48
6
Villarreal
28
13
8
7
51
39
12
47
7
Celta Vigo
30
12
7
11
44
43
1
43
8
Rayo Vallecano
30
10
10
10
33
35
-2
40
9
Mallorca
30
11
7
12
29
37
-8
40
10
Real Sociedad
29
11
5
13
27
31
-4
38
11
Sevilla
29
9
9
11
33
39
-6
36
12
Getafe
29
9
9
11
26
25
1
36
13
Girona
30
9
7
14
37
46
-9
34
14
Osasuna
29
7
13
9
33
42
-9
34
15
Valencia
30
8
10
12
34
47
-13
34
16
Espanyol
29
8
8
13
31
40
-9
32
17
Alavés
30
7
9
14
33
44
-11
30
18
Leganes
29
6
9
14
28
46
-18
27
19
Las Palmas
29
6
8
15
33
48
-15
26
20
Valladolid
29
4
4
21
19
65
-46
16
Serie A
(Image Source | X)
Serie A 2024-25 might witness one of the greatest showdowns in the title charge in the league's history, as league leaders Inter Milan dropped points in a 2-2 draw against Parma last night.
Defending champions Inter Milan are currently topping the table with 68 points across 31 games, having played one game more than second-placed Napoli, who have accumulated 64 points in 30 games. If Napoli ends this week with a win, the gap between these two teams will be just one, leading the teams to walk the wire in the final matchdays.
🚨 After Inter’s draw vs Parma today, the Serie A title race is wide open!
Napoli and Inter are neck and neck — and with only a few games left, neither side can afford to drop points.
The pressure to finish in the top four have also intensified in Italy. With Inter and Napoli confirmed to finish in the top four, third-placed Atalanta (58 points in 30 games), fourth-placed Bologna (56 points in 30 games), fifth-placed Juventus (55 points in 30 games), and sixth-placed AS Roma (52 points in 30 games) will battle it out for the last two UCL berths.
Serie A 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Inter
31
20
8
3
69
30
39
68
2
Napoli
30
19
7
4
47
24
23
64
3
Atalanta
30
17
7
6
63
29
34
58
4
Bologna
30
15
11
4
50
34
16
56
5
Juventus
30
14
13
3
46
28
18
55
6
Roma
30
15
7
8
45
30
15
52
7
Lazio
30
15
7
8
51
42
9
52
8
Fiorentina
31
15
7
9
49
32
17
52
9
Milan
31
13
9
9
47
37
10
48
10
Udinese
31
11
7
13
36
42
-6
40
11
Torino
30
9
12
9
35
35
0
39
12
Genoa
31
9
11
11
29
38
-9
38
13
Como
31
8
9
14
39
48
-9
33
14
Verona
30
9
3
18
29
58
-29
30
15
Cagliari
30
7
8
15
31
44
-13
29
16
Parma
31
5
12
14
37
51
-14
27
17
Lecce
31
6
8
17
21
49
-28
26
18
Empoli
30
4
11
15
24
47
-23
23
19
Venezia
31
3
12
16
23
43
-20
21
20
Monza
31
2
9
20
25
55
-30
15
Bundesliga
(Image Credit | Getty)
As of now, only six points separate league leaders Bayern Munich and second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, though Bayern might attain the Bundesliga 2024-25 title and a first trophy for Harry Kane –if they manage to accumulate 13 from the 18 points available.
Bayern Munich are now ahead with 68 points in 28 games, whereas reigning Champions Bayer Leverkusen have managed 62 in the same number of matches, practically confirming their participation in next season's Champions League.
Bayern are leading in the Bundesliga title race. (Image Credit | ESPN)
However, the race for two other UCL berths will draw Eintracht Frankfurt (third, 48 points in 28 games), FSV Mainz (fourth, 46 points in 28 games), RB Leipzig (fifth, 45 points in 28 games), and Borussia Monchengladbach (sixth, 43 points in 27 games) into a battle, looking for places in continental competitions.
Bundesliga 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Bayern
28
21
5
2
81
27
54
68
2
Leverkusen
28
18
8
2
63
34
29
62
3
Eintracht Frankfurt
28
14
6
8
55
42
13
48
4
Mainz
28
13
7
8
46
32
14
46
5
RB Leipzig
28
12
9
7
44
35
9
45
6
Mönchengladbach
27
13
4
10
44
40
4
43
7
SC Freiburg
28
12
6
10
38
44
-6
42
8
Dortmund
28
12
5
11
52
43
9
41
9
VfB Stuttgart
28
11
7
10
51
44
7
40
10
Werder
28
11
6
11
45
53
-8
39
11
Augsburg
28
10
9
9
31
39
-8
39
12
Wolfsburg
27
10
8
9
49
41
8
38
13
Union Berlin
27
8
6
13
25
40
-15
30
14
Hoffenheim
28
6
9
13
34
52
-18
27
15
FC St. Pauli
27
7
4
16
22
33
-11
25
16
Heidenheim
28
6
4
18
32
53
-21
22
17
VfL Bochum
28
5
5
18
28
59
-31
20
18
Holstein Kiel
28
4
6
18
39
68
-29
18
Ligue 1
The redesigned Ligue 1 trophy. (Image Source | X)
Paris Saint-Germain have claimed the 2024-25 Ligue 1 title after beating Angers 1-0 last night, ensuring their fourth successive title with 74 points in 28 games. The Luis Enrique-managed side have been crowned champions with six matches remaining and are now 24 points ahead of the second-placed AS Monaco (50 points in 28 matches).
PSG have clinched another milestone, winning the league title without losing a single game so far, and with six matches remaining, they will look to embrace the 'invincible' tag by ending the season without a single defeat.
PSG have won the 2024-25 Ligue 1. (Image Credit | Getty Images)
If Les Parisiens complete an unbeaten league season, they will join a special group of clubs from Europe's top five leagues that have achieved this feat. This group includes Bayer Leverkusen in 2024, Juventus in 2012, Arsenal in 2004, AC Milan in 1992, Perugia in 1979, and Preston North End in 1889.
However, the race to qualify for next season's UCL will go down to the wire between six teams who are differentiated by only four points – AS Monaco (50), Olympique de Marseille (49), Olympique Lyonnais (48), OGC Nice (47), Lille OSC (47), and RC Strasbourg (46).
Ligue 1 2024-25 Table
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
PSG
28
23
5
0
80
26
54
74
2
Monaco
28
15
5
8
54
35
19
50
3
Marseille
27
15
4
8
54
36
18
49
4
Lyon
28
14
6
8
54
38
16
48
5
Nice
28
13
8
7
52
35
17
47
6
LOSC
28
13
8
7
42
30
12
47
7
Strasbourg
27
13
7
7
45
35
10
46
8
Brest
28
13
4
11
44
43
1
43
9
Lens
27
11
6
10
31
30
1
39
10
Auxerre
27
9
8
10
38
39
-1
35
11
Toulouse
27
9
7
11
35
33
2
34
12
Rennes
27
10
2
15
38
37
1
32
13
Nantes
28
7
9
12
33
47
-14
30
14
Angers
28
7
6
15
26
46
-20
27
15
Reims
27
6
8
13
29
41
-12
26
16
Le Havre
27
7
3
17
29
57
-28
24
17
St-Étienne
27
6
5
16
28
63
-35
23
18
Montpellier
27
4
3
20
21
62
-41
15
(*all stats are accurate as of the time of publishing this article.)
Liverpool FC is reportedly on the verge of arranging Darwin Nunez's departure from Anfield this summer if the Saudi Arabian revives its interest in the striker.
The Uruguayan striker had moved to the Reds from Portuguese giants Benfica in a deal worth up to £85 million back in the summer transfer window of 2022.
With a struggling season continuing for him at the Merseyside club, Nunez is believed to be out of new coach Arne Slot's plans and will look to rejuvenate his career in the Gulf.
Nunez may leave Liverpool in the upcoming transfer window
(Image Source | Yahoo)
Nunez's Liverpool career has been affected by difficulties, as he has found it hard to establish himself in the club throughout his early years.
In his three years at the Merseyside club, he has scored 40 goals in 136 games across all competitions, but this season has been the most disappointing so far for the 25-year-old, as he has scored just seven times across all competitions.
With the direction of new head coach Arne Slot, Nunez has found himself out of favor, another contributing factor to speculation about his future.
🗞️ Liverpool are reportedly expecting major transfer offers from clubs in the Saudi Pro League for Darwin Nunez this summer.
Renowned Football Transfer journalist Duncan Castles broke the news on the latest episode of 'The Transfers Podcast' that Liverpool would accept a big Saudi Arabian offer and would be willing to urge Nunez to leave if they come back for him. Castles stated:
Liverpool would be happy if the Saudis came in and would encourage a move for Nunez. They would like to get some kind of significant return on the initial €75 million that they paid Benfica three years ago.
“From the Saudi perspective, [Nunez] still has that ability to be a name within the Saudi game and to deliver goals with his physicality. Interestingly, I’m told that his girlfriend, Lorena Manas, who is the ex-wife of former Barcelona player Aleix Vidal, has been working with agents to explore opportunities elsewhere.
“So it looks like this is both sides pushing against the same door with Nunez, or at least Nunez’s partner, encouraging him to look for a move and Liverpool happy to sell the player with a strong, affluent potential buyer in Saudi Arabia.
Interestingly, it had been hinted that Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr had made a substantial annual deal of €35 million towards Nunez back in January, having already made an offer of £58 million for the forward.
According to reports, Nunez's girlfriend, Lorena Manas, has also been working closely with agents to look into possible transfers in mutual consent, implying a joint pressure for a potential move.
India could be a potential host for the Italian Super Cup, says Serie A commercial director
Serie A is exploring the possibility of hosting the Italian Super Cup in India, as stated by the league's commercial and marketing director, Michele Ciccarese.
AC Milan, champions of 2024 edition in Riyadh. (Image Credit | AC Milan)
Serie A is considering India as a potential host for the Italian Super Cup to expand the tournament's global audience, according to the league's commercial and marketing director, Michele Ciccarese.
Supercoppa Italiana, or the Italian Super Cup, takes place annually. Four teams compete for the trophy: the winners and runners-up of the previous season's Serie A and Coppa Italia.
The Italian Super Cup took place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for the 2024-25 season, which was also the 37th edition of this tournament. 2023-24 Serie A runners-up AC Milan defeated defendingSerie A champions Inter Milan 3-2 in the final to lift the trophy in January 2025.
India can potentially host the Italian Super Cup in the future
Michele Ciccarese, Commercial & Marketing Director, Serie A (on the left) at the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit. (Image Credit | RCB on X)
According to REUTERS reports, when asked about India's potential to host the Super Cup, Ciccarese confirmed that this opportunity aligned with the league's strategy.
Ciccarese stated the following during the RCB Innovation Lab Indian Sports Summit.
What we do is to bring our international trophy like the Super Cup in all over the world, for a simple reason, to engage a wider audience and bring the best of that culture,
So, that's exactly what we might do, and take the conversation forward to ... come here and play in India.
Ciccarese suggested that the popular Indian Premier League (IPL) could help promote the country and highlight the successes of other sports, similar to the "Made in Italy" initiative.
"Made in Italy" is how we engaged with all the 20 Serie A clubs, and each club provides one of the important players to promote, not only the city, but the clubs, the territory, the production chain and everything that is around that club,
That's exactly what we are suggesting, or maybe potentially to create a cross-market activation with the IPL together in order to help grow the grassroots, to have the right presence in the 2036 Olympics for Indian football.
Ciao, Scudetto! 🤌
Signore Virat Kohli 🤝 Signore Michele Ciccarese (Commercial & Marketing Director, Serie A)
In a gesture of mutual respect, leadership values and camaraderie, Virat was presented with the traditional Serie A captain's armband. A moment of bridging gaps… pic.twitter.com/qujB90T81n
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) March 15, 2025
India has officially entered the race to bid for the hosting rights of the 2036 Olympics, promoting the country as a growing sports hub. With these positions at stake, bringing the Italian Super Cup to India could be huge for Indian football.
Sergio Conceicao will reportedly leave AC Milan at the end of the season
Conceicao, who was appointed in December 2024, is expected to be let go by AC Milan at the end of the season, with the possibility of being sacked in the upcoming weeks.
AC Milan have reportedly finalized the decision to part ways with current manager Sergio Conceicao following the end of the ongoing season.
According to multiple reports from Italy, the Portuguese manager can also be shown the door if the Rossoneris fail to earn victories against in their upcoming two matches against Lecce and Como, which are scheduled to take place before the international break in March.
Despite winning the Supercoppa Italiana with AC Milan in January, while beating the eternal rivals Inter Milan in the final, Conceicao failed to lead Milan to the coveted success in Serie A this season.
Conceicao to bow out of Milan at the season's end
Conceicao won Supercoppa with Milan only after 17 days of taking charge. (Image Credit | FotMob)
According to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Conceicao's tenure at AC Milan "will be over at the end of the season". With another looming threat over the 50-year-old, he could lose his job as early as this month, if Milan suffers defeats against Lecce and Como before the international break.
#ACMilan have decided not to confirm Sergio #Conceicao. His story at #Milan will be over at the end of the season, even if he could be sacked with the immediate effect if he loses against Lecce and Como before the international break. #transfers
Corriere della Sera, another well-known Italian media outlet, reported that Milan may consider dismissing head coach Conceicao before the summer clause takes effect. This would allow both parties to part ways 'early' if the team's performance does not improve in the coming week.
The pressure is now mounting on Sergio Conceicao as AC Milan is currently positioned ninth on the Serie A leaderboard, having accumulated 41 points across 27 games.
Conceicao (right) replaced Fonseca (left) as the AC Milan head coach in December.
During the summer, Conceicao was already a top candidate for the head coach position at Milan. However, the club ultimately chose Paulo Fonseca for the role. After a few months of disappointing results, Fonseca was dismissed, and his compatriot Conceicao took over as the new head coach.
The former FC Porto manager took charge of AC Milan on 30 December 2024. Under his managerial radar, the Rossoneris have played 17 matches, achieving 8 wins, 3 draws, and 6 losses so far.
Conceicao's tussle with Arrigo Sacchi
Arrigo Sacchi (Image Credit | Sempre Milan)
Sergio Conceicao's stay at Milan has been distressing due to the continuous speculations from different discussions. Recently, the Portuguese manager has been heavily criticized by the legendary former Milan coach Arrigo Sacchi, who "feels that it is ‘complicated’ for Conceicao to salvage his job in San Siro".
In his La Gazzetta dello Sport column, Sacchi conveyed his belief that it is "complicated" for Conceicao to save his job at San Siro. He also believes that the main issue is the lack of unity among the squad, which he sees as more significant than the team's results or the absence of goals on the pitch.
Sergio Conceiçao has not brought the benefits that all the supporters were expecting. Milan is in ninth place. This is not a position for a club that has written the history of football. We need to stop and seriously reflect with humility.
In response, Conceicao did not hold back his frustration over Sacchi's recent criticism, noting Sacchi's earlier praise contrasted with his current daily attacks in the media.
Two months ago, he said I was an important coach, now he criticizes me every day. I sent him a message, but he didn’t reply…
In another controversial incident, Conceicao's relationship with the Milan officials has seemingly deteriorated. The manager faced a backlash when his spokesperson claimed he felt unsupported by the club's management and criticized the team's structure.
However, Conceicao publicly denied these statements, affirming the club's support and his regular communication with the directors.
🎙️ O porta-voz de Sérgio Conceição tinha afirmaso que o técnico se sente sozinho e sem apoio da diretoria, criticando a estrutura do Milan e o comprometimento do elenco. Mas o treinador negou tudo, dizendo que o clube está com ele e que mantém contato diário com a diretoria.… pic.twitter.com/u4RfHKVGK8
— Andersinho Marques (@Andersinho_ITA) March 7, 2025
The upcoming weeks will be very crucial for Sergio Conceicao, as he will leave no stone unturned to end his tenure at Milan on a high, bringing Rossoneris close to the qualification zone for the continental competitions.
Follow Us
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72310870/1413627360.0.jpg)
