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Last time I wrote about Erik Lamela, Spurs fans didn’t take to it particularly well. The general consensus is that we need to wait until he’s had more game time before passing judgement.

It’s worth noting that he’s made 17 appearances and during that time, has shown very little promise. I appreciate that players need time to adjust at a new club, but I think it’s fair to say that Lamela’s slow start grants cause for worry.

He was drafted in to help lessen the blow of losing Gareth Bale, but hasn’t really been involved in that process. His injury hasn’t helped, but his performances prior to that didn’t exactly have fans salivating at the mouth, did they? It’s only natural to show signs of concern. This is a young lad with a £30m price-tag.

Of course, I have my finger’s crossed that he’ll ‘come good’. He’s only 21-years-old and has many more years left to prove himself at the top level. But I’m also pragmatic enough to appreciate that if he’s not a good fit for the club, there’s no point having him hang around like a bad smell.

As such, I was interested to see The Mirror report that Erik Lamela could be used as part of a swap deal with AC Milan’s Mario Balotelli. Yes, you heard me right, the same Balotelli that kicked up a storm at the Etihad some years back before fleeing to Serie A.

On the face of things, this is a bizarre rumour. Can you really picture Balotelli in a Spurs shirt? Still, if Spurs want to progress as a club, they will need to find some way of attracting genuinely world class talent like this, rather than promising young kids who may, or may not make it.

Besides, Milan currently lie in 9th place in the Serie A table. This makes me wonder: could he be ready to jump ship?

He’s still proven to be effective, even as Milan have struggled. Since moving to the club last year, Balotelli has scored 26 goals in 41 games – a fine return.

There’s another concern of course: will Tim Sherwood be able to handle a character like Balotelli? The Italian can be difficult to deal with at the best of times and playing for a side with limited title-winning chances may bring out the worst in him.

Here it’s worth remembering what a good job Sherwood has done with Emmanuel Adebayor. Perhaps he can do the same with this hotshot Italian.

I’d certainly love to see him try. If it means losing Lamela, then so be it.

Torino would love to put a dent in cross-town rivals Juventus' title hopes, in the most exciting fixture of Serie A's round 25.

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It would take a collapse of mammoth proportions for Juventus to throw away their nine-point lead at the top of Serie A now, though the bianconeri may well start getting a little hot under the collar if they cede ground to Roma this weekend. That's partly because Antonio Conte's side are hosting city rivals Torino at the Juventus Stadium, in the latest edition of the Derby della Mole. They haven't lost to Toro in almost 20 years, and certainly don't want to start now.

The weekend's action starts in Bologna, as the relegation strugglers look to dent Roma's title hopes at the Renato Dall'Ara. That's unusually Serie A's only Saturday game, with both Milan sides in action on Sunday, before Champions League hopefuls Fiorentina and Napoli play their respective games on Monday.

Saturday

Bologna vs. Roma

Stadio Renato Dall'Ara; 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Roma should start the round with a routine three points away at the Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna. *Should*. It's certainly not a foregone conclusion, as the relegation-struggling hosts have made life difficult for some of Serie A's bigger sides this season, only narrowly going down to AC Milan last weekend on the back of a massive victory against Torino. A couple of points clear of the relegation trouble heading into the round, this one has upset potential.

Sunday

Livorno vs. Hellas Verona

Stadio Armando Picchi; 12:30 p.m. local, 6:30 a.m. ET

These two sides couldn't be further from each other on the political spectrum, and are almost as far apart on the league table. The communists Livorno are only a point clear of the relegation zone heading into the round, while their right-wing counterpart Hellas are still in the running for a Europa League spot, only a season after winning promotion to Serie A. However, the amaranto have been in pretty good form of late, seeing off Cagliari 2-1 last weekend, while Hellas capitulated at home to Torino. Again, this one could throw up a surprise.

Udinese vs. Atalanta

Stadio Friuli; 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET

By their own standards, Udinese have had a pretty terrible campaign. In any ordinary season, the zebrette would be expecting to run away with a win against Atalanta, though at present, they're level on points with them in the table. Francesco Guidolin's side have at least found some form over the last few weeks, picking up seven points from a possible nine. With Atalanta having endured a nightmare 4-0 home defeat to Parma last weekend, Udinese will look to capitalise on low morale.

Inter Milan vs. Cagliari

San Siro; 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET

Inter have ended their terrible run of form with a couple of consecutive victories in Serie A, impressively downing fellow European hopefuls Fiorentina last weekend. They really should pick up a win over struggling Cagliari on Saturday, with the Sardinian outfit alarmingly slipping into a relegation scrap. It might not be long before we see Diego Luis López replaced on the rossoblù bench.

Chievo Verona vs. Catania

Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi; 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET

This one really is a relegation six-pointer. Both Catania and Chievo are tucked just inside the relegation zone heading into the round, with the Veronese hosts a point below their Sicilian visitors. A win for either of these sides could kickstart a run up the table, while a defeat may spell disaster. It's Catania who head in with the edge, with Rolando Maran's side unbeaten in their last four. Chievo, meanwhile, haven't won a game all year.

Sampdoria vs. AC Milan

Stadio Luigi Ferraris; 3 p.m. local, 9 a.m. ET

One of the revelations of the season has been Siniša Mihajlović at Sampdoria, with the Serbian coach having worked wonders since replacing Delio Rossi at the Luigi Ferraris. He's turned Samp from relegation strugglers to a tough mid-table side, more than capable of taking points of Clarence Seedorf's shaky Milan. However, they suffered a narrow defeat to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League in midweek, and the rossoneri may just be starting to improve under their new Dutch coach.

Juventus vs. Torino

Juventus Stadium; 6:30 p.m. local, 12:30 p.m. ET

Juventus have looked characteristically invincible for most of the season, though draws to Lazio and Hellas Verona in their last four league games have given Roma a tiny chance of reeling them in. There's no one who'd prefer putting a further dent in their title hopes than their cross-town rivals Torino this weekend, with Giampiero Ventura's high-flying bulls currently enjoying an excellent season. They're right in the running for a Europa League spot, and could well upset the bianconeri.

Lazio vs. Sassuolo

Stadio Olimpico; 8:45 p.m. local, 2:45 p.m. ET

Despite some impressive January signings, poor Sassuolo are currently enduring a horrible run of form. Coach Alberto Malesani has, as per usual, done nothing to improve his side's fortunes, and a sixth consecutive defeat away at the frustratingly-inconsistent Lazio would likely see him replaced by his predecessor Eusebio Di Francesco. The neroverdi are only three points adrift of safety, though are losing touch quickly.

Monday

Parma vs. Fiorentina

Stadio Ennio Tardini; 7 p.m. local, 1 p.m. ET

Parma are continuing to soar under Roberto Donadoni, with the crociati's emphatic victory over Atalanta last weekend extending their unbeaten run to 12 matches. The Emilians are within touching distance of a return to European competition for the first time in over a decade, though Champions League hopefuls Fiorentina will look to throw a spanner in the works by bouncing back from defeat to Inter with a win.

Napoli vs. Genoa

Stadio San Paolo; 9 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET

Napoli have opened up a six-point buffer over Fiorentina in the third and final Serie A Champions League spot, and should maintain said gap with a victory at home to Genoa on Monday. Having said that, Gian Piero Gasperini's grifone have been an unpredictable lot so far this season, and head in on the back of an exciting 3-3 draw against Udinese. You never quite know which Genoa is going to turn up, but if it's a good one, Rafael Benítez's side could find themselves dropping points.

Inter’s technical director Piero Aid was reported to be at the Emirates casting a watchful eye over United defenders Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra.

According to Italian Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, the Inter director was a spectator at the Emirates stadium last night as Manchester United held Arsenal to a 0-0 draw.

It is reported that the principal mission was to take a look at centre back Nemanja Vidic – who is all but certain to depart the Premier League this summer on a free – but also to take a closer look at Patrice Evra.

The 32-year-old French international left-back has been a regular for United this season, yet it remains to be seen whether he will still be at Old Trafford next season.

Manchester United manager David Moyes tried to raid former club Everton for Leighton Baines last summer, and was also linked with a big money offer for Southampton’s exciting left-back Luke Shaw during the January transfer window – suggesting that Patrice Evra’s long-term future at the club is in serious doubt.

Inter’s technical director Piero Aid will have been impressed by Vidic’s performance, as the Serb produced a disciplined display and won his duel with Arsenal’s French striker Olivier Giroud.

Patrice Evra also performed well, despite becoming increasingly under pressure from French companion Bacary Sagna in the second half as the Gunners pushed for a winner.

Sky Italia report that Patrice Evra is aware of Inter’s possible interest, and has taken a liking to the project at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium - where boss Walter Mazzarri’s is looking to return the 2010 Champions League winners back to the top of Serie A.

Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella felt his side were deserving winners after they overcame a first-leg deficit to advance to the Coppa Italia final on Tuesday evening.

The Viola headed into the game in Florence trailing 2-1 from the first meeting, but prevailed 2-0 - thanks to goals from Manuel Pasqual and Juan Cuadrado - to secure a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

"Udinese were worthy rivals but I think over the two legs we were better and we deserved to go through," Montella said to Gazzetta dello Sport. "We are growing a lot and I saw a great team spirit.

"Our hunger was what made the difference. My players did a good job.

"We kept a clean sheet and gave nothing to Udinese. We are very happy for our fans and for our city.

"We have improved a lot throughout the season and we have taken a leap in quality."

Fiorentina will take on either Roma or Napoli in the final on May 3.

"They are both very strong teams so it doesn't matter who goes through because we expect a very difficult game," Montella said.

"The important thing is that we have reached the final, which was one of our aims at the start of the season.

"The fact that we have made it so far also guarantees us at least Europa League football next season."

Fiorentina are fourth in Serie A, three points behind Napoli, who are third and hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Roma are second in the standings, four points clear of Napoli, and have a game in hand.

Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin was disappointed with the outcome but felt his side left the competition with their heads held high.

The Friuli outfit were looking to reach the Coppa final for the first time since 1922.

"I am proud of my players," Guidolin said. "It wasn't easy to play in this stadium and against Fiorentina, who in my opinion are one of the best teams in Italy.

"You can risk being humiliated by Fiorentina but I thought we played at the same level as them.

"We played well and the only thing we were missing was to score.

"We leave the competition with our heads held high and wish Fiorentina the best of luck in the final."

Tuesday's outcome ended Udinese's hopes of playing in Europe next season.

Guidolin's side have struggled in Serie A so far and are unlikely to finish in the top five.

They lie 14th in the standings - 10 points adrift of Inter Milan, who are fifth and hold the last Europa League qualifying berth.

"We cannot perform miracles every year," Guidolin said. "There are teams in the league that are now doing what we used to, like Hellas Verona.

"It's a difficult season and we have a very young squad and must focus on Serie A."