The fate of the Serie A championship remained in limbo after state scientists met with football bosses in a desperate effort to save the coronavirus-interrupted season threatened by a new wave of positive tests among players.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) huddled with the government's technical scientific committee to discuss details of the medical protocol for a potential return to group training.
The talks came with pressure mounting from sports-deprived fans and sponsors for Italy to follow the German Bundesliga's lead and return to action.
Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora said after the meeting on Thursday he was "hopeful" team training could resume on May 18.
"There has been a very important, very in-depth meeting, with many requests from doctors and scientists to the FIGC," Spadafora said on Facebook.
"Now the committee, on the basis of these insights, will draw up its own assessment which will be sent to the Ministry of Health."
- 'Desperate measures' -