The Cult of Calcio - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

On February 12, 2012, Luis Enrique's Roma annihilated the remains of Inter’s Triplete-winning squad at the Stadio Olimpico by a 4-0 score

Roma vs Inter Throwback: A Fleeting Glimpse of Luis Enrique Brilliancy

October 20, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

Luis Enrique endured a torrid maiden campaign as a coach, ending a disappointing 7th with Roma in Serie A and resigning at the end of the season. Still, he did manage to show glimpses of the good things to come in his career, especially on February 12, 2012, when Roma annihilated Inter’s Triplete-winning squad. Continue reading

During the 1997/98 Serie A season, Juventus won at Empoli as the Azzurri were disallowed a goal despite Peruzzi saving the ball past the goal line

Empoli vs Juventus Throwback: The Best “Save” by Angelo Peruzzi

September 14, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

“Gianni Agnelli called me,” goalkeeper Angelo Peruzzi recalled in an interview. “He told me that that save from Empoli's Bianconi was the best I had made since joining Juventus.” Only that it was not. The ball had clearly crossed the goal line, but the referee didn't see that, a mistake that took Juve closer to the 1997/98 title. Continue reading

Napoli vs Frosinone Throwback: Higuain’s Season Scoring Record

April 14, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

Records are set to be broken, even the oldest ones. In the last round of the 2015/16 season, Gonzalo Higuain of Napoli delivered a hat-trick to poor Frosinone to bring his seasonal tally to an astonishing 36 goals – one more than Gunnar Nordahl, setting a new record for the most goals scored in a Serie A season. Continue reading

On October 15, 1972, Milan beat Atalanta 9-3 as the match at the San Siro went down in history as the Serie A match with the most goals scored ever

Milan vs Atalanta Throwback: The Match With the Most Goals Ever

February 25, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

People present at the San Siro Stadium on that day claim that the electronic scorecard went in tilt and lost track of the scorers. Others report that the referee Giunti run out of space in his notebook to list them. While such claims may fade into legend, one thing is for sure and it’s the score of the Serie A match with the most goals ever: On October 15, 1972, Milan beat Atalanta 9-3! Continue reading

Roma vs Inter Throwback: Nine-Goal Thriller with Baggio and Ronaldo

February 10, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

What happens when you put against each other a star-studded Roma side, coached by an ultra-offensive manager in the name of Zdenek Zeman, and one of the most impressive Inter lineups ever seen – where Roberto Baggio had just joined the Fenomeno Ronaldo Nazario da Lima? That's easy: You get one of the craziest games in the history of Serie A. Continue reading

The only team capable of temporarily halting the seemingly-unstoppable march of the "Inter dei Record" was a Fiorentina side coached by Sven Goran Eriksson

Fiorentina vs Inter Throwback: The Fall of the “Inter dei Record”

January 27, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

The only team capable of temporarily halting the seemingly-unstoppable march of the "Inter dei Record" was a Fiorentina side powered by a young Roberto Baggio and some unlucky players, Enrico Cucchi and Stefano Borgonovo, who would leave us too soon. It was February 12, 1989, when Fiorentina beat the Inter dei Record 4-3. Continue reading

The Dennis Law and Torino transfer was a strange combination. In an era where few Brits moved to Serie A, Law's move was never destined for greatness

Serie A Transfer Market Stories: Denis Didn’t Lay Down the Law in Torino

August 7, 2024 Alex Waite

Although Denis Law's time with Torino was washed with struggles and adaptation issues, his experience was not a complete disaster either. He finished as Il Toro’s top scorer in the 1961/62 campaign and won Best Foreign Player of the Year in Serie A that season. Continue reading

Paul Gascoigne and Lazio's partnership showed plenty of promise. But the unpredictability of the Englishman's form brought a turbulent spell to Rome

Serie A Transfer Market Stories: Gascoigne’s Erratic Spell at Lazio

July 26, 2024 Alex Waite

Paul Gascoigne and Lazio proved to be an interesting experiment. It was a bond that showed glimpses of potential to suit both parties. Although, this potential only surfaced on occasion during a rollercoaster three-year spell in Rome. Continue reading

The Hidetoshi Nakata and Perugia transfer was a step into the unknown for both parties. It was a shock move in 1998 but one that paid off

Serie A Transfer Market Stories: Nakata, a Leap of Faith in Perugia

July 23, 2024 Alex Waite

Hidetoshi Nakata was the player capable of bucking the trend of a few East Asian footballers making it in Europe. His elegant control, expert vision, and ability to dictate the play was a perfect match for the European way of playing football. Continue reading

Sócrates and Fiorentina had the potential to be a match made in heaven. But how did the eccentric Brazilian falter in Florence?

Serie A Tranfer Market Stories: The Socrates Struggles in Florence

December 4, 2023 Alex Waite

Sócrates and Fiorentina was a relationship that made sense on many levels. The iconic Brazilian had a fascination with culture and philosophy off the pitch, which was well-suited to a life in Florence. But on the pitch, things never clicked for the offbeat midfielder. Continue reading

As Dunga and Pisa teamed up in 1987, the two releatively unknown forces had plenty to prove. This is how the Brazilian earned a name for himself in Serie A

Serie A Transfer Market Stories: The Opposing Paths of Dunga and Pisa

August 10, 2023 Alex Waite

The transfer of Brazilian Dunga and Pisa is a tale of a player trying to make his name in Europe alongside a team fighting for a consistent place in Serie A. Dunga’s need for regular first-team football in Europe coincided perfectly with a budding Pisa side in desperate need of expertise. Continue reading

The link-up between Trevor Francis and Sampdoria was perfectly timed. Francis' move helped to propel the Blucerchiati's status in Serie A

Serie A Transfer Market Stories: Trailblazing Trevor Francis at Samp

July 25, 2023 Alex Waite

Before Trevor Francis and Sampdoria linked up in 1982, very few English players had broken into Serie A football. Francis’ move to the Italian top flight marked an unusual occurrence in European football. But, the Englishman was known for breaking new ground throughout his career. Continue reading

Only those old enough to remember Italia 90 can truly understand what Totò Schillaci's eyes wide open as run to celebrate his goal really meant

Serie A Heroes: Totò Schillaci, an Italian Midsummer Night’s Dream

September 18, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

Only those old enough to remember the magic nights of “Italia 90” can truly understand what that gaped mouth, what those eyes wide open in disbelief, meant. Totò Schillaci looked like a boy living his childhood dream as he led Italy’s march towards the World Cup trophy, one goal after another. His underdog story has been an example for a generation of Italians. Continue reading

Gigi Riva, better known as Rombo di Tuono ("Roar of Thunder"), passed away on Monday night in Cagliari, aged 79, due to complications of a stroke

Serie A Heroes: “Roar of Thunder” Gigi Riva, the Pride of Cagliari

January 23, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

Gigi Riva was really a player like we won’t ever see again, if only because he still holds the record for the most goals scored for Italy. But he is also the man who took Cagliari, a quasi-unknown team that was fumbling in Serie B and led them to winning the Scudetto – the first club from the South of Italy to beat the traditional powerhouses from the industrial North! Continue reading

To remember Gianluca Vialli is to talk about a player who was truly out of the box. The word that best sums up his life and career is “unpredictable”

Serie A Heroes: Gianluca Vialli, an Ode to Unpredictability

January 9, 2023 Matteo Carnevale

To remember Gianluca Vialli is to talk about a player who was truly out of the box. Fuori dagli schemi, as we say in Italy. He was not the strongest of his generation, nor the most controversial. But he had a share of talent and rebelliousness big enough to make him a cult figure in the Belpaese of the 1980s. Perhaps the word that best sums up his life and career is “unpredictable”. Continue reading

Serie A Heroes: “Batigol” Batistuta, Firenze’s Legendary Marksman

April 9, 2021 Akhil Fisher

Gabriel Omar Batistuta graced Italian football from 1991 to 2003, becoming a Fiorentina legend and winning a Scudetto with Roma. Tactically gifted, industriously astute and strikingly prolific, Batistuta was a force to be reckoned with when in full flow. A once-in-a-lifetime player who relentlessly terrorized defenses without a second thought. He also remained Argentina's top-scorer until Lionel Messi took over the record. Continue reading

Northern Ireland vs Italy 0-0: Azzurri Forced to Playoff

November 15, 2021 Matteo Carnevale International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, World Cup 2022, World Cup 2022 Qualifiers

The Azzurri's poorest showing since Roberto Mancini is in charge costed much to Italy, who failed to break the Northern Ireland wall on Monday night and failed to qualify directly to World Cup 2022.

Like Milan, Inter also finalized their balance sheets on Monday, which disclosed that two players, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian re-upped with them.

Inter Quietly Extended the Contracts of Veteran Duo

October 29, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Like Milan, Inter also finalized their balance sheets on Monday, which disclosed that two players, Francesco Acerbi and Matteo Darmian, previously believed to be on expiring contracts have instead prolonged them with no formal announcements.

The Roma hierarchy examined their crisis on Monday, but, barring late surprises, Ivan Juric will still be on the bench against Torino.

Juric Lives to Fight Another Day on the Roma Bench

October 29, 2024 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025 Leave a comment

The Roma hierarchy examined their crisis on Monday, but, barring late surprises, Ivan Juric will still be on the bench as they take on his former team Torino on Thursday. The coach led the practice as usual to start the week.

Milan closed their 2023/2024 balance in the black for the second straight season, by €4,1M this time. They recorded their highest-ever revenue: 456,9M.

Milan Officialize the Numbers for a Few Key Deals

October 29, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Milan closed their 2023/2024 balance in the black for the second straight season, by €4,1M this time. They recorded their highest-ever revenue: 456,9M. The paperwork also disclosed the final figures for their past transfer market moves,

Despite a brilliant season with Inter and contributing to Argentina’s Copa America triumph, Lautaro Martinez didn’t crack the top five in the Balloon d’Or.

Lautaro Martinez Finishes 7th in Balloon d’Or Voting

October 29, 2024 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025 Leave a comment

Despite a brilliant season with Inter and heavily contributing to Argentina’s Copa America triumph, Lautaro Martinez didn’t crack the top five in the Balloon d’Or chart. He finished 7th behind surprise winner Rodri, who pipped Vinicius Junior at the post.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 9: Inter & Juventus Delight, Bove Haunts Roma

October 28, 2024 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

Inter and Juventus wrote history in a Derby d'Italia for the ages, while Roma completely faltered in Florence and Atalanta reminded the world why they remain one of the most feared sides in the peninsula. So let's discuss the action of the eventful Serie A weekend while identifying the Tops and Flops from Serie A Round 9.

Milan have endured an ulterior blow ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Napoli, as Matteo Gabbia won’t be available and might be set for a spell on the sidelines.

Milan Will Have to Cope with a Few More Injury Concerns

October 28, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025 Leave a comment

Milan have endured an ulterior blow ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Napoli, as Matteo Gabbia won’t be available and might be set for a spell on the sidelines. The defender re-injured his calf, which already cost him one fixture in the recent past

After a back-and-forth between the various decision-makers at Genoa, Mario Balotelli is indeed joining them. Alberto Gilardino was a big proponent.

Balotelli Puts Pen to Paper on Contract with Genoa

October 28, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Genoa, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market Leave a comment

After a back-and-forth between the various decision-makers at Genoa, Mario Balotelli is indeed joining them. Alberto Gilardino has been pushing for it for a while, but not everybody within the brass was convinced. New injuries tipped the scale.

Serie A Preview: Empoli vs Inter – Team News, Line-ups & Preview

October 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela Empoli, Inter, Inter Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025 Leave a comment

Defending Serie A champions Inter head to Stadio Carlo Castellani to take on out-of-form Empoli in a must-win midweek fixture. Wednesday's encounter in Tuscany requires a quick turnaround after Simone Inzaghi's charges featured in an intense Derby d'Italia on Sunday.

Serie A Preview: Milan vs Napoli – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

October 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025 Leave a comment

Stadio San Siro forms the backdrop for Tuesday's mouth-watering, heavyweight clash between Serie A title hopefuls Milan and Napoli. It's the peak fixture of the first midweek round of the 2024/25 season and arguably one of the most heavily anticipated encounters in the annual schedule.

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