The Cult of Calcio

Between the 1970s and the 1980s, the Roma and Napoli fan bases were linked by an official twinning. How did that come to an end?

Roma vs Napoli Throwback: The Breaking of the Twinning

November 29, 2025 Matteo Carnevale

It sounds almost incredible to believe nowadays but, between the 1970s and 1980s, the Roma and Napoli ultra groups were linked by an official gemellaggio, a “twinning” so strong that it was re-cemented every time the two sides met via a solemn pre-game flag-exchange ritual. Until something happened. Continue reading

Inter vs Milan Throwback: Minaudo, the One-Derby Wonder

November 20, 2025 Matteo Carnevale

Scoring the winner in the Derby di Milano at just 19 years of age, right on the day of your Serie A debut. Can it get any better than that for a footballer? Perhaps it cannot, as that indeed turned out to be the highest career point for Giuseppe Minaudo, a product of Inter's youth academy. Continue reading

On April 12, 1981, Gaetano Musella scored the only goal of the day in a key battle at Torino that sent Napoli top of the Serie A table with five games left

Torino vs Napoli Throwback: Musella Strikes for a Scudetto Illusion

November 29, 2024 Matteo Carnevale

Before Diego Maradona, the Neapolitan fan hearts beat for a young lad raised just a few meters away from the San Paolo Stadium. His name was Gaetano Musella and, on April 12, 1981, he scored the only goal of the day in a key battle at Torino that sent Napoli top of the Serie A table with just five matchdays left. Continue reading

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

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.

Roma have grown pessimistic about being able to bring in Joshua Zirkzee and are making headway for Donyell Malen.

Roma Turn Their Attention Toward Aston Villa Forward

January 12, 2026 Enrico Passarella Aston Villa, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Roma have grown pessimistic about being able to bring in Joshua Zirkzee even later in the window and have set their sights on a different Premier League striker, Donyell Malen, who’s having an up-and-down season. He has notched seven goals and two assiss.

Milan remain interested in Juventus defender Federico Gatti and are open to offering Ruben Loftus-Cheek in return.

Juventus and Milan Assess Another Potential Swap Deal

January 12, 2026 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Juventus and Milan were attached to a trade between Federico Gatti and Samuele Ricci earlier in the window, but the operation didn't have legs, but the Rossoneri remain interested in the Italian defender and could offer Ruben Loftus-Cheek in return.

Roma have been working on the Giacomo Raspadori deal for a few weeks, but Napoli might overtake them at the last corner.

Raspadori Biding Time as Napoli Contemplate Reunion

January 12, 2026 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Roma have been working on the Giacomo Raspadori deal for a few weeks at this point, but the player isn’t chomping at the bit to join them because he’s waiting to see whether Napoli could arrange a reunion. Moreover, he hasn't lost faith in convincing Simeone.

Serie A Preview: Inter vs Napoli – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

January 11, 2026 Marko Vrakela Inter, Inter Milan, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Stadio Giuseppe Meazza forms the backdrop for a high-stakes Serie A showdown between direct Scudetto rivals Inter and Napoli. Much more than just bragging rights will be at stake in Sunday’s mouth-watering encounter at one of the most iconic European stadiums.

Serie A Preview: Fiorentina vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

January 11, 2026 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Fiorentina, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Fiorentina’s quest to get out of Serie A’s relegation zone faces a formidable challenge on Sunday as they entertain title-bidding Milan at Stadio Artemio Franchi. Both teams are desperate to take all three points, albeit for contrasting reasons.

Napoli and Roma are poised to duke it out for some transfer market targets, but could also potentially concoct a trade down the line.

Napoli Taking a Look at Verona, Chelsea and Roma Stars

January 9, 2026 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Napoli and Roma are poised to duke it out for some transfer market targets, but could also potentially concoct a trade down the line. The two sides are both keen on Hellas Verona’s Giovane. However, Atalanta and Lazio are eyeing him too.

Davide Frattesi is in limbo, as he wishes to depart, but Inter would only let him go for a considerable offer.

Inter Set Lofty Price Tag for In-Demand Frattesi

January 9, 2026 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Galatasaray, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Nottingham Forest, Premier League, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Davide Frattesi is in limbo, as he wishes to depart, but Inter would only let him go for a considerable offer. His suitors haven’t tendered that much at this stage. Nottingham Forest have inquired lately, but the Nerazzurri ask for €35M. He continues to have a small role.

Is Former Lazio Man Taty Castellanos the Answer to West Ham’s Woes?

January 9, 2026 The Cult of Calcio Newsroom Uncategorized Leave a comment

West Ham have had a torrid first half to the Premier League season and find themselves facing the prospect of relegation for the first time since they dropped down at the end of the 2010-11 campaign.

It was crucial for …

Juventus have been offered Thiago Almada as a Federico Chiesa fallback and have earmarked Santiago Castro for the summer.

Juventus Attached to Two Talented Argentinian Attackers

January 9, 2026 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, La Liga, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Juventus will keep working on Federico Chiesa, but are keeping tabs on other options as well, as Thiago Almada has been offered to them by some intermediaries, while they are earmarked Bologna’s Santiago Castro for the future.

Roma tried to appease manager Gian Piero Gasperini in a summit centered on the transfer market on Wednesday.

Roma Speeding Up to Fulfill the Requests of Gasperini

January 8, 2026 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Roma tried to appease Gian Piero Gasperini in a summit centered on the transfer market on Wednesday. However, the main reason for his malcontent, director Frederic Massara, wasn’t present, and only the son of the owner, Ryan Friedkin, participated.

Lazio are chasing after Ruben Loftus-Cheek and several midfielders after selling Matteo Guendouzi to Fenerbahce.

Lazio Inquire About Milan Midfielder Amid Full Retool

January 8, 2026 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Ajax, Bologna, Calciomercato, Fenerbahce, Italian Football, La Liga, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market, Villarreal Leave a comment

Lazio are in the hunt for reinforcements, as, after Taty Castellanos, Matteo Guendouzi will join Fenerbahce for about €30M, bonuses included. The Biancocelesti have reached an agreement with Ajax for Kenneth Taylor for €15M and also tested the waters for Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Juventus have reignited their interest in Marcos Senesi, who's been on their radar for years, ahead of a possible Bosman addition.

Juventus Track Bournemouth Defender, Further Pursuits

January 8, 2026 Enrico Passarella Bournemouth, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Liverpool, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market, West Ham Leave a comment

Juventus are trying to set the stage for some Bosman signings on top of searching for cheap reinforcements in January, and have reignited their interest in Marcos Senesi, who’s been on their radar for a few years. He's on an expiring contract.

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