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

Serie A Heroes: Kaká, The Last Romantic at San Siro

March 10, 2026 Krisztián Horváth

Kaká's game was not built on flashy Brazilian tricks. When he surged through midfield, he was like an express train that could not be stopped. He glided with the ball as if hovering a meter above the grass. His face remained expressionless even in the toughest moments. He didn’t just fit in, he became the engine of Milan. 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

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.

Milan aren’t too worried about the links between Massimiliano Allegri and Real Madrid. They think that the coach is committed to them.

Milan Player Ratings vs Lazio: Toothless Rossoneri Denied Late Scudetto Push

March 15, 2026 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, Player Ratings, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Serie A runners-up Milan suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat at the Stadio Olimpico as Lazio eked out their second consecutive league win. Massimiliano Allegri’s men squandered a golden chance to close the gap on runaway leaders Inter.

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

March 15, 2026 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Stadio Olimpico is the venue as out-of-sorts Lazio and title-chasing Milan lock horns in a mouth-watering Serie A showdown on Sunday night. With the home side’s season heading toward a disappointing mid-table finish, this could be a perfect opportunity for the visitors to bolster their faint Scudetto hopes.

Serie A Preview: Como vs Roma – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

March 15, 2026 Marko Vrakela Como, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

A coveted top-four finish in Serie A is on the line as Como and Roma go head-to-head at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia on Sunday evening. Locked together on 51 points, both teams will be out to grab a precious victory and take a step closer toward securing Champions League qualification.

Lloyd Kelly and Keinan Davis are in contention to make Thomas Tuchel's England squad ahead of the March international break

Why Lloyd Kelly and Keinan Davis Could Be in Contention for England Debuts

March 15, 2026 Jamie Daly Juventus, Serie A 2025-2026, Udinese Leave a comment

Lloyd Kelly and Keinan Davis are in strong contention to be named in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the first time. The pair faced off at Bluenergy Stadium as Udinese hosted Juventus, a fixture the England manager would certainly have had his eyes on.

Serie A Preview: Udinese vs Juventus – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

March 14, 2026 Marko Vrakela Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Udinese Leave a comment

Saturday’s Serie A program closes out at the Bluenergy Stadium as perennial mid-table strugglers Udinese entertain top-four hopefuls Juventus. While the outcome of this fixture won’t change much for the home side, it could prove decisive for the visitors.

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

March 14, 2026 Marko Vrakela Italian Football, Lecce, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Stadio Diego Armando Maradona sets the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ clash between top-four hopefuls Napoli and relegation-battling Lecce. With only ten games left, the visitors find themselves in a precarious spot, sitting only three points clear of the bottom three.

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

March 14, 2026 Marko Vrakela Atalanta, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Stadio San Siro forms the backdrop for a high-stakes Serie A showdown between table-topping Inter and top-four hopefuls Atalanta. Both teams head into this clash on the back of defeats in their most recent competitive outings.

Milan have Moise Kean at the top of their preferences, but the success of the operation will go through Fiorentina’s demands.

Milan Favor Kean in Infinite Search for a New Striker

March 13, 2026 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Milan have Moise Kean at the top of their preferences for the no.9 role, but the success of the operation will go through Fiorentina’s demands. The Rossoneri won’t activate his €60M release clause and will seek a discount, considering his underwhelming campaign.

Juventus continue their quest for Bosman signings and added Lorenzo Pellegrini to their list, while their Marcos Senesi chase has hit a snag.

Juventus in Touch with Roma and Bournemouth Stars

March 13, 2026 Enrico Passarella Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Juventus continue their quest for Bosman signings and added Lorenzo Pellegrini to their target list, while their chase of Marcos Senesi has hit a snag. The competition is perhaps stiffer than they anticipated. The Old Lady has touched base with the Roma stalwart’s camp as of late.

Moussa Diaby was one of the most concrete January targets for Inter, but they didn’t convince Al-Ittihad to sell.

Inter Maintain Interest in Al-Ittihad Speedster

March 13, 2026 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Moussa Diaby was one of the most concrete January targets for Inter, but they didn’t convince Al-Ittihad and the Saudi Pro League officials to let go of the player. The interest was reciprocated by the winger, but the talks never went too far. The Nerazzurri will try again.

Juventus have tested the waters for Robert Lewandowski, but his arrival in Turin is improbable because of a few seasons.

Juventus Lodge Preliminary Inquiry for Lewandowski

March 12, 2026 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Fenerbahce, Italian Football, Juventus, Ligue 1, Lyon, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Juventus have tested the waters for Robert Lewandowski, but his arrival in Turin is improbable. The legendary center-forward recently admitted that he’s undecided about whether to stay at Barcelona or head elsewhere, and if so, where. The Bianconeri have a clear plan for their attack.

Milan intend to significantly fortify their roster in the summer ahead of their UEFA Champions League return.

Milan Weighing Their Options to Shore Up the Defense

March 12, 2026 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Parma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Milan intend to significantly fortify their roster in the summer ahead of their UEFA Champions League return. They are kicking the tires on several defenders. They will have to find a compromise between Massimiliano Allegri’s requests and the hierarchy’s vision. The coach prefers adding a veteran.

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