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

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

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 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.

Inter have collected info on Vanja Milinkovic-Savic while their chase of Yann Sommer is stalling. They have also tested the waters for Emil Audero.

Napoli Weigh Up Summer Bid for Towering Serie A Goalkeeper

March 22, 2025 Marko Vrakela Napoli, Serie A, Torino, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Napoli boss Antonio Conte has earmarked Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic as a concrete transfer target for the summer. According to Sky Sport Italia, the title-bidding Partenopei boss holds the Serbia international in high esteem and could launch an assault to bring him to Naples at the end of the season.

Rafael Leao understands the frustration of the faithful, who loudly protested against the squad and the ownership as the Genoa game was winding down.

Milan Star Forward Eyes Departure Amid Dressing Room Struggles

March 22, 2025 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Barcelona, La Liga, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Milan superstar Rafael Leao could leave the club in the summer transfer window, especially if the Rossoneri fail to secure European football. According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Leao's agent, Jorge Mendes, is tirelessly working behind the scenes to facilitate his summer exit.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has been attached to Inter in recent times amid a seesawing negotiation to extend his PSG contract. His agent weighed in.

Inter Lead Race for Star Goalkeeper as PSG Future Remains Unclear

March 22, 2025 Marko Vrakela Inter, Inter Milan, Paris Saint Germain, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could make a shock return to Serie A to join Milan's bitter rivals Inter. According to Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Filippo Conticello, the Italy international is open to signing for the Nerazzurri despite his past ties with the other San Siro club.

Jonathan David will transfer on a free at the end of the season, despite Lille’s efforts to keep him, and Juventus and Inter must be ready to pay up.

Ligue 1 Superstar Snubs Juventus Amid Transfer Rumors, Reveals His Dream Club

March 22, 2025 Marko Vrakela Juventus, Ligue 1, Lille, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Lille superstar Jonathan David has handed Juventus a huge transfer blow amid growing speculation linking him with a move to Turin. Out of contract at the end of the season, David will leave Stade Pierre-Maurouy on a Bosman deal, with numerous top European clubs vying for his signature.

The Serie A sides will have a better shot at luring Edon Zhegrova next summer, as the attacker announced that he wouldn’t renew his contract.

How It Fell Apart – Agent Reveals Background of Napoli Failed Attempt to Sign Lille Winger

March 22, 2025 Marko Vrakela Lille, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Lille winger Edon Zhegrova emerged as a top candidate to take Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's place at Napoli last summer. However, the deal collapsed at the 11th hour, with the Kosovo international staying in Ligue 1 despite being a step away from joining Antonio Conte's charges.

March 22, 2000, was one of Lazio's last greatest European nights as they beat Chelsea 2-1 in the final game of the Champions League's second group stage

Today in Serie A – March 22, 2000: When Lazio Run Riot in Champions League

March 22, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Chelsea, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, On This Day, Serie A Leave a comment

March 22, 2000, was one of Lazio's last great European nights. Coached by Sven Goran Eriksson, the Biancocelesti raided Stamford Bridge at beat Chelsea 1-2 in the final game of the Champions League's second group stage. In those days, Lazio were a force to be reckoned with in Serie A - so much that the 1999/2000 season would end with the Roman Aquile lifting the Scudetto trophy for the second time in their history.

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