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 took advantage of the recent trip to Leverkusen to meet with the agent of Jonathan Tah, who's close to coming to terms with Barcelona.

Inter Touch Base with Future Star Free Agent in Germany

December 12, 2024 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, La Liga, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Inter took advantage of the recent trip to Leverkusen to meet with the agent of Jonathan Tah. The defender is reportedly close to agreeing to a contract with Barcelona, but the race is still somewhat open. He denied having met with Deco.

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Roma are about to hit a crossroads, as there are just 18 months left on his contract. Galatasaray are waiting in the wings.

Galatasaray Watching Pellegrini Struggles at Roma

December 12, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Galatasaray, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market One comment

Lorenzo Pellegrini and Roma are about to hit a crossroads, as there are just 18 months left on his contract. The Giallorossi want their captain to react to his present difficulties before starting to discuss an extension.

Leonardo Spinazzola might leave Napoli just six months after joining in a free move after leaving Roma.

Napoli Preparing to Change Their Deputy Left-Back

December 12, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Leonardo Spinazzola might leave Napoli just six months after joining in a free move from Roma. The left-back hasn’t been a regular since Antonio Conte switched from 3-4-2-1 to 4-3-3 earlier in the season, with Mathias Olivera playing a lot more.

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli is sure Juventus will keep Francisco Conceiçao, whiel Danilo announced he won't leave in January.

Giuntoli Bullish on Conceiçao, Danilo Says He Will Stay

December 12, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Porto, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli is sure Juventus will keep Francisco Conceiçao despite signing him on an initial loan with no option to buy and confirmed their January strategy. Danilo dismissed the notion he's on his way out.

Agent Mario Giuffredi wants his clients Cristiano Biraghi and Fabiano Parisi to leave Fiorentina due to their limited playing time.

Agent Promises Departure of Unhappy Fiorentina Pair

December 12, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Como, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Agent Mario Giuffredi wants his clients Cristiano Biraghi and Fabiano Parisi to leave Fiorentina due to their limited playing time. He lashed out against Raffaele Palladino after the coach announced the former wouldn’t be called up against LASK Linz.

Milan got the better of Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday night, but Paulo Fonseca wasn’t pleased about his team’s performance.

Fonseca Questions Milan Players’ Effort Level in Rant

December 12, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Champions League, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025 Leave a comment

Milan got the better of Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday night, but Paulo Fonseca wasn’t pleased about his team’s performance in the narrow win. He slammed his players in his post-game remarks: "The result isn't enough to satisfy me."

Roma sold budding midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic to Ajax in a quick deal Sunday. More exits are expected to come in the next few days.

Lazio Join Race to Sign Former Roma Midfielder

December 12, 2024 Marko Vrakela Ajax, Fiorentina, Lazio, Roma, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Former Roma starlet Benjamin Tahirovic is reportedly desperate to return to Serie A amid speculation linking him with a move to Lazio. According to Sky Sport via Calciomercato, Marco Baroni's men are contemplating a winter bid for the unsettled Ajax midfielder.

Fabio Cannavaro won the Ballon d’Or in 2006, remaining the last defender to get his hands on the prestigious award

Fabio Cannavaro, the Last Defender to Win the Ballon d’Or: Can Modern Defenders Follow Suit?

December 12, 2024 The Cult of Calcio Newsroom Uncategorized Leave a comment

The Ballon d’Or is the most coveted individual award in football. Even after a decade in which the prize was mostly dominated by two football GOATs, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, it has not lost its hype and relevancy.

Quite …

Francisco Conceiçao returned from a muscular injury against Genoa and rounded out the result with his first Serie A goal.

Man City Superstar Admits Juventus Defeat Was Hard to Take

December 12, 2024 Marko Vrakela Champions League, International Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Serie A One comment

Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan blasted his team's performance in Wednesday's disheartening 2-0 defeat at Juventus. A third consecutive winless outing in the UEFA Champions League left Pep Guardiola's side only a point clear of 25th-placed Paris Saint-Germain.

Bologna Manager Hails Team Growth Despite Another Scoring Blank

December 12, 2024 Marko Vrakela Benfica, Bologna, Champions League, International Football, Serie A Leave a comment

Benfica and Bologna shared the spoils in an uneventful 0-0 draw at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday evening. Another winless UEFA Champions League outing probably ended the Italian team's hopes of securing springtime European fixtures.

Tammy Abraham has settled in nicely in Milan, and the solution with him and Alvaro Morata teaming up like in the Derby won’t be a one-off.

Milan Champions League Hero Adamant: “We Are An Incredible Group”

December 12, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Champions League, International Football, Serie A Leave a comment

Tammy Abraham insists Milan are a 'special' group following Wednesday night's nail-biting 2-1 home victory against Red Star Belgrade. The Roma loanee scored off the bench to inspire the Rossoneri to a third consecutive UEFA Champions League win for the first time since 2005.

Juventus and Dusan Vlahovic in particular have been disappointing offensively in the early going. Coach Thiago Motta is devising possible adjustments.

Juventus Manager Heaps Praise on Star Midfielder After Huge Man City Win

December 12, 2024 Marko Vrakela Champions League, International Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Serie A Leave a comment

Juventus head coach Thiago Motta couldn't hide his excitement following a superb 2-0 home victory against Manchester City. Goals from Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie inspired the Bianconeri to a potentially season-defining UEFA Champions League win.

LATEST NEWS

LATEST SERIE A VIDEOS

News Archive