Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

The penultimate round of 2023 left many scars across Serie A. Milan’s Fikayo Tomori suffered the most serious physical problem.

Several Serie A Stars Injured in Most Recent Matchday

December 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bologna, Frosinone, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Salernitana, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

The penultimate round of 2023 left many scars across Serie A. Milan’s Fikayo Tomori suffered the most serious physical problem. He sustained a myotendinous lesion of the right biceps femoris. He won’t need surgery but could be out for a couple of months.

Milan will focus on finding one or more defenders but could also sign a midfielder if Rade Krunic departed, and they tested the waters for Samuele Ricci.

Milan Tipped to Be Keen on Torino Midfielder Ricci

December 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Torino, Transfer Market

Milan will focus on finding one or more defenders in the early days of January, but they could also sign a midfielder if Rade Krunic departed, and they tested the waters for Samuele Ricci. The Rossoneri expect Ismael Bennacer to be called up for AFCON. They lost Tommaso Pobega to a long-term injury.

Napoli have not expanded their shortlist past their long-time options Marco Davide Faraoni and Pasquale Mazzocchi so far.

Napoli Stuck on Two Serie A Targets for Right-Back Role

December 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Napoli, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis announced they would sign a right-back in January, and they haven’t expanded their list past their long-time options Marco Davide Faraoni and Pasquale Mazzocchi so far. The Partenopei will loan out Alessandro Zanoli, who’s pushing to move to Genoa.

Roma have fired José Mourinho effective immediately following the loss to Milan. Some rumors in that regard started spreading at the beginning of the week

Roma Owners Said to Be Divided About Keeping Mourinho

December 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

After the loss to Bologna, Roma revitalized their Champions League aspirations by beating Napoli, collecting a rare win against a direct contender during the José Mourinho era. The future of the gaffer continues to be the most buzzed-about topic in town. The opinions diverge even between the two owners.

The Roma ownership will have big decisions to make at the end of the season since José Mourinho and director Tiago Pinto are both on expiring deals.

Roma Touched Base with Bayer Leverkusen’s Manager

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bayer Leverkusen, Italian Football, La Liga, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

The Roma ownership will have big decisions to make at the end of the season since José Mourinho and director Tiago Pinto are both on expiring deals. Despite the Special One’s public remarks, the exec appears to have better chances of staying.

Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed that the renewal of Victor Osimhen was imminent, while Piotr Zielinski might leave at the end of his contract

Napoli President Implies Zielinski Will Head Elsewhere

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed that the renewal of Victor Osimhen was imminent and added that Piotr Zielinski might leave at the end of his contract: “We’re talking. He had stated he wanted to stay in Naples for his entire life, but it’s easier said than done."

Milan and Napoli have taken an interest in Clement Lenglet, but it’s not so certain he’ll leave Aston Villa even though he hasn’t had a prominent role.

Aston Villa Coach Tempers Rumors About Milan Target

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Aston Villa, Barcelona, Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Napoli, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, West Ham

Milan and Napoli have taken an interest in Clement Lenglet, but it’s not so certain he’ll leave Aston Villa even though he hasn’t had a prominent role so far. The center-back has also been touted to be sold outright since Barcelona need cash, but Unai Emery renewed his confidence in him.

The long-awaited renewal of Lautaro Martinez has been put on hold by Inter in the last couple of months, but there’s no doubt it will come together.

Lautaro Martinez to Sit Out His First Match in Ages

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

After 200 days, Lautaro Martinez will have to miss a game, likely two. He pulled his left adductor in the Coppa Italia tilt versus Bologna, Inter informed. The tests ruled out a strain that would have knocked him out for longer. He’ll be unavailable against Lecce on Saturday and probably versus Genoa.

Aston Villa have a good chance of qualifying for the Champions League and prepare to target a pair of Serie A aces, Joshua Zirkzee and Denzel Dumfries.

Bayern Munich Control the Future of Bologna Sensation

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Bologna, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Joshua Zirkzee has been running rampant recently and added another gem to his collection with a heel assist in the Coppa Italia upset versus Inter. His showings are attracting the attention of the top Serie A teams, starting with Milan, Napoli, and Juventus. However, his future will hinge on Bayern Munich’s decisions,

After trying to agree with the City to renovate the Stadio Maradona, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis decided it would be easier to build a new one.

De Laurentis Talks Transfers, Garcia, and Super League

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Super League, Transfer Market, UEFA

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis spoke candidly about their transfer market plans and Rudi Garcia and shared his thoughts about the European Court’s sentence about the UEFA and FIFA monopoly: “We’ll make at least three signings. Elijf Elmas has already been sold."

After signing Matteo Gabbia and Pietro Terracciano, Milan might not be done adding to their defense and are keen on Radu Dragusin and Alessandro Buongiorno.

Chelsea and Italian Powerhouses Keep Tabs on Torino Ace

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Torino, Transfer Market

Alessandro Buongiorno said no to Atalanta last summer and has continued to grow afterward, further raising his valuation. He and Torino could accept if a top team tendered a large at the end of the season. The center-back surely won’t lack high-profile suitors, for instance Juventus and Chelsea.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is experiencing his toughest season since he’s at Roma, as he hasn’t been able to find pace following a pair of thigh injuries.

Pellegrini Weighs Roma Exit with Saudi Arabia Calling

December 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Galatasaray, Italian Football, Roma, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Lorenzo Pellegrini is experiencing his toughest season since he’s at Roma, as he hasn’t been able to find pace following a pair of thigh injuries. The situation is starting to weigh on him, and he’s reflecting on his future. He’s not serene, and the Saudi sirens are sounding loud.

Author: Enrico Passarella