Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Milan have marched at a fast pace in 2024, which could help Stefano Pioli stay put for at least another campaign. He has some backers inside the club.

Inter and Milan Prepare Massive Rotations for Next Game

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Empoli, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Inter and Milan are ready to exploit the depth of their rosters in the next two Serie A matches in rapid succession. Some key starters will partially rest versus Empoli and Verona. Despite some murmurs, that won’t be the case for Rafael Leao, who will be in the XI Saturday.

Juventus were helped by the spirited support of the Curva in the recent commanding win over Lazio thanks to the return of the Ultras.

Juventus Trying to Repair Relationship with Their Curva

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Juventus were helped by the spirited support of the Curva in the recent commanding win over Lazio. The Ultras decided to return to the Allianz Stadium after a long strike that started during the Andrea Agnelli era. The new course of the Old Lady is trying to patch things up.

Former Italy assistant Alberico Evani didn’t follow Roberto Mancini to Saudi Arabia, even though the two collaborated for a few years.

Longtime Mancini Assistant Sheds Light on Italy Exit

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Serie A

Alberico Evani didn’t follow Roberto Mancini to Saudi Arabia, even though the two collaborated for a few years. He spoke about the former Italy coach’s departure: “I’ve yet to understand what happened. President Gabriele Gravina wanted to make some changes, which is within his rights."

Sardar Azmoun recently made his Roma debut after joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. His agent Andrea Pellegatti commented.

Roma Newcomer Looking to Earn Permanence at the Club

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Sardar Azmoun recently made his Roma debut after joining on loan from Bayer Leverkusen last summer. His agent Andrea Pellegatti dished on his move and mindset: “His goal is to do well to stay put since the Giallorossi have an option to buy. He fit right in."

Arturo Vidal wasn’t exactly entertained by the recent game between Milan and Newcastle United: "The worst match in UCL history."

Vidal Utters Scorching Hot Take on Milan vs Newcastle

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Champions League, Italian Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, Serie A

Arturo Vidal wasn’t exactly entertained by the recent game between Milan and Newcastle United. The former Juventus and Inter midfielder blasted the Rossoneri and the Magpies: “It was the worst match in the history of the Champions League. They made me a bad impression."

Lazio have had issues on both ends to open the season. After keeping 22 clean sheets in 2022/2023, they are still at zero after five games.

Multiple Lazio Weapons Off to an Unproductive Start

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A

Lazio have had issues on both ends to open the season. After keeping 22 clean sheets in 2022/2023, they are still at zero after five games. Moreover, their attack hasn’t been able to compensate for that, having scored just five goals, Just one of those has been netted by an attacker, Ciro Immobile.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia hasn’t hit it off right away with new coach Francesco Calzona. Other than a gem against Verona, his recent displays have been blah.

Napoli Star Seeking a Way Out of His Extended Woes

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Khvicha Kvaratshkelia is struggling to get it going this season, but his slump began long before the summer and the change on the Napoli bench, which hasn’t helped. He was named the 2022/2023 MVP even though he didn’t produce in the final two months.

Juventus haven’t won in a month and coach Massimiliano Allegri is looking new tactical solutions in order to get out of their rut.

Allegri Talks Vlahovic, Chiesa, Berardi, and Magnanelli

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri discussed the level of fitness of Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa and more ahead of Saturday’s clash with Sassuolo: “They followed a specialized program for one day due to small problems, but they are fully available for this match."

Ruben Loftus-Cheek won’t be available for the next two games, but his injury isn’t too severe, and he should easily recover during the international break.

Milan Midfielder Confirms to Be Fit After Injury Scare

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will be available against Verona after subbing off early versus Newcastle United. Unlike Mike Maignan, he didn’t pick up a muscular injury: “I’m fine. It was a really nice game, and we dominated. We played good football and just lacked the end product."

Cristiano Ronaldo has asked his lawyers to recoup €19M he believes Juventus owe him through the CONI’s College of Arbitration.

Juventus Not Concerned with Ronaldo Monetary Request

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Manchester United, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Cristiano Ronaldo has asked his lawyers to recoup €19M he believes Juventus owe him through the CONI’s College of Arbitration. The body settles disparate between players and clubs. The controversy stems from the shady moves by the Bianconeri on wages during the pandemic.

Steven Zhang, assisted by Goldman Sachs, is looking to buy time to find the money to repay a mammoth loan from Oaktree, which he used to finance Inter.

Fresh Rumours About a Potential Inter Sale Resurface

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Raine Group has been quietly searching for buyers for Inter in the last few months. They appear to have found an investor willing to meet Suning’s requests, more precisely, a Middle-Eastern fund. The bank is optimistic the deal could go through this time.

Gian Piero Gasperini was pleased with what he saw from his side in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Rakow but also attacked Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso.

Gasperini Slams ‘Rude’ Commisso, Praises De Ketelaere

September 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Europa League, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Gian Piero Gasperini was pleased with what he saw from his side in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Rakow but also attacked Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso, who didn’t like his remarks following the recent game between Atalanta and Fiorentina: "I never offended anybody and always backed my team."

Author: Enrico Passarella