Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

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."

Milan will have to think about a succession plan up front sooner rather than later, considering Olivier Giroud’s age and could make a splash.

Milan Add Pair of Talents to Future Offensive Shortlist

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Ligue 1, Lille, RB Leipzig, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Milan will have to think about a succession plan up front sooner rather than later, considering Olivier Giroud’s age. While their hopes lie on Noah Okafor and Luka Jovic this season, the Rossoneri management is mulling making a splash in the future. Jonathan David is not so secretly their top option.

Adrien Rabiot could have been a Roma player instead of joining Juventus a few years ago when he departed PSG as veteran director Walter Sabatini revealed.

Roma Could Have Signed Juventus Star Back in the Day

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Ligue 1, PSG, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Adrien Rabiot could have been a Roma player instead of joining Juventus a few years ago when he departed PSG as veteran director Walter Sabatini revealed: "I let him slip through my fingers. I had reached an agreement to sign him on a free transfer."

Arthur addressed his start at Fiorentina and didn’t rule out a return to Juventus after the loan spell in: “I’ve been comfortable from the start."

Arthur Muses on Fiorentina Move and His Juventus Future

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Brazil, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Arthur addressed his start at Fiorentina and didn’t rule out a potential return to Juventus following the loan spell in an interview: “I’ve been comfortable since day one here. I spoke with Vincenzo Italiano before joining. He told me how he wanted the team to play, and he was correct."

Milan bolstered their management by striking a deal to onboard exec Vincenzo Vergine from Roma to chair their youth academy.

Milan Poach Highly Successful Youth Exec from Roma

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Milan bolstered their management by striking a deal to onboard Vincenzo Vergine to chair their youth academy. The negotiations lasted for a few months. The parties came to terms earlier this week. The new addition comes in with a proven track record.

Author: Enrico Passarella