Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Edin Dzeko would have gladly continued at Inter if given the chance. Instead, the management picked Romelu Lukaku over him at the beginning of last summer.

Dzeko Looks Back at Inter Exit and Lukaku Decision

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Fenerbahce, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Edin Dzeko would have gladly continued at Inter if given the chance. Instead, the management picked Romelu Lukaku over him at the beginning of last summer. He had already signed with Fenerbahce when that negotiation fell through. He dished on what occurred in his mind.

Juventus welcomed Luciano Spalletti at their training center on Wednesday for a high-intensity practice session that left some dings and bruises.

Juventus Test New Midfield while Italy Coach Visits

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Juventus welcomed Luciano Spalletti at their training center on Wednesday for a high-intensity practice session that left some dings and bruises. Alex Sandro bowed out early sporting an icepack on his thigh and will probably have to miss some time. Massimiliano Allegri experimented with new solutions.

The Napoli hierarchy has no doubts about Rudi Garcia despite the dissatisfactory start of the season. Director Maurizio Meluso spoke up.

Napoli Official Backs Garcia and Dishes on Extensions

September 21, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Champions League, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

The Napoli hierarchy has no doubts about Rudi Garcia despite the dissatisfactory start of the season. Director Maurizio Meluso spoke up before the win over Sporting Braga in the Champions League: “The squad feels the burden of responsibility after a clear victory last season."

Davide Frattesi managed to establish his presence in Simone Inzaghi’s five-man midfield, and revealed what it takes for Inter to play to their strengths.

Napoli Stalked Inter Newcomer Until the Last Moment

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Davide Frattesi moved from Sassuolo to Inter last summer, but Napoli tried to interfere with the Nerazzurri until he put pen to paper. The Partenopei spent part of the summer in the dark concerning Piotr Zielinski’s future. They added Jens-Lys Cajuste and tracked Gabri Veiga in the midfield.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid have crossed paths on the transfer market multiple times in recent windows, although not many deals got done in the end.

Extra Work in the Summer Paying Off for Juventus Ace

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Dusan Vlahovic scored a brace with his right foot against Lazio. Until that day, he had netted just 8 eight goals in that manner, 57 with the left one, and 12 headers. The development was a product of his hard work in Belgrade during the summer, which continued in Turin afterward.

José Luis Palomino can move on from his doping saga following his final victory in the courtrooms. He had tested positive in July 2022.

Atalanta Defender Definitely Cleared of Doping Charges

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A

José Luis Palomino can move on from his doping saga following his final victory in the courtrooms. He had tested positive in July 2022. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in his favor on Tuesday, closing the case. He had returned on the pitch a few months after the preliminary suspension.

After paying a visit to the squad and Stefano Pioli at the training center, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale in a hotel in Milan.

Ibrahimovic Not Joining Milan Front Office for Now

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

After paying a visit to the squad and Stefano Pioli at the training center, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a meeting with owner Gerry Cardinale in a hotel in downtown Milan and then watched the Newcastle game from the San Siro stands. The brass is very keen on onboarding the legend.

PSG will face the daunting task of replacing Kylian Mbappé in the summer and have shown interest in two Serie A stars, Victor Osimhen and Marcus Thuram.

Napoli Ace Truly Considered Saudi Arabia Summer Switch

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Victor Osimhen thought about leaving Napoli to move to Saudi Arabia after drawing a mammoth offer last summer, but he ultimately decided to stay put. José Pereiro, the coach of the Nigerian national team, dished on his star: "“He can surely win the Ballon d’Or in the future."

As feared, Gianluca Scamacca will have to skip a few games due to a thigh injury. The Atalanta marksman has been diagnosed with a first-degree lesion.

Atalanta Lose Scamacca for a While Due to Thigh Strain

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Italian Football, Serie A

As feared, Gianluca Scamacca will have to skip a few games due to a thigh injury. The Atalanta marksman has been diagnosed with a first-degree lesion of the semimembranosus muscle of the right thigh. He’ll be out for three to four weeks. He’ll most likely return after the next international break.

Mike Maignan returned to form in the Napoli clash in Round 24 after some subpar performances for his standard. Milan have never doubted him.

Milan Receive Positive Updates on Injured Cornerstones

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Milan fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as the injury suffered by Mike Maignan against Newcastle United isn’t serious, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek subbed off simply because he was cramping up. The goalkeeper is still likely to sit a game or two and not long term.

The Milan midfield is still reeling from the loss of Sandro Tonali, who was sold to Newcastle United for a boatload of money last summer.

Tonali Doesn’t Exclude Reunion with Milan Down the Line

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Sandro Tonali was well-received in his San Siro return following the summer transfer to Newcastle United. The midfield refused to rule out a potential return in the future: “It was nice from the first to the last second. I’ll always remember this night."

Manuel Locatelli is among the several Juventus players that could get an extension in the coming months. He’s already tied to the team until 2026.

Juventus Star Likely to Re-Up After Getting Summer Bids

September 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Brighton, Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Manuel Locatelli is among the several Juventus players that could get an extension in the coming months. He’s already tied to the team until 2026. The management is plotting to add one extra year to his deal. His salary is in the middle of the pack team-wise. He earns €3M per year.

Author: Enrico Passarella