Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Juventus endured a triple blow on the eve of the Derby, as Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa won’t be available due to small injuries.

Juventus Can Suspend Pogba Pay over Doping Charges

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

While Pogba awaits more exams and ponders his next moves, which are very limited, Juventus hinted at possible actions toward the player in the statement announcing his ban. Doping is one of the cases where it’s possible to suspend the wages, as per the collective bargaining agreement.

Inter will be busy tending to numerous extensions in the coming months. Eight players in their squad are up in 2024, but four only technically.

Inter Will Have to Make Several Contract Decisions

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Inter will be busy tending to numerous extensions in the coming months. Eight players in their squad are up in 2024. Four only technically, as they joined on season-long loans: Emil Audero, Carlos Augusto, Davide Frattesi, and Marko Arnautovic. Four other newcomers signed short-term deals.

Leonardo Bonucci and Juventus parted ways last summer, but the saga isn’t over just yet. The defender has decided to sue his former club.

Bonucci Starts Legal Action Versus Juventus for Damages

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market, Union Berlin

Leonardo Bonucci and Juventus parted ways last summer, but the saga isn’t over just yet. The defender has decided to sue his former club. He has joined Union Berlin on a free move in the final days of the transfer window. He believes he sustained professional and image damage.

Despite some interest and a short-term contract, Simon Kjaer stayed put at Milan. The defender would like to extend his sojourn.

Milan Veteran Wouldn’t Mind Ending Career at the Club

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Despite some interest and a short-term contract, Simon Kjaer stayed put at Milan. The defender would like to extend his sojourn and conclude his career in the red-and-black colors. His camp approached the management to test the waters about a possible renewal until 2026.

Juventus are reportedly very keen on Michele Di Gregorio to succeed Wojciech Szczesny, but Monza are in the driver’s seat to decide his future.

Roma Earmark Monza Goalkeeper for the Next Windows

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Monza, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Despite some chatter, Rui Patricio remained the unquestioned Roma starter after the summer, but the club is thinking about the future and laid eyes on Michele Di Gregorio. The Portuguese veteran has just a year on his contract. The Portuguese veteran has just a year on his contract.

One of the early criticisms against Rudi Garcia is that Stanislav Lobotka hasn’t been utilized in the same fashion as under Luciano Spalletti.

Garcia Facing Scrutiny over Different Use of Lobotka

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

One of the early criticisms against Rudi Garcia is that Stanislav Lobotka hasn’t been utilized in the same fashion as under Luciano Spalletti, thus not enhancing his skillset. The midfielder admitted to having different tasks now in a recent interview. The new gaffer wishes to play more vertically.

The international break has been a cause of concern for multiple clubs, but most of the latest physical injuries suffered by Serie A aces are mild.

Most of the Recent Injuries to Serie A Stars Are Minor

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Salernitana, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

The international break has been a cause of concern for multiple clubs, but most of the latest physical injuries suffered by Serie A aces are mild. Federico Chiesa could be present in Saturday’s clash with Lazio as his tests came back clean. Maignan and Hernandez are good to go.

Paul Pogba has effectively been subdued out of the media’s radar in the past few weeks, after failing his drug test and the subsequent appeal test.

Agent Pimenta and Medical Experts Weigh In on Pogba

September 12, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Paul Pogba testing positive for doping sent shockwaves through Serie A. He has been officially preventively suspended as the protocol prescribes. His agent commented: "“We can’t say anything until they perform further tests. The one thing for certain is that he never intended to break the rules.”

Paul Pogba has formally asked for the counter-analysis by the 72-hour deadline. The sample that tested positive for testosterone will be looked at again.

Juventus Ace Pogba Reportedly Tests Positive for Doping

September 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Paul Pogba has reportedly tested positive for testosterone following the opener versus Udinese, where he didn’t play. Juventus and the player have yet to confirm the news, which has been reported by several outlets. The midfielder faces a preventive suspension while waiting for further tests.

Luciano Spalletti quickly cut to the chase and explained his decision to exclude captain Ciro Immobile for the two final Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Italy Not Changing Goalkeeper for Key Ukraine Contest

September 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri

Luciano Spalletti didn’t beat around the bush and immediately addressed the elephant in the room in the presser before facing Ukraine: "“Gianluigi Donnarumma will start. The goalkeeper always pays for everything. In addition, there’s no forgiveness toward him since he was a prodigy who darted through the various steps."

Serie A will have to change their transfer market strategies from January onward, as the fiscal advantages deriving from the 'Decreto Crescita' will stop.

Lotito Talks Italy, Discloses Giant Past Offer for SMS

September 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri, Transfer Market

Claudio Lotito urged the Azzurri to grow tighter and discussed a few Lazio-related topics in an interview with the official Serie A radio: “I’m not a fortune-teller, but I believe we have everything to qualify for Euro 2024. You can always find players and coaches, while presidents are rarer."

Roma have already endured seven muscular problems in the first month of the season, which is raising questions about their preseason preparation.

Roma Staff Under Pressure over Continuous Injuries

September 11, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Roma have already endured seven muscular problems in the first month of the season, which is raising questions about their preseason preparation. Some ailing players will be ready for the Empoli game, but their training methodology is under scrutiny. The issues have all been in the same area.

Author: Enrico Passarella