Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis announced that Luciano Spalletti would step down at the end of the season as he wants a sabbatical.

De Laurentiis Confirms Rumors About Spalletti Exit

May 29, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis announced that Luciano Spalletti would step down at the end of the season. The official motivated the choice of the coach during an interview: “He told me that his cycle has ended. He did the best he could and asked me for a sabbatical."

Inter defensive ace Francesco Acerbi has congratulated Sassuolo for doing something no other team has been successful since Manchester City back in July.

Inter and Lazio Begin Negotiating for Veteran Defender

May 26, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Francesco Acerbi has proven to be an indispensable piece for Inter after joining on a loan move from Lazio on deadline day. He was a direct request by Simone Inzaghi, who had coached him in the Italian capital. He eventually unseated Stefan De Vrij and has appeared 46 times so far.

Milan have joined the host of teams keeping tabs on Davide Frattesi. The Rossoneri are in the hunt for multiple pieces in the midfield.

Milan Added to List of Suitors for Prized Sassuolo Star

May 26, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Brighton, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Premier League, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan have joined the host of teams keeping tabs on Davide Frattesi. The Rossoneri are in the hunt for multiple pieces in the midfield considering Ismael Bennacer’s knee injury and Brahim Diaz’s very uncertain future. They have inquired with Sassuolo, but the difficulties are steep.

Juventus have only a few days to complete the domino they arranged with PSG and Chelsea involving Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea Star Loanee Reveals Why He Decided to Leave

May 26, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Inter and Chelsea will have to sit down to discuss the future of Romelu Lukaku in the summer following a season-long loan spell. The striker gave clear hints about where he wants to be in an interview: “I feel good about myself now, which is an important thing."

Teun Koopmeiners is the top name on the Napoli wish list for the position. Atalanta set a lofty price tag for the Dutchman,

Koopmeiners Warns Atalanta of His Ambitions amid Buzz

May 26, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Liverpool, Napoli, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Teun Koopmeiners didn’t shy away from the transfer market chatter surrounding him, as multiple top teams in Serie A and abroad are after him: “These rumors happen in football when a player does well. What matters now is to give our best in the last two matches to reach our goal."

Roma will be severely depleted as they face Fiorentina Saturday, and the situation might not be much better come Wednesday when they will take on Sevilla.

Roma Injury Crisis Not Improving Ahead of UEL Final

May 26, 2023 Enrico Passarella Europa League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Sevilla

Roma will be severely depleted as they face Fiorentina Saturday, and the situation might not be much better come Wednesday when they will take on Sevilla in the Europa League final in Budapest. Paulo Dybala remains a big question mark, and a few other players are banged up as well.

Rafael Leao won’t put pen to paper on his extension with Milan Friday as anticipated. He and the club have decided to delay the event by a few days.

Leao Signature on New Milan Contract Gets Postponed

May 26, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Rafael Leao won’t put pen to paper on his extension with Milan Friday as anticipated. He and the club have decided to delay the event by a few days. It should happen next week. The Rossoneri could clinch the Champions League qualification in the upcoming clash with Juventus.

Juventus and Chelsea have begun bargaining a trade between Dusan Vlahovic and Romelu Lukaku, which would include substantial cash for Bianconeri.

Juventus Slated for Big Changes Sans Champions League

May 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Barring a legal miracle, Juventus won’t play in the Champions League next season. The missed income will force them to drastically cut costs. The Bianconeri will lose nearly one-fourth of their turnover. It has been over a decade since they haven’t participated. The prize money and ticket sales usually amount to €70/90M.

Inter won the ninth Coppa Italia of their history against Fiorentina, allowing governor Steven Zhang and coach Simone Inzaghi to boost their resume.

Inter President and Coach Add to Their Trophy Cabinet

May 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Inter won the ninth Coppa Italia of their history against Fiorentina, allowing governor Steven Zhang and coach Simone Inzaghi to boost their personal resume. The Nerazzurri are now tied with Roma in second place all-time as far as the domestic cup is concerned. Juventus are in the lead.

Juan Cuadrado is a new Inter player. He underwent the physical tests and signed his new one year-contract Wednesday evening.

Juventus Could Change Their Mind on Retaining Veteran

May 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Juan Cuadrado has been routinely tipped to leave Juventus at the end of his expiring contract. However, the front office is reportedly considering keeping him for another season. The parties are discussing a new deal. The Colombian would stay put if he accepted lower wages.

After completing the Jesper Lindstrom deal, Napoli are unlikely to add new players in the two final days of the 2023 summer transfer market window.

De Laurentiis Endorses Italiano for the Napoli Bench

May 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella Fiorentina, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

While the coaching search is ongoing, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis was highly complementary of Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Italiano, who’s in the running along with a few other options. The owner attended the Coppa Italia final: "I've always been a fan of him. Fiorentina are a top team."

A few teams watched the Coppa Italia final between Inter and Fiorentina with a keen interest considering its ramifications on the Serie A standings.

How the Coppa Italia Result Affects the Serie A Table

May 25, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Europa League, European Conference League, European Cups, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Monza, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

A few teams watched the Coppa Italia final with a keen interest considering its ramifications on the Serie A standings. Had Fiorentina won, they would have qualified for the Europa League group stage directly. The fifth-placed team would have had to go through the playoffs.

Author: Enrico Passarella