Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Luis Enrique is aware of Milan’s stature on the European level, with PSG set to take on the seven-time UCL winners in a highly-anticipated clash in Paris.

Napoli Test the Waters for a Few Potential Managers

May 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Bologna, Brighton, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Napoli were blindsided by Luciano Spalletti’s decision to leave but will have a few weeks to identify their next coach. President Aurelio De Laurentiis has inquired about a few options and is evaluating the pros and cons of each. The president wouldn't mind bringing in a foreign gaffer.

Milan will consider signing a new no.10 in the summer, and Stefano Pioli would love to reunite with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Milan Coach Said to Be Keen on Signing Milinkovic-Savic

May 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Since Charles De Ketelaere didn’t pan out in his first season, Milan will consider signing a new no.10 in the summer, and Stefano Pioli would love to reunite with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. The Rossoneri have had their best stretches when using a midfielder in that position, Franck Kessié and Ismael Bennacer.

Juventus still had a chance to make the top four in the time between the ten-point deduction and the ugly loss to Empoli.

Sports Justice Determined to Exclude Juventus from UCL

May 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Juventus still had a chance to make the top four in the time between the ten-point deduction and the ugly loss to Empoli. They would have been fifth had they succeeded against the Azzurri. They would have faced Milan in a head-to-head encounter next week. Instead, they dropped the ball.

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali stated that they wouldn’t let go of too many players and updated on the race to sign Davide Frattesi in an interview.

Sassuolo Ready to Sell Frattesi to an English Team

May 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Brighton, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Premier League, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Sassuolo CEO Giovanni Carnevali stated that they wouldn’t let go of too many players and updated on the race to sign Davide Frattesi in an interview: “We won’t part ways with more than two linchpins. That’s our goal. Then, it depends on requests and opportunities."

Igli Tare dished on the Lazio qualifying for the Champions League, his personal future, and the one of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Lazio Director Admits Midfield Linchpin Could Depart

May 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Lazio arithmetically qualified for the Champions League with two matches to go thanks to Juventus’ point deduction Monday. Igli Tare dished on the achievement and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: It’s an enormous satisfaction and the fruit of the great job done by the coach, players, and management."

Simone Inzaghi will soon extend his Inter contract, prolonging his stay until 2026. He’ll put pen to paper in short order.

Marotta Adamant Concerning Inzaghi Future at Inter

May 23, 2023 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Giuseppe Marotta is certain Simone Inzaghi will keep helming Inter in 2023/2024. He claimed that the management didn't consider a mid-season coaching change despite the rumors: “We never thought about replacing him even for a second this year. He managed to strengthen his position thanks to the team's performances."

Juventus have been docked ten points after the new ruling by the Court of Appeal in their capital gains trial. The previous penalty had to be reduced.

Juventus Deducted Ten Points Following New Ruling

May 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Juventus have been docked ten points after the new ruling by the Court of Appeal in their capital gains trial. The previous penalty had to be reduced as the College of Guarantee didn't agree with the motivations concerning the conviction of some secondary officials. Pavel Nedved was acquitted.

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.

Pimenta Addresses Mkhitaryan Injury and Fit at Inter

May 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Champions League, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Manchester City, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Two Rafaela Pimenta clients will square off in the Champions League final, Erling Haaland and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The agent spoke about the showdown and more: "It’s tough to choose. It’s impossible to be objective when somebody of the family plays on both sides.”

Inter are zeroing in on Folarin Balogun after Atalanta stole Gianluca Scamacca from under their nose, but Simone Inzaghi prefers adding a pure no.9.

Milan Face Hurdles for Arsenal and RB Salzburg Starlets

May 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Premier League, RB Leipzig, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan have cast a wide net to onboard a new talented striker and has long set sights on Folarin Balogun and Noah Okafor. The two are highly placed on their shortlist for the role, but both pursuits figure to be challenging considering their respective price tags and the competition.

Napoli reportedly came out in the open for Norbert Beto with a large offer, but it was rebuffed by Udinese. Director Marino weighed in.

Udinese Exec Tempers Napoli Buzz on Beto and Samardzic

May 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market, Udinese

Napoli reportedly came out in the open for Norbert Beto with a large offer, but it was rebuffed by Udinese. The Partenopei tendered €25M, but the Friulani asked for €10M more according to Sky. On the other hand, director Pierpaolo Marino downplayed the rumors before the Lazio game.

Roma keep scouring the market to find bargains and have started eyeing Youri Tielemans. His contract with Leicester City runs out in June.

Roma Monitoring Leicester City Star Available on a Free

May 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Leicester, Premier League, PSG, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Roma keep scouring the market to find bargains and have started eyeing Youri Tielemans. His contract with Leicester City runs out in June. His side is on the brink of relegation. The Giallorossi have joined the race to onboard him on a Bosman transfer, but he's coveted.

Igli Tare looked at his farewell from Lazio, addressing the chatter surrounding it. The former director stated that it didn’t happen out of the blue.

Lazio Prepared to Move On from Sports Director Tare

May 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Empoli, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Lazio are testing the waters to onboard a few officials, as Igli Tare might leave the club after 13 years. The exec has an expiring contract and often butted heads with Maurizio Sarri. President Claudio Lotito could take advantage of his status and part ways quietly.

Author: Enrico Passarella