Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Luciano Spalletti took a big-picture and philosophical approach to comment on Napoli’s third title in his post-game remarks.

Spalletti Muses on the Meaning of Scudetto for Naples

May 5, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A

Luciano Spalletti took a big-picture and philosophical approach to comment on Napoli’s third title in his post-game remarks: "Happiness is fleeting. We won but have to re-start now. That takes something away from it, but seeing the Partenopei smile is the biggest emotion to me."

Victor Osimhen and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo were the first Napoli players to talk to the press after the team clinched their third Scudetto.

Napoli Stars Ecstatic Following Title-Clinching Game

May 5, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Victor Osimhen and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo were the first Napoli players to talk to the press after the team clinched their third Scudetto: "It’s a great emotion. We’ve been waiting for many years to bring the Scudetto to Naples, and we did it. It’s a day we will never forget."

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis didn’t follow the team to Udine but watched the match along with the fans at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

De Laurentiis Gloats for Scudetto and Raises the Bar

May 5, 2023 Enrico Passarella Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Napoli president didn’t follow the team to Udine but watched the match along and the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. He took the floor after the Azzurri sealed the title with a draw: "“Today is the crowning achievement of a 33-year-long wait. We did it two seasons earlier compared to my prediction."

Milan and Juventus have similar plans for the summer, especially as it pertains to their midfield since they have reportedly set sights on the same players.

Milan and Juventus Rumored to Compete for Three Targets

May 4, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Benfica, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lecce, Serie A, Transfer Market

Milan and Juventus have similar plans for the summer, especially as it pertains to their midfield since they have reportedly set sights on the same players to bolster their squads in roles where they might endure some exits. They have shortlisted two youngsters in particular.

Napoli will have to seal the title on the pitch, as Lazio defeated Sassuolo Wednesday, preventing them from celebrating at the hotel.

Napoli and Their Fans Set the Stage for Title Clincher

May 4, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market, Udinese

Napoli will have to seal the title on the pitch, as Lazio defeated Sassuolo Wednesday, preventing them from celebrating at the hotel. The Azzurri will be on the road but will enjoy the support of 13k fans that traveled to Friuli. The police forces are on high alert.

Roma lost another man versus Monza, as Stephan El Shaarawy subbed off in the second half with a thigh injury, joining a few teammates on the shelf.

Roma Injury Crisis Gets Worse After Monza Encounter

May 4, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Roma lost another man against Monza, as Stephan El Shaarawy subbed off in the second half with an apparent thigh injury. Chris Smalling and Diego Llorente are on the mend with a strain, while Marash Kumbulla tore his ACL in the previous game. Dybala, Wijnaldum, and Belotti are banged up.

Leandro Paredes broke the deadlock against Lecce with a superb free kick, netting his first goal since joining Juventus on loan.

PSG Loanee Paredes Wishes to Prolong His Juventus Stay

May 4, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Ligue 1, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Leandro Paredes broke the deadlock against Lecce with a superb free kick, netting his first goal since joining Juventus. The regista hasn’t lived up to expectations so far, but he hopes to be able to convince the management to keep him after his loan spell from PSG ends.

Milan dropped two precious points against Cremonese Wednesday, losing ground to Lazio, Juventus, Inter, and Atalanta in the Champions League race.

Milan Once Again Falter with Reserve-Filled Lineup

May 4, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan dropped two precious points against Cremonese Wednesday, losing ground to Lazio, Juventus, Inter, and Atalanta in the Champions League race. The Rossoneri are level with Roma, which shared the spoils with Monza, and La Dea, but are now outside looking in the top four.

Roma and José Mourinho are off to a terrible start, having collected just five points in the first six Serie A matchdays.

Mourinho Launches into Tirade Against Referee Chiffi

May 4, 2023 Enrico Passarella Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

José Mourinho made it clear that he didn’t like how referee Daniele Chiffi officiated the game against Monza, which added to previous episodes that went against the Giallorossi in the past. The Special One sounded off in his post-game remarks to various outlets: "He's horrible technically."

Despite significant problems during the negotiation, Roma haven’t given up the chase for Marcos Leonardo. Rafaela Pimenta is helping them out.

Roma Reportedly Interested in Signing Santos Striker

May 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Aston Villa, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Roma initiated contacts to try acquiring touted Santos starlet Marcos Leonardo. He has bagged 8 goals and provided 2 assists in 20 matches this season. He has an astronomical €100M release clause in his contract, which runs until 2026. His price tag is around €20M

Italian entrepreneur Raffaello Follieri attempted to orchestrate a negotiation to take over Roma backed by some Saudi investors.

Friedkin Family to Keep Ahold of Roma Despite Offer

May 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Italian entrepreneur Raffaello Follieri attempted to orchestrate a negotiation to take over Roma backed by Saudi investors, but the Friedkin family plans to hold on to the team. "I expressed my interest, but they were clear: they will part ways with the club only if they can’t build the stadium."

Frederic Massara was reportedly targeted by Juventus, but they are leaning in different directions, and he could extend his contract with Milan soon.

Milan Ready to Hand New Contract to In-Demand Exec

May 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Frederic Massara was reportedly targeted by Juventus, which are seeking a new chief of football, but they are leaning in different directions, and he could extend his contract with Milan soon. His deal is up in 2024. With such move, the Rossoneri would have continuity at the highest level.

Author: Enrico Passarella