Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen established an immediate connection since the Georgian moved to Italy, which has fueled Napoli’s success.

Napoli Attacking Duo Keeping Up with Top Ones in Europe

February 7, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Manchester City, Napoli, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen established an immediate connection since the Georgian moved to Italy, which has been one main reason behind Napoli’s success this season. The center-forward leads Serie A in scoring with 16 goals. The winger has bagged half of it, plus he has already dished ten assists.

The Fiorentina fans booed and sneered at the team following the loss to Bologna, and president Rocco Commisso decided to stick up for them.

Fiorentina Owner Commisso Passionately Defends His Men

February 7, 2023 Enrico Passarella Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

The Fiorentina fans booed and sneered at the team following the loss to Bologna, and president Rocco Commisso decided to stick up for them: "The players get denigrated daily. The supporters should lash out at me, since I’m the one calling the shots. The team is not for sale."

Milan aren’t considering firing Stefano Pioli, as their current skid hasn’t affected their trust in the coach. They have lost four matches in a row.

Milan Not Contemplating Coaching Change amid Downturn

February 7, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A

Milan aren’t considering firing Stefano Pioli, as their current skid hasn’t affected their trust in the coach. They have lost four matches in a row. It hadn’t happened since 2017 when Vincenzo Montella was at the helm. But there are no abrupt decisions on the horizon.

Nicolò Zaniolo is one step away from joining Galatasaray. The Turkish club and Roma are putting the finishing touches on the deal.

Zaniolo on the Verge of Transferring to Galatasaray

February 7, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Nicolò Zaniolo is one step away from joining Galatasaray. The Turkish club and Roma are putting the finishing touches on the deal. Fenerbahce remained in the running until late in the game, but the starlet prefers the Cimbom, where he would find a few familiar faces.

Kristjan Asllani is now fully an Inter player. He had joined from Empoli on loan with conditioned obligation to buy. It was merely a technicality.

Inter Formally Buy Out Youngster on Loan from Empoli

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Empoli, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Kristjan Asllani is now fully an Inter player. He had joined from Empoli on loan with conditioned obligation to buy. It was merely a technicality for balance-related reasons, as the trigger was the first point collected by the Nerazzurri in February 2023, which happened in the Derby.

Arrigo Sacchi had searing words toward Milan and Stefano Pioli for their lackluster showing in the Derby: "They are no longer a team."

Sacchi Slams Pioli: “Milan Were Sparring Partners”

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Inter Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Arrigo Sacchi had searing words toward Milan and Stefano Pioli for their lackluster showing in the Derby: "They are no longer a team. Inter didn’t face real opponents but sparring partners. The Rossoneri just ran after the adversaries and were always late. Switching to a five-man defense created confusion."

The most recent attempt by Lazio to strike a deal with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fell on deaf ears. His agent Mateja Kezman didn’t travel to Rome.

Lazio Ace Still Unwilling to Extend Shot-Term Contract

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

The most recent attempt by Lazio to strike a deal with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic fell on deaf ears. His agent Mateja Kezman didn’t travel to Rome to meet the hierarchy, but they had a conference call. President Claudio Lotito tried to get an opening for the renewal, but he was rebuffed.

Marotta and Inter Curva Put a Bow on Skriniar Saga

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan Skriniar will continue to be a regular in his last few months at Inter, but he will no longer wear the captain's armband. CEO Giuseppe Marotta and the Curva, which meet with the defender, said their pieces about the situation, as the split will be fairly amicable.

The legal controversy between Sporting CP, Lille, and Rafael Leao isn’t over yet, despite a previous ruling and an intervention by Milan.

Milan Coach Motivates Star Exclusion from Derby Lineup

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Rafael Leao came off the bench for the second game in a row versus Inter. He created the only dangerous action for his side after subbing in, escaping on a counter and dishing a great feed to Olivier Giroud, who took too much time to settle the ball and shoot.

Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are in talks with Roma to try signing Nicolò Zaniolo. The transfer market in Turkey is open for a couple more days.

Roma Outcast Zaniolo Finds Pair of Suitors in Turkey

February 6, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Galatasaray, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are in talks with Roma to try signing Nicolò Zaniolo. The transfer market in Turkey is open for a couple more days. Their offers haven’t met the Giallorossi’s request so far, but the negotiations will continue. The attacker has been frozen out after refusing a late move to Bournemouth.

Milan Skriniar might have played his final game with the Inter colors as he went under the knife to address his lingering injury.

PSG Not Super Determined to Sign Inter Defender Late

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

PSG tried to get Milan Skriniar in January, but they didn’t exactly lay siege to do so. Their offer stopped short of what Inter demanded. The defender will ultimately finish the season in Milan and try to leave on good terms. The Ligue 1 side wasn't too insistent on deadline day.

Juventus managed to keep ahold of Adrien Rabiot, but an addition to the midfield can’t be excluded, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is still on their radar.

Lazio Set to Reprise Negotiation with Star Midfielder

February 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Newcastle United, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Despite some early rumors, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was never close to leaving Juventus in January. The club will have a few more months to try agreeing with him on a new contract. His current one expires in 2024, making his summer departure a foregone conclusion without an extension.

Author: Enrico Passarella