Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

The Friedkin family, which owns Roma, is putting the finishing touches on the project for the new stadium before its formal unveiling.

Roma Owners to Spend Half a Billion for New Stadium

October 12, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A

The Friedkin family, which owns Roma, is putting the finishing touches on the project for the new stadium before its formal unveiling. It will cost no less than €582M, and likely more considering the increasing costs of building materials. The plan is for it to be ready by 2027.

Andrea Agnelli, who’s stepping down as Juventus president, explained his decision with a long technical statement and a letter to the fans and shareholders.

Agnelli Explains Why Juventus Are Sticking with Allegri

October 12, 2022 Enrico Passarella Champions League, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Despite the gut-wrenching loss versus Maccabi Haifa, Juventus continue to refuse to consider a coaching change. President Andrea Agnelli backed Massimiliano Allegri in his post-game remarks: "He’s our coach and that will stay as such. We generally take stock at the end of the campaign."

Napoli will have to cope without one of their starting center-backs in the upcoming matches as Amir Rrahmani has been diagnosed with a tendon lesion.

Napoli Lose Starting Defender Because of Thigh Injury

October 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Napoli will have to cope without one of their starting center-backs in the upcoming matches and perhaps until January. Amir Rrahmani has been diagnosed with a lesion of the tendon of the adductor longus of the left thigh. They will turn to Leo Ostigard and Juan Jesus in relief.

Verona have formally parted ways with Gabriele Cioffi. The coach reportedly picked them over extending his contract with Udinese over the summer.

Verona Officially Ax Coach Cioffi amid Losing Streak

October 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Verona have formally parted ways with Gabriele Cioffi. The coach reportedly picked them over extending his contract with Udinese in the summer. Though, he lasted only nine rounds on the bench. The Scaligeri are coming off four defeats in a row, against Lazio, Fiorentina, Udinese, and Salernitana.

After a rough start, Stefan De Vrij and the entire Inter defense bounced back in the last two matches. The Nerazzurri lowered their center of gravity.

Inter Defender Improving but Future Remains Uncertain

October 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

After a rough start, Stefan De Vrij and the entire Inter defense bounced back in the last two matches. The Nerazzurri lowered their center of gravity, and that helped the Dutchman and Milan Skriniar, who had been far from perfect. The former had his best showing of the season versus Barcelona.

Brahim Diaz sealed the Juventus game with a great goal. He will see his role grow as Charles De Ketelaere is set to miss the next two tilts with an injury.

Brahim Diaz Dishes on Superb Juventus Goal and Future

October 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Real Madrid, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Brahim Diaz sealed the Juventus game with a great goal. He will see his role grow as Charles De Ketelaere is set to miss the next two matches with a muscular injury. The Spaniard commented on his recent performance: "The goal was random and spontaneous, and I don't like comparisons."

Daniele De Rossi will finally begin his coaching career, as SPAL teased the hiring by tweeting a modification of his iconic leg tattoo Monday.

Another 2006 World Cup Champion Finds Work in Serie B

October 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Roma, Serie A, Serie B, Spal, The Azzurri

After seeking a bench for a couple of years and being linked to a few Serie A jobs, Daniele De Rossi has found one, as SPAL teased the hiring by tweeting a modification of his iconic leg tattoo Monday. He will replace Roberto Venturato. The Estensi are currently 14th in the standings.

Ciro Immobile scored his 188th Serie A goal against Fiorentina, entering the top ten positions of the all-time scorer chart.

Latest Goal Sends Immobile into Serie A History Books

October 11, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Ciro Immobile scored his 188th Serie A goal against Fiorentina, entering the top ten positions of the all-time scorer chart. The Lazio striker shares the final spot with Alberto Gilardino, Alessandro Del Piero, and Giuseppe Signori, but he’s the only active player: "Joining these important names is a great pride."

Andres Iniesta is confident Barcelona could defeat Inter Wednesday, but he’s wary of Simone Inzaghi’s side: "The previous result was very negative."

Iniesta Talks Second Game Between Barcelona and Inter

October 10, 2022 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Champions League, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Andres Iniesta is confident Barcelona could defeat Inter Wednesday, but he’s wary of Simone Inzaghi’s side: "The previous result was very negative for the Blaugrana given its consequences. The tilts with the Nerazzurri are always heated and challenging. The next one will be vital for the qualification to the next stage."

Inter are shortlisting names to add to their defence, as contract negotiations with duo Stefan De Vrij and Milan Skriniar seem to be heading nowhere.

Roma Top Defender Making His Presence Felt on Offense

October 10, 2022 Enrico Passarella England, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Chris Smalling once again hit the net in the Lecce game, opening the scoring early with a towering header. He has already bagged three goals in nine Serie A matches. Among the ten best-ranked European leagues, the only other defender to find the target so frequently has been Austria Klagenfurt’s Nicolas Wimmer.

Despite his repeated dismissals, Cristiano Giuntoli remains one of the top options for Juventus to bolster their front office.

Napoli Official Anticipates More Contract Renewals

October 10, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Napoli recently prolonged the contracts for Alex Meret and Alessio Zerbin, and the extensions will keep coming. Stanislav Lobotka is next in line, and a few more players will get new contracts relatively soon. Giuntoli commented: "We are in talks with the players whose deals expire in 2024 and 2015."

Juventus won’t have Danilo, who suffered a thigh strain while on international duties, and Federico Chiesa remains iffy for Sunday’s clash with Milan.

Juventus Brass and Allegri Seeking Recipe to Solve Woes

October 10, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Juventus lost another away game versus Milan, dropping to minus ten from the top spot after nine rounds for the second straight year, but the management once again renewed their confidence in Massimiliano Allegri. The executives are more worried about the seesawing and underwhelming performances of the team than about the boss.

Author: Enrico Passarella