Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Milan announced the agreement with Fikayo Tomori over the weekend, and are eyeing the completion of more extensions over the next month.

Milan Utility Player Rumored to Have Earned New Contract

December 7, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Serie A, Transfer Market

Amid an injury crisis, Rade Krunic will have a meaningful role in the upcoming stretch of Milan matches since Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic and Pietro Pellegri are all injured. The management is considering giving the versatile midfielder a new contract to reward him for his performances.

Francesco Totti was surprisingly complimentary toward his former coach Luciano Spalletti and discussed a few more Roma-related topics.

Totti: “Roma Have No Champion in the Squad at the Moment”

December 7, 2021 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Serie A

Francesco Totti will resume having a dialog with Roma, although from the outside. The legendary striker has become the brand ambassador for DigitalBits, the main sponsor of the Giallorossi. He denied it could be a vehicle for him to return as a director, but he left the door open.

Inquiry Set to Modify Juventus Transfer Market Approach

December 7, 2021 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A

The ongoing investigation on the fake plusvalenze will impact the future transfer market strategies of Juventus. The Bianconeri had already ceased using the stratagem in the past window. The pandemic temporarily loosened some financial parameters. It will become the norm.

Insigne Agent Addresses Extension Talks and Recent Injury

December 7, 2021 Enrico Passarella Juventus, Napoli, Serie A

Vincenzo Pisacane, the agent of Lorenzo Insigne, commented on the negotiation with the team: “There are no new developments. We received an offer that we deemed unacceptable and not congruous. However, that does not mean that we have stopped talking.”

Empoli vs Udinese 3-1: Azzurri Dominate in the Second Half

December 6, 2021 Enrico Passarella Empoli, Italian Football, Udinese

In the penultimate match of Round 16, Empoli extended their tremendous start of the season with another come-from-behind victory. The Tuscan side moved to 23 points, 13 above of the relegation zone. Udinese had a strong first half but evaporated after intermission.

On top of previewing the game versus Viktoria Plzen, Simone Inzaghi sent a message to the management stressing that many contract renewals are pending,

Inzaghi Gears Up for Match between Real Madrid and Inter

December 6, 2021 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Real Madrid, Serie A

Inter will gun for the top position in the group tomorrow but will have to defeat Real Madrid away. Simone Inzaghi addressed the game: “It will be an important one for us. We both qualified, but we care about having a great showing. We did well in the first match, but it was not enough.”

Milan Coach Pioli Previews Seminal UCL Clash with Liverpool

December 6, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Liverpool, Serie A

Milan will need to win and hope Porto do not, in the final round of the group stage versus Liverpool. Stefano Pioli held the usual pre-game presser: “The tilt is similar to the one in Bergamo last May. We have had a few key matches. We studied it down to the last detail."

Agent Dishes on Atalanta, Milan and Juventus Youngsters

December 6, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Transfer Market

Atalanta striker Roberto Piccoli was the top-ranked Italian player in the Golden Boy standings, while Pedri took home the award. His agent Beppe Riso discussed the achievement and the future of his clients Daniel Maldini, Nicolò Rovella and Lorenzo Colombo.

Mourinho Facing Scrutiny Because of Poor Start by Roma

December 6, 2021 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A

The Roma ownership fully trusts José Mourinho, even though his Serie A return has gone swimmingly. The Giallorossi have already lost seven times in Serie A and are seven points behind the Champions League zone. They have not fared much better in European Conference League.

Serie A teams will not sign players from Ukraine and Russia after all. The Italian Football Association had quickly adopted FIFA's special ruling.

Serie A Expected Lineups Round 16 – More Napoli Troubles

December 5, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Cagliari, Empoli, Fiorentina, Genoa, Inter, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Salernitana, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spezia, Udinese, Venezia

After a relatively quiet but still noteworthy matchday, Serie A will have a few bangers in Round 16. It will be a proper super Saturday, with the top five teams on the pitch. Roma will host Inter and Napoli will battle with Atalanta. Milan will start things off versus Salernitana.

Napoli Add Another Name to Shortlist for Left-Back Role

December 3, 2021 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Even though injuries are piling up for Napoli, their plans for January are unlikely to change. The Partenopei will at most sign a left-back or eventually replace those who leave. Now that Kalidou Koulibaly is out for a while, they probably will not sell Kostas Manolas to Olympiakos.

Some rumors and coy remarks cast a shadow on the future of Luciano Spalletti, but he and team president Aurelio De Laurentiis settled their differences.

Spalletti Confident Despite Injuries Before Atalanta Game

December 3, 2021 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A

Luciano Spalletti refused to dwell on the absences ahead of the clash with Atalanta: “We will choose among who is left. It is key to stay united and protect the squad. They have already proved that they care deeply about this team in difficult times."

Author: Enrico Passarella