Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Juventus were fuming following the clash with Inter, but the coordinator Gianluca Rocchi does not believe referee Massimiliano Irrati made any mistake.

No Clear Errors in Juventus-Inter for Head Referee Rocchi

April 5, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A

Juventus were fuming following the clash with Inter, but coordinator Gianluca Rocchi does not believe referee Massimiliano Irrati made any glaring mistake. The sequence that led to the lone goal of the game, a penalty kick re-tried by Hakan Calhanoglu, was chaotic but technically correct.

Amir Rrahmani is starting to draw some attention, in particular from Manchester United, thanks to a solid season at Napoli.

Napoli Defender Slated to Snub Manchester United Interest

April 5, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Manchester United, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Amir Rrahmani is starting to draw some attention, in particular from Manchester United, thanks to a solid season at Napoli. Still, he is highly likely to stay with the Partenopei in the summer, especially considering the team’s success. The Azzurri also expect to keep Kalidou Koulibaly.

Juventus and Inter will both be in the market for a midfielder in the summer and have started to track Nice's Khephren Thuram.

Juventus and Inter Send Scouts to Follow Touted Nice Starlet

April 5, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Juventus and Inter will both be in the market for a midfielder in the summer and have started to track Khephren Thuram. Emissaries of the two Serie A teams attended the recent match between Nice and Lille. Several top European sides are reportedly keeping tabs on the promising 21-year-old.

Juventus have another rival for Antonio Rudiger, as Barcelona met with his agents last week. The center-back is on an expiring contract.

Barcelona Join Juventus in Race to Sign Chelsea Defender

April 4, 2022 Enrico Passarella Barcelona, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Juventus have another rival for Antonio Rudiger, as Barcelona met with his agents last week. The center-back is on an expiring contract. He is looking around amid the uncertainty surrounding his team’s future. His initial requests reportedly were too high for the Blaugrana.

With Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the mend, Alessandro Zanoli got his first start for Napoli against Atalanta, and he made the most of his opportunity.

Napoli Youngster Zanoli Comes Through in Challenging Spot

April 4, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A

With Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the mend, Alessandro Zanoli got his first start for Napoli against Atalanta, and he made the most of his opportunity. The fullback held his own in the back. Moreover, he initiated the action that led to the early penalty kick with an accurate through ball for Dries Mertens.

Fiorentina director Joe Barone addressed his team’s strong form: “Winning a Tuscan derby is always gratifying. We have to take it game after game."

Fiorentina Exec Addresses Italiano Future and Recent Results

April 4, 2022 Enrico Passarella Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Fiorentina director Joe Barone addressed his team’s strong form: “Winning a Tuscan derby is always gratifying. We have to take it game after game. We will face Napoli next, and we are looking for consistency. The race to qualify for European is heating up in Serie A, and we fully belong to it."

Despite agreeing to a new contract with Milan last summer, it’s not a guarantee Zlatan Ibrahimovic will continue playing.

Ibrahimovic Contemplating Retirement More Seriously Now

April 4, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is considering retirement more concretely due to the fact that Sweden failed to qualify for the World Cup. They lost to Poland in the playoffs. Without the prospect of closing his storied career in Qatar, he could be tempted to hang his cleats in the summer.

Manuel Locatelli had a rough game versus Inter physically speaking and is highly likely to sit out multiple matches due to injury.

Manuel Locatelli Expected to Miss Time Due to Knee Injury

April 4, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022

Manuel Locatelli had a rough game versus Inter physically speaking and is highly likely to sit out multiple matches due to injury. The midfielder was kicked in the face by Lautaro Martinez in the first few minutes of the contest. He subbed off before the end of the first half due to a knee problem.

Despite the mutual interest, Roma and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have yet to agree to a new contract, and his agents offered him to Inter.

Mourinho Campaigning to Keep Roma Star amid Contract Talks

April 4, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Henrikh Mkhitaryan decided the contest between Sampdoria and Roma with his fourth goal of the season. Despite past disagreements with José Mourinho, he has continued to serve a key role. However, his contract runs out in June. The coach invited the parties to reach an agreement.

Lazio and Verona presidents Claudio Lotito and Maurizio Setti recently met to discuss potential transfer market deals, starting with Nicolò Casale.

Roma Tipped to Rival Lazio and Milan for Verona Standout

April 1, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Lazio, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Roma are ready to battle with Lazio to capture Nicolò Casale. The center-back was close to joining the Biancocelesti in January. However, they ultimately could not convince Verona to give him up mid-season. The two sides will also face competition from Milan in the summer.

Lazio chief Lotito has so far backed Sarri and Igli Tare with their decisions, with the club seemingly preparing themselves for a busy transfer period.

Sarri Mums on His Future, Dishes on Immobile and the Azzurri

April 1, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, The Azzurri

Maurizio Sarri did not directly tackle the recent speculations about his future in the presser before facing Sassuolo: “Claudio Lotito visited the training center, but his main goal was to talk with the players. We both did. My perspective is just the next game.

Italy legend Luca Toni believes Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku possesses the will of a ‘great champions’ and that he would be welcome back at Inter.

Lukaku Return to Inter Still a Long-Shot Despite His Wishes

April 1, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2021-2022, Transfer Market

Romelu Lukaku would welcome a move back to Inter. However, the reunion is unlikely to happen due to several factors. Still, the striker is sending constant messages to the club to try to find a solution to overcome the obstacles, especially the formula and his massive wages.

Author: Enrico Passarella