Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Romelu Lukaku took further tests to assess his recovery from a thigh strain, and he’s set to gradually resume training with his teammates later this week.

Lukaku Finally Eyeing Return from Lingering Injury

October 19, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Romelu Lukaku took further tests to assess his recovery from a thigh strain, and he’s set to gradually resume training with his teammates later this week. With no hiccups, he’ll be back in the squad list for Saturday’s match versus Fiorentina, but it’s not a fait accompli just yet.

Lazio will have to cope without their top striker Ciro Immobile for the remainder of the year because of a significant thigh strain.

Lazio Offensive Cornerstone Ruled Out for Rest of 2022

October 19, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Lazio will have to cope without Ciro Immobile for the remainder of the year. The hopes for a quick recovery, eyeing the Derby on November 6th, quickly vanished in the first few days after the injury. He has been diagnosed with a medium-grade strain of the flexor muscles of the right thigh.

Nicolò Zaniolo surprisingly wasn’t selected in the starting lineup as Roma faced Sampdoria since he hadn’t played in Europa League tilt due to a red card.

Roma Utilizing Wait-and-See Approach in Zaniolo Talks

October 19, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Tottenham, Transfer Market

Nicolò Zaniolo surprisingly wasn’t selected in the starting lineup as Roma faced Sampdoria Monday since he hadn’t played in Europa League tilt due to a red card. The negotiation to prolong his contract continues, but it's now the club that is buying time to see how he fares.

Bayern Munich are in the market for a striker since they didn’t replace Robert Lewandowski, and Lautaro Martinez has been mentioned as a potential target.

Inter Star Unlikely to Be on Bayern Munich Shortlist

October 19, 2022 Enrico Passarella Bayern Munich, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Bayern Munich could be in the market for a striker since they didn’t replace Robert Lewandowski in the summer, and Lautaro Martinez has been mentioned as a potential target. The Argentine is tied to Inter until 2026. Transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio quickly shot down the buzz.

Milan met with part of the Rafael Leao camp Tuesday. Still, the summit was inconclusive at best. The renewal is far from imminent.

Milan a Long Way to Go from Solving Chaos on Leao Deal

October 19, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Milan met with part of the Rafael Leao camp Tuesday, but the the summit was inconclusive at best. The renewal is far from imminent, even though director Paolo Maldini had displayed confidence on such front in his most recent remarks. A squabble between agents adds another layer to the mess.

Juventus have tracked Rodrigo De Paul multiple times in the past without ever managing to sign him, either because he was too expensive or wrong timing.

Juventus Keeping Tabs on a Few Creative Midfielders

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market, Udinese

Juventus have tracked Rodrigo De Paul multiple times in the past without ever managing to sign him, either because he was too expensive or wrong timing. They could make another attempt in January since he has seemingly fallen out of favor at Atletico Madrid. The Bianconeri are also eyeing Sandri Lovric.

Newcastle have set their sights on Joaquin Correa and are contemplating going after him in January. He and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic tops their shortlist.

Inter Backup Striker Reportedly on Newcastle Radar

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Newcastle United, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Transfer Market

Newcastle have set their sights on Joaquin Correa and are contemplating going after him in January. He and Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic top the shortlist to bolster their strike force in the next transfer market window. He joined Inter from Lazio in a €30M move two summers ago.

With Olympique Lyonnais prodigy Houssem Aouar already within their grasp, the Giallorossi are closing in on Eintracht Frankfurt’s Evan Ndicka.

Juventus Weighing Shoring Up Their Defense in January

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Calciomercato, Eintacht Frankfurt, Italian Football, Juventus, Leicester, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023, Spezia, Transfer Market

Juventus have had some troubles in their defense to open the season. Leonardo Bonucci is unable to play in consecutive matches, while coach Massimiliano Allegri hasn’t trusted backups Daniele Rugani and Federico Gatti much, and they haven’t fared well when called upon. The brass is mulling some candidates.

Maurizio Sarri vented against the conditions of the pitch of the Stadio Olimpico following the nil-nil draw versus Udinese.

Lazio Swiftly React to Sarri Tirade on Olimpico Pitch

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Lazio, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Maurizio Sarri vented against the conditions of the pitch of the Stadio Olimpico following the nil-nil draw versus Udinese. The Lazio brass quickly acted to appease him, setting up a meeting with Sport e Salute, the branch of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) that handles the arena.

Fresh reports about Inter being for sale emerged from the English press Tuesday. Steven Zhang has turned to advisors Goldman Sachs and Raine,

Inter Dismiss Latest Sale Rumors but Situation Is Fluid

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2022-2023

Fresh reports about Inter being for sale emerged from the English press Tuesday. Steven Zhang has turned to advisors Goldman Sachs and Raine, which were recently instrumental in the Chelsea takeover by Todd Boehly. The brass was said to be irked by the article and brushed it off.

Newly-appointed Saudi Arabia national team coach Roberto Mancini has lashed out at the Italian Football Federation, FIGC, for treating him unfavorably.

Mancini Heaps Praise on Napoli, Laments Lack of Options

October 18, 2022 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Italian Football, Italy, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Serie A 2021-2022, The Azzurri

Italy coach Roberto Mancini attended Il Gran Galà del Calcio, which assigned the awards for the past Serie A season, and commented on the national team and the current campaign: "The championship has been nice, but there are fewer and fewer Italians. Only the usual ones are getting regular minutes."

Victor Osimhen is being targeted by a host of clubs, but Napoli plot to resist the offers. The Partenopei have set an astronomical price tag for their ace.

Napoli Star Was Never Close to Leaving Despite Rumors

October 17, 2022 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Manchester United, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Victor Osimhen bagged two consecutive goals off the bench upon returning from a thigh strain. His name was bandied about during the summer. On the other hand, his agent Roberto Calenda said that there was nothing substantial in an interview: "The top teams eyeing him is nothing new."

Author: Enrico Passarella