Marko Vrakela, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Preview: Fiorentina vs Club Brugge – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

April 30, 2024 Marko Vrakela Europa League, Fiorentina, International Football, Serie A Leave a comment

Fiorentina are potentially 180 minutes away from reaching back-to-back Europa Conference League finals as they welcome Club Brugge at Stadio Artemio Franchi for the first leg of their semi-final tie. Thursday is the day of reckoning in Europe's second and third-tier competitions, with La Viola one of the three Serie A clubs vying for title-deciding events.

Preview: Marseille vs Atalanta – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

April 30, 2024 Marko Vrakela Atalanta, Europa League, International Football, Marseille, Serie A Leave a comment

Stade Velodrome sets the stage for the first leg of a handsomely-looking Europa League semi-final tie between Marseille and Atalanta. La Dea did the unthinkable in the quarter-finals to set up their first appearance in major European semi-finals since 1987/88 and, in turn, their first-ever meeting with Les Olympiens.

Preview: Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen – Teams News, Lineups & Prediction

April 30, 2024 Marko Vrakela Bayer Leverkusen, Europa League, International Football, Roma, Serie A Leave a comment

It's crunch time in the 2023/24 Europa League as Roma and Bayer Leverkusen go head-to-head in the first leg of their mouth-watering semi-final tie at the Stadio Olimpico. Thursday's revenge-poised clash in Rome is a repeat of last year's semi-final, with Giallorossi hoping for the same outcome.

Inter lost a linchpin to the petrodollars last summer, Marcelo Brozovic, and Saudi Arabia targeted another one, Hakan Calhanoglu, but he resisted.

Serie A Spotlight: Calhanoglu at His Best, Pioli at His Worst & More

April 29, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Inter, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024 Leave a comment

It was an uneventful weekend in Serie A, which started with plenty of promise but offered too little overall. Fans will not remember Gameweek 34 for long as stalemates and low-scoring matches rarely make for good reading in football.

Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta opened up about several hot-button topics in an interview following the successful Derby d’Italia.

Inter Determined to Keep Hold of All Key Players Says Beppe Marotta

April 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela Inter, Serie A Leave a comment

Inter CEO Beppe Marotta insists the club is hellbent on keeping hold of all key players in the upcoming transfer window. In a comprehensive interview with Sky Sport, the Nerazzurrri chief executive confirmed all first-team stars are eager to stay at Giuseppe Meazza after a triumphant season.

Napoli switched things up on the bench on Monday, going from Walter Mazzarri to Francesco Calzona. It's time they have had three different coaches in ages.

Calzona Congratulates Napoli But European Prospects Fade Away

April 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024 Leave a comment

Napoli wasted another opportunity to consolidate their pursuit of the European spots, drawing 2-2 against Roma at home. After last weekend's dreadful performance against Empoli, Francesco Calzona's men outclassed Giallorossi but failed to return to the win column.

The Roma owners are no strangers to coups de theatre, and they did it again, announcing that Daniele De Rossi will stay on the bench going forward.

De Rossi Admits Roma Underperformed Against Napoli

April 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela Roma, Serie A Leave a comment

Roma failed to take advantage of Bologna's slip-up against Udinese as they barely salvaged a 2-2 draw against Napoli on Sunday evening. Daniele De Rossi's side spent most of the Derby del Sole on a back foot and were lucky to leave the Diego Maradona Stadium undefeated.

Roma Player Ratings vs Napoli: Abraham Back On The Scoresheet

April 28, 2024 Marko Vrakela Napoli, Player Ratings, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024 Leave a comment

Roma held Napoli to a 2-2 draw in an enthralling Derby del Sole at the Diego Maradona Stadium on Sunday evening. One of the most exciting match-ups on this weekend's Serie A schedule lived up to the billing, with all four goals coming in the second half.

Massimiliano Allegri is losing supporters inside the club as Juventus keep slumping on the pitch, but it’s not yet certain the management will sack him

Max Allegri Unfazed by Another Juventus Blank

April 27, 2024 Marko Vrakela Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024 Leave a comment

Juventus and Milan bored the Allianz Stadium to death as Saturday's Serie A derby failed to live up to the billing. For once, it wasn't entirely Bianconeri's fault that the Turin fans left the stadium in frustration.

With Mike Maignan slated to miss more matches because of an injury, Milan reached out to Atalanta to ask for Marco Sportiello, but they found resistance.

Milan Player Ratings vs Juventus: Lethargic Rossoneri Make History

April 27, 2024 Marko Vrakela Uncategorized Leave a comment

Milan and Juventus shared the spoils in a bloodless Serie A derby as the Allianz Stadium crowd paid for the tickets, only to watch a chess match. In a game of few chances, Stefano Pioil's side did better in terms of possession, but their hosts had slightly more promising scoring opportunities.

Some reports from Spain linked Barcelona to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but there are no hints concerning his summer departure at this stage.

Napoli And Kvaratskhelia Set for Crunch Contract Talks

April 27, 2024 Marko Vrakela Barcelona, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

These are decisive days for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's future at Napoli amid growing speculation linking him with a move to Barcelona. Gazzetta dello Sport claims the player's agent will touch down in Naples today to discuss a contract renewal with Aurelio De Laurentiis.

Charles De Ketelaere has had a solid season at Atalanta, but his club won’t rush the call on his outright acquisition from Milan.

Atalanta Ready to Sign De Ketelaere on Permanent Basis

April 27, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Atalanta, Serie A, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Charles De Ketelaere has seemingly done enough during his loan spell to convince Atalanta to hand him a permanent contract. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Milan will earn around €22 million from the Belgian's transfer after La Dea decided to trigger a buyout clause.

Author: Marko Vrakela