The Cult of Calcio - Page 1126 of 1325 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Milan Set to Welcome Their First-Choice Offensive Target from Chelsea

July 9, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Serie A, Transfer Market

Milan have reached an agreement with Chelsea to acquire Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman is likely to travel to Italy to take the medicals and finalize the transfer Monday. The Rossoneri will pay a €1M fee, plus €1M add-ons that will be hard to achieve. The striker had long come to terms on his contract. He will sign a two-year deal, making €3.5M per season. He will back up and partner Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the upcoming campaign.

Spezia Officially Choose Thiago Motta to Replace Vincenzo Italiano

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Sampdoria, Serie A, Spezia

The Serie A coaching carousel is over as Spezia have picked their next coach. After losing Vincenzo Italiano to Fiorentina, the Aquilotti have decided to appoint Thiago Motta. He has officially inked a three-year contract. He previously managed Genoa for ten matches with meager results. Sampdoria were the penultimate team to find their gaffer: they announced the hiring of Roberto D’Aversa, formerly at Parma, on Sunday.

Marco Verratti was absent from the first call-ups by new Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. However, it wasn’t a choice of the manager.

Verratti: “The PK for England Was Generous, But Final Was Deserved”

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella England, Euro 2020, Italy

Marco Verratti spoke to the press from Coverciano earlier today: “England are physical and have some highly technical players. They deserved to reach the final." He dished on the dubious PK given to England against Denmark: "It was a generous call, I would not have awarded it. The referee will not be a factor Sunday" He added: "Wembley will push us too, it will be very motivating. It would be a dream to win this scenario."

OFFICIAL: Milan Sign Sandro Tonali on a Permanent Deal from Brescia

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Serie A, Transfer Market

Sandro Tonali is now officially and fully a Milan player. The Rossoneri had to negotiate at length with Brescia, but they managed to acquire him on their own terms. He has agreed to a five-year contract with the club. The 21-year-old midfielder accumulated 25 appearances across all competitions last season. The club paid €10M for the loan in 2020 and will add €7M more, plus €3M add-ons and the youngster Giacomo Olzer to retain him.

José Mourinho Gets Introduced by Roma: “I Am Not Here on Vacation”

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A

José Mourinho held his first presser today: “I want to thank the fans because the reaction to my hiring has been amazing. I have done nothing to deserve it yet. The Friedkin family has a very precise and sustainable project. We must not forget the past of the club and build an important future. It is easy to win and not pay the wages. It is time to get to work; I am not here on vacation. I do not want to make any promises."

How Mancini Deceived The World Only To Reveal His True Italian Colors

July 8, 2021 Michel Sakr Euro 2020, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A

"This is the most entertaining Italy we've ever seen", "Mancini has Changed the Azzurri's mentality style". From the beginning of the European Championship (and perhaps even prior to it), these have been the general views of football fans and observers all around the world. But what happened on Tuesday night changed it all.

Sampdoria Relish Euro Showcase for Damsgaard, Mixed Signals on Sale

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Denmark, Euro 2020, Italian Football, Serie A, Transfer Market

Mikkel Damsgaard shined again in yesterday’s semi final versus England. Sampdoria reiterate that he is not for sale for summer but did not shut the door completely. They have already turned down a bid from Milan. The starlet has drawn interest also from Barcelona and Juventus, and more clubs are likely to join the fray now. The Rossoneri had offered around €20M and right-back Andrea Conti, but the Blucerchiati want only cash.

Defender Danilo is excited for the new season to start and expects Juventus to put on a show when they clash against European champions Real Madrid.

Danilo Believes Ronaldo Will Stay at Juventus, PSG Only Alternative?

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Juventus, Manchester United, PSG, Real Madrid, Serie A, Transfer Market

Danilo discussed in an interview what it means to reach the Copa America final: “After the season I had, winning it would be the highest point of my career." He weighed in on some Juventus-related topic: "Having Cristiano Ronaldo in the roster is great and he is a dear friend. He will still be with us next season. Champions League is everybody's dream, but, after a rough season, it will more important to take home the Scudetto first."

Milan Get Closer to Giroud Again, Linked to Two Foreign Prospects

July 8, 2021 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Serie A, Transfer Market

Milan may have reached a breakthrough in their long chase of Olivier Giroud. They have opened talks directly with Chelsea and could pay a small fee, or a bonus, to sign the Frenchman, who has long been their top offensive target. They are also after Deportivo Capiatà's 16-year-old Hugo Cuenca, whom they could get for €500k. Copenhagen's Mohammed Daramy is on their radar should they decide to sell Jens-Petter Hauge.

England Edge Out Denmark in Extra Times to Land into Euro 2020 Final

July 7, 2021 Matteo Carnevale Denmark, England, Euro 2020, Italian Football, Serie A

And so, the Final of Euro 2020 will be England - Italy. The Three Lions reached Roberto Mancini's Azzurri into the last act after defeating Denmark at Wembley thanks to a Harry Kane goal into the first extra time. The regular times ended 1-1, with Simon Kjaer's own goal cancelling the lead propitiated by a Mikkel Damsgaard free kick.

Napoli Ace Mentioned Among Liverpool Targets to Replace Wijnaldum

July 7, 2021 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Liverpool, Napoli, Serie A, Transfer Market

Liverpool are looking for a dynamic midfielder after losing Georginio Wijnaldum at the end of his contract. Piotr Zielinski made their short-list, alongside Brighton’s Yves Bissouma and Ajax’s Ryan Gravenberch. They have not made an offer to Napoli yet, but they reached out to his agents to inquire. Also Manchester City are keeping tabs on the Polish playmaker. The Reds already pursued the Polish international a couple of years ago.

Salernitana Rectify Trust, Officially Receive Greenlight to Play in Serie A

July 7, 2021 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Serie A

Salernitana will indeed be part of the 2021/2022 Serie A as the federal council ruled in their favor. Despite the promotion, their participation was in jeopardy as they were co-owned by Lazio president Claudio Lotito. They set up a trust to bide time to sell the club. The Italian Football Association had initially rejected its structure, but their lawyers solved the issues. They are back in the top division after a 23-year-old absence.