The Cult of Calcio - Page 1289 of 1325 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Gazzoni Frascara, the Architect of the Bologna Renaissance

April 26, 2020 Matteo Carnevale Bologna, Italian Football, Presidential Portraits, Serie A

Giuseppe Gazzoni Frascara, who passed away on Saturday at 84, was the President of Bologna for 12 years, from 1993 to 2005. Although not properly a calcio lover, he managed to pick up the pieces of a club on the verge of bankruptcy and raise them back to the heights of the Serie A, just one step away from a sensational Champions League qualification.

Temples of The Cult: The San Nicola Stadium in Bari

April 26, 2020 Thomas Salvatori Bari, Italian Football, Serie A, Temples of The Cult, World Cup 1990

Sometimes, architectural projects defy any human logic and that is definitely the case of the gigantic San Nicola Stadium in Bari. Whatever the reason may be, one thing is for sure: The city of Bari finds itself with a fantastic stadium, an architectural masterpiece, but placed somewhere where it apparently doesn’t belong, especially when it comes to maintenance costs.

On Her Majesty’s Service: The Injury Hell of Alessandro Pistone

April 25, 2020 Luke Phelps England, On Her Majesty's Service, Premier League

The Milan-born Alessandro Pistone made 149 Premier League appearances between 1997 and 2007, playing for both Newcastle United and Everton. A quick, forward-thinking, and generally reliable full-back, he could perhaps have moved up in the Premier League or even play for Italy, if he wasn’t so prone to the physio’s table.

Temples of The Cult: The Renato Dall’Ara in Bologna

April 19, 2020 Thomas Salvatori Bologna, Dall'Ara, Italian Football, Serie A, Temples of The Cult One comment

We all know the typical architecture of a stadium: The main stands, the side stands, a running track in some cases, the turf, perhaps a roof. Most football grounds in the Italian Stivale share these elements. But, if we mention a tower, erected in the middle of the stadium, then we can only be talking about one facility: The Renato Dell'Ara Stadium in Bologna.

The All-Time Top 11 Brazilian Players In Serie A

April 18, 2020 Avram Iclozan Brazil, Brazilian Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A One comment

Ever since the ‘70s, Brazilian players have been migrating from their home league towards European football and the Italian Serie A has been one of their preferred destinations. So why not make a Top 11 of Brazilians players in Italy? Boasting names like Cafu, Falcao, Ronaldinho, and Ronaldo, this sensational lineup will make your jaw drop!

On Her Majesty’s Service: Alberto Aquilani’s Liverpool Missed Chance

April 14, 2020 Luke Phelps England, Liverpool, On Her Majesty's Service, Premier League 3 comments

Liverpool had some forgettable Italian names in their ranks - Mario Balotelli, Andrea Dossena, and Fabio Borini to name a few. They all disappointed during their spell at the club and would move on without leaving any lasting legacy. But none joined with as much expectation surrounding them as Alberto Aquilani, and none endured as torrid a time at Anfield as he did.

The Impact of Coronavirus on The Serie A Transfer Market

April 12, 2020 Kolade Daniel Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market 3 comments

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, we take a look at how the crisis may end up impacting the upcoming transfer market window for the Serie A clubs. Player wages may become a problem for multiple teams, which might be forced to sell their best forces for a lower price and mostly resort to swap deals to keep things in balance.

Temples of The Cult: The Stadio Olimpico In Rome

April 11, 2020 Thomas Salvatori Italian Football, Lazio, Olimpico Roma, Roma, Serie A, Temples of The Cult

When we think of Rome, the first things that come to mind are the Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain, and the thousands of vestiges from the Roman Empire. But, when a football fan thinks of Rome, her mind cannot but go to the "other coliseum," the stage where one of the fiercest Serie A derbies is staged: The Stadio Olimpico.

On Her Majesty’s Service: The Turbulent Times of Paolo Di Canio

April 8, 2020 Luke Phelps England, On Her Majesty's Service, Premier League

Is there a word, phrase, or metaphor that hasn't already been used to describe Paolo Di Canio? The Premier League has long been home to the wild and the wacky, the brilliant and the obscene, and no single player fits all of those bills except the former Sheffield Wednesday, West Ham United and Charlton Athletic man.

Temples of The Cult: The Luigi Ferraris aka Marassi

April 4, 2020 Thomas Salvatori Genoa, Italian Football, Marassi, Sampdoria, Serie A, Temples of The Cult

When looking at the city of Genova from an aerial point of view, beyond the port, the colorful coasts, and the mountains, four towers stand out rising from the ground in the center of the city. That is the Luigi Ferraris Stadium or, as it is commonly known, the Marassi: An architectural jewel, the oldest stadium still functioning in calcio and perhaps the most particular.

On Her Majesty’s Service: Benito Carbone’s Brit Tribulations

April 2, 2020 Luke Phelps England, On Her Majesty's Service, Premier League

Of all the Italian names to have graced English shores, Benito Carbone is one that you may well have forgotten. He arrived at Sheffield Wednesday in 1996 amid the "European invasion" of the Premier League and, despite always becoming a fan favorite wherever he played, his time in England always seemed to have a factor that was holding him back.

Mircea Lucescu and The Tale of The “Brescia Romena”

March 31, 2020 Avram Iclozan Brescia, Italian Football, Serie A One comment

Imagine a Serie A team that in the 1992-1993 season had four foreign players all coming from the same country. That team was Brescia, whose Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu had proceeded on to whip up a small Romanian colony by bringing in some of his favorite players, including international stars Gheorghe Hagi and Florin Raducioiu.