The Cult of Calcio

Luciano Spalletti and Aurelio De Laurentiis continue to be at odds following the coach’s sudden exit after winning the Scudetto two years ago.

Italy Player Ratings vs Norway: Azzurri Hit Rock Bottom

June 7, 2025 Marko Vrakela International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Norway, Serie A, World Cup Leave a comment

Italy could not have imagined a worse way to commence their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign as Norway thrashed them 3-0 in Oslo. A one-sided first half at the Ullevaal Stadium saw the rising Scandinavian superpower set the tone for their first win over the Italians since 2000.

We’ll never know for sure whether Juventus would have nabbed Conte, or at least Gasperini if they didn't sck Giuntoli.

Juventus Set for a Weird and Unusual Time After Overhaul

June 6, 2025 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Tactical Trends, Transfer Market Leave a comment

We’ll never know for sure whether Juventus would have nabbed Antonio Conte, or at least Gian Piero Gasperini, if their ownership didn’t decide to sack Cristiano Giuntoli and bring in a new apical exec while the coaching carousel was in full swing.

Inter didn’t manage to persuade Como to let Cesc Fabregas go and will turn to Christian Chivu to succeed Simone Inzaghi in their dugout.

Inter Choose Chivu After Getting Rebuffed by Como

June 5, 2025 Enrico Passarella Como, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Parma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Inter didn’t manage to persuade Como to let Cesc Fabregas go and will turn to Christian Chivu to succeed Simone Inzaghi in their dugout. He has limited coaching experience in Serie A but is very familiar with the team since he's a former player and youth coach.

Massimiliano Allegri is pressuring Adrien Rabiot to convince him to join Milan. They wouldn't need to negotiate with Olympique Marseille.

Milan Boss Allegri Keen on Reuniting with Rabiot

June 5, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Lazio, Ligue 1, Manchester City, Marseille, Real Madrid, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market One comment

Massimiliano Allegri is pressuring Adrien Rabiot to convince him to join Milan. They wouldn't need to negotiate with Olympique Marseille since he has a €10M release clause. The Rossoneri instead need to work on the player.

2026 World Cup Qualifiers Preview: Norway vs Italy – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

June 5, 2025 Marko Vrakela International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Norway, Serie A, The Azzurri, World Cup Leave a comment

Italy head to Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo to take on Norway in their opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday night. Embroiled in UEFA Nations League action in March, Gli Azzurri remain the only team in qualifying Group I yet to play a game in the ongoing cycle.

New Juventus general manager Damien Comolli formally commenced his stay on Wednesday. He had a positive first contact with Igor Tudor.

Juventus Begin Making Moves Under Their New Regime

June 5, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Ajax, Benfica, Calciomercato, Chelsea, Italian Football, Juventus, Ligue 1, PSG, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

New Juventus general manager Damien Comolli formally commenced his stay on Wednesday. He had a positive first contact with Igor Tudor, who’ll stay onboard for at least the Club World Cup. In the meantime, Kalulu will be bought out.

Norway vs Italy Betting Tips: BTTS & Over 2.5 Goals Look Promising

June 5, 2025 Marko Vrakela Uncategorized Leave a comment

Italy's 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off at Oslo's Ullevaal Stadium against Group I pacesetters Norway on Friday. After an underwhelming Euro 2024, Luciano Spalletti has a point to prove as Gli Azzurri bid to return to the grandest international stage for the first time since 2014.

Inter want Cesc Fabregas to replace Simone Inzaghi on their bench, but, like the other teams that tried, they’ll have to go through Como

Inter Identify Their Three Top Targets to Fill Opening

June 4, 2025 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Como, Genoa, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Parma, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Inter want Cesc Fabregas to replace Simone Inzaghi on their bench, but, like the other teams that tried, they’ll have to go through Como and have no certainty they’ll be successful. There would be no issues on the economic front.

Milan are closing in on Modric and about to lose Reijnders, while Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are after Hernandez and Maignan respectively.

Milan Closing Reijnders & Modric Deals, Chelsea Bid for Star

June 4, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Italian Football, La Liga, Manchester City, Premier League, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market One comment

Milan could complete four major operations during the early June window, as Luka Modric is inches away from joining, Tijjani Reijnders is about to depart, and Mike Maignan and Theo Hernandez are being courted by top European sides.

Napoli plot to onboard two dynamic wingers to join David Neres and Matteo Politano and are going back to the well.

Napoli Linked Again to Lazio and Liverpool Wingers

June 4, 2025 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Napoli plot to onboard two dynamic wingers to join David Neres and Matteo Politano and are going back to the well and assessing familiar targets like Matteo Zaccagni, Federico Chiesa, Noa Lang, and Igor Paixao.

Simone Inzaghi will leave Inter and take over Al-Hilal and communicated the decision to the Nerazzurri brass in a meeting on Tuesday evening.

Inzaghi Departing Inter to Head to Saudi Side Al-Hilal

June 3, 2025 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026 Leave a comment

Simone Inzaghi will leave Inter and take over Al-Hilal and communicated the decision to the Nerazzurri brass in a meeting on Tuesday evening. He departs after four years, during which he won the Scudetto once, among other trophies.

Milan have joined the race for Luka Modric, who’ll depart Real Madrid as a free agent and has offers from all over the world.

Milan Ready to Go After Real Madrid Legend Modric

June 3, 2025 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Real Madrid, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Milan have joined the race for Luka Modric, who’ll depart Real Madrid as a free agent and has offers from all over the world. He’ll take his time and will still play the Club World Cup with Los Galacticos. The Rossoneri are discussing the possibility.