The Cult of Calcio - Page 41 of 1186 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Preview: Rennes vs Milan – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

February 22, 2024 Marko Vrakela AC Milan, Europa League, International Football, Serie A

After doing most of the heavy lifting in the first leg, Milan head to Roazhon Park to finish the job in their Europa League knockout playoff tie against Rennes. Stefano Pioli's side thumped the French outfit 3-0 at Stadio San Siro last week to put one foot in the competition's round of 16.

Napoli Player Ratings vs Barcelona: Osimhen Replies to Lewandowski

February 21, 2024 Michel Sakr Barcelona, Champions League, International Football, Italian Football, Napoli, Player Ratings, Serie A

The encounter came to life after the interval, with Robert Lewandowski drawing first blood. Nevertheless, Victor Osimhen marked his return to the Partenopei lineup with the all-important equalizer, leaving the tie up for grabs ahead of the second leg. So here are our player ratings for Napoli who registered a 1-1 draw against Barcelona.

Marcus Thuram has been diagnosed with an adductor contracture following the early tests after subbing off versus Atletico Madrid.

Inter Star Thuram Set to Miss at Least a Few Games

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Champions League, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Marcus Thuram has been diagnosed with an adductor contracture following the early tests after subbing off versus Atletico Madrid. He experienced some discomfort near the end of the first half and was replaced by Marko Arnautovic at the interval.

Joshua Zirkzee and Teun Koopmeiners top the wish lists of Milan and Juventus at their positions. The two players wouldn’t mind continuing in Italy.

Top Milan and Juventus Targets Keen but Costs Are Lofty

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Joshua Zirkzee and Teun Koopmeiners top the wish lists of Milan and Juventus at their positions. The two players wouldn’t mind continuing in Italy and aren’t necessarily pining to go abroad. However, it’ll be challenging to come to terms with Bologna and Atalanta.

Even N’Dicka returned to full training after a successful AFCON and will be available versus Feyenoord, fully replenishing the Roma defense.

Roma to Benefit from Unprecedented Defensive Depth

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Even N’Dicka returned to full training after a successful AFCON and will be available versus Feyenoord. Since Chris Smalling logged a few minutes against Frosinone over the weekend, the Roma defense is now whole for the first time in the season.

Nicolò Zaniolo is unlikely to be bought out by Aston Villa at the end of the season. A few Serie A sides are keeping tabs on the situation.

Multiple Serie A Teams Lining Up to Onboard Zaniolo

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Aston Villa, Calciomercato, Galatasaray, Italian Football, Juventus, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Nicolò Zaniolo is unlikely to be bought out by Aston Villa at the end of the season. A few Serie A sides are keeping tabs on the situation to potentially try to sign him from Galatasaray in the summer. The English side isn’t inclined to shell out €22.5M.

Leonardo Spinazzola will likely depart Roma at the end of his expiring contract, and Juventus contacted his entourage to ask for info.

Juventus Reached Out to Roma Veteran on His Way Out

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Serie A, Transfer Market

Leonardo Spinazzola will likely depart Roma at the end of his expiring contract, and Juventus contacted his entourage to ask for info. The Bianconeri exec didn’t go into detail on the matter at this stage. The 30-year-old spend a campaign in Turin.

Marek Hamsik was tipped to come back to Napoli as part of new coach Francesco Calzona’s staff or in a different role, but he declined the proposal.

Hamsik Not Joining Calzona at Napoli for the Time Being

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Marek Hamsik was tipped to come back to Napoli as part of new coach Francesco Calzona’s staff or in a different role, but he declined the proposal: I’ve already explained to him and De Laurentiis that I feel that my place is in Slovakia and not there."

Steven Zhang, assisted by Goldman Sachs, is looking to buy time to find the money to repay a mammoth loan from Oaktree, which he used to finance Inter.

Inter Owner Closing In on Major Financial Breakthrough

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Steven Zhang, assisted by Goldman Sachs, is looking to buy time to find the money to repay a mammoth loan from Oaktree, which he used to finance Inter, due in April. Considering its 12 percent rate and interests, it amounts to €385M.

Rodrigo De Paul has often been touted as a target for the top Serie A sides in recent windows, but the talks never went too far due to his price tag.

De Paul Kills Chatter About Possible Move Back to Italy

February 21, 2024 Enrico Passarella Atletico Madrid, Calciomercato, Champions League, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, La Liga, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Rodrigo De Paul has often been touted as a target for the top Serie A sides in recent windows, but the talks never went too far due to his price tag. The Argentine dismissed such a notion after the loss to Inter on Tuesday night.

Preview: Napoli vs Barcelona – Team News, Lineups & Prediction

February 21, 2024 Marko Vrakela Barcelona, Champions League, International Football, Napoli, Serie A

The reigning champions of Italy and Spain lock horns at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday as Napoli entertain Barcelona in the first leg of their mouth-watering Champions League last-16 tie. Given the Scudetto holders' troubled defending campaign in Serie A, European duties could be a welcome distraction amidst another managerial shift.

Inter will use the December matches to judge four players and decide whether they could count on them or if they should instead move on.

Inter Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid: Arnautovic Soaks Up Limelight

February 21, 2024 Marko Vrakela Champions League, Inter, International Football, Player Ratings, Serie A

Inter gained a crucial first-leg advantage in their heavyweight Champions League last-16 tie against La Liga powerhouse Atletico Madrid. Marko Arnautovic's second-half strike settled an evenly-contested affair at Giuseppe Meazza, maintaining the Italians' perfect start to 2024.