Erling Haaland Archives - The Cult of Calcio

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

Juventus Player Ratings vs Man City: Terrible Bianconeri Swept Aside

June 26, 2025 Marko Vrakela FIFA Club World Cup, International Football, Juventus, Manchester City, Player Ratings, Premier League, Serie A Leave a comment

Manchester City put Juventus to the sword in Thursday's heavyweight clash at the FIFA Club World Cup. Pep Guardiola's side demolished their Turin counterparts 5-2 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando to seal a top-place finish in Group G.

Luciano Spalletti, an Honorable Exit for a Wounded Man

June 9, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Italy, Norway, Serie A, Tactical Trends, World Cup Leave a comment

When a spontaneous round of applause erupted following Luciano Spalletti’s departure from yesterday’s press conference - where he announced his dismissal - most people in the room must have felt that, even though a change at the helm of the Azzurri was necessary, nobody wanted it to end like this.

Luciano Spalletti addressed several topics related to the Azzurri and Serie A in a lengthy interview: “President Gravina convinced me in one afternoon."

Spalletti Announces He Will Leave Italy Job in Emotional Press Conference

June 8, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Italy, Norway, Serie A, World Cup Leave a comment

Luciano Spalletti will no longer be Italy's coach after tomorrow's World Cup Qualifiers game against Moldova. He announced it himself during today's press conference ahead of the match, highlighting that he was relieved of his duties by the Italian Football Association (FIGC) President Gabriele Gravina. A few minutes later, Spalletti almost broke in tears and left the press conference room.

Italy’s Shameful Loss to Norway Calls for Drastic Changes

June 7, 2025 Matteo Carnevale International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Norway, Serie A, Tactical Trends, World Cup

The bad omens materialized, and it went even worse than expected. As Italy approached their opening World Cup qualifier against Norway, the atmosphere in the Azzurri camp was tense. You looked in our players’ eyes, and you sensed it. And, if a team like Italy approach such a game with fear and tension, that already tells a great deal about what we have become. The pitch doesn’t lie and, inevitably, confirmed all those ominous presages.

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

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.

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

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.

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was highly complimentary of Inter following Wednesday’s nil-nil tie and also rubbished some chatter.

Guardiola Lauds Inter and Dismisses Bastoni Rumours

September 19, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Champions League, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Manchester City, Premier League, Serie A, Transfer Market

Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was highly complimentary of Inter following Wednesday’s nil-nil tie and also rubbished some chatter about their reported interest in Alessandro Bastoni. He spoke to various outlets following the match.

Many coaches have been clamoring for the transfer market window to end before the first match of the season, and Marotta is on the same page.

Marotta Anticipates Sensible Transfer Market Tweak

September 19, 2024 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2024-2025, Transfer Market

Many coaches have been clamoring for the transfer market window to end before the first match of the season. Inter president Giuseppe Marotta believes the adjustment could be made sooner rather than later: "It should go hand in hand with the championship."

Champions League Preview: Manchester City vs Inter – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction

September 16, 2024 Marko Vrakela Champions League, Inter, Inter Milan, International Football, Manchester City, Serie A

Etihad Stadium forms the backdrop for a handsomely-looking Champions League round-one meeting between Manchester City and Inter. Wednesday's revenge-poised clash is a repeat of the 2023 final, with the Nerazzurri looking to erase the memory of a gut-wrenching 1-0 defeat in Istanbul.

Matteo Tognozzi left Juventus, where he spent six and a half years, serving as the head scout for most of his stint, to become Granada’s sporting director.

Ex-Juventus Scout Recalls Bellingham and Haaland Talks

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Calciomercato, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Transfer Market

Matteo Tognozzi recently left Juventus, where he spent six and a half years, serving as the head scout for the majority of his stint, to become Granada’s sporting director. He spilled the beans on some deals that didn’t come together in an interview, disclosing some big regrets.

Inter and Lautaro Martinez expressed their desire to reach an agreement on a contract extension in the last few weeks.

Inter Talisman Martinez Second-Best Forward in Europe in 2023

October 7, 2023 Marko Vrakela Bologna, Inter, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Inter will need their talismanic forward, Lautaro Martinez, at his peak powers when they encounter Bologna on Saturday. As Serie A's second-best defense after the opening seven matchdays, Thiago Motta's men will touch down at Giuseppe Meazza hellbent on frustrating Simone Inzaghi's free-flowing frontline.

Retegui was called up to play for Italy by Mancini, and the ex-Inter manager’s sudden farewell has caught many by surprise, including the Azzurri newcomer.

Retegui on Mancini’s Exit, Preferred Strikers and Beltran

August 15, 2023 Akhil Fisher Calciomercato, Genoa, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Transfer Market

Mateo Retegui was called up to the Italy national team by Roberto Mancini, and the ex-Inter and Manchester City manager’s sudden farewell has caught many by surprise, including the Azzurri newcomer: "His decision surprised me. When I found out, I sent the coach a message, thanking him for the trust."

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