Italy Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Gennaro Gattuso will be Italy’s new coach. The rumor had spread since quite a few days and the announcement will be made soon

Gattuso Lands Italy Job to Rebuild the Azzurri’s Spirit

June 15, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Tactical Trends, World Cup Leave a comment

Gennaro Gattuso will be Italy’s new coach. He will put pen to paper early next week, with his official introduction possibly taking place next Friday. So, it will be up to Ringhio (“Growl”) - a nickname that speaks volumes about the former Milan and Italy star’s attitude – to make the Azzurri growl again.

Italy beat Moldova 2-0 in Reggio Emilia in their second Qualifier game on the road to World Cup 2026, the last with Spalletti in charge

Italy vs Moldova 2-0: Average Azzurri Fail to Redeem Themselves

June 9, 2025 Matteo Carnevale International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri, World Cup Leave a comment

The good news is that this international window is over. Italy will now have three months to look in the mirror and try to understand what the heck is going on with the Azzurri, as a new coach take the reins. Tonight, they beat Moldova 2-0 at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia in their second Qualifier game on the road to World Cup 2026, the last with Luciano Spalletti in charge.

Napoli continue to receive offers for Giacomo Raspadori, whose status hasn’t really changed despite a recent game-winning goal.

Italy Player Ratings vs Moldova: Prodigal Son Returns Home With a Bang

June 9, 2025 Marko Vrakela International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, World Cup Leave a comment

Out-of-sorts Italy got off the mark in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying with a scrappy 2-0 home victory over minnows Moldova. Departing manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out in style, even though Italy's performance in his farewell game flattered the deceive.

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.

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina wants Claudio Ranieri or Stefano Pioli to replace Luciano Spalletti on the Italy bench.

Two Clear Frontrunners Quickly Emerge for the Italy Job

June 9, 2025 Enrico Passarella Fiorentina, Italian Football, Italy, Roma, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Serie A, Serie A 2025-2026, The Azzurri Leave a comment

FIGC president Gabriele Gravina wants Claudio Ranieri or Stefano Pioli to replace Luciano Spalletti on the Italy bench. The former Roma coach is the top choice for the federation. He’ll have to be talked into delaying his retirement a second time.

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.

Though we're still in the early stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, four-time world champions Italy already have no margin for error

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

June 8, 2025 Marko Vrakela International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri Leave a comment

Though we're still in the early stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, four-time world champions Italy already have no margin for error. Monday's home clash against continental minnows Moldova is a textbook definition of a must-win affair for Gli Azzurri.

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 Leave a comment

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 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.

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.

he future of Carlo Ancelotti will be on the line in the return leg of the Champions League’s quarter-finals.

Ancelotti Reveals Azzurri Snub and Liverpool Tidbit

April 16, 2025 Enrico Passarella everton, Italian Football, Italy, La Liga, Liverpool, Premier League, Real Madrid, Serie A, The Azzurri

The future of Carlo Ancelotti will be on the line in the return leg of the Champions League’s quarter-finals, as Real Madrid will attempt to mount an improbable three-goal comeback over Arsenal, and in the final La Liga rounds.

The match between Spain and Italy played at the Stadio de Chamartin on March 27, 1949, went down in history as Valentino Mazzola's last game for Italy

Today in Serie A – March 27, 1949: Valentino Mazzola’s Last Game for Italy

March 27, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Italy, On This Day, Serie A, Spain, The Azzurri

The match between Spain and Italy played in Madrid on March 27, 1949, went down in history as Valentino Mazzola's last game for Italy. A little more than one month later, the Azzurri captain perished with the whole Torino team in the plan crash known as the Tragedy of Superga.

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