The Azzurri Archives - The Cult of Calcio

Jorginho Likely to Return to Italy if Arsenal Let Him Go

March 27, 2024 Enrico Passarella Arsenal, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri, Transfer Market Leave a comment

Jorginho has recaptured a prominent role with Arsenal and Italy in the last month or so. He’s highly likely to make the Euro squad. Instead, the Gunners will need to pick up an option to keep him. His agent Joao Santos weighed in.

The long-awaited return of Domenico Berardi from a meniscus tear lasted just an hour due to a right Achilles tendon tear.

Sassuolo and Azzurri Star Berardi Suffers Brutal Injury

March 4, 2024 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri

The long-awaited return of Domenico Berardi from a meniscus tear lasted just an hour. He went down in a heap early in the second half against Verona after planting his foot awkwardly. He was quickly diagnosed with a right Achilles tendon tear.

On February 12, 1997, Italy beat England at their football temple in Wembley with a lone goal from Gianfranco Zola during a 1998 World Cup Qualifiers game

On This Day: February 12, 1997 – Zola and the Azzurri Conquest of Wembley

February 12, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Italy, On This Day, Serie A, The Azzurri

On February 12, 1997, the Azzurri caught one of their most thrilling wins ever thanks to "Magic Box" Gianfranco Zola, who had joined Chelsea only a few month earlier after being sidelined by Parma and having to leave the Serie A looking for some playing time.

Nicolò Zaniolo will likely transfer again in the summer as his Aston Villa stint hasn’t gone well and is hopeful for a Serie A return.

Zaniolo Opens Up on His Involvement in Betting Scandal

January 25, 2024 Enrico Passarella Aston Villa, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Italy, Premier League, Roma, Serie A, The Azzurri, Transfer Market

Nicolò Zaniolo got away with a €280 fine for his minor role in the gambling investigation that rocked Italian football His infractions weren’t as severe as Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli: “I feel better, but that was already the case after the meeting with the prosecutor."

Leonardo Bonucci won’t be coming back to Italy but he will indeed transfer in January, as Fenerbahce have come to terms with him and Union Berlin.

Bonucci Headed to Fenerbahce Following Roma Fiasco

January 10, 2024 Enrico Passarella Bundesliga, Calciomercato, Fenerbahce, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri, Transfer Market, Union Berlin

Leonardo Bonucci won’t be coming back to Italy but he will indeed transfer in January, as Fenerbahce have come to terms with him and Union Berlin. The move will be official in a couple of days once the market opens in Turkey.

Italy was awarded the joint organization of the 2032 European Championship along with Turkey, but it had the chance to host the 2030 World Cup too.

Italy Passed on Joining Bid to Host the 2030 World Cup

November 24, 2023 Enrico Passarella Italian Football, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri, World Cup

Italy was awarded the joint organization of the 2032 European Championship with Turkey, but it had the chance to host the 2030 World Cup along with Saudi Arabia and Egypt. They passed on the opportunity for a few reasons, as federal president Gabriele Gravina revealed.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini offered interesting remarks about their squad and their philosophy in general in an interview.

Gasperini on Past Interest from Azzurri and Juventus

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Atalanta, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri

Gian Piero Gasperini has completely repaired his relationship with Atalanta after a pair of dicey summers and is in for the long haul: "“My story with them is wonderful. I hope it’ll last a while longer. That was my initial wish considering the great results."

Italy qualified for Euro 2024 by the skin of their teeth avoiding the playoff. Their title defense will likely face big obstacles right from the get-go.

Italy Risk Being Drawn in a Group of Death in Euro 2024

November 22, 2023 Enrico Passarella Euro 2032, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024

Italy qualified for Euro 2024 by the skin of their teeth avoiding the playoff. Their title defense will likely face obstacles right away. UEFA changed the criteria for the pools of the draw. They are no longer based on the FIFA ranking but on how the teams fared during the qualifiers

Matteo Politano mulled a proposal from Saudi team Al Shabab, but he’s poised to reject it and stay at Napoli. He and the club have rekindled their talks.

Italy Have Few Options in Case There’s a Penalty Kick

November 20, 2023 Enrico Passarella Euro 2024, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri

Luciano Spalletti has confirmed that Italy will indeed move on from Jorginho as a PK taker following his latest error against North Macedonia. Italy didn’t pay the price for it last Friday, unlike in other instances, most notably in both World Cup qualifiers versus Switzerland in 2021.

Destiny Udogie has more than held his own in his first few Premier League appearances, completing the move with a one-year delay since Tottenham.

Udogie Agent Blasts Serie A Teams for Not Signing Him

November 15, 2023 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Calciomercato, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Premier League, Serie A, The Azzurri, Tottenham, Transfer Market, Udinese

Destiny Udogie has more than held his own in his first few Premier League appearances, completing the move with a one-year delay since Tottenham allowed him to spend an extra season at Udinese on loan. His agent Stefano Antonelli disclosed some backstories about his previous transfers.

Riccardo Orsolini has enjoyed a prolific start at Bologna. The winger could have left in previous windows but extended his contract last summer.

Bologna Winger Explains Why He Snubbed Fiorentina

November 10, 2023 Enrico Passarella Bologna, Calciomercato, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, The Azzurri, Transfer Market

Riccardo Orsolini has enjoyed a prolific start at Bologna. The winger could have left in previous windows but extended his contract last summer. He addressed the links to Fiorentina in an interview: "I’ve always stated, with all due respect, that I wanted to stay here."

Frosinone have shut the door on an early return of Matias Soulé, Enzo Barrenechea, and Kaio Jorge at Juventus through the words of their director.

Soulé Picks Argentina, Angelozzi Talks Juventus Links

November 3, 2023 Enrico Passarella Argentina, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2023-2024, Transfer Market

Juventus could make an attempt to bring Matias Soulé back in January, but Frosinone haven’t been formally informed of it at this stage. Their director Guido Angelozzi commented on the winger before the Coppa Italia tilt against Torino: "They gave us three strong players. There hasn’t been any request at this stage."

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