Tag: juventus

Serie A’s best players so far (after 4 games).

There’s been some predictably good performances so far this season from certain players, but there’s been a couple that have surprised the league with their performances. So after 4 games, we’re breaking down the players who’ve put in a few statement performances – keep an eye on them for the rest of the season!

Kenan Yildiz (Juventus)

Probably zero surprise at his performances but the young Turkish star has been instrumental in Juve’s decent start this season. Four matches in the league with one (spectacular) goal and three assists as well as a goal and an assist in Juventus’ first Champions League match this season has started the rumour mill turning. Apparently Arsenal and Real Madrid are both “monitoring his situation” whatever that means.

Yildiz is the main creative threat for the Turin side, with 19 “Shot Creating Actions” in his 4 matches. Direct running, long shots and a keen eye for a pass, he scored a crucial goal against bitter rivals Inter in the Derby D’Italia turning and firing home from 30 yards out. He’s picked up the player of the month award for August and is a safe bet to do the same in September too. There’ll be a lot of money sniffing around Yildiz if he carries on this form.

Nico Paz (Como)

Again, no real surprise we’re talking about Nico Paz. The 21 year old Argentinian arrived in Lombardy from Real Madrid and looks set to return their next season for a paltry €10m(ish), thanks to a buy back clause. So vital is he to Como’s success that they turned down a €70m offer from Tottenham this summer just to keep him for one more year.

Paz scored a quite magnificent free kick in the season opening victory against Lazio and topped that with a filthy turn and through ball for his assist (check it out below). He also bagged in the 1-1 draw with Genoa and provided both assists in the 2-1 win at Fiorentina. Inter were interested in the summer but his future lies outside of Italy in a much richer league. Real Madrid seems the likely destination, just enjoy this lad while he’s still around.

Luka Modric (AC Milan)

Surely at 40 years old Modric was finished and wouldn’t be surprising anyone this season? Well, after a somewhat shaky start in the defeat to Cremonese – the team were worse than he was – Luka Modric has settled into a rhythm in Allegri’s team as they storm up the table. He provided his first assist in his second game, with a sublime corner nodded home by Loftus-Cheek and followed that with the only goal of the game against Bologna.

He didn’t provide any goals or assists in the 3-0 demolition of Udinese but was a reassuringly controlled influence in Milan’s midfield. Luka Modric is clearly still a top level talented playmaker averaging just over 72 passes per match with 92% completion rate.

Francesco “Pio” Esposito (Inter)

No goals or assists yet for the Inter Milan youngster but he’s here for a reason. For the oldest squad in the league again this season, his youthful exuberance is most welcomed in an Inter side trying to find an identity under a new coach. The 20 year old first impressed in the Club World Cup with a goal and assist and then frustratingly was limited to cameo performances at the start of this campaign.

Pio scored 20 goals for Spezia on loan in Serie B last season.

An injury to Lautaro, however, appeared to open the door to him and he was in impressive form against Ajax in the Champions League in his first start. Bullying an experienced backline, holding up the play well and creating for the players around him, he also could’ve scored twice himself. He followed this up with an impressive 77 minutes against Sassuolo in which he started the move that led to Dimarco’s goal and again could’ve scored twice – denied brilliantly on one occasion by Muric. He left the pitch to a standing ovation from the San Siro.

It’s only a matter of time before he scores one and then I’d expect to see a run of goals for the youngster, Inter fans should enjoy him while he wants to stick around!

Christian Pulisic (AC Milan)

English football fans may be surprised to see Pulisic here. Despite scoring fairly regularly at Chelsea he was never welcomed into the hearts of Chelsea fans. But in Milan he’s found a home and this season seems to be on a one man mission to drag Milan into a title race. Largely tipped to be outside the challengers this season, Pulisic’s 3 goals and 1 assist in 4 matches have helped to fire them up the table.

There’s no doubt Pulisic has possessed the talent to post these numbers, but has he had the mentality or mindset? He took a summer off from USA action, earning him heavy criticism at home but it’s paid off and if he takes that form into the World Cup next summer, I’m not sure the Americans will care about this summer.

He’s Milan’s main goal threat and will need to keep this up if they’re to challenge for a 20th Scudetto and join Inter with two stars on their shirt.

Nikola Krstovic

I think when Atalanta lost Retegui this summer and appointed Juric boss after his disastrous Roma and Southampton spells, many fans feared the worst in Lombardy. The replacement for Retegui was to be Nikola Krstovic from Lecce. He managed to bag 12 times in a poor team but expectation was low.

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We didn’t see much of Krstovic on our trip to Bergamo but since then he’s managed to score twice and provide three assists including two in the 4-1 win over his former club Lecce. He’s among the leaders for combined goals and assists so far in Serie A this season and Atalanta fans will be hoping this out-of-the-gate form will continue!

So there you have it, that’s our players of the season so far, after 4 matches. Who have we overrated? Who have we missed? What have we got wrong? Let us know in the comments below!

26th Sep 2025
The Derby D’Italia: Serie A’s great advert

In October 2024 I walked out of the San Siro after Inter had surrendered a 4-2 lead against Juventus to draw the Derby D’Italia. What had I just witnessed? The match was insane, two of the top teams in a top 5 league going hammer and tongs to win a game of football. And so early in the season. A stark contrast from the recent Premier League “big matches” we’ve seen, cagey 0-0 draws or scrappy 1-0 wins. The best league in the World doesn’t always deliver where its headline matches are concerned.

As I settled down after that match, I settled my mind on the opinion that this was just a great game. A one-off spectacular. We wouldn’t see it again would we?

Going into this first international break of the season as an Inter fan I was dreading the derby. Inter were too unpredictable, too fragile, they were playing a Juve team who seemed to start with a steely determination. The only thought in my head was meek defeat. A 2-0 or 3-0 had already been accepted in my head and the mood at Inter Club London – where I took in the game – was not much different.

And so it was in the 14th minute of the game when Lloyd Kelly – much maligned in his short Juve career – expertly steered home a half volley into the bottom of Sommer’s goal. Here we go again, Inter just aren’t up to it this season, is Chivu the wrong choice? But the fickleness of football fans – myself included – was exposed when Inter fought back into the game. Inter were looking for redemption and they found it through a man looking for his own redemption story in an Inter shirt. Hakan Calhanoglu had left the club in the summer. “Injured” throughout the Club World Cup in the summer while his agent touted him around Turkey looking for a return, he was the subject of Lautaro’s ire after defeat to Fluminense. He responded with his own angry statement, Milan fans said “I told you so” and he was to leave.

But after Galatasaray couldn’t agree a fee since signing Osimhen, Calha was going to have to stay put. Cue a statement professing his desire to work hard for Inter, some staged photos with Lautaro and he was integrated back into the squad. To his credit, there was no Isak or Wissa behaviour, he showed a willingness to play at Inter – now he was stuck here.

And so to the 30th minute on Saturday evening, he swept home decisively on his left foot, Di Gregorio probably could’ve done better but Hakan was back. Inter fans were in delirium and the summer antics were forgotten. This was suddenly a contest.

For a few minutes anyway. Kenan Yildiz is in my FantaCalcio team and he justified his selection with yet another outrageous goal. Smashing home into the bottom corner from around 25-30 yards out. Again, there’s a question mark over the goalkeeping, but wouldn’t that just be a bit of bitterness? Let’s take nothing away from a World Class strike from the young Turk, surely now on the radar of Europe’s top clubs.

When the half time whistle went, the fans at Inter Club London were breathless, but optimistic. “We’re playing well, it just needs to be better in both boxes” was the prevailing opinion. With the beers restocked for the second half, Inter drew first blood, the man on a mission Hakan Calhanoglu went and bettered his first strike with a stunning chest and volley into the bottom corner from the edge of the box. Absolute pandemonium in the Inter Club. Not one mention of summer transfer sagas. I guess it goes to show, if you show up and do your job, most transgressions can be forgiven. Maybe when the dust settles there’ll be a conversation to be had, but at that moment, he was a god amongst men.

With Juve reeling, Inter stepped on the accelerator. A dominant spell had resulted in a goal, and they weren’t done. They could smell blood. Like the biscione that adorned their badge during the late 80s they bit back at Juve again.

Marcus Thuram rose highest from a corner and nodded into the net. Let me tell you, if Thuram’s own celebration was muted, the supporters at Inter Club London were not. This was the closest I’ve ever seen to a match atmosphere in a pub. Legs and arms were flying everywhere. Inter led their most bitter rival 3-2, there was only 15 minutes to play. Surely the most improbable of victories was beckoning. Surely?

Expectation is the enemy of joy isn’t it. It took 6 minutes for Marcus Thuram’s younger brother to equalise for Juve. A silly foul given away by Bastoni, an unmarked player in the box and Inter had handed the momentum back to their arch rivals. “Merda” cries all over the pub. What was an expectation of victory became the hope of a draw. Fingernails were being chewed to the bone. Hair being pulled out. Eyes covered.

As we entered stoppage time you can’t help but think, “well a draw isn’t so bad actually”. Sure it’s annoying to blow a 3-2 lead but a point away to Juventus, it’s alright. That is until teenager Adzic announced himself to Italy and the world with a remarkable strike from some 30-35 yards out. What on Earth he was doing shooting remains a mystery, the easy ball was out to the right to build a move. But for some reason the young lad, with next to no backlift, decided to send a powerful effort towards Yann Sommer’s goal. There’s a few questions for Inter stopper to answer given he gets a big hand to the ball, but again, you should just be applauding the spectacular strike. I’ve never been in a room as full as the one I was in Saturday night that was completely stoney silent. Not a sound. A single “Merda” broke the silence eventually.

There’s all kinds of analysis that can be done after a game like that. You can look again at both sides mentality, Worlds apart, you can study the decisions made in the Inter Milan defence. I’ll leave that to the football experts, I deal in emotion. Once I’d picked myself up from the floor, downed three more pints and then thought about the match I had one overriding thought. What a game.

It has everything. Redemption for Calha, world class strikes, brothers in opposing sides, two fairly novice managers battling with big clubs, end to end football, young players announcing themselves in the best way possible and one man’s march towards a definite future Ballon D’Or. This was the advert Serie A needed. Derided by some as a “has been league”, this game showcased the exact opposite. It was exciting, it swung both ways, the lead changed hands and it was the younger stars on the pitch who shone the brightest.

I haven’t seen a La Liga or Premier League that exciting in years. The next day I watched Man City easily despatch their city rivals United in a no contest. A week before I barely stayed awake as Liverpool edged past Arsenal 1-0. I know there’s more money at stake in England, it makes those games much tighter. I know they’re probably better “tactical battles”. But I’m not after that, I’m looking to be excited. I’m after Pazza Inter. And they’re back.

16th Sep 2025
Matchday One: What did we learn?

Matchday one is over, and frankly I’m exhausted. Around 11pm last night Torino were put out of their misery by the referee and Inter went top of Serie A thanks to their 5-0 win. The first games back on Saturday night feel like a million years ago already. So, what have we learned so far?

Don’t sleep on the promoted teams

As Milan learned to their cost on Saturday evening, you can’t just rock up and expect to beat the newly promoted sides. Baschirotto scored a lovely header and despite the Milan equaliser, goal of the weekend went to Cremonese’s Bonazzoli with that athletic finish. Cremonese beating Milan 2-1 at the San Siro was definitely story of the weekend, but another promoted side caused problems for their opponents too.

Pisa took a shock lead in Bergamo and although Atalanta were well on top in the second half, they couldn’t get the job done. Scamacca scored their equaliser in the 51st minute and it seemed as if they’d go on to win comfortably, but it wasn’t to be. Pisa dug in and held on for a valuable point.

Sassuolo offered up the least resistance out of the new boys. Ok, they were up against a very good Napoli, but there wasn’t the same level of stubborn determinism that Pisa and Cremonese showed.

Inter are BACK

One swallow doesn’t make a summer but this was a statement win from Inter. There didn’t seem to be any Champions League hangover for them, Chivu kept the 3-5-2 but implemented a much more aggressive pressing style in there. The amount of times Inter won the ball back high up to create chances was madness, Lautaro scored from pressing the keeper and Bonny’s debut goal came from Torino messing about too much with the ball.

ThuLa are back with a bang

Torino were poor but Inter were very good. Sucic had a game to remember, dominating the midfield and creating as many chances as he prevented Torino from having.

Inter need to reduce the average age still, especially in defence, if this aggressive pressing style is to work, but it was a great start. Only downside, the late subs saw them change the shape to this 4-3-2-1 and it allowed Torino to get a foothold on this game, Inter seemed a bit confused by their roles in it. If Chivu eventually wants to switch to this, it should be done gradually and carefully.

Roma have the new Batistuta

Or at least that’s what the Roma Argentina fan club declared about Evan Ferguson. Gazzetta picked it up and sensationally ran with the comparison. However, Ferguson didn’t even score on his Serie A debut.

It was a confident performance, providing both chances and good link and hold up play, but he didn’t score. And he probably should have in at least one scenario.

I think he’ll work out and I’ve said as much before, it was a confident debut, but maybe we all need to calm down a bit… Wesley got the goal that would beat Bologna, on his debut and Roma started with a fairly comfortable win.

Ferguson celebrates, but not his goal

Ominous Como

Nico Paz will probably be back at Real Madrid next year and based on his performance Sunday alone it’ll be well deserved. A truly magnificent free kick goal put the gloss on a comfortable win over Lazio after he had already provided the assist for Tavos Douvikas.

Lazio’s one bright moment was a goal disallowed for offside that didn’t really require the VAR intervention it got.

Jonathan David dream debut

Strikers at Juve over recent years haven’t always had it their own way so the Canadian will have been pleased to start with a goal. Dusan Vlahovic went from maligned sideline player to important addition as he completed the scoring.

Both goals were assisted by probably future Real Madrid star Kenan Yildiz. Sorry for putting that out into the universe Juve fans, but they always come knocking for any remotely creative player. Yildiz was once again magnificent, a bright spark in what might be a potential glum season for Juventus fans. Parma offered very little resistance here so the big tests are still to come for Juve.

The only downside was a late red card for Cambiaso.

And breathe…

So there we have it, week one done and sewn up. Three days to go until it begins again when Cremonese take on Sassuolo Friday evening.

26th Aug 2025
Meet the New Boys: The big summer movers

This summer has been a busy one for Serie A teams and there’s some big names entering Italy this summer. There’s also some lesser known names who’ll be on our pitches and our screens in 2025/26. So who are they? Where have the come from? Are they any good? Here’s a selection of them…

Kevin De Bruyne, Napoli

Undoubtedly the biggest transfer this summer in Serie A, the six time Premier League winner arrived in Naples this summer to fanfare and adulation from supporters of the current Champions. He’ll link up with Scott McTominay in Napoli’s midfield, which will only make them better. However, at 34 it remains to be seen how he’ll cope with the rigours of a 38 game season and a Champions League campaign.

We don’t really need to analyse his game for you, he remains one of the best passers of the ball in the World and Italy’s slower paced game will suit him. I expect Napoli to get at least one good year out of him before an inevitable move to Saudi Arabia.

Luka Modric, Milan

If you thought Kevin De Bruyne was old, Luka Modric has 5 years on him. The 39 year old has as many Champions League titles as De Bruyne has Premier League titles. The little Croatian is one of the most decorated players in Real Madrid’s history, so despite his advanced age there’s enough for Milan to feel optimistic about this summer.

The “trivela” style player has great composure on the ball, creativity in spades and can unleash a strike from distance to put fear into even the greatest Serie A goalkeeper. Sitting deeper these days, expect Modric to act as a “puppet master” and dictate things in the middle of the park. Again, don’t expect longevity from this transfer, but he’ll lift Milan in the short term.

Wesley, Roma

An interesting one this, Wesley featured three times in the Club World Cup for Flamengo as they beat eventual winners Chelsea and won over the casual fan with their swashbuckling displays. Key to it was the young right back, who provides athleticism and pace on the flanks. The 21 year old signed a 5 year contract with Roma in July and joins Evan Ferguson is lowering the average age of the squad as well as increasing their attacking intent.

Keep an eye on Roma this season, they’ll score a lot of goals with these additions but they’ll be wide open too. Their games won’t be boring at all, but can they bring it together to challenge? Who knows…

Noa Lang, Napoli

The controversial Dutchman joins Napoli for €25m. The winger is explosive, full of creativity and a great eye for goal. A bargain for the price they’ve paid. After struggling to make an impact at Ajax as a young man, he turned to Belgium and Club Brugge where he scored 32 goals in 99 matches before returning to the Netherlands where he scored 15 in 40 matches.

A solid return from out wide and makes Napoli’s attacking line up all the more formidable when he joins up with McTominay, De Bruyne and Lukaku. If Conte can finally get it right in Europe it may leave Napoli stretched, but if he continues his usual progress in European Competition, hand them the Scudetto now.

Luis Henrique, Inter

It’s all change for Inter and we could write an entire post on their window this far, and probably will. However, one of the early pieces of business they managed was the signing of Luis Henrique for a reported fee of around €25m. Henrique played mainly off the wing for Marseille so on the face of it this was an odd signing. However, with Inzaghi leaving and Chivu taking over at Inter, there’s a likely change of shape coming and Henrique could be much more useful in a 3-4-2-1 behing Lautaro.

He underwhelmed in the Club World Cup in his first few performances, but you can’t really judge a man at a new club that was in complete turmoil at the end of an exhausting season. Henrique’s success or failure at Inter will depend how their season opens up, largely expected to be challenging Napoli if they start well, Henrique will do well. If they flounder, I think the player will too.

Lennon Miller, Udinese

Ok, so this isn’t complete yet, but he’s headed to Udine for a medical yesterday so we can assume this one is done and dusted. The Motherwell Central Midfielder is set to become yet another Scot in Italy – however, as an 18 year old, don’t expect to see him week in week out at this stage. The highly rated youngster has already played twice for Scotland’s national team.

He’ll be certainly hoping he can emulate the successes of Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, Lewis Ferguson and even Josh Doig and Che Adams out in Italy.

Kamaldeen Sulemana, Atalanta

We’ve written a full blog post on Sulemana which can be found here, but in short this is a sensible move from Atalanta. Especially with Lookman seemingly on his way out of the club. His pace and directness will be an issue for Serie A defences and anyone who can stand out in Southampton’s dreadful season is worth a look.

I like Sulemana as a player and he got off to a great start, scoring against Croatian side Opatija. Keep an eye on this one.

That’s the new boys in Serie A, well a selection of them anyway. It’s also worth keeping an eye on the likes of Petar Susic at Inter, a young player from Croatia, I’m not sure what his influence will be. Inter like their standard midfield of Calha, Mkhitaryan and Barella. There’s a number of transfers within Serie A and we’ll look at them in the coming days, but for now here’s your new boys.

Who do you like? Who’s got you excited at your team?

12th Aug 2025
Serie A 2025/26: Predictions
Tomorrow we’ll be exactly two weeks away from the beginning of the new season and the optimism that comes when no one has actually kicked a ball. By Tuesday morning, half the fans in Serie A will believe their season is already over, the other half will be boasting how this year is their year. But we’re going to peak even sooner than that on the blog and boldly chuck out some predictions two weeks ahead of time with the Mercato in full swing still. Bookmark this later to come back and laugh at!

Champions – The contenders

Napoli

Raced into a great Mercato with the signing of Kevin De Bruyne for nothing. A top, top player but doing nothing for Serie A’s image as a retirement home. With McTominay being nominated for a Ballon D’Or this week and some other smart acquisitions they’re rightly considered favourites amongst most bookmakers. Conte, however, will be the key. He already threw a tantrum and threatened to quit once, will he see the season out? They’ll be hoping so in Naples

Inter Milan

Last season Inter beat Lazio away 6-0, but they also lost at home in the Derby in the last minute. They also got to a Champions League final, which they lost 5-0. The point here is, who knows what Inter will show up from one week to the next? Their market has been a mixture of smart looking deals and ridiculous pursuits underlined by failure. Petar Susic looks a good signing, while the campaign for Lookman stumbles on. One alternative is Mason Greenwood, good goalscorer, questionable bloke. The fall out between Calhanoglu and Lautaro appears to have been papered over, so let’s see how the season plays out. New, inexperienced coach Chivu will have his work cut out. Second favourites with most bookies, there may be some value at 3/1.

Juventus

Juventus are always listed amongst the favourites no matter what. Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceicao will be key in any title challenge Juventus want to put up, if they put one up. Randal Kolo Muani wants to resign for them after his successful loan, Juventus want him, yet they can’t get the deal done. It’s been a strange window for Juve fans, Jonathan David came in and no one can tell if that’s a good thing or not. He’d be a great “option player”, but is he a regular starter? Tudor steadied the ship last year when he came in, but that’s easy for a caretaker to do, now he has the job full time, all his credentials will be put to the test.

Milan

A disastrous campaign last time out, they’ve offloaded some of the bloated squad and brought in some key players. Another feather in the cap for the retirement league is their signing of Luka Modric. The 104 year old Croatian will find life in Italy tough, but his reading of the game and ball playing ability won’t be affected by age. The acquisitions of Jashari, Ricci and Estupinian generate some excitement, as does keeping hold of keeper Mike Maignan. If they can keep Newcastle away from Malick Thiaw then they’ll consider it a summer well done. If they can shake off the absolute circus act they became last season, then maybe they’re an outsider for a 20th Scudetto and second star.

The Others…

Usually you’d highlight Atalanta as a dark horse outsider, but having seen Ivan Juric manage at Roma and Southampton last season and the fact Ademola Lookman is AWOL chasing his Inter move, I don’t see Atalanta troubling the top pack this season.

Their former boss, however, has gone to AS Roma who have made some smart moves in the window, appear to be keeping Dybala and Dovbyk and will inject youth into their team as Gasperini likes to do. I would keep one eye on them as the season draws on.

I’d be surprised to see Genoa or Bologna challenge for the title, but good runs put together in the last season, if they can repeat, could see them trouble the Champions League places.

And don’t forget about La Viola. Pioli is back in Italy and he has a point to prove. It looks like Moise Kean isn’t going anywhere and they’ve added veteran marksman Edin Dzeko to the roster. De Gea stays in goal and it would only take a solid mid-season run to see them pushing to return to Europe’s top table. The title is probably beyond Fiorentina, but Europe isn’t.

Verdict

Ok, balls on the line time…
- Champions – Napoli
- Champions League – Inter, Milan, Roma
- Europa/Conference – Bologna, Atalanta, Juventus
I get it, no big surprises there. Juventus can change things if they secure Kolo Muani or another big striker, and I just fancy Milan to get it together this season. And as for Roma, I just like their business. I like Evan Ferguson and I like the way Gasperini plays football. They’ve got a chance.

Dark Horses

There’s a few clubs who could surprise us all and while they’re outside of the traditional “big clubs” in Italy, they could make a play for a European spot. This season, for me, it’s got to be Como 1907.

Yeah, alright, they’ve got the richest owners in Serie A and have had a busy summer, but they’ve got that small stadium, were in Serie D as recently as 2019. Any European finish would still be a massive achievement for this provincial side.

Cesc Fabregas flatly refused the move to Inter in the summer and insisted on staying with “the project”. Only good news appears to come out of this club, they’ve got some great young flair players and while some pundits are questioning them abandoning Italian players for South American gems, they’re bound to win more than they lose.

The only question marks really are whether they can mix it up and be tough when they need to and can they keep the group together. Well question one was answered the other night when they had a full on fist fight after a friendly with Real Betis, and question two was answered seemingly when Nico Paz and Cesc Fabregas chose to stay rather than heading down the road to Inter.

Don’t be surprised if Como end up playing European football next season.

The promoted teams

Always the favourites to go back down, how will the promoted sides fair next season?

Sassuolo

Dominant in Serie B last season, winning the league by some margin, it should highlight their readiness for top flight football. Yet they were comfortably relegated from Serie A the season before. They need to avoid becoming an Italian Norwich and stake a claim to stay in the league. Bookmakers make them the strongest promoted candidate to stay up, and the collapse of Armand Lauriente’s transfer to Sunderland is a big factor in this. The winger scored 18 goals and provided 5 assists last season and will be key to any creativity in Serie A.

Pisa

Got promoted and lost manager Pippo Inzaghi back to Serie B and rivals Palermo. Not a great start. However, they have replaced him with Alberto Gilardino and having made it back to the top flight for the first time in 34 years, they’ll be keen to hang on and stay there. Matteo Tramoni looks to be sticking around having banged in 13 goals last season for them, which is welcome. Veteran player Juan Cuadrado is also on board and the loan of midfielder Akinsanmiro from Inter boost their numbers nicely. They’ll need to replicate their strong defence from last season where they only conceded 36 goals on their way to second place.

Pisa collected a trophy for coming second in some Utter Woke Madness

Cremonese

Cremonese finished 4th last season, behind Spezia, but went up through the play offs. However, since the departure of Giovanni Stroppa who led them to promotion they have survival specialist Davide Nicola in charge. The Italian Sam Allardyce has rescued Crotone (2019/20), Torino (2020/21), Salernitana (2021/22), Empoli (2023/24). He will hope to replicate this with Cremonese, but will have his work cut out with a side who’ve only just spent more than €10m this Mercato.

Verdict

I can’t see past Cremonese for relegation I’m afraid. Sorry guys, but despite having Davide Nicola, it doesn’t look good for you. Sassuolo have the capability to stay up, but do they have the belief only time will tell. Pisa could dig in under Gilardino’s leadership and if they can continue their strong defensive record they definitely have a chance, but I think the rest of the league may prove too good for them.

However, bookmakers also look to the likes of Verona, Lecce and even Cagliari as potential relegation candidates.

I think ultimately, Lecce and Cremonese will go, one of Pisa and Sassuolo to join them…Sorry guys.

Top Scorer

Might as well just piss into the wind and pick a name here. Who can ever predict the top scorer? Even when Inter won two years ago and Lautaro took the prize it was his first time ever. Last season Mateo Retegui won it and promptly left Italy for Saudi Arabia. So who’s going to take it home this season?

Well, surprisingly, Lautaro Martinez is leading the bookies charge at 9/2, good value but he spent most of last season looking exhausted. Another 60-odd games last season won’t have helped him out. Moise Kean is next best at 11/2, but you can’t help but feel he needs Fiorentina to have a good season for him to win that title.

Jonathan David pops up third in a lot of lists, and at 7/1 there’s certainly some value in it. Again, if Juventus spend another 3 months imploding as per last season, his chance will have gone.

There’s some newbies to the league who have a shot too. I can’t hide my admiration for Evan Ferguson and with a solid pre-season of goals for Roma and Gasperini’s attacking style, he’s got a great chance to get it. Noa Lang at Napoli is a dark horse too. Not exactly a prolific career to date but Napoli will spend most of the season on the front foot and with the supply lines coming from KdB and McFratm, he should get chances. As will their other striker, Big Rom Lukaku. Always up there without ever winning the grand prize, he’ll have his eyes on it this season.

Verdict: For some value I’d go for an each way bet on Evan Ferguson, but for me it’s got to be Lukaku or Lautaro. Once a prolific duo, now on opposite sides of the title race. Their goalscoring might just tip the title in their team’s favour.

Liked this post? Check out our Kit Review for 2025/26
8th Aug 2025
Legends of Calcio: Alessandro Del Piero

“He is football’s gentleman, but also a killer in front of goal.”

This is how Marcello Lippi once described Alessandro Del Piero and it’s hard to find a more perfect summation. Elegant yet ruthless, soft-spoken yet decisive, Del Piero embodied the romantic spirit of Italian football while quietly carving out a legacy as one of its most lethal forwards. From his trademark curling finishes to his unwavering loyalty to Juventus through triumph and scandal, “Pinturicchio” left a mark not only on the pitch, but in the hearts of calcio lovers worldwide. This is the story of a true legend — the boy from Conegliano who became a global icon.

Alessandro was born in 1974 in Conegliano and while playing locally for San Vendemiano used to play in goal, something his mother encouraged as he would sweat less and would also less likely pick up an injury. It was his brother, Stefano, who noticed the young Alessandro’s skill and suggested he play as a forward.

It seemed to work and by 1988 Padova had noticed his talent and snapped up the young Del Piero. He would make his senior debut at the age of 17 in Serie B and in 1993 he scored his first goal in a 5-0 victory over Ternana. This was the start of a prolific goalscoring career which would see him score in every single competition he played in.

A young Del Piero making his debut for Juventus

Following his short spell in Padova, Del Piero transferred to Juventus for just over 5 billion lire and he would stay for over 19 seasons, staying loyal through triumph and scandal. Del Piero made his debut in September 1993 against Foggia, and would score his first Juventus goal a week later against Reggina. During these early years at Juventus he was often called “topolino” by veterans for his quiet demeanour and big ears!

This nickname would soon be replaced to Pinturicchio, after the Renaissance painter, which was coined by Juve President Gianni Agnelli to reflect his artistry. Nowhere was this more evident than a November 1993 match against Parma, where a 19 year old Del Piero netted a stunning hat trick despite starting on the bench. His status as a generational talent was cemented a season later when he played a key support role as Lippi’s Juve won the Scudetto, Coppa Italia and Supercoppa.

As Baggio departed to Milan in the mid-90s, Del Piero was handed the famous Juventus 10 shirt. Over the next few seasons, Del Piero as a focal point would become the keystone of Juventus’ attacking play. He perfected his “Gol alla Del Piero”, curling in from the edge of the box, and in 1996 started in the Champions League Final that Juventus won against Ajax. He would also be present as Juventus reached the next two finals, losing both.

Alessandro lifting his only Champions League trophy

Del Piero’s career seemed to be at an all time high, his stock constantly rising including being added the the Euro 96 squad for Italy, however, it would all come crashing down over the next few years. In November 1998 in the final moments of a match with Udinese, Del Piero picked up a serious ACL and MCL injury, which would keep him out for the remainder of a season where Juventus would suffer. Over the next couple of seasons, Del Piero would struggle to regain full fitness and would suffer many niggly injuries as Juventus struggled to assert and dominance in Serie A.

All would change in 2001, Conte had left Juventus and Del Piero was named captain and in the 2001-02 season, a rejuvenated squad won the Scudetto in a dramatic final day. Alessandro scored 16 goals and dragged Juve through several tight matches.

A familiar site, Del Piero celebrating another goal

The next season he was again crucial in another run to a Champions League Final and another in which Juventus would lose, this time on penalties against Milan at Old Trafford. Over the following seasons he was key as Juventus won back to back Scudetti under Fabio Capello. The Calciopoli scandal would revoke these titles, and enforce a relegation to Serie B for Juventus, stars would leave the sinking ship. Del Piero, rather predictably, stayed to fight on for his team. Unsurprisingly, in 2006/07 he was top scorer in Serie B as he dragged Juventus back to Serie A.

Later in his career, Del Piero became an ageless icon, winning the Capocannoniere aged 33 with 21 Serie A goals in 2008. A year later he scored twice for Juventus at the Bernabeu, receiving a standing ovation from the home support there. In his penultimate Juventus season, he broke the all time Juventus goalscoring record of Giampiero Boniperti and in his last game, Del Piero came good one last time for Juventus, scoring past Atalanta as Conte’s team won Serie A unbeaten.

At the end of 2011-12 Alessandro Del Piero finally bid farewell to Juventus after 19 seasons in which he became their all time top scorer and all time appearance holder with 705 games and 290 goals. It nearly wasn’t so though – during the late 90s there was a move to Manchester United on the cards…

One of the most intriguing “what if” moments of Alessandro Del Piero’s career came in the late 1990s, when Sir Alex Ferguson made a serious approach to bring him to Manchester United. After Juventus reached consecutive Champions League finals in 1996, 1997, and 1998, Del Piero had firmly established himself as one of the world’s premier forwards. Ferguson, searching for a technical, creative forward to complement the likes of Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, reportedly saw Del Piero as the perfect fit. According to interviews years later, the move was genuine — but Del Piero declined the offer, citing his deep connection to Juventus and loyalty to the club that had helped make him a global star. “Leaving Juve never really crossed my mind,” he said in a 2019 interview. “Even though it was Manchester United — and it was a huge honour — my heart was in Turin.” It became a defining moment in his career, symbolising the kind of loyalty that’s increasingly rare in modern football.

Del Piero wasn’t just a Juventus legend however, over 13 seasons, he would make 91 appearances for the Azzurri, scoring 27 goals. The most famous of which was undoubtedly Italy’s second in the 2006 World Cup Semi-Final against hosts Germany. In typical fashion, Del Piero cut in from the left hand side and curved a ball beautifully from the edge of the area and into the top corner. Italy would go on to win the final and Del Piero lifted the World Cup – his only honour for Italy.

Sealing the deal for Italy

During his career he would win 6 Scudetti (in theory it could’ve been 8, Google Calciopoli), a Champions League, one Coppa Italia, 4 Supercoppas, a UEFA Super Cup and one Intercontinental Cup. After Juventus he headed to Australia for a spell in the A League with Sydney FC, where he was known as “Alex” due to the locals struggling to pronounce Alessandro! The greatest comment on his career probably came from a former team mate and eventual opponent, former Ballon D’Or winner Zinedine Zidane once said of him, “If I had to pick a player to watch for pure aesthetic joy, it would be Del Piero.”

Alessandro Del Piero… A true Legend of Calcio.

31st Jul 2025
The best Goalkeepers that Serie A has ever seen?

Goalkeeper is probably, arguably the most important position on the pitch. And I know I’m biased in saying that, as it was my position when I still had hair and could get up off the floor after making a save. But in reality, if you don’t have a good goalkeeper you aren’t winning anything. Goalkeepers are often called mad, and you have to be to throw yourself at the feet of someone baring down on goal. For me, the annoying thing was that everyone on the pitch thought they were a keeper, they all had advice for you, despite never playing there themselves.

Before this turns into a rant though, let’s get back on track. Italy has produced some truly magnificent goalkeepers, and Serie A has played host to some of the greatest of all time from around the World. So, who was the best? I’ve selected a few of my favourites, without ranking who was best out of them. In no particular order, here are my favourites…

Gianluigi Buffon

“Buffon is the best goalkeeper I’ve ever seen, the only one who was never afraid of anything.” – Fabio Capello

Gianluigi Buffon has the most clean sheets in Serie A history

Gianluigi Buffon was just 12 years old when he decided that he didn’t want to play in midfield anymore and became a goalkeeper. Five years later he was making his Parma debut against Milan and keeping a clean sheet.

During his career Buffon would hold the World Record for most expensive goalkeeper (€52m) until recently, win 10 Serie A titles, 5 Coppa Italia, a World Cup and would be 3 times UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year. Comfortable in the air, with elite reflexes and great positional awareness, Buffon still holds the Serie A record for most clean sheets in Serie A with 296 and was once unbeaten in the goal for 974 consecutive minutes.

Was there anyone better?

Dino Zoff

“If you ask me who was the greatest, I say Zoff. He was not flashy, but you knew the goal was safe with him.” – Gianni Rivera

Dino Zoff made over 600 appearances in Serie A

Staying on the Juve theme with one of the other great Italian goalkeepers. Zoff actually made over 300 appearances for Udinese, Mantova and Napoli before joining and defining Juve. He would win 6 Scudetti and 2 Coppa Italia along with the World Cup (the oldest player to do so), before going into management where he would lead Juventus to the UEFA Cup and Coppa Italia titles in 1990.

He still holds the record for the longest consecutive run in Azzurri history without conceding, lasting 1,142 minutes in the early seventies. Zoff is the archetype of the classic Italian goalkeeper: composed, understated, and unbelievably reliable. Known for his leadership and calmness, he commanded his defence with supreme authority.

Walter Zenga

“Walter was a phenomenon – he could change the mood of a stadium with one save.” – Giuseppe Bergomi

Zenga conceded just twice in seven matches at Italia 90

Walter Zenga was nicknamed Spiderman because of his agility and spectacular reflex saves. For three consecutive years, he was IFFHS World Goalkeeper of the Year. He played 328 times in Serie A and was a UEFA Cup winner with Inter and represented the Azzurri 58 times.

Zenga combined flamboyance with athleticism. He was known for his dramatic saves and passion on the pitch. He was also renowned for his passion off the pitch, fathering 5 children over three marriages including two marriages to TV personalities. He has gone on to have a rather nomadic managerial career while still being a showbiz personality in Italy. Despite the off-field shenanigans, Zenga is remembered as an all time great of the game by Inter, Sampdoria and Azzurri fans alike.

Angelo Peruzzi

“He wasn’t just a wall — he was a mountain.” – Marcello Lippi

Peruzzi won the Champions League while at Juventus

In 478 appearances in Serie A, Peruzzi represented some of the biggest teams and most bitter rivals. He played for Roma and Lazio as well as both Juventus and Inter. To pull this off you need to be good, and Peruzzi was VERY good. He was short for a goalkeeper, under 6 foot, but that low centre of gravity gave him great reflexes and shot stopping skills.

Peruzzi would win 3 Serie A titles, the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the Intercontinental Cup during his career as well as 31 caps for Italy. He would also add a World Cup winners medal in 2006, despite never taking to the field. Peruzzi would retire from football in 2007.

Sebastiano Rossi

“He was always part of that Milan machine – ruthless, efficient, unbeatable.” – Arrigo Sacchi

Sebastiano Rossi was part of the “Dream Team” of Milan in the 1990s

Rossi joined his home town club Cesena at the age of 15 and was their first choice goalkeeper by the age of 22 after several loan spells. After his first season in Italy’s top flight, the giants of AC Milan came calling and after initially battling with Francesco Antonioli for the starting spot, he made it his own and would play over 340 games in Serie A, winning 5 Scudetti, the 1994 Champions League and UEFA Super Cup.

He held the clean sheet record for 24 years until eventually losing it to Gianluigi Buffon. Rossi wasn’t considered the most stylish goalkeeper but was immensely effective in an all conquering side behind the legendary defence of Baresi, Maldini, Costacurta and Tassotti. Despite all this he was consistently overlooked by the Azzurri and never played for Italy.

Gianluca Pagliuca

“Pagliuca wasn’t afraid of anyone. He stared you down like he already knew you’d miss.” – Roberto Mancini

Gianluca Pagliuca played nearly 600 times in Serie A

One of the most consistent and agile Italian keepers of the 1990s, known for his intensity and acrobatics. Pagliuca played for the Sampdoria side that won the 1991 Scudetto and was playing in their narrow Champions League final defeat to Barcelona a year later.

After seven years and 198 games for Sampdoria, Inter paid a World Record fee for a goalkeeper of just €7m to bring the Italian to their club. Rather remarkably, during his time at Inter he only won the UEFA Cup and nothing else. He was a beaten finalist in the 1994 World Cup as Italy lost on penalties to Brazil. Ironically, he held the record for some years of most penalties saved in Serie A with 24, until that was broken by Samir Handanovic.

An Azzurri and Serie A legend, Pagliuca moved on from Inter to Bologna where he would spend seven seasons and play a massive 248 games before finishing his career with a season in Ascoli, retiring in 2007.

Summary

From the cat-like reflexes of Zenga to the steely composure of Zoff, and the longevity of Buffon to the penalty-saving prowess of Handanović, Serie A has long been a proving ground for the world’s greatest goalkeepers. These legends didn’t just stop shots—they shaped eras, lifted trophies, and became the last line of defence for some of Calcio’s most iconic sides. In a league famed for tactical discipline and defensive mastery, it’s no wonder that so many of the game’s finest stoppers have called Serie A home. As new stars emerge between the posts, their legacy serves as a benchmark—and an inspiration—for generations to come.

Let me know your favourites on X @EnglishCalcio

25th Jul 2025
The best (and worst) Serie A kits this season!

So most of the teams, apart from like two of them, have given us their home kits for next season. However, all 20 have provided at least one kit and I’ve been through them all and assessed them for your pleasure. Now, be warned, I’m not listing all 20 teams, I’ve picked the best and the worst ones. These are, of course, only my opinions – yours will differ so don’t come at me unless you agree.

The Best

Napoli (Both)

Napoli have the best midfield and best kits for 2025/26

My word. Not only are they champions, not only do they have De Bruyne and McTominay together but these kits are works of art. The home is nice and clean, classic, it’s hard to get it wrong when you go simple. But it can be equally hard to get something beautiful – AND YET LOOK AT THAT AWAY KIT. Chef’s kiss. Well done Napoli, early trophy to you lot as best dressed this season.

Roma (Third)

They’ve killed it with this

This third kit launched just after I wrote this initial blog and it couldn’t be more welcome! It pained me having to put the Roma home kit in the bad section. Then someone at the club read it and did something about it. Probably. It is pure sex. Should come with a health warning it’s that naughty. Give me more!

Como (Home)

Yes Please

Yeah, everything about this works. The main chest of the shirt looks like the lake with some moonlight or something on it. And yet, despite that motif, it’s still pretty clean and basic. The colour consistency, the uncomplicatedness of everything else that isn’t the background. It’s gorgeous, 10/10 for Como.

Sassuolo (Home)

Is it this years shirt or a 90s classic?

Promoted for their footballing merit, they could’ve gone up for this shirt alone. Everything about it I’m in love with. The design of it is simple, yet nods back to the 90s – everyone’s favourite nostalgic period currently. Love that collar on the shirt too, a good collar seems like a lost art. Little touches like anything else on the shirt only being in white is really smart too. I don’t normally buy “other clubs” shirts but I might this one… 15/10

Parma (Third)

Parma’s third kit this year is a really nice effort

Is it an early 90s Leeds kit? Is it the current Parma Third Shirt? Who knows but I want more of it. Parma should’ve used this as their home shirt for me. It’s clean, simple, slight throwback. It works. Well done.

Milan (Home)

Clean, Simple, Milan.

Ok, so I am typing this with gritted teeth as an Interista, but this kit is nice. They’ve done no messing about here, like Inter did with their stripes. This is a really nice effort, the two tone badge is cool and the little pattern on the stripes is a nice touch. Hope this is all they get right this season. Well done Milan.

The Worst

Inter (Home)

Hmmm…

Rumour has it they took over 3 millions photos of Lautaro in this shirt and he refused to smile in this kit. I think when teams try something a bit different it can work, it refreshes their style and it can be a nice departure. None of that is true here. Inter have some of the best kits of all time and they’re all just SIMPLE BASIC BLUE AND BLACK STRIPES! What they’ve been up to the last couple of seasons I can’t tell you, but it isn’t cool. Go back to what you do best.

Juventus (Home)

Nope. No thanks.

Stop messing about with stripes. All teams. Now. If you have stripes, look at Milan and Atalanta and do that in your colours. Hate the haphazard stripes here, hate the two sponsors and although I know Juventus used to wear pink when they were founded, I hate the pink accents. Please god, just get together with Inter and bang your heads together.

Cremonese (Home)

Not for me

Goalkeepers wear grey kits. There’s not a lot else to say. It’s a weird colour for an outfield shirt and I’m not on board. Pass.

Lazio (Home)

Home? No. Away? Yes, just.

Guess what guys? Lazio have a plain sky blue shirt. They’ve made zero effort here and I’m not making any effort to talk about it. Wear the away kit, it’s a much sharper look.

Inter (Away)

As an Interista… No

Two things here. 1) Was this designed by a competition winner? 2) How did they win the competition with this design? Honestly, after the embarrassment we Interisti suffered at the end of last season, these kits feel like Nike rubbing it in a bit. Pass.

Juventus (Away)

Monstrosity

This looks like the hooky shirt you see hanging from a souvenir stand in a main piazza in Turin. Why this colour? Why the yellow Adidas stripes? Why are there two sponsors on the home shirt and none here? None of this adds up, I’m sure there’s a conspiracy here but I don’t know why, or what. Just wear that gorgeous third strip all season please.

Roma (Home)

Mixed feelings

Ok so hear me out here, because maybe there’s nothing actually wrong with this, maybe there is. I just feel like Roma normally turn out in such beautiful kits that this feels a little… generic? Again, it looks like a copy of a real Roma kit. Maybe the PES version of a Roma shirt. It’s not awful, it’s not horrible, it’s just not very Roma for me.

So there you have it, I’m sure some of you are upset by my choices, it goes without saying! But as you can see I’m not biased, an Interista choosing Milan’s shirt as nice and condemning the Inter efforts! Anyway, I’m off to Sassuolo to buy a shirt. Let me know your favourites…

22nd Jul 2025
Great Rivalries Explained: Derby D’Italia

There are only a few countries in the World that can rival the Italian passion for the beautiful game, and fewer that can match the passion that comes from her derbies. So when the two most successful teams in Italy come head to head for bragging rights, shit goes down…

Juventus and Inter Milan isn’t a city rivalry like the Derby della Madonina, or the Derby della Capitale. The Derby D’Italia, as the name suggests, is a battle for Italy. Not a city. So what led to this being a game that would have Gianluigi Buffon say, “There are matches you play with pride, and then there’s Inter — you play those with your blood.”

Both sides hold contrasting identities. Juventus, based in Turin, owned by the powerful Agnelli family (think Fiat) and linked traditionally with the business elites. And while Inter and their hedge fund manager owners are more lately considered business elites – historically the Milanese team was considered more cosmopolitan than business like.

Inter’s foundation in 1907 after a split from AC Milan over the issue of foreign players led to Inter being considered a team of artists, poets and generally anti-establishment. This, therefore is a battle of contrasting styles, different cities and a battle for supremacy on the pitch – and off it.

The best players in the World have played the Derby D’Italia

Think Liverpool v Manchester United.

And when you add up the trophy count, it’s easy to see why this rivalry was allowed to blossom. Constantly competing at the top for honours, Juventus have 36 titles (officially, but we’ll come back to that). Inter hold 20, but have the upper hand with 3 European Cups (Champions League) to Juve’s 2. Overall, the two teams hold 113 crowns, with Juve edging Inter 67-46.

Titles ignited this rivalry into pure hatred during the 2006 season when Calciopoli exploded. Juventus (more specifically Luciano Moggi) were accused of manipulating referee appointments to favour certain clubs during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Juventus would be relegated to Serie B and stripped of the 2006 title which was then handed to Inter who originally finished as runners up.

It was Inter’s first title since 1989 and often referred to by Juventus fans as the cardboard title (scudetto di cartone) but as Marco Materazzi put it, “We took what they stole from us”. Inter were implicated in Calciopoli but never charged with anything which led to calls of hypocrisy from Juventus fans. There were calls of a witch hunt against Juventus, however, Inter fans point to one game in 1998 which they feel proves their point.

With four games remaining in the season, Inter travelled to the Stadio delle Alpi for a showdown with league leaders Juventus, who sat one point ahead of them. Inter, without a scudetto in nearly a decade were loaded with stars including Ronaldo, Djorkaeff, Simeone and Zanetti. Juventus included in their squad Del Piero, Zidane, Davids and Deschamps. None of these players would be the star of the day, step forward referee Piero Ceccarini.

Juventus took the lead in the first half with a really well taken goal by Del Piero (what else did you expect), before Inter piled on the pressure, with Ronaldo going close on several occasions. The game then settled into a rather scrappy second half, before the flashpoint.

Iuliano was judged to have not fouled Ronaldo

It all happened in 15 seconds really. Ronaldo entered the Juventus box and was blocked off from taking on a shot by Mark Iuliano. The Inter players looked round at the referee, expecting a whistle that never came. Cue pandemonium. Inter players reacted as you might expect, chasing the referee and waving their arms, while Davids brought the ball away and up the pitch. He passed to Zidane who beat two defenders and rolled the ball into Alessandro Del Piero. Taribo West came in from behind and pushed him in the back, Del Piero went down and Ceccarini blew for a spot kick.

Few debate that West had fouled Del Piero, but Inter were incensed, seeing no difference between the foul on him and the challenge on Ronaldo less than a minute earlier. Inter lost their heads, surrounding the referee, shoving him, the Inter manager Simonini was sent off.

The controversy didn’t stop there though, Del Piero actually missed the penalty. Inter, buoyed, went on the attack and had a goal ruled out for a Zamorano foul on the keeper. Juve celebrated, Inter fumed.

Inter lose their heads.

Pagliuca ended up in a scrap with Juventus fans and three days later in the Italian Parliament, Domenico Gramazio of the far-right National Alliance party had to be held back as he tried to confront footballer-turned-politician Massimo Mauro, who had won the title with Juventus in the 1980s before joining the Democratic Party.

Inter fans refer to the game as the mother of Calciopoli and the season became known as the great robbery. The damage was done though, the Derby D’Italia which was once a great sporting spectacle was now an all out war. And it wouldn’t get any prettier.

There’s much debate in Italy about the role of Ultras and that isn’t going away, but one thing you can usually guarantee is that they’ll light up an atmosphere, especially in a derby. It isn’t always in a positive way, however, and there have been numerous examples of this Derby boiling over off the pitch.

One of the more famous examples comes from 2018 when Inter’s Curva Nord caused national outrage with a banner mocking the Heysel disaster from 1985. I won’t put here what the banner said, it’s reprehensible, you can Google it yourself if you want. Needless to say, it didn’t go down well and retribution was swift.

Historically in Italy, especially around derbies, Ultras groups agree to pacts of non-aggression. Instead, hoping to protect the streets of their city from becoming a warzone and ensuring no innocent fans are swept up in the trouble. There is no such pact between the Juventus and Inter ultras. In fact, quite the opposite, they maintain a “guerra aperta” or “open warfare”.

Perhaps Zlatan Ibrahimovic captured this the best, when he signed for Inter from Juventus in 2006, “When I signed for Inter, I knew I wasn’t just changing clubs — I was switching sides in a war.”

Hopefully, I’ve managed to tread the area around some of the Derby’s thornier issues without upsetting too many people and if you’re still here we can debate some of the greatest matches.

Yildiz rescues Juventus in 2024

I actually went to one last year, I was at the San Siro as Inter blew a 4-2 lead to draw the game 4-4 thanks to an inspired Kenan Yildiz who took it upon himself to rescue his side. In 2022, however, Inter did win a match 4-2, with goals in extra time from Ivan Perisic, one penalty and one absolute thunderbolt securing the Coppa Italia crown for Inter.

In 1961, the biggest win in this fixture happened. In what was supposed to a title deciding fixture, crowds flocked to the Stadio Comunale in Turin to see the Bianconeri (hopefully) crowned champions. The game was clearly oversubscribed, with Juventus fans sat on the Inter bench and covering the running track, inches from the pitch.

After 30 minutes, the referee called time on the game, the conditions were ridiculous. According the rules, Juventus (responsible for crowd control) should have forfeit the game 0-2 as the responsible party for the abandonment. Juventus appealed the decision to the CAF (Football Arbitration Court) which happened to have as its president… the Juventus president.

The 1961 clash between Juventus and Inter

The 0-2 defeat was therefore subsequently overturned, and a replay ordered. A furious Inter Milan were deducted their (then) 2 points for the “win” and told to replay the game. This dropped them back below Juventus. Inter were furious and protested the decision, sending a youth team instead of their first team, subsequently losing 9-1. Juventus won that title and a pure hatred was born.

The Derby D’Italia is Italy’s El Clasico. It’s the two most successful teams fighting it out for supremacy. It’s bragging rights until the next time. Since Calciopoli, the bitterness and hatred between the two sides has intensified and despite the league position, the games are always intense. Inter hate Juventus. And Juventus hate Inter more. As Claudio Marchisio put it, “We’re not just playing Inter — we’re defending who we are.”

The fixture shows off the best and the worst of Italian football, and if you get the opportunity to go, you should. You just might enjoy yourself.

15th Jul 2025
Serie A and Gaming: Adriano’s left foot and Piemonte Calcio

Serie A is rightly embedded in football folklore and the Italian passion for the game doesn’t stop at the real life game. It extends to the virtual World too. Some of the great stories from old football video games stems back to Italian teams.

And where else to start than with Adriano’s left foot in the incredible old versions of Pro Evolution Soccer (PES). On the PES5 and PES6 games this was one absolute beast. You could literally shoot from anywhere and it was a guaranteed goal, the Inter Milan and Brazil front man was repping 99 Shot Power for two editions.

Some of those goals seem impossibly realistic but Adriano really did have this skill and power for a brief moment in his career. Unfortunately for the man Inter fans called “The Emperor” it never really worked out long term for him, but that’s not a story for today. The great man was such a cheat code that people would just refuse to play against Inter.

I remember specifically in my evenings playing PES with friends that Inter wasn’t allowed. Just because of Adriano. However, as our Serie A gaming connection goes on, you’ll see that an overpowered Adriano wasn’t the only reason Serie A had a lasting impression on gaming.

In 2020, Juventus signed a big massive deal with Konami to be exclusively represented on PES and not on FIFA (now EA FC). After the 2019 game, Juventus was no more on FIFA. Instead, there was a bizarre Serie A team called Piemonte Calcio. The kits looked strangely like the Juve kit, and they had the same players, and the badge was similar, but it wasn’t Juventus.

Unfortunately, to get really deep, this just showed how the business and commercial aspect of football was now creeping into the gaming world. Something that was supposed to be fun was now a victim of the men in suits wearing man bags. By 2023 they were back, but we’d lost the Milan based teams!

Yes, that’s right, in their place was Milano Calcio and Milano FC. The badges made it clear that Calcio was Inter and FC were in fact, AC. Clear? Wait until you see the kit.

See the difference? I know it’s hard because they’re such good fakes… But if you look closely, you can see that they’ve completely and utterly bodged it. What on Earth is this supposed to be??? I mean, I’m not an idiot, I understand the concept of commercial licenses – it’s just a bit sad it’s crept into the supposed fun hobby of gaming.

One way that fake and copied stuff was kept fun in gaming was in PES and the inventive names. Milan being called Rossoneri was less a kick in the teeth than Piemonte Calcio somehow. Although PES did refer to Juve as PM Black and White in one edition. What?

My favourite will always be the Brazilian marauding full back that represented Milan and Roma. Remember him? Facu? There was also great fun with Tachicardi (Tacchinardi), Naldarinho (Ronaldinho) and heroic defending with Cannarobo (really need help with that one?).

However, the likes of Lucatone started to disappear to be replaced with the real names from PES2010 onwards and the days of editing all the team names before playing were over. Palermo will always be SI Black Pink to me though…

Adriano wasn’t the only overpowered Serie A gem in history though. Old FIFA gamers might remember the sheer ridiculousness of Gervinho’s pace while playing at Roma during FIFAs 13-15, or after 15 when Pogba had an obscene long shot, strength and 5* skills. Try tackling him on FIFA 16, bet you can’t.

Even as recently as 2023, Victor Osimhen was the player Napoli would love him to be now. Insane skill and pace combo that meant he was damned near impossible to get the ball from. And don’t even get me started on Totti or Dida on old versions of PES.

Gaming funnies like these often step over into real life, such is the bond with fans and their clubs that their virtual namesakes also take over our lives. Case in point was when Juventus fans were spotted at matches waving Piemonte Calcio flags. And if I ever have the pleasure of meeting Adriano one day, I’ll be sure to open with a PES related anecdote, not one of his actual career. Perhaps it’s best I never meet him.

I guess the beauty in this article is the acknowledgment that the gaming world has for the general chaos that is everyday Calcio. It’s been embraced by our favourite football games, whether you’re launching 40 yard screamers with Adriano or spending hours editing the clubs names and player names before actually playing a game.

What are your favourite Serie A anecdotes from the world of gaming? Let me know in the comments below, or on X @EnglishCalcio.

12th Jul 2025