”He changed our tactics and gave us character.” Spartak Moscow captain Denis Glushakov on Massimo Carrera. Spartak Moscow haven’t won the Russian Premier League title since 2001, but they...
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Three colours of Zlatan, Part II: Inter
Arrivato: Milano After his adventure with Juventus, Zlatan Ibrahimovic set foot in Milan; hallowed ground for two of European football’s most storied factions, divided by contrasting colours – rosso...
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Marcello Melani: Pistoiese and the impossible dream
“The old town sleeps while waiting for the emergence of the right sun. By the way, the sun that circulates in these parts, at sunrise and at sunset, it’s...
Read MoreInsult me to my face: Luciano Spalletti and the Crotone heckler
It’s 12 February 2017. Roma are winning 2-0 away to Crotone in added time. Giallorossi head coach Luciano Spalletti decides to turn and face the home fan who has...
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Tales from the Peninsula: Me, my Father & AC Milan
It would be not only a cliché, but also a fat lie, if I said that I’ve been a football aficionado since day one. During my kindergarten days, some of which...
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Luciano Gaucci: Italy’s last self-made revolutionary
When thinking of the most iconic examples of a life lived to the limit, one does not always look at the football world, at least not at the owners...
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Following Herbert Kilpin: From Nottingham to Milano with the relatives of AC Milan’s founder
James Kilpin returns to the table with a pint of beer in each hand. He slides one across the table to me. It catches a sticky patch, causing a...
Read MoreClassic Match: Inter vs. Roma 2007/08
Week 25 of the 2007-08 Serie A season saw Italy’s top two go head-to-head as Roberto Mancini’s Inter welcomed Luciano Spalletti’s Roma to the Giuseppe Meazza, with the Romans...
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Three colours of Zlatan, Part I: Juventus
“I want out of here!” barked a young, egoistic Swede to his agent. “In that case, you can move to Turin.” After a heated volley of curse words and slurs,...
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Marco Di Vaio: The making of Bologna’s bandiera
These days, it is rare for fans to hold a player in such high regard; to see an individual player as an embodiment of their club. It is even...
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