The Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up #1: Inconsistency, own goals and penalty squabbles
Welcome to this week's wrap-up, where I give my thoughts on all the ups, downs and round and rounds from a weekend of Calcio fun.
Well, another week gone and a lot more chaos enjoyed. Italian football never fails to throw up talking points and this week, we had penalty squabbles, comical own-goals and a title race that is becoming an incredible back-and-forth between three teams. Napoli lose, Inter go top, Juventus put themselves as outsiders for the title and Verona manage to win. All that and much more on this week’s (and the first ever) Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up from FORZA CALCIO.
The Inconsistent Scudetto Race
Napoli draw. Inter lose. Atalanta draw. Napoli lose. Atalanta win. Inter win. Round and round we go as this season’s title race is in full throttle and each week, something different happens. Napoli travelled to Como to face a tricky Cesc Fabregas side and came away with nothing to show for it, losing 2-1 thanks to a comical Amir Rrahmai own goal and another notch from 19-year-old Spanish forward, Assane Diao. Inter scraped past Cagliari with a lucky Lautaro Martinez goal and Atalanta breezed past Empoli with a 5-0 win. Juventus win thanks to a Dusan Vlahovic goal on his first start in 2025 and put themselves back in as outsiders for the title. And if the title race is anything to go by so far, it’d be silly to not at least consider them.
I’m not taking anything away from Como but Napoli’s lack of movement in the January market is killing them. Only two injuries to first-team players and they’re showing form that’ll derail their Scudetto chances altogether. The lack of replacement for Kvicha Kvaratskhelia will always be a talking point but when their squad depth relies on Bournemouth benchwarmer Philip Billing stepping in as cover for André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, there’s a clear need to bolster their options if they want to compete year after year. Inter’s depth is seeing the same problems, too, and one positive thing for Napoli is that they are still in the Champions League and that comes with added strain to an already struggling squad. Inter play Napoli next which will throw the race into even more chaos, especially if Atalanta go and beat Venezia and Juventus beat Verona, both of which should happen.
Cesc Fabregas: Europe’s next top coach?
Talking about Napoli’s loss, it was at the hands of Como who are managed by someone who should be one of the most exciting managerial prospects in European football: Cesc Fabregas. Taking over the top role fully in the summer, Cesc Fabregas is producing some fantastic work with the newly promoted side, bringing the best out of the likes of Nico Paz and Assane Diao to deliver the goods. This win was his biggest yet, outsmarting Antonio Conte with brave substitutions. Yes, Napoli are in a lull of form and the difference relied on Amir Rrahmani scoring an own goal but a win for Como is a win nonetheless and everyone should keep an eye out on the work Fabregas and co. are doing by the Lake.
I stand with Lorenzo Lucca
Just a week after Gian Piero Gasperini threw his starman Ademola Lookman under the bus in his post-match press conference for missing a penalty, we get even more drama from 12 yards out. Udinese win a somewhat dubious penalty, one which many referee analysts in Italy disagreed with, and the drama unfolds. Lorenzo Lucca snatched the ball, refusing to give it to captain and ‘designated’ penalty taker Florian Thauvin much to the outrage of his teammates and coach. Lucca scores a fantastic spot kick and celebrates. Alone. And is then subbed off.
Following it, an overreaction ensued. I saw claims of selling Lucca purely based on this incident. I saw calls to not start him again. Somewhat over the top, no? Context is key, too. Thauvin has taken two penalties this year and missed them both. Lucca took the responsibility in sheer Thanos style and did it himself. I understand being annoyed but have a word and move on. Who cares? Regardless, I expect Lucca to move on from Udinese in the summer with many clubs in Italy keeping an eye on his progress. Will this deter some bidders? I hope not. He’s a good talent with plenty of potential.
Our prayers for Hellas Verona are being listened to
A couple of weeks back, I wrote a column on the sheer dismal performances coming from Hellas Verona this season and called everyone to pray for them and their survival. Well, thanks to a 95th-minute winner from Antoine Bernede to beat 6th-placed Fiorentina who suffered their third defeat on the trot. Will Verona survive? Two wins in their last three have certainly helped and if Empoli, Venezia, Lecce and Parma keep up their poor form then you can be fairly confident of a Verona survival.
Life is good in Pisa: a win, a new training ground and they’re soon-to-be-promoted
Pippo Inzaghi may not be getting as much attention on his managerial career as his brother Simone but he is doing some fantastic things with Pisa in Serie B. They just beat Juve Stabia 3-1, extending the gap between them and Spezia to seven points after they fell to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Catanzaro. Pisa sit five points off top spot currently held by Sassuolo who drew 0-0 to Sampdoria at the weekend. Can Pisa catch them? The two play each other soon in what could be seismic for the Serie B title race.
Since that win, Pisa have announced plans to build a brand new training facility in the locality of Gagno, showing their commitment to the project. Will a new stadium follow? Well, mock-ups were produced back in 2021 for a new Arena Garibaldi with billionaire backing but nothing has been done since. Pisa’s project is certainly proving to be an interesting one.
Spezia’s Priest not enough to help them win
Media personality Adriano Del Monte tweeted out a photo of a certain Spezia fan at the weekend. The fan was dressed in the typical clerical clothing, arms stretched out. The tweet stated he had stayed in this position for the entire game. I won’t lie and say I’m not jealous of his arm strength if true. Regardless, this Holy intervention was not enough to deliver Spezia a win seeing them lose to Catanzaro 1-0.