The Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up #5: Azzurri lose, Motta sacked and the Serie D is electric

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.

Mar 25, 2025

I am sick of filling this newsletter with stuff about Thiago Motta but it has been such a big talking point from the last few weeks. Well, now I can rest. Juventus have sacked Thiago Motta and brought in Igor Tudor. Away from club football (relevant considering it has been the international break), Italy fell to defeat at the hands of Germany. And lower down the divisions, the Serie D is electric - the U.S Sambenedettese ultras were this week’s stars of the show. All this fun in this week’s wrap-up. Tuck in…

(Note: A shorter newsletter today as, by the time you’re reading this I am currently in Venice and tomorrow I will be in Rome on holiday. I have plans to bring more and not just Tuesday Wrap-Ups to this newsletter when I return, so keep an eye out)

Is Luciano Spalletti the man for Italy?

Sandro Tonali hopped on a flight the morning after his historic win with Newcastle United as they lifted a major domestic trophy for the first time in 70 years. International duty called and, alongside Nicolo Barella, Tonali is one of the key men in Luciano Spalletti’s side. This was confirmed when he opened the scoring against Germany, a team with whom they had had many fantastic battles. A wonderful start for the Azzurri in the first leg, and a bit of a glimmer of hope that they could be finding their feet again. Alas, Germany came from behind to overcome the Italians, leaving Italy with a trip to Germany to overcome a one-goal deficit. However, there were positive signs for Italy to take into the second leg.

Along comes the second leg and we’re back to square one: is Luciano Spalletti the man to be leading this Italian side? Huge questions were asked after their dismal display in the European Championships where they exited at the hands of Switzerland. Fast forward to a Nations League quarter-final in 2025, Italy travelled to Germany to overcome a 2-1 aggregate score only to find themselves 3-0 down at half-time in embarrassing fashion. The second goal for Germany from Jumial Musiala was the epitome of this Azzurri side, where quick thinking from Joshua Kimmich caught the Italians asleep. Embarassing, to say the least.

The second half was an entirely different story. Two goals from Moise Kean and a late equaliser from Giacamo Raspadori saved face for the Italians but it wasn’t enough with Germany winning 5-4 on aggregate. A somewhat second half to be proud of but one they needn’t have done if they’d performed better from the off. Regardless, massive question marks remain around this Italy side. A tougher World Cup qualification route beckons for Italy, with them having to compete with Erling Haaland’s Norway side for top spot and automatic qualification. Will they fail to qualify for the third year running? I’d never rule it out…

Thiago Motta (finally) sacked…

Tudor for 9 matches - Who will be the Juventus manager at Club World Cup? | Juvefc.com — Image via JuveFC

Cristiano Guintoli reportedly told Thiago Motta during their meeting that he was ‘ashamed to have picked’ Motta as Juventus’ coach. Damning. Crazy. Nuts. For that to be said directly to the man you’re sacking is crazy. Post-Max Allegri has been a disaster for Juventus, both on and off the pitch. Igor Tudor is their last hope of Champions League qualification. But, qualify or not, where does that lead the project? Is Tudor the man they want to build long-term and get Juventus back to their dominating position? I’m not sold on it. At all. The club is a mess and they’re dangerously close to following the route that Manchester United have gone down post-Alex Ferguson. A shoddily run project bearing no fruit. ‘Fino alla fine’? Maybe it’s fino alla FINISHED.

Sambenedettese were bouncing: Serie D is alive and kicking

Video via U.S Sambenedettese on Instagram

In line with ‘Non-League Day’ in England where fans are encouraged to visit their local non-league side, I thought I’d share some love with the lower divisions of Italy. Down in Serie D, Sambenedettese ultras were bouncing ahead (and during) their 2-0 win over Chieti. The club sit top of Group F in the division but is not without a checkered past. With numerous rebirths and plenty of financial woes, Sambenedettese are clear evidence of the strategic issues in the landscape of Italian football. But regardless, the club enjoyed their weekend and the atmosphere was incredible. Props to them and their ultras.