1 month ago
After the first matchday of Serie A, the talking points we've seen are the usual ones: refereeing decisions, the transfer market still being open, the post-match reactions where some vent by criticizing and others take little digs as a strategy.
The routine we waited for all summer, however, mustn't put us on autopilot, because something different happened: young Italians actually played. It seems unbelievable, but it's true: Mattia Liberali, Simone Lontani, Alessandro Romano (Swiss with dual citizenship), Emanuele Lulli, Alphadjo Cisse and Alessio Cacciamani took the field.
Some did so as starters, others came off the bench: for not all of them was it their absolute Serie A debut, but the wider public really discovered them just a few days ago. The comparison with the other top European leagues is still a long way off (to put it kindly), but at least we're trying: "Better something than nothing," as Gianni Brera would have said.
After an excellent pre-season with Milan and Ruben Amorim's imprimatur in a press conference, Alphadjo Cisse (without the accent, as he himself wanted to point out) made his debut at San Siro and scored the first Serie A goal of his career. He handled the ball well in traffic, pressed constantly and, above all, scored at the decisive moment.
During the summer he trained on his own in Montesilvano (Abruzzo) to get back into shape after tearing his adductor tendon, an injury that had cut short an excellent season with Aquilani's Catanzaro. Throughout July, Sassuolo and Torino wanted him on loan, but Amorim chose to keep him and throw him in. He is already repaying that faith.
#alphadjo #others #something #excellent
The routine we waited for all summer, however, mustn't put us on autopilot, because something different happened: young Italians actually played. It seems unbelievable, but it's true: Mattia Liberali, Simone Lontani, Alessandro Romano (Swiss with dual citizenship), Emanuele Lulli, Alphadjo Cisse and Alessio Cacciamani took the field.
Some did so as starters, others came off the bench: for not all of them was it their absolute Serie A debut, but the wider public really discovered them just a few days ago. The comparison with the other top European leagues is still a long way off (to put it kindly), but at least we're trying: "Better something than nothing," as Gianni Brera would have said.
After an excellent pre-season with Milan and Ruben Amorim's imprimatur in a press conference, Alphadjo Cisse (without the accent, as he himself wanted to point out) made his debut at San Siro and scored the first Serie A goal of his career. He handled the ball well in traffic, pressed constantly and, above all, scored at the decisive moment.
During the summer he trained on his own in Montesilvano (Abruzzo) to get back into shape after tearing his adductor tendon, an injury that had cut short an excellent season with Aquilani's Catanzaro. Throughout July, Sassuolo and Torino wanted him on loan, but Amorim chose to keep him and throw him in. He is already repaying that faith.
#alphadjo #others #something #excellent
2 months ago
Late August is typically the most interesting point of silly season—not the most exciting, mind you, but the proximity to the new season makes every rumor and update feel more consequential. By now, all of Roma's top targets are long gone, and those who have replaced them—in this instance, Malick Fofana and/or Alessio Cacciamani—are intriguing enough to keep the club (and fans) on the hook.
The problem, as we see seemingly every year, is that negotiating for these second options is incredibly difficult, especially after Roma invested heavily in other positions. With a specific need to fill (in this case, left wing), little money to spend, and even less time to pull it off, the club has virtually no leverage in negotiations.
(Sorry, did I say this was an interesting time of year?)
According to the latest rumors, Roma has abandoned its pursuit of Fofana (which I don't believe for a second) and is instead focusing its efforts on Fenerbahçe's Jayden Oosterwolde. While the 25-year-old Dutchman can't fill the void left by Fofana, he's a handy little full-back/center-back hybrid with ample top-flight experience, including nearly 90 appearances for Fenerbahçe over the past three seasons.
Earlier today, Fabrizio Romano reported that the two clubs are working on an €18 million loan deal with an option that becomes mandatory under certain conditions. Oosterwolde may not be the most exciting name we've discussed this summer, but he would provide the club with the fourth wing-back they've pursued all summer. Additionally, his ability to play centrally could make Jan Ziolkowsi expendable, which could, in turn, generate enough capital to push the Fofana deal over the finish line.
#club #back #oosterwolde
The problem, as we see seemingly every year, is that negotiating for these second options is incredibly difficult, especially after Roma invested heavily in other positions. With a specific need to fill (in this case, left wing), little money to spend, and even less time to pull it off, the club has virtually no leverage in negotiations.
(Sorry, did I say this was an interesting time of year?)
According to the latest rumors, Roma has abandoned its pursuit of Fofana (which I don't believe for a second) and is instead focusing its efforts on Fenerbahçe's Jayden Oosterwolde. While the 25-year-old Dutchman can't fill the void left by Fofana, he's a handy little full-back/center-back hybrid with ample top-flight experience, including nearly 90 appearances for Fenerbahçe over the past three seasons.
Earlier today, Fabrizio Romano reported that the two clubs are working on an €18 million loan deal with an option that becomes mandatory under certain conditions. Oosterwolde may not be the most exciting name we've discussed this summer, but he would provide the club with the fourth wing-back they've pursued all summer. Additionally, his ability to play centrally could make Jan Ziolkowsi expendable, which could, in turn, generate enough capital to push the Fofana deal over the finish line.
#club #back #oosterwolde
2 months ago
While teenage sensation Rodrigo Mora continues to twist in the wind as Roma and Porto struggle to agree on the finer points of a €50 million transfer, the Giallorossi remain active on other fronts, particularly the wing-back position. In addition to bringing Champions League experience from his days with Atlético Madrid, newly signed right-back Nahuel Molina gives the club a dependable trio of wing-backs, joining Devyne Rensch and our top-rated U-23 player, Wesley França.
There's just one small problem: they're all nominally right wing-backs. Granted, Wesley's success on the left last season gives Gian Piero Gasperini more options at the position, but Roma still lacks a bona fide left wing-back. Earlier this summer, we discussed the possibility of signing Alessio Cacciamani, Torino's über-talented teenage winger, only to remember what a pain in the ***** it is dealing with Urban Cairo.
There have been intermittent whispers that Roma remains interested in Cacciamani, but over the past week, the club has become increasingly linked with Destiny Udogie. The 23-year-old Verona native officially joined Spurs in 2023 after a successful two-year stint with Udinese, where he scored eight goals and provided seven ***** ists in 68 league appearances.
While he hasn't quite matched those counting stats with Spurs, he's been a key piece of the puzzle at Tottenham, making 94 appearances across all competitions over the past three seasons. When silly season began, it seemed Roberto De Zerbi was keen to keep Udogie in North London, but the transfer pendulum has swung the other way.
According to multiple sources in Italy, including Nicolò Schira and Alfredo Pedullà, Spurs are reportedly warming to the idea of life without Udogie.
#wing #back #league
There's just one small problem: they're all nominally right wing-backs. Granted, Wesley's success on the left last season gives Gian Piero Gasperini more options at the position, but Roma still lacks a bona fide left wing-back. Earlier this summer, we discussed the possibility of signing Alessio Cacciamani, Torino's über-talented teenage winger, only to remember what a pain in the ***** it is dealing with Urban Cairo.
There have been intermittent whispers that Roma remains interested in Cacciamani, but over the past week, the club has become increasingly linked with Destiny Udogie. The 23-year-old Verona native officially joined Spurs in 2023 after a successful two-year stint with Udinese, where he scored eight goals and provided seven ***** ists in 68 league appearances.
While he hasn't quite matched those counting stats with Spurs, he's been a key piece of the puzzle at Tottenham, making 94 appearances across all competitions over the past three seasons. When silly season began, it seemed Roberto De Zerbi was keen to keep Udogie in North London, but the transfer pendulum has swung the other way.
According to multiple sources in Italy, including Nicolò Schira and Alfredo Pedullà, Spurs are reportedly warming to the idea of life without Udogie.
#wing #back #league
2 months ago
Roma's transfer market will see a dramatic acceleration in the coming days.
Following Gasperini's rebuke following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton in England, Sporting Director Tony D'Amico is working hard to finalize deals for a winger and striker.
In addition to Cacciamani and Mora, the Giallorossi are also moving forward with negotiations for Real Madrid's Endrick.
After loaning Franco Mastantuono to Fiorentina, the Blancos are reportedly considering leaving the Brazilian talent as well.
In this sense, as reported by Matteo Moretto, the player's will will be decisive.
#brighton
Following Gasperini's rebuke following the 3-0 defeat to Brighton in England, Sporting Director Tony D'Amico is working hard to finalize deals for a winger and striker.
In addition to Cacciamani and Mora, the Giallorossi are also moving forward with negotiations for Real Madrid's Endrick.
After loaning Franco Mastantuono to Fiorentina, the Blancos are reportedly considering leaving the Brazilian talent as well.
In this sense, as reported by Matteo Moretto, the player's will will be decisive.
#brighton
2 months ago
Multiple sources confirm Roma have asked Torino for the availability of 19-year-old winger Alessio Cacciamani, who spent last season on loan at Juve Stabia.
The Giallorossi are seeking an attacking figure for the left flank and went through several alternatives, but were always out-bid.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MAY 17: Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig runs during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart at Red Bull Arena on May 17, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Antonio Nusa is also a very costly idea from RB Leipzig, so Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia note they are turning towards a more local option.
Cacciamani is a product of the Ancona and Torino youth academies, working his way up the ranks and impressing last season on loan in Serie B with Juve Stabia, scoring two goals with two ******* ists in 36 games.
#cacciamani #last
The Giallorossi are seeking an attacking figure for the left flank and went through several alternatives, but were always out-bid.
LEIPZIG, GERMANY – MAY 17: Antonio Nusa of RB Leipzig runs during the Bundesliga match between RB Leipzig and VfB Stuttgart at Red Bull Arena on May 17, 2025 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images)
Antonio Nusa is also a very costly idea from RB Leipzig, so Sportitalia and Sky Sport Italia note they are turning towards a more local option.
Cacciamani is a product of the Ancona and Torino youth academies, working his way up the ranks and impressing last season on loan in Serie B with Juve Stabia, scoring two goals with two ******* ists in 36 games.
#cacciamani #last
