Matchweek 2 of Serie A delivered drama across the peninsula. Milan secured their first points of the season, while Bologna proved they’re picking up right where they left off. Juventus, Napoli, and Roma kept their strong starts rolling with narrow wins, but Atalanta, Fiorentina, and Inter all stumbled. Lazio, meanwhile, ran wild in Rome, dismantling Verona in style. We also dive into Inter’s defensive questions, Juventus's physical battle in Genoa, Milan’s win at Lecce, Bologna’s high-press success, Napoli’s Conte-fueled passion, and much more. Plus, Player of the Week, Stunad of the Week, and Paisano Shoutouts before the international break.

Serie A is back with a wild opening weekend! Kevin De Bruyne wasted no time opening his account for Napoli, Cremonese stunned Milan at the San Siro, and Cristian Chivu’s Inter absolutely dominated Torino with a 5-0 win. Roma's Gasperini era began with three points, while Nico Paz lit up Como’s debut with a statement win over Lazio. Juventus saw Yildiz shine and new signing Jonathan David score on his debut, while Scamacca got back on the scoresheet for Atalanta in his long awaited return. We break down all the key moments, biggest storylines, and what it means for team heading into Matchweek 2.

Juventus are back in the Champions League after finishing 4th in Serie A last season, but is this the start of a true resurgence? In this episode of Calcio Culture, we break down everything you need to know about Juventus heading into the 2025/26 campaign. From bringing back Igor Tudor full-time to the arrival of Damien Comolli as sporting director, the Bianconeri are entering a new era. We analyze Juve’s mercato — key signings & players like Jonathan David, Francisco Conceição, Pierre Kalulu, Lloyd Kelly, and Michele Di Gregorio — along with the major departures that reshape the squad. We also dive into Tudor’s pressing-heavy 3-4-2-1 system, Juve’s roster depth across every position, and what truly defines success for this team: silverware, or player development? Finally, we predict Juventus’ ceiling this season, who their MVP will be, and whether they can finally return to European glory.

AC Milan enter the 2025/26 Serie A season with huge changes on and off the pitch. After finishing 8th last year, losing to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final, and crashing out of the Champions League against Feyenoord, the Rossoneri now look to bounce back under Massimiliano Allegri.  In this AC Milan season preview, the Calcio Culture crew analyzes the club’s record-breaking transfer window: €144M raised in sales with departures like Tijjani Reijnders, Theo Hernández, and Malick Thiaw, while big arrivals include Luka Modric, Ardon Jashari, Samuele Ricci, Koni De Winter, and Pervis Estupiñán. We break down Allegri’s possible -3 formations, Milan’s roster with stars like Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic, and Mike Maignan, and the potential additions of Rasmus Højlund and Dušan Vlahović.  Can Allegri’s Milan challenge for the Scudetto, return to the Champions League, or is this a year for player development? Vos and Logs debate expectations, tactics, and where AC Milan will finish in Serie A 2025/26.

AS Roma enter the 2025–26 season with Gian Piero Gasperini stepping in from Atalanta to lead a high-press, high-endurance Giallorossi side back to the top of Serie A. In this Calcio Culture season preview, Motts, and Logs are joined by two special guests to recap Roma’s rollercoaster 2024–25 campaign — 5th place in Serie A, Europa League Round of 16 exit to Bilbao on goal difference, and a Coppa Italia quarter-final loss to Milan — before breaking down every key mercato move.  We cover the €48M in departures (Tammy Abraham to Besiktas, Paredes to Argentina, Hermoso, Hummels) and €54M in arrivals, including Neil El Aynaoui from Lens, Wesley from Flamengo, and Evan Ferguson on loan from Brighton. We debate the most exciting signing, the glaring need for a left-sided attacker, and how Dovbyk, Dybala, and Soule fit into Gasperini’s system.  Plus: full roster analysis, whether Dybala needs game management, defining a “successful” Roma season and MVP predictions.

The Calcio Culture crew is back with a deep dive into Inter Milan’s 2025-2026 Serie A campaign. After a disappointing 2024-2025 , can newly appointed Cristian Chivu bring the team back to their title aspirations? We break down Inter’s summer transfer window, key signings and departures, tactical expectations, and the squad’s Champions League ambitions.  

We analyze new arrivals like Ange Bonny, the impact of potential lineup changes, and what the future holds for stars like Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella. Will Inter’s depth be enough to challenge on all fronts? Is this the year they reclaim glory?  

Whether you're a die-hard Nerazzurri fan or just love Serie A, this episode has everything you need to gear up for Inter's 2025/26 season — from transfer grades and tactical previews to Champions League outlook and players to watch.  

Subscribe and follow Calcio Culture for weekly episodes on all things Italian football.

The Calcio Culture crew hands out grades for Serie A club’s summer transfer window so far. Napoli’s stunning move for Kevin De Bruyne headlines a busy mercato that saw big names arriving and departing across the league. Juventus reloaded with Jonathan David and João Mário, Inter reshaped their squad with Sucic and Henrique, and Milan’s controversial sales of Theo and Reijnders raised eyebrows despite smart additions like Modric and Ricci. Roma’s big gamble on Evan Ferguson, Atalanta’s managerial change, and Fiorentina’s bold reinforcements all add to the chaos.  Vos & Motts break down which clubs nailed their summer plans, which might have overplayed their hand, and who could face regrets when the season kicks off. From Scudetto contenders to survival battlers, no team is safe from their grades.

Napoli are making major moves in the 2025 summer transfer window — but are they building a Scudetto contender or just stirring the pot? 

In this episode of Calcio Culture, we break down Napoli's €43M spending spree and what it means for Antonio Conte's project going forward.  We analyze the stunning signing of Kevin De Bruyne and how the Belgian maestro fits into a midfield that finally found rhythm late last season. Will KDB elevate Napoli, or disrupt the chemistry Conte was building? 

We also look at big-name arrivals like defender Sam Beukema, striker Lorenzo Lucca  and Noa Lang.  Plus, we touch on new signing Luca Marianucci from Empoli, ongoing rumors involving Dan Ndoye and Vanja Milinković-Savić, and the bombshell report of Victor Osimhen possibly heading to Galatasaray for €75M.

AC Milan are making headlines in the 2025 summer transfer window — but are they building a contender or taking a gamble? In this episode of Calcio Culture, we break down all of Milan’s biggest transfers, departures, and rumors so far.

We analyze what Luka Modrić, the 39-year-old Ballon d’Or winner, can realistically bring to the Rossoneri midfield, and whether Samuele Ricci has the potential to take the next step in his career after his move from Torino. We also discuss what Milan are losing with the sales of Tijjani Reijnders to Manchester City and Theo Hernández, as well as other key exits like Camarda and Jović.

We also cover the latest rumors around Jashari, the search for new full-backs after missing out on Guela Doué and De Cuyper, and the ongoing hunt for a new striker. Finally, we look at how Milan’s midfield shapes up after all the changes and whether these moves are enough to close the gap in Serie A and Europe.

In this episode, the hosts discuss the recent appointment of Gian Piero Gasperini as the new coach of AS Roma, exploring the implications for the team's tactics, player development, and expectations for the upcoming season. They analyze the potential of key players like Artem Dovbyk and Lorenzo Pellegrini, the challenges of integrating new signings, and the overall mindset of Gasperini in a club with higher ambitions. The conversation also touches on the transfer market and the importance of strategic signings to bolster the squad.