⚽️🇮🇹 Milan's record breaker & a Del Piero exclusive!
👋 Ciao a tutti!
Welcome to Calcio Weekly, your comprehensive weekly digest of Italian soccer.
This week, we have an exclusive interview with Alessandro Del Piero, we’re discussing AC Milan’s teenage record-breaker, and we’re finding out why Jose Mourinho is talking about Nonna’s cooking…
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🏆 Calcio Weekly exclusive: Del Piero on Juventus’ title chances
During a recent Serie A event in Miami, Calcio Weekly had the pleasure of speaking with Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero about Juventus, Americans in the league, and much more…
🗣️ Del Piero, who won six Scudetti and a Champions League title while leading the line for Juventus, discussed the Old Lady’s chances of success in a hotly contested title race this season:
“[Juventus] definitely have a chance. Not playing in Europe means you can prepare for one game per week and that’s very important - it’s important to have time to physically and mentally prepare for games. But the Italian league is not easy to win and Inter is very well prepared, too.”
🇺🇸 The World Cup winner also gave his thoughts on the American players at Juventus and Milan, and the knock-on effect of their respective successes for US soccer:
“It’s great that these [American] players are doing well. And it’s great for the World Cup that’s coming here in 2026. I lived in the US for eight years, and I saw how much passion the kids have, so this is an amazing moment.”
🎥 And, in an age where VAR often dominates discussion, we asked Del Piero how he would fare playing with modern in-game technology:
“I would be more protected! With so many cameras, defenders can’t do what they did before. Before, it was rough. Playing defense now is tougher than before, too. The use of the hands is complicated, you cannot make a strong challenge on a striker. It’s a different game now.”
👏 Milan’s 15-year-old striker Francesco Camarda makes Serie A history
AC Milan’s next generation has arrived: forward Francesco Camarda made a late substitute appearance in the Rossoneri’s 1-0 win over Fiorentina, at the age of 15 years and 260 days, making him the youngest player in league history.
🇮🇹 Camarda, who was born in Milan, made an 83rd-minute cameo in the win, with his proud parents looking on from the stands.
🆙 Camarda is used to stepping up: he earned his call-up to the first team from the Milan Primavera, which is the club’s U19 squad. He’s scored seven goals from 13 games this season in the U19 side (reminder: he is 15!).
After his senior debut, the teenager uploaded an emotional post to Instagram, where he expressed his love for the fans, and his feeling that he had “discovered a second home.”
🧓 Want to feel old? The number one song when Camarda was born, in March 2008, was ‘Love in This Club’ by Usher featuring Young Jeezy. His fellow Milan striker Olivier Giroud was 21 years old at the time of his birth.
🇺🇸 The win over Fiorentina was also a success for Milan’s USMNT contingent: Christian Pulisic played Théo Hernández in for the move that earned the decisive penalty, while Yunus Musah played 84 minutes in midfield.
➡️ Up next for Milan: The Rossoneri host Frosinone on Saturday (2.45pm ET on Paramount+), where a win could potentially bring them within three points of league leaders and fellow San Siro occupants Inter.
🇺🇸 Revealed: Juve’s most American non-American!
While in the celebratory mood last week, Weston McKennie and Tim Weah discussed the teammate who would most likely enjoy a traditional American Thanksgiving…
➡️ Up next for Juventus: The Old Lady head to Monza on Friday (2.45pm ET on Paramount+), knowing their opposition could be a stumbling block in their quest for the title.
"On Friday we go to Monza, a team that took six points from us last season and against whom we didn't score, so it will be a complicated match," said Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri.
🇪🇺 Inter and Lazio progress in Champions League
It’s been a strong showing for Italian sides in the Champions League so far this season, with Inter Millan and Lazio moving to the Round of 16 with a game to spare, while Milan and Napoli can still progress.
🦅 Lazio advanced to the knockout stages on Tuesday with a 2-0 home win over Celtic. Substitute Ciro Immobile scored a late brace to seal the win.
👏 Inter, who reached the Final last season, reached the last 16 following a 1-0 win at Red Bull Salzburg. Serie A leading goalscorer Lautaro Martinez fired home the winner from the spot.
🩵 Napoli sit in second place in Group C, and will progress with a draw or win in their final group stage match against Braga on December 12th. Walter Mazzarri’s side are guaranteed at least a spot in the Europa League knockout rounds.
😥 Milan were drawn into the so-called “Group of Death” with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle. Despite taking points from all three opponents, they sit bottom of the group. However, they will progress if they beat Newcastle on the final match day, and group leaders Dortmund beat PSG.
🤯 ICYMI: Golazzos from Candreva and Malinovskyi
Salernitana’s Antonio Candreva is no stranger to scoring stunning goals, and he added another one to the highlight reel with this long-range effort against his former club Lazio…
👊 Not only was the 36-year-old’s goal beautiful, but it was meaningful: it was the winner in a comeback 2-1 victory, and helped book Salernitana’s first win of the season.
Genoa, meanwhile, were defeated at Frosinone on Sunday, but were treated to this incredible effort from Ruslan Malinovskyi (which deserves to be enjoyed from every angle):
This finish from Malinovskyi had no right to go in | Every Angle | Frosinone-Genoa | Serie A 2023/24
👍 The Ukrainian forward is on a season-long loan from Marseille, and has registered a goal and an assist in his last four games.
🟥 Serie A promotes campaign against violence to women
During game week 13, you may have noticed Serie A players and coaches sporting red marks on their cheeks.
The mark is part of a campaign against violence to women, which coincided with the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
🏆 Get your photo with the Scudetto at our Baltimore Watch Party!
Thanks to the Italian soccer fans who joined us this week at Paramount+'s "Destination Miami" event!
We’re hitting the road again this weekend: on Sunday December 3rd, we’ll be at Power Plant Live! in Baltimore to watch Napoli v Inter (2.45pm kick-off).
Not only will you have the chance to have your photo taken with the Scudetto trophy, but you’ll have the opportunity to hang with us and fellow calcio fans!
If you’re in the area, come join us!
📆 December 3rd
⏰ 2.45pm (doors at 1.45pm)
📍 Power Plant Live!, 34 Market Pl, Baltimore, MD 21202
Sign up for a FREE ticket here!
🫡 Become a Calcio Weekly Capitano
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If you share this newsletter with 10 friends, we’ll send you a genuine Serie A captain’s armband (as seen above, expertly modeled by the Coppa Italia trophy in our NYC offices).
Earn your call-up and help the latest Serie A news land in more inboxes! ⬇️
👩🍳 Mourinho attributes Roma’s away form to “grandma’s cooking”
Roma enjoyed a 3-1 home win over Udinese last weekend, and currently sit in European contention. However, their results have been underwhelming away from the Eternal City.
🗣️ When asked about Roma’s form on the road, Jose Mourinho said some of his players miss the comforts of home, including their grandma’s culinary efforts:
“Away from home we lack some mentality. I've always liked the antagonism of playing away from home better.
“There are people here who like the comfort of home more. Once they leave they miss their mom, dad and grandma, who makes them dessert.”
The Giallorossi have enjoyed only one road victory in the league this season, a 4-1 win at Cagliari in October.
➡️ Up next for Roma: After a Thursday night trip to Switzerland to face Servette in the Europa League, Mou’s side is heading to Sassuolo on Sunday (12pm ET on Paramount+). Roma have tied their last three league visits to the Stadio Città del Tricolore.
💬 Calcio Conversations
The Italian term for what we would call a “playmaker” is “regista.”
🧐 Why? Regista literally means “director,” the same word used for a film director. This is a player who “directs” and controls his team’s game and tempo, usually from a deep midfield position.
So, think of Andrea Pirlo or Jorginho as the on-field Steven Spielbergs…
🤗 Social post of the week: Mourinho shows a Roma ball boy some love
Regardless of his opinions on Nonna’s baking, there’s rarely a shortage of passion from Jose Mourinho when his Roma side scores, and he was in a typically effervescent mood when Stephan El Shaarawy sealed a 3-1 win over Udinese at the Olimpico…
😂 Rather than celebrating with his players or assistants, the Portuguese coach gave a victorious embrace to a ball kid standing near the dugouts!
👏 Mou has a history of involving ball kids in his tactics, often encouraging them to return the ball to play as quickly as possible when his side is chasing a goal. During his tenure at Tottenham, he famously hugged a ballboy, whose deft actions contributed to a Harry Kane goal.
📺 This weekend on CBS Sports and Paramount+
Friday December 1st
Monza v Juventus (2.45pm ET)
Saturday December 2nd
Genoa v Empoli (9am ET)
Lazio v Cagliari (12pm ET)
AC Milan v Frosinone (2.45pm ET)
Sunday December 3rd
Lecce v Bologna (6.30am ET)
Fiorentina v Salernitana (9am ET)
Udinese v Hellas Verona (9am ET)
Sassuolo v Roma (12pm ET)
Napoli v Inter (2.45pm ET)
Monday December 4th
Torino v Atalanta (2.45pm ET)
🇨🇦 Reading this in Canada? Watch ALL Serie A games LIVE on Fubo - and try if for free! 🇨🇦
Grazie e arrivederci!
We hope you enjoyed this edition of Calcio Weekly.
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Ciao ciao!