Domenica Bastardi – Game 10 of 38: Back home at the Olimpico after chaos, rain and robbery

After the misery of the robbery and the soaking, soul-draining chaos of Pisa — where I ended up sitting with the...

Domenica Bastardi Game 9 of 38: Rain, chaos and resilience as Lazio battle to a point in Pisa

After recovering — or at least trying to recover — from the madness of the robbery, it was time for Pisa. ...

‘The Misters’ Part V: Gian Piero Gasperini – From Atalanta innovator to Roma’s ambitious new era

If Italian football has long revered charismatic, trophy-laden coaches, then Gian Piero Gasperini stands apart as one of the great innovators...

Domenica Bastardi game 8 of 38: Lazio 1–0 Juventus – Toma Bašić the hero as personal chaos shadows a vital win

Still feeling quietly satisfied after earning a hard-fought point away at Atalanta, I can’t say I was optimistic heading into this...

Italians in the Middle East: Opportunity, adaptation, and the pursuit of success

In recent decades, the Middle East has emerged as one of football’s fastest-growing regions, attracting stars, managers, and investors from across...

Serie A in the 1960s: The tactical revolution and the rise of European dominance

The 1960s were a transformative decade for Serie A, as Italian football embraced tactical sophistication and international competition.  This period saw...

‘The Misters’ Part IV: Ivan Jurić – The fiery Croatian tactician leading Atalanta’s next evolution

Ivan Jurić has built a reputation as one of Serie A’s most intense, demanding, and tactically sophisticated managers.  Fiercely competitive and...

Italians in Argentina: A shared football heritage of triumph and challenge

Italy and Argentina share one of the deepest footballing connections in the world. Millions of Argentinians trace their ancestry back to...

Serie A in the 1950s: The era of recovery and the rise of legends

The 1950s in Italian football marked a period of recovery and renewal following the devastation of World War II.  Serie A...

Domenica Bastardi game 7 of 38: Lazio battle to a 0–0 draw in Bergamo and discover the softer side of Atalanta away

After a chaotic few weeks, I decided to make the Atalanta away match into a proper weekend trip — a chance...