Andy @ Chiacchierata Calcistica
@ccalcistica.bsky.social
24 for 2024 graduates:
Alessio Castellini (Catania)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wearing the captain's armband and with 5 goals in the calendar year, Castellini has shifted to the heart of Catania's defence this season.
In hindsight, a summer move to Serie B might have benefitted him more than staying at underpar Catania
Alessio Castellini (Catania)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wearing the captain's armband and with 5 goals in the calendar year, Castellini has shifted to the heart of Catania's defence this season.
In hindsight, a summer move to Serie B might have benefitted him more than staying at underpar Catania
December 7, 2024 at 8:59 AM
24 for 2024 graduates:
Alessio Castellini (Catania)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wearing the captain's armband and with 5 goals in the calendar year, Castellini has shifted to the heart of Catania's defence this season.
In hindsight, a summer move to Serie B might have benefitted him more than staying at underpar Catania
Alessio Castellini (Catania)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wearing the captain's armband and with 5 goals in the calendar year, Castellini has shifted to the heart of Catania's defence this season.
In hindsight, a summer move to Serie B might have benefitted him more than staying at underpar Catania
Andrea Santarcangelo (Picerno)
⭐⭐
It was hoped that Murano's departure would clear the centre-forward's path to the starting lineup. But he has featured little despite finishing last season well.
A loan to an ambitious Serie D club might do him good.
⭐⭐
It was hoped that Murano's departure would clear the centre-forward's path to the starting lineup. But he has featured little despite finishing last season well.
A loan to an ambitious Serie D club might do him good.
December 7, 2024 at 8:57 AM
Andrea Santarcangelo (Picerno)
⭐⭐
It was hoped that Murano's departure would clear the centre-forward's path to the starting lineup. But he has featured little despite finishing last season well.
A loan to an ambitious Serie D club might do him good.
⭐⭐
It was hoped that Murano's departure would clear the centre-forward's path to the starting lineup. But he has featured little despite finishing last season well.
A loan to an ambitious Serie D club might do him good.
Antonio Fiori (Mantova)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Serie D with Vastogirardi just 18 months ago, the winger was a star man in Mantova's promotion to Serie B.
He has kept a starting berth this season. His 1 goal & 2 assists are less than his lively performances deserve.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Serie D with Vastogirardi just 18 months ago, the winger was a star man in Mantova's promotion to Serie B.
He has kept a starting berth this season. His 1 goal & 2 assists are less than his lively performances deserve.
December 7, 2024 at 8:57 AM
Antonio Fiori (Mantova)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Serie D with Vastogirardi just 18 months ago, the winger was a star man in Mantova's promotion to Serie B.
He has kept a starting berth this season. His 1 goal & 2 assists are less than his lively performances deserve.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
In Serie D with Vastogirardi just 18 months ago, the winger was a star man in Mantova's promotion to Serie B.
He has kept a starting berth this season. His 1 goal & 2 assists are less than his lively performances deserve.
24 for 2024 graduates:
Samuele Angori (Pontedera/Pisa)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a January move to Reggiana feel through, the wing-back saw out his loan in Tuscany before moving to Pisa in the summer.
Entrusted with a starting berth in recent week, his recent goal v Sampdoria should give him added confidence.
Samuele Angori (Pontedera/Pisa)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a January move to Reggiana feel through, the wing-back saw out his loan in Tuscany before moving to Pisa in the summer.
Entrusted with a starting berth in recent week, his recent goal v Sampdoria should give him added confidence.
December 7, 2024 at 8:56 AM
24 for 2024 graduates:
Samuele Angori (Pontedera/Pisa)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a January move to Reggiana feel through, the wing-back saw out his loan in Tuscany before moving to Pisa in the summer.
Entrusted with a starting berth in recent week, his recent goal v Sampdoria should give him added confidence.
Samuele Angori (Pontedera/Pisa)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
After a January move to Reggiana feel through, the wing-back saw out his loan in Tuscany before moving to Pisa in the summer.
Entrusted with a starting berth in recent week, his recent goal v Sampdoria should give him added confidence.
24 for 2024 graduates:
Christian Shpendi (Cesena)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last season's Serie C joint top scorer (20 goals), this season he's top of the Serie B charts with 10 goals after 15 games.
Having just penned a new contract, the striker will be aiming to force his way into the Albania (or Italy?) squad.
Christian Shpendi (Cesena)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last season's Serie C joint top scorer (20 goals), this season he's top of the Serie B charts with 10 goals after 15 games.
Having just penned a new contract, the striker will be aiming to force his way into the Albania (or Italy?) squad.
December 7, 2024 at 8:56 AM
24 for 2024 graduates:
Christian Shpendi (Cesena)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last season's Serie C joint top scorer (20 goals), this season he's top of the Serie B charts with 10 goals after 15 games.
Having just penned a new contract, the striker will be aiming to force his way into the Albania (or Italy?) squad.
Christian Shpendi (Cesena)
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Last season's Serie C joint top scorer (20 goals), this season he's top of the Serie B charts with 10 goals after 15 games.
Having just penned a new contract, the striker will be aiming to force his way into the Albania (or Italy?) squad.
Serie C: 25 for 2025
Last December, on Twitter, I published my 24 under-21 lower league players to watch in 2024.
Some, like Cristian Shpendi, have enjoyed a wonderful 12 months.
Others, like Marios Chrysovergis, have literally gone AWOL.
Last December, on Twitter, I published my 24 under-21 lower league players to watch in 2024.
Some, like Cristian Shpendi, have enjoyed a wonderful 12 months.
Others, like Marios Chrysovergis, have literally gone AWOL.
December 7, 2024 at 8:54 AM
Serie C: 25 for 2025
Last December, on Twitter, I published my 24 under-21 lower league players to watch in 2024.
Some, like Cristian Shpendi, have enjoyed a wonderful 12 months.
Others, like Marios Chrysovergis, have literally gone AWOL.
Last December, on Twitter, I published my 24 under-21 lower league players to watch in 2024.
Some, like Cristian Shpendi, have enjoyed a wonderful 12 months.
Others, like Marios Chrysovergis, have literally gone AWOL.
Italian Coastal League 2024/25
Imagine an Italy without electricity, gas or petrol (or steam?)
...where the only viable way to get 11 players from one city to another was by boat.
Well here's your top flight.
Imagine an Italy without electricity, gas or petrol (or steam?)
...where the only viable way to get 11 players from one city to another was by boat.
Well here's your top flight.
December 4, 2024 at 7:48 AM
Italian Coastal League 2024/25
Imagine an Italy without electricity, gas or petrol (or steam?)
...where the only viable way to get 11 players from one city to another was by boat.
Well here's your top flight.
Imagine an Italy without electricity, gas or petrol (or steam?)
...where the only viable way to get 11 players from one city to another was by boat.
Well here's your top flight.
As for the stadium, Atalanta's current Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia was built in 1928.
But it was built on top of the existing Ippodromo Borgo Santa Caterina - a kind of Lombard Shawfield.
Scottish naming conventions would surely have this as St Catherine's Park.
But it was built on top of the existing Ippodromo Borgo Santa Caterina - a kind of Lombard Shawfield.
Scottish naming conventions would surely have this as St Catherine's Park.
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
As for the stadium, Atalanta's current Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia was built in 1928.
But it was built on top of the existing Ippodromo Borgo Santa Caterina - a kind of Lombard Shawfield.
Scottish naming conventions would surely have this as St Catherine's Park.
But it was built on top of the existing Ippodromo Borgo Santa Caterina - a kind of Lombard Shawfield.
Scottish naming conventions would surely have this as St Catherine's Park.
The River "Brent" (and Brentford) in SE England is thought to derive its name from "Brigantia", so a similar development can be envisaged in lowland Scotland.
But since Birrens (D&G), like Bergamo, lies on a military road & could conceivably come from "brig", let's put it there.
But since Birrens (D&G), like Bergamo, lies on a military road & could conceivably come from "brig", let's put it there.
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
The River "Brent" (and Brentford) in SE England is thought to derive its name from "Brigantia", so a similar development can be envisaged in lowland Scotland.
But since Birrens (D&G), like Bergamo, lies on a military road & could conceivably come from "brig", let's put it there.
But since Birrens (D&G), like Bergamo, lies on a military road & could conceivably come from "brig", let's put it there.
One of those Brittonic tribes was the Brigantes (meaning the "High Ones"), who worshipped the goddess Brigantia. "Brig" likely has the same root as "Berg".
Although a northern English tribe, a statuette to Brigantia has been found at Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway...
Although a northern English tribe, a statuette to Brigantia has been found at Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway...
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
One of those Brittonic tribes was the Brigantes (meaning the "High Ones"), who worshipped the goddess Brigantia. "Brig" likely has the same root as "Berg".
Although a northern English tribe, a statuette to Brigantia has been found at Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway...
Although a northern English tribe, a statuette to Brigantia has been found at Birrens, Dumfries & Galloway...
How about Bergamo?
"Berg" might come from the Gallic (Cenomani) word for mountain, later Latinised as Bergomum, perhaps tied to the Celtic mountain god Bergimus.
The Padanian influence of the Gallic Celts can be compared to the lowland influence of the Brittonic Celts.
"Berg" might come from the Gallic (Cenomani) word for mountain, later Latinised as Bergomum, perhaps tied to the Celtic mountain god Bergimus.
The Padanian influence of the Gallic Celts can be compared to the lowland influence of the Brittonic Celts.
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
How about Bergamo?
"Berg" might come from the Gallic (Cenomani) word for mountain, later Latinised as Bergomum, perhaps tied to the Celtic mountain god Bergimus.
The Padanian influence of the Gallic Celts can be compared to the lowland influence of the Brittonic Celts.
"Berg" might come from the Gallic (Cenomani) word for mountain, later Latinised as Bergomum, perhaps tied to the Celtic mountain god Bergimus.
The Padanian influence of the Gallic Celts can be compared to the lowland influence of the Brittonic Celts.
1. Atalanta (Italy)
Scottish name: Aife
Town: Birrens (D&G)
Ground: St Catherine's Park
In Greek mythology, the huntress Atalanta wouldn't marry until she was outrun by a man.
In Celtic mythology, Aife (a warrior-queen) only married once outfought (deceiptfully) by Cú Chulainn
Scottish name: Aife
Town: Birrens (D&G)
Ground: St Catherine's Park
In Greek mythology, the huntress Atalanta wouldn't marry until she was outrun by a man.
In Celtic mythology, Aife (a warrior-queen) only married once outfought (deceiptfully) by Cú Chulainn
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
1. Atalanta (Italy)
Scottish name: Aife
Town: Birrens (D&G)
Ground: St Catherine's Park
In Greek mythology, the huntress Atalanta wouldn't marry until she was outrun by a man.
In Celtic mythology, Aife (a warrior-queen) only married once outfought (deceiptfully) by Cú Chulainn
Scottish name: Aife
Town: Birrens (D&G)
Ground: St Catherine's Park
In Greek mythology, the huntress Atalanta wouldn't marry until she was outrun by a man.
In Celtic mythology, Aife (a warrior-queen) only married once outfought (deceiptfully) by Cú Chulainn
For our purposes, the Greek influence on Italy (Magna Grecia) is equivalent to the Gael influence on Scotland in 500-850 AD (Dál Riata).
The Gallic influence on Italy might be equivalent to the Brittonic on Scotland, and so on.
Hopefully this will become clear as we go on...
The Gallic influence on Italy might be equivalent to the Brittonic on Scotland, and so on.
Hopefully this will become clear as we go on...
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
For our purposes, the Greek influence on Italy (Magna Grecia) is equivalent to the Gael influence on Scotland in 500-850 AD (Dál Riata).
The Gallic influence on Italy might be equivalent to the Brittonic on Scotland, and so on.
Hopefully this will become clear as we go on...
The Gallic influence on Italy might be equivalent to the Brittonic on Scotland, and so on.
Hopefully this will become clear as we go on...
Equivalence is the key, but from a history perspective there's a time shift at play.
When the Greeks (with their mature language and culture) were colonising the southern city of Taranto in 706 BC, their Iron Age was already at its end, while Scotland's was only just beginning.
When the Greeks (with their mature language and culture) were colonising the southern city of Taranto in 706 BC, their Iron Age was already at its end, while Scotland's was only just beginning.
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Equivalence is the key, but from a history perspective there's a time shift at play.
When the Greeks (with their mature language and culture) were colonising the southern city of Taranto in 706 BC, their Iron Age was already at its end, while Scotland's was only just beginning.
When the Greeks (with their mature language and culture) were colonising the southern city of Taranto in 706 BC, their Iron Age was already at its end, while Scotland's was only just beginning.
For an example of how we'll do this, let's look at the name of the game itself.
Calcio becomes ba' due to some similarities between the Duke of Buccleuch's ba' game played in the Scottish borders in 1815 and the "calcio" fiorentino played centuries ago in Tuscany.
Calcio becomes ba' due to some similarities between the Duke of Buccleuch's ba' game played in the Scottish borders in 1815 and the "calcio" fiorentino played centuries ago in Tuscany.
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
For an example of how we'll do this, let's look at the name of the game itself.
Calcio becomes ba' due to some similarities between the Duke of Buccleuch's ba' game played in the Scottish borders in 1815 and the "calcio" fiorentino played centuries ago in Tuscany.
Calcio becomes ba' due to some similarities between the Duke of Buccleuch's ba' game played in the Scottish borders in 1815 and the "calcio" fiorentino played centuries ago in Tuscany.
Methodology:
We analyse the linguistic, geographical & historical background of Italy's clubs to identify:
1. What they'd be called if they were Scottish
2. Where they would play
3. The name of their ground (e.g. the Arena Garibaldi might become William Wallace Park).
We analyse the linguistic, geographical & historical background of Italy's clubs to identify:
1. What they'd be called if they were Scottish
2. Where they would play
3. The name of their ground (e.g. the Arena Garibaldi might become William Wallace Park).
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Methodology:
We analyse the linguistic, geographical & historical background of Italy's clubs to identify:
1. What they'd be called if they were Scottish
2. Where they would play
3. The name of their ground (e.g. the Arena Garibaldi might become William Wallace Park).
We analyse the linguistic, geographical & historical background of Italy's clubs to identify:
1. What they'd be called if they were Scottish
2. Where they would play
3. The name of their ground (e.g. the Arena Garibaldi might become William Wallace Park).
If Dundee were Akragas: An alternate football universe
What if Serie A's clubs had sprung up not in Italy, but in Scotland?
Here's a slow thread on how Italian calcio might be understood within a Caledonian context.
This thread could be a bombscare...
What if Serie A's clubs had sprung up not in Italy, but in Scotland?
Here's a slow thread on how Italian calcio might be understood within a Caledonian context.
This thread could be a bombscare...
November 19, 2024 at 8:15 AM
If Dundee were Akragas: An alternate football universe
What if Serie A's clubs had sprung up not in Italy, but in Scotland?
Here's a slow thread on how Italian calcio might be understood within a Caledonian context.
This thread could be a bombscare...
What if Serie A's clubs had sprung up not in Italy, but in Scotland?
Here's a slow thread on how Italian calcio might be understood within a Caledonian context.
This thread could be a bombscare...
Messina was originally called "Zancle" (Siculian for "sickle"), so named by colonising pirates due to the shape of its harbour.
It was later re-christened "Messene" by Anaxilaus, tyrant of Reggio, who hailed from the Greek region of Messenia (adding an extra edge to the Messina-Reggina derby 😉).
It was later re-christened "Messene" by Anaxilaus, tyrant of Reggio, who hailed from the Greek region of Messenia (adding an extra edge to the Messina-Reggina derby 😉).
November 15, 2024 at 1:41 PM
Messina was originally called "Zancle" (Siculian for "sickle"), so named by colonising pirates due to the shape of its harbour.
It was later re-christened "Messene" by Anaxilaus, tyrant of Reggio, who hailed from the Greek region of Messenia (adding an extra edge to the Messina-Reggina derby 😉).
It was later re-christened "Messene" by Anaxilaus, tyrant of Reggio, who hailed from the Greek region of Messenia (adding an extra edge to the Messina-Reggina derby 😉).
The word Avellino comes from the proto-Indo-European word for "apple" (abel).
In Roman times, it was called Abellinum - but it was 4km away from its current location.
Conversely, the nearby town of "Avella" is believed to come from the Latin for "hazelnut" (as in the Spanish "avellana").
In Roman times, it was called Abellinum - but it was 4km away from its current location.
Conversely, the nearby town of "Avella" is believed to come from the Latin for "hazelnut" (as in the Spanish "avellana").
November 14, 2024 at 4:03 PM
The word Avellino comes from the proto-Indo-European word for "apple" (abel).
In Roman times, it was called Abellinum - but it was 4km away from its current location.
Conversely, the nearby town of "Avella" is believed to come from the Latin for "hazelnut" (as in the Spanish "avellana").
In Roman times, it was called Abellinum - but it was 4km away from its current location.
Conversely, the nearby town of "Avella" is believed to come from the Latin for "hazelnut" (as in the Spanish "avellana").
The city of Benevento used to be called "Maleventum" until the Romans realised the name probably didn't bode well for the town.
The Romans had misconceived the town's original name of "Maloenton" (probably indicating sheep-farming activity) as meaning "malum eventum" (ill-occurrence).
The Romans had misconceived the town's original name of "Maloenton" (probably indicating sheep-farming activity) as meaning "malum eventum" (ill-occurrence).
November 13, 2024 at 9:21 AM
The city of Benevento used to be called "Maleventum" until the Romans realised the name probably didn't bode well for the town.
The Romans had misconceived the town's original name of "Maloenton" (probably indicating sheep-farming activity) as meaning "malum eventum" (ill-occurrence).
The Romans had misconceived the town's original name of "Maloenton" (probably indicating sheep-farming activity) as meaning "malum eventum" (ill-occurrence).