Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti are back to cast their minds all the way back to the summer and Italy’s unforgettable Euro 2020 triumph. In 2017, Italian football was on its knees, with the national team failing to qualify for the World Cup. So how did the Azzurri transform themselves into undoubtedly the best team at Euro 2020, breaking E…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti bring you the Serie A story of the original Ronaldo – a global icon. The Brazilian superstar Ronaldo joined Inter Milan from Barcelona in 1997. His return to Spain 5 years later arguably marked the end of Serie A’s economic dominance. Golazzo relives the greatest player in the world playing in the greatest l…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and special guest Rafa Honigstein examine the three legendary Germans who made Inter record-breakers at the turn of the 90s. Lothar Matthaus, Jurgen Klinsmann and Andreas Brehme were an integral part of West Germany’s World Cup winning side in 1990. They would all join forces at San Siro, with Matthaus and Brehme contributin…

Jimbo welcomes back James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti to discuss one of the most recognisable names and haircuts in Italian football history – Fabrizio Ravanelli. The man who said he was born to be a bricklayer was on the scoresheet the last time Juventus won the Champions League. A silver fox with one of the most imitated goal celebrations of all …

Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten were a central part of one of the greatest club sides ever, when Serie A was arguably at its peak. This episode looks at the success enjoyed at a time when European Cup finals were the norm for Milan, and the denouement for the Dutchmen as Gullit clashed with Capello, while Van Basten’s career was cut tragically shor…

Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco Van Basten were so good, they made up the entire podium for the 1988 Ballon D’Or. The Dutch trio, known as the three tulips, were pivotal to the Netherlands’ Euro 88 triumph and this Golazzo concentrates on the years that led to them becoming a collective at San Siro. Part one of this two-part special also incl…

European Cup winner Sinisa Mihajlovic was the master of free-kicks, considered a wonder of physics in Italy. He also was an accused racist and has battled leukaemia while still managing Bologna. His is a complex story, and his Golazzo includes a special tribute from Sven-Goran Eriksson. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1a: Mihajlovic’s beginnings at Vojvodina…

The start saw a string of sackings but Luciano Spalletti’s managerial career caught fire in his first spell at Roma, one of the most tactically significant coaching stints of the last 20 years. Defined by the discovery of the 4-6-0 formation that rejuvenated Francesco Totti. This Golazzo looks back at that team, as well as some of the less successf…

Join Jimbo and the gang for a new series of Golazzo, harking back to the golden days of Serie A. Featuring Sinisa, Spalletti and more. Coming soon... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon The Athletic

Today we look at how Juventus found themselves embroiled in the world of organised crime, the introduction of identity cards and the ultra stance as last defenders of the real values of the sport.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: The case of Rafaello Bucci and the Drughi (01m 00s)• PART 2: Identity cards brought in to curb violence (13m 00s)• PART 3: The goo…

In the first of a two-part special, we look at the roots of ultra culture, the politics and the power wielded by Italian clubs’ most passionate and outspoken fan groups. Suspending games, stopping signings and supposed links to organised crime. RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Why the fascination with ultras? (01m 00s)• PART 2: The roots of ultra culture (1…

In a backdrop of a boom in Italy, Juventus supplemented Giampero Boniperti in 1957 with forwards Omar Sivori and gentle giant John Charles, perhaps the most universally popular Juventus player ever. And one hell of a singer.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Why were this trio so iconic? (01m 00s)• PART 2: Agnelli acquires Charles and Sivori (05m 00s)• PART 3…

Immortalised in Italian pop culture and in the hearts of fans at the Stadio Olimpico, we examine a man of impeccable integrity and character. Brian McBride might tell you otherwise.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: De Rossi’s last game for Roma (01m 00s)• PART 2: De Rossi’s beginnings at Roma – Captain Future (05m 00s)• PART 3a: What was De Rossi’s position …

Having established Milan as a European superpower, Berlusconi made the move into politics, becoming Italian prime minister. And wherever he went, sex and scandal usually followed. Did he take his eye off the ball at the San Siro?RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Berlusconi forms Forza Italia (01m 00s)• PART 2: Berlusconi’s results for Milan and politically (…

The first in a two-part special looks at how Berlusconi brought an elite level set-up on and off the pitch, making his three-time Champions League winners AC Milan the benchmark in European football.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: The powerful man will fix things (01m 00s)• PART 2: Berlusconi’s beginnings, forming Italy’s first national commercial TV netwo…

Francesco Totti scored some of his most memorable goals in the twilight of his career before retiring at 40. But exiting centre stage for his hometown club Roma proved to be a slightly messy affair.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Totti’s penalty for Italy against Australia at the 2006 World Cup (01m 00s)• PART 2a: Totti – the best player in his 30s ever? (…

He’s a God in Rome. Would Francesco Totti have been more appreciated globally if he’d taken that move to Real Madrid? The first part of our special looks back on the first decade of his career, when he realised the dream of lifting the Scudetto with his hometown club.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Totti – Mr Roma (01m 00s)• PART 2a: Totti joins Roma at 12…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti return to discuss Italy’s all-time leading goalscorer, the benchmark by which all Italian strikers have been measured against – Gigi Riva.Spending almost his entire career at Cagliari and leading Sardinia to its only Scudetto, why did Riva refuse to leave despite world record offers? This is the story of a m…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti return with the concluding part of our special on the great Gianluca Vialli.Having tackled Sampdoria and Juventus, we look at Luca’s move to England where he played for and eventually managed Chelsea to major silverware. Like a kid with the keys to a Ferrari, to quote Fabio Capello.We also examine Vialli’s c…

He’s the last man to lift the European Cup for Juventus. This week Golazzo brings you the first of a two-part special on Gianluca Vialli, with Jimbo, James Horncastle and Vialli’s co-author Gab Marcotti.The most expensive player in the world when he signed for the Old Lady, Vialli made his name winning the Scudetto at Sampdoria with his “goal twin”…

Some know him as the Matrix, some (in France) know him as the most hated man in football. Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti review the life and times of Marco Materazzi.Derided by many as a red card or a penalty waiting to happen, Materazzi ended his career as a World Cup and treble winner. We all know what happened with Zidane, but in this …

Now that you've finished listening to these 6 episodes of Golazzo - have a listen to this look back at the life and times of Muhammad Ali, part of Muddy Knees Media's new series, A Life Lived (https://podfollow.com/alifelived) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon The Athletic

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti take a trip to northern Italy and the club that became a model for shrewd scouting and punching above their weight.Udinese has attracted the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Oliver Bierhoff and even Zico in his prime. Not bad for a city half the size of Parma. This Golazzo looks back at some of the great iterations …

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti present a long-awaited retrospective on the career of Pippo Inzaghi.He won the Champions League and the World Cup. Only 3 men have scored more goals in Europe than him. But was he actually any good? His former team-mate at Atalanta, Richard Hughes, gives us the answer.We look at the connection Inzaghi had wi…

Imagine The Debate with guests of the calibre of Jose Mourinho, John W Henry and David Cameron. You’ve just imagined Il Processo.Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti take on The Trial, the Italian football debate show fronted by Aldo Biscardi for 36 years.Hysterical, all-access, must see TV, an early proponent of VAR and punditry conducted by c…

Lucarelli was the top scorer in Serie A but didn’t believe in separating politics from football. From Che Guevara t-shirts to starting his own newspaper, this tale includes Berlusconi bandanas and Luther Blissett’s role in Italian anarchism.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: The city of Livorno aka Leghorn (02m 30s)• PART 2a: Lucarelli’s beginnings pre-Livorn…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti examine the last Italian club to win the Champions League – and the only one to do the treble – Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan.The Nerazzurri lost Zlatan but bought full-back Samuel Eto’o and an unwanted Wesley Sneijder, stumbling on the perfect formula for success. With the help of a volcano. This is the story…

He may be a Premier League legend as well but this special examines Zola’s roots in Sardinia, before learning at the feet of Maradona in Naples, his peak at Parma and triumphant homecoming to Cagliari. Zola takes a great free-kick and makes a mean ice cream.RUNNING ORDER:• PART 1: Zola’s beginnings in Sardinia (02m 30s)• PART 2: Zola joins up with …

Join Jimbo, Gab and the Horn for our first run of brand new episodes on w/c 14 October 2019 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesVon The Athletic

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti are back for the final Golazzo of the season, amid changing times for the Old Lady.With Max Allegri gone and with Juventus seemingly set to appoint Maurizio Sarri (or are they?), we go back in time to the last time the Turin giants took a gamble on a gaffer.Gigi Maifredi was supposed to be Juve’s answer to A…

With Atalanta perhaps on the verge of Champions League football and just their second major trophy ever, Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look at the history of Bergamo’s finest in Serie A. It’s a story that involves a thriving academy, match-fixing and Merthyr Tydfil. Plus a healthy soundtrack of songs either dedicated to or performed by t…

Before there was Sarri - and after there was Sacchi – there was Alberto Malesani.He gave up his job at Canon in Amsterdam to pursue a career in football management. He was the figurehead of one of the great Parma sides, masterminding the second most famous treble in European football in 1999.But for many, Malesani is more famous for his foul-mouthe…

Evangelical, elegant and exceptional with the ball at his feet. Golazzo pays tribute to a Serie A great - AC Milan legend Kaka.Described by Carlo Ancelotti as the best no name player in the world, Kaka is the last player from Serie A to win the Ballon D’Or.Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look back at the Brazilian’s life, a life that has i…

As Ajax stun Juventus in their own backyard, Golazzo gets all nostalgic for the biggest Ajax Juve game of all time.James Horncastle joins us from Turin to tackle where the Old Lady goes from here after an exuberant Ajax eliminate Ronaldo and co from the Champions League at the quarter-final stage. Can Juve afford to press the reset button?Plus Jimb…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti venture back to a time when Roma won the scudetto and embarked on their first ever European Cup campaign. Inspired by Swedish manager Nils Liedholm in the early 80s, the likes of Conti, Ancelotti and the original Falcao led the Giallorossi to the biggest game in club football, in their own stadium, against t…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look back at the life and times of your favourite player if you had Pro Evo during its pomp – Inter and Brazil’s Adriano.The man known as the Emperor had enough talent to impress Ibra and possibly the most powerful shot the game has seen. We chart the story of his rise and the tragic circumstances behind his…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look back to Italy’s World Cup win in 1982 in Spain – the summer that arguably launched Italian football and Serie A to a whole new level. Match-fixing scandals, press black-outs and strange squad selections – there was nothing about the Azzurri’s preparations that suggested World Cup glory. But Enzo Bearzot…

This week on Golazzo, Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti examine one of the most notorious owners in Serie A history – Cecchi Gori. An Oscar-winning producer turned eccentric football club supremo, life under Gori for La Viola was a rollercoaster from 1993 to 2002. Batistuta, Laudrup, Effenberg, Rui Costa – all players that Fiorentina fans co…

Golazzo brings you the final part of the Giovanni Trapattoni story, as the most successful Italian manager ever celebrates his 80th birthday on Sunday.Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti discuss Trap’s time at Bayern, Fiorentina, Italy and Ireland amongst others. Which means biscuits, Edmundo and Strunz!In modern times, Ronaldo inspires Juvent…

As his 80th birthday approaches, Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti pay tribute to the most successful club manager in the history of the game – Giovanni Trapattoni. In the first of a two-part special, we look back at Trapattoni’s playing career, his legend built on a performance v Pele, as well as the start of his management career in Serie …

Ahead of the 150th meeting of Roma and Lazio this weekend, Jimbo and James Horncastle look back at classic Rome derbies gone by. Enjoy tales from the one of the world's biggest rivalries, as told by Totti, Di Canio and Lulic. And the guy who did Gangnam Style. Plus we look ahead to this weekend’s incarnation. And will Juventus suffer their first de…

Jimbo is joined by Gab Marcotti to discuss one of Serie A’s greatest ever players, Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero. Originally thought of as the back-up to Baggio, 19 seasons later, Del Piero had established himself as a Juve icon, winning everything there was to win, including the World Cup with Italy. A humble man who went on a journey and i…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti try to wrap their heads around the enigma that is Faustino Asprilla. The Colombian achieved legendary status at Parma, with silverware and sensational goals galore in the early 90s, before a move to Newcastle where narrative dictates his introduction cost them the Premier League title. But it’s Asprilla’s an…

Golazzo delves into the darker side of Serie A this week as Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look at the life and times of Luciano Moggi.The scout turned stablemaster was at the heart of the Calciopoli scandal, alleged to involve match-fixing, a scandal that led to two titles being taken away from Juventus.Is Moggi one of Italian football’s…

Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti review one of the most influential managers of all time, the leader of the iconic Milan side of the late 80s – Arrigo Sacchi. His father owned a shoe factory but he was viewed as a visionary by Silvio Berlusconi. But by the time Sacchi became Italy manager, there were Italians who were hoping he would lose t…

This week on Golazzo, Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti travel back to 1985 to find Italy’s answer to Leicester. Hellas Verona became the only provincial side ever to win the Scudetto, with a team of Preben Elkjær, Hans-Peter Briegel and a collection of cast-offs and misfits. Elsewhere, Sassuolo show their smarts by selling Kevin-Prince Boat…

After a winter break, Serie A is back this weekend so it’s the welcome return of Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti on Golazzo. With the second half about to kick off, we ask who will win the race for 4th, will Bologna sort themselves out and stay up, and how much does Ronaldo have left in the tank? Plus we study the signings being made in Ja…

Golazzo wishes you a Happy Tony Christmas! Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti celebrate the career of Antonio Di Natale, who managed to be one of Italy’s greatest ever goalscorers, despite refusing to leave Friuli. It’s a broad podcast that takes in carry-on films and pizza, plus a look at the Champions League draw and Milan’s Europa League e…

This week on Golazzo, Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look back at Bobo – Christian Vieri – the grumpiest striker in Serie A. Currently enjoying life as a DJ, and having admitted he would have been happier playing cricket in his former home of Australia, Vieri wasn’t exactly a bad footballer. One of Italy’s all-time great strikers and a to…

With the announcement that Maurizio Zamparini has sold Palermo to a consortium involving David Platt, the panel of Jimbo, James Horncastle and Gab Marcotti look back at Zamparini’s time in Sicily. We bring you the whole story. From Vasquez to Viagra. It’s the story that includes over a thousand sexual conquests and Jimbo’s favourite goal in Serie A…