The Italian Football Podcast

The Azzurri's dreams of playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup are over after FIFA and Iran FA met, seemingly agreeing on a path forward for Team Melli to play in this summer's tournament. Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese debate, discuss and analyze the latest update in this saga. This is an extended clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to...

Claudio Ranieri is being rumored to take over either as coach of the Azzurri or the technical director of the new Italy national team project under incoming FIGC President Giovanni Malagó. Nima Tavallaey and Carli Garganese discuss, debate and analyze the potential appointment. This is an extended clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to...

From Juventus financial earthquake after Champions League disaster, Mandragora rocket for Fiorentina, Conte says goodbye (?) as Napoli secure top 4, AC Milan close to UCL football in midst of a civil war, Mancini brace sends Roma within an inch of UCL, Lazio cap off nightmare week in Rome Derby, to Como keep UCL dream alive, Lecce last gasp winner ruins Cremonese Vardy Party, and Inter Milan Scude...

Roberto Baggio recently outlined the reason for Italian football's crisis in developing top level youth players. Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze Baggio's statement. This is an extended clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every ep...

An owngoal from Adam Marusic and a goal from Lautaro Martinez gave Inter Milan a 2-0 win away to Lazio to secure the Nerazzurri's 10th Coppa Italia title. Nima Tavallaey analyses and reacts to the main highlights from the 2026 Coppa Italia final match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, to secure the club's third ever domestic double. This is a post-match reaction from The Italian Football Podcast. If...

The Italian Cup final between Lazio and Inter Milan takes place on Wednesday 12 May at 2045 CET at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey preview the big game.  We look at the probable XIs, injuries and suspensions, and break down the game tactically before offering our predictions.  Who do you think will win? Who will score? This is a clip from the weekly Monday pod avail...

From AC Milan in crisis on and off the pitch as Champions League spot at risk, Atalanta end bad form led by underrated Zappacosta, Vlahovic scores vital goal for Juventus in top 4 race as Spalletti furious, Malen leads Roma to crazy comeback, Fabregas qualifies Como for European football for first time ever, to Fiorentina stay in Serie A, Cremonese win pushes Lecce to the wire in Serie B relegatio...

Will Antonio Conte quit Napoli to take over the vacant Italy National team job? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze the reported rumor. This is an extended clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every episode with NO ads, simply become...

AC Milan coach Max Allegri is being rumored to take over the Italy National team job after Gattuso failed. Carlo Garganese discusses and analyzes why Allegri is not the right man for the Azzurri job. This is a clip from the weekly Monday pod available on all podcast platforms + as video on YouTube. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every epis...

How close is Liverpool legend Alisson Becker to leaving the Premier League for Juventus in the Serie A? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss, debate and analyze the reported transfer. This is an extended clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every episode...

After Gianni Infantino announced at the FIFA Congress that Iran will definitely play at the 2026 World Cup despite the ongoing war with the United States, does this spell the end to Italy's chances of a backdoor entrance to the finals? Carlo Garganese breaks it all down and explains why Infantino's words mean very little given the situation in the Middle East, especially given the new threat of es...

Inter Milan were crowned Serie A champions after beating Parma. Juventus risk top four by drawing with Hellas Verona. Como and Napoli have a bore draw. Max Allegri is being questioned after Milan's latest negative result. There is also the latest on Iran and Italy ahead of the World Cup, as well as this week's Baggio, Serie ASS and Premface of the week. Carlo breaks down all the main talking point...

Inter Milan have won the 2025/2026 Serie A title. The Nerazzurri have secured their third Scudetto in six seasons. Nima Tavallaey reacts, discusses and analyses all aspects of the Scudetto triumph. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every episode with NO ads, simply become a member on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon.com/TIFP...

Will Pep Guardiola leave Man City to take the Italy hot seat? Nima Tavallaey and guest host Patrick Kendrick react to a story in the Italian media about the possibility of legendary former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach take over the Azzurri. This is a clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be ab...

Will UEFA strip Italy of the rights to host EURO 2032? Nima Tavallaey and guest host Patrick Kendrick react to a story in the Italian media about the possibility of Italy losing the rights to co-host the European Championships with Turkey. This is a clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to...

Should Italy accept a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup if Iran pull out and the Azzurri are officially offered the spot? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss and analyze the latest news and developments on this story. This is a clip from the weekly Monday pod available on all podcast platforms + as video on YouTube. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in ques...

Ahead of the FIFA Congress in Vancouver Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is still very much up in the air. Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss and analyze the latest news and developments about if Iran will pull out. This is a clip from the weekly Monday pod available on all podcast platforms + as video on YouTube. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able...

From Serie A refereeing scandal broken down and explained, Dimarco breaks assist record in Torino comeback draw, AC Milan and Juventus share the spoils in meaningless game, Lukaku backstabs Conte as McTominay shines for Napoli, Malen cant stop scoring as Gasperini sends Ranieri + Massara packing, to Lecce have upper hand over Cremonese in Serie B relegation dog fight, and latest update on Italy po...

Antonio Di Natale is one of the greatest — and most underrated — players in Serie A history. From scoring over 200 league goals to winning back-to-back Capocannoniere titles, Di Natale built a legendary career at Udinese without ever chasing the spotlight. In this episode, we break down his incredible journey, his loyalty, his Euro 2012 moment, and why he deserves far more recognition among footba...

Are the Ultras doing their part to help destroy Italian football? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese debate, discuss and analyze the topic. This is a clip from the weekly Q & A Pod available in full for all patrons and YouTube Members. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every episode with NO ads, simply become a member on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

U.S special envoy Paolo Zampolli has hit the headlines after confirming he has formally requested to both the United States and FIFA presidents for Italy to replace Iran at the 2026 World Cup. Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey react to the story from the Financial Times and provide a bit of background to Zampolli, as calls for the Azzurri to step in amidst the war in the Middle East grow. This is...

Has the 3-5-2 formation destroyed the Azzurri? Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese debate, discuss and analyze how much the 3-5-2 is to blame for the Italy national team's demise. This is a clip from the weekly Monday pod available on all podcast platforms + as video on YouTube. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every episode with NO ads, simp...

With Iran's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup very much in doubt, as well as Italy being one of the teams that could potentially replace them, Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese discuss and analyze the latest news and developments. This is a clip from the weekly Monday pod available on all podcast platforms + as video on YouTube. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able...

From Sarri & Spalletti back and forth on quality of players produced by Italian mothers (!), Inter Milan prepare Scudetto party + Coppa Italia semifinal, De Bruyne flops again for Napoli, Lazio continue to impress, 'boring' AC Milan all-but secure Champions League football, Gift Orban in street fight with Hellas Verona fan, Juventus in driving seat for top 4, Italiano to leave Bologna (?), Roma +...

FIGC released a damning report on the overall health and state of Italian football. Nima Tavallaey and Carlo Garganese debate, discuss and analyze the report as well as look forward at what can be done moving forward. If you want to support The Italian Football Podcast, be able to send in questions AND get every episode with NO ads, simply become a member on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...