The Spalletti story

There’s a certain magic to Italian football that goes far beyond the scorelines, a blend of artistry, drama, and sheer larger-than-life personality that defined an era. Golazzo: The Totally Italian Football Show, from The Athletic, is your deep dive into that world. Hosts James Richardson, James Horncastle, and Gab Marcotti don’t just analyze matches; they are master storytellers resurrecting the spirit, scandals, and sublime skill of Serie A’s most unforgettable period. Each episode of this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in a perfect piazza café, listening to friends with encyclopedic knowledge and genuine passion unpack the stories you thought you knew and countless others you didn’t. You’ll hear about the tactical geniuses, the mercurial maestros, and the downright infamous characters who made calcio a global obsession. The conversation flows from the philosophical to the farcical, always grounded in deep insight and a palpable affection for the subject. It’s a celebration of the sport’s cultural weight, where a transfer saga could feel like a opera and a defender’s tackle was a form of high art. Tune in for a rich, entertaining, and wonderfully detailed oral history that captures why this particular chapter of football continues to captivate. This is a show for anyone who remembers, or wants to discover, how Italian football felt when it truly ruled the world.