Big battles are decided on the outcome of smaller skirmishes. And World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro will tell you that finals are not played; they are only won or lost. Both apply to Pescara’s promotion to Serie B and their play-off final hero, Alessandro Plizzari, who single-handedly dragged his side to the shootout and saved

Vincenzo ‘Vince’ Grella strode into the offices at Catania’s Stadio Angelo Massimino assured. Decked out in a smart blazer and jeans, an outfit topped with sunglasses and a cigar, Grella looked the picture of a man who had been out in the sun, or just living everyday life in Sicily.  As a player in the

For the past 70 years, every change in the Papacy has mysteriously coincided with a promotion-winning campaign from Italian lower league club US Avellino.