Awais Khan, Author at The Cult of Calcio

In Serie A Round 11, Roberto De Zerbi wanted to get his Sassuolo side back to winning ways against Benevento and got an early goal through Domenico Berardi

Ten-Man Sassuolo Hold Out Against Benevento

December 11, 2020 Awais Khan Benevento, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

In Serie A Round 11, Roberto De Zerbi wanted to get his Sassuolo side back to winning ways against Benevento. The Neroverdi got the early goal through Domenico Berardi, but their task was complicated by Lukas Haraslin’s sending off in the second half. The numerical advantage spurred Filippo Inzaghi’s men, who had created the bulk of opportunities but had nothing to show for.

Pole position was on offer in the Europa League Group H, but Stefano Pioli sent out his second-string Milan side against Sparta Praha

Jens Petter Hauge Strike Enough for Milan Second String Side

December 10, 2020 Awais Khan AC Milan, Assi di Coppe, Europa League, European Cups

Pole position was on offer in the Europa League Group H, but Stefano Pioli sent out his second-string Milan side against Sparta Praha. Only Sandro Tonali was a first-team regular on the pitch as 10 changes were made to the team that took on Sampdoria in Serie A. However, that was enough for the visitors. Jens Petter Hauge gave them the lead, despite the Czech side giving a good account of their abilities.

Bragging rights in Champions League Group G were on offer tonight, with both Juventus and Barcelona having already earned progress to the Knockout Rounds

McKennie and Ronaldo Shine in Juventus Win at Barcelona

December 8, 2020 Awais Khan Assi di Coppe, European Cups, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 3 comments

Bragging rights in Champions League Group G were on offer tonight at the Camp Nou, with both Juventus and Barcelona having already earned progress to the Knockout Rounds. It ended with the Bianconeri taking home a shocking 3-0 win and grabbing the top spot in the group. After an inconsistent start to the campaign, Andrea Pirlo has steadied the Old Lady.

Top 5 Goals from Serie A Round 10: Milinkovic Savic Demoralizes Spezia

December 8, 2020 Awais Khan Cagliari, Inter, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Spezia, Top 5 Goals

With two goalless draws, two 1-1 results, and a match abandoned, the frequency of goals dropped. However, the quality continues to won fans. With 20 goals scored over the weekend, it was at the Orogel Stadium in Cesena - Spezia's temporary home - where there was the most footballing joy for fans and neutrals. So, without further ado, here are the top five goals from Round 10.

Punches Fly as Roma Dismantle Young Boys in Europa League

December 3, 2020 Awais Khan Assi di Coppe, Europa League, European Cups, Roma One comment

Roma went into their Europa League game against Young Boys as Group A leaders and managed to keep their title after a 3-1 win. They needed a win or draw to make the trip to Bulgaria next week inconsequential and delivered the goods. Paulo Fonseca’s team were dismantled by Napoli in Serie A and did not want to repeat their hapless outing.

A week after dismantling Premier League conquerors Liverpool, La Dea were expected to make little work of Danish side Midtjylland

Atalanta’s Winless Run at Home Continues Against Midtjylland

December 1, 2020 Awais Khan Assi di Coppe, Atalanta, Champions League, European Cups, Italian Football, Serie A

Gian Piero Gasperini’s men came into Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League with high expectations. A week after dismantling Premier League conquerors Liverpool, Atalanta were expected to make little work of Danish side Midtjylland. However, Brian Priske’s men stood resolute and denied the Italians much-needed points in the elite European cup competition.

Usually, it is performances in March where the fate of a season is decided. But last week’s results have had a similar impact on Inter ’s 2020-21 campaign

Do Inter and Conte Need to Revisit Their 2020-21 Ambitions?

December 1, 2020 Awais Khan Assi di Coppe, Champions League, Inter, Inter Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Antonio Conte succeeded Jose Mourinho at Chelsea and won the Premier League at the first time of asking. But when he moved to Inter, the Nerazzurri lost out in the Scudetto race by a point and a European trophy proved to be too big an ask. Thus, there were question marks about this Inter side that should be answered in the 2020-21 campaign, whose start has not been great.

Top 5 Goals from Serie A Round 9: Insigne Honors Maradona

December 1, 2020 Awais Khan Cagliari, Italian Football, Napoli, Sampdoria, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Top 5, Udinese

It was a sad week for football as Diego Maradona passed away. The Argentine will forever be remembered for his heroics especially at the San Paolo Stadium in Napoli. Maradona's untimely death struck Serie A, and tributes were paid across all the fixtures. Creativity on the ball and exuberance in finishing was the highlight from Round 9 action.

The Seven Sisters are united to maintain their stranglehold on Serie A as Inter ended Sassuolo’s run in the Italian top-flight with a comfortable 0-3 win

Antonio Conte and Inter Bring Sassuolo Time to a Sudden Halt

November 28, 2020 Awais Khan Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

The Seven Sisters are united to maintain their stranglehold on Serie A as Inter brought an end to the Sassuolo's enterprising run in the Italian top-flight with a comfortable 0-3 victory. The Nerazzurri thus jumped into second place and now trail cross-town rivals Milan by two points. Both sides needed a win to prove their credentials, and it was the visitors who got the bragging rights.

There were a reduced number of goals in Serie A Round 8, but the quality was still there, and here is our top-five pick from match-day eight

Top 5 Goals from Serie A Round 8: Mkhitaryan Continues Volley Run

November 23, 2020 Awais Khan AC Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Top 5, Udinese

The international fixtures for the 2020 calendar year came to an end in midweek, and Serie A returned for another exciting round. Both Milan and Sassuolo maintained their positions thanks to exciting goals from their attacking talismans. There were a reduced number of goals in Round 8. However, the quality was there, and here is our top-five pick from the latest match-day.

Sassuolo traveled to the home of the most astute defense: They had a stiff task on their hands against Verona but returned with reputation intact

Berardi and Boga Keep Leading Sassuolo March in Serie A

November 22, 2020 Awais Khan Hellas Verona, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 2 comments

In Serie A Round 8, Italian top flight’s top scorers Sassuolo traveled to the home of the most astute defense: The Neroverdi had a stiff task on their hands against Hellas Verona but returned with their reputation intact. Roberto De Zerbi’s men had the chance to take pole position at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, and they did not disappoint.

Crotone continue to struggle in Italian top-flight football with Lazio adding to their woes thanks to goals from Ciro Immobile and Joaquin Correa

Immobile and Lazio Add to Hapless Crotone Serie A Woes

November 21, 2020 Awais Khan Crotone, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 One comment

Today's Crotone-Lazio fixture was on the brink of being called off but went ahead as planned. The Sharks continue to struggle in Italian top-flight football with Lazio adding to their woes. Simone Inzaghi’s Biancocelesti travelled to flood-affected Crotone and sailed past the challenge of relegation threatened side with goals from Ciro Immobile and Joaquin Correa.

Author: Awais Khan