Awais Khan, Author at The Cult of Calcio

A Combative Nations League Draw Between Italy and Netherlands

October 14, 2020 Awais Khan FIGC, Italy, Nations League, Netherlands

The Nations League Group A was in action with pole position on the line for three teams. It was Poland who took the spot and have a one-point advantage over Italy. The Polish side earned their billing after defeating 10-man Bosnia & Herzegovina, while the Azzurri played another draw in successive games. Roberto Mancini will have to return to the drawing board.

Cristiano Ronaldo in despair after Juventus crashed out of Champions League at the hand of Lyon

Ronaldo Tests Positive for COVID-19 on Portugal Duty

October 13, 2020 Awais Khan Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A 2 comments

Portugal’s preparation for their crunch fixture against Sweden suffered an almighty jolt as captain and star talisman Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive for covid-19.Ronaldo is asymptomatic to the deadly Covid-19 virus and has not shown any effects. He has gone into self-isolation and will be unavailable for Portugal’s match against Sweden on October 14.

Nations League Round 3 Recap: A Ronaldo – Mbappé Stalemate

October 13, 2020 Awais Khan Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Europa! Europa!, FIGC, France, Germany, Iceland, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Azzurri

If you were expecting drama, you should have missed the Round 3 of the UEFA Nations League fixtures this weekend. The status quo remained the same with plenty of tied games across the board. This is not to say there weren't any interesting movements in the different groups’ points table, but surely fans were expecting more from games like France - Portugal.

Poland and Italy Play Dull 0-0 Nations League Draw

October 11, 2020 Awais Khan Euro 2020, Europa! Europa!, Italian Football, Italy, Poland, The Azzurri

Roberto Mancini’s Italy took on the challenge of Jerzy Brzeczek’s Poland for this crunch League A Group 1 fixture. After the Netherlands had played a 0-0 draw against Bosnia Herzegovina, the Italians had the chance to solidify their grip at the top of the table. However, they too could only manage a 0-0 away draw against their Polish counterparts.

oals of Serie A Round 3 was not easy. There were some excellent strikes that made us stand up from our sofas

The Top 5 Goals of Serie A Round 3: Lammers Bedazzles in Bergamo

October 5, 2020 Awais Khan Atalanta, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Roma, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Top 5

It was another interesting weekend of football in the Italian top flight, with the sporting angle taking a back foot to the coronavirus scare. Despite this, our job of rounding up the five best strikes of Round 3 was not easy. There were some excellent strikes that made us stand up from our sofas. So, without further ado, here is our list of top five goals from Serie A Round 3.

Atalanta hoping to maintain their Serie A lead with a victory over Napoli in matchday four

Atalanta Send Serie A Title Warning with 5-2 Cagliari Thrashing

October 4, 2020 Awais Khan Atalanta, Cagliari, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Three games and three emphatic wins for Atalanta, including today's 5-2 merciless thrashing of Cagliari. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men are at the top of Serie A rankings and are in no mood to trifle with. They have shown their defensive frailties, but their strong goal scoring run has put them in the elite bracket alongside Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Efficient Sassuolo Thrash Enterprising Crotone in Round 3

October 3, 2020 Awais Khan Crotone, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Sassuolo claimed an impressive 4-1 win over Crotone in Serie A Round 3. The Città del Tricolore-based entity were the more efficient side and managed to keep their rivals at bay to secure the points on offer. The Neroverdi coach Roberto De Zerbi must have been pleased with their efforts despite accruing dangerous chances and playing on the back foot.

Sampdoria showed efficiency in front of the goal to take home the three points on offer at the Artemio Franchi Stadium against Fiorentina

Sampdoria Add to Fiorentina Serie A Woes in Close Finish

October 2, 2020 Awais Khan Fiorentina, Italian Football, Sampdoria, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

With Franck Ribery pulling strings, Fiorentina looked lively in their last week's defeat to Inter and they needed to prove their mettle against Sampdoria, who had lost to newly-promoted Benevento in Round 2. It was Samp who showed efficiency in front of the goal to take home the three points on offer thanks to Fabio Quagliarella and Valerio Verre's goals.

Atalanta continued their efficient run in front of the goal as they thrashed Lazio 1-4 to take home the three points on offer at the Stadio Olimpico

Gomez The Architect as Atalanta Destroy Lazio in 1-4 Olimpico Win

September 30, 2020 Awais Khan Atalanta, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Atalanta traveled to Rome for their Serie A catch-up meeting with Lazio. Both sides impressed in their Round Two encounters, earning impressive away wins. The Biancocelesti played hosts this time to stop Gian Piero Gasperini’s plans for Italian top-flight football but it was La Dea who continued their efficient run in front of the goal as they thrashed Simone Inzaghi’s men 1-4.

Serie A was a joy to watch this weekend. The 10 games of Round 2 offered 43 goals, one better than the other, so here is our list of our top 5 goals

The Top 5 Goals of Serie A Round 2: Cristiano Ronaldo Flies in Rome

September 29, 2020 Awais Khan Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Top 5

Serie A was a joy to watch this weekend. There were goals galore with Napoli leading the way with a 6-0 thrashing of Genoa, while Fiorentina and Inter provided a lot of excitement at the San Siro with their 4-3 thriller. The 10 games of Round 2 witnessed 43 goals, one better than the other. So, without further ado, let's take a look at the top five goals from Serie A this weekend.

Balotelli is an enigma: From Totti’s horror tackle to battles with racism, he has seen it all, but maybe a possible move to Genoa will help him bounce back

Mario Balotelli, The Enigma’s Possible Last Chance at Genoa

September 29, 2020 Awais Khan AC Milan, Brescia, Calciomercato, Genoa, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Manchester City, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Mario Balotelli is a real enigma. From Francesco Totti’s horror tackle to constant battles with racism, he has faced it all. But the Italian forward has also made many mistakes on his own. Joining Genoa might now be the last hurrah for the 36-time capped Italy international and his last chance to redeem a career that didn't live up to the expectations.

If there was any doubt about Napoli not being molded in Gennaro Gattuso’s spitting image, none remain after their 6-0 dismantling of Genoa at the San Paolo

Six-Star Napoli Mercilessly Thrash Genoa at The San Paolo

September 27, 2020 Awais Khan Genoa, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

If there was any doubt about Napoli not being molded in Gennaro Gattuso’s spitting image, none remain after their 6-0 dismantling of Genoa at the San Paolo. Napoli ran, they ran their hearts out and showed why their top-four and Serie A title challenge should be taken seriously. Everyone scored. Everyone played their part. Everyone kept Genoa shackled.

Author: Awais Khan