Awais Khan, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Lady Luck kept Cagliari at bay as they crumpled to a 0-2 defeat to Lazio at the Sardegna Arena, courtesy of goals from Lazzari and Immobile

Lazzari and Immobile Give Lazio Perfect Start in Cagliari

September 26, 2020 Awais Khan Cagliari, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Cagliari gave a good account of themselves against Sassuolo. A similar effort was needed as they welcomed Lazio to Sardinia. If Eusebio Di Francesco had other plans in his mind, it did not plan out as he had hoped. Lady Luck kept the Rossoblu at bay as they crumpled to a 0-2 defeat at the Sardegna Arena, courtesy of Manuel Lazzari and Ciro Immobile goals.

Atalanta were in control of their first fixture at Torino and showed no signs of respite against their rivals, pulling off a 4-2 win

Atalanta Start Season In Control as Torino Are Brushed Aside

September 26, 2020 Awais Khan Atalanta, Italian Football, Serie A, Torino

Atalanta belatedly began their Serie A by pulling off a 4-2 win in Torino. La Dea were in control of their first fixture and showed no signs of respite against their rivals. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men started the campaign with the same mentality that they finished the last, outscoring their opponents but also showing signs of weakness at the back.

Milan continued their perfect start to the 2020-21 campaign with a 2-0 win over Bologna at the San Siro. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the star of the night

Ibra Continues To Inspire Rossoneri Revolution as Milan Beat Bologna

September 21, 2020 Awais Khan AC Milan, Bologna, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Milan continued their perfect start to the 2020-21 campaign with a 2-0 win over Bologna at the San Siro in their first Serie A game. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the star of the night, a statement that continues to link with him despite his advancing years. The Swede scored in both halves to ensure the Rossoneri took home the three points on offer.

The Mapei Stadium-Cittá del Tricolore witnessed the first game of Sassuolo in the 2020-21 Serie A campaign as they welcomed Sardinian rivals Cagliari in high spirits

Sassuolo Rue Wasted Chances In Home Draw Against Cagliari

September 20, 2020 Awais Khan Cagliari, Italian Football, Parma, Sassuolo

The Mapei Stadium-Cittá del Tricolore witnessed the first game of Sassuolo in the 2020-21 Serie A campaign as they welcomed Sardinian rivals Cagliari in high spirits. Giovanni Simeone broke Sassuolo's hearts in the 77th minute as Cagliari threatened to run away with the points. However, Mehdi Bourabia scored from a smashing free-kick in the 87th minute.

Arkadiusz Milik is nearing a move to Roma after rejecting Premier League interest from Manchester United and Tottenham

How Will Roma Fare With The Arkadiusz Milik Arrival?

September 18, 2020 Awais Khan Calciomercato, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Arkadiusz Milik seems to be close to join Roma. Victor Osimhen’s arrival started the ticking clock and it was only a matter of time before Napoli would get rid of him. The Partenopei are edging close to their goal as the Polish striker's new hunting ground will likely be Stadio Olimpico. Roma stole a march on Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Inter began their preparation for the 2020-21 Serie A campaign in emphatic fashion, claiming a 5-0 win over Swiss Super League outfit Lugano

Five-Star Inter Ease Past Lugano In First Pre-Season Test

September 15, 2020 Awais Khan Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Inter began their preparation for the 2020-21 Serie A campaign in emphatic fashion, claiming a 5-0 win over Swiss Super League outfit Lugano. There was rustiness in their play but their superior quality was evident. The Nerazzurri faithful would be pleased with the outing and the result. There were goals for Lukaku and Lautaro, while Hakimi and Sanchez contributed with assists.

Marcos Alonso from Chelsea has been recently rumored to be a target for Antonio Conte's Inter

Marcos Alonso and Emerson Fit Both Inter and Chelsea Plans

September 14, 2020 Awais Khan Calciomercato, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

There is interest for Chelsea from Italy. Juventus were linked with Emerson Palmieri when Maurizio Sarri was still in charge, but that trail has gone cold. The rumor mill now suggests a reunion with Antonio Conte, together with Marcos Alonso. Both players flourished under the Italian tactician in West London and have had varying success since his departure.

A Moise Kean return is one of the options being considered buy Juventus, should the deal with Luis Suarez fall apart

Three Striker Options for Juventus If Suarez Dismisses Approach

September 11, 2020 Awais Khan Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Calciomercato, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

As they look for a new number 9 to reinforce their forward line, Juventus are busy enticing Luis Suarez away from the Camp Nou. However, there seems to be a difference on the financial terms separating the Uruguayan and the Old Lady. This is why Juventus are looking at other options while Suarez also takes out time to evaluate the offers on his table.

In Round 2 of the Nations League, it was the Cristiano Ronaldo show in Stockholm as the Juventus ace scored a brace to get to 101 goals for Portugal

Nations League Round Two Recap: Cristiano Ronaldo Does It Again!

September 9, 2020 Awais Khan Euro 2020, Europa! Europa!, Italian Football, Nations League

The second round of the Nations League saw Cristiano Ronaldo stealing the stage but there was much more that happened both on and off the pitch. The international break ended just like it began, unable to answer how the coronavirus pandemic can be managed in football. Kylian Mbappé was the notable casualty of national duty, though he will soon return to action.

Atalanta secured the services of Aleksey Miranchuk from Lokomotiv Moscow, adding the attacking midfielder to reduce reliance on Alejandro Gomez

How Miranchuk Can Help Atalanta Reduce Reliance on Gomez

September 9, 2020 Awais Khan Atalanta, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Atalanta secured the services of Aleksey Miranchuk from Lokomotiv Moscow, adding the attacking midfielder to reduce reliance on Alejandro Gomez. El Papu is an ever-present figure for La Dea. He is the gear that keeps Gasperini’s mechanics ticking. The pint-sized Argentine has not had time for a break and it showed as the 2019-20 season came to a close.

Portugal thrashed Croatia in their first game of the Nations League A - Here's our full recap of the round

Nations League A Round Recap: Portugal Off To a Stunning Start

September 6, 2020 Awais Khan Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Nations League, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland

After a gap of an eternity, international fixtures returned with the resumption of the UEFA Nations League, so here is our full recap of the First Round in the Division A of the competition. Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence was the main talking point for the Portuguese team, but his side still did light work of the Croatians who were missing Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric.

At Inter, the Premier League top-flight addiction of Antonio Conte was not evident at first but started to show its true form by January

Antonio Conte’s Premier League Revolution at The San Siro

September 1, 2020 Awais Khan Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Premier League, Serie A, Transfer Market

Wherever Conte went, trophies followed him. Inter could have been Scudetto winners this season as only a point separated them from Juventus at the final roll call. The Europa League was lost on an own goal. The margins between triumph and heartbreak have surely decreased. But one thing that has remained the same is Conte’s passion for winning.

Author: Awais Khan