Eduard Banulescu, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Are Gian Piero Gasperini’s Relations with Atalanta Breaking Down?

March 17, 2021 Eduard Banulescu Atalanta, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Tactical Trends

As things stand, Gian Piero Gasperini's tenure in charge of Atalanta looks likely to be his crowning achievement. But, in spite of the great success and the massive support the team enjoy, relations within the squad seem to be sitting on a veritable powder-keg.

The Tactics That Made Theo Hernandez a Rising Star at Milan

February 19, 2021 Eduard Banulescu AC Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Tactical Trends

Theo Hernandez is a player that by 23 years old has already managed to play for two of the world's biggest clubs, Real Madrid and Milan. Here are tactics that make him one of the most exciting defenders to watch in Serie A at present.

Federico Chiesa has come a long way from his early days as a Juventus winger. Here's a tactical analysis of his star-making season at Juventus

Federico Chiesa, the Man Who’s Beating the Odds at Juventus

February 4, 2021 Eduard Banulescu Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Tactical Trends

Federico Chiesa has come a long way from his days of hot-footing it down the wings at the Artemio Franchi. In recent years, he's earned a transfer to Juventus, has outperformed many of the Italian wonder kids he grew up with.

There were some impressive goals in Serie A Round 7 and we had our work cut out despite the lack of options: Our top 5 goals list is as follows

The Tactics That Helped Mkhitaryan Make a Career Comeback at Roma

January 26, 2021 Eduard Banulescu Roma, Strategy and Tactics

Back in the first half of the 2000s, Henrikh Mkhitaryan was one of the most well-respected midfielders in Europe. The decision to leave Dortmund seemed part of the course for an excellent player, but a period of turbulence followed. In 2019, however, Micki got his mojo back. Here are the tactics Roma employ and how they helped reshape the player's performances.

How Milan Skriniar Found Back His Place in Antonio Conte’s Inter

January 18, 2021 Eduard Banulescu Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Tactical Trends

It was only a few months ago that Milan Skriniar's time at Inter seemed all but finished. However, the Slovak managed to re-adapt his style and has become an immovable piece of Antonio Conte's famous 3-5-2 formation. Here's how he worked his way back into the Nerazzurri's tactical plans.

Sleeping Giants Rise: Fantasy Football Tips for Serie A Round 17

January 9, 2021 Eduard Banulescu AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Crotone, Fantasy Football, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Spezia, Torino, Udinese

Football fantasy enthusiasts face a rather novel situation ahead of this Serie A weekend. With few exceptions, most of the big teams and important stars, have been involved in emphatic victories during the past couple of matches. With so much at stake and little time left on the clock, big players need to show up as Roy Keane might say. This weekend, we've every reason to assume that they will.

Inter Lose to Sampdoria to Record Second Seasonal Defeat

January 6, 2021 Eduard Banulescu Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Sampdoria, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 2 comments

Wednesday afternoon football brought a near-classic derby of Italian football as Sampdoria took on Inter in Serie A Round 16. There was no famous, disputed rivalry at play here. Both teams, however, carry with them considerable lineage associated with success and a loyal contingent of fans.

Napoli earned a late game draw against Torino through Insigne's strike in the dying minutes of the game. It's an unsatisfying result for both sides

Insigne Saves Napoli Blushes Against Relegation-Bound Torino

December 23, 2020 Eduard Banulescu Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Torino One comment

Napoli awaited the visit of Torino as a confident side who could technically climb as high as a third place by the end of this round of Serie A football. Meanwhile, the Granata approached the game as a team for whom the specter of relegation seems to loom ever closer with each coming week.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan stole the show with a hat-trick tonight, scoring all the goals as Roma won 3-1 at Genoa in the Serie A Round 7

Fantasy Football Tips and Tricks for Serie A Round 13

December 19, 2020 Eduard Banulescu AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Crotone, Fantasy Football, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Spezia, Torino, Udinese

"Luck has nothing to do with it" should be your mantra as you assemble your winning Fantasy Football draft. Since all info is good info when it comes to settling on your squad, we've crunched the numbers and dived into the news reports. Here are the players we think you might need on your side to win. We've also not shied away from choosing a number of footballers that we think you should avoid.

Fantasy Football Tips and Tricks for Serie A Round 11

December 11, 2020 Eduard Banulescu AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Crotone, Fantasy Football, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021, Spezia, Torino, Udinese

Serie A Round 11 is coming around much too quickly for some of the top Italian sides forced to juggle their European football responsibilities with their desire to triumph in the Italian first tier. We've assembled a list of players you'll want in your fantasy draft. We've also cast our gaze at the injured or fatigued players you may be tempted to choose, but are better off ignoring for now.

Inter Out of Champions League After Failing to Win Against Shakhtar

December 9, 2020 Eduard Banulescu Assi di Coppe, Champions League, European Cups, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football 3 comments

Inter approached their final Champions League group match against Shakhtar Donetsk with a squad brimming with world-class talent, and recent results unbefitting a team of their caliber. It was the rarest of UCL fixtures. Both teams maintained chances of qualification to the knockout stages, yet both could be out of the competition by the 90 minute's end. The stage was set for a drama.

Serie A Round 10: Sampdoria – Milan Preview and Lineups

December 5, 2020 Eduard Banulescu AC Milan, Italian Football, Sampdoria, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

Milan are curently number one in Serie A, and even though this may be unlikely to last, there’s an understandable feeling of elation in the Rossoneri camp. Against mid-table side Sampdoria on Sunday night, they’ll be without their talismanic striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic but motivated by the knowledge that victory could ensure they celebrate the New Year’s in the top spot.

Author: Eduard Banulescu