Enrico Passarella, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Serie A Round 9: Milan – Fiorentina Preview and Lineups

November 27, 2020 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

A Zlatan Ibrahimovic-less Milan will defend his top spot against a Fiorentina side that did not show tangible improvements after Cesare Prandelli’s return. Milan lead Serie A with 20 points after eight rounds and are coming off arguably their best display of the season against Napoli. The Viola, on the other hand, were nipped by Benevento at home.

Serie A Round 9: Sassuolo – Inter Preview and Lineups

November 27, 2020 Enrico Passarella Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021

The ninth round of Serie A will be opened by the high-flying Sassuolo hosting Inter as they look to extend their hot streak and take advantage of the recent struggles of the Nerazzurri. The Neroverdi are still undefeated after eight rounds, having collected five wins and three draws. Inter returned to winning ways in Serie A last week with a furious comeback against Torino.

Napoli – Milan Player Ratings: Zlatan Strikes Again!

November 22, 2020 Enrico Passarella AC Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 2 comments

Milan ransacked Napoli in Serie A Round 8 to preserve their solitary lead in the table thanks to another brilliant performance by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with Theo Hernandez and Ante Rebic also shining. Here are our player ratings for Sunday night's match at the San Paolo, with Milan players grabbing the lion's share and a few good performers for Napoli as well.

A great strike by Riccardo Improta allowed Benevento to returning to winning ways after five five matches Cesare Prandelli's return at Fiorentina

Riccardo Improta Spoils Cesare Prandelli’s Return at Fiorentina

November 22, 2020 Enrico Passarella Benevento, Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2020-2021 2 comments

All eyes were on Fiorentina in Sunday’s lunch match as Cesare Prandelli was making his second debut on the bench after 11 years, but it was instead Benevento that snapped out of their slump thanks to unlikely hero Riccardo Improta. Despite a new formation, the Gigliati were held back by the same lackadaisical pace that mired the Giuseppe Iachini era.

Italy bested Bosnia away with a two-nil result and finished atop of its Nations League group, earning their spot in the final four

Bosnia – Italy Player Ratings: Belotti and Berardi Finish the Job

November 18, 2020 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, The Azzurri

Besides a pair of risks at the beginning of the game, the Azzurri cruised past Bosnia thanks to a collective effort and punched their ticket to the Nations League’s final four, which will be hosted in Milan and Turin in October 2021. The star-studded roster of participants will feature Belgium, France, and Spain. Here are our player ratings for the game.

Italy – Poland Player Ratings: Jorginho Puts Azzurri on the Brink

November 15, 2020 Enrico Passarella FIGC, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Player Ratings, Poland, The Azzurri

The Azzurri were not particularly affected by the numerous absences and showed up big time against Poland and they now just need to finish the job against Bosnia to punch their ticket to the Nations League's final four. Even though they wasted few opportunities, Italy produced a wire-to-wire victory in a match where VAR was sorely missed.

Author: Enrico Passarella