Luke Phelps, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Lecce Thriller Ends In Relegation As Genoa Cruise Past Verona

August 3, 2020 Luke Phelps Genoa, Italian Football, Lecce, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Despite Lecce's best efforts in their 4-3 defeat at home to Parma, a 3-0 win for Genoa at home to Verona saw Lecce relegated on the final day of the Serie A season. The fates of SPAL and Brescia have long been confirmed but going into the final round of Serie A fixtures there was just a single point separating Genoa and Lecce.

Inter Close In On Second Place After Strong Napoli Victory

July 29, 2020 Luke Phelps Inter Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Inter claimed a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win over Napoli last night, thanks to goals from Danilo D'Ambrosio and Lautaro Martinez. The Nerazzurri have won back-to-back games and without conceding in their last two, placing them a point ahead of Atalanta and four ahead of Lazio (who have a game in hand) going into the final round of fixtures this weekend.

Juventus Crowned Champions With Easy Win Over Sampdoria

July 27, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Juventus, Sampdoria, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

For a nine consecutive season, Juventus have been crowned the Serie A Champions as they beat Sampdoria 2-0 last night at the Allianz Stadium. Maurizio Sarri's side weren't their best on the night however. The 2-0 scoreline might give a more comfortable account of the evening, on which Cristiano Ronaldo was of course the man to get things underway.

Sassuolo Unlucky To Leave With Just a Point Against Juventus

July 16, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Juventus, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Juventus were lucky to salvage a point after Sassuolo kept on coming from behind in their 3-3 clash in Serie A on Wednesday night, as Juve open up a seven point gap at the top of the table. On what was supposed to be a routine win, the Bianconeri realized that their job is far from done as Sassuolo have shown the rest of the league Juve's flaws.

Pinpointing Lazio’s Demise In The Serie A Title Race

July 10, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Twenty years after Lazio last wore the Scudetto, it looked as though they might do once again. But the restart has seen them falter, having lost three of five - so what's gone wrong at Lazio? On top of some experience, Simone Inzaghi's side seems to lack that depth and that cutting edge to mount a realistic push for the title.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo Finish His Career In Italy at Juventus?

July 9, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

The footballing phenomenon that is Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong at Juventus at 35-years-old, and it begs the question - will he try his luck anywhere else in the world before calling it a day? A return to Portugal seems to make sense, a fleeting return to Manchester United has never been ruled out, a season at Paris Saint Germain maybe, or even an MLS adventure.

Five Things First: Top Stories From Serie A Round 29

July 3, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Round 29 of the 2019-20 Serie A season saw plenty of goals and plenty of action at either end of the table. Juventus managed to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table with their win at Genoa. Elsewhere, Sampdoria claimed an important win against fellow strugglers Lecce, with wins also for Lazio, Sassuolo, Verona, and Udinese.

How Might Jeff Hendrick Fit Into Milan Lineup Next Season?

July 1, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Calciomercato, Italian Football, Serie A, Stickers Swapping, Transfer Market

Jeff Hendrick is officially a free agent after running to the end of his Burnley contract this week. As speculation mounts surrounding his move to Milan, we look at how he might fit into the Rossoneri side. Hendrick showed that he can play as both an attacking and defensive midfielder, and could be a good back-up option in Milan's 4-2-3-1 lineup.

Is Napoli’s Gennaro Gattuso On Course To Take Italy Top Job?

July 1, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Napoli, Serie A, The Azzurri

Gennaro Gattuso has so far proved a success with Napoli, and with the Azzurri taking a slightly different approach to appointing managers, could it mean that the ex-Milan hero could be one of the next-in-line for Italy’s top management job? His career has seen him climb the Serie A, and if that trajectory continued he could yet find himself as Italy's boss one day.

Five Things First: Top Stories From Serie A Round 27

June 25, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Parma, Sassuolo, Serie A

Italian football fans have just been treated to the first full round of Serie A action since the restart, and it was peppered with talk of relegation, European qualification and of course, the Scudetto. Inter and Sassuolo played out a thrilling 3-3 draw, and Atalanta staged a dramatic comeback to beat Lazio 3-2, as they look for a place in next season's Champions League.

“Incredible”, “Great player” – Milan Fans Laud 26-y/o After Lecce Win

June 23, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Milan beat Lecce 4-1 in their return to Serie A duties last night, and one Hakan Calhanoglu caught the eye of watching fans. In arguably their best attacking performance under Stefano Pioli, Milan returned to domestic action with an impressive win away at relegation threatened Lecce and the Turk emerged as the fans' Man of the Match after providing two assists.

Milan Hopes of European Football Next Season Will Rest On This Man

June 22, 2020 Luke Phelps AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020 One comment

With 12 games of the Serie A season remaining, Milan sit precariously placed outside the top-six. They’ve still every chance of qualifying for Europe next season, but they’ll need one Ante Rebic to be at his best. After a shorter stint against Juventus ending with a red card, the Croatian will be fired up for the return of league action against Lecce tonight.

Author: Luke Phelps