Matteo Carnevale, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Bernardeschi Stabs Viola, Pushes Juve Forward

February 10, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Fiorentina, Juventus, Serie A

“This is not your average football game,” the speaker of the Artemio Franchi Stadium announced last night as he introduced the Viola starting lineup. He was right: Fiorentina-Juventus is a game like no other for both clubs. The Bianconeri left Florence with a key win to strengthen their Scudetto hopes, propitiated by an agonizing goal dell’ex scored by Federico Bernardeschi, and finalized by Gonzalo Higuain.

Udinese Break Winning Streak of Ten-Man Milan

February 5, 2018 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Serie A, Udinese

Milan’s chase to the top positions came to a halt in Udine yesterday, as the Rossoneri were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw by Massimo Oddo’s troops. An early masterpiece goal by Suso was not enough for Gennaro Gattuso to collect a fourth win in a row. Udinese took advantage of Davide Calabria’s expulsion and reached an equaliser when a shot by Kevin Lasagna was deflected by Gianluigi Donnarumma into his own goal.

Rifinitura: Lurking Traps in Transition Weekend

February 3, 2018 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Crotone, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Rifinitura, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spal, Torino, Udinese

There is no easy game in Serie A, and all top clubs should keep that in mind as they approach a Round 23 which does not feature any clear partita di cartello. Take Napoli, for instance: The will go to Benevento mindful of their 6-0 win from the first leg – but the Giallorossi have eight new players to choose from since then. Or Juventus, which will receive a hungry-for-points Sassuolo, and their brand new striker Khouma Babacar.

Calcio New Leader is Little Known Roberto Fabbricini

February 2, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Fabbricini, FIGC, The Azzurri

The man chosen to lead the Italian Football movement out of its quagmire, doesn’t even have a Wikipedia page. 72-year-old Roberto Fabbricini was appointed yesterday by the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI) President Giovanni Malagò as emergency administrator for the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), after the FIGC General Assembly failed to elect their own President on Monday.

Rifinitura: Gattuso’s Toughest Test is Lustful Lazio

January 27, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Rifinitura, Serie A

A Serie A Round split in two days will climax on late Sunday, with the last two matches featuring Gennaro Gattuso Milan’s toughest test so far as he faces a rampant Lazio at San Siro, and a new interesting crossing between Roma and Sampdoria. Scudetto contenders Juventus and Napoli will continue battling at distance, with Juve going to Verona for a Saturday night match, and the Partenopei receiving Bologna.

Coppa Italia Derby of Despair Gives Milan New Hope

December 28, 2017 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Coppa Italia, Inter Milan

A lone goal by Patrick Cutrone during extra time pushed Milan past Coppa Italia Quarter Finals last night, as the Rossoneri beat city rivals Inter in an unusual post-Christmas Derby di Milano. Gennaro Gattuso caught the first significant success in his troubled tenure as Milan head coach, and will now face Lazio in the Italian national cup semifinal round, whereas Luciano Spalletti had to swallow the third defeat in a row.

Butterfly Effect Favors Juventus in Win Against Roma

December 24, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Juventus, Roma, Serie A

Juventus beat Roma 1-0 in the last match of Serie A Round 18 last night, thanks to the outstanding performances of two who used to wear a Giallorossi jersey in the past – Mehdi Benatia and Wojciech Szczesny. Patrick Schick on the other hand, who was supposed to be playing for the Bianconeri by now, denied Roma an equaliser failing an easy shot during extra time, possibly writing an important page in the race for Scudetto.

Napoli Retake Lead as Nerazzurri Choke on Lasagna

December 16, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Inter Milan, Napoli, Serie A, Torino, Udinese, Uncategorized

Inter’s leadership in Serie A lasted only two weeks, as today Napoli took advantage of the Nerazzurri’s unexpected pas faux to regain the top spot of the standing. Inter fell for the first time this season, outclassed 3-1 by an Udinese led by striker Kevin Lasagna. Napoli stormed Torino with three goals in the first 45 minutes, with Marek Hamsik scoring after a ten-match abstinence as a cherry on the top.

Assi di Coppe: Roma Rolls in Champions League Round of 16

December 5, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Assi di Coppe, Champions League, Roma, Uncategorized

A lone goal by Diego Perotti, among a flurry of disorderly attack chances, pushed Roma into the Round of 16 of Champions League after a one-year absence. The Giallorossi took longer than expected to burst through Qarabag’s defensive wall, but could ultimately celebrate finishing at the top of Group C, thanks to the simultaneous 1-1 tie between Chelsea and Atlético Madrid.

Benevento Breaks Curse with Goalkeeper Goal

December 3, 2017 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Benevento, Serie A One comment

When Benevento began their season, Alberto Brignoli was not even their starting goalkeeper. But from today, he will be remembered as the one who gave his club their first point ever in the top division. His incredible late goal during extra time allowed the Streghe to equalise Milan’s lead, and capture and unexpected 2-2 tie. Gennaro Gattuso was surely hoping for a different outcome for his debut as Diavoli's coach.

Higuain Rubs Salt in Napoli Wounds, Juve Wins 1-0

December 2, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Gonzalo Higuain, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A

Juventus showed they are still not full after six titles in a row last night, as they beat Napoli 1-0 with a gol by Gonzalo Higuain. Maurizio Sarri's squad conceded their first seasonal defeat, and saw the Bianconeri coming closer at -1 point from their leadership. It was not a great match to watch, with Juve finding again that impenetrable defense that had made their recent fortune, and Napoli appearing less brilliant than usual.

The Reasons Why Montella Failed at Milan

November 28, 2017 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Serie A, Vincenzo Montella

Vincenzo Montella’s adventure as coach of Milan ended today with a bare statement published on the club’s Twitter account. The Rossoneri announced his sacking, and his replacement with primavera (youth team) trainer Gennaro Gattuso. Montella also made his reaction public via Twitter. He remarked how honored he felt for having had the chance to coach the club based in Via Aldo Rossi, and wished the best to his successor.

Author: Matteo Carnevale