Matteo Carnevale, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Is Ibrahimovic’s Second Coming What Milan Really Need?

December 29, 2019 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A One comment

And so, Milan it is. Zlatan Ibrahimovic decided to continue his seemingly-endless career with another stop in the red-and-black side of Milano. But while Ibra’s Second Coming is surely a hit for Serie A, the signing of a 38-year-old looks more like a temporary Band-Aid than the fruit of some calculated planning on the part of the Rossoneri management.

Throwback Thursday: Kazu Miura’s Stamp on the Genoa Derby

December 12, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Genoa, Italian Football, Sampdoria, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

The first Japanese player to ever set foot in Serie A was Kazuyoshi “Kazu” Miura. Before Hideyoshi Nakata and Shunsuke Nakamura, before Takayuki Morimoto and Yuto Nagatomo, there was this little-known son of the Rising Sun who played for the Rossoblu side of Genoa in the 1994-95 season. Miura tallied 21 presences and 1 goal only - but oh, what a goal that was.

Assi di Coppe: Atalanta’s Champions League Masterpiece

December 11, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Assi di Coppe, Atalanta, Champions League, European Cups, Italian Football

Two infinite minutes. That’s how long it took for the referee to check Alejandro Gomez’s position on a pass by Robin Gosens, before ruling that El Papu was not in offside when he served Timothy Castagne an assist for the goal that propelled Atalanta into history. La Dea qualified to the Champions League knockout stage after trailing Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0.

Throwback Thursday: Prince Francescoli’s Most Precious Pearl

November 27, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Cagliari, Italian Football, Sampdoria, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

On September 1, 1991, Cagliari received title-holder Sampdoria at the Sant' Elia Stadium in the opening match of Serie A 1991-92. The most representative player of the Rossoblu was Uruguayan midfielder Enzo Francescoli, who is still widely remembered in Sardinia for a magnificent goal that helped his side knock the Italian champions down.

Screw the Catenaccio! When Italy Go into Full Attack Mode

November 19, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Euro 2020, Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri

There is a reason why Italy’s dazzling 9-1 win over a modest Armenia selection is sending the whole world of calcio in raptures. Historically, the Italians have not exactly been known for their offensive style of play, their football credo being rather exemplified by the notorious catenaccio. Roberto Mancini is on a mission to change that perception.

Assi di Coppe: Will Napoli Mutiny Mark End of Ancelotti Era?

November 6, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Assi di Coppe, Champions League, Italian Football, Napoli

Carlo Ancelotti’s experience in Napoli may be set to end abruptly as the events following his players’ mutiny against president Aurelio De Laurentiis continue to unfold. Dark clouds gathered over the Azzurri roster last night as captain Lorenzo Insigne and his teammates refused to remain at a training retreat imposed by the club after tying 1-1 against Red Bull Salzburg.

Introducing Sebastiano Esposito, Inter Youth Club Sensation

October 25, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A

Leave Sebastiano Esposito alone and let him grow, one would say. Well, small chance of that. Since Antonio Conte sent him in at San Siro during Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, nothing will be the same anymore for the 17-year-old Inter’s young prospect. People won’t stop talking about him and building hype around the supposedly new hope of calcio.

Throwback Thursday: When Le Roi Platini Replied to Uncle Bergomi

October 1, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Inter Milan, Juventus, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

A shocking first-minute opener by Inter’s beloved “Uncle” Giuseppe Bergomi, a penalty tap-in by Le Roi Michel Platini, after Walter Zenga had saved his first shot. The Derby d’Italia between Inter and Juventus played at the San Siro Stadium on November 24, 1985, was a showcase of talent and players who would go on to make history in their respective clubs.

Throwback Thursday: Van Basten and Milan’s New Fatal Verona

September 13, 2019 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Hellas Verona, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

Marco Van Basten removing his shirt and throwing it to the ground. The Swan of Utrecht sent off by referee Rosario Lo Bello, together with teammates Frank Rijkaard and Alessandro Costacurta. The surreal images of Milan’s second "Fatal Verona" are stuck in any Rossonero’s mind, remembering him of when his club lost 1-2 to the Gialloblu to throw a Scudetto away.

Throwback Thursday: Brazil-Italy, The First World Cup Penalty Final

June 10, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Brazil, Italian Football, Italy, The Azzurri, Throwback Thursday, World Cup, World Cup 1994

Brazil-Italy is the Superclasico of the World Cup, the most traditional game in the major football competition. The Azzurri and the Selecao have crossed their paths many times in the history of the world tournament, always with much at stake. On July 17, 1994, Brazil prevailed over Italy in the first World Cup Final decided on penalties to conquer the long-yearned-for "Tetra."

Throwback Thursday: Milan-Steaua, Sacchi’s Perfect Game

May 24, 2019 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Champions League, European Cups, Throwback Thursday

On this day, 30 years ago, the history of football changed. Arrigo Sacchi’s Milan trampled Steaua Bucuresti 4-0 with braces by Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten to conquer the European Cup 1988-89, the third in the history of the Rossoneri. The triumph in Barcelona marked the International legitimization of the Romagna-born coach’s football verbo.

Max Allegri Parts Ways With Juventus As Absolute Winner

May 18, 2019 Matteo Carnevale Champions League, Coppa Italia, European Cups, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A

In a month of May that is reshaping the geography of Serie A, Juventus decided to part ways with Massimiliano Allegri. The separation between the league title holders and their winning coach was made official yesterday in a sober press conference. Allegri leaves Juventus after five years in which he won five Scudetto, four Coppa Italia, and two Supercups.

Author: Matteo Carnevale