Matteo Carnevale, Author at The Cult of Calcio

CR7 At Last! Juve See Off Sassuolo With Ronaldo Brace

September 16, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Juventus, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2018-2019

It finally happened in his fourth game. It took 344 minutes for Cristiano Ronaldo to score his first Italian goals - a double at the Allianz Stadium to help Juventus overcome Sassuolo’s resistance in Serie A Round 4. He had probably imagined this moment to be different, likely more exciting than the easy tap in from no distance with which he broke his drought.

Jorginho’s Penalty Saves Italy In Nations League Debut

September 8, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Italy, Nations League, Poland, The Azzurri

A controversial penalty converted by Jorginho allowed Italy to snatch one point out of their Nations League home debut with Poland. Coach Roberto Mancini’s trust in Mario Balotelli was not repaid last night in Bologna, and it took the entrance of Federico Chiesa to shake up an Azzurri side hit in the first half by Neapolitan midfielder Piotr Zielinksi.

Cutrone Sends Diavoli Into Paradiso With Extra Time Goal

September 1, 2018 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Roma, Serie A, Serie A 2018-2019

Higuain? No, Cutrone. Better, both. Milan’s 2-1 win over Roma in Serie A Round 2 bears the mark of the 20-year-old home grown striker, but his extra time goal wouldn’t have been possible without a providential filtering pass by El Pipita. Gennaro Gattuso’s side thus collected their first three seasonal points, in a game which saw two goals disallowed by the VAR.

Torino Snatch Point At San Siro As Inter Black Out

August 27, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Inter Milan, Serie A, Serie A 2018-2019, Torino

That’s not the way to go, Inter. The Nerazzurri squandered a double lead built by Ivan Perisic and Stefan De Vrij last night, and threw away a match that they seemed to have won after just 30 minutes. Torino made it even in the second half thanks to Andrea Belotti and Soualiho Meite to snatch an unhoped-for point out of San Siro Stadium.

Papu Gomez Sets Atalanta Off to a Stunning Serie A Start

August 20, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Atalanta, Frosinone, Serie A, Serie A 2018-2019

With two Europa League preliminary rounds already on their back, Atalanta are the fittest Serie A club at the moment. Their opening match tonight followed the same pattern seen in Europe, with the Bergamaschi delivering a hailstorm of goals to unfortunate Frosinone. Captain Alejandro Gomez scored 2 goals and served 2 assist to set his side off to a good start.

Juventus Pull It Off at Chievo On Cristiano Ronaldo’s Debut Day

August 19, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Chievo Verona, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2018-2019

Welcome to Serie A, Cristiano. This is the place where even a visit to a marginally-intimidating provincial club can be full of dangers, and where what was meant to be a showcase-match for CR7’s landing in Italy can turn into a nightmare for seven-time league champions Juventus. Massimiliano Allegri’s side pulled it off, but not after going down to Chievo.

Azzurrini Lose to Portugal In Hard Fought Under 19 Final

July 30, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Italy, Portugal, The Azzurri, Under 19

Come on, Italy, there is hope for the future. Coach Paolo Nicolato’s Azzurrini lost an incredibly entertaining Under 19 Championship Final in Seinajoki, Finland, succumbing 3-4 to Portugal after extra time. A double by Moise Kean and a header by Gianluca Scamacca were not enough for Italy to conquer the European throne again, 15 years after their last Under 19 win.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Vive La France! The World Cup Is Bleu!

July 15, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Croatia, France, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

The World Cup Winners remains an elite club with very strict admission rules. France covered themselves with glory for the second time, while brusquely rejecting Croatia’s application to join the club. The Final in Moscow ended 4-2 for Didier Deschamps’ side, but we need to thank both teams for giving life to one of the most entertaining finals in decades.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Perisic-Mandzu Take Croatia to Last Act

July 12, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Croatia, England, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Croatia are the second finalist of World Cup 2018. Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic pushed the Balkan side into their first world final ever, overturning Kieran Trippier’s initial lead for England. The Vatreni will thus face France next Sunday at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow for the last act, a totally deserved achievement for the white-and-red checkered squad.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Umtiti Brings France Back to WC Final

July 10, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Croatia, France, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

A flash in the night of Saint Petersburg, Samuel Umtiti’s header brought France back to a World Cup Final, 12 years after the bitter outcome of Berlin 2006. Didier Deschamps’ side prevailed in their Semi Final over Belgium with a lone goal by their Barcelona-based center back. Just like 4 years ago in Brazil, the Red Devils faded away in the decisive moment.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Last Stop for Russia, Croats Win on Penalties

July 8, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Croatia, Meanwhile In Moscow, Russia, World Cup, World Cup 2018

Last stop for the host country. Russia left the competition in the hands of the Croatians, who survived the second penalty battle in a row. 120 minutes were not enough to determine the outcome of the last World Cup Quarter Final, which promoted coach Zlatko Dalic’s team. Mistakes by Fedor Smolov and Mario Fernandes proved fatal to Stanislav Cherchesov’s side.

Meanwhile in Moscow: Brazil Bid Adieu, Belgium Burst Into Semis

July 7, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Belgium, Brazil, Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup, World Cup 2018

It’s a World Cup, but it looks like a European Championship by now. Belgium eliminated the last representative from South America last night, beating Brazil 2-1 in Kazan. The Belgians benefited from an own goal by Fernandinho, and doubled their lead with Kevin De Bruyne, before Renato Augusto could vainly reduce the gap for the Selecao.

Author: Matteo Carnevale