Michel Sakr, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Juventus have quietly prolonged the contract of starting goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny. He’s now under contract with them until 2025.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Sassuolo: Szczesny and Gatti Horror Show

September 23, 2023 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Juventus, Player Ratings, Sassuolo, Serie A Leave a comment

The Neroverdi eventually sealed the deal, with Andrea Pinamonti restoring their lead and Federico Gatti's shocking gaffe of an own goal making it 4-2. So here are our player ratings for Juventus who suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of their hosts Sassuolo.

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez replied to a question about his future in the pre-game presser ahead of the Champions League encounter against Real Sociedad.

Inter Player Ratings vs Real Sociedad: Lautaro Salvages a Point After Bastoni Gaffe

September 20, 2023 Michel Sakr Champions League, Inter Milan, International Football, Italian Football, Player Ratings, Serie A Leave a comment

Lautaro Martinez salvaged a point for the Nerazzurri who lunged forward in the final stages. So here are our player ratings for Inter who earned their first point in the UCL campaign following a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.

Ivan Provedel was originally brought in by Lazio to back up Luis Maximiano, after a long and seesawing negotiation with Spezia, but things change quickly.

Lazio vs Atletico Madrid 1-1: Provedel Writes History In Surreal Ending

September 19, 2023 Michel Sakr Atletico Madrid, Champions League, Italian Football, Lazio, Serie A Leave a comment

At the Olimpico Stadium in Rome, Lazio announced their return to the Champions League for the first time in three years by hosting Atletico Madrid. The visitors thought they won the match thanks to Pablo Barrios' first-half opener. But in a surreal twist of fate, goalkeeper Ivan Provedel produced a last-second equalizer that secured a valuable point for the Aquile.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 4: Mkhitaryan and Inter Put Milan To the Sword

September 18, 2023 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

Inter pummelled their rivals Milan in a shocking fashion, while Juventus announced themselves as a potential Scudetto challengers with a convincing win over Lazio. So we'll try to recap the most intriguing action from the last three days in our Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 4.

Napoli Player Ratings vs Genoa: Garcia’s Substitutes Rescue A Point

September 16, 2023 Michel Sakr Genoa, Italian Football, Napoli, Player Ratings, Serie A Leave a comment

Mateo Retegui thought he had secured the win for the Grifone with a second strike, but Rudi Garcia's super-subs Giacomo Raspadori and Matteo Politano salvaged a point, sparing the team from a second defeat in a row. So here are our player ratings for Napoli who added a single point to their tally with a 2-2 draw in Genoa.

Dumfries vs Theo and 5 Other Key Duels in Inter vs Milan Derby Clash

September 16, 2023 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

As is always the case, these major showdowns are shaped by a series of small battles that ensue all over the pitch. So we'll take a closer look at six key duels between Inter and Milan players, skirmishes that will eventually decide the outcome of Saturday's clash.

Serie A will have the chance to take home the top three continental competitions for just the second time in its history.

Transfer Market Roundup: Are Roma Stronger or Weaker Than Last Season?

September 12, 2023 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

Before we allow this abysmal start to blight our judgment and lead us to premature conclusions, let's take a closer look at the club's summer transfer session and try to analyze whether Roma have become stronger or weaker when compared to last season's squad.

Here are our player ratings for the Milan vs. Torino showdown at the San Siro, where newcomers like Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders shone again

Transfer Market Roundup: Are Milan Stronger or Weaker Than Last Season?

September 10, 2023 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

The club went on to sign a host of newcomers with vast potential, with the aim of boosting Stefano Pioli's ranks in terms of quality and depth. So did Milan succeed in their quest and emerge out from the transfer market as a stronger team than last season? Let's run a comparison based on every department before we reach a final conclusion.

Italy Player Ratings vs North Macedonia: Lynxes Ruin Spalletti Debut

September 9, 2023 Michel Sakr Euro 2024, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, North Macedonia, Player Ratings, Serie A

Yhe Azzurri dropped back to defend their slim advantage and ultimately paid the price as Enis Bardhi beat Gianluigi Donnarumma with a stunning freekick. So here are our player ratings for Italy who only managed to add a single point to their Euro 2024 qualifiers tally from in trip to North Macedonia.

Last year's Champions Leaugue finalists have shown that they mean business as Inter secured all three points in a solid 2-0 win against Monza

Transfer Market Roundup: Are Inter Stronger or Weaker Than Last Season?

September 6, 2023 Michel Sakr Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

The top brass was hellbent on making a profit during the summer without jeopardizing the quality of the men at Simone Inzaghi's disposal. So did the Inter directors succeed in this daunting mission? Let's analyze the club's playing departments while comparing this season's personnel to last term's before reaching a general conclusion.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 3: Thuram Makes His Bones at Inter

September 5, 2023 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends Leave a comment

One of the three big showdowns ended in a demolition job while another delivered an upset. As for the clash between Roma and Milan, the final result was somewhat expected, albeit with a twist. So let's recap the most compelling action from the thrilling Italian weekend in our Tops and Flops from Serie A Round 3.

Danilo has established himself as the leader of the Juventus locker room in the last two or three seasons. He wore the captain’s armband in the Inter clash.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Empoli: Danilo & Chiesa Lead The Way

September 3, 2023 Michel Sakr Empoli, Italian Football, Juventus, Player Ratings, Serie A Leave a comment

Danilo put the Old Lady ahead in the middle of the first but Dusan Vlahovic failed to double his side's lead when he got the chance from the spot. Nevertheless, Federico Chiesa's late goal sealed a routine win for the visitors in the end. So here are our player ratings for Juventus who earned a deserved 2-0 victory over Empoli before the international break.

Author: Michel Sakr