Michel Sakr, Author at The Cult of Calcio

Gülesin scored 36 Serie A goals for Palermo and Lazio between 1950 to 1953. However, that record has been broken by Calhanoglu over for Milan and Inter.

The Best Regista in the World? How Inter Avenged Pirlo’s Exit by Snatching Calhanoglu

February 10, 2024 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Serie A, Tactical Trends

When it comes to football rivalries, the showdown between Milan and Inter is one of the most fascinating of all. Despite calling the Fashion Capital of the World their home, the city of Milano is hardly large enough to host the combined glamor of the two European giants.

Despite a strong start to the season, the future of Massimiliano Allegri at Juventus hangs in the balance. His contract runs out in 2025.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 23: Uninspiring Allegri, Magica Roma

February 6, 2024 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Atalanta, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends

As is often the case, the monumental fixtures tend to fall short of the grand expectations, and this was certainly the case in the showdown between Inter and Juventus. Nevertheless, Calcio fanatics know better than to overlook the rest of the fixtures, with several yielding spectacular outcomes. So let's recap the good, bad and ugly in the tops and flops from Serie A Round 23.

Wojciech Szczesny had a year automatically added to his Juventus contract in recent weeks, and he plans to see it out in its entirety.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Inter: Szczesny Heroics Not Enough

February 4, 2024 Michel Sakr Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Player Ratings, Serie A

The Bianconeri only have themselves for their over-cautious approach. So here are our player ratings for Juventus whose title hopes were dealt with a major blow after succumbing to a 0-1 defeat at the hands of Inter in the second Derby d'Italia of the season.

Despite their sides' poor showings to start the season, Massimiliano Allegri and Simone Inzaghi will be at the helm of Juventus and Inter after the break.

History Shows Inter vs Juventus Will Be a Decisive Scudetto Showdown

February 4, 2024 Michel Sakr Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Serie A, Tactical Trends

Pay no heed to what Allegri and Inzaghi are proclaiming in the buildup. Sunday's Derby d'Italia is as crucial – if not decisive – as a league fixture can possibly be, and both of them are extremely aware of this fact, despite their best attempts to belittle their meeting in their almost identical depiction.

Juventus haven’t redeemed Arkadiusz Milik, but his future is highly likely to still be in Turin. The Bianconeri are in advanced talks to purchase him.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 22: Milik Impedes Juventus, Thriller at San Siro

January 30, 2024 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Atalanta, Fiorentina, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends

It was another glorious weekend for Simone Inzaghi's men who regained the top spot with a razor-tight victory in Florence. The two arch-rivals collide in a Scudetto showdown next Sunday, but for now, let's recap the action from Serie A Round 22 while identifying the best performers of the weekend, as well as the least inspiring.

Felipe Anderson, Di Lorenzo, Lazio, Napoli

Napoli Player Ratings vs Lazio: Uninspired Partenopei Earn Away Point

January 28, 2024 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Lazio, Napoli, Player Ratings, Serie A

A hollow first half was followed by a slightly improved, yet still tepid, second period, with the two sides eventually settling for what felt like an inevitable stalemate. So here are our player ratings for Napoli who return home with a point in the bag following a goalless draw against Lazio.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 21: Juventus Soar, De Rossi Makes Triumphant Return

January 24, 2024 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends

what the league action lacked in terms of numbers, it certainly made up for it with its enticing goal-packed encounters, producing the good, the bad, and unfortunately, the ugly. So let's review the most intriguing events from the six Serie A weekend matches while revealing the Tops and Flops from Round 21.

Napoli Player Ratings vs Inter: Simeone the Super Cup Villain

January 22, 2024 Michel Sakr Inter Milan, Italian Football, Napoli, Player Ratings, Serie A, Super Cup, Supercoppa

Walter Mazzarri's men tried to withstand the onslaught and almost managed to reach the penalty shootouts, but an added-time winner from Lautaro Martinez put their resistance to bed. So here are our player ratings for Napoli who missed out on the Supercoppa Italiana with a 0-1 defeat to Inter.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Lecce: Vlahovic and Bremer Put the Bianconeri on Top

January 21, 2024 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Juventus, Lecce, Player Ratings, Serie A

Dusan Vlahovic kept his hot run going by netting a brace within nine minutes, and Gleison Bremer put his stamp on the victory with a late header. So here are our player ratings for Juventus who usurped Inter in the standings with a commanding 3-0 win over Lecce.

Mourinho Had His Sins But Paid the Price for the Roma Transfer Charade

January 17, 2024 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Roma, Serie A, Tactical Trends

Mourinho, who earned the Romanistas' unconditional love from the day he landed in the Eternal City has now been sacked only a few days following the emergence of the first signs of friction between him and the fanbase.

Juventus Player Ratings vs Sassuolo: Vlahovic Is Back!

January 16, 2024 Michel Sakr Italian Football, Juventus, Player Ratings, Sassuolo, Serie A

Dusan Vlahovic confirmed his positive run by scoring two astonishing strikes in the first half which made life much easier for the Bianconeri. Federico Chiesa came off the bench to add a third in the dying minutes. So here are our player ratings for Juventus who remain on Inter's trail with 3-0 win over Sassuolo.

Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 19: Napoli Hit Rock Bottom, Inter and Juventus Escape Unscathed

January 9, 2024 Michel Sakr AC Milan, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Tactical Trends

Inter and Juventus maintained the status quo on top by collecting wins, but Verona and Salernitana certainly made them sweat for it. However, the most striking event of the weekend was Napoli's appalling fall at the hands of Torino. As you would expect, the Partenopei and the Granata will dominate the entrees when we enlist the Tops and Flops from Serie A Round 19.

Author: Michel Sakr