The Cult of Calcio - Page 1164 of 1198 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

The Curious Case of Jurgen Klopp and Coronavirus

March 14, 2020 Abdullah Bashiti Bundesliga, Champions League, Europa League, European Championships 2020, La Liga, Liverpool, Premier League, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, U.S.A.

Jürgen Klopp is currently the world's best manager, at least according to FIFA. Yet, even the world's best sometimes make bad statements. But Klopp, being a highly charismatic, widely-loved figure, managed to turn his initial anger towards questions on the coronavirus to a message of hope and advice to everyone around the world.

Rugani Positive For Coronavirus, Juve and Inter Quarantined

March 11, 2020 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Lazio, Lecce, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Spal, Torino, Udinese

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani tested positive for the COVID-19, the disease generated by the much-famed coronavirus. Rugani is the first player from a Serie A club to be infected. Juventus and Inter issued stataments announcing that their players and staff will likely need to undergo quarantine, casting further doubts on the prosecution of their football season.

Assi di Coppe: Atalanta Silence Agnelli In Historic UCL Night

March 11, 2020 Taimoor Khan Assi di Coppe, Atalanta, Champions League, European Cups, Italian Football

In what is an amazing underdog story from this season’s Champions League, Atalanta became the first team to book a place in the Quarter-Finals of the competition. A 4-3 win over Valencia embellished by a haul by Josip Ilicic was all the Bergamo club needed to make history. Their win was even more important given Juventus President Andrea Agnelli's recent rant.

Serie A Suspended Due To Coronavirus: What Happens Now?

March 10, 2020 Kolade Daniel AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Lazio, Lecce, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Spal, Torino, Udinese

Italy was placed under a total lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus. With about three to four Serie A game-weeks now set to be outstanding after the suspension, what are the possible implications this may bring to the current season? According to multiple Italian media sources, there are now four possible scenarios after the ban.

Italy Lockdown Stops Serie A In Country’s Longest Day

March 9, 2020 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Lazio, Lecce, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Spal, Torino, Udinese

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that Italy will be in a total lockdown until at least April 3 to contain the coronavirus outbreak – extending to the whole country the extreme measures originally announced yesterday for 14 provinces only. The restriction also applies to any sports activity, including the Serie A and lower divisions.

Assi di Coppe: Atalanta Travel To Valencia as UCL Show Goes On

March 9, 2020 Din Havolli Assi di Coppe, Atalanta, Champions League, European Cups, Italian Football, Valencia

After squeezing through to the knockout stages, Atalanta’s Champions League debut is gathering pace. After a stellar performance at home by the hugely talented Italian side, they seem poised to go through. It would take a feat of epic proportions for Valencia to overturn the 4-1 advantage in a second leg which will be played behind closed doors due to coronavirus.

Juventus Regain Top Spot After Toppling Inter In Derby d’Italia

March 9, 2020 Abdullah Bashiti Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

Under bizarre circumstances, Juventus and Inter played out a fan-less Derby d’Italia in Turin. With both opposing managers knowing what’s at stake, the match was very tactical. But it did have its moment of magic when Paulo Dybala scored the second goal for Juventus. Unfortunately, only the stadium lights and a few VIP’s were there to witness it live.

Previewing a Closed-Doors Juventus-Inter Derby d’Italia

March 8, 2020 Thomas Salvatori Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020

You know it is going to be a great game when it is dubbed a "Derby" even if the two sides don’t come from the same city. There are always huge expectations in a Juventus-Inter game, even with closed doors. Home side Juventus will likely benefit from the return of three important players, whereas Inter cannot afford to lose if they want to keep their Scudetto hopes alive.

Why Serie A Calendar Changes Could Favor Lazio

March 8, 2020 Kolade Daniel Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Lazio, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020 One comment

As it stands, Lazio sit two points clear of Juventus in second place and a respectable eight off Inter in third place. Though the two big guns have games in hand, it's no longer a far claim to ask if the Biancocelesti can win the Serie A. Indeed, the recent changes in the match program due to the coronavirus threat may end up favoring Lazio in the Scudetto race. Here is why.

Udinese Face Fiorentina as Iachini Looks to Continue Resurgent Form

March 7, 2020 Luke Phelps Fiorentina, Italian Football, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Udinese

Udinese host Fiorentina in Serie A this weekend, as 13th play 14th. Luca Gotti's Udinese sit a place and two points behind Giuseppe Iachini's Fiorentina. They're winless in six in the league and are fast falling towards the relegation zone - only seven five points separate Udinese from 18th-place Genoa. The Viola, on the other hand, are in a resurgent form.

Parma Host SPAL as Di Biagio Looks For First Win as Manager

March 6, 2020 Luke Phelps Italian Football, Parma, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Spal

SPAL make the short trip across the north of Italy to Parma this Sunday, as they look to move off the bottom of the Serie A table. Coach Luigi Di Biagio has overseen three games in charge of SPAL and has lost them all 2-1 - the last being at home to 2nd-place Juventus. His hopes of claiming anything at Parma will mostly lie with Andrea Petagna.

Closed Doors For One Month, Here’s How The Serie A Restarts

March 5, 2020 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Atalanta, Bologna, Brescia, Cagliari, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Lazio, Lecce, Napoli, Parma, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Serie A 2019-2020, Spal, Torino, Udinese

A decision, finally. That’s what every football fan was waiting for, and what the Lega Serie A took to somehow get out of the stalemate caused by the coronavirus outbreak in Italy. Serie A games will be played behind closed doors until April 3. All the league games canceled last weekend, including Juventus-Inter, will be played between next Sunday and Monday.