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Serie A Round 29 from A to Z

March 25, 2018 Diego Ottaviano From A to Z, Serie A

A shocking nil-nil draw in Ferrara slowed Juventus down, and allowed Napoli to reduce their gap with the lead to two points only. Roma won in Crotone and consolidated their third position, but Inter and their captain Mauro Icardi loudly shouted “We are back!”, with Maurito scoring four goals (!) to Sampdoria. Milan continue to run, seeing the Champions League only five points away. This, and much more, in our review of Serie A Round 29 from A to Z.

Coach Di Biagio Chooses Continuity: Buffon In, Balo Out

March 18, 2018 The Cult of Calcio Staff Di Biagio, Italy, The Azzurri

The revolution can wait. For his first convocations as interim head coach of the Italian Nazionale, Luigi Di Biagio chose to walk a conservative path. Those who were hoping for a complete cleanup among the Azzurri ranks after their shameful failure to qualify for the upcoming World Cup might be disappointed – and yet, the pool of human resources available to Di Biagio didn’t leave much room for different choices.

Totti’s “Gufata” Fulfills: Juve Pick Real in UCL Draw!

March 17, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Assi di Coppe, Barcelona, Champions League, Juventus, Real Madrid, Roma, Totti

“Gufare.” There is no better verb to express the sublime pleasure Italian football fans feel, when genuinely wishing the worst to their rivals. Former Roma legend Francesco Totti performed a top-class “gufata” yesterday during the Champions League quarterfinals draw, as he was caught by cameras wishing longtime rival Juventus to be paired with Real Madrid - which promptly happened a few seconds later.

Assi di Coppe: Roma Do Their Homework and Reach Quarters

March 13, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Assi di Coppe, Champions League, Roma, Serie A

A lone goal by Edin Dzeko put Roma past Shakthar Donetsk and booked them a ticket to the Champions League quarterfinals, a stage the Giallorossi have not seen in the last 10 years. The 2-2 aggregate score promoted Eusebio Di Francesco’s side on away goals. Roma did their homework and beat a weaker club on paper, but overcoming the Ukrainians was not a stroll in the part for the red-and-yellows.

Davide Astori: A Tribute from A to Z

March 12, 2018 Diego Ottaviano Astori, Cagliari, Fiorentina, From A to Z, Roma, Serie A

This is a special edition of our A to Z column. As yesterday the whole world of football remembered Fiorentina captain Davide Astori after his tragic passing, we also thought to honor him our way. We highlighted some key moments in his career, the good and the bad ones, that made his history. We did it to remember and celebrate an unfortunate player and a good man, who delighted us with many of those football moments that remind us why we love this game.

Tension Wins in San Siro as Inter and Napoli Settle for Tie

March 11, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Inter Milan, Napoli, Serie A

The match clou of Serie A Round 28 at San Siro Stadium ended with no goals and no winners, as Inter and Napoli failed to hurt each other, and left the pitch with their sheets clean. Tonight’s celebration was all for Juventus, which overtook the Azzurri at the top of the league and now have the chance to increase their newly-gained lead to +4 points, should they win their catch-up match with Atalanta next Wednesday.

Hellas Climb Up Ladder After Winning Verona Derby

March 10, 2018 Matteo Carnevale Chievo Verona, Hellas Verona, Serie A

Life is a ladder, a famous Italian saying goes. Some climb it up, some climb it down. Tonight, it was the Hellas side of the city of Verona - whose emblem is incidentally a ladder – to push themselves up in the standing as they captured a 1-0 win over Chievo, in a frankly disappointing edition of the Derby della Scala where the only noteworthy event was a lone goal by center back Antonio Caracciolo.

Throwback Thursday: The Day That Inter Became “of Records”

March 8, 2018 Andrea Salvarezza Inter Milan, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

Between coach Giovanni Trapattoni’s unstoppable Inter of the 1988-89 season, and their 13th Scudetto, there is just one obstacle left: The home match against direct rivals Napoli, scheduled for May 28, 1989. With just five rounds to go, the only side that can still reach the leading Nerazzurri are Diego Maradona’s Napoli, who are seven points behind. A free kick by Lothar Matthäus will solve the problem for the "Inter of Records."

St. George and the Dragon, the Choreography In SPAL-Bologna

March 7, 2018 Marco Natali Bologna, Serie A, Spal, Stands by Me

We are used to hear from the media that football ultras are violent and without any social culture. But right before last Saturday’s Derby dell’Emilia SPAL-Bologna at Paolo Mazza Stadium, Spallini supporters impressed the world of calcio with an amazing choreography inspired by the legend of Saint George and the Dragon, as depicted in a famous painting by Paolo Uccello from 1470, during in the Italian Renaissance.

Roma Raid Napoli with Dzeko Double. Will Serie A Fate Change?

March 5, 2018 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Roma, Serie A

The fate of Serie A 2017-18 may very well have changed on Saturday night, as Roma took a shocking 4-2 away win against capolista Napoli, in what was arguably the most exciting match seen this season. A Lorenzo Insigne in berserk mode was not enough for the Azzurri to catch their 11th win in a row, Maurizio Sarri’s squad crashing into “one of those nights” for Edin Dzeko, and frustrated by the saves of Alisson.

Fiorentina Captain Davide Astori Passes Away at 31

March 4, 2018 The Cult of Calcio Staff Astori, Fiorentina, Serie A, The Azzurri

The world of football was shocked today at the tragic news that Fiorentina captain Davide Astori suddenly passed away at 31 in Udine. Astori, who was capped 14 times by the Italian Nazionale, was found dead in his hotel room, apparently on natural causes. Lega Serie A emergency leader Giovanni Malago’ ordered the immediate cancellation of all Serie A and Serie B matches in program today.

Serie A Round 26 from A to Z

February 28, 2018 Diego Ottaviano From A to Z, Serie A

In Serie A Round 26, Napoli took a stroll in the park and delivered five goals to Cagliari - thus gaining a four-point lead over Juventus, which saw their match with Atalanta cancelled due to a heavy snowfall. Milan got three heavy points, beating a Roma that seem to have lost their identity. A beautiful Benevento couldn’t stop Inter, which moved one position up. Sassuolo was easy work for Lazio, the Emiliani now risking of being sucked into the relegation battle.