The Cult of Calcio - Page 1337 of 1343 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Assi di Coppe: Roma Rolls in Champions League Round of 16

December 5, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Assi di Coppe, Champions League, Roma, Uncategorized

A lone goal by Diego Perotti, among a flurry of disorderly attack chances, pushed Roma into the Round of 16 of Champions League after a one-year absence. The Giallorossi took longer than expected to burst through Qarabag’s defensive wall, but could ultimately celebrate finishing at the top of Group C, thanks to the simultaneous 1-1 tie between Chelsea and Atlético Madrid.

Bar Sport: What a Wonderful Weekend of Calcio!

December 5, 2017 Diego Ottaviano AC Milan, Atalanta, Bar Sport, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Crotone, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spal, Torino, Udinese, Uncategorized

What a weekend of Calcio! On Friday night, Napoli and Juventus played the partitissima of the week. Man of the Match was Gonzalo Higuain, and the three points went to Juventus. Inter took full advantage of their chance to get to the first position by hammering Chievo Verona 5-0. But this weekend, the most difficult of tests is waiting for them: Will they be able to defeat Juventus at their home ground Allianz Stadium?

Benevento Breaks Curse with Goalkeeper Goal

December 3, 2017 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Benevento, Serie A One comment

When Benevento began their season, Alberto Brignoli was not even their starting goalkeeper. But from today, he will be remembered as the one who gave his club their first point ever in the top division. His incredible late goal during extra time allowed the Streghe to equalise Milan’s lead, and capture and unexpected 2-2 tie. Gennaro Gattuso was surely hoping for a different outcome for his debut as Diavoli's coach.

Meanwhile In Moscow: The World Cup 2018 Draw

December 2, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff Meanwhile In Moscow, World Cup 2018

We can turn our pretty Italian faces away, and pretend that nothing happened yesterday in Moscow, and nothing will happen next Summer. But it’s time to face reality. The World Cup will still take place, even without Italy. “Meanwhile In Moscow” is the tagline under which The Cult of Calcio will painfully follow the most important sport event in the world, starting from the draw for the Group Stage held yesterday at the Kremlin.

Higuain Rubs Salt in Napoli Wounds, Juve Wins 1-0

December 2, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Gonzalo Higuain, Juventus, Napoli, Serie A

Juventus showed they are still not full after six titles in a row last night, as they beat Napoli 1-0 with a gol by Gonzalo Higuain. Maurizio Sarri's squad conceded their first seasonal defeat, and saw the Bianconeri coming closer at -1 point from their leadership. It was not a great match to watch, with Juve finding again that impenetrable defense that had made their recent fortune, and Napoli appearing less brilliant than usual.

Throwback Thursday: Maradona’s Impossible Free Kick

November 30, 2017 Andrea Salvarezza Juventus, Napoli, Serie A, Throwback Thursday

On November 3, 1985, Napoli received capolista Juventus and their perfect record - eight wins out of their first eight games. That Juventus, featuring players like Michel Platini or Michael Laudrup, and trained by Giovanni Trapattoni, was a true dreadnought. Still, there was much optimism among the Napoli ranks. The Partenopei’s hopes responded to a specific name: Diego Armando Maradona.

Bar Sport: The Recap of Serie A Round 14

November 28, 2017 Diego Ottaviano AC Milan, Bar Sport, Crotone, Genoa, Inter Milan, Juventus, Napoli, Roma, Serie A

The last round of Serie A didn’t offer any big match. However, it did tell us many things, and underlined once again the supremacy of the bigger teams over the weaker sides. Napoli, Inter, and Juventus all won their games. But the question of the day is: What was Daniele De Rossi thinking when he decided to slap Gianluca Lapadula, earning a red card, conceding a penalty to Genoa and leaving his mates outnumbered?

The Reasons Why Montella Failed at Milan

November 28, 2017 Matteo Carnevale AC Milan, Serie A, Vincenzo Montella

Vincenzo Montella’s adventure as coach of Milan ended today with a bare statement published on the club’s Twitter account. The Rossoneri announced his sacking, and his replacement with primavera (youth team) trainer Gennaro Gattuso. Montella also made his reaction public via Twitter. He remarked how honored he felt for having had the chance to coach the club based in Via Aldo Rossi, and wished the best to his successor.

Inter King for a Night After 3-1 Win in Cagliari

November 26, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff Cagliari, Inter Milan, Serie A, Uncategorized

Inter captured a provisional Serie A leadership tonight, as they won 3-1 in Cagliari thanks to the goals scored by their captain Mauro Icardi (twice) and Marcelo Brozovic. But the game at the loud-cheering Sardegna Arena was all but a piece of cake for Luciano Spalletti’s band, who were dominated for the first quarter of the match. Still, since football games last 90 minutes, Inter had enough time to turn the matter in their favor.

Bari-Foggia: When Teams Don’t Switch Sides

November 26, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff Bari, Foggia, Serie B, Sting Like a B

Some Italian regional derbies are even more fiery than the most renown city clashes. That is the case of Bari-Foggia, aka the Derby d’Apulia, where rivalry between the fan bases from the two biggest cities in the Southern Region of Apulia is so harsh, that it once prompted the referee to order teams not to switch sides at half time – to prevent supporters from both clubs from throwing objects at their rival goalies.

Rifinitura: Chancy Away Tests for Inter and Napoli

November 25, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Crotone, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Parma, Rifinitura, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spal, Torino, Udinese

Round 14 of Serie A will not feature any big match. Yet, top ranking Inter and Napoli should better not underestimate their away games in Cagliari and Udine. A recent coach change did bring some benefits to the Islanders, whereas Udinese will see their new trainer Massimo Oddo debut tomorrow. Juventus have good chances of reducing their gap with the lead as they face Crotone at home.

Assi di Coppe: Atalanta Advances by Playing Pokerissimo

November 24, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Assi di Coppe, Atalanta, Champions League, Europa League, European Cups, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Roma

We are running out of adjectives to describe Atalanta’s sensational European campaign: Gian Piero Gasperini’s Nerazzurri had started their run in Europa League Group E with a clear 3-0 home win against Everton. Last night, they secured their presence in the Round of 32 after humiliating again the Toffees with a fabulous pokerissimo – five goals scored at Wayne Rooney’s home.