The Cult of Calcio - Page 1338 of 1342 - Italian Football and Serie A News in English

Insigne Inspires, Zielinski Zaps: Napoli Tops Milan 2-1

November 19, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Napoli, Serie A One comment

As soon as he stepped foot on the pitch again, Lorenzo Insigne didn’t wait a minute to spark more regrets at his missed deployment in the Italy-Sweden World Cup Playoff. The boy from Frattamaggiore scored the first goal last night, before Piotr Zielinksi doubled the lead to help Napoli top Milan 2-1 and retain their Serie A lead, regardless of the outcome of the remaining matches from Round 13.

Rifinitura: Rome Derby, Napoli-Milan in Post-Apocalypse Weekend

November 18, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Crotone, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Rifinitura, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spal, Torino, Udinese

Now that the worst has happened – to quote Federcalcio President Carlo Tavecchio, who a few weeks ago had prophetically cautioned that failing to qualify for the World Cup would be comparable to an apocalypse – it’s up to Serie A to alleviate the pain of a Country which suddenly woke up with the nightmare of having to make alternate plans for next Summer. Calcio lovers will have a rich program in Round 13 to drown their pain in.

When Odds Are Beat: Two Historical Lazio-Roma Derby

November 18, 2017 Andrea Salvarezza Lazio, Roma, Serie A

The Derby della Capitale between Lazio and Roma is arguably the most hotly contested in Italian football. The fierce rivalry between the two banks of the Tiber river calls for no quarter, and the outcome of such a game is never an easy one to determine. In preparation for tonight’s match, The Cult of Calcio relives two famous editions of the stracittadina (“inter-city match”) when odds were beat, and the underdog unexpectedly came out as winner.

Russian Roulette: Azzurri, It’s Over! Italy Misses World Cup Pass

November 14, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Italy, Russian Roulette, The Azzurri, World Cup 2018

When preparing to deliver the very last corner kick in Italy-Sweden, just moments before referee Mateu Lahoz blew the final whistle, Alessandro Florenzi kissed the ball. He put all his hopes, as well as one nation’s hopes, into that ball. It didn’t work. The Swedish fort held a few seconds more, and the score remained set on 0-0. Italy failed to overturn their 0-1 loss from three days ago in Solna, and missed the last train to Russia.

Bar Sport: What’s Going On, Mr. Ventura?

November 11, 2017 Diego Ottaviano Bar Sport, Italy, The Azzurri, World Cup 2018

What’s going on, Mr. Ventura? We are talking about last night, of course, as we are not sure what happened. For the full time of our match against Sweden, the verve was missing among the Azzurri. We simply appeared weak, confused, and disorganized. Italy forgot they were Italy – and, what’s worse - it looked like they also forgot that chances to make it to World Cup 2018 were at stake.

Russian Roulette: Azzurri Fate Hangs by Thread After 0-1 Loss

November 11, 2017 Matteo Carnevale Italy, Russian Roulette, The Azzurri, World Cup 2018

Italy lost 0-1 to Sweden in the first leg of their World Cup playoff match, making their road to Russia extremely complicated. While the goal that put the Suedes ahead originated from a Daniele De Rossi’s unfortunate deflection on a shot by Jakob Johansson, the Azzurri never gave the impression of being able to pose any real threat to the opponents’ goal.

Russian Roulette: Sweden and Bitter Biscotto Memory

November 8, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff Italy, Russian Roulette, The Azzurri

Two days left before the match that can determine Italy’s chances to participate to the upcoming World Cup in Russia. The seeding pots delivered to the Azzurri Sweden as their final opponent on their way to Moscow, for a two-leg playoff that will be played in Solna this Friday, and then in Milan on November 13.

Serie A Recap: Juve Gets Closer as Napoli, Inter Slow

November 7, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Crotone, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spal, Torino, Udinese

The first third of Serie A 2017-18 ended with Juventus reducing the gap versus capolista Napoli, and surpassing Inter to catch the second position in the table. This looked like a simple round on paper for the three leading forces, yet both Napoli and Inter were forced to halt their march and settle for a draw. Juventus did get the three points, but suffered much more than expected against Benevento.

Bar Sport: Will Short Bench Limit Napoli Ambitions?

November 6, 2017 Diego Ottaviano Bar Sport, Napoli, Serie A

Ok, we didn’t win today. Still, Napoli are on a non-losing streak in Serie A since 20 matches, with three draws and 17 wins. Today, Inter didn’t get more than a draw either, and Juventus got three points against Benevento winning only for 2-1. We go back home with one small point, but we still hold the first position with a +1 advantage versus Juventus, which are now second alone.

Samp Beat Genoa Rivals with Ramirez, Quaglia Goals

November 4, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff Genoa, Sampdoria, Serie A

A cynical Sampdoria made the best out of their few attempts to score, as they topped 2-0 city rivals Genoa in the Derby della Lanterna. Goals by Gaston Ramirez and Fabio Quagliarella consolidated the Bluecerchiati’s 6th place in Serie A league table and added further pressure on Genoan coach Ivan Juric’s precarious situation.

Assi di Coppe: Mixed Feelings Week on Qualification Chances

November 4, 2017 Paolo Bozzelli AC Milan, Assi di Coppe, Atalanta, Champions League, Europa League, European Cups, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Roma

We witnessed three days of legendary challenges and unexpected debacles for the Italian teams in the European competitions. Whilst Juventus and Roma are still hanging to their chances of making it to the next Champions League stage, Napoli faced the cruel truth of a possible relegation to Europa League.

Rifinitura: Spotlight on Genoa’s Derby della Lanterna

November 4, 2017 The Cult of Calcio Staff AC Milan, Atalanta, Benevento, Bologna, Cagliari, Chievo Verona, Crotone, Fiorentina, Genoa, Hellas Verona, Inter Milan, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, Rifinitura, Roma, Sampdoria, Sassuolo, Serie A, Spal, Torino, Udinese

With no dangerous crossings between the main Scudetto contenders, the 12th Round of Serie A will feature the Derby della Lanterna (Lighthouse Derby) between Genoa and Sampdoria as main course in the menu. Rossoblu and Bluecerchiati will face each other on Saturday night to set their rule over the Italian port city, starting with opposite moods and perspectives.