Azzurri Archives - The Cult of Calcio

A first half illusion for the Azzurri, then Germany took over and wrapped a key 1-2 win at the San Siro in the first leg of the 2024/25 Nations League Quarter Finals

Italy vs Germany 1-2: Azzurri Shocked After First Half Illusion

March 20, 2025 Matteo Carnevale Germany, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Serie A, The Azzurri Leave a comment

A first half illusion for the Azzurri, then Germany took over and wrapped a key 1-2 win at the San Siro in the first leg of the 2024/25 Nations League Quarter Finals. Sandro Tonali put Italy ahead after just nine minutes, but Die Mannschaft turned things around in the second half with two headers, the specialty of the house, powered by substitute Tim Kleindienst and Leon Goretzka.

On December 20, 1968, Juventus Argentine legend Omar Sivori decided to hang his boots in line with his turbulent personality, i.e., at the end of a fight

Today in Serie A: December 20, 1968 – Sivori Bids Farewell to Football

December 20, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Juventus, Napoli, On This Day, Serie A, The Azzurri

On December 20, 1968, Juventus Argentine legend Omar Sivori decided to hang his boots in line with his turbulent personality, i.e., at the end of a fight. He announced his retirement as soon as he was handed a six-match ban by the Italian Football Association, following the tumultuous events of a Napoli vs. Juventus matchup from three weeks earlier.

If you ask any Italian what it means to get something accomplished during “Cesarini Time” (Zona Cesarini), they will surely know the answer

Today in Serie A: December 13, 1931 – The Birth of the “Cesarini Time”

December 13, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Italian Football, Juventus, On This Day, Roma, Serie A, The Azzurri

If you ask any Italian what it means to get something accomplished during “Cesarini Time” (Zona Cesarini), they will surely know the answer, even if they are not a calcio fan. To get something wrapped during Zona Cesarini means to get it done in the last possible minute. It has become a common saying in modern Italian and draws its origin from a football field.

Italy routed Israel 4-1 at the Bluenergy Arena on Monday night to take one more step toward the Nations League Final Eight

Italy vs Israel 4-1: Di Lorenzo Brace Puts Azzurri Closer to Final Eight

October 14, 2024 Matteo Carnevale International Football, Israel, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Serie A, The Azzurri

Italy routed Israel 4-1 at the Bluenergy Arena on Monday night to take one more step toward the Nations League Final Eight. The Azzurri will need just one point out of their final two games against Belgium and France in November to secure a spot in the next round, which will also mean a higher seed in the upcoming draw for the 2026 World Cup UEFA Qualifiers.

An Italy lineup with suicidal tendencies dilapidated a two-goal lead on Thursday night as they were held to a tie by Belgium in Nations League Round 3

Italy vs Belgium 2-2: Suicidal Azzurri Squander Double Lead

October 10, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Belgium, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Serie A, The Azzurri

An Italy lineup with suicidal tendencies dilapidated a two-goal lead on Thursday night as they were held to a tie by Belgium in the third matchday of the Nations League. But they showed once again that they are well on track toward redemption after the summer Euro-disaster.

Only those old enough to remember Italia 90 can truly understand what Totò Schillaci's eyes wide open as run to celebrate his goal really meant

Serie A Heroes: Totò Schillaci, an Italian Midsummer Night’s Dream

September 18, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Hall of the Heroes, Inter, Inter Milan, Italian Football, Italy, Juventus, Serie A

Only those old enough to remember the magic nights of “Italia 90” can truly understand what that gaped mouth, what those eyes wide open in disbelief, meant. Totò Schillaci looked like a boy living his childhood dream as he led Italy’s march towards the World Cup trophy, one goal after another. His underdog story has been an example for a generation of Italians.

Italy put themselves on track after a dreadful start and caught a sounding, unexpected win over France at the Parc des Princes in the Nations League opener

France vs Italy 1-3: Azzurri Storm Back to Stun the Parc des Princes!

September 6, 2024 Matteo Carnevale France, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Nations League, Serie A, The Azzurri

The ghosts of Euro 2024 came to haunt Italy as the Azzurri conceded one goal just 14 seconds (!) after kicking off their Nations League campaign against France on Friday night. But then, Italy put themselves back on track and somehow conjured a sounding win, powered by goals from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, and Giacomo Raspadori.

The Euro 2024 Round of 16 kicked off with Switzerland stunning the defending champions Italy by beating them 2-0 in Berlin

Switzerland vs Italy 2-0: Woeful Azzurri Humbled & Uncrowned

June 29, 2024 Michel Sakr Euro 2024, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Switzerland, The Azzurri One comment

The Euro 2024 Round of 16 kicked off with a battle between Switzerland and Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin. While the Azzurri fans were expecting their team to raise the level following a mediocre group-stage campaign, the defending champions were uncrowned after putting up their most hollow display in recent memory.

Croatia vs Italy 1-1: Last-Minute Zaccagni Strike Keeps Title Defense Alive

June 24, 2024 Michel Sakr Croatia, Euro 2024, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri

At the Reb Bull Arena in Leipzig, Croatia and Italy locked horns for their final group-stage fixtures in Euro 2024, with both sides needing a positive result. The Balkan side were on the cusp of qualification to the Round of 16 thanks to Luka Modric's opener, but Mattia Zaccagni came off the bench to save the day for the Azzurri with a wonderful last-gasp goal.

Spain vs Italy 1-0: Azzurri Totally Outclassed by the Furia Roja

June 20, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Euro 2024, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, Spain, The Azzurri

The only good news of the night for Italy is that, at the end of the day, they lost only by one goal. Spain absolutely dominated their Euro 2024 matchup against the Azzurri at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen to secure qualification to the knockout stage and the first place in Group B.

Italy got the job done at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund and debuted at Euro 2024 with a win. The Azzurri tamed Albania 2-1 after going down 23 second after kick off.

Italy vs Albania 2-1: Bastoni and Barella Revive Azzurri After Dreadful Start

June 15, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Albania, Euro 2024, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri

Italy got the job done at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund and debuted at Euro 2024 with a win. The Azzurri tamed Albania 2-1 after going down 23 second after kick off. Inter men Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella set things straight for Italy, who had the merit of reacting fast after a shocking start.

Italy's first outing ahead of Euro 2024 did not leave a particularly good impression as they engaged in a dull 0-0 stalemate against Turkey

Italy vs Turkey 0-0: Fagioli Returns as Calafiori Makes Azzurri Debut

June 4, 2024 Matteo Carnevale Euro 2024, International Football, Italian Football, Italy, Serie A, The Azzurri, Turkey

The Azzurri's first outing ahead of Euro 2024 did not leave a particularly good impression as Italy engaged in a dull 0-0 stalemate against Vincenzo Montella's Turkey at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna. The Azzurri struggled to find space upfront against Montella's organized lineup in a match that never really caught fire.

Tag: Azzurri