Charlie Ryan Sports Editor Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten streak at home to Valencia continued into its seventh year on Sunday as the visitors continued their poor run of form, falling to the capital side 1-0 for their third consecutive defeat. Here are my three main talking points from this weekend’s top-3 clash.   Unorthodox XI Shows Defensive Quality If there was ever a coach to embody the phrase uttered at every basketball and pop-warner summer camp, “defense wins championships,” it would be Atlético Madrid’s Diego Simeone. Simeone is one of world football’s top managers, leading Atleti to a league title, a … Continue reading Three Talking Points from Atleti’s win over Valencia

Charlie Ryan Sports Editor   As Lazio’s successful campaigns in Italy and Europe continue into the new year, the likes of Ciro Immobile and Sergej Milinković-Savić will continue to grab the headlines. The Italian frontman is on track to win his second Capocannoniere, leading the league with 20 goals in 19 appearances, while the Serbian’s impressive and consistent commanding of the midfield has linked him with a summer move to the red or blue half of Manchester, with a potentially record-breaking rumored fee of around €100M. Having scored 57 from 22 matches and averaging a remarkable 2.6 goals per game, … Continue reading Lazio’s Alberto Shines, Uncovers Hard Truth in Turn

Charlie Ryan Sports Editor Nestled on the banks of the Ligurian Sea lies Italian football’s best-kept secret. Twice a year, 36,600 Genoese pack the Stadio Luigi Ferraris with flares, flags, banners, songs, and chants to produce one of football’s most vibrant and passionate atmospheres. Obscured by the large profiles of derbies like the Derby della Mole, the Derby della Capitale, and the Derby della Madonnina, the Derby della Lanterna maintains a considerable degree of charm due to its small profile, apolitical fanbases, and quintessentially English stadium design. Home to both Genoa C.F.C. and U.C. Sampdoria, the Stadio Luigi Ferraris becomes … Continue reading Sampdoria Conquer Genoa in Derby Victory

By: Charlie Ryan Sports Editor Saturday afternoon’s clash at the Stadio San Paolo saw title challengers Napoli and Internazionale split points in a tactically thrilling, yet goalless draw. Fresh off a decisive win over crosstown rivals Milan and a full week’s rest, Inter were in prime condition to steal a point or three at a stadium they hadn’t won in since 1993. The hosts failed to nab a point in their midweek Champions League loss vs Manchester City at the Etihad, a frustrating result that dropped them to third in their group. The draw loosens Napoli’s grip on first place, … Continue reading 3 Things We Learned from the Stalemate at San Paolo

Charlie Ryan Sports Editor As the whistle blew, signifying the end of the 194th Derby della mole, I could not help but feel that my thoughts about this Juventus side had crystallized. Something was different about this Turin Derby victory. Was it the effectiveness of the press with Mario Mandzukic moving from the left wing to striker? Was it Giorgio Chiellini’s complete shutdown of Torino’s prolific forward Andrea Belotti? Was it the gelling of Blaise Matuidi and Miralem Pjanic’s midfield partnership? No, no, no, it was something deeper, something intangible. It was as if the void that had emerged after … Continue reading History Books Open their Pages for Juve Starlet