Author Archives: skasiewicz

Director: Eskil Vogt Starring: Rakel Lenora Fløttum, Alva Brynsmo Ramstad, Sam Ashraf, Mina Yasmin Bremseth Asheim. Country of Origin: Norway The drab suburban surroundings of a nondescript Norwegian apartment complex mask a telepathic vortex of vulnerable young minds. Nine-year-old Ida (Rakel Lenora Fløttum) and her older sister Anna (Alva Brynsmo Ramstad) move to a newContinue reading “The Innocents (2021)”

Serie A’s four Champions League clubs scored a total of 14 goals in a week of emphatic victories and one glaringly bad defeat. Inter joined Napoli in the round of 16 as Romelu Lukaku returned from two months out to score as the Nerazzurri routed Viktoria Plzeň 4-0 at San Siro. The Partenopei put threeContinue reading “Lukaku returns and youngsters impress in Juve exit: Four things we learned from the Champions League this week”

Napoli flew the flag for Italy in the Champions League as they impressively secured a place in the round of 16, while Inter claimed an invaluable point in a six-goal rollercoaster against Barcelona. A debatable decision cost Milan as Chelsea left San Siro victorious and Juventus crumbled to a disastrous loss to lowly Maccabi Haifa.Continue reading “Allegri survives Juve disaster as Napoli progress in style: Four things we learned from the Champions League this week”

New Sampdoria coach Dejan Stanković spoke of reputation, honour and pride in a rousing opening interview which could have been delivered by a party political leader. In a stirring monologue the Serbian vowed to change the mentality and approach of a club which has nosedived to last place in the classifica like an aircraft withoutContinue reading “Stankovic rescue mission at Sampdoria”

It was a largely successful Champions League week for Italian clubs as three out of four claimed victories on Europe’s biggest stage. Napoli obliterated Ajax, Inter’s win against Barcelona was mired in controversy, Milan fell meekly to Chelsea and Juventus were indebted to an unlikely hero. Here are four things we learned from matchday threeContinue reading “Napoli shine, Milan humbled: Four things we learned from the Champions League this week”

The roar of exultation from the Korean monster as he celebrated a timely block like a winning goal has been widely shared in picture and video form. As Milan technical director Paolo Maldini despaired from up high in a packed San Siro, Napoli central defender Kim Min-jae screamed in delight after an acrobatic clearance toContinue reading “Beware the Korean monster: Kim Min-jae thrives at Napoli”

The prevalence of the flag of St George across Genoa will be a reassuring sight for new Sampdoria midfielder Harry Winks. The red cross on the white background has been a symbol of the port city for centuries, welcoming visitors from across the world, including a host of English players at the Blucerchiati. Yet willContinue reading “Sampdoria count on Winks”

Genoa’s status as one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Italian football is undisputed. Founded, coached, and shaped by Englishmen, I Rossoblù claimed nine titles between 1898 and 1924. It would be easy to pick a team of greats solely from that era.  However, it would also rule out a host of topContinue reading “Genoa All-Time XI”

Director: Robert Eggers Starring: Alexander Skarsgård, Claes Bang, Nicole Kidman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, Björk  Country of Origin: United States Erling Haaland has a new favourite film.  The colossal Norwegian watches every night. Wild eyes locked on the screen. Rocking back and forth. Taking notes. When the end credits finish he averts hisContinue reading “The Northman (2022)”

Last season Atalanta finished outside the European positions for the first time since Gian Piero Gasperini took over as coach. Stephen Kasiewicz looks ahead to what could be a transformative campaign for La Dea. Is it the end of an era or the beginning of a new one for Atalanta? When finishing eighth in SerieContinue reading “Atalanta season preview 2022-2023”