After a bizarre midweek, things returned to normal over the weekend with the majority of the big boys racking up wins. So let’s summarize the most important action and identify the best and worst performers from the Kalkio Weekend in our Serie A Round 35 tops and flops.
Only a few players really stood out in this round. Andrea Belotti scored a hat-trick, but we’ll get to that in a moment. The Napoli team were great but it seems unfair to put one over the other.
So let’s just leave it Leonardo Bonucci who celebrated his birthday by scoring a crucial brace for Juventus against Venezia that ultimately sealed the win bianconeris Qualification for the next edition of the Champions League.
For the seasoned defender, it’s all about courage and determination.
Juventus vs. Venezia player ratings: Bonucci scores twice
On Saturday, Empoli were on track to defeat away visitors Torino. But after a red card and two particularly soft handballs, which led to two penalties for him, everything went wrong grenade.
Kudos to Belloti, who managed to convert twice from penalties and then added his personal third goal, but perhaps it’s time to revise the rules to limit the ever-growing number of soft penalties.
It was a complicated campaign for Emil Audero. The Juventus youth product suffered an injury earlier this season and subsequently lost his regular role in favor of Wladimiro Falcone.
But when the situation turned critical for Sampdoria, Marco Giampaolo resorted to the original first choice and the latter repaid his faith by making the most important save of the game Blooderchiati Campaign, denied a late penalty by Genoa captain Domenico Criscito in the Derby della Lanterna.
Consequently, La Doria have secured three vital points that should be enough to ensure survival while striking their Crosstown rivals with an almost fatal blow.
The obvious choice.
The Tuscan eventually opted for an exciting front line with Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Hirving Lozano all supporting Victor Osimhen and the result was simply spectacular as Napoli passed Sassuolo by six points.
After canceling the scudetto race, the Partenopei looked relieved and enjoyed football again.
This season, Fiorentina have experienced one of their best campaigns in recent times and Vincenzo Italiano must be seen as the main protagonist behind it.
But unfortunately for the Tuscans, the team seems to have hit the self-destruct button recently and could ruin a promising season.
While losing to Milan at the San Siro is nothing to be ashamed of, the former Spezia coach has lost count in recent games and needs to recover as soon as possible if he still continues the campaign at a European place want to end.
Milan vs Fiorentina player ratings: Rafael Leao takes over
When a team scores four goals in the first 20 minutes, it simply proves that their players were on a whole different level.
This was the case at Napoli, where players like Insigne, Mertens, Osimhen, Kalidou Koulibaly and Fabian Ruiz completely destroyed the opposition.
Although Alessio Dionisi is one of the most respected midfield clubs in Europe, Alessio Dionisi’s men allowed the Southerners to pierce their defense like a knife through butter.
Remember when last season the top 4 races were canceled and Juventus and Milan had to earn their places after a dramatic season finale?
Well, none of that was seen this season as Roma’s draw with Bologna marked the official end of the race, with Milan, Inter, Napoli and Juventus winning their Champions Leagues with three rounds to go.
Boring.
But then again, who needs a top 4 race when we’re faced with an epic scudetto battle that could go all the way to the final day.
Milan maintained their lead with a late win over Fiorentina but a few hours later Inter maintained their striking distance by beating Udinese away.
Better buckle up because it’s shaping up to be a wild rollercoaster ride.
Milan or Inter: who is the favorite for the Scudetto?
