Napoli 2-2 Roma: Match Report and Player Ratings
Napoli hosted Roma today, in the key Sunday night fixture of Serie A game week 25. This game was a crucial match for both teams as they are both aiming to try and finish in a top four, Champions League spot, last they were separated by only three points pregame, with only Juventus between the two teams.
Roma started the game off the game on the front foot looking to score away from home early. They managed to do so on a counter attack as Gianluca Mancini, played Bryan Zaragoza, who found Donyell Malen on the edge of the six yard box. Malen finished first time with his shot being two quick for Vanja Milinkovic-Savic.
However, Napoli wouldn’t go down easily as Napoli looked to tie the game. They upped the pressure on Roma’s goal but would fail to find a break. This was until the ball fell to Leonardo Spinazzola in the 40th minute. Spinazzola tried a low driven shot from 20 yards out to force a save out of Mile Svilar, instead his shot was deflected over Svilar equalising for Napoli.
Both teams came out aggressive to start the second half looking for the next goal to shift the game. Roma made an attacking change bringing on a slightly injured Matias Soule early than expected. This helped Roma, going forward but wouldn’t lead to any goals for the Giallorossi, as the game stayed even at 1-1.
This was until the 68th minute mark, when Wesley would break free for Roma from the left side and get onto the box. He collided legs with Amir Rrahmani chasing him, who tripped and bought down Wesley in the box for a penalty. Roma would capitalise, as Donyell Malen would smash it top right to complete his brace.
Napoli however, wouldn’t let the game go easily as they pressed on for a result going more attacking. This led to Conte brining on two of his summer signings from the bench, Alisson Santos and Giovane Nascimento. This would benefit Napoli, as a poor clearance from Tsimkias led to Giovane faking a shot and passing it to Santos who curled a finish into the bottom left from the edge of the box to equalise the game in the 82nd minute.
Player Ratings
The Best:
Donyell Malen – 8: Donyell Malen continued his stellar start for Roma, bagging a brace for the second game in a row. His first goal was perfect running making and finishing to stick it past Milinkovic-Savic as he nearly was caught offside. He didn’t create the penalty for the second goal, but he finished it with power and precision.
Leonardo Spinazzola – 7.5: Leonardo Spinazzola was Napoli’s best player today as he dominated his flank in both halves of the game for Napoli. He was key in progressing play not being afraid to cut inside and create chances for the home side. This is what lead to his opening goal for Napoli from the edge of the box.
Wesley – 7: Rumours circulated midweek of Manchester City making a 50 million bid for Wesley. He lived up to these standards today as he was they key processor of the ball for Roma, as they aimed for an away win. He also was key in winning the penalty and it was a shame to see him go down injured for Roma.
The worst:
Amir Rrahmani – 5: Amir Rrahmani was Napoli worst centre back today as he often looked lost during the game. He struggled for a sense of positioning in today’s game, which allowed Wesley to blow past him to win a penalty. He also failed to contain Donyell Malen for majority of the 90 minutes, but it is a difficult feat.
Bryan Cristante – 5: Bryan Cristante looked like a traffic cone for Roma in today’s game. He had some good defensive contributions, but he wasn’t involved in the attack as much as he should have been. It seems like Gianluca Mancini did all of his attacking duties who could have also been in the best player ratings.
Matteo Politano – 4.5: Matteo Politano struggled today, as he is slowly recovering from injury for Napoli. However, that is no excuse for how isolated he left Rasmus Hojlund today, as Rasmus looked to hold up the play as he has done so well. The problem was the support didn’t come from either of Napoli’s attacking midfielders.
Match Coverage
Inter Milan 3-2 Como: Match Report and Player Ratings
Inter Milan hosted Como in the second leg of their Coppa Italia tie today, as both teams looked for a place in the final after a draw in the first leg. The game would start fairly even as both teams would have chances with Ange Yoan Bonny missing wide for Inter from the edge of the six yard box, before Martin Baturina did the same two minutes later.
As the game ticked on the advantage went to Inter, in the first half. This came as Francesco Acerbi was able to limit the impact of Tasos Douvikas up top for Como. Acerbi did this helped Inter maintain and dominate the possession, as Como liked for him to hold the ball up to allow them to get forward.
Como managed to push past this and would find the opening goal of the game in the 31st thanks to Martin Baturina. The goal came as Ignace Van Der Brempt bought the ball up the left side before playing in a low cross. It would then find Baturina ten yards out who would finish first time off the post to give Como the lead.
Como wouldn’t wait on the back foot however as they looked to grow the lead after the end of the first half. They would manage to do so as Lucas Da Cunha would break through Inter defence. He would then manage to finesse a finsih from the right side of the six yard box across goal to make it 2-0
Hakan Çalhanoglu would manage to get goal back for Inter, however Como only upped their pressure after this and it looked like they would close the game out. Until the 85th minute where Hakan Çalhanoglu would head home an equaliser. However, Inter wouldn’t stop there as Petar Sucic then found a winner in the 88th minute to see Inter book a place in the Coppa Italia final.
Player Ratings
The Best
Hakan Calhanoglu – 7.5: Calhanoglu was the man of the match for Inter, as he had a quite first half but came alive in the second. He did it at a big time as he managed to find the two goals to equalise for Inter before Sucic found the Inter. He managed to keep the midfield in line while waiting for the moments over the 90 minutes.
Martin Baturina – 7: Baturina was one of Como’s key players as he was involved with all of their attacking chances, as one of Como’s two attacking midfielders. He gave Nico Paz the space to create how he likes before getting more advanced and looking to put away chances, like he did for the first goal.
Nico Paz – 6.5: Paz was essential for Como once again as he connected the midfield in attack through the middle of the pitch. He was able to combat everything thrown at him by Inter and pressed well to win the ball on turnovers which is how he got the assist for for second goal.
Francesco Acerbi – 6: Acerbi was key for Inter as he managed to stop Douvikas in his tracks. The containment of the Greek striker wasn’t going to be easy as he is the second highest scorer in Serie A so far. However, Acerbi used his physical qualities to reduce his time on ball, and win it back for Inter.
The Worst
Tasos Douvikas – 4: Douvikas struggled for Como again today as Acerbi got the better of him while they were on the pitch. He also struggled to take the chances he could get on the counter looking for support instead of going alone when he should have.
Marcus Thuram – 3: Marcus Thuram looked invisible for Como today after scoring two goals against them a couple weeks ago. Como clearly schemed defensively to shut him down and he didn’t do enough to beat it.
Match Coverage
Inter Milan vs Como: Coppa Italia Second Leg Match Preview and Predicted Lineups
Inter Milan are set to host Como in a place in the Coppa Italia final in Rome on the 13th of May. All is to play for in this second leg as the first leg ended in a nil-nil draw between the two teams in Como. The two have faced off between that game in gameweek 32 of the season where Inter won 4-3.
The key to Inter winning will be which of their usual eleven they decide to start and who to bench. Inter have good enough pieces off the bench where they can afford to not play all of their starters. However, if they over rest, Como could steal a win away from home. However, Chivu will likely not make many changes as Inter have pretty much wrapped up the title.
For Como, the key would be finding the right mix between the attack and defence. Cesc Fabregas has been known to be too keen to score in some of these games. While this has worked for Como this season in scoring in these games it has lead their defence extremely vulnerable. An example of this is when they lost 4-3 to Inter despite having a two goal lead at halftime.
Predicted Lineups (according to Sky Sport Italia)
Inter Milan (3-5-2)
Josep Martinez
Manuel Akanji, Francesco Acerbi, Carlos Augusto
Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, Piotr Zielinski, Federico Dimarco
Ange Yoan Bonny, Marcus Thuram
Como (3-4-2-1)
Jean Butez
Jacobo Ramon, Diego Carlos, Marc Kempf
Assane Diao, Maximo Perrone, Lucas Da Cunha, Alex Valle
Nico Paz, Martin Bautrina
Tasos Douvikas
Match Coverage
Juventus 2-0 Bologna: Match Report and Player Ratings: Jonathan David delivers for Juventus
Juventus were set to host Bologna today in the Serie A sunday night kickoff. The game started off in a somber tone as Juventus paid respect to their former goalkeeper Alex Manninger who sadly passed during the week. However, the atmosphere would turn around quickly as Jonathan David would manage to score in the first minute.
This came after Juventus started the game on the front foot early, which allowed Pierre Kalulu enough space to cross the ball into the edge of the six yard box. Jonathan David would manage to meet it at the edge of six yard box beating Ravaglia to put it into an empty Bologna net to give Juventus the lead.
Juventus would continue to attack however, as they looked for the lead. Francisco Conceicao would manage to score another on a counter attack, however he was offside to the pass that played him through. Chico would have another great chance in the 42nd minute however he would squander it as Ravaglia would force it out past the back post.
Bologna would have chances across the game however, Juventus would manage to keep them out. Juventus found ways to quickly win the ball of Bologna which kept them ahead for most of the match. Santiago Castro was also limited as the striker failed to have much of an impact while he was on the pitch.
Juventus would manage to double their lead in the second half as they kept on the attack. The goal came from a Weston Mckennie cross as he found Khepren Thuram at the back post. Thuram would beat everyone in the air and manage to score in the 57th minute.
Player Rating
The Best
Jonathan David – 7.5: Jonathan David had one of his best performances so far for Juventus as scoring early gave him a much needed confidence boost. He had half serious chances for a second but his work in attack was what he did best today.
Francisco Coniceao – 7: Francisco Conceicao was unlucky to score today as he had his fair share of chances. He played a different role using the ball more instead of just bringing it up the pitch for a Juventus which worked out well for Chico and will create more chances for him in the future.
Pierre Kalulu – 7: Kalulu cross for the first goal was a thing of beauty, a term which could describe his whole game. He had the perfect mix of defensive duties will also being able to get forward and help create on both goals when it was called for. He showed his versatility as he played center back and right wing back and stood out in both
The Worst:
Lloyd Kelly – 4: Llyod Kelly was the worst player on the pitch today for Juventus as he looked panicked. He completed some of his defensive duties but looked flustered and didn’t have a chance for others. Spalletti should have played Kalulu on that side despite him being right footed as he would have been a better matchup for Riccardo Orsolini who was dangerous.
Juan Miranda – 4: Juan Miranda struggled quite a bit today as he looked isolated as Juventus attacked up the right flank predominantly over the course of the game. This isolation let Juventus overload that wing and play in un answered crosses which is how they scored both goals.
Santiago Castro – 3.5: Santiago Castro has been key for Bologna over the course of this season, but today he failed to get off the mark. He couldn’t connect with Riccardo Orsolini, and couldn’t receive the ball from the midfield or defence. He looked like a striker on an island as he couldn’t get involved with the play.
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