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 Report
Inter Milan 3-2 Juventus: Match Report
Inter Milan hosted Juventus for the second Derby d’Italia today on Valentines today. However, there was more hatred then love in the air as it only took eight minutes for Alessandro Bastoni to see a yellow card for Inter. This came as Juventus where on top for the first 5-10 minute phase of the game.
As the clock ticked over the game became more evenly balanced, which led to the first goal coming. Luis Henrique aimed to curl his shot past Andrea Cambiaso. Instead, it deflected off Cambiaso not giving Di Gregorio enough time to react before rolling into the net.
The goal would go down as an own goal for Cambiaso, but he managed to rectify his actions. It took Cambiaso only nine minutes to find an equaliser after a low cross from Pierre Kalulu was put into a practically empty net. With the scores level at one on one the game evened up for both teams with the ball.
This was until the 41st minute, when Juventus defender Pierre Kalulu was shown a second yellow card. It was for a foul in transition on Alessandro Bastoni, however some arguing, Kalulu included that Bastoni dived. Juventus looked to calm the stroms until half time before making any changes to replace Kalulu.
Juventus set up more defensively to start the second half due to being down to 10 men. They went into a 4-2-2-1 as Emil Holm came on the pitch to replace, Pierre Kalulu which saw Conciecao benched. Inter would pile on the pressure as Juventus sat back for most of the second half.
Inter would come close to scoring on multiple occasions, but they struggled to find a break. This was until Pio Espotio rose above the rest of the box to slot away a header in the 75th minute. The cross came from who else but Federico Dimarco to get himself another assist.
Juventus however, wouldn’t roll over for Inter as they looked to retake control of the game and save a draw. They went back on the attack and it wouldn’t take long for an equaliser with Manuel Locatelli sticking a low driven shot into the bottom left hand corner to tie the match.
Inter wouldn’t give up however, as they wanted a win at home to cement their title campaign. Piotr Zielinski would find the winner in the 91st minute from a low shot from the edge of the box. Juventus would push for another goal to equalise the game but would come up unsuccessful handing Inter all three points, in another Derby d’Italia classic.
Match Coverage
Inter Milan vs Juventus: Match Preview and Predicted lineups
Inter Milan are set to host Juventus in this season’s second Derby d’Italia. The first was in Turin, as Juventus managed to steal the win in the in the 91st minute. Vasilije Adzic scored from 35 yards to make the game 4-3 before the end of the match from Turin.
This wouldn’t be the first time, Juventus and Inter had a shootout as last season the two sides drew 4-4 at the San Siro. Juventus also needed two late goals to save a point at the San Siro that day. Both came from Kenan Yildiz who scored in the 71st and 82nd minutes of the game.
However, the table has flipped for this game as Inter look the dominant force sitting first in the table. Meanwhile, Juventus have had their struggles all season now find themselves sitting in fourth, tied on points with fifth place Roma. To make things worse for Juventus they will be without, Khepren Thuram for the match as he is unavailable with a injury suffered in training.
Predicted Lineups
Inter Milan
Yann Sommer
Match Report
Pisa 1-2 AC Milan: Match report and Player ratings
AC Milan traveled to Pisa today to kickoff matchday 25 in Serie A. The Rossoneri looked to take care of an easy win against Pisa, before moving on to Como at home on Wednesday. However, the visitors would be no push over as the game started fairly even between both teams.
AC Milan had more of the ball, but the two sides had the similar amount of chances. It looked like Pisa might be able to get a smash and grab win at home. However, that thought became a dream, when Ruben Loftus-Cheek scored Milan’s first goal from a header in the 39th minute. This goal would be the only thing separating the two at the break however.
Despite, being ahead Massimiliano Allegri would make an attacking change at halftime for Milan. Christopher Nkunku would be bought off for Niclas Fullkrug. Fullkrug would manage two minutes after coming on, however the goal would be ruled out due to handball.
Fullkrug would have another chance to double Milan’s lead in the 55th minute, with a penalty. Milan won it when Stranjha Pavlovic was brought down from behind in the box. However, Fullkrug put the penalty just to the left of the post being unable to double Milan’s lead.
However, the second half wouldn’t be lopsided to Milan as Pisa would look for an equaliser. After putting pressure on Milan, they finally found a break in the 70th minute. Felipe Loyola would put away a tidy finish into the bottom right corner to give the homeside a chance for a point or more.
However, Milan would dash these hopes as Luka Modric would score off a 1-2 with from Samuele Ricci in the 84th minute. AC Milan would manage to hold on from their however, despite a late scare of going down to 10 men. Adrien Rabiot was sent of in added time, for a foul on the edge of Pisa’s box, which resulted in a poor free kick.
Player Ratings:
The Best:
Luka Modric – 7.5: Luka Modric managed to wind back the clock once again for AC Milan, as he had a stunning performance. He controlled the game for the full 90 minutes, which lead to him scoring the winner, creating the play he scored from with a Ricci assist.
Feleipe Loyola – 6.5: Feleipe Loyola was the key player for Pisa, as he covered the most ground in midfield. He was unlucky to concede the penalty which Fullkrug ultimately missed. However, he would write those wrongs with his goal.
Stranjha Pavlovic – 6.5: Stranjha Pavlovic was key from defence once again for AC Milan today. It is not only his defensive abilities which make him so valuable for Milan, but also his counter attacking nature, and how he is always pushing the ball up the pitch. This ultimately led him to winning the penalty for Milan today.
The Worst:
Niclas Fullkrug – 5: Niclas Fullkrug struggled after coming on at halftime, as his goal which was disallowed for his own handball would summarise his game. Fullkrug should have found the back of the net missing multiple chances for Milan including the penalty which was just poor.
Christoper Nkunku – 4.5: Nkunku struggled in the first half for the game for Milan as he failed to have a real impact. Most of Milan’s attack came from the midfield or the other striker Ruben Loftus-Cheek. This lead to him being bought off at halftime for Niclas Fullkrug.
Antonio Caracciolo – 4.5: Caracciolo might get thrown under the bus for a bad defensive performance for Pisa today as he was the worst. While they did make it difficult for Milan at times, for both goals the Rossoneri walked through them. Caracciolo needed to provide the pillar and the structure for Pisa as the captain and central centre back.
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