Napoli 3 – 1 Atalanta: Match Report and Napoli player ratings.
Napoli hosted Atalanta today as they looked to separate from the rest of the top four. Antonio Conte set his side up in a 3-4-2-1 instead of his traditional 4-3-3 or a 4-1-4-1. They did this as Napoli has suffered a lot of injuries in the middle of the park, which led to this change.
However, it had a positive effect for Conte’s side as it allowed bot David Neres and Noa Lang to play. The two of them scored all three of Napoli’s goals. This also let Rasmus Hojlund to drop deep and come for the ball letting the midfield also holding an attacking role.
This game was a great bounce back from their 2-0 loss against Bologna before the international break, as Conte may have turned a corner. Napoli will look to carry this form to their Champions League game against Qarabag FK and turn their European campaign around.
Player Ratings:
Vanja Milinkovic Savic – 6: Vanja Milinkovic Savic had another great performance today as he has been doing all season. He took care of chances in the first half, even though Napoli had most of the chances. In the second half Atalanta upped the pressure but Vanja stood strong.
Sam Beukema – 5.5: Sam Beukema didn’t have a stand out game but he took care of all his defensive duties. Atalanta where strong on the counter attack which he didn’t work to stop, and he didn’t have much of an attacking threat.
Amir Rrahmani – 5: Amir Rrahmani only played an hour in today’s game as he failed to leave a mark on the game. He wasn’t involved in a lot of Napoli’s attack movements. He is usually one of Napoli’s best but today he was off it for sure.
Alessandro Buongiorno – 6: Alessandro Buongiorno was Napoli’s best defender today as he found the mix between when to stay back and when to attack. He started aggressive moving forward, while still moving up the pitch but as Napoli’s lead grew slowly he stayed back more.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 5.5: Giovanni Di Lorenzo had an average game today, as he took care of all his jobs. He helped out a little attackingly however, most of Napoli’s build up play came through the middle of the pitch, so he wasn’t needed much. And while defending he didn’t cause any issues for Napoli which is a positive.
Stanislav Lobotka – 5: Stanislav Lobotka failed to make a big mark on today’s game as he is still recovering from injury. Scott Mctominay was clearly the better midfield while it looked like Lobotka was idling by at times and not performing to his best.
Scott McTominay – 6.5: Scott Mctominay was a powerhouse in midfield for Napoli today as he looked to push the attack forward constantly. Whenever he received the ball there was no waiting he would have to go and push it forward, this led to him getting the assist to Neres for the second goal.
Miguel Gutierrez – 5: Miguel Gutierrez suffered under some of the same issues as Di Lorenzo today, as he failed to effect that attack. Di Lorenzo was better in this regard earning himself an assist, Di Lorenzo was also better defensively which is why Gutierrez has ended up worse.
David Neres – 7.5: David Neres was Napoli’s man of the match today as he bagged a brace in only thirty eight minutes. The first goal was excellent dribble work showing off his flair to find the back of the net. The second was a lovely first time finish from Mctominay pass which he pushed past Marco Carnesecchi.
Noa Lang – 6.5: Noa Lang has been on and off this season for Napoli. But today he looked good as he got Napoli’s third goal forcing a header into Carnesecchi who stumbled over his own line. Other than that he was a great attacking threat for Napoli but wasn’t quite rewarded.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7: Rasmus Hojlund played a different role today then what he has during the rest of the season for Napoli. He was playing deeper to allow the wingers to run inside and create chances. This worked as Napoli wingers combined for three goals and he assisted one.
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
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.
Match Coverage
Como 3-4 Inter Milan: Match report and player ratings.
FC Como hosted Inter Milan today in a Serie A Sunday night showdown. Both teams came into the game looking to pick up a crucial three points. For, Inter a win would just put them out of Napoli reach and help secure a league title. Meanwhile a win for Como would see them reclaim fourth place and a Champions League spot after Juventus overtook them yesterday.
The game would start fairly even but Como had the slight front foot with the home ground advantage. They used this to pick up the lead in the 35th minute after Alex Valle scored. Valle goals came off a rebound from Nico Paz’s shot from Yann Sommer fell perfectly for the young spaniard to push it home.
However, Como were not done there as Nico Paz would find a second goal only ten minutes later. Jean Butez would play Paz into space with a long ball from a quick goal kick. From there he only had to beat one before finishing wonderfully past Sommer to make it two-nil Como.
But, Inter wouldn’t accept a defeat lying down, even away from home. Marcus Thuram managed to score only a minute later as Inter look to create a quick attack before the end of the half. Nicolo Barella crossed him a ball in before he easily beat Diego Carlos and pocked the ball passed Jean Butez to cut Como’s lead.
Marcus Thuram then managed to equalise the game for Como only three minutes into the second half for Inter. Nicolo Barella would play Thuram through again who would chip Jean Butez who was outside his box. However, that wasn’t all that Inter would have in store. They would manage to take the lead in the 58th minute after being two goals down. The goal to give Inter the lead came from a header from Denzel Dumfries from a free kick from Hakan Çalhanoglu.
One goal wasn’t enough for Dumfries as he managed to score again to secure all three points for Como. He put a lovely finish home after Marcus Thuram played him in the box after an Inter free kick. However, Como wouldn’t role over to Inter as they kept on the attack through the second half. Lucas Da Cunha would get one back from a spot kick. This came after Nico Paz was fouled inside the box by Denzel Dumfries.
Player Ratings:
The Best
Marcus Thuram – 8: Marcus Thuram warmed up to this game slowly but once he started going he couldn’t be stopped. He had two goals in four minutes of match time and was a constant threat for Inter. He also played a key role distributing the ball creating the assist for Denzel Dumfries second goal.
Nico Paz – 7: Nico Paz showed off his undoubted quality once again as he looked like the point guard to Como’s attack. Every single chance Como had came through Paz in the centre of their attack and he was rewarded with a goal.
Denzel Dumfries – 7.5: Dumfries was key for Inter Milan on the left flank as his counter part Federico Dimarco struggled. He was strong on both sides of the ball before topping up his performance with the goal to give Inter the lead. His two goals were also key for Inter winning the match.
The Worst:
Anastasios Douvikas – 4: Douvikas was poor for Como today despite his recent for as he struggled for an impact. He couldn’t beat Francesco Acerbi in the middle of the pitch and even when he did, Douvikas didn’t take any of his big chances, especially not when Inter had momentum in the first half.
Pio Esposito – 4: Pio Esposito had a poor game for Inter in his first start since missing the penalty for the Azzurri. He let the pressures of the game get to his head as he felt he need to play well. This lead to him make simple mistakes trying to play correctly instead of as himself.
Jean Butez – 3: Jean Butez was strong with the ball at his feet today, even managing an assists to Nico Paz. However his shot stopping has been nothing but a liability throughout the game, and if he didnt’t make a bunch of simple mistakes, Como could have easily taken a point or all three.
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