Results from round 25:
Serie A table:
Lazio at their best with Mattia Zaccagni
Lazio have changed their face since December and lost only one out of the last eight league games, against reigning champions Inter, demonstrating a newer defensive shape and adding consistency.
Mattia Zaccagni was the man against Bologna, netting a brace and also winning Ciro Immobile’s opening penalty, to beat Sinisa Mihajlovic’s team with a clear 3-0.
Zaccagni struggled at the beginning of his Lazio adventure, but now already surpassed his goal tally from last year, to make it six in the 2021/22 Serie A campaign.
Napoli make Milan happy by holding struggling Inter to a draw
The calendar hasn’t been particularly nice to Inter, who since the start of the year played against all “seven sisters”, albeit facing Juventus and Roma in cup fixtures. It was inevitable the Nerazzurri would drop points, but on Saturday, it was Napoli who deserved more.
The Azzurri moved in front when Stefan De Vrij fouled Victor Osimhen and gave away a penalty. The Dutchman’s form has been rather questionable in the last months.
Inter had a reaction in the second half and scored when Lautaro Martinez and Dzeko combined, with the Bosnian scoring. Inter only got five points in the last four games, Napoli lost the chance to move top and this makes rivals Milan rather happy.
Venezia unexpectedly conquer Torino
Torino had the third best home form, Venezia weren’t particularly bright with their away performances, so it was surprising to see Paolo Zanetti’s team comeback to win 2-1 at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
Domen Crnigoj was the hero for one night, getting a goal and an assist, just before and after half-time.
Torino protested hugely about their disallowed goal in stoppage time and the game carried on all the way until minute 102, before Venezia could finally let their joy go.
Milan return to the top of the table
Mike Maignan is a top level goalkeeper, known for his fine saves which are catching everyone’s attention, but on Sunday, it was his assist for Rafael Leao to once again reinforce his preciousness for Milan.
Leao is also on top form and finally is maturing after his first few seasons went greatly under the radar. Milan beat Sampdoria and return first, albeit with a game more than rivals Inter.
Sampdoria tried until the end, but Milan suffered and won three precious points which might make a big difference at the end of the season.
Pavoletti to the rescue against Empoli
A goal by Leonardo Pavoletti rescues an away point for Cagliari, once again proving important in late minutes. All of the strikers’ five goals this season were in the second-half.
Empoli went up the score with Andrea Pinamonti, but are still winless in 2022 and were caught late. At least they managed a point which is good to keep their tally moving.
Empoli didn’t start with high expectations and now sit in 11th, another step away from relegation, after looking very sharp in the early months.
Embed from Getty ImagesGenoa and Salernitana don’t do each other favours
A draw between the two sides at the bottom of the table was perhaps their sentence, given this didn’t even help them close the gap, considering Cagliari and Venezia scored points.
It was practically now or never, but failing to win even against the lower-ranked teams doesn’t give any hope to either team.
Mattia Destro and Federico Bonazzoli, respectively their team’s top goalscorers, scored. Genoa created the bigger chances, but their goal struggles were once again evident.
Embed from Getty ImagesVerona are such a spectacular team
It was said repeatedly how Igor Tudor transformed his side and Hellas Verona are a joy to watch when going forward. They have the fourth best attack and won 4-0 against Udinese.
Verona typically struggle defensively, but Lorenzo Montipo had a wonderful day and Udinese just couldn’t find a way past. Gianluca Caprari, Antonin Barak and Giovanni Simeone are made for each other and the trio was once again influential.
All of them, after showing good things in the past, but lacking the important asset of consistency, are finally delivering week in, week out.
Sassuolo yet again show up in big games
Sassuolo are unbeaten for the fifth consecutive game against the “seven sisters” and had many regrets given they were caught in stoppage time. The Neroverdi’s form is very questionable if analysing their performances in big games.
Hamed Junior Traore was unstoppable and overturned Tammy Abraham’s opening penalty by forcing Chris Smalling’s own-goal and getting one of his own.
Roma made use of a late red card to create chances and Bryan Cristante got the equaliser deep in stoppage time.
Embed from Getty ImagesAtalanta and Juventus created an entertaining game
Ruslan Malinovskyi’s goal was once again an amazing rocket, but it wasn’t enough to stop Juventus, who were rescued by Danilo at the 92nd minute.
There were plenty of chances, but the attackers weren’t on fine form and it took a proper wonder to break the deadlock. Both teams will regret not winning the game, which keeps Juventus fourth and Atalanta fifth, separated by two points.
Piatek comes to the rescue
Krzysztof Piatek is an inexplicable player, which sometimes has sparks of class that make him carry the team on his back. His first league goal for Fiorentina, after three in the Coppa Italia, comes despite missing an early penalty against Spezia.
Kevin Agudelo equalised after snatching the ball off Sofyan Amrabat, but the Moroccan found the best moment to score his first goal for the club.
Close to stoppage time, Amrabat netted from long-range to redeem himself and give three points which keep Fiorentina in the hunt for Europe.
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