Results from 10 of the 2020/21 season:
Serie A table:
Ciro Immobile is unstoppable
Since the start of last season, Ciro Immobile scored 49 goals in 55 games for Lazio: only Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski have done better.
The striker scored again to help Lazio narrowly beat Spezia, who leave with a few regrets after hitting the post twice. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic also played a crucial part, netting a spectacular free-kick: his third since July.
A good preparation to Tuesday’s game against Bruges where they play for a place in the Champions League’s last 16.
Juve triumph in the Derby at last-gasp
For 75 minutes it was Juventus at their worst (not unusual this season) and Torino and their best. Late headers by Weston McKennie and Leonardo Bonucci gave Juventus such a crucial win, as the Bianconeri struggled again.
Torino’s numbers are dreadful, as after dreaming for 75 minutes, history repeats itself for the Granata. They have dropped a total of 19 points from winning positions (that would see them second in the table!), conceding a goal in an away derby after the 80th minute for the seventh consecutive time.
Could this win change Juventus approach for future games and, finally, bring them back to the dominating side of past years?
Hakimi resurges, as Eriksen’s decline is complete
Achraf Hakimi was back on form, after a streak of disappointing performances, as the 22-year-old scored twice to help Inter get to their third consecutive league win.
However, when all the players were hugging to celebrate, there was a man who headed back alone with his head down: it was Christian Eriksen.
It appears inevitable that Eriksen and Inter will part ways in January.
In the last seven games he has remained on the bench four times, coming on after the 85’ on the rest of occasions, always as the result was set. A long and painful decline for the Danish star, who came on with two minutes left on Saturday and his face was the clear representation of unhappiness.
There is a piece of woodwork between Verona and Europe
Ivan Juric and Eusebio Di Francesco do not move the standings, as the lunchtime matches ends in a 1-1 draw.
Once again, the hosts prove very unlucky, hitting the woodwork twice (in the same bit of play!) and getting to a total of 11 in these first nine games: a league record. Mattia Zaccagni scores again, but this time Cagliari come-back and get a point out of the game.
Benevento show they are made for Serie A among yawns
Not the best of games between Benevento and Parma, ending with a 0-0 that does no harm to both sides. For the first time in their Serie A history, Benevento get three positives results in a row, showing they are miles ahead of their one-off disappointing 2017/18 experience.
A few occasions by Gianluca Lapadula and Gervinho aren’t enough to open the scoreline, as both teams look to improve their defensive record.
Embed from Getty ImagesHuge protests in goalles draw
Roma and Sassuolo produced an entertaining 0-0 match. Referee Fabio Maresca was the protagonist and was hugely contested after the game, particularly by Roma fans.
Pedro was sent off within the opening half for a double yellow and a goal was disallowed to Henrikh Mkhytarian due to a foul by Edin Dzeko. This caused manager Paulo Fonseca to dissent and be sent off as a consequence.
A 10 man Roma was saved by Sassuolo’s lack of finalisation (Francesco Caputo keeps being out) and an offside goal from Lukas Haraslin. A lot happening, but no goals at the Olimpico.
Napoli’s curious goalscoring form
For the fourth time this campaign, the Azzurri score more than four goals, doing so against Crotone. Lorenzo Insigne netted a beauty, opening the scores and being followed by Hirving Lozano, Diego Demme and Andrea Petagna. However, they do not have the best attack in the league, as Inter have scored two more goals.
In fact, in the other six games, Napoli only scored six goals, often struggling to find the net and lacking a real cynical figure in front of goal.
It will be interesting to see where Gennaro Gattuso and his boys pick up after scoring eight goals in the last two league games.
Milan show no sign of cracking
Only once had Milan won more games since the start of the season at this stage. It was 1954/55, over 60 years ago. The Rossoneri continue their impressive run at the top, keeping a safe five points gap over their rivals Inter.
What appears most impressive is that Milan continue to look convincing in every league game they play, as they have scored at least two goals in every single game. They are a compact squad, with great character and a determination that is driving them to achieve the impossible.
What could possibly stop them? A mid-season crisis could be on its way? For the moment, it doesn’t look like it.
98th minute goal helps Fiorentina
Nikola Milenkovic scored with the last kick of the game to prevent his side dropping into the relegation zone. It is a very important point that finally moves the standings and cancels out former player Marko Pjaca’s goal at the 89th.
Fiorentina lack the presence of a strong attacking figure, with the goalscoring defender now being the second top scorer, as forwards Franck Ribery, Dusan Vlahovic, Christian Kouame and Patrick Cutrone have just two goals altogether.
The situation looks worse than ever for la Viola, who got only two wins in their first 10 games.
For more Overtime sport content click here and for more Football content click here.
You can also view last week’s talking column by clicking here
