’twas the final matchday before Christmas. Everyone was hoping to end their year on a high note. From the reigning champions, to the manager who was supposedly getting sacked regardless of the result. Even the Old Lady was adamant on putting one last fight before the conclusion of a sorrowful 2021. At the end of the day, some delivered the goods, while others did not. But since this is supposed to be a jolly time (as we’ve been told anyway), we’ll try to be largely positive in our Tops and Flops for Serie A round 19. So let’s get this mess started.
Top (Player): Federico Bernardeschi
The former Fiorentina man saw it all this year. His 2021 started with him being a benchwarmer, before having an ugly row with his former manager Andrea Pirlo.
But then he won the Euro 2020, slowly found his form again under the guidance of Massimiliano Allegri, and on the final match of year, he left the pitch with a standing ovation from the Allianz Stadium crowd after guiding Juventus towards victory with a goal and an assist.
Talk about an eventful year!
Top (Player): Franck Kessié
As we mentioned, it’s Christmas. So instead of choosing a flop, we’ll just pick yet another top player (if it makes any sense).
The Ivorian also had his ups and down this year, but his 2021/22 has been largely underwhelming thus far.
But Stefano Pioli had a trick up his sleeve against Empoli, deploying the former Atalanta man in an unusual attacking midfield role.
The result? Two well-taken first half goals that led Milan towards victory. Let’s see if this turnaround continues in January.
Empoli vs Milan Player Ratings: Kessie’s Redemption https://t.co/JOmD2VT2GT pic.twitter.com/E4Dl4vN9Ph
— The Cult of Calcio (@cultofcalcio) December 23, 2021
Top (Team): Bologna
In Round 19, we didn’t witness too many lopsided results, but Bologna proved to be the surprise authors of the biggest routing on the final Serie A matchday of the year.
Sinisa Mihajlovic’s men put three past Sassuolo away from home, while neutralizing the threat of the Neroverdi’s fabulous attacking unit.
Flop (Team): Napoli
Well, we tried to play nice for a while, but we simply can’t let this one completely escape.
After beating Milan at the San Siro, Napoli surely weren’t going to self-destruct when hosting a relegation-threatened side led by a dead-man-walking, right?
Now surely Luciano Spalletti is still missing several key names, but one would thing that he had enough talent at his disposal to avoid a defeat at the hands of Spezia.
Top (Manager): Thiago Motta
Speaking of the devil, the Ligurians were planning on sacking the former Inter and PSG midfielder prior to the away trip to Napoli.
Some even suggested that he’ll be axed regardless of the result – But they can’t be This cruel, right?
So as you can see, Motta needed a Christmas miracle to keep his job, and luckily for him, Jesus responded.
Of course we’re talking about Juan Jesus (who else?), the Napoli defender who somehow directed a header into his own net, which proved to be the difference between the sides, and arguably the act that saved a poor man’s job (he’s not that poor actually, but you get the point).
An interesting stat revealed that Spezia didn’t even take a single shot at goal throughout the whole match and still came away victorious.
A miracle indeed.
Flop (Celebration): Luis Alberto and Pedro
Just a quick tip before the holiday season: If you’re planning on celebrating with your Spanish friends, just keep a close eye on them and make sure that they don’t kill one another with wild stunts like these two.
What was Pedro trying to do to Luis Alberto? ???
Trying to kill or hurt him. ??
— Jerry Mancini (@jmancini8) December 23, 2021