By the end of the season, if we’re going to look back and identify the most unusual weekend in the Serie A campaign, then round 26 should at the very least make it to the shortlist. This will be remembered as the matchday where the consensus best seven clubs in the country failed to register a single win between them.
So let’s discuss the action while we identify the best and worst performers of the the weekend in our Tops and Flops from Serie A round 26.
Top (Striker): Fabio Quagliarella
We usually pick out one player as the best former of the weekend, but we’re feeling particularly munificent today (plus it’s easy to be generous when it doesn’t cost you a thing), so instead of one, we’re going with three!
Following a long and worrying goal-drought, Sampdoria found their talisman once again, who in his turn found his scoring boots.
The Italian veteran led the Blucerchiati towards an important victory over Empoli with a personal brace, including a fabulous second goal.
Top (Defender): Gleison Bremer
If anyone was wondering why every top Serie A club wants Gleison Bremer, his display at the Derby della Mole should make for a sufficient answer.
The Brazilian completely nullified the threat of Dusan Vlahovic, with the Juventus striker not getting a sniff at ball.
Enough said.
Top (Goalkeeper): Andrea Consigli
Even though Sassuolo performed admirably against Inter, there were times in the second half when Andrea Consigli turned into a one-man-army while the Nerazzurri strikers were running riot inside his box.
The former Atalanta goalkeeper pulled off at least eight vital saves, ensuring a memorable victory for the Emilians at the Giuseppe Meazza.
Flop (Player): Mike Maignan
Contrary to the previous round, Mike Maignan had an off-night in Salerno. The Frenchman failed to time his exit, which led to Salernitana’s opener against Milan. Moreover, he almost cost the Rossoneri another goal with a lapse of concentration in the second half.
The former Lille shot-stopper remains one of the best in Serie A, but his abysmal performance in round 26 meant that Stefano Pioli’s men had to work extra hard just to take a lone and disappointing point back home from the ground of a team which already has one foot in Serie B.
Top (Manager): Vincenzo Italiano
While the work of Sassuolo’s Alessio Dionisi should be recognized, Vincenzo Italiano pushed all the right buttons from start to finish when Fiorentina hosted Atalanta.
Although La Dea’s formation was weakened by a series of injuries, Gian Piero Gasperini’s side remains one of the most dangerous in the league. However, The Viola managed to limit their danger while putting a show at times.
From the starting lineup to the timely substitutions, Italiano is simply a man who knows exactly what needs to be done.
Top (Team): Sassuolo
Whoever says Serie A lacks entertaining sides, Sassuolo is the perfect counterclaim. The Neroverdi are truly a gift from the Calcio gods.
On Sunday, Inter had no answer for Dionisi’s men who ran the show at the Meazza. And even when the Nerazzurri put it together in the second half, they were rebuffed but Consigli’s heroics.
A performance to remember for the provincial side.
Flop (Team): The Big Boys
Although Inter could have been the obvious choice due to their home defeat, the other Serie A big boys didn’t fare much better in round 26.
Title challengers Milan and Napoli only earned draws from their respective trips to relegation-threatened sides, while Juventus left much to be desired in their unconvincing performance against their crosstown rivals. The Bianconeri were lucky, however, as their direct rivals Atalanta succumbed to defeat in Tuscany.
As for the capital sides, Roma had to launch a second half revolt just to salvage a point at the Olimpico Stadium against a brilliant Verona, while Lazio couldn’t get the job done in Udine, and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.