Although it was a relatively short summer break, for Calcio fanatics, it still felt like an eternity. Nevertheless, Serie A football is back with a bang, as the first matchday of the season treated us to some thrilling action, including goal-fests and last-minute dramas.
The only thing that separated us from a clean sweep was a good-old fashioned touchline spat between two managers (Please come back, Antonio!). Anyway, here is our first edition of the Tops and Flops series from the Serie A new campaign, as we recognize the best performers and the most disappointing ones from Round 1.
Top (Player): Brahim Diaz
Following an uninspiring second half of the season, Brahim Diaz was surely under stern pressure to perform, especially amidst the arrival of Charles De Ketelaere who became the toast of the town in Milano before even kicking a ball.
Luckily for the Spaniard, Stefano Pioli decided to hand him a chance against Udinese, and the attacking midfielder was simply unplayable. He scored a goal, made an assist for Ante Rebic, while also having a significant role in Milan’s other two goals of the season opener.
Perhaps the new Belgian phenom will eventually usurp him for a starting role, but Diaz won’t offer him it on a silver plate.
Flop (Player): Luis Maximiano
For one reason or another, round 1 wasn’t easy on goalkeepers, but none had a more miserable outing that Luis Maximiano who only lasted for six minutes on his Serie A debut.
The new Lazio custodian committed a shocking howler by picking up the ball outside of the box, which resulted in direct dismissal. The Portuguese almost cost his side the match, if it wasn’t for Bologna’s Adama Soumaoro who restored the numerical equivalence with a red card of his own.
Eventually, the capital side escaped with a hard-earned victory, but the Portuguese shot-stopper might not feature for Maurizio Sarri’s team anytime soon, as his stint with the Biancocelesti may have been doomed from the get-go.
Top (Manager): Stefano Pioli
The Italian tactician picked up from where he left with a fabulous performance against the Zebrette despite conceding in the first 90 seconds. Pioli put his trust in Rebic and Diaz who had struggled for form since the turn of the year.
Yet, the duo eventually decided the match in the Rossoneri’s favor. So instead of ousting them, the experienced manager has helped the two players regain their form, which is already paying dividends.
Flop (Manager): Simone Inzaghi
Perhaps winning suggests that Simone Inzaghi has made the right choices after all, but the the Inter manager appeared to have lost control over his team throughout the second period against Lecce.
The former Lazio coach made a string of attacking substitutions which ended up with the Nerazzurri playing with four strikers, but the team looked unbalanced despite dominating the pitch at the Via del Mare.
Inzaghi’s celebration upon the last-gasp winner showcases all the struggle and confusion endured throughout the match.
Top (Team): Napoli
Despite the exits of their three biggest stars, Napoli still managed to put a display of grandeur as they tore Verona apart at the Bentegodi. Despite conceding twice, the visitors dominated from start to finish with a possession that reached 80% during the first half.
The Partenopei scored five goals courtesy of five different players. While it remains to be seen if they will have enough in the tank to maintain a consistent level over the course of the long campaign, the early signs are surely promising for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Flop (Team): Sampdoria
New campaign, same old struggles. Sampdoria did little to reinforce Marco Giampaolo’s squad this summer, and the result was evident in their opening fixture against Atalanta.
The Ligurians enjoyed possession but were only able to threaten La Dea with few shots from 39-year-old Fabio Quagliarella.
The Blucerchiati surely need to pull a trick up their sleeve before the closure of the transfer market if they genuinely wish to avoid last season’s stumbles.
Flop: Ionut Radu’s Luck
Poor Radu! The man can’t seem to catch a break.
The Romanian is widely blamed by Inter fans for costing them the Scudetto title last season due to his deadly blunder at Bologna.
So while he was enjoying a decent outing for his new club Cremonese – pulling off a series of impressive saves – he ended up gifting Fiorentina’s Rolando Mandragora a 95th winner after failing to clear a stray cross.
Some would call it a curse, while other would dismiss it as a poor goalkeeping. But whatever is the case, don’t give up, Ionut!
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