Luckily for Calcio fanatics, the Serie A is currently the home of the most compelling title race in European football, with at least three clubs fighting for Italian football’s ultimate prize. So with two of them going head-to-head in the weekend’s final curtain, all eyes were on the Stadio Maradona for the major clash between Napoli and Milan which ended in the visitors’ favor. However, we kept a close eye on the action all around the peninsula as we tried to pick up the tops and flops from Serie A round 28.
Top (Player): Lautaro Martinez
Following a concerning drought, the floods poured down on the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium, with Lautaro Martinez showcasing his fabulous finishing skills for the first time in a while.
The Argentine led the way against Salernitana with a personal hattrick as the reigning champions made short work of the Serie B bound club.
Perhaps it wasn’t the toughest of opposition, but it was a timely morale boost ahead of the Champions League clash at Anfield.
Top (Sniper): Olivier Giroud
Although Lautaro was the hattrick hero, Olivier Giroud was arguably the ultimate star of the weekend, as for the second Scudetto clash in a row, the Frenchman was the sniper who sealed an invaluable win for the Diavolo.
If Milan are crowned champions at the end of the season, then the veteran striker should earn a large chunk of credit due to his brace in Derby della Madonnina, as well as his cheeky winner at Napoli.
Top (Trio): Lautaro, Dzeko, Barella
We already mentioned Lautaro’s exploits above, but his partners in crime deserve to be recognized as well on the back of a wonderful display.
While the Argentine scored three himself, it was Nicolò Barella who provided him with two sublime assists for the first couple of strikes.
As for Edin Dzeko, he played the creator’s role on Inter’s third goal, before taking the initiative and scoring a personal brace that added to Salernitana’s misery.
Flop (Manager): Walter Mazzarri
In the last weeks, Cagliari have massively improved under the guidance of Walter Mazzarri, and they’re now gunning for another escape from relegation – which has become the norm in the last few campaigns.
However, the Sardinians completely fell into Lazio’s trap, allowing Ciro Immobile and company too much space at the back which eventually saw them concede three goals.
Moreover, the Rossoblu never truly threatened upfront, as their manager’s plan fell through.
Top (Manager): Stefano Pioli
From start to finish, Stefano Pioli’s tactics were on song at the Maradona. The Milan manager started with the right formation, thrusting Franck Kessié as an extra midfielder to pile more pressure on the midfield duo of Fabian Ruiz and Stanislalv Lobotka.
The tactician also chose the perfect timing for his substitutions as he kept pouring fresh blood into his lineup while preventing the hosts from creating dangerous chances throughout the encounter.
Flop (Team): Salernitana
Now surely the struggling southerners weren’t expected to beat the reigning champions at the their own turf, but perhaps a bit more resistance would have kept the final result a bit less dour.
But that’s Salernitana for you. A courageous team with very little to lose at this point, as Davide Nicola’s men are willing to take chances even when the odds are heavily stacked against them.
Top (Team): Lazio
The Biancoceleste are one of the most inconsistent Serie A sides in term of performances, but on round 28, we witnessed Maurizio Sarri’s entertaining version.
Lazio capitalized on Cagliari’s mistakes at the back to score three fabulous goals mostly from swift counter attacks, with Immobile, Felipe Anderson and Luis Alberto putting up a marvelous show of strength.