Following last weekend’s snoozefest, Serie A bounced back with a solid round filled with exciting clashes and fabulous strikes. In the biggest two fixtures of the weekend, Lazio stunned Inter with a 3-1 win at the Olimpico, while Roma managed to escape the Allianz Stadium with a precious point. Elsewhere, Milan returned to winning ways at Bologna’s expense, while Napoli’s hype train was derailed in Florence.
So here are the best and worst performers from the matchday in our tops and flops from Serie A round 3.
Top (Player): Rafael Leao
Last round, we were slightly harsh on Rafael Leao, dubbing him as the biggest flop of the Serie A weekend.
Undoubtedly, the Portuguese superstar is an avid follower of our content, which explains how he bounced back with a brilliant performance after reading our grating yet constructive criticism.
Last season’s Serie A MVP put Bologna to the sword on round 3 with a well-taken goal, before providing an exquisite assist for Olivier Giroud’s acrobatic effort.
You’re welcome, Milanisti!
Top (Super-Subs): Luis Alberto, Pedro
This is where we’re supposed to pick the biggest flop of the weekend. But instead, let’s focus on the brighter things in life and celebrate Lazio’s two super-subs who eventually decided the clash in Maurizio Sarri’s favor.
Luis Alberto (who inexplicably wasn’t in the starting formation) restored the Biancocelesti’s lead against Inter with an absolute scorcher from the outside of his boot which almost tore Samir Handonovic’s top corner.
The playmaker then fed his equally-brilliant compatriot Pedro who delivered the final blow to the Nerazzurri’s hopes.
Flop “Coach”: Silvio Berlusconi
I know what you’re thinking. Silvio Berlusconi isn’t a coach. He’s the owner of Monza and the legendary president of Milan. Heck, he was even Italy’s prime minister on several occasions (too many, perhaps). The man even has an uncanny criminal record, but none of the charges hints towards a coaching career.
Yet, Silvio may think otherwise, at least based on his post-match comments following the Biancorossi’s third straight defeat.
“I went into the locker room before the game and told the players we had to win, that we must not lose,” said Monza’s owner/president/manager/mascot.
“I told the defenders how to act with the Udinese strikers, man-mark them, stay close, but they didn’t do that. I told the goalkeeper to hit it long and the strikers to have as many shots on goal as possible, these were all good suggestions that the team did not follow.”
Boy, did we miss him!
Flop (Coach): Simone Inzaghi
On a more serious note, here’s an actual Serie A manager who had it wrong in round 3. One might suggest that Maurizio Sarri outplayed Simone Inzaghi. But truth to be told, it was the latter who staged his own demise with a flurry of substitutions that diminished his team’s danger.
Lazio and Inter were still on level terms when the Italian tactician decided to haul off the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Nicolò Barella and Denzel Dumfries, which immediately gave the initiative to the capital side.
Top (Coach): Davide Nicola
This weekend witnessed a thrilling performance from Salernitana which came as a stern reminder of Davide Nicola’s prowess. The underrated tactician is building something special in Salerno as proven by his team’s display in the 4-0 routing of Sampdoria.
The manager changed the club’s fortune last season when he masterminded an astonishing escape from relegation, and will be hoping to consolidate the southerner’s spot in the top-tier with another memorable campaign.
Flop (Team): Sampdoria
Following their impressive display against Juventus in the previous round, some believed that Sampdoria were finally beginning to find their footing.
Nonetheless. their defeat in Salerno served as a major warning for a side that could be facing relegation if it fails to vastly improve as soon as possible.
Although it’s still early days, Marco Giampaolo might already be running out of time.
Top (Team): Salernitana
As mentioned above, Salernitana produced a wonderful performance this weekend, scoring four magnificent goals and showcasing the team’s ever-improving chemistry with their fluid brand of football.
Keep it up, fellas!
Top (Match): Lazio-Inter
We talked about Lazio’s super-subs above, as well as Inzaghi’s questionable calls against his former employers, but these were only some of the details of what was a magical night of football at the Olimpico Stadium.
Credit must go to both sides for the thrilling pace and action-packed battle which left the neutral supporter both delighted and exhausted by the final whistle.
Top (Quote): Allegri’s Devil
When your counterpart is called José Mourinho, you’re unlikely to win the post-match battle. For instance, the Roma manager casually mentioned how he was ashamed of his own players following their first half performance against Juventus. Just another normal day in the Special One’s life.
Therefore, Massimiliano Allegri had to come up with something enormous to steal the limelight away from the exceptionally-charismatic Portuguese. Even if he had to call for assistance from the devil himself.
“Football was invented was the devil,” announced the Italian tactician, in what can only be described as one of the most amusing yet accurate catchphrases.
We’ll definitely add this one to our book – and mostly likely end up overusing it.
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