Between the pitch and the courtroom, it tuned out to be an eventful week in Italian football. Crowned champions Napoli completed their victim list by toppling Inter, while a calamitous Monday night saw Juventus drop down from second to seventh in what could be a deadly blow to their Champions League hopes. So let’s identify the best and worst performers from the weekend in the Tops and Flops of Serie A Round 36.
Top (Player): Brahim Diaz
What a sensational display that was from Milan’s playmaker Brahim Diaz. While naysayers would point to the fact that it came against an already-relegated Sampdoria, the Spaniard still deserves the plaudits for pulling off two wonderful assists for his teammates Olivier Giroud and Rafael, before finding the net himself.
The 23-year-old is cementing himself as a key player for the Rossoneri, one that the management must maintain despite his complicated contractual situation with Real Madrid.
Hat-Trick Hero: Olivier Giroud
While his teammate Diaz pipped him for the Top spot, Giroud still deserves a mention after bagging his first Milan hat-trick at Sampdoria’s expense.
The 36-year-old continues to defy father time with his unwavering physical strength, as proven by his third goal when he wrestled his marker Bram Nuytinck off the ball, although the latter happens to be one of the most physically-imposing defenders in the league.
Flop (Player): Roberto Gagliardini
From the first whistle, Roberto Gagliardini seemed to be on a mission to get himself sent off as rapidly as possible. While the referee opted for a merciful approach, restraining himself on several occasions, it only fueled the Inter midfielder’s determination, and he eventually got his wish before the end of the first half.
The 28-year-old rarely starts matches for the Nerazzurri, and after costing his side all three points against Napoli at the Maradona Stadium, this could well be the last time we see him donning an Inter jersey.
Top (Coach): Paolo Zanetti
When Juventus entered the pitch shell-shocked after learning their fate in the Capital Gains trial, Empoli manager Paolo Zanetti wasn’t going to let this great opportunity pass by.
The Tuscans secured a historic 4-1 victory over a top club that made a habit of tormenting them on every possible occasion. So kudos to the brilliant Italian manager who has been able to build a wonderful group, mixing youth with experience, fluid football with tenacity and determination.
The young tactician will surely find himself at a more glamorous accommodation sooner or later.
Flop (Coach): Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli has already been crowned as Serie A champions, and still managed to collect a win over Inter in Round 36. So why does the Tuscan manager land in this unceremonious spot?
Well, the 64-year-old’s decision to haul off star defender Kim Min-jae was ill-advised. The South Korean had kept Romelu Lukaku quiet, but his replacement Juan Jesus allowed the Belgian to sneak past him and snatch the equalizer.
Eventually, Gagliardini’s folly allowed the Paretenopei a precious numerical advantage which tipped the scale in their favor, but they could have done without the manager’s perplexing call.
Top (Team): Bologna
Between Riccardo Orsolini, Marko Arnautovic, Musa Barrow and the rest of Thiago Motta’s crew, it was a phenomenal display from Bologna. The Emilians kept on scoring against the hapless Cremonese even following Orsolini’s dismissal.
The Rossoblu sit 9th in the Serie A standings after Round 36, currently competing with 8th-place Monza for the honorary “Best of the Rest” title.
Flop (Team): Juventus
Truth be told, a mental breakdown at Juventus was inevitable following this rollercoaster campaign where the players were unfairly punished for offenses that they have nothing to do with.
Nevertheless, surely Massimiliano Allegri’s men could have done better to avoid a 1-4 collapse at the hands of a provincial side. This result has all but ended the Old Lady’s hopes of securing a Champions League spot for next season, even though their original tally would have placed them in second place.
Flop: Court Timing
Well, the Federal Court of Appeal decided to announce the 10-point deduction sentence just minutes before Juve’s away fixture against Empoli, and the morale impact was more than evident in the Bianconeri’s display.
The final result at the Carlo Castellani says it all.
Top (Goalkeeper): Marco Silvestri
Although Udinese eventually lost their home encounter against Lazio, Marco Silvestri was on a one-man mission to preserve a clean sheet for the Zebrette. The Italian custodian pulled off a string of stunning reaction saves, before finally succumbing to Ciro Immobile’s penalty kick.
A valiant effort, nonetheless.
Flop (Goalkeeper): Lorenzo Montipo
On their day, Atalanta can be one of the most terrifying sides in the league. So for a relegation-threatened side like Verona, the last thing they should do when heading to the Gewiss Stadium is gift La Dea cheap goals.
Yet, Lorenzo Montipo decided to hug the ball for too long, allowing Mario Pasalic to dispossess him en route towards scoring one of the easiest strikes of his career.
Following their 1-3 defeat in Bergamo, Verona still have two more matches to salvage themselves, but their goalkeeper must regain his composure if they were to stand a chance.
Top (Goal): Antonio Candreva
Antonio Candreva did it again! The ageless winger scored a sensational volley at the Olimpico Stadium against Roma, much to the delight of his former employers Lazio.
This was one of the finest touches you’ll ever see, and the Salernitana veteran is still pulling it off at the age of 36.
Special Mention: Fabio Quagliarella
From one Serie A icon to another. Fabio Quagliarella finally broke his duck for the season, but his goal against Milan at the San Siro might well be his last , as he’s highly expected to hang his boots at the end of the season.
While it wasn’t exactly the campaign that the 40-year had hoped for, it was a pleasure to see him score one more time in Serie A, even if it came in an agonizing 1-5 defeat in Round 36.
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