Serie A Superthread

lassykk

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Another goal for Immobile today via a goalkeeping howler as Lazio beat Sassuolo. He got 15 goals in 36 league games last season; this season he's already on 15 goals in 13 games.

Smalling having a super time in Italy as well. A goal and two assists today in Roma's win over Brescia. United loaned out the wrong CB.

I don't watch much of Serie A but how is Smalling doing so well in Serie A when he didn't exactly look rock solid for United last season?

Mr.Nice Guy

lassykk wrote: »

I don't watch much of Serie A but how is Smalling doing so well in Serie A when he didn't exactly look rock solid for United last season?

He's said that he's watched hours of Serie A's top strikers to learn their runs ahead of making the move. He seems a smart chap so I'd be willing to believe that. I'd also say the slower tempo of the game in Italy has suited him. Atalanta's captain Gomez said recently after their game with Man City that no one pressed like that in Italian football and that the pressure was far more intense than they're normally used to.

Smalling knows a few people at the club too which helps. Mkhitaryan is there, and he's said he gets on well with Kolarov and Dzeko who used to live in Manchester. He seems to be working hard at learning the language too from what he's said. I'd say all of the above are factors. I'd like to see him make the move permanent as he seems to be enjoying his football out there.

Headshot

Have to say that's some spineless performance by Spal

At least Genoa went for the win where as the home team just looked like they were happy with the draw

lassykk

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

He's said that he's watched hours of Serie A's top strikers to learn their runs ahead of making the move. He seems a smart chap so I'd be willing to believe that. I'd also say the slower tempo of the game in Italy has suited him. Atalanta's captain Gomez said recently after their game with Man City that no one pressed like that in Italian football and that the pressure was far more intense than they're normally used to.

Smalling knows a few people at the club too which helps. Mkhitaryan is there, and he's said he gets on well with Kolarov and Dzeko who used to live in Manchester. He seems to be working hard at learning the language too from what he's said. I'd say all of the above are factors. I'd like to see him make the move permanent as he seems to be enjoying his football out there.

Cheers

Yeah I'd wish him well too if he did make it permanent. Nice to see someone who was written off prove people wrong

Mr.Nice Guy

Highlights between Lecce and Cagliari worth checking out.

Four goals, three red cards, a Suarez-like handball save on the line, and a 91st minute equaliser...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn6c1leP0QM

ERG89

Juve 2-1 down to a terrible clearance from De Ligt followed by an even worse mistake by Buffon.
Dybala & Mathuidi coming on now. Can gone off for the latter, for a lad moaning in interviews about his role you can understand why he isn't in their European squad when you see him play.
Why is Ronaldo wearing a headband for his hair?

2-2 now, its all Juve. Sassuolo can't play a high line & deal with the pace of Higuain & Ronaldo. Can't believe I'm writing that.

Headshot

Good stuff

Now come on Inter

dor83

Inter 2-0 up at half time, just need to not throw it away in the 2nd half to go top.

Immobile with 2 more today, he is having an unbelievable season, if he keeps up like this he'll set a new record and Lazio look good for a CL place.

Headshot

My God Milan are awful, the are just atrocious up front

Mr.Nice Guy

Boga again producing moments of magic for Sassuolo. Loved that little dinked finish. Buffon sadly is finished at this point and it was evident at PSG last season. No idea why Juve are playing him in significant matches.

Immobile continuing his great season. Up to 17 goals now which is crazy. Lazio home to Juve next Saturday should be a cracking match.

Loving the Laukaku partnership at Inter. Possibly the deadliest strike partnership in Europe right now.

Fitz*

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Buffon sadly is finished at this point and it was evident at PSG last season. No idea why Juve are playing him in significant matches.

I'm very much an outsider here in terms of Serie A knowledge, but like to keep up to date with general news on it. I remember reading when Buffon re-signed for Juventus in the summer that one of the clauses in his deal was that he would play X number of games this season so that he would break a couple of appearance records - Juve, Serie A, goalkeeper etc. I'm not sure how true it was, but it could hold weight to why he is starting games.

EDIT: it's in here https://www.football-italia.net/140024/buffons-juve-clause-revealed

Father Hernandez

Cagliari v Sampdoria, what a belter of a game

And they say Serie A is defensive and boring! :pac:

Mr.Nice Guy

Didn't realise Samp were 3-1 up with twenty minutes to go. Great comeback.

fyfe79

FitzShane wrote: »

I'm very much an outsider here in terms of Serie A knowledge, but like to keep up to date with general news on it. I remember reading when Buffon re-signed for Juventus in the summer that one of the clauses in his deal was that he would play X number of games this season so that he would break a couple of appearance records - Juve, Serie A, goalkeeper etc. I'm not sure how true it was, but it could hold weight to why he is starting games.

EDIT: it's in here https://www.football-italia.net/140024/buffons-juve-clause-revealed

A stat which I find quite humourous:

Gianluigi Buffon:
Champions League appearances 138
Champions League medals 0

Caoimhin Kelleher:
Champions League appearances 0
Champions League medals 1

Mr.Nice Guy

Big game at 7:45pm on Premier this evening as league leaders Inter take on 5th place Roma.

Inter Milan XI: Handanovic; Godin, de Vrij, Skriniar; Candreva, Vecino, Valero, Brozovic, Biraghi; Lukaku, Martinez.

Roma XI: Mirante; Santon, Mancini, Smalling, Kolarov; Diawara, Veretout; Mkhitaryan, Pellegrini, Perotti; Zaniolo.

Lukaku up against Smalling will be fun. This has been a tough fixture for Inter in previous seasons as the last three meetings were 2 draws and a Roma win. Having said that, Inter's front two are on fire of late so a good time to set that right. An Inter win puts pressure on Juve ahead of a tough game at Lazio tomorrow.

Half-Time: 0-0 at the break. Inter with the best chances for the lead. Lukaku denied by Mirante, and Brozovic firing over after Lukaku played him in.

ERG89

Inter badly miss Barella & Sensi in the side. Been a very uneventful second half.

Ends 0-0. I hope Inter play better vs Barca but they badly lack creativity. The subs were uninspiring as they had no real quality to call upon. Maybe Politano would have been a better shout than D'Ambrosio mind. Lazaro is a player I imagine after only a few months there Conte already hates.

Mr.Nice Guy

Chance for Juve to go back top tomorrow if they can win at Lazio. The home side can put themselves in the title mix with a win. Massive match.

Mr.Nice Guy

Another disappointing draw for Napoli. 9 games without a win for them. Ancelotti under mounting pressure.

Teams for Lazio vs Juve:

Lazio XI: Strakosha; Acerbi, Felipe, Radu; Lazzari, Milinkovic-Savic, Lucas, Alberto, Lulic; Correa, Immobile.

Juventus XI: Szczesny; Cuadrado, Bonucci, de Ligt, Sandro; Betancur, Pjanic, Matuidi; Bernardeschi; Dybala, Ronaldo.

Mr.Nice Guy

Juve take the lead through Ronaldo.

1-1 as Luiz Felipe equalises. Good game, this.

Great chance for Juve as Acerbi and Strakosha play themselves into trouble but Dybala can't finish. Little over twenty minutes to go.

Mr.Nice Guy

Juve down to ten men as Cuadrado gets sent off for fouling as last man. Ref initially gave the yellow but changes his mind after a VAR check. Think red is the right call.

Great chance for Lazio to push on and get the win in the final twenty.

Mr.Nice Guy

2-1 Lazio! Milinkovic-Savic with nice control and finish.

Mr.Nice Guy

Now a pen to Lazio as Szczesny fouls Correa. Great pass from Immobile who will take the pen.

And Szczesny saves it! Fantastic double save from him. That was the match right there.

Immobile thought he'd won another pen. Bonucci with a clumsy challenge. Think he had a case but nothing given.

Mr.Nice Guy

Caicedo seals it! 3-1 Lazio. Szczesny with another big save, this time from Lazzari but Caicedo converts the rebound.

Juve's unbeaten run in Serie A is over. Means there's now 3 teams in the race. Inter two points clear of Juve who are three points ahead of Lazio. Great game.

justshane

Great title race developing, shame Inter couldn’t beat Roma. Lazio looked very good today. The first goal they said scored was a cracker.

windy shepard henderson

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Caicedo seals it! 3-1 Lazio. Szczesny with another big save, this time from Lazzari but Caicedo converts the rebound.

Juve's unbeaten run in Serie A is over. Means there's now 3 teams in the race. Inter two points clear of Juve who are three points ahead of Lazio. Great game.

Don't worry there will always be a penalty or a disallowed goal to help juve on ther way, don't like inter for how they handled the corea della sport Black Friday column lazio probably enjoyed it,

I reckon inter are the most talented team on paper of the 3, lukaku is not that bad and suited to the Italian game, Martinez is a top player , barella looks quality too in fairness for 22

Headshot

Oh wow what a ****ing goal from Pandev

superb, absolutely superb

Mr.Nice Guy

Fiorentina so frustrating. Think that's 4 losses in a row for them now. Was hoping they would challenge for Europe this season. Montella in big trouble unless he gets some results soon.

Ohmeha

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Fiorentina so frustrating. Think that's 4 losses in a row for them now. Was hoping they would challenge for Europe this season. Montella in big trouble unless he gets some results soon.

I have never understood why some clubs re-hire a manager they previously sacked, especially when the exact same manager was also again subsequently sacked by yet ANOTHER TWO clubs. Some football clubs really do deserve all the trash they see on the field

Mr.Nice Guy

Napoli's new coach confirmed:

https://twitter.com/SquawkaNews/status/1204810180103430150

Interesting appointment. I think 4th is doable.

Mr.Nice Guy

Losing start for Gattuso at Napoli as they lose 2-1 to Parma in the 93rd munute. Gervinho played well.

Badly needed win for Ranieri in the derby.