Following Matchday 6 of the Serie A, the upcoming week sees the return of European action, with Atalanta, Inter, Juventus, Lazio, Napoli, and Roma all involved.
Juventus 2-0 Spal
The Bianconeri dominated this match and duly took the lead with a Miralem Pjanic stunner, as the Bosnian volleyed in a shot from just outside the box. The points were then secured when Cristiano Ronaldo met a Paulo Dybala cross with his head to beat Etrit Berisha in goal. Spal were clearly out of their depth in this encounter.
Sampdoria 1-3 Inter
The Nerazzurri scored twice within two minutes in this match. The first was through Stefano Sensi and the second through Alexis Sanchez – his first goal – to gain control at the Marassi. The Blucerchiati got a life-line when Sanchez was sent off after a second yellow for diving; Jakub Jankto scored with a lovely turn and finish soon after. However, just six minutes later and Roberto Gagliardini bundled home the ball after an error from Emil Audero in the home team’s goal. This restored the two goal advantage and gave the Biscione a perfect six wins from six matches.
Sassuolo 1-4 Atalanta
A four-goal first half blitz gave La Dea win over the Neroverdi. Firstly, it was Papu Gomez with a brilliant solo effort and then from a neat build up play, Robin Gosens blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Following this, Gomez completed his brace and Duvan Zapata got his almost customary strike. Gregoire Defrel got a consolation for Sassuolo at the hour mark but there would be no comeback for the home team.
Napoli 2-1 Brescia
Two first half goals sent the Partenopei to a victory at home. Dries Mertens with the first – finishing off a Jose Callejon cross – and then it was Kostas Manolas with a glancing header right at the end of the half. Mario Balotelli got his first goal back since returning to Italian football, but it was only a consolation for La Leonessa.
Lazio 4-0 Genoa
A commanding home win for the Biancocelesti… Sergej Milinkovic-Savic got the scoring going early with a well placed left footed finish inside the box. In truth, the Grifone did put pressure on the home side’s goal, but no reward was to be had. They were made to pay, as Stefan Radu scored a scorcher of a left footed strike. Felipe Caicedo also added his name with an open goal gaping and Ciro Immobile scored the fourth with a run and finish after great work from Luiz Felipe.
Udinese 1-0 Bologna
A single goal, scored courtesy of Stefano Okaka’s header from a Jens Stryger Larsen cross, gave the Frulians a hard-fought victory. Rossoblu midfielder Roberto Soriano got himself sent off late on to compound matter for the Emilia-Romagna side.
Lecce 0-1 Roma
The only goal came just 10 minutes into the second half, as Edin Dzeko had all the time in the world to head home the ball from a cross from the right flank. The Giallorossi also had a penalty saved, but the home team were not able to make a breakthrough on their goal, and the three points were awarded to the Roman side.
Cagliari 1-1 Verona
Two goals in each half from either side meant a share of the spoils in Sardegna… Lucas Castro scored off a cross at the half an hour mark that as he beat everyone in the area to give the home team the lead. The away side’s goal was rather fortuitous, as a Cagliari defender slipped and Davide Faraoni was there to score inside the box.
Milan 1-3 Fiorentina
A dominant display from the Tuscans at the San Siro… La Viola’s goal came from the penalty spot after Ismael Bennacer fouled Federico Chiesa; Erick Pulgar converted from the spot. There was then a 20 minute period of madness. First, Matteo Musacchio got sent off for a rash tackle on Franck Ribery with the use of the VAR. Then Gaetano Castrovilli scored after great work from Chiesa. The young Italian then had a penalty saved by Gigio Donnarumma and lastly Ribery scored after being set up by Chiesa. Rafael Leao scored a nice solo goal for Milan, but it was mere consolation. Tough times for Marco Giampaolo and Milanisti.
Parma 3-2 Torino
Monday Night Football at it’s best… After just 12 minutes, both teams had scored. The Crociati with a Dejan Kulusevski close range finish and the Granata from Cristian Ansaldi (a header to tie it up). Gervinho then missed a chance to give the home side the lead, when his penalty was saved by Salvatore Sirigu. The Piedmont side got a late penalty of their own, which was converted by Andrea Belotti, and it was the away side that took the lead. However, it was all tied again right on the stroke of the half, as Andreas Cornelius powered home the ball after being sent through on goal. The second half was exciting as well as both teams had chances to score, but it was the home side who took the points after Roberto Inglese tapped home the ball after the Torino defense failed to clear it.
This post was written by Vijay Rahaman; You can find him on Twitter at @TriniSportsGuy
