Serie A matchday 24: top 5 and flop 5

This week we will take a look at what was the last matchday through a special top 5 and flop 5 of the moments of the Serie A matchday 24.

FLOP 5

Flop Number 5 – The hallucinating controversy between Fabio Capello and Antonio Conte

When the Juventus fans switched on the tv to listen to their coach's post-match interview, they could not believe their ears: 'the only thing I can remember from Capello's tenure' spoke Conte to the open microphone of Sky Italia 'are the two championships that were revoked (for the Calciopoli scandal – A.P.). Boom!

The present-day 'Bianconeri' coach attacking an icon of the Juve history on a topic which has been set since day one from the President Andrea Agnelli as the main propaganda tool to acquire the immediate sympathy of the average Juventus fan.

Words that returned like a boomerang on Conte's head as he was compelled soon to amend his thoughts: 'those championships were very well deserved though'. Too late as the mess was done and the embarrassment already created within the Juventus solid environment. Why Conte attacked Capello on such a delicate field?

Don Fabio had hinted at Conte's punitive methods as unsuitable: 'I have never punished anyone, I have always tried to discuss problems' referring to Conte cancelling the free day for the squad on Monday in the aftermath of the 2-2 at Hellas. Conte did not accept the criticism and fired back.

Even former Juventus GM, the brain behind 'Calciopoli' intervened: 'If I were still in charge, Conte would have asked me the permission before speaking'. Juventus are top of the table with a +9 gap from AS Roma (one game to play for the 'Giallorossi'). What would likely be if the 'Bianconeri' were catching up instead?

Flop Number 4 – Chievo's performance against Juventus

Alright, you are Chievo and almost at the bottom of the table (just one clear of Sassuolo). You certainly are not travelling to Juventus Stadium with the firm idea of grabbing points from the table-leader.

However, it is still an 11-vs-11 game: why cannot Chievo develop an idea of game? It is rather a habit for the squad coached by Eugenio Corini. After the initial enthusiasm that brought some results (the win in the Verona Derby being the main achievement), it looks like Chievo have gone back to the same routine again.

Let alone the little results (3 draws in the last 9 games), Chievo's games are among the poorest entertainment offered by the Serie A sides, in a good contest with Bologna and Catania. It will be very unlikely that Chievo will change the coach again, however it is quite likely that Chievo will be fighting for relegation until the last matchday. Against Juventus, the only goal produced, it was a funny own goal (see below video). There was no other way for Chievo to put it past Buffon.

Flop Number 3 – Cagliari sack Diego Lopez. Actually not

There are still 14 matchdays to equal and possibly overcome the record of 15 coaches sacked in one season (2011-12 and 1951-52 since Serie A is played in one national group). The coach firing reached the figure of 12 when, in the aftermath of Cagliari-Livorno 1-2, the Cagliari owner, Massimo Cellino, communicated that Uruguayan Diego Lopez was dismissed from his job.

The squad was entrusted to Ivo Pulga, Lopez's assistant coach and already head coach last season. Less than 24h and the restless Cellino changed his mind only to call back Lopez to his job post. Pulga had not even had the time to lead Cagliari for one game as Lopez was already back.

However, that was not the end of the story. Soon after, the club communicated that they had ceased Pulga's contract and he would have not been the assistant coach any longer. From being a replacement to get sacked himself and making the figure grow up to 13 coaches sacked in one season. We can beat that!

Flop Number 2 – Roma's empty stadium

If the supporters are part of the football entertainment, an empty stadium is not fun at all. Neither to watch from TV, nor for the XI's clashing on the pitch. Despite an empty 'Stadio Olimpico', AS Roma went safely past Sampdoria (3-0 win thanks to Flavio Destro's brace and Pjanic superb netting) in front of few fans and the Samp supporters who were allowed to travel and attend the game.

Why did Roma have to give up to their crowd and will have to for the next home game (the big game vs. Inter)? All stems from the fans unruly behaviour during a Coppa Italia fixture against SSC Napoli.

The culprit was the 'Curva Sud' (the Roma 'ultras' end) singing he usual offending chants against the Napoli supporters (amenities like: 'we hope Vesuvius will finish the job'). In Italy, they have created an ad-hoc concept and rule attached to punish those chants: 'territorial discrimination'.

It is forbidden to address any opposition with chants that are offending the place where they come from. However, in the attempt of spreading better behaviours in the fans' stands, the football lawmakers have ended up creating more confusion when it comes to what is exactly the border between a 'territorial discrimination' and the simple stadium old-time banter.

One thing is sure: they have managed to unite most of the Italian supporters against this rule, having even the Neapolitan fans addressing themselves in a provocative style. Is this the right way to follow? The lawmakers think so and consequently they will keep shutting down entire sectors if the behaviours will not change.

Flop Number 1 – Sassuolo fifth loss in a row

The hoped-for shift when sacking Eusebio De Francesco and giving the job to Alberto Malesani, did not happen. Sassuolo took AC Milan's famous scalp five matchdays ago however they have not been able to collect a single point.

A schedule that has brought the 'Neroverdi' (black-and-greens) straight to where they were at the start of the season: the solitary bottom of the table. Torino, Livorno, Hellas, Inter and Napoli have all meant 'defeat' with 10 goals suffered and 2 scored.

The wide makeover of the XI and the change of coach have not brought any effective result. Alberto Malesani job is already rumoured to be at the end. Whether the away game to Lazio, or the home Derby against Parma will be the benchmark, we will only discover in next two weeks. As he said once in a famous presser: 'we, the coaches, are always the ones who pay for lack of successes'

TOP 5

Top Number 5 – Emerson's goal against Cagliari

You would probably question yourself why Mario Balotelli's goal is not here. True, it was indeed a great goal. However, we are sure you have already seen it hundreds of time here and there. Ramos Borges Emerson is a Brazilian defender born in 1980 and playing with a number 23 on his back at minnows AS Livorno.

He does not enjoy the same expectations and pressure as Supermario does, let alone the same visibility. However, his coach spent great words for his feat that helped grabbing the three points: 'Ramos has eclipsed Mario'
Enjoy his ballistic feat against Cagliari last weekend.

Top Number 4 – Cassano's 102nd goal in Serie A

Antonio Cassano is probably one of the most controversial players of the recent Serie A history. He has been able of doing wonders in his career and match them with questionable behaviours off the pitch.

However, this is Antonio Cassano from Bari, take or leave. His set-piece against Atalanta it is a clear display of his mastery at being able to send the ball exactly where he wants and how he wants. Few people have been able to do that over the past 20 years, one of them is someone with the likes of Roberto Baggio who recently turned 47.

Top Number 3 – Genoa's comeback against Udinese

When the referee's clock was showing the 49th minute of the game between Genoa and Udinese, the home team was already losing 3-1 to Udinese. The half-time whistle had already seen Francesco Guidolin's side being better than the Gialloblu' thanks to a 2-1 lead.

The early goal on penalty by Muriel in the second half (48') should have killed Genoa's hopes to grab any point in front of their fans. However, the 'Grifone' (the griffin, the mythological beast symbol of Genoa CFC) managed to shake itself and bite back before it was too late. 69 and 79 were the magic numbers of the Genoa bingo ticket bought by Alberto Gilardino who scored the 2-3 and the 3-3 on the respective minutes sending the entire 'Stadio Marassi' mental until the end of the game.

Top Number 2 – Catania rising from the dumps

After being at the bottom of the table for several weeks, the only Sicilian side of the Serie A it is just one point far from the safety zone. A result that seemed almost unachievable up to a month ago. Involved in the managerial upheavals that have affected all the drop-zone clubs (from Bologna on 15th place to Sassuolo on the bottom), Catania returned in care of Rolando Maran, sacked at the start of season.

A streak of three draws in a row and the last home win against Lazio on Sunday lunchtime game, allowed the 'Rossoblu' to rise from the dead. Not much obviously, as Sassuolo are only two points below. Despite the short distance, Catania have given the impression that the last word for Sicily in the Serie A is not yet spoken.

Top Number 1 – Insigne's goal against Sassuolo, is he also in there for the World Cup in Brazil?

His talent has never been questioned, however he has not been enjoying the best period since he is a first-squad man. First the long-awaited first goal in the 2013-14 Serie A, then the tough competition brought to him by Belgian Dries Mertens. 'Lorenzine', a Napoli academy product, seemed like disappeared from the radars of coach Benitez.

Arrigo Sacchi, technical coordinator of the youth national teams, had quite striking words about him when asked in November about the Italian brightest talents: 'Insigne lost brilliance' declared the former AC Milan and 'Azzurri' coach 'I hope he did not turn himself into a money-grubber'. Such words from one of the deans of the Italian football.

Neither the club nor the player ever replied to these words, however Insigne is little by little trying to prove wrong those who were doubtful about him. Italy might need someone like him in Brazil. The beauty of his goal against Sassuolo speaks for itself.

Betting tips for matchday 25

AS Roma are travelling to Bologna tomorrow evening for what will probably be a one-way fixture. If the Roma win is not appealing on the odds chalkboard, try confidently the over 3,5 as Bologna have the 5th worst defence of the Serie A whereas Roma have the second best striking power behind Juventus.
Bologna-Roma, Saturday the 22nd of February at 21:45 EET

The lunchtime game on Sunday has recently given good emotions to the viewers willing to taste their meals while watching a 'calcio' game. Livorno-Hellas could have been a drop-zone clash, instead Hellas tremendous season has sky rocketed the 'Gialloblu' into the higher floors.

Mandorlini's side goal difference is the karma of 'play and let play' as equals zero. A few problems instead for the goalscoring power of Livorno (24) opposed to a 42 goals suffered. This game is going to be fun and goals. Place your bet on both to score.
Livorno-Hellas, Sunday the 23rd of February at 13:30 EET

Inter seem to have managed to overcome the difficult period. Even though the two wins were quite tight (1-0 over Sassuolo thanks to a header on set-piece situation and 2-1 win at Fiorentina thanks to an offside goal) they were important to rebuild the lost confidence in being able to win games. Confidence helps to build continuity. This is what Mazzarri is looking for against Cagliari. Cagliari have never won away this season. If not now to make three wins in a row, when? Inter to win.
Inter-Cagliari, Sunday the 23rd of February at 16:00 EET

Catania is the other side in Serie A that has never managed to grab the three points away. Some weeks ago they managed to grab their first point away when they held Inter 0-0 at San Siro. In Parma came the second point for the 'Rossoblu'. Chievo is the side that has been collecting the littlest tally of points on their own ground: a mere 8. Everything would hint at a peaceful draw, however, the boost coming from the win over Lazio, could give to Maran's side something more. Have Catania winning at Chievo.
Chievo-Catania, Sunday the 23rd of February at 16:00 EET

Our fifth and last tip is for the 'Derby della Mole', the Torino city clash, Juventus vs. Torino FC, the 'Bianconeri' vs. the 'Granata', the zebra vs. the bull. Everything seems to hint at Juventus winning the challenge. However, Torino have recently been back in business with a series of convincing performances, finally yet importantly, the comeback at Hellas last weekend (from one nil down to three one up). Immobile and Cerci are in full swing and could create some troubles to the Juventus defence, which is also the national team line. A 'drill' ahead of the Brazil World Cup that might earn them points for a call-up in the summer. Go for both teams to score.
Juventus-Torino, Sunday the 23rd of February at 18:30 EET