A shortened version, because shortened was the Italian league weekend. Inter, Lazio, Napoli and Fiorentina were engaged in the Italian Super Cup and for this reason Bologna, Atalanta, Torino and Sassuolo did not take the field either. On the weekend of Daniele De Rossi's first match on the Roma bench, the match of the weekend was that between Udinese and Milan. Let's see what happened:
MATCH OF THE WEEK - UDINESE v AC MILAN
In the match played in Friuli, everything happened: game suspended for racist insults directed at Mike Maignan, who rightly chose to leave the field in protest, plus the balance of the match changed constantly.
In fact, first Milan had taken the lead with Ruben Loftus-Cheek's goal, then Udinese found the equaliser with Lazar Samardzic and then the lead with Florian Thauvin. Milan seemed to destined for defeat, but Luka Jovic and Noah Okafor changed the fate of the match by entering the field with the idea of overturning the result, and so they did.
First the equalising goal signed by the former Fiorentina striker, then the winning goal, signed by Okafor, who scored as if he was an experienced striker, waiting for the ball at the second post and being in the right place at the right time.
Lots of bad luck for Udinese, their performance would have deserved at least one point.
Before filing this match, however, it is necessary to strongly condemn what happened in the first half, with Maignan insulted by some ignorant racist. The Frenchman was brave and determined and he was right to leave the field, because indifference is not the answer, it is now clear, severe punishments are needed. Serie A must support Maignan and all those who, like him, decide to act in the right way against racists.
TEAM OF THE WEEK - DE ROSSI'S ROMA
As if he had never left. Daniele De Rossi's return to the Stadio Olimpico, this time as a Roma coach and not just as a fan, is like that of a son who comes home and, naturally, sits at the table with his siblings and parents.
Roma-Verona, however, was not just romance, it was not just an evening devoted to farewells to Jose Mourinho and chants for De Rossi, it was also a beautiful evening of soccer for Roma fans. De Rossi's hand was seen both in the choice of the scheme (the Giallorossi took the field with a four-man defense, no longer a three-man defense) and in the way Roma played, avoiding long balls to Romelu Lukaku: when that happened De Rossi yelled at his players not to do that, asking them to play the ball on the ground. More players involved in the offensive phase, so more quality and therefore Roma was more dangerous.
In the second half the problems and insecurities due to a complicated period came out: the team went down, De Rossi had to go back to the 3-man defense and Verona even managed to find the goal that momentarily reopened the game, even if it was thanks to a blooper from Rui Patricio. In the end, the Giallorossi held on and won the three points, the first of the new De Rossi era, so he was able to celebrate his return home with a victory.
The difference between his and Mourinho's ideas of soccer have already been seen, now things can only improve, game after game.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK - ZURKOWSKI
Symon Zurkowski returned to Empoli and in two games scored four goals. Not bad. The Polish man's impact has been devastating, and it was Raffaele Palladino's Monza, now on its fourth defeat in the last six games, that came at his expense.
As is often the case with Davide Nicola, his arrival on a new bench always and immediately produced results. Empoli welcomed the new coach a few days ago and the first results have already arrived: a 3-0 win that left no doubts.
It was a solid and convincing performance from the Tuscans, who thanks to the three goals scored by Zurkowski have moved closer to leaving the relegation zone, although the road is still very long. The first of the three goals was truly splendid, a joy for the eyes. On Zurkowski's talent will hang Empoli's hopes, that much is clear.
