AC Milan were annihilated by Inter in one of the most dominated derbies ever, Roma won 7-0 against Empoli, Juventus did it easy against Lazio, while Frosinone won in a great way against Sassuolo: this and much more over the latest Serie A weekend. Let's see what happened...
MATCH OF THE WEEK - INTER 5-1 AC MILAN
The most anticipated match of the week, but also the most surprising in terms of outcome and especially the proportions of the result. The match between Milan and Inter was one-sided, and the total dominance of the Nerazzurri at times was even greater than the score suggests.
Simone Inzaghi now knows how to beat Stefano Pioli and it is five consecutive derbies that Inter has had the better of Milan. Five derbies in a row, as Daniele De Rossi said a few years ago, after five derbies won by Roma against Lazio, "like Real Madrid-Rayo Vallecano".
The Nerazzurri won 5-1. Among the major protagonists without any doubt were Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, a new acquisition and a key player for the balance of Inzaghi's team. The latter a player of a rare football intelligence, held back by age and some aches and pains, but still of an above-average level, in quality and ability to read the moments of the match.
Davide Frattesi's gesture to the opponents, who mimicked the gesture of the 4 (the goals scored up to that point, before making the fifth, precisely scored by him), has caused much discussion: several journalists in Milan have judged negatively his choice, but Frattesi is Roman and that gesture in the past was made by a legend like Francesco Totti (against Juventus), which probably was the motivation.
In any case, Frattesi is showing the first glimmers of his talent, yet to be explored and fully inserted into Inzaghi's chessboard. It was a weekend to forget for Milan, despite the goal scored by Rafael Leao on an assist from Olivier Giroud. One thing is certain: Pioli will definitely have to turn things around in the upcoming derby, otherwise things will get very difficult for him in MIlano.
SURPRISE OF THE WEEK - GENOA 2-2 NAPOLI
Napoli managed to grab a draw in the final minutes of the match, but Rudi Garcia's team came very close to a heavy defeat against Alberto Gilardino's Genoa.
The trio Ruslan Malinovskyi, Mateo Retegui, and Albert Gudmundsson is undoubtedly among the best in Serie A, but it was objectively difficult to imagine a 2-0 lead with a quarter of an hour left in the match. Instead, this was the case: first a goal by Mattia Bani, then Retegui's goal, Genoa were ahead by two goals at minute 56. Napoli's day was saved by Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori, who managed to grab the equaliser, thus giving a point to his teammates, who really had to win after the bad defeat against Lazio.
Not the start that Napoli fans expected, about that there is no doubt. As usual, Genoa's best performer was Gudmundusson, a player of crystalline talent.
TEAM OF THE WEEK - AS ROMA
After the heavy home defeat against AC Milan, Jose Mourinho and his boys were obliged to win and even by a wide margin against Paolo Zanetti's Empoli. For the first time this season, the Portuguese coach was able to send the Lukaku-Dybala duo onto the field from the first minute, as well as Renato Sanches in midfield.
Well, the new dream duo of Roma fans did not betray, quite the contrary. The Argentine immediately unlocked the match by scoring from a penalty kick, one minute after the opening whistle, then came the goal of Renato Sanches, who despite not being at his best showed what he is worth and what he can give to his team if he is well.
The game immediately took the right track for the Giallorossi, when an own goal by an Empoli midfielder also arrived. Roma's talent exploded in the second half: Paulo Dybala scored a phenomenal goal, one of his own, with a double dribble inside the box, after a prolonged possession of almost 2 minutes by the whole team. Then Bryan Cristante scored again, just before the goal scored by Romelu Lukaku, who after working for a long time tactically for his team found the joy of the goal, his first at the Olimpico.
Before the end of the match Gianluca Mancini's goal also arrived. A historic 7-0 that cost Zanetti his job. When Mourinho has every top player (Pellegrini, Dybala, Lukaku, Renato, Aouar…) available he won't have any excuses: he will be obliged to win.
MANAGER OF THE WEEK - EUSEBIO DI FRANCESCO
One match after another, Serie A 2023-2024 is turning out to be, at least for the moment, Eusebio Di Francesco's season. The Frosinone coach has given a clear, delineated, and strong identity to his team, which plays boldly against any opponent.
Last weekend's rival was Alessio Dionisi's Sassuolo, with Samuele Mulattieri and Andrea Pinamonti (two former Frosinone players) in the line-up: in the 24th minute Sassuolo was ahead by two goals, thanks to Pinamonti's double. Before the end of the first half, Walid Cheddira scored from a penalty kick, giving Frosinone hope.
In the second half, the Ciociari took control of the match, scoring three goals and hitting the post twice. In six minutes Luca Mazzitelli scored twice, turning the match around, and the first goal was sensational. In minute 96 came the 4-2 goal, making the match a celebration in its own right, scored by Pol Lirola.
Di Francesco is doing a great job at Frosinone and is finally showing his true worth, which was not seen in the last few failed experiences but was first at Sassuolo and then Roma.
