Another action-packed weekend in Serie A and what is threatening to be the most open title race for years.
After a decade of Scudetto domination by Juventus, briefly brought to an end by big-spending Inter Milan last season, the race in 2021/22 seems wide open with recent bridesmaids this time feeling that, just maybe, they can become a bride.
This was no more evident than on Saturday as two clubs who have enjoyed better times showed character to fight back and display credentials that have often been lacking.
Sarri has something!
I have to admit, Maurizio Sarri reminds me of a combination of Claudio Ranieri and Marcelo Bielsa – a manager of undoubted ability but not someone who is consistent enough to be considered among the elite of football bosses.
And let’s be honest, when his new Lazio team fell behind to reigning champions Inter Milan inside 12 minutes in the Stadio Olimpico – Ivan Perisic scoring from the spot after Nicolo Barella was fouled in the box – many would have thought the club from the capital was in danger of sliding further away from the leading pack.
Yet this capital clash was always set to deliver teatime thrills and it did not disappoint.
The scoreline did not alter until after the hour mark but boy then did it change.
When Barella’s cross-shot flashed across the face of the goal, Lazio didn’t seem to be threatening but then a corner was headed by Patric and struck Alessandro Bastoni on the hand.
The Inter defender argued he was jumping and his hand was in a natural position but the referee was unmoved and Ciro Immobile converted to equalise, meaning the Nerazzurri have still kept just one clean sheet in the top flight so far this season.
Then came the key moment – although Inter can hardly claim genuine controversy as they initially continued playing after Federico Dimarco went down injured.
Once substitute Lautaro Martinez saw an effort saved by Pepe Reina, Lazio went up the other end and Immobile’s shot was beaten into the path of Felipe Anderson who put the hosts in front.
Inter were furious and a melee broke out but the goal rightly stood.
As Sarri noted post-match, there really was no debate and Lazio took full advantage of Inter’s anger – by this time the decision had got to a number of their players – in stoppage time as Luis Alberto floated a free-kick onto the head of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who continued his superb scoring record against Inter.
The tension remained after the final whistle when Luiz Felipe was sent off for seemingly ‘mocking’ former teammate Joaquin Correa – although sense should dictate the card should be rescinded as he appeared to be just joking with his friend, even if his timing was lousy.
For Inter and Simone Inzaghi, who spent over 20 years at Lazio between his careers as player and coach, a first defeat of the season.
Rossoneri have resilience
There are no doubts that AC Milan have had much better sides, both technically and player-for-player, than its class of 2021.
What the Rossoneri have in abundance under Stefano Pioli, however, is character and that was in abundance at the San Siro on Saturday night.
In a match of Serie A highlights for the neutral – and some contentious decisions – Hellas Verona started brightly.
Unbeaten since Igor Tudor took over with two wins and two draws, they took an early lead when Miguel Veloso pounced on a poor clearance and knocked the ball into the danger zone where Gianluca Caprari was waiting to pounce.
Their lead had been doubled by midway through the first half when a collision was deemed a foul and Antonin Barak converted from the spot.
The injury list grew even more for Pioli when Croatia international Ante Rebic limped off 10 minutes before the break with a muscular issue.
Yet Milan have spirit and veteran Olivier Giroud headed home a Rafael Leao cross before two goals in three minutes turned the tide.
There was less than a quarter of an hour remaining when Samu Castillejo was adjudged to have been brought down and the ever-reliable Franck Kessie netted the second spot-kick of the night.
Almost immediately Castillejo sent over a cross and Koray Gunter got into a tangle with his own feet and kicked the ball into his own net.
The comeback was complete and Milan were top – for almost 24 hours anyway.
Perhaps the SBOTOP Serie A betting odds should be considered and Milan as Scudetto winners isn’t crazy after all.
Cagliari are up and running
It has been a while coming but the Sardinians are off the bottom and now have something to smile about.
Geraldino dos Santos Galvão scored after four minutes and again deep in stoppage time, around a deflected Martin Caceres strike – and a Morten Thorsby diving header for Sampdoria – to get lift-off.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
