Outside90’s Joshua Scarcella casts an eye over the five best individual performances to come from the midweek Serie A action.
Dries Mertens (Napoli vs Bologna)
The Belgian has been used as a rotational player over the season, with Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon preferred in the wide roles of the starting XI. This has not allowed Mertens to make the impact he perhaps would like and unfortunately the timing of his stunning performance against Bologna will most likely amount to no reward.
A hat-trick from the 28-year-old was the talking point of the match, especially goal number three, which was a rocket from outside the area that gave Antonio Mirante no chance to keep it out.
Key Stats
93% Passing Accuracy
Three Key Passes
Five Shots on Target
One Assist
Three Goals
READ MORE: Serie A – What We Learned – Matchday 34 [VIDEO]
Emiliano Viviano (Sassuolo vs Sampdoria)
The veteran goalkeeper had some competition for the best shot-stopper of matchday 34 honour, however, he outshone them all. He completed a massive eight saves in the game against Sassuolo, while his team played most of the contest with 10 men after Andrea Ranocchia was sent off in the 27th minute.
The home sides 23 shots with eight on target terrorised Viviano but he was up for the challenge, his efforts included a saved penalty off the boot of Domenico Berardi.
Key Stats
Eight Saves
One Penalty Saved
Paulo Dybala (Juventus vs Lazio)
‘La Joya’ is turning out to be just that in his first season with Juventus, finishing the round second behind Higuain as the Serie A’s top goal scorer and with eight assists for the season.
He added two goals to his account against Lazio, converting a rather controversial penalty to put the Bianconeri 2-0 ahead, then finding himself on the end of a fantastic play set up by Mario Mandzukic to score using his right-foot for the first time in his entire Serie A career, not the most convincing of finishes it has to be said.
Key Stats
88% Passing Accuracy
Four Dribbles
Six Shots on Target
Two Goals
Nicola Rigoni (Chievo vs Frosinone)
The season for the central-midfielder has not quite followed the same pattern as that of his team. Perhaps the most consistent player in the squad next to Massimo Gobbi, Rigoni’s height and and efficiency of passing makes him an almost a certain starter most weeks for the Gialloblu.
It was these same characteristics that were on display after Frosinone got a jump start on the home side, but after winning control back of the match the 25-year-old put the result beyond doubt into the second-half when he chipped the goalkeeper from 30-yards out.
Key Stats
86% Passing Accuracy
Seven Tackles
Three Interceptions
One Shot on Target
One Goal
Manolo Gabbiadini (Napoli vs Bologna)
Another member of the Napoli squad who has enjoyed little game time over his first full season with the club is Gabbiadini. Unlike Mertens, injuries have plagued the Italian. which has also affected his chances at selection for the national team.
His replacement for the suspended Gonzalo Higuain was a justified move as he scored his first Serie A brace after 143 attempts in the top division, latching onto a wonderful through ball and converting a penalty to take Napoli into the break 2-0 ahead.
Key Stats
87% Passing Accuracy
Three Dribbles
Three Shots on Target
Two Goals
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