Outside90’s Joshua Scarcella breaks down the major talking points to come out of Serie A matchday 26.
Juventus winning streak comes to an end
March 8th 2012 was the last time Bologna was able to take any points away from a clash against the Bianconeri, but after this weekend’s inspired performance, this date has now changed.
Roberto Donadoni instructed his men to sit behind the ball and take their opportunities when they presented themselves. With perfect execution and a little bit of luck, the home side were able to frustrate the Turin giants and restrict them to register no shots on target for the match – the first time that has happened this season.
0 – Prior to today, the last time Juventus had ended a Serie A game without shot on target was in March 2011 (vs Milan). Stop. #BolognaJuve
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 19, 2016
Juventus’ winning streak, which has seen them climb all the way back up to the top of the table, has finally been broken with a sub-par performance perhaps as a result of their hugely important first leg Champions League home match against Bayern Munich lingering in the back of players’ minds.
Is the king of Rome about to be dethroned?
It is the storm that has been brewing since the beginning of the season, the 39-year-old has only made two starting appearances in all competitions this season and the question must be asked: is his time at the Giallorossi finally over?
In an interview with RAI, Totti stated, “I can’t stay at Roma like this. It hurts to be on the bench. I understand at my age that I play less, but ending my career like this is bad for me as a man and what I’ve given to Roma. I demand more respect for all I’ve done here.”
Luciano Spalletti reacted by telling the forward he was not required for the home clash against Palermo, to which the fans replied by chanting for Totti before the match. After the match, the manager made it clear that no one player was larger than the club itself, even if that player is the club legend. Watch this space for the striker’s contract negotiations in June.
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Kevin Strootman makes his long-awaited return
He has perhaps been one of the most unlucky players in world football over the last four years, all beginning just prior to the 2014 World Cup where the Dutchman missed the tournament due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury. He reappeared for the 2014-15 season, but only for a short time as he succumbed to the same injury. The nightmare continued while at training after returning from injury, once again needing knee surgery.
392 – Kevin Strootman's previous Serie A appearance dated back to January 2015 (vs Fiorentina): 392 days ago. Back. #RomaPalermo
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 21, 2016
Coming off the bench in Roma’s romp of Palermo, he was met with a fully deserved standing ovation from the home fans, later describing his experience as, “a joy to become a footballer again.” A favourite among the fans, a fit Strootman is a timely inclusion for Spalletti who is looking to continue the club’s climb back up the Serie A table.
Serie A seeing red in 2016
Due to the frustrating nature of the formations and systems employed by the majority of Serie A managers, disciplinary issues can arise from some of the players, especially if the referees feel control of the match is slipping from their grasp.
For the first time in 2016, matchday 26 produced five red cards over the course of the ten matches, with an amazing forty eight cautions also issued. Unfortunately for the fans, the result of this is slowed down play at times due to the constant stoppages which can ruin the entertainment.
Silvio Berlusconi in racial hot water yet again
It seems to be a regular occurrence for the ex-prime minister’s name and racial slurs to be mentioned in the same sentence, most of which seem to be directed at his current employee Mario Balotelli.
Berlusconi’s latest comments have landed him in hot water and have left the majority of punters confused whether the comment was intended as a bit of fun or if the filter was once again switched off.
The 79-year-old was discussing his desire of an all Italian Milan team at a function celebrating his 30 years as owner of the club, when he went on to describe Balotelli as “an Italian, even if he has taken too much sun.” The comments would be the last thing the on-loan Liverpool striker would want to hear as he pushes to be fit for first team selection after groin surgery.
Are Napoli losing that winning feeling?
Napoli have spent the majority of the season chasing the number one spot on the table, reaching the summit twice this campaign for the first time since 1990. September 2015 was the last time Napoli experienced a three-game winless streak, only dropping points on five occasions since then in all competitions, that is until now.
I Partenopei are currently on a three-game winless run in all competitions and with an upcoming, must-win second leg Europa League fixture against Villarreal, they must turn their performances around soon. Napoli’s in form striker Gonzalo Higuain has been kept quiet over the three matches, without adding to the score sheet on any occasion, a worrying sign for Maurizio Sarri.
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