Outside90’s Joshua Scarcella breaks down the major talking points to come out of Serie A matchday 32.
Possession aplenty as Miroslav Klose passes fifty
Lazio’s trip to Sicily turned out to be rather successful one, which was a much needed result considering their recent performances, struggling to keep a hold of eighth position on the table and finding it increasingly difficult to move any further toward a Europa League position.
The match at the Stadio Renzo Barbera enabled I Biancocelesti to hold 68% of possession over the home side in the one sided affair, their highest total of any match during the current season and quite surprising considering the team’s counter-attacking style of play. In addition to this, the visitors were able to keep Palermo to only one entry into their attacking penalty area during the entire first-half, a welcomed defensive statistic for a team lacking in quality.
It was also a memorable night for the veteran Miroslav Klose, who took his Serie A tally past 50 goals in 135 appearances for Lazio, placing him equal seventh on the list for number of goals scored in the Serie A.
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Tuscan derby sees a 30 year record broken
A struggling Fiorentina who were winless in their previous six appearances headed into the Tuscan derby needing a positive showing to kick-off the run to the finish line.
Three points for La Viola in the Tuscan derby would have all but assured a minimum of Europa League football in the 2016-17 season and despite dominating in the opening 20 minutes of each half, it was the home side who would take away all three points from the clash. Fiorentina were correctly denied two goals for offside after mounting a massive 22 shots toward the opposition net.
The 2-0 win for Empoli not only meant a win in the derby for the first time since 1997, but also their first home win against their neighbours since 1986, breaking a thirty year long record.
Gianluigi Buffon puts on a clinic as Daniele Rugani notches up 50 matches
The fixture between Milan and Juventus is touted as one of the biggest games of the season, both in Juventus stadium but perhaps all the more popular within the walls of the San Siro.
This tie was no different, as Mario Balotelli would face the Turin giants for the first time in a Milan shirt and the Old Lady looking to keep the pressure firmly on Napoli in the race for the Scudetto.
Despite the fiery striker’s impressive performance for the Rossoneri, it was Gianluigi Buffon who stole the show with an incredible four saves, including a goal line denial from a Balotelli free-kick and a double save off the boots of Carlos Bacca and the former Liverpool front man.
The match was also Daniele Rugani’s 50th in the Serie A at both Empoli and Juventus, becoming the first Serie A defender since 1994-95 to make that many appearances and not receive one caution, an unusual statistic for a player in his position.
Mauro Icardi rounds out a record week of 50s
The Nerazzuri would have been desperate for three points in order to keep their place in Europe safe for next season as they travelled to Frosinone.
In a relatively even match (not taking into account the possession figures) Mauro Icardi was the difference between the two teams as he joined in on the record breaking week, notching up 50 goals in just 100 Serie A appearances.
The Argentine now has 14 goals this season and despite not being able to repeat the Capocannoniere performance of the previous campaign, he will still be content considering his influence on matches has not quite reached a similar standard.
50/100 – Mauro Icardi has scored 50 goals in 100 appearances with Inter. Goleador. pic.twitter.com/nEt4Z4Tlr2
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 9, 2016
Injustice for Roma as their title hopes are all but over
The Giallorossi’s resurgence since the beginning of 2016 has caught the eye of many and given the both Juventus and Napoli plenty to think about at times, pressuring them not to slip-up.
Leaving their title run a little too late, two drawn matches in their last three now means Juventus only need one more win from the remaining six matches to ensure Roma do not win their third Serie A title.
A nightmare game in the capital saw the home side enter their attacking penalty area 50 times over the 90 minutes, with Bologna only managing six for the night. Mohammed Salah’s frustration of hitting the post on three seperate occasions can best sum up Roma’s performance, which will now see them battle with Napoli for the remaining secure Champions League position for next season.
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