Serie A Matchday 22 Round-up – Inter’s title to lose
Was this the weekend where Inter Milan took full control of the Serie A title race despite failing to win themselves?
For so long, Simone Inzaghi’s side have looked like the best team in the country and they recently celebrated their victory in the Supercoppa Italiana over Juventus. However, a trip to Atalanta on Sunday night saw their lengthy winning streak finally draw to a close, opening up a massive opportunity for AC Milan to return to the top of the table as they took on Spezia on Monday evening.
Did they take it? Here’s a round-up of all the action across Italy on Matchday 22 of the 2021/22 Serie A season.
Atalanta thwart Inter
A tactical battle of the highest order played out in Bergamo on Sunday night as the champions visited Atalanta. The stalemate was one of the most entertaining goalless draws you’re likely to see this season as both goalkeepers produced brilliant saves to keep clean sheets.
The contest was all about Inter attempting to mitigate against Atalanta’s heavy man-orientation and watching Simone Inzaghi and his brilliant group of players trying to find solutions was fascinating to watch.
The Nerazzurri were perpetually interchanging in a bid to thwart La Dea’s intensity, but the hosts did a stellar job of stifling the proficient visitors. In the end, a draw was more than fair and Inter will be more than satisfied with the point considering Monday night’s result at San Siro.
Milan stunned by Spezia
Milan fell further behind their crosstown rivals in the Scudetto race as they were controversially stunned by a resurgent Spezia on Monday evening.
The marvellous Rafael Leão had seemingly set the Rossoneri on their way to a comfortable triumph on the stroke of half-time, but Spezia’s Kevin Agudelo pegged the hosts back just after the hour.
Milan pushed for a winner and they should’ve had won late on through Junior Messias. However, the Brazilian’s strike was nullified due to the referee failing to play advantage following a foul on Ante Rebic. Zlatan Ibrahimovic then hit the bar before Stefano Pioli’s side were dealt the ultimate sucker blow in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Emmanuel Gyasi slid home a dramatic winner for the visitors.
The stunning defeat leaves Milan two points adrift of Inter at the top having played a game more than the Nerazzurri. The Rossoneri now have Napoli breathing down their necks once more after they eased to a 2-0 victory at Bologna.
Top-four hopefuls all win
Juventus’ 2-0 triumph over Udinese was matched by their fellow top-four hopefuls on Matchday 22.
On Saturday, Lazio eased past Salernitana in Salerno 3-0 thanks to a Ciro Immobile brace. The Italian was joined at the top of the Serie A scoring charts by Dusan Vlahovic, who scored a deft chip in Fiorentina’s 6-0 thrashing of Genoa on Monday night. The highly sought-after Serb had earlier been outwitted by Salvatore Sirigi from the spot as his attempted Panenka was saved by the wily veteran.
While Genoa were pitiful, Fiorentina’s victory was a celebration of Vincenzo Italiano’s progressive ideals. Cristiano Biraghi also scored a pair of wonderful free-kicks.
In addition, AS Roma were lifted to an imperative three points by January arrival Sergio Oliveira, who scored the game’s only goal as the Giallorossi edged past Cagliari, ending their unbeaten start to 2022.
Best of the rest
Goals were aplenty at the Mapei as Hellas Verona beat Sassuolo 4-2 on Sunday. Antonin Barak stole the show with a hat-trick while Juventus target Gianluca Scamacca was on the scoresheet for the defeated hosts.
Elsewhere, Venezia drew 1-1 with Empoli, offering them some respite in their bid for survival, while Roberto D’Aversa finally got the sack after his Sampdoria side were beaten 2-1 at home by Torino.
Il Toro are now up to ninth in the Serie A table and they’ll be dreaming of securing a place in Europe next season. Ivan Juric is working his magic once more.