The previous week saw two rounds of Serie A matches as Italy catches up following a belated start to the season. Inter began the first batch of fixtures with one manager and finished them with another, as Claudio Ranieri made the perfect start to his tenure with a 3-1 win at Bologna. Rodrigo Palacio continues to set the league alight with a series of devastating goal scoring displays, while some strong defensive performances from champions Milan sees two of their back-four in the WhoScored XI. Juventus and Udinese remain the only unbeaten sides in Italy’s top-flight, though with both sides returning just two points apiece over the two games, neither supply a single player in our All Star team. Here’s a look at three of the stand-out performers:
Senad Lulic, Lazio. WhoScored rating 7.5
The full-back came on as a 64th minute sub in Lazio’s 2-1 win at Cesena and produced a storming defensive display to help his side maintain their lead and pick up all three points. Despite playing just 26 minutes, Lulic produced 3 tackles –joint-top for his side- as Lazio grabbed their first league win of the season. Lulic, replacing Marius Stankevicius at the back, had 23 touches and made 10 passes, in addition to 1 interception and 1 clearance, for a WhoScored rating of 6.35.
His sterling defensive work saw him selected for the Lazio starting XI against Palermo three days later and, playing from left-back, he excelled in a man of the match performance. While his team mates –despite having a total of 15 shots- failed to find the net, Lulic made sure Palermo were also unlikely to score- the away side managed just 20% of attacks down his flank and failed to fire off a single shot from the Lazio left.
A look at Lulic’s stats show why- he made 5 tackles and 7 interceptions –the most of any player in both categories- in addition to 2 clearances as he defied the Palermo attacks time and again. Indeed, his direct opponent, Nicolas Bertolo, had no shots or key passes, and made a mere 1 dribble and cross before being subbed off in the 59th minute, with Lulic completely in control.
The player position map (above right) shows Lulic (19) pushed forward on the left and he had 104 touches, the most of any player, as well as making 60 passes with an impressive 88% accuracy as he foraged forward with intent. He fired in 9 crosses from the left flank –Lazio had 38% of their attacks down his flank- and produced 3 key passes in a superb all-round display, earning him a rating of 8.64 from WhoScored.
Stevan Jovetic, Fiorentina. WhoScored rating 8.1
The winger’s first game last week saw him pick up 2 goals in the 3-0 home thrashing of Parma. Playing left in Fiorentina’s 4-3-3, 43% of his side’s play came down Jovetic’s side of the pitch, compared with just 29% on the right. As the player position map (below left) shows, this was in part due to Juan Vargas (6) bombing forward from left midfield in support as the pair combined to give Parma right-back Cristian Zaccardo a torrid time- the defender made just 1 tackle, made 3 fouls and picked up a yellow card and a rating of just 5.84.
Parma were completely overwhelmed and managed just 5 shots to their hosts’ 13, with none on target and just 42% possession. Jovetic pulled the strings throughout, firing off 3 shots, with two on target hitting the net, and he also made 3 key passes, setting up chances aplenty for his team mates, as well as producing 2 successful dribbles for a man of the match rating of 9.24.
His following appearance was in the 0-0 draw at Napoli. This time Jovetic played in the middle of the front three with Vargas on his left and though Fiorentina managed far more chances than their hosts – 12 shots to 6- the goalless scoreline was still commendable. With Napoli dominating possession, he still showed a willingness to battle- 4 tackles were joint-top for his side- and Jovetic also had the most attempts (3) on goal. In possession, he made 35 passes, producing 3 through balls as he looked to create, but managed just 1 key pass.
A total of 2 successful dribbles bothered the Napoli back-line and it’s no surprise to see he was the most fouled (3) player from the visiting side. Though neither side found the net, Jovetic’s overall display still saw him pick up a match rating of 6.91, far superior to the much-lauded Edinson Cavani (5.78) from the home side. So far this season, he’s the eleventh top-rated player in Serie A (7.56) and his 3.5 shots per game is only beaten by Antonio Di Natale (4.5) of the top twenty players in WhoScored’s ratings.
Rodrigo Palacio, Genoa. WhoScored rating 8.7
Top scorer in Serie A and the top-rated player in the WhoScored rankings, Palacio has had an outstanding start to the Italian domestic campaign. Genoa’s two games last week saw them win 3-0 at home to Catania before falling to a 2-1 defeat away to Chievo, but Palacio can’t be faulted for his displays, scoring three times (2 & 1) over the course of both games.
At home to Catania, as this player position map (right) highlights, Palacio (8) played in a far more advanced role than strike partner Andrea Caracciolo (99) in his side’s 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Typically, such a position can leave a forward isolated and somewhat peripheral to the play but Genoa got the ball forward as much as possible and Palacio had 70 touches, the fourth-highest of any team mate, highlighting his involvement. He also made 4 tackles, an indication of his strong work ethic and willingness to work for the team- only right-back Cesare Bovo (5) made more.
In possession, he demonstrated an eye for goal that has fired his side to third in Serie A so far- Palacio had 5 shots, all on target, with 2 hitting the back of the net. He also made 1 key pass, grabbing an assist, and picked up a perfect 10 and man of the match award for his performance.
Palacio continued his brilliant run of form in Sunday’s game at Chievo. His 48th minute goal fired Genoa into the lead but a 58th minute red card for Genoa centre half Dario Dainelli turned the match and, subsequently, ended Palacio’s chances to further impress. Genoa coach Alberto Malesani decided to shore things up defensively and Palacio was withdrawn on 61 minutes as his side tried to hold on to their slim advantage.
Although Genoa had 50% possession, Palacio’s withdrawal meant he managed just 30 touches and 21 passes, though again showed his deadly shooting accuracy, scoring with his only shot of the game. Despite playing just over an hour, Palacio picked up a rating of 7.42 in the defeat and his displays so far have been brilliantly consistent- he has scored or assisted in every match so far and is also the joint-top player for assists in Serie A after four rounds of matches.
