The Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up #3: Motta is finished, Serie B is alive and Milanese comebacks
Welcome to this week's wrap-up, where I give my thoughts on all the ups, downs and round and rounds from a weekend of Calcio fun.
Well, then. Another week of calcio drama. Both Milan teams come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2, Napoli narrowly get past Fiorentina and Atalanta demolish Juventus. All of this whilst Venezia save a draw in the 95th minute and Parma gain a valuable point in the relegation battle. Serie B’s top two teams drop points whilst all of the bottom three win, turning the Lega on its head and blowing open doors at the top and bottom. Welcome back to The Tuesday Calcio Wrap-Up. Strap yourselves in because I’ve got some stern words for certain individuals.
Thiago Motta is FINISHED
Okay, maybe that is dramatic. He’s not finished entirely. At Juve, though? Absolutely. A 4-0 drubbing from Atalanta piles onto the already stacked-up evidence that Motta’s time at Juventus will inevitably end. Whether it’s now or at the end of the season, who knows? But if they were to stick with him beyond this season then I’d be dumbfounded. The display against Atalanta was criminal. They were picked apart by a Gian Piero Gasperini masterclass. If it hadn’t been for Michele Di Gregorio in nets, it could have been a lot, a lot worse. Ederson bossed the midfield, Ademola Lookman was dangerous and even Sead Kolašinac got in on the fun with an incredibly clever backheel to set up Davide Zappacosta. It seems like Motta has given up. No identity, no structure. He’s lost his way, abandoning the ethos that made him so respected as a coach when he was at Bologna. It doesn’t help when Dusan Vlahovic slips and falls, playing through on goal one of the most dangerous wingers in world football - Ademola Lookman.
It’s not 100% on Motta, though. The signing of Lloyd Kelly is proving to be one of the worst I have ever seen. €20 million for him and he’s consistently performing terribly, week in and week out. I’m not sure I’ve witnessed a player seem more out of his depth than Kelly at Juventus. Whether that’s on Cristiano Giuntoli or Thiago Motta, whoever made that decision needs sacking for that alone - never mind everything else.
The project has ultimately failed at Juventus, to be honest. Thiago Motta has to be and will be, sacked. Who they bring in next is a huge question. Roberto Mancini seems a good match given he will be able to deal with the almost toxic environment taking over the club. Rumours are circulating that Max Allergi is on their shortlist, which is baffling and, if hired, will be seismic for the project given they’d most likely need to sack Cristiano Giuntoli, too. Whatever the cause for the failure - Motta, the players, the environment - Juventus are at a critical point. Another wrong move for the club could prove catastrophic.
Pisa lose, Sassuolo draw and the bottom three pick up points
Serie B is one of the most entertaining leagues on the continent. And this season, we’re seeing a stunning battle at the top and an equally exciting relegation battle, too. This weekend, Sassuolo dropped points at home to Bari, opening the door to 2nd placed Pisa to close the gap. However, Pippo Inzaghi’s men missed that opportunity, losing away to an Esposito brother-fuelled Spezia despite being 2-1 up. Spezia go within three points of Pisa, closing the gap on those automatic promotion places. Another slip-up from the Tuscan team and Spezia could find themselves in the driving seat to go up. At the other end of the table, Cosenza win 1-0 against Reggiana, giving them a slither of hope of survival. Frosinone and Salernitana both won as well, Meaning any team from 10th down are not entirely safe from the drop. An incredible relegation battle ahead, especially with the likes of Sampdoria and Brescia in the mix, too.
Milan, the city of comebacks?
Milan were 2-0 down against Lecce and things looked as though they were going from bad to worse for the Rossoneri. But a Christian Pulisic inspired comeback saw them rescue all three points away from home, crucial as they try to make up the gap on the European places. Champions League looks increasingly unlikely for them but, to save face, they need to at least get into the Europa League.
Their city counterparts also found themselves down 2-0, but at home to bottom placed Monza, making a loss here even more embarrassing than their rivals’ would have been. Same picture though, with the Nerazzurri turning it around to take the three points - a vital moment in their title race. Antonio Conte was probably licking his lips seeing Monza 2-0 up but as their story goes this season, Monza collapse and take home nothing. Doomed.
Napoli are bringing back the big man/little man strike partnership
Napoli secured a huge victory this weekend, beating Fiorentina at home to continue their pursuit of the Scudetto. They currently sit one point behind leaders Inter, which is incredibly promising - especially following their dip in form post-January transfer market. The switch to a 3-5-2 from Antonio Conte seems to be bringing some success for the team and even more for Giacamo Raspadori. He has been linking up brilliantly with Romelu Lukaku and did again at the weekend with the Belgian setting up Jack’s eventual winner. It’s a wonderful ode to years gone by of seeing a big striker partner a little striker. Nostalgia merchants, rejoice.
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