'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Week 24 of Serie A got off to an early start as Milan returned to winning ways in slipping past Bologna 1-0 on Friday, courtesy of the mercurial talents of front man Mario Balotelli.
Fiorentina and Inter went toe-to-toe in Tuscany a day later in a contest crucial for both sides’ ambitions of European football, whilst the lunchtime kick-off on Sunday saw the upset of the round as Lazio fell to bottom-feeders Catania.
And, finally, Roma and Napoli kept pace with runaway leaders Juventus as best they could later on with a pair of clean sheet triumphs. Following are the top five stats from the latest action in the Italian top flight.
1. Super Mario bails out Milan
Matters looked to be going the same way they have done for the entirety of the season for the Rossoneri against Bologna – a dominating territorial performance with little to show for it.
Clarence Seedorf’s men had maintained 61% possession and completed 331 more passes than the Rossoblu by the 85th minute, yet managed to create only five chances to the visitors’ six.
Balotelli had been particularly frustrated with a lack of service at the fore of the Milan attack, unable to even test the goalkeeper as the match appeared to be trickling out to a draw.
But the Italy international produced a moment of sheer brilliance to snatch a crucial three points for his club just four minutes from full time, hitting a dipping strike from 43 yards out for his fifth goal in six games across all competitions.
2. Inter take their chances in Tuscany
The Nerazzurri hadn’t strung together consecutive victories since early November prior to Saturday’s encounter – at last breaking a five game winless streak the previous round opposite Sassuolo.
Struggles through the end of 2013 and into the new year had left Inter far afield of Champions League football – Fiorentina remaining in the hunt themselves – but still in with a chance at taking away a consolation prize of Europa League participation.
And it was Walter Mazzarri’s men that took a step forward at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday, netting twice on eleven total shots and hitting the woodwork a further time in a 2-1 triumph.
The Viola couldn’t take care of business despite claiming 56% possession and limiting their opponents to just 73% pass accuracy, requiring a soft goal past Samir Handanovic to even get on the scoresheet.
3. Ill-tempered battle suits relegation battlers
After serving as Serie A’s underdogs last term, Catania have endured a bitter campaign that has left them languishing at the foot of the table heading into the weekend.
Yet the Elefanti emerged from week 24 just a point adrift of safety as their bid to avoid relegation seems to finally have taken off – Lazio having left Sicily bruised both physically and mentally.
Rolando Maran’s men struck more than two goals for just the fourth time this season in shooting down the Aquile, but the contest was most characterised by flaring tempers and a lack of discipline.
The two sides committed 37 fouls between them – Lazio guilty of 22 – as six yellow cards were handed out over the course of the 90 minutes.
4. Napoli’s everything men
Rafael Benitez’s men were live as they traveled to the Mapei Stadium to take on Sassuolo, putting in an energetic display to run out 2-0 winners.
Out wide on the left in attack Lorenzo Insigne – under fire from his hometown supporters of late – was absolutely irrepressible in notching a goal from five shots, adding four key passes and an impressive six interceptions.
Meanwhile, on the right side of the back line Christian Maggio ran roughshod over the Neroverdi as well, winning 100% of a combined nine tackles and headed duels whilst tallying seven interceptions and clearances each.
Insigne’s Performance Score of 65 on the day represents a personal high for the current campaign, whilst Maggio’s 61 sits second only to the figure of 75 he turned in on January 12 against Hellas Verona.
5. Roma’s midfield masterclass
With Francesco Totti sidelined due to injury the creative onus fell squarely on Miralem Pjanic’s shoulders with Sampdoria visiting the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday.
And the Bosnian certainly delivered – exhibiting just why suitors have cropped up all over Europe in pursuit of his services – taking Man of the Match with a Performance Score of 88.
The 23-year-old’s heat map shows the immense amount of ground he covered in bossing the midfield, making use of his vision on the ball and exploiting space masterfully when out of possession.
Pjanic completed 93% of his passes – playing three key balls – succeeding in five of six take ons and striking a dipping free-kick in a masterful display that has kept Roma’s slim title hopes alive ahead of the stretch run.
