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Balde Diao Keita (R) with his teammate Eddy Onazi of SS Lazio celebrates after scoring the second team’s goal during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and SSC Napoli at Stadio Olimpico
Week 14 in Serie A drew to a dramatic close on Monday evening with a pair of thrilling contests that saw a whopping 13 goals scored between them as Fiorentina and Napoli ran out winners to consolidate their positions in the top five. Juventus extended their lead at the top of the table at the weekend with a last-gasp victory as Roma dropped points with a fourth straight draw, whilst Erick Thohir’s first match at San Siro was spoilt by a late stalemate for Inter and Antonio Cassano hit a career milestone in the Derby dell’Emilia. Following are the top five statistics from the round gone by in the Italian top-flight.
1. Cassano hits the century mark
The controversial hitman struck his 100th goal in Serie A with a rasping volley to make sure honours were even in the Derby dell’Emilia between Parma and Bologna, reaching the benchmark at 31 years of age.
Many were skeptical of Ducali president Tommaso Ghirardi’s choice to bring in a player that hadn’t spent more than one season at a club since departing Sampdoria in 2011, further having left every side he’s ever been employed by in his career under acrimonious circumstances.
Yet despite his persistently poor attitude and often-reprehensible behaviour, Cassano has produced the goods for the Tardini outfit in hitting six goals to date and creating the most chances in the Italy’s premier division with 41.
Whether the man known as ‘Fantantonio’ is worth the troubles that come along with his undeniable talent is a debate that continues to rage to this day, 13 years after his professional debut in 1999, but his Performance Score of 396 and 10 Squawka ‘Best’ Awards certainly speak volumes about just how important he’s been to Parma this season.
2. No defending required in Florence
Fiorentina and Hellas Verona looked destined to play an end-to-end contest Monday evening in Tuscany considering the attacking nature of their respective coaches’ tactics, and the 4-2 victory for Vincenzo Montella’s men certainly lived up to its billing.
The offensively-minded sides created 21 chances between them and rifled in a combined 34 shots, with the Viola succeeding in 19 of 25 take ons whilst the Mastini countered with 10 of their own in 18 attempts.
Defending simply wasn’t part of the order of the day, as just 15 tackles were made at the Artemio Franchi, the hosts coming away with possession in the challenge at just a 57% clip and the visitors turning in an even more meagre rate of 54%.
Catenaccio was simply nowhere to be found as seven goals hit the back of the net through the 90 minutes, with fifth place Fiorentina placing a five point cushion between themselves and their Veronese opponents in the table courtesy of the victory.
3. Higuain key to Napoli resurgence
The Partenopei were struggling badly of late heading into week 14’s encounter with Lazio in the Italian capital, having lost three straight in all competitions whilst scoring as single goal in 270 minutes of football.
Higuain hadn’t rippled the net through Napoli’s barren stretch, last hitting a brace in the southern giants’ October 6 Champions League triumph over Marseille, but powered Rafa Benitez’s side back to winning ways with a delightful double on Monday night.
The Argentine’s Heat Map shows how his incisive, intelligent movement proved a threat to great to deal with as he completed an efficient two take ons, one in the build up to each of his goals, en route to Man of the Match honours.
4. Roma awaiting Totti’s return
Rudi Garcia’s charges haven’t scored more than one goal in six consecutive matches now, a stretch that coincides with Totti’s spell on the treatment table for the capital club.
Roma struggled to create and carve out space in the first half of their draw with Atalanta on Sunday, making only two key passes in the opening 45 minutes and failing to work out an attempt on goal in the penalty area despite being territorially dominant.
Only when the Giallorossi’s fitness advantage took over down the stretch were they able to fully express their quality and truly take the game to the Orobici, but by then they’d fallen behind and needed a late equaliser to come away with a point.
Totti has increased his workload over the past weeks and appears to be nearing a return, a welcome sign for still-undefeated Roma, as the difficulties without his influence on the pitch are plain to see what with his renowned dual creative and scoring brilliance.
5. Fernando Llorente Juve’s hero
The Bianconeri racked up 27 shots, albeit 15 of them blocked, as they assaulted the Udinese ramparts in search of a winner whilst Gianluigi Buffon made several key saves to keep out the counter-attacking visitors.
Llorente looked hungry throughout, even showing off uncharacteristic creativity and flair with four key passes and three take ons, but found himself denied alongise his teammates.
Yet his quick reaction to head home Stephan Lichtsteiner’s mis-kick in second half stoppages proved decisive as he remained determined until the death and ultimately got his reward.
The Spain international’s strike was his fifth in as many games across all competitions for the Italian champions, as he continues to prove his worth in Turin following a tumultuous start to life with the Old Lady after joining over the summer.
