Ciao ragazzi! We are back to deliver more of the fantacalcio content you love and need ahead of round 22 Serie A action on the peninsula, but let’s briefly recap what happened last weekend.
AC Milan grinded out a 0-1 win over Brescia on the road, with super-sub Ante Rebic delivering yet again off the bench the decisive goal to seal the victory.
Atalanta thrashed Torino 0-7 on Saturday, with Josip Iličić stealing the show with an impressive hat-trick that included a goal from near midfield.
Radja Nainggolan returned to the San Siro to face his former club Inter, scoring a goal later in the second half to give Cagliari a point in a 1-1 draw. Roma and Lazio also played out to a 1-1 stalemate in their latest Derby della Capitale, with Thomas Strakosha and Pau Lopez each committing regretful errors which led to goals.
In the weekend finale, Napoli stunned league leaders Juventus with a 2-1 win at the San Paolo. Lorenzo Insigne and Piotr Zielinski each found the back of the net which held up in the end despite Cristiano Ronaldo striking for the eighth straight match.
Here are our five players to consider adding this week in fantacalcio.
Cengiz Ünder (MID, Roma, Value 5.95) – The Turkish winger was subject of a possible swap dead involving Milan for Suso, but will ultimately be staying put for the remainder of the season. Despite all the speculation in the media surrounding a move, Ünder turned in a stellar shift in Roma’s 1-1 draw vs. Lazio, toying with Senad Lulic and executing nine successful dribbles on the night. The Giallorossi will pay Sassuolo a visit on Saturday and we can expect Paulo Fonseca to give the little Turk the starting nod, making him another solid fantasy play at 5.95.
Josip Iličić (MID, Atalanta, Value 24.00) – The 32-year old Slovenian attacker has been firing on all cylinders since he arrived in Bergamo several years ago. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini has turned a player with untapped potential into a versatile attacking star in a matter of a few seasons and one who can simply do it all. The languid playmaker destroyed Torino last weekend for three goals, putting him on 13 for the season in 17 games. At this point, Iličić is a must play regardless of opponent, and this weekend just so happens to be one we could see him demolish yet again. Start the former Palermo man on Sunday at home vs Genoa.
Radja Nainggolan (MID, Cagliari, Value 17.41) – After being forced out of Inter this past summer by Antonio Conte, Radja’s rebirth back at Cagliari has been sensational to watch on a week to week basis. The former Roma man came back to haunt the Nerazzurri last weekend with a goal that resulted in a 1-1 draw, giving him five goals on the season to go with a further five assists. The Sardinians have been through a rough patch lately, but perhaps the point against a title contender serves to go a long way in Cagliari staying in the EL hunt until the very end. They host Parma who are clipping at their heels in 7th, so expect Nainggolan to come good with a top performance.
Karol Linetty (MID, Sampdoria, Value 9.92) – Sampdoria’s season has been an utter nightmare with few bright spots to delight in as they continue to work out from their current 16th place position. However, Karol Linetty can be considered of the squad’s most consistent performers who has also turned into a leader under Claudio Ranieri. The Polish midfielder is showing a little bit of everything he offers in a sturdy, robust frame; good dribbler, solid tackler and the occasional eye for goal. The 24-year old scored twice and added an assist during his previous three matches, leading us to believe Ranieri will allow him to take up a bit more responsibility. Sampdoria host Napoli on Monday, and Linetty could be a worthy play in a match featuring a lot of fellow countrymen.
Rafael Leão (ATT, AC Milan, Value 8.37) – Due to Krzysztof Piatek being sold definitively to Hertha Berlin this month, the Portuguese forward now has secured his starting spot alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the remainder of the season. Because of this, Leão should only continue to improve and grow as a forward, with hopes of boosting his offensive numbers playing off the Swede in a 442. Despite having just two goals, the 20-year old’s silky dribbling and evasiveness in the final third makes him an intriguing option to watch the rest of the way. Milan host Verona at San Siro on Sunday, a match that could be the start of the youngster’s rise ahead of next weekend’s derby vs Inter. There is upside in adding Leão on a low-cost move.
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