Benevento-Torino: the Sanniti were quite surprisingly routed by Crotone last week, making it the second 1-4 in a row after the more understandable one versus Atalanta and the third defeat in the past four rounds. The Granata decided to change the coach after the disappointing nil-nil with Spezia: they have shared the spoils four times in the past six rounds, winning and losing once: 1-1.

Roma-Spezia: the Giallorossi were unable to prevail the last two matches as they equalized with Inter and were manhandled by Lazio. They have generally been automatic against the minnows but the atmosphere within the club is very tense and the coach is under scrutiny. The Aquilotti have started a positive streak by beating Napoli and resisting against Torino: 2-2. Continue reading →

Atalanta: Mario Pasalic had a small set back in his return from sports hernia and will miss some more time.

Benevento: Marco Sau was hit with a two-game suspension for berating the referee. Roberto Insigne hurt his ankle/foot in the past game but he made the squad list and will be a late call. Gabriele Moncini (ankle), Gaetano Letizia (thigh) and Pasquale Schiattarella (COVID) are out. Iago Falque, Nicolas Viola and Luca Caldirola are available but not ready to start. Continue reading →

BENEVENTO-TORINO

Benevento (4-3-2-1): Montipò; Improta, Glik, Tuia, Barba; Hetemaj, Dabo, Ionita;  Tello, Caprari; Lapadula.

Potential lineup changes: Foulon for Tuia, Maggio for Dabo, Insigne for Tello.

Likely bench options: Falque, Viola,

Questionable: Insigne (foot).

Ruled out: Schiattarella (COVID), Letizia (thigh), Moncini (ankle).

Suspended: Sau.

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Lukas Skorupski (7 points): a strong performance by defenses in this round as there were nine eclean sheets, which must be a record for the ongoing campaign. Few goalkeepers shined thanks to monster saves, but the nod goes to the Bologna one as he provided the most crucial contribution since his side won by just one goal. His best intervention came on a close-range attempt by Nikola Kalinic.

Alessandro Bastoni (7 points): not only he contained rather easily any Juventus player that operated in his area with ease, but he uncorked a tremendous long pass that found Nicolò Barella in stride and set up the second goal that pretty much sealed the clash. Continue reading →

Standings implications: Inter emerged victorious in the clash with Juventus, but Milan answered on Monday by strolling past Cagliari. Some pretty surprising results in this round in all levels of the standing, especially in terms of romps as Lazio rocked Roma, Napoli demolished Fiorentina and the Crotone stunned Benevento. Atalanta could not break Genoa and Sassuolo managed to equalize only late with Parma. Bologna returned to winning ways against Verona, Sampdoria mounted a comeback in the date with Udinese, while Torino-Spezia ended in nil-nil tie.

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Lazio-Roma: the Biancocelesti are coming off two wins in a row and have lost just once in the past five rounds, so they are getting back on track. Just one defeat for the Giallorossi in the last seven and they held Inter to a tie last week, but that signature wins against a top team keeps eluding them: 1-1.

Bologna-Verona: the Felsinei have not been successful in eight games, where they have shared the spoils five times and were upended by Inter, Roma and lastly Genoa. Two wins in the last three tilts instead for the Scaligeri, versus Spezia and Crotone, plus a tie with Torino. They have been going strong on the road: 0-1. Continue reading →