It’s 10 things time again. Here we go!
1. Officiating At The Supercoppa Italiana
When Juventus and A.C. Milan faced off in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, for the Supercoppa Italiana, it was supposed to be a showcase for Serie A. Instead of a memorable match between two of the peninsula’s giant clubs however, it descended into a complete farce thanks to some woefully inept refereeing.
As discussed in this column, the match official, Luca Banti, and his team were both inconsistent and indecisive when it came to the use of the video assistant referee, getting some calls absolutely right then bizarrely opting not to employ the technology in an almost identical situation just minutes later. Supporters, players and coaches deserve better.
2. Zaniolo & El Shaarawy Having Fun For Roma
This past few days or so has been pretty heavy going for fans of Serie A (more on that later), but Roma delivered a much-needed shot of brevity over the weekend. First, their game with Torino on Saturday was a thrilling affair, punctuated by yet another wonderful performance from Nicolò Zaniolo.
A goal and some sublime touches from the 19-year-old almost saw him become Roma’s story of the weekend, until Stephan El Shaarawy decided to get in on the act. Bagging the winning goal against Toro was a start, but rocking up to watch Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump at a snooker tournament in London made it even better.
El Shaaraway at Ally Pally for the snooker on a Sunday night after scoring the winner for Roma against Torino yesterday is a vibe. The vibe. pic.twitter.com/BMq2zdE1Wt
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) January 20, 2019
“I love snooker,” the striker told BBC Sport at the event. “I watch it all the time. These two are my favorite players.” You couldn’t make it up!
3. Sassuolo’s Perfect Game Plan
Gianni Brera — arguably the greatest journalist who has ever covered Serie A — once offered the theory that the perfect football match would end 0-0. While he might not have been impressed with Inter’s slow, unimaginative approach against Sassuolo, the visitors at San Siro delivered an immaculate performance to secure that precious stalemate.
The Neroverdi were perfectly prepared for the Nerazzurri’s usual approach, with Sassuolo boss Roberto Di Zerbi setting up his side to continue their excellent recent record against their hosts. This marked only the fourth point Inter have collected in the last nine meetings with Sassuolo. Brera would love such a streak!
4. Kalidou Koulibaly’s Suspension
After being sent off for sarcastically applauding the referee during Napoli’s recent match with Inter, Kalidou Koulibaly, who was being racially abused by Nerazzurri supporters at the time, was handed a two-match ban. His club appealed against that punishment, leading to the Senegalese defender speaking to the disciplinary panel of the Italian FA to explain what he was feeling during that most unsavory incident.
Rather than show compassion and understanding, the FIGC upheld the ban, meaning that Koulibaly will indeed sit out Napoli’s upcoming fixtures. A strong statement from the Partenopei was issued, and it spoke to the deep embarrassment that anyone connected to the sport felt in that moment.
“Koulibaly, football, the institutions, everyone emerges from this situation feeling humiliated,” said Napoli communications director Nicola Lombardo. “Removing Koulibaly’s ban should’ve been logical regardless of the regulations and red tape. Football dies in this world, because football is first and foremost passion, a passion that unites millions of people all over the world, and cannot be mocked in this manner.
“This evening, a great opportunity was missed. Unfortunately, we received confirmation that there is a lot still to be done and much still to be changed.”
That is undeniable, and a terrible stain on Serie A was made worse.
5. Lucas Paquetá Showing Off
With a number of key players absent due to injury (Giacomo Bonaventura), suspension (Franck Kessie) or a burning desire to join Chelsea (Gonzalo Higuain), A.C. Milan knew Monday’s game with Genoa would be difficult.
Two more factors combined to make the task even more arduous; first was the improvement in their opponents since Cesare Prandelli became coach, and secondly, the Monday afternoon kickoff time made it impossible for most fans to attend.
Genoa once again gave a good account of themselves, but by full time, the Rossoneri had secured a 2-0 victory and returned to the top four. All in all it was a good day’s work, made even better by this ridiculous piece of skill from new signing Lucas Paquetá — it’s just a shame more people didn’t get to see it!
Still 0-0 between Genoa and AC Milan but Lucas Paquetá is making sure it's entertaining with some Brazilian flare ???️ pic.twitter.com/G6hJIgVry3
— Strive Sport (@strivesport) January 21, 2019
6. Duvan Zapata... Again
Last week, Duvan Zapata almost single-handedly pushed Atalanta into the Coppa Italia quarterfinals as his goal and assist ensured they defeated last-16 opponents Cagliari. This weekend he was back at it again with a ridiculous performance away to Frosinone, bagging four of his side’s five goals as they demolished the unfortunate Canarini.
The haul means that the Colombian striker not only continued his Serie A scoring streak, but it means he has now netted 15 goals in his last 11 appearances. Not bad for a player who moved from Sampdoria in the summer after seemingly becoming surplus to requirements with the Genovese side.
“King Duvan” writes Monday morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, after the Atalanta forward scored FOUR this weekend to make a tally of 14 goals in his last 8 matches pic.twitter.com/iRa0e7SQkz
— Chloe Beresford (@ChloeJBeresford) January 21, 2019
7. Fabio Quagliarella’s Goal Streak
Selling Zapata might have been a major mistake from Samp, but they won’t mind too much given Fabio Quagliarella’s recent form. The veteran striker bagged two more goals against Fiorentina this weekend, meaning his has now struck in 10 consecutive league games, one short of Gabriel Batistuta’s Serie A record.
It is an impressive run from Quagliarella, who thoroughly enjoyed putting one of his many former clubs to the sword on Sunday, but it wasn’t enough to help the Blucerchiati to victory as they were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw.
8. Luis Muriel Sticking It To His Ex
Speaking of Colombian strikers who used to play for Samp, Luis Muriel made a fine impression on his home debut for Fiorentina this past weekend, too. Helping the Viola in that aforementioned clash with his former club, the 27-year-old, who arrived earlier this month on loan from Sevilla, was crucial to the result.
Having already opened the scoring, Muriel looked on as his new side conceded an equalizer and had a man sent off. He then decided to intervene, taking off on a counterattack that left the entire Sampdoria team trailing in his wake, eventually slotting the ball into the bottom corner to claim a truly spectacular goal.
LUIS MURIEL DOES IT AGAIN! HERO pic.twitter.com/pfv4tGSjpc
— Parą (@Paracelsus) January 20, 2019
“Luis seems a little heavy after the winter break,” Sampdoria boss Marco Giampaolo told Sky Italia after the match, invoking the age-old move of claiming your ex has piled on the weight after she left you. Not buying it!
9. SPAL Ultras Trolling Mattia Destro
While Zapata, Muriel, and Quagliarella seem unable to miss, SPAL fans did not pass up the opportunity to remind Mattia Destro of perhaps the worst miscue of his career. When the Bologna striker faced them last term, he somehow managed to blow this simple chance in injury time, with his side trailing their local rivals 1-0.
I tifosi della Spal ricordano il clamoroso errore di Destro l’anno scorso #SpalBologna pic.twitter.com/nDWDemviXE
— Dario Ronzulli (@DaRonz82) January 20, 2019
Relishing the chance to rub salt in the wound on Sunday, supporters at the Stadio Paolo Mazza unveiled a wonderful tribute to the fluffed open goal, much the chagrin of the hapless Destro.
10. Juve Set-Piece magic
For most of the 90 minutes, particularly outside the first two goals, Juve’s Monday evening game with Chievo was a dour affair. The visitors arrived in Turin seemingly well aware they were already beaten, while the Bianconeri barely got out of second gear in making sure that they took care of business.
It was an exceedingly dull game, but with just five minutes left came one particularly enjoyable moment. Cristiano Ronaldo shaped up to take a free kick on the edge of the Chievo penalty area, then left it for Federico Bernardeschi and trotted off towards the far post.
DANIELEEEEEEE RUGANI!!!! #JuveChievo pic.twitter.com/VsHanJ9yJ9
— VecchiaSignora.com (@forumJuventus) January 21, 2019
His arrival in the box caused complete confusion for the defense, with Bernardeschi then able to pick out an unmarked Daniele Rugani for an simple goal that had very obviously been drawn up on the training ground.
Perhaps now the same effort could go into a routine for corners?
Adam Digby is an Italian football writer for FourFourTwo, The Independent, and elsewhere. Author of "Juventus: A History In Black & White." Follow Adam on Twitter.