Serie A: Top players of round 18 (Part 1)
Serie A was back in action last night as we had some enthralling games on our hands. Calcio teams failed to disappoint as a host of players remained true to their potential.
Bettor.com highlights the key performers from match day 18:
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Cagliari-Calcio-c38716)
The Italian keeper displayed inspired goalkeeping to keep Rossoneri attack at bay. AC Milan were expected to steamroll the Isolani but Agazzi produced a man of the match display on the night.
In the first half, Michael thwarted Robinho with a brilliant diving save, and that was just an indication of things to come. Later in the same half, Agazzi produced arguably the save of the season so far by palming away an Alexandre
Pato rocket from point blank range – the Brazilian striker was left shocked on the pitch.
These saves might have been impressive, but the real highlight was the way Agazzi dominated his area. The custodian orchestrated his defence with aplomb, and was desperately unlucky to be on the losing side.
Fernando Muslera (SS http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775)
On July 10th, 2007, AC Milan visited Stadio Olimpico in Rome to play SS Lazio. The Aquile had a young shot stopper keeping the gloves for them; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fernando-Muslera-c13690. The then 21-year-old was given a thorough beating as Rossoneri
won the game 5 – 1. Many called for the goalkeeper to be offloaded as the Uruguayan visibly looked shaken.
Three years down the lane and Muslera is emerging as one of the best goalkeepers in Italy. Last season, the youngster was a one-man wall at times. This season has been a little different. Lazio are in the Serie A top four and Muslera
has a huge part to play in that.
Last night, Muslera reigned supreme once again. The 24-year-old made stunning saves on http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Rossi-c23739 to earn Aquile a priceless point.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Davide-Astori-c10639 (Cagliari Calcio)
Davide Astori is one for the future. Fans and pundits might be crying over the fact that Italian defenders lack the quality to match their legendary predecessors; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Fabio-Cannavaro-c13164 and Paolo Maldini. However, the
new batch of centre backs; http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Andrea-Ranocchia-c5708 and Davide Astori, gives hope to the Azzurri supporters.
Against AC Milan last night, Astori displayed all the traits necessary to become the next Azzurri stalwart. Tackling, anticipation, power and excellent game reading ability, Astori has the aforementioned champion qualities in abundance.
If reports are to be believed, AC Milan see the youngster as the natural heir to the legendary Alessandro Nesta. Judging by the powerful performance Astori delivered against his childhood club, Rossoneri would do well to seal a
deal at the earliest.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Motta-c34897 (Inter Milan)
Leonardo wanted inspiration from his troops to start a new chapter, and he received just that. However, the inspiration came from the most unlikely of sources; Thiago Motta – Leonardo won’t complain. The Brazilian had been struggling
with injuries this season and hardly played a game under Rafa Benitez. With attack-minded Leonardo in charge, former Barcelona midfielder relished all the freedom.
Inter Milan thrashed http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 last by a 3 – 1 score line and Motta scored a brilliant brace. His first goal was a brilliant team goal that portrayed the paradigm shift underway at San Siro; free flowing Brazilian football, and his
second was an otherworldly header that left Iezzo with no chance.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Inter-c39567 Milan were without a host of stars for this game but judging on Motta’s last night performance, he is there to stay in the first team – if he doesn’t get injured that is.
Continued in Part 2...
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