3 Key Matchups to Watch This Serie A Weekend
Serie A is ready to restart after the international break.
This week gives us several interesting fixtures. In particular, matches between Napoli and Inter, and Fiorentina and Lazio could go a long way toward deciding how far those clubs will go in the race for European places.
Here are the key matchups that could decide those games, plus a bonus from Saturday's top vs. bottom clash.
Domenico Berardi vs. Kwadwo Asamoah/Patrice Evra
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Domenico Berardi's 2013-14 season was incredible in every sense of the word. In only his second professional season he scored 16 times and notched three hat-tricks—one of only five men in Europe to have that many last year.
By a strange quirk of fate, however, Berardi managed to get himself suspended for both of Sassuolo's games against his parent club, Juventus.
Berardi was the best player on the field in Sassuolo's 1-1 draw against Cagliari in the opening weekend of the season. The next week, however, his immaturity came to the fore again and he was sent off for elbowing Inter's Juan Jesus in the head.
That resulted in a three-game suspension—after which Berardi returned as though he hadn't missed a beat. He scored twice in the Neroverde's 3-2 loss against Lazio.
He now finally has a chance to show Juventus—who own the other half of his rights—what he can do firsthand.
And he may be a candidate for a big day. Juve's 3-5-2 has allowed them to reign over Serie A for the last three years, but the formation has proven weak against top-level wing play. Berardi, one of the best up-and-coming wingers in the game, could feast if Massimiliano Allegri doesn't find a way to compensate.
Manning the left wing-back position opposite Berardi will be either Kwadwo Asamoah or Patrice Evra. The two players have split the starts on the left this year, but the younger and faster Asamoah might stand the better chance at keeping Berardi at bay. Whoever plays on that side will likely be heavily assisted by Giorgio Chiellini behind them.
If Sassuolo are going to steal points, it's going to be through their wunderkind. Whoever plays opposite him will need to mark him close in order to reduce his impact.
Hernanes vs. Marek Hamsik
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Inter has some serious problems in the midfield.
Football Italia reported Thursday that no fewer than three of Walter Mazzarri's top central midfielders are question marks for Sunday's clash against Napoli.
Mateo Kovacic left Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifier early this week with a groin injury. Gary Medel had two teeth knocked out and needed stitches on his tongue in Chile's set of friendlies. Fredy Guarin bruised his foot in Colombia's international fixtures.
With the midfield depleted, Brazilian international Hernanes becomes crucial. If his teammates aren't able to play, he will be the man who will orchestrate Inter's attack.
On the other side, the all-important battle for the midfield will be led by captain Marek Hamsik. The Slovakian international will likely be riding a wave of confidence after his performance during the international break. Last Thursday, his country logged a massive upset of defending European champions Spain. Three days later, Hamsik scored a brace en route to a 3-1 win against Belarus.
Hamsik and Hernanes are both offensive-minded midfielders. They won't be looking to do any stopping. This battle is going to be won by the player who can overwhelm the other midfielders opposing them and allow his team to dictate the game's terms. Both players will be capable of the feat—and whichever of them can do it will put their team in the driver's seat.
Antonio Candreva vs. Marcos Alonso
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Marcos Alonso has quietly become one of the best players on Fiorentina's roster. According to WhoScored.com, the Spanish left-back leads the team in tackles per match (3.2) and is decimal points away from leading in interceptions as well (2.6 to Gonzalo Rodriguez's 2.7).
Alonso's defense will be key for La Viola this week. He'll be lining up across from Antonio Candreva, who has two goals and three assists so far this year and is coming off a man-of-the-match performance against Sassuolo before the international break.
Candreva is probably Lazio's best player, and the best way to ensure three points against the capital club is to control his impact on the field. Alonso has been one of the best left-backs in the league this season, and he is one of the players best positioned to put the shackles on the Italy international.
Whoever wins this side of the field will go a long way to taking a major step toward the top five.
