In our weekly feature, here on Italian Football Daily, we take a look at the weekend performances of Italian players currently based in the top two divisions in England.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE ITALIANS
Graziano Pelle (Southampton)
Pelle continued his excellent form this season by scoring Southampton’s third goal in their 3-1 win away to Chelsea. That strike takes his goal tally for the season to seven, and is welcome news for the Azzurri ahead of their upcoming UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying fixtures against Azerbaijan and Norway. In addition to weighing in with a goal, Pelle was also involved in Southampton’s first two goals, providing assists for Steven Davis and Saido Mane, as the Saints ran out deserved winners at Stamford Bridge.
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)
After playing several games at left back for the Red Devils, Darmian reverted back to his customary right back slot for Manchester United’s visit to Arsenal. Darmian was replaced after 45 minutes having endured a torrid first half during which he struggled to cope with the pace and movement of Arsenal’s Chile international, Alexis Sanchez. United found themselves 3-0 down after 20 minutes, with Sanchez grabbing two goals, and Darmian picked up a booking during that period; his fourth yellow card in eight league games this season. His recent form will be a worry for fans of United and the Azzurri, but the international break will hopefully provide Darmian with timely relief from the hustle and bustle of the Premier League.
Fabio Borini & Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
Borini started for Sunderland for the third game in a row, as Sunderland hosted a West Ham United side with one of the best away records in the Premier League. Borini acquitted himself well, and his movement off the ball and link-up play with Steven Fletcher almost carved out several openings. Borini will, however, rue the one-on-one chance that he missed which would have made the score 3-0 to the Black Cats, as West Ham managed to secure a 2-2 draw, taking control of the game once Sunderland were reduced to ten man early in the second half.
Mannone was an unused substitute in this fixture.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham United)
Ogbonna did not make West Ham’s match day squad for their game away at Sunderland as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. He is likely to return to the West Ham squad after the international break.
Alessandro Diamanti (Watford)
Although Diamanti was named on the substitutes’ bench for Watford’s 1-1 draw away to newly-promoted Bournemouth, he did not make an appearance despite the Hornets’ seeking a late winner.
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP ITALIANS
Federico Macheda (Cardiff City)
As has been the case for each league game this season, once again, Macheda did not make Cardiff’s match day squad for the game against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Diego Fabbrini (on loan from Watford) & Michael Agazzi (Middlesbrough)
After coming off the substitutes’ bench and scoring the final goal in Middlesbrough’s 3-0 win against Leeds last week, Fabbrini was rewarded with a place in Boro’s starting line-up for their game away to Reading. Despite his best efforts, Fabbrini was unable to make an impact on the game and was substituted after 70 minutes.
Agazzi did not feature in this fixture.
Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Marco Silvestri & Tommaso Bianchi (Leeds United)
Leeds United hosted promotion hoprefuls Birmingham City at Elland Road on Saturday, but crashed to a 2-0 defeat. After last week’s 3-0 defeat away at Middlesbrough, only Silvestri, of the Italian contingent started the game, with Antenucci and Bellusci dropping to the substitutes’ bench. Antenucci came onto the pitch with 23 minutes with Leeds 1-0 down and chasing an equaliser; despite some positive movement and creating several chances for himself, the 31 year old was unable to prevent The Whites losing their third game in four games.
Despite conceding two goals, Silvestri once again made some excellent saves, although his kicking and command of his area was suspect and sometimes put unnecessary pressure on his defence.
Bellusci was an unused substitute, whilst Bianchi is still not yet deemed to have fully recovered from surgery on his knee back in July, and was not selected for the match day squad.
Fernando Forestiere (Sheffield Wednesday)
After missing Sheffield Wednesday’s 2-1 win away at Brentford last week, the Italy U-21 international returned to the starting line-up for Wednesday’s home game against Preston North End. Although he did not get on the scoresheet in The Owls’ 3-1 victory, Forestiere had an influential role during the 85 minutes he was on the pitch, providing the assist with a nice lay-off for Wednesday’s opening goal just before half-time.
Francesco Pisano (Bolton Wanderers)
After making his debut for Bolton Wanderers in their 2-2 draw at home to Brighton & Hove Albion last week, Pisano retained his place for Bolton’s visit to QPR. After a solid first half, Pisano was on the receiving end of a bad challenge in the 43rd minute and was replaced at half-time as The Trotters went down to a 4-3 defeat.
Gabriele Angella (Queens Park Rangers – on loan from Watford)
Although he was at fault for several of Fulham’s goals in QPR’s heavy defeat at Craven Cottage last week, Angella played the full 90 minutes as Queens Park Rangers defeated Bolton Wanderers 4-3 at Loftus Road. His inclusion in the starting line-up was much to the consternation of many QPR fans on social media, who have been unimpressed by Angella since he joined on loan from Watford. The former Italy U-21 international did nothing to regain the faith of the Hoops’ fans with yet another poor display at centre half, rounded off by being guilty of ball-watching for Bolton’s third goal.
Diego De Girolamo (Sheffield United)
Once again, De Girolamo did not feature in Sheffield United’s match day squad for their visit to Port Vale.
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