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
Claudio Ranieri (Manager – Leicester City)
Leicester City maintained their excellent run of form by defeating Everton 3-2, away at Goodison Park, on Saturday afternoon. The win saw Leicester stay top of the Premier League, and means that they will go into Christmas holding pole position. Leicester manager, Claudio Ranieri, was once again indebted to the prolific Riyad Mahrez, who scored twice from the penalty spot, and the work-rate of Jamie Vardy who played a key role in two of Leicester’s goals.
Given the form of the usual top-four contenders, it seems likely that Leicester will mount a serious challenge for the Champions League spots, if not the League title, and it would be folly to write them off given their consistency this season. If they are to maintain that challenge, then it is paramount that they keep the likes of Mahrez, Vardy, Wes Morgan, Kasper Schmeichel and N’Golo Kante all free from injury and out of the clutches of many bigger clubs who are already expressing interest ahead of the January transfer window.
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)
Matteo Darmian missed Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat at home to Norwich City due to the hamstring injury that he picked up against Wolfsburg in United’s defeat in the UEFA Champions League. He likely to be out until early January.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham United)
Angelo Ogbonna again put in an excellent performance as West Ham United drew 0-0 with at Swansea City. The draw was West Ham’s third clean sheet in succession, a run which coincided with Ogbonna’s return to the starting line-up after a long period absent with injury.
Ogbonna was once again West Ham’s key defender, and was called upon to make several decisive blocks in the first-half from shots by Bafetimbi Gomis and Gylfi Sigurdsson. Throughout the game, Ogbonna marshalled his team’s defence against the Swansea attacking threat, and if he continues to perform in this way, he will be attracting attention from Antonio Conte ahead of the Azzurri’s trip to the European Championships.
Graziano Pelle (Southampton)
Southampton hosted Tottenham Hotspur at St Mary’s Stadium on Saturday afternoon, looking to end a run of 5 games without a win. Graziano Pelle was restored to the starting line-up, after having to accept a place on the substitute’s bench in Southampton’s 1-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Although Southampton were a little lacklustre in the first-half, Pelle led their attempts to get back into the game in the second half. The Azzurri striker had a couple of chances, forcing Loris into a sharp save, before heading past the post from a cross by Cedric Soares. Despite his best efforts however, Pelle was unable to influence the scoreline, and Saints crashed to another defeat.
Fabio Borini & Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
Fabio Borini started the game on the bench for Sunderland, as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea in the Blues’ first fixture after the departure of their coach, Jose Mourinho.
With his side trailing 2-0, and having been comprehensively outplayed, Borini was introduced to the action at the start of the second-half, and made an immediate impact. He was Sunderland’s brightest performer during the game and gave Branislav Ivanovic and the Chelsea defence a tough second-half.
Although his side conceded again immediately after the break to trail 3-0, Borini got Sunderland back into the game converting from close range after Thibet Courtois, the Chelsea ‘keeper, palmed a long range shot out into his path. The goal was Borini’s first goal of the season, and he will hope that it earns him a consistent run in the team with a heavy fixture load coming up over the Christmas and New Year period.
Vito Mannone was an unused substitute in this fixture.
Alessandro Diamanti (Watford)
Alessandro Diamanti was, once again, an unused substitute in Watford’s 3-0 victory over Liverpool at Vicarage Road. The win saw Watford move up into seventh place in the Premier League table.
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)
Sheffield Wednesday continued their push for promotion with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday.
After a bad start, which saw them 1-0 down after 16 minutes, Wednesday were soon in front thanks to two goals from Fernando Forestieri. Forestieri’s first goal came from the penalty spot after his striking partner, Lucas Joao, was brought down in the area. His second goal was a deflected half-volley. Despite several half-chances, Forestieri was unable to make it a hat-trick, but despite that, once again he was the key influential figure as Wednesday emerged from a slight slump in form.
Diego Fabbrini (on loan from Watford) & Michael Agazzi (Middlesbrough)
Middlesbrough moved into first place in the Championship following a 3-0 win at home over promotion rivals, Brighton & Hove Albion. Diego Fabbrini started the game on the substitutes’ bench, and only got onto the pitch once ‘Boro were three goals ahead. As such, he had little chance to make an impact.
Michael Agazzi did not feature in Middlesbrough’s squad for this fixture.
Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Marco Silvestri & Tommaso Bianchi (Leeds United)
Massimo Cellino’s Leeds United played two games in four days over the weekend, first against Woverhampton Wanderers on Thursday evening, and then against Preston North End on Sunday.
Leeds travelled to Molineux on Thursday evening to play Wolves and ran out 3-2 winners, thanks to two goals from Sam Byram. Silvestri and Bellusci both played the full match, with the former once again making some crucial saves to ensure Leeds took home the three points. Antenucci was a late substitute, and had little chance to make an impact.
On Sunday, Leeds were 1-0 winners over Preston North End however, they were hugely indebted to Marco Silvestri for the win. Silvestri put in an outstanding performance, making three excellent saves in each half of the match, to keep the Preston strike force at bay. Bellusci also played the full match, and ably supported his compatriot with another solid performance. Antenucci was once again a substitute, and came on with only 7 minutes of the game left.
Tommaso Bianchi did not make the match day squad for either fixture.
Francesco Pisano (Bolton Wanderers)
Francesco Pisano was not included in Bolton Wanderers’ squad for their 2-2 draw at home to Fulham, on Saturday afternoon.
Gabriele Angella (Queens Park Rangers – on loan from Watford)
Gabrielle Angella returned to the QPR starting line-up under new manager Jimmy Floyd-Hasselbaink, as The Hoops were held to a 1-1 draw away at struggling Bristol City on Saturday afternoon. Angella put in a strong performance, although it wasn’t enough to help Hasslebaink to his first victory as QPR manager.
Federico Macheda (Cardiff City)
Federico Macheda was not included in the Cardiff City squad that fell to a 1-0 defeat away at Birmingham City on Friday evening.
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