In our weekly feature, here on Italian Football Daily, we take a look at the performances of Italians currently based in the top two divisions in England.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Claudio Ranieri (Manager – Leicester City)
Thanks to other results going in their favour, Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester City moved back to the top of the Premier League table after a comprehensive 3-0 win over Stoke City on Saturday afternoon.
The Foxes took the lead through a deflected Danny Drinkwater goal just before half-time, and the midfielder then turned provider as Jamie Vardy scored for the first time in eight games. The Argentine, Leonardo Ulloa, netted Leicester’s third goal following a tremendous piece of skill from Riyad Mahrez.
The win put Leicester three points clear at the top of the table, and Ranieri has started hinting that the club may look to strengthen their squad to maintain their title challenge.
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)
Matteo Darmian was again named in the starting line-up as Manchester United hosted a Southampton side still missing the injured Graziano Pelle on Saturday afternoon.
Darmian has been playing at left back over the past few weeks, and this game once again saw him play in a different position as United went to a three man defence for the first-half, before reverting to 4-2-3-1 in the second half. Darmian acquitted himself well, although was forced to go off with a rib injury after 70 minutes after a last-ditch challenge prevented a certain goal.
The Red Devils missed him in his absence, conceding a late goal as they fell to a painful 1-0 defeat, putting more pressure on manager, Louis Van Gaal.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham United)
Angelo Ogbonna was an unused substitute in West Ham United’s 2-2 draw at home to Manchester City on Saturday.
Graziano Pelle (Southampton)
Graziano Pelle missed Southampton’s 1-0 victory over Manchester United due to a knee injury picked up before the Christmas period.
Fabio Borini & Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
Fabio Borini and Vito Mannone both started Sunderland’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, as the Black Cats tried to kick-start their attempts to avoid relegation.
The Black Cats found themselves 1-0 down after thirteen minutes after Bournemouth took the lead from a Benik Afobe header which Mannone had little chance of saving. However, Borini played a crucial role in the Sunderland equaliser, as his wonderful pass pierced the Bournemouth defence and Patrick Van Aanholt fired home from 10 yards out just before the half-time whistle.
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)
Sheffield Wednesday were unable to record a fourth successive win against promotion rivals, Reading, on Saturday afternoon, as they were pegged back to a 1-1 draw after taking an early lead.
Forestieri had a hand in Wednesday’s goal as he deflected a cut-back into the path of Gary Hooper, enabling the striker to open the scoring. Despite much possession, Wednesday were unable to get that second goal, and Reading made them pay by equalising in the 74th minute. By that point, forestieri had been substituted, and was unable to help his team get back into the ascendancy.
Diego Fabbrini (on loan from Watford) & Michael Agazzi (Middlesbrough)
Diego Fabbrini did not feature in Middlesbrough’s 1-0 defeat at home to Nottingham Forest. The striker has now returned to parent club, Watford, amid rumours that he is about to sign a permanent deal with Birmingham City.
Michael Agazzi did not feature in Middlesbrough’s squad for this fixture, and one would expect him to move clubs during the transfer window.
Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci, Marco Silvestri & Tommaso Bianchi (Leeds United)
Massimo Cellino’s Leeds United continued their run of good form as they defeated Bristol City 1-0 on Saturday, that despite only having one shot on target in the whole match.
Marco Silvestre and Giuseppe Bellusci made the starting line-up, and the former was in outstanding form, keeping City at bay on numerous occasions including one fine save from Nathan Baker.
Antenucci only came on as an 86th minute substitute and therefore had little opportunity to impact the match.
Bianchi was not selected for the match-day squad.
Francesco Pisano (Bolton Wanderers)
Francesco Pisano was not included in Bolton Wanderers’ squad for their 3-1 win at home to MK Dons.
Given Bolton’s serious financial difficulties, it is likely that Pisano will leave during the transfer window, and rumours persist of interest from Atalanta, Ascoli and Crotone.
Gabriele Angella (Queens Park Rangers – on loan from Watford)
Gabrielle Angella was an unused substitute in QPR’s 1-1 draw away at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Federico Macheda (Cardiff City)
Federico Macheda was an unused substitute in Cardiff City’s 2-2 draw at home to Rotherham United on Saturday.
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