In our weekly feature, here on Italian Football Daily, we take a look at the performances of the Italians currently based in the top two divisions in England.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE
Claudio Ranieri (Manager – Leicester City)
Leicester City and Claudio Ranieri continue to lead the Premier League after a hard-fought 1-0 win against Newcastle United on Monday.
Whilst the teams are 18 places are apart in the league table, the appointment of Rafa Benitez as manager on Friday afternoon changed the dynamics of a fixture that one would ordinarily have expected Leicester to have won.
Leicester’s match-winner was the unsung hero, Shinji Okazaki, who scored a tremendous bicycle kick from a Vardy header. Okazaki epitomises Leicester’s work-rate, constantly leading from the front, and pressuring opposing defences and forcing them to relinquish possession with long balls down field.
After the game, Ranieri spoke to the media, indicating that:-
“It wasn’t the best performance from us but we showed fantastic spirit. We defended very well. It wasn’t nervy in the second half, the team was so close and compact.
“I feel now that I am just concentrating on the next game against Crystal Palace. We are so strong, we think only one game at a time. Step by step, that is our philosophy.
“We are fighting for Europe and then maybe with four or five matches left, maybe we are fighting for the Champions League. I want to fight every match.”
Matteo Darmian (Manchester United)
Matteo Darmian was only a late substitute as Manchester United were held to a 1-1 draw by West Ham United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup Quarter Final on Sunday afternoon. Darmian had little chance to impress, and the regular selection of Guillermo Varela ahead of him will cause Antonio Conte some worries with Euro 2016 fast approaching.
Angelo Ogbonna (West Ham United)
Angelo Ogbonna played the full 90 minutes as West Ham United drew 1-1 at Manchester United in the FA Cup Quarter Final on Sunday afternoon. The draw means the side will replay the match at Upton Park in 10 days.
Ogbonna continued his excellent form, standing firm amidst some good movement from the United strikers, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. If Antonio Conte isn’t already watching Ogbonna closely, he should. His form deserves a place in the Azzurri’s squad for Euro 2016.
Graziano Pelle (Southampton)
Before Southampton’s trip to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon, Graziano Pelle had not scored for twelve Premier League games, and his drought was beginning to worry Antonio Conte with Euro 2016 only 3 months away.
Within 30 minutes, those doubts and worries were all but eliminated as Pelle found the net twice. Pelle showed the sharpness that has seen him become a first-choice for the Azzurri, and his first goal was an excellent header from a corner after eleven minutes. Pelle’s second goal was outstanding, as he linked excellently with Dusan Tadic for a one-two, before curling the ball into the bottom corner past Jack Butland.
Francesco Guidolin (Manager) & Alberto Paloschi (Swansea City)
Francesco Guidolin’s Swansea City moved further clear of the relegation zone on Saturday following their 1-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday afternoon. Once again, Francesco Guidolin missed the game as he recovers from a serious chest infection.
In his absence, his team twice came from behind to level the match, but lost to a goal twelve minutes from time.
Former Chievo striker, Alberto Paloschi, led the line gamely but with little effect and failed to get on the scoresheet, although he did trouble Bournemouth ‘keeper, Artur Boruc with a sharp volley just before Bournemouth scored their winner.
Fabio Borini & Vito Mannone (Sunderland)
Sunderland had no fixture this weekend due to their scheduled opponent, Everton, being involved in the FA Quarter Final fixtures.
ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP
Fernando Forestieri (Sheffield Wednesday)
Sheffield Wednesday travelled to Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon, hoping to maintain their challenge for a Championship play-off place. After missing the last couple of games through suspension, Fernando Forestieri returned to the starting line-up and he had a key role in Wednesday’.
Diego Fabbrini (Birmingham City)
Diego Fabbrini was an unused substitute in Birmingham City’s 0-0 draw with local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday afternoon. The striker has hardly featured since he joined The Blues at the end of the transfer window.
Mirco Antenucci, Giuseppe Bellusci and Marco Silvestri (Leeds United)
Leeds United travelled to promotion chasing Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday, attempting to record a third win in 7 days.
After yet another good performance, Leeds ran out deserved 2-1 winners, with Mirco Antenucci adding the second goal to seal the win. Antenucci has been the catalyst for Leeds’ turn around in fortune, scoring four goals in the last 3 games, and has made a point to the manager, Steve Evans, after he was not selected for several games at the end of February.
Bellusci and Silvestri also played the full game, and the latter saved well just before Antenucci scored Leeds’ second.
The win takes Leeds to twelfth in the table, and amazingly puts them twelve points of the play-off places with a game in hand.
Gabriele Angella (Queens Park Rangers)
Gabriele Angella played the full ninety minutes as Queens Park Rangers mounted a late surge for the play-off places, with a 3-0 victory over Brentford on Saturday afternoon.
Federico Macheda (Nottingham Forest)
Federico Macheda moved from Cardiff City to Nottingham Forest on loan late on Friday, and was not registered in time to play in their 3-0 defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Macheda will be hoping that tis move kick-starts his career again, which has been in the doldrums since the success in the early days of his time at Manchester United. He is still young and has plenty of time ahead of him to rectify matters and one hopes his career experiences a resurgence.
Michael Agazzi (Middlesbrough)
Michael Agazzi was an unused substitute in Middlesbrough’s 2-0 defeat at relegation threatened Charlton Athletic on Sunday afternoon.
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