Milan, Napoli and Hellas Verona were among the most severely hit clubs by COVID and injuries, but they still played yesterday, obtaining outstanding results against direct opponents.
The Rossoneri snatched a 3-1 win against José Mourinho’s Roma despite having their starting centre-backs and centre midfielders out of action.
Fikayo Tomori and Alessio Romagnoli are believed to have caught COVID, Simon Kjaer is injured, while Franck Kessié, Ismael Bennacer and Fode Ballo-Touré are on Africa Cup of Nations duty.
Pierre Kalulu and Matteo Gabbia started at centre-back and played an ‘extraordinary game’, as Stefano Pioli said at the end of the game.
Napoli picked up a draw against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium despite being without Victor Osimhen, Mario Rui, Alex Meret, Hirving Lozano and Kevin Malcuit who have COVID, same as coach Luciano Spalletti.
Fabian Ruiz was injured, Kalidou Koulibaly and Zambo Anguissa are on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Nevertheless, they were given the green light to play against the Bianconeri, so they travelled to Turin and held Juve to a 1-1 stalemate.
President Aurelio De Laurentiis praised his footballers and coach Spalletti after the game.
“Thanks to the team, the staff and Spalletti who, even from far away, sent important messages to his lads,” he wrote on Twitter.
“Despite the many absentees, Napoli proved to be a team to beat.”
Hellas Verona also deserve a mention. They travelled to Spezia without eight players positive for COVID, more than Torino and just as many as Bologna, who were ordered into quarantine by their local health authorities.
Igor Tudor’s side are already one of the most surprising teams in Serie A this season and collected a 2-1 away victory that sees them move 14 points above the relegation zone and just five points behind a European spot.
Great from these teams. True fighters, even if they may not win trophies, they won hearts.
It’s easy for you to say if referee is on your sides.
Roma complained because it happened a LOT and OBVIOUSLY, someone somewhere trying to give advantages to certain teams. It’s obvious, doesn’t take a genius.
serie-A is losing trust
Quite a simplistic take on a complicated matter,
Theo Hernadez never complains or dives
Play and dont complain!
Watch the game and stop crying.
I honestly thought Milan were going to get battered. Very proud of what was a makeshift team at best. We scored 3 but we created a lot and hit the woodwork 3 times, plus an uncharacteristic penalty miss from Ibra. If lady luck was on our side we could’ve had 7 or 8.
Meanwhile Inter haven’t played and might get a 3-0 over Bologna by default… 🙂
Gerry.. we hit the post twice and should also have had another penalty on krunic.. stop talking nonsense and take it like a man, you got demolished nothing else (with half of our team gone)