Round nine showcased another superb round of Serie A action with a fiery derby in Genoa and a clash of two Serie A giants which may have given rise to a new star.
Simultaneously, this week could be crucial in future of certain Dutch coach whilst the relegation battle also tightened up.
Winner – Manuel Locatelli
What a first impression the teenager is making on fans of Serie A!
Earlier this month, he blasted in a stunner to make sure AC Milan got the better of Sassuolo winning 4-3 and on Saturday he wrote himself into the headlines as he fired another belter past a legend of the game in Gianluigi Buffon. In a way, the shot encapsulated Milan’s whole performance in their fine 1-0 over Juventus. The Rossoneri were fearless but combined their bravery with quality, a quality which has been lacking in recent seasons, evidenced by the fact Milan hadn’t beat the Bianconeri since 2012 in Serie A.
For Vincenzo Montella this is a remarkable result for a coach who seems to have his mojo back after experiencing a minor hiccup in his career during his time at Sampdoria. It truly feels for the first time in a long time that Il Diavolo are relevant in the Serie A title race. Furthermore, there seems to be a sense of something being built under Montella who is working with a strong Italian core at the heart of his squad. Hopefully, come season’s end this result will be part of something brilliant and not just a bright footnote in another average season.