Serie A Review: Mauro Icardi Is The Milan Derby Hero

The fixture list promised a fine weekend of football in Serie A, and the action certainly did not disappoint. Here’s three things we learned:

Icardi hat-trick hero

Inter captain Mauro Icardi became the toast of the Nerazzurri fans inside San Siro on Sunday evening as he sealed his hat-trick with a last minute penalty to give Luciano Spalletti’s side a 3-2 Milan derby victory. The Argentine striker became the first player to score three goals in the Derby della Madonnina since Diego Milito in May 2012, as Inter romped to their highest points total in the opening eight matches since 2002/03.

“Taking home the match ball is a special feeling, I can’t describe it,” the striker told Mediaset Premium about the thrilling encounter. “I had spoken to some of my teammates and knew I had to score today, so I am holding on tight to this ball. I let the critics talk, then I do what I need to on the pitch, I help the team and score goals. You can’t always score, of course. I am happy for me and for Inter, above all for this victory.”

Whilst Inter moved into second place, local rivals Milan now languish in 10th, with voices increasing that boss Vincenzo Montella is now under threat of losing his job. “I would be daft if I said I expected to lose four of the opening eight Serie A games,” said Rossoneri CEO Marco Fassone after the match. “But we realise it takes time. When a patient is ill, you tend to crank up the medication, but in some situations the patient just needs time. Milan simply need more time. The signs are encouraging and the club is behind Montella.”

Juve lose home record

Six-time champions Juventus lost at home for the first time since August 2015, Lazio breaking the incredible run with a 2-1 victory. The Bianconeri had taken the lead through Douglas Costa, but normal service was interrupted when ex-Juve striker Ciro Immobile put the away side ahead with a second half brace. The Old Lady even squandered a lifeline when Paulo Dybala missed a last-minute penalty as Simone Inzaghi’s side beat Juve in a domestic competition for the first time since 2003.

“I want to enjoy the result with my teammates, as we put in an exceptional performance,” said goal-hero Immobile after the match. “I am a striker, it’s my job to put it in the net and a pleasure to play with them.It was a huge achievement, Juve had been unbeaten here in 57 competitive games, I think, so that was amazing to end that run.” The Italian international had set his own record too, his 15 strikes in all competitions the highest of any player in Europe’s top five leagues.

Napoli just keep winning

Roma hosted Napoli on Sunday evening in another exciting clash involving top Italian sides. Napoli had won all of their opening seven games and became the only side in Europe with an 100% winning record with a narrow 1-0 victory after Barcelona could only draw. Lorenzo Insigne was the man to make the difference between the two sides, scoring his 100th career goal.

The Giallorossi were unlucky to lose in truth after they hit the woodwork twice and Federico Fazio was only denied by a magnificent fingertip save from Napoli ‘keeper Pepe Reina.

“It was a great save, similar to the one he made in this fixture last season,” the defender told reporters after the match. “We have to keep going, as there’s a long campaign ahead of us. We put in a strong performance for the second half and might even have had the chances to win it, but that is football, it has to go in the net.”

Final results: