Serie A Team of the Week: Insigne leads Napoli trio after win over Juventus

The standout stars from this weekend’s action in Italy are given the praise they deserve in our latest XI

It was a weekend like few others in Italy as Juventus went down to their first defeat since October, but there were some familiar names leading the way elsewhere and they get their reward with a place in the Goal Team of the Week for Round 31.

Simone Scuffet‘s star continues to shine at Udinese, and his performance against Catania earns him the No.1 jersey, while Danilo‘s contribution in the 1-0 win gives him a centre-back spot. Adil Rami was bang in form as AC Milan beat Chievo 3-0, while Faouzi Ghoulam and Henrique were two of the key components as Napoli’s downed the champions at San Paolo.

Hernanes struck for Inter as they drew 2-2 with Livorno, while Marco Donadel also netted in Verona’s return to winning ways against Genoa. Alessio Cerci was Torino’s star once again as they saw off Cagliari, and Kaka was back to his old self in scoring twice to ensure Milan overcame Chievo.

Lorenzo Insigne may not have made it onto the scoresheet, but he was a huge reason that Napoli beat Juve 2-0, while Luca Toni takes our No.9 shirt after scoring twice to wrap up Verona’s 3-0 win at home to Genoa.

Mazzarri: We thought the game was over

The Inter boss believes his side’s 2-2 draw with Livorno was typical of their season to date and said Fredy Guarin’s crucial mistake was “just a hiccough”

Inter boss Walter Mazzarri has said his side were made to pay the price for assuming the game was over following their dramatic 2-2 draw with Livorno on Monday.

Hernanes and Rodrigo Palacio had put the Nerazzurri 2-0 up at half-time, and despite Paulinho’s thumping second-half finish, the San Siro side looked set to hang on for the three points.

However, Innocent Emeghara grabbed a late equaliser after capitalising on Fredy Guarin’s mistake, and Mazzarri was left to rue another result which typified his side’s season to date.

“Whoever saw that game will realize it is an example of this year. We try to take the good things from the level of the game,” said Mazzarri.

“Psychologically we thought we had finished the race, and instead an episode has been repeated.

“After their goal we missed two or three chances and we paid for it. Guarin has to play like that, unfortunately bad days can happen. It was just a hiccough.

“We have grown this year and it serves to collect useful information for next year.”

The draw leaves Inter fifth in Serie A, five points from third-place Napoli in Italy’s final Champions League qualification place.

Livorno 2-2 Inter: Guarin gaffe denies Mazzarri's men much-needed win

Inter let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 at Livorno after a dreadful mistake from substitute Fredy Guarin.

Hernanes and Rodrigo Palacio had put Walter Mazzarri’s men 2-0 up at the break, and despite Paulinho’s rocket to make it 2-1, it seemed the Nerazzurri would hold on.

However, Guarin’s poor backpass allowed Innocent Emeghara to slot past Samir Handanovic with just five minutes remaining to extend Inter’s winless run in Serie A to three.

More to follow…

Chivu brings an end to career

The Romania international brings an end to a a long and successful playing career in which he enjoyed spells at Inter, Roma and Ajax

Cristian Chivu has announced his retirement after his contract at Inter was cancelled by mutual consent.

The versatile former Romania international’s career has been hampered by a foot injury in recent seasons and he has not featured for the Milan club in 2013-14. 

Inter revealed on Monday that Chivu had agreed a deal to end his long, successful spell with the club after recently undergoing another operation, and the defender announced his retirement on his Facebook page shortly afterwards.

After taking time to thank the medical staff who have taken care of him throughout his injury problems, the 33-year-old said his retirement signalled “the end of a journey”.

“I have entered the football world as a child, a dreamer with a lot of ambition,” he said.

“I leave it with a few grey hairs, many scars and the conviction that my heart is where it belongs, even if I have always gave it to the teams I played with.

“Dad, I hope you are proud of the man I have become. This is the end of a journey…and the beginning of the rest of my life!!!”

Chivu moved to San Siro from Roma in July 2007 and went on to win three Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia twice and the Champions League with Inter as well as the Club World Cup.

A statement on Inter’s website said: “Inter and Cristian Chivu shared a relationship that went well beyond the pitch and pure professionalism.

“The club wishes to thank Cristian for his great strength, loyalty and the key role he played in his years that will always be remembered as among some of the most glorious in Inter’s history.

“FC Internazionale wishes to send a warm thanks to the player, as well as his wonderful family, for all he has done for the club.”

Livorno-Inter Betting Preview: Nerazzurri to return to winning ways at the Armando Picchi

Walter Mazzarri’s men were left frustrated against both Atalanta and Udinese last week, but Al Hain-Cole expects them to return to form against a porous Amaranto defence

Inter Milan will be hoping to bounce back from two disappointing home performances when they travel to the Stadio Armando Picchi to taken on Livorno on Monday.

Walter Mazzarri’s men picked up just one point from presentable-looking games against Atalanta and Udinese at the San Siro last week but are 10/11(1.91) favourites with William Hill to return to winning ways this evening.

However, the hosts recorded just their fourth home win of the season in their last match on home soil and are available at 7/2 (4.50) to move out of the relegation zone with another victory in this one.

Domenico Di Carlo’s team held AC Milan to a 2-2 draw in front of their own fans earlier in the season, and you can get odds of 21/10 (3.10) on them similarly frustrating their local rivals this evening.

Despite a frustrating week, Mazzarri will not be too downcast after his team’s performances against Atalanta and Udinese, where bad luck and excellent opposition goalkeeping stood between them and maximum points on both occasions.

In fact, i Nerazzurri can now look to consolidate their position in fifth place after Parma lost against Lazio on Sunday, while Fiorentina’s draw at Sampdoria means fourth is still very much up for grabs.

Fortunately, the lack of cutting edge that has hampered Inter over the past couple of games should not be much of an issue against the second worst defence in Serie A, who have failed to keep a single clean sheet in their last 19 games.

Having conceded just four times in their last eight games themselves, the visitors must surely be backed at 10/11 (1.91) to grab the majority of the goals tonight, boosting their European credentials in the process.

That bet looks particularly attractive considering they have come out on top in 10 of the previous 12 encounters with the Amaranto, including each of the last five.


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Al Hain-Cole is an experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.