Matchday ten is finally done and dusted, and it certainly did not disappoint as it wrapped up with a crunch clash featuring Lazio and Inter on Monday evening at the Stadio Olimpico. Without further ado, let's get into the five notable key talking points from this round, including Frosinone picking up a vital win, Cristiano Ronaldo starring once again for his new side, and Milan matching a rather unwanted record.
Frosinone finally catch a break
It was bound to happen at some point, and Frosinone finally got what they had been desperately seeking all season: a victory. The Canarini took on SPAL on the road and were able to pick up all three points. While they still sit in 19th place, it still gives their fans something to cheer about as it marks their second consecutive game they have avoided a loss.
More important, this is the second straight game Frosinone have netted three goals. They first drew Empoli 3-3, and last weekend, beat SPAL 3-0.
This means that Chievo are the only side who still have not won a game this season.
Milan's back-line continues to struggle
Milan may have rallied back to win 3-2 against Sampdoria, but it certainly was not an easy battle, and worryingly, their defense has really struggled all season.
How badly? Gianluigi Donnarumma has really had a torrid time in goal, and he has not been helped by those in front of him, either. This worrying stat will show exactly how badly the Rossoneri back-line have fared so far in Serie A since the tail end of last season, though, matching a rather unwanted record:
15 - AC Milan have conceded at least one goal in 15 Serie A games in a row for the first time since 1946. SOS. #MilanSamp
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 28, 2018
It goes without saying that fans will be hoping the team can get themselves sorted out sooner rather than later, though, as it's not always that Milan's attack will be able to rally back to wipe out any slip-ups at the back.
Lazio vs Inter - What we learned
Monday night seems to be Lazio's night! If the Biancocelesti always seem to play on Mondays, well, they do, more than any other side, as this stat shows:
30 - @OfficialSSLazio are the team with more games played on Monday in Serie A (30) and 12 of the last 13 have been played at Olimpico. Monday night.#LazioInter
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 29, 2018
Meanwhile, Mauro Icardi continues to terrorize defenses indeed:
5 - Mauro #Icardi has scored five goals with his last six shots on target in Serie A. Sniper#LazioInter pic.twitter.com/yZfdPu8pCa
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 29, 2018
Cristiano Ronaldo to the rescue
It took him a little while to get settled in, but once Cristiano Ronaldo got up and running, he's taken to Serie A like a duck to water. The 33-year-old superstar netted a brace against Empoli, with a penalty to equalize after the Azzurri had taken a shock lead, followed by a brilliant curler from distance to grab all three points for La Vecchia Signora to take his total to seven goals for his new side.
That sees him just two behind Genoa's Piatek, and with the young striker not surprisingly hitting a slow-down period after racing to the top of the goalscoring charts initially, it is only a matter of time before he's overtaken by the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.
Although CR7 was obviously bought to help Juve end their frustrating run in the Champions League, his influence for the Bianconeri in the league has been massive as this stat naturally shows:
10 - Cristiano #Ronaldo has been directly involved in 10 (7 goals, 3 assists) of the last 14 Juventus goals in the Serie A 18/19. Leader. #EmpoliJuve
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 27, 2018
Marek Hamsik continues to break records for Napoli
He may not have been able to inspire Napoli to all three points against Roma, as the Partenopei continued their frustrating run against the Giallorossi at the Stadio San Paolo. However, skipper Marek Hamsik continues to break records for the Partenopei nonetheless.
The Slovak international is currently Napoli's all-time top goalscorer with 120 goals, breaking a long-standing record set by legendary striker Diego Maradona, and with his appearance for Carlo Ancelotti's side on Sunday, now matches another impressive feat:
511 - Marek #Hamsik has just equalled Giuseppe Bruscolotti as the player with the most appearances with @en_sscnapoli in all competitions (511). Icon. #NapoliRoma pic.twitter.com/7SiDfN9xrr
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) October 28, 2018
Current rankings after matchday 10
Here is how things look in the table after ten rounds of action.
Pos. | Team | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | P | Form | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Internazionale | 37 | 29 | 6 | 2 | 87 | 20 | +67 | 93 | DWLWW | |
2 | Milan | 37 | 22 | 8 | 7 | 73 | 46 | +27 | 74 | LWDDL | |
3 | Bologna | 37 | 18 | 14 | 5 | 54 | 30 | +24 | 68 | DWDDW | |
4 | Juventus | 37 | 18 | 14 | 5 | 52 | 31 | +21 | 68 | DDDDD | |
5 | Atalanta | 36 | 20 | 6 | 10 | 67 | 39 | +28 | 66 | WWWWW | |
6 | Roma | 37 | 18 | 9 | 10 | 64 | 44 | +20 | 63 | WLDDW | |
7 | Lazio | 37 | 18 | 6 | 13 | 48 | 38 | +10 | 60 | DWDWW | |
8 | Fiorentina | 36 | 15 | 9 | 12 | 55 | 42 | +13 | 54 | DWLWW | |
9 | Torino | 37 | 13 | 14 | 10 | 36 | 33 | +3 | 53 | WWDLD | |
10 | Napoli | 37 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 55 | 48 | +7 | 52 | DLDDL | |
11 | Genoa | 37 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 43 | 45 | -2 | 46 | LWDWL | |
12 | Monza | 37 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 39 | 49 | -10 | 45 | LLDDL | |
13 | Hellas Verona | 37 | 9 | 10 | 18 | 36 | 49 | -13 | 37 | WLWLW | |
14 | Lecce | 37 | 8 | 13 | 16 | 32 | 54 | -22 | 37 | LLDDW | |
15 | Cagliari | 37 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 40 | 65 | -25 | 36 | WLDLD | |
16 | Frosinone | 37 | 8 | 11 | 18 | 44 | 68 | -24 | 35 | WLDWD | |
17 | Udinese | 37 | 5 | 19 | 13 | 36 | 53 | -17 | 34 | DWDDL | |
18 | Empoli | 37 | 8 | 9 | 20 | 27 | 53 | -26 | 33 | DLDLW | |
19 | Sassuolo | 37 | 7 | 8 | 22 | 42 | 74 | -32 | 29 | LLWLL | |
20 | Salernitana | 37 | 2 | 10 | 25 | 29 | 78 | -49 | 16 | LDLLL |