Match Analysis: Two Top Streaks End

WhoScored’s regular look at those significant streaks that have come to an end in Europe’s elite league takes place in Serie A and the Premier League this time round. Both of our featured matches had a major impact on their respective titles this weekend.  In Italy, Milan tasted defeat on the road, albeit in San Siro against rivals Inter, for the first time in eight games, as a 4-2 loss handed the crown to Juventus, while in England, Newcastle lost at home for the first time in ten matches, as Manchester City moved closer to claiming the league.

Milito Ends Milan’s Title Dream - Match Report

While Inter’s season has been a bitter disappointment, their fans were afforded plenty to smile about in Sunday evening’s win over Milan. The 4-2 derby victory not only handed them bragging rights, it also ended their bitter rivals’ title ambitions, further endearing new boss Andrea Stramaccioni to the Inter fans.

Milan bossed the play, with 56% possession at San Siro. Playing in a 4-1-2-1-2, 38% of their play came through the middle and a look at the passing stats highlights the fact that they were keen to get their attackers involved as much as possible. Zlatan Ibrahimovic , Robinho and Kevin Prince-Boateng were amongst the top five for passes for Massimo Allegri’s side, with 45, 43 and 43 respectively. As the Player Position Map shows, Boateng (27) pushed high up the field when in possession, almost on a par with Ibrahimovic (11) and Robinho (70). The Brazilian was the most creative player on the pitch, producing 5 key passes, though he picked up just a single assist. The trio also impressed when it came to successful dribbles; Robinho made 4, while Ibrahimovic and Boateng registered 5 apiece – not one Inter player made more than 1 in comparison.

For Inter, much of their play came down the left flank – 47% to be exact. As the Player Position map indicates, Yuto Nagatomo (55) pushed on from left-back, allowing Ricky Alvarez (11) the chance to move inside to a more central area, with Wesley Sneijder (10) also drifting left when in possession. The Dutchman made more passes (52) than any Inter player – he and Alvarez produced 5 key passes between them. 

Milan also edged it for tackles, making 26 to Inter’s 24. It’s no surprise to see Mark Van Bommel the top performer here – stationed in front of the Milan back-four, the Dutchman made 7 tackles and a couple of interceptions to break up Inter’s forward forays. Sulley Muntari also impressed, with 4 tackles and 4 interceptions in central midfield. Alvarez and Nagatomo made 6 tackles and 3 interceptions between them on the Inter left, while Walter Samuel stood out in the heart of defence. The centre-half produced 2 tackles, 5 interceptions, 2 blocked shots and 3 successful aerial duels in an attempt to keep Ibrahimovic and co at bay.

Despite their lack of possession, Inter managed the most goal attempts. Stramaccioni’s side had 20 shots to Milan’s 16, with 10 on target to the visitors’ 6. Playing in the hole behind lone frontman Diego Milito, Sneijder excelled, with 4 of his 6 shots on target – despite his goal threat, though, he failed to find the net. Milito, on the other hand, proved far more clinical – he found the net with 3 of his 4 efforts, with a couple of converted spot-kicks keeping his side in sixth in the table.

Ibrahimovic also managed 6 efforts, scoring twice against his former club, with one of those coming from the spot. Boateng and Robinho were disappointing though – the duo mustered just 3 shots between them, while Muntari was particularly poor with his shooting – he failed to hit the target with any of his 4 attempts, with Inter’s more clinical edge handing unbeaten Juventus the Serie A title.

Yaya Puts City on the Verge - Match Report

Alan Pardew’s Newcastle were brimming with confidence ahead of Sunday’s home game against Manchester City. The Magpies were unbeaten in their last nine at the Sports Direct Arena in a run that had harvested seven wins but they were simply outclassed by their illustrious opponents, as Roberto Mancini’s side took a huge step towards the title with a crucial 2-0 win.

City dictated the play, with 56% of possession. Sitting in the centre of midfield, Yaya Toure and Gareth Barry saw more of the ball than any other players, producing 70 and 68 passes respectively. Toure’s creativity also impressed, with the Ivorian making 4 key passes, though this was eclipsed by David Silva’s 5 for City. As the Player Position map indicates, Silva (21) and Samir Nasri (19) tended to drift inside from the flanks, playing close to Carlos Tevez (32) and Sergio Aguero (16) whenever in possession.

With 45% of the game unfolding in the middle third of the pitch, it’s no surprise to see Newcastle midfielders Yohan Cabaye and Cheick Tiote make more passes than any of their team mates. The pair produced 56 and 50 respectively, creating a single chance apiece. Pardew’s side tended to utilise the left flank most often – 41% of their play came down this wing, with left-back Davide Santon (3) and Jonas Gutierrez (18) – on the left of a midfield three – both producing 2 key passes.

The hosts showed plenty of willingness to battle and win back possession, making 27 tackles to City’s 20. Once again, Cabaye and Tiote were the main protagonists – the Frenchman made 2 tackles and 6 interceptions, while Tiote produced 6 tackles and 2 interceptions for Pardew’s side. Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini also impressed at the back – the centre-backs both made 4 tackles apiece to restrict their visitors to just a couple of goals.

Similarly, Toure and Barry impressed for City again. Toure made 4 tackles and won 3 aerial duels, while Barry produced 2 tackles and 5 interceptions. Vincent Kompany was, as always, a stand-out presence at the back for Mancini’s side – the skipper made 3 tackles and 4 interceptions, in addition to blocking a couple of shots.

The league leaders had the most attempts on goal, with 21 shots to Newcastle’s 15, though, while City managed 8 on target, the Magpies proved bitterly disappointing in front of goal, with only 3 efforts on target. Papiss Cisse came into Sunday’s game in sensational form but had just 1 shot and was dispossessed 5 times, with City limiting his attacking threat to a bare minimum. Demba Ba had 6 efforts for the hosts, more than any player on the pitch, though was wayward with his shooting – he managed just a single effort on target all game.

For City, Aguero and Tevez were a constant threat; both had 3 shots, with 2 on target apiece, though neither could beat Tim Krul in the opposition goal. It was Toure – yet again – who excelled. The former Barcelona man had 5 shots and scored both his side’s goals to pick up the WhoScored man of the match award and clinch a victory that leaves his side on the verge of the title. Barring a mathematical miracle in the Sunderland - Man United game, a victory at home to QPR next Sunday will clinch the title for City. Given that they have dropped just two points in their first eighteen at the Etihad, the champagne must already be on ice.