Olivier Giroud is still as deadly as ever for AC Milan despite nearing 40, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is Napoli’s hero and Juventus lack courage in title push as Inter Milan win again… TEN THINGS we learned from Serie A

Inter Milan tightened their grip at the top of Serie A after beating rivals Juventus.

An own goal from Federico Gatti proved the difference between the two sides at the San Siro and moved Simone Inzaghi’s men four points clear of the Old Lady.

Trailing the top two are third-placed AC Milan, who fought back from behind to beat Frosinone in a five-goal thriller and move within eight points of their fierce city rivals.

But what did we learn across the course of the weekend, and which players have once again made the headlines for their thrills and spills at the top of Italian football?

Here, Mail Sport‘s ALVISE CAGNAZZO takes a look…

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PAVARD LORDS OVER INTER’S DEFENCE 

How could Bayern Munich decide to sell Benjamin Pavard, such a strong and technical player? With Juventus four points away from Inter, the credit goes above all to Pavard and the solidity of his fellow defenders.

Pavard is a mastiff who growls at the ankles of his opponents and passes the ball to his midfielders with a silky and simple action.

Alongside Francesco Acerbi, he pushed Dusan Vlahovic outside the penalty area, making the Serbian centre forward less dangerous and forcing him to spend most of his time complaining to the referee about apparent fouls.

His contribution to Inter is probably greater than that of predecessor Milan Skriniar. He is also the most assured technically of the trio of defenders picked by Simone Inzaghi and rarely makes rash challenges.

He knows how to do many things and manages to do them all well, and with the passing of time has also squeezed into the centre and contributed offensively.

Pavard is currently one of the best defenders in Serie A and his silence off the pitch showcases his superb mentality.

GIROUD STILL HAS KILLER INSTINCT

Olivier Giroud scored his 12th goal this season at the age of 37, showing how he is still one of the best strikers in Serie A. 

There is rust on the bodywork, shown in some sluggish movements and sloppy clashes with Frosinone’s defenders at the weekend, but he remains of great value. 

His goal, assisted by Rafael Leao, was a masterpiece of precision and technique, a billiard player’s shot. But Giroud’s game does not just revolve around his goals. Instead, his combination play across the 90 minutes is equally crucial to his side.

Giroud also racked up an assist, proving exactly why Milan should give him an extension to his contract, which is currently set to run down in June. 

Milan have picked up 26 points from the last 33 available and, just like Inter Milan and Juventus, have mounted a challenge for the Scudetto. They may concede too many without Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu, but Giroud often offsets this. 

Giroud is skilled at opening up space and playing through wingers and midfielders. He also plays with his head held high, allowing him to dictate the tempo of attacks. 

DE KETELAERE ATALANTA’S TOP GOALSCORER

Charles De Ketelaere is Atalanta’s top scorer with nine goals scored this season. 

No one would have ever bet on that at the beginning of the campaign and yet, the midfielder continues to demonstrate a cool head and a great eye for goal.

Lazio’s defence trembled every time De Ketelaere ran directly at them during their 3-1 defeat at the weekend, while his vision of the game parallels icon Papu Gomez.

De Ketelaere, formerly of AC Milan, is bursting with charisma and incisive. He proved too hot to handle for Lazio’s defenders, all of whom failed to shackle him.

Gian Piero Gasperini’s tactical blueprint sent Maurizio Sarri’s best-laid plans into a tailspin and allowed Atalanta to take full control of the match. 

Fresh from his first brace in Serie A, De Ketelaere is an exceptional athlete and remains one of the most interesting young talents in Europe.

JUVENTUS CAN’T LOSE WONDERKID SOULE

Matias Soule has now entered the history of Frosinone. Before he lit up Serie A, no other player in the history of the club had hit 10 goals in the Italian top-flight. 

He also became the fourth player to reach double figures this season after finding the net in his side’s pulsating defeat by AC Milan. Only Lautaro Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic and Olivier Giroud have scored more goals than the wonderkid.

Of all the players born in 2004, just Jude Bellingham has scored more goals (14) than Soule. This demonstrates his infinite talent and incredibly bright future. 

His playing style of elegant and poisonous and he does not stop hassling the defence. Soule has also visibly matured over the past few years. 

Without a doubt, he is Frosinone’s player of the season and also has two assists to his name. Now, his return to Juventus, his parent club, appears certain.

It will be necessary for them to evaluate likely offers in the summer, especially from the Premier League, however. His departure from Italy would be a shame, though. 

KVARATSKHELIA THE HERO IN NAPLES

Napoli are continuing to ride out a delicate moment this season but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia papered over the cracks again by hitting the winner against Verona.

His sixth goal of the season, all colours and light, was as striking as a Van Gogh painting and caused a roar to reverberate around the Diego Armando Maradona. It was nothing short of unsaveable, though his celebration was controversial.

Kvaratskhelia raised the index finger of his right hand to his ear and demanded the crowd to increase the noise levels in the stands, a clear request for greater support.

He was the shining star once again at the weekend and looked the only real danger for Napoli, especially with his fellow attackers delivering below-par displays.

The wideman may be too selfish at times but in the desert of opportunities carved out by his side, he is often the only weapon capable of shaking them up.

JUVENTUS LACKING BRAVERY

The toughest matches are often won with courage but against Inter Milan, Juventus showed they are lacking in it. The first 25 minutes of the showdown were a nightmare and the fear of losing seemingly paralysed Max Allegri’s team. 

As a result, they Scudetto dreams may have already come to an end. 

The Old Lady began the game with the aim of limiting the damage and keeping the distance between both sides in the league leader the same. However, a defensive error from Federico Gatti, meant their game plan suddenly unravelled.

Allegri made changes but they proved too little, too late. They lacked effectiveness in attack, rendering Kenan Yildiz and Dusan Vlahovic nervous in advanced positions. 

ALMOST PERFECT ATALANTA

Atalanta continue to grind out points as they target fourth place in the standings. Their victory against Lazio was a measure of their true strength. 

Clearly, they are a young team full of athletic intensity and purpose.

The turbulence at the start of the campaign was negated brilliantly by Gian Piero Gasperini, who has now struck a perfect balance making use of his full squad.

Duvan Zapata was shipped out to Torino and Luis Muriel has often found himself among the substitutes alongside Rafael Toloi and Hans Hatebour. From that moment, Atalanta began to start winning and they have not looked back since.

Lazio lost almost every duel in midfield while Marten de Roon delivered an inch-perfect display. In this particular period, he is viewed as fundamental by his boss.

Should they continue to pick up points, the Champions League is in their reach. 

AGELESS BOATING CRUCIAL

Despite only touching down from Germany two days ago, Jerome Boateng was crucial to Salernitana in their draw with Torino at the weekend. His physicality allowed him to fend off the likes of Duvan Zapata without retreating an inch.

Just like goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Boateng has the ability to bring about a calmness and composure among the club’s less experienced players. He also manages the defensive line adeptly and is a charismatic leader. 

His years of experience allowed him to cover the width of the penalty area and breathe down the neck of Torino’s forwards. He also knows every trick in the book.

After playing around an hour, Boateng was withdrawn. His physical condition needs work but with more time on the pitch, his fitness levels will undoubtedly improve. 

At the age of 35, he may now discover a second wind in Salerno.

OUDIN AND DORGU DAZZLE

Remi Oudin broke a lengthy free-kick drought for Lecce after finding the net at the weekend. The last time the club had scored from a dead ball was February 2020.

Oudin is Lecce’s most talented player and his tricky style of play, which sees him flit between midfield and the frontline, kept Fiorentina on their toes. Crucially, he also scored the first goal in a five-goal thriller ending in a victory for the underdogs.

Vincenzo Italiano’s side just couldn’t contain him. He has been likened to Houdini and his arrival is proof of spirting director’s Pantaleo Corvino’s ability to find gems.

Patrick Dorgu may also become a transfer coup in the coming years. Born in 2004, the teenager has a precise and powerful shot and scored the stoppage-time winner.

Last season, the young defender was one of the standout players in Lecce’s youth teams and now, he is one of the best full backs in the top-flight.

ITALIANO’S COSTLY BELTRAN MISTAKE

Lucas Beltran, who arrived in Italy from River Plate last July, has radically changed his style of play and become a second striker capable of slotting in behind a forward. Andrea Belotti, a recent loan signing, has freed up Beltran to play facing toward goal.

Over the opening months of the season, it was felt that boss Vincenzo Italiano did not extract the most from the technically gifted Beltran, a player not yet sharp enough or suited to playing at the very top of a frontline in Serie A.

Nicknamed the ‘Viking’ for his blond hair, Beltran scored against Lecce to rack up his fifth goal of the season, a hint toward a bright future after the tactical reshuffle.

On this new path, he can become a key player for his club.