Paulo Dybala stole the headlines with a fantastic last-gasp winner as Juventus claimed a narrow 1-0 win away to Lazio on Saturday to keep pace with Napoli at the top of the table.
Chances were few and far between for both sides in what was a cagey encounter with Sergej Milinkovic-Savic‘s header in the first half the pick of the home side’s opportunities.
Here, we analyse the Serbian midfielder’s performance.
STATISTICS
Goals – 0
Assists – 0
Shots – 1
Shots on target – 1
Touches – 61
Passes – 35
Aerials won – 4
Key passes – 1
Dribbles – 3
Dispossessed – 2
30-SECOND REPORT
Starting on the left side of a central midfield three in a 3-5-1-1 formation, Milinkovic-Savic was afforded the freedom to venture forward owing to Lucas Leiva’s disciplined sweeping up in behind as the anchorman.
Marco Parolo operated on the other side of the defensive midfielder but was more inclined to help the Brazilian and maintain possession than stride forward.
Milinkovic-Savic was excellent on the ball – his touch, knocks into space and short-passing was second to none. He was always willing to carry the ball forward as well, finishing the game with three dribbles – second only to Dybala. His runs forward meant he was always heavily involved in Lazio’s attacks.
What immediately came to the fore was his imposing physical presence which made him a real threat from set-pieces and corners. In fact, every time the ball went wide, Milinkovic-Savic made the run into the box to join Immobile in anticipation of a good delivery.
His excellent close control and shielding of the ball made him Lazio’s most influential midfielder and best player on the day.
Sergej Milinkovic Savic (l)
GOT RIGHT
Control – Excellent in possession. Always ready to receive the ball in tight areas, fully trusting his near-perfect touch. His close control and quick turns made it difficult to get the ball off him.
Aerial Threat – With a towering frame like his, it’s no surprise he poses a threat in the air. His header that Buffon saved in the first half was arguably Lazio’s best chance of the game.
GOT WRONG
Final ball – Despite his best efforts, his final ball let him, making just one key pass over the course of the game which is a shame considering how he consistently did well to get into the final third.
Tackling – While he does make for a colossal figure in the middle of the park, tackling isn’t his something he is overly concerned with. Against Juventus, he failed to register a single tackle.
KEY MOMENTS
20th min HEADER: Plenty of bodies inside the box but it’s Milinkovic-Savic who rises highest from a corner whipped in by Luis Alberto. However, his header from the centre of the box is saved by Buffon.
32nd min TOUCH: One of his finest assets was on display here. Plucks the ball out of the air with a feather-like touch and lays it off to a team-mate. It’s fizzed back into him and he adjusts his body quickly, with two striped shirts around him, to find Alberto with a clever flick-on.
39th min TACKLE: With Dybala in a great position just outside the box, Milinkovic-Savic slides in with a tackle to keep him from gaining possession in a dangerous area. It is a crucial intervention as the Argentine was winding up a shot with his lethal left foot.
41st min FOULED: The Serbian midfielder shows his ability to protect the ball as he shields it from Andrea Barzagli’s challenge and draws a foul in a dangerous area.
82nd min PASS: Milinkovic-Savic does well to skip past a couple of players on the inside but his ball over the top into the penalty area is over-hit and it drifts harmlessly out of play.
86th minute CROSS: The Lazio midfielder receives possession and shapes to deliver a cross into the box. His attempt is floated in but a little too high as it sails over the head of Felipe Caicedo.
Sergej Milinkovic Savic (l)
VERDICT
Sky Italia have claimed Milinkovic-Savic is worth €200 million. While he may not command such a fee at this moment in time, he certainly has the makings of a player who, someday, might.
Against the best the Serie A have to offer, the 23-year-old stood out and bossed the middle of the park. His final ball may have deserted him on occasion but there’s no doubting his talent and quality. He’s only going to get better as well.
RATING: 7/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com
