In one of the most balanced Serie A seasons in years, in a league marked by a lack of true centre forwards able to carry their teams, the decisive factor at the top is the performance of the goalkeepers. This element shapes the standings and supports the rise of Gasperini’s Roma and the steady progress of Allegri’s Milan.
Opinions about Mate Svilar and Mike Maignan depend on personal taste, since they use different styles, but the numbers leave little room for debate. According to Kickest and FotMob, the Slovenian and the France international lead the league in saves with 35 and 31. They are first and second in clean sheets with 6 and 4. They also have the highest save percentages. Roma’s goalkeeper stands at an impressive 85.4 percent, followed by Maignan at 77.5 percent.
One figure explains better than any other why Roma and Milan deserve to sit above the rest. Roma have the best defensive record in the top five European leagues with only 6 goals conceded against 13.5 expected goals. Allegri’s Milan follow with 9 goals conceded against 14.7 expected.
Inter, Juventus and Napoli have struggled in large part because of their goalkeeper performances. Inter’s numbers are worrying. Sommer is the most beaten goalkeeper among the top Serie A sides with 12 goals conceded and a save rate of 65.7 percent, slightly better only than Milinkovic-Savic, who played fewer matches because he alternated with Meret. Inter have allowed only 9.9 expected goals, the best figure among the top clubs, yet they have conceded 13, the worst record in the group.
Sommer cost Inter in the derby against Milan and made other errors since August, and this inconsistency affects Chivu’s team. Juventus face a similar phase. Their attack is underperforming and their defence worsened week after week without Bremer. Di Gregorio has picked the ball out of his net ten times. His save rate is 67.7 percent with 21 stops in the first 12 matchdays.
Source: Calcio Mercato
