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David De Gea’s extraordinary save that Fiorentina fans won’t remember
Had El Shaarawy’s free-kick gone in, it would have been long remembered by Genoa fans in a season that has not been particularly full of joy. The Viola’s defeat in Genoa, on the other hand, will ensure that their goalkeeper’s save is quickly forgotten.
Fiorentina goalkeeper David De Gea (photo: LaPresse)
Free-kick goals have a special appeal. Partly because it is one of the few situations in football where the attacker is alone against everyone else. Partly because they are almost always stunningly beautiful shots. Perhaps that is why a fine free-kick goal is so hard to forget.
In the 22nd minute of Genoa v Fiorentina, Stephan El Shaarawy was about to score a stunning goal. A powerful, precise shot, aimed at the far post. A goal that would have been long remembered in a season that has not been particularly full of joy for the Rossoblù, but which Daniele De Rossi is trying to bring back to an acceptable level of satisfaction.
No one will remember that goal. Because David De Gea, with two quick steps, a leap and an outstretched open hand, managed to reach a spot that few goalkeepers could ever reach. Yet it is by no means certain that such a save – beautiful and spectacular as it was – will be remembered. Because Fiorentina left the Luigi Ferraris Stadium in Genoa with a defeat and no points. Above all, the team left with the realization that this season could yet again prove problematic, despite the return of Paolo Vanoli. Despite their goalkeeper’s ability to patch a purple shirt full of holes, he cannot plug them all.
The three best saves from matchday five of Serie A
1. David De Gea in the 22nd minute of Genoa v Fiorentina 2–1 – 5 points
2. Mike Maignan in the 65th minute of Sassuolo v Milan 1–1 – 3 points
3. Lorenzo Palmisani in the 26th minute of Napoli v Frosinone 3–0 – 1 point
The ranking
1. Lorenzo Palmisani (Frosinone), 12 points
2. Chrīstos Mandas (Lazio), 7 points
3. David De Gea (Fiorentina), Mike Maignan (Milan), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus), 6 points
6. Guglielmo Falcone (Lecce), Filip Stanković (Venezia), 5 points
8. Edoardo Corvi (Parma), Josep Martínez (Inter), Alex Meret (Napoli), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), 3 points
12. Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Vanja Milinković-Savić (Napoli) 1 point
2. Chrīstos Mandas (Lazio), 7 points
3. David De Gea (Fiorentina), Mike Maignan (Milan), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus), 6 points
6. Guglielmo Falcone (Lecce), Filip Stanković (Venezia), 5 points
8. Edoardo Corvi (Parma), Josep Martínez (Inter), Alex Meret (Napoli), Maduka Okoye (Udinese), 3 points
12. Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Vanja Milinković-Savić (Napoli) 1 point
What you have just read is "Guanti sporchi", a light-hearted football-themed piece about Serie A’s number ones and the save that somehow made the football weekend all the better – at least from the perspective of that minority who dress differently from the rest on the pitch. You can find all previous instalments here.