Yardbarker
Yardbarker
x

Scudetto winner with Inter Hakan Calhanoglu and Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic were named among the MVPs of the 2023-24 Serie A season, snubbing Capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez.

The awards were announced this afternoon by the Lega Serie A and raised a few eyebrows.

Michele Di Gregorio of Monza was named Goalkeeper of the Season, Alessandro Bastoni at Inter was Defender of the Season, his Nerazzurri teammate Calhanoglu the best Midfielder and Juve forward Vlahovic the Striker of the Season.

These awards were not voted for by anyone, but calculated using the Stats Perform analysis that takes into consideration more than just goals and assists, but also movement off the ball, efficiency and fitness levels.

Why Vlahovic beat Lautaro Martinez

So while Vlahovic scored only 16 goals compared to 24 for Capocannoniere Lautaro Martinez, the Serbian statistically made a greater contribution, according to this model.

Lautaro Martinez also had the upper hand in terms of assists with six to the Juve hitman’s three in Serie A this season.

Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee was named MVP for the Under-23 players in the league.

All these players will receive the MVP award ahead of the final games of the campaign this weekend.

This article first appeared on Football Italia and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST

Rasmus Andersson Turns Down Huge Long-Term Offer from an NHL Team
NHL

Rasmus Andersson Turns Down Huge Long-Term Offer from an NHL Team

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is entering the final year of his six-year, $4.55 million AAV contract, and uncertainty surrounds his future. Speaking with Sweden’s Expressen, Andersson shot down false rumors about where he’s willing to go, and revealed he turned down a lucrative long-term offer from another NHL team. All of this took place roughly six weeks ago, says the blueliner. He cited family reasons as to why he’s being particular about his next move. Still, as picky as he might be, rumors he’s only willing to go to Vegas are not true. “But I have not given Calgary a team, that I only want to play with one team,” he said. “That is not true…” He did get an offer from another team, likely not the Golden Knights. “I wasn’t keen on moving my family there and signing a long-term contract,” Andersson explained, adding that he provided the Flames with a list of teams he’d consider signing with if traded. However, the team that offered him a deal wasn’t on that list. He explained, “I communicated that decision to Calgary. I said if you want to trade me, this is the number of teams I can think of signing for. But this wasn’t one of them.” The Flames and Andersson Aren’t Talking Any Longer Talks with Calgary have since gone silent. Speculation is that he’s not heard about a trade option or extension in over a month. Whether the Flames have stopped looking for now, or teams haven’t lined up with trade offers, it sounds like nothing is imminent. All that said, Andersson is expected to draw significant trade interest before the 2026 deadline if an extension isn’t reached. His situation will be one of Calgary’s most closely watched storylines this season.

Should Broncos be worried about Bo Nix's early preseason struggles?
NFL

Should Broncos be worried about Bo Nix's early preseason struggles?

Denver Broncos second-year quarterback Bo Nix didn't look like the player who shattered expectations as a rookie in his 2025 preseason debut. Nix played just three drives in Saturday's 30-9 road win over the San Francisco 49ers. The 12th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft completed 6-of-11 passes for 31 yards and posted a below-average 60 passer rating. He also had an intentional grounding penalty that resulted in a safety. Keep in mind the 25-year-old QB played against the 49ers second-team defense. Should that raise more concerns about Nix's rocky performance? Not necessarily. The Athletic's Nick Kosmider noted things could've been different for the offense had it made one big play early. "What should be taken from Nix's outing? Not much," Kosmider wrote in a piece published Sunday. "He started the game with a well-placed deep ball down the left sideline to [wide receiver Courtland] Sutton that the veteran receiver couldn't quite haul in. With such a limited sample size, the complexion of the first-team offense's night could have been entirely different had that play been made." Nix acknowledged he wished he and Sutton had connected on the throw during a postgame news conference. While it was frustrating for the young passer, he said plays like that are something that can help the team grow. "The good thing about football is every one of those plays was different today," he said. "You saw a different outcome, so you can talk about it and just add that to your football knowledge and move on and go from there." Broncos head coach Sean Payton lets his starters play in preseason to work out the bugs before the regular season. Nix's comment suggests he's embracing that opportunity. However, he must show signs of progress in Denver's next preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET. The Broncos are banking on Nix taking another step after finishing third in 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. If he does, that would give Denver a strong chance to win its first playoff game since Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Red Wings Announce Major Change for Their 100th Season and Fans Are Fired Up
NHL

Red Wings Announce Major Change for Their 100th Season and Fans Are Fired Up

The Red Wings have announced that they are bringing back their iconic 'Hockeytown' logo to center ice at Little Caesars Arena for their 100th year in the NHL. A somewhat familiar look is coming back to center ice at Little Caesars Arena, which has been the home of the Detroit Red Wings since 2017. A special fan polling has resulted in the announcement that the iconic former 'Hockeytown' logo from Joe Louis Arena, their former home, is coming back as part of a new special logo for the team's 100th year. Asia Gholston, Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, released the following statement. The center ice fan vote, launched in partnership with Meijer, was a great way to get fans involved in Red Wings Centennial right from the start. Through an incredible response to this vote, fans have made it clear they're fired up for what's to come in celebrating 100 years of Hockeytown, which is only possible due to their unwavering support for the Winged Wheel. The Red Wings featured the 'Hockeytown' logo at Joe Louis Arena in 1996, which remained until the building's closure in 2017. The Red Wings then used the same logo in their 1st year at Little Caesars Arena, but since then have just utilized a large team logo. The Red Wings celebrate their 100th year in the NHL The Red Wings were founded in 1926, but are in the midst of the longest drought of postseason hockey in their history. Considering that they've now been around for 100 years, that postseason absence is a surprising statistic. Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman has started to feel some heat for having not been able to get the team to the postseason in each of his first 6 years on the job.

Commanders to sign veteran LB, add to defensive depth 
NFL

Commanders to sign veteran LB, add to defensive depth 

Sunday saw the Washington Commanders host seven linebackers on a free agent visit. That effort has produced at least one signing. Duke Riley has a deal in place with Washington, his agents told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The news comes not long after it was revealed Riley was among the veterans who took part in a workout Sunday (h/t Mike Garafolo of NFL Network). With 124 appearances in the NFL, he will certainly add experience to the position in the nation’s capital. The Commanders’ depth linebackers have not stood out in the preseason, according to ESPN’s John Keim, and 2024 fifth-rounder Jordan Magee has also missed time. At a minimum, Riley is a trusted camp body who can absorb preseason snaps as needed, but his extensive experience as a special teams ace could give him a chance at a roster spot. Riley, 31, appeared in all but one game for the Dolphins over the last four years. He was a core special teams contributor with a rotational role on defense until last year, when his defensive snap count plummeted to 42 under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver. It was clear that Riley would not receive another short-term contract in Miami, and he drew little interest on the free agent market this spring. In Washington, the veteran linebacker will reunite with head coach Dan Quinn, who held the same position in Atlanta when the Falcons drafted Riley in 2017. The former third-round pick started 16 games across his first two seasons before an October 2019 trade to the Eagles, where he initially played special teams before taking over a starting role in 2020. A pre-existing relationship with Quinn and familiarity with his scheme should allow Riley to settle in quickly. The Commanders’ group of workouts also included linebackers Amare Barno, Nicholas Morrow, Tanner Muse, Ronnie Perkins, Sione Takitaki, and Oshane Ximines, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Nikhil Mehta contributed to this post.

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!