Moise Kean challenges Yerry Mina: decisive duel for the Golden Boot and Europe

Moise Kean knows it well. On his path there is the the most grumpy defender in the league. Not necessarily the strongest, but Yerry Mina is a character to keep an eye on. Totem of the defense of the Cagliari ever since he moved from the Viola to the Rossoblu in last year's winter transfer window. Claudio Ranieri wanted him so badly at the time to shore up a defense that with him would have held up until safety. Davide Nicola didn't need asking twice.

A regular paired with the faithful Luperto. A particular character, provocative on the pitch and shy off the pitch. A guy like him is a guy to study. Remember when in the Italian Cup against Bologna he squeezed Zirkzee's nipple to keep him happy? Old school tricks, from dusty fields of the lowest category. From when the Var in Serie A was just a mirage and defenders like him could resort to a bit of everything to stop the opposing attackers. Often on the edge of a yellow card, but he makes his presence felt back there. And the match against Kean will be one of those full-throttle ones. The Palladino centre forward is not lacking in physicality either, anchored to a super present while waiting to define the contours of the future. In Cagliari Moise is hunting for his twenty-fourth goal of the season in the purple jersey, chasing Retegui in the scorers' charts and aiming at least for the Top10 as regards that of the Golden Shoe.

He certainly has the records of the recent history of the Viola within reach. With another goal he will reach Alberto Gilardino at 24 (2008/2009 season), then he will look even higher. To keep the race for Europe alive on the road to the championship and to battle Betis in the semi-finals of Conference League Palladino will still need his goals. The number of goals agreed/bet at the beginning of the season between the coach and the striker has already been largely exceeded, as have the expectations of all Viola fans. But Moise wants to climb even higher. Even beyond Yerry Mina.

Alessandro Latini