What has been the most exciting post-lockdown game?

Serie A in particular has thrown up some cracking games - which ones you should dig out the highlights for on Youtube?

3:00pm on Wednesday 1st July 2020
By Martin Macdonald

FootballCritic's unique Match Excitement Rating (MER) algorithm determines how entertaining a particular game has been based on a variety of metrics.

These metrics include goals scored, shots, shots on target, Big Chances created, cards, penalties, penalty saves, Expected Goals, and late drama among a host of other data points to determine an unmissable game.

Since lockdown restarted in May, which matches has the MER ranked as ones worth finding the highlights for on Youtube?

UDINESE 2-3 ATALANTA, 28 JUNE, SERIE A

FC MATCH EXCITEMENT RATING - 8.8

Atalanta have been the most entertaining team to watch in Europe this season, so it is no surprise they were involved in one of the most exciting games.

Typically, they were excellent going forward but a little suspect at the back, scoring three via Duvan Zapata and Luis Muriel (2) and conceding two after a double from Kevin Lasagna.

The Colombian's goals were magnificent, with the first coming from an outrageous free-kick and the second slammed home from range.

Atalanta sent 13 shots on goal in the game and, unbelievably, 12 of them were on target, while Udinese were responsible for eight of their own.

LEVERKUSEN 2-4 BAYERN, 6 JUNE, BUNDESLIGA

FC MATCH EXCITEMENT RATING - 8.9

When the Bundesliga became the first top league to restart, Bayern went on a truly remarkable run, steamrolling their way towards the title.

The best game of that run saw them come from behind to defeat Leverkusen 4-2. Lucas Alario and Florian Wirtz netted for Leverkusen while Kingsley Coman, Leon Goretzka, Serge Gnabry, and Robert Lewandowski scored for Bayern.

It was a fiery affair, too, with six bookings being shown by the ref, and there were also a huge 26 shots on goal were attempted, with 16 finding on target, making it a busy day for both goalkeepers.

SASSUOLO 3-3 VERONA, 28 JUNE, SERIE A

FC MATCH EXCITEMENT RATING - 9.0

Back to Serie A, now, and two of the season's best matches actually took place on the same night, with Sassuolo's 3-3 draw with Verona taking place on the same evening as Atalanta's win.

Both Sassuolo and Verona didn't have too much to play for with both lingering in mid-table and so this match displayed a freedom with players playing without too much pressure.

Yes, the defending wasn't great, with six goals conceded overall, but it certainly made for great entertainment. There were 28 shots on goal, with 12 hitting the target; not a particularly good save ratio (50%) for the goalkeepers.

FRANKFURT 3-3 FREIBURG, 26 MAY, BUNDESLIGA

FC MATCH EXCITEMENT RATING - 9.8

Six goals were scored as Frankfurt and Freiburg played out the best game of the Bundesliga season at the end of May.

This wasn't just how the goals went in but when they went in, too, as it was was a magnificent back and forth until the final whistle, with the visitors twice having to battle back to level terms.

Freiburg took the lead 28 minutes in, only to be pegged back seven minutes later when Andre Silva struck for Frankfurt.

In the second period, the home side went 3-1 up, only for two goals in three minutes (with one coming in the closing stages) from Daichi Kamada and Timmy Chandley equalising things for Frankfurt.

Throw in five yellow cards, and a ridiculous 44 shots on goal, and you have yourself a hell of a game of football.

INTER 3-3 SASSUOLO, 24 JUNE, SERIE A

FC MATCH EXCITEMENT RATING - 10

Now we come to the most exciting match of the season in the top five leagues since football restarted which, according to MER, could be viewed as a perfect game of football.

The 3-3 draw between Sassuolo and Inter came at a vital time for the Nerazzurri as they were still held a chance of catching Juventus and Lazio in the title race. After they dropped points here, those chances became even more minute.

They will be kicking themselves, too, as they initially came back from a goal behind to twice go ahead in the match, only for Sassuolo to fight back.

What gives this match a major boost to the drama is that most of the action came in the last 10 minutes. With nine to play, Domenico Berardi scored from the penalty spot to make it 2-2, only for Borja Valero to make it 3-2 to Inter with four minutes to go.

Antonio Conte's men thought they had won it, but they were to be undone by

Giangiacomo Magnani's effort a minute from time. Terrific stuff.

Tempers flared towards the end, too, with Milan Skriniar being sent off after a second booking in what was the most unmissable match of the restart.

officialfootballcritic

Follow @criticfootball_