Serie A Weekend wraps
Lazio 2 – 0 Catania
The Biancocelesti went into their home game against Catania in 15th place and after having endured one of their poorest runs of form in years. The Sicilian club were five places and four points above them so they were never going to be walkovers. However, Lazio soon got a much-needed boost, as striker Tommaso Rocchi got them an early goal in the 8th minute. Substitute Goran Pandev sealed the victory for the home side with a cool finish from inside the area (89’), anticipating Polito who had rushed off his line to try and clear the danger in time.
Palermo 2 – 0 Fiorentina
Both sides come into this game in poor form so most would predict a draw here. Palermo have won just once in two months, and have lost two games on the bounce to Juventus and Catania, conceding eight goals in the process.New boss Francesco Guidolin, who replaced the sacked Stefano Colantuono, could not have had a worse debut as he was defeated in the fiery Sicilian derby.Fiorentina had gone the first 15 games in all competitions without losing a game, but they have since not won in three Serie A matches, including defeats to Udinese and Inter, and a draw with lowly Reggina.Nevertheless the Viola are still looking strong in fifth position and will be confident of pushing for a Champions League place this season.
Inter 4 – 0 Torino
Inter exemplified what was perhaps the most entertaining matchday of Serie A so far with a thumping win over Toro.The game started evenly enough, Inter perhaps shading it on number of chances, but not until a controversial penalty was awarded did they take a lead.Comotto was adjudged to have fouled Ibrahimovic in the box, and regardless of his protestations, the Swede himself had his mind on only one thing: burying the penalty. This he did, and it was 1-0 at the interval.
After that, the visitors collapsed as the nerazzurri clicked into gear. Just after half time, Chivu crossed in for Cruz to nod home, and then two minutes later Jimenez continued his sensational run of form with a rasping shot from range.Toro were looking demoralised and destroyed by this point, and it was of no surprise when Cordoba made it four with a five-yard finish after Burdisso's header across goal to seal an emphatic win.
Empoli 4 – 1 Cagliari
The Sardinians were well and truly buried by an Empoli outfit that embarked on a four-goal rout, spearheaded by co-owned AC Milan striker Nicola Pozzi.Within ten minutes he'd struck twice: first he got on the end of Agostini's clearance from Giovinco's cross to intelligently fire home, and then Pozzi showed tremendous anticipation to meet Busce's provision from a similar position.Pozzi then hit the post as the half drew to a close, with only the likes of Ferri keeping the score down for the visitors.Strangely, there were to be fewer chances in the second period, but more goals.For within five minutes of the restart, Pozzi had his hat-trick, Giovinco cutting in from the left to provide the unmarked striker with a golden chance.Agostini and Bizera looked suitably embarassed after yet another defensive error that time, but there was more to come: inevitably, it was Pozzi again.The 21 year old Pozzi this time got on the end of Marchisio's great cross from the left to head home.
Juventus 1 – 0 Atalanta
On-form Atalanta almost held Juventus to a draw, only for Pavel Nedved to launch home a late winner to keep the pressure up on Inter.After a dull first half, the hosts clicked into life in the second period as Alessandro Del Piero came on; Atalanta, meanwhile, had created little so far, but were now well and truly resigned to defending.But their efforts proved futile as, just five minutes from time, Nedved sealed all three points for the hosts with a low drive from 25 yards.
Genoa 1 – 3 Siena
Genoa found themselves crushed by an early barrage from Siena, who managed their first away win of the season in some style.The ambitious visitors were aided in their quest by some truly laughable home defending in the early stages. Mario Frick netted first after being left unmarked to bury Galloppa's cross.Ten minutes later, and with the first half not even halfway done, Loria doubled the scoreline with a close-range effort as the Genovese defence once again disgraced themselves.Then Frick made it 3-0 with another strike after Rubinho parried an earlier effort.Genoa tried to get back into it as the shock of the massive deficit wore off, and Manninger was called into action after Leon's fine long range drive.But the visitors, taking advantage of the space left by Genoa, always looked just as likely to score as half time approached.After the interval, both teams tigthened up at the back, but all-out attacking Genoa arguably had the best of the chances.Borriello in particular seemed on a one-man mission to keep things respectable, but time and again he was denied on the edge of the box.Eventually, Luciano Figueroa managed his first goal for Genoa - eighteen months after signing on from Villarreal - to end a nightmare spell of goallessness and injury.That goal could prove invaluable to him, but it really came for nought. Indeed, the visitors left with a result to savour while Genoa reflect on a terrible defensive showing.
Livorno 1 – 1 Roma
The action came early at the Armando Picchi as Livorno held capital giants Roma to a draw, making it four unbeaten games out of five for the hosts.
Things were looking up for the giallorossi as De Rossi headed home after just four minutes, Italian international 'keeper Marco Amelia completely misjudging the flight of a corner.Two minutes later, Diego Tristan spared his blushes with a tremendous solo run and shot, his effort flying in off the post.The match became a bit cagier after this; Roma held possession for lengthy spells in the first half but failed to convert, while Livorno would venture forward mainly on the counter.And while the capital club had the best of the second period, too, it will be Livorno who regard this as a point gained after holding on for a useful draw.
Napoli 1 – 0 Parma
Napoli arrived to this game seeking redemption following the humiliating 5-1 defeat suffered at Bergamo against Atalanta last weekend.
The first half proved to be a balanced affair between two well-fielded teams, but in the end an episode swayed the game in one direction rather than another.In fact, in the 18th minute Lavezzi and Blogiacino exchanged the ball well, with the latter sending a pin-pointed cross towards the middle, where Zalayeta acrobatically volleyed the ball towards goal past the helpless Bucci.This win allowed Napoli to move into 6th place in the company of Atalanta and Palermo with 21 points from 15 matches played, whereas Parma remained in 14th place with 15 points to show and just two points above the relegation zone.
Reggina – Milan
Postponed to a later date due to Milan’s participation in the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.
Udinese 3 – 2 Sampdoria
The hosts left it late, but eventually they fought back from 2-1 down for a fine win.Udinese took the lead with a wonderful counter-attack and some somewhat slack defending from the visitors.Di Natale was put clean through by Quagliarella on a fine move on the break, the striker slotting in absolutely effortlessly to delight the home support.There was some controversy: Sammarco claimed he was fouled by barged onto the ground by Quagliarella during the build-up, but the referee saw nothing wrong.There was another moment of drama soon after: once again Di Natale was played through almost straight from Samp's kickoff, but this time a defender was able to scoop the ball out for a corner at the last minute.Di Natale and visiting 'keeper Castelazzi alike were the worse for wear after a colission, but each recovered to continue. What followed was even more surprising: Samp pulled one back, and then took the lead.First, Belluci converted a penalty after Zapotocny seemed to bring down Cassano in the box, and then, just before the interval, Grande buried from close range after yet another assist from the on-loan Real Madrid man.
What an end to an entertaining first half: Sampdoria had gone from underdogs to leaders!As the second half began, though, the Zebras showed little sign of giving up as they repeatedly tested Castelazzi.And finally the pressure paid off 20 minutes from time as Quagliarella buried a cross from Floro Flores to equalise.Then, right at the death, he found his second of the game to sneak three points from under Samp's noses.
Week 15 - 9/12/07
Empoli 4 - 1 Cagliari
Genoa 1 - 3Siena
Inter 4 - 0 Torino
Juventus 1 - 0 Atalanta
Lazio 2 - 0 Catania
Livorno 1 - 1 Roma
Napoli 1 - 0 Parma
Palermo 2 - 0 Fiorentina
Reggina (Postponed) Milan
Udinese 3 - 2 Sampdoria
Inter Milan 37 15 11 4 0
Roma 32 15 9 5 1
Juventus 29 15 8 5 2
Udinese 28 15 8 4 3
Fiorentina 24 15 6 6 3
Atalanta 21 14 5 6 3
Napoli 21 15 6 3 6
Palermo 21 15 5 6 4
Sampdoria 20 15 6 2 7
Milan 18 13 4 6 3
Catania 18 15 4 6 5
Lazio 17 15 4 5 6
Torino 15 15 2 9 4
Parma 15 15 3 6 6
Genoa 15 15 3 6 6
Livorno 14 15 3 5 7
Siena 13 15 2 7 6
Empoli 13 15 3 4 8
Reggina 10 14 1 7 6
Cagliari 10 15 2 4 9
28-10-2007, 12:32 AM
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