Serie A Review of Week 29
Last weekend, AC Milan hosted AS Roma at the San Siro. The Rossoneri snatched the 3 points with a 2-1 victory. The Giallorossi took the lead in the first half with a Pablo Osvaldo slider. In the second half, the Diavoli clawed back with a Zlatan Ibrahimovic pk equaliser. In the 83rd minute, it was the league’s top scorer, Ibrahimovic again, to finish off the Lupi with a sublime solo effort chipping the ball over Maarten Stekelenburg and then nodding in the winner. Who can stop this man? Milan continues to lead the league with 63 points.
The match of the day belonged to the Derby d’Italia as Juventus welcomed Internazionale to the Juventus Stadium for the first time. In the opening minutes, the Nerazzurri missed a great opportunity to take the lead with Diego Milito scuffing his effort into Gigi Buffon. At the other end, it was Alessandro Matri’s turn to miss as his header was too central and too easy for Julio Caesar to parry. At this point, Inter began to take control of the first half. Diego Forlan headed on net from a tight angle, but was cleared off the line by Buffon. Then, Dejan Stankovic launched in an over-the-top through ball to Milito who fired on goal which Buffon miraculously saved. In the second half, Juve took control of the game and the Old Lady did not fail to net. January loan signing, Martin Caceres was left unmarked and very easily nodded the ball in from a perfect Pirlo corner. Mirko Vucnic had his solo effort saved when he was sent in 1 on 1 with the ‘keeper. Soon after, it was 2-0 for the home side as Arturo Vidal slid in a precise through ball into the box for Alex Del Piero to kick it into the bottom left corner. Juve continue their unbeaten record and are currently in second with 59 points. Inter sit 8th with 41 points.
In the race for third place, Lazio defeated Cagliari 1-0 at the Stadio Olimpico with Diakite bagging the only goal in the 88th minute. Udinese tied Palermo 1-1 at the Renzo Barbera in Sicily, while Napoli gave up a 2 goal lead to draw with Catania 2-2 at the San Paolo in Naples. Lazio currently claim third place with 51 points, while Napoli and Udinese follow with 48 points.
Other results are: Atalanta 2-0 Bologna; Cesena 2-2 Parma; Chievo 1-1 Siena; Genoa 2-2 Fiorentina; Novara 0-0 Lecce.
Preview of Week 30
This weekend, AC Milan travels to Sicily to take on a hot Catania side that is stubborn at home. At home, Catania has won 8, tied 4, lost 2; has scored 20 goals and conceded only 9 which places the Sicilian side in the top 4 for the least amount of goals conceded at home. Vincenzo Montella will certainly not make life easy for the Rossoneri on Saturday and may even pull an upset over Allegri’s men.
Lazio will take on Parma at the Tardini Stadium in Parma. These two sides are on the opposite ends of the spectrum this season. The Biancocelesti are aiming to qualify for Europe whereas the Gialloblù are fighting to remain in the Serie A. Udinese will hope for a Parma win as the bianconeri of Udine take on Siena in Tuscany.
The game of the day again features Juventus as the Bianconeri will welcome Napoli to the Juventus Stadium in Turin. This is normally an exciting affair and it is promising to provide great enthusiasm and team spirit as both clubs cannot afford to lose the 3 points at stake. In the first encounter this season, Juve was 2 goals and came back to tie the match 3-3. The Bianconeri are aiming to continue to make life difficult for Milan as the Old Lady currently sits 4 points behind, while the Partenopei are fighting for a 3rd place finish in order to qualify for the Champions League which is a very tight race in itself. Certainly with players such as Hamsik, Cavani, Lavezzi up against the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Mirko Vucinic and Giorgio Chiellini, this fixture will surely provide entertainment for the fans.
Other fixtures: Bologna v Palermo; Cagliari v Atalanta; Fiorentina v Chievo; Inter v Genoa; Lecce v Cesena; Roma v Novara.
Enjoy the games!
…and that’s the last word!
