Wow! Another game for La Viola
involving a wow! This time Prandelli’s
charges manage to beat Juventus in Turin
in a blinder o####ame. Five goals,
brilliant play, tactical shenanigans and edge of the seat excitement. Oh and that is the team the Blues is going to
play on Thursday.
The Stadio Olimpico in Turin is ripe for a tough
European six pointer. With Milan only managing a draw
and Roma winning three points is vital in the hunt for the prime European
spots. A decent and vocal crowd and high
expectations greeted the opening whistle.
Ranierii’s eleven is still
missing some key pieces in the middle and at the back, although still strong. Buffon comes into the ‘keepers spot with a
makeshift back four of Zebina, Legrottaglie, Grygera and Molinaro. Midfield sees Camoranesi and Palladino provide
the attacking flair with Sissoko and Zanetti providing the solidity. Del Piero and Trezeguet partner up
front.
Prandelli; without star forward
and with a UEFA Cup Night in midweek still picks an attacking eleven.
Frey retains the ‘keeper’s jersey
and has a familiar; if not first choice; back four in front of him of Ujfalusi
and Gobbi wide with Gamberini and Kroldrup in the middle. Kuzmanovic, Donadel and Montolivo make up the
midfield with Pazzini leading a three man attack flanked by Santana on the
right and top notch utility player Jorgenson on the left.
Juventus start off sharpish in an
open game, Kuzmanovic almost buries Santana’s cross and Zebina almost finishes
a move he starts with a header just over Frey’s bar.
Fiorentina lay it out and make
you beat them, they play the same home and away and don’t change much as they
profess to be ‘unable to protect a lead’.
They get the ball out wide and
aim for dangerous crosses or cutting runs into the area with midfielders coming late in
support.
Juventus are crossers too and
they also like to play it quickly forward through the middle.
The game unfolds kindly for a
hard working and ebullient Fiorentina, Santana’s runs causing Molinaro all
sorts of problems, Pazzini is a handful for a less than solid back four and
Fiorentina push up or drop back very well as a team. La Viola’s runs at Juve cause all sorts of
problems, Buffon has to be at his best when he’s clearly not 100%.
Another direct run and a lovely one
two sees Gobbi beat Buffon for the opener.
Pushing up from the right back berth the midfielder uses Jorgenson as a
foil before a continuation of his run, a static Juve defence and a great return
from the Dane combine well and a neat finish bulges the back of the net.
More of the same without actually
scoring fills the next ten minutes.
Juve are struggling to mount
meaningful attacks and seeing little of the ball. A free kick from the left sees Frey flail
weakly at the ball in, it drops kindly to Sissoko who uses his Kuyt inspired
Kung Fu and beats Frey with a spectacular overhead kick.
Fiorentina’s fragility comes to
the fore, they still go forward but lack the edge they had in the first half
and Juventus gradually neutralize the threat and finish the half even on honours
and possession. The stalemate continues
into the second half without either team threatening greatly.
Juve look most dangerous
exploiting the space on the break and some tweaking from the bench moves some
players around and pays handsome dividends.
Palladino; exerting more
influence as the game wears on; plays in Molinaro on the right, his back post
cross confuses the Viola centre backs and allows Camoranesi the opportunity to volley
a scorcher in for a two-one lead.
Fragility and glass jaws aside Fiorentina
keep on plugging. Prandelli makes some
astute changes and Osvaldo gets his shot (courtesy of Ujfalusi and the
utilitarian nature of Jorgenson who slots into the right back role!) and the
trickery of Santana is swapped for the pace of Papa Waigo.
Ranierii shuts up shop with the
removal if Camoranesi for Nocerino and he swaps guile for size when Del Piero
is replaced by Iaquinta.
Fiorentina keep attacking and
Juventus keep defending, surely they can hold on at home for another twenty
minutes.
The Bianconeri are woefully
mistaken.
Osvaldo runs at Juve and the
loose ball bounces for Pazzini, he lays it intelligently wide to Papa Waigo who
is given time to take the three touches he needs to slot it beyond Buffon.
Fiorentina keep attacking and
Juventus keep defending, surely they can hold on at home for another fifteen
minutes. Iaquinta had a free kick go
just wide.
The Bianconeri are woefully
mistaken.
La Viola just doesn’t quit, they
may slow up a little but they just keep on attacking. The two substitutes combine again to bag the
injury time winner. Papa Waigo’s pace
allows him some space on the right and he crosses well for Osvaldo to head past
Buffon at the near post.
Ranierii has seen his side slump
to one point in three games and seen Fiorentina close the points gap. Injuries have been a factor but shutting up
shop and then conceding two late on is shoddy at best. The Bianconeri can complain about cheats and
punishment all they want, they have a fine squad, good players and a good
manager, they just aren’t playing as well as they can recently.
Prandelli will be fashionably
delighted. Smart changes freshen up his
side and his tactics were carried out in exemplary fashion by his players. The side is still not at full strength yet
worked hard and created much. La Viola
are young side sprinkled with experience and style. They play a good brand of football with some
good energy and commitment. Five years ago
they were defunct and now they have climbed back into the upper echelons of
Serie A and Europe. They are always susceptible when ahead but do
score freely.
Expect that at home on Thursday
night they play with the same attacking and committed 4 3 3 against Everton; even
though the personnel will be different
Reggina put one over on a stuttering Old Lady to grab a bit of
relegation relief. Some brilliant
touches and some shoddy play in an odd game that ended in fireworks.
The Granillo in Febuary, both
teams well represented and neither bolshily optimistic nor dreadfully
pessimistic. Juventus wanted to leapfrog
Roma and Reggina needed to mount another last ditch fightback from the gaping
maw of Serie B.
Amaranto manager Ulivieri feared
for his job as he picks the team.
Campagnolo keeps goal behind a back three of Lanzario, Valdez and Aronica. Defender Cirillo is put in midfield to help
shore things up alongside Cascione, Barretto and Vigiani; wide on the left to
provide an attacking option is Modesto. Brienza operates forward and mostly right
with Vigiani sitting between attack and midfield, Amoruso is the target
man. Kind of a 3 4 1 2.
Ranierii is hit by a back virus
and other injuries and has to select a makeshift team with little on the
bench. Belardi keeps goal with a back
four of Gygera, Legrottaglie, Chiellini and Molinaro. Camoranesi, Zanetti, new signing Sissoko and Nedved
are strung across midfield with Del Piero and Palladino in attack.
Reggina come out hard but quality
soon tells and Juventus dominate the early going with an impressive array of
touches, the lack of much goal threatening action doesn’t stop the Bianconeri
from mostly dominating the first half hour.
Amoruso selfishly shoots when a
lay of to the left would have found the open man.
Del Piero’s chance comes at him
too quickly and is cleared.
Camoranesi is floating around and
causing the Amaranto a lot of problems.
Belardi saves well from Modesto.
Sissoko flails at a half chance
and pokes the ball over.
Although Ranierii’s men dominate
they seem disjointed somehow, the lack of a penalty box striker could explain
it. Seems as though it will be only a
matter of time before their neat build up play actually forges a chance that
someone will bury in the net.
Mentally Juventus step off the
gas, passes go astray and Reggina claw their way back into the game. Some sloppy defending leads to a corner;
Sissoko half clears the second one and Legrottaglie; not on his best form of
the season; is slow to step up which leaves Belardi one on three with the
Amaranto attack, Brienza accepts the gift and finishes well past the stranded
‘keeper.
Hardly galvanized into action
Juventus still look out of sorts and only reassert their obviously better skill
in the final five minutes of the half.
Again Camoranesi is at the heart
of everything good for Juve.
Neither side changes at the
half.
Backs to the wall, ten men behind
the ball kind of effort from the Amaranto are on the cards and duly
delivered.
Juventus look frustrated and unlikely
to force the equalizer as the well drilled home side defend deeper and more
resolutely as the half wears on. What
they lack in skill they more than make up for in grit and determination.
Valdez makes a late and well timed tackle to
rob the ball off Sissoko as the Mali International gets a run into the
box. Camoranesi has a go from distance
as does Nedved.
Grygera comes on for the more
attack minded Salihamidzic and Ulivieri brings on Tognozzi for Cascione.
It all goes horribly wrong for
the home side a nothing shot without much power behind it finds Campagnolo
asleep, he wakes up in time to fumble over the ball as Del Piero wheels away to
celebrate another Serie A goal. Really
really poor ‘keeping.
For the rest of the game it’s
more Juventus attacking and more Reggina defending, Reggina tire first although
late on even Juventus start to fade a little.
Costa gets a rough Serie A debut
and a little while later Makinwa is thrown on to replace the injured
Brienza.
Juventus threw it all forward and
did very little defending, Reggina clearances allowed them to mostly control
possession. A late break by Amoruso did
need Belardi to be alert and quick off his line, n o mean feat for a virtual
spectator.
Injury time and it all
exploded.
Camoranesi’s header comes off an
arm and Juve expect a spot kick, the ball is cleared well as the referee
ignores the pleadings and Reggina attack on the right. A more hopeful than stunning cross finds
Sissoko and Amoruso as favourites for the ball, Sissoko needlessly pulls off
some flying kung fu kick which misses the ball and catches Amoruso. The referee is well places and point to the
spot amidst howls and begging please from Juventus.
Amoruso duly ####s the penalty
past his old team mate and Reggina win.
Tough loss for Juventus. Great win for Reggina. The ref played the game well enough. Seemed to get most things right amidst all
the diving and play acting.
How he only gave Legrottaglie
only a yellow when the Juventus defender wanted a wrestling match only he will
know, he even gave a card after the whistle for a cheap and girly kick by
Zanetti.
Juventus:-
Belardi
Grygera (Salihamidzic 61)
Legrottaglie
Chiellini
Molinaro
Camoranesi
Zanetti
Sissoko
Nedved
Palladino
Del Piero
Goals:-
Del Piero 71
Bookings:-
Grygera
Legrottaglie
Zanetti (R )
Reggina:-
Campagnolo
Lanzario
Valdez
Aronica
Cirillo
Cascione (Tognozzi 63)
Barretto
Modesto (Costa 82)
Vigiani
Brienza (Makinwa 86)
Amoruso
Goals:-
Brienza 32
Amoruso 93 (P)
Bookings:-
Lanzario
Amoruso
Brienza
Referee:-
Dondarini
Does it surprise that FSC got the
team sheets wrong again?
Inter won in Serie A and lost in Europe, Milan drew twice last week, Fiorentina won
twice and Juventus won then had the middle of the week off.
Wins for Sampdoria, Lazio, Empoli, Palermo
and Udinese set smiles off in Genoa, Rome, Empoli, Palermo and Udine.
Losses for Genoa, Catania, Roma, Napoli, Atalanta, Cagliari
and Reggina means tears in Genoa, Catania, Rome, Naples, Bergamo, Cagliari and
Reggio Calabria.
Draws for Parma, Siena, Torino mean scratched heads in Parma,
Siena and Turin.
Shock of the week, Empoli handing it to Napoli in Naples.
Non shock of the week, Inter wins, again.
FIXTURES
Reggina V Juventus
A week without the hullabaloo of Europe
will be good for the Bianconeri, time to relax and plan for a second place
challenge. Reggina have had some soul
searching to do on the back of four losses, it looks bleak for the Amaranto.
Reggina were hammered by four in their last meeting.
The firepower at home is weak (if not AWOL) and Juventus
have an awful lot of talent.
Milan V Palermo
A tough trip to London
and a laundry list of injuries will be tough for the Rossoneri to overcome and
bring their all to the Stadio Meazza against tough but fragile opposition. Palermo may
have turned a corner but will be wary of the Milan side at home and be in a cautiously buoyant
mood.
Palermo
beat Milan Palermo earlier this season.
Inconsistent form is the bane of both clubs with a lot to
play for this could be a cracker or a tight and tense draw. Managers and players will decide the outcome;
fresher legs may play a part. Europe beckons.
Torino V Parma
Neither side scored in the last round of Serie A. The Toros are in more ebullient form than the
Gialloblu although neither side is yet free of relegation worries.
Parma beat Torino in Parma.
The forwards aren’t firing particularly well for either club
but expect the home side to be less cautious.
Has all the makings of a defensive draw so it’ll probably be hugely one
sided or something.
Atalanta V Sienna
Comfortably mid table versus uncomfortably close to the
bottom three. Sienna comes into the game
with one loss in their last three while Atalanta has one win in five.
The Zebrette and Nerrazzurri drew in Siena.
Siena
play well but struggle to finish and Atalanta are much too inconsistent
recently. Best possible game would ensue
if Sienna scored first and early.
Cagliari
V Lazio
Finally the Romans won whilst the Sardinian side looks
mournfully upwards at the other nineteen Serie A sides. Things aren’t all that bright in Rome though with poor
form amidst the ruins of high expectations.
The Rossoblu got well beaten by the Biancocelesti in Rome.
Neither side has it easy finding the net although Lazio do
better away than do Cagliari
at home. This could go either way but a
lot will depend on how much fight the Sardinians actually have; there are still
fourty five points to win.
Empoli V Catania
Wow and unexpected stuffing of the Azzurri leave the Azzurri
in grand fettle. Catania’s loss last week has them only a
point above Empoli but they generally play better football. This still has the makings of a relegation
six pointer.
Last time out the Elefanti beat Empoli.
Form is with Empoli on the back of two wins as opposed to
four losses. Neither side scores many
with Pozzi being the standout forward; an injury means though that neither side
really has any edge in that department.
Home form will probably tell but the points will be hard fought
for.
Livorno V Napoli
The loss to Inter is part of an Amaranto spiral downwards,
they want a few wins though to haul into themselves back into the mid table
melee. Two losses for the Azzurri is
uncreditable, given their weapons and defensive minded coach.
The home side lost in a tight one earlier this season.
Formation and personnel is crucial for Napoli,
stars are out and a choice between 352 and 443 is tough. Livorno will
look to take on a weakened team with verve and vim at home, the wrong result
will see them in the bottom three come Sunday night.
Roma V Fiorentina
Winning in Europe is
good. The legs don’t feel so tired and
the heart and mind are full of fire and confidence. The Giallorossi still have a task in the
second leg and La Viola contemplates the Blues.
Both sides have three domestic wins in the last five with Fiorentina
edging a point closer to Roma on the back of one loss less.
Florence
saw a combustible score draw last time the two sides met.
Roma have Juventus breathing fire from below and the smell
of old age liniment is wafting up from Milan. European football next year is a must, the
name of the Cup is more vital than life itself; if you were to believe the
media.
Should be a cracking game with two sides that have plenty of
weapons, decent stoppers and solid back lines.
Mutu has more goals than Totti, take away the penalties and it’s only
one more though, expect big things from both players.
Sampdoria V Inter
Licking his hand and combing it through his coiffure as
opposed to licking his wounds and criticizing referees. A Sampdoria starlet and a Scudetto winning
manager. Europe
and Anfield was a blow, the derby d’lanterna was also a blow but the goal and
the madman were magical.
Inter still seem to be unstoppable in the league and
vulnerable in Europe whilst a Cassano inspired
Sampdoria keep climbing the table.
The Blucerchiati were soundly thrashed in a one sided
Nerrazzurri mauling in Milan.
The midfield is getting out of it’s mess and now the defence
has just slipped into one, an abundance of strikers and goals is the key for
Inter. Cassano grows into the
inspiration for Sampdoria whilst Belluci keeps ban ging in the goals. Expect some fireworks, some histrionics and
possibly a cracking game and an Inter loss.
Of course Mancini might have kicked his players and himself so hard on
the flight back from England that Inter’ll be superkeen to stomp all over
Cassano and co.
Udinese V Genoa
The uns exy side in Serie A have started getting back to
winning ways now that the spotlight is turned elsewhere. The Grifani continue to stay in the middle of
the pack with some up and down play and results. The side from Udine boasts the only cappocannoniere in
waiting who does it without the spot.
Genoa
star Borriello bagged a hat trick earlier in the season.
Udinese have some potent weapons and a mean defence, Genoa’s are less potent
and mean though not without merit. The
home side would be favoured although Derby
results can be misleading. Could be
anyone’s a Genoa
goal early would be a nice start.
My Games of the Week.
Sampdoria V Inter is trumped (just) by Roma V Fiorentina
(keep your eye on a bounceback thrashing from Napoli)
What’s On FSC?
Reggina V Juventus (Sat)
Roma V Fiorentina (Sun)
Milan V Palermo (Sun)
Expect at least one Game Summary and another episode of
SERIE A IN BRIEF IN PICTURES.
Derby del Sud doesn’t disappoint, unless
you happen to be a Napoli fan. Pulsating game between southern upstarts is
nail biting from start to finish. The
Rosanero carve out a win after five straight draws to overhaul their Southern
neighbours.
No away fans allowed at the
Stadio Renzo Barbera; although it’s likely that traveling supporters got
tickets. The atmosphere in Sicily was good; both
clubs have an intertwined history so the feeling at the stadium wasn’t as taut
as in other Serie A fixtures. The last
time these two teams met in the top flight was in the seventies so both sets of
the match is eagerly anticipated, with their closeness in the table; separated
only by goal difference; much is at stake.
Colantuono, without Amauri or
Miccoli gives the Uruguayan, Cavani a start up front, Brienza plays in the hole; his first start this
season. The midfield of Diana and Caserta out wide and
Simplicio and Tedesco in the middle is solid with the creativity handled by the
Brazilian. Zaccardo, Biava, Barzagli and
Capuano protect veteran Fontana. The formation is 4 4 1 1
Reja fields a strong side. Zalyeta and Lavezzi up front with a five man
midfield of Garics, Hamsik, Gargano, Bogliacino and Savini with a three man
defence anchored by Cannavaro flanked by the excellent Domizzi and Contini. Iezzo stays between the sticks. The formation is an attack minded 3 5 2.
The game starts well with both
sides attacking at their first opportunity.
Hamsik is the first to take advantage of the space in midfield, getting
the ball after Napoli break up a Palermo
attack, his shot is wild and high and he knows it.
Palermo are up next and do
better, their build up is measured and patient and Garics does well to head
behind Diana’s cross at the back post ahead of the onrushing Brienza.
Zaccardo breaks up play and
starts a break and the pacy Diana sees his cross cleared.
Hamsik finds himself in acres of
space with a clear sight of goal but again wastes a good opportunity to test Fontana with a skied
shot.
Napoli only half clear a Palermo free kick but the
second clearance is used to break upfield quickly, Lavezzi gets into the left
channel but his cross is stood up just behind the run of Zalyeta. Moments later the Uruguayan gets onto a ball in
the Palermo area which squirts away from him to
Lavezzi who forces an excellent reflex save off Fontana at the near post.
The game is free flowing, wide
open with combativeness and skill being applied all over the filed. Napoli are
shading the early moments.
Simplicio shows his dead ball
skills with a wonderfully executed free kick form the right, the ball in is
flat and pacy and Napoli do well to clear the
danger with Cannavaro lucky not to give away a penalty for hauling down Biava.
Palermo comes forward and the bright starting
Cavani forces a smart save from Iezzo.
Palermo keep up the pace of the game with Cavani again, but this time
Diana’s cross is too high and Napoli race up the other end, a beautifully
cushioned header lays the ball off perfectly for Hamsik, the Slovakian has time
and space with only Fontana to beat but fluffs it high, again; the youngster hasn’t
got his shooting boots on today and looks mortified at his gross waste of a
brilliant opportunity to take the lead, Fontana’s smile says it all.
Lavezzi loses the ball which
allows Palermo to exert themselves in and around
the Napoli area, Azzurri managed to hang on
for a brief but vital spell of Rosanero pressure, Tedesco’s header finding the
upright from Capuano’s cross the closest to a goal.
Palermo
increased their possession and started to get to grips with the five man Napoli midfield; Brienza; having a bright game; could
only find the post after a sharp shot had the beating of Iezzo.
Contini goes off injured and the Paraguayan,
Maldonado takes his place. The substitute’s
first contribution isn’t so very good; a rash challenge on Brienza after being
turned inside out by the Palermo
forward, Simplicio can only hit the wall with his delivery.
As Palermo get handle on midfield Zalyeta drifts
out of the game a tad, he isn’t able to get much of the ball.
The referee is showing good sense
with a couple of good advantages to Palermo
and the Rosanero get intricate on the edge of the Azzurri area but the final
ball is wayward. When the moves do break
down it allows Napoli to get upfield, Bogliacino gets in a long range shot
which is easy for Fontana. Another Napoli
move sees Zalyeta and Hamsik combine well but the Slovakian’s pass for Lavezzi
is a poor one and easily cut out. Garics
fires in a good cross which leads to a corner kick, from the set piece the ball
finds Lavezzi who delivers a great ball into the box which Zalyeta can’t bring
down.
Savini brings down Diana as the
winger’s pace is causing problems down the right, another delivery from Simplicio
unnerves the Napoli defence, this one manages
to miss everybody and sail out at the back post.
Maldonado continues his
inau####ious game with a soft foul on Cavani, Brienza gets the delivery over
the wall but doesn’t manage to get underneath the bar.
Garics shows his pace on the
right but displays little control.
Simplicio gives the ball away in
midfield and Zalyeta moves forward, he finds Lavezzi on the left and the ball
in is well met at the back post by Biava, Fontana punches out the first ball in
but Napoli play it back in straight away; the ball pinballs around in the area
then falls to Lavezzi whose shot is safely gathered by Fontana.
Palermo
break quickly and Iezzo does well to turn Brienza’s shot around the post, his
technique on the corner kick is suspect but Napoli
clear the ball nonetheless.
The pace picks up in the final
moments of the half as both sides look to score before the whistle. The quality is not able to keep pace with the
action; Bogliacino firing high and Maldonado fouling Cavani for a yellow
card.
Neither Colantuono nor Reja make
any changes at the half.
Simplicio starts the second half
fireworks with a stunningly well delivered free kick form the Palermo left;
bodies and legs fly but Iezzo is grateful none gets a touch and claims the ball
with relative ease. The pace is quicker
then the first half and the ball is moving quickly through the midfield; which
is less congested than the first half.
Diana’s cross is half cleared by
Cannavaro and the return ball in sees Domizzi and Brienza clash in the area,
Rosetti waves away Palermo’s
penalty appeals.
Garics again fires in a poor
cross and as the play goes end to end Brienza is called offside.
Garics’s clearance comes to Caserta but the shot that
comes back in doesn’t trouble Iezzo.
Domizzi starts a move, some
interplay with Lavezzi then the Argentinean lays the ball to Hamsik on the
right, he finds Garics who cuts it back to Lavezzi, the delivery loops into the
six yard box allowing Bogliacino to get his head to the ball before he gets a
boot to the face from the Palermo
defender. Fontana is beaten but Bogliacino is too busy
getting treatment to celebrate the goal.
Simplicio is involved around the
edge of the Napoli area and plays the ball out to new man Pisano, the ball is
put back in and a great first touch from Tedesco allows him to get a shot off,
Iezzo is unsighted but in the right position but the ball takes a deflection
off Savini and loop wide of the Azzurri ‘keeper for the equalizer.
The Barbera erupts and momentum
has shifted to the home side. Palermo was behind for all
of two minutes.
Iezzo holds onto Diana’s shot as Palermo keep up their
good attacking play.
Hamsik; still lacking good final
touch today; can only play his return to Lavezzi behind the Argentinean; easy
clearance for Palermo.
Lavezzi shows pace and
determination to beat Pisano to the ball the substitute was shepherding out for
a goal kick, Hamsik shows good skill and muscles past two Palermo shirts before
the referee calls play back, the Slovakian is rightly incensed and gets a card
for his remonstrations with the man in black.
Hard to see what a foul was called for.
Simplicio and Pisano combine well
but without support the ball comes back at Palermo, the Rosanero Captain handles the
Lavezzi led attack with ease, robbing the Argentinean with a perfectly timed
challenge.
Palermo pressure pays off with a corner kick which Napoli
struggle with before Cannavaro steps up and clears behind, the ball in the
second time is more telling, Iezzo is cut out of the game and an unmarked
Tedesco arrives with a perfectly timed volley into the roof of the net. Shoddy defending from the Azzurri doesn’t
stop the celebrations from erupting around a jubilant Stadio Barbera.
Maldonado is lucky not to see a second yellow after a rash
shoulder charge in front of the Palermo
bench.
The game still manages to be vibrant, open and fast paced,
neither side wants to rest and both teams are looking for a third goal or an
equalizer. The Slovakian midfielder caps
off his really bad day at the office with another fantastic and powerful run
through the heart of midfield before he wastefully skies another shot when all
the effort has carved out a nice scoring opportunity.
Napoli are stuttering and finding possession more difficult
to use well, they lack penetration through the midfield, Gargano has dropped
out of the game and the Palermo midfield is
starting to dictate, exemplified with Zalyeta coming deep for the ball and
promptly loosing it to Palermo.
Tedesco comes off to an ovation, replaced by Cassani and
moments later Maldonado is withdrawn; he had a terrible game; for the striker
Calaio. Nice to see Reja isn’t shy about
his attacking intent.
The next attacking play leaves the players confused, Garics;
asked to drop deeper with the removal of Maldonado; cuts out a dangerous cross
from the right. The referee points to
the spot and Palermo
start to celebrate the gift but the well placed assistant needs to overrule
Rosetti – he clearly motions that the ball came of the Hungarian’s chest and
should just be a corner kick.
The kerfuffle dies down enough for the corner to come in and
be cleared.
Garics does better at the other end with a good cross from
wide which is well met by Barzagli, the follow up is blocked then Lavezzi fires
a cross in which falls easily for Fontana.
Cavani and Brienza carve out a chance from a Napoli error and get a corner kick. But Napoli
press more urgently then the home side, often leaving just two at the back as
Cannavaro steps up. Fontana feels the pressure and is grateful
his scrambling is able to keep Lavezzi out twice in quick succession. Hamsik finally gets a shot on target off a
Garics cross but Fontana
remains solid at the back and keeps the Rosanero ahead.
The introduction of Sosa for Zalyeta almost pays dividends
immediately, the tall Argentinean gets onto the end of a Lavezzi cross but
heads wide. Garics has a drilled, low
cross cleared, Fontana claims ahead of Calaio, the traffic was still two way as
Brienza is flagged wrongly for offside when through and clear on goal, Hamsik’s
effort is deflected into Fontana, Sosa heads along ball down but a foul is
called on Domizzi. Napoli is desperate
but Palermo
hang on and a last gasp header from Cannavaro flashes wide after sumptuous ball
skills from the diminutive Argentinean.
Colantuono will be relieved at
the result, five draws on the bounce is almost a sacking offence in Palermo. The win; against tough opponents; will be
well celebrated. The Rosanero played
well throughout the game and dealt with Napoli’s five man midfield for most of
the game, any frailties in defence were handled well by Fontana.
Reja; in the other dugout; will
be frustrated with an Azzurri performance that was slightly off, Maldonado had
a nightmare and Hamsik was profligate in front of goal. Gargano didn’t play as well as he can;
although the quick Palermo
play in midfield didn’t help the Uruguayan.
Some of the attacking play was good but an in form Fontana kept them out for the most part, the
defensive lapse on the set piece was poor and this will be something Reja will
work on.
Rosetti kind of grows on
you. He has a stand offish demeanour
which seems to work on the pitch. He
allowed some very good advantage to be played and allowed the players to limit
themselves. His consistency was spot on
today though he did err towards the lenient; Maldonado was lucky to stay
on. The conference with the assistant showed
good judgment, the better placed man made the correct call. The foul he called on Hamsik wasn’t an
offence then he booked the Slovakian for dissent, not a good series of
events.
