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.
Palermo grabs the win after three fine Fontana
saves; one to deny Tavano from the spot; (the old man still has the moves!) and
one phenomenal piece of skill by Miccoli.
Livorno created little and had even
less response when they went behind.
Overall three points for the Rosanero but not a great game at all.
A fine Saturday afternoon in Sicily at the Stadio
Renzo Barbera. Mainly empty but the
Ultras were there. The atmosphere was
tense as Palermo
was still winless in 2008 as the game kicked off.
Guidolin finally sees the light
and alters his formation to give Amauri some help. The 451 is replaced with a more attacking
352. Fontana keeps goal behind a back three of
Zaccardo, Barzagli and Biava. Simplicio loses
his place and the five man midfield sees a start for Cavani on the right,
Guana, Migliaccio, Caserta
and new signing Balzaretti on the left. Amauri
gets a partner in Miccoli up front.
Camolese has to make do without
all his squad to choose from so makes a few changes from the side that narrowly
lost last week. Defence in mind Amelia
keeps goal behind a back three of Pavan, Knezevic and Galante. Balleri, Vidigal, Pulzetti, Loviso and
Pasquale string themselves out across the middle and up front Bogdani gets a
start alongside Tavano.
Palermo has the bulk of the possession in the
first half, as befits the home side.
They really don’t do that much with it.
Cavani and Miccoli are the
fulcrums around which the Rosanero attack and Amauri is a constant and willing
runner.
Cavani has the best chances but
lacks a precise finish. Miccoli delivers
some nice dead balls but Livorno is equal to
the task, Pavan doing well to make some key challenges and blocks in the first
half.
Vidigal has a chance for the
visitors but fires wide. Amauri has a
few more chances than the Portuguese but the result is the same.
The best chance of the first half
is a Livorno one, good interplay between the two front men, Tavano chips the
ball into the path of Bogdani who sees his powerful volley come off the firm
hand of Fontana, a fine reaction save.
Amauri’s running and Amelia’s
mistake cause chaos in the Livorno area but
Amelia manages to regain his composure and make a stop.
Late in the half Livorno apply
some pressure and Tavano forces a fine diving save from Fontana.
As injury time starts Zaccardo’s arms come up to deflect a Livorno shot and Bergonzi points to the spot.
Harsh, perhaps?
Tavano measures his shot and is
well read by Fontana;
the veteran has to be quick to reach the ball but gets down well to parry the
ball wide.
Both sides come out as they went
in.
The goal chances and half chances
of the first half don’t materialize early in the second, a turgid first fifteen
minutes sees little to delight the eye.
Plenty of mistakes; from both sides; a lack of imagination in attack
from Palermo and no desire to go forward from Livorno are the mainstay.
The only bright spot is a sweet move from Palermo, Balzaretti plays the
ball inside to Miccoli who measures a ball into the path of Zaccardo’s cutting run
from the left, the fullback’s shot is powerful and his aim is just off.
Substitutions from either side
bring an element of excitement into the game.
This is mainly due to the confusion created in trying to identify which
of the three shaven headed Palermo
midfielders actually has the ball.
MIGLIACCIO
GUANA
BRESCIANO - AN OZZIE!
Palermo does apply pressure, more to keep the
whistles from their fans quiet than any great desire or fire in the team.
A series of corners and aimless
balls into the well defended Livorno area
finally comes good. A corner kick comes in
from the Livorno left and bounces around in front of the six yard box until it
is hacked clear, Miccoli has been hanging back for just such an opportunity,
his first touch takes the pace of the ball and drops it into the perfect spot
for him to execute a blindingly fast turn, his whipped and powerful volley is
low and true, despite the desperate hand that Amelia gets to the ball. His delight is obvious and the tifosi
roar!
MICCOLI : STUNNING GOAL
The goal changes nothing much for
Livorno; stuck in defensive mode they trouble
the home side little as the game winds down.
Palermo
professionally slows the game down, drop like flies when challenged and retain
possession. Zaccardo and Amauri come
close late on but the points were in the bag as soon as the first goal went
in.
Guidolin may be a ‘dead man
walking’ but he still has half a season to re-impress the owner. The move to a more attacking 352 paid dividends
with the points if not the performance.
Balzaretti ran well up and down the left and provide a good outlet for
the Rosanero. Cavani impressed with his
movement and vision, Miccoli bagged an important goal but Fontana came through with three great saves
to keep a clean sheet. A result that can
allow Guidolin and Palermo to build for the trip
to Torino next week.
Livorno had their chances and was
denied by Fontana. Then they just shut down and played for a
point. A bad tactic which cost them the
points. Bogdani and Tavano were bright
and dangerous; apart from the telegraphed penalty kick. The team does defend well but need the
flexibility to play more than a counter attacking game if they are to avoid a
relegation dogfight. Another poor
showing against Genoa will see Livorno
drop into trouble.
Some referees wouldn’t have given
the penalty, some would. In a game that
lacked fire the referee did OK. .
Roma start at a gallop with some champagne football and resort to more
mundane tactics to grind out the win over a game but misfiring Palermo
Saturday in Rome.
A little over forty thousand in the Stadio Olimpico and still it look
empty but the Giallorossi Tifosi turned up the volume for their team.
Important game for both teams
with Roma keen to keep the pressure on Inter.
Palermo
needed the win to restore direction and confidence to their organization.
Spalletti makes changes from the
Coppa Italia midweek team. Doni keeps
goal with a back four of Cassetti, Ferrari, Mexes and Tonetto. Pizzarro, the ebullient Chilean and Brighi
sit deep in the middle with Taddei, Perrotta and Mancini sitting further
forward. Totti occupies the lone striker
role in a very fluid 4 5 1 formation.
YES! I DO USE THE SAME HAIR STYLIST AS ANDY JOHNSON!
Guidolin is forced into some
changes but fields a robust side. Fontana keeps goal with a
back four of Biava, Rinaudo the excellent Barzagli and Zaccardo. Simplicio retains his place alongside Migliaccio
and Guana with Caserta
and Miccoli operating as support for Amauri in a defensively minded 4 5 1
The home side starts with
precision passing and movement and some stunning touches from the Captain. Perrotta comes close to opening the scoring
with a volley that shaved the upright
Palermo is pegged back but warning bells
sound when a Miccoli corner confuses the Roma defence.
Guana and Migliaccio are worked
hard with the speed and fluidity of Roma’s attack but Palermo hold in there and Miccoli’s shot is
well crafted but just wide.
Pizzarro shows the bad side of
football with a hugely obvious dive in the Palermo penalty area, he gets away without a
yellow though.
Roma are flowing beautifully but
Totti reputation earns him a fee kick after Migliaccio legally robs him of the
ball, moments later Totti gets revenge with an unconcealed hack at the Palermo midfielder’s
ankles which surprisingly doesn’t warrant a card.
Palermo are game but a five man midfield
leaves Amauri isolated and the team relatively toothless in attack. When an opportunity does present itself the
Rosaneri are unable to capitalize, Zaccardo escapes the marking of Ferrari at
the back post and with the whole goal or Amauri to aim at finds touch.
Roma pressure resumes without
quite the bite of the first twenty minutes, Palermo
midfielder Caserta
skies a half chance.
The game is still tied at the
half, this season hasn’t seen much champagne from the Giallorossi but more of
the grinding and result oriented football.
Palermo
seem rooted to the idea of using Amauri on his own up front.
Miccoli gets onto a Migliaccio
ball as Palermo
come out with some hustle after the break, his turn in the area is neat and his
shot is wide.
With help Amauri is more
dangerous and it takes a cynical block to stop the Brazilian and Miccoli from
creating a great opportunity down the left, the resultant free kick is a
complete waste.
Roma have plenty through the
midfield but seem to stutter around the edge of the Palermo
area and when they breach the visitors defence they don’t finish well, Perrotta
hacks at a half chance in the area and the ball doesn’t trouble Fontana.
Tough tackling and a solid
defensive shape keep Palermo
into the game until the referee steps in and give Rinaudo and straight red for
a studs up challenge. In a game devoid
of malice a yellow and a stern warning should suffice.
Less than two minutes later with
Guana dropping into the defence a quickly taken Roma corner sees Mancini rise
above his confused markers and reach the ball in front of the flailing Fontana to head home the
opener.
The game is effectively over, a
slew of substitutions can’t help ten man Palermo
and Roma defend and keeps possession well, mostly holding Palermo at arms length.
The incidents in the remainder of
the game are Mexes heading onto the post from a corner with Fontana
well beaten, Cavani skying one from eight yards out and Fontana saving well from an incorrectly
flagged offside Aquilani.
With results like today’s
Guidolin must realize he has the remainder of the season before he gets the
sack. Palermo was tough to break down and obdurate
but lacked any real threat going forward with Amauri isolated.
They have talent and some good
players but if they fail to get a European spot by season’s end they will be
picked over by the bigger Italian clubs.
Every game when they push a man up to help Amauri they’ve looked more
dangerous. Coming to defend just isn’t
working for the Rosanero. A bright spot
was the form of youngster Jankovic.
Roma lacked a cutting edge against
Palermo but had
enough guile and quality to eke out a win.
A good home three, especially with Inter drawing keeps faint Scudetto
hopes alive. The return of Aquilani will
be refreshing for Spalletti as will the fight for places when the squad is at
full strength.
Brighi was harsh in the sending
off and lenient when Cassetti didn’t get booked for a second body check.
Inter####onale are in top spot. Consistently winning; even whilst playing
poorly; is a feature of most of their campaign to date. The title is theirs to lose. The restart of European competition will have
a big impact on the UEFA Cup and Champions League places. Juventus, Udinese and Palermo don’t have any European football to
look forward to or provide a distraction.
Inter, Milan
and Roma have the Champions League and Fiorentina have the UEFA Cup as a
distraction.
SERIE A TRANSFERS
ATALANTA
Out: Zampagna (A, Vicenza)
CAGLIARI – some
strengthening of their goalkeeping and looking for goals in order to avoid
Serie B next season.
FIORENTINA – even more depth in attack to
maintain their UEFA Cup spot.
In: Cacia (A, Piacenza)
GENOA – help at the
back and in attack, to help push for a UEFA Cup place.
In: Criscito (D, Juventus), Masiero (A, Central
Espanol), Wilson (A, Corinthians)
INTER – bolstering the injury hit midfield
with creativity and experience.
In: Maniche (M, Atletico Madrid)
Out: Adriano (A, Sao Paulo)
JUVENTUS
Out: Criscito (D, Genoa),
Olivera (M, Penarol)
LAZIO
LIVORNO – strengthening the
defence to avoid relegation trouble.
In: Sidny (D, Nautico)
MILAN – bagging the
most talked about Brazilian eighteen year old in years to help them in Europe and take them to a Champions League place.
In: Pato (A, Internacional)
NAPOLI
Out: Gatti (M, Modena)
PALERMO
Out: Brienza (M, Reggina)
PARMA – last season he
bagged 20 goals for Livorno, he’ll help them
avoid becoming embroiled in a relegation battle.
In: Lucarelli (A, Shakhtar Donetsk)
Out: Cardone (D, Cesena), Paponi (A, Cesena)
REGGINA – defensive help and proven young
goalscorer in their battle to stay up.
In: Cirillo (D, Levante), Stuani (A, Danubio)
ROMA
SAMPDORIA
Out: Foti (A, Messina)
SIENA – two more
attacking options, to help balance their goal difference.
In: Porta (A, River Plate Montevideo),
Rigano' (A, Levante)
Out: Bucchi (A, Bologna)
TORINO
UDINESE
Out: Sivok (M, Sparta Prague)
FIXTURES
Fiorentina V Torino
A midweek cup trouncing might not get any better in Florence. La Viola is strong and coming of####ood win and
with Europe coming up and the European spots
up for grabs they have plenty to play for.
The manager also seems to be right back in the game. The Gigliati are at full strength and Granata
are struggling with injuries. Last week
Fiorentina won and Torino lost.
The Nerrazzurri scraped a win last week but expect a
different side at the Stadio Meazza.
Maniche is unlikely to get an outing as will Parma’s new signing Lucarelli. Expect a home win but don’t be surprised if
Lucarelli returns to Serie A with a ####.
Parma hasn’t
won away from home yet and a loss won’t help their slide into the relegation
quagmire. Both sides are at less than
full strength but Mancini’s charges have plenty of depth. Last week Inter won and Parma lost.
Genoa V Atalanta
Great result for Genoa
last week and they’ll need to play just as well to leapfrog Atalanta in the
race for a UEFA Cup place. Expect a home
win but this could be a cracking game. Genoa loses their top
Honduran and Doni is back for Atalanta.
Last week Genoa
won and Atalanta lost.
Juventus V Sampdoria
A draw for the Bianconeri; a lucky one at that; will need to
be erased by a home win. Juventus can’t
lose their position but they will not want to slip any further behind Roma or allow
Udinese and Fiorentina to catch up. Sampdoria
were on fire last week and will relish this tough away challenge despite having
a less than stellar form on the road.
Sampdoria don’t have a full compliment of strikers and Juventus are a
touch short in defence. Tiago may
start. Last week Juventus drew and
Sampdoria won.
Livorno V Empoli
Already a relegation six pointer and a local derby will make
this fixture shine (although last season it remained goalless). Livorno is
unbeaten in five and playing well under a new manager and Empoli are
struggling, with their last win coming in 2007.
Empoli are at less than full strength and poor on the road. Last week Livorno
won and Empoli drew.
Napoli V Lazio
Napoli needs to regain
their early season form if they are to mount a challenge on a European
place. The strikers and goalkeepers are
kept busy in Naples
so expect a few goals; from either team.
Lazio continue their poor form.
Gargano will be a loss to Napoli but
Lazio has plenty of injury worries. Last
week both teams lost.
Palermo V Siena
Palermo
come off an erratic run of form but are still riding high in Serie A, another
loss will dent their UEFA Cup ambitions and could see them drop places. Siena
are in deep trouble and really struggle on the road; one win in eight. This must be the start of the Bianconeri’s
relegation dogfight, particularly as they showed so well against Inter last
week. Expect goals with both teams
wanting the win. Last week Palermo and Siena
lost.
Reggina V Cagliari
Reggina are struggling but Cagliari is awful. A huge game for both teams. Another loss and Cagliari will be playing for pride, a Reggina
loss helps them not a jot. Amaruso will
be the difference maker and will want to shine so as to stake a place in another
Serie A side next season. History is
with the home side and the visitors have their share of injury woes. Last week Reggina grabbed a point and Cagliari lost;
again.
Roma V Catania
Second place needs defended and the visit of Catania is an almost certain three points, last season Catania got thrashed
7-0. Catania hasn’t won on the road this season
and nothing is likely to change here, Mancini is in a good run of form and
Spinesi is wearing his shooting boots.
The result against Juventus will give the Sicilians heart for this
fixture. Last week Roma won and Catania were robbed of
three points.
Udinese V Milan
Possibly the biggest game of the weekend. Milan is
certainly going to be tested by a very strong Udinese side that has only lost
once in Udine. Milan’s
away form is better than their play in the Stadio Meazza though. Pirlo’s absence will be a tough blow to
overcome; Gattuso is fiery but doesn’t have the ball skills that Pirlo
has. The three Brazilians will face a
tougher test against a tough Udinese back line than they did against Napoli. The Azzuri
have some injury and suspension problems but Quagliarella is in form, history
favours the Rossoneri. Last week both
these teams won and will be looking to continue the trend to solidify their
European aspirations for the home side and to climb the table for the
visitors.
Week 14 in Serie A is an important one
Four of the top five play each other and Juventus have a tough trip to
AC Milan, then you have two up and comers battling it out in the Derby of
Sicily.
AC Milan 0-0 Juventus
Not a bore draw. Some of the play was high octane, quality
football, just no end product. Juventus
had energy pace and no end product and Milan
seemed bewildered at times but fought themselves back into the game. Nedved and Kaka were the shining lights on
the park with some fine forward play; the Czech player is prone to the theatric
dive though although Kaka came close to emulating the veteran midfielder with a
comic flop over Chiellini. . Both Dida; not least from Salihamidzic; and
Buffon; from a variety of Milan
players; made some good saves.
TREZEGUET LETS FLY BUT THE POST COMES TO MILAN'S RESCUE
Ancelotti will rue another week
at the San Siro sans three points and Ranieri will have seen plenty to be happy
about in the Bianconeri play.
Neither side had that extra burst
of pace of deft touch or slice of luck to prise open their opponents and the
draw is a better result for others in the top half of the table.
Wow! It’s not just the Dutch that know how to play
total football. The version being played
by Mancini’s team at the moment is something beautiful to behold. They have power, pace, skill, finishing and
bags of work ethic. Front to back the
whole squad is oozing confidence.
Fiorentina are finding that
staying in the top echelons of Serie A is tough to do. La Viola started well, the interchange, verve
and skill of their front six allowed them to get plenty of penetration deep
into the Inter half. Mutu looked to be
in fine fettle without really troubling Cesar.
Inter’s first real attack bore
fruit though; a defence splitting pass from Ibrahimovic found the young
Chilean; Jiminez; free and clear and well bale to slot the ball past the
excellent Frenchman, Frey.
Fiorentina never recovered
despite a series of half chances which were never taken. The visitors played confident, assured
football all over the park. The front
line was always a threat and the defence rarely let Cesar work. Cambiaso was particularly excellent with a
stunningly energetic performance, box to box he was impeccable, apart from the
yellow.
The Swedish sensation may not be
finding the net in the league but his passing and vision created two today,
just before the half his sublime flick into the path of a well timed Cruz run
allows the Argentinean to continue his rich goal scoring vein with a cool
finish past Frey.
Ibrahimovic almost scored himself
late on but two fantastic saves from Frey frustrated the Swede.
Two changes at half time didn’t
do much for Fiorentina’s game. They
huffed and puffed but couldn’t blow down the house that Mancini has built.
BECAUSE IT'S ONLY EVER A GAME
THE ECITING YOUNG CHILEAN OPENS THE SCORING
The ex Sampdoria man will be more
than delighted with three points from a Scuddetto hopeful away from home.
Prandelli will have seen much to
be happy about but no goals at home must be a worry.
Elvis isn’t dead, he’s living in Italy
and supporting Fiorentina.
The Derby of Sicily was incident
packed and a fine advertisement for football beyond the hallowed turf of the
top clubs. The Stadio Angelo Massimino
had yet to see a home Serie A victory in this fixture. With a new manager at Palermo
and Catania
playing well things looked promising.
Both teams went at each other
from the whistle. The first ball was
usually forward and both keepers had to come out of the area to clear through
balls, Polito with his chest and Fontana
with his head.
The Elefanti had the better of
the early going with Martinez
and Vargas providing some splendid effort and excellence on the flanks.
Catania got a lucky break when
Spinesi hauled the ball back into play and out to Vargas, the Peruvian’s cross
met by Mascara ahead of the less than stellar Biava for the goal. Replays, Fontana
and the Palermo
defence suggested the ball had gone out but Terfoloni wouldn’t have any of
it.
Later on in a half that was
mostly Catania’s Biava clearance spooned up from the edge of the penalty area
and dropped invitingly for Spinesi, Barzagli gave the forward a push at the
vital moment but a smart referee and assistant spotted the infringement and
Spinesi duly tucked one past Fontana.
Amauri was too isolated to do
much damage in the first half. He got
company in the second and looked more dangerous, Caserta providing the assistance. For the second week in a row Palermo started
with one up front and for the second week in a row looked much, much more
dangerous when a second striker joined in, this also helped Brienza get into
the attack more.
Simplicio takes a quick free kick
to Tedesco; unfortunate not to be facing his injured brother; Simplicio plays
the return ball forward to Brienza whose deft pass finds Amauri, the
Brazilian’s flick is into the path of Caserta who outmaneuvers the defender
with a feint right foot shot, he leaves his man behind and buries one with a
delicious left foot drive.
The jubilation of the away team;
their fans are banned from the stadium; is short lived as a studs up challenge
by the Palermo goal hero is greeted by a red and the derision of the Catania
fans.
Palermo
struggle to get back into the match but gamely plug away, Fontana
is the busier of the two ‘keepers in the last twenty minutes and comes up with
some stunning saves but can’t do a thing when Martinez fires one past him. The Uruguayan caps a blinding game with a
stunning curler beyond Fontana
and inside the far post from some hard work by Vargas. Fitting that the two best Catania
players are involved in the third and best Catania goal.
Baldini will have seen much to be
pleased about, good attacking and solid defending along with some standout
perfomances from key players.
Unfortunately more good play from the likes of Vargas, Martinez and Stovini are likely to perk the
interest of some bigger clubs.
Guidolin; without the firepower
of Miccoli and Cavani suffered his first defeat in this fixture, not a good
start to his fourth stint at the Rosanero.
Roma 2-1 Udinese (Juan 10, Taddei
27 – Quagliarella 11)
Roma kept the pressure on
Internaz ionale with this well crafted victory with the team in joint second
place.
Both teams started well. Roma looking to work the midfield with slick,
one touch passing and Udinese looking to Di Natale to create.
Roma’s tactics paid early
dividends, Juan cam up from the back to poke a close range effort home for the
opener. Udinese responded immediately,
Quagliarella turning on a ball from deep and rifling one past Doni. Mexes was at fault for giving the forward too
much space, the Frenchman had an up and down game, some excellent defending
interspersed with some dodgy mistakes.
Zapata was the standout defender
for Udinese but could do nothing to stop Taddei taking advantage of a sloppy
Lukovic clearance.
Udinese kept looking to Di Natale
for a spark and despite some sublime ball skills from the Italy International
they visitors couldn’t find the net.
The Giallorossi dominated in the
second half, winning the midfield battle with ease. Udinese only came into the game in the last
quarter hour when a harsh series of red cards saw the Bianconeri reduced to
nine men. Saccani brandished the
straight red for substitute Pinzi for a clumsy challenge then Dossena got the
same for being overly mouthy. Roma
seemed to struggle to come to terms with their two man advantage, Floro Flores
brought the best from Doni late on.
TADDEI CONCENTRATES AS HE CROWNS HIS RETURN WITH A WINNER
Marino is doing well to take the
unfashionable Udinese to the dizzy heights of Serie A, a loss to Roma in Rome is no shame as the
contest was pretty close, at least in the first half.
Spalletti will be pleased with
the win but not with the shambolic last fifteen minutes in which the nine men
of the visitors troubled his team.
The Grand Old Lady of Italian Football hands out a footballing lesson
to the Sicilian outfit in Torino. Start to finish, attack and defence the
Bianconeri give the Rosanero an ‘in your face’ lesson on the application and
execution of footballing brilliance. A
sheer joy to watch such a dazzling display, unless of course you are a Palermo
supporter; in which case you have to wonder, “What went wrong?”
A vibrant and partisan crowd graced
the storied terraces of the Stadio Olimpico in Torino. A chilly but not cold night was the backdrop
for what looked; on paper; as a close game, Juventus were coming off two draws
and Palermo had turned around a run of draws
with a good win over Napoli, close enough in
points on the day to really affect the top of the table.
NEDVED, IAQUINTA AND SOME PALERMO DEFENDERS ADMIRE FRENCH FLAIR AND SKILL AS TREZEGUET GETS THE OPENER.
Ranieri did his tinkering before
the kick off with Del Piero on the bench, denied his first choice defence the
manager went with some second choice players and a returning right back. The line up goes thus, Buffon, Zebina; back
from suspension; Legrottaglie, the youngster Criscito and Molinaro. Camoranesi, Nocerino, Zanetti and Nedved make
up the midfield with Trezeguet and Iaquinta in attack.
Colantuono had the International
break to work with his players. An important
change was forced on him but changing the winning formula was mostly his own
choice. Three at the back protect the
second string ‘keeper Aggliardi in for the ill Fontana, they are Zaccardo, Barzagli and Biava. A five man midfield retains Diana, Simplicio and
Caserta with
Guana and Pisano getting starts. Amauri
rejoins the side and is paired up front alongside Brienza in a 3 5 2 or maybe
that’s 3 5 1 1.
Palermo thinks to push up to crowd the midfield
and overrun Juventus. Guana gives away
an early foul on Nedved and Iaquinta’s powerful shot is well parried by Aggliardi. The strength, pace, closing and sheer quality
of the Juventus front two and midfield forces the midfield five of Palermo to drop deeper to
help out their overwhelmed back three.
Guana; from his position
protecting the back three; clears a ball out o Diana on the right, the Bianconeri
midfield closes down the winger and Nedved roars forward, his cross finds Trezeguet
who fires wide.
Palermo comes forward and Simplicio neatly
nutmegs Nedved but the pass is too heavy for the onrushing Diana and Buffon
collects.
Juventus have plenty of
possession and allow Palermo
no time in the midfield at all. Diana
manages to get forward but his ball in isn’t controlled by Simplicio and
Juventus come away again. Quick passing
and a high tempo allow Trezeguet a shot which sails high.
Camoranesi finds Nedved at the
back post with a well flighted free kick but his touch let’s the Czech down and
the ball goes behind for a goal kick.
The Bianconeri midfield is
playing quick passing, high tempo football in attack and a cloying quick to
close down football when Palermo have the ball, the Palermo midfield is
struggling to play anything forward bar long wasteful balls and often plays
itself into trouble. Occasional forays
by the Rosanero don’t bear fruit with a neat one two move which Brienza starts
with Amauri not quite coming off, then the Palermo number 19 is closed down
easily by Zebina and Legrottaglie.
Zebina is showing a touch of rust
in his passing but his defending hasn’t suffered in his absence.
Caserta
forces a corner kick for Palermo
but a packed Juventus defence clears the poor delivery easily.
The Palermo midfield is being out played and out fought;
they give up possession 15 yards from their area when Nedved is hauled
down. Iaquinta’s free kick is almost the
same as his first, low and powerful, Aggliardi’s save turns it around the
post. The second choice keeper gets away
with a rash decision to come out, Palermo
are hanging onto nil-nil by their fingertips.
A rare Palermo attack on the right ends in a disappointing
Diana cross. Buffon clears upfield and Molinaro
takes the opportunity to get forward and have a shot, Aggliardi turns the ball
behind and Juventus crowd the area for the corner kick.
The first two deliveries are put
behind, the third Camoranesi ball in is met at the back post by Legrottaglie
who heads back into the six yards box, Trezeguet shows his stunning finishing
with a fantastic goal, the Frenchman is leaning back as he hooks the ball over
his shoulder past the defenders on the line and Aggliardi.
Palermo find some time and space
on the right again, Diana get the opportunity to deliver a good ball into the
box but his cross hits the first defender and Juve clear and go upfield,
Nedved; who is having an excellent game; breaks into the space vacated by
Diana, he plays in Molinaro but the final ball is poor; straight at Aggliardi.
Camoranesi; full of running,
ideas and graft; plays the ball down the left channel where it is hooked into
the danger area by Biava, Nedved steps up and see’s his goalbound effort
blocked athletically and desperately by Barzagli.
Juventus stifle Palermo again then attack but the cross is
poor.
Molinaro gets forward again and Aggliardi
comes out bravely to save at the fullback’s feet.
Palermo gets forward but Pisano’s cross is
easy for the Bianconeri defence.
The Palermo midfield gives the ball away, again
and Juventus attack in numbers Trezeguet plays in Nedved but the ball in is easily
claimed by Aggliardi.
Palermo break but again the final ball in is
poor. Palermo manages to break up a Juventus attack
and force a corner but the ball in is easily cleared by Juventus.
Camoranesi gets the ball wide on
the right and delivers a great cross into the near post, the low hard delivery
is dealt with badly by Barzagli under pressure from Iaquinta, the striker keep’s
his head and poke the ball over Aggliardi.
Zaccardo gets the ball out wide
but Buffon claims his cross with ease.
Neither Colantuono makes plenty
of changes at the half. Personnel wise
he brings on Cavani for Caserta, tactics wise he drops Pisano into a back four
and uses Brienza in the space between midfield and the strikers. A tactic that worked so well against Napoli.
Juventus start the second half as they ended the first; they
dominate midfield and have more possession and attacks, Trezeguet slicing an
early chance high and wide. Camoranesi
finds Trezeguet out wide and the high cross is met by Nedved whose cheeky
header goes just over.
Nedved is having a marvelous game, running things in
midfield with incisive passing and running and his work rate is exceptional.
The next attack is Palermo’s but it again comes to nothing, Brienza
wins a corner kick on the right; he is getting more into the game with
Colantuono playing a 4 4 2; the ball is delivered to the back post where
Zaccardo volleys at goal, Buffon earns his corn with a fine scrambled save to
smother the shot.
Iaquinta; more mobile in the second half; gets onto the end
of a Camoranesi corner but heads over.
Juventus have dropped the pace a little in the second half,
the four man midfield of Palermo
is working better than their five man midfield but they aren’t really applying
any sustained pressure to the home side.
Amauri gets his best chance thus far with a good run onto a
Pisano cross; he beats Criscito to the ball but heads over. This is the first time all game that Palermo have managed to
pressure and isolate the young Juventus defender.
Iaquinta wins a corner kick on the right and the ball in is
half cleared by Aggliardi, Simplicio half clears the second ball but Juventus
win possession, Molinaro and Nedved work hard on the left and a cheeky Nedved
back heel finds Molinaro in space, the fullback runs at goal and with the
defenders beaten his cross passes just behind Trezeguet and Iaquinta,
Camoranesi keeps possession and sends the ball back in, Iaquinta heads towards
goal but Aggliardi is athletic enough to prevent the goal.
Colantuono decides to bring on the attack minded Bresciani
but takes off Brienza who was playing well.
Cavani gets onto Pisano’s cross but can’t direct the
ball.
Juve are starting to sit just behind the half way line and
absorb any Palermo pressure, when they break the Rosanero attacks down they are
primed to attack in number or break quickly.
Iaquinta is brought off to be replaced by the talismanic Del
Piero; fresh from not playing for Italy in the week; he creates havoc
immediately with a slick one two with Trezeguet which almost sees him clear on
goal.
Moments later he gets the opportunity for his 138th
Juventus goal, Nedved sells minimal contact and wins a dubious free kick, Del
Piero steps up and curls the ball around the wall and inside the post, Aggliardi
is rooted to the spot and can only watch as the ball fizzes past him. Wonderful delivery.
Palermo
is deflated and Juventus are able to attack at will, their defence remaining
firm when the visitors actually manage to threaten.
A Palermo free kick sees them push forward, the ball comes
out and quickly with Del Piero, his forward runs draw in defenders and his
slotted through ball bypassed Trezeguet and finds substitute Marchionni on the
right, the young striker takes a touch to take Aggliardi out of the game then
slots the ball into the net.
The composure and finish may grace the Stadio Olimpico for
years to come.
Palermo manage to thwart a fifth with some last minute
defending as Del Piero gets forward and crosses to Nedved, the Czech’s volley
is goalbound but a pink shirted defender flings himself in the way.
Del Piero shows his passion when he berates Palladino in the
80th minute.
A chance of r a consolation falls to Amauri but the Brazilian’s
turn and shot from twenty yards out see the ball fly straight at Buffon.
Juve break in the dying minutes of the game with Nedved in
the left channel, the wily Czech dives over the challenge from the Palermo defender and makes
sure the referee sees his trailing leg catch the prone defender before his
theatrical roll and leg gripped in agony play starts. The penalty kick won he gets up and is
miraculously fine; this sort of blatant cheating is awful to watch but even
more awful when the referee is conned by it.
Del Piero duly gets his second for a five – nil trouncing of
Palermo.
Ranieri will be pleased that his
makeshift defence held firm and his midfield stifled the game out of Palermo. Keeping Del Piero on the bench worked as
well. This sort of display will but the
heebie jeebies up some of Juve’s Serie A rivals and keeps the pressure firmly
on Internaz ionale and Roma at the top.
Overall it was a brilliant
display by Juventus, the whole team worked hard and shone technically,
Trezeguet and Nedved stood out as having particularly good games.
Colantuono will be in fear of his
job after this slaughter. His tactics failed in the first half, albeit against
a vastly superior team. In the second
half his changes slowed Juventus down a tad but not enough for Palermo to actually get into the game. They were well beaten by a better team.
The referee; Saccani; is only 41
and has had 85 other Serie A games, his 86th was mostly good. Pretty fair to both sides and a believer that
the play should be interrupted as little as possible, perhaps a few of his
cards were hasty but the sorts of infringements he carded are being targeted in
Serie A.
Overall the referee did rather
well, but for his failure to recognize Nedved as a diving cheat. The Czech’s theatrics led to two goals, which
probably didn’t change the game but takes the shine of####enerally good
refereeing performance and a brilliant night from the veteran.
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.
