Serie A week 23 preview. 

 

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.

"F.  U.  C.   K.  OFF YOU TOSSER, I HOPE YOU BREAK YOUR LEG!"
"I HAD YOUR WIFE LAST WEEK!"
THE PRE GAME PLEASNATRIES IN THE ENFORCED SERIE A HANDSHAKE CEREMONY!


EASIER THAN SCORING WITH TOTTI'S WIFE!


EH LADS! ANYONE GOT A DUMMY (COMFORTER) FOR THAT MISERABLE SMEG TOTTI!


GILARDINO COULDN'T SCORE WITH TOTT'IS WIFE!


SUPERPIPPO COULDN'T EITHER!


1000 MALDINI APPEARANCES CAN'T HIDE MILAN'S AWFUL PERFORMANCE AGAINST PARMA!


DAVID, THEY ARE SO SOFT!  JUST WHAT DO YOU USE ON YOUR HANDS?
PIG FAT AND DUCK LIVERS - WORKS A TREAT!


EY-UP! SPIN TWO THREE! TURN TWO THREE! LEAVE THESE TWO FAT GENOANS IN THE DUST TWO THREE!
ITALIAN MADMAN LIVENS UP AN OTHERWISE AWFUL GAME WITH SOME STUNNING SKILLS!


BABY! YES! OH YES! IT WENT IN!
MAGGIO SCORES AFTER SO MANY BEAUTIFUL SET UPS! 

F.  U.  C.  K. ING BRILLIANT

I AM THE GOD OF GOALS

F.  U.  C.  K.  ING BRILLIANT

I AM MUTU

THE ROMANIAN GOD OF GOALS

THE GAS FIRE THIER WAY INTO THE QUARTER FINALS
C'MON YOU GAS!

1-0 TO THE BLUEBIRDS!


JIMMY FLOYD STILL BANGING IN THE GOALS!


FAT FRANK GETS A TON!


HUDDERSFIELD GET A LIFELINE!


ONLY FOR FAT FRANK TO CRUSH THEM!


A DELERIOUSLY HAPPY BAGGIE!


A SKY BLUE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO ELSE TO BLAME!


FINALLY KICK THE BALL INTO THE NET INSTEAD OF JUST KICKING SOMEONES BALLS!


THE LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF DEFENDING - CARRAGHER'S MASTERCLASS!


TYKES MAIN MAN HOWARD GRABS THE LATE WINNER AT ANFIELD!


WHO ARE YOU !
WHO ARE YOU!
WHO ARE YOU!



MIERDE!  BEATEN BY SOME SMEGGING SHOPKEEPERS, NAPOLEON WILL BE TURNING IN HIS GRAVE!


SOME SORT OF WIERD FRENCH GOALSCORING RITUAL HELPS FLETCHER TO GRAB A GOAL!



CALAMITY SHOWS HIS JOY AT A QUARTER FINAL SPOT!

Serie A proved to be a mix of the mundane, the farcical and the sublime this week.  Although looking back it has those properties every week. 

 

 

Roma crashed away at Juventus, given the Giallorossi's record in Turin it is still a surprise. 

 

Ranierii picked an  attacking if unfamiliar three man attack.  Sure they seemed to have plenty of the ball early on and had a few half chances, but in reality the majority of the Bianconeri crosses in the first half went AWOL, Camoranesi had a good game but was unable to unlock Roma.

Roma actually played a good tactical game in the first half, they sat back, built up attack slowly and tried to keep possession in the middle.  The majority of their crosses and balls into the box needed a Juventus boot or head to cut them out.

Roma always looked more threatening and composed. 

Nedved is a wily old campaigner and knows how to dive.  Sure the foot was stuck out, watch the replay, he starts the dive with his other leg.  That sort of play gets you a free kick in Italy. 

Let's not take away the excellent free kick from Del Piero, let's just point out the atrocious wall. 

Roma came out in the second half but the tactical nous of Ranierii saw Camoranesi withdrawn and Nocerino added.  So the Bianconeri have two holding midfielders, Roma get plenty of possession but failed to find that pass or that shot. 

Mr. Spalletti, clearly Totti is a talismanic figure in Rome, but clearly he was not fit today.  Playing him was pretty dumb.  Sure his touch can be sublime and his passing intricate but when he can't run to stab home a ball in the six yard box then he's just like a chocolate fire-guard.  Would Ranierii, Mancini, Ferguson, Wenger or Moyes play a crocked player?

 

Juventus:-

Buffon

Zebina

Legrottaglie

Chiellini

Molinaro

Camoranesi (Nocerino 46)

Zanetti

Nedved (Palladino 81)

Del Piero

Iaquinta

Trezeguet (Sissoko 67)

 

Goals:-

Del Piero 46

 

Bookings:-

Chiellini

 

 

AS Roma:-

Doni

Cassetti

Ferrari

Mexes

Tonetto

Pizarro (Aquilani 73)

De Rossi

Taddei (Giuly 60)

Perrotta (Esposito 82)

Mancini

Totti

 

Bookings:-

 

Goals:-

 

Referee:-

Saccani

 

 

Genoa lost at home to Sampdoria in a turgid game without much to recommend it. 

 

The bright start, Maggio and Di Vaio going reasonably close in the opening few minutes soon gave way to some really dire football. 

The two teams aren't solely to blame for this.  Them being two points off each other before kick off and local city rivals and having played to a draw earlier on in the season were just a backdrop. 

Fresh faced and freshly minted by FIFA Mr. Rizzoli; known for being card happy; had a total smegging 'mare of a game.  Breaking wind got you a stern look, spitting and he'd give a player the evil eye, make a goof strong derby tackle and he'd give s oft or stupid yellow. 

The teams cancelled each other out in a poor Derby game whilst the referee was happy to take Bob Marley at his word and "Every time I plant a seed,
He said kill it before it grow".  He had to do a Cartman and stamp his AUTHORITAH! On the game instead of letting it flow.  Then Rizzoli has the temerity to not book Delvecchio? 

 

Genoa had more possession but couldn't do much with it.  Sampdoria looked more threatening in attack but it took playing against ten men (a spurious couple of cards) and the eventual use of his eyes by Maggio to create the goal. 

Cassano was the one bright spot in the game, some brilliant passages of play and some entertaining whining flowed from the youngster.  Thankfully he didn't despair that the six other chances he handed to Maggio went AWOL and persevered to hand the midfielder the seventh. 

 

Genoa:-

Rubinho

Konko

De Rosa

Criscito

Rossi (Bovo 67)

Paro

Juric

Danilo

Milanetto (Lucarelli 64)

Borriello

Di Vaio (Figueroa 49)

 

Goals:-

 

Bookings:-

Juric

Paro

Danilo

Danilo (second get's sent off)

Konko

Criscitto

 

Sampdoria:-

Castellazzi

Campagnaro

Sala

Accardi

Maggio

Delvecchio (Volpi 68)

Palombo

Franceschini (Bonazzoli 83)

Pieri

Cassano (Ziegler 90)

Belluci

 

Bookings:-

Sala

Campagnaro

Cassano

Accardi

 

Goals:-

Maggio 87

 

Referee:-

Rizzoli

 

 

Injuries can be no excuse for this torpid and uninspiring display.  Top marks to Parma for making themselves hard to beat. 

 

Not much to say about this game.  Parma started the game with a point in mind and got it.  Milan started the game poorly and continued in that vein for the following ninety minutes. 

Even the highlights were awful. 

Ancellotti is praying for Pato. 

 

Parma:-

Bucci

Zennoni

Couto

Falcone

Castellini

Dessena

Morrone

Cigarini (Mariga 75)

Pisanu

Reginaldo (Gasbarroni 64)

Lucarelli (Budan 64)

 

Goals:-

 

 

AC Milan:-

Kalac

Cafu

Nesta

Kaladze

Jankulowski (Maldini 70)

Gattuso (Gilardino 46)

Emerson

Ambrosini

Serginho (Pirlo 46)

Kaka

Inzaghi

 

Goals:-

 

Referee:-

Dondarini

 

 

Adrian Mutu is sniffing around the capponcanoniere.  The Romanian is the difference in one of the best Italian games this weekend. 

 

Catania are hard to break down and have some good attacking options in Vargas, Pia and Martinez. 

Fiorentina are better away than at home although they have Mutu up front.  A good team with plenty in all departments. 

 

Catania shaded the game early on then Fiorentina got themselves straight and started to dominate possession although not chances. 

Some soft defending allowed Kuzmanovic to get between two defenders to nod home a cross for Fiorentina's opener. 

Mascara's introduction caused Fiorentina problems and more defensive fluffs (created no doubt from the dodgy Serbian 'keeper) led to a well executed goal from a corner, Vargas with the powerful shot from the sloppy clearance. 

The second half was end to end stuff, nail biting and well executed.  Mutu is the jewel in Prandelli's squad and a good knock down, powerful direct running and a blinder of a shot led to the winner for La Viola.  This was just after a passage of play that saw Fiorentina pushed back and Catania squander several half chances. 

This time Fiorentina weathered the late pressure and came away with a good three points. 

 

Fiorentina:-

Frey (Abramov 55)

Potenza

Dianelli

Gamberini

Pasqual

Donadel

Montolivo (Jorgenson 65)

Kuzmanovic

Santana (Semioli 76)

Mutu

Pazzini

 

Goals:-

Kuzmanovic 39

Mutu 70

 

Bookings:-

Mutu

Donadel

 

 

Catania:-

Polito

Alvarez

Silvestri

Stovini

Vargas

Baiocco

Izco

Biagianti (Mascara 46)

Martinez

Pia

Colucci

 

Bookings:-

Silvestri

 

Goals:-

Vargas 60

 

Referee:-

Banti

 

Catania's 433 would look like this is FSC were actually correct in their team graphics!:-

Polito

Stovini - a CB @ RB?

Vargas - a LB @ CB?

Izco - a CM @ CB?

Baiocco - a CM @ LB?

Silvestri - a CB @ CM?

Biagianti

Colucci - a F @ CM?

Pia

Alvarez - a RB @ F?

Martinez

That is just so dumb. 

 

 

Max Bretos and other commentators. 

Gotta single out the commentator here.  Firstly the team sheet for Catania was hopelessly WRONG.  The names of the players were correct but their location on the graphic was hopelessly lost.  Juan Vargas isn't a right back either.   Thankfully he didn't do the commentary. 

I'm sure that the people of Genoa love to hear tales about their nautical past but is it really necessary to waffle on about it during a football match. 

He wasn't the only muppet at the mike this weekend though.  Two normally reliable commentators; Richard Widdle and Paul Visca; seemed to think Juventus dominated the first half, surely they must have been bough some nice new Italian suits by Ranierii to be so blatantly pro Bianconeri. 

 

The bloke who did the Fiorentina game was excellent. 

 

Other Results.

 

Internaz ional 2 - 0 Livorno

The table toppers increase their hold on the Scudetto.  Suazo gets a pair and Livorno are glad to get out of Milan. 

 

Lazio 3 - 0 Atalanta

A surprise and welcome win for the Biancocelesti.  Back to the drawing board for Atalanta. 

 

Napoli 1 - 3 Empoli

Big trouble for the Azzurri with another loss.  With three sendings off it was a high tension game. 

 

Palermo 2 - 1 Cagliari

Guidolin's 'little girls' show some balls. 

 

Reggina 1 - 3 Udinese

Back into the European place scrap for Udinese, more woes for Reggina. 

 

Siena 0-0 Torino

Snore draw.  Hardly a surprise. 

THE END OF A PHENOMENON?

Serie A week 23 preview. 

 

Internaz ionale won again, so did Juventus and Roma.  Milan won then slipped up in midweek.  Udinese and Fiorentina lost ground, Sampdoria gained it.  Torino surprised Palermo.  Livorno pulled off two draws and Lazio fell into a sort of bizarre miasma.  Parma, Cagliaria, Genoa and Atalanta got unwelcome draws.  Napoli and Catantia are in the doldrums and the Scudetto is looking more won with each week.    

 

 

FIXTURES

 

Fiorentina V Catania

A draw in Serie A and a win in the UEFA Cup with Mutu being the difference maker.  Catania howls with rage at a dodgy refereeing decision that wouldn't really have altered the outcome of the game. 

Fifteen points separate the two teams with Catania hovering just above a relegation struggle and Fiorentina clinging to fourth spot. 

It's all about the Romanian for Prandelli.  Baldini will love the return of Vargas, Spinesi is the key to any sort of result. 

Injuries hurt Il Elefanti more than La Viola so expect a bag full of goals. 

 

Genoa V Sampdoria

Despite the draw at Livorno last week Genoa are still firmly in the middle of Serie A.  Sampdoria continue to push upwards and are chasing down a UEFA cup place. 

Only two points separate the two city rivals with much, much, much more than a mere three points at stake.  Derby, Italian style. 

Mazzarri will win more fans over if the Blucerchiati win and Cassano is the key to unlock the Rossoblu. 

Gasperini doesn't have quite the firepower of his cross town rivals but in Borriello has one of Italy's most potent Italian marksmen. 

Injuries and suspensions hamper Genoa a touch more than Sampdoria. 

 

 

Internaz ionale V Livorno

A cruel twist of the scheduling gnomes hands Livorno a second trip to the Stadio Guiseppe Meazza in less than a week.  Inter will want to win easy as they have a game against English opposition in midweek. 

A whopping thirty three points separate the two sides; although the Amaranto did stifle Milan in midweek.  . 

Mancini still has a mountainous injury list in the middle but still has some razor sharp attacking talents. 

Camolese's injuries aren't as voluminous; but are more crucial with Tavano's start uncertain. 

 

 

Juventus V Roma

Both sides won last week in differing fashions.  Juve are solid at home and Roma are on of Serie A's better traveling teams. 

A mere four points splits the second and third placed team so their positions won't change. 

Earlier in the season in Rome Iaquinta snatched a point for the Bianconeri.  The stakes this time around are even higher. 

Injuries aren't an issue for Spalletti or Ranierii. 

Camoranesi will be a key player although so many on the field in Turin will be able to turn the match. 

 

Lazio V Atalanta

Lazio embarrassed themselves at Empoli last week and a Muslimovic inspired Atalanta grabbed a point to Fiorentina. 

Crunch time for the two sides really, Lazio need to avoid relegation trouble and Atalanta need to get into the European chase. 

Only seven points separate the sides but two different stories are unfolding in Bergamo and Rome.  A quiet revolution and a disaster. 

Injuries hamper but don't hamstring either team.  Doni returns for Del Neri and Rossi once again tries to shake the most out of Pandev. 

 

 

Napoli V Empoli

The Azzurri are staggering; with another loss; and Empoli might have just sparked a climb out of relegation trouble; with a win. 

Reja has a target on his back with a run of stuttering results and Malesani is struggling with a poor away record. 

Eight points separate the sides with plenty of games to go to change things around. 

Injuries confound both the Azzurri and the Empolisi. Slovakian Hamsik is the top scorer available to Napoli; Pozzi is the threat for Empoli this term but goals away is a problem. 

 

 

Palermo V Cagliari

Can the Rosanero turn around their stuttering season and can the Rossoblu turn a three game unbeaten streak into a climb away from the bottom.  Palermo got hammered and Cagliari grabbed a disappointing point. 

Guidolin is under fire with the owner publicly insulting him in the Italian press. 

Although thirteen points separate the two teams their current form belies their place in the table. 

Massive injury and suspension worries hit Palermo with Cagliari smarting but not quite as hindered. 

Cavani should start for Palermo and Cagliari will look to keep things tight at the back and grab one. 

 

 

Parma V Milan

Spiraling out of control Parma face a tired but tough Milan who may be in the throes of an injury crisis.  The Ducali and Rossoneri both sna tched a point. 

Seventeen points split the teams and as in other games Europe and relegation are on the minds of supporters. 

City misfit Corradi is unavialabe and new signing Lucarelli is unlikely to play so Pisanu will be the key man for the Gialloblu especially as Di Carlo has other injuries to worry about.  Ancellotti also has major injury worries but has depth, Kaka's return could be pivotal.  Gilardino, if he starts, will be making the trip back to his old stomping grounds. 

 

 

Reggina V Udinese

Reggina came crashing down to earth last week with a loss to Roma whilst Udinese lost at home. 

Fifteen points is the gap and yet again it's points needed to avoid relegation or grab a European spot. 

Marino's Zebrette have more woes up front than at the back whilst Ulivieri's Amaranto almost have a full squad fit to play. 

Quagliarella's absence is a boon for Reggina as well as commentators, Zapata is a good young defender.  Amuroso and Vigiani are the two hit men for the Regio Calabria outfit. 

Could actually be a pretty good game. 

 

 

Siena V Torino

A win for the Granata and the residual affects of the Bianconeri's last win make for an appetizing encounter. 

Neither side is inspired this season although Torino is more disappointed despite being four points above Siena. 

Beretta is likely to stick with a starting eleven that has done pretty well against two top sides whilst Novelino has suspension issues; and for his players as well. 

With sox goals in two games Torino are on an exceptional scoring run. 

 

 

My Games of the Week. 

Juventus V Roma & Genoa V Sampdoria, (games at Reggina and Siena could be firecrackers as well though)

 

What's On FSC?

Juventus V Roma (Sat)

Parma V Milan (Sat)

Genoa V Sampdoria (Sun)

Fiorentina V Catania (Sun)