Week 34 Review: Super Genoa, Super Milito

Genoa 3-1 Sampdoria
The last of the major derby's this season gave great reason for it to be remembered as one of the best. It has everything. Passion, colour, red cards and oh yes, a hatfull of goals. Genoa had lost their last three derby home fixtures, but were ensured to finish above their rivals in Serie A for the first time in 27 years, something that no doubt the Sampdoria faithful would not be to happy about. Genoa also won the first derby between the two sides this season 1-0. But it was Sampdoria who should have opened the scoring early on, as Pazzini was fed through by Cassano but blasted his effort well over the bar. Diego Milito however was in red hot form, and Castellazzi did well to palm a low effort from the edge of the area around the post. However, Genoa went 1-0 up from that corner as Milito tapped in at the far post. But, in the second minute of injury time Sampdoria drew level. Campagnaro caught a brought a deflected shot under control and slotted past Rubinho, despite questions of offside. The noise generated by the Sampdoria fans at half time was inspirational and in direct contrast to a muted Genoa end. However, that changed during the second half when Diego Milito put Genoa in front again. Sampdoria looked to clear the ball but it bounced back of a Genoa player into the path of Milito, who swept across the face of goal into the net. Tensions went through the roof with little time left to play, as Genoa were reduced to nine men and Sampdoria to ten. Despite a lack of numbers Genoa and Milito made it 3-1 in injury time as a2 on 1 situation easily allowed for Milito to tap home.

Race for the Title
Inter Milan 2-0 Lazio
Lazio were beaten for the second consecutive week against and Inter side looking to get back to winning ways after loosing to Napoli in the previous round. Lazio started well and Julio Cesar needed to keep alert early on as he pushed a Kolarov effort out from the underside of the bar. Tommaso Rocchi soon followed up after a delightful Zarate back heel opened up space for Rocchi to fire on goal, although the effort was dissapointing. Zarate continued his good form as Lazio dispensed with the early Inter pressure and the young Argentine won a corner after worming his way around the Inter defenders time and time again. However, Inter soon put the pressure on again as Ibra headed just wide of the Lazio goal. Zarate again however was involved in the action as a powerful drive from 25 yards was just tipped over by Julio Cesar late in the first half. After the break however Inter woke up. Crespo was brought on to add additional firepower. Still, Lazio had another chance in the early second half as Rocchi fired wide on his left after Muntari fell over. But this was all leading up to an Inter goal, because if you don't take your chances when given them then you are asking for trouble. Ibra cut past Rozenhal in the area and fired a right foot missile into the top right corner to give Inter a 1- advantage. Later in Ibra made it 2-0 as he slid through a wonderful ball to Muntari who fired past Muslera with his left foot. It was all over for Lazio, who despite a valiant effort, sink to 10th in the table.

Catania 0-2 AC Milan
Catania was the next victim of this Milan Juggernaut who perhaps only after Barcelona are playing some of the best football in Europe at the moment. They all but wrapped up a place in the Champions League next season and need only 4 points to confirm this for sure after sweeping Catania aside. However, Catania threatened early on as they hit the woodwork. Milan however opened the scoring in the eleventh minute as Kaka continued his excellent form on a run through midfield in which he slotted through to Inzaghi who took it well and put the ball past Kosicky. Milan and man of the moment kaka made it 2-0 after the break as kaka tapped in after an Ambrosini cut back. This was an important moment for Milan as they now looked comfortable despite the poor conditions that the match was played in. Inzaghi however could have had a hatrick, as he blasted over on one occassion and hit the post on another all thanks to the manner in which Milan barley gave up the ball in the second half. The close the gap to seven on Inter, and will hope for them to slip up before the season is out.

Juventus 2-2 Lecce
The turin side really have lost the plot as of late, and appear mentally weak at a decisive point in the season. Lecce took the lead early on despite a question of offside as Axel Konan went one on one with Buffon and side footed it home. Juventus finally got a shot on goal in the 43 minute as a Del Piero freekick hit the post. Half time arrived, but strangely Buffon spent most of it in his goal stretching and muttering to himself. Something Ranieri said seemed to work, as Nedved equalised 9 minutes into the second half. Nedved made it 2-1 later on as he fired across goal into the top right corner. Juve needed these three points to sure up third place, but they blew it in injury time as Castillo headed home on a free header at the near post to share the spoils for Lecce.

ELSEWHERE IN SERIE A
Fiorentina kept fourth place within their grasp as Juan Manuel Vargas scored again to give the viola a 1-0 win over Torino. Bologna collapsed at home to Reggina 2-1 after a stunning second Reggina goal sealed the points and some hope to beat the drop for the southern side. Udinese and Fabio Quagliarella continued their good form by beating Atalanta 3-0 before they face Lazio next week in the saturday evening match. Roma continued their struggles as Chievo came and took a point in a 0-0 at the Olimpico. Siena will almost certainly play Serie A football next season as they beat an inconsistent Napoli 2-1 at home to take their points total to 40. Finally, two of the suprise teams of the season clashed to see who would advance to challenge Roma for sixth place. Palermo rose to the challenege and beat Cagliari 5-1 to continue their remarkable home record as their quest to reach the Uefa cup.

FIVE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Diego Milito: 19 goals now in 27 games is a remarkable return for the Argentine, and who would bet against him from taking the top scorers title this season.

Kaka: Again the Brazilian illustraited why Serie A and Milan cannot afford to loose him to Madrid next year. Great passing and another goal ensures he remains one of the worlds best.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Lead by example to score another super goal and another wonder assist to again like the above illustrait why Serie A needs to keep this man and its stars.

Gianluigi Buffon: Put his emotions on his sleave by telling Iaquinta that they were playing shit yesturday and he was right. Juventus means everything to this man.

Edison Cavani: All the talk this season about young guns has been about Pato, Zarate, Hamsik and Lavezzi. Barley a word has been mentioned of this young man who scored another goal for Palermo against Cagliari to take his total to 14. Although not as spectacular as Pato or Zarate, his contribution is just as significant.