The big three of Italian football all registered wins at the weekend to keep the pressure on each other as the season draws closer to Christmas. Inter began the rounds proceedings with a 3-1 win away at an inconsistent Bologna side.
Bologna 1-3 Inter
Diego Milito continued his excellent form in an Inter shirt by putting the serpentini ahead half way through the first half with a well taken volley but Bologna responded almost instantly with a goal from former Napoli and Juventus player Marcelo Zalayeta. But Inter restored their lead before the break though a headed goal by Mario Balotelli, making up for missing a sitter earlier. Inter wraped up the points in the second half through an excellent move started and finished by Estaban Cambiasso with the help of a through ball by Diego Milito.
Milan 4-3 Cagliari
City rivals Milan wasted little time in asserting their presence against Cagliari, but all concepts of defending seem to have gone out of the window. Clarence Seedorf put Milan ahead early on, but Cagliari took a 2-1 lead after 30 minutes thanks to goals from Matri and Lazzari and it was well deserved. Milan seemed to have no answers until Pato's strong header forced Marchetti into a great save but only for Boriello to head home on the line. The game was turned on its head moments later when a wonderful piece of vision from Ronaldinho found Pato who's unstoppable shot found its way into the top corner. Pato again was at the heart of Milan's fourth goal when brought down into the area, and Ronaldinho made no mistake from the spot. Cagliari pulled one back through the promising Brazilian Nene, but it was not enough in the end.
Juventus 1-0 Udinese
Juventus squeeked out a win against an Udinese side that minus Antonio Di Natale seemed intend on playing for the point. Diego had a couple of efforts from distance in the early going, but Handanovic had no trouble in dealing with the shots. Udinese rarely ventured forward but Juve did and should have scored through Amauri on 30 minutes who was clear through but fluffed his lines. It did not have the attacking flare of Milan v Cagliari but the move for the goal was worthy of that game when Martin Caceres played a quality through ball into the area for Fabio Grosso to finish with consumate ease. Udinese had no answer and Juve took the three points to remain five points behind leaders Inter.
Fiorentina 2-3 Parma
In another hugely entertaining game in this weeks round of Serie A fixtures Parma conquered the Stadio Artemio Franchi as Fiorentina seemed to have their minds on their blockbuster midweek clash with Lyon. Fiorentina took the lead through Alberto Gilardino's header but Parma wasted little time in leveling the tie through Nicola Amoruso. Parma went one better at the beginning of the second half with Valeri Boijinov doubling the away sides tally with a well taken goal. However, Gilardino again showed his quality through another header to make the game 2-2. Parma though just would not be undone and a superb goal from Davide Lanzafame after a great ball through from Cristian Pannuci. Parma took the points.
Elsewhere in Serie A
Napoli continued their unbeaten run but could not break down Lazio at home on sunday afternoon as the tie finished as it started at 0-0. Roma, thanks to the return of Francesco Totti, gave Bari only their third defeat of the season in a 3-1 win for il Lupi. Genoa came undone again away from home loosing to the Cosmi effect away to a re-invigorated Livorno while city rivals Sampdoria warmed up for next weeks derby with a 2-1 win against trickey opposition in Chievo Verona. Palermo could only manage a 1-1 draw to bitter rivals Catania, but it was slightly better than the 4-0 reverse that they were handed last year. Still, this could not prevent Palermo manager walter Zenga from receiving the sack this morning as his short reign in charge came to an end. In the final game Siena lost again in Serie A, their 9th time already this season, to Atalanta by 0-2. The Tuscan side look in real trouble and will have their work cut out to survive this season it would seem.
Serie A by numbers: Week 13
League goals: 31
Home wins: 5
Away wins: 3
Current top scorers: 9 goals: Di Natale, Totti. 8 goals: Milito, Pazzini
Overall attendance week 13: 277076
Best individual attendances week 13: Napoli v Lazio: 46,524 Roma v Bari: 41,248 Milan v Cagliari: 39,821
Season average attendance per game so far: 24,160
Monday, 23 November 2009
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