AC Milan lost for the first time in 8 matches as Juventus too was held to a draw. Lazio won against Udinese to take them within three points of league leaders Milan. This week also saw the Sampdoria-Genoa fixture being postponed. TheHardTackle reviews the week went by.
AC Milan 0 – 1 Roma
It takes a Rossoneri to bring down a Rossoneri. That was what transpired when Milan took on Roma this weekend. Milan was beaten for the first time in 8 matches. Even though Milan had most of the possession and also more shots on goal (15, compared to Roma’s 10), they still lost at San Siro.
The game started on a high tempo as Milan looked to finish off Roma in comprehensive style. A 5th minute shot from Robinho was testament to their intent. However, even though Milan created numerous chances, Roma goalkeeper Doni was hardly tested. Ibrahimovic had a lovely chance to put the home team in the lead in the 35th minute with a lob, but Doni was equally adept to it. Milan wasted a lot of chances while Roma grew in confidence. Roma scored with their second chance after the restart when Abate shot hit Boriello and it rebounded back into the net. Ronaldinho came on as late as the 86th minute but was unable to find that decisive goal. In spite of the loss, Milan still leads the league table as we head off towards the winter break.
Lazio 3 – 2 Udinese
Lazio was lucky to get all three points from their match against Udinese as they moved to within three points of the league leaders, Milan. Hernanes put Lazio on top in the 2nd minute and the score remained the same till half-time. Even though Lazio created multiple chances, they were unable to score more goals in the first half. Di Natale missed a glorious chance in the 11th minute to draw level but he shot over even after beating the off-side trap. Finally, Sanchez restored parity in the 49th minute with a header. But Lazio was not to be denied. Biava volleyed into the top of the net to put Lazio in front once again. But their joy was short-lived as minutes later, substitute Denis scored the equalizer in the 61st minute. Lazio finally got hold of all three points when Zapata scored an own goal by heading a corner past his own goal-keeper.
Cheivo 1 – 1 Juventus
Juventus dropped points on the road when they drew their match against Cheivo.
The game started in favor of Cheivo when they had a penalty in the 16th minute but Michele Marcolini botched his effort. Juventus had to take the help of an outstanding over head kick from Quagliarella in the 31st minute to gain foothold in the match. A rapid equalizer was denied by Storari when he kept out Mandelli‘s weak header. Quagliarella once again had the chance to put the game to bed with a goal-bound header from a Aquilani free kick. Cheivo pushed on for an equalizer and their constant pressure was finally rewarded as late as the 90th minute when Pellissier latched on to Gennaro Sardo’s right-wing cross to place a shot into the bottom corner.
Juventus had Giandonato sent off in the 52nd minute for a professional foul.
Napoli 1 – 0 Lecce
Relegation threatened Lecce took on Napoli this weekend and almost got a valuable point but was denied at the very end by a certain Edinson Cavani.
Napoli thoroughly dominated possession against the drop-zone team and had as many as 14 shots compared to Lecce’s 5. Napoli had their first chance in the 18th minute but Dossena’s effort went wide from the edge of the area. The first half ended goal-less. After the re-start, Napoli literally came into life and had many shots on goal, the first one being from Hamsik. With the limited possession they had, Lecce still tried their luck but was denied by Sanctis. Napoli finally won the game when Sosa’s pass found Cavani and his powerful 30-yard strike beat Rosati to earn Napoli three valuable points.
Match of the Weekend
Lazio 3 – 2 Udinese
The match see-sawed between the two teams and it was finally decided on an own goal.
Other results
Cesena 1 – 0 Cagliari
Bari 1 – 1 Palermo
Catania 1 – 0 Brescia
Parma 0 – 0 Bologna
Sampdoria – Genoa (match postponed)