There were a few enthralling results in Round 30 of Serie A football, as we slowly enter the business end of the season. At the top, Palermo pulled off an upset in Sicily, as they beat league leaders and an Ibrahimovic-less AC Milan 1-0. The Rosanero secured a much needed win after six consecutive defeats to give Serse Cosmi his first points as manager. Inter and Napoli capitalized on Milan’s slip-up with victories over Lecces and Cagliari respectively. The race for the scudetto looks set to go down to the wire and make for an exciting finish as only three points separate the top three. Juventus finally gave their fans something to smile about with a 2-1 victory in Turin over Brescia. Alessandro Del Piero proved age is just a number as he rolled back the years with a magnificent solo effort to end Juve’s four game winless streak. The Old Lady now occupy’s 7th position in the League table with 45 points.
Game of the Week
Fiorentina 2-2 Roma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_c2AwPsxCQ
Roma came from behind not once but twice against Fiorentina in what was a scintillating game in Florence. La Viola took the lead through controversial Romanian striker Adrian Mutu in the 27th minute. The former Juve man dribbled past Juan and beat Roma keeper Doni emphatically to give Fiorentina the lead. The Giallorossi however, got back into the game five minutes later, after Fiorentina defender Gianluca Comotto clumsily brought down John Arne Riise in the box to gift Roma a penalty. Captain fantastic Francesco Totti stepped up and sent Artur Boruc the wrong way to get the Romans back on level terms. Er Pupone reached an important milestone of 200 league goals in Serie A and he did so in a stadium he had never managed to score before. Adrian Mutu was in the thick of things again, as he picked out Alessandro Gamberini, who lost his marker Juan, to calmly head past a helpless Doni. Thus, ended a thrilling first half with both sides full of attacking intent.
The second half started with Fiorentina looking very threatening. Juan Manuel Vargas hit the crossbar from just ten yards out with a brilliant volley. Roma then crawled back into the game as Riise’s cross made its way to Totti, whose thunderous far post finish kept Roma in the game. Thereafter La Viola had plenty of chances, which they failed to convert. The game ended in a stalemate as two of the youngest managers in Serie A came away from the game with a point each.
Serie A Player of the Week
Francesco Totti (AS Roma)
Il Capitano was once again the star of the Roma side as he scored his second consecutive brace. Er Pupone was twice on target against Fiorentina to give the Romans a precious away point. Totti joined a remarkable set of players that includes Baggio, Meazza, Nordahl and Piola as he netted his 200th and 201st Serie A goals, quashing any sort of sign that he was finished as a player. His first came from the spot as he outsmarted Artur Boruc by sending the Polish International the wrong way. His second was a neat finish after beautifully controlling John Arne Riise’s cross to stroke the ball home past Boruc.
Goal of the Week
Alessandro Del Piero vs Brescia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=314FB__UDFk
Flop of the Week
Bari
The Galletti succumbed to their 19th loss this season against Chievo at the San Nicola, almost confirming their relegation. After winning fans over with their impressive displays last season, Bari have failed to live up to the expectation in this campaign. They now sit at the bottom of the table, a distant twelve points away from safety. Bari were put to the sword by fellow relegation strugglers Chievo 2-1 in front of 50,000 of their fans, who right now may regret stepping foot in the stadium.
Team of the week (4-4-2)
Race for the Capocannoniere
Antonio Di Natale – 25
Edinson Cavani – 22
Samuel Eto’o – 19
Marco Di Vaio – 18
Alessandro Matri – 16
Results
Bari 1-2 Chievo Verona
Bologna 0–1 Genoa
Fiorentina 0–2 AS Roma
Inter 1–0 Lecce
Juventus 2–1 Brescia
Lazio 1–0 Cesena
Napoli 2–1 Cagliari
Palermo 1–0 AC Milan
Sampdoria 0–1 Parma
Udinese 2–0 Catania
League Standings
AC Milan – 62
Inter – 60
Napoli – 59
Udinese – 56
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