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This weekend started off with Internazionale harboring faint hopes of retaining the Scudetto, as they took on relegation-threatened Cesena. Having beaten Milan at home earlier this season, Cesena were intent on sending Inter the same way. Their attacking instincts were clearly visible from the very onset of the game when Giaccherini warmed the gloves of Luca Castelazzi. Inter slowly came back into the game as they controlled possession, but they were unable to capitalise on that. The second half started in much the same way as the first, as Cesena again looked to threaten the Inter goal. The home team took the lead in the 56th minute as Budan scored his first goal of the season to put Inter in a spot of bother. Inter threw everything including the kitchen sink but the equalizer was just not coming. When all hope seemed lost, out came Pazzini. His first goal in the 91st minute brought Inter back into the game and his second 4 minutes later sealed the deal. And hence Pazzini once again proved to be the golden signing for Inter.
With Inter winning their match at the fag end, the pressure was on Milan to continue their winning run toward their first Scudetto since 2004. Facing Bologna at San Siro was never a huge task and Milan took to the game in an almost casual fashion. Flamini put the Rossoneri in front in the 8th minute. Collecting Robinho’s pass, he first shot at Viviano only to see him spill the ball once more in his path. Flamini did not err in the rebound and Milan celebrated as if they had won the title. Cassano took his chances but could not beat Viviano. In the second half, Robinho missed yet another chance when all he had to do was to beat Viviano in a simple one-on-one situation. Taking their foot off the pedal, Milan took their time on the ball as the game headed to an inevitable conclusion. However, their laid-back attitude almost cost them in the second half. Allegri introduced Pirlo and the young striker, Giacomo Beretta in the second half as he looked to give the benchwarmers a run in the field. With this win, Milan are just another win away from the title.
Then came one of the games for this weekend. Bari hosted Roma as they contemplated life in Serie B next season. Already relegated and staring at the wrong end of the barrel, Bari had nothing to lose as Roma came up against a surprisingly strong home team. Simone Bentivoglio scored from the spot to put Bari in the lead after just 25 minutes. Roma went in search for the equalizer and Totti proved to the answer once again. His curling free kick bulged the back of the net and sent Roma fans in a tizzy. However, Bari came back stronger. Huseklepp scored to send Bari in the lead once more before the break. Roma’s chances for comeback were dealt a strong blow, when early in the second half, De Rossi was shown the red for elbowing Bentivoglio in the face. Totti then scored from the spot to make the tie 2-2. He had a golden chance to wrap up the game with his second penalty, which was awarded after the red card to Glik. That penalty miss could have cost Roma dearly, but then Rosi scored in the 90th minute to save Roma the blushes and put them one step closer to the UEFA Champions League spot.
Next up was Juventus, who took on Lazio in a bid to grab that fourth place so as to qualify for the coveted Champions League. Lazio were already in fourth place and they looked to consolidate their position. Looking for the fifth consecutive victory, the hosts went on the offensive from the word go and Buffon was tested as early as in the second minute. Both teams looked for that elusive goal as they went on the attack. The game was nil-nil when Lazio suffered a red card. Ledesma received his marching orders for a foul on Melo and soon afterwards Juve got their lead that they were craving for. Pepe’s goal, albeit a deflection, took Juventus to within 4 points from the 4th place.
Game of the week
Fiorentina 5-2 Udinese
Udinese took to this game looking to grab the last Champions League spot but were dealt a huge blow in the form of Fiorentina. The goal-fest started in the 9th minute itself from a Vargas strike. D’Agostino doubled the lead in the 21st minute. From then onwards the game seesawed between the two teams, each looking to out-score each other. Pinzi and Asamoah strikes made the scoreline 3-2 in the 57th minute. The brilliance of Cerci was unleashed after that as his brace effectively killed off the game and gave Fiorentina a well-deserved victory.
Serie A player of the week
Alessio Cerci (Fiorentina)
This was his moment and he did not disappoint. Under rated throughout the season, he took this game to be his defining moment. His first goal in the 71st minute took the wind out of Udinese’s sails. His second from inside the box in the 86th minute was a sublime finish, via a beautiful cross from Marchionni.
Goals of the week
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pe-sx9VG3Y
Flop of the week
De Rossi(Roma)
Roma were in a slugfest with Bari, trailing the relegated team 2-1 before De Rossi had a rush of blood. In the 48th minute, he received his marching orders for elbowing Bentivoglio in the face. Needless to say, that was totally uncalled for and dealt a heavy blow to Roma.
Team of the week
Race for the Capocannoniere
Antonio Di Natale – 26
Edinson Cavani – 26
Samuel Eto’o – 20
Marco Di Vaio – 19
Alessandro Matri – 18
Results
Cesena 1-2 Inter
Napoli 1-0 Genoa
Sampdoria 3-3 Brescia
Milan 1-0 Bologna
Catania 2-0 Cagliari
Fiorentina 5-2 Udinese
Chievo 1-0 Lecce
Parma 3-1 Palermo
Bari 2-3 AS Roma
Lazio 0-1 Juventus
League Standings
AC Milan – 77
Internazionale – 69
Napoli – 68
Lazio – 60
Udinese – 59