Serie A Weekend Review – Episode 26: Milan Victorious At Barbera, While Juventus And Internazionale Slip

By Amlan Chaudhury
12 years Ago

As many as 26 goals were scored this weekend in Serie A, as top teams cemented their positions in the table, whereas some others slipped miserably. While Juventus and Internazionale were held to crucial draws, Milan finally broke their 6-year voodoo at the Renzo Barbera.

The top two teams are now delicately placed, with Milan ahead of Juventus in both points and goal-difference. However, should the scenario remain the same come end of the season, Juventus will lift the Scudetto, as they have a better head-to-head record over Milan.

Ghosts exorcized at Barbera while Juventus held once more

It all started with Ibrahimovic being drafted into the starting line up after 3 matches, which he missed due to an ill-advised slap. His absence was felt at Milan last week in the match against Juventus, but the big Swede more than made up for his prolonged absence by dishing out a match-winning performance.

A hat-trick, scored in a span of 14 odd minutes in the first half, gave Milan the upper hand in the tie and they never relinquished it. The combination of Ibrahimovic and Robinho is one that Milan thrives upon, and the dashing duo ran havoc in the Palermo defense as coach Mutti tore his hair on the sidelines. The fourth from Thiago Silva was the icing on the cake, as Milan dominated the match throughout. Emanuelson and AmbrosiniAi?? also dished out exemplary performances..

Juventus then stumbled in response to Milan’s victory, as they were held at home. A spirited performance from the Bianconeri saw them score first via Paolo De Ceglie. Although the goal was scored from an offside position, the linesman never raised the flag and it was allowed to stand. Juve’s push for adding a second goal proved futile as the Flying Donkeys now came at them even harder than before. Moscardelli’s header flew past Buffon’s goal and it was evident that Chievo were now pressing even harder. Drame’s 76th minute goal broke Juve’s hearts as Bonucci made a horrible attempt to clear the ball off the line but in turn ended up slicing it into his own net.

Napoli overcomes Parma while Udinese drew at home

Controversy prevailed at the Ennio Tardini as Parma played out a pulsating match against Napoli. The Neapolitans scored the first from a dubious penalty, which was converted by Cavani. However, minutes later as Biabiany’s shot hit Dossena’s hand, a clear penalty appeal was denied by the referee. The match see-sawed between the two sides as Parma attacked over and over again. Zaccardo provided the equalizer in the 77th minute, but the match was far from over. Napoli finally got their noses in front when Lavezzi scored from an offside position, which was again waved off by the linesman. While Napoli left victorious, thereby consolidating their fifth position, Parma had the worry of relegation wandering around them.

Elsewhere, Udinese failed to get past a stubborn Atalanta as they were held at home – a result which saw them slip to the fourth place in the table. Andrea Consigli made it his personal goal to deny Di Natale as he had as many as 7 saves to his name at the end of the match. Atalanta rarely threatened Udinese and the game boiled down to the duel between Di Natale and Consigli, who blocked every shot that was hit towards him. Atalanta conceded possession all over the pitch and their only noteworthy shot on goal came at the fag end of the match.

Siena and Fiorentina claim home victories

For the first time this season, Siena claimed back-to-back wins by virtue of which they’ve climbed out from the relegation zone, albeit slightly. In the battle with fellow-strugglers Cagliari, Siena drew the first blood through Bogdani. Cagliari had the lion’s share of possession, as they hogged as much as 65% of it. In spite of that, Siena scored when it mattered the most. Their second from Calaio and the third from Del Grosso sealed the match in their favor.

Cesena saw their chances of remaining in the top flight go up in smoke as they were beaten 2-0 by Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi. Fiorentina dominated the match from the very onset but they lost their most creative player, Jovetic after only 20 minutes, as he was subbed off due to an injury. After that Fiorentina rarely threatened and were repeatedly booed by the home fans. Cesena’s luck finally ran out when in the 61st minute, an own goal from Moras put Fiorentina on top. A second goal from Nastasic condemned Cesena as they now look at a year in Serie B.

Lecce contains Genoa as Roma loses once more

Genoa saw a spirited performance from Lecce, a side from the relegation zone as both the teams shared a point. Sculli’s opener put Lecce on the back foot, as the home team now threw everything including the kitchen sink. Their efforts bore fruit as Muriel equalized and soon afterwards, Brivio made it 2-1 in favor of the hosts. However, their joy was cut-short as just minutes before the final whistle, Sculli scored his second and thereby earned a hard-fought point.

The biggest game of the weekend came next as AS Roma and Lazio squared off in the Derby della Capitale. Lazio had been victorious the last time these two sides met, but Roma was determined not to slip up this time around. Eric Lamela’s birthday celebrations were cut short, as he was substituted for reserve goal-keeper,Ai??Lobont after Stekelenburg was given the marching orders for pulling down Klose inside the penalty area. Hernanes scored from the spot, but Roma immediately replied through Borini. Mauri’s goal once more gave the advantage back to Lazio, who held on to dear life as Totti came close to an equalizer. Lazio too ended the match with 10 men as Scaloni was booked for the second time.

Bologna victorious over Novara as Internazionale slip, once again

Bologna earned a slim victory over strugglers Novara, in spite of a penalty miss by Di Vaio in the opening stages of the match. Bologna thoroughly dominated the match against Novara as they not only had over 60% possession, but also as many as 23 shots. Ujkani denied the hosts time on multiple occasions, pulling off saves one after another. His resistance was eventually broken as Acquafresca scored from point-blank range and condemned Novara to the relegation zone.

In the last match of the weekend, Internazionale squared off against Catania. A 9-match win-less streak is difficult for any team, specially one with Internazionale’s credentials. Ranieri knew that nothing short of a victory would be acceptable, but they were pegged back inside the first half. That too not once, but twice. No one knows what kind of dressing down the players received at the break, but with Sneijder’s introduction the game tilted slightly in favor of the Nerazzurri. Goals from Forlan and Milito saved Ranieri, but The Tinkerman has little time on his hands if he is to continue in his current post.

Match Of The Weekend

AS Roma 1 – 2 Lazio

Star Of The Weekend

Zlatan Ibrahimovic(Milan)

Flop Of The Weekend

Leonardo Bonucci(Juventus)

Goal Of The Weekend

Calaio goal (vs Cagliari)

Tiziano Crudeli Moment of the Weekend

Team of the Weekend

Banner of the Weekend

Results

Palermo	0 – 4	Milan
Juventus	1 – 1	Chievo
Parma	1 – 2	Napoli
Udinese	0 – 0	Atalanta
Siena	3 – 0	Cagliari
Fiorentina	2 – 0	Cesena
Lecce	2 – 2	Genoa
AS Roma	1 – 2	Lazio
Bologna	1 – 0	Novara
Internazionale	2 – 2	Catania

Categories: COVER STORY, Italia Serie A
Tags: AC Milan Ibrahimovic Juventus Serie A Review