SERIE A ROUND 4
 
JUVE, MILAN & INTER TOP

23 SEPTEMBER 2001

MILAN				2-0			LAZIO
Inzaghi 41
Laursen 51

Lazio failed to capitalise on two terrible mistakes by Kaladze. His slip
allowed Lopez to release Crespo, he went for the bottom corner, Abbiati got
a touch, the ball struck the crossbar and Laursen cleared. Kaladze then
played a square pass across his box straight to Crespo but a combination of
poor control and the quick reactions of Abbiati prevented Crespo from
scoring. Milan, who had dominated possession, began to finally carve out
chances. Inzaghi headed over Serginho's cross and also blazed high over the
crossbar following a rare mistake by Nesta. Contra abused Favalli and Nesta
on the right flank, cut inside the box and floated the ball onto Inzaghi's
head, 1-0. Rui Costa's half volley was charged down and Shevchenko also
managed to head wide with the entire goal at his mercy. Crespo pulled a
hamstring at the end of the half.

Pancaro made a desperate block to deny Shevchenko but from the resulting
corner Milan increased their lead. The Lazio defence couldn't clear and
Rui Costa sent a perfect cross into the box and Laursen headed in. Nesta
pulled a hamstring when chasing Serginho and I'm sure he's not the first.
Peruzzi made a stunning save from Shevchenko following more poor defending
from a corner. Dino Baggio was the latest Lazio casualty following a clash
with Gattuso. Lazio finally managed a shot on target following good work
by the previously anonymous Mendieta and Kovacevic but Abbiati was equal
to Fiore's shot. The Milan supporters gave Rui Costa a standing ovation as
he left the pitch 30 minutes into the second half.

Milan's pressing was Sacchi like in it's intensity. They were so relentless
that the opposition injured themselves in trying to keep up!

Assists : Contra, Rui Costa


ATALANTA			1-0			VERONA
Doni 27

Doardo didn't even attempt to move for Doni's free kick. He must have
thought the ball was going wide as he turned and watched it crash into the net.

Attendance : 14,000
Assist : ?


CHIEVO				4-2			PIACENZA
Corini 13 (Pen), 68					Hubner 8, 87
Manfredini 37
Perrotta 47

Chievo's offside trap gave Piacenza the lead, Springsteen's finish was superb.
Marazzina stole the ball of Cristante who was dithering on the edge of his
area, ran into the box and was chopped down by Boselli. Should have been a
red card. Corini sent Guardalben the wrong way. Despite a poor clearance
Piacenza didn't seem to be in danger when Manfredini picked up the ball wide
on the left of the box. He took aim and thrashed the ball into the roof of
the net. Phenomenal strike. Perrotta scored from Corini's pass and the former
Juventus midfielder wrapped up the points with a brilliant free kick. Springsteen
grabbed a late consolation goal.

Assists : Gautieri, Marazzina, Corini, Matuzalem
Attendance : 6,400
Gate Receipts : £40,000


PARMA				1-0			BRESCIA
Nakata 86

Frey was back to his best here. He made two magnificent saves. Castelazzi
also had a decent game in goal for the visitors but could do nothing about
Nakata's late strike.

Attendance : 15,000
Assist : Di Vaio
Red Card : Bonera 88 (Brescia)


PERUGIA				1-2			UDINESE
Vryzas 20						Di Loreto 44 (og)
							Pizzaro 68

Vryzas stole a yard on Sottil and scored with a superb flick volley at the
near post. Jorgensen's shot took a wicked deflection off Di Loreto.
Mazzantini didn't have a prayer. Pizzaro, who has an uncanny resemblance to
Sosa only he's 2ft shorter, scored the winner when his free kick dipped
wickedly at the last minute into the net. He was almost certainly attempting
a cross

Attendance : 7,000
Assists : Baiocco, ?
Red Card : Pinzi 85 (Udinese)


ROMA				1-1			FIORENTINA
Totti 11 (Pen)						Adani 8
Panucci 87

Adani rose above Zago to head in Chiesa's corner. Totti equalised from the
spot after Montella took a spectacular dive in the box. Multiple reject
Panucci punished Fiorentina's naive appeals for offside (from a free kick) by
heading in Assuncao's cross. Batistuta keeps missing open goals.

Attendance : 53,000
Assists : Chiesa, Montella, Assuncao


TORINO				0-1			INTER
							Kallon 72 (Pen)

Kallon scored from the spot after former Inter defender Galante pulled down
Ventola with an arm-drag many Pro Wrestlers would have been proud of.
Ventola's bump was also impressive, must have been watching Tough Enough.
Galante blew a 100% chance late in the match when he headed over Asta's
cross.

Attendance : 25,000
Assist : Ventola


VENEZIA				0-1			BOLOGNA
							Zauli 92

Venezia's pitch was in a terrible state. Having spurned several second half
chances Bologna got the points in injury time when Zauli hit a lose ball
through a ruck of players.

Attendance : 6,500
Gate Receipts : £57,000


22 SEPTEMBER 2001

LECCE				0-0			JUVENTUS

Chimenti denied Juve three points with several World Class saves. Savino
charged Montero for a late challenge on Chimenti but everyone intervened
before a fight broke out.

Attendance : 32,236
Gate Receipts : £403,000

R Mehdi