Juve Held, Cheap Penalty Keeps Milan Top

Taibi denies Juve 3 points in Bergamo. Another dodgy penalty helps Milan
to victory over Modena. Inter keep pace with the neighbours following an
easy victory over Torino. A late Simeone header gives Lazio a point against
Chievo and Parma beat Udinese in a five goal thriller.

2 February 2003

TORINO				0-2		INTER
						Vieri 47
						Okan 58

Materazzi should have been booked for flattening Sommese. From the resulting
free kick the ball was crossed into the box and Comotto volleyed against the
underside of the crossbar, Magallanes tried to punch the rebound into the net.
A botched clearance by Bucci early in the second half handed Inter the lead.
Recoba crossed to the back post, the ball hit former Inter player Mezzano and
Vieri tapped in. Okan tapped in a second following a superb piece of dribbling
by Recoba. Materazzi charged a free kick and as he did so took a boot at a
Torino player. No booking for either the challenge or rushing the free kick.
Wanker ref. Batistuta missed a sitter late on, what's new?

Attendance : 25,000
Assist : Recoba


ATALANTA			1-1		JUVENTUS
Pinardi 40					Di Vaio 50

Atalanta took the lead against the run of play after Trezeguet and Di Vaio (twice)
went close to scoring. An excellent one touch passing move involving Doni,
Berretta and Dabo left the Juve defence in a trace and Pinardi hit an instant
high shot past Buffon. Di Vaio headed Juve level from a Camoranesi corner.
Taibi made two excellent saves from headers. Rossini had a goal disallowed
for a 'foul' on Thuram. Doni was booked for diving AFTER Camoranesi wrestled
him to the ground. Camoranesi was booked for trying to do a Maradona into
Atalanta's goal. Donkey Zalayeta wasted a great chance late on.

Attendance : 25,500
Assists : Dabo, Camoranesi (ck)


CHIEVO				1-1		LAZIO
Corini 44 (Pen)					Simeone 88

Minutes after Lopez hit the woodwork with a lob Chievo were awarded a penalty
after a total dive by Cossato. Referee Farina made Corini take the penalty twice,
for encroachment. Same result, back of the net. Negro, who had an absolute shite
match, did his best to help Chievo get a second when his sloppy back pass let in
Cossato but Peruzzi flew off his line and blocked the shot. Lorenzi presented
Lopez with a one on one against Lupatelli but he shot like the old Lopez, straight
at the 'keeper. Inzaghi came on as a second half substitute and in the space of
5 seconds earned himself a nomination for donkey of the year award. He fell flat
on his arse when a Fiore pull back left him with a gaping goal, Lopez's deflected
shot came back off the post and Inzaghi somehow managed to shoot wide while
standing on the goal line. Inzaghi did however play a part in the equaliser, Fiore
crossed his pass into the box and Simeone headed Lazio level.

Attendance : 14,900
Assists : Cossato (won pen), Firore


EMPOLI				0-0		COMO

Berti made two stunning saves from Caccia and Coco. Empoli didn't do much at
the other end.

Attendance : 5,000


MILAN				2-1		MODENA
Pirlo 76 (Pen)					Scaponi 91
Inzaghi 80

Both teams had penalty appeals turned down. Milan for a foul on Shevchenko.
and Modena for a foul on Vignaroli. Pirlo converted a penalty won by Kaladze
and Inzaghi made it 2-0 with a header from Rivaldo's cross. Scaponi volleyed
Modena back in the match and Milaneto wasted a great chance to equalise
in the dying seconds when he shot straight at Dida. 

Milan are becoming way too dependant on penalties for my liking. Inzaghi
and Shevchenko go together about as well as oil and water. One of them
has to leave in the summer.

Attendance : 50,000
Assists : Kaladze (won pen), Rivaldo, Ponzo


PARMA				3-2		UDINESE
Adriano 11					Pizarro 57
Barone 56					Jankulovski 92
Nakata 88

Bonera was lucky to only get a yellow card for chopping down Muzzi in the
box. Frey saved Muzzi's weak spot kick. Lamouchi found Adriano with an
absolutely fabulous pass and he calmly stroked the ball into the corner.
Ferrari was sent off for a nothing challenge on Muzzi, terrible decision.
Fortunately the red card had no effect on Parma as they kept surging forward.
Nakata went close and Mutu had a header cleared off the line. Rodomonti
evened the odds when he sent off Kroldrup for a 'foul' on Cardone, looked
like a complete dive. Junior played a one-two with an Udinese player before
spraying the ball wide to Barone, 2-0. Pizzaro pulled a goal back with a great
first time shot but Nakata killed off Udinese following another stunning Mutu
pass. Jankulovski scored a fantastic consolation goal, he flicked up a pass
and hit a stunning rising volley over Frey.

Game of the season so far - in any league.

Attendance : 16,000
Assists : Lamouchi, Junior, Warley, Mutu
Red Cards : Ferrari 22 (Parma), Kroldrup 45 (Udinese)


REGGINA			3-1		PERUGIA
Di Michele 14 secs				Rezai 2
Cozza 27
Bonazzoli 47

I'm not sure if this is some sort of record but Di Michele scored within
14 seconds. Nakamura received a pass from the kick off, slung the ball
forward, Bonazzoli headed on and Di Michele shot under Kalac. Rezai headed
Perugia level from a corner. Cozza restored Reggina's lead with a superb close
range volley. Reggina sealed victory following a quick break, Di Michele ran
40yds before taking out the Perugia defence with a great disguised pass leaving
the impressive Bonazzoli free to bag his second goal in successive matches.

A very impressive performance from Reggina. Bonazzoli is a real talent, this
move should do wonders for his career and Reggina's Serie A prospects.

Attendance : 23,000
Assists : Bonazzoli, Miccoli (ck), Mamede, Di Michele


1 February 2003

PIACENZA			1-4		BRESCIA
Hubner 17					Appiah 8
						Baggio 32
						Toni 47
						Tare 87

Appiah lashed a loose ball through a ruck of players. The Boss equalised with an
overhead kick, his first goal in months. Bachini hit a fantastic cross straight over
Baggio's shoulder and he volleyed Brescia back in front. Toni killed off Piacenza
with a blistering strike early in the second half. Tare rounded (!) Guardalben to
score a fourth.

Attendance : 6,000
Assists : Maresca (fk), Bachini, Baggio, Toni


ROMA				3-1		BOLOGNA
Montella 35					Signori 41
Delvecchio 52
Cassano 72

Delvecchio headed Panucci's cross against the post, Montella headed the
rebound over the bar but he made no mistake on another rebound to put
Roma in front. Capello was once again rewarded for playing Aldair, Aldair
is so old that his birth certificate has expired, that that's how old he is.
Anyway donkey Aldair passed to Cruz, he crossed to the back post and
Signori volleyed Bologna level. Paramatti decided to take pity on Roma
and handled in the box. Totti's penalty was saved but Delvecchio put
away the rebound. Poor Pagliuca, he finally saves a penalty but still
concedes a goal. An uncharacteristic cock up by Pagliuca gave crater
face Cassano a tap-in and Roma a much needed victory.

Attendance : 45,000
Assist : Cruz


R Mehdi