SERIE A ROUND 7
 
Inter Three Points Clear

Chievo end Milan's unbeaten run in a five goal thriller. Lazio miss a late penalty
as the Roma derby ends in a tie.


27 OCTOBER 2002

LAZIO				2-2		ROMA
Fiore 50						Delvecchio 56
Stankovic 74					Batistuta 66

The first half was the drizzling shits. Panucci and Zebina conspired to give Lazio
the lead. With a typical piece of half arsed defending Panucci deflected Favalli's
cross towards his own goal, Zebina tried to hook the ball clear but only got as
far as Fiore who shinned the ball into the net. Peruzzi spilled a tame shot by
Montella and Delvecchio fired in on the rebound. Batistuta scored minutes after
coming on as sub. Donkey Couto sent him clear with a hospital pass, as usual
Peruzzi flew off his line and managed to knock the ball wide as Batistuta tried
to go past but he kept his balance to score. Stankovic equalised with a
tremendous header. Lazio were awarded a penalty when Zebina pulled
Inzaghi Jr's shirt. The Lazio players celebrated as if they had scored the winner,
big mistake as Antonioli pulled off an absolutely amazing save from Mihajlovic.

Assist : Lopez


BRESCIA				1-1		COMO
Baggio 87 (Pen)					Padalino 78

Como scored with their only chance. Aligretti's free kick cannoned back off the
post and Padalino knocked the ball into the net. A total bullshit penalty gave
Brescia a share of the points. Brunner went up for a high ball and took a smash
in the mouth from Bachini in the process. The ref awarded a penalty with poor
Brunner dazed and bleeding like a stuck pig. Absolutely shocking decision.
Baggio converted.

Attendance : 16,000
Assist : Bachini (won pen)


INTER				2-0		BOLOGNA
Materazzi 66
Vieri 92

Materazzi sent a looping header over Pagliuca. While Bologna were waiting for
the ref to blow for a foul by Okan he ran upfield and passed to Crespo, Crespo
sent a cross to the back post and Vieri wrapped up the three points.

Attendance : 60,000
Assists : Conceicao (fk), Crespo


PARMA				2-1		ATALANTA
Nakata 13					Comandini 84
Mutu 70

Another assist for Mutu left another team-mate with an easy finish. Mutu made
it 2-0 with a brilliant free kick. Comandini pulled a goal back late on but for
once Parma managed to hold on after going 2-0 up.

Mutu is developing into a World Class player.

Attendance : 15,000
Assists : Mutu, Bonazzoli (won fk), Foglio


PERUGIA				2-0		MODENA
Ze Maria 7 (Pen)
Rezai 28

Ze Maria converted a penalty after midget Miccoli took a tumble in the box.
It was dive alright but a nice dive in that it looked realistic, not like the
Hollywood stuntman dives most players take. Milanese miss-hit Ze Maria's
corner but the ball fell to Rezai and he lashed a left foot volley past Ballotta. 

I'm not to sure about his defending but Rezai is brilliant going forward. Super
game by Miccoli but I still think he's always going to struggle to score because
of his size. May make a good winger though.

Attendance : 10,000 
Assist : Miccoli


PIACENZA			1-2		EMPOLI
Cardone 6					Rocchi 31
						Vannucchi 81

The first two goals were from corners. Di Natale made the winner with a
clever back heel to Vannucchi who just about managed to keep his balance
as he turned and shot past Guardalben.

Looks like The Boss has lost his scoring touch.

Attendance : 7,500
Assists : Montano (ck), Di Natale (x2)


REGGINA			2-1		TORINO
Bogdani 54					Conticchio 47
Paredes 80

Conticchio volleyed Torino in front from Castellini's cross. Mozart threaded
a 30yds pass to Bogdani he waited for Bucci to dive before slotting inside
the post, class finish. Paredes scored the winner 10 minutes from time when
he volleyed into the corner after Cozza helped on a free kick.

Attendance : 25,000
Assists : Castellini, Mozart, Cozza


26 OCTOBER 2002

CHIEVO				3-2		MILAN
Marazzina 22					Shevchenko 59
Bierhoff 49					Tomasson 94
Cossato 82

Corini lobbed a free kick into the box and Marazzina headed past Dida with
the Milan defence ball watching. Bierhoff headed Chievo into a two goal
lead after a goalmouth scramble ensued following a poor clearance by
Kaladze. Shevchenko scored his first goal of the season with a spectacular
diving header from Pirlo's superb cross. Another defensive blunder lead to
Chievo's winner, Dida collided with Helveg and as he got up and back into
goal Della Morte floated over a cross and Cossato climbed above Maldini
to make it 3-1. Tomasson tapped in after Lupatelli spilled a Rui Costa
shot. Pirlo earned his second yellow deep into stoppage time for diving
in the box.

Are you Chievo in disguise? Milan defended like Chievo and Chievo for the
first time I recall defended deep and didn't employ their suicide trap, much.
Lupatelli kept Chievo in the match with some incredible saves. If you want to
know why I've been so critical of Rui Costa watch this match. He's incredibly
slow at laying off the ball, unlike Seedorf for example, and attempts difficult
passes.

Attendance : 30,000
Assists : Corini (fk), Pirlo, Della Morte
Red Card : Pirlo 95 (Milan)


JUVENTUS			1-0		UDINESE
Salas 48

Zalayeta went to ground three times - when attempting a scissor kick, diving
header and looking for a penalty. Tacchinardi released Zenoni with a great
through pass, about the only thing of note Tacchinardi has done in months,
Zenoni centred and Salas tapped past former Juventus goalkeeper De Sanctis.
Iaquinta spurned Udinese's best chance, heading wide from close range.
Nedved struck the post with a free kick.

Attendance : 35,168
Assist : Zenoni


R Mehdi