7 December 2003

CHIEVO				0-3			ROMA
							Totti 67
							Mancini 70
							Cassano 72


Franceschini's shot against the post was the only highlight in a terrible first
half. Carew's shot was charged down by a defender, the ball fell to Emerson and
he played it wide to Mancini, his centre was tapped in by Totti. An absolutely
fantastic strike by the Brazilian shot Roma into a two goal lead. Totti found him
with a pass out wide, he took one touch to control the ball before blasting
half volley into the net from an improbable angle. A slip by D'Anna presented him
with the ball on the edge of the box and his cross was despatched by Cassano.

Attendance : 19,023
Assists : Mancini, Totti, Mancini


BOLOGNA			3-2			ANCONA
Dilica 3 (og)						Troise 70 (og)
Nervo 28						Pandev 79
Signori 47

An excellent volley by Dilica gave Bologna the lead, hell of an own goal. 
Nervo doubled Bologna' s lead with an absolutely amazing 30 yard half
volley from wide right on goal, one of the goals of the season. Minutes into
the second half Signori finished off a nice passing move, his first goal
from open play this season. Viali's free kick deflected in off Troise and
Pandev showed some excellent footwork to turn Gamberini inside out
before blasting the ball into the net from a tight angle. Milanese was sent
off for hacking down Nervo.

Figures, two of the worst teams in the league produce a five goal thriller.

Attendance : 19,000
Assists : Rossini, Amoroso, Gamberini
Red Card : Milanese 90 (Ancona)


INTER				2-1			PERUGIA
Vieri 25, 80						Tedesco 88

Adani won the ball in midfield with an excellent tackle, as he drove forward
he was fouled, the ref played the advantage, Emre turned his marker before
passing the ball to Cruz, he teed up Vieri and his first time shot was too hot
to handle. An excellent through pass on a counter attack sent Vieri clear and
he stroked the ball into the corner. Berrettoni headed on Ze Maria's free kick
and Tedesco arrived unmarked at the back post to score only the second goal
Inter have conceded under Zac.

Attendance : 60,000
Assists : Cruz (x2)


LECCE				1-2			PARMA
Chevanton 70 (Pen)					Gilardino 46, 78

The match was played on one of the worst pitches I have seen this season. Poleksic
was sent off for apparently bringing down Gilardino, the youngster had rounded
the 'keeper and with a goal at his mercy lost his balance, still he is a diver so
I can't be sure. Anyway substitute 'keeper Amelia came off the bench to save
Morfeo's piss poor penalty. Gilardino scored at the start of the second half when
Bresciano helped on a long ball. Morfeo and Tonetto missed absolute sitters.
Chevanton dived to win a penalty. An excellent pass from Donadel, on loan from
Milan, found Gilardino and he worked himself an opening before shooting into the
corner.

Attendance : 11,000
Assists : Bresciano, Chevanton (won pen), Donadel
Red Card : Poleksic 30 (Lecce)


MODENA				1-1			BRESCIA
Taldo 81							Bachini 83

A match notable for some spectacularly poor finishing was lifted by two goals
in two minutes. Taldo headed in a free kick and Bachini scored directly from one.
The dreadful Amoruso and Taldo both missed late chances. Brescia should have
been awarded a penalty for a totally blatant piece of shirt pulling by Belestri 
on Di Biagio - right in front of the ref.

Attendance : 15,000
Assists : Milanetto (fk), (won fk)?


SAMPDORIA			2-1			SIENA
Flachi 15 secs						D'Aversa 39
Bazzani 73

Flachi punished some very dodgy goalkeeping to give Samp a perfect start.
Rossi made up for his earlier mistakes with good saves on Flachi and Diana.
At the other end a weak touch by Antonioli allowed D'Aversa to equalise from
a free kick and like his counterpart he saved brilliantly as Siena looked almost
certain to take the lead although it was Flo who had the chance so I'm not sure
that should count. An absolutely sensational scissor kick by Flachi rebounded
off the post and Bazzani headed into an empty net. The Siena players were furious
as Bazzani was standing in an offside position when Flachi shot, brilliant match
though.

Rai Duo have a group of former pro's recreating some of the goals during the
matches as they don't have the rights to show the games lives. I bet it took a few
takes to get the last goal right!

Attendance : 25,000
Assists : Diana, Flo (won fk)
Red Card : Donati 89 (Sampdoria)


UDINESE			1-0			REGGINA
Jancker 87

A stunning right foot volley by Jancker (yes, it's true) sealed a late victory for
Udinese. Only the second goal of his Serie A career.

Attendance : 16,000


6 December 2003

EMPOLI				0-1			MILAN
							Kaka 81

Empoli had a goal ruled out for one of those dodgy passive offside late in
the first half and in the second Milan had penalty appeals turned down when
it appeared as it Busce handled, can't tell from the replay. Kaka lifted a very
poor Milan display when he scored shortly after coming on as a substitute
with a stunning 30 yard effort.

Funny how Milan's website suddenly has a Japanese mirror, a week ahead of
the Intercontinental Cup final against Boca Juniors. Make no mistake, the club
are taking that match very, very seriously.

Attendance : 12,791
Assist : Seedorf


LAZIO				2-0			JUVENTUS
Corradi 20
Fiore 47

Stam's throw in was juggled by Fiore on the edge of the box, he turned and
fired in a teasing cross, Corradi darted in front of Legrotaglie and flung himself
at the ball heading into the bottom corner. Del Piero should have drew Juve level
but shot straight at Peruzzi and Nedved forced the former Juve goalkeeper into
an excellent save from a free kick. Fiore almost headed in a second for Lazio, while
Legrotaglie was impeding Corradi as he tried to attack a free kick. Buffon kept out
a Mihajlovic free kick with a brilliant save. Corradi showed excellent touch to
bring Negro's long ball under control, Corradi got a lucky bounce off Legrottaglie
before rolling the ball across to Fiore and he rifled past Buffon right on half time.

The second half was very disappointing with Lazio content to sit on their lead.
Nedved's deflected shot was about as close as they came to scoring. Di Vaio
should have pulled a goal back but shot horribly wide.

Lazio picked up a hat-trick of muscle injuries in this match with Lopez, Muzzi
and Mihajlovic forced to leave inside the first hour. I have to say Corradi was
brilliant in this match.

Attendance : 70,000
Assists : Fiore, Corradi

R Mehdi