6 January 2004

ROMA				1-2			MILAN
Cassano 48						Shevchenko 23, 62

Ancelotti was without Nesta, Kaladze, Ambrosini, Inzaghi and Tomasson so played with
Shevchenko as the lone striker with Kaka, Pirlo, Rui Costa, Gattuso and Seedorf in a five
man midfield (or 4-3-2-1). To say this tactic worked would be a gross understatement.
Ancelotti also played with one forward during Milan's spectacular start to the Champions
League last season.

After a slow start Milan began to boss the midfield and took a deserved lead through
Shevchenko. Seedorf found him with a superb crossfield pass and he stole a yard on Chivu
and, despite the defender's strong challenge, manage to lob the ball over Pelizzoli.
He found himself in a similar position minutes later but shot wide. With Milan in total
control Roma managed to steal an equaliser deep into first half injury time. As Milan
protested over the award of a corner kick Totti whipped the ball to the back post,
Mancini headed across goal and Cassano slammed past Dida.

The expected second half fight back failed to materialise as Milan continued to dominate.
A brilliant Rui Costa inspired counter attack restored the visitors lead. He latched onto a pass
and ran half the length of the pitch taking the Roma defence with him, Shevchenko pulled
wide of Samuel, Rui Costa laid off a pass and Shevchenko swept a left foot shot into the
corner. Cassano headed over with the goal as his mercy after Panucci helped on a corner.
Milan almost paid the price for failing to take a series of half chances when Dida came up
for a long ball and missed. He crashed to the ground and presented Cassano with the ball
at his feet, Cassano sent the ball goalwards but Costacurta was quick to spot the danger
and made a brilliant clearance. Shevchenko should have scored a hat-trick but when Kaka's
pass left him with a one on one with Pelizzoli he hesitated and his shot was blocked.

Sloppy defending cost Milan a goal otherwise they completely nullified the threat of Mancini
and Totti. Gattuso pretty much took care of Dacourt and Emerson by himself. Surprisingly
Seedorf and Rui Costa completely upstaged Pirlo and Kaka in midfield, the duo were
magnificent. A European Cup winning level of performance from the Champions of Europe. Oh
and one more thing, game of the season.

Attendance : 73,383
Assists : Seedorf, Mancini, Rui Costa


ANCONA				0-2			PARMA
							Barone 27, 64

After having an overhead kick disallowed for offside, Gilardino laid off a cross for Barone's
first. Rapaic won a penalty with a complete dive, Di Francesco spooned the ball over the bar.
Barone hit a pass upto Morfeo, he laid the ball off first time with a back heel and Barone
strode into the box before shooting wide of Marcon. Fantastic goal.

Attendance : 11,000
Red Cards : Seric 74 (Parma), Maltagliati 84 (Ancona)
Assists : Gilardino, Morfeo


BOLOGNA			2-1			EMPOLI
Bellucci 33						Di Natale 18
Pecchia 75

Di Natale's personal supply line, Rocchi, gave him the cross for only his fourth goal of the
season. Bellucci equalised from Signori's corner. Bologna took control but Empoli came
closest to retaking the lead when Di Natale's spectacular volley rebounded off the post.
Pecchia won the match with a close range header.

Attendance : 18,000
Assists : Rocchi, Signori (ck), Bellucci


BRESCIA				4-2			SIENA
Mauri 15, 86						Argilli 45
Baggio 21, 52						Flo 46

Just as Baggio was about to score one of his trademark dribble through the entire defence
type goals, the ball ricocheted off a defender and Mauri arrived to hit a stunning first time
shot past Rossi. An unorthodox corner kick routine gave Brescia a two goal lead. Giant striker
Caracciolo took the corner kick and Baggio volleyed Brescia further in front. Seconds after
Agliardi denied Taddei with an excellent save from the strikers overhead kick the ball was
fired back into the box by Zanchetta and Argilli blasted a scissor kick into the bottom corner,
amazing goal.

Siena were level shortly into the second half. Flo finished brilliantly after Taddei, who looks to
have great potential, found him with a cutting through pass. Baggio instantly brought Filippini's
incredible volleyed pass under control and gently rolled the ball beyond Rossi. Fittingly Baggio
put the seal on what was a sensational match when he nutmegged a defender, ran into the box
and chipped a cross to the back post leaving Mauri to head into an empty net.

Attendance : 13,000
Assists : Caracciolo (ck), Lazetic, Taddei, Filippini, Baggio
Red Card : Colucci 82 (Brescia)


INTER				3-1			LECCE
Cruz 50							Bovo 3
Cordoba 60
Vieri 85

Inter didn't turn up in the first half. After some extremely sloppy defending allowed Bovo to
head the visitors into a shock lead Lecce took control of the first half but paid the price for
failing to take their chances. Cruz equalised with a stunning free kick which flew in off the
post. Cordoba headed in from an Emre corner. Poleksic tried to prevent Vieri from reaching
Martin's through pass but only succeeded in leaving the striker with an empty net and despite
Siviglia's touch gave him his 100th goal in an Inter shirt. Adani put a golden crown on Vieri's
head to mark this historic occasion. King Christian? King Vieri? King Bobo? King Kong?
King Dong?

Attendance : 40,000
Assists : Chevanton, Zanetti (fk)? Emre


JUVENTUS			1-0			PERUGIA
Nedved 29

Nedved showed off his Ballon D'or before the match and promptly scored the only goal.
Normally you would say a goal scored from 35 yds and one hit with such force and accuracy
has to be considered a great goal but Pardini replaced the injured Kalac minutes into his
comeback and given he's 3rd choice behind the incredibly RUBBISH Pardini I'm not convinced.
Juve didn't bother in the second half.

Attendance : 41,500
Assist : Zambrotta


MODENA				0-3			CHIEVO
							Cossato 43
							Lanna 68
							Barzagli 79

Cossato met Santana's cross with a bullet header. Zanchetta found Lanna with a beautiful
pass and from an improbable angle he lashed the ball into the top corner and just 10 minutes
later 22 year old Barzagli met ? corner with a spectacular scissor kick, one of the goals of
the season. For some reason no one is making a song and dance about this goal, Rai didn't
even bother to replay it.

Attendance : 15,500
Assists : Santana, Zanchetta, ? (ck)


REGGINA			2-1			LAZIO
Di Michele 59						Liverani 16
Cozza 69

Reggina fell behind after a bright start. Liverani made a rare excursion in the box and
was left with a simple chance after a Reggina defender slipped when attempting to clear
Favalli's centre. Muzzi earned a second yellow card for charging down a free kick. After
denying Reggina on several occasions Peruzzi was finally beaten when Di Michele punished
Oddo for ball watching and Cozza thumped a header past Peruzzi. Oddo was sent off for a late
foul on Falsini, he barely made contact but if he had Falsini would be in hospital right now.

Attendance : 20,000
Assists : Favalli, Cozza
Red Cards : Muzzi 40 (Lazio), Oddo 93 (Lazio)


UDINESE			0-1			SAMPDORIA
							Flachi 57

Carrozzieri headed down Zenoni's cross and Flachi scored with a low overhead kick. Two
scissor kicks and one overhead kick, one overhead kick saved and another disallowed for
offside, unbelievable week in Serie A.

Attendance : 18,000

R Mehdi