Fiorentina mug Milan at the San Siro thanks to a Batistuta hat-trick and go clear at
the top of the table. Parma finally score a league goal and get their first win with
a victory over arch rivals Juve. Udinese and Roma continue their good starts.


26 September 1998

MILAN				1-3			FIORENTINA
Bierhoff 70 (pen)						Batistuta 6, 47, 53

Batman intercepted Costacurta's hospital pass, charged at goal and drilled the ball
past Lehman. His second was his trademark shot from a diagonal angle, pass from
Rui Costa, non defending by Costacurta. Costacurta completed his World Class
display of defending when he passed back to Lehman, result indirect free kick.
Rui Costa touched the ball back for Batistuta who lashed the ball into the roof of
the net. Milan won a penalty when Heinrich pulled Bierhoff's shirt in the box, he
converted.

I still can't get over the shock of seeing a side coached by Trap win so comfortably
away from home. Milan need to sort out their defence and, like Inter last season,
are relying on one man to score their goals.

Attendance : 50,000


UDINESE			2-0			SALERNITANA
Amoroso 4, 7

Amoroso's first was a cute flick following a slick passing move. Salernitana
decided to play offside on the half-way line, Walem capitalised by sending
Amoroso away for his second.

Attendance : 18,000


PARMA				1-0			JUVENTUS
Dino Baggio 46

Dino Baggio slid in Chiesa's free kick. Buffon and Peruzzi were rarely tested and
both teams had to rely on set pieces for their chances.


ROMA				2-0			VENEZIA
Delvecchio 1, 14

A mistake let in Delvecchio for his first, Totti punished a sorry attempt at a goal
kick and fed Delvecchio for his second. A great gesture from a Venezia fan as he
swapped scarves with a Roma fan in the crowd in stark contrast to the crowd
trouble at other grounds this week. Both teams created a glut of chances but
failed to capitalise.

Attendance : 47,000


27 September 1998

BARI				0-0			BOLOGNA

Masinga came close with a powerful overhead kick.

Attendance : 33,000


CAGLIARI			5-0			SAMPDORIA
Kallon 6, 75
Muzzi 55
Vasari 68
Berretta 77

Zanoncelli punted the ball upfield the Sampdoria defence let it bounce twice, the
'keeper decided to come out but Kallon stole in to begin the slaughter. Muzzi
headed in Berretta's cross. Macellari and Cate got first use of the soap when they
were sent off for an off the ball incident. Vasari got Cagliari's third with a turn
and shot in the box, despite being surrounded by Sampdoria defenders. Kallon
whacked in a loose ball and I assume Berretta was trying to cross the ball but it
ended up in the back of the net. Ambrosio was in goal for Sampdoria instead of
first choice Ferron which may explain a few of the goals, well that and trademark
non defending by Sampdoria. Sakic was sent off for being next to Mbomba when he
fell or something.

Attendance : 18,000
Red Card(s) : Macellari 65 (Cagliari), Cate 65 (Sampdoria), 
Sakic 81 (Sampdoria)


EMPOLI				1-2			INTER
Carparelli 13						Bergomi 26
							Ventola 37

Carparelli gave Empoli the lead with an easy finish from Lucenti's cross. Baldini
was sent off for chopping down Moriero on the edge of the box, his second
bookable offence. From the resulting free kick Bergomi headed in his first goal in
about 687 years. The impressive Dabo the set up Ventola for the winner, almost
identical to his 2nd goal against Cagliari. Empoli created the best two chances of
the second half but heavy rain turned the pitch into a swamp and the contest
degenerated into a farce. Djorkaeff struck a post. Empoli's  'keeper, Sereni, was
sent off for arguing with the ref.

Some horrendous fouls by Empoli who were lucky to end the match with 9 men and
some equally horrendous diving. Inter were minus Ronaldo and Baggio who are out
with knee injuries.

Attendance : 13,464
Red Card(s) : Baldini 25 (Empoli), Sereni 87 (Empoli)


PERUGIA				2-2			LAZIO
Bucchi 4							Couto 19
Nakata 64						Mihajlovic 72

Marchegiani made a balls up of Bucchi's header. Couto volleyed in Mihajlovic's free
kick. The match was then held up for several minutes due to crowd trouble.
Rapaic's cross was volleyed in by Nakata from a tight angle, as the ball was played
in a Perugia player took a dive in the box but the ref let the goal stand. For some
reason Mancini decided to complain and was shown the red card. What a moron,
either way there would have been a goal as the ref would have given a penalty.
Mihajlovic scored the equaliser with a brilliant free kick. Olive was sent off for a
foul on Protti.

After a great first season in charge Eriksson has now turned Lazio into Sampdoria
mark II. A team with a comical defence, shite midfield and great attack although
as yet the attack isn't functioning. Why Eriksson insists on playing jokers like
Couto and Lopez in defence instead of the infinitely superior Favalli and Negro
is beyond me.


Attendance : 20,000
Red Card(s) : Mancini 64 (Lazio), Olive 74 (Perugia)


PIACENZA			2-0			VICENZA
Polonia 45
Dionigi 78 (pen)

Polonia scored following a goal mouth scramble. Dionigi attempted to head
Stroppa's cross, fell under the challenge of a defender and the ref decided to
award a penalty.

Attendance : 11,000