Milan defeat Juventus in Turin but Lazio maintain their single point lead
with a victory over Bologna. Parma, fresh from winning the Italian Cup,
warm up for the UEFA Cup final by crushing Inter at the San Siro. Sampdoria
keep their hopes of Serie A survival alive with a 3-2 victory over Fiorentina
thanks to two ludicrous dismissals. Udinese move up into 5th place  with a
hard fought victory over relegation threatened Vicenza.

8 May 1999

INTER				1-3			PARMA
Ronaldo 24						Stanic 47
							Asprilla 48
							Fuser 62

Ronaldo should have been awarded a goal when his blistering strike cannoned
in off the crossbar. Minutes later he whacked a shot high into the net from
just outside the box. Stanic headed in Thuram's corner. Asprilla gave Parma
the lead with a delightful chip from close range. Fuser wrapped up the
victory, smashing a half volley across Frey from a tight angle. Buffon saved
a Ronaldo penalty for the second consecutive season.

Attendance : 65,700

9 May 1999

CAGLIARI			3-1			SALERNITANA
Mboma 39						Di Vaio 25
Berretta 67, 92

Villa and Centurini swapped several passes in their own penalty area when 
under little pressure, eventually Scarpi had to make a hurried clearance,
Giampaolo picked up the ball ran into the box and centred for Di Vaio.
A mix-up between Balli and his defence gifted Mboma his 6th of the season.
Berretta headed in a free kick and tapped in a rebound after Muzzi had his 
shot blocked.

Attendance : 25,000


EMPOLI				2-2			VENEZIA
Zalayeta 49						Recoba 72 (Pen), 95
Tonetto 70

Zalayeta headed Empoli into the lead from Tonetto's cross and another
Tonetto cross missed everyone and ended up in the net. Maniero won a penalty
following a non tackle. Recoba converted. Empoli wasted several chances to
kill off the game and where punished when Recoba blasted in an awesome free
kick from about 35yds.

Attendance : 6,080


JUVENTUS			0-2			MILAN
							Weah 46, 64

Inzaghi blew three great first half chances, denied by an outstanding tackle
from Costacurta, a great save by Abbiati and a horrid finish. Bierhoff headed
high over the bar from Albertini's free kick. Leonardo was denied what looked
a certain goal by a great interception from Di Livio, who had an immense
game. Weah returned Montero's hospital pass with interest to head Milan
into the lead early in the second half. After that it was one way traffic.
Bierhoff, in what must be his worst ever performance in Serie A, blew three
un-missable chances before Weah scored his second with a cool finish when
brilliantly put through by Boban. Abbiati then pulled off his now customary
freakish saves, denying Di Livio with a incredible block at the far post
and an even more incredible reflex save from Perrotta's deflected shot.
This game he didn't give up any rebounds either. A dejected Deschamps sat
on the pitch with his head in his hands and seconds later the ref put Juve
out of their misery.

Boban's introduction at the start of the second half turned the game in
Milan's favour. Ambrosini bullied the Juve midfield, the entire Milan 
defence, even Costacurta, had a superb game. Weah was outstanding, Bierhoff
was embarrassing. Milan could have easily won the game 5-0 but given Juve's
first half performance 2-0 was the right result. Someone asked a while ago
how many league goals Di Livio had scored in Serie A. 3 is the answer. He
may not score many goals but if Zidane had a half of Di Livio's workrate, 
Juve  would be unbeatable.

Attendance : 59,125


LAZIO				2-0			BOLOGNA
Almeyda 50
Vieri 89

I realise that a Bologna fan or fans have gone to a lot of trouble in 
painting a giant picture of Signori but it could not possibly be a less
flattering portrait. Lazio had a goal disallowed for offside. Almeyda gave
Lazio the lead with a shot from 25yds. Simutenkov struck the post,
Vieri sealed the victory with a great strike when put through by Mancini.
 
Attendance : 60,000


PERUGIA				0-1			BARI
							Osmanovski 75

Osmanovski won the match with a fierce strike from just inside the box.
Matrecano was sent off for nailing Giorgetti with a lariat that Stan Hansen
would be proud of (Pro Wrestler who has legit broken 2 necks with the move).

Attendance : 18,000
Red Card(s) : Matrecano 91 (Perugia)


PIACENZA			2-0			ROMA
Rastelli 32
Statuto 80

Piacenza wasted about 6 great chances before Rastelli gave them a deserved
lead heading in at the far post after Inzaghi headed across goal. Statuto
made the scoreline respectable with a tap-in after Dionigi hurled himself
over the 'keeper.

Away from home Roma have that incredible ability of making any team look
like World beaters. The brain trust at Roma have just splashed out £14.5
million on Montella, while £11 million Fabio Junior sits in the stands and
the local pub team play in defence. Who is the bigger idiot, Zeman for 
signing attackers or the President for signing the cheques?

Attendance : 13,000


SAMPDORIA			3-2			FIORENTINA
Montella 29, 51						Rui Costa 20 (Pen)
Palmieri 78						Heinrich 41

Balleri fouled Oliveira in the box, Rui Costa despatched the penalty. Roma
bound Montella chested down Palmieri's cross and beat Toldo to the ball
to equalise. Ortega got Cois sent off with a dive, despite being about 
6 miles away from Cois. Pathetic refereeing. Heinrich headed in Rui Costa's
corner. A terrible mistake by Toldo/Edmundo depending on who you want to
blame led to Samp's second, Toldo threw out the ball, it bounced off
Edmundo's heels, Pecchia picked up the ball and passed to Montella who beat
Toldo with ease. Edmundo wasted a great chance to redeem himself when 
missing an open goal. Palmieri punished more slack defending to score Samp's
winner and got Padalino sent off with another ridiculous dive. Samp may have
played some great football over the years, if you leave your brain outside
when they defend, but they continue to be one of the dirtiest teams in
Serie A.

Attendance : 21,000
Red Card(s) : Cois 33, Padalino 91 (Fiorentina)


VICENZA				2-3			UDINESE
Zauli 50							Amoroso 36,
Dicara 61						 47 (Pen)
							Walem 59

Two dives by Amoroso two penalties by Amoroso. What Aurelio was doing 
running alongside Amoroso as he took the spot kicks I'll never know. Besides,
it's against the rules. Zauli created an opening for himself with a quick
change of feet and beat Turci. Walem slammed in a free kick and Dicara 
headed in a corner.

Attendance : 18,000